[Mr Spock]

Hello everyone,
I've just spent a bit of time googling about adrenal fatigue, and I'm wondering with all your folk who are tortured by panic attacks whether this area might be worth investigating. Certainly the endocring system has a major effect on our quality of life, and abiility to cope, and women are very vulnerable to the shifting levels of hormones in your bodies... Other thoughts related to this include thyroid function.
I mention this because I remember Auntybiotic enlightening us earlier that a single dose of an SSRI such as Lexapro doubles the level of cortisone, and therefore, adrenalin, released by the body. Obviously, when this stimulant is ceased, there may be a rebound insufficiency. What do you think?
My last point I wanted to make about the discussion the other day about the metabolism of different SSRI's by the body is that some SSRI's such as Lexapro, and Celexa are very selective (comparatively) on the neuro-transmitters in that they mainly act on serotonin only, whereas others, such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil are less discriminate, also acting on Dopamine and Nor adrenalin, so if one switches, as I have done, you may get additional side-effects.
On a personal note, and this is probably only noteworthy to the "old-timers", I received a phone call yesterday informing me that after initially receiving news from a December blood test that the treatment for my Hepatitis C had been unsuccessful (the reason I went on the Celexa in the first place), 2 subsequent blood tests have revealed that I am negative for the virus, so I am, in effect, "cured"!!! As you can imagine, I am over the moon, as the 48 week treatment was HELL. Also, as I have been grappling with the lethargy etc from ? Celexa withdrawals for 9 months now, having recently commenced a slow Prozac taper, which at the moment is not helping (yet), the liver specialist has referred me to a neurologist who is so well versed with SSRI withdrawals that he has written papers on it. Any information that I receive, I will definitely share with you all.
Redbled, congratulations and well done. How's the icecream and the whippings going?
Auntybiotic, long time no hear. How are things going with your new house and your daughter? Have you had a chance to post me the book yet? I would imagine that you are still settling in, but regardless I would be interested to hear how life is going for you.
Live long and prosper.
due to 2

[Miss Lee]

Mr. Spock-

That is the best news I have heard in a long time! I am over the moon as well. It is a personal victory for you (and I feel for all of us as well!)

I am proud of your courage, strength and wisdom.

Oh and about adrenal fatigue- It is like you body says"I am stressed! Send cortisol" But your body says "we don't got none! Were out! So here is some adreneline (sp)" which in turn causes panic with a capitol PPPPP.

Check out this web page:
www.onlineallergycenter.com

good info on hormones.

Miss Lee

[annaoffmeds]

thanks everyone who said something encouraging.
Things have been hard- being a 23 year old fresh out of school married woman...well lets just say that its hard to find your place among old friends and new....and since my husband is gone for a year to Iraq my best most understanding friend is gone.

Anyways, to refresh I got off lex almost a month ago. I went off too fast (but did as my doc said- down 5mg every 6-8 days). My withdrawl symptoms were just about everything- flu, shakes, sweats, heart rate up, shocks, unsteady....I could go on, but you get the drift.
Now, my shocks are much less, but of course, as my anxiety peaks, the shocks come back. I went on because of anxiety, panic attacks and inturn phobias, and depression.

In public I'm pretty shakey and less confident (probably because I'm not so numb to everything). I'm sad, angry and super tense throughout my neck and back. I don't sleep very well and have constant headaches and occassional stomache pains(I think that part is just nerves).

I do have some good books and have been trying to get sun and excersize. Sometimes I hurt so much physically that it makes it harder to workout and I take my sisters dog for a walk instead. I'm also sticking to my multi-vitamin and fish oil.

I really do appreciate all the good encouraging things everyone has to say. Right now I'm helping out my sister by nannying, so the stress is up, but at the same time its keeping me busy. When my husband comes back I'm going to get my masters, so there will be more to do later in my life so right now I just have to make it through. Bleh.
thanks again.
i'll check in very soon,
anna

[overeasy]

Hi -

Just wanted to send an update.

I started tapering off about a week ago, taking my 10mg down to 5mg. It has gone very well. So far, no negative symptoms at all. In fact, I feel better and I actually think my sex drive may be returning (yea!) While I would rather be off Lex entirely, I realize that I spent many years living in a mild depressive state...and it effected my relations with my friends and family. With that said, I am considering staying at this dosage. Have others done this?

Easy

[sarita]

Easy,
I don't see anything wrong with staying on a small amount of lex. When you're ready you'll keep going. I was told it's easy to make it to the 1/2 way point, so if you feel good, and YOUR SEX DRIVE IS BACK (i know my husband is waiting on that!!), then do what you feel.

I'm waiting for my supplements in the mail (omega 3, cherry extract, and Power Barley) before i start my taper, they say start those first, then taper. My pyschiatrist if SO funny. She said if i want to taper 10%, then crush the pill, and make 10 lines like cocaine!! isn't that funny??? but it worked!! i can get them pretty close to even lines and thickness. Who'd a thought I'd use my college
experience in coke to help me. I'm not scared anymore to start the taper. I'm looking forward to it. You all have been such an inspiration to me. thank you.

Mr. Spock,
CONGRATS!!! That is great news. You are so strong.

Anna,
I'm no doctor, but been doing ALOT OF RESEARCH. You can either stay where you are and try to stick it out, or go back on and start over
correctly tapering 10% each taper until stabilizing. **** what the doctor says. Hey, my doc said just go cold turkey, I said NO WAY. that's when she suggested the coke lines.

[tamra]

The sun is back to shining again today...I'm trying to figure out what happened yesterday. I woke up feeling "not myself". very emotional, over sensitive, couldn't pick myself up to do anything productive, I spent the afternoon in tears while my 3 yr old slept. It was nothing "bad" that happened, just an overly emotional day. By evening, I was so exhausted, I couldn't stay away past 8:30, I was freezing cold and just wanted to go to bed. I felt so emotionally and physically exhausted, that I just handle it....but I've been sleeping fine and the day before I was a little edgey, but nothing major. Now today...I feel "normal" again...is this the "bad day" that some are describing? It was cloudy, extremely windy and very cold yesterday....so I couldn't get outside for my fresh air and sun...I know this would have helped. Gapske? does this sound at all familiar at "our" stage?

Live every day to it's fullest!

[antonio]

Thanks Mr. Spoke ,sarita and everyone else....

It has been 6 daze now and i gots to say each day and hour it gets better...the insomnia passed in a day...the brain zaps and brain sloshing has also decreased....Feeling better.

Cant wait for the sexual effects to kickin....

I wanted to know what are the longterm side-effects of lexapro( i mean 5 years plus)
Also i have been reading this Dr.Joshi detox diet...should i give it a wirr? I really want to know if there are any good Detox programs that are free out there>

Mr spock i am a regular smoker and i have been planning for years to quit but i think the time has come....the only problem is that i feel it will intensify things even more while i am off lexapro?? what do you think?/ i have completly rid my self of caffine (occasional once a week coffee excluded)... i am also taking Omega3,b-complex,vitamen c they help a bunch....any other tips supplements,detox programs to help in the riddance of this poison??

Dont give up out there...this is just a battle that you can overcome...its been only less then a week and things look brighter everday...just buckle up ,hang in there and you should be able to look in your rearview mirror and wave good bye before you know it....

i will keep you guys posted as i progress

antonio the tiger

[Gapske]

anna,
you might want to see a chiropractor. I started to seeing one in January before I stopped the lexapro. It was the best thing I've done for myself in a very long time.
I was having the same symptoms you're describing. I told the chiroprator that I felt like I was hit by a car. My neck was always out of whack, and it would kink out if I was under a lot of stress. My lower back was always in pain.
He took xrays and showed me why I was having problems and how he would help me. He gave me a series of very simple excercises that I've been doing ever since. He also is in to natural forms of healing and I've been taking some vitamins and products to help cleanse the body.
Alot of people don't know much about chiropractors and think it's going to be painful to be adjusted, just the opposite. I do admit I was in worse pain after my first few treatments while things adjusted, but that was understandable knowing that my body was trying to get back to normal.

Chiropractic-A system of therapy in which disease is considered the result of abnormal function of the nervous system. The method of treatment usually involves manipulation of the spinal column and other body structures.

I never knew this, that what happens in the spinal chord affects your other organs. You might want to consider it.

Keep your spirits up, we're thinking of you.

[Gapske]

tamra,
Today is day 30 of withdrawal. Where are you at? I feel like I've gotten through the worst, I just don't feel normal. What is normal anyway?

Your situation is very familiar to me. [][?]

Maybe in my case there is no normal..ha ha! I've often wondered that, maybe I'm destined to just have these wierd feelings, thoughts, etc. and just get through life. But I don't want to, I want to experience as much of life as possible, but I can't if I'm constantly on edge with anxiety. I'm just trying to figure where to go from here.

Arghhhhh...SSRI's were definitely calling my name today. I kept thinking, "wow, I would feel so much better if I had that in my system. At least I wouldn't feel like I was going to crack or vibrate out of my skin." [:0]

Mr Spock,
so good to hear your news.

[tamra]

Tomorrow makes 28 days. I'm glad I'm "as normal" as everyone else here! lol Today was better...but I'm so easily sidetracked with anything other than the housewife things...the things that actually "matter" in my life...like laundry, the dishes, vacuming, etc...

I feel like I'm almost obsessive about some things...like my tooth that's bothering me. Questions continually go thru my mind until I am busy with something else...I'm not comfortable with my dentist, is it really this tooth, or that tooth, should I have it pulled and when, or find another dentist that can put me at ease about this? I am soooo tired of thinking about this but sometimes I can't let it rest. It's annoying! At least I realize it and can just sidetrack myself...on a good day...I don't have an issue with this at all.

and yes, at times, I just want to crawl out of my skin! Everyone, including the pets, just HAVE to be near mommie! am I emitting a scent or something?!? That hasn't happened since I was pregnant! and No! I'm not pregnant...I've been "fixed" lol.

I'm back into my gardening...inside still, but I started to divide my houseplants today...anyone want to trade? lol I have seeds started and lots more to do. I've found that gardening is a very soothing way to get reconnected with nature. I start with seed and plant trading in January & then get involved with starting plants/flowers from seed inside & outside...then when it gets warm...hopefully soon...I'll be able to get outside. That will make a huge difference in the way I feel.

Anyway, yes, today was better & grandma's taking the kids tomorrow nite...we may actually get to sit on the couch and watch a movie. My husband on "his" couch and me & the dog & the cat on mine. I hope we can pick a good movie or I'll fall right to sleep!

My Spock...I knew it! The Genesis Project works! Congratulations on your great news! That has to be an enormous amount of stress lifted from you. Now the healing can begin! and if you find any info on how to kickstart the metabolism to combat the adrenal failure issue...I'd definitely be interested! I'm not into the vitamins and supplements as many are...but if there's something that could make a difference...I'd love to know about it!

Well, good nite all! Sweet Dreams

Live every day to it's fullest!

[debbie724]

tamra, I love reading your posts. Please DON'T stop posting... EVER! I've been having a rough week myself... but you managed to make me smile... as you always do.

auntybiotic, where are you?

Hello to all my old friends...

Hello to all of the new members...

I'm still reading everyday... but not feeling capable of contributing much at this time. I'm anxiously waiting for this layer to peel away and to begin the next!


debbie

[Redbled]

Mr. Spock,

That made my day, I'm so happy for you. Did I mention that made my day? I think I'm going to have an ice cream whipping just to celebrate

Only took Lexapro for 10 days, as a doctors response to my brief anxiety over a treatable medical condition. Took my last pill at the very end of August. 5 months now and feeling better most every week. There is hope, don't give up.

[antonio]

8 days my friends...it is getting better!! symptoms have been slowely going away...i got that darn flu ,puffines symptom this morning...hope it will go by 2moro....

Does anybody know if lexapro can cause tinnitus?? cuz i think it has been the culprit for mine..

glad to see everyone feeling better though...lets keep it up

Lets do this....

[sarita]

antonio,
8 days on or off lexipro?

quote:Originally posted by antonio

8 days my friends...it is getting better!! symptoms have been slowely going away...i got that darn flu ,puffines symptom this morning...hope it will go by 2moro....

Does anybody know if lexapro can cause tinnitus?? cuz i think it has been the culprit for mine..

glad to see everyone feeling better though...lets keep it up

Lets do this....

[antonio]

Off...I have been on it for 5years...enough is enough...

Sarita sounds like things are going well with you....its really great to hear that...



Lets do this....

[sarita]

Antonio,
Did you taper or cold turkey? How many mg. were you on?
BTW, i've had a lot of sinus problems too. and vertigo.

quote:Originally posted by antonio

Off...I have been on it for 5years...enough is enough...

Sarita sounds like things are going well with you....its really great to hear that...



Lets do this....

[patchman]

Hello all,

I just found this forum a couple of days ago and have spent several hours reading through the posts. I am a 46 year old man who started on 10mg of lexapro a year ago. It was suggested I take an antidepressant as a way of helping get off of marijuana, because when I would quit smoking I would be very moody and irritable. The first 4-5 months I guess I was in a manic phase. I worked out more than I ever have and lost weight and got in great shape. I also spent a lot of money on credit cards. I felt like my mind was working overtime, full of thoughts and ideas. Didn't quit the pot though, kept going back and forth with it. 6 months ago I was starting to feel out of control, so i began seeing a psychiatrist. She bumped me up to 20mg of lexapro and added 5 mg of Abilify for mood stabilization. Now for the past few weeks I am overwhelmed with suicidal thoughts. I have a wonderful wife and 2 small children, and the thought of leaving them behind horrifies me, yet I can't seem to control these thoughts. I have spoken with my wife and a couple of close friends about these feelings in the past week. One of my friends is an MD, and she suggested that maybe I go off of the Lexapro (I went off the Abilify about 10 days ago with no difference). I have appointments with my counselor and psychiatrist next week, so I'll see what they say. It's good to write this down and hopefully get some feedback. Thanks.

patchman

[Gapske]

patchman,
I'm glad you found this forum, I hope it helps in even the smallest of ways.
I know how horrible it is to have suicidal thoughts and don't want them. I wonder why our brains do that?
Just keep talking to people to get help, it's out there.

antonio,
You sound like you're doing great. Only 8 days off after 5 years on??

tamra,
how about starting your own blog?

Today has been good, I'm just cruising along, happy as a clam. Maybe cutting out the coffee has been a plus for me.

Now the big test, a weekend at my parents! [] I'm taking my 12yr. old son and one dog. Wish me luck!

Happy St. Patricks Day to all, for whatever it's worth.

[sarita]

patchman,
i used to smoke pot for about 10 years. first 5 all day, last 5 in the evening. i quit a long time ago so i don't remember all the details, but i definelty was irritable, moody, and my vision was
messed up. also, my stomach hurt too. it lasted about 3-5 months, but
it passed. i don't know why the hell a doctor would put you on lexipro just for that. if it's something else, that's a different story.

quote:Originally posted by patchman

Hello all,

I just found this forum a couple of days ago and have spent several hours reading through the posts. I am a 46 year old man who started on 10mg of lexapro a year ago. It was suggested I take an antidepressant as a way of helping get off of marijuana, because when I would quit smoking I would be very moody and irritable. The first 4-5 months I guess I was in a manic phase. I worked out more than I ever have and lost weight and got in great shape. I also spent a lot of money on credit cards. I felt like my mind was working overtime, full of thoughts and ideas. Didn't quit the pot though, kept going back and forth with it. 6 months ago I was starting to feel out of control, so i began seeing a psychiatrist. She bumped me up to 20mg of lexapro and added 5 mg of Abilify for mood stabilization. Now for the past few weeks I am overwhelmed with suicidal thoughts. I have a wonderful wife and 2 small children, and the thought of leaving them behind horrifies me, yet I can't seem to control these thoughts. I have spoken with my wife and a couple of close friends about these feelings in the past week. One of my friends is an MD, and she suggested that maybe I go off of the Lexapro (I went off the Abilify about 10 days ago with no difference). I have appointments with my counselor and psychiatrist next week, so I'll see what they say. It's good to write this down and hopefully get some feedback. Thanks.

patchman

[antonio]

[quote]Originally posted by sarita

Antonio,
Did you taper or cold turkey? How many mg. were you on?
BTW, i've had a lot of sinus problems too. and vertigo.



[quote]

I went down from 5 mg to 2.5 for a week then stopped cold turkey....no sooner than i posted " I feel good" its like i jinxed my self and felt those flu type symptoms, little shakes,brain zaps when i turn my head...the whole nine[xx(]....its wierd how they come and go so suddenly?

Sinus problems and slight vertigo have also been a problem...along with this annoying tinnitus

I am traveling 2moro for business, i plan to see a very great Pdoc while i am there....hopefully he can answer more questions which i will post hopefully in the comming days...

Sarita i will ask him bout the sinus,vertigo and all types of questions so i can share them with you....

I hope things get better 2moro...

ciao

Lets do this....

[tamra]

Antonio...I haven't seen anyone else post about being a smoker...just in case I can save you some of the "pain"....I'm not sure if you'll find that this bothers you...but...

At the peak of feeling the worst..I would spend alot of time online looking for somehow to feel better...this was from day 10-16..with the worst on days 12-14....The more I searched for answers...and chain smoked at the computer...the worse I felt. I would actually feel ok in the morning...have my "few" cups of coffee and a "few smokes" in the morning before starting my day...I felt like **** then...like going down hill with each cigarette...by day 14...I could lite up and get 1/2 finished with a cigarette and feel like my head was going to explode! so, I tried not smoking...nicotine w/d AND Lex w/d....I was miserable! See if it effects you in the same way.

This isn't an anti-smoking speech..although, it would have been very easy to quit if I had the opportunity to rest more & sleep thru the nicotine w/d. After day 16 the absolute worst passes and better days come. On a good day, you'll feel at the top of the world. (you still have "not so good days" though). I am 28 days Lexapro free after being on it for 2 1/2 yrs...and a slow taper...but not as slow as some. and yes, I'm a smoker still. One thing at a time.

On another note....the kids are at "CAMP GRANDMA" everybody!! YEEEEHAAWWWW! Pizza, beer, and putting together new entertainment center type furniture...a living room "modern re-do".

My husband says I should do a "blog" also....I have no clue what it is! lol

Aunty...you've been very quiet lately...is that a good sign? I hope?

Live every day to it's fullest!

[Mr Spock]

Dear all,
Thank you for your support and generous comments with my success. I am still astonished, but it has lifted a great weight from my mind, and made me more determined to sort this other thing out.
Today's little talk is about physical addiction.
For those of you who are relatively recent members, this is just a basic rehash of a lot of points that are in earlier postings to the forum. For a couple of excellent detailed explanations, though, look at the contributions by Body Electric, and Auntybiotic on page 28.
The basic way serotonin is used by the body is that the neuro-transmitter travels from one end of the nerve to the other and then is absorbed, and sent to the Pineal Gland for conversion to Melatonin (essential for sleep). Basically, SSRI drugs such as Lexapro operate (I hesitate to say, work) on preventing the serotonin from being reabsorbed. Therefore, the serotinin stays in the nerves, and as there is still more being produced the levels get really high. Two things happen after this. The neuro-receptors that receive the serotonin impulse can't handle this so, down-regulate (up to 40%), and then later the Pineal Gland (the serotonin regulator) decreases the production of serotonin.
So what happens when you stop taking the drug?
Well, you have two problems here. The first is that you have a lesser degree to receive the signal, and the second is that there isn't nearly enough of the signal anyway. In an earlier posting, I described these phenomena as like a flickering fluorescent light, and the classic symptom is the "zaps".
So, essentially, the time of withdrawal symptoms is in stages. Initially, the re-uptake of the serotonin will restart as soon as the drug level starts to dissipate, next, then either the neuro-recepters will regenerate, and then usually after that the Puineal Gland will start to increase the level of serotonin. The time period for this, however, is incredibly variable, and can range from a few weeks of mild withdrawal to up to 18 months to FULLY recover, although this is pretty rare. It depends on a few things, such as length of time on the drug, dose , liver function, and general vulnerability.
The main thing is to try to let the neuro-transmitters return to action slowly with small drops in dosage, to minimise the withdrawal effects, but again this depends on the individual. Particularly, Tamra, if one has done a little bit of "LDS"!!!
Having been there, I would not recommend cold turkey to anyone, as, due to the process described above, these drugs are addictive, in the sense that they can have severe and debillitating side effects, as you all know.
Lastly, I would like to talk briefly about nicotine withdrawal.
Nicotine is probably the most physically addictive and pernicious drug on the planet. It is also a poison. In fact, the tobacco plant produces nicotine to stop insects eating it!!!
The drug acts on many areas of the brain but principally on the dopamine receptors. Dopamine, of course is the pleasure neuro-transmitter, so nicotine increases the release of much greater amounts of dopamine into the body. However, in an eerie correlation to serotonin, and because it is toxic, it burns out, or downgrades the dopamine receptors. Obviously, this is why one needs more after a while. As mentioned before, though, it only has a fairly short half-life. So, withdrawals from nicotine ends up with a relative depletion of metabolism of dopamine for these reasons. So, until the dopamine receptors "grow back, you will have the symptoms. After (too) many years, I gave up over 2 years ago cold turkey, and it really took me over two months to start feeling OK again. However, once I was over it, I felt so much more together, and even in my moods for example, it was really worth it, so do it today.
In answer to your question, Antonio, it might be best for you to do it one step at a time, Lexapro first, then tobacco second.
That's me for the day,
Peace and long life.

[lalalamort]

summed up nicely thank you. Always nice to hear positive information that it will take a while to recover and its not just me.

By the way, I havnt psoted on here in about 2 weeks. That was because I was feeling really good all of a sudden and I dont know why. Felt a but worse the last couple of days so thought to come back and chat and whatnot. I also realised I was being rather selfish for leaving the forum just because I was feeling better.

[mhillqt]

Just wondering, no one really talks about the main reason that they started lexapro....im thinking many of you(us) were symptomatic with anxiety/depression, etc before lexapro....how are the pre lexapro symptoms impacting your life - are they now gone and do you only have lexapro withdrawal or are they one and the same?

Michael

[lalalamort]

My symptoms are actually much worse than 9 months ago before the Lexapro. That may just be a combination of physical change to my body and marijuana.

[antonio]

Heyt there tamara....thanks for that heads up post, I am at day 10 now and It is hell i tell ya...with the smoking i have dropped from a pack a day to mabey 8 and i cant even finish them... Every time i smoke it feels like i get weaker and my head is about to explode...i dont want to quit since it might increase the pain...i would really like to quit smoking but like u said one day at a time...I also have been very tired,sleepy and unfocused all day....Just feeling way out of it...

I am also taking lamictal since i am bipolar...but i dont feel it helping that much.......i really want to go see a pdoc but i know what they will say..."you have to wait it out" Its like hell now i really hope it passes soon....Tamara how do you feel now?? also did you feel kinda depressed through the whole withdrawl?/ cuz i feel kinda down, but mabey its the lack of energy...please let me know...

I wont try the Nicotine w/d cuz i have a feeling i will just loose it....i will just cut down for now....also i think i will start drinking coffee to keep me awake more....

thanks again tamara on your feed back....i thought i was the only one...

will keep on posting....

quote:Originally posted by tamra

Antonio...I haven't seen anyone else post about being a smoker...just in case I can save you some of the "pain"....I'm not sure if you'll find that this bothers you...but...

At the peak of feeling the worst..I would spend alot of time online looking for somehow to feel better...this was from day 10-16..with the worst on days 12-14....The more I searched for answers...and chain smoked at the computer...the worse I felt. I would actually feel ok in the morning...have my "few" cups of coffee and a "few smokes" in the morning before starting my day...I felt like **** then...like going down hill with each cigarette...by day 14...I could lite up and get 1/2 finished with a cigarette and feel like my head was going to explode! so, I tried not smoking...nicotine w/d AND Lex w/d....I was miserable! See if it effects you in the same way.

This isn't an anti-smoking speech..although, it would have been very easy to quit if I had the opportunity to rest more & sleep thru the nicotine w/d. After day 16 the absolute worst passes and better days come. On a good day, you'll feel at the top of the world. (you still have "not so good days" though). I am 28 days Lexapro free after being on it for 2 1/2 yrs...and a slow taper...but not as slow as some. and yes, I'm a smoker still. One thing at a time.

On another note....the kids are at "CAMP GRANDMA" everybody!! YEEEEHAAWWWW! Pizza, beer, and putting together new entertainment center type furniture...a living room "modern re-do".

My husband says I should do a "blog" also....I have no clue what it is! lol

Aunty...you've been very quiet lately...is that a good sign? I hope?

Live every day to it's fullest!

Lets do this....

[tamra]

Wow! That's exactly how I felt! I couldn't determine which was worse...nicotine w/d or lite up..inhale litely...and then the ears ringing and headache would hit...after 1/2 a smoke. I know exactly what you're going thru right now. I was dizzy, my ears would ring, I was noise sensitive, achey, couldn't focus my eyes or my thoughts. I can say, with confidence....THIS IS THE WORST YOU WILL FEEL...IT ONLY GETS BETTER AFTER THIS!!!

This hell only lasted 3-4 days and eased up dramatically. I'm not sure if it was something that I did or didn't do, or if it just ran it's course. Watch the amounts of vitamin B that you are taking...I was taking a super B "stress formula" vitamin at that time. My husband found a study that super doses of vitamin B could make the noise sensitivity worse...so I went to a Centrum multi vitamin. I started taking tylenol instead of advil/ibuprophen/motrin...and drank lots of water and tried to eat small snacks or meals every few hours...I was so unstable that I thought it may be a blood sugar issue.

I searched frantically for the 3 days...and noticed that chain smoking at the computer made it dramatically worse. The best medicine at this point is rest and fresh air...crack a window. I couldn't find any other references to this smoking issue..so I hope I can help you just a little. If you were feeling this yesterday...then you are 1/2 way there!

I know that my husband and I will be quitting in the near future. I don't want this to come across to everyone else that I support smoking... I wondered if anyone else (that smoked) came to this point and experienced this also. There seems to be a link between the nicotine pathways and the w/d of lex. It may have been the perfect opportunity to quit. If anyone else out there is on the tapering stage and smokes....maybe you want to gear up to quit smoking also. Maybe I stumbled onto a really twisted way to quit! [^]

So, I'm on day 30! Today I feel pretty good. I had an emotional time of it about 3 days ago. I wrote it off the super PMS. Very sensitive, teary, depressed. It was also cloudy and very cold outside that day. I seem to really be hooked on the sunshing and fresh air cure...it works! Yesday I went to Walmart with my husband, on a saturday....(you've got to see this town to believe it! I'll save the details of life in Tunkhannock for my "blog" lol) anyway..people EVERYWHERE...running into the cart. Can't stop to buy without having to pull way over to the side and let 20 people thru. I could actually feel myself start to twitch! My blood was just boiling...I knew that I'd blow a gasket at any second. My husband paid for our items, I went to the ladies room and went outside. I calmed down thruout the day and went to pick up the kids at "Camp Grandma's". Our visits are full of debates with the step-father (alcoholic). Time to leave! I was so exhausted when I got home...I felt like I had run a marathon! It was like a super rush of adrenaline all day. Off to bed at 8PM and woke up this morning feeling great. I'm suprised I got so twitchy at Walmart....won't go on a weekend ever again! lol I hope this is just my body adjusting...it wasn't a panic attack by any means...I think a panic attack would affect someones inner thoughts...my problem was "keeping" my thoughts inside! I thought for sure I'd go off at the next $&$#%&^& that cut me off with their cart full of snacks! hee hee hee [}] HAVE ANOTHER TWINKIE!!

Well, I'm rambling again...what else is new! HAH! Have a good one!

Live every day to it's fullest!

[auntybiotic]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I have not posted lately although I continue to read daily. I have had a major turmoil occur in my life, not lexapro withdrawl related thank God.

Anyway, I had to use my energies to attempt to get thru that process. Now I am back and able to answer any questions. So fire away with questions.

Sinus issues are very common withdrawal symptoms of Lexapro withdrawal along with the vertigo. Bonnie or dramanine will help these symptoms immensely.

Smoking, especially if it is a filtered cigarette, works against the P 450 Cytochrome system so it actually will worsen withdrawal symptoms big time. But I would not suggest cold turkeying cigarettes while going thru lexapro withdrawals. Start by decreasing by one every few days.

A big thank you to everyone that missed my presence on this board. My issues are way to complex to explain but I am working thru them. It involes a relationship, imagine the absolute worst and multiply it by a thousand and you may get an idea of what I am going thru. Enough about that..........what about all the newcomers......Welcome.

I have some informative lexapro information to post, I don't have a scanner so I will post the wwww web address and you will have to look up the info. Hopefully tonight I will have time to do that.

Anyone having read The Road Back or whatever that book on getting off SSRI's, how was it? Any information you have not already read here.

Mr. Spock, Debbie, Ms Lee, Mohanie, and all of the oldtimers...................I am so glad that there is steady improvements. I will reduce my daugher again next week, after DSTP exams are done.

I have not seen a withdrawal from pills to liquid, I am curious where this information was read?

Any questions.....................reask them and I will do my best to answer.................aunty

[debbie724]

auntybiotic, sorry you are going through a rough time. I've sent you a few emails over the past couple weeks... are you getting them? I know you sent me a very long one... but I never got it. Can you resend it? I think we need to plan that lunch date...

debbie

[sarita]

Aunty,
I was the one who mention The Road Back Program. Although i haven't started yet, it's been a great experience. This is what it's all about.

www.theroadback.org is a company that creates a taper program for your individual needs. it also gives you all the supplements just like the ones you mentioned, but you can order them through them. you also are assigned a specialist who e-mails you anytime you want. everytime i've e-mailed, the person gets back to me within 24 hours or less. they recommend a 5-10% taper with little or no side effects.
first, they start you on the supplements (omega 3's, barley, cherry extract). once you get to feeling good, they adjust your supplements up or down, and write you a personal taper program. it sounds really great. they supposedly have had over 10,000 success stories which you can read at their website. i haven't started yet. i'm waiting to receive my supplements. and then i will begin.
they are the ones that told me switching from pill to liquid causes side effects and adjusting, although everyone else i spoke to say no.
i'm not taking any chances unless you know differently.

my psychiatrist recommended i crush the pill, and make like cocaine lines, 10 of them, that'd make 10% of each line. i tried it and it really seems to be the most accurate taper i've tried. i thought that was so funny for her to say that, but whatever!!!