[Gapske]

I'm assuming IBS is irritable bowl syndrome. I agree with past comments that your Dr. should not have put you on an anti-depressant for that. Only if your symptoms were related to high levels of anxiety I might see a reason for that.
I had all kinds of physical problems before going on the Lex. but that was because of anxiety. (Dizziness, having to use the bathroom alot, tired (depression) etc.)

quote:Originally posted by Mags

Only have a minute so I'll be quick...I have been on Lexapro to help stop my brain from registering signals from my stomach. I have IBS and additionally, my doctor things I may have picked up a "cruise ship like" virus, making my symptoms worse. Not so sure about the virus thing but am about the IBS. The Lexapro basically helped me keep from having an "urgency" problem while I was at work. I had problems when I first went on it, but it did work-to a point...occasionally still had problems. But I decided to go off of it. That's about it! Still doing okay getting off of it so far though. Would like to know if anyone else is or has been on Lexapro for similar reasons. Thanks!
Mags

[Gapske]

Antonio,
Glad you're feeling better. I also think the lethargy will pass. Are you getting any excercise?
What did the results of your kidney test mean?

quote:Originally posted by antonio

Hey there everyone it is day 20 for me....i can say everything is fine except for the lethargy throughout the day....its really annoying has anyone felt this?? i recently took a kidney liver test and found out that my GOT & GPT were low (15 & 21) i really wish this can pass by quickly because its feeling like the depression before i went on lexapro....is this just a phase or do i need to get back on (hope not)



Lets do this....

[annaoffmeds]

hi everyone...
just wanted to say to those with muscle problems- get yourself a massage every once in a while- gets out the kinks and constant tension,
I've heard good things about accupuncture, but havent tried it myself yet.

anyways, hope all is well.
anna

[mhillqt]

Been off 5 mg lexapro for 7 days.....feels more like old symptoms of panic disorder are coming back ....waves of hot flashes all over my body, off balanced, short breaths, etc etc....prior to lex was on 7.5 mg prozac for years...both drugs helped me sleep, didnt have hot flashes, off balance, short breaths but was still having panic in difficult situations....will see what happens, but starting to remember why I was put on medication to begin with...

Michael

[soundmind]

Hi everyone, just spent an hour catching up on all the posts. A few things to share. First of all, today is day 1 of my next lexapro reduction, 7.5mg to 5 mg. I am very nervous and not excited to have the withdrawls, but hope that with support and other stories from this forum, that will give me the hope and encouragement I need. This will be my 4th reduction starting at a dose of 15mg. Each reduction has caused worse and worse withdrawls, so I gues I am not expecting anything different at this point. A few comments on some previous emails:
Yes, I always feel like my blood sugar is whacked out during my withdrawls. I also have the same symptoms that are all mentioned in previous emails.
A hopeful story for those wondering about original conditions returning and the necessity of taking the drugs indefinitely:
When I was 24, I got severe panic disorder, could not work, quit my job, went on disability, did not want to leave the house, etc. I began CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) very seriously for 9 months. I went to a Behavioral Medicine Institue affiliated with a large University in my home town. Although I took 100mg of Zoloft during that time, I know that my real healing came from all the hard work I did. I did extensive exposure therapy and participated in "classes" at this institute everyday. It changed my life. I actually packed up and moved to Florida by myself when I was done with the therapy to begin a new life. That is a short version, and anyone with questions, I would be happy to share with them. I later went off the Zoloft and continued to use all the skills I had leared to manage my panic and anxiety. I was never completely free of it, but learning to mange it was the key. I'm sure some of you have read that you can change your brain literally by changing the way you think. As they say, CBT is more effective long-term than antidepressant alone. The reason I went on the Lexapro a year ago was for severe post partum depression and anxiety. I would have to say that I still have my original condition of panic and anxiety and everytime I decrease the medicationand the numbness goes away, my orignal condition does come back. However, I would rather live and manage the anxiety than numb it (along with everything else). Moreover, I want to have another baby, so I have to get of the meds. Anyway, for those of you who want off the meds., but are concerned about your original condition, if you live in a larger city, check out the Behavioral Medicine options, with time and EFFORT, it really does work! Pray for me over these next 3 weeks of withdrawl.

[mhillqt]

We will pray for you....i always pray with people that are suffering and say a special prayer for those with panic disorder....I ahve tried cbt in the past(many years ago went thru an intensive 4 month program with tapes/books/weekly therapy/biofeedback...in the end, the low dosage of meds/change in diet followed by the positive thinking got me out of it but without meds it probably wouldnt have happened for me BUT I do agree, if this approach works, totally choose it over meds.....I will try more of the mind stuff this time around and see if it helps vs going back on meds....

Michael

[mandymcj]

Gapske: I remember you writing about losing a lot of your regular emotions while on Lexapro and you became blank in a sense. I could be wrong and maybe it was someone else, but I think it was you. If not, then whoever else has experienced it.

I also recall that you are off of Lex now. I was wondering how long it took to get out of that blank state? I read that Lexapro is in the system for about 30 days after your last dose, but did things come back?

I'm so sick of being blank all the time. Before Lex I lost my ability to feel. I lost my love for my boyfriend, my family, and my friends. That was one of the main reasons I went on Lex. However, I would still feel for certain things I read or heart wrenching movies, etc. Just nothing relating to the people around me affected me. On Lexapro I lost even the ability to care about heart wrenching movies or books too. Now that I’ve been off for a while, I can feel that coming back. But the love for everyone else…still non existent. And I’m worried that because I felt like this BEFORE lex that I’ll feel like this after, too.

I've felt like this for about 5 months now. It's been so long since I've felt the stirring in my heart (that sounds so lame, but you know what I mean) when my boyfriend says something about how much he loves me or anything like that. It doesn’t make me unhappy. I mean, it always makes me smile. But it’s not the depth of feeling I used to have. Basically, I feel like I'm not in love anymore. I definitely don't have feelings for anyone else, and I don't feel love for any of my friends or family members either, but this is just getting insane. How much longer am I going to be like this? What if I'm going to be like this for years? I can't stand the thought. I know that I can’t not be in love with him…if I’m not then why do I cry every time I have to say goodbye to him and why did the other night I start crying all of a sudden when we were having an argument about something else entirely and I started crying from what I felt was out of nowhere about how ridiculously unfair it is that I get to see him once in 4 months?

Obviously it still affects me in a way, but it’s different. I’m just so unsure about my emotions because for the most part it feels like they’re not there.

Or I've really cared about being back at home or where I am now.

I've now been off of Lex for 11 days now. I've been doing pretty well except for insomnia one day and then extreme fatigue the next. But I'm sick of feeling like this.

I know I should at least wait until Lex is out of my system but I’m just…ehh I’m so sick of all of this.

End of longest post ever.

[tamra]

Hi Mandy...I had the same non-emotional state as you are experiencing. My kids would just run right over me & I never realized it. My husband and I were basically living in the same household... we just "belonged" here. It was MY non-emotion that drove him crazy..only he couldn't tell me...I had to find out for myself. Stay close and post as often as you need to in the next 7 days...if you experience what I did..you may be in for a rough ride. I don't want to scare you, but when you get to the end of this week, your emotions will wake up and you will feel like a completely new person. The peak of my physical symptoms came between days 12-15. After these symptoms passed it seemed like I could experience the beauty of nature, the innocence of children, the pure excitement of falling in love all over again. "Life is what you make it and live every day to it's fullest"...that is what my "signature line" says here....Those words were what I was telling myself..or trying to convince myself of...as I pulled thru this. With the exception of PMS from hell, I feel like a new person. I'm 2 days Lex free behind Gapske....which gives me (help me out here Gapske!!) 42? 49? I just know that I feel better and "Fridays" are my weekly anniversary.

I'm doing much better this week...lots of warm weather and sunshine. Working hard in the yard and creating gardens. Rain is coming tonite...thank goodness! If I'm lucky, I'll wake up just to listen to the rain...this will be our first "spring" rain of the season....it sounds "mushy" but when you haven't listened to nature and "felt" what is going on around you...it seems like a new experience. Something new to look forward to every day!

I hope I'm helping Mandy....I'll check in tomorrow to see how you're doing! Tamra

Live every day to it's fullest!

[mandymcj]

Tamra- thanks for replying. I thought I killed the thread!

This is my 14th day w/o Lexapro. I was on 5 mg for 2 months.

I haven't had a good night sleep in at least 2 weeks. The insomnia is ridiculous. And even when I do sleep I don't wake up feeling rested, I feel like I never closed my eyes. Constant dreaming.

Two days ago I was feeling fine physically, and then out of nowhere I got really shaky and threw up about 10 minutes later. Thanks, Lexapro! [xx(] After that I felt fine physically and I still do, except for the ridiculous insomnia that's driving me insane.


I really hope you're right, Tamra, and that after the next week or so I'll feel better. Do you really think I could still be so affected even though it was 5 mg for 2 months?

quote:Originally posted by tamra

Hi Mandy...I had the same non-emotional state as you are experiencing. My kids would just run right over me & I never realized it. My husband and I were basically living in the same household... we just "belonged" here. It was MY non-emotion that drove him crazy..only he couldn't tell me...I had to find out for myself. Stay close and post as often as you need to in the next 7 days...if you experience what I did..you may be in for a rough ride. I don't want to scare you, but when you get to the end of this week, your emotions will wake up and you will feel like a completely new person. The peak of my physical symptoms came between days 12-15. After these symptoms passed it seemed like I could experience the beauty of nature, the innocence of children, the pure excitement of falling in love all over again. "Life is what you make it and live every day to it's fullest"...that is what my "signature line" says here....Those words were what I was telling myself..or trying to convince myself of...as I pulled thru this. With the exception of PMS from hell, I feel like a new person. I'm 2 days Lex free behind Gapske....which gives me (help me out here Gapske!!) 42? 49? I just know that I feel better and "Fridays" are my weekly anniversary.

I'm doing much better this week...lots of warm weather and sunshine. Working hard in the yard and creating gardens. Rain is coming tonite...thank goodness! If I'm lucky, I'll wake up just to listen to the rain...this will be our first "spring" rain of the season....it sounds "mushy" but when you haven't listened to nature and "felt" what is going on around you...it seems like a new experience. Something new to look forward to every day!

I hope I'm helping Mandy....I'll check in tomorrow to see how you're doing! Tamra

Live every day to it's fullest!

[anastasia1230]

Hello everyone,

It's 4:30am and I've been reading the posts here for about an hour. I just need to share my experience.

After being on Lexapro for three months (20mg) and trying to taper for the last two, I cannot imagine a condition in which taking Lexapro would be the better option.

I hardly know where to begin in my description of withdrawal. I was originally prescribed lex off-label for fibromyalgia and depression. I think the depression was not chemical, but a real reaction to the disability caused by fibro. Anyway, for the first few months everything was fine and the fibro symptoms were reduced slightly and my mood elevated, but then that evil pill did a 180 on me and I became incredibly depressed, extremely agitated and suicidal. Having seemingly been on every other anti-depressant/ssri on the market I knew it was time to come off. I also knew to taper, but dear Lord, the symptoms are intolerable.

I've had four seizures in the last week, three just tonight. Of course there are the requisite brain zaps (about once every second) the brain fog...I can see that someone is talking to me but what they're saying just doesn't reach my brain. And if I'm lucky enough to understand, I won't remember it later...My brain feels like jello in my skull making it nearly impossible to turn my head without toppling over. The fibro symptoms are back with a vengeance. I can't walk, hold a mug of tea, much less drive my car. I've missed a week of work so far with no real hope of enough improvement to return on Monday. I've tapered so slowly over the course of at least two months. I'm down to 2.5mg but it seems like I might as well be on nothing since the symptoms are so severe.

I cannot tolerate the idea of going back on lex. I just can't, but I know if I did, the symptoms would go away. I've read elsewhere that low does xanax can help. I'm drinking the cherry extract and I'm also on klonapin (prescribed years ago for myoclonus).

I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. I just can't go on like this, but can't go back. I wish I would have never heard of lexapro...

thanks for listening,
anastasia

[antonio]

quote:Originally posted by Gapske

Antonio,
Glad you're feeling better. I also think the lethargy will pass. Are you getting any excercise?
What did the results of your kidney test mean?

hey there Gapske.....its now over the 30 day marker and i feel great....i checked up on the liver kidney tests and the doc told me not to worry the levels were fine and that the lexapro and lithium had been getting filtered out normaly.....i am planning a 3 week course of detox through a diet program hopefully that will clean up everything and make things much better

Tamara things are looking great for you, i am soo happy for that, just dont let the kids drive you bananas and you should be okay.hehe

for everyone out there i just want to to tell you that in the begining it is pretty rough....you can feel no symptoms for a day or even a couple hours but then the come back hard...thats all part of the withdrawl state....day 10-15 were the roughest but after that it should be smooth sailing....some things that helped soothe things down were lots of water,fresh air,being in the company of loved ones,exercise and loads of sweets and chocolate!!!

you will overcome this withdrawl state you just need the will power...just tell your self "Dammit i can beat this tiny pill,ffs i am stronger than this" you would be amazed by the power of your own brain

just a quick question for anybody out there taking lamictal and has quit lexapro....how are you feeling now,and do you ever get any hypomania and anxiety now...

also tamara and gapske....any withdrawls hit you after the month marker??



Lets do this....

[sarita]

Gap and Mandy,
I was wondering how you guys are doing off the lex? Was it worth it?
Tomorrow I begin taking the supplements before i taper. That's what the program says. I hope this works so that i can share this informations with all ya'll. if i don't have SEX soon, my husband is going to go crazy!!! there's only so many blowjobs i can give him.[8D]

Mandy, i'm only on 5 mg and from what you are describing, lord, i can only hope i don't have to suffer that bad. how r u now? did you try cherry extract for sleep? other than that, are you happy to be off of it? did you get your sex drive back?

Tamra,
sounds like you're the only one doing good off the lex. is it cause it's not out of their system yet? did you go on for depression or anxiety?

ANA, i'm so sorry to hear about all your pain. be strong. seizures?
i don't know about that. it's sounds serious.


Soundmind,
do you happen to know if you get pregnant say the first month and are still on lex, will this damage the baby? also, does insurance cover this cognitive behavior? i'm definetly going to try it if it does. i never had severe anxiety or panic. but what i felt was just always sick but i never could describe the sick feeling i had.

well, wish me luck everyone!!! tomorrows the big day. i start my supplements, power barley. 1 tsp. in the morning. then i report how i feel to my program director everyday and he responds with the next step.

[mandymcj]

Sarita: Cherry extract? Is that in pill form or what?

The sex drive is returning, so you have that to look forward to.

Right now I can't wait to be off of Lexapro. Honestly, even though I'm still blank, I still feel so much better than when I was on it and during the withdrawals. I'm not going to lie Sarita, the withdrawals can be pretty intense and awful. But you can get through it just like so many of us have. You just have to always keep in min that what's going on in your head and with your body is your body reacting, and isn't really you.

Before Lexapro my thoughts were constant, always there, always worrying me, never ceasing. On Lexapro they were the same. And then...a couple weeks ago, that started going away. It was right before I started tapering off that I started feeling the difference. I don't really know why this is happening, but I know something has changed. It's like something has been set back in place in my brain. It's probably a combination of just time going by and getting off of lex, but each week it gets a bit better.

Depression wise...I don't know if I'm still depressed because I still feel so blank. I'll know more when I'm completely off of Lex in about 15 more days.

Good luck with everything and keep us posted! Don't give up. like antonio said, you have to look at the little pill and think "I can beat this."


Anastasia: I'm sorry to hear about your predicament, you must be very strong. Every day you're a little bit closer to being off of it completely. I'm glad you found the forum.

quote:Originally posted by sarita

Gap and Mandy,
I was wondering how you guys are doing off the lex? Was it worth it?
Tomorrow I begin taking the supplements before i taper. That's what the program says. I hope this works so that i can share this informations with all ya'll. if i don't have SEX soon, my husband is going to go crazy!!! there's only so many blowjobs i can give him.[8D]

Mandy, i'm only on 5 mg and from what you are describing, lord, i can only hope i don't have to suffer that bad. how r u now? did you try cherry extract for sleep? other than that, are you happy to be off of it? did you get your sex drive back?

Tamra,
sounds like you're the only one doing good off the lex. is it cause it's not out of their system yet? did you go on for depression or anxiety?

ANA, i'm so sorry to hear about all your pain. be strong. seizures?
i don't know about that. it's sounds serious.


Soundmind,
do you happen to know if you get pregnant say the first month and are still on lex, will this damage the baby? also, does insurance cover this cognitive behavior? i'm definetly going to try it if it does. i never had severe anxiety or panic. but what i felt was just always sick but i never could describe the sick feeling i had.

well, wish me luck everyone!!! tomorrows the big day. i start my supplements, power barley. 1 tsp. in the morning. then i report how i feel to my program director everyday and he responds with the next step.

[anastasia1230]

mandy - I'm glad I've found this forum too. while what I'm going through may be unusual from the majority with the seizures and fibro and all, it's good to read that others are getting through this.

I'm going to be completely out of lex in three days (which may be a good thing) but I fear the worst of the withdrawal is yet to come.

Has anyone tried xanax to take the edge off? WHat dosage? What does everyone think?

[mhillqt]

I am super sensitive to meds/vitamins, etc, etc but had virtually no withdrawals from lexapro(5mg)(also had no withdrawal from prozac)....stopped cold turkey....just got a lot of hot flashes(still have these on and off and I think its my body not being use to having the anxiety quelled by the meds), some exhaustion, etc....its now been 14 days....what I noticed has happened is that I am getting my old panic disorder symptoms back...balance issues in crowds, harder to run(I ran 10 miles on saturday and it felt like I was running with bricks), etc I do miss the "kick" that I got from prozac(never really got that from lex)....I will see how i feel but if my panic continues, I might go back to low dosage of prozac(7.5 was my dosage)....just thought I would share since many dont experience withdrawals , esp at low dosages......hopefully all that are on here and experiencing the withdrawals are feeling well real soon......

Michael

[tamra]

Mornin' everyone! I see that the end of the weekend has everyone checking back in! We've all made it thru another day.

I read thru the past few posts and actually had to take some notes to remember who to reply to! Mandy...you'll be sleeping soundly and with much more normal dreams very soon. You are at the point where I thought was the absolute WORST I've ever felt! I could do nothing to help myself feel better...just time...you'll have good and bad days for a little while...but the good days will feel wonderful. Believe it or not, you'll be able to have times that you are completely relaxed, no worries, no "need" to think everything thru, and no need to keep busy....I haven't felt this way in such a long time.

Anastasia...I didn't have such severe withdrawals until I was all the way off lexapro. My advice (only personal experience..[8)]) is to taper much, much slower than you are and be sure that your doctor is involved with this process. I'm not sure what kind of seizures you are having...but from what I know..the seizures are a brain activity....brain activity and the zaps are a DIRECT result from lex w/d. If you haven't dedicated at least a month to tapering from 2.5 mg to nothing...I mean, like, 2 weeks per taper using either the liquid or very small doses of pills cut or dust...you are tapering too fast and you're setting yourself up for trouble...especially if you are having seizures and the brain zaps and you aren't off lex yet. please, please, check with your doctor (even though alot of times they have no clue..I know all about that)...and taper slower...allow yourself more time to adjust. Covering w/d from one drug from another may not be adviseable either...I'm no expert here...but one thing at time. I'm sorry if I'm coming off strong here...there are much more experienced people lurking around the boards to advise..but everything that I've researched and read has emphasized a slower taper...and didn't mention anything about seizures.

Antonio...w/d symptoms after the 1 month mark...well, there's the day that I painted my boys room in a day...I had been thinking about it for months and out of nowhere came the strength, endurance, and patience to paint the room...with my 3 yr old in the room with me..helping...I think that definitely falls under the category of "manic" behavior. There have been some highly productive days of spring cleaning where the energy just comes over me. The only negative was the "PMS" feeling of being overemotional, slightly depressed, with no energy...but that's how PMS used to be before lex...so I'm thinking this is just a woman thing a little emphasized from normalizing from the lexapro...but, aside from occasional headaches...I'm feeling much better than before I even started Lexapro! I endured huge amounts of stress in every part of my life when I made the decision to go to the dr for "help"...those stresses are no longer part of my life...so I feel like a completely new person.

Sarita...For me...getting off Lexapro was the best thing I could have done for myself. On the subject of trying to get pregnant...I understand your enthusiasm...There's an entire chapter of my life on the subject...my advice (in a nutshell) wait for 2-3 months to stabilize. Enjoy the "new" you first. I say this for mental reasons and health reasons for you and the new life that you are planning to bring into the world. If you are disappointed or aggravated by my comment...I'd be happy to share my experiences with you...just drop me a private email...freytamra@yahoo.com. I don't want to take up an entire page of details on my "miracle" kids. That story should definitely go into my "blog" if I ever start one!!

Fresh air, lots of icewater and sunshine....I feel like such a nature nut here...but WOW! do I feel better.

Hey!!! umm, I got some good news yesterday....

I noticed that my clothes were fitting looser...and I refused to spend money on a new scale..just to obsess about how much weight I gained. I have felt so much better and so much more "normal" energy, I didn't want anything else to stress about. So, I paid no attention to what I ate...I drank more ice water thruout the day because it tasted so good after playing outside in the yard...and I knew I lost some weight...but I had no idea now much...My mom & dad came back from Florida yesterday, so we went to visit..mom's got a "working" scale...I LOST 12 POUNDS!! For some, this may not be a big deal...but...I've been trying to stop the weight from increasing for 3 1/2 yrs...and I actually lost...AND I'm only 5 ft tall (well, according to my driver's license!lol) No fat counting, calorie or carb counting, no limiting portions, no regular exercise program..nothing! This proves that it's that damn Lexapro! That's what I gained it on...but I wasn't really sure until now! anyone else have this happen??

Ok, so, enough typing, on to other things..laundry, dishes, morning cartoons, the "mommie" stuff...I'll check back later! Tamra

Live every day to it's fullest!

[mhillqt]

Eventhough the drug had all those side effects - ie weight gain and then withdrawal coming off, maybe it did rebalance your serotonin and you are in remission from anxiety/depression and thats why you feel so great....who is to know if you didnt take the drug how you would have come out of that situation you had that led you to the drug......but they def need to create drugs with no side effects and no withdrawals...

Michael

[tamra]

Good point Michael...I feel that if I were given better information about the drugs that were available to me....side effects and the potential for w/d issues...I would have been able to make an INFORMED decision on whether to take them or not. If I knew then what I know now...hhhmmmm, I would have never taken it. This, also, is MY personal experience. My father was prescribed lexapro...and actually does well on taking 10mg every other day....imagine that?? When he gets overly anxious and on my mother's nerves...he goes back on a dose every day. When he doesn't feel the need to be on it...he takes it every other day for a week..then every 3rd day and he's "off" without much of a problem...every person is different.

For the first yr & 1/2....lexapro was my friend and helped tremendously...I wasn't even aware when my "friend" started stabbing me in the back...

I feel that the reason that I feel soooooo good now is because I've felt so badly for so long.

Live every day to it's fullest!

[mhillqt]

Yes, if you have been having bad side effects for a long time and then you stop what is causing the side effects, I can see why you would feel so great....hopefully the original symptoms prior to drug dont come back....im unfortunately feeling them coming back after 2 weeks off my low dosage of 5 mg....

Michael

[sarita]

mandy,
cherry extract comes in liquid or capsule. it's for anxiety atttacks and to help sleep. i ordered mine at the roadback.org, an organization that helps you taper w/little or no side effects by taking supplements like power barley, omega 3, etc.. their theory is the cause of anxiety attacks is a lack of certain supplements in the body... well......supposedly. i'm going to believe it when i see it. i was going to start today but i got my period pretty bad. every period is the same.....the night before i get it, i sweat horribly in the middle of the night, small anxiety and dizziness, and then period. it's awful....
so, i'm going to start when it's all over.

i'm not going to tell my mom i'm tapering cause she wants me to stay on it. but i just hate it cause i have no sex drive and cause i can't feel, and cause i'm getting SO FAT IT"S RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
the scale just goes up and up and up.

IS ANYONE ELSE BESIDE TAMARA HAPPY TO BE OFF LEXIPRO??????????

[sarita]

ONE MORE QUESTION FOR EVERYONE TAPERING.

1. can ya'll go to work? can you function? can you drive?
2. which one of ya'll did a SLOW taper??????? and tell me about it?

they say taper 5% only then stabilize then do it again.

[lalalamort]

hi all,

Im now around 7 weeks of the drug and i thought that Iw as finally better. I was still going up and down but it was getting easier and I was confident in my recovery. But the last three days have been really bad, probably the near the worst Ive ever had. I just cant stop thinking about death and Im constantly crying. HAs anything similar to this ever happened to anyone else?

[mandymcj]

Sarita: I am definitely glad that I'm off Lexapro. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

Have you always had really bad periods or just since being on Lex? Mine used to be really bad, but it's been better since I've been on birth control. Are you seeing a gynocologist?

I started the tapering process (5mg for 2 months) on February 3rd and was off of it on March 18th. I'm in college in a city so I don't drive, but I know there were a couple days when I wouldn't have been able to drive if I was at home. Also there were days where I was just too tired/messed up to do anything. I think that some of that is unavoidable, chances are no matter what you do you'll still have some bad experiences.

Don't get me wrong, having the right attitude makes all the difference and I'm not saying that it will inevitably be hell. Just that chances are that it will be difficult and you will have some bad days, but know that they're part of the process of getting better.
There are good days and bad days, it varies for everyone. Some people have more emotional/mental symptoms while others have more physical symptoms and others have both. Either way, good luck.

[mandymcj]

lalalamort: is that 7 weeks ON lexapro or OFF of it?

[antonio]

hey there sarita....

to answer your question bout feeling well ...i am its been great..Its been one month and things look brighter...around the 2nd week i couldnt work due to the intense wd.. .but now things are much better and bearable....i do feel a bit lethargic everyonce and a while but thats just lazyness i think on my part...

Lets do this....

[anastasia1230]

tamra - you didn't come on too strong at all. I sincerely appreciate the honesty. That's what I love about this forum...everyone telling it how they see it.

After another serious flurry of seizure activity, I spent the day in the ER yesterday. Final analysis: the lexapro, or lack thereof, did not cause my seizures. The stress I'm under from the fibro chronic pain with the addition of lex w/d symptoms set them off. (I was diagnosed with a seizure disorder 15 yrs ago that has been in 'remission' for lack of a better word for 12 yrs.) The prescription: Take the next week off to rest, DON'T take anymore lexapro, don't drive and see the neurologist on Friday.

The doctor who prescribed the lex told me that two weeks was plenty of time to wean off. Knowing I have a more sensitive system, I decided on my own to at least triple that time frame. All of these doctors may not know their butts from a biscuit, but my motivation to be rid of lex altogether is leading me to following their advice.

The next week or two is not likely to be fun, but like Antonio says...lets do this.

[mhillqt]

Sarita....I think the fear of tapering/withdrawal might be worse than what actually happens......do it when you feel comfortable and at your own pace...also, you shouldnt compare yourself to others ....each one of us has our own unique body and we all react differantly to meds(or lack thereof)....I can tell you that my system is more sensitive than most and I get sick from vitamins.....I was on low dosage of prozac 7.5 for years and 6 weeks ago switched to 5 mg of lexapro and then 2 weeks ago stopped abruptly because I didnt like it(although it was much better than others that I tried in the past - ie paxil, zoloft).....i had virtually no withdrawal from prozac or lexapro ...just hot flashes and return of some of my panic disorder symptoms....also a few memory problems.....in reading some of the posts on here where people do well and then not so well weeks or months later, i would venture to guess that some of those symptoms are the return of the original illness....if you get off the lex and are doing well...that would be great...but perhaps if you dont, you may want to try another medication that wont cause the weight gain, etc....but try low dosages...easier to get on and off....i hate this struggle like everyone else on this board....i will give this "no med" a try but if it doesnt work, I will go back to low dosage of prozac....coincidentally, I was on .25 mg klonopin for many many years and 1 year ago stopped cold turkey and was fine......again, im sure it was the low dosage......also, please remember that others on this board are doing well(thank god) off the lexapro but they are also on other medications treating their condition.....i hope everyone here does whats best for them and we are all able to heal ...with or without meds.....your choice.....but remember, eat well, excercise, pray, meditate, etc..

Michael

[tamra]

Lalamort...sorry to hear of your situation. We've all found each other because we're trying to survive the effects of Lexapro....that doesn't mean that we're all "drug free"...You need to something that works for you....I don't have advice...I'm so sorry...It could be a doctor, a medication, someone to talk to...but keep posting. We're all concerned. Each time one of us posts...it helps others that are going thru the same thing.

ummmm...where did everyone go? Aunty? everything ok (better, I hope)? Mr. Spock? Debbie? I'm drawing a blank on names here.....everyone ok? hello?[:I]

Live every day to it's fullest!

[Beachie]

SOS!!

I haven't been here for a bit, because I have been "managing ok" But I am losing my mind right now..

I started weaning myself from 10 mg a few months ago, stepped down 2.5 each time, went thru a week-10 days of hell and then usually felt ok.. I was going to do the 2.5 every other day but decided that I had to get the worst of it over with before friends and family came to town. So I am now lex free since Monday and I am a real head case... I am experiencing twice the amount of symptoms as before and they hit faster probably because there is no more in my system..

Tired, crying, panicky feeling that lasts for hours on end.. I am like one raw nerve.. My phone bill is ridiculous becuase I have to keep calling my friends for them to tell me everything is going to be ok and that just like last time this will pass...

I am at work trying to function and remembered THE BOARD!@@@ I came here and started reading the past posts since I've been gone.. I even re-read some of my own old ones of when i was going thru the 1st step down to 7.5mg and then the recovery from it.. I hop and pray that relief will come soon.. I want to jump out of my skin and curl up in a little ball all at the same time..

My friends keep saying, to treat myself nicely , eat well, go for walks, get a massage, and don't be alone... I think this is the hardest thing I have ever voluntarily put myself through..

[mhillqt]

Sorry you are having a rough time...Im not sure if you excercise....but I have found that running helps with the withdrawals or any aerobi excercise..., as well as drinking lots of water...hope you feel better....

Michael