[tamra]

Beachie, I've been where you're at right now. Sometimes the only thing that I could do was talk to friends or family on the phone to stay "anchored". Sometimes this helped, other times, as soon as I hung up the phone, I was wondering who else I could talk to. I spent alot of time posting. Unfortunately there aren't very many people actively posting right now.

I've posted about it before...take a break from the phone & get some fresh air...just open a window or walk outside the door. Take a deep breath and listen to what's going on around you. I live in the country, so I can hear the sounds of nature. It's an uneasy feeling to "be alone"....but give it a chance with some fresh air and deep cleansing breaths. This and ice water, a multi vitamin & 1000mg of fish oil capsules helped me thru the toughest times. Regular, small, healthy snacks if meals are too much also help.

What was you last dose amt & when was the last time you took it? Maybe I can offer some words of encouragement from my own experience.

I'm a little suprised that there aren't more posts going on...I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?

Live every day to it's fullest!

[sarita]

HI YA"LL

I've been reading all your stories, and just curious.............
How many of you did a QUICK taper? how many of you did a SLOW taper?
and who suffered more?????? and how many of you used supplements while tapering?

[mhillqt]

I stopped cold turkey and had minimal side effects...its been 3 weeks...i might go back since my panic disorder symptoms are back...wait and see

Michael

[Gapske]

NO!! to the Xanax if at all possible!! It's a major brain number and highly addictive. I know from my experience when I was at my worst stages of panic attacks I tried it a couple times, always felt brain numb after. I carried it with me for awhile just in case, but then decided I just didn't want to deal with it.

I'm sure some people really, really need it, but be careful with it.

quote:Originally posted by 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?

[Gapske]

Hello everyone!
I feel like I've been gone for a year.
Spring break, school activities with the kids, everything to enjoy about spring have kept me busy and happy.

Tamra, you speak my language all the time when you write about Lexapro. Lexapro was my friend also and I was so happy that I'd finally made the decision to take something. Then after a year and half..BOOM! Where had my life gone? Who was I? Why have I gained so much weight even though I work out all the time? Why wasn't I inspired to create as an artist anymore? Etc. etc.

My worst times this last month were right before my period hit. I was very depressed, anxious, grumpy and one day I just cried and cried. Then I was done. So those are the days I'm watching out for and know that I might be affected because of PMS. I've started taking some special natural supplements from the chiropractor that I hope will help also.

Now everyone, theres no stopping me. Things that I felt were blocking me before, aren't in my way. I'm standing up for myself, I'm taking initiative to do and say things that I was hesitant on before. I'm creating again. I feel fantastic! It is definitely a mind set that has to be worked on EVERY SECOND, EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY SINGLE DAY in our lives. It's hard work sometimes, but it's worth it.

Everyone else who's still struggling, keep working on it, believe in yourself and your dreams, you can do it, fight for it, it's your life and it can be a short one some times, don't waste a moment!





quote]Originally posted by 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!
[/quote]

[Gapske]

I did what I consider a quick taper.
2 years on 20 mgs.
1 month on 10 mgs.
1 week on 10 mgs. every other day then stopped.
Way to fast to go off of it for having that much Lex. in my system for so long.
It's been 54 days off!!! I am so feeling good.
Do what's best for yourself everyone. Every individual has their own tolerance level and other things going on. Talk to professionals that really care. If you think your Dr. is not getting it [?] then find someone else.
Seek out those with natural healing powers, chiropractors, massage therapists. Try yoga, go for walks. Get back to nature.

I am praying for all of you still suffering and don't know where to turn. Don't give up! This world needs you!

[Gapske]

One more thing,
as Sarita pointed out, the cherry extract is supposed to be very helpful. There has been many studies done on taking it.

Check out www.theroadback.org the woman who started it has an incredible and very powerful story to tell. It's very inspiring.

[Corinne77]

I am so glad to have found this forum, I thought I was going crazy. I have been on Lexapro for 4 years and love it, but this past week I've been out of it and had problems getting the medication refilled. I have had the worst week ever. I'm dizzy, experiencing shocking feelings in my arms and legs, I'm vomiiting, tired and have had suicidal, manic thoughts. I've never experienced these feelings this strongly before and I'm glad to know that is from withdrawal from Lexapro and not just me going crazy. I've also had great results while taking my lexapro, but these feelings almost make me scared to continue taking it. My docter just called me back finally (after trying to reach him for two weeks) and I have an appointment in the morning. Thank you to all for letting me know that what I'm experiencing is "normal" while off this medication and good luck to all.

[tamra]

Hi Gapske! I thought I lost you! lol Hey....how's the "weight" doing? I quit paying attention and just "getting busy" w/the kids and outside...I haven't watched what I ate or how much..just listening to when I'm hungry & not...and I lost 12 pounds! I'm wondering if anyone else found this. Oh yeah, Pms really sucks! on a grand scale! Hope it gets a little better.

I just came in to get some water...hot outside today! Grammie took Fischer (3 yrs old) and Hunter (6 yrs old) is in school for until 3:30. I'm diggin in the soon-to-be flower garden! (Happy Birthday to me!!) My husband is home sick today..sinus infection, but is insistant that I go an supervise him making my cake...he's afraid he'll skrew it up! lol I just had to post quick...I was lonely here for a little while!

Antonio...I got your email...haven't had a chance to send one back out when the sun goes down or some rain takes over...I've got to be outside recharging my "solar panels" on top of my head!

That's all for now!!

Live every day to it's fullest!

[sarita]

hi gap and tamra,

i am so happy for both of you for successfully getting off lexipro and you both seem so much more happier. please don't leave us!!!!!
you are our mentors now.

i said i was going to start tapering, but i haven't. every week is another excuse, first i got the stomach virus, then pms (always awful)now my mom's in town who wants me to ON the lexipro. i know about the ROADBACK,ORG and i bought all there supplements to get started.

I CAN"T MISS WORK!!!! did u guys miss work???

[sarita]

one more thing. has anyone else felt this ON lexipro?
low confidence. unsure about the decisions. giving in to easily. doubting yourself. letting other people decide for you.?????????
i was NEVER EVER like that before. so sure of myself, please let me know.

[drew4u99]

Hey there,

Haven't been back for a while, was off in zombie land with lexapro. Im back again, trying to get off it once more as I am off to university in the fall.

Sarita,

Feeling like that is very common with anti-depressant withdrawal. Often, as I have also experienced (9+ years on ssri's). These symptoms usually mirror exactly what the drug is intended to treat x 10, making the withdrawal extremely difficult, if not impossible. Thus, continuing to guarantee a gorgeous profit for drug companies.

In the past 3 weeks, I have dropped from 5mg to 2.5mg and I am in such unbelievable mental stress. Anxiety and depression I have never before experienced. I would say this is my 5th attempt...and last.

Anyways, I found a very interesting article that I suggest should be read by all, especially younger individuals.

http://www.cacuss.ca/en/17-presentat....lasso?pid=618

I will hopefully manage to keep it together for my last attempt at freedom.

To all those who continue to fight the seemingly never-ending battle, I once again wish you good luck. I know exactly how you all feel, we're all in it together.

With mutual support,
Andrew

[tamra]

When Lex was good, it was very good, when it went "bad", I had all of those depressed feelings, unable to make a decision without worrying until someone else made it for me, etc...It feels like a long hard road to get off it, but when you do...and you are feeling better...the days just fly right by! You've got a new outlook and a new energy.

Andrew...keep posting....did you have this site when you previously tried to come off? How are you tapering? cutting you pills in 1/2? (that's what I did). There is 5 mg lex available but (I guess) hard to find...my drugstore ordered it in for me. They are very tiny pills and hard to cut into 1/4's, but it made my "final taper" easier. I did these for a week and then every other day and then every 3rd day...there are other methods of tapering out there. All I can say is that I "lived" thru it and would be happy to be here for you as you are going thru it. Everyone is different ... I consider myself a mentally "high maintenance" type of person & I found that being able to post and "talk" to others going thru this helped me to realize that even though I felt like "this"...it was normal and there were others going thru it at the same time, and others that came off of it successfully. Gapske may not have realized, but she was 2 days "ahead" of me...and I had to make it thru...because she did! (Thanks Gapske!)

Like Antonio said...WE CAN DO THIS!!

Concerning the missing work subject...well, I'm a stay at home mom of a 6 yr old & 3 yr old. I don't have advice on this one. I know the timing of feeling my absolute worst & I know that I couldn't have gone to work between days 12-14 completely OFF lexapro. This may be different for someone who doesn't smoke...I had issues with the lexapro/nicotine w/d. I have to wonder if it would have been better if I did go to work and have my mind "busy". I know that I made it worse by sitting in front of the computer all day. Being with other people and being able to simply talk conversationally with others helped to keep me anchored..talking to my 3 yr old son just didn't do it for me. My driving force to just "do it" was very simple...I didn't want to go thru this in the summer when I should be enjoying myself. I wanted to play outside with my boys & go fishing with my husband (and drink a beer without going "numb! lol).

That's all for now...gotta clean the house!

Live every day to it's fullest!

[Beachie]

Thanks Tamra and Michael..

I wish i could say things have gotten better since I last posted but this is just awful..

To answer your question:
I was on 20mg for 2 1/2 years.. tapered to 7.5 (3 weeks) 5 3 weeks then 2.5 for like 2 weeks and then to 0. I have been completely off of it for 8 days and have experienced horrible anxiety and panic, manic, the sweats all the time, crying, my nerves feel completely raw, I am irrational and totally pessimistic which is not my nature.. I am down on myself, I keep thinking my BF is about to break up with me and everything he says I am reading into and villianinzing him(is that a word?) My memory has been shot, I wake up in the middle of the night and the insanity is with me the minute I open my eyes.

Back when I 1st started posting and the taper effects would calm down I would post about how much better things have gotten and I am trying to just have faith that this will pass. But it feels like this will never go away!!??

Has anyone else had the hardest time when they went to zero lexapro? It was so bad the other day, I thought about running home and taking some, but I knew that wouldn't work,, and frankly I was not fit to be driving because I was so emotional.

SOmeone, please tell me, they had it this bad and that it gets better? HOW LONG SHOULD I EXPECT THIS TO LAST? I know everyone is different but if people who have already gone to zero could let me know their experiences I'd really appreciate it. and thanks to those who are already off and keep coming back to offer support. Otherwise the newcommers to the board would have no "voices of experience" to listen to.

Thanks all Beachie

[tamra]

YOU'RE DOING IT BEACHIE!!! 8 DAYS OFF LEX! YAHOOOOO! I know how you feel!!! You are at the worst possible time of it right now! Your first step was probably very hard to take. Damn, my potatoes are done! I'll be right back in a few minutes! I promise!! You can do this I promise!!

Live every day to it's fullest!

[tamra]

Ok, potatoes are done, I checked the ham in the oven, veggies are cooking, and I've got a few minutes before my husband is home from work...then I'll check in after supper.

So, does you boyfriend know that you're coming off Lex? Don't expect him to understand...but, does he know? Can he say that you are not reacting "normally" to situations? You just aren't "yourself"...right? Did he know you before Lexapro? OK...well...it's going to take a little more time. Ask him to please try to be patient. Tell him that it's going to get a little worse before it gets better...and I'll talk you thru that too. How long have you been together? (personal question, I know..but..) You are going to go thru a very tough time in the next 10 days...and it's not going to "pretty"...he can be there for you...or if he chooses to be "distant"....tell him that he's going to see an entirely different person 2 weeks from now...a new "Beachie" that he's never met before! (After 7 yrs of marriage...my husband and I are falling in love all over again!) I realize that it would help you tremendously if you KNEW that he'd be there to support you thru this...be honest about the way you feel & ask him if he will see you thru this.

ok, that was one thought complete...

I'll be on again in a little while...I have to check the veggies on the stove. I'll type more then. I can tell you what I went thru. Reading posts of what others went thru helped me to know that I was on the right track....and that what I was feeling was "normal".

Live every day to it's fullest!

[sammykae]

Hi, I'm new to this site, but really glad I found it. I've been on 10 mg Lexapro everyday for 2 years, 10mg every other day for a year, 5mg every day for 4 months, 2.5 a day for 10 days, and now cold turkey for 5 days. I have been experiencing alot of dizziness, headaches, sweats. I find this site to be a great comfort, nice to know i'm not losing my mind. Wondering when I might be 100% again? Also, I gained 20 pounds while on Lex, who has been successful losing after Lex?

[tamra]

Ok Supper's over, dishes done. AAAHHHHHH.

Hi Sammykae! Everything you're describing is right on track. I went on Lexapro for quite a few reasons...one was post partum depression...so, the 45 pounds of being pregnant never came off and I gained 15 more. I've been Lexapro free for ??? ummm, 53 days. Long story short..I've lost 12 pounds so far. No diet, no exercise, no counting anything..just playing with my boys and feeling great. Weight loss has never ever been easy for me...so this is incredible. It proves that, "for me", it was the lexapro. I'm about 5 ft. tall so this has made an incredible difference. Your next 2 weeks may be interesting. Post as often as you'd like. There are quite a few that will hope on and off....and post with updates. There were people here that helped me thru it...so I feel a need to be here to help others.

so, Beachie...let me know if you want to talk about your next few days. I'll be checking back again in a little while to see if you've posted. I'll be on tomorrow also. I check my emails and surf around in between housework.

If there's anyone else just "checking out" what's going on here...stop in and say "hi". It's easier to get thru this with a friend.

Live every day to it's fullest!

[mandymcj]

Beachie: IT DOES GET BETTER.

The withdrawals were some of the hardest things I've ever been through. I'm honestly lucky to still be alive because the depression and suicidal thoughts were so intense. Everything you mentioned, especially "insanity is with me the minute I open my eyes," I know exactly what you mean. I have been there, as have a lot of people on the board, and we know how hard it can be. I promise that once you finally adjust to the lack it will be easier. I KNOW if I got through it, you can too. Hang in there.

I have now been off of Lex for 24 days and feel so much better. I know it's not fully out of my system, but I honestly feel so much more like myself and am no longer contemplating suicide every moment.

About your bf...I would suggest opening up to him if he doesn't know things already. My boyfriend knew what was going on with me and every time I started going down the suicidal path, he would tell me that no matter how bad it is, you have to remember that it's your body adjusting. He was my biggest support in this whole thing (next to the board, of course) even though he has never experienced anything like it. Maybe your bf will turn out the same.

Sammykae: welcome to the board! I can't really help you with the weight loss because I lost the pounds while on Lexapro.

[dmiskiew]

hi i have been on lexapro 10mg for approx 10 months. at first i thought it was great i felt so happy as i started them for depression. i went without for four days and got twitches,shakes,maniac delusions,severe sweating and insomnia. i also was suicidal and thought i was going crazy. my normal side effects on lexapro is sweating and no sex drive at all. is this normal. i will not stop my pills as i have three children and am a better person on them. but will i be on them for ever and what is the real problem with me. i cant believe that i am so dependant on a prescription drug.i was never told about the withdrawls. i am so glad that i have found this site and that i am not the only one out there. chin up too all and god bless all.

[tamra]

Hi dmiskiew! (did I remember how to spell that correctly?)

If the doctors told us about the w/d's...we definitely would never have started taking this drug. Not everyone has problems coming off...we've found each other because we have or had problems coming off. My father has been on it a few times. Each time he tapers quickly and is fine. I honestly believe that the doctors only know what the drug reps tell them...until they start having patients with problems coming off the Lexapro. I recently changed doctors. this was within a week of stopping the lexapro. When I began to have problems coming off...I was told that I was "the first he had ever heard of having problems". Well, after having bloodwork done and ruling out everything else...I was thru the worst of it & felt much better.

Sexual side effects seem quite common. If lexapro is working well for you and you can live with it...then stay on it. If it becomes an issue, then it may be time to explore other options. I did very well on Lexapro (so I thought) for a while. It helped me deal with an extrordinary amount of stress while balancing a family and career.

The reason you started looking and found us is because you "stopped" taking the lexapro. Once you make your decision on whether or not to continue taking it....read thru the posts here on "tapering" & side effects. This will give you alot of info. If you have any questions at all..feel free to ask. I don't have any qualifying background but I've researched the posts here enough that maybe I can guide you to information and be someone for you to talk to. Let me know if I can help! Tamra


Live every day to it's fullest!

[sammykae]

Day 6 w/o Lex, I was feeling great this morning but as the day goes on I 've begun feeling really lghtheaded. Caffeine seems to make it worse, is that possible? I seem to be having moments of feeling like my old self,(great!!)how long is this going to last? Also, I've noticed I'm really worried and over protective of my 7 year old, can't tell if that is my old anxiety, or if it is amplified do to the witldrawals. Any thoughts? Thanks

[Karl1000]

I am on day 12 without Lexapro.Was at 1.25mgs for the last week on it the quit altogether. About every other day A have agitation and a good amount of anxiety which lasts the whole day. Never had this before Lexapro so hoping its withdrawal symptoms. Good luck to all.

[sarita]

Lexipro has been good to me but also bad.
good=no anxiety attacks, no migraines,no sick feeling w/all negative test results,better sleep, better daily function,
bad=no feeling, no sex drive,bad memory,weight gain,insecurity,intravert,

it kinda weighs out....on paper. but the truth is, i feel like i'm wasting my life on lexipro because i dont feel anything. i can talk. i can think. but it's not heartfelt.......and the words get confused in my head...the weight gain is getting me annoyed as hell, i had to buy all new clothes...from size 3 to size 8 in 9 months.....

i think what i'll do is try to taper at least the half way point w/the supplements from www.theroadback.org (that website is AWESOME for helping people quit lexipro)
and see how that goes.

hope this information is helpful...
how's everyone doing??????????? seems like a new crowd and each few months brings on a new mentor. that's awesome.......

[GothicEcstasy420]

Well I really wish I had read all of this before quitting cold turkey on 20mg. I already ended up in the hospital. For two weeks straight I was unable to hold down any food at all. I lost over 10 pounds in those 2 weeks. I hated being like a robot when I was on it, but that seems like nothing compared to these past 2 weeks. Not to mention the fact that I fall to pieces over nothing at all, just the slightest thought can lead to me crying endlessly, lots of thoughts about dying, not suicide, just dying in general. Hopefully nobody else made this mistake. [V]

[lexaprodreary]

[font=Comic Sans MS][/font=Comic Sans MSHey all. I have been on lexapro 10 mg. for about 7 weeks. Here's my question: Should I just stop cold turkey or taper off by taking 1/2 of the tablet for a week and so on?[?] I really want to just stop. I hate this stuff. Not to mention that I have already gained 3 pounds. I was put on lexapro because of open heart surgery post depression. But, the wt. gain alone is making me depressed.[V] Know what I mean? I have read a lot of the posts and want this stuff out of my system asap.

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord...

[leroysmama]

I stopped taking my 10 mg a day lexapro 6 days ago. And the past 3 days I have been extremely dizzy, a little nautious, extremely fatigued and having very vivid dreams. Although i am expecting side effects, HOW LONG do these last? The only mood change i have noticed is that i am more irritable - but that might just be because i dont feel good.

Also - I have gained at least 10 to 15 pounds this past year and a half since starting lexapro. The weight gain and the LACK OF being able to lose it is very odd for my body. How long before you start noticing weight loss after stopping?

I just want to feel normal again. Please give me some feedback!!!
Thanks

[mshelly03]

quote:Originally posted by leroysmama

I stopped taking my 10 mg a day lexapro 6 days ago. And the past 3 days I have been extremely dizzy, a little nautious, extremely fatigued and having very vivid dreams. Although i am expecting side effects, HOW LONG do these last? The only mood change i have noticed is that i am more irritable - but that might just be because i dont feel good.

Also - I have gained at least 10 to 15 pounds this past year and a half since starting lexapro. The weight gain and the LACK OF being able to lose it is very odd for my body. How long before you start noticing weight loss after stopping?

I just want to feel normal again. Please give me some feedback!!!
Thanks

Hi.. I am new to this forum, but I am thankful I found it. Leroysmama, I read your posting, and it sounds just like what I am going through, I stopped taking the Lexapro 5 days ago. I too have gained about 15 pounds, while taking the medicine. But the worst is having these withdrawal symptoms, I have horrible headaches, always lightheaded and dizzy, and I feel like I am in la la land.. I have been really tired lately, but I can't sleep at night.. it really sucks.. I also have horrible sweats at night, which is something I have never had before. I really hope that these symptoms go away fast, and I hope the weight gain also goes away fast!! Good luck to everyone who is going through the same thing I am.

[leroysmama]

Thankfully i am not having the hotflashes and nite sweats. They put me through temporary menopause at 23 - so I had a TON of those already - that is what put me on Lexapro - the major depression from the Depo Lupron - NASTY STUFF...

I am not having a terrible time sleeping. I do find myself exhausted - then i lie down and my brain feels like missles going off (not in a bad way - just like a lot of commotion in my head). So it takes about 30 minutes to quiet my head to fall asleep then i have the vivid dreams.

[vuitton432]

I've had on and off anxiety for about three years now and i've taken zoloft before. I got off that and had a normal life for about 1 year. Until recently I've had it really bad. I have a friend who is a specialist in TMJ and told me that my neck pain and grinding teeth may be causing my anixety/panic attacks to return. The treatment for a night guard or splint is very expensive and was wondering if anyone has had success with it. Aunty, have you brought your daughter to a tmj specialist. It can really effect your life from what my friend has told me. I'm going to get the treatment regardless and will keep you posted on wheter is works or not.