[nbb]

Getting Better:

I've been reading through these posts for months getting up the nerve to finally get off Lexapro. I'm finally on day 8 after weaning off from 2.5mg. The withdrawal stepped up last night for me. I've got a specific question about how you are using SAM-e.

Before I started taking Lex, I took SAM-e. Actually I took it while on Lex, but in the last 45 days or so I've fallen off the wagon so to speak with the SAM-e. Yesterday morning I decided enough was enough and re-started my supplements, which include 400mg SAM-e, 1000mg B-12, a multi, and some Omega-3's. I think it was coincidence that the withdrawal was HORRIBLE yesterday so I took the supp's today too.

Eventhough I have experience with SAM-e, I am not sure how long I should expect before these supp's help with the withdrawal. I was concerned earlier today because I read a post from Auntybiotic (I think)who said that some people are sensitive to the B vitamins.

I'm just looking for your experience with using the SAM-e in relation to the withdrawal. I've had pretty much every symptom (nausea, vomiting (started yesterday), dizziness, persistent headaches, insomnia, moodiness...pretty much everything). I also wonder how long this will go on.

Thanks =)

[Looking4Help]

I am having a good day.

I realize if it gets too hard, I have that crutch in my cupboard, but I'm hoping I won't need to revert back to it.

I am on supplements, I have always included them in my diet as well as making my own lotions and scrubs with essential oils. So I'm very aware of what many things do and won't do to me.

My peace of mind comes from just being blatently honest with everyone and letting them know I am off the drugs and may have very severe moodiness for no reason and that they need to just understand and accept it for the time being...even my co-workers are all pulling for me and I know if I need one of them they are right here. I work night shift, 4 10s and it is nice to have this type of support.

I can't take certain supplements because of Gastric Bypass Surgery about 5 years ago...yes, this was one of the best decisions I ever made, but it makes you very aware of what drugs, supplements & foods are good for you and which just don't work. I get my blood tested about 4 times a year and all my levels are normal. I even get iron infusions 4 to 6 times a year, just like a blood tranfusion, except iron. I take B-12 shots once a month, my supplement intake is 3xs the normal because it takes that to get the needed vitamins and minerals in my system. I cannot absorb iron, B Vits, magnesium and most oil based supplements, so I realize the Omega 3s I take, may not actually be doing anything and I have the same problem with E unless in tablet form.

I had a roller coaster ride this am, but since then I have just had high aniexty and some aches/pains. But, kinda euphoric at this moment...knowing that 5 minutes from now everything can flip.

Like I said I'm at work and thankful for the people I work with...they let me work out my aniexty by talking and being a bit hyper!!! Support is important, very important.

I wanted anyone to know who already does not or isn't familiar dealing with anxiety/panic attacks, that weakness/dizziness and fear you feal is a panic/anxiety attack, your body is going into a high adrenalin rush and doesn't know what to do with it, the worst thing you can do is sit down or lie down...get up, move, run in place....the adrenalin will subside faster and you won't feel as worn out if you do this. You can not pass out during a anxiety/panic attack, it is impossible...once I learned this I lost my fear of them and taught myself to just keep moving no matter how much I feel I will passout, fall, etc...just keep moving, you will not fall or passout. If you do decide to stop and rest/sit down, your fear intensifies and makes it almost impossible to get out of the situation at that point.

I truly wish the best for all of us, and I'm hoping this will not be at such a high intensity for more than 2 months...I will have to learn to live with it if it does, but I've had worst things happen in my life and learned to live with them to.

Good luck and thank you for being there.

[Looking4Help]

After reading some more, I'm interested in the Liver deal...what's up with that and have you been tested. My liver checks out ok, I've never been up to 100% on it, more like 98% functioning...I believe it is genetic though, my Dad has the same thing. I don't drink, well water and a couple cups of coffee in the morning, can't give that up just yet, but have over the past few months dropped from about 10 to 2 cups a day.

Water, water, water...that is it, since the anxiety, I have a cup of decaffinated tea with honey...it seems to help.

Mediate, exerise and feel free to express myself no matter how sane or insane I may seem at the moment.

Like I said, I'm doing good today, tomorrow, cross that bridge when I get there. I got 4 1/2 hours of sleep, just a brief vivid unsettling dream, then all ok.

Working towards 6 hours of sleep, I am taking Melatonin at night, is this ok??? It seemed to help me last night, I doubled the dose.

Thanks again.

[tavee]

NBB
whatever u do do not take sam e or st. johns wort until one year after u stop ure meds.
they are deadly.

tavee

[Looking4Help]

Thank you for that info tavee, I've considered it myself, but the cost was so high that I disregarded it. The Sam E, never consider St. John's heard too many bad things about it.

[Skywalk]

Yeah, I'm concerned about many herbs and not sure if I trust them. Plus, I don't know what will mix with the Lexapro that's in my system still. I haven't had problems taking xanax on top of it, though. I don't think there is a magic pill. I'm just trying to eat right and stay patient during it all. I'm not sure I can hurry this process. I've just accepted that it may be a few more months.

The liver is important because it holds and rids toxins that are in any synthetic drug -- be it tylenol or Lexapro. From what I've read, it's the reason I'm having stomach cramps and pain. And I'm not nervous when this happens so I know it's not just an upset stomach. The liver is dumping toxins from the Lexapro. Anyway, eating well will help the liver do it's job...an important job. Just go to theliverdoctor.com

[Skywalk]

Looking4help: Do you feel wired or have racing thoughts? You may still be in the manic phase. I actually felt good and excited for a week after stopping and then I crashed. I've never experienced a manic episode in my life, but looking back that's what it was. Now I have a taste of what it might be to be bi-polar. I just have an anxiety disorder. It's very common to have a manic episode when you first stop Lexparo. And by "crash" I mean I just when back into a fear/apathetic mode. Nothing really dark and scary.

[Getting Better]

Tavee: Are you sure about the Sam-e being dangerous on Lexapro?

I know the St John's wort is dangerous, but my p-doc told me to take the Sam-e with the Lexapro as I was weaning off (she's been amazing to me during this process). I also read a book called Stop Depression Now that talks a lot about how Sam-e works. It's been clinically proven to work as well as SSRIs for anxiety and depresion. In Europe it's dispensed only with a presciption. But another use for it is to boost the effect of SSRIs for people who develop a resistance. Sam-e is an amino acid. We all have some in our bodies at all times. It helps with anxiety/depression, liver function and joint aches. Vitamin B12 1000mg and Folic Acid 800 mcg boost the efficacy of the Sam-e.

I'm not a doctor, and certainly my knowledge is limited, but just wanted to share the information I've come across.

I think taking it has made it a lot easier to cope with the emotional effects of the withdrawal. The physical ones were still awful, but I was able to separate myself from the situation and understand that it was just something I was going through, something that would eventually end. I was away and left my Sam-e home for two days and found myself crying uncontrollably. Might have been a coincidence, but now I make sure to take them every day.

NBB: As for how long this lasts-- I had a four days of exhaustion tapering from 5 to 2.5. Then from 2.5 to nothing, I would say I wasn't functional at all for three weeks. On the days that I took 2.5 mg (I did twice), I found I was able to function a little. But for those three weeks, I was basically in bed, and in a lot of pain. After the three weeks I was remarkably better. I'm still not completely over it, but I'm functional, I'm enjoying life, and I'm very productive. I just need to cry more often. I'm OK with that.

It's going to be different for all of us, though. I have several friends on lexapro who didn't lose their sex drives, or gain weight, and had very few problems getting off.

Looking4Help: I think you got it exactly right. I told everyone what I was going through and just having my family and friends supporting me made all the difference in the world. So did reading these message boards. It helped so much to know I wasn't alone.

Skywalk: I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to put anything else in your body. I don't even want to take my birth control pills anymore. I'm sure you know this, but if you want to take any supplements, introduce really slowly and listen to your body. Unlike this **** we're all getting over, the minerals and vitamins will leave your body really quickly if your body doesn't like them. Btw, I'm also having stomach pains: bloating, (very embarrasing) gas and an overall unhappiness in my intestines.

Sarita: As for libido, I had the same problem. It's getting better. I'm not back to where I was pre-Lex, but I'm craving sex more, and I've actually had a few orgasms after none for eight months. My husband is very happy to be getting me back

[Looking4Help]

Skywalk, my moods and thoughts are all over the place at times...and I would can it manic, although, I have never been manic.

But, I'm only on day 9 today, and it really was an ok day.

Had an emotional rollercoaster when I first woke up...my dog insisted I get up and she's a 120lb Newfoundland you can't ignore! So, I got up in an irritable mood after about 4 1/2 hours of decent sleep, best since I've been off. I took her for a walk to relieve all the speedy, anxiety going on in my body, ate breakfast, threw up (combination of eating too fast and the wrong thing, I really didn't have an upset stomach, this is just common with Bastric Bypass), hung out with hubby and emptied my mind as much as possible, cried, paced like a caged animal, took a shower and went to work.

I'm still at work and when I got here I was in a good place, but euphoric!!! Now it's going into my final hour of the 11 hour shift and I'm a bit more relaxed, but sore throat, small headache and just ready to get some rest...but, BEST DAY yet!!! I know, tomorrow can be a bad one, but I'm thinking positively and trying to stay active...I'm an IT Analyst, so I'm always busy running around...my job keeps me occupied.

I didn't have much of a fog today, but my vision is really blurry. I initial went off Klonopin because it can cause renal impairment, I expected to see better...withdrawal threw me a curve and my vision is pretty bad. I would love to go to an eye doc, but until I clear my system from the drug, I don't think they could help...I know my vision will fluctuate. I do suffer from old eye syndrome...can't run from that one...darn reading glasses...haha

I'm doing much better than I thought I would, but I'm prepared for the worst to come...maybe it won't, maybe I've seen it already...probably not, but positive thinking and good vibes always!!!

I will not go back to Lexapro...I will do this, and I will come out of it a better person.

Well, I know most of you are already snuggled in your warm beds, so hopefully y'all had a peaceful night. I look forward to the same.

[Looking4Help]

I did spend Saturday and Sunday in bed most of the time, thought it was the flu, now I realize it was withdrawal. It was really a tough weekend...hope I don't get a repeat of it, but if I do...oh well, grin and bear it.

[zerostar]

First time posting!

I am 19 and have been on various meds (luvox, zoloft, and for the past 3 or 4 years, lexapro, 20mg) since I was 10. Initially it was for ocd, but as that went away, i stayed on it for depression which i had mildly and is rampant throughout my family. i no longer have a psychiatrist, as he moved away, but my father is one. he recommended trying to go off the lexapro if i felt stable enough. for years i have been chronically tired and recently the depression has gotten a bit worse and i am having trouble sleeping, with terrible dreams. all this and i havnt even gone off the stuff! am i building a resistance to it? i just want this all out of my system. i cant remember a time without the pills since i was a little kid. im scared to death of who ill be without them though. i grew up on them so i have no idea. and im in my 1st semester of college...should i wait until this summer before weaning myself off it?

thanks for any comments

[nbb]

Tavee: I am wondering where you were learned that SAM-e is dangerous following SSRI's. I also read the book "Stop Depression Now". It is dangerous for people with bi-polar to take SAM-e, but I was unaware of the outright danger you mention. SAM-e has alot of other benefits that I don't want to give up. I'm a runner and once I was on it for a couple months, I noticed that my once achy knee stopped hurting. In my latest hiatus from SAM-e, the knee pain came back.

GettingBetter: Thank you for the timeline. I had the same kind of response going from 5mg to 2.5mg. I'll just stick it out for the next 2-3 weeks and be optimistic that these withdrawals will pass. I'm having a real hard time with the fatigue and dizziness.

Funny you mention your husband being happy that you are back, it kind of stinks not enjoying sex for 8 months. My experience pretty much mirrors yours. The enjoyment came back pretty much immediately.

How many weeks off lex are you now?

[tavee]

NBB

SAM E AND ST. JOHNS WORT IS A SEROTONIN ENHANCER. IT CAN CAUSE SEROTONIN SYNDROME WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS.
WHEN U ARE WITHDRAWING FROM LEXAPRO OR ANY ANTIDEPRESSANT
URE NEUROTRANSMITTERS NEED TIME TO READJUST TO FUNCTION WITHOUT THE AID OF LEXAPRO.U DONT NEED MORE SEROTONIN WHEN U ARE QUITTING OR WITHDRAWING.

VERY SLOW TAPERING OF THE LEXAPRO ALLOWS THE BRAIN TRANSMITTERS TO READJUST TO THE LOWER LEVELS OF SEROTONIN.THATS WHY THE LEAST HARMFUL WAY IS TO SLOW TAPER IN ORDER TO GET OFF LEXAPRO.

ONCE U STOP TAKING LEXAPRO A YEAR LATER IS WHEN U CAN START TAKING SAM E FOR A MOOD ENHANCER.

TAVEE

[sarita]

HI EVERYONE!!!
I haven't written in a few days. Been reading everyone's info. I also heard that Sam-E and St Johns shouldn't be taken while on anti-depressants.

I'm down to 1/2 a milligram. I'm doing pretty well. I think it's all PMS stuff. Yelling at my husband, a little dizziness, and tired. Very tired. The good news is i haven't gained any more weight. The bad news is i'm still not sexually turned on.

[Looking4Help]

zerostar, I now if you are now mentally up to this challenge it will be extremely difficult without some support, and you need to have the emotional support, it is so important.

I decided to go cold turkey because I am just that way....all or nothing...I have to remind myself just about every minute that I'm going though withdrawal and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how difficult the journey is.

I can understand that you are very scared to be off these meds, especially since you took them since 10 years old...poor girl, you don't really even now what normal feels like.

I just came to these boards about 3 days ago, and they help so much. Just knowing you aren't alone and there is support and help for all of us.

Get your head in a positive place, start an exercise program, it doesn't have to be intense, I just walk my dog for a 1/2 hour each day. I used to be an aerobics instructor and body builder in the early 80s, when toning and not muscle where the goal. I know from that time that exercise and positive thinking go a long way for everyone, whether you are on or off meds.

I have a bit of anxiety every moment, from severe to barely there, but, you have to keep occupied and busy. At home it is more difficult, so if I get speedy feeling I just pace like a caged animal and take deep breathes...eventually, within 20 minutes, the anxiety subsides.

Start taking supplements...Omega 3s, Cherry, Powder Barley...do some research. But, don't be scared at the findings. I believe if I came here before I went cold turkey, I know it would have been easier in my mind to stay on the drugs. I'm kinda glad I didn't know all this stuff the 1st 7 days of my withdrawal. For me, day 6 and 7 were the worst so far, but, everyone is different and I have a long way to go.

I always feel a bit in the fog, and be prepared for your vision to blur...I hope this is temporary and not permanent damage, but I won't truly know until this is over.

I have not have the so called zapps, but I think that is because I was on a good deal of supplements for the past 5 years since my gastric bypass.

Get yourself some essential oils or just buy a nice bath oil that is calming to you at your local drug store/Walmart/Kmart. Learn to associate areas now that give you bad feelings in a more positive way...smell is a huge sensor and can bring you up and down. My vision has become worst in the past couple of days, but my other senses have been heightened...smell, taste, hearing...it's weird, but I can smell stuff I never knew was in the house/work/outside. I feel a bit like I have super powers in these areas.

Make sure you start off with a positive attitude. Whatever it takes. Do not just sit down and let it take you over even now. It does seem like you hit a plateau of sorts on the meds...maybe there is an alternative for you. I don't know, your pharmacist more so than your doctor could probably recommend something or at least tell you side effects.

If you are like me, you probably don't have time to go through all of the postings and are just skimming what catches your eye. No one individual is the same and you have to just know in your mind that you can do this. If you don't, just like anything else, you probably can't at this moment. I believe the mind can be very powerful and if fill with good/positive feelings/thoughts/emotions...you can conquer anything. Fear breeds fear...I won't let that happen now I know what to expect. I'm not afraid it may take me 18 months or longer, I'm in for the ride...no matter how crazy it gets.

The hardest thing for me is the fog...it makes it hard to concentrate and I have a job that requires me to really think a lot...it's getting easier to deal with, but I know there will be days ahead that will bring me total absent of someone's name, how to do something, where I left my keys...etc...so, I'm trying to really pay attention to what I'm doing...it's strange, yesterday I forgot an employees name at work...still can't remember, and I've known it for about 6 months now, I forgot what grade my daughter was in until I worked it out in my mind....but, this is temporary and I just look at it that way. I can always ask, and I'm not afraid to...

Final words...don't be scared, be strong and positive. We all have the will to heal ourselves to a certain degree...you need to get in touch with it...you, we all are stronger than we know.

Good luck...don't be afraid to ask for help, a hug, some space, just lay it all on the table and you will be surprised at how many people will help you through this.

I'm on my 10th day, never throught I'd actually be counting them, but that is how it is, kinda like being pregnant It's a good one so far, no rollercoaster yet, and hopefully there won't be one. I slept for 7 hours...WOW!!!

Know we are all here for you and you have our support.

Love and hugs are needed, take them both with open arms.

[Getting Better]

NBB:

Keep being optimistic. You will get better!!
Being able to enjoy sex again does take the edge of a little though!

I stopped taking Lexapro 9 weeks ago, but then I took 2.5 mg twice after that, so my last dose was 7 weeks ago. I count from the last dose.

As for the fatigue, ugh, it sucks. I live on the fourth floor of a walk-up, and there were days when I just wanted to go outside to get air, but then I’d try to get back up my stairs, and I’d end up panting for ten minutes on each landing, trying to catch my breath. I just succumbed to it, and NetFlixed all 5 seasons of 24. Some people were very sensitive to light and noise and violence on TV, but it didn’t seem to bother me.

(BTW, Auntybiotic suggested non-drowsy Dramamine for the dizziness. I didn’t try it, but it seemed to help other people on the board.)

Here are some other fun symptoms to expect:
Hair Loss: Started around week 3. I was in the shower, combing conditioner through my hair with my fingers. I looked down at my hands to find they were covered in hair. I lost clumps for weeks. (There were hairballs all over my apartment. And as I am compulsively clean, they drove me crazy.) Great, I went on these things because I was depressed, and now I’m fat and bald and dead from the waist down. Yes. That makes me feel loads better. (The hair loss returned to normal shedding about a week ago—week 6.)

Nasty Food cravings: All I wanted to eat was baked ziti, cookies and ice cream. I kept trying to eat healthy foods, but I was so miserable that food really comforted me. This did not help my weight loss effort, but I actually didn’t gain any more during the withdrawal period despite eating like a cow. This also subsided last week. I’m craving and eating only healthy foods, no refined carbs, etc. No movement on the scale despite this and the exercising, but I’ve just decided to buy three more pairs of fat pants and get over it (I’ve gained 26 lbs).

Things I still Have:
Vivid dreams: I’m still having them, but less frequently, and now they’re more disturbing than scary. For the last few nights I’ve been dreaming that I cheated on my husband with several different people and I was plagued by guilt. I told him this and he thinks it’s just a common anxiety dream—my master’s thesis is due in ten days, and I’m freaking out about it a little.

Seeing things: I see things moving in my peripheral vision, then turn to see there’s nothing there. We do, however, have a mouse, which I sometimes do legitimately see, so I’m always jumpy and screaming because I think I see mice. Yeah. My neighbors love me.

Gas: Constant and smelly. Enough said.

Restless leg: Though this is common in any form of withdrawal, hence the phrase “Kicking the habit.”

Paranoia/ Panic: Two nights ago I called my husband crying and to told him to come home because I was afraid of the mouse. He was at a sports bar watching football with his friends. Thank goodness the game was over.

Exhaustion: If I push too hard, I end up in bed for two days. I keep forgetting that my body is still not back to normal (I guess I’m lucky that I feel well enough to forget), but if I overextend myself, I’m going to need to sleep it off for a few days, so I have to moderate.

Cold/ Allergies: I went off Lex at the end of August, when I have hay fever. I still have hay fever. Itchy ears/nose/throat. Watery eyes. Sneezing, coughing, congestion. I miss breathing through my nose!

I see a constant progression towards health, and it helps to laugh at some of this craziness. Honestly, the thing bothering me the most at this point is my weight. My husband and I are going to Mexico in two weeks (YAY!!!!) and I don’t know how I’m going to sit on the beach looking like this. I don’t even own a one-piece bathing suit. I feel like buying a muumuu. Pre-Lex I used to hit the gym really hard and cut out carbs to lose those last few lbs before beach time. Now I know there’s nothing I can do. <Sigh>

[Looking4Help]

Hairloss can be a result of iron deficiency in Woman primarily. Take an iron supplement if you can stomache it.

I have learned to be aware of any deficiency in my body due to the Gastric Bypass. I know I'm lucky to have testing done 2 to 4 xs a year to see if I lack in anything...it takes a great deal of worry away.

I had to deal with some hairloss in the first 6 months post op. It wasn't significant for me because I have a lot of long hair, but I controlled it with supplements.

There are some great supplements on the market...if you want to know more about them, go to www.obesityhelp.com. Our group is very well informed and educated and they can direct you to the correct website to order if necessary.

It's been so long I can't remember what I took, but I will look it up in my journal to see.

I do remember it costs about $50/month for the one supplement, but well worth it. I took it for 6 months.

[Skywalk]

Zerostar: I can't believe you've been on meds for such a long time and at such a young age. SSRI's can sort of "poop out" at some point for some people. I know Prozac did for me. Sounds like maybe that's what has happened with your Lexapro. When asking people at this site for advice about getting off you're going to get a somewhat biased response because a lot of us don't like Lexapro, either because it had bad side effects or made us flat emotionally, or in my case...didn't even work. I personally don't trust this drug and it has some nasty withdrawals. That said, if you plan to go off TAKE IT SLOW AND TAPER; most doctor's don't encourage this (they don't think we should bother). You can go to theroadback.com or look at some of the early pages on this site for advice on how to taper. It might be nice to know yourself while off the drugs and then deal with the issues with some natural means before considering meds again. I've done well on my own, but when I let my healthy lifestyle go I fall back into anxious patterns and turn to meds for a quick fix. This is the first one that did not work for me so now I'm determined to maintain a good lifestyle. But you have to stay positive. I know it's easy to think, "well, this is in my family so I'm doomed." These problems are partly genetic, but I think with a good attitude, diet and exercise and other natural remedies talked about often in this site...there is hope.

[Skywalk]

Looking4Help: What do you mean by "fog"? Do you feel removed or distant? The confusion and memory loss is common, too. I just started to get me letters in order when typing. I use to make so many mistakes a few backs back when writing.

My fiancee told me that seeing something run by in the peripheral vision is one of the first signs of sleep deprivation. Even if you are getting some sleep now, but didn't for quite a while. This past week I'm getting eight hours of sleep for the first time in almost three months and I haven't seen anything race by in my peripheral vision now for about five days straight -- and I had it at least once a day after starting Lexapro.

[Skywalk]

"my letters" ha! guess I spoke too soon. I still get confused...

[nbb]

Tavee:

I see now where you are coming from. SAM-e is very different than St. Johns Wort. I'm not a doctor and I wouldn't tell anyone to take something but SAM-e is a compound that natuarally exists in the body, whereas St. John' Wort is an herb not naturally produced in the body. It's not that SAM-e can cause serotonin syndrome anymore than another excessive combination of SSRI's but it does need to be monitored like any other medication used for serotonin uptake.

My doctor also suggested taking SAM-e because it can counteract the drop in Serotonin that occurs from withdrawal. But, if you're not comfortable taking it than it may not be worth the apprehension it could cause. Personally, I am going to keep taking it but I'll educate myself a little more about the symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

Hopefully it will all be a non-issue for all of us in the near future.

[Looking4Help]

Skywalk...
Fog...can't focus/concentrate/disconnected...I really have to think hard to do some things that should be second nature by now.

I have given myself extra time to get ready, shop, drive to work...etc. I feel less anxiety if I do so and I have also learned to take my time...which is huge, because I usually speed to work, jump in the shower to get ready and don't give shopping a lot of thought. But, this is not such a bad thing, I'm learning to relax and take it slow. If I rush, I know that my body will react negatively and supply me with another fun/severe anxiety attack, so I'm trying to avoid it by taking my time...I think at least for me, this is important and beneficial.

I kinda feel like when I go out of town and hang out with some of my friends on vacation. We tend to be the types who stay up for 2 days straight, by day 3 I'm wiped out and feel like a truck has hit me...that is my "FOG". It's managable, but distracting.

[Skywalk]

Looking4help: It is like feeling as though you've been awake for a couple days. I was at the grocery store a little bit ago and I was looking for things on my list and I really had to concentrate. And I felt disoriented and overwhelmed looking at the food products and it was almost hard to find the right item. I feel like I'm dreaming and everything seems sharp and busy (if that makes sense). I can't go to the store when it's crowded either or I get really freaked out. Driving feels a little weird too; I just go on autopilot since driving comes to me as easy as walking. But I can't go too far from home right now because I don't feel like I have control.

[Looking4Help]

Skywalk...I totally understand your feelings.

I have to put a great deal more thought to going to the store, which I will try today for the 1st time since the Withdrawals kicked in. I was fine doing TG shopping, but haven't had the energy to take on shopping since then...when I say energy, I mean I'm kinda scared and avoiding it and it will take a lot of my concentration and will to not go into a complete panic/anxiety attack...I think I will try a short run tonight.

Driving becomes more difficult for me as my day progresses. Going to work I need to concentrate a bit, but coming home (at 2am), I get antsy and anxiety ridden, I just try to deep breathe and keep my mind on what I'm doing and not be so overwhelmed.

I'm having a really good day. Some fog, anxiety, aches and pains, but not hard to manage...I run hot and cold, too.

How long has it been for you? I'd look it up, but I'm currently at work and very busy. Thank goodness!!!

Drug Free since Sunday, November 19, 2006 (10 days and counting)

[Skywalk]

Looking4Help: It's been almost two months. I quit October 1st. The first week I was pretty good and then I started to go downhill. My anxiety started to increase among many other symptoms. But I was able to keep working on starting my business. About a month ago things got really hard and I stopped working on my business and my blood sugar kept crashing and I was craving carbs all the time and I had a lot of anxiety (my fiancee was out of town and I had to sleep at my folks house - so that made matters worse, too). But the past several days - and when I started to sleep - I've been better some. My anxiety is almost completely gone when at home or out WITH someone (thank God!). Not sure about being out a lot on my own because I have been avoiding it. I was at the mall about a week and a half ago and I started to panic in stores so I've been afraid since. I need to take baby steps, but I don't want to push myself because I know I'm still in the withdrawal process. I'm a little lightheaded today and still haunted by the weird dreams I had again last night, but feeling a little more like myself. I just really miss my life and that's the hardest thing to deal with. What's more frustrating is that doctors probably wouldn't believe that Lexapro can do this. My grandma suggested I go to the doctor because "this has gone on too long" and I told her that they are the people who got me into this mess and that this long withdrawal is not recognized in the medical community. I just have to wait it out.

Headspinning...are you still out there? How are you feeling?

[Looking4Help]

Skywalk:

I know it's hard to go out, I forced myself to leave work today and was going to Sam's, but then opted for something a bit smaller...Walmart...Sam's with it's high ceilings and everything is in extra large size, it kinda freaks me out at the moment.

Got some anxiety in Walmart, the one I go to near work just sucks...disorganized, long lines...don't know why I bother. Then I had about 10 minutes b4 I was ready to check out and work called me that they were having a production issue...has to speed things up and get back to fix it...that sucked too.

I'm really tired tonight and still have 5 hours left, very disoriented, eyes are burning, thoat, kneck and ears are sore and achey. My arms are weak and heavy. Other than that I'm just great[]

I told my boss today this may take up to 18 months to get out of my system...not they all those days will be bad ones, I believe it might be what some people in the 60's got from LSD or Acid...flashbacks...which sucks, but day by day I'll handle it.

I don't really understand how one day we can feel pretty good and the next is another world of bad feelings.

I had just one dream last night and it was actually enjoyable with people I know...so, I'm hoping that tonights sleep will be ok.

I just bought a bunch of different decaf flavors of tea and hoping they will relax me a bit.

My shoulders feel heavy and it's getting hard to type...

Have a good night and keep thinking good thoughts

[smm43]

I've been on Lexapro 10mg for 3 weeks now....I don't really know whether it's having an effect because I'm still going through an effexor withdrawal that is 6 weeks and counting. But I've decided I want off all these poisons and whatever happens without them, happens. Does anyone know if 3 weeks on this stuff is long enough that I should still taper off? And how should I taper? 5 mg for a week? is that enough? Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

-Shawn

[Looking4Help]

Shawn...

It probably depends on you and how strong you feel, did you go from one drug to the next...OMG Effexor is evil!!!

Good luck I'm cold turkey from Klonopin and Lexapro...managable and miserable at the same time...but, refuse to put that **** in me anymore.

[smm43]

Looking4Help: yeah, effexor is the most evil drug ever, that goes without saying. But I don't really have a desire to repeat any withdrawal scenario with lexapro, and i figure since it's only been 3 weeks, now is the time. That said, I don't really want to add to my effexor withdrawal symptoms right now with lexapro ones, so I do want to do it safely. I think we are all so much better off without most, if not all, of these drugs. I'm really starting to believe that a lot of it is a grand marketing scheme by the drug companies, and that it's a complete joke that "trial and error" is the only way to know which drug is for you. Think about if that were true with antibiotics or cholesterol meds or stuff like that....

Good luck to you with your withdrawals as well, it can only get better from here.

[Getting Better]

Skywalk: It must be such a relief that you're finally sleeping. I was originally put on Lex for severe insomnia. I know what hell it can be to sleepwalk through life. I hope you continue to sleep well

Looking4Help: I checked out the site you suggested but can't find the supplement forum. Do you have a link to that? I would really appreciate it if you let me know what you used.

Also, in the first few weeks of withdrawal, my body hurt so badly. I can empathize with your achy arms. It gets better.

Zerostar: Please keep checking in. You have a difficult situation to get through, but you can and you will, and there are many people on this board to support you.

Shawn: I wish I knew what to tell you. I wish you luck and strength and send positive thoughts your way.