[Looking4Help]

Shawn:

Don't know your age, but I feel sorry for kids and young adults today. I was born in '62 and we just had to deal with all of our feelings...

I think it is sad that a doctor will prescibe something to a younger person without further looking into their activity levels, eating habits...etc.

My daughter has been on Zoloft for about 2 years, there were extenuating circumstances and I was all for it, because I was taking Lexapro and have been on Zoloft for about 4 years prior with a 9 month break...never had any withdrawal from Zoloft...so, hopefully it is a better drug then Lexapro or Effexor (couldn't even take that one for a day, it made me crazy).

I need to sit down with her and have a good chat because she is only 16 and wanting to increase her meds...I think she is strong enough and wise enough to be able to talk to herself about things and not go any stronger, but if she is following my example it is a hard thing to get her to do.

She is proud of me for quitting mine because she knows how hard it has to be. I told her it isn't over yet...I've got a long hard road. She told me she is sorry that she doesn't feel strong enough or has enough control to quit herself...I told her, I understood, and I do...I just don't want the crutch to turn into a lifelong habit.

It wouldn't be good for her. The drugs are suppose to help us not shut off our emotions...I haven't cried for 2 years and I'm a crier...that's how I work things out...I finally cried this weekend and a bit on Tuesday...it felt good to feel again.

[Looking4Help]

GettingHelp:

Sorry, I forgot to check my journal...now let's see if I can remember my login and password...HA

[Looking4Help]

GettingHelp:
Well, no I couldn't remember anything, but thankfully I did have my email addy that I originally had back then. Haven't been on that site in over 3 years!!!

OK, here it is, http://viviscalhair.com/tablets.htm

They do work, and as I recall, I think you take a double dose for the 1st 3 months and then single dose for 3 months...not sure, but it was worth it, a good deal of Bypass patient lose most of there hair, I just shedded a lot, like my dog

[Skywalk]

Shawn: I was only on 10mg for six or seven weeks and my withdrawals are hell and I'm two months off. I would try to taper, but then again who am I to talk. I quit cold turkey knowing I might have some trouble, but the drug was making me worse so I couldn't stand to take it anymore. Still, looking back I would have gone down to 5mg for a month and then 2.5 for a month.

Zoloft is a better drug. I've heard Effexor is awful and I know Lexapro is after my experience. I never had problems like this on or getting off of Zoloft or Prozac. Careful of Paxil, though. I'm convinced the maker of the drug is playing with it -- they took it off the market for six months while I was on it last year and when it came back I tried it and it was like it's generic version which never did work for me. I had to call almost 20 pharmacies in L.A. just to find a supply of it so I could taper because the company did not restock brand Paxil for six months. I don't trust these drug companies. You're absolutly right, Shawn, these drugs are trial and error. It's really scary. And notice they never push Prozac or Zoloft much anymore? I've been going to doctors for 10 years. They push Effexor and Lexapro because they are newer and don't have a cheaper generic (not sure about Effexor, though).

[Looking4Help]

I saw it mentioned in another post...I think we should consider a law suit...this drug should be off the market...it angers me that most Doctors are clueless and can't tell you what withdrawal you may experience.

I was going to type something else, but I've forgotten what...I hate this drug!!!! That wasn't it!

I'll probably remember as soon as I post this Must keep our sense of humor...

[Getting Better]

Looking4Help: Thanks!! I'm confused, though, did the supplement make your hair fall out, or the bypass?

I already lost a ton of hair (it's gone back to normal shedding)- but I think it was more like messed-up hormone hair loss. My sister and sisters-in-law told me they lost a bunch of hair after pregnancy, and in earlier pages Auntybiotic compared the lex w/d hormonal change to pregnancy and menopause combined (I sure as hell felt the menopause part).

[Getting Better]

Ok, I'm just stupid. I thought we were talking about a weight loss supplement. I just clicked through the link. Oops.[:I]

I'll definitely look into, though. I want my hair to grow back!!

[Looking4Help]

zerostar:

I hope you stay in touch with the boards here. I think we can all help each other. I forgot what I wanted to write earlier, but I just remembered it was for your benefit.

You are very young and for one reason or another you have found yourself here. You can do this, you just have to believe it!

I hope u have a cell phone...it has been my crutch. I make sure I have it everywhere, even in my own home. I'm kind of used to keeping it on me though because in the past 10 years I've had jobs where I'm technically on call 24/7. I realize now that during this withdrawal period, it has been my friend...sounds wierd, I know. But, I feel comfortable knowing that no matter where I am (physically & emotionally) someone close is just a phone call away...it alleiviates some fears that I'm going through.

Please know that you will gain strenght from everything in life. You can turn negatives in to positives...and we all have problems, life is not, and never has been a fairy tale with happy ever after. It takes work, support and positive thinking to conquer all the bad that has happened.

You may realize somethings at your age, but not all. I want you to know we all have terrible things that happen to us, we all deal in different ways. I have seen Hell on Earth many times in my 44 years, but I survived it. It was hard, but I was stronger than the pain and hurt and tragedy I've come to know. I have learned to take what has happened and put a positive spin on it. I've grown though the bad and become stronger with each life altering event I've been though...that is why I know I won't go back on Lexapro and I will fight to stay off any of these type of drugs in the future...it's not worth losing myself over...

I don't feel I've lost the last 10 years, but I feel I've missed opportunities to show my emotions, love and desires...I feel I've been robbed without truly knowing it at the time...I'm a bit angry about it, but I participated willingly...

I hopefully can pass this strenght on to my daughter...we have already spoke about her increasing her meds and she agrees to try some alternatives first. Exercise, supplements...just talking helps...we are extremely close and she tells me everything...yes, everything...some stuff I wish I didn't know, but I'm a Mom and that is my blessing each day.

I know a lot of what I write rambles on and on and probably makes little sense...I can't help that at the moment...fuzzy mind, cloudy thoughts, random forgetfulness...I hope I got the point across though...

Never be afraid to act a bit crazy going though this...it actually keeps you sane

[Looking4Help]

GettingBetter

The Bypass makes your hair fall out. This is due to lack of nutritional absorbtion especially 6 months to a year post op.

A good deal of Bypass patients have problems with vitamins and intake because they cannot even swallow the pills, or they make them sick...so a good deal go through a nutrional rollercoaster. I was lucky, I shedded, but have seen some lose all there hair, similar to a chemo patient. I even had a wig picked out....[]

Weight loss supplements...no such thing...unless it is prescription, but then you deal with heart/liver/kidney problems...many otc do the same...I've been sucked into those numerous times...won't waste my $$ anymore.

My boss told me that his wife is taking a shot of something...like Lizard Saliva or a dirivitive of it...I'll ask him tomorrow, but it is prescription. She has lost 15 lbs doing this??? I need more info.

I just count on myself for weight loss now...I hit my 5 year anniversary in October for the Bypass and by now, actually year 2, you can eat normally, not overeat, but pretty much tolerate most foods...so, you can reverse the weight loss, it's truly in the end all about discipline. I fluctuate 20 lbs up and down...but, I will not get it out of reach...I call it my Winter Coat and Summer Coat

Good luck.

[zerostar]

Thank you all for the words of wisdom...i've decided to begin tapering very soon. What sort of experience have you all have with the supplements mentioned on theroadback.org? Do they really help?

[tallac]

hello, i am glad i came across this site helps to answer questions. i'm currently taking 20mgs of lexapro wish i never started it, seemed to be easier than doing it non-medicated. 10 years of raising a daughter who lets say wasn't a princess and a stressful job took its toll. but with hindsight i'm sure i could have solved the problem naturally or the lexapro helped me step back and deal with the situation. at this opoint i know i can stand back and deal with situations without medication. okay this is my fourth day cold turkey which i am not going to attempt. i ran out and have no insurance starting a new job but won't get insurance for a month.the only real issue i have is lightheadedness. i have gained weight about twenty pounds i thought it was from no working but i've been working out for about three months 6-7 dys a week. i was always active but could never lose the weight . i lacked motivation and seemed foggy and had sexual issues. i found myuself not feeling myself lost interest in my passions. i have noticed positive differences in just the last couple days i actually went out and took pictures, while taking a hike. i'd love to go cold turkey but i'm starting a new job and i don't want to jepordize that and fromreading this forum it is not healthy. well i have to go get my dot physical for new job. i started looking at the road back program has anyone tried it and how are the results. thanks for your time i will be back.

[kirsty84]

Hello,

I was just googling reactions to Lexapro and came across your forum. I've been sick with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since I was 15 (im now 22) but a few years ago I got reactive depression from everything just catching up with me. About 2 years ago I was changed from Aurorix to Lexapro everything was ok until February this year when I had a manic episode and was hospitalised. I'm not on any medication now and you can imagine how I have a lot of trouble trusting any anti depressant or anti psychotic which made me very ill. I've asked my psychiatrist if Lexapro could of caused the psychosis and she didn't seem too sure but after my research I'm now convinced it was the cause of my psychosis. It has taken me a long time to come to understand and accept what happened but I still have a long way to go. I also had bouts of sweating over time and I can relate to a lot of the symptoms people have described.
I never heard of any chance this could happen if I took Lexapro and I just wish I'd been informed. I did and said things I wouldn't of even imagined while I was 'crazy' as I say. Why isn't the public told about the disasterous effects this drug can have on someone?

[Skywalk]

tallac,

So are you going to stay off cold turkey? Be really careful...I was pretty good the first week off and then everything went downhill. It was too late for me to taper by the time I found out how bad it could be to go cold turkey. The motivation comes right back and stays like you stated, but actually you can be a little manic the first week off the drug -- do you feel a little excited about doing stuff? I did. But when the real symptoms hit that excitement goes away and you wish you could get out of your own body at times and then you wish you had never stopped cold turkey. Perhaps you'll get lucky and handle it well, but more likely it's going to be tough and if you're are starting a new job, well, I would think about tapering off. Can you afford at least a month supply to taper before your insurance kicks in?

[Looking4Help]

Tallac:

If I was starting a new job, I couldn't have gone cold turkey...I know it would be jepordizing my abilities...I have to suggest that you do ween due to your current circumstances. Maybe after you become more acclimated to your new position you can try to go cold turkey, but it is very, very hard and you have got to remind yourself just about every second that you are feeling this way for a reason...just be careful, and please take care of yourself.

Zerostar:

I orinally have been on Omega 3s for at least 5 years. I also taken 2 3mg tablets of Melatonin each night about 1 hour before I go to bed/sleep...sometimes I fall asleep quickly, other times I just lie there with my eyes closed...it has subsided the vivid dreams/nightmares...

I drink decaf fruit flavored teas and that seems to calm me a bit. Just 2 cups of coffee in the morning and then no caffeine the rest of the day. Probably take about 4 Tylenol a day for the pain and headaches...it helps some.

I haven't tried the other supplements because it appears they are only available on that one site. I truly can't afford them at the moment. My drug costs with minimum...for the Klonopin I took a generic which was free, and the Lexapro was only $10 for a 3 month supply under my medical plan.

I have more to post, but I'm so fatigued today and very weak, teary...it's ok...all good...one more day closer to feeling better...yesterday, I starting feeling the tingling in my face and lips...kinda numb, but no too bad.

Take care

[tavee]

HEY GUYS
HELP ME WHERE ARE U?I MISS U!
SARITA, I KNOW URE PMSING!!!!!

IM DOING OK. IM JUST FEELING ****PY IN THE MORNING AND IM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF ITS THE COFFEE OR BECAUSE I DONT EAT RIGHT AWAY.
IM EXPERIMENTING AND TAKING THE LEX AT LIKE 4 PM.

SO I HAD TO SHARE SOMETHING WITH U GUYS.
I HAVE A FRIEND AND I WAS EXPLAINING TO HER THE WHOLE THING IM GOING THRU WITH THE LEX AND IT SEEMS A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY ETC.I WAS TELLING HER HOW I NEED TO GO OFF IT AND THAT I ORIGINALLY WENT ON IT FOR POSTPARTUM AND THAT IF NEEDED I MIGHT HAVE TO GO ON IT AFTER I HAVE ANOTHER BABY(IF NEEDED). SHE WAS TELLING ME HOW IT IS MIND OVER MATTER AND THAT I NEED TO DO OTHER THINGS TO TAKE MY MIND OFF DEPRESSION, IT SEEMS LIKE PEOPLE ARE IGNORANT AND DONT UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS OUR SEROTONIN LEVELS AND THE CHEMICAL IMBALANCES IN OUR BRAINS AND THAT SOME PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE MEDS FOR THIS CONDITION.

DONT GET ME WRONG, SHES TRYING TO ENCOURAGE ME AND HELP ME GET THRU THIS, BUT U CAN TELL THAT ANTIDEPRESSANTS IS NOT IN HER VOCABULARY. DO U GUYS KNOW WHAT I MEAN????

SHE EVEN SAID THAT MAYBE OUR PRIEST CAN HELP ME BY PRAYING FOR ME , BUT WHAT SHE DOESNT UNDERSTAND THAT ONE CAN NOT JUST SNAP OUT OF DEPRESSION.
YES I GO TO CHURCH AND PRAY EVERY NIGHT FOR GOD TO HELP ME GET THRU THIS.ONE CAN NOT JUST GET RID OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY JUST LIKE THAT.

AM I OUT OF LINE HERE????
I JUST WISH PEOPLE WERE NOT SO IGNORANT ABOUT DEPRESSION AND MEDS AND THINK OH MY GOD U ARE ON ANTIDEPRESSANTS??? AND THINK THAT WE CAN CONTROL THIS ON OUR OWN. YES IM SURE IN RARE INSTANCES THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO MAY I DONT KNOW.

THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE ON MEDS. ITS ALMOST LIKE BEING ON INSULIN OR BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS. SOME PEOPLE NEED MEDS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

I JUST WANTED TO VENT U GUYS!!! THANKS FOR LISTENING!!!

TAVEE

[Getting Better]

Tavee:

It is so annoying, bordering on cruel, when people say things like that.

I didn’t sleep for six months, which was why I was originally put on Lexapro. People would tell me, “You just have to relax. You have to find a way to calm down.” And I thought, “F**k you, if I knew how to calm down, don’t you think I would?”

My husband drove me crazy then, kept insinuating that it was my fault, like I wanted to spend night crying, praying for sleep. Like I enjoyed watching my mind leave me and wishing for death. He finally came around, but he and my mother were so against me going on Lexapro.

I know a lot of people on this forum regret going on Lexapro in the first place, and I’ve been wondering if I feel the same way. The truth is, even knowing what I know now about the side effects and the withdrawal, I think I still would have made the same decision. As miserable as the withdrawal was, the paranoia, depression, psychosis and sheer exhaustion of the insomnia were so much worse. The Lexapro brought my anxiety down to a level where I could sleep, and then after sleeping, function again. I hope I never have to go on it again, but I can’t think of anything else that would have gotten me through that horrible period.

It annoys me that the same people who live on fried foods and never exercise have no problem taking medicine to lower their cholesterol but feel they have the right to pass judgment on me for taking medication for my depression. They'd be so offended if I suggested exercise and vegetables, yet they tell me to calm down.

What do they think we can do? I listened to relaxation tapes, did yoga four times a week and was in therapy. No sleep.

Nobody who hasn’t been through this can really understand it. Some people have more empathy than others, but they still don’t fully get it.

And if you need to go back on an SSRI to get better that’s your personal decision: only you know what’s best for you.

Fortunately, we all have each other.

Ok…there’s my rant

[Getting Better]

On a happier note:

Looking4Help: Lizard saliva? That might be a bit much for me. I guess I'll just wait. It has to come off eventually, right? I went to an accupucturist who gave me bonjenmi herbal tea. She swore it helped her other clients lose weight. I'll let you all know if it works.

It's so impressive that you've managed to keep all of that weight off. It's clear what a strong person you are from everything you've written on these boards. As tough as it, I know you'll get through this. Thanks and good luck!

[tavee]

GETTING BETTER
U ARE SO FUNNY!!!
THANKS FOR REPLYING CUZ I REALY THOUGHT IT WAS ME.

I FEEL THE SAME WAY. MY HUBBY DIDNT REALLY UNDERSTAND 3 YRS AGO WHEN I DECIDED TO GO ON THE LEX FOR POSTPARTUM BUT THEN HE SAW THE DIFFERENCE IT MADE. I WAS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PERSON. I WAS CALM, I DIDNT GET ANGRY EASILY AND I WOULDNT TAKE THINGS AS PERSONAL.

I DO NOT REGRET GOING ON IT AND IF I WERE TO DO IT OVER AGAIN, I WOULD DO THE SAME THING.
ITS JUST THAT NOW I WANT TO TRY ON MY OWN. I WANT TO GET PREGNANT IN THE SUMMER. NOW IF IT IT HAPPENS AGAIN WHERE I GET POSTPARTUM, I WILL DEFINITELY GO ON IT IF I CANT DO IT ON MY OWN. I NEED TO RAISE MY CHILD AND BE ABLE TO FUNCTION. I DONT WANT MY SON GROWING UP WITH A DEPRESSED PERSON.

BUT U ARE RIGHT, PEOPLE ARE IGNORANT AND THEY DONT KNOW UNLESS THEY ARE IN OUR SHOES.

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY MOM TOO. SHES OLD SCHOOL AND DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THAT.. I MEAN EVEN NOW SHES SORT OF UNDERSTANDING, AND I KNOW SHES HAPPY IM TAPERING TO GET OFF LEX. SO I CAN RELATE TOTALLY.

ILL TALK TO U SOON.THANKS AGAIN. WE WILL GET THRU THIS!!

TAVEE

[tallac]

hello, this forum is nice due to the feedback and bounce things around. well i'm definitely not going cold turkey and i would not suggest getting a physical when you've been off for three days. i was able to get a conditonal from dot for new job but i have to go to my doctor to get my blood pressure monitored and go back to get a full approval, i passed everything else. i went to my doctor the same day i was 130/100 at dot physical and 140/80 at my doctors i have to go three times lnext week to get my pressure tested and go from there. there was two variables one was going off the lexapro and my doctor said if they don't used the right sized cuff it can skew the blood pressure reading. i'm going to try to go to 15 mils. but i'm definitely not going to jepordize my new job. lexapro helped me in the time i needed it in hindsight i never should have went from 10 to 20 mils, i was looking for a quick fix instead of dealing with it in a non medicated way. i am going to get off it but in the proper way i want to enjoy life and not having withdrawls get in the way. thanks for your interest and any advice.

[sarita]

tavee,
how r u feeling? i was just reading about pregnancy and anti-depressants and you definelty want to get off of those completely BEFORE you get pregnant. you're lucky your mom wants you off. my mom wanted me to stay on them. i told her a few days ago casually that i got off and she said "good!". i wasn't expecting that. next week i start my 1/4 of a milligram taper which means THAT"S IT!!!! i'll be OFF OF LEXIPRO!!! wow. i can't beleive the day is finally approaching. i'm kinda nervous but i keep telling myself i don't need it. it's just letting go of something, the change that can be nerve racking. but i'm actually very excited and happy also and can't wait to be completly off DRUGS!!!! and i can't wait to have a glass of wine or champagne to celebrate!!!

[Looking4Help]

Question(s) for all of you:

First, thank you for the support...I definately need it and this is a wonderful outlet.

I feel the same about anti depessants...I mean I took them cuz I believed I needed them, and at times I did!! But, I'm ready to face life without them no matter how long and tiresome the road becomes.

Slept pretty good last night, can't remember any dreams/nightmares...the night b4 was not as good.

Day 12 and I still have the same withdrawal symtoms...no zaps yet. I have regular BMs, but more frequently and urgent then b4.

MY QUESTION(s):

Do any of you at any time of the day feel like it even hurts to wear clothes? My panties even bother me...it's painful.

I also feel very swollen at times...my breasts, stomach and legs especially...I feel like I'm breast feeding my breasts get so big...it's weird...I'm already a 36 DD don't need the extra, my bras are tight, my jeans are tight, but yet I weigh less.

I tend to disappear over the weekend, I ususally have 3 days off/4 on...so, I will be back, sooner or later, I just associate computers with work, so I try to stay away while at home.

If I do not come back til Monday, everyone have a peaceful, well manageage weekend...filled with strenght and some hugs as needed[]

[Looking4Help]

One maybe 2 more things...who knows.

The diet drug my boss' wife is on is Byetta. He said she hasn't had any side effects except for the nausea, which is supposed to happen. She is a culinary chef, so always around food, does some work for Southern Living. She has been on it for about 2 months and lost 17 lbs without trying...due mostly to the nausea. She says it is Gastric Bypass without the surgery.

Well, I really don't care to have another symptom and I don't need the drug. My weight is well managed. 1/2 the year I'm a small 8, the other 1/2 a large 8. I can deal with that.

I know that some of you are looking for the wonder drug...I'm not sure this is it. This is less evasive the the measures I took, but still, I've never heard of this drug and I'm skeptical about long term effects!!

I'm happy it is working for her, but this is not like Gastric Bypass, you don't feel nauseated from that unless you really screw up and eat something you know is bad for your system, not necessary bad for you, but your body won't accept it anymore...foods most gastric bypass patients have problems with in the long run, but learn to tolerate to some extent are milk, creams, sugars...and if you do eat in excess, you will throw up...but not be nauseated, just extremely full and have to throw up. It really isn't all that bad because we do not have stomach acid for digestion (gross detail...food tastes the same coming up and it did going down), that is why foods need to be chewed up and made small as possible, so we can get the nutritional value from them, about 1/4 to 1/3 of food intake is not absorbed...maybe more, same with vitamins...and some we can never absorb.

Keep your Lizard spit...this sounds a bit freaky to me...and I've done it all!!!

[Looking4Help]

GettingHelp:

The weight will come off, the hard part for me was always keeping it off...so surgery...but I was close to 300lbs and knew I would be facing a heart attack.

As you probably already know, your brain will kick in more and more each day to help you with the weight loss...the antidepressants are over compensating and cause our boding to process sugar intake in a strange way. Kinda like starvation mode...the brain needs to survive and will jeopardize it's own host to do so...

Keep the faith and know you can do it....

Then, there is alway Lizard Spit[]

[Skywalk]

Looking4Help: It's your hormones. This drug really messes with our hormones. I have the swollen stomach (getting better) but not too many other problems in this area. I have avoided some clothes that are too tight because I noticed they did not fit the same once my withdrawals started. There's info about body changes and hormones all over this thread.

You may not ever get the brain zaps. I didn't and never did when getting off the SSRI's. It just sounds awful. My biggest problem still is some mild dizziness, stomach cramping in the morning, vivid dreams and especially the depersonalization. That scares me the most. It's better during the day now, but when I went to the video store last night I felt such a sense of unreality that I started to freak out when I lost track of my fiancee in the store. What a nightmare. I really hate these SSRI's now and like you I want to battle this disorder on my own. I'll keep my xanax but the SSRI's are history for me. Too dangerous and only work by trial and error.

[Looking4Help]

Skywalk:

Thank you for that tidbit...man, drugs screw up everything, don't they...having a real good day!!! I needed a break[]

[sarita]

lookin,
you say it HURTS when u put on clothes? It doesn't HURT, but cause i feel so darn fat, i want to rip them off and go naked!! but i'm swollen all over (but love the big tits) and some joint pain. i hope the weight drops off. ug....

[chris83]

1st time here. 38 yr old F, 2 days into weaning off Lexapro, and swithcing to Wellbutrin

I have been on Paxil and then Lexapro for about 3-5 yrs. The last 2 on Lexapro at 20 mg.

Anticipating a realy hard time with a loss of loved one about 3 months ago, I up-ed my dosage of Lexapro from 20 to 40mg/day. Never talked to Dr, didn't even think it might be too high a dose to be safe. I was absolutely terrified of returning to the kind of depression I used to live with. I will say, it has been a very hard scary 3 months and I have handled my emotions better than I ever thought possible which I assumed was the high dose.

I have also been on Zocor or something like it at 20 mg for high chol for 3 yrs. Every 6 months my blood was drawn and chol. did great on the 20 mg of Zocor. In last 2 yrs I have gone from a solid 120-125 petite woman to a high of 140 and now I seem to stay at 137-140. I am significantly overweight for my frame, I went from a size 2 to where an 8 is tight in last 9 months alone.

Yesterday my Doctor called with my lasted bloodwork results and Chol is qt 144, even on 20 mg of Zocor. She and I have been concerned about weight gain, high blood pressure and now this. She believes Lexapro is a large contributing factor. So, as of yesterday, I am weaning off Lexapro and starting Wellbutrin.

Various concerns (sorry, new girl questions! )

1. I planned to drop immediately from 40 to 20 mg / day of Lexapro effective yesterday, and from now till I am at zero, drop 5 mg every 7 days. This was based on that formula of half life (32) x 5 divided by 24 hour a day you all may know. BUT I REALLY WANT TO JUST DROP FROM 40 TO 20 INITIALLY, is this dangerous?

2. If 2 different SSRI's, Paxil and Lexapro worked well for me, and targeted Seratonin specifically, how likely is it that Wellbutrin which doesn't touch Seratonin but the other 2 neuro-transmitters - will even help me? I can't afford to go back thru a depression, I wuold surely lose my job.

Any thoughts?


Chris

[sarita]

chris,
i was a size 3/4 at 5'6 and i had six-pack abs. my belly is disgusting. i'm now size 7/8 and too afraid to get on the scale.
going from 40 to 20 mg is WAY TOO FAST. only cut down 5% every few weeks or until you stabilize. i'm not familiar w/wellbutrin or mixing drugs so i don't want to tell you anything i don't know. i'm sure u got the high blood pressure from the medicine. my mom had that too. she's on paxil but when she switched her blood pressure went up so high she fainted a couple times. sounds like your doc knows what he's talking about. i'd stick w/him.

[Skywalk]

Chris: I agree with Sarita...40mg to 20mg is way too fast. You will only regret it if you drop off that fast. I know how anxious you must be, I quit 10mg cold turkey and it's been so hard and I'm two months off the stuff.

I hear Wellbutrin is pretty good for depression and doesn't have harsh side effects. I don't really know as I struggle with anxiety and plan to stay off everything after this round with Lexapro.

Is anyone else having trouble during these withdrawals doing things you once did? I'm so reluctant to socialize like I use to and I don't like to go far on my own. I feel so flat, too. I use to be sassy and driven and now I'm just dull - nice, but dull. My family is so worried and even though I know the Lex is still in me (vivid dreams, dizzy, feelings of unreality) I start to worry. I'm sure it will pass and I'll get my drive back, but this is really freaky. My physical symptoms are way better, so I think that's why I'm concerned about my feelings and emotions now. The headaches, neck pain and anxiety is almost gone and so I should be happy about that and try to keep perspective and recognize my progress. I think i can still panic if put in an uncomfortable situation (guess that's why I'm avoiding some things). It's just really sad when I can't even get excited about X-mas, and I don't feel clinically depressed (never really had that) just frustrated and confused and a little sad.

[chris83]

OK! OK! I hear ya! [:I] i will NOT go from 40 to 20mg overnite! So, if I do a decrease by 5%, how often should I go down to te next increment?

Also, I have been reading posts here on and off all day and I am so nervous now!! Why was my doc and pharmacist so non-chalant telling me not to worry and to stay off sites like this???

Also, is there any chance that though there are 183 pgs (quite an impact) of posts with commonality of withdrawal symptoms, that it is still only a small percent and the vast majority of folks DO NOT go thru this?
Do we know of people who had no problem? Any idea what percent of cases these problems present?

Anyone with opinions on Wellbutrin for depression after using SSRI's with success?

Thank you all for the help, this site is wonderful to have come across.

Chris