[Skywalk]

We're all different. I actually had very few problems going off of Paxil two different times and tapered, but pretty fast. Paxil is supposed to have horrible withdrawals. So, sure, you may be fine going off of this. But if you're not you usually end up here looking for support! Doctors are in the dark when it comes to the bad withdrawals. I did well on and coming off other SSRI's; this is the first one that did not work for me while on it and gave me withdrawal syndrome. I don't know why.

[tavee]

SKYWALK AND SARITA
I KNOW WHAT U MEAN ABOUT BEING OUT OF IT. I REALLY DONT FEEL LIKE DOING A LOT EITHER.IM ALSO DULL BUT NICE!
I MEAN ITS BEARABLE.
THE BAD THING IS I FEEL NAUSEATED IN THE MORNING AND THEN IN THE EVENING IM FINE.I TRIED NOT DRINKING COFFEE TODAY TO SEE IF IT MADE A DIFFERENCE BUT IT DIDNT MAKE THAT MUCH OF A DIFFRENCE.
I HATE EATING BREAKFAST SO EARLY IN THE MORNING SO IT COULD BE THAT TOO.
I ALSO STARTED TAKING MY LEX AROUND 4 PM AND I WAS FINE AFTER THAT SO MAYBE IT IS NOT THE WITHDRAWALS.IM SO TIRED ALL THE TIME TOO!! AHHHHHH ITS FRUSTRATING , BUT ILL TAKE FATIGUE OVER BRAIN ZAPS!!!

I DID NOTICE THAT MY BREASTS ARE SWOLLEN TOO. IS THAT FROM THE WITHDRAWALS? DO U GAIN WEIGHT WHEN U WITHDRAWAL?

SARITA ONCE I GET DOWN LOWER U WILL HAVE TO TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO.
IM ON 5.6ML AND THIS IS DAY 10. I THINK I WILL GO DOWN ON TUESDAY TO 4.8ML.

TALK TO U GUYS LATER

TAVEE

[sarita]

chris,
5% until you feel stabile. then taper. go to www.theroadback.org and they'll tell u exactly how to taper w/a program and live support.

wellubtrin i heard is good. i heard u even lose weight on it and it increases your sex drive! but...don't go on it if you've had eating disorders.

this support forum is just that: support. if it freaks people out then you're getting the wrong message here. i do know people who'bve tapered w/little problem but it waswn't lexipro or paxil.

skywalk,
cause u tapered fast, it takes alot longer to get to normal probably as least twice as long as if u would've tapered slowly. try to start being social. go for walks. it's probably anxiety. don't worry. it'll pass. you'll get excited again. watch some comedy shows.

[tavee]

SARITA

WE WERE REPLYING AT THE SAME TIME!!

U PROBABLY DIDNT SEE MY POST.


LATER
TAVEE

[Getting Better]

Chris (and everybody else):

I have a lot of thoughts on the topic, but I'll keep this message brief. I know of several people on Lex who had no side effects and then quit cold turkey with no problem, or just felt like they had the flu for a week and were then fine.

Those of us who found this board did so because weird stuff was happening to us and we googled lexapro withdrawal. People who felt fine would have had no reason to do so. My p-doc, who has been very supportive through this process, told me that of all her patients, this happens rarely, usually to healthy women in their twenties. (Of course, reading this board I just thought young=tech savvy and women=more likely to discuss their feelings).

I think we are the minority. This does not excuse the pharm. companies from providing our drs with false info nor our drs for not responding appropriately to our concerns. But it does mean that SSRIs are not as awful to others as they have been to us.

I am 7 weeks free of this drug and feel like I am 85% back to normal. I have headaches and I panic, I'm fat (26 lbs) and I cry more often. But I'm better. Others on this board have suffered much more than I have. Some have suffered less. Our body chemistries are different, so we are not all going to feel the same thing.

I would agree with other members and advise you to go slowly. That said, I cut my dose from 10mg to 5 with no problem. I was bedridden for four days after cutting from 5 to 2.5. from 2.5 to nothing was three weeks of torture. You might be able to cut your dose severely without feeling anything, but if you can't miss work (I'm in grad school, so it was easier to just get in bed), it might not be the worst thing to try that. But if you felt horrible, the solution would be to go back on your full dose and taper VERY SLOWLY down from there.

Hope that helps. Good Luck!!

[Looking4Help]

Well, today I did something I didn't think I could. I drove my daughter and her friend to a drama competition 3 hours away. I was a bit nervous about doing it because I never know if today is a good day or not so good, or will this hour be fine and the next panic ridden...but, I took the chance and didn't get panic ridden or overwhelmed.

So I feel I accomplished and conquered a lot of fears today. Driving in unfamiliar territory for a total of 6 hours and managing myself with little side effects...I'm tired, but who wouldn't be after only 3 hours sleep, getting up at 4 am and having to be there at 8:30am...

The girls did great, this was state finals and I'm very proud of them.

Well, time for a nap...it will feel so good to just lay down and relax...it was fun going with 2 16 year olds, we laughed a lot and had fun on campus!! They both decided that is the college they want to go to...my daughter wants to be a college professor and her friend a neonatal surgeon...both smart girls with great personalities and cute as can be...I'm so fortunate to have such a sweet, kind and loving daughter who has always accepted me for me.

They showed me a great time today and all their friends treated me like I was part of the group. Nice to belong and be accepted...I've never had a problem with that, but this is my daughter's world and she has some great friends...it took my mind off of random thoughts and brought me back to college days and the excitement of being on your own for the first time...they thought the campus was so cool and, of course, they were already scoping out the college boys

Great day!!! I'm glad my daughter and I share a friendship as well as a loving relationship...and that I can still be one of the girls.

[Looking4Help]

I only got 3 hours of sleep because a friend called me late last night needing to talk. Her niece, who is 21 and only married a year, was diagnosed with brain cancer...it has been caught early, but she was so upset, crying, worrying...

She called me because she said she couldn't breathe and knew that of all her friends I could calmly talk to her and make her feel better...that means a lot to me.

We talked for almost 3 hours, I got her mind of her worries, even if just a short time, and even got her laughing after all the tears...

She has always been there for me, so it was the least I could do.

Late in life it is rare to find true friends, especially when you are 1000 miles from those you grew up with...I have found 2, who I would trust my family and life with...I'm extremely lucky and blessed in that regard.

Why I posted this, well...it puts things in perspective...this is just a drug...not a life threatening illness...WE CAN BEAT IT, AND WE WILL!!!

Love and hugs

[sarita]

lookin,
i'm SO PROUD of you!!!! you've learned the SECRET to getting healthy. MAKING yourself GET UP. MAKING yourself JUST DO IT!!!!!it's starts w/a walk to the grocery store. to the post office. to get into that car and JUST DO IT. slowly you'll self-esteem will build and build and you'll get stronger and stronger. the fear will dissipate and each day you'll get stronger and happier and realize you actually can have fun again, laugh, and have energy. it comes in spurts. hey. i was the same way. now i can't wait to enjoy life again.
i'm down to 1/2 a milligram. next week it's down to NOTHING!!!!. i'm so excited...
i had sex to days in a row!!! i'm estatic!!!!!!!! and it was good too.

[Looking4Help]

Sarita:

It was hard, but I'm so glad I went...they were awesome!!! Made me cry at their performance...

Now my daughter just got a call back from her Drama Teacher and they placed 2nd overall in State...

More tears...but Joyful ones...I'm so glad I took the leap and drove them...my efforts paid off more than anyone can know...and she is doing a happy dance...

Congrats baby

[HelpMe58]

Tavee,
It's me! My mother is really failing and I am not sure I can face another death after my husband.....not so long ago. Life is so unfair.

I feel as if I have gained weight with the withdrawals from 10 to 5mg. My breasts and my stomach seem swollen...is that withdrawal?

Hmm....you are sick in the mornings and you are swollen..you aren't pregnant are you? lol

I am scared to death to lower the dosage. I feel out of it and tired and panicky when I do....I hate it.
Keep in touch
HelpMe

[Looking4Help]

HelpMe58:

I'm sorry for all your stress, greif and loss...

I don't know anything about your Mom's condition, but is she still lucid...if so, maybe you can read to her, take out a photo album to remember the good times. A smile or laughter can be so healing and increase your endorphines.

Keep strong and do something special just for yourself everyday...nice warm bath, walk with friends, relatives, pets...or alone if it is more relaxing...

Believe in yourself....

Take care and I know you can find the power within

[tavee]

help me
im sorry to hear about ure mother.
i was worried about u cuz i tried to reach u .

please be strong and hang in there.
I REALLY THINK THAT NOW IS NOT A GOOD TIME TO TAPER. STAY WHERE U ARE AT. U DONT NEED TO FEEL ****PY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS AND GO THRU THAT WHILE U ARE TAKING CARE OF URE MOTHER.i know u want to get off this, but be patient it will happen but slowly, and thats ok.

IM NOT PREGNANT, BUT I DO NOTICE MY BOOBS ARE SWOLLEN. ITS GOT TO BE WITHDRAWALS.IT COULD ALSO BE PMS TOO. I WILL LET U KNOW IF IT CONTINUES, BUT I AM PRETTY SURE IT IS WITHDRAWALS. I THINK IM GOING TO STAY ON 5.6 FOR ANOTHER WEEK.(3 WEEKS TOTAL).

I WILL PRAY FOR U. PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED AND LET ME KNOW HOW THINGS ARE. remember everything happens for a reason and u have to be strong.

we will get thru this. thats why we are all here for as long as it takes.

take care
tavee

[tavee]

SARITA

DID URE BREASTS SWELL UP DURING WITHDRAWAL?

DO PEOPLE ACTUALLY GAIN WEIGHT GOING OFF OF THIS?

DOES IT GO AWAY?

HOW ARE U FEELING?
U ARE ALMOST THERE GIRL!! IM SO PROUD OF U!!!

HOW WOULD U RATE URE WITHDRAWAL OVERALL THESE PAST 6 MONTHS?
WOULD U SAY IT WAS BEARABLE? WERE U ABLE TO HANDLE IT?

TAVEE

[Looking4Help]

It's the withdrawals...not anything else...I'm losing weight, but my clothing is tight during the day...

I just keep thinking one day closer...

Keep believing in yourself and your own will and strenght...I know I have to remind myself numerous times a day I can do this...and I'm not alone...

Once again, so glad I found this place...it is extremely helpful and comforting.

[Skywalk]

Tavee: I actually lost weight while on the drug because I had an adverse effect and it caused me to lose my appetite. But I've grown a belly since getting off of it. My clothes are really feeling uncomfortable. I'm 5'6" and was 130lbs (I had lost about 3-4lbs when I was on Lexapro) and my guess is that I'm over 145lbs and it's only been eight weeks. I can't get myself on the scale because I'm too scared. Aunty wrote that it's related to the increase of cortisol. I also think I've been eating a little more because my blood sugar drops so often since the withdrawals. I stay away from sugar, though...and I still gained weight. I hate this, but the weight is the least of my problems. I went to dinner with my parents last night and my depersonalization is still so bad that I thought I was on the edge on panic and had to question my surroundings because I felt so removed. The removed feeling is so much worse at night.

Also, every morning for the past six weeks or so I wake up with stomach cramping, gas and some nausea. It goes away after I get up and around for about a half-hour. It's not nerves, I can tell the difference. I have no stomach problems at night, like you, but I still get some strange headaches at night.

HelpMe: I'm really sorry about your monther. Life is unfair sometimes. Is the 5mg working for you now? If so, I would stay on it for a while too. As you know, the withdrawals are hell. I mean, I think it's a good idea to get off this stuff, but in your case best to wait for a better time. As long as it's working for you...I know you had trouble going back on it.

[sarita]

Tavee,
To answer your questions: My breasts did get much bigger along w/the rest of my body WHILE i was on lex. and still now although i stopped GAINING WEIGHT and my breats are the same. (hope those stay!!! ha ha)
I haven't heard anyone gaining weight going off but that could be possible w/the cortisol. I PRAY the weight gain goes away cause i've gained 30 lbs total. went from a tiny 3/4 to size 7/8 and some 9/10.
My taper was completely bareable cause i went SO darn slow. It took me 8 months to taper from only 5 mg, so i can imagine someone on 10 or 20 mg how long it'd take doing it my way. But i had to work and function and was in no hurry. Before i got on lex, i lost my appetite and was so skinny. But it was the depression/anxiety......

skywalk,
i had the same cramping, gas, and naseau in the morning, but once i took ny supplements and went to the bathroom, it wore off pretty fast.

once i get done w/the pms, etc... i'm going to my LAST TAPER at 1/2 a milligram. i can't beleive it. it's almost over.

[shelly73]

Hello, I just wanted to join this chat line, this chat has been extremely helpful for me as I have sadly only been on Lexapro (10mgs) since September and I have had a horrible time with it...I deal with the same as many of you anxiety, panic attacks, depression physical pain, fatigue. Once I started this medicine i didn't notice much of a difference but then after about one and half months of taking the medicine i realized that everything that I had started taking the medicine for had gotten tremedously worse. I tried to go off lexapro and experienced bad nightmares dizziness again many of the same things i have read here on this site. So I begrudgingly went back on the medicince that was about 2 weeks ago...as of today I have now attempted going off the medicine again I haven't taken any for two days and figured I would go two days off then take 5 mgs then two days off, etc hoping this works and hoping this time I might get lucky Well again thank you for all who have started and added to this site...knowing there are others with the same experiences helps.

Take care to all!

[tavee]

SHELLY
I RECOMMEND NOT GOING OFF THE LEX THE WAY U ARE.U WILL HAVE BAD WITH DRAWALS. THATS WHY WE ARE ALL HERE.

I AM ON 5.6 ML FROM 10. IVE BEEN TAKING LEX FOR 3 YRS. I HAVE THE LIQUID SO I HAVE BEEN TAPERING FOR 2 MONTHS AT A VERY, VERY SLOW PACE.

IF U ARE ON 10 MG U NEED TO GO VERY SLOW BECAUSE U WILL FEEL THE WITHDRAWALS, AND THEY DONT START TILL LATER.

U NEED TO START SLOWLY LIKE 9MG THEN 8MG ETC ETC. U SHOULD STAY ON THAT DOSE FOR AT LEAST 2-3 WEEKS.

U MIGHT WANT TO ASK URE DOCTOR FOR THE LIQUID LEX CUZ U REALLY CANT TAPER THAT WAY WITH THE TABLETS.

IF U NEED HELP WE ARE HERE!!

GOOD LUCK!!

[tavee]

HEY SARITA!!

WHEN ARE U STARTING URE LAST TAPER?

I HAVE A QUESTION. DO U THINK I SHOULD GO DOWN TO 4.8 ON TUESDAY?OR SHOULD I STAY ON IT FOR ANOTHER WEEK??

THIS IS DAY 13 ON 5.6. WHAT DO U THINK?

IM SO SCARED.
I WENT TO TARGET TODAY AND I HADNT TAKEN MY MEDICINE YET. I WAS FEELING A LITTLE DIZZY AND WEIRD. (THOSE LIGHTS DONT HELP EITHER).

IM SOOOOOOOOOOOO TIRED TOO, EVEN IF I NAP, BY 8PM IM EXHAUSTED JUST LIKE WHEN I WAS PREGNANT!! LOL

TAVEE

[Skywalk]

SHelly73: Glad you found us. I was on Lexapro for six weeks and realized it made me worse, too. My anxiety never got better, just worse. And I wasn't even that bad before I started. Now I panic in stores and in traffic and I'm two months off the drug. But it's still in me because I've got the lexapro nightmares and feelings of unreality and I'm sure that's why I panic now. The general anxiety has passed for the most part. That was bad when I was on the drug and a few weeks just off of it. Go off slow and go to theroadback.com for help with that. I went cold turkey and it's not a good idea. I know that now.

[Skywalk]

Shelly: I agree with Tavee, by the way. DO NOT skip days. You have to be very careful. I did that with Zoloft and had a crying spell from it that I never want to have again in my entire life. And that drug actually worked for me. But I started skiping it every other day. Follow theroadback.com and just reduce it slowly. You can choose to taper slowly over a four month period or endure horrible withdrawals for about the same amount of time. There is no win/win with that awful drug.

[Skywalk]

I'm not sure how long theroadback taper is...I just said four months because I think if you cold turkey that's about the average recovery time. But it depends on person/dosage.

[Skywalk]

Me again...TAVEE...what do you mean by feeling "weird" at Target? Sort of spacey or out-of-it? Did you have any anxiety? Going to large stores is so hard for me right now, and YES, something about the lights makes it so much worse. I don't feel unreality when I'm at home really, but rather when I go into stores or other places. I went to Walgreens tonight with my fiancee and I felt so out of body that I don't know what I would have done without him there. Scary.

[db3]

Hello..ive been reading all of your wonderful posts and now its my turn! I just started weaning off 20 mg of Lexapro ( started lex May 2003) I begain last Thurs so this is my 5th day .i went from 20 to 10..so far so good, just had a bad dizzy spell which lasted about a minute..but thats all so far.. I am so glad I found this sight..you all seem so "real" , extremely personable, and very caring.. Exactly what need !! LOL.. Happy Holidays to all !!
...and I WILL be back

db

[sarita]

tavee,
you should ONLY taper if you feel stable. the issue about getting dizzy at target is normal and that will pass. it's the drugs that cause issues w/lights.just like a drug addict keeps it dark in the house.just don't panic whatever u do while you're in the store. the lights in sears used to drive me crazy so much so i had to leave, but now it's okay. it takes a while to get back into the big stores w/lights. i went to walmart last week and it was a breeze.

db3,
you're lucky so far so good, don't mean to jinx it, but day 7 is usually when it hits but u sound like your coping well and that's awesome.

shelly,
i'm an oldie here. don't taper that fast or you'll be sorry if you're anything like us sensitive people here looking for support and help. go down no more than 10% every few weeks and you should be functionable.

[Looking4Help]

Welcome DB3...

They are a wonderful, supportive, caring group...I'm thankful I found them...

Good Luck and stay strong...we call all beat this!!!

Day 15 for me...and doing ok...

[brtan]

It's 1: 15 am in my part of the world and I am glad I found this forum. "No side effects" - those words are still echoing through the caverns of my sleep-deprived head.

I have a love-hate relationship with lexapro for a year now. My resolve, ,unlike some of you , is pretty weak and is diminished further when my neurologist warns of "unforseen consequences" if I take myself off Lexapro. On the other hand, I do not wish to be leashed to this druge indefinitely. I decide to drop if off totally on friday and I am now suffering the cruel fate
- tingering sensations of the toes/arms
- pounding headaches
- ringing noise (welcome back , Mr tinnitus)
- fear of going into a spin ( the very reason why I was put on Lexapro in the beginning)
- heart palpitations
- insomnia

To make matters worse, i was made to take Lexotan at night. It's a definite doubly whammy right now. I read that Omega 3 fish oil *may* aid in the cold turkey treatment. Any other recommendations are welcome

On the side, I am taking accupuncture every weekend now and some herbal remedies to "balance" the Yin/Yang (or the "unseen" energies"). "Hocus Pocus" you mean say , - hey, I am willing to try anything at this stage...

Hang in there folks...


Regards,

Brandon

[samiprem]

I am in the third week of tapering off of Lex..down to 3.75 mg/day..I do take 2 capusles of omega-3 360 EPA in the morning empty stomach and 2 in the afternoon..also taking tart cherry extract capusules at night to help me sleep...this has really helped me with the withdrawl symptoms.

I took lex for 2 months for anxiety and depression..it helped me with my depression but made my anxiety even worse..so i decided to get off it.

What really helped me a lot with my anxiety and depression was the book called " help and hope for your nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes. It is a $ 7 investment but will help you understand the whole process of anxiety and depression and ways to deal with it. Just enter the name in google and you can read the reviews.

goodluck

[tavee]

SKYWALK

hey there!!

when i meant i felt weird at target, i know for a fact it was one, because i hadnt eaten dinner. i felt dizzy and the lights made it worse for me.

i went to dinner on saturday with my hubby and the restaurant was dark. that didnt help the situation either. i felt dizzy again.i get nauseous when its dark too.

does that make sense?

I DONT HAVE ANY ANXIETY BUT I DO NOTICE THAT IM ALWAYS IN A HURRY TO DO THINGS . I GOTTA DO THIS AND I GOTTA DO THAT. I START THINKING OF THINGS THAT I NEED TO DO AND I GET ALL GOOFY!!!

TAVEE

[tavee]

SARITA

SO I JUST TOOK MY 5 ML. I JUST WENT DOWN.I KNOW I WILL BE FEELING IT IN 7 DAYS. THE FUNNY THING IS I FELT IT LAST TIME ON THE 7TH DAY AND IT LASTED MAYBE LIKE 4 OR 5 DAYS. DOES THAT SOUND ABOUT RIGHT?

IT STOPS AT SOME POINT UNTIL THE NEXT TAPER RIGHT?

I ACTUALLY CALCULATED WRONG BEFORE. THE NEXT TAPER SHOULD BE LIKE 4.5. IM DOING 10% TAPERS.

WISH ME LUCK. I STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO!!

TAVEE