[tavee]

HEY SARITA!!

I DIDNT KNOW IT WAS 8 MONTHS THAT U WERE TAPERING??
GOOD FOR U GIRL!!

IM STILL PMSING. IM SUPPOSED TO GET MY PERIOD. IM FEELING TIRED AND IM HAVING CRAZY DREAMS. SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE SOOOOOOOOO REAL.ITS SCARY!!

SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW? HOW LONG ARE U ON THAT DOSE FOR AND WHAT DO U DO NEXT?

I CANT BELIEVE IT!!IM SOOOOOOOOO JEALOUS!!

TAVEE

[sarita]

tavee,

yes. 8 months of tapering!! but it was worth it. i'm on this dose for another week or so or until i say goodbye to the lexipro.....
i'll probably keep alittle with me just in case when i go on vacation. i'm not really comfortable yet letting go of it as in throwing it away. but i'm not going to take it unless its an emergency.


i'll stick around!! let people know how i'm doing without it. i must say, i haven't been happier. the condition i was in, i don't know if there was another way since no doctors knew what was wrong. and it did work. but now i'm better, i feel mazing, back to my old self, even better!!! because now i know i'll be okay no matter what. now i know why and when things change in my body and why they do so i don't panic and get upset.

i wish all of you the same revelations.

[Skywalk]

Sarita,

That's so exciting! I didn't know that it had been eight months for you, either. Wow. Have you thought about xanax for vacation instead of Lexapro? It works fast and for a few to several hours and does not alter your brain like Lexapro. Just calms you down. Very safe if not taken too often.

Like you, Tavee, I'm waiting for my period. I've been spotting all week with no start yet. Everything is so messed up; my hormones, I mean. I woke up last night in sweaty sheets. I feel like I'm in menopause. I'm a little down today, just sad about being so disconnected. Did some jewelry again today, so that's good. Just really want this poison out of me. Can't believe it takes months!

[Skywalk]

Ps. Tavee...I've been having really crazy dreams too. They seem stronger and more vivid than ever...and very emotional.

Looking: I'm sure it's the withdrawals. About four weeks off is when I got really emotional; angry, scared, sad.

[db3]

sarita, you chose to taper extremely slow right?? how long do u recommend I stay on my tapers..i dont want to wait 8 months to be off..i started on 11/30 .. 20 to 10 mil.. when should I taper next??


about my sweats..IM ONLY 38..I dont think im going thru meno!!!!!!

[amk01]

Hi I am new here. I am a 28 year old female that has taken 10mg of Lexapro for a year and a half for mild ADD. I have recently tapered off and thought I was loosing it: mean/hateful moods, crying, vivid nightmares, sleeplessness, lightening strikes (brain zaps).
I gained about 30 lbs since the start of using Lex. I am 5'11 so that does help me cary the wight, but i can only stand so much. Has your weight returned to normal if you had weight gain on this drug?

Thanks!

quote:[i]Originally posted by sarita[/i

tavee,

yes. 8 months of tapering!! but it was worth it. i'm on this dose for another week or so or until i say goodbye to the lexipro.....
i'll probably keep alittle with me just in case when i go on vacation. i'm not really comfortable yet letting go of it as in throwing it away. but i'm not going to take it unless its an emergency.


i'll stick around!! let people know how i'm doing without it. i must say, i haven't been happier. the condition i was in, i don't know if there was another way since no doctors knew what was wrong. and it did work. but now i'm better, i feel mazing, back to my old self, even better!!! because now i know i'll be okay no matter what. now i know why and when things change in my body and why they do so i don't panic and get upset.

i wish all of you the same revelations.

[amk01]

I am new here. I recently tapered off Lex and went to visit my eye dr. he changed my contact brand, but BEFORE that my eyes were burning terribly and I couldn't bear to wear the contacts and wearing glasses didn't help.It started when I began tapering.

DO you think that tapering off Lex causes the burning eyes? I have been afraid in the last 4 weeks that I was going to have to stop wearing contacts.

Thanks. This site has been a lifesaver. I thought I was going nuts coming off LEX!!

quote:Originally posted by Looking4Help

I also still experience what y'all call depersonalization...to me it's being in a fog...some days are better that others, and thankfully I am sleeping normally...

I take 2 small 3mg tablets of Melatonin nightly (6mg all together)...I will take 3mg once I'm off the drugs a bit longer...but sleep is so important...I don't even have many dreams/nightmares...

My day consists of fog, sore thoat, ears buzz and ache, eyes are red and tired/burning, my whole body swells up, jeezzz my jeans are tight around my knees today...very uncomfortable, and my breasts are dying to get out of my bra...my body has aches and pains, teeth hurt (newest one), cold, hot...and axiety. No horns yet.

If I thought recreational drugs were the answer, I wouldn't have a problem with them, but they aren't my answer, never liked them much...did them a lot...just didn't care for them...they made me more depressed.

I'm sure I have at least 5 or 10 more systoms each day, but can't think...oh, there's one...memory loss...short term, but, drives me nuts.

[jimmydebalsac]

OK, everyone. I have been out of town for a while. To summarize, I took Lexapro 10mg for 3 months. I decided then that it was non-sensical to take these manufactured solutions. I emphasize manufactured as anything created by man will have errors. Some errors will be larger and some smaller. Some we will find out about tomorrow, and some in the next century. In any case, I'm no guinea pig. If it was not here on earth before mankind got here then I really don't need it.

I quit cold turkey about 11 days ago. I had the worst symptoms I've ever encountered. Now, I am 100% better. I'm sharp again, I'm able to solve complex differential equations, and I communicate with people more effectively ( more than even before ). My message to those thinking they oughta taper or that there's no hope...

I don't know your particular brain chemistry, but my advice to you guys is just stop, man up and realize that no matter what happens you are your own greatest obstacle. Take time off work if you have to. I took one day off and just freaked out at home. Smoke MJ. I'm not kidding, it helps. I sympathize with all of you as I thought someone had pulled out my frontal lobe. I was a walking vegetable. I ran red lights without even knowing it. THE SYMPTOMS WILL SUBSIDE!

Hopefully, I'm not speaking too soon, but as far as I can tell, I'm back. I'll let you know if it comes back.

Thank you to everyone. God Bless all of you.

[db3]

Jimmy..send us all some nice, big, fat DOOBIES!!!
Haaaaaaaa..nah im just kidding! Im glad youre feeling well

[sarita]

jimmmy,
are you a man? i think men havae a much esier time getting off of these if i'm not mistaken. it has to do with hormones more with women. you substituted one drug for another. that's why i'm pretty sure it was easy for you. it is true MJ helps with naseau etc...but once you stop, ou'll feel it.

amk,
i think your burning eyes could because your temperature can tend to rise and thus burning your eyes out.

db3,
do what you feel is good for you. if you went down from 20 to 10 with no problem, then maybe you can drop to 5?

[goodnightmoon]

quote:Originally posted by sarita
db3,
do what you feel is good for you. if you went down from 20 to 10 with no problem, then maybe you can drop to 5?

Hi everyone. New to this board. I'm on day 11 of cold turkey withdrawal from Lexapro. I've been tapering off for a year, I kid you not. Initially went on Lex to transition off Paxil. (Sickest I have ever been - I've heard it's similar to heroin withdrawal!)
Had been on 10mg for a while. Then alternated 10 - 5, went down to 5, then alternated 5 and nothing.
I have been a mess. Been living on Dramamin and Pepto for the last week. Have been having the following symptoms: almost constant electro-shock sensations (my own built in stun gun!), nausea, dizziness (similar to inner ear infection), vague headache, confusions and disorientation. The holiday season may not have been the best time to quit, but I can't go back now!
I was wondering if anyone can tell me how long this lasts and if there is anything that can remedy the symptoms (besides MJ - have a six year old and need to function or I'd give it a try. )
I guess it's nice to know that others have been where I am now.
Thanks,
Lanie

[tavee]

SARITA SKYWALK

HOW ARE U GUYS?

DID ANY OF U HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH URE PERIOD WHEN U WERE TAPERING?

I WAS SUPPOSED TO GET IT MONDAY AND I STILL HAVENT GOTTEN IT.(NOOOOOOOOOOO IM NOT PREGNANT) COULD IT BE THE TAPERING CUZ MY HORMONES ARE OUT OF BALANCE???

IM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ANNOYED AND I CANT STAND WHEN IT DOESNT COME WHEN ITS SUPPOSED TO!!!!!

TAVEE

[db3]

hi goodnight- how long were you on 5 from 10?? i plan on going to 5 sometime next week..i didnt think this would be a good time of the year to start tapering but ive been lucky so far ( thank god )..i plan on staying on 5 until after the new year..i dont even want to attempt anything less than 5 because i have a feeling the ball may drop on me and i want the holidays to be over if and when anything happens!

[db3]

sarita..im going to go down to 5 next week..im going into NYC this weekend to see the Christmas tree and walk around a bit, and i wanna go with a clear head..not a dizzy one ( in case i have w/drawals on 5)

[Skywalk]

Hi Tavee:

I finally started my period today. I also caught a cold from my fiance. Needless to say, I feel awful today. I feel like a dizzy zombie. As I mentioned before, last month and this month I got my period early. And I had spotting for days before. This is weird, so yes, Lexapro is really screwing with our hormones. My mood is good today, though. Having thoughts about what I want in the future once I get this stuff out of me. I think this is a good sign.

I'm now 2.5 months off 10mg cold turkey. My headaches and fatigue came to an end about 12-15 days ago. I still have feelings of being stoned/out-of-body, diarrhea, night sweats/hormone issues, apathy, vivid dreams and some fear.

[Skywalk]

Goodnight: I feel for you. It's awful. I don't know how long it will last because we are all different and it really depends on your liver and how fast and well it can rid you of the toxins from Lexapro. The really bad symptoms should pass after a few weeks. We tell people to read page 46 for a list of possible symptoms and how long they may last.

[sarita]

LADIES!!!!! i am 100% sure that this messes with PMS and periods.
Also, remember that PMS is ADDITIONAL SUFFERING (irritable, weepy, dizzy, angry, etc..).My periods were never consistant. one month i got 2 periods in one month. it was AWFUL..... (sorry men)

wierd how tavee, skywalk and me are on the same cycle...koo koo...

I actually have been having vivid dreams for the first time. ug...just awful. and the memory can last throughtout the day. i'm glad last night i didn't have another one.

db3,
sounds like your doing well. that's awesome.

goodnight,
sounds awful. alittle confused. you've been tapering a year ???
if you went cold turkey chances are it's gonna take a while to feel normal. read the topics and learn about other people's stories.....
but each day will get better, some worse, but better,,,,,

[amk01]

HEy there. I was wondering about the pms cycle as well. I have been completely off for a month after tapering for a month (not long enough I think, I am seeking a new dr).I have been late the last 2 months coming off this junk! Thanks for the insight!

quote:Originally posted by sarita

LADIES!!!!! i am 100% sure that this messes with PMS and periods.
Also, remember that PMS is ADDITIONAL SUFFERING (irritable, weepy, dizzy, angry, etc..).My periods were never consistant. one month i got 2 periods in one month. it was AWFUL..... (sorry men)

wierd how tavee, skywalk and me are on the same cycle...koo koo...

I actually have been having vivid dreams for the first time. ug...just awful. and the memory can last throughtout the day. i'm glad last night i didn't have another one.

db3,
sounds like your doing well. that's awesome.

goodnight,
sounds awful. alittle confused. you've been tapering a year ???
if you went cold turkey chances are it's gonna take a while to feel normal. read the topics and learn about other people's stories.....
but each day will get better, some worse, but better,,,,,

[Injecto]

I've been prescribed Lexapro by my Psychiatrist. Now, I'm very very very reluctant to start any meds for my anxiety (I'm worried about if I will become dependant on them, long term affects, length of time I will need them, withdrawal etc....). After reading this thread I'm even more worried about starting these meds.

I guess my question is, why did all you start taking this medication if you all want off it so bad. Won't your original problems just come back? Then you'll need to go on something again won't you? It seems that once you have anxiety, you are doomed to death with it.

[tavee]

sarita skywalk

finally got my period!!! im doing ok just a little tired.im a little dizzy this morning also but i know its from my period and the pain meds i take for it.

i guess i was worried i would not have a period for months since im tapering.

how are u guys feeling? sarita are u doing ok?

skywalk- how are u?

ill catch u guys later!! have a good day

tavee

[tavee]

INJECTO

FIRST OF ALL SOME OF US HAD ISSUES WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, ANXIETY ETC. YES, DONT GET US WRONG IT DID MAKE US FEEL BETTER, OTHERS HAD SIDE EFFECTS AND DIDNT DO WELL.

WE WOULD LIKE TO TRY LIVING WITHOUT LEXAPRO AND OTHER MEDS AND TRY TO DO IT ON OUR OWN. NO DRUG CAN EVER BE SAFE IF U TAKE IT FOR A LONG TIME.

WE ARE ALL TAPERING OR QUITTING AND TAKING LOTS OF SUPPLEMENTS ,AND SOME OF US ARE SEEKING THERAPY TO GET BETTER AND STAY BETTER ON OUR OWN.

REGARDING URE QUESTION ABOUT GETTING URE ANXIETY BACK OR WHATEVER WE ALL HAD. THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.
MOST OF THE TIME URE SYMPTOMS DO NOT COME BACK IF U PRACTICE GOOD EATING HABITS, EXERCISE ETC.
MOST OF ALL WE ALL HAVE SUPPORT HERE AND THATS THE IMPORTANT PART.

IN THE FUTURE, WILL ANY OF US EVER GO ON THIS STUFF AGAIN? I DONT KNOW . I CANT ANSWER THAT FOR SURE, BUT I KNOW DAMN WELL THAT I AM GOING TO TRY WITHOUT DRUGS.

GOOD LUCK TO U. IF U NEED US WE ALL ARE HERE TO HELP U.

TAVEE

[Injecto]

Thanks Tavee,

You see, I was recently diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic (in October 06), and I swear I got tipped over the edge in anxiety from that shock and fear for my life, and now I can't seem to kick the anxiety. The diabetes is a piece of cake (no pun intended) compared to the anxiety (I get chest pressure/adrenaline rush, extreme lightheadedness/dizzy, nausea and can't sleep, so my life sucks pretty bad now). Some of the time you wonder if it's even worth living now. But at the same time, the logical part of my mind says, "maybe" just maybe this is anxiety due to a traumatic event (the diagnosis) and I can and will get better over time. However, it just seems crazy that these symptoms have gone on now for 2 1/2 months. I can't believe this is all from anxiety. So, I have wonder if I will ever get over it, and perhaps meds can help me until I'm ready to handle the diagnosis better, but then I have the withdrawals to worry about (which only increases my anxiety). It's a VICIOUS CIRCLE......argg!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry about that.

I just hate it when people tell me that I will be fine so "get over it" because trust me I'm the last person who wants these anxiety symptoms when I have the diabetes to live with and learn about. So, you see, I feel stuck.

[jimmydebalsac]

Yes, I'm a a man. And I only substituted MJ for a week. And when I stopped all my symptoms were gone, ONE HUNDRED PERCENT. And now I'm done. California has a medical cannabis law so pardon me for trying stuff that grows from the earth as opposed to manufactured by foreign nationals in a lab somewhere up north. Please just be happy that I was able to overcome this rather than making excuses for yourself.

All I know is that if anyone wants support (not hand holding) i'm willing to help you. There is hope. Just post here and I'll be reading. Good luck to all of you. My symptoms are all completely gone after going cold turkey. I didn't take it very long , 3 months. But if anyone has a situation like mine and they're not into taking 5 other drugs to counteract the effects of quitting one then holler at me. These manufactured drugs will be the end of us all if we don't get off. I'm there for ya. Never give up. You'll live.

[Skywalk]

Injecto: I think there is nothing wrong with starting an anti-depressant if you are in a place that is hard to rid yourself of anxiety. But know some things before you start: start the med on a low dose (!!!)...maybe 2.5mg. I don't care what doctors say. I started on 10mg as per dr. and I had adverse effects and I let it go on for six weeks! I never got better and that's why I got off of it and am still dealing with withdrawals. I've been on Prozac and Paxil and they worked wonders for me within days. But I was told to stick out the Lexapro because it may take six weeks to work. I now wish I had stopped it days after taking it. So if you feel worse on it...STOP. I also think Prozac (start at 10mg) is the best drug. It is not as harsh as the others and works well for anxiety. It's just not pushed anymore because it's cheap and doctors won't get big money for it like they do with Lexapro. That said, a lot of people like Lexapro and many don't like Prozac; we are all different. Anyway, a lot of us on this board are fed up with the drugs and plan to eat right and exercise and relax to rid ourselves of this. But it takes time and work.

I'm learning my Lucinda Bassett anti-anxiety program, and that, with my xanax once and a while should do the trick.

I started Lexapro because I had panic attacks while driving on the freeway. I had almost no other anxiety (but have in the past). Now I know I can try hypnosis or take a xanax.

Good luck.

Tavee: I got really dizzy from my period too. Today is better, but this cold really has me down. I just can't get a break!

[Injecto]

Skywalk: Thank you for taking the time to read and respond, it is very much appreciated. In so many ways I feel completely alone, and it sucks. No one around me really understands what I'm going through.

I still have a hard time believing that my dizziness/lightheadedness for 2.5 months can be anxiety related. Has anyone else had it for this long? It is possible?

I did try Paxil for 10 days and then I got terribly dizzy (more than usual) and nauseas and I stopped cold turkey. Now I'm frightened to death to take Lexapro, but then if I don't , my Anxiety will never leave.

I keep going back and forth thinking, I can't remember now what it was like NOT to be anxious and if some meds will help me remember that then I might take them, but I don't want to take them forever, I want to be rid of the darn anxiety for good. I have a wife and family that I hurt more and more while I'm anxious (which of course makes me more anxious that I'm messing things up).

[Skywalk]

Injecto: I had a serious inner-ear injury from an auto accident in 2001 and I developed anxiety from it. Once my ear got better I was still stuck in a state of anxiety. It went on for four or five months. I took Paxil for the first time and that pulled me out of it. I have since learned to cope better with hard things in life and that's why I think I can stay of meds. But I recently tried Paxil again for panic and it did not work for me (?? I don't trust its maker and it was pulled off market for six months before I tried it this last time). After that, I tried the Lexapro and it didn't work either. If I were you, I would try taking xanax for a while because then you could rid the anxiety for enough time to try and sort out anxiety with some other means. Try looking into the Lucinda Bassett Anti-anxiety program. My fiance and I are getting a lot of help from it. You will not regret it. But it's spendy. I bought it on ebay for $159 on audio tape (cheaper that way) and it was worth every penny.

[kfmg]

i just wanted to thank you guys because i just recently stopped taking lexapro. i was on it for 2 years and just got fed up with being drugged all the time. it was great when i needed it but i feel like i can be ok with out it. anyways, i have been going through withdrawls, and my boyfriends boss who works in the pharmaceutical bussiness told him that i was over reacting because there are no withdrawls from lexapro. BULL****!!! i have been crying everynight for the past 3 nights. my poor boyfriend. but i suddenly feel so much better knowing that i am not crazy and that my body is just detoxing.
THANK YOU!!!

[sarita]

jimmy,

don't appreciate your attitude. you're not doing the suffering here and supporting anyone of us. perhaps it could be the marajuana shifting your personality.

tavee,
i'm so glad you got your period!! i told you . it's pms. and because these drugs effect hormones, then women especially suffer more.

kf,
you are not crazy and you are not alone. trust yourself.

injecto,
i'm sorry about your diagnosis. thank god it wasn't type 2 diabetes, but that's enough to drive anyone into anxiety. the thought of getting sick. i get that way every time i feel a lump in my breast or go to get a mammmogram. we're here for you....

i'm doing great!! no anxiety, no depression, alittle panic but i got it under control-alittle deep breathing, calmness, stillness, and in minutes it's gone. one more week, and i'm finished!!!

[newbe]

Just found this forum when googling Lexapro withdrawal and have read quite a few posts. Some very useful information. I'll be trying some suggestions, including the use of walnuts. I weened myself off lexapro over a three week period -- tapering down from 15 mg per day to zero. There have been a few bad days. I can't believe how difficult this is, especially compared with Prozac and other anti-depressents. It's nice to know I'm not alone and that the head zaps, itching, weight-gain while one the drug, etc. are experienced by others. Thanks for being there. Today was a really bad day. The head zaps are lessening in intensity, but this AM I felt weak and anxious. So far I've not reverted to the major anxiety that lead me to this medication two and a half years ago. It would be nice to think that brain chemistry can change a little, since that might justify the other **** lexapro puts your body through.

Anyway -- thanks for allowing the forum and the good advice, words of wisdom, etc.

Injecto: I have a son who has had Type 1 diabetes for 6 years now. It gave me a lot of anxiety as his mother (and still does) and that contributed to my previous anxiety which led to lexapro. Every major blow in life seems to make the anxiety worse. I don't know how old you are, but I do know what you face with Type 1 (far worse than Type 2)-- Because of all your body goes through with the insulin needs, etc., you might want to stay away from lexapro and try other homeopathic/herbal supplements, exercise, etc. and just rely on xanax or other one-time pills for when the anxiety is really bad. YOur body already has to go through enough. Also, I hope you've connected with a Juvenile Diabetes REsearch Foundation group whereever you live -- they can lead you to lots of understanding folks, friends, and support which can only help in your anxiety.

Anyway -- thanks for the forum. I won't always be so long winded. I'm going to try walnuts tomorrow and try to exercise so my giant lexapro-induced stomach and breasts will hopefully go back to a more normal size. Yikes!!! As if the lethargy isn't bad enough -- Lexapro made me look like a milk cow too!

newbe

[city_l0ve]

I have been taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin for a few months now. I have a bad habit of occasionally missing my Lexapro, and when I miss it once I usually miss it a few days in a row. When this happens I get nightmares about people (particularly men) controlling me, I have had dreams where they wantd to cut off my arms, or have raped me and several others, and all of them have a sort of false arrest going on. In the end of each of these I end up killing or having the desire to kill them. I have never had dreams like this except since I have been on Lexapro and I HATE it. I also experienced severe dizziness, moodiness, fatigue, depersonalization etc. - all the typical symptoms people mention. My mother and grandmother have a history of mental health issues, which I don't really know the details of but I know that my mother may have been schizophrenic. I'm wondering if taking this medication and eventually stopping it will increase my chances of being schizophrenic. During a week long period where I stopped taking Lexapro, I actually thought I was. I became extremely paranoid that simple noises around me weren't really there(or were they?...). Since I have only been taking the medication for a short time I'm wondering if it would be beneficial for me in the long run to just get off of it now before it does damage to my brain that can't be undone. Hopefully someone has some answers for me!!!

-Lindsay