[FatJules]

THanks Erin.
Do you know anything about the fish oil supplement? I'm really keen to start taking it, but just not sure if I should be tripling the dose as recommended to me...
Jules

[Rosalinde]

Originally Posted by wherethehellami?

You know, a lot of people have been saying this and it is really starting to get old. First of all, where are you basing this evidence? I've been taking Lexapro for 3 1/2 years and it has helped me except for some of the side effects. I had problems when I tried to get off too quickly. It's not taking the drug that damages your brain (if you're taking it for the right reasons which many are not unfortunately and have hormonal problems and other issues as a result), it's tapering too quickly that damages the brain. People on here have said that when they started to come off they said they felt emotions again, ie a lot of anger and crying...that's not because the drug was repressing your emotions but part of the brain injury!

The drug absolutely did damage me and many other people. I tapered over 9 months. It was not the tapering that caused me so many problems, it was the Lexapro. Talk to Aunty who has suffered through watching her daughter's struggles with Lexapro in a painfully slow taper. She has done loads of research into the bad effects of taking Lexapro. Some people suffer from it more than others, but ultimately, this drug has the potential to really mess up the brain's natural functions. I don't have time to deal with this now but will post an explanation of my viewpoint later this week.
Regardless, there is no need to be abrasive. We attempt to help each other here and treat differing viewpoints with respect. We do not attack each other with rude remarks. We've all had enough to deal with without that.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by FatJules

THanks Erin.
Do you know anything about the fish oil supplement? I'm really keen to start taking it, but just not sure if I should be tripling the dose as recommended to me...
Jules

Absolutely start the fish oils, they will help in the withdrawl process but, the benefits of fish oil supplements are very wide ranging. As you are just starting the fish oils, I reccomend that you begin by following the label instructions, only taking the reccomended dose. Stick with that for awhile, maybee a few weeks and then you can gradually increase the amount you take. I reccomend beggining fish oils this way for a few reasons. Fish oils can cause some stomache upsets at first for people who have never taken them so, you'r belly may require a slow introduction. The stomache upsets that you could have would be mild if at all and may cause some gas and burping until you are used to it. If you use a liquid or a quick absorb gel-cap, you may have some "fish burps" ICK so, take it with meals which will help eliminate that. When I first started taking the fish oils, I had some of the above mentioned but, I quickly adjusted and have NO problems with them at all. Most people don't....Best wishes to you...Peace...Erin

[erinkj]

You are just soo funny! . I love your sence of humor, it always makes me giggle. Don't berate yourself for eating meat....For shame...Protein is a must! You ever hear the saying " Vegetarian is an ancient word for lousy hunter?"...OOP'S....I have NOTHING against vegetarians so, please, no one take offence! ....I will post the info I have on the serotonin- carb craving connection, sometime today (I hope). Good luck with the cleaning....I clean so much...and the laundry, UGH, it NEVER ends...Some days I feel like an indentured servant! How great would it be if the kid's would clean up after themselves?! I have 3 teenagers so, part of me now understands why some animals in the wild eat their young! LOL...more later...Peace....Erin

[wherethehellami?]

Originally Posted by Rosalinde

The drug absolutely did damage me and many other people. I tapered over 9 months. It was not the tapering that caused me so many problems, it was the Lexapro. Talk to Aunty who has suffered through watching her daughter's struggles with Lexapro in a painfully slow taper. She has done loads of research into the bad effects of taking Lexapro. Some people suffer from it more than others, but ultimately, this drug has the potential to really mess up the brain's natural functions. I don't have time to deal with this now but will post an explanation of my viewpoint later this week.
Regardless, there is no need to be abrasive. We attempt to help each other here and treat differing viewpoints with respect. We do not attack each other with rude remarks. We've all had enough to deal with without that.

I'm not attacking you but merely arguing my point. If I've offended you then I'm sorry but I'm trying to get things straight. It's not just you but other people on here that have things mixed up. For example, Rosalinde this is why you started to take Lexapro correct?:

When I started the drug, I was not depressed, but was high strung and dealing with slight anxiety and insomnia. Still a happy person though. Doctor recommended Lexapro. The first 7 months were great. I was happy, confident, unflappable, alert, quick-witted, energetic, patient and always laughing. I felt more like "myself" with the ability to focus. However, I lost my passion. I stopped caring whether the house was clean

Why would you take Lexapro if you're not depressed?! Everyone goes through slight anxiety now and then. Of course you would have problems with a drug that you shouldn't be taking in the first place! Was your doctor a GP? That sucks because it's really not your fault but your doctor for giving it to you. I'm in the same boat except my doctor told me I could taper quickly without any problems...point being...don't put all your faith in doctors.

[8monthslater]

Wow! Lyme disease, huh? I actually had a Lyme titer done and it came back negative. I had to ask the doctor for it and he was skeptical. He is the doctor that told me to try Cymbalta. I told him absolutely not and he threw his hands in the air and told me that he could not help me if I was not going to work with him. Ugh. Well, I am happy you have an answer and hopefully the antibiotics will help you. Make sure to check into taking a quality probiotic to keep your gut in balance. You don't want to end up with yeast issues or Leaky gut problems. Let me know how you are doing with your symptoms. I am really bugged by my vision stuff.

[AMP2281]

Originally Posted by Rosalinde

It is never good to go cold turkey. You can really hurt your brain. The suggestions here and elsewhere (theroadback.com) are a slow taper of 10% every two weeks. You can ask your doctor for a prescription for liquid Lexapro and a syringe. It takes longer this way, but it is the healthiest way to wean your brain off the Lexapro without damage and long lasting, sometimes debilitating side effects.

There is good information in this forum if you have the time to go back and read near the beginning.

I was only on Lexapro for 6 months at 10mg. How much damage could this really do? I don't want long lasting brain damage.

[LexaGROSS]

I just wanted to write again and tell everyone here good luck with whatever Lexapro withdrawals you are going through. They suck and are tough, but I know that in the end, we are better without Lexapro and stronger people for having taken ourselves off of it.

I have little doubt that the withdrawal from Lexapro is what caused my "seizure" last week, and ever since, I've had anxiety and headaches and a general feeling of "blah." Of course, who wouldn't be anxious after having a seizure, right? So this feeling of anxiety is multiplied times 3. I'm anxious anyawys, anxious that I'll have another seizure, and anxious that the other symptoms will hang around.

But I think that we can all do this, and I've been trying to eat healthier and exercise and stay positive.

Now, what's this about taking herbal supplements and stuff?

[acarter]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

Does anyone have any experience from withdrawaing from Lexapro 20 Mg for one and a half years?? My daughter is having a tough time tapering off lexapro.
She is getting sweats, anxiety, moodieness and manic like actions.

Let me know if anyone has sucessfully weaned off a SSRI and what happened along the way.
Thanks

Hey you guys,

i went thru the hassel of registering for this forum soley to share my experience with lexapro.

Lexapro is great when used properly and closely monitored by a trained professional. Symptoms of getting off lexapro is very similar to going on lexapro expect a bit longer, and more magnified.

I stoped taking lex pretty cold turkeyish.. had about 7, 10mg pills left.. cut them all in half so i had 14 .5's.. i took one .5 every night for 8 nghts.. then evey other day until i had 4 .5's left.. then i started letting my body determine how often an how much id take.. i would take a pill then go a couple days.. when i didnt feel well id take on that night then go a few more days i cut the dose to .25 eventually. and then i stopped all together.. i would say the total time took about 20 days now i actually have a couple .25's left, and i dont think ill ever need them.

So now the important part.. the side effects.. expect to feel.. drowiness.. those shocks that everyone talks about (yup they do exist) slight dizziness.. terrible headaches.. it kinda feels like coming down from being hi off pot and drunk at the same time.. very similar to being burnt out and hung ovr.. but the key is ITS ONLY TEMPORARY.. no matter how sucky it is IT WILL NOT LAST FOR MORE THEN 2-4 WEEKS if you let your body lead you thru the weening off process. advil helps.. benadryl helps.. drink alot of water.. eat alot and healthy.. exersize.. get outside.. fresh air... friends.. its like a break up the better you keep your mind off it the faster youll be over it.

so its been about 2 weeks since my last dosage and im starting to feel better!! always hungry (my metabolism is going up?) i have more energy.. been mre focus (maybe my ocd is coming back) my spells of deperession are slight and far in between, no difference then being on the drug itself.. im a drop moodier.. but hey im from brooklyn NY so no one notices. my confidence is going up.. and up.. and the best part is..

IM FREEEEEEE from lex.

anyways,
my email is alancarter27@gmail.com
im 23 and was taking the drug for a yr total.
shoot me an email if u need some help.

[FatJules]

No worries. I was actually worried about the fish burps, sounds pretty disgusting. But I've managed to get some Reflux Free Fish Oil that has a bit of orange oil in it to get rid of any bad taste. Just so you all are aware that its available...

[FatJules]

ACarter, when did you start getting the brain zaps??? I havent gotten them yet, I've been off Lexapro for 11 days, except for 5mg i took 5 days ago...

[neveradullmoment]

For whats it is worth here is a thought I read and has stuck with me.
It Actually has picked me up out of the ditch a few times.
"God" dont give up,We do!
The happiness of My LIFE depends on the Quality of MY thoughts.

Be Safe.

[COHiker]

Originally Posted by FatJules

No worries. I was actually worried about the fish burps, sounds pretty disgusting. But I've managed to get some Reflux Free Fish Oil that has a bit of orange oil in it to get rid of any bad taste. Just so you all are aware that its available...

Hi Jules,
I use the Carlson's Omega-3 (read about it on this site-- apparently one of the few that guarenteed not to be rancid?). Anyhow, I get all my suppliments through www.vitacost.com and the O-3 is only $9.99 for 130 gel-caps- a bargin when you compare it retail. I order all of my stuff at once since the shipping is only $4, regardless of your order size (cheaper than a gallon of gas-- almost) They also have the flavored goo...
Worth a comparison.
Happy shopping,
CO Hiker

[erinkj]

Here is some info on the serotonin carb craving connection. I think alot of your recent carb craving is your body attempting to boost serotonin levels which, makes sence really considering the changes taking place with your serotonin reuptake due to tapering off of the lexapro. Happy reading....Peace...Erin


Low serotonin levels cause intense refined carbohydrate cravings that are very difficult to ignore. In particular, these food cravings trigger impulse eating that is difficult to control with willpower alone.
For a short time after eating high GI refined carbohydrate sweets, you increase serotonin levels, your mood elevates, you feel good and your self-esteem and confidence increases. When your serotonin levels are low and you feel depressed it is very easy to be lured and tempted into chasing this "feel good" mood and your ability to "just say no" gives way to finding excuses to justify giving in to the cravings.
But as time goes on, it takes more and more sugar, or refined carbohydrates to get the same "feel good" result. This is when eating becomes compulsive, always chasing that next high.
That is why eating highly processed, high GI carbohydrates triggers food cravings and food obsessions in the long run. It is much better to eat a constant supply of low GI carbohydrates and protein at each meal and snack in order to keep your serotonin level elevated naturally.
When your serotonin level in the brain is at an ideal level, you feel relaxed and at peace with the world and yourself. When your levels are too low, you are no longer relaxed and have very little willpower to say no to the increased level of high GI refined carbohydrate cravings and impulsive eating patterns.
How Do Lifestyle Choices Affect Serotonin Levels?
There are some factors that affect serotonin levels that we have no control over like hereditary factors and the fact that women have naturally lower levels of serotonin than men (and interestingly, women dieters have problems with lowered serotonin levels, but not men dieters! And of course, more women also have eating disorders than men.)
Low serotonin levels are known to trigger food cravings and obsessive behaviours regarding eating. What a lot of people do not know is that our poor diets and unhealthy eating patterns, especially dieting, plays a critical role in lowering serotonin levels and triggering a vicious cycle of weight gain and yo-yo dieting.
Eating highly processed foods upsets the delicate balance of insulin and glucagon and over time, insulin resistance will develop. When this happens, high levels of insulin and blood glucose will also interfere with the body's ability to produce serotonin. (Another good reason to eliminate high GI carbohydrates from your diet and eat more low GI carbohydrates.)
The list of things that cause a low serotonin level is rather long including (but not limited to)...
Low blood sugar levels caused by insulin resistance, diabetes and sugar intolerance
High blood sugar and insulin levels
Eating too much high GI carbohydrates
Chronic stress triggering adrenal exhaustion
Alcoholism and drug addiction
Hormone imbalances like Estrogen and Progesterone
Impaired Thyroid Function
Impaired Liver Function
Yeast or Candida infections
Leaky gut syndrome and food intolerances
Eating refined carbohydrates
Eating a diet high in trans-fats and junk food causing Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency
Eating large meals
Dieting, eating disorders, restricting calories, skipping meals and going too long without eating.
Inadequate intake of protein and healthy essential fatty acids caused by low fat diets
All these trigger a lowering of our serotonin level, which in turn triggers depression. And of course, the more depressed we feel, the harder it is to stay motivated to eat in a healthy nutritious way. As a matter of fact, more often then not, people will use food as a "comfort" to make them feel better in the hopes of alleviating their depression in some small way. Usually the depression and low serotonin levels will trigger carbohydrate cravings in the hope that eating more carbohydrates will raise the serotonin levels.
Unfortunately, this usually backfires because highly processed carbohydrate junk food will actually depress your serotonin level in the long run.

[erinkj]

Did you quit smoking? If so, how did that go ? I NEED to quit but not sure I can do it while trying to taper off these wongerful psych med's. Any suggestions? I also was on Paxil, 6 years for me....How did that one work for you? ...Peace...Erin

[Hopeful 285]

I had negatives. Most people have negatives unless they have a western blot and it is sent to Igenex in California.
If you go to lymenet.org or lymediseaseassociation.com and look up your symptoms and you suspect lyme then you would need a LLMD (Lyme Literate MD) which you could get a referral from the Lyme Disease Association and try to get one close to you. Close may still mean travelling. I travel 3 hours.
Lyme can affect your eyes. My eyes are blurry. You of course would need to look at all your symptoms as a whole.
I matched symptoms of Lupus and my doctor told me that I may have early Lupus, but it turned out to be lyme.
If he would have put me on immune lowering drugs, it would not be good for a bacterial disease and could be harmful.
Temperature consistantly below 98 degrees is a symptom, but of course you have to have the rest of the pieces to diagnose lyme.
You also feel so fatigued and the back of my neck is stiff and painful. Swollen glands come and go...also if all your tests are negative and you are still sick and getting sicker...symptoms change...come and go....lots of other symptoms.
I just would not have thought I could have had this. I thought it was all lexapro.
I really did have a rough time quitting cold turkey and am sure I have some lingering issues, but I would be alot better now if I would have known something else was going on.
Take Care. You will eventually get to the bottom of it. I didn't think I ever would and I did. God gave us Aunty and she has helped us all. The more I have learned of her the more I admire everything she does.

[IsraelWins]

Hi - Glad to have found all of you. I have been on 20mg of Lexapro daily for the past two years - 10mg for the two years prior. I have tried quitting cold turkey a number of times and it is not fun at all. I get very anxious, moody, hyper, short fused... and then depression symptoms start creeping in. I have read a lot of the posts from this site and to be honest I have never given quitting a fair shake. I up and quit, 2-4 days go by, and I can't take it anymore and go back on. I don't beat myself up too badly about it, but I would like to be off of this drug someday for the long term affects it may have on my health. At the same time, I did battle with depression for 15 years before I met Lexapro and counseling - and it may have saved my life. If I have to take this drug for the rest of my life I will be open to it.

When I do quit for short periods of time - I experience a clarity of mind I dont have when on. The past four years lex has kept me in a bit of a stupor. When on I get along just fine... sort of indifferent to a lot of things that normally generate strong emotional responses in me. When off, strong emotional responses come back. I wish I could balance the two better.

For now I am cutting my meds down to 10mg a day. I will do this for the next 3 months and then go to 5 for another 3 months after.

My body appears to be very use to having lex in its system.

I deal with obsessive eating a lot. Carbo craving is huge! I did the classic Atkins diet a while back and lost an amazing 15 pounds and felt great... but I could not sustain and gained it all back about 6 months later. Love my bread and chocolate!

Take care.

[neveradullmoment]

Hey Erinj,
Nicotine is a nasty embedded hook I have not gotten removed yet.
I have cut back and try "But",I also drink coffee and have also been cutting it down so my body dont have a clue sometimes.The overall average of good days is growing.
Staying properly nourished is my hardest struggle.I have been using the theory that if it can pass threw the drive-thru window it is not healthy and neither are most eateries anymore.Paxil wasnt bad and like most are great at first but when one gets to feeling like you sitting in the room and it's on fire but dont have the energy to leave.That passiveness I cant handle.Was I nicer to be aound ? Was I Happy ? NO, just to dormant or energyless to care.It has been a ruff and tumble 9mos but I have learned and gained alot about understanding me.That to me is a good thing.

[jca1928]

hi aunty it's been 4 weeks i was starting to feel some what better now that i'm back on lexapro but today and yesterday have not been so good i feel realy down and tierd i'm wondering if the next few weeks are realy going to get better. i'm thinking maby i was off of lex to long. i'm hoping this doesn't go on for ever. please let me know what you think or any one els whos been falowing my story. thanks AJ

[erinkj]

Carrying the nicotine monkey on our back's is a real ************************* and with all the "smoke free" policies being implemented, I feel like a criminal if I light up in public! Smoking is one hell of a hard habit to break. 10-4 on the coffee too. I am java junkie....my husband jokes that I could be lost in a jungle and still find coffee.....hell yes, I will harvest and roast it myself if need be...100 degrees outside, humid and sunny and I still want coffee. Coffee and cigarettes are best friends, after all; they do start with the same letter.... It is difficult to have one without the other which inevitably results in death breath...Ick...I should buy stock in the tic-tac corporation...All joking aside, I have reduced my coffee intake, I have tried dozens of de-caf's and I just cannot drink it, it tastes aweful. I don't eat fast food, with a family to feed, I cook most of our meals and we take a cooler with us on road trips...I try to avoid highly processed foods mostly because I don't like them. I come from a farming family, we always had gardens, orchards and raised our own pork and beef. So, I am picky...I do give in to the occassional dairy queen blizzard...yummy! It is difficult to eat healthy when you are constantly on the go, my husband used to be a slave to jalapenio hot dogs from kum and go ..Now he takes a small cooler with him every day FULL of fruits, puddings, sandwiches, applesauce anything healthy that he likes, we save money that way to....It is amazing how much better you feel when you eat well. I never really had any problems while on paxil, I gained about 10 pounds but, I was real skinny so, the gain wasn't terrible. I have had more side effects from lexapro/celexa. ERGH....anyway, good luck...Are you off of the lexapro now? or still tapering?....Peace...Erin

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by jca1928

hi aunty it's been 4 weeks i was starting to feel some what better now that i'm back on lexapro but today and yesterday have not been so good i feel realy down and tierd i'm wondering if the next few weeks are realy going to get better. i'm thinking maby i was off of lex to long. i'm hoping this doesn't go on for ever. please let me know what you think or any one els whos been falowing my story. thanks AJ

If it had been too much time that passed since stoping the SSRI's, you would have not noticed ANY improvements since reinstating the lexapro. Your body has been thru so many changes with all the switches in your SSRI's, 4 weeks is too soon to be expecting a recovery.

Remember with SSRI's withdrawals, it is like an onion. For a week or two you may appear fine, then as a layer peels off and exposes more processes of healing there are a few steps backwards, this is normal. Even though you reinstated I do think you are still in a state of withdrawal from 4 weeks ago.

With my daughter, every minute taper of lexapro takes about 4 to 6 weeks for her to get back to normal.

Also if you may eat or take any drug that intereferes with the P 450 cytochrome system in the liver such as characol broiled foods, grapefruits, advil...etc..................this also causes a effect on the lexapro withdrawals. Something as simple as taking a over the counter sinus medication can cause ill effects with the lexapro. Think about anything you may have done differently in the past few days, if you can think of nothing I am sure it is just a process of adjusting and healing from your previous changes in SSRI medications..

You will get better....it just takes time, Don't worry.I will be here to help you thru this.I am not a doctor so please check with a physician before following any advice.

aunty

[fmza]

Hello,

I was on 40mg celexa, then 20 of lexapro for 8 years, did a fast 2 month taper, took my last pill feb 16 of this year.

i went through all of the brain zaps, foginess, nausea, you name it.

that is all gone now, and i've actually started to drop some of the weight with no effort.

however, the depression and anxiety are killing me. its ruining my life, my relationships, i can't take much more. my question is - is this part of the withdrawal and if so, how long does this phase last?

is there anything i can do or take to make this process easier? does wellbutrin have the same withdrawal effect? is this something i could take to survive the withrawal process?

thank you in advance for any help you can give me

May God help us all through this

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by fmza

Hello,

I was on 40mg celexa, then 20 of lexapro for 8 years, did a fast 2 month taper, took my last pill feb 16 of this year.

i went through all of the brain zaps, foginess, nausea, you name it.

that is all gone now, and i've actually started to drop some of the weight with no effort.

however, the depression and anxiety are killing me. its ruining my life, my relationships, i can't take much more. my question is - is this part of the withdrawal and if so, how long does this phase last?

is there anything i can do or take to make this process easier? does wellbutrin have the same withdrawal effect? is this something i could take to survive the withrawal process?

thank you in advance for any help you can give me

May God help us all through this

Basically you cold turkeyed off of a large amount of lexapro and after having been on SSRI's for 8 years. The anxiety and depression are a part of the withdrawal and may last for up to 18 months. Are you taking any supplements to help such as carson's Fish Oil?

If YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO A SIMILIAR MEDICATION TO HELP YOU THRU THIS THE ONLY ONE I WOULD RECOMMEND TO A FRIEND IS 15 MG OF REMERON................IN MY RESERACH I FOUND THIS IS ONE OF THE EASIEST TO GET OFF OF AND LEAST SIDE EFFECTS.

Do you have any other emotional symptoms in the phase two withdrawal from lexapro? Crying, nightmares, depersonalization, lack of appetite? These are usually quite common after the physical withdrawals appear to subside and the emotional withdrawal takes over at about three to four months off of lexapro. Depersonalization is one of the most often seen besides anxiety and sleeplessness and nightmares. I am not a doctor so please check with your physician before following any advice given on the internet.
aunty

[erinkj]

I am so glad that you are checking in. I had been wondering how you have been. Have you been able to get any work done in your garden? I have not been able to get much done in my garden, it has been raining alot here. I am well aware that you are not a doctor but, I have a great deal of respect for your opinion and I would like to ask you'r advice on a few things before my next appointment. It is a follow up apt with psychiatrist . Would it be possible to e:mail you directly?....If you are not comfortable with allowing that, I would understand completely. Please let me know either way. I hope that all is well with you and your family....Have a good night...Peace...Erin

[ivysphotomom]

I'll keep this brief, as I'm tired and it's late....

Have been busy with family and work. But, I've been working to taper off the lex. Three weeks ago, I went from approx. 10mg in tablet form, to 9.5mg in liquid form. Yesterday, I dropped to 9mg. We'll see how that goes.

Overall, things are OK. But I've got thyroid, adrenal, and other issues mixed in, so it's hard to tell what's causing what!

I'll write more later. Mainly, I just wanted to say HI to my friends here!

~Mary

[toria1986]

I am 21 and I have been taking Lexapro (20 mgs) for one and a half years and I am tired of having to take a pill everyday of my life that controls me. I had severe depression my senior year of high school and it stayed with me to well into my sophomore year of college. I use to cry non stop, cut my wrists, and often think of suicide. Soon after I started to feel better i developed anxiety. I had my first panic attack while I was driving. My main worry and fear is about going crazy. I am terrified about the idea of going crazy or doing something so irrational. Now that I have been on Lexapro I felt like I have lost a piece of myself. I want to still feel sadness and be more in touch with myself and it has been hard for me to do this when I take this medicine. I decided to quit cold turkey and everytime i get those shocking sensations in my body I would take one. I have been doing that for about two weeks when today I had my first panic attack since. I couldn't stop crying because I didn't want to be crazy again.

Basically I want to stop taking the medicine but I am afraid to. One I don't know how to ween myself off of it and my psychiatrist who perscribed it to me is through my university and she can't see me now because it is summer unless I pay a fee. Tonight I went through and cut all my pills in half so I can start taking 10 milligrams. What should I do? and will the anxiety and panic attacks come back full fledged? I am just horrified. I hate the thoughts I have

[neveradullmoment]

Toria1986,Welcome.
As far as suicide goes I have no sympathy.You need to tell yourself that it is not an option,if the thoughts come as they WILL find thoughts of something you want and keep thinking and working at how to get there.It comes one step at a time.Nothing worth anything comes free or easy and everything has a purpose even if it dont seem to!You are 21 yrs old"a child for the most part"and have many many things to look forward to even if you dont know it.Killing yourself is NOT a option as you are just mixed up,HELL WE ARE ALL MIXED UP.Read these threads and slowly reduce the Lexapro,like maybe 10% per drop every 4 or 5 weeks or so.As you do you are going to need to make changes in your nourishment,exercise and lifestyle to rebuild the emotions and reactions to your emotions.Anciety is normal and so is being down"depressed" now and then.Why dont you find yourself a narco-non meetings or even AA,there are folks that can and will give you support and guidence and not cost a dime.Keep looking forward and each fall is another brick to build your life on.So if life sucks at the moment thats ok,PICKupTHE PIECES AND MOVE ON AND LEAVE YESTERDAY OR THE LAST HOUR BEHIND AND START LIVING THE MOMENT.If you are not married and sexually active then knock it off for a yr and that in itself will clean up your emotions and stability.
Being afraid can be a good thing it is your bodys way of protecting you.Try saying to yourself that being cautious"afraid"is a good thing and mature with knowlege and positive actions to get the preparodness to understand the reasons why.
Be Safe.

[Aeroman]

I am about two weeks short of three months since my last pill of lexapro. As a reminder, I was on 10mg for 2.5 years and was weened off within a month's time (too fast I think). All I can say is, WHAT A RIDE!!!!! Urg, it seems like each week is a new symptom. If it's not moodiness, it's dizziness, sleep not refreshing, brain zaps, etc. At this point, my breathing has been bugging me - I've been using an inhaler that doesn't do much for me anymore (Advair) and was recently up'ed to fight the shortness of breath. Besides that, I am not as dizzy anymore but still feel traces of it.

I am also beginning to feel traces of depression again - I have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, even though I am not feeling sleepy. It takes an extra effort to do something but you know what...this time, it isnt going to get to me. Because this time, I am going to accept whatever withdrawal symptoms God is laying out for me and letting time pass. Is it easy? NO. Do I want it? Of course not! But something tells me if I approach any type of symptom differently instead of running away from it, I can recover. I am putting 100% of every weird symptom I get towards the withdrawal process.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention depersonalization - I felt it yesterday for a few hours. I went to help a friend out on his drywall and I felt I wasnt there, know what I mean? Anyway, I just floated pass by the feeling/thoughts and eventually subsided. My work hasnt help either. I dont want to be there but at the same time, I fear of getting fired. Well, 'til next time!

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by erinkj

I am so glad that you are checking in. I had been wondering how you have been. Have you been able to get any work done in your garden? I have not been able to get much done in my garden, it has been raining alot here. I am well aware that you are not a doctor but, I have a great deal of respect for your opinion and I would like to ask you'r advice on a few things before my next appointment. It is a follow up apt with psychiatrist . Would it be possible to e:mail you directly?....If you are not comfortable with allowing that, I would understand completely. Please let me know either way. I hope that all is well with you and your family....Have a good night...Peace...Erin

I would not mind at all if you contact me privately. I do not want to put my email here for the millions to see but if you have it or have a way of getting it, like thru the forum, please contact me. Or if you have a email address that you are OK with posting I will write to you and then you will have my email.

I know a few here have my email so there must be a way thru the forum to get it.

aunty

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

I would not mind at all if you contact me privately. I do not want to put my email here for the millions to see but if you have it or have a way of getting it, like thru the forum, please contact me. Or if you have a email address that you are OK with posting I will write to you and then you will have my email.

I know a few here have my email so there must be a way thru the forum to get it.

aunty

You are such a dear, thanks so much. You can e:mail me at perkinse@wmpenn.edu I never mind making this e:mail account public because it is my school account and has excellent virus protection. Making e:mail addresses public opens the door to a flood of junk mail, spyware and who knows what else....Thanks again, I look forward to writing you...have a good evening and God Bless...Erin