[Let's do something about it]

To All,

Please, please stop substitutting one drug for the other, coming off one and going on anything else like welbutrin, zoloft, paxil, etc. I does no good to do that. I only prolongs you coming off lexapro by "concealing" the side effects lexapro originally causes and getting you "hooked" on the new drug that you are putting into your body.
Just think about 80% of today's society is hooked onto these anti-depressant or anti-anxiety drugs because of poor diagnosis andeasy access to samples that get you stuck on the drug. Think about this, before society came out with a drug for everything people did live a life. Think about even back to the 1900's. You think they had SSRI medicine then? doubt it. Society ahs been so brain washed by advertisements and FDA and doctors trying to make a buck that it ruins peoples live. When I got tested for ADD I didnt realize at that age what it meant I just thought I was stupid. Then as got older and read up on how the neuro transmitter didn't communicate properly it all made sense. So I read up on how to deal with it and that you acn achieve success if you learn your strenths and your weaknesses. But with SSRI users its the same thing. Learn your self before taking multiple drugs, people are so anxious to "pop" a pill this day in age to do a quick fix and yet it never really turns out to be that quick. I do have adult ADD now and don't take meds for it. I don't need them. No, I'm not kidding myself, I just know what sypmtoms to look for now.

[Nocturnal]

I have been on 1.25mg of Lexapro for probably two months. For some reason last week I missed my dose for three days, then I took a very small dose, probably less than the 1.25mg via breaking up the pill. I haven't taken a dose since Thursday. Normally by Friday or Saturday I would have already started to feel the withdrawals.

I'm going to ride this out and see where it takes me. I have noticed that I become very irritable and very angry. I had an incident at work where I got very upset and upon getting into my car started to yell at the top of my lungs as a way to I guess release the stress. I have never done that before. I'm guessing it's likely to be attributed to being off of Lexapro.

I will keep in touch here as the days go by.

I am truly hoping that I was able to do what Tavee was able to do. A very slow taper that actually works.

I'll be back to update you or maybe not. If you don't see me for a few months know that I'm probably doing well. The minute I start to slip into withdrawals with brain zaps and what not I will be back to update everyone.

Here's to wishing that I make it through this!

[Nocturnal]

I'm back. Tomorrow will be day 7 that I'm off of my 1.25mg (although it may have been less as I had to cut a 5mg pill into half, and then that into a half and then take the medicine that way) of Lexapro.

So far so good. Hope everyone else is doing okay!

[Aeroman]

Anybody ever taken the pain medication, Hydrocodone? I had surgery on Monday and was given the medication for pain. I took it on Monday afternoon and a couple on Tuesday. I was feeling pretty good on Tuesday but yesterday I felt really restless, anxious, and in a weird mood. I had trouble sleeping last night as well.

This, along with Lexapro withdrawal, has not been fun. The withdrawals from lexapro have already caused depression, restlessness, and anxiety. I enter Month 6 next week. I hope for brighter days!!!!!!!!

[Let's do something about it]

Aeroman,
I have taken Hydrocodone plenty of times. Its a narcotic painkiller. For most people it gives them a hyper affect. It usually only lasts for a few days until your body gets used to it. It is an addictive drug in the fact that it is a narcotic. Lost of people who have addictive personalities can only take this drug in moderation. It's like xanax but the opposite affect , even thought the drugs both serve different purposes, they both are addictive if used in the wrong way. Other than that, you will be fine, the longer you take it the less restlessness you will feel. The pill form usually lasts about 4-6 hours. The more you take it, the affects will seem only to last for an hour. This drug is usually prescribed for pain after surgery and they also prescribe hydrocoedine. IF anything you will start to feel a "sluggish" type feeling after about 3 days, because after all it is a pain killer.

Nocturnal,
Great for you man! I'm righ there with ya, this is day 6 completely off Lexapro and I feel great. I thought I would never get to this day. My brains zaps are very minimal. a little insomnia but not much. The vertigo is completely gone. I cant wait for the next week! and the week after. Unlike you I stopped at 2.5 taking every other day for a week. Now I need none. i have a little irratibility here and there but it usually passes as wuick as it comes. Life is beginning to look on the brighter side of things away from this terrible drug. I would never as a doctor recommend someone to take this if I knew the side affects that it would cause to my patients. This was worse than anything I've ever had to do in my entire life.

For the readers:
There is hope in coming off Lexapro, all I can say is DON'T GIVE UP! It will seems almost impossible at times and the esay solution to fix it would be to go back on it. But trust me, I came from 20mg a day fro two years to being off of it in about 6 months. The side affects are pure hell but the end result is pure heaven. Keep it up. It's true the best method out of any site you google is to taper slowly. Try this method and it might work:
20mg- two weeks everyday then switch to
15mg- for two weeks everyday then to
10mg-for two weeks everyday then to
5mg-for two weeks everyday then to
2.5mg- for two weeks everyday then to
2.5mg- every other day for two weeks
after that its up to you if you want to go to 1.25mg every other day for two weeks or not. Know your body. Then symptoms will seems strong but if you are trully determined to be off this drug. You will work through it and get more excited the close you go. Mark it on your calendar like it's a holiday everytime you decrease.
After this blog, I will report for the next two weeks. The drug takes two weeks to get into your system so once completely off of it, it should only take two weeks to be "back to normal". I will keep up the progress as I go along to provide hope for all those who don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[lazydazy]

Originally Posted by Julia77

You will never get better if you keep feeding your brain with SSRIs. I don't know what else I can say to make you believe it. Time is the only thing that can make you feel better. I don't know what else to say....

*haven't read the entire thread, but quite a bit of it*

I have been on lex 10mg since January. It took 10 hours to have a positive effect on my life--I went from suicidal thoughts to completely happy overnight.

I figured that I must have really needed it after suffering with worsening depression for at least 6 years and what I call an oversensitivity to life for my entire life.

Last week I ran out and was unable to refill until yesterday. I took one pill yesterday and one today.

My questions:

how long before the withdrawal symptoms go away? I have extremely bad headaches and today, nausea.

and

are you all saying that it's a bad thing to be on an SSRI? What are you supposed to do if you're brain just doesn't function the way it's supposed to? On one hand I really feel this pill has been a lifesaver, but a lot of posts make it sound like we are all becoming addicts and I can't figure out what the bad part is. In other words, why is everyone so anxious to go off the drug?

jen

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by Let's do something about it

Aeroman,
I have taken Hydrocodone plenty of times. Its a narcotic painkiller. For most people it gives them a hyper affect. It usually only lasts for a few days until your body gets used to it. It is an addictive drug in the fact that it is a narcotic. Lost of people who have addictive personalities can only take this drug in moderation. It's like xanax but the opposite affect , even thought the drugs both serve different purposes, they both are addictive if used in the wrong way. Other than that, you will be fine, the longer you take it the less restlessness you will feel. The pill form usually lasts about 4-6 hours. The more you take it, the affects will seem only to last for an hour. This drug is usually prescribed for pain after surgery and they also prescribe hydrocoedine. IF anything you will start to feel a "sluggish" type feeling after about 3 days, because after all it is a pain killer.

Thanks for the reply. I only took it on Monday and Tuesday and stopped. I was getting nausea on Tuesday night so I decided to stop. I also noticed I was getting moody that evening. Come Wednesday morning, I was still feeling that weird moody feeling. And then restlessness set in again. I'm like, wtf, is it Lexapro w/d's or this narcotic? I had a very bad nightmare last night - I was afraid to lay on my bed in my own room! I'm not taking it anymore - I'd rather take the pain or motrin than feel this way. I was reading that this drug can stay in your system for 3-5 days? I dont want to add another pill due to all the variables Lexapro w/d's provide! Thanks.

[Nocturnal]

Originally Posted by lazydazy

*haven't read the entire thread, but quite a bit of it*

I have been on lex 10mg since January. It took 10 hours to have a positive effect on my life--I went from suicidal thoughts to completely happy overnight.

I figured that I must have really needed it after suffering with worsening depression for at least 6 years and what I call an oversensitivity to life for my entire life.

Last week I ran out and was unable to refill until yesterday. I took one pill yesterday and one today.

My questions:

how long before the withdrawal symptoms go away? I have extremely bad headaches and today, nausea.

and

are you all saying that it's a bad thing to be on an SSRI? What are you supposed to do if you're brain just doesn't function the way it's supposed to? On one hand I really feel this pill has been a lifesaver, but a lot of posts make it sound like we are all becoming addicts and I can't figure out what the bad part is. In other words, why is everyone so anxious to go off the drug?

jen

If it helps you then don't worry about it. There are some people who really didn't need to be on it in the first place and thus their reaction to the drug. If it helps you, I would not worry about it. Just remember if you plan on going off the drug to do a slow taper that can last up to one year.

[mims]

Originally Posted by lazydazy

*haven't read the entire thread, but quite a bit of it*

I have been on lex 10mg since January. It took 10 hours to have a positive effect on my life--I went from suicidal thoughts to completely happy overnight.

I figured that I must have really needed it after suffering with worsening depression for at least 6 years and what I call an oversensitivity to life for my entire life.

Last week I ran out and was unable to refill until yesterday. I took one pill yesterday and one today.

My questions:

how long before the withdrawal symptoms go away? I have extremely bad headaches and today, nausea.

and

are you all saying that it's a bad thing to be on an SSRI? What are you supposed to do if you're brain just doesn't function the way it's supposed to? On one hand I really feel this pill has been a lifesaver, but a lot of posts make it sound like we are all becoming addicts and I can't figure out what the bad part is. In other words, why is everyone so anxious to go off the drug?

jen

To LazyDazy and everybody else,

When I suddenly discontinued Lexapro, I had all sorts of strange symptoms; the worst was brain zaps. So I went back on Lexapro to ease the symptoms, and my "zaps" improved within a couple of days. I decided I felt better without the Lexapro, and have gradually tapered off. Throughout the tapering process, I have had unusual physical sensations and symptoms that I attribute to Lexapro withdrawal. I have now been off Lexapro for about 3 weeks and am having some improvement, but still having some symptoms.

I was relieved to learn that other people posting on this site have had similar experiences -- I didn't know what was wrong with me, and most physicians I have spoken with are unaware that withdrawal after short-term lexapro use could have such bad effects. Of course, it's always possible that I have another medical condition causing problems for me, along with the discontinuation problems, but my docs haven't been able to find anything wrong with me.

If Lexapro took you from suicidal to happy, please don't even consider stopping it without talking to your doctor. It must be working for you! When your physician says you are able to discontinue, just be aware that there are potential difficulties with withdrawal, and discontinue gradually, under a doctor's care, preferably a psychiatrist since they have more experience with these SSRI's and will be more likely to be aware of the withdrawal effects.

Many people feel better after taking antidepressants for a while, and are able to stop taking it after a year or so. Some people end up taking it for years. I think if an SSRI works for you, it is usually recommended to stay with it for least 6 months to a year. ( I have no medical expertise, but I have known someone who had a very successful treatment of depression with an SSRI (Celexa) for one year, and was then able to discontinue, under a doctors care, with no recurrence of depression.)

One problem is that this medication is sometimes prescribed for conditions other than serious depression. For example, it may be prescribed for less serious problems like insomnia, or "normal" problems like grief, etc., that probably shouldn't really require medical treatment with an SSRI.

Some people , like me, feel worse while taking it. For me, extreme sleepiness was a really bad side effect. How could I feel better when all I wanted to do was sleep? That actually made me feel more depressed. Apparently, some people don't metabolize the drug very well, or for other reasons can't take a particular SSRI, or have worse side effects.

It's not necessarily a bad thing to be on an SSRI. If you need it, be glad it works for you. Like all medications, it has side effects, and different people respond differently to SSRI's.

One problem that people on this site have experienced is this: physicians rely on the information given to them by pharmaceutical companies when drugs are introduced to the market, based on controlled studies of those drugs. But sometimes all the side effects don't show up in the testing of a drug before it goes to the market. In actual use by large numbers of people over a period of time, some side effects will surface that physicians were unaware of. Like Brain Zaps when the drug is discontinued!!

Physicians should report to the drug manufacturer (and maybe to the FDA) any unusual side effect that patients report. This is what we all need to ask our prescribing physicians to do, so that those side effects can be made known. Our physicians will then be more informed, and will know to warn people of the really bad effects of abrupt discontinuation.

I have really appreciated everyone's comments on this site, and hearing about other people's experiences with Lexapro withdrawal.

[freedom1234]

I desperately want to get off lexapro, ive been going to the chiropractor for about 2 weeks now and he has totally convinced me to try to get off of the lexapro. I was taking 10mg for about 3 years and i started tapering off about a month ago, im down to 5mg and i was doing fine until i decided to just stop there, so i didnt take anything for a whole weekend, then come monday i felt like my world was turning up side down. I cried all day, terrible headaches, and felt extremely irritable, all the bad things that were gong on intensified by 50. So I have decided to take 5mg for another week and then go down to half of that, but its been two days that I been back on 5mg and I feel sooooo spacey and my headaches are terrible. I have a 4 yr old son and I have been so irritable and short tempered with him, I feel so bad, but I really want to free myself from this toxic waist that has taken over me. Can anyone suggest anything that cld help with the headaches and the dizzy/space cadet feeling???
Bcomplex and b1 vitamin’s(quick dissolve ) seem to help with the low energy levels, and melatonin is all natural miracle sleep aid....but I need to know how to get out of this zombie mode, when will it go away???..

[mims]

Originally Posted by freedom1234

I desperately want to get off lexapro, ive been going to the chiropractor for about 2 weeks now and he has totally convinced me to try to get off of the lexapro. I was taking 10mg for about 3 years and i started tapering off about a month ago, im down to 5mg and i was doing fine until i decided to just stop there, so i didnt take anything for a whole weekend, then come monday i felt like my world was turning up side down. I cried all day, terrible headaches, and felt extremely irritable, all the bad things that were gong on intensified by 50. So I have decided to take 5mg for another week and then go down to half of that, but its been two days that I been back on 5mg and I feel sooooo spacey and my headaches are terrible. I have a 4 yr old son and I have been so irritable and short tempered with him, I feel so bad, but I really want to free myself from this toxic waist that has taken over me. Can anyone suggest anything that cld help with the headaches and the dizzy/space cadet feeling???
Bcomplex and b1 vitamin’s(quick dissolve ) seem to help with the low energy levels, and melatonin is all natural miracle sleep aid....but I need to know how to get out of this zombie mode, when will it go away???..

I took Advil twice a day for JUST A FEW DAYS which really did seem to help prevent those headaches. Advil and lexapro are both hard on your stomach, so take with food or yogurt, milk, or kefir to give some protection to your gut. After about 4 or 5 days, I felt so much better that I forgot about the Advil. My other symptoms have remained ( mostly abnormal sensations and tremors), but some symptoms seem to be less disturbing as time passes. I've been off Lexapro about 3 weeks, and the spacy feeling is improving, but not completely resolved. The spacy feeling also comes in the form of a mild "panic attack" from time to time, but I remind myself that this will (hopefully!) not last forever.

If you need to take advil on a regular basis, more than a few days, it is probably a good idea to check with your physician first.

[lazydazy]

thanks everyone

i finally feel better this morning!

jen

[Aeroman]

what are your comments about this:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2102727_safe...edication.html

[anti-drugs]

Well today I almost lost it or so it felt. I was showering and had a full blown panic attack. I could barely breathe and it felt like I was going to go crazy! I had to deep breathe and think my way out of it. I called my Doctor and have an appointment tomorrow morning. It really freaked me out. I thought OMG I going to have a complete nervous breakdown in front of my family! (I have family visiting for the week and more arriving tomorrow and Sunday.)

I had to breakdown and take half a Clonazepam from a prescript I filled 6 months ago and never used. It helped. Thank Goodness!

I just started month 6 of Lex withdrawal. Is this normal? Should I still feel like this after this long? Has anyone else had this happen to them?

I don't want to go back on drugs. I know my doctor is only going to prescribe me something. I've made it through 6 months of hell and don't feel like going back and starting over with a new drug.

I'm so scared!

Anti-drugs

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by anti-drugs

Well today I almost lost it or so it felt. I was showering and had a full blown panic attack. I could barely breathe and it felt like I was going to go crazy! I had to deep breathe and think my way out of it. I called my Doctor and have an appointment tomorrow morning. It really freaked me out. I thought OMG I going to have a complete nervous breakdown in front of my family! (I have family visiting for the week and more arriving tomorrow and Sunday.)

I had to breakdown and take half a Clonazepam from a prescript I filled 6 months ago and never used. It helped. Thank Goodness!

I just started month 6 of Lex withdrawal. Is this normal? Should I still feel like this after this long? Has anyone else had this happen to them?

I don't want to go back on drugs. I know my doctor is only going to prescribe me something. I've made it through 6 months of hell and don't feel like going back and starting over with a new drug.

I'm so scared!

Anti-drugs

Antidrugs, I know we're all different but I too am starting Month 6 next week!!!!!!!!!

My last 5mg pill of Lexapro was Feb 27, 2008 after a fast 1 month taper. No sure how your Month 4 and 5 have been but mine have been HELL. I feel very depressed, anxious here and there, and a new one in Month 5, restlessness. Seems like I just cant make it through the day but i eventually make it through.

How is your sleep?

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by anti-drugs

Well today I almost lost it or so it felt. I was showering and had a full blown panic attack. I could barely breathe and it felt like I was going to go crazy! I had to deep breathe and think my way out of it. I called my Doctor and have an appointment tomorrow morning. It really freaked me out. I thought OMG I going to have a complete nervous breakdown in front of my family! (I have family visiting for the week and more arriving tomorrow and Sunday.)

I had to breakdown and take half a Clonazepam from a prescript I filled 6 months ago and never used. It helped. Thank Goodness!

I just started month 6 of Lex withdrawal. Is this normal? Should I still feel like this after this long? Has anyone else had this happen to them?

I don't want to go back on drugs. I know my doctor is only going to prescribe me something. I've made it through 6 months of hell and don't feel like going back and starting over with a new drug.

I'm so scared!

Anti-drugs

Have you also felt disconnected with family and friends? We had a family gathering last week and I was in no mood to talk to anyone. My smiles are fake and all i want to do is crawl in a room and lay there.

[anti-drugs]

Aeroman..that is exactly how I feel. I just want to be left alone in a quiet place and not be bothered. It's hard when you have to entertain family and take care of my 3 boys.

I had a lot of anxiety in months 4 & 5 and felt very disconnected to friends and family. I recently came back from a trip to Belize with my husband and a friend. I spent most of the time reading by the pool being very quiet. My husband spent time on the beach and spoke with friends.

I know what you mean about being restless. My mind is always racing and I feel very uneasy. I feel like I should be doing something but at the same time I have no desire to do anything. Figure that one out!

Have you been having trouble concentrating or remembering things? My brain is like mush! Sometimes I think I have alzheimer's or dementia because I can't remember something or get confused easily (although I am blonde . This of course starts to make me panic and worry. I know it's from the Lex, because it all started the day I first reduced my dosage from 10 to 5mgs. AARRRGGHHH! Am I ever going to get better!

Anti-drugs

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by anti-drugs

Aeroman..that is exactly how I feel. I just want to be left alone in a quiet place and not be bothered. It's hard when you have to entertain family and take care of my 3 boys.

I had a lot of anxiety in months 4 & 5 and felt very disconnected to friends and family. I recently came back from a trip to Belize with my husband and a friend. I spent most of the time reading by the pool being very quiet. My husband spent time on the beach and spoke with friends.

I know what you mean about being restless. My mind is always racing and I feel very uneasy. I feel like I should be doing something but at the same time I have no desire to do anything. Figure that one out!

Have you been having trouble concentrating or remembering things? My brain is like mush! Sometimes I think I have alzheimer's or dementia because I can't remember something or get confused easily (although I am blonde . This of course starts to make me panic and worry. I know it's from the Lex, because it all started the day I first reduced my dosage from 10 to 5mgs. AARRRGGHHH! Am I ever going to get better!

Anti-drugs

Oh geez, I have to have my wife read your post...I am not alone!!!!!

"Have you been having trouble concentrating or remembering things?"

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm an engineer!!! 90% of our job is to think and trust me, I have been having trouble staying afloat at work.

Right now, as I type this, I feel uneasy, restless. I want to jump out of my body and be my old self again but better. I've had thoughts of suicide but never to act on them - i dont want to take my life, i just want it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am like disconnected with EVERYTHING...people, places....you know, depersonalization. I obsess about getting out of this rut. I come in here for reassurance all the time. I guess we're suppose to be seeing some windows of improvement soon...Month 6, here we come!

When was your last Lex pill?

[anti-drugs]

Aeroman,

My last pill was on Feb. 21,2008. I did a fast taper,per Dr.'s recommendation, and have been in Hell ever since. It frustrates me to think about how much of my life has been disrupted because of this horrible pill! It's even more frustrating to think it's going on 6 months and I'm still going through withdrawals.

I know what you mean about having to concentrate at work, my husband is an automation engineer and he completely relies on his brain for work. One little error and we could be sued for millions! He's lucky I'm not working for right now, we'd be in trouble :0)

Anti-drugs

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by anti-drugs

Aeroman,

My last pill was on Feb. 21,2008. I did a fast taper,per Dr.'s recommendation, and have been in Hell ever since. It frustrates me to think about how much of my life has been disrupted because of this horrible pill! It's even more frustrating to think it's going on 6 months and I'm still going through withdrawals.

I know what you mean about having to concentrate at work, my husband is an automation engineer and he completely relies on his brain for work. One little error and we could be sued for millions! He's lucky I'm not working for right now, we'd be in trouble :0)

Anti-drugs

Oh wow, I didnt know your last pill was back in Feb. Pretty close to mine...go figure. Yes, still in withdrawals. Initially, I dealt with the brain zaps, headaches everyone talks about. My March month was pretty cool. April was a great month but when the end of May was coming, oh man, I felt different. At first, I said, sure, I'll embrace it and get it over with. But come on, it's still lingering! Not one day, not one week, not one month but months! And who knows when this will all subside? I just kill time...thats all I have been doing. I'm not sure how you have been coping with this.

From the moment I open my eyes (4am ish) in the morning, I have a HARD time getting out of bed. I have no energy, no motivation. I get up a force myself to eat something...oh yeah, I have lost weight too. I was 254 lbs before stopping lexapro and now I am at 225. I drag myself to work, feeling edgy while driving. I dont enjoy the music on the radio, I just keep it on to remind me of my outside world because I have been doing a good job of focusing on myself. Who wouldn't? Its hard to explain it to anybody. When I get to work, I just surf the web to distract my mind. I get into engineering meetings and I pretend I am with the program. I get out and go home and lay on the floor, close my eyes. I cant nap. Well, I am just venting.

What can we do but wait and persevere? I'm not going to get back on another SSRI. Its going to be starting all over again. I'd rather suffer now and get it over with.

I take the fish oil but it does minimal effect. I just accept it for what it is right now. My garage is full of hobbies and its all collecting dust. I have friends that call me and I dont pick up because I dont feel like chatting about car swapmeets or etc.

I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Aeroman

Oh wow, I didnt know your last pill was back in Feb. Pretty close to mine...go figure. Yes, still in withdrawals. Initially, I dealt with the brain zaps, headaches everyone talks about. My March month was pretty cool. April was a great month but when the end of May was coming, oh man, I felt different. At first, I said, sure, I'll embrace it and get it over with. But come on, it's still lingering! Not one day, not one week, not one month but months! And who knows when this will all subside? I just kill time...thats all I have been doing. I'm not sure how you have been coping with this.

From the moment I open my eyes (4am ish) in the morning, I have a HARD time getting out of bed. I have no energy, no motivation. I get up a force myself to eat something...oh yeah, I have lost weight too. I was 254 lbs before stopping lexapro and now I am at 225. I drag myself to work, feeling edgy while driving. I dont enjoy the music on the radio, I just keep it on to remind me of my outside world because I have been doing a good job of focusing on myself. Who wouldn't? Its hard to explain it to anybody. When I get to work, I just surf the web to distract my mind. I get into engineering meetings and I pretend I am with the program. I get out and go home and lay on the floor, close my eyes. I cant nap. Well, I am just venting.

What can we do but wait and persevere? I'm not going to get back on another SSRI. Its going to be starting all over again. I'd rather suffer now and get it over with.

I take the fish oil but it does minimal effect. I just accept it for what it is right now. My garage is full of hobbies and its all collecting dust. I have friends that call me and I dont pick up because I dont feel like chatting about car swapmeets or etc.

I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Noni Juice will take away the not wanting to be around people feeling. The disonnected feeling. It has worked time after time. You may want to consider trying it.

aunty

[mims]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

Noni Juice will take away the not wanting to be around people feeling. The disonnected feeling. It has worked time after time. You may want to consider trying it.

aunty

Wow! Thanks for that information about Noni juice!

Someone on this message board recently complained about vision problems, but did not describe the problem.

Anybody else having VISION problems? I've had some visual symptoms while on Lexapro, and while tapering, and I'm still having some problems.

Swirling blackness when my eyes are closed - I don't know how else to describe that, but it has improved now that I'm off the drug. Also, light flashes. Some of the light flashes were connected with the brain zaps, but some are actually in my eye. Droopy eyelids. Less sharp vision (I'm nearsighted). I have already been examined by several opthalmologists this year, including a retina specialist, who said my retina is not causing the light flashes.

Is anybody else having these problems?

[anti-drugs]

Hi just a quick update. I saw my psychiatrist today and mentioned my anxiety and memory problems. She said "You can't still be going through withdrawals after 6 months" BS! I told her about this forum and she just smiled. Anyway she prescribed me a new vitamin for memory and brain function. It's called Animi-3. It's available by prescription. I haven't tried it yet, my pharmacy has to order it. I'll let everyone know how it works as soon as I start it. I just thought you might like to know.

Thanks,
Anti-Drugs

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by anti-drugs

Hi just a quick update. I saw my psychiatrist today and mentioned my anxiety and memory problems. She said "You can't still be going through withdrawals after 6 months" BS! I told her about this forum and she just smiled. Anyway she prescribed me a new vitamin for memory and brain function. It's called Animi-3. It's available by prescription. I haven't tried it yet, my pharmacy has to order it. I'll let everyone know how it works as soon as I start it. I just thought you might like to know.

Thanks,
Anti-Drugs

Oh geez, I knew they wouldnt believe you. Thats why I havent called mine. He'll tell me the same thing.

Are you still feeling restlessness (edgy), depression, and/or anxiety? These are my biggest complaints. The memory ones are just part of the package. I woke up this morning not wanting to get out of bed. I am close in calling the doc to clear this up but I wont.

[mims]

Originally Posted by mims

Wow! Thanks for that information about Noni juice!

Someone on this message board recently complained about vision problems, but did not describe the problem.

Anybody else having VISION problems? I've had some visual symptoms while on Lexapro, and while tapering, and I'm still having some problems.

Swirling blackness when my eyes are closed - I don't know how else to describe that, but it has improved now that I'm off the drug. Also, light flashes. Some of the light flashes were connected with the brain zaps, but some are actually in my eye. Droopy eyelids. Less sharp vision (I'm nearsighted). I have already been examined by several opthalmologists this year, including a retina specialist, who said my retina is not causing the light flashes.

Is anybody else having these problems?

If anybody else is having vision problems due to Lexapro or withdrawal from Lexapro, please post your experience. Thanks.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by Aeroman

Oh geez, I knew they wouldnt believe you. Thats why I havent called mine. He'll tell me the same thing.

Are you still feeling restlessness (edgy), depression, and/or anxiety? These are my biggest complaints. The memory ones are just part of the package. I woke up this morning not wanting to get out of bed. I am close in calling the doc to clear this up but I wont.

Hey, I know you are having a very difficult time and, I also know that you don't realy want to add anything to what you already take but, Passion flower WILL absolutely help with the anxiety and edginess. It will also help you sleep better at night and I know you have had trouble with sleep. The passion flower comes standardized as capsules or you can buy drops. It cost about $6.00 a bottle. My pharmacist even re-searched it thouroghly for me just so that I could be sure. (I was doubting my own judgement at the time) All 3 pharmacisits who work at my pharmacy concluded that it was safe and beneficial for me to take....I think you should give it a try...All you have to loose is $6.00. The Noni juice Aunty reccomends also works very well, besides it taste great and is very good for you, chock full of vitamins and nutrients...You can even get the Noni at wal-mart and neither one will interact with your BP meds...You are still taking med's for blood pressure right?...Just my oppinion....Peace....Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by mims

If anybody else is having vision problems due to Lexapro or withdrawal from Lexapro, please post your experience. Thanks.

Vision abnormalities are quite common while tapering and even after quiting lexapro. The worst of which is vertigo. There have been many people in the past post with these problems. For myself, I had difficulty being able to focus like my eyes wanted to wander. Eyes felt droopy, peripheral vision seemed like it was unstable or wavy. Photophobia (light sensativity) is also common and I know many who have had or do have this. I did read an interesting theory written by a prominent neurologist which suggests that the vision abnormalities and brain zaps are caused from a type of silent migraine (silent in that you don't neccesarily FEEL the headache just the neuro effects of it) brought on by changes taking place in the brain as it adjusts to not taking the meds or reduced dose of the med...Thus far, this is only in the theory stage but, re-search on said theory has begun....It makes total sence to me but then, I have suffered migraines for 18 yrs...Who knows.
Anyway, the vision stuff is common and normal even for discontinuing SSRI med's....Rest assured that your vision is fine and it will correct itself...How long that will take I cannot say, as, we are all different...Peace...Erin

[mims]

Thanks, Erin. I have worried about my vision, but I am tired of going to doctors with strange complaints; I was considering going to a 4th eye doctor! Of course it's encouraging that nobody can find anything wrong with me. I have felt like my eyes do not converge or focus together properly, which is very tiring, and my eyelid is actually drooping, which may or may not be related to the drug. Time will tell, I guess, since I have been drug-free for 3 weeks now, and I will never take Lexapro again.

The flashes can be an indication of detached retina, especially in a nearsighted person, so I had to have that checked out.

I was also having wavy, shimmery peripheral vison which I noticed only at night in a low light. It never occurred to me that it may have been related to Lexapro until you mentioned your peripheral vision problems!!

I actually have a physician in my family who has been telling me that alot of my problems are probably migraine-related, without the headache.

So, I'm going to try to find some Noni juice and think positive thoughts. Thank you very much for the reassuring information.