Alice1: Lexapro withdrawal

[Alice1]

@Altostrata@brassmonkey

Hey guys, I went impatient this weekend and was put on Depakote, Abilify, and ativan .  I really want to drop the Abilify . I have only taken 5- 5mg tablets . Can I just stop or should I do some kind of taper ?  

Jeff

[ryan1982]

Everything ok, Jeff? Thinking about you, man. 

[Alice1]

@ryan1982

Almost lost the game last weekend .. 

 

[Daisygirlsk]

18 hours ago, Alice1 said:

@Altostrata@brassmonkey

Hey guys, I went impatient this weekend and was put on Depakote, Abilify, and ativan .  I really want to drop the Abilify . I have only taken 5- 5mg tablets . Can I just stop or should I do some kind of taper ?  

Jeff

Please be careful with ativan when you have akathisia it can go paradoxical very quickly.

[Altostrata]

20 hours ago, Alice1 said:

@Altostrata@brassmonkey

Hey guys, I went impatient this weekend and was put on Depakote, Abilify, and ativan .  I really want to drop the Abilify . I have only taken 5- 5mg tablets . Can I just stop or should I do some kind of taper ?  

Jeff

 

Hi, @Alice1 Why did you go to the hospital?

 

Why those 3 drugs? Did you ask your doctors if all the drugs were absolutely necessary? 

[ryan1982]

19 hours ago, Alice1 said:

@ryan1982

Almost lost the game last weekend .. 

 

I’m sorry, bud. Thinking about you and here for support if you need to vent. 

[Alice1]

@Altostrata

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Why did you go to the hospital?

After I got covid my anxiety kept building and building and wouldn't stop . I've been doing this for 5 years and I can say with all honesty that I had no idea what was happening . Then I got the PGAD like symptoms and the depression was enough to check into the hospital.  I absolutely had to make a decision. Go to the hospital or end my life..

 

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Why those 3 drugs? Did you ask your doctors if all the drugs were absolutely necessary?

I went in telling them I couldn't tolerate SSRI's and they brought up TCA's. I also refused TCA's . I told them my anxiety was out of control and I needed something gentle to calm my system down . I told him my whole story. It basically came down to life or death . I keep thinking to myself if medication gave me a 2% chance of survival then that was better than what I had without medication. I still am baffled why my anxiety got so crazy so quick . 

 

Anyways , I have a friend who calmed his body down on Depakote. Since it's an anticonvulsant (like Lamictal) I figured I'd try it .  I was getting psychosis type feelings during this time so I think that's why they wanted Abilify 5mg .  I was complaining of acute anxiety during the day 11-5pm so they wanted me to add ativan twice a  day but I'm going PRN, if at all .. 

 

I don't like being on the AP but it appears it's working . I still might want to drop it but since its working I figure I have to taper even if it's only been 6 days .  5mg is the lowest dose . There's a dose of 1 and 2 mg made for children .  

[Altostrata]

What times o'clock do you take your drugs, with their dosages?

 

Good to hear you're feeling better. It's probably the benzo.

 

Sure, you can drop the Abilify. If you continue Depakote, you're going to have to get liver function tests and CBC with differential every few months. It can cause liver failure.

 

Please be advised if you go to the hospital, chances are high you'll go home on a psychiatric drug cocktail. We provide support for going off drugs, not to straighten out polypharmacy. Before you volunteer for a drug cocktail, you should ask your prescribers how they help you go off later. Please report any adverse effects to them, not to us.

[ChessieCat]

Further to what Alto has posted above, it is also a very good idea to do you own research about possible side effects of drugs and also do a drug interaction check for the drug/s you are taking and what is suggested.

 

Drug.com Interactions Checker

Medscape Drug Interaction Checker

[JesusSavemefromWD]

I am so sorry for what you have been going through due to lexapro and kidney set back. I unfortunately understand your suffering cause I have the same symptoms after just a short term use of Zoloft. I admire your strength and grace going through this torture. All I can do is stay in bed and pray and hope we ll heal one day. God bless you 

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

How are you holding up now?

[Alice1]

@brassmonkey

Hey Tom,

I had to get on 1000mg of Depakote to try and stabilize after a huge wave brought on by covid and other things . My plan is to stabilize and taper . Can you guide me in this ?

Jeff

[brassmonkey]

Sorry Jeff, but I'm currently dealing with my own issues and having to take a break from helping others.

[Alice1]

@Altostrata

Hi Alto,

Ok, I realize I made a big mistake going inpatient and getting on 3 drugs. I have discontinued the Ativan and Abilify. I only took them for 4-5 days. I am still on the Depakote ER 1000mg and have been for 3.5 weeks. I read the page "Tips for tapering Depakote" but I'm a little confused about tapering 1000mg of ER that I've only been on for a 3.5 weeks. I have 500mg pills. 

 

All the side effects such as cramps, nausea, and aches are gone but when I take the dose at 10 PM about an hour or so later I get a surge in anxiety . I have anxiety all day anyway so this is nothing new . I sleep very well . I think my own mind is getting in the way but I'd rather be med free again . My PGAD does seem better from taking Depakote but I've read it's a waves windows thing anyway, medication or not. 

 

Hopefully I'll be meeting a Pdoc soon and hopefully he can assist me in slowly getting off Depakote. 

 

Can the Depakote sprinkles be taken with Depakote ER ?

 

 

[ChessieCat]

56 minutes ago, Alice1 said:

I read the page "Tips for tapering Depakote" but I'm a little confused about tapering 1000mg of ER that I've only been on for a 3.5 weeks. I have 500mg pills. 

 

From Post #1 of the above topic:

  

On 1/31/2013 at 12:06 PM, Altostrata said:

 

Taper using a combination of tablets or Depakote Sprinkles capsules

Drugs come in a range of tablets or capsule strengths -- unfortunately, what's available by prescription is usually not adequate for gradual tapering.

 

One might combine tablets, capsules, and parts of tablets and capsules to provide those interim dosages. We have several people successfully tapering Depakote by using Depakote Sprinkles capsules.

 

 

[Altostrata]

Please include your last round of drugs in your signature.

 

You didn't respond to this, either.

On 12/26/2021 at 6:00 PM, Altostrata said:

What times o'clock do you take your drugs, with their dosages?

 

The staff needs answers to questions so we can best advise you.

 

You're on the border of withdrawal risk. You might try a 10% reduction in Depakote using sprinkles or split tablets. Depending on how this affects you, you might be able to do this every week. 

 

It's very frustrating for us to help you go off drugs if you're going to get yourself re-medicated.

[Alice1]

@Altostrata

 Ok , I'm trying . No more re-medicating .

I take 1000mg ER at 9pm every night. 

Looks like I wont be able to see a PDoc for at least two weeks to try and get sprinkles or split tablets . You can take those with Extended Release right or would I have to completely change the pills over ? 

 

I'm very unstable at the moment. Akathisia and Anxiety. But I can breathe and keep calm.  Just for the record .

 

 

[Altostrata]

You can't divide a 1000mg Depakote ER tablet. You'll have to get a prescription for 1000mg per day in a smaller tablet, probably 500mg, and the rest in sprinkles so you can taper them.

[Alice1]

On 1/18/2022 at 7:05 PM, Altostrata said:

You might try a 10% reduction in Depakote using sprinkles or split tablets. Depending on how this affects you, you might be able to do this every week. 

 

@Altostrata Hi Alto,

Is this 10% as in a 10 week taper or 10% of current dose (as in 50+ weeks) ?  Just making sure . I'm not sure if it's the same as AD's . 

[Altostrata]

It can be many months of 10% decreases, calculated on the last dosage. After a month on 1000mg, you are at risk for withdrawal.

[Alice1]

@Altostrata

Hi Alto,

On Tuesday I see a P-doc to try and get smaller pills to begin this Depakote taper.  I wanted to ask your opinion if I might . First I completely zapped my CNS going to the hospital and getting on Abilify and Depakote. I stopped the Abilify after 5 days but continued the Depakote.  It seemed like the Depakote was sedating at first , however now when I take 1000mg at night I get full blown anxiety and high stimulation. After about 3 hours it calms down enough to where I can get to sleep . When I wake up I am riddled with anxiety, akathisia, and severe trembling, which I had before but now it's more pronounced . 

 

It does seem like Depakote is doing something it's not supposed to do .  Does this sound like a adverse reaction and if so should somebody experiencing this consider getting off Depakote rapidly ?  I have only been on 1000mg for 7 weeks .

 

Jeff 

[Altostrata]

It looks to me like the 1000mg Depakote dosage is too high, you're getting a paradoxical reaction after it ramps up over a few hours. This is a type of adverse reaction.

 

Did you report this to your prescriber? If you intend to continue treatment, adjusting the dosage is your prescriber's responsibility, not ours.

[Shashal]

Hi Alice,

 

for early morning Akathisia you can try some L-Theanine.

 

And sometimes clonidine or propranolol helps me.

 

Now my Akathisia getting worse due to my stupid supplement intake (Curcumin), now I fight for it every day!

[bheb]

Alice I'm so sorry to read of your setback. How are you now?

[Alice1]

On 4/9/2022 at 6:21 PM, bheb said:

Alice I'm so sorry to read of your setback. How are you now?

 

Hey Bheb 

I'll be honest, I'm not doing well at all . Somehow I'm functioning. How are you ?

[Alice1]

@Altostrata

Hi Alto ,

Well After 2 months of trying to find the sweet spot for my Depakote ER treatment I've landed in tough spot. Since we last spoke we both thought that 1000mg was too much as I was getting restlessness reactions about 2-3 hours after dosing .  My Pdoc lowered the dose to 750mg and it helped a little but it was still happening along with tremors. We then went to 625 a month later. 4 weeks after lowering to 625mg I have entered an acute WD unlike anything I've ever experienced. So basically we lowered my dose from 1000 to 625 in 5 weeks where I held at 625 for 4 weeks.     * 500mg ER + 125mg DR * 

 

*My Pdoc FINALLY agreed to prescribe me sprinkles (that was a very difficult sale) but I certainly have to hold until I reach some sort of stability first.* 

 

9am  Wake up - Moderate anxiety

!0am shower - Moderate anxiety and dread 

11am lay in bed and read  - Severe anxiety/Akathisia creeping in .

12pm Work - Severe anxiety/panic/restlessness/Depression

3pm Work - Anxiety/panic/restlessness decrease somewhat

6pm Home - Anxiety/Akathisia ramp up again 

7pm Dinner - Anxiety of some kind, whether its Akathsia/Restlessness/Anxiety symptoms like DR DP Headache (everyday is different) 

8pm Depakote 625mg - *One 500mg ER and One 125mg DR* ( Pdoc will prescribe sprinkle when I'm ready ) 

10pm Computer / Read / Youtube / Hang out with my kid / whatever I can do to past time. symptoms Quiet down but not completely.

12pm Bed - Fall asleep for an hour then wake up . Take me about an hour to get back to sleep for 6-7 hours. Very minimal symptoms. Some depression.

 

I'm just checking in . You told me about tapering with sprinkles early on, but I was concentrating on the assumption we both came to that I was taking too much and working with Pdoc to adjust dosage. 

 

Unless you have any suggestions, I guess all I can do is hold on 625mg and wait for the symptoms to subside some before tapering with sprinkles. It's been 4 weeks on 625mg .  I'm pretty darn bad right now. I feel like a benzo CT.  I suppose I could go back up on Depakote but if there's a chance things will settle (even if it takes 6 months) I would rather Hold .

I don't know . Like I said, I'm kinda just checking in ..

 

Jeff 

[Altostrata]

On 4/23/2022 at 2:47 AM, Alice1 said:

It's been 4 weeks on 625mg .  I'm pretty darn bad right now. I feel like a benzo CT.

 

What are these symptoms??

[Alice1]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

 

What are these symptoms??

@Altostrata

Basically the intense fear and terror feelings. Severe Anxiety .

Severe agitation and trembling . Akathisia ( Just started Propranolol )

I get intrusive thoughts about something terrible happening to my loved ones.

Really bad depression.

Aches and pains everywhere on my body .

My nerves feel like they are on fire sometimes.

Mental fog , can't concentrate .

Depersonalization.

An overall sense of darkness and doom that's constantly hovering over my head.

I just don't feel like I'm in the same world as my family. I'm not hearing voices or seeing things but I feel detached from reality . 

 

[Altostrata]

Do you intend to continue treatment with Depakote, or are you planning to go off altogether?

[Alice1]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Do you intend to continue treatment with Depakote, or are you planning to go off altogether?

@Altostrata

I do intend to go off altogether. I want to be drug free and use natural coping for my anxiety.  

 

I got on Depakote because for some reason Covid made my Akathisia go through the roof. I have reason to believe it was just a wave and if the pdoc at hospital just gave me propranolol I would've been fine . 

 

Bottom line , I want to be drug free and heal, but if I need to taper over months and years with long holds so be it . 

[Altostrata]

What times of day are the symptoms better or worse? Did you ever take Depakote twice a day?

[Alice1]

@Altostrata

My symptoms are always at their worst in the morning . Typically I'll wake up, get in shower, then I'll lay back down for 45 minutes. This is the point of the day where my symptoms are at their worst. However, I still have to acknowledge that my symptoms are all over the place . 

 

It seems like I get a break from mid to late afternoon, then around early evening they ramp up again but not like the early part of the day. 

 

Late even is when my symptoms are most tolerable, but not always. still nothing like the early part of the day . 

 

I've never taken Depakote twice a day .  **I still get a slight rush of anxiety and stimulation when I take it at 8 o'clock but only sometimes, not all the time. ** 

 

I'd like to note that my entire 6 year journey seems to follow this pattern . Possibly cortisol ?? However, this wave is the worst .  

[Altostrata]

2 hours ago, Alice1 said:

**I still get a slight rush of anxiety and stimulation when I take it at 8 o'clock but only sometimes, not all the time. ** 

 

As explained earlier, this indicates a paradoxical reaction from TOO MUCH Depakote.

 

Suggest you gradually move 125mg DR an hour earlier each day until you are taking it at 2 p.m. Please post daily notes of your symptom pattern, 24 hours at a time, while you do this.

[Alice1]

4/30/22

 

10 am - Wake up. Feeling mostly calm.

!0:15 am - Shower. Thoughts start to generate. What if's- How long - This sucks etc .

10:45 am - Lay back down in bed . Cortisol starts building and building. Akathisia starts poking through. 

11:30 am - Get ready for work . Moment alone burns off cortisol but still miserable . 

12 pm - Work. Anxiety/Akathisia/Fear/Terror  7/10 

1 pm - Work. Crippling severe anxiety feeling. Body super revved up .  ** This always happens at this time, even before Depakote ** 

2 pm - Akathisia/Anxiety/fear/terror start to diminish  3-4/10 

4 pm - Inner trembling that's painful. 

6 pm - Home. Inner trembling and Intrusive thoughts/ despair feeling 

7 pm - 125mg Depakote DR - Make dinner - Inner trembling 

8 pm - 500mg Depakote ER - Eat Dinner while watching Youtube .  Inner trembling and fear somewhat subsided with waves . Quick bouts of Akathisia flailing .

9 pm - Intense butterflies in stomach feeling . Anxiety with brief bouts of dizziness. Quick bouts of Akathisia flailing .

10 pm - More butterflies, less anxiety, inner trembling again .

11 pm - butterflies settle down, body starts to settle down slightly.

12pm - Bed. Symptoms almost gone. able to sleep 7-8 hours .  

[Altostrata]

Thank you for those excellent notes. Splitting the dose may resolve some of those unpleasant symptoms.

[Alice1]

5/1/22 - **Day off. Slept in** 

11 am - Wake up . Akathisia / Waves of depression .

12 pm - Shower.  Cortisol building. Restlessness and Anxiety/Akathisia

1 pm - Lay back down. Previous symptoms seem a little calmer.

2 pm - Take daughter to goodwill . Severe anxiety and agitation.

4 pm - Take dog to park. Severe Akathisia. Not life threatening but very concerning . 

5 pm - Sit on porch. Severe Akathisia . I am able to sit but it hurts so bad.

6 pm - 125mg Depakote. Make dinner. Eat . Severe inner trembling that's painful.

7 pm - Sit on porch. Severe agitation and inner trembling. Despair.

8 pm - 500mg Depakote. Moderate Akathisia flailing, inner trembling.

9 pm - Take daughter to get food. Symptoms calm for first time all day .

10 pm - Severe anxiety with odd head sensations .

12 am - Bed. symptoms calm . sleep well 8 hours .

 

Note.. Sundays are always my worst . 

 

@Altostrata

Is it safe to say I'm dealing with a lot of Depakote WD on top of everything else? (setback 15 months ago, covid, original ssri wd) .

Also, in your opinion, can I take propranolol as needed or should I take it consistantly ? I read where @Shep mentioned to someone about kindling from propranolol I think ,