BuffaloBro: Looking to share my story as I go

[BuffaloBro]

Hello Everyone!

 

I started Lexapro 10mg a year ago after what I would describe as a Major Life situation that occurred about 2 years ago. Yes that is right... I went 1 whole year without support of medication or support and things finally caught up to me. 

 

Starting Symptoms (Why I Started Lexapro 10mg 1 year ago):
Low Energy, Depressed Mood (everything felt like moving a mountain including moving small bits of paper :) ), feelings of Anxiety.

 

Where I am now:

I am removed from the Life Situation and have processed it (all 25 years of it). I am receiving emotional guidance from a therapist. I am working on my support group (recently moved away from my home town so this will take time). I am in a good place except for what I am trying to work on with quitting my SSRI.

 

Why I want to stop:
I suspected a year ago low testosterone was actually to blame for my symptoms but my Dr. didn't want to treat it even after my blood tests confirmed the issue. Instead he started me on Lexapro which I believe helped me get through the tough situation and keep me productive. However, this didn't treat what I believe was my underlying cause of my problems. My life situation essentially was years of External stress which I believe finally caught up to me and messed with my body's ability to make sex hormones. I found a Dr. who is treating my low T (2 months now) and I want to remove Lexapro and see what my new normal is. Perhaps I will no longer require an SSRI to treat my symptoms.

 

ALSO... While on Lexapro, I experience Muted Emotions both good and bad. I want to experience life to the fullest and at this point in time, I feel I need to get off the medication.

 

 

Symptoms I feel as I start to decrease my medication:
1. Light Headed (Drunk Like)
2. Brain Fog
3. Brain Fog + Minor Panic Attack (low heart rate but feeling of panic)
4. Headaches
5. Stomach discomfort and diarrhea 

6. Vision artifacts. (A weird green/red/pink/purple haze that is almost always there, but increases and decreases intensity at random)

 

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, BuffaloBro.  I'm glad you found your way here at the beginning of your taper.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  Please be sure to include when you started your taper of Lexapro and the rate at which you are tapering.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

At SA we recommend a taper of no more than 10% of current son every four weeks.  Some members have to taper more slowly.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

The following link provides information specific to tapering Lexapro, including how to make the nonstandard doses you will need as you taper.

 

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

 

To help you understand the symptoms you are experiencing, here is some information on withdrawal.  The withdrawal time doesn't necessarily correlate with the time you were on the drug.  These drugs alter the architecture of the brain, and the time necessary to heal the brain and return to homeostasis is, unfortunately, impossible to predict.  The symptoms you have listed are typical withdrawal symptoms.

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

 The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

The vast majority of doctors, including psychiatrists, know nothing of withdrawal or the importance of a slow taper.  Generally they will recommend a taper that is far too fast for the brain and central nervous system to handle.

 

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

 

This is your introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community.  I hope you’ll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation.  I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but I am glad that you found us.