☼ getofflex: weaning of Lexapro

[Emonda]

4 hours ago, getofflex said:

My husband suspects it's related to sinus and inner ear.

 

Hi Getofflex,

Hubby may well be right - sinus and inner ear issues can certainly cause the symptoms you mentioned. When I read your post, my first thought was, do you have a virus/infection?

 

I'm certainly not trying to dismiss your concerns. It'd be good to see if the doctor finds any sign of infection.

 

Wishing you well 

[mstimc]

9 minutes ago, Emonda said:

 

Hi Getofflex,

Hubby may well be right - sinus and inner ear issues can certainly cause the symptoms you mentioned. When I read your post, my first thought was, do you have a virus/infection?

 

I'm certainly not trying to dismiss your concerns. It'd be good to see if the doctor finds any sign of infection.

 

Wishing you well 

That's what came to my mind as well.  My ears get plugged easily due to seasonal allergies, and I have bouts of dizziness. My blood pressure is also at the low end, so if I'm on my knees pulling weeds for a prolonged period, I get lightheaded when I stand.  Occasionally, I get bouts that last a day, which may also be related to inner ear crystals that come loose from my middle/inner ear. 

[arbor]

Hi @getofflex I think the Mgus is a long shot.*  Even if you have developed a marker for it, the chances are overwhelming that you won't progress to a cancerous blood disorder.  I'm glad I had mine checked (at the beginning of w/d) as now my hematologist monitors it for developments toward nonhodgkin's disease or multiple myeloma.  The important thing right now is to catch these very early.  Also dietary changes which I'm making right now as new information comes out, may help in keeping it from developing.  Some studies link Mgus to chemical exposure, as well as increasing age.  There are even some showing high odds with antidepressant use.**  Since many of the Mgus symtoms mimic w/d symptoms, I wonder at the overlap:  parethesias, vision problems, iron and thyroid issues, stabbing pains, hip pain, dizziness, high cortisol, broken sleep, etc.  I also wonder if Mgus has a bearing on PAWS.  I hope this is helpful even if your dizziness is caused by other things.

All my best to you!  You've come such a long way🕊️

Arbor

 

*  A non cancerous blood disorder that rarely develops into serious blood cancers.

 

** An example:

The risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was elevated by 40 percent with the use of fluoxetine, although the 95 percent confidence interval included one (ASOR = 1.4, 95 percent CI: 0.8, 2.4). No pattern was observed with duration of any antidepressant medication use and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk (table 4).Sep 15, 2004

Antidepressant Medication Use and Non-Hodgkin's ...

 

[getofflex]

Thanks @Happy2Healfor all the information.  I will look it over soon.  I'm seeing the doctor this morning for my yearly checkup and will mention it to him.  

[getofflex]

18 hours ago, Emonda said:

I'm certainly not trying to dismiss your concerns. It'd be good to see if the doctor finds any sign of infection.

Thanks, Emonda.  I didn't feel you were dismissing my concerns - I too suspect sinus issues. 

[getofflex]

18 hours ago, mstimc said:

My ears get plugged easily due to seasonal allergies, and I have bouts of dizziness.

Thanks mst.  I also have chronic allergies and sinus issues. 

[getofflex]

17 hours ago, arbor said:

All my best to you!  You've come such a long way🕊️

Arbor

Thank you Arbor!  I sincerely hope that you are feeling better.  

[getofflex]

Well the doctor also thinks my dizziness is caused by sinus trouble (allergies).  He suggested Flonase and Claritin.  I'll try one at a time, in low doses.  

[brassmonkey]

My favorite "cure" for allergies was to run a swimming pool through my nose. I would go swimming and allow the water to clear things out. Worked really well. In a less active vain, saline spray really helps. I found Claritin to be too activation and avoid it.

[Onmyway]

Hi @getofflex

dizziness sucks - I get it often as well - in my case also due to dysautonomia. Are you hydrated enough? That helps cope with it for me. 

In terms of allergies - there are a few things to do beyond medicines. It is important to be tested for allergies to find the culprit especially if it is constant and change your environment, whenever feasible, rather than yourself. In my youth I developed asthma as a result of allergies and my awesome GP at the time did this for me instead of just giving me an antihistamine. Once you identify the allergen - in my case it was a specific kind of prevalent mold, you can do things to prevent it. Dust mite allergies are much harder but even they can be alleviated through removing carpets, encasing bedding in allergy proof casings, air purifiers etc. And if you are allergic to stuff outside - then you can do things like wash your hair when you get inside, use an N-95 mask when you are outside etc. 

 

Regarding the meds - Flonase is a corticosteroid which can, in theory, create agitation but in my experience, pre-withdrawal did not, perhaps because the dose is so low when applied topically.  

 

In terms of the antihistamines - Allegra (fexofenadine) is less sedating than Claritin (loratadine). That means that it occupies less of the H1 receptors in the brain. It is not necessarily the same as not impacting the brain as much - they all cross the blood brain barrier. But if Claritin gives you symptoms, then you might want to try Allegra (both are over the counter). 

 

Hope you start feeling better soon, 

OMW

 

[getofflex]

Hi @Onmyway.  Yes, I drink plenty of fluids.  The good news is, the dizziness is completely gone!  I believe I had a respiratory virus that was affecting my inner ear.  While I had the dizziness, I also had other respiratory symptoms. So, I won't be taking the drugs the doctor suggested.  

 

I was tested for allergies years ago, and had an allergy to dust.  I got allergy shots for that.  Thanks for the help and support.  

[Rosetta]

Hi, Getofflex,

 

(not Onmyway, I’m gonna put on my dunce hat now, lol)

 

I’m happy to hear that you are feeling better!  How scary to feel dizzy, but, yep, sinus issues can cause it.  So glad that has subsided for you.  
 

Take care,

🧚🏻‍♀️Rosetta

[getofflex]

I'm currently being affected by the transition from winter to spring.  Last night, I was in a full on wave.  A couple of times I was about to fall asleep, then was awakened by a burst of adrenaline.  Thankfully, the rest I had this afternoon helped, and I'm feeling a bit better.  Every year, I go into a wave at this time.   It's giving me a chance to use my coping skills - acceptance, CBT stuff (like telling myself this is only temporary, this too shall pass, etc), prayer and spiritual life, forest bathing and walks outside, and just taking it slow and being gentle with myself.  

 

Tomorrow is a big day, the original plan was to accompany hubby while we go get taxes done with 3 friends of ours, and then meet for lunch with 7 other people.  I'm probably going to just stay home, and let him go without me, unless I feel a lot better tomorrow.  That's quite a lot of stimulation for my CNS to deal with. 

 

Fortunately the dizziness completely resolved almost a week ago.  I suspect a respiratory virus that affected my inner ear.  

 

I'm very thankful for this site, for all the support and validation and information here!  

Edited March 6 by getofflex

[getofflex]

Hello.  I was out of town from March 24 - 30 with my younger son and husband.  My younger son had a cold on the trip.  Unfortunately, I caught his cold the day after we got back from the trip.  It got very severe.  I didn't realize one could get this sick from a cold.  On day 10 of the cold, it went into a secondary bacterial infection in the respiratory system, and I also got a UTI.  So, now I've been on Cefdinir for 3 days.  It is working, and thankfully, it's not aggravating my WD. I believe the stress from the trip, which caused lack of sleep, plus 2 eleven hour drives in 6 days, was too much for me.  I won't be doing that again.  We did have some good times on the trip, so not all was lost.  I'm going to just be staying close to home for a good long time! 

 

We are having some beautiful spring days here - I've got greens in my garden, birds singing, things leafing out and blooming!  I love spring!  

[BaccatePlayer]

Sorry about your cold being so intense. You have a very good mindset and with some rest your health will catch up to it. Best wishes!

[mstimc]

2 hours ago, getofflex said:

I believe the stress from the trip, which caused lack of sleep, plus 2 eleven hour drives in 6 days, was too much for me.

Stress and being in an enclosed space for a long time is the perfect recipe for getting sick. And there does seem to be an unusually severe cold bug making the rounds. But glad to hear you're on the mend!

[Emonda]

On 4/13/2024 at 4:18 AM, getofflex said:

It got very severe.  I didn't realize one could get this sick from a cold.

 

I'm sorry to read you've been really unwell, getofflex. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

 

On 4/13/2024 at 4:18 AM, getofflex said:

plus 2 eleven hour drives in 6 days, was too much for me.  I won't be doing that again.

 

It takes it out of you. I did that late last year—two 12-hour drives in the space of a week. Be kind to yourself.

 

On 4/13/2024 at 4:18 AM, getofflex said:

We are having some beautiful spring days here - I've got greens in my garden, birds singing, things leafing out and blooming!  I love spring!

 

That sounds beautiful. It's autumn here, and at times, it feels like summer, although I did need a jumper for the first time just the other day.

[gentlehermione]

On 4/12/2024 at 8:18 PM, getofflex said:

 I didn't realize one could get this sick from a cold.  On day 10 of the cold, it went into a secondary bacterial infection in the respiratory system

Hi @getofflex

 

Indeed! I had the same experience a year ago and felt deathly ill. 
 

Hope you feel better soon 🥰

[Onmyway]

On 4/12/2024 at 7:18 PM, getofflex said:

Hello.  I was out of town from March 24 - 30 with my younger son and husband.  My younger son had a cold on the trip.  Unfortunately, I caught his cold the day after we got back from the trip.  It got very severe.  I didn't realize one could get this sick from a cold.  On day 10 of the cold, it went into a secondary bacterial infection in the respiratory system, and I also got a UTI.  So, now I've been on Cefdinir for 3 days.  It is working, and thankfully, it's not aggravating my WD. I believe the stress from the trip, which caused lack of sleep, plus 2 eleven hour drives in 6 days, was too much for me.  I won't be doing that again.  We did have some good times on the trip, so not all was lost.  I'm going to just be staying close to home for a good long time! 

I meant to reply to this last week and time went away from me. I am so glad you are feeling a bit better @getofflex. Colds can be really hard. I had a sequence of Covid and flu earlier in the year and it knocked me down substantially. And the colds this year have been brutal - some schools closed here for a week because the colds were so harsh. Some people are still coughing from colds they got around New Years. They call it the 100 day cough. So pls don't beat yourself up for doing something that caused you a cold. It was likely inevitable if you ever see people.  Hopefully with spring the bugs should be gone. 

 

Sending you warm hugs, 

OMW

[Ariel]

Hi getofflex,

So sorry to hear of your recent bout of infectious illness. Sending best wishes for ongoing recovery. 

I have not been able to participate on SA but think of you often and am so thankful for all you contribute.

How amazing that you have been off psych drugs for almost 2 years! What a remarkable achievement.  

With love and gratitude, get well soon,

A.

 

[getofflex]

Thank you @Emondafor your support!  It means a lot to me.  I'm still recovering.  I am able to do some physical things, but have to pace myself.  

 

@gentlehermioneI'm sorry to hear that you got that sick, too.  

 

@Onmywaythanks so much for letting me know that the colds have been brutal this year, and reminding me not to blame myself!  That helps a lot.  

 

@Ariel It's wonderful to see you! I can't believe I've been off almost 2 years.  

 

I'm still in protracted WD.  Every so often, a nasty wave hits me, like it did Monday - severe insomnia, agitation, anxiety, and major neuro emotions!  Crying spells all morning.  Wow.  Thankfully this wave didn't last long, only a day.  I may have overdone the physical activity, so now I'm being more careful to pace myself.  

[Dee12h]

On 4/24/2024 at 2:26 PM, getofflex said:

.  

 

I'm still in protracted WD.  Every so often, a nasty wave hits me, like it did Monday - severe insomnia, agitation, anxiety, and major neuro emotions!  Crying spells all morning.  Wow.  Thankfully this wave didn't last long, only a day.  I may have overdone the physical activity, so now I'm being more careful to pace myself.  

Wow, seems so unfair given how slowly you went. I’m glad your windows seem really short now.