Heath: Lexapro taper plan introduction

[Heath]

Yes a close family member had a heart attack he is fine now. and said anxiety is tough for a year at least . And many other things. 
so I was having some wd symptoms before heart attack. 
 

[Heath]

I guess I need to sign off here for a while. 
I have noticed scrolling Amazon , FB, or anything screentime brings thumping in my chest. 
But I do love the encouragement here on SA!

like I said distraction works real good which means focusing too much on this makes it worse. 

[StayHopeful]

@Heath

 

Everything seems to flare up when we're ill, doesn't it? It's good you're feeling a little better and more hopeful. So glad for you that the morning panic has abated!! Yay! As for the rest, you've got a lot of good tools in that toolbox of yours and you're still hanging in there regardless of anything withdrawal has thrown at you - always remember that 💪👍!

 

5 hours ago, Heath said:

I also have been doing more outside in shop . 

That's great! Finding stuff to do, and being busy, makes it so much easier to not think about withdrawal and just get on with things. That has saved my sanity more than a few times. I checked out the Calm app, I'm too stingy to pay for it, but I've listened to a few of the free options on it. I'll keep checking it out. Thanks again for the recommendation😊

 

[Heath]

Thank you again Stayhopeful!
y’all are so good and encouraging to me when I really need it!
 

So I am taking cefdinir antibiotic for infection and got an antibiotic shot rocephin . With all the anxiety and waking earlier past few days I am wondering if these antibiotics could be part of the issue? 

[StayHopeful]

@Heath

The only way to know for sure, is if your symptoms go away after you stop taking them. Hopefully, if it is, it's only one of them causing a problem. That way, you have an antibiotic that you can probably take again, if you need to.🤞😊

[Heath]

I have had good window again for about 3 or 4 days until this morning.
 

The 2 antibiotics did not seem to cause any issues. 

 

What I believe is causing little waves and spiral anxiety after doing some detecting and documenting- 

 

Seems to start with weekends or a stress event. 
 

weekends - none to little excercise, no cold water bath, sleep 2 hrs later which means later for lexapro. Routine gets off. 
even though I stay busy on weekends more now - the off routine catches me by Monday or Tuesday. 
 

listening to negativity. ( mostly folks at work)

 

scanning or scrolling FB or SA after a few minutes anxiety comes in chest and neck. I think it is the anticipation of the next thing on the screen. Solitaire and suduko does NOT cause a problem. 
Television can do the same thing if there is any kind of suspense or violence or the funny fail videos where people get hurt. 
 

staying up too late when I feel good.

 

and 

 

Things that have been helping below

 

watching everybody loves Raymond or impractical jokes in evenings has helped. 

getting heart rate up helps

 

encouragement really helps

 

staying busy doing things especially on weekends. Avoid sitting. 
 

NOT focusing on symptoms . 
distracting from health issues 

Recognizing a spiral or thoughts right when it starts then changing what I am doing or choosing what I will do. Which is not to feed the spiral. 
 

Spirals are really tough as y’all know, they feel like you are under a spell and out of control- and the first step out of them is recognizing them for what they are. 
 

 

mostly what I seem to be experiencing is pop up waves and windows. 3 or 4 days then 3 or 4 days. Mostly early day waves and windows in later day.
 

I seem to be ahead from weeks and months ago. I feel like I am. Especially over 5 or 6 months span. 
 

I will continue to work on my daily routine. 

oh one other thing I’m noticing is as dr visits slow down and not as much - nervousness seems to calm down 

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2023 by Heath

[Heath]

On 10/18/2023 at 11:04 AM, Believer said:

I have had many different fears throughout this process, especially  since my ADR to the Covid vaccine. They come (and often last several months) then go and something else takes over. I think the only thing that has helped me is recognizing that a new thought/fear has replaced one that seemed so important in the past. Also, healing is taking place for me because I am able to engage my rational mind more often, through nothing that I am doing. Simply time, acceptance and the grace of God.

yes

what you said on fear or thought comes and replaces the previous one. This does happen to me .
Even When I wake up these thoughts come out of no where, things I haven’t thought of in a long time. If I lay there more thoughts come totally different from the first one. This for sure ain’t me! 

 

Im glad you recognize healing and you are engaging more with a rational mind ! Yes this is what I am seeing looking back ! Healing is taking place!  
 

and time , acceptance and grace of God !  Just one reason this whole process is tough  is as humans we think we have to do something about it . 
We are healing Believer! 

[StayHopeful]

On 10/24/2023 at 6:36 PM, Heath said:

Just one reason this whole process is tough  is as humans we think we have to do something about it . 

Amen to that!!! 👏👏

[Heath]

It’s been a little over a week and 2 weekends since last post. I know it’s only been a week. 
Keeping routine over weekends, getting up same time and taking lex same time within minutes and mindfulness breathing once a day has made a nice difference. 
I would have to say going to bed early and getting up early before daylight has made a huge improvement! 
 

Staying in routine with Cold bath in morning before day light has made a huge difference ! 
 

So one thing That I see that directly causes a problem is screen time on phone or laptop as I mentioned before. I did it one more time for an hour till 10:30 pm during a window a few days ago, and yep the next few days and nights were anxiety, dreams waking early and less sleep  

Of course the day after I did it I corrected the schedule and stopped the evening screen time. 
 

I have put this in my notes of symptoms and things to avoid. 

So 1 or 2 days later back to the window which is present! 👍

 

Of course cooler weather continues lowering allergies ! 
 

Im seeing from experience that routine is an important part in keeping nerves calm during this process. 

[Heath]

Boy the weekends are tough. Anxiety starts early after getting out of bed. 

morning routine is basically the same but not going to work . 

 

Friday night may have started this little wave. My moms birthday. Didn’t get in bed till much  later. Also the time change today. 😞 I like getting up before daylight just got this routine going. 
 

Weekends seem to be much better staying at home and working outside or working in shop. 

I can have pain in chest left side definitely anxiety and then talking to someone then it’s gone then it’s back. Destraction helps with this. 

Edited November 5, 2023 by Heath

[Heath]

Well at end of October blood test showed ldl cholesterol up a little over too. Heart dr wanted to jack up high dose statin again. 
talked to my gp and we agreed to take a small dose of a statin that I took years ago for a little bit. 
 

Started on Oct 28 no problems had a great week through till November 03. But during this week I’m noticing some chest pressure a little thinking just anxiety. Noticed gas burping etc. then on Nov 3 Friday feeling hot prickly skin etc. splashed face with ice water. 
 

started thinking ok it’s the weather and blood thinner. So this past week has been fluttering in chest , stomach noises , very hot, shivering a couple times, pressure in chest. Gas. Indigestion. 
Dunking face in ice water just like last summer. 

of course hypersensitivity thoughts over figuring this out. 

and I’m thinking heat intolerance from wd. nope statin caused the high heat feeling and feeling bad. 
 

I have not complained about chest pain or pressure or hot feeling or feeling bad since last summer. I stopped the statin 3 days ago. No hot skin but still pressure in chest. I read back in my notes and I had the same symptoms last summer on the higher dose of a different statin. Yep no more for me. I’m thinking chest pressure is gas instead of anxiety. 
currently in a wave. Lots of crying this weekend. Crying over nothing. 

I can’t remember exactly but somewhere in past few months panic after waking stopped and more crying or wanting to , over sensitive and the weird over stimulation from memories. 
 

over sensitive is real tough in the home and now holiday’s coming-stress
 

I pray these are phases of healing and close to stability. 

Edited November 13, 2023 by Heath

[StayHopeful]

On 11/12/2023 at 6:58 PM, Heath said:

I’m thinking heat intolerance from wd. nope statin caused the high heat feeling and feeling bad. 

I'm glad you were able to figure it out and hope that calmed more of your anxiety. Is there another type of medication that can lower your cholesterol that your Dr can suggest, or a non-medicinal way to help lower it? It'd be great if there was something you could do that wouldn't require medication. 

 

As for the Holidays coming up, I hope that the time you spend with your family goes by slow and is very enjoyable this year. 😊

Definitely fingers are crossed that your wave breaks and becomes a window soon! 🤞🙏

 

Hang in there 💪

 

[Heath]

After stopping the pravastatin 10 mg chest pressure fluttering, hot feelings , burping indigestion and feeling bad went away. 
That chest pressure could’ve been anxiety very similar. May never know if it was or wasn’t. 
 

Yes @StayHopefulfor the cholesterol eat no saturated fat. Basically fish chicken and veges , fruits and excercise. And I’m trying to lower glucose which narrows down the veges and fruits even more. Any ideas are welcome. 
And I have to remind myself that 2 drs said arteries are wide open and clear and their tests say I’m at very low risk. So basically the cholesterol lowering drugs are maintenance to prevent future problems. Big question is do we chance waves due to side effects for a maintenance thing? Don’t answer🤔 I’m just thinking. I definitely do not want a heart attack or stroke but I also do not wAnt a wave nor to be walking around like a hundred year old man. 
SH thank you for your kind words and support! 
 

This week Monday bad emotional spiraling anxiety worry type. Had the vein thingy procedure done on one leg Tuesday and the other leg Thursday. Been putting it off for 6 months. Very kind dr and techs and nurses did great job and my window started Tuesday. 
 

The same pattern The windows seem to climb starting on Monday afternoon and rise up until Friday night. Friday night making plans to level yard and install new drain lines , conquer the world, etc. ready to do anything. Saturday was still very good. Stayed busy. Sunday a wave. Back in my mental jail cell. Started this morning with a minor pain in foot which has been bothering me for a few weeks.  hypersensitive . But I did keep doing things outside.
So sundays are sensitive, sad , anxious inner nervous feelings. 
And still have nervous mornings and Calm evenings. 
This is as long as nothing stressful happens. 
Im studying these waves some. And the spirals. So if thoughts seems irrational then it maybe a spiral. 
I know one thing staying busy is a big help. 

 

I’m not saying during the week is wave free but it is much better. 
 

Another thing is the food cravings. Food cravings start rising on Tuesday all the way till Saturday just like the windows. 

 

Basically the only difference is between week days and weekends is being around people working . Maybe IT’s interaction and helping people, I don’t know. 
 

The weekend Sunday wave seems to just happen. 🤷‍♂️

Edited November 20, 2023 by Heath

[Heath]

Well the chest pressure must be anxiety, maybe indigestion again. Today is an anxiety day. Just a steady pressure. And phone ring etc. increases it momentarily so , pray for a day of calmness again. 

 

Edited November 20, 2023 by Heath

[Heath]

Anxiety worry spirals very very tough. 

Things happen in life. Today is Tuesday morning and got caught in spiral yesterday so no window as of yet. High anxiety. Trying to distract and change channel. Health issue still there. So hypersensitive to any little thing. Makes me doubt if this is me or wd. Yesterday dr visit to get stitches out. 

yesterday wanted to cry and jump out of skin and kick a hole in floor of car. Still taking melatonin to help sleep. Woke early this morning laying there sweating and thoughts coming and going. Cold shower. 

 

I look at symptoms to try and convince myself it’s from wd. It’s so hard. 

symptoms I’ve had this past year and half below. 

 

Looking at social media or computer causes inner nervousness anxiety or crying. 

Look at anything that has a memory a date, picture, something of family history stomach and neck and chest flips like a sad anxiety. 

Cry for no reason 

Cry at anything 

anxiety cry

Intrusive memories 

Can’t sit still *

Can’t watch a suspenseful movie, guns, funny fails accidents. Oct 23

Listening to someone talk slowly builds in chest anxiety overwhelmed. 

Anxiety 

Want to jump out of skin

Sensitive to Stress good or bad little or big

Sensitive ears to sound 

Sensitive eyes to light. 

Over sensitive to many things 

Ruminating thoughts like spiral

Fear thoughts 

Worry spiral 

Spiral thoughts 

Insomnia 

Sweat in bed in morning 

Dreams

But and leg muscles tense then release

Different muscles tense and release

Irritable 

Not talking 

Sensitive to decongestant pseudoephedrine and phenylalanine sends into anxiety 

Sensitive to aspartame phenylalanine

Sensitive to caffeine

On hi alert

More physical pain - tense

Anxiety morning early day calm evening 

Anxiety follows natural cortisol/adrenaline high in morning and lower in evening 

Wake in panic 2023 summer

Snooze 10 minutes wake in panic again  2023 summer

After nap or sleep wake panic anxiety 2023 summer

Open eyes anxiety 2023 summer

Stomach tight

No appetite 

Bad sleep 2023 fall

On edge

Inner nervousness 

Edited November 21, 2023 by Heath

[Heath]

I guess I am in a wave 😞
maybe the pravastatin side effects or the leg vein procedure. Stress. Atm iam very sensitive to any little stress. Anxiety early day. 
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Edited November 23, 2023 by Heath

[StayHopeful]

@Heath

 

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! 🦃

 

I think your assumption is spot on, everything you mentioned sounds like withdrawal symptoms - definitely a wave and a large one at that. It's so hard, dealing with withdrawal - even for a moment. Not to mention any type of stress will set it off, which makes it confusing - who wants to play detective all the time? The pravastatin could have kicked it off and it's just taking a while for your body to stabilize again.

 

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time right now, especially with the anxiety. I know it's hardwired into us for our protection and survival, but I really hate it and I could write forever about the bane of it. Hopefully this wave will break soon and you can start experiencing a sense of calm and wellbeing without all that stupid anxiety. 

 

This time of year is stressful, cold, and a difficult transition - with daylight savings, upheaval - with holidays, etc. It's no wonder you're going through a hard time. Just continue to be patient with, and kind to, yourself.  You've been through one heck of a year so far, and you're navigating it well - even if it doesn't seem like it to you. It will get better, remembering the good days is difficult when you feel like every day is the same - the window will open. It's a good thing that you're able to work though; a great distraction, from sitting around only thinking about symptoms.😊 

 

 

Take care, better times are coming!! 💪

 

[Heath]

Thank you Stayhopeful! 
And I agree it’s stressful times. Maybe nervous system is trying to heal back to pre drugs. During stress is hard. 
Is nerves healing even though there is stress? 
I’ve had some more rough days. Had 3 dr visits in 2 days and an er visit for chest pressure which heart is good. Going to stomach Dr this week. They want to rule out anything bad. Stomach problems started with all the meds in May and now all that’s left out of that is baby aspirin and plavix blood thinner. 
 

 

I had meeting with Pdoc for script. Didn’t go as well as I wanted. I showed him a list of my tapering symptoms and a few more things . Last time he was supportive and accepting of the wd. Not this time. I’ve been saying for 4 years I’m gonna let the gp handle the lex and klon as she said she gladly would. I’m nervous about just having a gp do it if she moves on. The pdoc revs my nerves up. Being where I’m at makes it hard to make decisions. 
I have been in anxiety spirals most days. 
neg thoughts everywhere. It’s me I need the med for functioning for family. 
stomach tight like doing a bunch of sit ups. 

 

I started back excercising after the vein surgery. 

From what I’ve read here stress is hard during and after tapering . 
 

 I have held at 5.4 ml since summer of 2022. Was in a wave for 5 months . Gradually window came  during those last months. Wave - window January till May 2023. Lots of external stress. 
 

This is my first holidays in a wave. It is more stressful. 
 

3 questions please @brassmonkey or @Addax or @Frogie or anyone experience this going away

Does the sensitivity to stress go away ?

Am I healing during this stress? 
what is this stress sensitivity called ? Wd? 
No one believes this is wd after a year. 

just struggling 

 

Edited November 30, 2023 by Heath

[Heath]

The early day anxiety is strong. Gets calmer in evening. Drs don’t even believe this is wd. “Yep some people are like that “

[Addax]

Hi Heath. I’m sorry you’re finding yourself stressed and worried. 
 

The sensitivity to stress does subside over time, like other symptoms. However when this happens is not predictable yet and varies from person to person.  Even when I’m feeling well with no wave in sight, my response to stress is still heightened. It’s maddening.  Because our nervous system is a bit mucked up during withdrawal most people are more sensitive to stressors, physical and emotional.  They both contribute to an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone, which our bodies/nervous system seem to have difficulty regulating when we are in withdrawal. But they/we do get better at it as time goes on.  I think about it in terms of these drugs having blunted our emotional responses or regulating them for us, and now our brains and bodies are relearning to do it on their own.  It will happen, but it’s not linear.  Stress can cause a great deal of discomfort and trigger a wave of symptoms WHILE  you’re healing, but I don’t think it interferes in healing. 
 

Our dysregulated systems and cortisol, which helps regulate our circadian rhythm, is also why anxiety can be so intense in the morning and taper off over the day. Cortisol is highest in the morning because it’s what wakes us up. It is lowest at night so we can fall asleep. Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, and as your experiencing, that system gets mucked up for a while.

 

I hope some of that helps ease your mind a bit, but I know an eased mind is tough place to find during a wave.

 

 

 

[Heath]

Thank you @Addax! I love your slow taper and how you seem to glide along. 
 

Its  rough . Talked to new counselor today to try and get these worry anxiety spirals down. 
I don’t believe there are any drs or counselors that believe in wd.  I’m hoping to learn and train to stop the anxiety worry spiraling. The worry seems to be something that started with me many many years ago. 
 

Too much stress this week. Upcoming stomach dr visit , I suspect an upper and lower endoscopy. Weather change, no ice baths, dr visits and procedures. Worrying about updosing or not. Anxiety thoughts, provide for family, negative thoughts. 

 

and knowing what’s wd and what’s not. 
 

crying, worrying, anxiety. Pacing at work. Stomach tight just going through motions. 

 

Thank you all for supporting me! 

Edited December 1, 2023 by Heath

[Heath]

I think there has been too much stress in November. The inner nervousness feels like it did after heart attack.  Keyed up. 

Edited December 2, 2023 by Heath

[StayHopeful]

@Heath

 

On 11/30/2023 at 3:05 PM, Heath said:

I’ve been saying for 4 years I’m gonna let the gp handle the lex and klon as she said she gladly would. I’m nervous about just having a gp do it if she moves on.

 

If your GP offered to help, it may be worth your while to talk to her about all of it. You could find out her thoughts about psych meds in general and what her plan would be to help you and if she moves on. She may be able to take over that part of your care and really help.

 

In my case... I was able to let my GP handle my withdrawal. I saw her every month for a "med check" and anytime I needed to, in between. I found out more about the medications I was on from my GP, than my pdoc EVER told me. Unfortunately, she recently left the practice 😪, and I couldn't follow her. However, she recommended and passed me on to a new GP, who seems to understand - and share her disgust for my former pdoc. I also have the same appt arrangement with the new GP. So far (I stress, So Far), this has worked out well for my situation. 

 

So, you might want to give your GP a chance. 

 

[Giuly88]

Hi Heath, I came across your thread. I can see you are tapering lexapro. 
 

I was on the same medication for a few years. Unfortunately I had a rough end to my ‘relationship’ with lexapro. 
 

I have abdominal jerks and tightness on my back. I see you have similar symptoms. Have they improved for you?

 

Much love ❤️ 

[itsalyssadood]

Hey Heath, just checking in to see how you’re holding up? It’s been a while since you’ve posted. I hope you’re doing okay ♥️