Heath: Lexapro taper plan introduction

[Heath]

@Gridley and to all surgery went well 3 1/2 weeks ago  doing pretty good still achy muscles pains. Sometimes achy pain scare me a little. Therapists says I’m doing better than normal and dr says do what my shoulder will let me do. Dr says it will be sore for about 5 months.  I’m staying pretty busy most days. A week or so ago I started using the old two 5 mgs a day. I have 57  - 5mg tablets left . I plan on going to 2.5 ml Liquid and 7.5 mg tablet in morning. I am a little nervous whether surgery or no surgery! This liquid just looks so much more than tablets. And I do have 1 ml equal to 1 mg. Just want to make sure I’m doing it right. I’m off work until August 30. If I wait to do liquid later I may have to call dr back and get more tablets. I still have refills on the tablets. I got the liquid on 6/29/2020. So i May can get the tablets refilled if need be. I guess the only Additional stress I’m having is getting this shoulder better! Disability insurance is doing it’s job and Bill’s getting paid. I know that no one can tell me when to change to liquid just thinking out loud and letting y’all know where I am at ! Thanks

[Heath]

To all

I started liquid 07-25-20. 7.5 mg Pill and 2.5 ml liquid. On 08-01-20 I went to 5 mg pill and 5 ml liquid. And then On 08-04-20 I felt weak dizzy, lightheaded, ear pressure , severe sinus headache, sinus pressure, sinus drainage, quesy stomach, little diarrhea and run to bathroom.  Heat and exertion, caffeine, nicotine and loud noises makes it worse. Stay indoors cool rest and sleep makes it a little better. I felt this last summer after starting lexapro which I thought all this was from allergies or a bad infection. But I’m starting to think different. This summer I’ve been working outside in all the pollen and  in heat sweating my but off with no problems. This is first time I experienced this. I know sinus and stomach problems are se of lexapro. Plan on going to 3/4 liquid and 1/4 pill tomorrow! 
Has anyone experienced any symptoms transferring from pill to liquid???
Any support???

thanks everyone!!!!

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, Heath said:

Plan on going to 3/4 liquid and 1/4 pill tomorrow! 

 

If things worsen when making a change it is better to hold at the combination for longer.

[Heath]

@ChessieCat thanks for the reply. You are so correct. I guess I’m confused a little to wether this is a symptom from going to liquid. It happened last summer around May to July. Along with brain fog. It cleared in September/October. My gut feeling it is lexapro. Because this didn’t happen ever before lexapro. I cannot explain but ! !! ? I will postpone going any further toward liquid. I will count up pills and see where I’m at. 
😊 thanks

[ChessieCat]

The delivery to your body is different so it could be that you are experiencing some dose dumping.  Do symptoms seem to be worse every day at any particular time of day?

[Heath]

I will document the next few days.
a side effect I have is dry eyes, dry sinuses, dry mouth, it’s getting better the lower the dose.  I do know from last year my sinuses are sensitive to lexapro I have allergies and they seem to be amplified since starting lexapro. NO sneezing or runny nose or eyes. I’ve never had this dizzy pressure sinus lightheaded problem before. Last year I did get a steroid shot and it helped with those symptoms. But like I said this didn’t happen before lex. Heat and exertion make it a lot worse. 
Tks

[Altostrata]

Hello, Heath, how much Lexapro are you taking?

 

As I read your signature, you've switched among the SSRIs after Paxil withdrawal syndrome, and now you're trying to go off Lexapro?

[Heath]

@Altostrata  I am at 10 ml lexapro now. 

[Heath]

@ChessieCat I did make it to all liquid. The feeling that I was having has gone away. Those feelings I had have something to do with heat humidity and sinuses. I started taking lexapro 15 in January 2019. In July August 2019 I had those same feelings plus brain fog And a mouth implant infection. In August 2020 I was on 10 mg and had all those feelings without brain fog and a bladder infection. I never had these things happen before taking lexapro. So as of today I am linking these symptoms with lexapro. Just FYI thanks

[Heath]

@Altostrata   Side effects of ssris for me. I’m trying to read back so I may miss some and I probably had some side effects that I didn’t notice.  This may get lengthy so I can explain how side effects can sneak up on you and lead you to numerous dr visits. 
first there are ssri start up side effects which will go away the longer you take the ssri. Second there are side effects that last the duration that you take the ssri. Third the higher the dose ssri the more likely you are going to experience side effects. The side effects that I am listing are the ones that lasted the duration of me taking the ssris. Again this is just my experience everyone is different. 
paxil - dry mouth ,dry sinuses , dizziness, sleeping a lot, lost for words, forgetful . Dry sinuses sinus infection went to dr for a year and eventually had sinus surgery which didn’t solve problem. Discovered it was paxil 6 years later when stopped taking it. Forget how to spell words and forget names. This is how I discovered lost for words after years. We have monthly meetings at work. The day before I would have everything ready that I would speak about that morning I would take paxil then the meeting they ask do I have anything I say no my mind is blank. Dizzy ness I noticed when I would lunge a horse in a circle or ride a roller coaster with kids I would get sick and dizzy didn’t happen before Paxil.
zoloft and cymbalta I really did Not stay on long enough to get the feel of the duration side effects but one thing I did notice with Zoloft is my eye site blurry I started wearing glasses. Eye dr did confirm ssris affect vision. 

Prozac  the main side effect was stomach pain heartburn gastritis . I thought it would go away but it did not until I stopped Prozac I lost weight I couldn’t eat much I remember eating lettuce and spinach leaves at subway😂. Laughing now but it was bad then.  I would eat breakfast and take Prozac instant heartburn. I would take Zantac in morning Prilosec at lunch and Zantac at night and a lot of tums in between and still have heartburn I learned chewing gum helps heartburn. Psyc dr didn’t believe. Went to stomach drs checked gallbladder did a upper gi. I take Celebrex for inflammation I had already stopped taking that. Dr said stop taking Celebrex even though I explained to him it started with Prozac. I finally got dr to lower dose but he just drops it from 40 to 20 no taper Stomach pain went away but had bad withdrawals. So we went to 30 stomach pain came back and I stuck it out 6 months to stabilize so we could change ssris. 
lexapro - extreme dry eyes, dry mouth, dry sinuses, Inflamed sinuses,  forgetful, lost for words, sometimes don’t want to do anything. Came down  from 15 mg to 10 mg side effects got a little better. One side effect I’m just now catching on to is in high heat high humidity feel weak dizzy, lightheaded, brain fog, ear pressure, sinus pressure, severe sinus headache, little sinus drainage, queasy stomach, out of breath easy, just feel bad . No sneezing or runny nose or eyes. This has happened each summer only after starting lexapro. Yes I do have allergies but this has never happened so severe. Hard to believe yea I know. Went to allergy dr another dr A steroid shot did help and a hot steam shower helps. Inflamed sinuses is a documented side effect of lexapro but I believe that somehow it makes me more sensitive to heat and allergies without sneezing and runny eyes or nose. The first summer of 2019 I had a mouth implant infection in which I had surgery to remove it. Dr said it was infected for a couple of years and didn’t know it . Yes without dry mouth and sinuses caused by lexapro I would probably still have that implant. Also had a tooth cavity in which I’ve had no cavities for 35 years. This summer I had a bladder infection still on antibiotics today. I believe these meds are drying me up🤔. I dropped from 15 mg to 10 mg and summer brain fog went away. If drs would advise a lower dose we probably would never see these side effects. They gave me 15 mgs but here I am on 10. And I will be fine when I get to 5 mgs. So why do they put you on such a high dose? Lexapro and Paxil are close to same for me as in side effects. One side effect that most all these I listed that pesters me is sleepy tired not wanting to do anything from time to time. All these side effects is what I experienced doesn’t mean you will everyone is different. I hate that we have to go through this but for me I will say I Learned a lot and I am a better person. I am thankful I found SA now I’m not lost I feel confident that I can continue moving forward with support! Like I said this is just my experience that may help someone. Thanks

[Erell]

"Sleepy tired not wanting to do anything"

 

This one made me smile ! This sum up exactly who I was with Paxil 😄

I always thought I was a very lazy person, and couldn't stop wondering how people around me could have so much energy and desire. 

 

Ok, now the good news : while I was tapering slowly Paxil last year, I noticed that I had more and more energy and enthusiasm, and I started to realise that I was not a lazy person, just a drugged person 

 

Glad that you Feel confident, take care ☀️

 

 

[Heath]

@Erell yes I noticed that too more and more energy as I came down on Paxil but it was too fast years ago. In order to be stabile I have to put up with it as I taper correctly. 

[Heath]

I just realized that During 2nd week after starting 9 ml having withdrawal symptoms. Anxiousness, stressful, angry and short some, irritated and tense, upset stomach full of air,  aching sore legs and feet, get up like a 90 year old man, this is first time I’ve ever had flu like symptoms during my taper. Shivers, shakey, achy body but normal temperature. Tensed up more. A lot more forgetful this week. Sweating in bed not sleeping good.  No get up and go .  That’s probably not all symptoms but that’s all I can think of. These are manageable. This should pass in another week or so. Just letting y’all know where I’m at! Thanks

[Heath]

Well everyone first week of lowering dose .5 ml . I’m having emotional sadness worry type anxiety Like I could cry, forgetfulness sweating in cool weather. I’ve had low back pain problems off on for 20 years. That’s the reason drs prescribed ssri back then. I strained it a little in September pain in legs and such . Having thoughts of surgery which scares me. Pain is still there a little better not as weak in legs. Had prostate infection in August still having some pain issues there. Had prostate issues for many years. And we have home stress.  I believe the emotional anxious worry type sadness is withdrawals of lexapro and the stresses I’m dealing with at this time. I also believe the withdrawals affect the way I perceive the physical pain in back and such. I also know for a fact the withdrawals will pass in a few weeks. I also repeat acknowledge accept and do what I know to do. What are you thoughts? @Gridley@ChessieCat

[Gridley]

2 minutes ago, Heath said:

I also repeat acknowledge accept and do what I know to do.

That's what you have to do.  

 

It's very true withdrawal can exacerbate existing physical problems.  I know it does with me.

 

It's normal for withdrawal symptoms to ramp up a bit after a drop but they should fade after a few days.  If they continue, it's better to slow down or hold.

[Heath]

Thank you for your encouraging words @Gridley  I have noticed that 15 to 10 mg taper symptoms showed up about 2 nd week. Since dropping from 10 to present I’m noticing they show up around week 1.  The last drop I did I only came down about 5 or 6 % because of stresses. 

[Heath]

I also just not interested at work and forgetful kinda like the don’t cares.  This happened after the drop.  I slept Solid 14 hrs last night When I woke laying in bed low back L5s1 hurting . Not changing positions in bed . I do agree this drop is adding to the pain and thoughts. I pray I can get to 5 mgs lex . I don’t want to have to take lex for pain or have back surgery so I don’t have to take lex.  As you guys can see you are reading thoughts and concerns from minor Negative withdrawal symptoms. 
thanks for listening! 

[Heath]

@Gridley laying around this weekend. Total difference from last weekend before drop I was cutting wood working and doing yard work. Today I’m tensed up with muscles tensing and releasing , neck shoulder tight low back pain. Anxious worry feelings , thoughts of going back to 9 ml and back surgery. I have had these withdrawal symptoms before in past when I tapered incorrectly. I have a lot riding on me at work rt now.  It seems each day symptoms are getting worse. Thinking of taking some magnesium how much ? Go back to 9 ml ?

[Gridley]

3 minutes ago, Heath said:

Today I’m tensed up with muscles tensing and releasing , neck shoulder tight low back pain. Anxious worry feelings , thoughts of going back to 9 ml

It does sound like you're tapering too fast.  You might need to hold longer or taper a lesser amount.  You could try updosing back to 9ml.  If you do, you'll need to hold there for at least a month to stabilize, then taper less the next time.

 

Before you updose, trying the magnesium is a good idea.  You could start with 50mg three times a day and see how that works.  If you don't get relief but also don't have a bad reaction, you could go to 100mg.  I've been taking it a while and I do fine with 100mg X3.  If the magnesium has a laxative effect you're taking too much.  Magnesium glycinate has a good reputation in terms of absorbability, calming effect and lack of laxative effect.  I take KAL Magnesium Glycinate 400 (available from Vitacost).  It comes in 200mg tablets that are easily split with a pill cutter to get lower doses.

[Heath]

@Gridley A few more questions and thoughts. I noticed that I feel better in afternoons at work and home on weekend the past 6 days.  But I have noticed the first three days after this taper wasn’t that bad didn’t think about pain as much. I worry that if I hold I may be in a position that the only way to get Back pain to calm down is to go back up to a much higher dose which I do not want to. I don’t want to go up past 10. I hate to go back up to 9 but it may help with pain and I get through this painful Back inflammation and get it to calm down. And then continue tapering?
im also having some depressing sad emotions fear. I didn’t have these during 10% tapers from 15 to 10, I don’t understand this ?

Are there anyone on here tapering with back pain issues or any advise Documents on these issues?

it’s been 7 days since drop and I only dropped 6% .

Do you think this will pass if I hold where I am?
I may get back to work busy and feel better I don’t know. 
thanks

[Heath]

@Gridley I just remembered in September when I tapered from 10 to 9 I had those weird emotional crying feelings. Like see a picture or having a good friend conversation I get those feelings. I been having those this week after 5% drop also.  The reason I am mentioning this is because when I tapered paxil too fast over a year period I had these feelings And of course you know what happened in the end. So it’s a little red flag for me.

 

[Gridley]

22 minutes ago, Heath said:

I didn’t have these during 10% tapers from 15 to 10, I don’t understand this ?

The lower doses from 10mg down are more potent.  

 

23 minutes ago, Heath said:

Do you think this will pass if I hold where I am?

It could.  I just don't know.  I know you hate to go back up, yet you have this back issue.  Try the magnesium and see if that helps before doing anything else.

[Heath]

I have the powdered magnesium I’ll see how I do tomorrow with magnesium But I’m leaning to 9ml because we know the taper is a little too fast! 
thanks Gridley!

[Heath]

I also had to stop all sugary and caffeine drinks this last month for health reasons so I believe this also affects the taper ?

[ChessieCat]

Remember to only make one change at a time.  the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable

 

[Heath]

@ChessieCat thanks for reminding me . I sometimes have to go back and read! I believe we have talked about this Caffeine  before. I should have held at 9 when all this was building up around me the past month or so. Stresses just sneak up on us. And the withdrawals!  I have a question. In theSe withdrawal symptoms I’m having why do I feel less anxious in afternoon/evening?  I take lexapro in morning. Thanks

[ChessieCat]

It might just be regular old garden variety cortisol:  early-morning-waking-managing-the-morning-cortisol-spike

 

[Heath]

@ChessieCat, @Gridley  I forgot to mention last week my ears were sensitive to sound but no big deal. A little rough Start today muscles tensing and anxious Worry. I started back on 9 ml this morning. I pray this will work my thoughts are how am I ever gonna get out of this my family needs me.  I took 10 mg for 6 months. Then a month of 9 ml . I never would have thought 6 % drop after a month of 9 ml would have made this happen ? Thanks

[Gridley]

6 hours ago, Heath said:

I never would have thought 6 % drop after a month of 9 ml would have made this happen ?

You may have to hold longer and cut by a smaller percentage to stay functional for your family.  You're obviously very sensitive.  You'll get off the drug; it's just going to take a while.

[Heath]

@Gridley thanks I believe we are more sensitive to the withdrawals at different times than other times? Would that be a correct statement?I feel this drop was more sensitive due to physical back pain and stress.  Trying  to reread coping skills. Thanks again 

[Gridley]

2 minutes ago, Heath said:

we are more sensitive to the withdrawals at different times than other times? Would that be a correct statement?I feel this drop was more sensitive due to physical back pain and stress.

That is definitely correct.  We are much more sensitive during times of stress and when physically sick, which would include your back pain.

[Heath]

@Gridley withdrawals are better today. I pray for some Relief with this low back pain. I’ve been advised over the years not to have back joint fused. 50/50 chance. But that was 20 years ago.  It may be time. It’s the Fear of not knowing you know. And on edge waiting for that day.  Every time I have painful episode with unstable cns (withdrawals and such) I think gloom and doom. Once I get everything calmed down and stable I may have to check iin to surgery resources again. Thanks Gridley for listening. 

[Heath]

@Gridley @ChessieCat 

we made the right decision. No noticeable withdrawals today! Still having morning muscle tension a little. Been walking at lunch. Old back injury pain eased up yesterday still there but more tolerable. Definitely withdrawals cause tension and pain in areas of inflammation. Couldn’t do this without y’all. Thanks so much !Have a Good day! 

[ChessieCat]

16 minutes ago, Heath said:

Definitely withdrawals cause tension and pain in areas of inflammation.

 

And we need to remember to breathe.  I've noticed when I'm "suffering" from something that my breathing becomes more shallow.

[Gridley]

1 hour ago, Heath said:

we made the right decision

Very happy to hear this.

[Heath]

@Gridley still settling on 9 real good feelings last week this week a little emotional feelings, trouble staying on tasks, stomach, and tired but tolerable. Back pain is still there but way less intense. There is still a concern there.  NO obsessive anxiety worry thoughts. I do have A few thoughts of oh no it’s gonna happen again Do I need to go back to 10 because of the emotional feelings. I keep telling my thoughts what I know is that all this should settle in a couple months. So since these are all tolerable I believe to hold on where I am . No rush .

 I see you are getting close to the end and that is great. You are a great inspiration to me and many people. 

thanks