cm1212: Lexapro nightmare

[cm1212]

I am now 5 months post my amoxicillin setback. This experience has been WAY worse than my original WD. The past 3 months I was doing a bit better (the aka and mental symptoms had eased). However the past week and a half things have been super bad again like they were the first 2 months- pacing, mental stuff- terror/panic, etc etc., extreme sensitivity to light/sound, everything looks super distorted, etc. I'm disheartened because I thought I was through the worst of it. Hoping this passes soon as I'm getting really worn out by all of this..

[Fifree]

Hi cm1212. I'm so sorry that you've had such a terrible time. PAWS is truly terrifying. I just wanted to send some support - it can feel so very lonely going through this process.

 

Are you able to get out for walks or anything like that?

 

I hope the windows open again for you soon. If you just want to chat or rant, I'm happy to listen.

[cm1212]

Thanks Fifree for your kind response, much appreciated. I had been getting out for almost daily walks around the neighborhood for the past couple of months (initially could only go with my dad but very recently had been able to go alone). Now that things are super bad again, I can't leave my house at all. I'm just genuinely hoping things die down soon and this is the last severe aka wave as its truly unbearable when it gets super bad.

 

I just don't get why the symptoms from taking ONE day of an antibiotic are so extreme and WAY worse than my original WD (which is saying a lot). I'm just really worn out by this all..

[Fifree]

I feel for you. Just when you were starting to feel a bit better too. Amoxicillin is usually so benign but all bets are off on this crazy WD journey. 
 

i Hope the wave settles soon and you’re able to start healing again. 

[cm1212]

Thanks Fifree. Yes I've been told that amox is one of the most benign ABs, which is scary since my reaction was so extreme. I guess my nervous system is just so compromised. It's strange because I was able to tolerate COVID vaccines, flu shot, and getting covid, and had no food/chemical sensitivities, which I know others who have had issues/setbacks from these but were able to tolerate ABs ok. It just seems like there is no rhyme or reason to this process!

 

I hope you are doing ok xx

[littlebird]

17 hours ago, cm1212 said:

However the past week and a half things have been super bad again like they were the first 2 months- pacing, mental stuff- terror/panic, etc etc., extreme sensitivity to light/sound, everything looks super distorted, etc.

 

Is it possible that the AB led to an overgrowth of Candida? This can affect us in a lot of really wild ways, all over the body and mentally too. Are you taking any probiotics? Enzymes might be helpful too. Hope this passes soon!

[cm1212]

1 minute ago, littlebird said:

 

Is it possible that the AB led to an overgrowth of Candida? This can affect us in a lot of really wild ways, all over the body and mentally too. Are you taking any probiotics? Enzymes might be helpful too. Hope this passes soon!

 

 

I'm not sure! My reaction was pretty immediate- my eyes started going blurry (which happened after my reaction to Zoloft 3 years ago) and then I immediately had full blown akathisia (which I had never had before). Who knows. I'm afraid to take anything atm- I've heard probiotics can rev people up. I did eat a lot of kefir, yoghurt, sauerkraut after though. I guess its good news that things did ease a bit over the past couple months, am just hoping things ease again soon (and for good!)

[Fifree]

On 3/3/2023 at 4:20 AM, cm1212 said:

I did eat a lot of kefir, yoghurt, sauerkraut

Hi again. Some people swear by fermented foods, but I've seen others say they are high in histamines and cause problems. There's a whole discussion on probiotics and gut health here

Unfortunately I don't think there's much you can do except gently experiment with your unique body chemistry. 

 

I was on a different kind kind of antibiotic when I had a crash a few weeks ago - which is what brought me to the site. At the same time I'd made a massive cut in my AD tho so there's no telling which caused the problem!

 

Are you feeling any better now?

 

 

[cm1212]

@Fifree Oh wow, that is good to know. Thanks for the link to the discussion- I will take a look.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your crash. Yes I guess it's probably hard to tell whether its the AB or the cut, but either way I hope it passes soon.

 

I'm still doing the same, taking it one minute at a time. I just want this acute phase to pass, hoping it does soon.

 

 

[littlebird]

15 minutes ago, Fifree said:

Some people swear by fermented foods, but I've seen others say they are high in histamines and cause problems.

 

I've noticed this! My partner loves fermented foods, seems to be really good for their system. If I eat too many, I get a fibromyalgia flare. We're all so different! 

 

On 3/2/2023 at 10:20 AM, cm1212 said:

My reaction was pretty immediate- my eyes started going blurry (which happened after my reaction to Zoloft 3 years ago) and then I immediately had full blown akathisia (which I had never had before). Who knows. I'm afraid to take anything atm- I've heard probiotics can rev people up.

 

Candida is pretty wild, it can affect eyes/nose/throat more often than people realize. Probiotics have been gentle for me, but as I mentioned above, we're all different. 

 

18 minutes ago, Fifree said:

Unfortunately I don't think there's much you can do except gently experiment with your unique body chemistry. 

 

This seems to be the only way. Playing mad scientist (gently) with ourselves and doing experiments.

 

5 minutes ago, cm1212 said:

I'm still doing the same, taking it one minute at a time. I just want this acute phase to pass, hoping it does soon.

 

It will, everything passes with time. Hope you find some peace!

[cm1212]

16 minutes ago, littlebird said:

It will, everything passes with time. Hope you find some peace!

 

Thanks so much @littlebird . I hope so!

[peaceandlove]

Hey 👋🏽 how are you feeling now?  

[cm1212]

12 hours ago, peaceandlove said:

Hey 👋🏽 how are you feeling now?  

 

Hi, thanks for asking. Unfortunately I wish I had more positive news to share. I am over 4.5 years off of Lex and over 1 year from my horrific AB setback. Whilst I have seen some improvements, I am still dealing with acute like symptoms which leave me still unable to return to work or leave the house except for short daily walks around my neighborhood. Most people are doing much better at my timeframe, so don't let that scare you. I just seem to be a severe case and healing at a glacial pace. I'm beyond ready to put this behind me and move on with my life! 

[peaceandlove]

On 11/22/2023 at 8:37 AM, cm1212 said:

 

Hi, thanks for asking. Unfortunately I wish I had more positive news to share. I am over 4.5 years off of Lex and over 1 year from my horrific AB setback. Whilst I have seen some improvements, I am still dealing with acute like symptoms which leave me still unable to return to work or leave the house except for short daily walks around my neighborhood. Most people are doing much better at my timeframe, so don't let that scare you. I just seem to be a severe case and healing at a glacial pace. I'm beyond ready to put this behind me and move on with my life! 

Don’t worry, Your story can’t scare me as I only took ONE pill & had an adverse reaction to it & developed akathisia etc. we’re pretty similar as I have the same symptoms & I just recently took an antibiotic & it made all my symptoms way worse. I don’t work either.. I can’t. I totally get you on wanting to put this behind you & live life again! I used to go outside & do stuff but I’m just going to stay inside & hopefully that will heal my nerves faster. It truly is unfair what happened to us but just know your not alone. i hope you feel better 💕🙂

[cm1212]

Hi @Altostrata I hope it's ok I'm tagging you I'm just freaking out a lot and really value your advice. I had an extreme reaction to amox 1.5 years ago which gave me severe aka to the point I couldn't get past the first day of the course. I still haven't fully recovered from this unfortunately. My worst fear has been realized and I have been sick with a fever for the past 7 days. The doctor thinks its bacterial due to how long the fever has lasted but said I could hold off on taking anything for now and monitor. I am beyond petrified of taking an antibiotic or any medication due to how unbelievably severe my reaction was. If worst comes to worst and my fever gets worse I might have no choice, but I wanted to see if you have any steer or suggestions in the meantime. Thanks so much.

[Erimus]

21 hours ago, cm1212 said:

Hi @Altostrata I hope it's ok I'm tagging you I'm just freaking out a lot and really value your advice. I had an extreme reaction to amox 1.5 years ago which gave me severe aka to the point I couldn't get past the first day of the course. I still haven't fully recovered from this unfortunately. My worst fear has been realized and I have been sick with a fever for the past 7 days. The doctor thinks its bacterial due to how long the fever has lasted but said I could hold off on taking anything for now and monitor. I am beyond petrified of taking an antibiotic or any medication due to how unbelievably severe my reaction was. If worst comes to worst and my fever gets worse I might have no choice, but I wanted to see if you have any steer or suggestions in the meantime. Thanks so much.

Hello, Altostrata is no longer involved in the day to day moderation and support offered by the site.

 

I think you have answered your own question regarding the fever, monitor closely and hope that it eventually breaks. If it doesn't, your hand is forced regarding taking an antibiotic. We are not doctors so cannot advise on treating bacterial infections, I suggest you use the experience you have regarding your past interactions to weigh up any anitbiotic medication you take. Obviously, do not take the one you reacted to.