RedGirl: Lexapro

[RedGirl]

Hi I’m new to the website. I was encouraged to by a friend to reach out here. My story is this I was going through an emotional time in my life when I was encouraged by my husband to talk to our doctor and get on something to help with my anxiety and emotions. The doctor said lexapro was safe and I could stay on it forever if I wanted.  Perfectly safe. I never wanted to be on medicine but knew I was having a hard time. It started with 10 mg then went back in 30 days and was bumped to 20 mg. At first I thought it was working but the longer I took it the more I felt I wasn’t in control of my emotions anymore and wanted to come off them. I had been taken them for a year and half. The doctor said to go from 20 mg to 10 MC doe two weeks and then to 5mg for two weeks then just stop taking them. A friend said that was to fast. The pharmacist agreed with the doctor tapering. I decided to try to go from 20 mg to 15 mg for two weeks then to 10mg for two weeks and then I went to 5 mg for 5 days. A vacation had started for me and I forgot to take the medicine and seemed to doing good so I just stopped taking them. I then started noticing I had some withdrawal symptoms. Talked with my friend and she told me you are in withdrawals and that I needed to go back on the medicine so I tried. The day I took it was awful. I was so jittery and nauseous and just felt awful so I did not take anymore. I have been off the lexapro now for about 3 weeks. I was just wondering what all I could except now that I’m off of the medication. Thanks and if i posted this wrong please tell me. 

Edited October 19, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, RedGirl.  This is the right place for you to post.  I'm sorry you're feeling bad.

 

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 include the dates of the stages of your taper and the date of your last dose.  Also include the date you went back on the drug (reinstated) and the dosage you reinstated.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

Once you've completed your signature with the information I've requested we'll be in a better position to assist you.

 

What are your symptoms now?

 

You tapered very fast, resulting in withdrawal.  So that you have a better idea of what you're experiencing, here is some information on withdrawal and the healing process.  You will heal but unfortunately there is no way to predict how long it will take.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

When we take psychiatric 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.  

 

These explain the healing process really well.

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

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) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that ae single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements).

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

Edited October 19, 2020 by Gridley

[RedGirl]

My symptoms are as follows 

blurred vision 

crying spells

fatigue 

trouble concentrating 

insomnia

stomach pains

panic attacks

jittery

aches and pains

nausea

headache

numbness in fingers

 

[Gridley]

3 minutes ago, RedGirl said:

My symptoms are as follows 

Thanks for listing your symptoms, which are typical of withdrawal.

 

Please complete your drug signature, including answers to the question I asked:

 

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 include the dates of the stages of your taper and the date of your last dose.  Also include the date you went back on the drug (reinstated) and the dosage you reinstated. You'll need to use a computer rather than a phone.  Click on this link, enter the information, then press "save."

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

[RedGirl]

I did list my medication can you not see it?

[Gridley]

5 minutes ago, RedGirl said:

I did list my medication can you not see it?

Sorry, I missed it.

 

When you reinstated 10mg on October 14, that was an extremely high dose, much higher than we recommend, which may account for the bad reaction you had.

 

I don't know if you want to consider a very small reinstatement of Lexapro.  Reinstatement of a very small dose of the original drug is the only known way to help alleviate withdrawal syndrome.  The only other alternative is to try and wait out the symptoms and manage as best you can until your central nervous system returns to homeostasis.  Unfortunately no one can give you an exact timeline as to when you will start feeling better and while some do recover relatively easily, for others it can take many months or longer.  

 

Reinstatement isn't a guarantee of diminished symptoms for everyone but it's the best tactic available.  You're still in the time period where reinstatement predictably works, up to 3 months after last dose.  It is best to reinstate as soon as possible after withdrawal symptoms occur. We usually suggest a much smaller reinstatement dose than your last dose.  These drugs are strong, your system has become sensitized and If you take too much it may be too much for your brain.  Please read:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

If you're interested in reinstatement, let me know and I'll suggest a reinstatement dosage.  Please do not reinstate without letting us suggest a dosage.