Mary1976: Quit lexapro, struggling

[Mary1976]

Ragazzi aiutatemi. Spiegatemi cosa mi sta succedendo. Non so se è una ricaduta,ma già dopo una settimana stavo male e ora sto solo peggiorando. Ansia alle stelle, profonde crisi di angoscia, anedonia, depressione, mal di testa continui e nausea. Ho lasciato lexapro in 9 mesi partendo da 20 mg. Sto usando per sopperire Samir 400 (1 dose) , vitamina B12, acido folico e compresse (ne sto provando vari tipi) a base di erbe per l'ansia. Ma nulla si placa. Avevo cominciato yoga ma andarci è una fatica immane e spesso mollo perché non ce la faccio.mi consigliate uno psichiatra?

 

Guys help me. Explain to me what is happening to me. I don't know if it's a relapse, but after a week I was already sick and now I'm only getting worse. Sky high anxiety, deep fits of anguish, anhedonia, depression, continuous headaches and nausea. I left lexapro in 9 months starting at 20 mg. I am using Samir 400 (1 serving), vitamin B12, folic acid and herbal tablets (I am trying various types) for anxiety. But nothing subsides. I started yoga but going there is a huge effort and I often give up because I can't do it. Do you recommend a psychiatrist?

 

Edited January 5, 2022 by Kiasofia
Added text in English (google translate)

[Kiasofia]

Welcome @Mary1976

I'm glad you found us. Please translate your posts into English before posting (you can use google translate). Was the last does of lexapro that you took 20mg? When did you take your last dose? Do you take any medications now?

 

Please write your drug history here.

 

You are probably suffering from withdrawal after quitting lexapro at a high dose. (See attachment) Please read these links and then we can discuss more what to do.

What is withdrawal syndrome?

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization  

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Aside from a high quality fish oil and magnesium, be careful with supplements. Your central nervous system (CNS) has become sensitized from psychiatric drug use and can react unpredictably. Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other mind altering substances can make the condition worse.

Important topics about tests, supplements, treatments, diet

 

Unfortunately most doctors/psychiatrists do not understand how these drugs work and people get misdiagnosed with relapse when they have withdrawal.

How to talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal? What to expect?

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain 

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and think about it, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart. We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through. Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities. It takes time, but healing can and will happen. 

 

This is your Introductory topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

Drglenmullen_withdrawal_symptoms.pdf

Edited January 5, 2022 by Kiasofia

[Mary1976]

I try to insert history. I managed to add? no, I did not stop abruptly because it took me 8 months, but I decreased in quarter doses .... now it's done ... I tried 5 more times to stop, but I always went back to drugs. I now use same 400, vitamin b12, and herbs for anxiety. no alcohol yes nicotine, little caffeine.

Prozac 20 mg 1996-2000

 

venlafaxine 300 mg 2003-2010

 

cipralex 20 mg 2011-2021

 

January 2021 cipralex 15 mg

 

May 2021 cipralex 10 mg

 

July 2021 cipralex 5 mg

 

September 2021 0 mg

[Mary1976]

tried another 5 times to give up the drugs. not all of a sudden, but with a decrease of a quarter. the real problem is that I no longer believe in myself and I often believe that I am irremediably ill with a mental illness.

 

How can I distinguish a withdrawal syndrome from a relapse if I do not improve over the months, on the contrary I seem to get worse? I began to feel worse and worse after 20 days at dose 0 and now 4 months and more have gone by. I have all the emotional symptoms, the physical ones, apart from the constant headaches they come and go and they don't bother me as much as the others. Monday I will go to meet a new psychologist with the hope that he can support me and understand me a little.

 

Edited January 6, 2022 by ChessieCat
extracted translation

[Kiasofia]

8 hours ago, Mary1976 said:

I try to insert history. I managed to add?

No, please try again here. Remember to press Save.

 

Going from 5mg to 0mg can cause these symptoms. It is a big decrease. We recommend 10% of current dose every 4 weeks. It is therefore very likely you have withdrawal, not relapse. Headache and nausea are typical for withdrawal, not depression. It can help to take a very low dose again. 0.5mg cipralex or 1mg cipramil.

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

Or try to get through it. But do not start taking it again at a normal dose like 5mg. This can shock your brain that is now very sensitized from quitting cipralex.

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

Are We There Yet? How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take?

 

The psychologist will probably think you have depression again. Most do not understand withdrawal. You can both explore this web page: https://mad-in-italy.com/

 

I know how horrible you feel. I also quit lexapro at a high dose. It takes time to heal, but it will happen with time❤️

[Mary1976]

Thank you vert much. I don't know what the doctor Will tell me, but I hope he'll want to substain me in this trip.

[Kiasofia]

I hope you are able to read some of the links I gave you.

 

Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.

[Mary1976]

How long did it take you to feel good? What problems did you have before using the drug?

Edited January 19, 2022 by Kiasofia
translated

[Kiasofia]

It took about a year after quitting lexapro to feel normal again. I was told at age 18 that I had a chemical imbalance which was the reason I felt depressed and needed to be medicated. I no longer believe this was true. I was just a lost hormonal teenager who got much worse from taking these "medications".

 

Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker (interview)