83010: realizing I'm not alone and not broken

[83010]

Hello all!

 

I started Lexapro in 2012, was on that for a year and tapered off, no issues. Started again in November 2019, 10mg. Increased dosage to 20mg in August 2020. Continued until July 2022, decreased to 10mg. Began tapering off through July and August (don't remember the exact steps) and stopped around the end of August. The reason for stopping was that I felt it was affecting my sexual function. Mostly just libido and desire. I did not have these issues prior to the second round of Lexapro. At the time of withdrawal I was also taking Vyvanse 50mg (ADHD), which I thought was making my ADHD worse. I found myself more "stuck" (executive dysfunction, lack of motivation) and apathetic than when I was on Adderall. I realize now that this may have been due to the Lexapro. 

 

Unfortunately, the "stuck" feeling and sexual dysfunction has persisted. Feelings and the way I interact with the world feels blunted. I don't even think about sex with my partner and don't find myself turned on by anything (so it's not just an issue with my partner). 

 

However, finding this group and subreddits have made me realize that while this is not my ideal, I am not broken or wrong and that there are others like me. Seeing others recover and make progress brings me hope. I am so grateful to know that there is a path forward regardless of the extent of my progress. 

 

Thanks for being here

 

Edited October 20, 2022 by ChessieCat
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[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  Many others experience what you are describing.  What is probably happening, is that you got off the drug pretty quickly, and your nervous system and your body is trying to catch up, and adjust to being without the drug.  These drugs cause our brain to change, and then our brain needs the drug to function properly.  It takes a very long time for the brain to readjust to it's non drug state.  Gradually, in time, your normal feelings should return, in fits and starts.  Anhedonia and loss of libido are very common signs of withdrawal from psych drugs, and will eventually go away with time and patience. 

 

What is your current dose of the Adderall XR you take in the morning?  

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications. 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Here in this site, we suggest a 10% reduction not more than every 4-6 weeks, which is a much slower rate than what you did.  This link explains why: 

 

Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

These links talks specifically about the symptoms you mention, loss of libido and anhedonia: 

 

PSSD Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction

 

Anhedonia, Apathy, etc.

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Finally, going back on a small dose of your drug, or increasing your dose, which we call reinstatement, is best done very carefully.  This is temporary, and after stabilizing you would then taper gradually off of this.  There is some risk involved, and we need more specifics about your drug history before we can suggest a good dose at which to reinstate.  Here is some information about reinstatement.  

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Please do keep in touch, and let us know how you are doing.