SouthernMan: Lexapro withdrawal help

[SouthernMan]

Good Afternoon, 

 

I am currently three weeks off Lexapro today and feeling pretty rough. Looking for some positive words of encouragement and help. 

 

I got sick early August, which spun me into a month and half or so of Health Anxiety, mind you this caused me to loss my appetite, used to sleep good and now its terrible, etc. My sleep is still bad, appetite has been back. CT scans, blood work, urologist, cardioligist, emergency room, etc. All came back clean.

 

ER doc told me to try Lexapro, 5 Mg, so I did the research and gave it a shot. I have never been depressed and my anxiety has been hit or miss, situationally(big meeting, flying, etc). I went on to take 4 doses between Sept 7th-10th. Hated the way it made me feel. Numb, emotionless, spacy, intrusive thoughts (which I have never had), wake up sweaty and crazy anxiety. Everything I read said it would get worse before better but I could not take it and stopped CT. Didn't think about withdraws, but for the next two weeks had on and off intrusive thoughts, still terrible sleep, etc. After another night of 2 hours of sleep, I said screw it, im going to try it again.

 

This time I took it for 9 days, and 2.5MG on the 10th day and said Im done, something isnt right and its making me feel 1000% worse. Since then 10/11 was my last dose. i felt fine right after, slept for 7 hours(broken sleep though) the two nights after and felt good the follwoing two days. Then things have slowly crept in. Insomnia, appetite is fine, intrusive thoughts we bad for about 14 days but have subsided, now Im feeling dizzy almost, kind of car sick feeling, off balnace brain fog, DR/DP- but feels like its lifting. two nights ago slept from 9:30 to 2:40, woke up to pee then back aleep until 5:15. Was stoked. woke up feeling pretty good, then just slowly as the day went felt off blance and car sick feeling and would go in and out of that.

 

Then, right before bed, I was scrolling the web looking up symptoms, etc and came across some stuff that scared me and sent me from feeling calm, 60 resting heart rate to fight or flight engage and only slept for an hour or so last night! I am also waking up middle of the night with heart racing as well, dreaming alot when I do sleep, very clear dreams. Is this normal?

 

I have NEVER taken medication until now.  Just need some words of encouragement. Im young, 36, was very active, but feel blah now and tired, but cant sleep. How long does this last, any words of advice?

 

 

 

Edited October 31, 2022 by ChessieCat
added spacing

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @SouthernMan

 

Did you have covid when you were ill?

 

It sounds like you had an immediate adverse reaction to escitalopram. These drugs are not suited to everyone. It can take quite a while for your system to very gradually settle down. You've seen some improvement -- your appetite came back -- you will see more.

 

See Adverse reactions to an antidepressant within a few doses -- how long for recovery?

 

You can do some things to strengthen your sleep. Have you tried melatonin?

 

[SouthernMan]

I had COVID two years ago. 

 

Melatonin doesn't really help. I have no issues falling asleep, its just waking up 3-4 hours later and then tossing and turning until the alarm. Main symptoms are Brain Fog, off balance, dizzy here and there, sleep issues, and just worrying about how long this will take to get through it. I will ahve a couple hour windows where I feel pretty good and then it slips back into feeling crappy. 

[ChessieCat]

Please create your drug signature so we can see your drug history at a glance.  This is different from what you provided when you joined the site.  Thank you:

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature
Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

Edited November 18, 2022 by ChessieCat
updated instruction link

[Shep]

@SouthernMan I received your PM but want to respond here in your intro/update thread. This is where to post to keep all of your information in one place.

 

In your PM, you asked about exercise. Please see:

 

Exercise ... Do more, do less, do nothing? What worked for you?

 

Please add a signature with your drug history. Here is how:

 

How to Summarize Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

A direct link to your signature is here:

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

 

[SouthernMan]

Not sure if anyone reads this, just want to give an update and some hope to those who are suffering. My story is long, and I will write about it when I'm fully healed. But, I just reached a year and im starting to slowly feel better. I had and adverse reaction to four pills(should have never been prescribed), now I know I was going through withdraw for three weeks(didnt know at the time) before i took another 9 pills and things got really bad. IM 37, 6 foot 1, 200 pounds, athlete, non smoker, dont take any drugs, medicine, etc. I got sick, went to the ER and told the doctor I was a little nervous about it and he handed me a lexepro prescription like i was trick or treating. I did the researcha nd decided to take it, so I take full accountablitiy for going through this.  I don't wish what I've gone through on my worst enemy and i didn't even know this was possible. Im not out of the woods, but im much better than I was 6 months ago. Around month 11 I could feel things start getting better. I hate to put a percentage on it, but I would say im around 70% healed. I still have some sleep issues(but getting better), parathesisia in my back(much better), muscle twitches, anhedonia, low moods and depressive feelings (but the depressive thoughts are leaving), nausea is better, etc. I had EVERY symptom you could think of. Just hang in there, I will be back to write a success story when its time, but Im getting better. Ill never trust the medical community, big pharma, food companies, the government, etc ever again. Im thankful to go through this, its absolutely opened my eyes and sent me down rabbit holes I would have never explored. Hang in there, eat healthy, get sunlight, light exercise, etc. We will all heal, just takes time and acceptance. 

[Heath]

@SouthernMan Thank you for updating us and sharing you story! I am happy to hear you are doing much much better!

Yes it does give others encouragement and thank you !

Hang on 💪

[Altostrata]

2 hours ago, SouthernMan said:

im much better than I was 6 months ago. Around month 11 I could feel things start getting better. I hate to put a percentage on it, but I would say im around 70% healed. I still have some sleep issues(but getting better), parathesisia in my back(much better), muscle twitches, anhedonia, low moods and depressive feelings (but the depressive thoughts are leaving), nausea is better, etc. I had EVERY symptom you could think of. Just hang in there, I will be back to write a success story when its time, but Im getting better.

 

Very good to hear this. Thanks for letting us know. We all look forward to your Success Story.

 

To complete your documentation, please follow these instructions Summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this.

[SouthernMan]

13 month update:

 

Things are SLOWLY getting better. Sleep is still hit or miss. Main symptoms right now are:

 

Buzzing in head/ears

Muscle twitching(comes and goes)

Paresthesia in one spot on my back, but slowly getting better. 

Brain fog, head pressure, squeezing on top of head. 

Nausea/motion sick feeling, slowly getting better, not as intense and doesn't last as long. 

Getting glimpses of feelings/emotion here and there which is nice, but still a ways to go. 

Fatigue, this is one that comes and goes and is bothersome, but its what it is, will get better. Ive read that as the nervous system heals/rebalances, this is pretty common. 

The lack of motivaiton/anhendonia i believe you call it is hit or miss, but still there. But, I will have days, etc. where its much better.

Sleep issues. Last night was fine. Asleep by 9:30, woke up once at 1:15, fell back asleep until 5. i will take that. Its usually 3-4 days of waking 4-5 times, not sleeping past 4 am. Then I will have 2 days or so of one wake up and sleeping until 5-5:30. Seems to be slowly trying to work itself out. Also, dreaming like CRAZY, Vivid dreams, never had before. I presume this is my brain trying to balance. 

 

All in all, things are slowly improving. I think its imperative to dial in your lifestyle habits, eat correctly, move, get sunlight, etc. i know its tough but any little bit helps. Ive never been a smoker, social drinker yes, but gave up alcohol for good since going through this, always into fitness, etc. 

 

Still wild to me that after taking 4 pills, stopping for three weeks, then reinstating because I thought I was crazy(yet it was only withdraw, then reinstating again for 9 days i believe, would cause all this turmoil. Wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Its really opened my eyes to how messed up our Health Care/Phamaceutical, along with Processed food industries really are. Ive never had depression, ever prior to this. Anxiety, sure some situational stuff, but nothing like what I've gone through. I take full responsibility for letting the ER Doc suggest I take them due to the stomach virus issue, but never again will i trust the government/big pharma/big food. 

 

Just want to give everyone struggling hope. Do the small things, time will heal, im not there yet, but getting there. I will continue to update here and there to hopefully give those struggling hope. But, you HAVE to do the little things to heal properly. Whats the point in doing what you did prior to this, which got you in this situation??? I choosing to be postiive and spin this in a way to help others down the road. 

 

Hang in there!!! 

 

[Altostrata]

Good to hear! We still need this Summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature 

[getofflex]

I'm so glad to hear that you are recovering from the adverse reaction to Lexapro!  I look forward to your success story someday.  These give other people lots of hope and encouragement.  

[SouthernMan]

Quick Update:

 

15 months off in 2 days and things continue to trend in the right direction. its 2 steps forward and 1 back type of deal.  I will continue to come back and post to give others hope! I truly believe if you give your body/brain TIME to heal and the proper nutrition, etc, it will heal with time. Im slowly getting better, still a way to go, but things are looking up. The symptoms above are still on and off present but seem to SLOWLY lessening. Hang in there, we will all heal and be better for what we've gone through. Just remember, "Pain to Purpose", beautiful things are coming for all of us! Happy to answer any questions if someone has some! 

[SouthernMan]

Just wanted to pop in and give a quick update for those struggling. 

 

18 months:

 

Things continue to trend in the right direction. Im pretty much living life, but still have symptoms that come and go. Just try not to focus on them. 

 

Brain fog and head pressure/squeezing feeling, not near what it was

Sleep is SLOWLY getting better. But im able to fall asleep easier/most nights, getting 6-8 hours of broken sleep. Good nights ill sleep 6-7 hours straight. Bad nights will have vivid dreams/nightmares and wake up 3-5 times. But, is getting better than it was. 

Motion/land sick feeling, comes and goes but no where near what it was, not even close. 

Exercise, still ahve to take it easy, increases the buzzing in my ears/head and messes with my sleep a bit. 

The Fatigue is slowly fading, again, no where near what it was. 

The parathesia spot on my back doesn't come around as much! 

Anxiety/cortisol rush not as bad, but still rears its head. 

Low mood seems to follow if i push it too hard

Negative thoughts not as bad/frequent

The anhedonia/lack of motivation is lifting as well. Keep in mind Im a husband and father of two and the only one who works. I run a big business, so i have had no choice but to keep going. 

I had weird fear of knives, guns, etc, hard to explain, but that's fading and almost gone

The muscle twitching is still here and there, but not as intense. 

Head aches come and go but not near as much and seem to be centered around my sleep or if i do too much phycisal exertion.

 

Any questions, happy to answer. Just keep trucking. It gets better, everyone heals, just have to let your body heal and be mindful of the fact your brain is hijacked temporality, it's not really your thoughts. Dial in your diet, get sunlight, move as much as you can, put your bare feet on the earth and do what we were designed as humans to do. Hang in there! 

 

 

[peaceandlove]

How did you handle the antibiotics ?

[SouthernMan]

@peaceandlove It did the job of ridding the Strep. My stomach is in rough shape due to the antibiotics. I will say around day 5 i started having increased brain fog, a lot of muscle twitches, intrusive thoughts that I haven't had in months, etc. IM thinking the antibiotics attributed to this, but who knows. I'm coming up on 19 months in a few days. Trending in the right direction, just taking some time. Having more good days, still have **** days, but i know they will pass. Doesn't mean it's not easy on those days.  Still have the hissing, buzzing in my ears, sleep issues (but getting better), muscle twitches, anxiety/low mood, still have the DP/DR from time to time, etc. Naseau is gone, land sickness gone, headaches for the most part gone, Fatigue no where near what it was. Exercise is iffy. I cna walk alot, push ups, light stuff. If i lift and run like i used too, increased buzzing in my ears, feel poisend almost, hard to explain, messes with my sleep. All in all though, tredning in the rigth direction, just not linear. Hope you are better.

[Celeste1990]

Hi @SouthernMan! Can I ask you a question about your symptoms? I know you said you have muscle twitching - do you (or did you) get it at night when you were trying to fall asleep? The last couple nights it’s been awful for me where I’ll twitch every time I’m about to fall asleep on and off the whole night. Just curious if you experienced that too?

[SouthernMan]

Hey Celeste1990! I have had muscle twitches on and off for the entire 20 months that vary in how strong they are. A lot in my legs, arms, stomach, upper chest, behind ears, eyelids, fingers, wrist, etc. they just come and go with everything else. They do seem to be getting less and less over time though. Sleep all around has been a nightmare but getting better as well. Just takes ALOT of time and it’s SLOW. Just distract, try to take care of yourself and be mindful that your body and mind are temporarily hijacked. I kind of look at it like I’m completely frozen and my body and mind are slowly thawing out. Hang in there! I’m not healed, but dammit I’m much better than I was! 

[Celeste1990]

I’m glad to hear it’s slowly getting better for you, thank you for answering my question and for the encouragement! 

[Farm24]

2 hours ago, Celeste1990 said:

Hi @SouthernMan! Can I ask you a question about your symptoms? I know you said you have muscle twitching - do you (or did you) get it at night when you were trying to fall asleep? The last couple nights it’s been awful for me where I’ll twitch every time I’m about to fall asleep on and off the whole night. Just curious if you experienced that too?

Those are hypnic jerks and I get those too. It is awful

[Claudelex]

Hi @SouthernMan, I am experiencing similar symptoms to what you have had or are still dealing with.  I have head pressure, headaches, my scalp feels like it's hot and my muscles twitch throughout my body.  I also feel a buzzing through my legs mainly.  The muscle twitches eased up for a couple of weeks, but are now back.  How long did it take for your headaches and head pressure to reduce please?  And did your scalp feel hot too?  Glad you have improved.

[SouthernMan]

@Claudelex Its all been such a blur, but I think the headaches eased up around 15 months or so. I still get head pressure on top of my head here and there, but not as bad. Muscle twitches just come and go, but they seem to be slowing over time. Just a really slow process. The Fatigue has been back for about a month or two, but seems to be easing. Over the last few weeks i seem to be falling asleep much easier, longest stretch ill get is 6 hours or so. But typically wake up, 2-3 times a night. All in all, its slowly getting better, I know i will fully heal, just a matter of time. 

[Claudelex]

Thanks for the response, glad you are improving.  It looks like it’s going to be a long road for me.

[Celeste1990]

Hi @SouthernMan, I was just curious if your symptoms were absolutely debilitating at the beginning? You have a lot of the same symptoms as me but mine are constant and beyond awful. 

[SouthernMan]

@Celeste1990 Yes they were, but I had no choice but to power through it. I'm the only income, have two boys, run a big business. It was absolutely beyond anything I even knew was possible. Mine is and was 100% an injury. I've never had any issues outside of normal anxiety people have. I had a night where I couldn't sleep and for whatever reason it absolutely through me down a giant hole. Only thing i can think of is my nervous system just built up over the years from stress, etc and the bucket just over filled. So trusted my doctor, who never asked about diet, lifestyle, etc and said take these, they will help. Took Lexapro for four days and knew form the start something wasn't right. So i stopped. The first two days after stopping felt normal. Then all hell broke lose, I didn't know then, but do now that it was withdraw, yes form 4 pills. Some people just cannot take this stuff. After 3-4 weeks of that, i reinstated and that's when it got REALLY bad. I took for 8-9 days and stopped when I found this site. Ill be 23 months off on the 11th, I'm so much better than last year and just getting better and better. Still have some lingering symptoms, but i'm living life and just tying to ignore them.  You'll get through it, promise. Just distract, listen to your body, but try to live the best you can. Thats how your brain will make new connections/neurons. What are your symptoms? I'm 23 months off and over the last 3 weeks my sleep is just now getting better. Still not perfect, but I can fall asleep most nights, wake up 1-2 times. Some nights 3-5 times. But overall feeling better, starting to exercise again, couldn't for almost 20 months or so. I had every symptom out there, i still have some, but they are getting smaller and smaller. You'll heal, promise. Nothing you can do to speed it up, no supplement, diet, etc. But just try and take care of yourself, avoid sugar, carbs, alcohol, etc. 

[Celeste1990]

Thanks so much for answering, @SouthernMan I’m struggling with intense physical symptoms that feel beyond what I’m capable of dealing with. I’m also a parent to a young child so I have to keep going but I don’t know what to do when I feel like I can’t. My main symptom is this insane head sensation, it’s like a mix of dizziness, off balance, vision issues and pressure. It feels like my brain is plugged into an electrical outlet and like my head is going to explode 24/7. 

[SouthernMan]

@Celeste1990 You answered how you keep going, for the little one. Just remember it will get better and will pass. Just keep going. Doing what it feels like you cant do will heal you as well over time. It will callous your brain. Just keep going and take care of your body by eating real food, get sunlight, move as much as you can, sleep the best you can, etc. 

[Celeste1990]

Thank you so much, @SouthernMan

[SouthernMan]

Just wanted to pop in and give an update. I'm 23 months off from my drug injury and definitely a lot better than I was a year ago, but not there yet. Sleep is better, but no where near what it used to be, maybe it never will again, I'm not sure, but its better than it was. I still deal with ear issues, muscle twitches, negative thoughts/intrusive thoughts(but not near as bad) and I never had these prior to the injury, broken sleep- I can fall asleep easier most nights, off balance, brain fog which has gotten better but got really bad after my bout of vertigo3 months ago(which I've never had before), I can exercise a little more now, but still get this poisoned feeling if i push it too much and/or over heat. All in all, getting better, living life for the most part, but still daily symptoms, some days worse/better than others. But, it is slowly getting better and looking back a year ago, definitely better. Hang in there, its a long ride, but we will all make it! 

[SouthernMan]

I still have occasional DPR as well, comes in waves, irritation and aggressiveness/snapping especially at my kids is WAY better. Thats been the hardest part with all of this, not being the dad and husband i used to be. No one on the outside can tell we are suffering either, that's what's so tough. I would have NEVER thought this was possible or a thing until going through it, ever. So, I can completely understand how people don't understand what we are truly dealing with.   But it's coming back slowly. Anyone who knows me knows that that's all that matters to me, my kids and wife, and running my business. it's been a ROUGH 2 years almost, but again, it is getting much better. 

[Celeste1990]

I’m so glad you’re continuing to see improvement. It’s so inspiring that you’re able to be a parent, husband and run your own business on top of everything you’re going through. Thanks for coming back and giving updates, it’s really motivating. 

[Jane318]

On 9/23/2024 at 6:09 AM, SouthernMan said:

Just wanted to pop in and give an update. I'm 23 months off from my drug injury and definitely a lot better than I was a year ago, but not there yet. Sleep is better, but no where near what it used to be, maybe it never will again, I'm not sure, but its better than it was. I still deal with ear issues, muscle twitches, negative thoughts/intrusive thoughts(but not near as bad) and I never had these prior to the injury, broken sleep- I can fall asleep easier most nights, off balance, brain fog which has gotten better but got really bad after my bout of vertigo3 months ago(which I've never had before), I can exercise a little more now, but still get this poisoned feeling if i push it too much and/or over heat. All in all, getting better, living life for the most part, but still daily symptoms, some days worse/better than others. But, it is slowly getting better and looking back a year ago, definitely better. Hang in there, its a long ride, but we will all make it! 

Kudos to you for enduring / powering through.  This is so encouraging, that even though progress seems so slow / to take so long - healing / improvement DOES happen, with time.  And the time will pass regardless, so we might as well keep fighting!