beebs: Introduction, Withdrawals

[beebs]

Hi everyone!

I took Cymbalta for about a month back in November 2022-December 2022. I had been on and off Lexapro for about 5 years, with a short stent of Prozac during 2021. I stopped cold turkey and had a few withdrawal symptoms lasting about a month. I was a tad more anxious after quitting antidepressants, but overall felt much better! Fast forward to May 27th, I had a panic attack that has left me feeling anxious ever since. I have gotten better over the past few weeks, but still anxious. My psychiatrist recommended trying Lexapro again at a higher dosage and prescribed Lorazepam to take PNR (for panic attacks). I’m hesitant to get back on an SSRI because I felt like I was handling life fairly well until the panic attack. I also have not had another panic attack since, so the Lorazepam has just been sitting in my nightstand. Anyone else struggling with withdrawal symptoms happening late or return of anxiety after feeling okay for a few months?

 

[beebs]

Stint* not stent lol

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  Have you resumed taking Lexapro as the doctor suggested?  I'm assuming not, but just want to be sure.  I'm glad you are hesitant about Lorazepam, because it is highly addictive.  I think you are also wise to be hesitant about getting on SSRI drugs again, because they cause nervous system dependency, and are often so hard to get off of.  And, there are many non drug ways of dealing with panic attacks and anxiety.  Claire Weekes is an excellent resource for this.  If you go on amazon, you can find various books and CD's from her on how to deal with and reduce anxiety.  There is also CBT, which is cognitive behavior therapy.  A good book on this is by David Burns called "The Feeling Good Handbook".  

 

It is also possible that some of the panic/anxiety was caused by your brain still trying to recalibrate after going on and off the psych drugs in 2021 and 2022.  These drugs have long lasting effects, and sometimes these effects are delayed.  Psych drugs actually make temporary changes to our brains, and it can take a very long time for our brains to adjust to being off of them. 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

On 7/6/2023 at 6:48 PM, beebs said:

Anyone else struggling with withdrawal symptoms happening late or return of anxiety after feeling okay for a few months?

 

Yes, this is not uncommon.  These symptoms can come and go, and also be delayed. 

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Here are some techniques for dealing with withdrawal symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Finally, here are some other things to help with panic and anxiety. 

 

 

video: Claire Weekes on Anxiety and Panic

 

Emotional Spirals

 

Acknowledge Accept Float

 

Music to Calm Anxiety

 

Breathing Technique for Anxiety

 

Anxiety Stuff - all kinds of stuff about anxiety attacks and things that help ...

 

15 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes) Female voice - getselfhelp.co.uk

 

Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes) Male voice - getselfhelp.co.uk

 

Meditation

 

Please rest assured that if you take good care of yourself, eventually all of this withdrawal will subside.  Good luck, and let us know how you are doing. 

Edited July 9, 2023 by getofflex

[beebs]

I have not started taking medication yet, no. I am slowly getting better, but it is still hard for me to leave my house. The anxiety is fine when I'm at home, for the most part.

[Happy2Heal]

2 hours ago, beebs said:

I have not started taking medication yet, no. I am slowly getting better, but it is still hard for me to leave my house. The anxiety is fine when I'm at home, for the most part.

 

 

this is great, good for you!! 

you will get better in time

 

to answer this question you posted about before

On 7/6/2023 at 7:48 PM, beebs said:

Anyone else struggling with withdrawal symptoms happening late or return of anxiety after feeling okay for a few months?

it is very common to have a delay in symptoms showing up and it is pretty much the pattern with withdrawal to have symptoms come and go and gradually get better over time

 

if you don't add more drugs etc your healing will go much easier

 

you're going to be ok!

[beebs]

It's normal even 6 months later? I really had no withdrawal effects within the first month, maybe headaches if anything.. I'm slowly feeling a tad better, I have my rockier days which are typically triggered by a stressful event, lack of sleep, lack of food, etc.. but for the most part my baseline anxiety is calming down. I am starting to get more 'down' symptoms if anything- fatigue mainly. 

[Happy2Heal]

14 minutes ago, beebs said:

It's normal even 6 months later? I really had no withdrawal effects within the first month, maybe headaches if anything.. I'm slowly feeling a tad better, I have my rockier days which are typically triggered by a stressful event, lack of sleep, lack of food, etc.. but for the most part my baseline anxiety is calming down. I am starting to get more 'down' symptoms if anything- fatigue mainly. 

my apologies, I used the wrong word there, it is not unheard of and I actually was thinking more of the Lexapro and not the Cymbalta

Ooops!!

 

Lexapro is a super strong drug and it takes a long time for your brain to realize that you stopped taking it, it seems.. or maybe I should just refer to my own case?
I was on Lexapro for a long time, and I tried to go off it many times. each time I would feel so awful - but never right away, it was usually 3 mos later and I felt so horrible I would go back on it.

The very first time I went off, though, I felt ok-ish for much longer and then the withdrawal symptoms started... and lasted and lasted and lasted! I started taking massive doses of seroquel as well as a beta blocker to deal with the anxiety and  wanted to move in with my daughter, I felt so bad.

 

so maybe I am wrong, maybe what is happening to you is something different

my apologies. I just know that having a delayed response happens ... er, enough times that I have seen it mentioned... what seems like a lot to me

maybe my impression is incorrect

 

 

[beebs]

I really am considering getting back on Lexapro.. I have a lot going on that is a bit hard to deal with on top of the anxiety itself.. Maybe those situations are causing the anxiety and making a loop. Who knows. I'm just ready for some relief is all I know!

[Happy2Heal]

10 minutes ago, beebs said:

I really am considering getting back on Lexapro.. I have a lot going on that is a bit hard to deal with on top of the anxiety itself.. Maybe those situations are causing the anxiety and making a loop. Who knows. I'm just ready for some relief is all I know!

  well, if you DO go back on, and I really don't recommend that, if you can manage at all without it....!!!!

please because it's been so long since you've taken it,  8 mos now, right? please please only try a TINY bit because lexapro is a very very strong drug

 

it is very hard to get off of for good- I did it, but it took me many false starts and many mistakes and I suffered a LOT 

and a LOT of that could have been avoided IF I had known about withdrawal, and ALSO if I had just followed the advice given here.

I caused myself a lot of trouble I could have avoided by just staying at the 2.5 mgs as I was strongly advised to do, but I believed it was such a tiny dose it wasn't doing anything

and my dr was quick to tell me that 2.5mgs was like taking nothing at all, but believe me, even a tiny FRACTION of a single mg of this drug can be felt!!  

but your issues may be totally unrelated to WD from lexapro or even the cymbalta, you need the experts to figure that out and that's def NOT me lol

 

If I were you I would wait and see what Alto thinks

 

 

 

 

Edited July 25, 2023 by Happy2Heal

[beebs]

I ceased antidepressant usage cold turkey (really wish I would not have!) on December 12, 2022. 

 

I am just completely frustrated by how many good months I had until the panic attack in May. It has really thrown me for a loop, with heightened anxiety being my main fuss.. I struggle with leaving my house. I struggle at work. I may actually quit my job or at least take a break for a bit due to this. I'm also a college student, so my semester starts back up in August and I am a tad worried about this.. 

 

Any advice for reinstating would be great!

[beebs]

A little background:

 

Started lexapro November 2017 at age 17 due to depersonalization/derealization from bad edible experience. Got on and off throughout the years due to anxiety.

Switched to Cymbalta at age 22 due to weight gain from trying to stop lexapro and then reinstating. Got off Cymbalta cold turkey December 2022 due to heightened anxiety and jitteriness. 

Got off birth control January 2022. Had been on it since 2017. Periods have been regular ever since and I had no trouble getting off birth control (tri-lo-estarylla).

 

Have not taken anything else since.

 

Anxiety kicked in after panic attack May 27, 2023. Symptoms include racing heart rate, panic, restlessness, sleep disturbances, low mood, anhedonia, no sex drive, loss of appetite, cold 24/7, intrusive/existential thoughts, depersonalization/derealization/detachment at times, agoraphobia most days. These symptoms aren't daily unless noted. Slowly getting more good hours in the day than bad.

 

 

[Happy2Heal]

31 minutes ago, beebs said:

Have not taken anything else since.

does that include no more edibles? I don't know much about those but I think that's probably not a good idea....

but others who know more can weigh in on that ok

32 minutes ago, beebs said:

Anxiety kicked in after panic attack May 27, 2023. Symptoms include racing heart rate, panic, restlessness, sleep disturbances, low mood, anhedonia, no sex drive, loss of appetite, cold 24/7, intrusive/existential thoughts, depersonalization/derealization/detachment at times, agoraphobia most days. These symptoms aren't daily unless noted. Slowly getting more good hours in the day than bad.

hmm do you know what triggered the panic attack?

that may explain the delayed withdrawal, I don't know... it could have triggered something

I have  what I guess is an anxiety disorder? PTSD and that causes me to be triggered by a lot of stuff. 

just tossing this out there as a possible reason.... thinking out loud, kind of.

 

those all sound like withdrawal symptoms for sure, and any of the psych drugs can cause them so it would be hard to pinpoint where the trouble lies and I will not comment on that any further as I am just not qualified

I have my own personal suspicions based on my experience and those of others who have taken lexapro but Alto knows a LOT more than I do for sure, and she or another moderator are the ones to ask for clarification on this topic

 

that you are slowly getting more good hours in the day than bad is GREAT!! wow if I were you, I'd stay the course and stick it out. Chances are pretty good I think that you will keep on improving

 

this is a frustratingly slow process but you've shown so much progress already I would hate to see you undo it all by going back on any drug, honestly

 

have you read what can happen if you go on and off these drugs? about kindling? that is no joke and you don't want to risk that. ok?

 

hopefully a mod or Alto will be along sometime soon or perhaps you can tag a Mod? I'm not sure if that's ok or not, I'm just a mentor, all I can really do is offer support and encouragement and maybe share my experience

the real heavy lifting here is done by the mods and Alto herself

 

 

[beebs]

I did dabble in some stupid things like mdma, cocaine, and weed back in 2019 while on lexapro but have not touched anything like that since. It’s been 4 years. 
 

The panic attack was “triggered” by a plane ride, which I used to not really have anxiety about at all.. I had only had one other panic attack in my entire life and that was when I got too high from an edible.

 

I haven’t heard of kindling..

[Happy2Heal]

2 minutes ago, beebs said:

I haven’t heard of kindling..

 

[beebs]

Thank you! 

I didn't ever go off for too long from the 2017-2022 range, so I'm thinking I would be okay. 

[Happy2Heal]

11 minutes ago, beebs said:

Thank you! 

I didn't ever go off for too long from the 2017-2022 range, so I'm thinking I would be okay. 

you are very welcome

 

 

[beebs]

Is there a way to tag a moderator to respond?

[Happy2Heal]

11 hours ago, beebs said:

Is there a way to tag a moderator to respond?

 

Hi, I was just looking to see which Moderators are currently active (some are taking a break from the forum for a bit) and which ones allow you to tag them (some specifically request that you do not tag them and/or do not PM them)

It looks like it's ok to tag Brassmonkey

 

you do it by using this "@" and when you enter that symbol and start to type in the name you want a drop down menu appears below and you click on the name

 

like this @brassmonkey 

 

there are very few mods right now, it looks like, and there are a lot of new members so please only tag them if you can't find the answer somewhere else or if your question needs an urgent answer ok?

they are all unpaid volunteers, some who are going thru withdrawal right now themselves so we want to respect that and not wear them out ok?

 

hi Brass, beebs is looking for a mod or admin. I think for reinstatement advice

Not my area of expertise for sure! thank you

 

 

 

[brassmonkey]

@beebs @Happy2Heal  Actually I'm one of those mods that is indisposed. Been fighting severe breathing problems for going on four months now.

 

Beeps-- what you are experiencing is pretty common ADWD. You've had several drug changes and CTs in the past year and a half and that can cause some problems. Even though you were on each drug for a short time. Just a couple of weeks of usage is enough to cause WD problems. With a CT there is frequently a honeymoon period that can last three to six months before the WD hits. Have several CTs and there can be an additive effect, making things more unpredictable.

 

If you are feeling better from time to time, that is a good thing, shows healing. If things get really bad, you might try a very small reinstatement. Something in the 1 to 2 mgai range of the last drug you took. Then you will have to stabilize for a couple of months before starting to slowly taper off.

[beebs]

Oh no.. I’m sorry to hear that. 
 

I just don’t understand how it took so long for symptoms to show up. Thank you for your comment. I hope things get better for you. 

[beebs]

Feeling particularly scared today. I sure could use some words of encouragement! 

[Catina7]

Hey there @beebs, what's going on?  I am not a mod or anything, but I am here for you.  How are you feeling?

[beebs]

Just exhausted by the emotions. I feel like I permanently messed my brain up by cold turkey-ing. It's been nearly 8 months since my last pill. I have been dealing with the anxiety for about exactly 2 months now. I have good hours in the day, but then I also have some hopeless moments. I think I would really benefit from positive self talk. I just want some relief. I am thinking about going back on Lexapro 2.5 mg, as I have had the prescription sitting in my nightstand for about a month now. Waiting on the results from my GeneSight testing to come back. I don't really have physical symptoms as much as emotional (anxiousness, hopelessness, sadness). 

[beebs]

32 weeks, 4 days update:

 

Figured I would start a diary for healing. Feeling extremely fatigued and tired. Some anhedonia. Finding myself more fatigued than anxious, but still experience the anxiety as well at times. I still laugh and smile at things. I find enjoyment from physical movement and video games. I always look forward to sleeping. Feeling a bit better than last week. I think most of my physical sensations have gone away besides the sensation of being cold. I dealt with this prior to stopping anyways. Feeling hopeful. 

[Catina7]

Hang in there!  I think starting a diary is a fantastic thing!  It will help you to focus on your progress, and when you can see the good days that you have had it will give you motivation to keep going.  

 

You may want to ask a moderator about starting the Lexapro to get their thoughts.  Sometimes throwing another med into the mix during withdrawal may not be recommended.  I would proceed cautiously.

 

I'm glad you're feeling hopeful....it's that HOPE that will keep you going!