Marie0828: 5 months since quitting lexapro

[Marie0828]

I stopped taking lexapro 5 months ago (was on it for

PMDD\

Within the first month I noticed my moods weren't stable. A lot of crying spells. This seemed to clear up quickly but then I started to have digestive issues & food aversions and was diagnosed with GERD.

Over the next 2 months the digestive issues worsened and I was unable to eat. I was taking omeprazole 40mg for reflux and it wasn't helping.

Tried pantoprazole and also no luck. I ended up having an endoscopy and currently awaiting results.

During the 3rd & 4th months post quitting lexapro I began having severe and frequent panic attacks - something I haven't experienced for 10-15 years. At work, in the grocery store, in the car, sitting on a bench at the park, home alone on the couch watching tv. I even called 911 for myself because I didn't know I was having a panic attack and actually thought I was dying. 

Middle of month 4 into month 5 | have tinnitus so bad it keeps me up at night, even with white noise - never experienced this before. The ringing is so loud and it's 24/7. Sometimes it sounds like dial up internet and sometimes it sounds like just a constant high pitch.

Approaching month 6 I don’t sleep well and wake every 1-2 hours. The ringing is still persistent. And the intrusive thoughts of harming myself are becoming unbearable. 
 

this is not a relapse. I’ve never been like this. I’m not myself and I’m sure of it. 

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Edited August 27, 2023 by manymoretodays
name to topic title

[manymoretodays]

Hi Marie0828,

Welcome aboard.

Could you give a good try at the signature please.  That can be so helpful to us, and give us a great picture of your drug history, at a glance.  It is different from the information you gave us at registration, and once completed, will appear below all your posts.  Thank you.

See:

How to summarize you drug history in your signature

please include all drugs

 

Sounds like WD(withdrawal) to me.  And ouch, so sorry.  I'm not completely certain if the GERD is related to WD(withdrawal), but possibly.   Or is it GERD, or something else related to WD.  How did you come off your Lexapro?  Have you ever before Lexapro experienced similar GI issues?

 

We go with a harm reduction taper strategy to getting off antidepressants(AD's)

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off Lexapro

and I am giving this ^ topic to you, as if you do reinstate, it will help you navigate getting the dosing needed to do so

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

and including this ^ now, so you can read it over.  Do please ask if you consider this, so we can advise and support.  You'll also see that we don't ever just remedicate, a reinstatement dose is just a fraction of what you likely used to take.

 

What happens when going off an AD, if on for often just one month or more.....once a physiological dependency sets in:

Brain Remodelling

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Dr.Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

Do download the PDF too, which has a WD symptom checklist

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

When we take 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.  The CNS likes stability. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur. And sleep is so very important to healing, recovering from WD.

 

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) 

 

Are you still on omeprazole or pantoprazole?

 

Welcome again.  Hang on.  It sounds like you've had it very tough lately.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays(mmt)

 

 

 

 

Edited August 29, 2023 by manymoretodays
none, wrong post

[Marie0828]

Thank you for your response. To be honest I don’t remember the exact dosing and what I put in my new signature is solely based on the best I can remember and may not be 100% accurate. I was on my own through this as doctors made it seem like it was no big deal to casually adjust dosages “because I wasn’t clinically depressed” rather I have had PMDD (a reproductive mood disorder) which I had for 5 years before trying SSRI’s as a last resort option.

 

I have always been (thankfully) a very healthy person with minimal issues. The main concern of my life is/was PMDD which wrecked me for 10-14 days per month prior to menstruating. I tried countless methods for natural healing for 5 years before caving into pharmaceuticals. Outside of the PMDD symptom window I was a very happy, easy going, light hearted person. I viewed (and still try to even with these WD symptoms) challenges as an opportunity for growth and learning. It really bums me out that I feel so down every day now.

 

11 years ago I had a mild case of gastritis which quickly resolved without medication and have not had any GI issues prior to or after that.

 

I am no longer taking any medication. My GP advised that if the omeprazole/pantoprazole were not benefitting me that I should discontinue as they have negative effects if taken long term. However, the GERD symptoms seem to be lightening up (after 4 months). I rarely have acid reflux but I do still have food aversions. Meat especially grosses me out which has never been an issue before. My GP believes that because Lexapro is used to treat IBS that the discontinuation would have lead to my newly developed GI issues.

 

The panic attacks and constant fight or flight anxiety seem to be dissipating.. I was prescribed .25mg Xanax to help when an attack comes on. I have used it only once and that was the last time I had an attack present itself. Now that I know the attacks are from anxiety and panic, I have been able to talk myself out of anxious feelings by reminding my body that the fear is not real and simply a side effect of discontinuing Lexapro. Along with pranayama breathing.

 

Although I have made progress with anxiety, the depression is another (new) beast. I usually work 40 hours/week and for the last 3 weeks I have only managed to work one shift each week. My days off pass by so quickly. I am a restaurant server and having to put on a presentable and friendly persona when I feel like my world is ending and I’m an empty shell of despair is completely taxing on the little bit of hope I have left for myself. 

 

I have been taking Magnesium Glycinate 175mg, D3 2,000IU, and Garden of life “healthy blood” (iron/Vitamin C/B12/B6) daily for ~21 days

 

The magnesium I started because I have read countless articles on its benefits with stress.

The healthy blood I started taking since I haven’t been able to eat meat to insure micronutrient intake.

 

I recently purchased an Ayurvedic wellness pack which consists of holy basil, ashwaganda, bacopa, gotu kola, dwarf morning glory, and Indian basil. I have not started these packets yet. What are your thoughts with that?

 

I believe the tinnitus is what’s causing me so much frustration at the moment. I love sleep. It’s so important to me to get adequate rest every day (8-10 hours is my sweet spot). I have not been able to sleep since the onset of tinnitus and it’s wreaking havoc on my CNS.

 

I have also head a head ache every day for the last 10 days which starts in my neck then works its way through the rest of my head. It feels like a lot of pressure. I also feel very disassociated with people. I am a person who used to feel very connected to myself and those around me. Now I feel like I’m floating around and not present at all.

 

I am terrified to reinstate. This is the worst I’ve ever felt in my life. I’ve made it 5 months and I just cling to the hope that it will all be over with soon. I wish I had been educated on how serious this medication is. But again, the doctors did not seem worried that the drug would significantly impact me since I was not clinically depressed.

 

Thank you for your time and insight. I feel slightly lighter after finding this community.

 

 

[manymoretodays]

Okay.  Good some improvements.

Although it does seem like WD has knocked you through a loop at this point.  Unfortunate.

 

And another question-  did the lexapro ever help with the PMDD?

 

You have and are using some good non drug coping too!  That's great.

 

Just so you know.....you're not alone with some of your symptoms I'll give you a couple more topics to look at, and maybe something will stand out that helps with your current symptoms too.

Tips to help sleep: so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

Tinnitus: What does all that noise mean?

4 hours ago, Marie0828 said:

I have been taking Magnesium Glycinate 175mg, D3 2,000IU, and Garden of life “healthy blood” (iron/Vitamin C/B12/B6) daily for ~21 days

 

The magnesium I started because I have read countless articles on its benefits with stress.

The healthy blood I started taking since I haven’t been able to eat meat to insure micronutrient intake.

 

I recently purchased an Ayurvedic wellness pack which consists of holy basil, ashwaganda, bacopa, gotu kola, dwarf morning glory, and Indian basil. I have not started these packets yet. What are your thoughts with that?

 

Many find with the Magnesium, that spreading out the total dose throughout the day helps.  And I'll refer you back to that topic to read more on Magnesium.

 

Some do find or run into difficulties with the B's, or B vitamins.  I've always done fine with B12 sublingual......find it calming.  Others though have felt it to be too much on the stimulating effect I think.  C can be a little stimulating/activating too.  So do make sure that you take anything potential stimulating early in the day, so it doesn't further disrupt your sleep.

One thing I learned here, after arrival, and it does drive my own regular doctor a bit nuts........but is that I stick to single ingredient supplements, and only add one new thing at a time......and then give it a decent observation phase too, I mean I still try to keep a calendar going with supplements and changes in routines, and well everything.  Everything can affect everything.  So I'd advise keeping it simple, even simpler than what you've got going now.  You could back track and stay with present magnesium, but look for single ingredient vitamins or other, and then start to trial them one at a time, with observations.

 

You may or may not be as sensitive as some of are to variations, seeing as your history with these kind of drugs is less than a year all total.  I don't know though.....so I'd advise proceed in the most harm reduction way possible.  Like I said, many of us find ourselves much more sensitive to things that we easily tolerated before WD.  Me, I'd hold off on the Ayurvedic wellness pack or starting that right now.

 

I'll give you the main link to :  Important topics about tests, supplements, treatments,diet

The first post has an indexed list to many of the vitamins and supplements you are asking about.  And if you don't see them you can put them in the search window in the upper right of your screen, and hopefully find them to read more.

 

This is a good mantra and topic too:  The rule of 3KI's: Keep it simple, slow, and stable

And hoping that a really nice Window is coming for you soon.

 

Do keep posting, as I did ask other staff to take a look at your case, and give additional input as to reinstatement.

 

Don't be terrified as you learn and make decisions......not easy when in the throes of WD symptoms.  And I'm glad you feel a bit lighter already.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Edited August 27, 2023 by manymoretodays
added a ?

[Marie0828]

48 minutes ago, manymoretodays said:

 

And another question-  did the lexapro ever help with the PMDD?

 

It helped for 8ish month. I was so happy to feel like myself all month and not just outside of the luteal phase. When it stopped working and my PMDD returned is when the dr suggested to up my dose by 5mg during luteal phase only. This did not help and only turned me into a zombie on top of the pmdd. I stopped adding in the 5mg, went back to 10mg all month, then went to 5mg, and eventually stopped all together. There was no rhyme or reason to the madness and if I knew then what I know now I would have taken it a lot more seriously. 

 

Starting today I will use magnesium only and see what happens moving forward.

 

Thank you for the links referring to sleep and tinnitus. Even outside of WD I’ve never been a person to deal well with lack of sleep, so this has been so challenging and is likely exacerbating my decline in mental health. 

 

I also have not had caffeine for >1 month. I quit when I started having severe anxiety and panic attacks, and maybe the discontinuation has been what’s helped with that specifically. 
 

My new OBGYN wants me to intermittent dose Prozac 20mg from day of ovulation to first day of menstruation bc my PMDD is still present. After all of these WD effects from lexapro I feel like going on another SSRI is the last thing I want to do. 

[Marie0828]

1 hour ago, manymoretodays said:

You may or may not be as sensitive as some of are to variations, seeing as your history with these kind of drugs is less than a year all total

 I messed up when entering my history during sign up and can’t figure out how to fix it. I was on lexapro for a total of 15 months (January 2022- March 2023) but I’ve only started taking supplements this last month. 
 

it wasn’t even until the last few days that I put everything together and realized everything I’m experiencing is from WD. 

 

I am so grateful for this forum and for people like you who take your personal time to read and respond to us suffering. 
 

thank you

[manymoretodays]

30 minutes ago, Marie0828 said:

 I messed up when entering my history during sign up and can’t figure out how to fix it. I was on lexapro for a total of 15 months (January 2022- March 2023) but I’ve only started taking supplements this last month. 

 

I may have misread or mis calculated.  I see that now , January 2022 to March of 2023.  And it's in your signature too, so I think you fixed it or it didn't need fixing.  Thanks for answering all my questions too.  Much appreciated.  Thanks for your kindness as well.  I can't not do this moderating thing.  I do take off from time to time but really benefit from helping out here.

 

  

58 minutes ago, Marie0828 said:

My new OBGYN wants me to intermittent dose Prozac 20mg from day of ovulation to first day of menstruation bc my PMDD is still present. After all of these WD effects from lexapro I feel like going on another SSRI is the last thing I want to do. 

 

Good, I agree.  As far as not going on another SSRI. 

How do your symptoms correlate with your usual PMDD symptoms?  Worse?  Better than when on the Lexapro?  If you remember.  I am used to seeing the SSRI's and some of the others, mess up some of the hormones, and then into WD even.  So really interested in your case, and it's interesting that you did get some relief of PMDD, it just wasn't lasting at all.  I had pretty severe PMS it was called then.....both before and during my drugged years.  Crazy hormones.  Menopause and me.......we get along pretty well.  🙂

 

Age?  If you don't mind saying.  I went into menopause fairly early, but within normal limits as far as I know.  And did a fair amount of time on Lexapro, as well as many other prescribed drugs.

 

Did you get a chance to read on reinstatement?  Without terror?

 

Also see:  Neuroemotions and you'll see.......oh man, how everything can seem amplified too in WD.  It's the pits.

 

Quick, easy access to your signature:  AccountSettings/signature/updates edits

 

Hoping you get lot's of restorative sleep tonight.

mmt

 

 

 

 

Edited August 28, 2023 by manymoretodays

[Marie0828]

24 minutes ago, manymoretodays said:

How do your symptoms correlate with your usual PMDD symptoms?  Worse?  Better than when on the Lexapro?

The last two months I feel worse than PMDD has ever made me feel. I feel depressed every day, all throughout my cycle. Some days are more manageable than others. Typically with PMDD my depressive symptoms would subside day 1 of period but the last two months I’ve been depressed every day with no changes regardless of where I am in my menstrual cycle. Those few months of lexapro relief was the only time in almost 6 years that I felt any kind of relief of PMDD. When PMDD symptoms came back on lexapro I basically just felt like I did before I ever started taking it. Happy and normal then during luteal depressed and low. I didn’t feel like I was taking any medication. I just felt like my normal self with PMDD. 
 

I’m excited for menopause! However I’m 31 so I think I have a few years. Lol I know it comes with it’s own challenges but even your comment proves it is the better part of life for those of us with intense cycles. It’s great you’re enjoying life post menstruation! Also free of antidepressants. And smoking too. A lot of wins for you! Be proud!! 
 

It wasn’t until I spent countless hours digging that I realized everything I’m experiencing is WD. If I could just get rid of the tinnitus and therefor get restful sleep I think I could manage this so much better. 

I read up on the reinstatement. Since I’ve been off of it for 5 months I feel like it could be too long to have benefits of reinstating. It mentions the longer you’re off of the SSRI the harder it becomes to have a successful reinstatement. 
 

At this point I feel like my best option is to brace myself for what’s to come and do my best to try and weather the storm. 

[manymoretodays]

Hi Marie0828,

I did get some additional input, and I might, if I was in your shoes now gingerly try a reinstatement dose of Lexapro/escitalopram.

0.25 mg only though. 

Lexapro tends to be stronger per mg than many of it's relatives, so that might even be the equivalent of a reinstate of 0.5 mg or 1 mg of another SSRI.

 

Did you take it in the morning or evening, when you were on more?

There is a chance that it might help offset some of the depressive-ness, and help with sleep.  I'm not sure it would do much for the tinnitus......though one never knows.  I agree with you, I don't think this is a relapse.......I think WD is at play.

 

If you could get a liquid concentration of it, at 1 mg per 1 mL, that would be simplest to get that small dose.  Measure it with a 1 mL syringe, just 0.24 mL, which is slightly less than .25 mg but a good trial reinstatement dosage.  And then prepare to observe closely and objectively for at least 4 to 7 days to see if it helps at all with symptoms.  Also be using some calming techniques, and upbeat stuff to kind of help you cope and get calm and relaxed more often.

 

What do you think? 

If it helps, then you just stay put for say a few months, and then taper down off that by 10% of dose, with recalculations after each dose change.  You can often further dilute a pharmacy concentration to do this.

Also look at the Lexapro topic I gave you.  If you have any left, you can even make your own suspension liquid to trial reinstatement, at the 0.25 mg dosage.

 

Hope the sleep has improved non-the less, and you are level in mood.

 

Best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Edited August 29, 2023 by manymoretodays

[Marie0828]

1 hour ago, manymoretodays said:

Did you take it in the morning or evening, when you were on more?

There is a chance that it might help offset some of the depressive-ness, and help with sleep.

I ultimately took it at 9am daily. I first tried to take it at night but for a few weeks I experienced restlessness for several hours after consumption. That eventually leveled out but I never changed the time. 

 

I am open to the idea of reinstating especially if that’s what the professionals of this community recommend. That being said I finally got 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night and only woke due to my cat trying to sing me a song in the middle of the night lol! 
 

Yesterday was my birthday and I believe because of that some of the depressive symptoms were intensified (family drama). Ended up having a very nice day with friends & husband - although throughout the event I had moments of my brain trying to remind me that I’m still depressed. No overly intrusive thoughts though.

 

j felt accepting of my situation by night time. Said some positive affirmations before bed while sitting in front of my diffuser with organic calming essential oils. 
 

I’m interested to see now that the event has passed, if the feelings of depression will lightening up a little. I already feel 5-10% better today.

 

A hurricane is arriving today and tomorrow so I think I will sit tight the next few days as all doctors offices are closed. If my symptoms are still persistent by the end of this week when the storm passes, I will give my doctor a call about reinstating. 
 

Thank you so much for you consistent effort to help bring peace to people going through this! It’s truly a blessing to have found this community. 

[Marie0828]

Ironically enough my doctor called me today to go over blood work. To no surprise everything's normal. 
 

She asked me how I’ve been feeling. I have been seeing her since April 2023 when the acid reflux started (the first physical symptom I had). 
 

I mentioned to her that I learned about PWS. I said that I believe this is what I’m experiencing as my body moves through one “illness” a new one presents itself. I asked about reinstating at a very low dose (.25mg) to help my body etc. Basically gave the whole run down of everything I’ve learned the last several days. 
 

She was kind, but she shut me down completely. She said there’s absolutely no way for Lexapro WD to still affect me 5 months later and that Lexapro is entirely out of the system within a few weeks. She said at this point in the process, I will have returned to my normal state of being without SSRI’s, and if I’m experiencing depressive feelings and thoughts daily that she’d be happy to rx me a regular dose of lexapro or a new one to try. She said that over time, women with PMDD do generally end up with clinical depression🤦‍♀️  I told her at this time I’m not interested, but I didn’t argue my point. 
 

I want to just cry.

 

On a positive note a got a better night of sleep last night than I have in a while. Woke frequently but was able to doze back off quicker. 
 

Debating either finding another doctor or canceling insurance and doctors all together. 

[Catina7]

Hi @Marie0828!  I just wanted to pop by and say a quick hello.  I myself lived with PMDD for many decades and like you went on psych drugs as a last resort.  When I finally reached menopause it was such a relief to not have to deal with that whole mess anymore.  But now I'm trying to get off all the psych meds and it's so hard!

 

Sorry for what you're going through, and then to be told by your own doctor that there is no such thing as PWS.  I'm glad you know better!  

 

I'm happy to hear that you slept better last night, and I'm very glad you're here among people that validate and empathize with what you're going through!

 

Sending big hugs 2 U!

 

Catina ❤️

Edited August 30, 2023 by Catina7

[Marie0828]

@Catina7 nice to “meet” you! 🙂 

 

I’m sorry you lived the hell that is PMDD. Where not only is there a huge lack of research but also support. Happy to hear you’ve made it to the other side and in that have relief! You deserve it!

 

If it gives any hope, my mom came off of all meds in her late 50s and has never felt better in her life. Wishing you the best in your tapering journey!

 

Question! What’s the opinion on here about EMDR therapy and PWS? I know it’s shown to be extremely successful with PMDD. I reached out to a therapist before realizing my other “issues” are PWS. I would hate to further agitate my nervous system by stirring up past traumatic events. But maybe in doing so it will help the brain heal? Really not sure what to think about it. Maybe it’s best to wait?

[Altostrata]

Hello, @Marie0828

 

It appears you have protracted withdrawal syndrome from going off Lexapro. This is not a psychiatric or mood disorder, it's a physical condition -- your nervous system has not yet adapted to your post-drug state. 

 

EMDR and other therapies are supposed to help with mood disorder. We have not seen them particularly helpful for withdrawal syndrome. We cannot predict EMDR's effects on you.

[Catina7]

11 hours ago, Marie0828 said:

If it gives any hope, my mom came off of all meds in her late 50s and has never felt better in her life.

 

Yes, that does give me hope...thank you! 

 

It's going to be a long road for me, but hopefully I can be drug-free one day too!  

[Nypeaches89]

Hello hello, fellow PMDD sufferer here, since paws, not before. 
I did a trauma healing session in the worst part of my withdrawal and it worked very well. It did not cure my PWS nor PMDD but at least it got me rid of my ptsd emotional reactions. I think it all depends of the type of trauma we’re talking about. If it’s big T trauma or small t trauma. Mine was small, I was comfortable revisiting it.
(I did have a ptsd slip back during one PMDD phase a year after though) 

 

[Marie0828]

Thank you for all responses! 
 

@Nypeaches89 sorry to hear you endure PMDD too. My heart truly goes out to anyone trying to navigate the disorder. It’s not fun! If you don’t mind me asking, which method did you use for the trauma healing? I’m interested in learning about all approaches 🙂 

 

Update on PWS: I found this site a few days ago when I believe I was at the pit of the worst emotional and physical several weeks wave I’ve had since quitting lexapro.

 

Today: I had the best night of sleep in a while last night. Woke a few times but was able to fall asleep quickly. I feel hopeful & positive.
 

Symptoms that are present today; tinnitus which is persistent 24/7 but is not as loud or agitating, food aversions to meat, short temper (being aware of it helps me not act out in it).

 

Methods I’ve implicated the last few days; essential oils, journaling, 61 points meditation. I use both a box fan and a white noise on my phone to drown out the tinnitus (it’s helps with about 80% reduction in ringing). I stopped taking iron, b12, b6, calcium and vitamin d. Currently just going strong with 350mg magnesium glycinate (half dose morning, half dose mid day)

 

Cheers to a good day! Everyone have a good day. For those of you in a window: enjoy and embrace! For those of you in a wave, be strong and know that better days are ahead! 
 

Hugs!

[Nypeaches89]

46 minutes ago, Marie0828 said:

Thank you for all responses! 
 

@Nypeaches89 sorry to hear you endure PMDD too. My heart truly goes out to anyone trying to navigate the disorder. It’s not fun! If you don’t mind me asking, which method did you use for the trauma healing? I’m interested in learning about all approaches 🙂 

 

Update on PWS: I found this site a few days ago when I believe I was at the pit of the worst emotional and physical several weeks wave I’ve had since quitting lexapro.

 

Today: I had the best night of sleep in a while last night. Woke a few times but was able to fall asleep quickly. I feel hopeful & positive.
 

Symptoms that are present today; tinnitus which is persistent 24/7 but is not as loud or agitating, food aversions to meat, short temper (being aware of it helps me not act out in it).

 

Methods I’ve implicated the last few days; essential oils, journaling, 61 points meditation. I use both a box fan and a white noise on my phone to drown out the tinnitus (it’s helps with about 80% reduction in ringing). I stopped taking iron, b12, b6, calcium and vitamin d. Currently just going strong with 350mg magnesium glycinate (half dose morning, half dose mid day)

 

Cheers to a good day! Everyone have a good day. For those of you in a window: enjoy and embrace! For those of you in a wave, be strong and know that better days are ahead! 
 

Hugs!

It doesn’t have a name that I know of  I think, but it basically was like : imagining myself in the scene, really visualize it and re feel all the emotions- then talk to the person who traumatized me ie a school bully to feel in control and safe as an adult, if that makes sense. A but like a theatre play? Very cringe lol. Again it was not a huge thing to confront… after that session I had dreams about that period of my life for weeks and weeks. But my trauma responses made worse by paws disappeared. I was so impressed.   
 

[modelarz71]

Hello, I'm a guy but I also went off escitalopram and started having problems with IBS or GERD among other things. Stomach filling feeling fast, etc. Some people write that when they re-dosed their gastric symptoms disappeared. I think about it every day, but I'm afraid of esci because he destroyed my sleep architecture when he activated me. I'm trying probiotics, but with not much results i think as long...
 

[Marie0828]

1 minute ago, modelarz71 said:

GERD among other things. Stomach filling feeling fast, etc. Some people write that when they re-dosed their gastric symptoms disappeared

I’m sorry you’re experiencing this as well! I had all of the same symptoms. The gerd was unbearable. I “slept” sitting up for over a month so I totally understand. When I was able to eat, it was a fraction of what I needed or was used to. I ended up losing about 10lbs in ~6 weeks, which wasn’t ideal as I was not overweight. I never tried reinstating, at the time I did not know that my experience was related to WD. 
 

Now my GI issues are minimal - some reflux, with the most aggravating GI symptom being food aversions. I also took daily probiotics which honestly didn’t seem to help or hinder. What did help me was wearing extremely loose fitting clothing.

 

I hope that you’re able to find some relief with your stomach! Mine ended up passing with time. I would say after 4 months I noticed relief. 

 

@Nypeaches89 Aw not cringe if it helps that’s amazing! Makes me feel hopefully in my journey back to therapy. Tried CBT in the past just talking / venting. I didn’t find much benefit with it but I feel a different approach would work best for me. Thank you for sharing your experience. 

[zma1]

So do you all think the gerd/reflux and digestive issues are a withdrawal symptom? I’m struggling with scary digestive issues and seeing docs but I’m thinking it’s maybe because i did a small reduction recently. It was such a minimal reduction I can’t believe it would cause such havoc— but maybe?

[Marie0828]

49 minutes ago, zma1 said:

So do you all think the gerd/reflux and digestive issues are a withdrawal symptom?

Yes I do. And because it was one of the first symptoms I had, my doctor thought so too. She said that Lexapro is also used to treat IBS so said it could very well cause GI issues. 

 

It’s now been 6 months since the onset of GERD and I will say the reflux is very minimal for me now. I do still have food aversions and a weird appetite. 
 

I hope you soon have relief in your journey! 

[zma1]

Thank you so much. That’s very reassuring to hear❤️

[modelarz71]

W dniu 13.09.2023 o 23:31 zma1 powiedział:

Czy więc wszyscy zwracają uwagę, że refluks i problemy trawienne są objawem odstawienia? Walczę z poważnymi badaniami dotyczącymi trawiennymi i odwiedzanymi przez lekarzy, ale myślę, że to może być dlatego, że ostatnio przeglądane. To była taka minimalna redukcja, że nie można uwierzyć, że błędne spustoszenie – ale może?

Jak się teraz mają Twoje problemy z przełykiem/refluksem i trawieniem?

[Marie0828]

@modelarz71 I do believe my GI complications are related to SSRI withdrawal.

 

I had a very good 3.5 weeks but I do feel as though my window is fading and a wave is approaching. 
 

Tinnitus still is and has been present since end of July. However the last few weeks the ringing seemed to be quieter. 
 

Starting about 4 days ago, the tinnitus is loud again. I’m back to having shortness of breath and tight chest / anxiety. Restless nights although I’m exhausted. And my acid reflux is flaring up more than normal. I also have had head/neck anches upon waking up continuing into the day for almost a week.

 

Sadly I think I’m in for another WD rodeo. Thankfully I now know what my body is experiencing.  

[modelarz71]

On 14.09.2023 at 00:26, Marie0828 said:

Tak. A ponieważ był to jeden z pierwszych objawów, jakie miałem, mój lekarz też tak uważał. Powiedziała, że Lexapro stosuje się także w leczeniu IBS, więc stwierdziła, że może powodować problemy z układem pokarmowym. 

 

Minęło już 6 miesięcy od wystąpienia GERD i powiem, że refluks jest już u mnie bardzo minimalny. Nadal mam awersję do jedzenia i dziwny apetyt. 
 

Mam nadzieję, że wkrótce poczujesz ulgę w swojej podróży! 

My stomach was always fine, even after 6 months. I made the mistake of reinstating it for 3 weeks and then quitting again. Then IBS (?) started. Now I often have stomach aches and pain and I would like to find some meaning in it...

[Marie0828]

It’s now 9 months since quitting lexapro. My lingering symptoms of WD include food aversions, lack of appetite, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and tinnitus.

 

I have been able to keep the panic attacks under control and the anxiety is something I’m getting used to as well. I can recognize a panic attack as it’s coming on and talk myself down before it spirals. Just trying to acknowledge it as a part of the process. 
 

I’m having a hard time with accepting my nutritional issues and tinnitus. I know how important nutrition is for the body and how food is medicine. Meat freaks me out ever since quitting lexapro. I’m unexcited about eating in general and everything tastes bland and blah. I force myself to stomach what I can and try to make peace with the fact that it’s better than nothing. My endoscopy was inconclusive and I didn’t expect it to be any other way. Lexapro is used to treat ibs and therefor it is believed that’s the root of my digestive issues. 
 

The tinnitus is also very bothersome. That’s been going on since July. I have days I am more susceptible to negative feelings about it and days where I am less bothered and have more acceptance. It’s hard. I don’t want to be like this forever. I love silence but now I guess I have to change who I am in order to live with the ringing. It’s loud, keeps me up at night, and at times it’s all I can focus on. I hear it over the tv, over the box fan, over the bathroom exhaust fan. There is no white noise to drown it out. 
 

The insomnia I’ve been dealing with using indica THC. It’s helping but I don’t want this to be a long term solution.
 

Overall I would say I’m 60% better than when I found this website mainly because I no longer have suicidal ideation or thoughts. I’m not depressed and most of the time I’m able to go to work and live a full life again. But these lingering issues are still very very bothersome.