miantosca: New guy 5 days into being off Lexapro

[miantosca]

Hi,

 

First post.  Wanted to introduce myself and tell you a little me....I found this forum pretty much out of desperation as I'm experiencing a lot of discomfort(physically and mentally) since I quit.  Seeing a dr. once every couple of weeks isn't enough support for me.

 

I started taking lexapro 4 years ago.  It has been 5 days since I last took it..  I tapered down(under dr. supervision) over the coarse of 3 month from 20mg a day, ending at 5mgs every other day during the last two weeks.  The first couple of days were not bad at all, then the physical symptoms started  i.e....Dizziness, brain zaps, I startle easy, light sensitivity, fatigue, really irratable to those closest to me... 

 

Today, in addition to the physical symptoms, I woke up really anxious/panicky, and was that way for 4 or 5 hours, and now I'm just exhausted from the whole ordeal.  It was a bad enough experience that I considered taking some with the hope it would help with the discontinuation effects, but I just struggled through it. 

 

My brain(or thoughts) feels so foggy at times....I'll get up to do something and forget what I was going to do.  I tend to just kind space out and stare off.  I work from home and it's really tough to buckle down get stuff done(which causes me more anxiety!)  It's like my brain wants to either totally shut down, or run a mile a minute.  Hard to separate irrational and rationale thought.  

 

I'm having a hard time seeing how this is going to get better....

 

I'd love to hear from some of you that have had, or are having similiar experiences as mine.

 

 

 

 

[bubble]

Hello and welcome!

 

I'm glad you found this forum and as somebody who went off Lexapro I'm happy for you that you didn't wait as long as I did.

 

Although it was done under dr. supervision coming off 20 mg in 3 months is very fast and skipping doses is an especially bad idea.

 

I'll attach some links which explain why. What you started experiencing now is withdrawal. And it doesn't go over with time, you can't tough it out. It actually gets worse with time. I lasted 40 days.

 

That's why people here advise reinstating, waiting to stabilise and then resume taper at a much slower pace.

 

Somebody with more experience will advise you on how much to reinstate (if Altostrata here says something, we listen

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/603-what-is-antidepressant-withdrawal-syndrome/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

here is the link to the topic on how to taper Lexapro. But for you at the moment reinstating is a much more pressing issue.[/size]

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/406-tips-for-tapering-off-lexapro-escitalopram/

 

You will receive a lot of great support and very patient reply to all your questions (I mysel found it extremely useful to read other people's stories because we all have so much in common, any thread you open.

 

Welcome again.

 

bubble

Edited March 24, 2014 by Altostrata
fixed links

[Altostrata]

Welcome, miantosca.

 

bubble has posted some very helpful links for you. Please read them. Thanks, bubble!

 

You are aware you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The best way to stop them is to reinstate a very small amount of Lexapro -- perhaps 3mg would do it -- then stabilize for a month or so and taper very, very carefully from there.

 

Lexapro comes in a liquid so you can measure those small doses. Any MD can prescribe the liquid for you, you get it at the pharmacy.

 

Do you have any tablets left? Or were you using the liquid?

[miantosca]

Welcome, miantosca.

 

bubble has posted some very helpful links for you. Please read them. Thanks, bubble!

 

You are aware you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The best way to stop them is to reinstate a very small amount of Lexapro -- perhaps 3mg would do it -- then stabilize for a month or so and taper very, very carefully from there.

 

Lexapro comes in a liquid so you can measure those small doses. Any MD can prescribe the liquid for you, you get it at the pharmacy.

 

Do you have any tablets left? Or were you using the liquid

I don't have the liquid, but I do have plenty of the 5mg tabs left.  After reading through a bunch of posts, and the links that bubble sent me, I reinstated at 5mg until I can get in to see my md.  The more severe physical symptons subsided after 6 hours or so.  Also, I was tapering with the help of my primary care physician.  Maybe not the best doc to taper with.... This morning, I scheduled an appointment with my Psychiatrist who I will see on April 8th.  

 

The past few months while tapering, I found myself getting pretty anxious.  especially noticed how crititcal, short and frustrated I get with people even those I care about the most.  I feel like I'm easily angered at the most trivial crap.  Almost like I would  seek it out.  Sounds like this can be due to tapering down too aggressively?  I really hope so!

 

One more thing....I have a hypo active thyroid and take 125mcgs of synthroid daily.  Is there a correlation with ssri's and thyroid issues? 

 

Thank you Bubble, Nikki, and Altostrata for your respones..There's a lot of relief in knowing I can do this a different way and with support.  I had no idea...Grateful to have found you and this forum.

[Altostrata]

Good to hear 5mg helped. You might want to stay at that level for at least a month to make sure withdrawal symptoms go away before tapering again.

 

Lexapro comes in a liquid for tapering. Any doctor can prescribe this.

 

A psychiatrist is only slightly more likely to be informed about tapering. Please let us know if yours does.

[miantosca]

On day 3 after reinstating 5mg of Lexapro and feeling back to "normal". Whatever "normal" means. Let's just say I'm not freaking out any more and I'm very grateful for that!

[Altostrata]

Please be sure to be very regular in taking your dose, at the same time each day. Let us know how you're doing.

[bubble]

On day 3 after reinstating 5mg of Lexapro and feeling back to "normal". Whatever "normal" means. Let's just say I'm not freaking out any more and I'm very grateful for that!

 

that's really great news! I have to say again: it's great you came here after only 6 days (and didn't need a lot of persuading, if any  

 

you did yourself a great favour Now just treat yourself to a nice, long hold (until you forget about Lex). and then go veryyyyy slow.

 

don't be surprised if there are windows and waves. I think I didn't post the link to this very helpful concept: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-recovery/

 

take care!

[miantosca]

Please be sure to be very regular in taking your dose, at the same time each day. Let us know how you're doing.

I will. I've learned so much over the last few days cruising around these forums and reading other people's stories. Thank you!

[miantosca]

 

 

that's really great news! I have to say again: it's great you came here after only 6 days (and didn't need a lot of persuading, if any  

 

you did yourself a great favour Now just treat yourself to a nice, long hold (until you forget about Lex). and then go veryyyyy slow.

 

don't be surprised if there are windows and waves. I think I didn't post the link to this very helpful concept: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-recovery/

 

take care!

 

Thanks bubble. Day 5 was bad, but I knew I was in trouble when it got worse on day 6. No persuading needed! I needed to do something, I just didn't know what that "something" was. Glad i found this place!

[Karma]

Hi Miantosca

 

I see you have a hypothyroid condition and asked if there is any correlation with SSRIs and thyroid issues.  I have read and observed that hypothyroidism can show up as depression and anxiety - it has in my case.  Sometimes other imbalances in the system can contribute to this. 

 

In my observations I have found that there are some who believe that if you are not treated for or are not optimally treated for hypothyroidism that you may be mis-diagnosed as being depressed or having general anxiety disorder and given an SSRI or benzodiazepines.

 

I checked the online interaction checker and there is no known interaction between Lexapro and synthroid.

 

I hope this is helpful.

 

Karma

[miantosca]

Hi Miantosca

 

I see you have a hypothyroid condition and asked if there is any correlation with SSRIs and thyroid issues.  I have read and observed that hypothyroidism can show up as depression and anxiety - it has in my case.  Sometimes other imbalances in the system can contribute to this. 

 

In my observations I have found that there are some who believe that if you are not treated for or are not optimally treated for hypothyroidism that you may be mis-diagnosed as being depressed or having general anxiety disorder and given an SSRI or benzodiazepines.

 

I checked the online interaction checker and there is no known interaction between Lexapro and synthroid.

 

I hope this is helpful.

 

Karma

Thank you Karma.. That could be the case for me. I've been on some kind of ssri for the past 10 yrs, but didn't find out about my thyroid condition until a year ago(and that's because I asked for my blood work to be done). These meds, unfortunately, seem to be the first line of defense for these docs. Nothing else was suggested for me, and at the time, I was so desparate for help, I was willing to try anything for relief.

[Karma]

Miantosca

 

Here is a thread I started about thyroid symptoms http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1593-thyroid-symptoms

 

... unfortunately in a recent upgrade to the site paragraph breaks were removed from older posts and I haven't had a chance to clean it up.  I do have some patient advocate sites listed in the thread that might be able to help you if you need more information around thyroid.

 

Karma

[Jemima]

I'm so glad you found us, Miantosca. Yes, anxiety and irritability are definitely withdrawal symptoms. I also tapered off Lexapro much the same way as you, on doctor's advice, but didn't reinstate, and it's taken me over two years to get back to normal. You've done the best thing you could have done by getting back on a small dose and holding.

 

Welcome to the forum!

[miantosca]

I'm so glad you found us, Miantosca. Yes, anxiety and irritability are definitely withdrawal symptoms. I also tapered off Lexapro much the same way as you, on doctor's advice, but didn't reinstate, and it's taken me over two years to get back to normal. You've done the best thing you could have done by getting back on a small dose and holding.

 

Welcome to the forum!

Hi Jemima, Thank you. I was just reading some posts about waves and windows and came across this statement you mad in 2012-"anxiety-provoking dreams or dread upon awakening, followed by irritability".

 

That describes exactly what I've been goin through the last couple of days. It's been severe lately.....I have no appetite in the am, no motivation to get my day started etc...I'm getting really annoyed by the people around me.

 

I guess I'm just going through one of these waves since reinstating a week ago. I've really been struggling the last few days.

[Altostrata]

Do your symptoms have any daily pattern? Have they gotten worse in the last few days?

[miantosca]

Do your symptoms have any daily pattern? Have they gotten worse in the last few days?

Yes, the last couple of days have been worse. Mornings are terrible. Filled with dread, and anxiety. No physical symptoms.

 

As the day goes on, those symptoms subside, then I just feel tired and burned out from it.

[Altostrata]

Do the symptoms occur before or after you take Lexapro?

[Rhiannon]

 

Do your symptoms have any daily pattern? Have they gotten worse in the last few days?

Yes, the last couple of days have been worse. Mornings are terrible. Filled with dread, and anxiety. No physical symptoms.

 

As the day goes on, those symptoms subside, then I just feel tired and burned out from it.

 

 

That might be due to the daily fluctuation in cortisol levels, which are highest in the morning and then drop and are at their lowest at night.  Most of us seem to have problems with that during withdrawal. The higher cortisol levels aggravate the withdrawal symptoms, and are also themselves caused by disruption of the hormonal system caused by the drugs and withdrawal. I know it's exhausting and rough.

 

It usually does take a while to fully stabilize after coming off a med too fast. Reinstating isn't a perfect fix, unfortunately.

 

Also, even a small reinstatement can sometimes be too much once our systems are sensitized to the drug. Alto's better with dosage suggestions than I am, let's see what her suggestion is--as she asked, do these symptoms come on more before, or after, you take your dose? or do they not correspond at all?

[miantosca]

Do the symptoms occur before or after you take Lexapro?

I take it about a half hour after I wake up. The symptoms and intensity are there before and after I take it. Is the morning the best time to take it?

 

I'm wondering if I should go to 10mg??

 

When I was tapering, I remember feeling symptoms when I went from 10mg to 5mg, but didn't think it was from the taper. I figured it was stress from my work travel, and putting my house up for sale(both of which were going on for these symptoms started).

[Altostrata]

I think Rhi is correct, the symptoms you feel are the morning cortisol burst. Your withdrawal symptoms sensitized you to this.

 

Please think of it as a wave. Although you reinstated, it may take some time for your nervous system to settle down.

 

See our topics on waking with anxiety, etc. here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/604-important-topics-about-symptoms-including-sleep-problems/

[Rhiannon]

I think in your shoes I'd either: 

stay with the 5 mg and give it more time (it generally takes at least a couple of months to really settle down in this kind of situation)

 

or

 

if you want to try an increase, try a much smaller one, say going to 6 mg.

 

The fact that you felt better when you reinstated onto the 5 mg is a good sign.

 

It's normal after a reinstatement like that for people to feel better at first and then to have another bad spell and to have ups and downs for a while.  Your brain chemistry and the cell structures involved got kind of scrambled during that fast taper and the roller coaster of alternating doses. It's going to take a while for all of that to rebuild and restabilize itself.

 

If you do want to tweak your dose up, it's better to do it slowly, because people who've gone through a too-fast taper and gotten symptomatic often find they're extra sensitized to the drug, and 10 mg might actually make you worse, and then you've put your brain through another drastic destabilizing scrambling experience and you're actually worse off and it's going to be harder to settle.

 

Better to make changes small and slowly, if at all.

 

Given your history as described, I think the important thing is to find a dose and then just stay there and ride it out until your brain and body have time to re-establish homeostasis. 

[miantosca]

I think in your shoes I'd either: 

stay with the 5 mg and give it more time (it generally takes at least a couple of months to really settle down in this kind of situation)

 

or

 

if you want to try an increase, try a much smaller one, say going to 6 mg.

 

The fact that you felt better when you reinstated onto the 5 mg is a good sign.

 

It's normal after a reinstatement like that for people to feel better at first and then to have another bad spell and to have ups and downs for a while.  Your brain chemistry and the cell structures involved got kind of scrambled during that fast taper and the roller coaster of alternating doses. It's going to take a while for all of that to rebuild and restabilize itself.

 

If you do want to tweak your dose up, it's better to do it slowly, because people who've gone through a too-fast taper and gotten symptomatic often find they're extra sensitized to the drug, and 10 mg might actually make you worse, and then you've put your brain through another drastic destabilizing scrambling experience and you're actually worse off and it's going to be harder to settle.

 

Better to make changes small and slowly, if at all.

 

Given your history as described, I think the important thing is to find a dose and then just stay there and ride it out until your brain and body have time to re-establish homeostasis.

 

Thanks Rhi..... I am going to sit tight at this dose for a while. Sounds like its too early to make a decision on upping my dose. I need to remind myself it's only been a week since ie reinstated.

[miantosca]

Well, I'm on day 11 after reinstating 5mgs of Lexapro, and I'm still struggling. Still really tough to get going in the morning, and the days just drag on with a depressed mood and anxiety. Feels like I barely handle the stress of workand by the end of the day I'm just exhausted from my brain running all day.

 

At least my symptoms have not gotten worse. Anyway, thanks for letting me sound off. Just typing up an update helps.

[Altostrata]

You might try the updose to 6mg, as Rhi suggested.