Rain: dropped dose of lexapro

[Rain]

I've had some low BP problems at various times in w/d.  I would feel quite bad - hard to describe, kind of a combination of faint, woozy and fatigued - and then measure my BP and find it was very low.  My normal is usually 110/70 or a bit lower, e.g. 108/66, but it would get down to, say, 93/61 or sometimes even lower, and the lower it went, the worse I felt.  I found that eating salty foods helped, e.g. potato chips.  I wouldn't worry about your low BP if you only notice it by measuring it.  But if it is actually making you feel bad, you could try the salt idea.

 

To help your digestive system, you could try eating very small amounts, more frequently, rather than whole meals.  Ginger is good for digestion, e.g. ginger tea or crystallised ginger.  I've found it helps me with nausea or stomach ache, any kind of stomach discomfort.

 

Hi Songbird:

 

Yes! I am the exactly situation as yours now! My feet and hand has woozy feeling these days, very strange and BP is not stable and low. 

 

I just wonder is low BP part of WD symptom? I have never had it before. When I up dosed Lexapro 20mg, My BP was too high, and heart rate was very high, too. After dropped dose, it lows down.

 

I am trying deep breath method to heal the vagus nerves since last night, however, at the moment, i haven't seen any improvement. 

[Rain]

Hi, Have some updates:

 

I have had some good times these days when the windows come. Today, it is not really good, stomach upset again. Some bowel movement, too. ( Bowel movement hasn't appeared for a long time.) Yesterday I was drinking ice cold soft drinks and KFC meal, which has huge pieces of chicken in it... 

 

I don't know if the wave has come or just my stomach is not well... My anxiety was OK for recent these days but today it comes back a little bit. 

 

When I was OK, I have done couple vehicle services and fixes for my friends and I have done couple airport pick ups (long distance driving). I found I was quite normal these days and happy to talk to the new people. 

 

I have been doing The belly deep breath method for Vagus Nerves everyday (5-7days now), I feel some slight improvements for my stomach but I don't know whether it is related to this. 

[KarenB]

It's amazing how some unhealthy food can affect us so much more when we are in w/d.  Sounds like your tummy is reacting to it, and it will probably settle again in a day or so.  (Unless you follow it up with more KFC ).

 

Glad you are bringing some healing to your Vagus Nerve.  Making that a long-term practice should be quite helpful. 

[Rain]

hi Karen,

 

How are you these days? I also had some super spicy foods with my friends last weekend, I promise myself I don't want to eat them again! 

 

Today my stomach is still not well but little bit better than yesterday.

 

The only thing I could not do during the deep breath method is: it is required to steep whole tongue in the saliva, I always found this is hard for me, but other steps I can do.

[Songbird]

I don't know exactly what they put in KFC, but I suspect it's probably full of glutamates, which can be stimulating to the nervous system.

[DaddyCee]

I use to have a bad reaction to Chinese food which contains MSG (nasty substance). It has settled down quite a lot nowadays, though from time to time it seems to be worse than at other times.  Not sure if it is tied in with the cycle of the moon. lol.

 

Namaste, DC.

[Rain]

I don't know exactly what they put in KFC, but I suspect it's probably full of glutamates, which can be stimulating to the nervous system.

 

For sure they will put MSG... 

[DaddyCee]

strange I've never had an issue with KFC so they probably don't use that much in their cook process.

[Rain]

strange I've never had an issue with KFC so they probably don't use that much in their cook process.

 

Hi DaddyCee, 

 

MSG is not a good thing, but I believe have never got problem with that before. I do not know if it was MSG caused problem or the spicy burger and chicken wings caused that. In my experience, it was more likely caused by spicy and oily I think.

[Rain]

Updates:

 

Today was very tired because these days were too busy and I reduced my sleeping. Also even eat oats made me feeling nausea today. I think I should get some more sleep to recover the uncomfortable feelings. 

 

Today my anxious feeling attacked me again in the afternoon. I started to doubt today, will these bad feelings last forever? As Alto said to me, even the dose I get used to will not make me stable now. Will I get recovered in one day even my nerves system is so sensitive now? What I should do? Just keep strong and wait?

[DaddyCee]

You will recover, you need to take a positive approach which I know is hard to do when you are going through so much at this time.

 

Try not to concern yourself with the future and also don't have regrets about the past (what's done is done).  Just be in the present and live each moment as it happens.

 

Namaste, DC.

[Rain]

You will recover, you need to take a positive approach which I know is hard to do when you are going through so much at this time.

 

Try not to concern yourself with the future and also don't have regrets about the past (what's done is done).  Just be in the present and live each moment as it happens.

 

Namaste, DC.

 

Thank you DaddyCee for your encouraging, I am appreciated, I will try my best to do. Hope after sleeping I will get better.

[Rain]

I still feel so tired after wake up today (afternoon). I was too busy these days which are good for forgetting my symptoms but not good for my body. 

 

I think I should have some good relax these days instead of driving outside doing pick ups. 

 

I fell to sleep very soon while doing the Deep Breathe Method because I was exhausted, not even finished doing it... I am going to do that both daytime and night time see hows it going.

[blackrabbit]

I still feel so tired after wake up today (afternoon). I was too busy these days which are good for forgetting my symptoms but not good for my body. 

 

I think I should have some good relax these days instead of driving outside doing pick ups. 

 

I fell to sleep very soon while doing the Deep Breathe Method because I was exhausted, not even finished doing it... I am going to do that both daytime and night time see hows it going.

Maybe the 10mg drop was too much? This site suggests a 10% drop.

[Rain]

 

I still feel so tired after wake up today (afternoon). I was too busy these days which are good for forgetting my symptoms but not good for my body. 

 

I think I should have some good relax these days instead of driving outside doing pick ups. 

 

I fell to sleep very soon while doing the Deep Breathe Method because I was exhausted, not even finished doing it... I am going to do that both daytime and night time see hows it going.

Maybe the 10mg drop was too much? This site suggests a 10% drop.

 

 

Hi Blackrabbit, so it will take long time to recover to normal? 

[KarenB]

Glad you are able to sleep Rain.  I'm pretty good - had awful sleep last 3 nights cause my 11 year old girl fell off her skate-board.  She's got large painful scrapes and wounds on both shoulders, both knees and both elbows.  That's why I've been a bit absent from s/a recently.  Such a drama .

 

Sounds like you are coming along slowly, overall, just reading through your latest posts.  The time it takes to stabilise is so individual - I know we are all concerned with it - but it's honestly better to focus on what you can do right now with caring for yourself. 

 

Hugs,

Karen

[Rain]

Glad you are able to sleep Rain.  I'm pretty good - had awful sleep last 3 nights cause my 11 year old girl fell off her skate-board.  She's got large painful scrapes and wounds on both shoulders, both knees and both elbows.  That's why I've been a bit absent from s/a recently.  Such a drama .

 

Sounds like you are coming along slowly, overall, just reading through your latest posts.  The time it takes to stabilise is so individual - I know we are all concerned with it - but it's honestly better to focus on what you can do right now with caring for yourself. 

 

Hugs,

Karen

 

Thank you Karen! Sorry to hear your little girl has been hurt, it is hard time for parents... 

 

I think the new wave has arrived so thats why I feel bad again, but I found the wave is little bit shorter and not as heavy as before. But I can't say I will get better and better in the future...

 

Hope both of us will get better!  

[blackrabbit]

 

 

I still feel so tired after wake up today (afternoon). I was too busy these days which are good for forgetting my symptoms but not good for my body. 

 

I think I should have some good relax these days instead of driving outside doing pick ups. 

 

I fell to sleep very soon while doing the Deep Breathe Method because I was exhausted, not even finished doing it... I am going to do that both daytime and night time see hows it going.

Maybe the 10mg drop was too much? This site suggests a 10% drop.

 

 

Hi Blackrabbit, so it will take long time to recover to normal? 

 

I don't know everyone is different. It's taking ME a long time. I started this whole taper in April 2015 from 20mg and now, February 2016, I am only on 9mg. I still get withdrawal symptoms after dropping doses, even at a 10% rate, but it is better than when I first started last year.

 

Are you taking any supplements or anything? You said you went from 20mg of lex to 10mg. That is a steep drop so I would assume that is why you feel this way.

[Rain]

 

 

 

I still feel so tired after wake up today (afternoon). I was too busy these days which are good for forgetting my symptoms but not good for my body. 

 

I think I should have some good relax these days instead of driving outside doing pick ups. 

 

I fell to sleep very soon while doing the Deep Breathe Method because I was exhausted, not even finished doing it... I am going to do that both daytime and night time see hows it going.

Maybe the 10mg drop was too much? This site suggests a 10% drop.

 

 

Hi Blackrabbit, so it will take long time to recover to normal? 

 

I don't know everyone is different. It's taking ME a long time. I started this whole taper in April 2015 from 20mg and now, February 2016, I am only on 9mg. I still get withdrawal symptoms after dropping doses, even at a 10% rate, but it is better than when I first started last year.

 

Are you taking any supplements or anything? You said you went from 20mg of lex to 10mg. That is a steep drop so I would assume that is why you feel this way.

 

 

Yes, I think so, too. So what's your longest W/D symptoms have been last? My one has been 3.5 months now, every month the symptoms are slightly different. 

 

I did not take any supplements these days. Centrum will make me nausea for sure, Vitamin B complex tablets are OK but my B12 was too much when I have blood test last time so I stopped it just for a while. Now I just having some yoghurt, eat oats con gee and bananas. If my stomach was stimulated by some spicy or oily indigestion food, I will have extremely anxiety again, I am so afraid to eat these now...

[Rain]

Questions:

 

Do you sleep regularly every night? 

 

I found my sleep is very irregularly. But I can't say it is insomnia. Sometimes I just don't want to sleep at night and chat or do something else. Then I will go to sleep very late and wake up very late next day (afternoon). My sleep is quite long( 9-12hours recently)

 

I don't think it is good for me, but just don't want to go to bed so early although I was trying so hard to go to sleep early these days...

 

So I just wonder, do you sleep regularly and do you think regular sleep is important?

[KarenB]

Hi Rain, I'm replying here instead of in my thread.

 

Can you put a date in your signature so we know when you did that most recent drop back to 10mg?  When we know that, we can look at whether you just need more time to stabilise, or if you need a small updose (cause you may have adjust a little to that 20mg). 

 

I am sure that things will start to work out for you.  You only joined up here in January, so you are still really figuring things out and trying to get stable.  It's a slow healing process, but at least you know that a slow process is more likely to be thorough and long-lasting. 

 

Hang in there...

Hugs

Karen

[Rain]

Hi Rain, I'm replying here instead of in my thread.

 

Can you put a date in your signature so we know when you did that most recent drop back to 10mg?  When we know that, we can look at whether you just need more time to stabilise, or if you need a small updose (cause you may have adjust a little to that 20mg). 

 

I am sure that things will start to work out for you.  You only joined up here in January, so you are still really figuring things out and trying to get stable.  It's a slow healing process, but at least you know that a slow process is more likely to be thorough and long-lasting. 

 

Hang in there...

Hugs

Karen

 

Hi Karen, yes I will do that, I have dropped my Lexapro to 10mg since 3rd November last year because of updose of 20mg made me worse as you know, so I really don't know what's wrong with me now and what should I do now...

 

I mistakenly took 20mg Lexapro today and I feel extremely anxiety again! and also needled numbness feeling in my hands and feet! So I started to think all my bad feelings now is all caused by Lexapro WD or Lexapro itself!

[KarenB]

Okay, just looking at your sig this is what I think.  Increasing to 20mg made you much worse, but then the drop by 50% back to 10mg was too much.  However you did stabilise somewhat in the last 3 1/5 months (your heart rate got better etc). 

 

I don't think you should make any changes right now because of the accidental double-dose you just took.  Give that a week to settle down first.

 

Overall I think you will stabilise given time.  The time to try an updose would have been back in November, close to the big drop.  

 

Can you make your focus this week on self-care?  Maybe regular guided meditations?  Learning or practising some CBT?

 

I know it's not easy, but with the right care, and time, you'll move through this.

 

((((((((((Hugs)))))))))

[Rain]

Sorry my internet wasn't good

[Rain]

Hi Karen, thank you so much.

 

I am still lying on the bed feel tired but heart palpitation can't make me sleep. Last night I struggled to sleep till 7:00am and woke up at 11:30am, then lying on the bed till now...

 

I just wonder, I took double dose and my body acting bed symptoms like extreme anxiety, heart palpitation and numbness, is that shows my body is totally sensitive to Lexapro now and even reinstatement is not a good idea? What is the next step I can do to stablise my nerve system?

 

Also, I ate some spicy food with my friend before as I mentioned in previous post, after that my stomach starts upset again, then I feel not really well either. Do you think stomach uncomfortable will trigger or worsen WD symptoms?

 

I still trying the belly breath method everyday, I still don't know if it helps me or not, maybe the way i am doing it is not right...

[Fresh]

Hi Rain ,   taking a double dose by accident is going to take a few days to work it's way out of your system.

Each time you eat spicy food or pizza that makes you sick , you are delaying your healing.

 

You need to focus on the things you CAN do to help you heal . . . there are loads of ideas in the Symptoms and

Self Care section.

Try to stop examining every tiny change under a microscope ... all that does is make you focus more on your problems.

[Rain]

Thank you Fresh! Ok I will take care of myself, just the time when I feel little better, I tried to eat so I can gain my weight back... But Now I found I was wrong. I should take care of my stomach and whole body.

[Rain]

Hi Karen, the updose was started on Sep and ended on November 3rd. 

 

It made me worse and worse... So I decided to drop the dose

[Rain]

Updates:

 

I have skipped dose for today... I still feel extremely numbness in hands and feet, heavy dizzy in head, anxiety is not as bad as yesterday...

[DaddyCee]

Hi Rain,

 

sorry to hear you are struggling. You will get better and heal slowly. Missing doses if done on purpose is not a good way to try and wean yourself off. The 10% method is by far the best; and only doing this when you have fully stabilised on your current dose.

 

Take care of yourself and be kind to yourself every day.  Sending my thoughts and prayers to you.

 

Namaste,

DC.

[Rain]

Hi Rain,

 

sorry to hear you are struggling. You will get better and heal slowly. Missing doses if done on purpose is not a good way to try and wean yourself off. The 10% method is by far the best; and only doing this when you have fully stabilised on your current dose.

 

Take care of yourself and be kind to yourself every day.  Sending my thoughts and prayers to you.

 

Namaste,

DC.

 

Thank you DaddyCee, 

 

I have mistakenly doubled dose yesterday, that's why I skipped one dose for today. Tomorrow I will keep taking. I don't think it is a good time for me to taper more, I am not stable at the moment and still feel bad. I don't even know I will be  stabilized by taking Lexapro.

 

Regards

Rain 

[Altostrata]

Rain, do you mean you took 20mg Lexapro? How do you feel?

[Petunia]

Updates:

 

I have skipped dose for today...

 

Rain, even if you accidentally took a double dose one day, skipping your dose the next day will only make things worse... increasing the irregularity of dosing. Stability means taking the same dose at the same time every day. You will recover from the one mistaken dose.

 

See: The rule of 3KIS: Keep it simple. Keep it slow. Keep it stable.

[Rain]

Rain, do you mean you took 20mg Lexapro? How do you feel?

 

Yes, Alto, I feel extremely anxiety, heart palpitation, lost appetite, extremely needle numbness in hands and feet, chest tight and hands trembling... Like I was back to hell again... I only mistakenly took 20mg two days ago and till today I still feel not well...

[Rain]

Updates:

 

I went to see both Psychologist and one of my GP today. 

 

1. My psychologist seems doesn't agree me to slowly tapper or off the meds because she thinks I have couple relapse before and I might have to rely on it... That's bit dis-encouraged for me. But she said I have just started sessions so not to worry too much about the future first. 

 

I am totally confused about this... So none meds life might be will not happen on me, I don't what situations people who can stop the meds. 

 

 

2. My GP prescribed me SEROQUEL for my complaining about anxiety waves, she didn't disagree with my saying about W/D symptoms, she just wants me to take SEROQUEL half of 25mg (12.5mg). 

 

When I asked her whether this med is addictive or not, she said no, it doesn't harm you, it will relax you from anxiety, just take it. 

 

I know little about SEROQUEL, but does she think I am having Bipolar disorder now? Why she wants me to take this?

[Rain]

 

Updates:

 

I have skipped dose for today...

 

Rain, even if you accidentally took a double dose one day, skipping your dose the next day will only make things worse... increasing the irregularity of dosing. Stability means taking the same dose at the same time every day. You will recover from the one mistaken dose.

 

See: The rule of 3KIS: Keep it simple. Keep it slow. Keep it stable.

 

 

Thank you Petunia, I think you are right! I feel bad today again...