Loosingmyself: 3-4 months post cold turkey Lexapro, withdrawal still or sign I need to go back.

[Loosingmyself]

Hello, this is my first post!

 

I am struggling tremendously at the moment and need advise. 

 

I quit Lexapro cold turkey last october 2015, experienced brain zaps, and the odd emotional moment (very teary).

 

Since late Decemeber I have been experiencing overwhelming feelings of irritation, aggitaion (which i dont express around others, just take deep sighs or am short mannered). I have extreme feelings of despiar, wanting to cry at random times which no particular reason. I am frustrated around food as Im trying to loose weight and I feel mainly stressed at work. My brain feels frazzled. Sometimes I feel like im going to self combusted. I feel jelly like at times with butterflys.

 

I cant work out if im still withdrawing or relapsing. Do I continue my battle with countless de-stessing (exercising, massages, meditation, self help books, vitamin D, fish oils, lemon balm) hoping these god awfu feelings and emotions will go... Or do i start back on lexapro. which really affects the one thing i enjoy (sex). 

 

I feel so lost. My feelings are making me extremely introverted and im loosing myself

 

Help me please

[KarenB]

Welcome Losingmyself,

 

So glad you've searched for some help with this, because there are some options for you.  What is happening to you is very common.  When a person cold-turkey's (or tapers too fast) their Central Nervous System struggles to adapt to the changes.  This causes withdrawal symptoms to appear - such as you have been experiencing.  What is withdrawal syndrome? 

 

So you have some options - now you know you aren't relapsing. 

 

a)  You can reinstate a small amount of Lexapro.  Have a read of that thread and see what you think.  The idea is that a small amount will help your CNS stabilise, and then you can begin to taper in a very gentle way.  Why Taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

You can try to ride it out.  Which also has no guarantees.  W/d could continue to get worse, and it can last for months or years.  Don't want to scare you, but it's best if people have all the info from the outset, to make an informed decision. 

 

I would probably go for reinstating, myself.  It's a real scary place you're in, but hopefully with some info you can feel a little more in control. 

 

There are also many things you can do to ease w/d a little.  Rest plenty, drink plenty of water.  Don't drink alcohol or caffeine.  Keep exercise to a gentle level.  Our Symptoms and Self-Care forum has many other ideas too. 

 

That's probably a lot for you to consider right now.  Have a read of those link, and then come back to this thread to discuss things further.  This will be your place to record your progress. 

 

Hang in there!

Karen

 

EDIT:  Whenever I try to type  it does that smiley face instead - totally innapropriate - sorry

Edited February 8, 2016 by KarenB