moomoomoo: lexapro to prozac withdrawal?

[moomoomoo]

I was on lexapro 50 for over 4 years. it wasn't working that well for me so my psychiatrist decided it would be best to try a different medication,so she put me on prozac 10 then upped me to 40. I tapered off of lexapro for 2 weeks and everything went fine, I started prozac at the same time. I was on prozac for 2 months until I felt it was only making me worse. so I tapered off of it for 2 weeks. it has been about 4 weeks now and since I went off of it completely I have been agitated, random crying fits,tired,no motivation and having memory and speaking issues. could this be a withdrawal issue or something else?

 

*side note*

I was put on lexapro for anxiety and OCD. I don't have depression or bipolar disorder.

[SquirrellyGirl]

Hi moomooomoo,

 

I'm glad you found your way here.  You are definitely having withdrawal symptoms, and it is likely that you weren't doing better on the Prozac because you were actually in withdrawal from Lexapro from coming off too fast, and the Prozac couldn't contend with it.  I am hoping that a more experienced moderator will join in because with the Prozac for two months, that muddles the water as to which med reinstatement would help.

 

It will be helpful if you could put your drug history in your signature with dates and dosages to the best of your ability:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

This will allow anyone to see your history

 

at a glance.  You can use your intro thread for updates and questions, and by clicking Follow this Thread above, you will be notified of any responses.

 

Meanwhile, it will be helpful to read the following links:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

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

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9809-neuro-emotions/

 

Your nervous system has gone through the ringer, so stability is what you need now.   You may be in withdrawal from both drugs.  Hang tight and we'll try to come up with a plan to get you some relief from these symptoms.  Unfortunately, the only thing that can improve withdrawal is a bit of the drug you are in withdrawal from :-)  So, please read the link about reinstatement above.

 

Reinstatement is about harm reduction, and is usually at a fraction of the dose you came off of.  Once you have gotten stable for a good 1-2  months, you can then commence a 10% taper, which is recommended here at SA to keep you comfortable and functional while coming off.  

 

You can use the search box above to search the forums for Lexapro and Prozac.  There is much to be learned in the Symptoms and Self-Care sub-forum as well.

 

SG

[Fresh]

Hi moomoomoo , welcome.

 

As squirrellygirl suggests , you are having symptoms of withdrawal - after 4 years with meds. your brain isn't able to adjust to life with none quickly enough.

 

Given that you were on prozac for 2 1/2 months (total) most recently , I'd try 1mg of prozac to see if you get any symptom relief.  

We recommend starting with a tiny dose partly  in case you have an adverse reaction , and partly because 1 or 2 mg is often enough for a sensitized nervous system.

You need to stay on the starter dose for 4 days till it reaches a steady state in your blood stream.  Then we can assess if you need to increase it or not.

The idea is that once your w/d symptoms are stabilized , you can taper off very slowly without disabling w/d symptoms.

 

We have all the information you need to work out the best way to get 1 or 2mg's from a 10 or 20mg tablet.

 

The symptoms you're having are likely to continue for many months after stopping abruptly. Reinstating is the way to feel better more quickly and remain in control of your life.

 

Glad you found us !!

Best wishes ,  Fresh

[AliG]

Hi M .    I was on prozac for 2 months until I felt it was only making me worse.

 

You might be sensitized , to the drug , but if you try reinstating a little , as suggested you will soon know whether you can handle it or not .  If not , you can immediately stop !

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms 

 

Ali

[JanCarol]

Hey Moomoo -  I want to encourage you.  You are in withdrawal from a drug that your doctor doesn't think is addicting.

 

You are within the window of opportunity to reinstate a tiny amount of the drug you are in withdrawal from.  Without your signature I'm taking a sort of stab in the dark, but it is my guess that this is lexapro.

 

To reinstate, you need the tiniest amount of that drug, like 5 mg.  This is often enough to take the edge off of your withdrawal symptoms.

 

You say you had some tolerance on lexapro - that it wasn't working as well as it used to.  But it feels like (from here) that the prozac never addressed the issue at all.  So I would suggest you try just 5 mg of lexapro.

 

We have had some good successes at bringing people back from CT withdrawal if we catch it in time, and you just might be in time to catch it.  It will take at least 4 days to know if reinstatement has been a success, and some people in SA have felt relief within hours of reinstatement.

 

Withdrawal from these drugs is different from the "addicting" drugs.  Those drugs, you crave.  These - your body gets used to the drug, and your brain restructures itself around the chemicals, so that when you pull the drug out - your brain & nervous system collapse, as if a trellis was pulled out from the climbing rose bush.  Rhi said it best, here:  Rhi's description of healing the brain.

 

If you are writing from a phone, here is how to put your signature in.  It is a requirement of participating in the forum, so that we can see at all times where you are in your tapering / withdrawal process:  Complete your Signature from Phone or Tablet

 

and here is a video made by a former moderator (who is techie extraordinaire) on how to use SA on a phone:

How To Use Surviving Antidepressants from a Phone

 

Please consider reinstating.  It was a crime for you to be switched so quickly on these drugs - and an even larger crime that the pharmaceutical companies don't give you the doses you need to taper safely.

 

See:  Tips for tapering off Lexapro

 

It is available in many places as a 5 mg tablet, and is available as a liquid as well.  Liquid would be best when you are ready to taper.  But don't worry about that yet.

 

My suggestion is for you to get 5 mg tablets, and plan on staying on them for 3-6 months.  During that time, while your nervous system settles down, you can learn about withdrawal, tapering, and taking care of yourself so that you can stay well.