Frogie: how to taper off Lexapro and Xanax?

[Frogie]

4 hours ago, Frogie said:

Ok Altostrata: I will look into some blogs/Facebook groups.

 

I will try not to post about things other than tapering and WD. May I still post tapering and WD questions?

 

I just do a journal on here for my information. I thought it was ok to do a journal type thread for my benefit as I see other people do it?

 

Hope you are doing well.

 

Frogie xx

Altostrata:

 

I joined 2 "Digestive" support groups,  a Thyroid group and Hypothyroid Mom's Facebook page. They were recommended by friends that I know that have these problems. I'm still reading blogs from Hypothyroid Mom and googling things on both subjects daily.

 

Am I still allowed to talk with people here about WD and tapering issues?

 

I hope that helps.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Littlegrandma]

Hey Frogie 

its good you are reading  blogs on the hyphothyroid stuff. That will serve you better in that  department, though I understand it can be caused by wd from ad. Oh God, what problems don’t these drugs cause?

 

but I wanted to ask about your lex taper. What dose are you down to and how long has it been since you tapered? You seem to be one of the few lucky ones that can go down 10%. When you do taper, are you pretty much symptom free from the last taper? Do you experience the morning cortisol rush? If so, do you still taper every month? I’m holding 54 days now. Scared to make a move with the lex. Switched to lunesta taper. Going super slowiń. 

 

Tske it easy. Try to ge outside 

 

whoops. I’m boring myself. Just fell asleep. 2 nd time in a week this has happened 

 

 

i wrote this  last night. Fell asleep in the middle of it. Never hit send. Xx

 

 

[Frogie]

2 hours ago, Littlegrandma said:

Hey Frogie 

its good you are reading  blogs on the hyphothyroid stuff. That will serve you better in that  department, though I understand it can be caused by wd from ad. Oh God, what problems don’t these drugs cause?

 

but I wanted to ask about your lex taper. What dose are you down to and how long has it been since you tapered? You seem to be one of the few lucky ones that can go down 10%. When you do taper, are you pretty much symptom free from the last taper? Do you experience the morning cortisol rush? If so, do you still taper every month? I’m holding 54 days now. Scared to make a move with the lex. Switched to lunesta taper. Going super slowiń. 

 

Tske it easy. Try to ge outside 

 

whoops. I’m boring myself. Just fell asleep. 2 nd time in a week this has happened 

 

 

i wrote this  last night. Fell asleep in the middle of it. Never hit send. Xx

 

 

Hi:

 

I know what you mean about these drugs causing all kinds of problems. Evil things.

 

Right now I'm at 1.8mg on my Lexapro. I'm supposed to taper the end of the month, but don't know if I will or not, depends on how I'm feeling. I do get some symptoms a few days after I taper. But it doesn't stick around long. I don't get cortisol rush. But I get anxiety here and there. I take my Xanax and it helps a lot. I'm not looking forward to tapering that. I'm not a mod, but don't taper more than 1 med at a time. So stick to the Lunesta. 

 

You must be exhausted to fall asleep in the middle of something. Sounds like you need to take it easy.

 

 I'm taking it easy. Too easy. It's really windy and cold, so haven't been out. But supposed to be in the 80's this weekend so I'll get out then.

 

Hope you feel better soon.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Littlegrandma]

Thanks Frogie 

stay warm. 

We had frost on the ground this morning but it’s suppose to be around 60. Blue skies. Yay

 

yeah. I’m going to stick to the lunesta. The cortisol morning rush was better the last few days, but hit hard this morning. Residual lex or lunesta taper? Who knows. Just wondering if that plagued you. I’m not in a hurry to touch lexapro again. When I do, it’ll be so small, my brain won’t notice. 

 

Have a good day. My babies will be here to wear me out again.   xx 

[Frogie]

4 minutes ago, Littlegrandma said:

Thanks Frogie 

stay warm. 

We had frost on the ground this morning but it’s suppose to be around 60. Blue skies. Yay

 

yeah. I’m going to stick to the lunesta. The cortisol morning rush was better the last few days, but hit hard this morning. Residual lex or lunesta taper? Who knows. Just wondering if that plagued you. I’m not in a hurry to touch lexapro again. When I do, it’ll be so small, my brain won’t notice. 

 

Have a good day. My babies will be here to wear me out again.   xx 

Glad to hear the cortisol was better. Maybe it's the Lunesta doing it? I never took that so I don't know.

 

I can hear the wind blowing, but haven't looked outside.

 

Hopefully the time will pass fast and you will be able to rest.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Littlegrandma]

Thanks Frogie 

[Frogie]

3 minutes ago, Littlegrandma said:

Thanks Frogie 

You are welcome.

 

Hope you feel better soon.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

Does liquid Lexapro expire? I found a bottle in my fridge that is dated 10/17/2017. It was behind a bottle of salad dressing. 

I wondered what happened to that bottle? I remember I had to pay for a replacement bottle one month because it had been re-filled.

 

I googled it. Some sites say yes it's fine and some sites say no because liquid loses its potency.

 

Thanks,

Frogie xx

[Scorpio]

Hi frogie

 

i have no idea if the liquid will lose its potency after the sell by date but I would be wary of using it just in case. 

[Frogie]

6 minutes ago, Scorpio said:

Hi frogie

 

i have no idea if the liquid will lose its potency after the sell by date but I would be wary of using it just in case. 

That is the date I bought it. It doesn't have an expire date on it. I'm kinda leary of taking it too.

 

Hope you are feeling a little better.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Altostrata]

Frogie, the expiration date should be on the label. If you can't find it, take it to your pharmacist and ask them when it expires.

[Frogie]

1 minute ago, Altostrata said:

Frogie, the expiration date should be on the label. If you can't find it, take it to your pharmacist and ask them when it expires.

Ok I can just call them. But having a date of 10/2017 on it, I'm kinda leary to take it. It is a small bottle, so, they probably owed me some and it got lost in the fridge.

 

Thanks!

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

Just an FYI:

 

I just talked to the pharmacist about the bottle of Lexapro.

 

I take a generic form in liquid. It's made by CAMBE.

 

It is not supposed to be refrigerated. Keep it at room temperature. And dispose of it 3-4 months after the date you had it filled. She said to keep it in a kitchen cabinet away from the stove or anything that would get hot. 

 

And not in the bathroom.

 

Hope this helps someone else too.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Survivor1]

I'm hanging in there, playing the waiting game, trying to stabilize ... all in good time I hope!

[Frogie]

1 minute ago, Survivor1 said:

I'm hanging in there, playing the waiting game, trying to stabilize ... all in good time I hope!

Just hold, hold, hold and hold somemore and you will be ok.

 

I learned the hard way.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Littlegrandma]

Hey frog lady

how are you doing?

whoops I keep my lexapro liquid in the bathroom cuz that’s where I measure it up in the morning. And I assumed it was good til the expiration date. It doesn’t say anything about not using after 3-4 mo. But at 4.3 ml , the bottle goes pretty fast. Good to know for the future though when I get down to lower doses.....far in the future. 

  Glad you posted that. Thanks

[Frogie]

24 minutes ago, Littlegrandma said:

Hey frog lady

how are you doing?

whoops I keep my lexapro liquid in the bathroom cuz that’s where I measure it up in the morning. And I assumed it was good til the expiration date. It doesn’t say anything about not using after 3-4 mo. But at 4.3 ml , the bottle goes pretty fast. Good to know for the future though when I get down to lower doses.....far in the future. 

  Glad you posted that. Thanks

You are welcome. If yours has an expiration date on it I would go by it. Mine doesn't. So I learned a lesson too. I kept mine in the fridge, not anymore. I have a big bottle, so I'll have to whatch the date. I'm doing ok. It's in the 70's but windy. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 80 but windy, we are under fire watch. Be glad to be out of here lol... How are you feeling? Still all the symptoms? Hope you are a little better.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Littlegrandma]

Hey

things have settled down a bit. High anxiety morning and eyes are burning and blurry. But this afternoon not too bad. Felt obligated to take my mom shopping even though I wasn’t feeling very well. Ended up being a good thing. Distracted me from the anxiety and I bought a load of summer clothes. It was pitiful looking in the big mirrors with bright lights. Oh God , what the wd and winter has done to this old body. Motivated to do something about it though. It’s been almost 2 months since I cut lex. Went down 1% more on lunesta last night. Being very cautious. 

 

How are you doing?

[Frogie]

25 minutes ago, Littlegrandma said:

Hey

things have settled down a bit. High anxiety morning and eyes are burning and blurry. But this afternoon not too bad. Felt obligated to take my mom shopping even though I wasn’t feeling very well. Ended up being a good thing. Distracted me from the anxiety and I bought a load of summer clothes. It was pitiful looking in the big mirrors with bright lights. Oh God , what the wd and winter has done to this old body. Motivated to do something about it though. It’s been almost 2 months since I cut lex. Went down 1% more on lunesta last night. Being very cautious. 

 

How are you doing?

I'm glad things have settled down. That's great you got summer clothes. I'm not buying any clothes until I lose weight. Leggins and big t-shirts. But good distraction. We went to buy a movie and then my fiancé got home and realized he already has the movie. Went to Safeway and cashed in my $5 gift card and $5 cash that I won on their monopoly game. I would be very cautious too. And just hold, hold, hold on the lexapro. How's the nausea? I'm just tired, no energy but don't feel bad other than that.

[Littlegrandma]

Me too. So fatigued. The nausea is still there but better. I am soooo afraid to cut lex again. It won’t be for a long time. Couple, few more months. And then micro micro taper. Wish I could come down 10% like you do. I don’t ever want to be back in the position of the last 10 mo. though. At this point I’m more concerned about the lunesta and Ativan. It sure won’t hurt me to hold the lexapro. 

 

I bought 9 of the cutest tops. I usually don’t have that good of luck finding things I like. Couldn't decide, so I bought them all. Even had some good laughs in the same dressing room with  my mom. I saw my future. 

 

I lost a lot of hair and my eyelashes at the beginning of my taper. They’ve come back, but my hair went from brown to gray in just a couple months. It has to be the drugs and wd. Oh well. That’s the least of my worries. My daughter says to embrace it. But the lack of muscle tone..... I have to work on that. I’ve been more active this week. And it sure feels good!!!! Not great. Not normal. But better. 

 

Pee is being cultured for possible bladder infection. And I’m having a ultrasound on gallbladder Monday. Dang drugs. Doc wants the gallbladder out. Been having issues for awhile but the pain is getting pretty bad. He thinks it’s the cause of all my gut issues but I’m not so sure. Too many people on the forum having stomach pain. If the gallstones aren’t any worse than last time they were checked, then I might stall surgery a little longer. I’m not sure I can physically handle it right now. What would that do to the wd? Doc says won’t be effected but hah! What does he know?

xx

 

 

[Frogie]

5 minutes ago, Littlegrandma said:

Me too. So fatigued. The nausea is still there but better. I am soooo afraid to cut lex again. It won’t be for a long time. Couple, few more months. And then micro micro taper. Wish I could come down 10% like you do. I don’t ever want to be back in the position of the last 10 mo. though. At this point I’m more concerned about the lunesta and Ativan. It sure won’t hurt me to hold the lexapro. 

 

I bought 9 of the cutest tops. I usually don’t have that good of luck finding things I like. Couldn't decide, so I bought them all. Even had some good laughs in the same dressing room with  my mom. I saw my future. 

 

I lost a lot of hair and my eyelashes at the beginning of my taper. They’ve come back, but my hair went from brown to gray in just a couple months. It has to be the drugs and wd. Oh well. That’s the least of my worries. My daughter says to embrace it. But the lack of muscle tone..... I have to work on that. I’ve been more active this week. And it sure feels good!!!! Not great. Not normal. But better. 

 

Pee is being cultured for possible bladder infection. And I’m having a ultrasound on gallbladder Monday. Dang drugs. Doc wants the gallbladder out. Been having issues for awhile but the pain is getting pretty bad. He thinks it’s the cause of all my gut issues but I’m not so sure. Too many people on the forum having stomach pain. If the gallstones aren’t any worse than last time they were checked, then I might stall surgery a little longer. I’m not sure I can physically handle it right now. What would that do to the wd? Doc says won’t be effected but hah! What does he know?

xx

 

 

Sounds like you had a good time. That's great, you deserve it. I saw a really cute top when we went to get the movie. It was a just a long t-shirt and they wanted $25 for it. No way for a no name brand. I have enough anyways. I've gained so much weight. I look horrible, hopefully I can lose it when I'm off these evil drugs.

 

My my hair is starting to turn grey. But it's age and WD. 

 

I had my gallbladder out. I wasn't in WD at the time but had a horrible reaction to the Vicodin. I thought people were in the walls and were coming to get me. I literally had to be babysat. For an outpatient surgery, I was out of work for 6 weeks. But if you need it you need it. The stones can move and it's not good. Hopefully you don't have a bladder infection.

 

I know exactly how you feel about dr's not knowing anything.

 

Let me know as soon as you find out. 

[Littlegrandma]

6 wks? You didn’t have the keyhole surgery? He said I’d just be down for a few days. I am allergic to Vicodin. I won’t take pain meds. 

I couldn’t take any after my hysterectomy. There are none I tried that I didn’t have a reaction to. 6 wks? Holy c. 

[Frogie]

6 minutes ago, Littlegrandma said:

6 wks? You didn’t have the keyhole surgery? He said I’d just be down for a few days. I am allergic to Vicodin. I won’t take pain meds. 

I couldn’t take any after my hysterectomy. There are none I tried that I didn’t have a reaction to. 6 wks? Holy c. 

It was 6 weeks because of the Vicodin reaction otherwise I would have been back to work in a week or so.

 

I hope you don't have to have the surgery in the 1st place, but if you do I hope it goes well.

 

Keep me updated.

[Nikki74]

Hi Frogie

 

I hope you’re doing ok.

 

Im looking at tapering from my 5mg lexapro . I’m very ill with the akathisia and ongoing Wds.

 

How long has it taken you to drop 5mg? I know it’s different for all. But I’m concerned this drug is heightening the akathisia.

 

What cuts are you making? I can’t see signatures on my phone.

 

Are you using liquid? If so how was it moving to that from the pill?

 

Sorry so many questions.

 

Love, Nikki x

[Frogie]

43 minutes ago, Nikki74 said:

Hi Frogie

 

I hope you’re doing ok.

 

Im looking at tapering from my 5mg lexapro . I’m very ill with the akathisia and ongoing Wds.

 

How long has it taken you to drop 5mg? I know it’s different for all. But I’m concerned this drug is heightening the akathisia.

 

What cuts are you making? I can’t see signatures on my phone.

 

Are you using liquid? If so how was it moving to that from the pill?

 

Sorry so many questions.

 

Love, Nikki x

Hi Nikki:

 

I did some bad moves and cut my Lexapro in 1/2 from 20mg to 10mg. So it's taken me quite a while to get past five. September 13, 2017, I was at 5.5mg. Today I'm at 1.8mg. I cut every 30 days or so depending on his I feel and I cut 10%. I've had to updose because I get extreme nausea, although I haven't had it in a while. I use the liquid Lexapro. I took a month to switch over and did fine. It is much easier to use. 

 

If if I were you, and I'm not a dr or a mod, but just go really slow. Hold, hold and hold somemore. I had a mod on here tell me Lexapro is mean. It's like pulling a tigers tail. I believe her. She's very smart.

 

I'm supposed to do a 10% cut at the end of this month (oh my, tomorrow), I'll see how im feeling before I decide because I've had some other medical problems arise.

 

If I can answer anymore questions, please let me know. I'll do my best.

 

I hope you get over the akasthisia. I get it in my knees once in a while. Horrible. I have magnesium cream I rub on them and lay ankle weights on them. That helps. Maybe try magnesium baths?

 

Good luck. Look forward to talking with you again.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Nikki74]

1 hour ago, Frogie said:

Hi Nikki:

 

I did some bad moves and cut my Lexapro in 1/2 from 20mg to 10mg. So it's taken me quite a while to get past five. September 13, 2017, I was at 5.5mg. Today I'm at 1.8mg. I cut every 30 days or so depending on his I feel and I cut 10%. I've had to updose because I get extreme nausea, although I haven't had it in a while. I use the liquid Lexapro. I took a month to switch over and did fine. It is much easier to use. 

 

If if I were you, and I'm not a dr or a mod, but just go really slow. Hold, hold and hold somemore. I had a mod on here tell me Lexapro is mean. It's like pulling a tigers tail. I believe her. She's very smart.

 

I'm supposed to do a 10% cut at the end of this month (oh my, tomorrow), I'll see how im feeling before I decide because I've had some other medical problems arise.

 

If I can answer anymore questions, please let me know. I'll do my best.

 

I hope you get over the akasthisia. I get it in my knees once in a while. Horrible. I have magnesium cream I rub on them and lay ankle weights on them. That helps. Maybe try magnesium baths?

 

Good luck. Look forward to talking with you again.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

Thank you Frogie.

I don’t think the akathisia is going anywhere soon. Been months now. 

 

Id hope to be able to do 10% cuts but I imagine I’ll have to go smaller. Unfortunately I get dozens of mental and physical symptoms in wd, certainly have since I ct’d the lex last year then it was reinstated and didn’t stop wd.

 

You’re progressing really well!

 

Thank you for replying xxx

[Frogie]

2 minutes ago, Nikki74 said:

Thank you Frogie.

I don’t think the akathisia is going anywhere soon. Been months now. 

 

Id hope to be able to do 10% cuts but I imagine I’ll have to go smaller. Unfortunately I get dozens of mental and physical symptoms in wd, certainly have since I ct’d the lex last year then it was reinstated and didn’t stop wd.

 

You’re progressing really well!

 

Thank you for replying xxx

No problem, I wish I could help you.

 

You might have to micro taper. But the mods would be more help than me on that.

 

I wouldn't say I'm progressing well, but I'm moving along.

 

If you need a friend just to talk to I'm here.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[RachelSusan]

Hi Frogie,

Thank you for stopping by my thread. Everything is going very well and with any luck it will continue that way.  I hope your nausea stays at bay and all goes well for you.

xo

RS

[Frogie]

14 minutes ago, RachelSusan said:

Hi Frogie,

Thank you for stopping by my thread. Everything is going very well and with any luck it will continue that way.  I hope your nausea stays at bay and all goes well for you.

xo

RS

Hi RS:

 

Great to hear! So far so good on the nausea. 

 

I sent you a PM a while back, don't know if you read it?

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

My taper is great so far (knock on wood). No nausea. Been almost a week.

 

But the akasthisia has returned in my knees! Driving me nuts! And I have an hour drive today. (One way).

 

Still no energy, I could sleep all day, but don't.

 

Wish me luck.

 

Hope everyone is doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[joy2730]

That's good.  How is Brownie?

 

Joy

[Littlegrandma]

That’s great Frogie!

the knee thing, though annoying, is not a huge deal. This too shall pass. 

Be safe. xx

[Frogie]

Just now, joy2730 said:

That's good.  How is Brownie?

 

Joy

She's doing ok. Eating pretty well. Sleeps a lot. I don't want to leave her today but have no choice.

 

How are you doing?

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[direstraits]

Hi Frogie

glad your taper is going well so far.

good luck with your drive.

I haven't driven in 5 years,hope to get out there again soon.

 

take care,ds

xx

[Frogie]

6 minutes ago, direstraits said:

Hi Frogie

glad your taper is going well so far.

good luck with your drive.

I haven't driven in 5 years,hope to get out there again soon.

 

take care,ds

xx

Hi DS:

 

So far so good on the taper.

 

If I want to go anywhere where I live it is a drive. I'm seeing my therapist today. Last month was canceled because of weather, but it's in the 70's and 80's now. I will be so glad to move home. Few more months...

 

I just don't want to leave Brownie.  I'm obsessed about not leaving her. It does me or her no good.

 

We have a friend that got food poisoning. Now he is supposed to have his appendix out in 1/2 hour and he is having heart palpitations so can't do the surgery until they get that under control. We are worried about him too.

 

Hope you are doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[direstraits]

hope your therapist visit goes well.

sorry to hear about your friend,hope he will be OK.

I'm hanging in there,not too bad.

 

sending hugs to you and Brownie.

xx