lillylou: lexapro: 3 months off

[lillylou]

Just got my period, so my emotions make sense now lol

[Waiting12]

Definitely. I get really bad the 5 days before mine. I read somewhere that when your estrogen drops your serotonin does as well. I think that could be why a lot of women who aren't in wd have pms symptoms. I'm sure all the hormones are interconnected.

[lillylou]

Definitely. I get really bad the 5 days before mine. I read somewhere that when your estrogen drops your serotonin does as well. I think that could be why a lot of women who aren't in wd have pms symptoms. I'm sure all the hormones are interconnected.

Grreeeat lol another week to enjoy. also did anyones ssris make their cycles longer? My average cycle in the past year is 37 days which scares me thinking im possibly infertile , this cycle was 32 days so im hoping it slowly lowers to the norm

[lillylou]

Update:

 

First day of period was bad but these past two days ive been feeling more like myself except for extreme fatigue. Its possible that im not sleeping well as I find myself tossing and turning in my sleep.

 

Not complaining about the fatigue though because i feel more like myself , also i recieved my first semester marks back (had to write exams and finish end of term assignments through my worst wave) and i finished really well straight A's in all 6 courses. So im pretty proud of myself for keeping if together during this withdrawal process

[Flowers]

Hi LL

 

You are a star!! Well done!

 

Thanks for visiting my thread and cheering me up - so badly needed at the moment.

 

Hugs

 

Flowers xxx

[Junglechicken]

Update:

First day of period was bad but these past two days ive been feeling more like myself except for extreme fatigue. Its possible that im not sleeping well as I find myself tossing and turning in my sleep.

Not complaining about the fatigue though because i feel more like myself , also i recieved my first semester marks back (had to write exams and finish end of term assignments through my worst wave) and i finished really well straight A's in all 6 courses. So im pretty proud of myself for keeping if together during this withdrawal process

That's awesome LL! Well done you :0)

 

Keep up the great work!

 

JC xx

[lillylou]

Update

 

Drank coffee on friday bad idea lol, i was so tired at work i thought id give it a go but i felt a twinge of anxiety.

 

I was not looking forward to this weekend because ever since the withdrawal started/ neuro emotions I do not like being alone. Friday night i just snapped out of it and pretty much told myself i was being a bit of a baby (old lilly back, never had a problem doing my own thing prior to this)

 

So i decided to plan a busy weekend, i cleaned out my closet and have a couple of bags that i will donate to a nearby womens shelter. Cleaned my apartment, did laundry, took my pup to the park and also clipped her nails. Tomorrow is full of errands and more sorting out /organizing personal possessions.

 

Hope everyones weekend is going well!

[Flowers]

Hi LL

 

I love coffee but can't take caffeine - it is just too stimulating for me.

 

You are doing well filling up the weekend with things to pass the time. A good coping strategy.

 

Hope you didn't wear yourself out though - the doggy walk sounds wonderful.

 

Love from Flowers xxx

[lillylou]

Hi LL

 

I love coffee but can't take caffeine - it is just too stimulating for me.

 

You are doing well filling up the weekend with things to pass the time. A good coping strategy.

 

Hope you didn't wear yourself out though - the doggy walk sounds wonderful.

 

Love from Flowers xxx

Hey flowers thanks for stopping by!

I do miss coffee, especially when im feeling tired but ill just have to cope without! Today was a more relaxing day, I got a lot accomplished yesterday which feels good, I hope the weekend has treated you kindly

[Frogie]

Update:

First day of period was bad but these past two days ive been feeling more like myself except for extreme fatigue. Its possible that im not sleeping well as I find myself tossing and turning in my sleep.

Not complaining about the fatigue though because i feel more like myself , also i recieved my first semester marks back (had to write exams and finish end of term assignments through my worst wave) and i finished really well straight A's in all 6 courses. So im pretty proud of myself for keeping if together during this withdrawal process

That is awesome lillylou on your grades.

 

I knew you were going to do well.

 

I hope you had an enjoyable weekend.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[lillylou]

Update: 4.5 months off

 

I still get twinges of anxiety, especially with the new semester starting, balancing work and school. Neuro emotions are significantly less, last time I cried felt horribly alone was during my period , im wondering how many periods will be an emotional wreck lol we will see.

 

Existing Symptoms:

Fatigue

Anxiety-will have this for life lol

Slight irritability

 

Overall Im continuing to improve which is great

[Waiting12]

I'm SO glad to hear you are improving. It gives me a lot of hope.

[lillylou]

Update almost 5.5 months off

 

Im recovering but its like the slowest improvement each day lol. Ill take it. I think what im struggling with most is refacing my social anxiety, learning ways to cope with it, i still get a bit nauseous when anxiety resurfaces, and sometimes i get negative thoughts but compared to the hell I went through in December ive made drastic improvements. Im taking it one day at a time and hopefully as these months pass ill be 100%

 

Symptoms

Mentrual cycle -pms x10 lol

Nausea -not every day

Fatigue-not overbearing but i do like sleep

Anxiety-old friend we meet again

[lillylou]

I'm SO glad to hear you are improving. It gives me a lot of hope.

Yes slowly but surely I am improving, im guestimating that being on lex for 3 years ill be feeling myself in 1-1.5 years. Like I feel 75% now which is significant improvement from december . My brain will heal yours will too! Hang on

[Lorin]

 

lillylou

 

.

 

did you suffer from severe anxiety and severe insomnia for the past six months?

 

[lillylou]

Update:

 

Im in a pretty big pickle, ive been feeling better this monday marks the big 7 months post med... but then i started my job hunt, I cracked and went to the doctor and they gave me lorazepam for as use (i inteneded to use it for interviews) anyway i only every used it a couple of times for interviews 0.25 and 0.5g . I ended up getting a new job which is great but here is the not great part...

 

I started my job this week, im still experiencing withdrawal from stopping cipralex. Intense anxiety, at work im always on the verge of tears(literally feel like crying from the anxiety), i have cried a lot this week at home. Anxiety/withdrawal is ruining my life. Ive taken lorazepam once a day this week to survive, but if makes me feel sleepy and helps a bit but i still am aways so teary and i dont want to get addicted to it

 

I dont know what to do, I cant keep up like this or im going to have a mental breakdown at work. Im in a catch 22 i dont want to be on medication bc of weight gain/loss of sex drive/ horrible withdrawal situations but i dont know what else I can do.

 

I really need advice

 

 

Lorin- severe anxiety yes not so much insomnia

[Lorin]

lillylou

 

i think you forgot your power

you have power

just accept this challenge and fellings

maby try cbt

[KarenB]

How are things now lilylou?  Still a struggle, or have they settled a bit?  New jobs are never easy, especially when dealing with w/d as well. 

[Blondiee1915]

Hi Lillylou, 

 

I just read your update.  I am sorry about your anxiety.  I remember when I graduated college and quit lexapro CT after 2 years on and I got a job and had to start a new job and deal with WD and at the time I had no idea what I was going through.  It is hard and frustrating and I remember having panic attacks every morning on the subway.  It was insane.  The thing is drugs could be a short term solution but not a long one.  I completely understand people going on them in the moment of despair and when other alternative treatments do not work.  But in the long run they do more harm than good.  I would suggest you try some therapy, change your diet, exercise, do mindfulness and see if that makes a difference first. 

 

Hope you are better 

[lillylou]

Hi everyone, just wanted to post an update. Not the update I wanted to share but just in case some of you were wondering how I am doing. The withdrawal was taking a turn for the worse. I lost an insane amount of weight from vomiting and sickness. I was crying daily/ my emotional and general wellbeing was on a huge decline. So I started taking Paxil CR. I was really worried that I would have an adverse reaction but I seem to be doing well on it, starting to feel like my old self again. It was honestly such a struggle, I cried taking my first pill as I felt like a failure, but now that im getting back on track im truly seeing how unwell I was in my discontinuation. I'm starting to laugh again, I also have a stronger control of my emotions and anxiety (thank god) 

 

Im sorry if this post causes some to lose hope in their ongoing struggle with stopping antidepressants. I wish everyone the best in their tapering and if anything changes I will update my post. 

 

Its been one hell of fight, I lost the battle but the war is long from over.