MiguelFreeman: question about Lexapro

[MiguelFreeman]

9 hours ago, Rose9975 said:

I hear you brother. This is a powerful drug indeed.Thisis NOT you. You are in withdrawal. please do not identify yourself with your symptoms. I chuckle to my myself when I read Lexapro being referred to as one of the 'safer drugs'.All I can talk about what worked for me & I had to stop the taper & allow my brain to heal. Are you availing of any profession support through this journey? Some one who cares &listens.Are you talking any multivitamins?

I am in this alone I only take omega 3 vit d3 and sometimes multivitamins for a cold if I get one  today its more of Nero-fear and i missed meditation for like 2 days and i can feel the difference 

[MiguelFreeman]

On 06/02/2018 at 4:15 AM, brassmonkey said:

How are your feeling besides the suicidal thoughts?  Is everything settling into just feeling the same level of blah all the time with no big swings either way?  That's the state you want to be in before you try to taper again.  Weren't you having good success with the Slide method last year?  I would really suggest doing several smaller drops instead of one large one.  It doesn't have to be 2.5% a week, some people are doing 1% a week for four weeks and then a two week hold and are having really good luck with it.

brass monkey since I made a 2 % cut this weak do I wait for one more weak or do I just  taper by 1 % on the next weak

[brassmonkey]

It depends on how you're feeling. The symptoms from your last cut should die down after a week so you could cut again. If the symptoms are still bothersome then it might be a good idea to wait another week.  In general you should be able to drop every week for four weeks, but then your really need to hold for another two weeks.

[MiguelFreeman]

16 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

It depends on how you're feeling. The symptoms from your last cut should die down after a week so you could cut again. If the symptoms are still bothersome then it might be a good idea to wait another week.  In general you should be able to drop every week for four weeks, but then your really need to hold for another two weeks.

Right now its going down yesterday was the top of the whitdrawls but i am sick 2 so it aint helping my lungs are full of mucus and i been having dificultys breating and back and chest pain but the back and strernum pains are induced by my workouts 

[MiguelFreeman]

hi, I am starting to understand a lot about food relation whit the withdrawal process I have noticed that if I eat lactose based products and process foods my body goes crazy it's funny because I only ate **** foods really now that I am taking care to eat healthily I am starting to see differences. 

[MiguelFreeman]

On 06/02/2018 at 4:15 AM, brassmonkey said:

How are your feeling besides the suicidal thoughts?  Is everything settling into just feeling the same level of blah all the time with no big swings either way?  That's the state you want to be in before you try to taper again.  Weren't you having good success with the Slide method last year?  I would really suggest doing several smaller drops instead of one large one.  It doesn't have to be 2.5% a week, some people are doing 1% a week for four weeks and then a two week hold and are having really good luck with it.

the method seems to be working I am at 8.22  so I already did my second drop doing the calculations of

 The previous dose x0.985= next dose seems to I do feel something changing my sleep schedule switched by alot now I wake up at 4 in the afternoon but I go to bed at 1 am. 

I do have a question sometimes when I am alone in the car or something like that and I see someone that looks outlaw or a thief I do get something close to me so I can defend my shelf like I don't think there's someone out to get me but when I see someone suspicious I get something to defend mu shelf is that normal or some wicked withdrawal effect .

 

[brassmonkey]

As long as it's not accompanied by panic and an strong urge to strike the first blow, given the way things are now a days that's a very normal reaction.  Self preservation is the strongest instinct that we have.  Being aware of one's surroundings and preparing for a situation is a part of living in the moment and when that moment passes you can relax in the next.

[MiguelFreeman]

3 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

As long as it's not accompanied by panic and an strong urge to strike the first blow, given the way things are now a days that's a very normal reaction.  Self preservation is the strongest instinct that we have.  Being aware of one's surroundings and preparing for a situation is a part of living in the moment and when that moment passes you can relax in the next.

Then its normal i always have done this being mindfull of my surrondings and whent that moment passes i relax i dont panic or have any urge to attack i just preper in case something happens

[MiguelFreeman]

18 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

As long as it's not accompanied by panic and an strong urge to strike the first blow, given the way things are now a days that's a very normal reaction.  Self preservation is the strongest instinct that we have.  Being aware of one's surroundings and preparing for a situation is a part of living in the moment and when that moment passes you can relax in the next.

today I am feeling the comedown of the second drop so far I have dropped by 3.5 % it's not like horrible but I can feel it I do need to strength my social connections and start to get out more sometimes its hard but nothing compared to CT 

what have you done to help your shelf out of a bad day I think that it gets better and it will become I have felt good after I quit before the CT withdrawals kick in 

i wanna know how you kept your shelf moving and going whit your life 

I am only 19

and i wanna learn from you 

[brassmonkey]

Hi Miguel--  I'm not ignoring your question, but rather trying to come up with the best way of saying things.  I want to give more information than to say "just do it and live life". There are a lot of little attitudes and the like that will really help, but they are things that can only be learned and not taught.  Coming up with directions to send you in for that learning is taking some thinking.  

 

AliG posted some interesting things on her thread starting yesterday that would be worth your taking a look at.  http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/8303-☼-alig-surviving/?page=31&tab=comments#comment-335267  She posted an excellent list of things that have helped her through her taper and provided growth opportunities.

 

[Shep]

Hi, Miguel.

 

I received your PM, but am going to respond here on your thread, as we don't like to give tapering advice via PM.

 

You stated "if i only take omeprazole for 14 days do i need to taper it ?" 

 

Unless you've been taking PPIs for a long time, you may be able to simply stop it or do a rapid taper after such a short length of time. You may want to cut 25% and see how you do first and work on making some dietary changes as you exit off the drug. 

 

Please see this thread for more information: 

 

Tips for tapering off stomach acid blockers or PPIs (esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole)

 

You may need to make some lifestyle/dietary changes so you don't continue to have problems and to deal with any rebound effects as you stop taking it.  You may find some helpful information in these links:

 

Digestive problems: Nausea, Diarrhea, Bloating, GERD

 

Beyond Meds - diet and nutrition

[MiguelFreeman]

1 minute ago, Shep said:

Hi, Miguel.

 

I received your PM, but am going to respond here on your thread, as we don't like to give tapering advice via PM.

 

You stated "if i only take omeprazole for 14 days do i need to taper it ?" 

 

Unless you've been taking PPIs for a long time, you may be able to simply stop it or do a rapid taper after such a short length of time. You may want to cut 25% and see how you do first and work on making some dietary changes as you exit off the drug. 

 

Please see this thread for more information: 

 

Tips for tapering off stomach acid blockers or PPIs (esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole)

 

You may need to make some lifestyle/dietary changes so you don't continue to have problems and to deal with any rebound effects as you stop taking it.  You may find some helpful information in these links:

 

Digestive problems: Nausea, Diarrhea, Bloating, GERD

 

Beyond Meds - diet and nutrition

they acid reflex only started 1 day ago because of cigarettes i just bought it didn't even take it yet shude i only take it for like 1 week 

and the acid reflex only started because of the ssri taper but later stopped and then they started again because of the cigarettes 

[MiguelFreeman]

On 21/02/2018 at 4:01 AM, brassmonkey said:

Hi Miguel--  I'm not ignoring your question, but rather trying to come up with the best way of saying things.  I want to give more information than to say "just do it and live life". There are a lot of little attitudes and the like that will really help, but they are things that can only be learned and not taught.  Coming up with directions to send you in for that learning is taking some thinking.  

 

AliG posted some interesting things on her thread starting yesterday that would be worth your taking a look at.  http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/8303-☼-alig-surviving/?page=31&tab=comments#comment-335267  She posted an excellent list of things that have helped her through her taper and provided growth opportunities.

 

hi i have  a question for you that type of probiotic is the best to help whit the withdrawals and acid reflex induced by the ssri 

[brassmonkey]

Hi Miguel-- Probiotics are not my area of expertise, so I can't really make any recommendations.  Some of the other mods and members are very well versed in them though so you should get a good answer.  I did find that chewing fennel seeds helped to settle things when I had the rare incident also sleeping on  a wedge to raise my head and shoulders really helped.

[MiguelFreeman]

21 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

Hi Miguel-- Probiotics are not my area of expertise, so I can't really make any recommendations.  Some of the other mods and members are very well versed in them though so you should get a good answer.  I did find that chewing fennel seeds helped to settle things when I had the rare incident also sleeping on  a wedge to raise my head and shoulders really helped.

hi another question i recently started having acid reflux again i do know that they are induced by they ssri but if i don't smoke i don't get it  so i bought omeprazole it has 14 capsules can i only take it for 1 week and it fixes the small damage caused or shude i take 14 days and then just stop 

[Dalalea]

33 minutes ago, MiguelFreeman said:

omeprazole

I know there is an interaction between some SSRIs and omeprazole. I did take it while on Zoloft and realized later that it does interact with omeprazole. I stopped it and found natural ways to deal with it. I don't know how I would react while in WD. If you decide to try it, I would pay close attention to any symptoms that start or get worse and stop the omeprazole if you notice anything, Or find something natural like brassmonkey suggested.

[MiguelFreeman]

well so far i only took 2 capsules one each day and i know what the trigger nicotine or nicotine withdrawal the problem is that nicotine withdrawal makes me depressed but its killing my stomach  the omeprazol dose is 10 mg  prob will take it for 1 week and that it 

any advice on how long its safe to take it 

[MiguelFreeman]

Talk to your doctor before using escitalopram together with omeprazole. Combining these medications may increase the blood levels and effects of escitalopram. You may have an increased risk of developing side effects, including irregular heart rhythm and a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Forget aint taking this 

[MiguelFreeman]

any advice for natural fix 

pls don't link me post just recommend something 

[manymoretodays]

Hi Miguel,

Are you unable to open links?  Oftentimes, at least speaking for myself,  I find that if/when you can look at a previous discussion somewhere or here.......and objectively view it..........oh, oh........well that's progress........  Meantime, do some breathing.  Smell a rose.  Hug a tree or another person.  Somedays.......honestly...........trees are great!

 

Stay upright as much as possible........it may help.  Especially when just chilling or sleeping.  You can use pillows when sleeping perhaps.  Or go to tea?  Weak tea.  Possibly with ginger.  Or consider alkalinizing a bit.  Virgin mother root apple cider vinegar mixed with something like weak tea.......then drink a bit through a straw(protect your tooth enamel).

 

Do a general search on your own and then share what helped if you can........or add to a previous discussion here in symptoms and self care.

 

I hope something helps as far as the above.  W/D woes.  Ouch.  I'm sorry you are struggling.  You are going to get through this.......just believe it.  Oh......and laugh.  Try my Haola Qigong video share if you dare.  It lightens things up and gives me hope........everytime.  You can just search youtube for it if the link on my last update is funky doodle.

 

Love, peace, healing/inrecovery, and growth,

mmt

 

oh.......you might consider a taper with the nicotene rather than frequent ups and downs.  We'll get there.  I'm down to about 12/day..........without too much distress or discombobulation.........yikes, yet.

Edited February 24, 2018 by manymoretodays
elaboration, spelling

[MiguelFreeman]

ty

 

[manymoretodays]

just edited and postscript

[MiguelFreeman]

1 hour ago, manymoretodays said:

just edited and postscript

well i am feeling the effects of the omeprazole won't take it anymore had mood swings like crazy today and bad thoughts got stronger 

some days are hard but well let's keep going  so far i am close to making the 3 drop of the mouth and that will be 1.5 % or 8.09

 

[MiguelFreeman]

hi all so far I am doing ok on the taper the method of brass monkey is working I did change it a bit,

so I have a question :

have anyone of you start getting lateral abdominal pain on both sides like a dull pain similar to muscular pain but deeper, i am going to the doctor because I am getting pains in my sternum and sides of the chest I think its an inflammation of the ribs since I have happened before because of my gym workouts and I have been feeling a lot tired lately and been sleeping a lot ,mentally I do get a bit sad but it passes and the bad thoughts  are really weak compared to my previews drops from 10 to 9 mg 

[MiguelFreeman]

has anyone have like a sharp pain on one side of the head when having a bowel movement  

for me its a sharp pain that last 5 s and then goes away and leaves a dull pain 

[manymoretodays]

I haven't Miguel.  I suppose the head pain and BM could be related in a pressure sort of way.  Consider adequate water intake and a less constipating diet if need be.   

 

And I have experienced the general head pressure feeling at times, when stressed.  A signal for me to take a meditative moment or two.

 

Good on the tapering.   If you are getting inflammation in the ribs and sternum area from weight lifting.........you may want to slow down on the weight lifting.  What did the doctor say last time?  I recall you reporting this once before?  Correct me if I'm wrong on that.

 

 

 

L, P, H/IR, and G,

 

mmt

Edited March 1, 2018 by manymoretodays

[MiguelFreeman]

14 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

I haven't Miguel.  I suppose the head pain and BM could be related in a pressure sort of way.  Consider adequate water intake and a less constipating diet if need be.   

 

And I have experienced the general head pressure feeling at times, when stressed.  A signal for me to take a meditative moment or two.

 

Good on the tapering.   If you are getting inflammation in the ribs and sternum area from weight lifting.........you may want to slow down on the weight lifting.  What did the doctor say last time?  I recall you reporting this once before?  Correct me if I'm wrong on that.

 

 

 

L, P, H/IR, and G,

 

mmt

question have you ever had like suicidal thoughts coming from nowhere when watching a video or something I

was watching a video about waterfalls and one of them was close to the wall and I had a suicidal thought about jumping this makes no sense ...

like I feel safe because I am always careful to distinguish them and I never let my shelf spiral down that road but it's annoying sometimes. 

[ChessieCat]

I haven't had it happen to me but I have read of other members having this experience.  When these thoughts come up it is important not to focus on them, just say to yourself, oh there's another thought, think of it like a cloud and imagine it drifting off.  Dwelling on them is only going to stress you out.  You need to learn and use non drug techniques to detach yourself from unreal thoughts.

[MiguelFreeman]

Delete 

[MiguelFreeman]

14 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

I haven't had it happen to me but I have read of other members having this experience.  When these thoughts come up it is important not to focus on them, just say to yourself, oh there's another thought, think of it like a cloud and imagine it drifting off.  Dwelling on them is only going to stress you out.  You need to learn and use non drug techniques to detach yourself from unreal thoughts.

well I am about to go meditate because I have been slacking on it btw what techniques d you use because mine is not enough 

what techniques do you use 

 

[ChessieCat]

No, I don't use all these!  These are things which are either on SA or that I have found on the internet.  I don't specifically meditate, but because of a CBT course and mindfulness lessons, I am more aware of my body and if I find I am becoming stressed I use concentrated deep breathing and self talk to help myself cope so that it doesn't escalate and become unmanageable.

 

Numbers 10, 11, 12 and 13 are all excellent.

 

1. Non-drug techniques
2. Acceptance
3. Acceptance and Mindfulness
4. Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System
5. "Change the channel" -- dealing with cognitive symptoms
6. Change cognitive framing - Redirect - Another Way
7. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression
8. Cognitive Behavior Therapy lessons
9. Journalling - Therapeutic Writing & Health Benefits
10. Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)
11. Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes
12. CBT Course:  An Introductory Self-Help Course in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
13. Anxiety Stuff - all kinds of stuff about anxiety attacks and things that help ...
14. Resources:  Centre for Clinical Interventions (PDF modules that you can work through, eg:  Depression, Distress Intolerance, Health Anxiety, Low Self-Esteem, Panic Attacks, Perfectionism, Procrastination, Social Anxiety, Worrying)
15. Video:  Relaxing Calm - Progressive Muscle Relaxation - with music (15 minutes)
16. Video:  Relaxing Rolldown - quick relaxation exercise with music (4 minutes)
17. Video:  EMDR - Relaxation - Positive Thinking
18. Video:  EMDR - Balloon

[manymoretodays]

  I just focus on a number sometimes........say, like one...........then say it........see it in my mind........even decorate it a bit......  And oh, the breathing.........lot's of breathing.

 

That made me laugh Ccat.   Of course you use all those techniques daily!  Good to try many though Miguel, and you'll find ones that work pretty well for awhile........and then after awhile may need to try some new ones.

 

My absolute best meditation is when in movement........with swimming, for example..........I can get to 8 or so laps and realize I don't even know or care anymore what lap I am on.  Peaceful.  It often lasts as well.  Or walk/running.  Ski ing.  Yoga.

 

 

[MiguelFreeman]

Hi all quick update so far its going good my new method of taper but i notice that mentaly they symptoms are mild but its the body symptoms that are anoying . 

The are the following :low fever that lasts for 20min stomach pains and intestinsl cramps and lose stools and headpains

[MiguelFreeman]

On 02/03/2018 at 6:12 AM, ChessieCat said:

No, I don't use all these!  These are things which are either on SA or that I have found on the internet.  I don't specifically meditate, but because of a CBT course and mindfulness lessons, I am more aware of my body and if I find I am becoming stressed I use concentrated deep breathing and self talk to help myself cope so that it doesn't escalate and become unmanageable.

 

Numbers 10, 11, 12 and 13 are all excellent.

 

1. Non-drug techniques
2. Acceptance
3. Acceptance and Mindfulness
4. Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System
5. "Change the channel" -- dealing with cognitive symptoms
6. Change cognitive framing - Redirect - Another Way
7. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression
8. Cognitive Behavior Therapy lessons
9. Journalling - Therapeutic Writing & Health Benefits
10. Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)
11. Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes
12. CBT Course:  An Introductory Self-Help Course in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
13. Anxiety Stuff - all kinds of stuff about anxiety attacks and things that help ...
14. Resources:  Centre for Clinical Interventions (PDF modules that you can work through, eg:  Depression, Distress Intolerance, Health Anxiety, Low Self-Esteem, Panic Attacks, Perfectionism, Procrastination, Social Anxiety, Worrying)
15. Video:  Relaxing Calm - Progressive Muscle Relaxation - with music (15 minutes)
16. Video:  Relaxing Rolldown - quick relaxation exercise with music (4 minutes)
17. Video:  EMDR - Relaxation - Positive Thinking
18. Video:  EMDR - Balloon

hi Chessie i have a question for you after i finish taper and i will only stop taking it at 0.01

will i have withdrawals when i stop or will they be mild 

[ChessieCat]

8 minutes ago, MiguelFreeman said:

will i have withdrawals when i stop or will they be mild 

 

BrassMonkey has been drug free since 15 April 2017.  This is his first post since being drug free.  I suggest your read his posts from that link onwards.

 

[MiguelFreeman]

On 18/02/2018 at 3:52 AM, brassmonkey said:

As long as it's not accompanied by panic and an strong urge to strike the first blow, given the way things are now a days that's a very normal reaction.  Self preservation is the strongest instinct that we have.  Being aware of one's surroundings and preparing for a situation is a part of living in the moment and when that moment passes you can relax in the next.

so today I did my last taper of the 4 weeks of taper I had to do a 2.2 % because I only have a 2.5 ml syringe right now my 1 ml one got no marks and I can't find one for sale in here I dropped down to 7.9 the calculations said 8.09x0.985=7.96855 but I content accurate to take it so I just took 7.9 

so I have a question do I now hold for the week I am supposed to hold and then 2 more weeks?

in total my taper of February was 7.2 % of 8.35