RuuRee: my experience with Lexapro withdrawal

[Altostrata]

Hello, @RuuRee.

 

Yes, your decrease from 20mg Prozac to 10mg Prozac was too much and you got withdrawal symptoms.

 

You might go back to 15mg Prozac and see if that's enough over 2 weeks. Please let us know how you're doing.

 

We advise much more gradual tapers. See

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off fluoxetine (Prozac)

[RuuRee]

@ChessieCat sorry about that, thank you for fixing.

 

I am definitely in some waves right now and I just started taking 15 mgs of Prozac (mutual decision between me and my psychiatrist) last night. I’ve been doing well with the previous down dosing from the Prozac but this one is way different. It definitely makes me question whether I can do this or not. I will say I have never felt more alive so I have to help me get through this. I am SOOOO sensitive to everything too...I sweat like no other, I can’t concentrate because my mind is all over the place, I’ve had diarrhea, morning nausea, extreme fatigue, and I reallllly feel the differences in blood sugars (Type 1 Diabetic).

 

@Daisygirlsk I do have a CGM, I wear a Libre! Thank goodness too because it’s a lifesaver...sometimes I can’t figure out if my highs are creating the anxiety, or the anxiety is creating the high. 😭 

 

I just want this to be over with! 

[RuuRee]

@Altostrata yeah I just started with the 15. Fingers crossed that will help. My psychiatrist is all for micro dosing too so that’s a relief! Thank you for responding 😊

[ChessieCat]

46 minutes ago, RuuRee said:

thank you for fixing.

 

You're welcome.

 

6 hours ago, Altostrata said:

You might go back to 15mg Prozac and see if that's enough over 2 weeks.

 

I just want to make sure that you understand why Alto said 2 weeks.  Prozac has a very long half life (bolded/reddened the important bits).  This is from Post #1 of the Tips for Tapering Prozac topic:

 

  

On 7/3/2011 at 4:11 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Prozac has the longest half-life of any SSRI. After you take it for a few days, half-life is about 16 days. Fluoxetine itself has a half-life of 2-4 days, but as it is processed, your body creates an active antidepressant metabolite, norfluoxetine, which has a half-life of 7-15 days. So Prozac keeps on extending its half-life as it is metabolized.

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoxetine , fluoxetine and norfluoxetine inhibit each other's metabolism, extending the half-life of the drug. Because the half-lives are so long, the full effect of Prozac on the brain may not be felt for several weeks.

fluoxetine (1-6 days) ---> norfluoxetine (up to 16 days) ---> other metabolites

 

 

[RuuRee]

@ChessieCat yes I am aware of Prozac’s half life...thank you for the reminder! 😁

[RuuRee]

Hey all, 

 

Thought I’d give a quick update on how things are going. It’s been about a week since I updosed to 15mgs Prozac, and I feel like I’ve hit the magic number! This is the first day where I haven’t felt sick while eating breakfast, and I can concentrate a lot better. I’m starting to realize now how much the Prozac suppressed all my emotions because I feel it all now and it’s a little overwhelming, but the self coping mechanisms I’ve learned in the last few months have helped tremendously. Hopefully within the next couple months or so I can try 12.5 mgs or even 10mgs and go from there. Here’s to healing! ✌

[Erell]

Hello RuuRee, 

 

I'm really glad to read that you're feeling better. ☀️

If you feel like you could stabilise on 15mg Prozac, my advice would be now to stay there for some months : you've made a lot of changes last two years, you might need to settle in one place and let your body adjust to the situation. 

 

1 hour ago, RuuRee said:

Hopefully within the next couple months or so I can try 12.5 mgs or even 10mgs and go from there.

 

Once you'll feel stable ( the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization ) and ready to start a taper, please consider a slower one : jumping from 15mg to 12.5mg or 10mg is quite a big drop, and the risk is to create painfull symptoms. Better to feel ok and and functionnal, right ?

 

Have you read this topic ?: 

 

why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage

 

 

Here's to your healing ❤️ 

 

[RuuRee]

@Erell you are definitely right about stabilizing, I know that all too well coming off of the Lexapro cold-turkey. It’s so hard not to get ahead of myself. And I’m really glad I reinstated when I did, I think that is attributing to the improvements I’ve felt within the last week.

 

I swear this protracted withdrawal is insane. Unless they’ve been through it, people will never understand what you are going through and will think you’re crazy (even doctors, what a shock!). And I hate when people say “maybe you just need to be on meds for the rest of your life,” or “I know someone that’s been on anti-depressants for almost their whole life.” But honestly if you’re willing to really work on yourself, grow and practice good coping mechanisms, I believe it is possible to have a different life than what depression/anxiety once made you think you had. 
 

For those that are reading or are looking for some positive feedback - please DON’T ever give up! Life is hard and it sucks but you will get through it. Seek help...see a therapist even if it takes you 2, 3, 7 tries to find the right fit. And confide in those who you know will always have your back. Eat healthy and exercise. Change something about your life. You can do it!!!! ❤️

[RuuRee]

Okay so I’m back...not what I was hoping for but that’s what this site is here for, right? So it’s been about 2 months since I up dosed from 10 to 15mgs Prozac (after dropping from 20). That helped with the initial withdrawal and after what I’ve been experiencing in the last week or so I know I’m in the long-term..UGH here we go again! 
 

My main concern now is trying to get off the Prozac in a manageable and timely manner - so I’m looking for some suggestions and also have some questions. 

 

- How long did you wait for a solid window/ease of symptoms to last before deciding to down dose? 
 

- I am feeling a lot of emotions and things I haven’t felt in a long time, and I think they’re contributing to some of the anxiety and fear I have now because they scare me. Has anyone else felt like this? Are these just parts of withdrawal? 
 

- I’ve read some threads that suggest a slow taper usually means withdrawal will last longer. Does anyone suggest doing a quicker taper and suffering through more withdrawal symptoms for a shorter period of withdrawal symptoms? Why or why not? 
 

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated ❤️

[Heath]

Hello @RuuRee

are symptoms popping up again? Glad you have been doing ok for a month or so! Well I am experiencing something similar. I went through a little wave in October  during taper and then up dose a small amount. At 3 months hold I have started having a few symptoms. Headache. Dry sinuses, eyes, mouth, little fatigue , stomach, not wanting to do anything, dreams and getting up 2 hours earlier. For probably a week or so. And yes I have also felt those weird emotional feelings on out after start up before. So I am gonna hold another month or so. Making it around 4 + months hold. 

 

in my past experience when becoming unstable or in a bad wave a 3 to 7 month hold usually did it for me. Everyone is different. I think one key in this process is knowing my own symptoms and seeing them before it’s too late. I still struggle with this. 

for me I believe what I am experiencing is side effects of up dosing and being not completely stable. It may be different for you. 
 

I would highly recommend no more than 10% taper each month. This is because I don’t want to experience the withdrawals that I have in past.

your on your way to being stable just hang in there be patient !!

 

[RuuRee]

2 minutes ago, Heath said:

Hello @RuuRee

are symptoms popping up again?

 

 

@Heath yes they are. BUT - this time around things are much better than before. I'm starting to understand how sensitive my nervous system is going through this! I'm also starting to realize how much external stressors are affecting my mood and withdrawal. It seems it really draws things out for me. I actually just read your thread, it seems like you are recognizing what works and doesn't for you - applause! Hopefully you will figure out the right taper. Lexapro is one hell of a drug, but you can do it! Slow and steady wins the race 🤗

 

11 minutes ago, Heath said:

I would highly recommend no more than 10% taper each month. This is because I don’t want to experience the withdrawals that I have in past.

your on your way to being stable just hang in there be patient !!

 

 

I'm going to hold on this Prozac dose (15 mg) for as long as necessary. My next step would be to try going back to 10. I know this is a huge jump, but I want to at least try. If that doesn't work, I'd try bumping up to 12.5...if that doesn't work, then back up to 15 and then liquid. I'm really glad I decided to bridge to Prozac since it's half life is so long - I think that's definitely been helping. 

 

A little more than 2 months out and I can say that I'm pleased with how well I'm dealing. I know I can enter into a wave at any time, but I'm trying to stay positive and keep myself busy. This week and last week I've been in the process of moving which is good for me because I have energy to do stuff again and it's been keeping me busy - YAY! This withdrawal is wayyy more manageable (so far, lol). I'm finally starting to feel like myself...the only thing I really don't like is the weight gain. My appetite is back and in full force! 😅

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Heath]

@RuuRee you are feeling better and symptoms are manageable so you getting better !  Like me I’m just having baby symptoms this week 😁 thank goodness! And yes our nervous system is very sensitive to things.  Lord the cravings I don’t know why but these drugs causem! There’s probably a whole article on here somewhere about cravings. And cravings change during times being on ssris.  Chocolate, cokes, Krispy Kreme donuts  any sugar for me it’s crazy 😜 .  In my experience the hard cravings side effect has eased up over time. I have to make myself eat rt. And it’s so dang hard! 
 

I want to encourage you to stay below 10% taper! I know you want off this mess as I do!! Just look back at your past experiences and you can see 15 mg to 10 mg most likely will be too much for nerves. That will be a 33% drop. If it is then another wave another 4 months. This drug is like no other. We cannot see the results of changing it until it’s to late. Very unpredictable. So you are still taking tablets? 

just my opinion would be is to get liquid and go no more than 10% a month. Your dr mostly likely will do. 

[RuuRee]

@Heath so glad to be doing better! I also have a really bad sweet tooth but I forget that sometimes it's from PMS too! LOL. 

 

I think I'm almost ready to do another drop. I've felt pretty stable in the last month and my anxiety and mood are in good control....I will update when I do that.

 

I've also been having some urinary issues ever since my Lexapro poop out in 2019.....It's either overactive bladder or interstitial cystitis. What I'm trying to figure out is if this is part of the withdrawal and my body just saying f*** you or if this is something I acquired while I was on the Lexapro and it just masked all the symptoms. I feel like that will be hard to determine especially if doctors don't know about withdrawal, but it would be nice knowing the cause so I have a better understanding of it. I did read that anti-depressants are used to treat urinary problems so I wouldn't be surprised if the meds caused it. I'm really hoping it's not permanent because I'm really sick and tired of feeling like I'm going to pee my pants! 😅

 

In case anyone is experiencing the same thing, I found this article to be helpful:

 

https://rxisk.org/bladder-and-bowel-problems-after-antidepressants/

 

 

[Heath]

@RuuRee I believe you are right! Ssris cause urinary retention especially lexapro. and that can cause all kinds of urinary issues . I’m glad you brought that up because I be been having a few problems too a urinary infection back around August took antibiotics then hit a wave in October. I started lexapro 2 years ago and I have had sinus, eyes, ears , mouth, dizziness in hot weather over 2 years and now urinary infection. I have never had a urinary infection in my life! When I dropped down to 10 mgs a lot of these got better. 

these things cause all kinds of side effects that send folks chasing symptoms at drs office

I wonder if there is a discussion group on here about this? 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257838489_Escitalopram-Associated_Acute_Urinary_Retention

 

[Heath]

@RuuRee found it ! It’s under symptoms and self care. 
 

[RuuRee]

@Heath did you first notice your symptoms during withdrawal/down dosing? Or beforehand? 
 

I’d be more curious to know WHEN in their SSRI journey people experience symptoms. I feel like I’m experiencing this from withdrawal only I never had a problem before.

 

I do have a history of UTIs so that might not help my case and I’ve also tested negative for them but have had all symptoms (which leads me to believe it’s interstitial cystitis, maybe from having so many UTIs?) Man my brain is going crazy right now! 

 

[Heath]

 I had been on lexapro for a year then tapered for 4 months then held for about 6 months then had a UTI . Never had UTI until lexapro but have had other urinary problems since starting ssris 20 years ago I am starting to see maybe a relation don’t know. Going to dr and show the information that lexapro can cause urinary problems. 
 

did you go read through symptoms and self care for urinary issues it’s a lot in there!

[Heath]

Went to Dr today and got a UTI. Went through 2 rounds of Cipro in september and I think it just didn't completely go away. So I got to take cipro again . Looking back this summer along with lexapro drying me out sinuses, mouth, and eyes I think I did not drink enough water this summer. 

[RuuRee]

@Heath I will definitely take a look at that, thank you!

 

I would consider going to a Urologist if you keep having urinary issues. You could also have something else going on like overactive bladder which can cause UTIs and ALOT of the same symptoms. Just a suggestion! 

 

I feel you on the drying out part though I'm really affected especially if I'm dehydrated. Prozac made me thirsty too and then I was drinking TOO much water. Learning how to balance all this stuff is exhausting, am I right? 

[RuuRee]

Hi everyone, 

 

I've had a really rough week and I need some advice. I'm not sure if there is one particular thing that has sparked the way I've been feeling but I'll do my best to explain what is going on. 

 

I recently saw my Nutritionist who suggested adding a multivitamin to my daily regimen...I think I started that on Feb 8th in the morning. I also changed my sleep schedule starting that week so that I don't sleep 10 hrs a night anymore so I'm not getting the sleep I'm used to...I'm now getting around 8 hrs (which is GREAT, lol). 

 

This same day later (2/8), I had a date come over and I worked myself up pretty bad before they came over with nerves. I ended up getting a cold sore the next morning from the stress. I immediately started Valtrex, did that for a day at 2,000 mgs a dose 12 hrs apart as suggested. The day I first started taking it (2/9) I felt awfully sick and my anxiety was TERRIBLE I was crying all day long. Same with the next day (2/10). Things have gotten better since then but now anything that triggers my anxiety makes me feel shaky and I get very flush...kinda like a hot flash but it lasts for about an hr or so until I start feeling better.

 

I'm not really sure where this is coming from, I'm thinking it's a combination of everything that's going on, especially with all the overthinking going on with this guy. I've also read on several forum sites that Valtrex can cause anxiety/agitation/depression along with shakiness and feeling flush. So I'm thinking the way I'm feeling is from the Valtrex? It has a very short half life (3 hrs) and I have good renal function so I don't know why it would still be giving me side effects???

 

It's also been 3 months since my last down-dose. I'm definitely feeling my emotions a lot more intensely than before so I think my CNS is still pretty sensitive. I'm a little upset because I was getting ready to down-dose again but now I'm not quite sure. I think I need to hold until I'm certain I can handle more withdrawal. I don't even know if I'm still experiencing withdrawal or not but I'm nervous I'm not going to be able to cope with all these emotions. It hasn't been a good feeling. 

 

Does anyone know anything about Valtrex side-effects??? Should I stop taking the multivitamin?? I don't know what to do so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[DinaDina]

 

RuuRee how are your bladder issues now? I have serious issues with bladder after stopping Zoloft 7 weeks ago. I have frequency, pelvic pain, lower abdominal pain, lower back pain, very strong bladder pressure and something likeы PGAD.

 

Hope you're well! Take care

[RuuRee]

@DinaDina my bladder issues are way better. I really only have some minor leakage here and there. How are you doing, any better??

[DinaDina]

@RuuReemy bladder is really better but I sill have frequency, pressure and painful bladder. But it's less intense than it was at first.

[Heath]

@RuuRee How are you doing?