☼ ladybugqt -- Lexapro: Will I ever feel normal again?

[ladybugqt]

Not really! He said "stop now, dont taake any more!" I asked hhim if he was crazy & if he knew what withdrawal was like? ( I am VERY tell it like it is with my doc - how else will he know how i feel) He said no, its different 4 everyone, but tht the way u guys have advised me to do it is working well so stay with it! I asked 4 liquid lexapro to taper & he said they dont make it just to cut my 5mg tabs down! Wasnt real secure so i saw a second 1 today & he saaid i seem to b in good health - tht everything i am experiencing is from the lexaapro! I was wondering if i had a ministroke. But he said it'll just take time & if i dont feel ready to listen to my body!

[Skyler]

Wasnt real secure so i saw a second 1 today & he saaid i seem to b in good health - tht everything i am experiencing is from the lexaapro! I was wondering if i had a ministroke. But he said it'll just take time & if i dont feel ready to listen to my body!

 

Good for you... sounds like a winner. Now all he/she needs to do is stay with you thru the home stretch. ~S

[Barbarannamated]

Good job, Ladybugqt!!

[ladybugqt]

I feel great today!!!

I know not everyday will be this good - but i'll take it!

Voice is good, muscles are stronger, no migraine & only 1 panic attack!

Thank u for all the love, support, & prayers we r getting! GOD IS HEARING YA! Love u all )

[Altostrata]

Did you get the liquid Lexapro?

 

The second doc sounds okay, you should let the first one know he was *so* wrong!

[ladybugqt]

The second doc was a specialist! Wanted to make sure i didnt have a stroke or something! Feeling pretty good today & having alil more energy! My hubby says he feels like hes married to a whole new woman ~ & this may be TMI but, I thought my sex drive was so low cuz we've been married 11 yrs now (been on different anti depressents for 9 yrs) but it must have been the pills! ~ SURPRISING TWIST ~ Thinking back, the only 1 i was on tht didnt do tht was celexa - & i had to switch b/c of my insurance! { & no, the 1st doc said the didnt make liquid lexapro,which told me he didnt know wht he was doing, n gave me 5mg n said to cut them. By the time the second doc told me i would get better, i was so exstatic i forgot to ask! lol)

[Altostrata]

Such good news!

 

Please make sure to get the liquid Lexapro. You'll want to be very careful going off the last little bit.

[ladybugqt]

I live in a small town! We have 4 pharmacies & none of them have liquid lexapro... What do i do?

[Altostrata]

Mail order from pharmacies http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1425-compounding-pharmacies-us-uk-and-elsewhere

 

You'll need to send a prescription. Probably even Walmart and Costco can fill it.

[ladybugqt]

My pharmacy is walmart & they said no. Called giant eagle, rite aid, n walgreens & nowhere has it! Dod refuses 2 admit he might be wrong & he would only give me a script for 5mg n tell me to cut em! Itll take over a month to get in to another doc, so i dont wanna do tht! Dont really know wht to do!

[Altostrata]

I just phoned Walgreen's. They can order Lexapro liquid, you will be able to pick it up at the store. The other drug stores probably have to do the same. They don't carry it in stock.

 

Can you work with another doctor? Any doctor can order the liquid for you.

 

From http://www.hipaaspace.com/Medical_Billing/Coding/National.Drug.Codes/0456-2101-08

Liquid Lexapro

NDC Code 0456-2101-08 <-- this is the order code

Package Description 240 mL in 1 BOTTLE

Proprietary Name Lexapro

Non Proprietary Name ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE

Dosage Form Name LIQUID

Labeler Name Forest Laboratories, Inc.

Substance Name ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE

Strength Number 5

Strength Unit mg/5mL

If you absolutely can't get the liquid, you might make your own solution with water, see this example http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2022-making-a-celexa-solution-yourself

[ladybugqt]

Well, today I dropped my dosage of lexapro for the last time! Went to 1.3mg from 2.5mg - as per doctors' advice (I thought I could just stop from there [2.5] guess he said that was way too much of a change) 2 weeks to a month - he said my body will let me know when it's safe to stop all together! This has been a long, emotionally & physically exhausting, rollercoaster of an experience. Who knew? This sick for this long from a simple anti deppressant? Thank u all for ur continuing support, encouragement, & prayers! GOD HEARS YA! THANKING HIM FOR MAKING ME BETTER ~ in his time! Wish me luck! Loving my life & the people in it!! ♥ !!

Not looking forward to the pattern though. I know u'll think i'm crazy - hell, i'd have to agree - but everytime I drop in dose for the 1st 2-3 days i feel like the old me (its a tease) then for the next week its migraines, insomnia, negativity, crying, hardly any voice, panic attacks, heart flutters... HOPING it doesn't take me long to go backto 'the old me' once i'm totally LEXAPRO FREE!

[Altostrata]

then for the next week its migraines, insomnia, negativity, crying, hardly any voice, panic attacks, heart flutters

Those are withdrawal symptoms. Are they all gone after a week?

 

Does your current doctor understand gradual tapering? Can you recommend him?

[ladybugqt]

No, but they fade alot after a week. All together they probably last 2-3 weeks. My voice has not been strong since about 2 mnths after I staarted this drug a yr ago! I would give anything if SOMEONE- ANYONE could tell me they have heard of tht side affect with an anti depressant... At least i wouldnt feel like a freak! The only thing my doc said was tht he couldnt find anything wrong w me besides horribly low iron - so quit taking the pills! BIG HELP, HUH?

[Barbarannamated]

Ladybug,

Did you ever have the scan of your throat (thyroid?). That could definitely be effecting your voice.

B

[ladybugqt]

Had a scan a couple yrs ago. Dr did blood testing 4 my thyroid 2 weeks ago - I get the results on the 20th, but if it's bad they call u for an earlier appt - & they haven't called!

[Altostrata]

No, but they fade alot after a week. All together they probably last 2-3 weeks. My voice has not been strong since about 2 mnths after I staarted this drug a yr ago! I would give anything if SOMEONE- ANYONE could tell me they have heard of tht side affect with an anti depressant... At least i wouldnt feel like a freak! The only thing my doc said was tht he couldnt find anything wrong w me besides horribly low iron - so quit taking the pills! BIG HELP, HUH?

 

Yes, I've heard of people having trouble using their voice.

 

If you made your decreases smaller, you might not suffer such noticeable symptoms for so long.

[ladybugqt]

But it started b4 I started decreasing. It started about 6 weeks - 2 mnths after I started taking lexapro! It gets WAY worse when i'm stressed & it did get worse when I started the withdrawal proccess! The other night it was back to normal for alil bit ~ that gave me some hope!!! Have u ever seen this side effect w an anti deppresant? I figured if anyone would know, it'd be my "surviving" family! U have no idea how much u guys r helping me!

[ladybugqt]

WOW! Actually got the drs office to give me test results over the phone so i didnt have 2 wait till the 20th... My thyroid is all good!

[ladybugqt]

I have come to the conclusion that the lexapro was actually making my stress & anxiety so much worse!!! I am taking it slow, like u guys advised, so i am still on a low dose. I found out tht your throat can swell from stress making it hard to talk - so with 1 aspirin A day, gargling w salt water, & destressing exercises- my voice is getting stronger! YAY! I wanted 2 share wih u all. Maybe I can help someone... Go to google or youtube & search TAI CHI STRESS AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT or http://usa.taichiproductions.com/ ! U dont have 2 be in good health.I am in a wheelchair & my mom is 73 and on oxygen & we can do it! So excited! Wanted 2 share & maybe help someone else! Luv u all!

[Skyler]

I have come to the conclusion that the lexapro was actually making my stress & anxiety so much worse!!! I am taking it slow, like u guys advised, so i am still on a low dose. I found out tht your throat can swell from stress making it hard to talk - so with 1 aspirin A day, gargling w salt water, & destressing exercises- my voice is getting stronger! YAY! I wanted 2 share wih u all. Maybe I can help someone... Go to google or youtube & search TAI CHI STRESS AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT or http://usa.taichiproductions.com/ ! U dont have 2 be in good health.I am in a wheelchair & my mom is 73 and on oxygen & we can do it! So excited! Wanted 2 share & maybe help someone else! Luv u all!

 

This from someone who loses her voice when stressed! (Yep.. it completely vanishes in seconds.) What you describe sounds sooo reasonable. Yes... stress from withdrawal symptoms and your voice goes south. Glad you figured it out. Bonza.

[tezza]

Hi ladybugqt,

 

Alto is so right about getting the liquid. Your tapers would be so much easier, more precise. Getting liquid Risperdal was a lifesaver for me, I don't think I could have made it this far without it. It makes it easier to make very small decreases so I am literally sneaking it away from my brain.

 

I hope you continue to do well and get better and better.

 

Love,

 

Tezza

[Gladstone]

I love this thread, so hopeful. I guess my chore will be finding a psych doc who will prescribe liquid lexapro. It is so hard to try to do the right thing--taper under medical supervision--when the doctors are so quick to say,"Chemical imbalance, meds for life." Frustrating.

[tezza]

Just disregard the above post if you just don't need the liquid. I'm happy for you and your success to have made it this far. Stay well...

[Gladstone]

My problem isn't just the liquid vs pills, it's finding a doctor to work with me. The safe way to discontinue is under medical supervision, but finding a doctor who doesn't want you to stay on for life is hard, at least where I live (small city).

[ladybugqt]

I love this thread, so hopeful. I guess my chore will be finding a psych doc who will prescribe liquid lexapro. It is so hard to try to do the right thing--taper under medical supervision--when the doctors are so quick to say,"Chemical imbalance, meds for life." Frustrating.

 

My doc was absolutely NO help! All he saaid was get off of it! U know ur body! Sounds like risky advise, but when i couldnt find a helpful doc I researched aaalot, & found some very experienced ppl here to help me, and did it myself! My body told me when i was going too fast & i took a step back! My doc said what do u want to try then? (another anti depressant)" I said nothing right now. i wanna try vitamins, herbs, n meditation! U shoulda seen the look i got! lol

[Altostrata]

Thanks for the good news, ladybug.

 

How about starting a topic in Symptoms about stress management?

[ladybugqt]

Well, today I dropped my dosage of lexapro for the last time! Went to 1.3mg from 2.5mg - as per doctors' advice (I thought I could just stop from there [2.5] guess he said that was way too much of a change) 2 weeks to a month - he said my body will let me know when it's safe to stop all together! This has been a long, emotionally & physically exhausting, rollercoaster of an experience. Who knew? This sick for this long from a simple anti deppressant? Thank u all for ur continuing support, encouragement, & prayers! GOD HEARS YA! THANKING HIM FOR MAKING ME BETTER ~ in his time! Wish me luck! Loving my life & the people in it!! ♥ !!

Not looking forward to the pattern though. I know u'll think i'm crazy - hell, i'd have to agree - but everytime I drop in dose for the 1st 2-3 days i feel like the old me (its a tease) then for the next week its migraines, insomnia, negativity, crying, hardly any voice, panic attacks, heart flutters... HOPING it doesn't take me long to go backto 'the old me' once i'm totally LEXAPRO FREE!

 

How do I know when its ok to stop? I'm so sick of crying & being dizzy! (I went down to 1.25mg on july 7th - I cut my 5mg tabs in four n take a fourth) HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Altostrata]

You are getting withdrawal symptoms from tapering too fast. Make your tablets into a liquid and taper more slowly. See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/406-tips-for-tapering-off-lexapro-escitalopram/

 

Read this on a computer, not a cell phone. Take notes.

[ladybugqt]

As of sunday aug 12th ~ I AM LEXAPRO FREE! I was on 1.25mg for 6 weeks before then. EVERYONE told me to be very careful going off the final dose of lexapro - that that's when the withdrawal gets EVIL... They ain't kidding! My speech is slow, exhausted, shooting 'electric' muscle pains, headaches, sobbing anxiety attacks, vomiting, depression, coughing my head off,*my allergies actually got worse*, feelings of hopelessness, etc... I have come too far to back pedal now! I.WILL.SEE.THIS.THROUGH. Please keep me in ur prayers!

[Altostrata]

I am sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Please consider going back on a very small dose if those symptoms don't go away.

 

Posted 24 July 2012 - 11:26 AM:

You are getting withdrawal symptoms from tapering too fast. Make your tablets into a liquid and taper more slowly. See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/406-tips-for-tapering-off-lexapro-escitalopram/

 

Read this on a computer, not a cell phone. Take notes.

 

[ladybugqt]

I thought 1.25mg for 6 weeks to nothing was small!

[Altostrata]

If you got withdrawal symptoms, it wasn't small enough for your nervous system.

 

Withdrawal symptoms are your body's way of saying you're going too fast.

[ladybugqt]

I NEED ADVICE PLEASE! I hav been going down in lexapro to wean myself off since may! Sunday I went from 1.25mg to nothing. Yesterday I took 1 mg. I feel like i failed, but i rlly think i was on the verge of a nervous breakdown! I feel alil better today, but not alot. Do u think if i got switched to something alil milder, like cymbalta, for a few months & then weaned off of it i would have better luck? Please help... (THE FRAGMENT OF TABLET MELTING & HEARTBURN MAKES ME THROW UP EVERYDAY WHEN I TAKE IT. I RLLY DONT THINK I COULD DO THE LIQUIFYING IT THING)

[Altostrata]

Keep taking 1mg Lexapro for a few weeks, to get your system settled down.

 

You didn't fail, your system wants you to go slower.

 

Your system is very sensitive to small changes in Lexapro. You need to taper more precisely.

 

Buy Lexapro liquid or make Lexapro liquid to go down further.

 

Take it with food to avoid stomach upset.

 

Don't switch to something else at this point.

[ladybugqt]

I VALUE YOUR ADVICE & OPINIONS, but ultimately - I know my body & what i'm going thru. I have decided - with my doctor - to try zoloft for a few months and quit from there. I take my 1st 1 tonight. I was on zoloft for years & the only adverse reaction i had to it was a low sex drive. I had no problem going off of it. I talked it over w my doctor, husband, and mom and we all think it's worth a try. We will be monitoring it closely, and my doc knows my ultimate goal is to be anti depressant & reaction free! This week has been the worst ive ever had. My mom thinks i need to be in the hospital, & im so depressed my hubby is scared to leave me home alone. In my eyes this is worth a try! I just wanna be ME again! Strong & positive!