eddiengambino: took Lexapro 5 mg over 6 months, withdrew due to blood issues 6 weeks ago

[eddiengambino]

Hello everyone, 

 

I started taking Lexapro 5 mg back at March 1st until September 11th. During the last month before I quit the medication, I started getting stomach issues, malaise, fatigue issues. I was also diagnosed with thrombocytopenia (low platelet disorder).

With all these issues, I told my psych that I was getting these bad side effects, he told me I could quit or taper off in 1-2 weeks. Since the side effects were getting too much, I decided to withdraw. 

 

Initially for the first two days, I was feeling good, just had to go pee a lot. However, for the next 8 days, I was dealing with bloating and stomach pain. It went away though, and then I had a clean window of 10 days where I felt perfectly normal. However, I started to feel bad in my stomach again, and it seemed to coincide with having a irregular sleep schedule (days where I would range from 3 to 6 hours of sleep). I also started noticing I was getting more gas and belching more than usual, but it didn't really bother me. On October 5th, I noticed I started getting major sinus issues and had to clear my throat many times. By October 9th, I started to get major anxiety, which culminated in insomnia for the weekend. On October 11th, I noticed that I started to taste acid in my saliva. On October 12th, I started taking Protonix due to the suspected gastritis and acid reflux. Two days later, I was getting bad heartburns two consecutive days in a row. Even though I started eating less, having a non acidic diet,  and changing my habits, the stomach issues never went away and I still would be getting reflux. 

 

I started seeing a chiropractor on October 20th and he noted that my entire left side of my body was tense, and he proceeded to adjust parts of it including my stomach, which has been helpful. He also taught me ways to relax my stomach. I was also advised by a nutritionist coach to start having a diet with no wheat, no processed grains diet on October 21st. While the diet has worked to eliminate the reflux, I noticed that my insomnia and bad anxiety came back on October 23rd and 24th (maybe due to lesser carbs?)

However the anxiety lessened on the 25th when I ingested a bit more carbs. I was also able to sleep more as I took a 5 mg melatonin supplement with 5 mg GABA and 50 mg  L-Theanine. I was able to sleep from 9:40 PM to 2:00 AM, and fell back asleep around probably 2:30 to 5:00 PM. 

 

 

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, eddiengambino.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  A list format is best.  You'll need to use a computer rather than a phone.

 

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 Anxiety and insomnia are very common withdrawal symptoms stemming from your fast taper of Lexapro.  

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

These explain the healing process really well.

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that ae single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements).

 

Regarding the melatonin, 5mg is a high dose for someone in withdrawal and can cause a paradoxical reaction (keep you awake).  We recommend starting with a very low dose, like .25mg,  and working up to the lowest effective dose.

 

Melatonin for sleep  

 

This link is about the pros and cons of GABA supplements.

 

Gaba supplements - good or bad? - Symptoms and self-care ...

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[eddiengambino]

Thanks for the reply @Gridley

 

Even though I eat fish at least twice a week, I will probably need to supplement with fish oil supplements

 

Regarding the melatonin, I found the 5 mg to be more helpful for me than the 1mg that I tried prior to upping to 5

 

I will just observe for now. 

[ChessieCat]

the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable

 

[eddiengambino]

It has been a while since I got off Lexapro and I still have lingering issues:

 

• Bad sleep quality (gotten really bad this week where I would wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, melatonin and cortisol manager has not helped this episode)
• Increasing chest pressure/discomfort near esophagus area
• Back pain
• Sometimes hip pain
• Nerve issues
• Irritable mood

I have been taking biocidin and collodial silver for my SIBO also though and while I do feel "cleaner", it could be possible that the bacteria die off is causing my sleep to worsen. 

 

Talked to my primary and at first she asked if I wanted to go back on antidepressants (I said no) and then she said I could try hydroxyzine for my sleep problems. Not sure if I want to try hydroxyzine. 

 

[Br3521]

That’s die off. I had the same issues with my first couple of treatments for sibo. Did you get sibo coming off the lexapro?

[eddiengambino]

4 minutes ago, Br3521 said:

That’s die off. I had the same issues with my first couple of treatments for sibo. Did you get sibo coming off the lexapro?

I actually had IBS issues before lexapro but it became 10x worse after getting off it. Recently was diagnosed with SIBO by a GI Doctor and naturopath.

 

thinking of taking a break off the SIBO treatment plan, think it jiggered something in my body that’s not agreeing with it. 

[Br3521]

Taking a break is good. This sibo stuff is killer! I’ve been treating on and off for 6 months. My die off was horrible in the beginning. I then did the antibiotics which brought my numbers down a lot and I could tolerate herbal treatments better after that. When treating you want to make sure your methylation and detox pathways are working so you don’t get crazy die off, and if you do then taking a break is helpful! I think starting out with ibs issues and then taking out the serotonin allows sibo to creep in. Although doesn’t look like you were on the meds very long. Maybe it just increased your dysbiosis?

[eddiengambino]

1 hour ago, Br3521 said:

Taking a break is good. This sibo stuff is killer! I’ve been treating on and off for 6 months. My die off was horrible in the beginning. I then did the antibiotics which brought my numbers down a lot and I could tolerate herbal treatments better after that. When treating you want to make sure your methylation and detox pathways are working so you don’t get crazy die off, and if you do then taking a break is helpful! I think starting out with ibs issues and then taking out the serotonin allows sibo to creep in. Although doesn’t look like you were on the meds very long. Maybe it just increased your dysbiosis?

Think it definitely masked some motility or stomach issue then it became a lot worse once I got off it. Def will ask for testing into what could be hindering the detox.

[eddiengambino]

Update: My sleep has been mostly normal and my GI issues aren't bad anymore. 

 

However, I still get random chest discomfort/pressure and a globus sensation at times even if I take Pepcid daily. 

 

So weird to be feeling this after many months of discontinuation.