GottaBeStrong: started back on Lexapro - been a nightmare

[GottaBeStrong]

Long story short, I been on and off antidepressants since I was 15, I’m 32 now. The last 2 times I have started back on have been the worse I have felt in my life. Depression, Anxiety, insomnia  have been unbearable. I’ve had mood swings where I’m very depressed in the mornings but as the day goes on I’m fairly better, more so by the evenings. Iv been paroniod and obsessing that I’m “bipolar”. I’m starting to feel some normalcy after about 4 weeks back on the Lexapro  but still not stable. After these last 2 experiences with Lexapro, I don’t trust these meds at all anymore. But at the same time, I can’t get out of my head that I’m gonna experience some bipolar episodes or loose it without it. I hope to be off these meds one day. 

Edited October 28, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, GottaBeStrong.

 

We need a little more information before we can advise you.   In particular, we need to know how fast you went off your drugs before reinstating including dates and dosages.  This information can go in the link below.  We are a site for helping people go off psychiatric drugs and deal with withdrawal.  Are you interested in tapering the Lexapro?

 

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.  Please include the dosage and dates of the last two times you went back on the Lexapro and also the dates and dosages and taper rate of how you went off the Lexapro prior to trying to reinstate.  You'll need to use a computer rather than a phone.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

2 hours ago, GottaBeStrong said:

 I’m starting to feel some normalcy after about 4 weeks back on the Lexapro  but still not stable.

 

That's an encouraging sign of healing.  This link explains the ealing process really well.

 

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).

 

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

[GottaBeStrong]

I think I’ve got the signature part now on here. Yes I would eventually like to taper the Lexapro and stay off for good. For now I’ve got to get in a better place mentally. These last 2 times reinstating has really messed with me mentally. 
 

[GottaBeStrong]

I don’t have a computer at this time. Although I did put some information on here with my phone. Not sure if it’s visible to everyone or not.

 

[Gridley]

50 minutes ago, GottaBeStrong said:

Not sure if it’s visible to everyone or not

I can see it.  Thank you.

[GottaBeStrong]

Has anybody else experienced anything like this? The not being able to sleep is getting to me. I don’t understand how a medicine can make you feel so much worse before better? Although I’m not in the place I was when I first started back on the medicine consistently, I’m still in a bad place. My main problem is not being able to sleep. Which I believe creates other issues. I have some small panick attacks in the morning sometimes but not as frequent as I did. Still a low mood throughout the day until evening? 

[Gridley]

1 hour ago, GottaBeStrong said:

Has anybody else experienced anything like this? The not being able to sleep is getting to me

Insomnia is one of the most common withdrawal symptoms.  Here are some links to help with insomnia.

 

Relaxation exercises, guided meditations, calming videos, sleep hypnosis

 

Tricks and tips to fall asleep faster

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/02/16/tips-tricks-fall-asleep-faster.aspx?utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20170216Z1&et_cid=DM133787&et_rid=1889748952

 

This link contains helpful information, including insomnia and also non-drug coping skills.  

 

Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems

 

Some members have found Melatonin helpful with insomnia.   

 

Melatonin for sleep  

 

 It's best to start at a very low dosage, such as .25mg, and gradually increase if needed to the lowest effective dose. 

 

1 hour ago, GottaBeStrong said:

I have some small panick attacks in the morning sometimes but not as frequent as I did.

The fact that you're improving is a sign of healing.

 

 

[GottaBeStrong]

I’m not withdrawing. I’m back on the Lexapro for 4 weeks now. As I mentioned reinstating the Lexapro the last 2 times have been a nightmare but I’ve also started testosterone like last time and it seems to help a lot.

[GottaBeStrong]

Has any one else experienced tapering off to one Lexapro 10mg pill a week for 2 years and done fine but when reinstating consistently became much worse? I’m starting to see some improvement after 4 weeks but was very very bad the first 3 weeks.