FreeMe: stopping long term antidepressants - Lexapro

[FreeMe]

I've been on antidepressants for 27 years. I was changed to Lexapro from Citalopram about 7 months or so ago as the Citalopram no longer seemed to be working for me. My depression and anxiety became worse on Lexapro.

The solution was that my doctors kept increasing the dose until I was on the maximum. Things became even worse and I reduced the dose myself as I knew it was the medication making things so bad. The anxiety was overwhelming.

I am on day 12 off my medication.

I tapered down over 2 months, which was slower than my doctor recommended. I am taking supplements that the doctor recommended.

Felt ok for the first week, but I'm not feeling great now.

Symptoms are: Poor sleep, ringing in my ears, nausea, body aches, very tired, confused, intermittent vertigo, depression.

I've found it hard to find success stories, as many people seem to return to medication because of side effects.

I would love to hear from people that have come off medication and to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Edited April 27, 2021 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, FreeMe.

 

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 your supplements.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

I tapered off 20mg Lexapro, finishing about 6 months ago and am doing fine, so there is light at the end.  

 

It sounds like you had an adverse reaction to the Lexapro, which means basically the drug was poison to your system.  You're likely also experiencing withdrawal.  The symptoms of withdrawal and adverse reaction are very similar and your are typical.  They will end, but we can't predict how long it will take for you to heal.  Everyone is different.  

 

So that you have a better understanding of what you're experiencing, here is some information on withdrawal, adverse reactions and the healing process.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Immediate adverse reactions to an antidepressant or within a ...

 

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 are single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements).

 

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

 

 

 

Edited April 27, 2021 by Gridley

[FreeMe]

Thank you for your response. I'm surprised at how long others have taken to taper and yet it was recommended that I did mine very quickly.

Initially I was told to take 10mg one day and 5mg the next day. Alternating this for two weeks before stopping and starting with the supplements.

This didn't feel right, so I cut down to 5mg. Stayed on the for approx 4 weeks then cut down to 2.5 for a further 3 weeks.

I felt fine, in fact pretty good, for the first 3 days.

Looking at others experiences, I think maybe  I have stopped far too quickly. I don't want to go back now. This is the first time I have been without them for 27 years, so I want to persevere. 

Being on Lexapro, and it being such a horrible experience, is what finally gave me the push to stop. I have tried before and given up very quickly in the early tapering stage.

[Gridley]

24 minutes ago, FreeMe said:

yet it was recommended that I did mine very quickly.

Unfortunately doctors, including psychiatrists, know very little about safe tapering.

 

A couple of comments about your supplements:  people in withdrawal are very often extremely sensitive to supplements.  Nux vomica has an effect on the nervous system (it's sort of a poison), and I'd reconsider using it.  B vitamins can have an activating effect and are generally not recommended during withdrawal.  We recommend a minimal dose of melatonin, around .25 or .3mg.  Too much can have a paradoxical effect (keep you awake).  Magnesium at too high a dose can have a laxative effect, so monitor your symptoms and cut back on your dosage if necessary.  

 

Make only one change at a time so you'll be able to gauge the effects of the supplements and any changes you make.

[FreeMe]

Thanks. The Nux is only taken when I need it for the nausea and it seems to help. The rest of the supplements I was already taking apart from the 5HTP. 

I so look forward to the day I am free of all this! It was great coming across this forum. Looking online I seemed to find more stories about people that ended up staying on the meds because of the side effects. Totally understandable. I'm determined to get there, 💜

[FreeMe]

I have stopped taking all supplements as I didn't feel they were helping. Or may have even been hindering my progress. I haven't noticed much difference in how I feel without them. I've taken none at all for 8 days

After reading the current reports about serotonin there doesn't seem to be much point in taking something like 5HTP to increase the production of it. I had also been taking Ashwagandha and L Tyrosine with my doctor suggested after I didn't seem to be improving. Whether they helped at all, I'm really not sure.

Melatonin no longer helped with my sleep and I had been having terrible nightmares. They stopped when I stopped the Melatonin. I haven't taken any of that for months now. 

I see now that my taper was much too fast and I wish I had of taken it a lot slower. 

I'm still struggling but it's mostly not as bad as it was. Some days there is light. 

[FreeMe]

Restart Medication to taper slower

 

I'm seriously considering restarting medication because I tapered too fast. I tapered over 2 months. I've been off Lexapro for 18 months and still having it pretty tough. 

 

I was on Lexapro for 8 months after being on Citalopram for years before that. 

 

I don't know which one I should go back on or whether I should at all. I thought maybe starting again with a much slower taper might help. 

 

I'd appreciate some advice on this. 

 

I really don't want to go back on any medication but I want my life back. I'd like to sleep properly again and feel less anxious and more human in general. 

 

My tinnitus seems to be getting worse as well. 

 

Lexapro made me feel worse which gave me the push to stop taking antidepressants. I really don't know what to do. 

 

It  seems a shame to go back after getting this far. 

 

Any help with this would be appreciated  

 

Edited October 16, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

Hi FreeMe,

 

I moved your new topic to your Introduction topic which keeps your history in one place.

 

I think it would be a good idea to assess what is going on in your life that might be contributing/worsening your symptoms.

 

1. Do you still take Zopliclone irregularly?
2. Do you still take 5-htp?
3. Are you still taking Vitamin B complex?  Many members find B vitamins activating, especially B6.  If you have a proven B vitamin deficiency then it would be better to supplement the particular B vitamin/s not just take a complex.
4. How much melatonin do you take?
5. Do you drink alcohol?
6. Do you drink a lot of caffeine?  Coffee, energy drinks, soft drinks which contain caffeine, eg Mountain Dew, Coke, and there might be a couple of others.
7. Do you have a lot of stress in your life, or experienced any major life stressors recently?
8. Have you been sick?
9. Have you taken any antibiotics, if yes, what?
10. How is your sleep?

It could be that if you take care of yourself in whatever areas need it that you won't need to go back on a psychiatric drug.  You might find that something that you are taking is causing issues and you haven't made the connection.

 

You might also consider finding a supportive counsellor and learn and use non drug coping techniques and general life coping skills.

[FreeMe]

Hi ChessieCat. Thank you so much for your reply.

 

1.  Yes irregular with the Zopiclone 7.5mg. A couple of times a fortnight half a tablet. I take half to a whole 1mg Lorazepam a couple of times a week when I really need sleep or am suffering major anxiety

2.  No I don't take 5HTP anymore. I don't think it was helping.

3.  I stopped taking B complex on a regular basis. I was taking it twice a week if I had a big day coming up. 

4.  I don't take Melatonin now. I was on 3mg but I found it wasn't helping and also I seemed to have really bad dreams when I took it,

5.  Yes I do drink alcohol. Usually 1-2 most days but 3-4 occasionally when I'm having a really bad day. I don't drink in the evening. Never after 4pm. 

6.  I don't have a lot of caffeine but I do have several cups of tea a day. I don't drink tea in the evening. It's mainly my morning/ afternoon drink. Not a big coffee drinker and don't drink soft drinks or energy drinks.

7.  I don't have anymore stress in my life than usual. Apart from the usual depression and effects of coming off medication.

8.  I haven't been sick.

9.  No anitbiotics.

10. Sleep is bad. Often awake every 30-60 minutes and can take a long time to get to sleep. I'm lucky to get 2 hours at one stretch. After 2-3 nights I often have to take Lorazepam or Zopiclone. After a couple of really bad nights I get very agitated and my mood worsens. 

I did feel that maybe the supplements had been making me worse so I stopped taking all of them about 2-3 weeks ago. I haven't noticed much difference so I don't think they were helping. I had cut them down significantly several weeks before that. 

I thought after this amount of time I would be a lot better. I mean, I'm not as bad as I was in the first 6-12 months or so, but sometimes it feels like I'm backsliding. And the sleep hasn't improved much. 

I go out for a decent walk most days which I wasn't able to do for the first 6 months or so. I do have to force myself to do it. 

It would be a shame to end up back on antidepressants after all this time, so if I don't have to that would be great!

I tried seeing a counsellor and she told me I just hadn't found the right medication yet. So, I haven't found the right counsellor yet. 

I haven't had a lot of support in the last 18 months. Friends and family kind of avoid me mostly but I do have one very supportive friend that I speak honestly and openly to everyday. She's a great friend. 

 

Edited October 16, 2022 by FreeMe
I forgot to add something.

[Shep]

15 hours ago, FreeMe said:

1.  Yes irregular with the Zopiclone 7.5mg. A couple of times a fortnight half a tablet. I take half to a whole 1mg Lorazepam a couple of times a week when I really need sleep or am suffering major anxiety

 

15 hours ago, FreeMe said:

5.  Yes I do drink alcohol. Usually 1-2 most days but 3-4 occasionally when I'm having a really bad day. I don't drink in the evening. Never after 4pm. 

 

Please note that zopiclone, lorazepam, and alcohol all affect the neurotransmitter GABA. This is the neurotransmitter responsible for calming us down. The reason people coming off zopiclone and lorazepam (or any benzodiazepine) struggle with insomnia and anxiety is because the GABA receptors have down regulated and you're not getting proper use of this calming neurotransmitter.

 

More about benzos and GABA can found here: 

 

What is happening in your brain?

 

Two suggestions:

 

• If you don't feel like you're dependent on zopiclone and lorazepam, then stop taking them. If you do feel you're dependent (which can happen in 2 - 4 weeks, even with periodic use), then take them every day and the same time(s) of the day and at the same dose. After you stabilize, you'll taper off.
• Stop drinking. You may need to work with a trauma-informed therapist (one who can't prescribe drugs). More can be found here: Alcohol, wine, and beer. Also, please see Rxisk.org - Out of my mind - driven to drink

Drinking alcohol every day is a bad idea, even for folks not dealing with psychiatric drugs because in the long run, it's horrible for sleep. 

 

As you make the decision to stop drinking, you can bring in other coping mechanisms to help with your anxiety and stress.

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Learning mindfulness, practicing gentle yoga, learning how to distract through withdrawal symptoms and other stressors, etc. all can go a long way to helping you cope without alcohol or psychiatric drugs. 

 

We won't be able to offer you much assistance while you're drinking. We see more setbacks from alcohol than about anything else here, so it's important for your healing that you can abstain until your nervous system is strong enough to handle it. 

 

You may find that taking a dose of zopiclone at night for sleep and / or a regular dose of lorazepam during the day can help as you remove the alcohol, which is especially true if you're dependent on these drugs. 

 

Please post your thoughts. 

 

 

[FreeMe]

On 10/17/2022 at 10:47 AM, Shep said:

 

 

Please note that zopiclone, lorazepam, and alcohol all affect the neurotransmitter GABA. This is the neurotransmitter responsible for calming us down. The reason people coming off zopiclone and lorazepam (or any benzodiazepine) struggle with insomnia and anxiety is because the GABA receptors have down regulated and you're not getting proper use of this calming neurotransmitter.

 

More about benzos and GABA can found here: 

 

What is happening in your brain?

 

Two suggestions:

 

• If you don't feel like you're dependent on zopiclone and lorazepam, then stop taking them. If you do feel you're dependent (which can happen in 2 - 4 weeks, even with periodic use), then take them every day and the same time(s) of the day and at the same dose. After you stabilize, you'll taper off.
• Stop drinking. You may need to work with a trauma-informed therapist (one who can't prescribe drugs). More can be found here: Alcohol, wine, and beer. Also, please see Rxisk.org - Out of my mind - driven to drink

Drinking alcohol every day is a bad idea, even for folks not dealing with psychiatric drugs because in the long run, it's horrible for sleep. 

 

As you make the decision to stop drinking, you can bring in other coping mechanisms to help with your anxiety and stress.

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Learning mindfulness, practicing gentle yoga, learning how to distract through withdrawal symptoms and other stressors, etc. all can go a long way to helping you cope without alcohol or psychiatric drugs. 

 

We won't be able to offer you much assistance while you're drinking. We see more setbacks from alcohol than about anything else here, so it's important for your healing that you can abstain until your nervous system is strong enough to handle it. 

 

You may find that taking a dose of zopiclone at night for sleep and / or a regular dose of lorazepam during the day can help as you remove the alcohol, which is especially true if you're dependent on these drugs. 

 

Please post your thoughts. 

 

 

Hi Shep.

 

Thank you, all of that is very helpful.

I didn't know that I could become dependant on Zopiclone or Lorazepam with periodic use. I thought I was avoiding that by not taking them too often. I think I will try not taking them at all and see what happens.

 

The alcohol, I know that I have been using that to self medicate and take the edge off feeling horrible since I stopped Lexapro. I've taken on board what you have said. I haven't had a drink for two days and don't notice any real difference apart from feeling slightly more bored and lonely than usual. Definitely willing to give that up if it helps to get over all of these side effects quicker.

 

I have a stretching routine I do at night which includes some yoga poses. I do this mainly for muscle pain but it does seem to help me to relax a bit. 

 

I live in a fairly small place and there aren't a whole lot of counsellors to choose from. The people that deal with mental health aren't interested because I have been refusing to go back on any of the antidepressants they have recommended. My GP confirmed this yesterday when I asked about further help with depression, anxiety and insomnia. Medication seems to be the only thing on offer. They think I should go back on medication and should stay on it for the rest of my life. As I'm sure many of us have been told about chemical imbalance and needing the antidepressants forever. Although the recent studies have been telling us that it's not true about the lack of seratonin. 

 

It's a huge help being able to see that I'm not making all this stuff up.  I will try everything I can to stay off them. They were making me worse in the end anyway. I thought if I was going to feel that bad on them, I may as well stop taking them. There are effects from stopping medication and I'm not imagining it. I think I would have been back on AD's long ago if I hadn't found this forum. People do get better. I'm very grateful. 

 

[Shep]

14 hours ago, FreeMe said:

I didn't know that I could become dependant on Zopiclone or Lorazepam with periodic use. I thought I was avoiding that by not taking them too often. I think I will try not taking them at all and see what happens.

 

 

Your alcohol use may be complicating this because alcohol also affects GABA. And since both zopiclone and lorazepam also both affect GABA in a very similar way, it's possible to become dependent on substances that affect GABA when you're ingesting one form or another of a GABA-affecting substance daily. It's really hard to say. 

 

Please let us know how you feel without these drugs over the coming days. However, if you need to reinstate, don't consider it a failure if you need to rely on zopiclone or lorazepam for sleep right now. That would be a sign that you became dependent so going on a daily dose will help. You'll taper off later. 

 

14 hours ago, FreeMe said:

The alcohol, I know that I have been using that to self medicate and take the edge off feeling horrible since I stopped Lexapro. I've taken on board what you have said. I haven't had a drink for two days and don't notice any real difference apart from feeling slightly more bored and lonely than usual. Definitely willing to give that up if it helps to get over all of these side effects quicker.

 

Excellent to read, FreeMe. 

 

14 hours ago, FreeMe said:

I live in a fairly small place and there aren't a whole lot of counsellors to choose from. The people that deal with mental health aren't interested because I have been refusing to go back on any of the antidepressants they have recommended. My GP confirmed this yesterday when I asked about further help with depression, anxiety and insomnia. Medication seems to be the only thing on offer. They think I should go back on medication and should stay on it for the rest of my life. As I'm sure many of us have been told about chemical imbalance and needing the antidepressants forever. Although the recent studies have been telling us that it's not true about the lack of seratonin. 

 

You may be fine without outside support. Or, since you're already doing a yoga routine at night for muscle relaxation, you may want to seek out a yoga or mindfulness class, in-person or online, to take your practice further. Learning to self-soothe through difficult emotions and withdrawal symptoms can come from many places outside of traditional medicine. 

 

14 hours ago, FreeMe said:

People do get better. I'm very grateful. 

 

Brilliantly said - yes, we do get better! 

 

[FreeMe]

On 10/20/2022 at 2:06 AM, Shep said:

 

Your alcohol use may be complicating this because alcohol also affects GABA. And since both zopiclone and lorazepam also both affect GABA in a very similar way, it's possible to become dependent on substances that affect GABA when you're ingesting one form or another of a GABA-affecting substance daily. It's really hard to say. 

 

Please let us know how you feel without these drugs over the coming days. However, if you need to reinstate, don't consider it a failure if you need to rely on zopiclone or lorazepam for sleep right now. That would be a sign that you became dependent so going on a daily dose will help. You'll taper off later. 

 

 

Excellent to read, FreeMe. 

 

 

You may be fine without outside support. Or, since you're already doing a yoga routine at night for muscle relaxation, you may want to seek out a yoga or mindfulness class, in-person or online, to take your practice further. Learning to self-soothe through difficult emotions and withdrawal symptoms can come from many places outside of traditional medicine. 

 

 

Brilliantly said - yes, we do get better! 

 

A couple of  things I'm noticing about not drinking:  I don't think my anxiety is as bad. No change in sleep as yet. My tinnitus seems to be much louder, especially at bed time. I feel less sluggish overall. So far it seems to be a slight  improvment. Early days.   

[Shep]

24 minutes ago, FreeMe said:

A couple of  things I'm noticing about not drinking:  I don't think my anxiety is as bad. No change in sleep as yet. My tinnitus seems to be much louder, especially at bed time. I feel less sluggish overall. So far it seems to be a slight  improvment. Early days.   

 

I'm glad you're okay and even seeing a slight improvement in these early days, FreeMe. Please keep us posted.