Anya324 What have I done and how can I fix it

[getofflex]

16 hours ago, Anya324 said:

I feel new. Bumping up helped immensely. I do however feel like 3.5 is sufficient so I backed the dose down from 3.75.

I'm very happy to hear that your reinstatement is helping you!  We do suggest that you stay consistent with your dosing, and to stay on precisely the same dose for a while before changing.  Lexapro is a very powerful drug, and any change in the dose can be significant to your nervous system.  Changing the dose frequently can confuse the nervous system, and result in more WD symptoms.  Please read - 

 

Considerations About Stability Stop Jumping Around

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

16 hours ago, Anya324 said:

I honestly still believe that reinstatement worked quickly for me because I hadn’t been off the meds long. 

Yes, this is true.  The reason reinstatements are riskier after a period of time of being of the drug is because the nervous system makes changes as we are off the drug, and then it has to go back and reverse those changes when we add the drug back. 

 

16 hours ago, Anya324 said:

Before I tackle the slow taper with Lexapro again, I’d like to get off the lansoprazole.

Here is a link about how to properly taper lansoprazole.  Just be sure that you do not change your dose of the Lexapro as you are tapering this other drug.  We do not suggest to taper more than 1 drug at a time.  Can you please add your drug history for lansoprazole to your drug signature?  Thank you.  Click on your name in the upper right corner, select "account settings", select "signature", and click "save".  You may need a computer to do this. 

 

Tips for Tapering Lansoprazole, Etc.

 

17 hours ago, Anya324 said:

Thank you all for what you’re doing here. If I hadn’t found this page 3 weeks ago…. Well… Just know that y’all saved at least one life. 

I'm so happy to hear this.  I remember you being in a pretty rough spot when you first came in here.  Keep up the good work!  

 

[Anya324]

Ok, so the jumping has definitely messed things up. I feel like such a dummy for dropping my dose like I did. I really thought it was soon enough to adjust the dose, that it wouldn’t effect me negatively. I think maybe my body needs to be on 3.75. I felt great for like 4 days besides a lack of energy. That’s why I reduced. I’ll take the lack of energy over this. It’s like withdrawals all over again just at a 5 instead of a 8 (like on the pain scale).  
 

Adding to all this fun, today I am having really awful pain in my back. It feels like a pulled a muscle, but I didn’t do anything to hurt it so idk. Ive tried heat and Tylenol and a flector patch. Nothing is working. Can’t stand, hurts to breathe… 😩 I have an arsenal of prescription meds but I am afraid to take any of them because almost all of them interact with Lexapro. I haven’t had a problem in the past 

 

I’m putting this here because every time I change my signature, I get an error message that it’s too long. 
 

7/19 upped 2.5-3.75

7/25 felt really good but had a huge lack of energy so reduced to 3.4

7/28-now. Started feeling anxious/heart racing/insomnia/no appetite. Continued to worsen till now. 

 

[getofflex]

Hello Anya, my suggestion to you is to please stop changing your dose.  It is likely to mess up your nervous system even further.  Our nervous systems need stability, and you will probably have to put up with some symptoms and discomfort while you body is trying to adjust to you reinstatement.  Keeping changing your dose is likely to make you feel worse, not better.  Your nervous system is likely to get very confused by the frequently changing amounts of the drug, and get worse, not better.  Don't forget about the windows and waves that are part of this, not to mention it is normal for us to have fluctuations in how we feel physically and mentally anyway.  

 

Please, find a dose, and stick with that precise dose for at least a couple of months, if not longer. There is no magic bullet to take away our suffering.  I wish there was, as if knew of one, I would certainly share it here.  Your body is craving stability, and it needs that stability to find homeostasis and heal.  Please, carefully read the following links: 

 

 

Considerations About Stability Stop Jumping Around

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

 

[Anya324]

Thank you.
 

I’m so frustrated with myself because I know all this. Read all the links several times over. I knew exactly what I was supposed to do. And then…I had this really stupid moment when I sincerely thought dropping a little was going to be a great idea. I can try to rationalize it but it doesn’t matter. It was a stupid thing to do and now I’m suffering for it. Hindsight is always 2020. I feel like a dummy. 
 

That pain in the back was actually a pulled muscle although I have no clue what I did. 

[getofflex]

Please don't beat yourself up.  I'm trying to help, because I've been through this myself, and know how painful it can be, and want to help you avoid worse pain. This WD from psych meds is very challenging and difficult, so it is understandable you want to do something to fix it.  Unfortunately, and I know you know this, there is no quick fix.  

[Strugglingmama]

@Anya324

 

how are you doing? I am also suffering with withdrawal and having issues with heart palpitations. Are you still on atenolol?

 

 

[Anya324]

12 hours ago, Strugglingmama said:

@Anya324

 

how are you doing? I am also suffering with withdrawal and having issues with heart palpitations. Are you still on atenolol?

 

 

I am much better. I reinstated at 2.5 then upped it to 3.75. I still have heart palpitations but they are less obnoxious. At my request, My doc switched me from Atenolol to a different beta blocker, metoprolol, that has a shorter half life. I don’t take it daily, only as needed. 
 

ive been good for several weeks now but moderate insomnia and heart palpitations seem to be along for the ride, even in a window. I’m sorta used to it at this point but it is annoying. 

[getofflex]

7 hours ago, Anya324 said:

I am much better. I reinstated at 2.5 then upped it to 3.75. I still have heart palpitations but they are less obnoxious.

This is wonderful news!  It sounds like you have acceptance of the remaining symptoms, which is good.  These, too, will eventually improve and subside.  I suspect that if you hold at your 3.5 mg Lexapro for another month or two, you will feel even better and sleep may very well improve.  Lexapro is a very powerful SSRI, 2 - 4 times more powerful than other SSRI's, and should be handled with great caution.  

[Anya324]

I need some reassurance. I am still taking 3.75 lexapro but have had some issues, personal and physical that have caused me anxiety. Normally, I would freak out for a day and move on. Now, with this crazy withdrawal, I’m stuck. It’s like I have zero ability to manage stress now. My anxiety is high (no panic attacks tho 😅). I’m back to not eating or sleeping and super rapid, pounding heart.
 

I want to take Xanax but am afraid. Is it safe to maybe take it for a few days in a row to try to kick this wave? What’s the worst that could happen besides a paradoxical reaction? Like, if it works and calms be down, can I just take it constantly for a bit and then reduce over a short time to make sure I’m in a good place? For instance, I’ll take 1.25-2.5 every 6-8hrs for three days and then reduce to half that for three days and see how I tolerate “life”. 
 

Also, moving forward, if I’m not taking Xanax daily, can I still take it as needed without causing problems or hurting my recovery? Obviously, if I have a paradoxical reaction, I’ll not take it.

[Anya324]

On 9/10/2021 at 7:28 AM, Anya324 said:

I need some reassurance. I am still taking 3.75 lexapro but have had some issues, personal and physical that have caused me anxiety. Normally, I would freak out for a day and move on. Now, with this crazy withdrawal, I’m stuck. It’s like I have zero ability to manage stress now. My anxiety is high (no panic attacks tho 😅). I’m back to not eating or sleeping and super rapid, pounding heart.
 

I want to take Xanax but am afraid. Is it safe to maybe take it for a few days in a row to try to kick this wave? What’s the worst that could happen besides a paradoxical reaction? Like, if it works and calms be down, can I just take it constantly for a bit and then reduce over a short time to make sure I’m in a good place? For instance, I’ll take 1.25-2.5 every 6-8hrs for three days and then reduce to half that for three days and see how I tolerate “life”. 
 

Also, moving forward, if I’m not taking Xanax daily, can I still take it as needed without causing problems or hurting my recovery? Obviously, if I have a paradoxical reaction, I’ll not take it.

I took the tiniest bit of Xanax (like chewed a bit off a pill) and it was bliss. No negative reaction. I only did it once tho. I don't want to form a habit. 

 

[Anya324]

Was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis on Friday. I knew that was coming and actually left the appointment feeling positive because the doctor was Amazing! didn't push pills, said she hates the side effects of that anti-histamines and antidepressants. I could have hugged her! I honestly thought that I would feel better since the stressor was resolving but I didn't. Nothing changed. Woke up with all the same wd issues as before. (heart racing, anxiety, no appetite, unable to sleep)

 

I cried out to God Sunday. “Lord, I need answers and I need them today! Please Lord! I can’t do this anymore.”

 

I hate this medication and I am angry at the doctors and pharma for handing it out like candy and NOT knowing full scope of the damage it causes. Coming off it has messed with my entire body. My autonomic functions have hit the fan. My body is dependent on this drug.

I spoke with a doctor yesterday (yes, on a Sunday! He called me after I sent a desperate and lengthy email) that is truly well-versed in antidepressant tapering and withdraw. He advised that I continue to increase my dose incrementally until all my wd symptoms go away. This is what I am going to do. And the reality, that I have come to terms with, is that I will be on Lexapro the rest of my life. I am as okay with this as I can be. I refuse to “live” like this any longer. I am not brave or strong. I’m not even half as debilitated as some on of y’all on here. My reasons for going off the lexapro are NOTHING compared on what I’ve gone through these past 3 months. I really hope this works!

 

So, I upped my dose Sunday. I felt okish Monday, def better-was able to eat lunch AND dinner! Tue was not as good as Monday but sill okay. I did awaken with heart palpitations but they weren't that bad. As the early morning hours wore on I started to feel more anxiety that usual. Ended in a crying spell with my husband and then had a great morning/early afternoon. Today I woke with my heart bounding out of my chest and anxiety. The heart eventually slowed but the anxiety lasted all day.  Heart rate jumped to 135 today after probiotic and protein shake (forced myself to drink half). Will have to watch and see if that happens again tomorrow. Have this weird hard to explain feeling...like something coursing under the surface.  It's new.  It's like anxiety but not really.  I have also been taking a tiny bit of melatonin for the past 5 nights so I am going to DC that in case that could be what is causing the added daytime anxiety.  

 

 

[getofflex]

On 9/10/2021 at 6:28 AM, Anya324 said:

I want to take Xanax but am afraid. Is it safe to maybe take it for a few days in a row to try to kick this wave? What’s the worst that could happen besides a paradoxical reaction? Like, if it works and calms be down, can I just take it constantly for a bit and then reduce over a short time to make sure I’m in a good place? For instance, I’ll take 1.25-2.5 every 6-8hrs for three days and then reduce to half that for three days and see how I tolerate “life”. 
 

Also, moving forward, if I’m not taking Xanax daily, can I still take it as needed without causing problems or hurting my recovery? Obviously, if I have a paradoxical reaction, I’ll not take it.

Xanax is highly addictive.  If it were me, I would stay away from it.   I don't know if you can take it as needed without becoming addicted.  I was actually doing this myself a couple of years ago, to help me sleep.  I ended up getting rid of the Xanax completely, because I suspected it was destabilizing my system further by throwing in another mind altering chemical every so often.  I do know that my system has settled down very slowly and gradually once I did this.  

 

11 hours ago, Anya324 said:

I hate this medication and I am angry at the doctors and pharma for handing it out like candy and NOT knowing full scope of the damage it causes. Coming off it has messed with my entire body. My autonomic functions have hit the fan. My body is dependent on this drug.

I completely and totally feel you on this one.  That is why this site exists, because of what you just said above.  Our brains become very dependent on these drugs.  

 

11 hours ago, Anya324 said:

He advised that I continue to increase my dose incrementally until all my wd symptoms go away. This is what I am going to do.

OK, just please be aware of the information in these 2 links.  

 

Kindling and Post Withdrawal Nervous System Hypersensitivity

 

About Reinstatement

 

Good luck to you, and I hope all goes well. 

 

 

 

 

[Anya324]

What are the risks to going back to the pill from the liquid? 

[getofflex]

It will be OK as long as you gradually cross over like this: 

 

week 1 - 3/4 liquid, 1/4 pill

week 2 - 1/2 liquid, 1/2 pill

week 3 - 1/4 liquid, 3/4 pill

week 4  pill only.  

 

 

[ChessieCat]

I have moved the comment/question you asked Boris about Gentamicin to their Intro topic:

 

boris-one-hell-of-a-journey

 

[Shep]

21 hours ago, Anya324 said:

@OceandudeHow are you doing? I am just beginning Baclofen for painful bladder syndrome brought on by withdrawals from SSRI. When I saw it’s a gaba(3) my heart sank. But I’m in so much discomfort that I decided to take it anyway. My starting dose is 5mg 2x day and that seems to be helping after just a day and a half. I don’t want to open another can of worm here but I also need to be able to function. Any thoughts, regrets, or encouragement is greatly appreciated ❤️

 

@Anya324 I copied this from Oceandude's threads so you'll have a record of your drug changes here in your own intro/update thread. It's important that the moderators helping you with your taper know that you've added in another drug that will require tapering and may have adverse reactions with your current drugs. In fact, there are some moderate interactions. Here is the drug interaction report:

 

Drug Interactions - Lexapro, Lansoprazole, and Baclofen

 

Please update your signature to reflect you've started Baclofen. A direct link to your signature is here:

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

What time(s) of the day are you taking your drugs? Please list the time(s), the drug name, and the dose. It's possible some of your symptoms may be due to these drug interactions.