NeDaytoDayMJ: 24 days after quitting Lexapro feeling worse symptoms

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

I am getting real desperate here.  This is the worst 3 days I have had.  
I need to get better ASAP I’m losing my mind.  Please help.  

[getofflex]

7 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

I know updosing to 1 mg is an option I don’t know how soon I can.  I am definitely not better after 11 days back on .5 mg

Please answer this question very clearly, and give it some thought:  

 

Since you reinstated to 0.5 mg of Lexapro, have you felt significantly worse?  If so, I would stop the reinstatement.  

 

If you feel about the same as you did before you did the reinstatement, you could increase your dose.  I would increase it to 0.75 mg. Lexapro.  

 

If you have felt worse just since the trip, then I would stay on the current dose of 0.5 mg Lexapro.  Stress can significantly worsen WD, and this can last for several days or longer.  

 

There are a lot of factors at play here, and you need to try and figure out what is causing what.  We can only do so much in an online forum.  If I were you, I would keep a daily log of my symptoms each day, what I ate, what I did, when I took my med, how and when I slept, etc.  This can really help you determine what is causing you trouble.  

 

 

Edited December 22, 2021 by getofflex

[Altostrata]

8 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

My quality of life since October has been miserable.

 

Please explain more about what this means.

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

1 hour ago, getofflex said:

 

Since you reinstated to 0.5 mg of Lexapro, have you felt significantly worse?  If so, I would stop the reinstatement.

 

I would not say it is significantly worse than the initial withdrawal.  I would say these symptoms are worse right now than initial symptoms.  

 

If you feel about the same as you did before you did the reinstatement, you could increase your dose.  I would increase it to 0.75 mg. Lexapro.  
 

I feel slightly worse right now.  

 

If you have felt worse just since the trip, then I would stay on the current dose of 0.5 mg Lexapro.  Stress can significantly worsen WD, and this can last for several days or longer.  
 

This is most likely the case.  But I feel like I’ve been on the .5 mg for 3 months with hardly any symptoms letting up.  I don’t feel like I improved much if at all.  Certainly not right now how I am feeling.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

42 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

Please explain more about what this means.

I returned from a trip from Greece in mid September and have had the head pressure, headaches, dizziness, anxiety ever since. It’s unrelenting.  It’s taking it’s toll on me emotionally.  I’ve broke down twice now in front of girlfriend, called my pastor today and cried to him.  I told my mom we might not go to Wisconsin for Xmas (from Nebraska) I just feel miserable with my quality of life.  Could it be worse?  Maybe, but I’m not sure how much more aside from being admitted to hospital it could get.  I feel like I am taking the full force of the ct withdrawal from July 24.  I’m desperate.  
 

[Altostrata]

We have been trying to find out how you feel from taking Lexapro 0.5mg 11 days ago. Since you have not described getting worse specifically from this reinstatement, is it correct to conclude it's had no identifiable effect?

 

If so, as @getofflex suggested, I would increase the dose. We often see reinstatement will reduce withdrawal symptoms, but reaching the lowest effective dose can take some rounds of small increases and then observing the results.

 

Drug-wise, this is the best advice we can give you. If you choose not to do this, you can hang in until the withdrawal symptoms very gradually fade over months. That's your choice.

 

Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you. Please let us know how you’re doing.

 

If you go to the hospital, most likely they will give you more drugs, maybe a combination of them, and at dosages far, far higher than 0.5mg, fyi. Nobody will have an instant, guaranteed miracle solution for you.

[getofflex]

14 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

But I feel like I’ve been on the .5 mg for 3 months with hardly any symptoms letting up.  I don’t feel like I improved much if at all

@NeDaytoDayMJplease take a look at your drug signature.  It says 

 

"

2021 Lexapro .5 mg Reinstatement Aug 18, 2021 

2021 Lexapro .42 mg Nov 16, 2021

2021 Lexapro .35 mg Dec 1, 2021

2021 Lexapro .5 mg updose Dec 11, 2021". 

 

You have not been on 0.5 for 3 months, you've made 3 changes to your dose in the past 2 months.  Not only that, you stated on 9/25/21 and 11/9/21 that the reinstatement helped.  

 

Here is the quote from your post on 9/25/21:  

 

"@getofflex

 

1) Did the reinstatement of 0.5 mg Lexapro help you at all, before you left for the trip?  

Yes the reinstatement helped.  My symptoms subsided. "

 

And, here is a quote from 11/9/21: 

"I’m doing better than before.  I am able to get out and about more without feeling absolutely horrible". 

 

So, What I surmise is that you have felt worse since this trip.  

 

14 hours ago, Altostrata said:

We have been trying to find out how you feel from taking Lexapro 0.5mg 11 days ago. Since you have not described getting worse specifically from this reinstatement, is it correct to conclude it's had no identifiable effect?

 

If so, as @getofflex suggested, I would increase the dose. We often see reinstatement will reduce withdrawal symptoms, but reaching the lowest effective dose can take some rounds of small increases and then observing the results.

 

Drug-wise, this is the best advice we can give you. If you choose not to do this, you can hang in until the withdrawal symptoms very gradually fade over months. That's your choice.

 

What Altostrata said above.  

 

Reinstatement is not a magic fix that will take away your withdrawals completely, and make you feel great.  It is a trial and error thing.  You don't want to jump around on your dose, chasing every symptom, but at the same time, if you reinstate, and it helps a little, you can carefully and slowly increase the reinstatement to see if that helps even more.  You may have to learn to tolerate and accept some discomfort in the meantime.  

 

Traveling to another country is certainly a stress factor, and I believe this is probably exacerbating your withdrawal situation.  You may want to consider postponing traveling for a while, if you can.  
 

 

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

Thank you for the expert advice. I’m going to think about each scenario weighing out the pros and cons.   Like you said getofflex this is probably related to the travel.  I will have to deal with the discomfort.  I am going to create a journal daily of how I feel. pray these more severe symptoms subside.    At this point I have come to accept this is how it will be.  

[getofflex]

18 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

I will have to deal with the discomfort.  I am going to create a journal daily of how I feel.

 

18 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

At this point I have come to accept this is how it will be.  

Excellent strategies, NeDaytoDayMJ.  We have found acceptance to be very effective in dealing with withdrawal.  The daily journal will help you identify what may be worsening or causing symptoms.  Keep up the good work. 

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

Just wanted to give an update on how I am feeling.  I am ever so slightly better than after coming back from Kansas City trip on Dec 20. I am not better than Oct to Nov months.  I’m not sure if the .5 mg reinstatement is working at all.  I am going to wait one more week before updosing as that will be a month at the .5 mg updose.   I would have thought I would have at least felt a little better by now.   
This is very depressing.  Pretty much three months of straight daily non stop headaches/head pressure.  I’m trying to stay the course and be positive. I just get some free time and not doing much and it’s all I think about.  I just need a window.  
I can’t wait to come on here and provide a positive update.  I know it’s in the cards.  I just have to wait.  
 

[getofflex]

If you want to, you can go ahead and updose now.  I would suggest updosing to 0.75 mg Lexapro.  

On 1/3/2022 at 7:04 PM, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

I just get some free time and not doing much and it’s all I think about.

I would suggest you try and find something to distract your mind from this - read a book, watch a show, do something with you hands, etc.  It will depress you if you think about it a lot.  

 

On 1/3/2022 at 7:04 PM, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

 I am ever so slightly better than after coming back from Kansas City trip on Dec 20.

That's good news.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

I’ve been keeping a symptoms scale starting on Jan 1st (which ironically was the best day I’ve felt this year.) I guess it helps me to potentially find triggers.  
I hope it’s not the case but yesterday I rode the indoor bike for 20 mins with bp at 120 range and today have a bad headache with fatigue but little anxiety.  It’s weird how the symptoms change.  I feel like today is the worst day for head pain the whole year but no sadness or crying spells.  Go figure.

Im hopeful this is a positive.  Not sure.  
I am leaning towards not updosing.  I respect opinions of everyone but I feel I have to give my body a longer chance to stabilize.  I believe my body will heal and I’m prepared for discomfort for the next 3 months or so.  I’m going to try and come on here to provide more positive updates.  
I am suffering greatly now.  That’s for sure.  
ive also made the decision to postpone my jaw surgery for another year and a half.  I simply can’t have that trauma in my life right now.  It was scheduled for July.   I will try myofacial exercises to deal with any sleep issues.  
I’ve  done some pranayama, yoga, and push ups today. I’ll come back Sun or Mon to post my symptom scale.  I’m going to my girlfriend last house for the weekend and I always seem to do better symptom wise there. 

[Altostrata]

Please get at least a half-hour of gentle exercise, such as walking, each day. Don't overdo it, or you may get symptoms such as headache, etc.

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

Thank you Altostrata, I'm going to continue to try with the light exercises.  I may have pushed myself too far the other day.

Here are my daily symptoms based on a scale.  The only pattern I can see so far is that I get relief by going to my girlfriends house over the weekend.  It might just as well be that I don't think about it as much there.  It's like I am on a mini getaway.  

My custom scale ranges from 1-7 with 1 being I feel spectacular with no symptoms and 7 feeling as I have to go to ER for too much pain / depression/ anxiety

 

Sat 1/1 - 3.229            Thur 1/6 - 5.325

Sun 1/2 - 4.000           Fri 1/7 - 4.982

Mon 1/3 - 4.550          Sat 1/8 - 3.368

Tue 1/4 - 4.593           Sun 1/9 - 3.121

Wed 1/5 - 5.107           

 

[Altostrata]

Sorry, those scales are not meaningful to me. What I need to know is how you feel before and after you take your drugs, and significant changes in your symptom pattern. How's your sleep?

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

I do not feel any different before or after taking the drugs.  The only significant change in my symptoms pattern this past week has been I have had more headache pain than normal but this is the only real symptom.  The anxiety crying has gone away the past 7 days.  
I sleep decent.  I never feel like I do get enough sleep and the mornings are hard to get up.  I sleep around 8 1/2 hours a night.  Give or take an hour.  
I just picked up a liquid prescription. I need to convert to the liquid but the Gemini scale never seems to accurately weigh out the powder Lexapro for .004 mg.  I can get .005 mg consistently but nothing below that.  Right now my .5mg Lexapro dose equals .007 mg powder.  
Should I just try to get as close to .0035 mg as possible and take the .25 ml liquid dose?  
How are people accurately measuring powder of .0035 mg?  

[Altostrata]

Sorry, I don't know how people measure that small amount of powder. In my opinion, using the liquid is less error-prone. If I were you, I'd take 0.5mg in the liquid.

 

Good to hear the weeping has gone away. That's a small improvement. Do you get headaches every day? What times of day are they worst? What time o'clock do you take your drugs, with their dosages?

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

The headaches are everyday.  They very in intensity.  But I have only had one day I can remember in Nov where I didn’t have a headache.  Generally they have no pattern but if I were to give it a slight pattern I would say worse in afternoon and worse when I spend too much time on phone.  
 

Today is particularly bad.  It’s the worst day I’ve had for headaches in quite a bit of time.  I could feel the headache intensity building the past 3-4 days.  It’s crazy.  Now I just feel like I need to lay down all day.  But the past 14 days have been better than previous 14. So Im taking this as a win.  Just need to keep pushing on.  

 

I take the drugs at 900am in morning and take .5mg each day.  

[Altostrata]

What do you do for exercise? Do you sit at a desk while talking on the phone? Do you do stretching every day and stretch your back and neck?

 

Do you have a headache while you're sleeping? When you started 10mg Lexapro in July 2020, what was its effect? How about when you were taking 5mg?

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

I haven’t been exercising much at all.  I try and come up with these exercise ideas and game plans but don’t follow through.  I walk maybe once a week outside for 15 mins.  
I don’t sit at a desk.  I don’t stretch everyday.  
No headache while sleeping.  I love sleeping.  
when I started the lexapro I didn’t notice much affect at all.  Though,  I didn’t pay much attention to it.  

I noticed throughout the time I reduced Lexapro from 10 to 2.5 I had a dizzy head, mental impairments, feeling off, slight headache pressure but no headaches.  I didn’t put two and two together at the time.  

Are you thinking this might not be withdrawal related?  

 

I have some Topiramate and Tizanidine prescriptions I picked up a couple weeks ago.  Do you suggest I try those?
 

[Altostrata]

It could be withdrawal-related, but there are non-drug things you can do to relieve it, such as stretching and getting out to move around for at least a half-hour EVERY DAY. Gentle exercise helps the nervous system to re-regulate.

 

We're not going to recommend you take additional dependency-inducing drugs.

[labrat15]

Hey just wanted to say thanks for commenting on my thread and I hope you are doing ok today. I find walking is very helpful. Sometimes I have to force myself to go but I feel better after every time. As far as adding more drugs, staying away from anything is probably the best thing. I started to react differently to drugs that I had taken before my withdrawal and find I am better off without taking anything. I sorry you are getting bad headaches that really sucks but maybe forcing yourself to do a 30 minute walk everyday will help.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

Well I took a 30 minute walk today in -5 degree windshield! So that is 3 days in a row of walks.  I’m committed to doing what I can to alleviate the symptoms.  I found slight relief the past two days.  I just think it’s the cycle of windows and waves for now.  Thanks for the kind words labrat15.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

Headaches aren’t getting better.  This is definitely the worst stretch I’ve had in a month.  I’m hoping the cycle breaks soon.  I’ve scheduled myself to a headache clinic to see if they have any ideas.  Im thinking of taking Botox also.  I can’t keep living like this.   I need this cycle to break.  
I did switch to the liquid Lexapro .5mg 10 days ago but the headaches were already building and present prior to that.  Im scared again.  Trying to stay strong. 

[Altostrata]

On 12/22/2021 at 5:09 PM, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

I returned from a trip from Greece in mid September and have had the head pressure, headaches, dizziness, anxiety ever since. It’s unrelenting.

 

You were taking 0.5mg escitalopram every day during this trip, correct? Did you accidentally miss any doses, or take them on the wrong time zone schedule?

 

Did you drink any alcohol while on your trip?

 

When do the headaches start each day and when do they stop? At what times are they worse? Are they triggered by anything in particular, such as bright light? What time o'clock do you take 0.5mg escitalopram? Does this have any effect on headaches or other symptoms?

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

14 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

You were taking 0.5mg escitalopram every day during this trip, correct? Did you accidentally miss any doses, or take them on the wrong time zone schedule?

 

Did you drink any alcohol while on your trip?

 

When do the headaches start each day and when do they stop? At what times are they worse? Are they triggered by anything in particular, such as bright light? What time o'clock do you take 0.5mg escitalopram? Does this have any effect on headaches or other symptoms?

I was taking .5 mg on the trip but it was on the Greece time period so I was taking it in the morning on a different time zone.

I did not miss any doses.  I was making my own liquid at that time.  
 

I did not drink any alcohol.  
 

The headaches start immediately upon waking and stay until I go to bed.  Sometimes they let up a little after 8pm.  But not this last wave.  I do not believe they are triggered by anything in particular.  They seem to be random in intensity.  This current wave has been unrelenting and lasting a long time.  
I take the .5mg about an hour after waking in the morning and find zero difference before or after taking.  
I drink 2 cups coffee daily in morning but this does not appear to correlate with any of the intensity of headache.  
 

Have you any thoughts?  Maybe the reinstatement isn’t working.  I do have mild sleep apnea and pams (periodic arm movements) which I believe the withdrawal is making worse.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

@Thelongestroadhome Yea, I jumped off the 2.5mg in July.  I hadn’t planned quitting.  I just stopped.  Oh how much I wish I could take that decision back.  
I was advised that I could updose to .8mg but I wanted to try and give the .5mg more time as I tried to lower dose to early in December.  
If you find that members name please let me know.  I would appreciate that.  Thank you for your concern and acknowledging my troubles.  

[Altostrata]

1 hour ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

I drink 2 cups coffee daily in morning but this does not appear to correlate with any of the intensity of headache.  

 

If you look around in the Introductions forum, you will find people whose symptoms are triggered by caffeine and need to taper off the coffee.

 

Please keep daily notes of times o’clock you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms throughout the day. We need to know how you feel before and after taking each drug, and your symptoms in between. Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time o’clock on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right. This can show if your symptoms are adverse effects from one of your drugs or caffeine.

[labrat15]

I don't have the headaches you are describing but after I switched to decaf coffee some of my symptoms were reduced. Quitting coffee sucks but maybe it's worth a try. I did get headaches from the coffee withdrawal though and that seems to be common so just be aware of that but it only lasted 2 days.

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

An update.  I have not found relief from the headaches and head pressure.  I would say I am the same as I was the past month.  I am going to post daily symptoms after next week.  I’m holding out with hope.  I’m trying to stay busy and accept it is what it is.  
I have felt like this for four months now.  I’m considering Botox.  Still up in the air when I will reduce dosage, updose, or stay at current levels.  
Im going skiing this weekend with my girlfriend.  Hopefully with all the excitement I won’t think about this crap much.  I miss my old life.  
 

[labrat15]

Hang in there and have fun skiing!

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

3 minutes ago, labrat15 said:

Hang in there and have fun skiing!

Thanks @labrat15!  I'll try my best and post an update next Tuesday.  Have a good weekend and I hope your shortness of breath is getting better.  It will.

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

The weekend wasn’t that great in regards to symptoms.  I’ve felt the same or worse the past three days.  I don’t believe there is anything that triggers the symptoms.  Possibly stress can make them worse.  Otherwise it’s just dizziness, head aches, fatigue and tired eyes.  It is so hard having a headache / head pressure and trying to have a good time.  There is pain pressing on the side of my head above my ears, all along towards the temples.  It hurts there the most.  
I do notice I don’t get sad around my girlfriend.  The anxiety isn’t present as much.  Maybe cause deep down I know she has my back and I feel safer around her.  I’m not sure.  When I’m alone I get worse thoughts and pretty sad.  Maybe I need a counselor to deal with the racing thoughts.

I do know that I can’t not think about the symptoms.  They are always there.  Always reminding me of this sh*tty part of my life.  Always sucking the life out of me.  I’m sorry just having a bad day and needing to get some thoughts out.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

8:22 am woke up groggy

8:40 am start to notice headache pain

9:00 am took liquid .5mg lexapro

9:25 am two cups coffee sugar half/half

10:44 am sad feeling no crying

12:09 pm took vitamin c, zinc, iron, ate         yogurt, blueberries, spinac, ham

12:32 pm sad feeling headache gets worse

1:00 pm dizzy head pressure

1:40 pm took magnesium, fish oil

4:07 pm sad feeling

5:25 pm ate 2 avocados, bowl of cereal

5:35 pm sad feelings feeling more sad 

7:06 pm head pressure headache still there

8:00 took bath found small relief from sadness

11:30 pm go to bed

 

 

 

[Foxclover6]

On 2/8/2022 at 2:50 PM, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

The weekend wasn’t that great in regards to symptoms.  I’ve felt the same or worse the past three days.  I don’t believe there is anything that triggers the symptoms.  Possibly stress can make them worse.  Otherwise it’s just dizziness, head aches, fatigue and tired eyes.  It is so hard having a headache / head pressure and trying to have a good time.  There is pain pressing on the side of my head above my ears, all along towards the temples.  It hurts there the most.  
I do notice I don’t get sad around my girlfriend.  The anxiety isn’t present as much.  Maybe cause deep down I know she has my back and I feel safer around her.  I’m not sure.  When I’m alone I get worse thoughts and pretty sad.  Maybe I need a counselor to deal with the racing thoughts.

I do know that I can’t not think about the symptoms.  They are always there.  Always reminding me of this sh*tty part of my life.  Always sucking the life out of me.  I’m sorry just having a bad day and needing to get some thoughts out.  

I feel the same way

[Altostrata]

Do you usually drink 2 cups of coffee after taking Lexapro in the morning?