StarShopping87: Immediate adverse reaction

[StarShopping87]

Hello, I’m trying to find stories similar to mine with hope. My dr prescribed me Lex 5mg and Busp 7mg for anxiety. I took both at the same time and around 4-5hrs later, I had a severe reaction. I felt drugged, fear, pure panic, anxiety, high bp, nausea, paranoia, my vision was jacked up. Felt like a bad high I couldn’t come down from. Fast forward 7 weeks today, I’m still having a lot of issues. I quit the busp immediately but continued the lex for 2 more days until I couldn’t take it anymore. My dr basically gaslighted me saying there’s no way blah blah blah. However my neurologist believes I was heal and that my body just needs time. I’m very scared and hopeless at this point. I am starting to see more windows than waves however the waves hit hard. A group I’m following told me that a/r can cause similar symptoms to w/d and I needed time to heal as well. From the stories I am reading the first 4 months are hell. Im not even in 2 months yet and it’s terrifying. My symptoms are: Hyperarousal, akathisia, anxiety, panic, fear, weight loss, dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, fast heart rate, heart palpitations, brain fog, chemical sensitivities, concentration loss, dr/dp, insomnia, vivid dreams, dry mouth, increase thirst, exhaustion/fatigue, fecal incontinence, vomiting, high bp, hair loss, hypersensitivity to sounds and light, intrusive thoughts, twitching, severe nausea, obsessive thoughts, seeing flashing lights, sinusitis. I’m sure there are more that I’m forgetting. Another thing to is I don’t always experience these symptoms at the same time because of the windows. Mornings seem to be the worst I believe because I’m not sleeping and I feel out of it. The past 3 days have been ok with some anxiety ( I have gad, health anxiety) but today it all hit at once. Reading everything on the internet does not help because I can’t stop thinking which causes anxiety and makes everything worse. Really need some hope right now. 

[ChessieCat]

Quoting this here for extra information (posted in another member's Intro):

 

49 minutes ago, StarShopping87 said:

I’m currently experiencing the same. Took 3 doses of lexapro and it’s been hell ever since. I’m 7 weeks out. I have seen some improvement in my symptoms and in the last couple days have had more windows than waves, however I’m not sleeping and currently going through a bad wave starting  today. I pray we will heal. This is awful 

 

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm glad you found us.  It sounds like you may have had serotonin syndrome, and/or adverse reaction to one or both of the drugs.  According to drugs.com, there is a major interaction between Lexapro and Buspar. Here the link to that report:  https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1013-565,441-206

 

Here is info about serotonin syndrome:  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/serotonin-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354758

 

You may have also had an adverse reaction to one or both of the drugs.  Unfortunately, even though you only took the drugs for a very short time, it may take longer than that to recover from the ill effects of it.  This is because our nervous systems are extremely complex, and once they have been destabilized, it takes a long time for the system to repair itself.  This link goes more into it: 

 

Adverse Reaction

 

 

Since the symptoms of an adverse reaction are similar to those of withdrawal, I'll give you this information too. Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Stability is really important when our nervous system is recovering.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

 

Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing.  

[StarShopping87]

Hello, thank you for your reply. I have not slept since last night. I paced around with a tight chest, unbearable anxiety/panic. My heart was pounding all night. I was finally about to break around noon today. I got a window this afternoon with some nervousness and doubt but I’m not panicking so I’ll take it. I started reading Baylissa Fredricks book which has also made me feel better. I’ll start Claire weekes this weekend. Reading definitely helps me keep my mind off of things in a way I’m not ruminating. As far as serotonin syndrome, the drs swear I did not have this. I had my levels checked a week after and they were normal, but I beg to differ. I’ve seen the interaction checker and showed the dr and her response was “I prescribe this all the time and have never seen anyone have a reaction the way you did” she’s trying to pass my symptoms off as a mental illness. I pray my windows continue. I’m trying to limit my time on the internet because reading stories are a trigger for me, unless they are positive. Just trying to make sense of it all ya know? I don’t have much support so I’m kinda on my own through this. 

[StarShopping87]

Thank you for tagging me on the adverse reaction. Oddly enough it makes me feel better knowing people have over come it and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel! I feel so alone 

[JesusSavemefromWD]

4 hours ago, StarShopping87 said:

Thank you for tagging me on the adverse reaction. Oddly enough it makes me feel better knowing people have over come it and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel! I feel so alone 

You are definitely not alone…. Adverse reactions happen much more than acknowledged by idiot doctors 

[StarShopping87]

Insomnia

 

It’s been 3 days since I’ve slept, my brain is vibrating and won’t shut off. I’ve tried melatonin, cbd, essential oils, mag, white noise… I have valium but that is last resort as I don’t want to hit a wave. Can I take Benadryl? 

 

Edited March 24, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

30 minutes ago, StarShopping87 said:

Can I take Benadryl? 

 

Sleep problems - that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

There are many existing topics on SA.  You can use the site search function or an internet search engine and add site:survivingantidepressants.org.  Using the second method and searching benadryl found this topic:

 

 

antihistamines-for-withdrawal-insomnia-diphenhydramine-doxylamine-hydroxyzine

 

[StarShopping87]

Really having a hard time tonight. I can’t sleep, weird pressure in my head, my brain is vibrating. Im exhausted. 

[Marta]

@StarShopping87i am 4 days no sleep. So afraid to lose it. I feel you

[StarShopping87]

I don’t understand how the body can heal without sleep? I took melatonin and cbd and it threw me into a wave. I had a wave last night and came down around noon. Now I’m back where I started. My body is so hot and uncomfortable 

[Marta]

 I have aches everywhere my heart is pounding. The problem is that the healing deteriorates and i will be sent back from the beginning. My brain is killing myself

[StarShopping87]

Try to stay positive! We will get through this 

[StarShopping87]

I really fkd up. I’m so desperate to sleep as it has been 3-4 days ( I honestly can’t remember crap) and so I took .5mg of melatonin. Well that didn’t do anything so I took 1.5mg of melatonin. That didn’t help so I tried some cbd. That didn’t help either but sent me into a massive wave. I feel like I screwed any progress up. My chest is so tight, raging adrenaline rushes, I can’t remember anything, I’m exhausted from not sleep, I’m shaking and nauseous. I’m so scared if I don’t get some sleep I’m going to go crazy. Catastrophic thoughts are ruminating. I feel so dizzy and I’m pissed because that was one of my main symptoms and it was improving a lot! In fact I haven’t had any dizzy spells in a week. I have got so much pressure in me head and I can feel my brain rattling. Idk what to do, I need to sleep. I don’t want to start pharmaceuticals and mag and fish oil aren’t helping. Some advice would be great!! Should I call my neurologist? Should I go to er? Should I drink charcoal and bind toxins from cbd and melatonin? I’m lost here and freaking the hell out!! Please help!!! 

[StarShopping87]

A list of my symptoms:

insomnia, brain rattles, shaking (tremors?), hot and cold flashes, gate instability, brain fog, light/sound sensitivity (sensory), pounding headache with pressure, nausea, adrenaline rushes, chest tightness with feelings of pounding heart (anxiety), akathisia…. I. Feel like I can’t shut my brain off, panic which I’m sure I’m creating because I can’t calm down. I’m sure there are more but I honestly can’t think right now 

[john856]

How many mg of melatonin are you taking? I actually found that reducing my dosage to 2.5mg or tiny amounts was better for me personally when I had trouble sleeping. ie less is more

 

That said, it could be that your body is totally sensitive to melatonin right now.

[getofflex]

@StarShopping87Your previous 2 posts were moved to your intro topic to keep your history all in one place.  Please post questions and discussion about your situation in this one thread, to avoid confusion and duplication of efforts.  Thank you.  

Edited March 24, 2022 by getofflex

[StarShopping87]

.5- 1mg. It sent me into a massive wave, worst one I’ve had in a week or so. I feel so out of it right now. Idk if it’s from not sleeping or side effects from adr. I’m only 7 weeks out from the last dose. I feel like my windows were starting to improve until last night. I can’t sleep. I’m getting like microsleeps and it’s causing panic and terror 

 

[getofflex]

10 hours ago, StarShopping87 said:

I tried some cbd. That didn’t help either but sent me into a massive wave.

Since CBD is a mind altering substance, that will put us at risk of further destabilizing our nervous systems when we are recovering from psych drugs.  I suggest staying away from all mind altering substances.  

 

10 hours ago, StarShopping87 said:

I’m so scared if I don’t get some sleep I’m going to go crazy.

I can certainly understand why you feel this way.  Insomnia was my worst symptom, and not being able to sleep can feel like torture.  

 

10 hours ago, StarShopping87 said:

Idk what to do, I need to sleep.

Unfortunately, trying to force ourselves to get some sleep can have the opposite effect.  We get so anxious about not sleeping, and feel so compelled to try and make ourselves sleep, that it can have the opposite effect.  Here are some non drug methods I have used to improve my sleep:

 

My Insomnia Tips

 

Insomnia has been the worst part of WD for me.  Here is what I do to help.  

 

1) don't get overly anxious about it.  Realize that eventually, your sleep will improve.  Insomnia won't kill you, although it can make you pretty dang miserable.  Anxiety about sleep just makes the problem worse.  I know, easier said than done. I don't always do this, but I try.  Practice acceptance.

 

2)listen to very soft relaxing music at a very low volume.  

 

3)don't worry about what time it is.  Don't look at the clock.  

 

4) I try to stay active during the first half of the day.  I take a walk (mine is one hour) after breakfast every day.  Then, as the day goes on, gradually slow down.  Several hours before bed, I only do very relaxing things, like read, or just sit and relax.  This helps to set our circadian rhythm.  Try to get outside and get some light exposure during the day, too. 

 

5) Avoid toxic, negative people.  Avoid stress when possible, although I know a lot of stressors are unavoidable.   For me, this can really help me to relax better.  

 

6) I stay away from MSG and aspartame.  These are exitotoxins which overstimulate the nervous system.  They are in a lot of our modern processed foods.  I try to eat more whole and natural, and not as many processed foods.  Also avoid processed meats with sodium nitrate, etc , such as hotdogs, ham, bacon, and sausage.  These can keep you up at night too.

 

7) avoid eating large amounts of sugar and processed carbohydrates.  This causes your blood glucose to spike up, which causes your pancreas to create insulin to control your blood sugar, which then causes your blood sugar to drop too low, and then your to create adrenaline to try to regulate your blood sugar.  Adrenaline keeps you awake because it is an activating hormone.

 

9) too much sodium (salt) can cause your blood pressure and heart rate to rise, and make it hard to sleep.

 

[getofflex]

Here are things that can help with anxiety: 

 

Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)

 

CBT Course:  An Introductory Self-Help Course in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes

 

Anxiety Stuff - all kinds of stuff about anxiety attacks and things that help ...

 

Emotional Spirals

 

Acknowledge Accept Float

 

Music to Calm Anxiety

 

Breathing Technique for Anxiety

 

Meditation

[StarShopping87]

I’m having severe anxiety after reading posts in this forum about peoples recovery similar to mine causing catastrophic thoughts. I’m so scared this is never going to end 

[StarShopping87]

Are there any success stories with adverse side effects??

[getofflex]

Farout Fully Recovered from Adverse Reaction and Withdrawal

 

Maybe: Lexapro Adverse Reaction Recovery

[getofflex]

2 hours ago, john856 said:

How many mg of melatonin are you taking? I actually found that reducing my dosage to 2.5mg or tiny amounts was better for me personally when I had trouble sleeping. ie less is more

Here is the link to the thread on melatonin.  Altostrata suggests very small amounts.  

 

Melatonin

 

I don't remember if I gave you the insomnia link, so here it is: 

 

Insomnia

[Heath]

@StarShopping87 I am sorry you are experiencing insomnia. That was probably my worst symptom also!  
Getofflex has given the best advice! 
 

what Prolonged my insomnia was trying to make myself sleep. I kept thinking I’m gonna “fix it” . The more I read how to fix it the more I thought about the more I stayed awake. I finally just closed the book per say. And just let it be the best I could. 

What has helped me in the past and I still do sometimes is  use ear buds with a smart phone and listen to soothing sounds on YouTube while I lay in bed. Honest guys have fire place and rain sounds and waterfall sounds. there are many to choose from. There are also narrative adult bedtime stories you can download which have taken me from tensed up anxiousness to a good sleep pretty quickly. 
 

Another thing that helped , during afternoon evening time was slow moving type water aerobics. Just getting in warm water , indoor pool or bath etc helped calm me before bedtime. 
 

This will pass ! This is only temporary 👍

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @StarShopping87

 

It sounds like you had an immediate severe adverse reaction, probably to Lexapro. Most likely, it was not serotonin syndrome.

 

We have a small number of people here who had such immediate adverse reactions (tagged "immediate ADR"). After they quit the drug, they have nervous system instability very much like withdrawal syndrome, but it's not withdrawal symptom, it's the aftereffects of a drug that's too strong.

 

Like withdrawal syndrome, this tends to go away very slowly, with waves and windows. But from what we see here, recovery is not as long as protracted withdrawal. See Adverse reactions to an antidepressant within a few doses -- how long for recovery?

 

How has your symptom pattern changed in the last few weeks?

 

 

[StarShopping87]

I went from over 40 symptoms to less than 20. I definitely feel improvement, however I’ve developed new symptoms one being insomnia, fear of sleeping. Last night was rough because as soon as I drift I huge a huge surge of adrenaline and wake up disoriented. That or as soon as I start falling asleep I get a surge and I wake up immediately with knots in my stomach. Im currently suffering from a eating disorder because my nerves are so bad. I did manage to get a protein shake in so far today with full fat coconut milk and spinach. Im going to continue to get some shakes in. I tried ensure but it causes waves, I believe from sugar and dairy. Just trying to figure out how to get calories in. I get full off the smallest amount and I haven’t been able to eat properly in around 3-4 weeks now. As far symptoms currently mine are: nausea, fatigue/exhaustion,  head pressure/headache, tinnitus, dizziness, insomnia/sleep disturbances(new symptom)  nervousness, sensory sensitivity to sound and eyesight… like watching a movie/brightlights (new symptom) scared (fear?), my brain feels like it can’t shut off so I can rest(new symptom)  I feel like I’ve been drugged. Compared to 7 weeks ago I do feel some improvement. I think if I could just sleep and eat I would feel alot better. Not sleeping has really taken a toll on me. I reacted to melatonin and magnesium. As far as waves and windows, I’ve been having windows a lot lately, just about every day. Night time brings on waves because I can’t sleep and it freaks me out. Mornings are really rough just because I haven’t slept. I’m trying to make sure I’m drinking plenary of fluids. I’m still able to drive, house chores etc I’m just exhausted. I’ve noticed that each wave is different as well. This past week I went like 3-4 days without sleeping and thought I was going to have a heart attack because my anxiety was soo bad. It triggered multiple panic attacks back to back. I’m trying to stay off the internet because reading stuff is a huge trigger and I start ruminating them thinking this is going to be me. 

[Altostrata]

That symptom pattern is very familiar. Eat as much as you can, of your favorite foods.

 

If you ingest caffeine, that could be interfering with your sleep. Suggest you gradually reduce it. Drinking alcohol is likely to cause a major setback, avoid this. 

 

See Strange sensations while falling asleep -- surges, zaps, jerks

 

To strengthen your sleep:

 

What is the sleep cycle?

 

Waking with panic or anxiety -- managing the morning cortisol spike

 

Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration

 

Music for self-care: Calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

White noise devices for sleep

 

Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful

 

TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime

 

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.

[StarShopping87]

I don’t drink caffeine or alcohol. I was upset to see so little recovery stories on here. Have you personally seen a lot of success stories in my situation? 

[Altostrata]

There would be no purpose to running this site if we did not see people recover. We have seen many recoveries.

 

We expect improvement to be very gradual, with many setbacks and new symptoms emerging. You are experiencing the normal course of recovery. There is no reason to think this will not continue, if you take care of yourself. See 

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Are We There Yet? How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take?

 

"Is it always going to be like this?"

 

The importance of recognizing you're feeling good

 

Progress! What withdrawal symptoms have gone away for you?

 

The Internet being what it is, people often don't come back to let us know they're feeling better. We ask everyone do this, to help people in similar situations.

[StarShopping87]

Thank you, and everyone for all the hard work. I’m working on acceptance and trying to tell myself that everyone’s journey is different. 

[StarShopping87]

How much longer is this insomnia phase going to last?? I’m exhausted. I need sleep. 

[getofflex]

11 hours ago, StarShopping87 said:

How much longer is this insomnia phase going to last?? I’m exhausted. I need sleep. 

How much sleep did you get last night?  What is your sleep pattern like?   Withdrawal insomnia is pretty harsh, so I understand, I had it myself one time.  Please rest assured that your sleep with gradually improve with time.  

 

One thing I did, and you could try this, is I started to write a daily journal of what and when I eat, how I sleep, and my daily activities to see if there was anything in my environment, or my own behavior, that was affecting my sleep.  This helped.  I looked for correlations between poor sleep and anything I ate or did the day before.   

[StarShopping87]

Maybe like 10 minutes. I can’t get into the 2nd stage of sleep. As soon as I close my eyes my brain wakes up and sends a adrenaline rush through my body. I feel like I’ve forgotten how to sleep. I’m starting to force myself to eat as I have almost lost 20lbs, and trying to keep it clean… then entire week I think I’ve gotten maybe 4hrs of sleep. I’m so tired and miserable 

[Altostrata]

Have you tried any of the sleep techniques described at these links?

 

[StarShopping87]

I have, unfortunately nothing is working