Bp1961: Lexapro and Vyvanse withdrawal

[Bp1961]

I'm a 60-Year-old male, ex-smoker for 30 years ~1 pack per day. Quit smoking on March 1, 2022.

 

I started taking antidepressants in 2000. Tried various antidepressants that didn’t work (i.e. Prozac, zoloft). At some point I started taking Adderall. I can’t remember for how long and the dosage. In ~2013 I started taking 20mg Lexapro and 50mg Vyvanse, which worked like a charm.

 

Prescription history:

Lexapro 20 mg 2013 through October 2019

Lexapro 10 mg October 2019 through April 2021

Lexapro 5 mg April 2021 through March 2022

Vyvanse 50 mg 2013 through May 2022

 

In February I was prescribed 1mg Finasteride for hair loss, which I took for 40 days. When I realized the side effects (mainly Low Libido), which triggered my anxiety. blood test revealed low levels of Free Testosterone and Estradiol. Approximately a month later I started feeling my Tinnitus which became increasingly bothersome as time progressed. My depression and anxiety levels were becoming increasingly elevated.

 

June 27th - I tested positive for Covid and had to stay in isolation for 7 days. This added to my depression and anxiety which became frequent panic attacks.

 

In the beginning of July I went back on Lexapro and Vyvanse in hopes to reverse the severe reaction that I was having. I'm now on 20mg Lexapro and 50mg Vyvanse. Still experiencing brain buzz, anxiety and depression as well as dizziness and vertigo. Anybody with insights to what I am going through and advise would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Edited July 25, 2022 by ChessieCat
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[Bp1961]

Lexapro & Vyvanse withdrawal and reinstatement

 

What are the available options in case of reinstatement not working after withdrawal?

 

Edited July 27, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @Bp1961

 

On 7/24/2022 at 7:20 PM, Bp1961 said:

Approximately a month later I started feeling my Tinnitus which became increasingly bothersome as time progressed. My depression and anxiety levels were becoming increasingly elevated.

 

It appears you went off finasteride and then Lexapro in March 2022. These symptoms are seen in antidepressant withdrawal syndrome but finasteride withdrawal could contribute.

 

On 7/24/2022 at 7:20 PM, Bp1961 said:

June 27th - I tested positive for Covid and had to stay in isolation for 7 days. This added to my depression and anxiety which became frequent panic attacks.

 

This could be related to covid, or covid could have made your withdrawal symptoms worse.

 

On 7/24/2022 at 7:20 PM, Bp1961 said:

In the beginning of July I went back on Lexapro and Vyvanse in hopes to reverse the severe reaction that I was having. I'm now on 20mg Lexapro and 50mg Vyvanse. Still experiencing brain buzz, anxiety and depression as well as dizziness and vertigo.

 

What was your "severe reaction" at the beginning of July, before you went back on Lexapro and Vyvanse? When did dizziness and vertigo start?

[ChessieCat]

12 hours ago, Bp1961 said:

Lexapro & Vyvanse withdrawal and reinstatement

 

What are the available options in case of reinstatement not working after withdrawal?

 

 

The above post was a new Intro which has been merged and ended up before Alto's response.

[Bp1961]

@altostrata thank you for your response. The "severe reaction" was spike in ringing in the ear, continuous anxiety and panic attacks and sleepless nights. I had to go to the emergency room. I think the dizziness started when I tapered up to 20mg Lexapro. The dizziness is not severe and usually occurs when I stand up after sitting and goes away.

[Altostrata]

22 minutes ago, Bp1961 said:

I think the dizziness started when I tapered up to 20mg Lexapro.

 

It's possible 20mg is too much for you. What date did you start taking 20mg?

[Bp1961]

I started with 5mg for 5 days, then 10mg for 7 days and 20mg since July 17th. The 5mg and 10mg helped only on the 1st day I took them and then withdrawal symptoms returned. I saw 2 psychiatrists, both think that 20mg is what I need since that's the dose I was on for the longest time. As for the Vyvanse, 1 psychiatrist thinks I should be on 50mg because that's what my body was used to. The other psychiatrist thinks I should taper down to 40 and 30, but he's ok with me to continue with 50mg for another week to see how it goes.

[Bp1961]

Last night ears were buzzing so anxiety was up with shortness of breath. Took 10mg Ambien and fell a sleep for 4 hours went to the living room and fell asleep for another 4 hours. Woke up druggy, probably that's how Ambien works on me. It's my 4th day taking Ambien and I am afraid becoming dependent on it. Woke up and ears were buzzing and anxiety started creeping up to a 7/10 (7 out of 10 scale). I managed to meditate for ~45 minutes. I don't know what is causing the anxiety, Vyvanse, Lexapro or both. Waves and Windows, I need to monitor their frequency. 

 

I'm now into day 11 taking 20mg Lexapro & day 13 of 50mg Vyvanse. I feel better than I did 2 weeks ago, but far from stabilized. Not sure how long it should take or when to tell if the reinstatement isn't effective and what my options are 😕.

[Bp1961]

2:45 pm starting to feel worst, my feet feel cold my heart feels heavy or in a vacuum, my head started buzzing my ears are ringing and I feel very anxious...in a dark place right now...

[Bp1961]

I started with 5mg for 5 days, then 10mg for 7 days and 20mg since July 17th. The 5mg and 10mg helped only on the 1st day I took them and then withdrawal symptoms returned. I saw 2 psychiatrists, both think that 20mg is what I need since that's the dose I was on for the longest time. As for the Vyvanse, 1 psychiatrist thinks I should be on 50mg because that's what my body was used to. The other psychiatrist thinks I should taper down to 40 and 30, but he's ok with me to continue with 50mg for another week to see how it goes.

[Bp1961]

2:30 a.m. I didn't take the Ambien tonight as I found out that it is on the ototoxic drug list. My tinnitus is raging. I took 10mg melatonin and fell a sleep for 57 minutes. 

 

I had a scary episode of vertigo 30 minutes ago. 

 

I don't know if I did the right thing when I decided to reinstate. I don't feel the psychiatrists know what they are doing. It's all a crap shoot.

 

What should I do??? I know without sleep will only make things worse.

 

Please HELP!!!

[Bp1961]

How can one tell if a reinstatement is successful or not? How long before you can make a determination? If you have info please share 🙏. Thank you so much for your help and compassion ❤️

 

11:30 am laying on the couch after putting in some very light sleep, not going to work today, just relaxing, will make some hummus from scratch. Feeling somewhat relaxed, the brain buzz moves to the ears back and forth (6/10). Will do some mindfulness meditation. 

 

 

[Ariel]

@Bp1961

Hello, and welcome to SA. 

I'm sorry for what has brought you here and glad you found us!

 

Congratulations on quitting smoking, that's awesome!

 

Thank you for your kind message in my thread. Nice to meet you. 

I see that we've got some mutual psychopharmacological acquaintances.

Now we can gossip about them!

 

You're in good hands with the moderators here. I trust you'll receive the guidance you need. 

It may take a little while to correspond with staff, answer their thoughtful questions, follow their instructions, figure things out, get your system settled, and formulate a workable tapering strategy -- but you've come to the right place for support. 

 

By the way, about melatonin: 

13 hours ago, Bp1961 said:

I took 10mg melatonin

 

I'm not a mod, but I'd say this is much too high a dose. 

 

Check out the melatonin help topic for more info (as with all SA help topics, make sure to read from the very beginning): 

 

Take care, Bp1961. 

Wishing you all the best on your healing journey,

A.

[Altostrata]

Your sleep may be poor and you may have tinnitus because you are taking doses of escitalopram and Vyvanse that are TOO HIGH.

 

16 hours ago, Bp1961 said:

The 5mg and 10mg helped only on the 1st day I took them and then withdrawal symptoms returned.

 

What do you mean by withdrawal symptoms? How long did you give 5mg and then 10mg a chance?

 

On 7/26/2022 at 6:17 PM, Bp1961 said:

20mg since July 17th

 

Suggest you reduce escitalopram to 15mg. 

 

If you'd rather take the psychiatrists' advice, we'd understand. We cannot counsel you if they are changing your drug dosages.

 

 

[Bp1961]

@Ariel & @Altostrata thank you for your response. I tried the 5mg and 10mg for 12 days. You're probably right that it wasn't long enough. At that point I was feeling like crap and when I met with the psychiatrist he suggested that I take 10mg for a week and go to 20mg. 

 

Today I was texting with the psychiatrist and he believes that my tinnitus is triggered by my anxiety. I asked him if I should taper down the Vyvanse. His response was "Since you were taking Vyvanse for so long at 50mg without any issues I doubt that it's contributing to your current anxiety. I would just give the Lexapro 20mg a full month".

 

Today was day 11 of the 20mg and my anxiety is a little better. Not sure if it's just a window or a pivot point. @Altostrata it's not that I rather take the psychiatrist advice. I actually agree with your suggestion and have a lot of respect for you, your knowledge and experience. It's just a little difficult to go to the psychiatrist and tell him @Altostrata suggested that I taper down escitalopram & Vyvanse. I also mentioned before that I went to 2 psychiatrists, and both agreed to the 20mg. They only differed on the Vyvanse dosage.

 

@Ariel I tried 5mg before taking Ambien and it didn't do much for me. The 10mg I took yesterday did make me sleepy. Only that the tinnitus woke me up after 1 hour. If I have to choose between 10mg Ambien or 10mg melatonin, I pick melatonin.

 

Thank you both for your time, advice and help. It's very comforting to know that I have you both trying to help and provide the best sincere advice. Very much appreciated!!!

 

 

 

 

 

[Bp1961]

@Ariel & @Altostrata thank you for your response. I tried the 5mg and 10mg for 12 days. You're probably right that it wasn't long enough. At that point I was feeling like crap and when I met with the psychiatrist he suggested that I take 10mg for a week and go to 20mg. 

 

Today I was texting with the psychiatrist and he believes that my tinnitus is triggered by my anxiety. I asked him if I should taper down the Vyvanse. His response was "Since you were taking Vyvanse for so long at 50mg without any issues I doubt that it's contributing to your current anxiety. I would just give the Lexapro 20mg a full month".

 

Today was day 11 of the 20mg and my anxiety is a little better. Not sure if it's just a window or a pivot point. @Altostrata it's not that I rather take the psychiatrist advice. I actually agree with your suggestion and have a lot of respect for you, your knowledge and experience. It's just a little difficult to go to the psychiatrist and tell him @Altostrata suggested that I taper down escitalopram & Vyvanse. I also mentioned before that I went to 2 psychiatrists, and both agreed to the 20mg. They only differed on the Vyvanse dosage.

 

@Ariel I tried 5mg before taking Ambien and it didn't do much for me. The 10mg I took yesterday did make me sleepy. Only that the tinnitus woke me up after 1 hour.

 

Thank you both for your time, advice and help. It's very comforting to know that I have you both trying to help and provide the best sincere advice. Very much appreciated!!!

 

 

 

 

 

[Bp1961]

Day 13 of reinstatement to 20mg Lexapro and 50mg Vyvanse. Yesterday afternoon seems to have been a pivot point. Keeping my fingers crossed. Today the brain buzz and tinnitus have significantly subsided to a 1 out of 10. Feeling no anxiety and energetic. Without a doubt the last 3 months have been the most horrifying in my life.

 

The thought that my life is now controlled by my dependency on 2 psychiatric drugs scares the bejesus out of me. I learned my lesson. I have to think of the best plan to become independent from these drugs.

 

Another important lesson I learned was that NEVER EVER get a GP to manage your psychiatric drugs, they are clueless. As a matter of fact should not be allowed by law to prescribe psychiatric medications.

 

@Altostrata as probably one of the most knowledgeable people in the world in antidepressant withdrawal and tapering. I hope that you can help me figure out the best way to wean out of this poison.

 

 

[Bp1961]

7/29/22 - Felt pretty good most of the day. Very minor brain buzz, shortness of breath, and clearing my throat ticks. I used an inhaler and then a nebulizer.

 

Late evening I got an unexpected text from a family member regarding some family issues. My anxiety started to go up, brain zaps became louder. Had poor sleep.

 

7/30/22 - anxiety and brain zaps are back.

couldn't take a drive with my wife and son due to the anxiety. Can't watch TV or listen to music.

[Bp1961]

@Altostrata I am trying to understand why you think that my escitalopram reinstatement should be 15mg? What do you think the Vyvanse dose should be at? (Considering that most of the last 10 years I've been on escitalopram 20mg & Vyvanse 50mg).

 

Thank you for your help! 🙏

 

[Altostrata]

On 7/28/2022 at 3:44 PM, Altostrata said:

Your sleep may be poor and you may have tinnitus because you are taking doses of escitalopram and Vyvanse that are TOO HIGH.

 

[Bp1961]

@Altostrata I got the tinnitus a month after stopping Lexapro triggered by anxiety when I realized that I have PFS and my sleep is poor because of the tinnitus (which is now more in the form of brain buzz). The withdrawal became unbearable after getting COVID. Only then I started the reinstatement.

[Bp1961]

7/31/22 - last evening took supplements (ashwaganda, reacted magnesium and probiotics). It feels as if they helped calming the brain. The brain buzz continued but at a lowered level and we're almost gone at 5 am. 

 

Woke up at 7:45 with a calm brain buzz and took my Lexapro and Vyvanse. After 5 minutes the brain buzz started to increase significantly so did my anxiety. 

[Bp1961]

@Altostrata to follow your dosage suggestion, should I go down on the escitalopram to 15mg right away or should I do 17.5 then 15?

 

Should I go down on Vyvanse at the same time or should I start with one of them first and then the second? Which should I do first?

 

Thank you!

[Altostrata]

On 7/28/2022 at 3:44 PM, Altostrata said:

Suggest you reduce escitalopram to 15mg. 

 

[Bp1961]

Thank you @Altostrata. So, 15mg escitalopram and 50mg Vyvanse. For how long should I stick to that regiment? 

[Altostrata]

We need to see how you do with the reduction of Lexapro before discussing any next steps. Be sure to take your drugs at the same times and dosages every day. It will take about a week to see the result of this reduction. Please let us know how you're doing.

[Bp1961]

Thank you so much @Altostrata. In the am I will ask the doctor to go down to 15mg. I have a feeling that he's going to be resistant, how can I rationalize it to him? He's going to ask why? Why not Vyvanse first? Or why not wait 2 more weeks on 20mg (which is what he wants), what should my response be?

[Bp1961]

7/31/22

9:38 Brain buzz intensified after taking medication. Became tinnitus in the ears. Usually in the right ear mostly, today in both ears.
16:50 did 4-7-8 breathing exercise. Noticed that I didn't have clearing of the throat ticks all day. 
22:38 Tinnitus still present both ears (8/10)

8/1/22

6:45 Had terrible sleep 1 hour the rest was light sleep/awake in bed. Woke up with Tinnitus in cold sweat and panic attack, thoughts of it's never going to get better, this is the end.
Got to repeat the Ari chant "It's temporary, it's going to get better"

[Bp1961]

1st day taking 15mg escitalopram (down from 20mg) per @Altostrata suggestion, without psychiatrist consent. Hopefully, the doctor will cooperate. 

[Altostrata]

On 7/26/2022 at 6:17 PM, Bp1961 said:

I started with 5mg for 5 days, then 10mg for 7 days and 20mg since July 17th.

 

Do you still have 5mg and 10mg tablets?

 

You will have to work with your prescriber to get the prescriptions you need. You may wish to make a liquid from some of the tablets. See 
Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)
 

On 7/26/2022 at 5:41 PM, Bp1961 said:

I think the dizziness started when I tapered up to 20mg Lexapro.

 

This is why we're suggesting reducing Lexapro.

[Bp1961]

@Altostrata today I took 3 x 5mg but I'm planning on using pill cutter for the 20mg plus 5mg. Going forward I'll get prescription for 10mg and 5mg until I start tapering if all goes well. 🤞

 

@Altostrata you rock. Remarkable work you are doing. Thank you, Thank you and Thank you!!!

[Bp1961]

@Altostrata Today was day 4 of taking the 15mg Escitalopram. I could tell the difference pretty much within an hour and it has been progressively getting better. I started feeling less anxious, albeit it's still there but it's not debilitating. The brain and ear buzz is still there but every day it seems to get less loud and at times it is quiet. It gets triggered mainly when I engage socially.

 

The dose I was taking was definitely too high and you caught it in a minute while 2 psychiatrists thought 20mg was ok. The move from 10mg to 20mg was a big mistake and with 15mg I'm probably still too high.

 

@Altostrata you are a HERO! What you are doing for people like me and the rest of us is a true act of humanity, I have no words to express my highest respect and love for you. You are an angel.

[Bp1961]

Today is day 5 of taking 15mg escitalopram. At night I didn't sleep that well, head buzz or just strange high pitch sounds and was congested throughout the night. When I woke up the congestion was gone, strange 🤔. Also slight headache. Mood is down, feeling blue, depressed. I also have a throat clearing tick. All that said I feel better than 5 days ago. I think what gets to me the most and scares me is the brain noise.

 

@Altostrata what should my next steps be, where do I go from here? What can I expect? I think the 15mg might be too high, considering that before my abrupt discontinuation I was on 5mg for 11 months and I was fine with no withdrawal.

 

Thank you!!!!

[Bp1961]

00:16 woke up after 1 hour sleep with brain buzz/tinnitus. Went to bathroom. Using sound machine under my pillow to help mask the brain/ears sound...fell back to sleep.

03:00 woke up again with cold sweat, went to bathroom...fell back a sleep.

05:00 woke up....will try to go to sleep.

 

@Altostrata should I go down to 10mg escitalopram right away?

 

[Bp1961]

8/6/22 It's my birthday. Woke up 7:50 went to bathroom took medication Tinnitus RE: 7-8/10 LE: 5-6/10. brain sensation in the usual place, top left towards the center of the head. Slightly congested.

[Bp1961]

I was pondering about the events that lead to my current condition, all in a span of a couple of months. Unknowingly, I created a perfect storm.

 

1. Taking Finasteride 40 days that resulted in Post Finasteride Syndrome (PFS).

2. Quitting smoking after 30+ years.

3. CT'ed escitalopram and Vyvanse after 10 years.

4. Getting COVID in June (I was triple vaccinated).

 

Now I am paying for my good intentioned and misinformed decisions. Unfortunately, finding a good doctor that can help figuring it out and help is impossible, they don't exist. I'm very grateful to have found SA, the most informative, knowledgeable, helpful and supportive group of people in psychiatry. Beats all the MD degreed psychiatrists out there who are just a bunch of legalized drug pushers for the pharmaceutical companies.