Suse Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 (edited) I took Effexor from November of 2020 to July of 2021 and then switched to escitalopram from August 2021 until April of 2022. I didn't really do a taper at all. It took about 2 - 3 weeks starting with every other day and then half a pill every other day. Far too quick, but the side effects of the escitalopram were so bad I just wanted off the medication. Effexor gave me oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections. I decided to switch to escitalopram. Well, I jumped from the frying pan into the fire. The side effects were horrendous. Some of them were back pain, sore dry mouth, burning mouth, burning tongue, a mouth full of ulcers, angular cheilitis, diarrhea and the list goes on. Unfortunately, I was totally failed by my doctor througout my ordeal. He couldn't figure out what was causing all my problems. What was happening to me are all listed as possible side effects, but he didn't bother to look this infomation up. I eventually figured it out through some research that I did on my own and I stopped the escitalopram. The most tragic event that happened was that my doctor failed to inform me that a month after I started the escitalopram my lipase levels started to rise. I only found out about my rising lipase levels 9 months later when I was finally able to get on-line to my health information. I ended up in the hospital with acute pancreatitis. Once again pancreatitis is listed as a possible side effect of most antidepressants. Since quitting I have experienced what so many others have. Some of the withdrawal symptoms I am dealing with are muscle pain, excruciating heartburn and abdominal pain, diarrhea, chills, hopelessness, attacks of terror, sore extremely dry mouth and tongue that has caused gum and teeth issues, painful indigestion, suicidal thoughts, organ pain, etc. I am very concerned about my pancreas. The pancreas does not regenerate itself like the liver does. My lipase evels remain high. This is concerning to me because my mother died of pancreatic cancer. My back pain was starting to get better until November when I faced a major setback that I am still dealing with. Another withdrawal symptom is bladder problems. I have bladder infection symptoms, but all the tests keep coming back negative. I paid to have a different test done that shows that I do have an infection, but I have to wait until April to see my urologist. I will be looking into getting a cystectomy. I can't believe I haven't gone septic. The setback because of this infection is excruciating abdominal pain, kidney pain, severe gastrointestinal pain, heartburn, suicidal thoughts, and crying all the time. I really don't want to fight anymore. I am hoping I will be able to write my success story one day. Edited March 9 by Karma Name update November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted March 9 Moderator Share Posted March 9 Dear @Suse welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. Your journey on these drugs sounds horrendous like many on this site. I am so glad that you found us and am looking forward to supporting you here. You can ask questions about your case here. We generally like to keep your history in one place so we may advise you better. You can see how people have dealt with various symptoms in the Symptoms and Care forum. To start off, can you please summarize your drug signature for us? There are instructions when you click on this link. Hope you are finding some respite, OMW "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. If you would like to get a response from me directly please type @Onmyway some place in your message so I get notified of your post. I am not able to follow all of the threads all the time. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48 Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
Administrator Shep Posted March 20 Administrator Share Posted March 20 8 hours ago, Suse said: ultra 718. Thank you for your kind words. I am currently struggling with a bladder infection that I have been suffering with for 5 months. Regular c&s testing has come back negative 6 times. I sent a test to the States for PCR testing which came back positive. I have been hypersensitive to just about everything including simple Tylenol, so I am really afraid I will react badly to antibiotics. My gut is such a mess as well. I wish you all the best. Take care. @Suse I copied and pasted this post you put on Ultra718's thread in order to leave you some information in case you need to take an antibiotic. Many of us are sensitive to other drugs, so it's good to know more about them and the different options. Please see: Cipro, Levaquin, Azithromycin (Z-Pack), and other antibiotics Drug free May 22, 2015 after 30 years of neuroleptics, benzos, z-drugs, so-called "anti"-depressants, and amphetamines My Success Story: Shep's Success: "Leaving Plato's Cave" And what is good, Phaedrus, and what is not good — need we ask anyone to tell us these things? ~ Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice, but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
Suse Posted March 20 Author Share Posted March 20 I'm not sure if this is the correct area to post this question or not. Has anybody had issues with dry mouth that has gotten worse over time instead of better? I am in month 11 of PAWs and my mouth is definitely getting worse. Thank you. November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted March 20 Moderator Share Posted March 20 Hi @Suse I found a thread where people talk about this. Have you had a test for Sjogren's syndrome? While AD dry mouth etc can mimic Sjogren so it might not be that at all, there are a couple of tests that can help you exclude Sjogren. I have a family member with this disease (not on ADs) and they have some of the symptoms that you describe. Again, it may not be that at all but you may receive some answers by getting the tests. "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. If you would like to get a response from me directly please type @Onmyway some place in your message so I get notified of your post. I am not able to follow all of the threads all the time. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48 Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
Suse Posted March 20 Author Share Posted March 20 Thank you. November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
Suse Posted March 25 Author Share Posted March 25 I am in month 11 of my withdrawal and my gastrointestinal problems and heartburn are getting worse. Has this happened to anybody else? How long can it take for these symptoms to go away? Are there any suggestions as to how to help alleviate these problems? Thank you. November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
Administrator Shep Posted March 25 Administrator Share Posted March 25 Have you tried any changes to your diet, such as an elimination diet to see which foods are aggravating your stomach? Please see these helpful links: Digestive problems: nausea, diarrhoea, bloating, GERD Food sensitivities Histamine food intolerance Eating as an activating factor (increasing anxiety or symptoms) On 3/19/2023 at 9:46 PM, Suse said: ultra 718. Thank you for your kind words. I am currently struggling with a bladder infection that I have been suffering with for 5 months. Regular c&s testing has come back negative 6 times. I sent a test to the States for PCR testing which came back positive. I have been hypersensitive to just about everything including simple Tylenol, so I am really afraid I will react badly to antibiotics. My gut is such a mess as well. I wish you all the best. Take care. You mentioned a bladder infection over on ultra's thread. Are you currently taking any medication for this? Drug free May 22, 2015 after 30 years of neuroleptics, benzos, z-drugs, so-called "anti"-depressants, and amphetamines My Success Story: Shep's Success: "Leaving Plato's Cave" And what is good, Phaedrus, and what is not good — need we ask anyone to tell us these things? ~ Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice, but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
Suse Posted March 25 Author Share Posted March 25 I am not currently taking antibiotics for my bladder infection. It is complicated as I also have interstitial cystitis. The last time I had a bladder infection it lasted 3 years. I have started some homeopathic remedies for my infection. I have been having stomach issues and heartburn since the beginning of all this, but it is so much worse now. I took a Tylenol about a week and a half ago and within less than an hour I was very agitated. I can't serm to take anything and I am actually wondering if it is worth taking the homeopathic stuff either. I am quite desperate. November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
Suse Posted April 10 Author Share Posted April 10 Does anyone know how long into protracted withdrawal someone should wait before having surgery where you would be under anaesthesia for 4 - 5 hours? November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
Moderator Gridley Posted April 10 Moderator Share Posted April 10 11 minutes ago, Suse said: Does anyone know how long into protracted withdrawal someone should wait before having surgery where you would be under anaesthesia for 4 - 5 hours? Because there's no way to know how long protracted withdrawal is going to last, it's not a definite period with a known timeline (like the healing of a broken bone) where you could say, "Eleven months is X% finished with withdrawal." So there's no way to answer your question. In terms of surgery, you could weigh how your withdrawal symptoms are at present, how stable you've been with those symptoms, and the need for the surgery. 1 Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of taper at 2.75mg Current dose as of Feb. 25, 2023 2mg Taper is 89% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan-Sept 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Taper is 87% complete. Supplements: omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
Suse Posted April 10 Author Share Posted April 10 Thanks for your response. I was just wondering if anybody had any personal stories. I appreciate you getting back to me. November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
Administrator Shep Posted April 11 Administrator Share Posted April 11 11 hours ago, Suse said: Thanks for your response. I was just wondering if anybody had any personal stories. I appreciate you getting back to me. I just did a quick search for "surgery" in the introduction sections. Some of these may be for surgeries done before, during, or after withdrawal, so you'll have to weed through them, but they do give members' experiences. search results for "surgery" in introductions forum Drug free May 22, 2015 after 30 years of neuroleptics, benzos, z-drugs, so-called "anti"-depressants, and amphetamines My Success Story: Shep's Success: "Leaving Plato's Cave" And what is good, Phaedrus, and what is not good — need we ask anyone to tell us these things? ~ Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice, but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
Suse Posted April 11 Author Share Posted April 11 Thank you. November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
Suse Posted April 12 Author Share Posted April 12 (edited) Hi everyone. Just here with an update about my bladder infection. I was really afraid to take antibiotics because of the mess my gut is in. On top of everything else I also have interstitial cystitis (for over 60 years) which makes having a bladder infection very scary. It took 3 years to get rid of the last infection I had. This may be a solution for those that do not want to take antibiotics orally. I just saw my urologist today and I have learned to self-catheterize (it was not as difficult to learn as much as I thought it would) and I will be instilling the antibiotics directly into my bladder twice a day for a month and then we will reassess. I may still eventually need a cystectomy, but for me right now I am hoping this will relieve my symptoms and might be an option for others as well. Take care everyone and keep on keeping on. Edited April 12 by Suse Just forgot to say my urologist is amazing. 1 November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
LostInCanada Posted April 12 Share Posted April 12 @Susehave you gotten any relief from the reflux. I found some information stating DGL licorice root 75mg twice daily is as effective as PPIs. I have been taking it with success. Also I do not eat 3 hours before bed, take small sips of water during the evening, no citrus at all and I use a wedge pillow. Also an exercise for esophageal reflux is lying on the floor (supine position) and lifting your head for 60 seconds. I did this 2 times a day with success. Hope some of that helps. 1 20 yr+ Paroxetine/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/ July 28 2022-August 24 2022 30mg to 0mg/ August 24-29 2022 10mg Prozac/ November 28 2022-December 4 2022 5mg Paroxetine/December 5&6 10mg Paroxetine/ December 8&9 2022 10mg Prozac/ December 7 to present 5mg Paroxetine 200mg magnesium bisglycinate/ 1000mg Vitamin D/ probiotics/ 1000 mg algae oil (500mg DHA/10mg EPA/620mg Omega 3) alternating days with 1000mg flaxseed oil (allergy to fish) Link to comment
Suse Posted April 12 Author Share Posted April 12 Thank you so much. I am definitely going to give that a try. November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
Suse Posted May 18 Author Share Posted May 18 I am still struggling with my bladder infection (going on 7 months now) and am interested to know if anyone has tried fosfomycin. I am scared to try anything right now. Unfortunately my bladder instillations were a complete and utter failure, and caused me even more problems. November 2020 to August 2021 - Effexor 150mg September 2021 to April 2022 - escitalopram 20mg 2-3 week taper w/ every other day dosing of 20mg initially and then every other day dosing of a 10mg pill due to severe ADR Link to comment
Administrator Shep Posted May 19 Administrator Share Posted May 19 @Suse I did a site search for fosfomycin, but not a lot came up: Site search for fosfomycin Here is some information on this drug: Drugs.com - fosfomycin There is a warning listed: Quote This medicine has sodium in it. Your hydration and electrolytes will need to be watched closely while you take fosfomycin. You may need to follow a low-sodium diet while taking fosfomycin. Tell your doctor if you have any of these health problems: heart problems, high blood pressure, hyperaldosteronism, kidney or liver problems, high sodium levels, or fluid in the lungs. If you have questions, talk with your doctor. If you're taking other medications, you may want to place them and this new drug in a drug interaction checker to make sure it's safe to take. Drug Interaction Checker Drug free May 22, 2015 after 30 years of neuroleptics, benzos, z-drugs, so-called "anti"-depressants, and amphetamines My Success Story: Shep's Success: "Leaving Plato's Cave" And what is good, Phaedrus, and what is not good — need we ask anyone to tell us these things? ~ Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice, but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
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