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Food sensitivities


Dani

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I'm not sure what all I was sensitive to, I know dairy, nuts, and grains all caused me problems.  I also have at least one autoimmune disease that continues to cause skin and mild anxiety issues if I don't stick to my diet.  I just try to stick to the autoimmune protocol.  It's hard to say what symptoms are caused by with autoimmune disease(s) and what's caused by withdrawal syndrome, but I know that cheating doesn't make me feel as bad as it did right after my failed taper two years ago.  I'll intermittently test different foods, but it's difficult because symptoms don't usually pop up very quickly if I've been strict with my diet for a while.

- 2002-2015: Zyprexa (Olanzapine), between 2.5mg to 5mg

- 9/15-2/16: Started a taper that jumped up and down quickly for five months.  Got really sick.  Took Xanax sporadically throughout taper.  Stopping taking Xanax in January 2016.

- 2/14/16: Increased dose to 3.75mg and held for two months, quickly got better at first and then slowly continued to get better after that

- Apr/16: 3.375mg, May/16: 3.03mg, Jun-Jul/16: 2.73mg, Aug-Sept/16: 2.5mg, Oct/16: 2.25mg, Nov/16: 2.03mg, Dec/16-Jan/17: 1.82mg, Feb/17: 1.64mg, Mar/17: 1.48mg, Apr/17: 1.33mg, May-Sept/17: 1.20mg, Oct/17: 1.08mg, Nov/17: 0.97mg, Dec/17: 0.87mg, Jan/17: 0.78mg, Feb/17: 0.71mg, Mar/17: 0.64mg, Apr/17: 0.57mg, May/17: 0.51mg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Can anyone list the specific symptoms that are associated with food sensitivities? Also, how quickly after eating do the symptoms appear? I'd really like to know. It would help me a lot.

 

Much appreciative,

 

Callie

Lexapro: 2004-2010; Effexor XR 225 mg.: May 2010 - April 2017

Abilify 5 mg.: May 2010 - April 2017; Buspirone 60 mg.: 2004 - April 2017; Trazadone 100 mg.: 2004 - April 2017; Xanax: as needed; Fast taper

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm not sure there are any specific symptoms.  My impression from reading stories is that symptoms vary widely between individuals.  Many people believe the best way to determine if food is causing you problems and what problems those are is to do an elimination diet.

- 2002-2015: Zyprexa (Olanzapine), between 2.5mg to 5mg

- 9/15-2/16: Started a taper that jumped up and down quickly for five months.  Got really sick.  Took Xanax sporadically throughout taper.  Stopping taking Xanax in January 2016.

- 2/14/16: Increased dose to 3.75mg and held for two months, quickly got better at first and then slowly continued to get better after that

- Apr/16: 3.375mg, May/16: 3.03mg, Jun-Jul/16: 2.73mg, Aug-Sept/16: 2.5mg, Oct/16: 2.25mg, Nov/16: 2.03mg, Dec/16-Jan/17: 1.82mg, Feb/17: 1.64mg, Mar/17: 1.48mg, Apr/17: 1.33mg, May-Sept/17: 1.20mg, Oct/17: 1.08mg, Nov/17: 0.97mg, Dec/17: 0.87mg, Jan/17: 0.78mg, Feb/17: 0.71mg, Mar/17: 0.64mg, Apr/17: 0.57mg, May/17: 0.51mg

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  • 1 month later...

I am happy I found this topic because the main symptoms I seem to be having result from eating food. Mainly processed.

If I have anything with sugar, caffeine, or any additives I have a weird and very uncomfortable reaction. MSG seems to be the main issue. When I consume anything with MSG, I feel dizzy and weak and I have to lay down and nap afterwards to deal with the feeling. I never had any bad reaction before or during my time on Prozac. This food sensitivity didn't appear until 1 month after my last dose of 10mg Prozac. I've been off Prozac for almost 3 months now and I was only on Prozac for a total of 3 months as well. I am hoping to have a quicker recovery since I wasn't on the drug for that long, but right now I feel like this will never end. I plan to, of course, eliminate these types of foods but it's disheartening to keep finding another food that makes me feel ill. I'm starting to lose my appetite in general. Has anyone fully recovered from this? If so how long did it take for you to recover from food sensitivity? 

 

(I'm still learning about all of this since I believe I'm in the early stages of my withdrawal)

Prozac 20mg: Sept 2017- Dec 2017 (3 months total)
Currently feeling WD symptoms: Jan 2018

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4 hours ago, Kallalily said:

I am happy I found this topic because the main symptoms I seem to be having result from eating food. Mainly processed.

If I have anything with sugar, caffeine, or any additives I have a weird and very uncomfortable reaction. MSG seems to be the main issue. When I consume anything with MSG, I feel dizzy and weak and I have to lay down and nap afterwards to deal with the feeling. I never had any bad reaction before or during my time on Prozac. This food sensitivity didn't appear until 1 month after my last dose of 10mg Prozac. I've been off Prozac for almost 3 months now and I was only on Prozac for a total of 3 months as well. I am hoping to have a quicker recovery since I wasn't on the drug for that long, but right now I feel like this will never end. I plan to, of course, eliminate these types of foods but it's disheartening to keep finding another food that makes me feel ill. I'm starting to lose my appetite in general. Has anyone fully recovered from this? If so how long did it take for you to recover from food sensitivity? 

 

(I'm still learning about all of this since I believe I'm in the early stages of my withdrawal)

 

It seems like most people do eventually heal.  Often times in just a year or two.  It does sound like your case may not be as bad as many cases on this forum, which suggests that you're likely to heal more quickly than many of those more serious cases.  The really good news is this condition forces us to take better care of ourselves and to develop better habits.  You might overall live a longer and happier life because of this condition if the habits stick.  Focusing on silver-linings, when you have them, can make coping a lot easier and this is a pretty good one!

- 2002-2015: Zyprexa (Olanzapine), between 2.5mg to 5mg

- 9/15-2/16: Started a taper that jumped up and down quickly for five months.  Got really sick.  Took Xanax sporadically throughout taper.  Stopping taking Xanax in January 2016.

- 2/14/16: Increased dose to 3.75mg and held for two months, quickly got better at first and then slowly continued to get better after that

- Apr/16: 3.375mg, May/16: 3.03mg, Jun-Jul/16: 2.73mg, Aug-Sept/16: 2.5mg, Oct/16: 2.25mg, Nov/16: 2.03mg, Dec/16-Jan/17: 1.82mg, Feb/17: 1.64mg, Mar/17: 1.48mg, Apr/17: 1.33mg, May-Sept/17: 1.20mg, Oct/17: 1.08mg, Nov/17: 0.97mg, Dec/17: 0.87mg, Jan/17: 0.78mg, Feb/17: 0.71mg, Mar/17: 0.64mg, Apr/17: 0.57mg, May/17: 0.51mg

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I sure hope so! Thank you for your feedback. I live with a bunch of different people who eat processed foods so it's been hard to keep up a decent diet. I'm going to do my best since I've been reading it helps push through recovery. 

And you're definitely right. One positive thing I see out of this is that it'll push my towards a healthier lifestyle. I just want to get to where I can handle a small treat here and there without feeling completely ill after. Lately I've been having a reaction very soon after I consume something that my body doesn't agree with. 

I know I'll get to where I'll feel a lot better eventually. When my waves hit, I can't help to have a moment of doubt.

I've been keeping a diary that I'll probably post on here in the future once my symptoms ease up. 

 

Prozac 20mg: Sept 2017- Dec 2017 (3 months total)
Currently feeling WD symptoms: Jan 2018

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  • 2 months later...

For those who are msg sensitive, here is some great info

 

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/80645-symptoms-from-msg/

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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  • 4 months later...

Hi all, 

 

I was wondering. Are there any food sensitivities you experienced while tapering citalopram ( or other AD)?

 

The reason I ask is that I experience a lot of nausea while tapering citalopram. This doesn't occur every day but after some meals. I just can't figure out which ingredients might cause this because there doesn't seem to be a pattern.

 

If some of you have very specific ingredients to avoid that could ease my search for the right food!

 

 

Thanks in advance!!

Jozeff

Sep- 2016 - Okt 2017 citalopram some months 15 mg some months 20 mg

Nov 2017- Apr 2018 citalopram 25 mg

Apr 2018 -  Jun 2018 citalopram 3 month TAPER too fast  from 25mg to 16.5 mg (0.1 mg per day decrease, felt horrible and crashed)

Jun 2018 - Aug13th 2018 citalopram trying to stabilize at 16.5 mg for 5 wks

- August 14th 2018 - April 29th 2019  citalopram 18 mg (1.5 mg updose).

 

2019 apr 27 : START taper citalopram @ 18 mg: 29Jun 16.4 mg / 19aug 15.4 mg / 25aug 15.2 mg / 30sep 14.0 mg / 4dec 13.1 mg

2020  03Jan 12.75 mg / 28Jan 12.29 mg / 18Feb 11.83 mg, 25Feb 11.68 mg hold.. / 7May 11.33 mg hold...., 4Aug 10.98 mg / 5Dec 10.0 mg 4 month hold...

2021 30mar 9.8 mg / 06apr 9.5 mg /  13apr 9.4 mg / 14may 8,5 mg / 04jun 8,0 mg / 11jun 7.75 mg, 02jul 7.35 mg /  09jul 7.2 mg hold 3 weeks during holiday /31jul 7 mg/ 8aug 6.8 mg / 15aug 6.63mg / 22aug 6.5mg / 1sep 6.3 mg / 8sep 6.15 mg / 15sep 6.0 mg / 22sep 5.9 mg / 29sep 5.8 mg / 04 oct 5.65 mg / 10oct 5.55 mg / 17oct 5.45 mg / 24oct 5.35mg / 30oct 5.25 mg hold 3 wks / 22nov 5.15 mg / 01dec 5.1mg / 12dec 5.0mg / 20dec 4.85mg / 30dec 4.70mg

2022   08jan 4.5 mg / 16jan 4.4 mg / 23jan 4.3 mg / 27jan 4.2 mg / 18feb 4.1 mg / 25feb 4.0 mg / 04mar 3.9 mg / 11mar 3.75 mg / 18Mar 3.65 mg / 09apr 3.55 mg / 16apr 3.45 mg / 23apr 3.35 mg / 01may 3.25 mg / 8may 3.15 mg / 17may 3.10 mg / 28 may 3.0 mg / 7jun 2.94 mg / 18 Jun 2.88 mg / 27 jun 2.84 mg / 05 jul 2.80 mg / 16 jul 2.75 mg / 23 jul 2.70 mg / 01aug 2.65 mg / 09aug 2.60 mg hold 5wks / 18sep 2.55 mg / 25sep 2.5 mg /02oct 2.45 mg / 10oct 2.40 mg / 19oct 2.35 mg / 27oct 2.30 mg / 05nov 2.27 mg / 14nov 2.25 mg / 22nov 2.20 mg / 29nov 2.10mg / 09dec 2.05 mg / 15dec 2.0 mg 

2023  hold 2.0 mg for 5 months / 05may 1.95 mg / 14may 1.90 mg / 24may 1.87 mg / 02jun 1.85 mg / 17jun 1.82 mg / 27jun 1.79 mg / 07jul 1.75 mg / 31jul 1.72 mg / 12aug 1.69mg / 27aug 1.67 mg / 04sep 1.65 mg / 09sep 1.63 mg / 22sep 1.61 mg / 27sep 1.60 mg / 12oct 1.58 mg / 18oct 1.56 mg / 31oct 1.54 mg / 06nov 1.52 mg / 18nov 1.50 mg / 04dec 1.48 mg / 11dec 1.46 mg / 22dec 1.45 mg / 28dec 1.44 mg

2024 01jan 1.43 mg / 06jan 1.42 mg/ 10jan 1.40 mg hold /

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At such a taper rate I doubt you are having that nausea because of the taper, whats your age ? 

By the way, having nausea sometimes is very common, try having Yogurt whenever you have it.

What other medicines do you take ? 

1995 to 1997: different antidepressants at maintenance dosages along with benzos 3 times a day.  

1998 to 2000: Citalopram 20mg + Benzo twice daily.

2001 to 2015: Sertraline 50 mg + Alprazolam (half of 0.25 mg once daily which is next to nothing)

2016 to 2017: Sertraline 50 mg + Dosulepin (Prothiaden) 25 mg (NO BENZO)

2017 to 2018: Dosulepin (Prothiaden) 50 mg  (NO BENZO)

2018 (Earlier): Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 5 mg + Clonazepam 0.25 mg x 2 daily (7 weeks on Olanzapine was a disaster, antipsychotics are not for panic disorder)

2018 August : Sertraline 50 mg for 20 days (couldn't take it any longer) + Clonazepam.

2018 Sept. 1st week: Dosulepin (Prothiaden) 25 mg + Clonazepam 0.25 mg -- 2018 Sept. 2nd week: Dosulepin (Prothiaden) 12.5mg +Clonazepam 0.25 mg 

2018 November: Clonazepam 0.50 mg at night (for sleep disturbed by tinnitus)

2019 January to now: Clonazepam 0.25 mg at night and 0.25 mg in the morning.

Remember: Going out for a Walk or for a Change does help, it may take a few days or weeks or months for some, but it definitely helps.

Here is Knowledge for you: The more you Know about your sickness the more bad it is for you, so forget about it !

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  • 2 years later...
On 9/16/2013 at 11:07 PM, Dani said:

Help...I'm hungry :( and i don't want to eat junk...but i feel like that's all i can tolerate. That's bad in itself.

I just want to be "normal" again...

Edited November 24, 2017 by Altostrata

 
Responding to this old post. I have struggled with food allergies on and off for years and now that I am withdrawing, they are coming back full blast.
 

One solution is to cook all your food. Cooked fruits and veggies are more tolerable than raw. Also, elemental nutrient formulas, are a tremendous help. They allow you to wash out foods that may be problematic and give a “food holiday” while still getting essential nutrients.
 

Of course, the goal is to re-introduce foods slowly in small amounts with the hope that you will regain tolerance. Often, food allergies are not for life, but you have to be very careful about re-introducing foods and be willing to remove a food if you have difficulty. 

1980s: First diagnosed with depression. Treated with a tricyclic. 1988: Switched to Prozac 20 mg.  1990s to 2010: On and off Prozac. Increased dose led to side effects. 2011: Put on Zyprexa. 2011: Work burnout and breakdown. Hospitalized for suicidal depression. Switched to Seroquel. Switched to Celexa 40 mg and lithium 300 mg. 2019: Stopped Seroquel. 

2020 July: Decreased Celexa to 30 mg in attempt to alleviate sexual dysfunction. Worked somewhat.

2020 August: Decreased Celexa to 20 mg. Sexual function improved but w/d effects started. 

2020 September: Maintaining Celexa at 20 mg. Experiencing w/d effects - fatigue, dysphoria, mood instability

2020 September 13: Increased Celexa to 30 mg due to w/d effects. Still on lithium 300 mg/day.

2020 October 3: Reduced Celexa to 27 mg. Started taper. 10% per month as recommended.

2020 October 18: Reduced to 24 mg.

2020 December 4: Reduced to 21 mg.

2020 December 23: Reduced to 20 mg (spacing out taper intervals due to persistent w/d effects)

2021 September 23: Several reductions over the past 9 months to 7.0 mg. Stressful life circumstances led me to feeling very depressed with suicidal feelings, so upped to the dose to 10 mg until I feel better. 

 

 

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  • 1 month later...
On 10/27/2020 at 9:17 AM, Bruci said:

 
Responding to this old post. I have struggled with food allergies on and off for years and now that I am withdrawing, they are coming back full blast.
 

One solution is to cook all your food. Cooked fruits and veggies are more tolerable than raw. Also, elemental nutrient formulas, are a tremendous help. They allow you to wash out foods that may be problematic and give a “food holiday” while still getting essential nutrients.
 

Of course, the goal is to re-introduce foods slowly in small amounts with the hope that you will regain tolerance. Often, food allergies are not for life, but you have to be very careful about re-introducing foods and be willing to remove a food if you have difficulty. 

I am rereading this thread as I have an increase in my food sensitivities. I am at the end taper at 0.28 mg of Celexa. I thought all along I had a histamine sensitivity and that diet worked some for the past 4 years. Now I am reacting to pretty much everything (just eating). It

s mostly mild but bothersome. Can you tell me more about elemental nutrient formulas? Txs

2006-2007 Lexapro (not sure of dose) in 2006

2007 Stopped abruptly. Developed serious wd symptom.Went back after two weeks and  tapered successfully over 3 months

November 2013  started 10 mg of Celexa for hormonal symptoms

early 2014 cutdown Celexa to 5 mg.Attempted to get off it November 2014 and had  

Anxiety increased  every time I used  an OTC or had stress.

April-May Cortisol spike problems 

July 2016 Started taking liquid Celexa 7.5 mg

June 2021 I finished my taper en

Severe anxiety and insomnia

June 2022 symptoms omproved

July 2023 gut issues and sleep issues contnue

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  • 2 weeks later...

Might this be related to low stomach acid. at least in some cases? My food sensitivity problems are mostly gone now (thank GOD) but I happened to read some reviews of betaine (trimethylglycine) and noticed this one:

 

"I researched nausea and rapid heart beat after eating all foods - and low stomach acid kept coming up. I had tried everything from eating smaller portions more frequently to eliminating possible food allergens. My hair was falling out, my nails were thin and rippled, I was beyond tired all the time, I had extreme anxiety for no reason. I eat healthy, take vitamins, and yet I looked like walking death. I had gone to the doctor for these problems twice, and they looked at me like I was crazy. All my blood tests for diabetes and thyroid were within "normal" range. I take this with every meal now, and after the first time- no rapid heart beat after eating. Then no anxiety. My hair and my nails are growing back after a couple of weeks. I can think clearly again. Low stomach acid would have been the first thing I would have checked if I were a doctor with a properly fed yet malnourished patient. Thank you Amazon and Google for pretty much saving my life and sanity when my doctors said I was "fine". I never write reviews, but if it helps someone who has been confronted with an incompetent medical system, it was well worth the 5 minutes out of my life to help someone else."

 

I remember my "food sensitivities" always started off with rapid heartbeat and then severe anxiety after eating.  It's worth a look I'd say.  Some have said betaine/TMG can be helpful in withdrawal anyway

1997-2019 Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Effexor, Serzone, Wellbutrin, Amitryptiline, Mirtazapine, Lexapro (mostly, 10-20mg)

Jan 16-Feb 2019 Fast tapered Lexapro after spontaneous kundalini syndrome 

Feb-Jul Used various herbs to deal with severe anxiety (bacopa, gotu kola)

Sept 2019 Developed histamine intolerance and daily panic

Currently taking high DHA fish oil, magnesium.  Occasionally l-ornithine, l-lysine, l-glycine, melatonin for sleep.  Dayvigo for sleep, and l-thp or seroquel (haven't settled on dose) for sleep when in sleep deprivation crisis

 

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  • 10 months later...

Hi everyone, 

I was wondering if anyone knows if /has experienced eating high amounts of "detoxing" foods, such as broccoli everyday. Could this cause any increase of WD symptoms since we arent supposed to participate in liver detox methods? also does anyone have experience in switching from non organic to all organic without a gradual change and caused any WD symptoms from a natural detox of the harmful chemicals in non organic food? Thanks!

-2014: Lexapro/escitalopram 10 mg, 2015-2021: Lexapro/escitalopram 20 mg

-10/2020-3/2021: decreased 20 mg to 15 mg, 1 mg a month

-4/2021: decreased to 10 mg, held for 11 days, 4/2021: decreased to 5 mg, held for 8 days

-4/2021: 3-6 days cold turkey lexapro, withdrawal symptoms so reinstated 2.5 mg 

-omeprazole taper: 9/2021 cut 25%, 10/20/21 25% cut, 12/1/21 25%, 12/28/21 25% cut, (9/36 beads of 40 mg)

-11/2020 omeprazole 20 mg, 3/2021: omeprazole 40 mg,

-Nordic Naturals Ultimate omega 3 fish pill: 1280 mg

-montelukast: 10 mg dailyzyrtec: 10 mg daily 

-3/20/2021-7/25: mesalamine 1.2 GM, 3 times a day - dropped

-birth control: Trilinyah 2014- 2/1/2021 quit cold turkey middle of pack 

7/16/2021-8/1/2021 Quicksilver Liposomal multivitamin liquid: biotin, zinc, Vitamins A, C, D E, K, Niacin,, Thiomine, Riboflavin,Vitamin B6, B12, 7/16/2021- 8/25/2021 - boswelia complex (tumeric. ginger, celery) - 2 a day - dropped

7/16/2021 - probiophage probiotic - dropped 

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Has anyone experienced reducing oxalates from their diet and gone through the oxalate dumping process? Its something I need to do to heal my gut. They're related to the inflammatory bucket that histamine and salicylates contribute to. Wondering how this will impact WD symptoms. Oxalates do not detox from the liver, they are in the gut. (https://www.facebook.com/notes/trying-low-oxalates-tlo/06-how-dumping-is-different-than-detoxing/2085276828220515/)

 

a little background on oxalate dumping:

-Dumping is the excretion of stored oxalate from tissues via urine (kidneys), stool (digestive tract), mucus (lungs and respiratory tract), tears (eyes, vitreous gel) and sweat/ skin secretions (skin).

 

-dumping can continue for months and years. oxalate dumping is a long process and it's suspected that we dump compartment by compartment.

 

-We see this electrolyte disturbance, which involves continued wasting of potassium and other minerals. We have to keep re-adding these minerals. Also, it’s almost like tissue dehydration. I really like to push salt, potassium, calcium and magnesium to help manage this sort of flushing …

 

-The two main causes of disease are toxicity and nutrient deficiency. Oxalate is causing both … You’re losing both B-vitamins and minerals. It’s very toxic. It is a poison. It’s messing with the basics of metabolism that allows tissue recovery, repair, [that] allows growth and flourishing.”

 

-Oxalic acid can harm glandular function, connective tissue function, neurological function and the function of the tissues of excretion, particularly the kidneys and bladder

 

-oxalates not only can cause kidney stones (calcium oxalate kidney stones) but also may be responsible for a wide variety of other health problems related to inflammation, auto-immunity, mitochondrial dysfunction, mineral balance, connective tissue integrity, urinary tract issues and poor gut function

 

-side effects of dumping: 

bloated stomach

black specks in stool

constipation diarrhea

cloudy urine

lower back pain

heart paps

flu like

weight loss or weight gain

dizziness

muscle twitching

back or neck pain achy all over

jaw pain

sweating

rashes

fatigue

anxiety depression, brain fog

loose teeth

pain and inflammation

-2014: Lexapro/escitalopram 10 mg, 2015-2021: Lexapro/escitalopram 20 mg

-10/2020-3/2021: decreased 20 mg to 15 mg, 1 mg a month

-4/2021: decreased to 10 mg, held for 11 days, 4/2021: decreased to 5 mg, held for 8 days

-4/2021: 3-6 days cold turkey lexapro, withdrawal symptoms so reinstated 2.5 mg 

-omeprazole taper: 9/2021 cut 25%, 10/20/21 25% cut, 12/1/21 25%, 12/28/21 25% cut, (9/36 beads of 40 mg)

-11/2020 omeprazole 20 mg, 3/2021: omeprazole 40 mg,

-Nordic Naturals Ultimate omega 3 fish pill: 1280 mg

-montelukast: 10 mg dailyzyrtec: 10 mg daily 

-3/20/2021-7/25: mesalamine 1.2 GM, 3 times a day - dropped

-birth control: Trilinyah 2014- 2/1/2021 quit cold turkey middle of pack 

7/16/2021-8/1/2021 Quicksilver Liposomal multivitamin liquid: biotin, zinc, Vitamins A, C, D E, K, Niacin,, Thiomine, Riboflavin,Vitamin B6, B12, 7/16/2021- 8/25/2021 - boswelia complex (tumeric. ginger, celery) - 2 a day - dropped

7/16/2021 - probiophage probiotic - dropped 

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  • 4 months later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

I've discovered, from my daily journaling, that eating foods like hotdogs containing nitrates, revs up my nervous system, and causes restlessness and insomnia in me.  Doing this journal has been very valuable in that it helps me find positive correlations between things I do on a daily basis, and my withdrawal symptoms.  Studies have been done on rats to show that those who consumed nitrates were much more likely to show symptoms of mania.  Here are some articles about this: 

 

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20180718/nitrates-in-meat-may-be-tied-to-mania

 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/beef-jerky-and-other-processed-meats-associated-with-manic-episodes

 

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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  • 10 months later...
On 9/20/2013 at 11:51 AM, GiaK said:

actually histamine blood levels won't really tell you anything particularly meaningful and can be misinterpreted very easily...it's better to just eliminate the foods and see how you do...it will become glaringly obvious within a week or two.

 

all the lab work that can be done for this condition really isn't terribly definitive...and then you have doctors in the mix who will likely start shoving drugs in your face too...I'd spare myself, frankly. 

I have some reactions that I consider to be histamine intolerance
There are often watery and stinging eyes (the corners of the eyes are broken), sometimes there is also a runny nose, there are often vague headaches like migraines
There have been many problems with digestion in the past year
Especially in the last half of the year.
I took the histamine probiotic Histaminix (Seeking Healt) for several months last summer and fall.
I also tried the DAO enzyme from the same manufacturer
It seemed to get better in summer and autumn.
I started taking the same probiotic again on November 20, 2022
Digestion got worse and worse in December.
I sometimes also ate sweet things and gluten products
Before Christmas the situation got really bad and I went to the doctor.
The main thing was a feeling of fullness and heaviness after eating
Later it happened that after eating for about an hour it was more or less and 2-3 hours later it was as if the tiut stayed in the stomach and was fermenting.
Strong brain fog, dizziness, fatigue and a feeling like mild food poisoning
I don't know if it is SIBO, Candida overgrowth.
All samples were generally fine, the ultrasound also showed that it was fine.
The doctor prescribed the proton pump inhibitor Nexium and Metronidazine for a week, but then it got really bad - I stopped taking it.
The stool was still very light and parts of undigested food could be seen.
The doctor still suspected Helicobacter, but the samples showed that it was not
Then I realized that maybe I have low stomach acid.
Weaning for several years has caused a lot of anxiety and depression and maybe it has reduced stomach acid.
I took HCL with petaine for 3 weeks and it helped to some extent. I didn't feel heavy after eating, but I still had a feeling of fermentation several hours later, a lot of gas and nausea.
The nausea was especially strong when I ate proteins or fat.
Last week, I also tried to add a supplement to ox bile and L-Glutamine, thinking that it was a leaky gut.
I managed to take them for 4 days and I was hit by a heavy wave that continues now.
There also seems to be a connection with histamine because I ate some sauerkraut 2 days ago and some stewed lamb (fatty) the day before yesterday.
The next morning the stool was light brown and again undigested food parts inside, and there was also a great nausea as if I wanted to vomit.
In addition, facial redness and watery eyes (allergy symptom?)
For some reason, it's worse when I take the DAO enzyme, which is supposed to reduce histamine.
Histamine was supposed to help digestion, and reducing it will make it bad?
So I don't know what I have, is it SIBO, or Candida, or histamine intolerance?
For the last 1.5 months, I have given up sweet things, except sometimes cornflakes with oat milk and blueberries, sometimes also banana.
I no longer eat dairy and gluten products and fatty things.
I generally eat organic, natural foods grown in the countryside.
I have also lost weight in the last six months.
I don't know what to do with this histamine because I still need protein in our northern climate
I have noticed that my digestion is especially bad when the weather changes, there is high humidity or a change in air pressure (usually a drop).
Can a bile supplement or L-Glutamine also cause symptoms or trigger a wave?
I used to eat everything without problems - dairy products, gluten, fatty proteins, now I can't and it makes me unhappy. I have little energy and depression is strong because there are few carbohydrates.
So I'm a bit confused because I don't know if there is a lack of some acids or some kind of dysfunction or intolerance.
 

Xanax 0,5mg 1999-2019 a Xanax 0,5mg paar korda kuus, vajadusel

Cymbalta 30mg 2012-25.04.2018 kitsenev 2-3 kuud,rasked sümptomid 1 nädal pärast viimast annust

Amitriptüliin 25mg 25.05.18-20.01.19 ,kitsenev 2-3 kuuga, unetus, paanika-ärevus, segasusseisund, iiveldus

Valdoxan 25mg 10.02.19-10.03.19, ei stabiliseerinud olukorda, Lorasepaam 10.02.19-20.02.19 vajadusel üleöö

Brintellix 5mg 10.03.19-30.06.19 ,ei stabiliseerinud olukorda, hirme, segasust ja unetust, olin haiglas 1 nädal

Olansapiin 5mg 01.03.19-02.08.19,unetuse leevendamiseks suureneb segasus, suureneb depressioon, tekib raske akatiisia Cymbalta 30mg 30.06.19-01.08.19,ei tööta enam, olukord ei stabiliseeru, jälle haiglas 2 nädalat

Levomepromasiin 5mg 03.08.19-20.12.19 aitas magada, kuid suurendas segadust ja depressiooni

Anafraniil 75mg03.08.19-15.12.19  15.12.19 , 35mg  17.05.20  , 27mg 01.01.21 16.07.21 oli päevane A19 mg 01.04.22 11mg 01.11.22 8,6mg, 01.11.23 6,5mg 01.01.24 5mg

 

 

 

                 

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  • 3 months later...
On 2/17/2016 at 9:25 PM, historygal said:

Also I should say I am 25 months into withdrawal and I literally the food thing is bringing me down. I don't take supplements but I can't eradicate veg and fruit as I'd rather get my vitamins from natural stuff, however if it's at the detriment to my recovery. I have no deals what to do?

I know this is soooo long after your initial post however this sounds like you are dealing with Salicylate issues. Look into the Failsafe diet or the book and website Fed Up by Sue Dengate.

43yo woman. Cipralex/Lexapro (10mg active ingredient Escitalopram) treatment started March 2007 (28yo at the time). Two unsuccessful tapers (2008 and 2013). Two psychiatric hospital stays (2007 and 2014). Other psychiatric drugs were prescribed and taken from Apr 2014 until June 2016. Tapered off all of the below by June 2016 and from then on have been on Cipralex/Lexapro only.

List of drugs that I had tapered off of so far:

Lamictal (Lamotrigine), Esperide (Sulperide), Dormonoct (Loprazolam), Rivotril (Clonazepam, Klonopin), Prozac (Fluoxetine), Cipramil (Citalopram, Celexa), Stilnox (Zolpidem), Urbanol (Clobazam), Olexar (Olanzapine) and Seroquel (Quetiapine). 

Taking Cipralex (Lexapro) only since June 2016.

Currently on extended Cipralex (Lexapro) taper since Nov 2016.

Started compounded liquid suspension on 01Nov 2022 (1.3mgai/2.5ml). Had problems with flavourant in compounded liquid. June 23: Started to make own liquid from commercial saline then had eye blinking. July 23: Making own liquid using home-made isotonic saline and adding this liquid to gelatine capsules so the liquid will not irritate my esophagus.

Okt23: Current dosage 1.15mg Escitalopram. Jan 2024: 1.12mg Escitalopram. 

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  • 3 months later...
On 2/15/2023 at 12:47 PM, Estman said:

I have some reactions that I consider to be histamine intolerance
There are often watery and stinging eyes (the corners of the eyes are broken), sometimes there is also a runny nose, there are often vague headaches like migraines
There have been many problems with digestion in the past year
Especially in the last half of the year.
I took the histamine probiotic Histaminix (Seeking Healt) for several months last summer and fall.
I also tried the DAO enzyme from the same manufacturer
It seemed to get better in summer and autumn.
I started taking the same probiotic again on November 20, 2022
Digestion got worse and worse in December.
I sometimes also ate sweet things and gluten products
Before Christmas the situation got really bad and I went to the doctor.
The main thing was a feeling of fullness and heaviness after eating
Later it happened that after eating for about an hour it was more or less and 2-3 hours later it was as if the tiut stayed in the stomach and was fermenting.
Strong brain fog, dizziness, fatigue and a feeling like mild food poisoning
I don't know if it is SIBO, Candida overgrowth.
All samples were generally fine, the ultrasound also showed that it was fine.
The doctor prescribed the proton pump inhibitor Nexium and Metronidazine for a week, but then it got really bad - I stopped taking it.
The stool was still very light and parts of undigested food could be seen.
The doctor still suspected Helicobacter, but the samples showed that it was not
Then I realized that maybe I have low stomach acid.
Weaning for several years has caused a lot of anxiety and depression and maybe it has reduced stomach acid.
I took HCL with petaine for 3 weeks and it helped to some extent. I didn't feel heavy after eating, but I still had a feeling of fermentation several hours later, a lot of gas and nausea.
The nausea was especially strong when I ate proteins or fat.
Last week, I also tried to add a supplement to ox bile and L-Glutamine, thinking that it was a leaky gut.
I managed to take them for 4 days and I was hit by a heavy wave that continues now.
There also seems to be a connection with histamine because I ate some sauerkraut 2 days ago and some stewed lamb (fatty) the day before yesterday.
The next morning the stool was light brown and again undigested food parts inside, and there was also a great nausea as if I wanted to vomit.
In addition, facial redness and watery eyes (allergy symptom?)
For some reason, it's worse when I take the DAO enzyme, which is supposed to reduce histamine.
Histamine was supposed to help digestion, and reducing it will make it bad?
So I don't know what I have, is it SIBO, or Candida, or histamine intolerance?
For the last 1.5 months, I have given up sweet things, except sometimes cornflakes with oat milk and blueberries, sometimes also banana.
I no longer eat dairy and gluten products and fatty things.
I generally eat organic, natural foods grown in the countryside.
I have also lost weight in the last six months.
I don't know what to do with this histamine because I still need protein in our northern climate
I have noticed that my digestion is especially bad when the weather changes, there is high humidity or a change in air pressure (usually a drop).
Can a bile supplement or L-Glutamine also cause symptoms or trigger a wave?
I used to eat everything without problems - dairy products, gluten, fatty proteins, now I can't and it makes me unhappy. I have little energy and depression is strong because there are few carbohydrates.
So I'm a bit confused because I don't know if there is a lack of some acids or some kind of dysfunction or intolerance.
 

I know you post is from a few months ago but have you looked at oxalate and salicylate issues? If you still get reactions after going on a Histamine diet then it's most likely them because they are in nearly all healthy foods. 

Citalopram 10mg sep14-nov14,

cit 20mg nov14-jan15,

cit 40mg jan15 -jan22,

tapered cit 40mg-0mg in 10 days.

mirtazapine 15mg then 30mg jan22-Mar22,

tapered in 1 week.

citalopram 20mg apr22- may22( had a reaction this time, hives everywhere),

no taper cold turkey 

sertraline 50mg then 100mg may22-nov22, tapered in 2 weeks.

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On 9/2/2023 at 10:31 AM, Tigz91 said:

I know you post is from a few months ago but have you looked at oxalate and salicylate issues? If you still get reactions after going on a Histamine diet then it's most likely them because they are in nearly all healthy foods. 

Hi Tigz91

I haven't looked into it
Yes, histamine intolerance is definitely a problem, but the bigger problem is the proliferation of Candida Albians in the gut
I have been on a low carb diet for three weeks now and things have improved though
I gave up gluten-containing grains and all sweet things except for small amounts of berries.
I try to consume proteins and healthy fats and nuts and seeds
In the morning, however, I have eaten oatmeal porridge with a small piece of banana.
I also eat a small amount of Greek yogurt
My brain fog has reduced and the white coating on my tongue has also reduced
But there are still watery eyes and broken eye corners.
It's probably related to histamine, but at the same time, I have to get energy from proteins if I don't consume carbohydrates anymore.
Candida Albians is a big problem and it takes time to heal.

Xanax 0,5mg 1999-2019 a Xanax 0,5mg paar korda kuus, vajadusel

Cymbalta 30mg 2012-25.04.2018 kitsenev 2-3 kuud,rasked sümptomid 1 nädal pärast viimast annust

Amitriptüliin 25mg 25.05.18-20.01.19 ,kitsenev 2-3 kuuga, unetus, paanika-ärevus, segasusseisund, iiveldus

Valdoxan 25mg 10.02.19-10.03.19, ei stabiliseerinud olukorda, Lorasepaam 10.02.19-20.02.19 vajadusel üleöö

Brintellix 5mg 10.03.19-30.06.19 ,ei stabiliseerinud olukorda, hirme, segasust ja unetust, olin haiglas 1 nädal

Olansapiin 5mg 01.03.19-02.08.19,unetuse leevendamiseks suureneb segasus, suureneb depressioon, tekib raske akatiisia Cymbalta 30mg 30.06.19-01.08.19,ei tööta enam, olukord ei stabiliseeru, jälle haiglas 2 nädalat

Levomepromasiin 5mg 03.08.19-20.12.19 aitas magada, kuid suurendas segadust ja depressiooni

Anafraniil 75mg03.08.19-15.12.19  15.12.19 , 35mg  17.05.20  , 27mg 01.01.21 16.07.21 oli päevane A19 mg 01.04.22 11mg 01.11.22 8,6mg, 01.11.23 6,5mg 01.01.24 5mg

 

 

 

                 

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I have used a low-chemical diet with great success in helping me identify foods that affect my moods. You can look into it on the RPAH-website (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia), it is called the Allergy diet. A site that deals with this diet as well is called www.fedup.com.au. It will help you to identify foods that contain histamines, salicylates and glutamates. I have issues with Histamine and salicylates, and I find that when I stick to low-chemical foods, it greatly improves my mood. 

I, too, restrict carbohydrates since I find that blood sugar dysregulation causes anxiety for me. 

 

Sounds like you are experiencing fat-malabsorption, so increasing your fat intake slowly, will help your system not to be overwhelmed with fats. A bile supplement could also help, as could digestive enzymes (get a good mixed one). 

 

I have found that I am very sensitive to coffee (not only the caffeine) and even decaf coffee makes me feel unwell, my guess is due to the other types of amines and polyphenols present in coffee. I now avoid coffee in any form. 

 

It takes a while to figure out what to eat, if you keep things simple, then you will be able to figure it out. The following site may help you get started: 

http://www.failsafediet.com/the-rpah-elimination-diet-failsafe/quick-reference-what-am-i-reacting-to

 

Good luck.  

43yo woman. Cipralex/Lexapro (10mg active ingredient Escitalopram) treatment started March 2007 (28yo at the time). Two unsuccessful tapers (2008 and 2013). Two psychiatric hospital stays (2007 and 2014). Other psychiatric drugs were prescribed and taken from Apr 2014 until June 2016. Tapered off all of the below by June 2016 and from then on have been on Cipralex/Lexapro only.

List of drugs that I had tapered off of so far:

Lamictal (Lamotrigine), Esperide (Sulperide), Dormonoct (Loprazolam), Rivotril (Clonazepam, Klonopin), Prozac (Fluoxetine), Cipramil (Citalopram, Celexa), Stilnox (Zolpidem), Urbanol (Clobazam), Olexar (Olanzapine) and Seroquel (Quetiapine). 

Taking Cipralex (Lexapro) only since June 2016.

Currently on extended Cipralex (Lexapro) taper since Nov 2016.

Started compounded liquid suspension on 01Nov 2022 (1.3mgai/2.5ml). Had problems with flavourant in compounded liquid. June 23: Started to make own liquid from commercial saline then had eye blinking. July 23: Making own liquid using home-made isotonic saline and adding this liquid to gelatine capsules so the liquid will not irritate my esophagus.

Okt23: Current dosage 1.15mg Escitalopram. Jan 2024: 1.12mg Escitalopram. 

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  • 1 month later...

Hi all

 

I’ve got ongoing leg pain as a result of protracted withdrawal. It’s evolved into a kind of burning/ throbbing sensation experienced predominantly behind the knee. 
 

The pain definitely seems to get activated when I eat - and am starting to realise that carbs are definitely a trigger. I had some chicken at lunch and was ok but had a few pieces of brown bread in the early evening and the pain started up again. Just wondering if anyone else on here has had a similar experience and how they’ve worked with it if so.

 

 Kieran

Jan 2007 - Started 20 mg Prozac 
Early 2008 - 20mg paroxetine. 
2009-11 - 20 mg citalopram

2011-2015 - Prozac 20mg again.

2015 -19 -prescribed 50mg of Sertraline. 

2019 - I switched to Prozac (taken intermittently)

Aug 2022 - Stopped medication

June 2023 - reinstated sertraline.  25mg every day.
From late Aug 2023 trying to stabilise on 12.5mg daily

From Sep 30 2023 - tapered to 11mg of sertraline

From Oct 30th 2023 - tapered to 10.1mg sertraline 

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See above - actually realising it’s not just carbs but all kinds of foods! Homemade mushroom soup (with a leek base fried with a knob of butter) has also just triggered the pain. Any guidance about how to start planning a diet which causes least pain activation would be appreciated. 
 

And does anyone have a theory about what might be causing the pain? 

Jan 2007 - Started 20 mg Prozac 
Early 2008 - 20mg paroxetine. 
2009-11 - 20 mg citalopram

2011-2015 - Prozac 20mg again.

2015 -19 -prescribed 50mg of Sertraline. 

2019 - I switched to Prozac (taken intermittently)

Aug 2022 - Stopped medication

June 2023 - reinstated sertraline.  25mg every day.
From late Aug 2023 trying to stabilise on 12.5mg daily

From Sep 30 2023 - tapered to 11mg of sertraline

From Oct 30th 2023 - tapered to 10.1mg sertraline 

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Hi Kieran

 

I struggled with food sensitivity issues for a long time. My theory is that the psych meds (I am in extended taper of Cipralex) causes compounds to build up in our systems. Cipralex or the active ingredient, Escitalopram, is supposed to prevent the reuptake of Serotonin. But as we know, these drugs that are supposed to be "specific", are not and exhibit many multi-system effects. My theory is that compounds that should naturally be cleared fairly quickly from our systems, cannot. So for example, I am highly sensitive to caffeine. Even decaf. My body doesn't clear it as others' bodies do. My theory is that this extends to other chemical compounds as well. 

 

So food naturally contains chemical compounds, like amine (for instance histamine), salicylates and glutamates (think MSG). I have had multiple food sensitivities that come and go and flare up after a taper. My tapers are small (tiny) and I still have these effects. So for instance I cannot eat too much aged meats, most cheeses, and some veg or fruit also give me side-effects. Sometimes my scalp itches and sometimes I blink excessively. 

 

I have learned to live with it. For me the key seems to be to know which foods can potentially be a problem and then to avoid eating them in excess. For instance, I won't eat yogurt each day, I might skip a day before I eat it again because it is high in histamines. 

 

If you are interested, you can look at the website www.fedup.com.au. It is a food elimination approach that developed from the RPAH (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital) Allergy unit in Sydney, Australia. You will be able to identify which foods are problematic for you. For instance, spring onions (scallops) are low in Salicylates but normal white or yellow onions are very high in Salicylates. 

It takes a while to know which is which but it's not too difficult. The idea with an elimination diet is to eliminate certain foods to get to a baseline from which you very little to no symptoms, and then to start adding foods as challenges in a controlled fashion, so as to establish what you can tolerate. 

 

Just a word of caution: In eliminating certain foods from your diet, it may happen that you get to a point where you are left with very little to eat. For me, it wasn't worth it anymore and so I started liberalising my diet because the constant focus on what I could and couldn't eat, was driving me crazy and adding so much stress to my life. Now I eat most everything while I am aware of keeping my diet varied and not eating too much of for example aged meats or vinegar etc. 

 

The other compound that may be problematic is oxalates but may be more applicable if you are someone who has a history of kidney stones. There is a Facebook group called "TLO - trying low oxalates" that have very accurate (tested) food lists of the oxalate content in foods, and so it may help to avoid the foods with the highest oxalate content (like almonds, cacao and sweet potatoes). 

 

I hope this helps to bring some clarity. You are welcome to pm me with more questions. It helps me to know it's the meds and not my body failing me. 

 

43yo woman. Cipralex/Lexapro (10mg active ingredient Escitalopram) treatment started March 2007 (28yo at the time). Two unsuccessful tapers (2008 and 2013). Two psychiatric hospital stays (2007 and 2014). Other psychiatric drugs were prescribed and taken from Apr 2014 until June 2016. Tapered off all of the below by June 2016 and from then on have been on Cipralex/Lexapro only.

List of drugs that I had tapered off of so far:

Lamictal (Lamotrigine), Esperide (Sulperide), Dormonoct (Loprazolam), Rivotril (Clonazepam, Klonopin), Prozac (Fluoxetine), Cipramil (Citalopram, Celexa), Stilnox (Zolpidem), Urbanol (Clobazam), Olexar (Olanzapine) and Seroquel (Quetiapine). 

Taking Cipralex (Lexapro) only since June 2016.

Currently on extended Cipralex (Lexapro) taper since Nov 2016.

Started compounded liquid suspension on 01Nov 2022 (1.3mgai/2.5ml). Had problems with flavourant in compounded liquid. June 23: Started to make own liquid from commercial saline then had eye blinking. July 23: Making own liquid using home-made isotonic saline and adding this liquid to gelatine capsules so the liquid will not irritate my esophagus.

Okt23: Current dosage 1.15mg Escitalopram. Jan 2024: 1.12mg Escitalopram. 

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Hi @Lenaf

 

Thanks so much for replying to my question - it’s always a massive boost to feel supported by the community and to tap into the expertise of lived experience. You’ve given me lots of ‘food’ for thought. (Appalling word play, apols - it’s late in London). Wishing you all the very best.

 

 Kieran

Jan 2007 - Started 20 mg Prozac 
Early 2008 - 20mg paroxetine. 
2009-11 - 20 mg citalopram

2011-2015 - Prozac 20mg again.

2015 -19 -prescribed 50mg of Sertraline. 

2019 - I switched to Prozac (taken intermittently)

Aug 2022 - Stopped medication

June 2023 - reinstated sertraline.  25mg every day.
From late Aug 2023 trying to stabilise on 12.5mg daily

From Sep 30 2023 - tapered to 11mg of sertraline

From Oct 30th 2023 - tapered to 10.1mg sertraline 

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12 hours ago, Kieran said:

Hi @Lenaf

 

Thanks so much for replying to my question - it’s always a massive boost to feel supported by the community and to tap into the expertise of lived experience. You’ve given me lots of ‘food’ for thought. (Appalling word play, apols - it’s late in London). Wishing you all the very best.

 

 Kieran

You are most welcome. I have learned that the tapering journey reveals to us things that may have stayed otherwise hidden. The trick is to listen what your body is trying to tell you. You may need to address emotional issues or learn to let go of perceived control, or to be gentle to yourself. But stay the course and remember, slowly does it. Your body is working very hard to heal and some things cannot be rushed. Most people accept that it takes bones 6 weeks to heal. Similarly our brains also need to lay down or erase pathways while we heal from these drugs. That is a physical thing as well so it takes time, just as with bones. See my signature for my tapering details. 

 

I truly wish you all the best.

Edited by Lenaf
Spelling mistake

43yo woman. Cipralex/Lexapro (10mg active ingredient Escitalopram) treatment started March 2007 (28yo at the time). Two unsuccessful tapers (2008 and 2013). Two psychiatric hospital stays (2007 and 2014). Other psychiatric drugs were prescribed and taken from Apr 2014 until June 2016. Tapered off all of the below by June 2016 and from then on have been on Cipralex/Lexapro only.

List of drugs that I had tapered off of so far:

Lamictal (Lamotrigine), Esperide (Sulperide), Dormonoct (Loprazolam), Rivotril (Clonazepam, Klonopin), Prozac (Fluoxetine), Cipramil (Citalopram, Celexa), Stilnox (Zolpidem), Urbanol (Clobazam), Olexar (Olanzapine) and Seroquel (Quetiapine). 

Taking Cipralex (Lexapro) only since June 2016.

Currently on extended Cipralex (Lexapro) taper since Nov 2016.

Started compounded liquid suspension on 01Nov 2022 (1.3mgai/2.5ml). Had problems with flavourant in compounded liquid. June 23: Started to make own liquid from commercial saline then had eye blinking. July 23: Making own liquid using home-made isotonic saline and adding this liquid to gelatine capsules so the liquid will not irritate my esophagus.

Okt23: Current dosage 1.15mg Escitalopram. Jan 2024: 1.12mg Escitalopram. 

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Thank you @Lenaf - unfortunately my first attempt at ‘tapering’ (it wasn’t really such, more like inconsistently taking medication) has had a pretty sizeable effect on my body and mind. I truly hope I can heal but know it will take considerable time to do so. I want to do the right thing and my body seems like it’s been put under enormous stress so I think I’m going to hold my dosage for a little while now. I owe it to my body to do that. 

 

In recent days the burning sensation in my legs has been a little less pronounced which is a hopeful sign but I’ve also lost quite a bit of weight and muscle tone since first stopping medication last year despite eating well and having a good appetite. This seems to be a common withdrawal feature. I think it’s worth investigating with blood tests to start with. 
 

Wishing you a good day

 

 Kieran

Jan 2007 - Started 20 mg Prozac 
Early 2008 - 20mg paroxetine. 
2009-11 - 20 mg citalopram

2011-2015 - Prozac 20mg again.

2015 -19 -prescribed 50mg of Sertraline. 

2019 - I switched to Prozac (taken intermittently)

Aug 2022 - Stopped medication

June 2023 - reinstated sertraline.  25mg every day.
From late Aug 2023 trying to stabilise on 12.5mg daily

From Sep 30 2023 - tapered to 11mg of sertraline

From Oct 30th 2023 - tapered to 10.1mg sertraline 

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I have found dietary fat to have a healing/calming effect on my brain. If not already, you can try to add some omega 3 supplements daily. Start with 1 cap a day to test for sensitivity. At some stage I couldn't tolerate any supplements so just be aware of that possibility. Also, try to add some fats into your diet, like ghee or tallow and nuts like cashews, and don't shy away from the fat on meats.

 

You WILL heal and you WILL find yourself again. 

43yo woman. Cipralex/Lexapro (10mg active ingredient Escitalopram) treatment started March 2007 (28yo at the time). Two unsuccessful tapers (2008 and 2013). Two psychiatric hospital stays (2007 and 2014). Other psychiatric drugs were prescribed and taken from Apr 2014 until June 2016. Tapered off all of the below by June 2016 and from then on have been on Cipralex/Lexapro only.

List of drugs that I had tapered off of so far:

Lamictal (Lamotrigine), Esperide (Sulperide), Dormonoct (Loprazolam), Rivotril (Clonazepam, Klonopin), Prozac (Fluoxetine), Cipramil (Citalopram, Celexa), Stilnox (Zolpidem), Urbanol (Clobazam), Olexar (Olanzapine) and Seroquel (Quetiapine). 

Taking Cipralex (Lexapro) only since June 2016.

Currently on extended Cipralex (Lexapro) taper since Nov 2016.

Started compounded liquid suspension on 01Nov 2022 (1.3mgai/2.5ml). Had problems with flavourant in compounded liquid. June 23: Started to make own liquid from commercial saline then had eye blinking. July 23: Making own liquid using home-made isotonic saline and adding this liquid to gelatine capsules so the liquid will not irritate my esophagus.

Okt23: Current dosage 1.15mg Escitalopram. Jan 2024: 1.12mg Escitalopram. 

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Thank you @Lenaf - this means a lot. ❤️ I’m eating lots of walnuts (daily), other nut butters, yoghurt, dark chocolate etc so hopefully won’t waste much more and my body can stabilise and recover. I think a bit more meat is a good idea!

Jan 2007 - Started 20 mg Prozac 
Early 2008 - 20mg paroxetine. 
2009-11 - 20 mg citalopram

2011-2015 - Prozac 20mg again.

2015 -19 -prescribed 50mg of Sertraline. 

2019 - I switched to Prozac (taken intermittently)

Aug 2022 - Stopped medication

June 2023 - reinstated sertraline.  25mg every day.
From late Aug 2023 trying to stabilise on 12.5mg daily

From Sep 30 2023 - tapered to 11mg of sertraline

From Oct 30th 2023 - tapered to 10.1mg sertraline 

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Hi guys. Does anyone have experience with food sensitivities and headaches during withdrawal? Mine started when I switched from Zoloft to Prozac back in May. I started another taper about a month ago and it's gotten pretty bad. I thought it was beef, chocolate and fatty foods triggering the headaches so I've cut those from my diet but now every time I eat I get an awful headache. Like I can't even function it hurts so bad. I've gone to see my primary care doctor and she prescribed migraine medication which helps but its still lingering all day every day. I feel like I am never going to be normal again.

January 2014-June 2019 Celexa 20mg; June 2019-August 2021 Zoloft 38.5mg; August to November 2021- 25 mg Zoloft
November 2021 started Wellbutrin 150mg, stopped February 2022;March 2022 Started Trintellix 10mg; June 2022 Stopped taking Zoloft after decreasing to 8mg ;July 2022 Discontinued Trintellix & Reinstated 12mg of Zoloft; August 2022 Increased to 18.5mg of Zoloft 

October 2022 Reinstated 5mg Trintellix, Increased to 10mg December 2022

May 2023- Stopped Zoloft and switched to Prozac 7.2mg September 2023- 7.0 December 2023- 4.8mg Prozac; Feb 2024 stopped Prozac and switched to 12.5mg Zoloft

Supplements: Vitamin D 5,000IU; Magnesium Glycinate 1,600IU

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1 hour ago, jjwarf said:

Hi guys. Does anyone have experience with food sensitivities and headaches during withdrawal? Mine started when I switched from Zoloft to Prozac back in May. I started another taper about a month ago and it's gotten pretty bad. I thought it was beef, chocolate and fatty foods triggering the headaches so I've cut those from my diet but now every time I eat I get an awful headache. Like I can't even function it hurts so bad. I've gone to see my primary care doctor and she prescribed migraine medication which helps but its still lingering all day every day. I feel like I am never going to be normal again.

Hi jjwarf

 

Tapering definitely causes my food sensitivities to increase. I chalk it up to the anti-histamine effect that some antidepressants have on the body. Antidepressants are "dirty drugs', meaning they exhibit an effect on many bodily systems, and their effect is not isolated nor "selective" as people have been led to believe. So every time you decrease the dosage of your drug, it means that the antihistamine effect of the drug is decreased. My guess is that you are experiencing histamine side-effects. I have also experienced headaches before due to high histamine foods, so that would be my best guess. Especially since you mention beef and chocolate. 

 

The key here would be to try reduce your histamine-intake as much as possible after you taper. The worst should wear off in a few weeks. You could also look at the site www.fedup.com.au as I suggested for Kieran a few posts up. You will find much information there that deals with histamine in foods. Things like vinegar and aged meats would probably trigger the headaches more, also if you have ground beef vs fresher cuts like lamb. If you search the forum for "Histamine" you should find more posts about this from Monica (if memory serves, I may be wrong). The "mother" of all sites that deals with food sensitivities and allergies (although that doesn't seem to be the case for you here, this refers to anaphylactic situations) is the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia. You will find their site if you google. This link https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/RPA/Allergy/resources/foodintol/friendlyfood.html will give you more info on their allergy unit and they also have an excellent book that details the whole elimination diet and which foods to avoid. Please read my responses to Kieran higher up. 

 

Key for you would be to avoid amines as much as possible, this includes chocolate (contains caffeine and theobromine amongst others), as well as coffee, aged meats or left-over foods that were not frozen very quickly after preparation. You will need to experiment to see which are the worst offenders for you. Over time and slowly, depending on how long you wait between tapers, you may be able to add these back in carefully and see how you feel. Depending on the fat that you use, it could also be "aged" like tallow that's been standing for some time, or butter that's been in the fridge for more than a week or so. 

 

Histamine levels in your body works like a bucket that gets filled with water. Everything works fine until that last drop that causes everything to spill over the edge. It would probably not be one food that causes the symptoms, but a combination and the accumulation of high histamine foods or histamine liberators like citrus fruits. So that explains why some days you feel better than others since your "histamine bucket" is not always full to the same level.  

 

Not sure if everything above makes sense - you are welcome to PM me if you have more questions. 

 

 

Edited by Lenaf
Add info, correct typo

43yo woman. Cipralex/Lexapro (10mg active ingredient Escitalopram) treatment started March 2007 (28yo at the time). Two unsuccessful tapers (2008 and 2013). Two psychiatric hospital stays (2007 and 2014). Other psychiatric drugs were prescribed and taken from Apr 2014 until June 2016. Tapered off all of the below by June 2016 and from then on have been on Cipralex/Lexapro only.

List of drugs that I had tapered off of so far:

Lamictal (Lamotrigine), Esperide (Sulperide), Dormonoct (Loprazolam), Rivotril (Clonazepam, Klonopin), Prozac (Fluoxetine), Cipramil (Citalopram, Celexa), Stilnox (Zolpidem), Urbanol (Clobazam), Olexar (Olanzapine) and Seroquel (Quetiapine). 

Taking Cipralex (Lexapro) only since June 2016.

Currently on extended Cipralex (Lexapro) taper since Nov 2016.

Started compounded liquid suspension on 01Nov 2022 (1.3mgai/2.5ml). Had problems with flavourant in compounded liquid. June 23: Started to make own liquid from commercial saline then had eye blinking. July 23: Making own liquid using home-made isotonic saline and adding this liquid to gelatine capsules so the liquid will not irritate my esophagus.

Okt23: Current dosage 1.15mg Escitalopram. Jan 2024: 1.12mg Escitalopram. 

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@Lenaf

 

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond. I really appreciate it! I will take a closer look at the information that you posted. So far what you said seems to make sense.

January 2014-June 2019 Celexa 20mg; June 2019-August 2021 Zoloft 38.5mg; August to November 2021- 25 mg Zoloft
November 2021 started Wellbutrin 150mg, stopped February 2022;March 2022 Started Trintellix 10mg; June 2022 Stopped taking Zoloft after decreasing to 8mg ;July 2022 Discontinued Trintellix & Reinstated 12mg of Zoloft; August 2022 Increased to 18.5mg of Zoloft 

October 2022 Reinstated 5mg Trintellix, Increased to 10mg December 2022

May 2023- Stopped Zoloft and switched to Prozac 7.2mg September 2023- 7.0 December 2023- 4.8mg Prozac; Feb 2024 stopped Prozac and switched to 12.5mg Zoloft

Supplements: Vitamin D 5,000IU; Magnesium Glycinate 1,600IU

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