Pokeshaw: tapering off Lexapro

[areyouthere]

Wow. That's three of us who had very bad effects from generic lexapro. I wonder what the story on that is.

[Pokeshaw]

Wow. That's three of us who had very bad effects from generic lexapro. I wonder what the story on that is.

Hi RU,

 

My doctor said it might have to do with binders. all i know is that it made me extremely wired and really exacerbated the numbness in arms/hands and jaw clenching. at one point my neck was so stiff i could hardly turn it. soon as i switched back to brand lex those symptoms lessened. and the lower i go - the lower they go. at this point i do not wake up with numb hands and arms. still have some neck stiffness but minimal compared to what it was.

 

[LexAnger]

Although the two have same active ingredient, the inactive ingridients are different and so is the mechanism. It is eventually acknowledged by official they are different drugs even though no action yet to remove this fake drug from the market. My main side effect is killing jaw pain which led to panic attack first ever in my life time. I was put on it for 18 months without knowing. Insurance made the switch even the prescription was for name brand. I have been back on lex for 4 months the jaw pain just started lessening in a minimal manner.

 

Lex has its own problems though including numbness on face, head but gives you a break as day goes ( I take the med before noon and the side effect goes away later afternoon/ early evenin) while the jaw pain from generic is 24/7. Mouth gard helps a little as it is believed its the exsessice stress hormal causing teeth glench which can also cause neck and shoulder pain on top of jaw inflammation.

 

I am also on liquid but never thought about what the format change can do. Will see if I can relate something on this.

[Pokeshaw]

HI all - just an update.  feeling a little better. W/D symptoms that got aggravated with flu have dialed back some. more functional now.  physically feeling stronger.

 

emotionally feeling a bit isolated. nice weather here but i feel rather agoraphobic and the dread is still coloring my world.  really dont want to go back to work tomorrow but i will,

as they say 

'suit up and show up'!

 

PK

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LexAnger]

Hi PK,

 

Glad to hear you are feeling a little better!

 

Me too feeling better over the weekend.

 

hanging on there as its the only option. Think how amazing you got to this point, almost two year almost off the lex!

 

People say there are 2 phases on WD, the 2nd phase is when you get windows, so you are close to be out of tunnel.

[Pokeshaw]

Hi Lex,  Yes, thank god for weekends! Glad you are feeling a little better too.

 

PK

[Pokeshaw]

Help ~ I need some advise from one of the moderators ~

 

I am seriously thinking of dosing up a bit since i have been almost 2.5 months at 0.5 mg Lex but still mostly in W/D symptoms. i know that the flu (noro virus with respiratory and gastro symptoms)  really set me back (has been 2 weeks since that hit me) but gastro motility issue is really wrecking me. before i got sick with the flu i did have a few windows but they dont seem to be coming back and i am not in a good place.

 

at previous dose of  0.55 i was dealing with constipation (side effect of the lexapro) but anxiety/panic/ depression/ hopelessness and physical symptoms after bm were not what they are now and i was more functional. i believe the 10% drop to 0.5 mg was probably too much as both Alto and Rhi suggested. bowels started moving after 2-3 weeks which was good but then over time they began moving too fast and alot of symptoms afterward as it was when i initially went off the lex too fast.  it is becoming somewhat debilitating.

 

i use compounded version of lexapro and i have 2 months supply of 0.525 which i could try. that is a 5% increase. is that too much? should do 0.512?

i know that if i up the dose i will need to stay there for a couple of months and am willing to do that.

 

thank you!

 

PK

 

[Rhiannon]

I'm sorry to hear you're still suffering so much, Poke. Withdrawal is the pits.

 

Nobody can really say what will happen if you updose slightly. The only way to know is to give it a try. Either 0.525 or 0.512 sounds reasonable to me. It's really up to you, since you're the one who will experience whatever effects happen. I don't think it's an unreasonable thing to try.

 

I'd be inclined to go with the 0.512 first I think, given your sensitivity. You could then titrate up to the 0.525 if you feel like it's helping. Just make your changes small and slow.

 

I know that for me after having a bout with norovirus it can be many weeks before my GI tract is back to normal, and I don't have the severe problems you do. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope you get some relief soon!

[Pokeshaw]

I'm sorry to hear you're still suffering so much, Poke. Withdrawal is the pits.

 

Nobody can really say what will happen if you updose slightly. The only way to know is to give it a try. Either 0.525 or 0.512 sounds reasonable to me. It's really up to you, since you're the one who will experience whatever effects happen. I don't think it's an unreasonable thing to try.

 

I'd be inclined to go with the 0.512 first I think, given your sensitivity. You could then titrate up to the 0.525 if you feel like it's helping. Just make your changes small and slow.

 

I know that for me after having a bout with norovirus it can be many weeks before my GI tract is back to normal, and I don't have the severe problems you do. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope you get some relief soon!

 

Thanks for getting back to me, Rhi. i appreciate it. i know i must sound like a broken record!  this totally sucks!  i think you are right that a smaller updose would be best way to go since i am so sensitive.  i think i will ask my dr. to call  in 0.512 so that i have it. it will take a few days to get to me and that will give me a bit more time to see how i am doing. if i am doing better and dont need it, so be it.  at this point i dont care about the expense.

 

true about the virus - and i know that is playing a big part in the symptoms i am having. my enteric nervous system is so sensitive since going down from 0.55 to 0.5 and gastro bug certainly didnt help.

 

i ate about a tablespoon of sheep yogurt 2 days ago and i think that aggravated things as well.   i thought maybe a small amount would be good for recovery from the virus but not a good idea.  i need to leave well enough alone. gastro tests in the past showed i had normal bacteria and no issues to treat. again, all nervous system related. so it goes.

 

i hope you had a nice birthday weekend!

Thanks for your support. much appreciated.

PK

 

[bubble]

hi there!

 

wasn't really able to be around much but now remembered an idea I had when reading this post. True, the urge to updose seems to be a constant theme with you but honestly it doesn't come across as irritating as a broken record Probably due to the fact that you articulate it yourself

 

I don't know how things have been going on with you over the past 4 days, but I was so tempted to write: if updosing is haunting you so badly, why not just do it. It will be a part of your learning experience and it's a small increase so it shouldn't cause too much trouble. And if you have such a strong urge to test this theory, why not go for it just so that you can ease your mind if nothing else. and it might help  

 

hope you survived this week ok.  

[LexAnger]

Hi PK,

 

regarding the updosing, several books/publications I read suggest going back to the previous does if unbearable WD, and start from there again only when symptoms go away.

 

http://apt.rcpsych.org/content/13/6/447.full#ref-40

 

the Antidepressant Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and "Addiction"Paperback

by Joseph Glenmullen M.D.(Author)

 

and the author has a clinic near NY http://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-joseph-glenmullen-2q989

 

Some people say symptoms from stopping/reducing will NOT be eliminated by re-instating the SSRI, but hope it is not true.

[LexAnger]

here is the one talking about effect of re-instating

 

http://www.madinamerica.com/2013/08/ssri-discontinuation-is-even-more-problematic-than-acknowledged/

 

 

We all struggle daily every minutes with the hope to find a direction (up or down as no way to know we had too much or too less, and similar symptoms were reported for both going down and up). there is no research, test, and deneying recgnition from doctors (well, they are not really professionals or experts in this area as they've never been informed/trained, sadly they are not aware or dont want to acknoledge which add more difficulties to get help/understanding). what I learned from trial and error in the past years is, with ALL unknown, we need to be extremely careful before taking any actions to avoid further damage.  

 

The most recent big question I am asking myself lately is 'will continuing tapering put myself into greater danger/suffer giving the past experience? will it be better off just staying with it? I read stories of successful taping, but it seems I am not one of those 'lucky' ones. 

 

I would welcome thoughts on this.   

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

Lex, have you started a topic for yourself in Introductions and Updates? I can't find it. You'll get a lot more answers for your specific questions if you do.

[LexAnger]

No. I don't know how.

[Pokeshaw]

hi there!

 

wasn't really able to be around much but now remembered an idea I had when reading this post. True, the urge to updose seems to be a constant theme with you but honestly it doesn't come across as irritating as a broken record Probably due to the fact that you articulate it yourself

 

I don't know how things have been going on with you over the past 4 days, but I was so tempted to write: if updosing is haunting you so badly, why not just do it. It will be a part of your learning experience and it's a small increase so it shouldn't cause too much trouble. And if you have such a strong urge to test this theory, why not go for it just so that you can ease your mind if nothing else. and it might help

 

hope you survived this week ok.  

Hi Bubble - haha...i like your take on things. and so true about the urge to updose. well, you'll be interested to hear that i did not. it did calm me some to have the doc call in the slight updose. I told the compounding pharmacy to hold on it. so i waited another couple of days and my symptoms subsided enough to calm me down. it has taken time to recover from the flu virus but i am beginning to feel better and had a couple of nice windows this week. so...holding steady.

got thru the crazy work week. scheduled tomorrow as a day off. doing ok.  will continue to take it one day at a time. so grateful to be out of the rough state i was in. it was 3 weeks of torture! happy to be able to sit still long enough to unwind and meditate and even listened to some music without it repeating in my head for hours afterwards! that is a big one considering that i am/was a musician with 3 albums behind me. all that went over the cliff with my brain when i went off the meds too fast and got so sick. these little victories are precious. i get on my knees with gratitude when they happen! most grateful for this site and the lovely folks who provide wisdom and experience to hold on to. you are in my back pocket!

trala

PK

 

[Pokeshaw]

No. I don't know how.

 

Hi Lex,

yes creating your own topic is the thing to do. if you go here you will see how to do it.  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/25-please-start-a-topic-about-yourself-in-this-forum/

it is the first link under the Forums section.

PK

 

[LexAnger]

Thanks a lot PK! Got it.

I will put up an intro soon.

 

One more thing I forgot to share, it is believed slow does, both decreasing and increasing.

 

Take care

[Rhiannon]

Hi Poke, good to hear you're coming out of the woods a bit at last! Hang in there, there may be some more bumps, but this sounds good to me and quite promising. No more cuts until you've been feeling steady for at least a couple of weeks though, please, and best to pick a time when your life stressors are minimal too. And of course now you know, smaller cuts.

I'm so glad you have a cooperative doctor and pharmacist to work with. And so glad to hear you're having some good moments now.

[bubble]

hello Poke!

 

yes, it was great to read your reply that's exactly the kind of breakthrough we were hoping for you. The first time when you experience that you feel better WITHOUT changing medication feels like a miracle. It is stability and time that heal and not a particular dose. This experience turned me into a believer in holding

 

It doesn't mean things won't get bad again. And we might hear the idea about going up to that magical dose again But I'm really impressed you managed to get through this very challenging and long period. (As somebody who is yet to deal with Lex, I'm alarmed to see that even such small doses can cause so much trouble)

 

It's great to hear you can enjoy things you enjoyed before. 3 albums? nice!!!! what type of music?

 

Now just treat yourself to a nice long hold as Rhi is saying.

[Pokeshaw]

hello Poke!

 

yes, it was great to read your reply that's exactly the kind of breakthrough we were hoping for you. The first time when you experience that you feel better WITHOUT changing medication feels like a miracle. It is stability and time that heal and not a particular dose. This experience turned me into a believer in holding

 

It doesn't mean things won't get bad again. And we might hear the idea about going up to that magical dose again But I'm really impressed you managed to get through this very challenging and long period. (As somebody who is yet to deal with Lex, I'm alarmed to see that even such small doses can cause so much trouble)

 

It's great to hear you can enjoy things you enjoyed before. 3 albums? nice!!!! what type of music?

 

Now just treat yourself to a nice long hold as Rhi is saying.

Hi Bubble - yes, def a kind of breakthrough. i am slowly realizing that i have only been on consistent doses for a short time after many months of inaccurate doses. also, i had been off the meds for almost 10 months when i reinstated so there is that factor which certainly affected my CNS and causes me to be extremely sensitive to the lexapro. i feel i walk a fine line between side effects and w/d symptoms.  i will stay at current dose of 0.5 mg for a while longer and next cut will only be at most 3%.  the flu really upset things, but glad that has passed.

music i did was basically pop. ambient/electronic. we had a good thing going for a time. had music on tv shows etc. then one of the members decided to move away and since we were only 3, the band dissolved. also coincided with alot of other things for my partner and me like job loss, parents deaths, moving, financial troubles etc. all that followed shortly by my too fast w/d and being sick for 2 yrs during which time i could barely listen to music nevermind open my mouth and sing. so i just put it on a shelf and asked the powers that be to show me what to do with it. time will tell. hard to bury creativity though. i am open to whatever will be.

hope all is well with you ~

best,

PK

 

[Pokeshaw]

Hi Poke, good to hear you're coming out of the woods a bit at last! Hang in there, there may be some more bumps, but this sounds good to me and quite promising. No more cuts until you've been feeling steady for at least a couple of weeks though, please, and best to pick a time when your life stressors are minimal too. And of course now you know, smaller cuts.

I'm so glad you have a cooperative doctor and pharmacist to work with. And so glad to hear you're having some good moments now.

 

Thanks, Rhi - yes def feel like i have come out of the woods a bit. so grateful for that. and, gave myself the day off today which feels really good after a crazy few weeks at the job.

will def stay at 0.5 a bit longer. i have a couple weeks worth and after that will probably get another month's script. next cut will be no more than 3%. i promise!

i hope all is well with you ~

Poke

 

[bubble]

There are a lot of us here who have experienced our creativity being stolen from us by all this. (not as creative as having three albums, though But as everything, it gets back. It's just that it takes time. A lot of time. and patience.

 

But understanding what is actually happening to us is an incredible asset. I've also spent years being taken off meds and then feeling horrible without understanding what was going on. That's why this forum gives so much hope. I was in an awful state when I got here after "tapering" 2 meds in what was actually more of a CT than tapering (but didn't know better). So waited for 4 months before touching them again... 

 

I visited NY last summer so you remind me of those 2 hot weeks in July Ups and downs on this side but nothing too dramatic. 

[Rhiannon]

Hi Poke, just checking in to see how you're doing. Sounds good! I think continuing to hold now is a good idea, get to feeling pretty stable and consistent before you cut again. 

 

And when the time comes, if a 3% cut is too harsh, you might take a look at a microtaper. You'd probably have to find a way to make your own solution of the med or something though, because we're talking 1% cuts with that (smaller cuts but more often with intermittent longer holds).

 

Let's see how the 3% does first though if that sounds good to you.  And only after you've held for a while. I'm just thinking, down the road.

[Pokeshaw]

Hi Poke, just checking in to see how you're doing. Sounds good! I think continuing to hold now is a good idea, get to feeling pretty stable and consistent before you cut again. 

 

And when the time comes, if a 3% cut is too harsh, you might take a look at a microtaper. You'd probably have to find a way to make your own solution of the med or something though, because we're talking 1% cuts with that (smaller cuts but more often with intermittent longer holds).

 

Let's see how the 3% does first though if that sounds good to you.  And only after you've held for a while. I'm just thinking, down the road.

 

Hi Rhi - thanks for reaching out. i havent been on the site for a couple days. doing ok. up and down but slowly seems that the downs are not as intense or maybe they are just a but shorter.  still recovering from effects of that flu. gastro is better. head still clearing out. and i have had a couple of pretty good windows in between. i LOVE those windows. i am so grateful when they happen, the joy is palpable!

 

although i asked doc to call in updoses over the last few weeks i never filled them. i think it was a bit reassuring to know it was available if needed.  so i am holding at 0.5 mg. it has been almost 3 months. something about getting past that 3 month marker at a consistent dose seems important to me since it was around 3 months into my c/t that i started to get really sick, especially physically. 

 

just texted with the doc yesterday and she called in a 4 month refill for 0.5 mg. i laughed....and told her i got her' message' that maybe i should stay with .5 for a while longer!  i will not make any change until i even out more.

 

it is strange how the CNS heals and how very sensitive i am to the lexapro.  recently i have had a bout of side effect symptoms, like return of vertigo, the Lex 'grip' jaw/neck clenching and numbness in arms and hands as well as increased hot flashes (i am 55 and have had continuing hot flashes except the months i was off the lex they were not an issue). that fine line i feel i walk between side effects and w/d symptoms.

 

i hear what you are saying about micro taper. not sure how i would make my own solution since i use the compounding pharmacy which makes dose in capsules. maybe that could be diluted in water?  At any rate, i will stay at 0.5 mg longer and see if i even out more. the big indicator for me is the enteric motility issue. have had normal bm's the last couple of days and after-symptoms last 1/2 day. i think it will take a while for enteric nerves to heal/adjust.  when the time comes i can always try a very small cut like 2% and see how that goes.

 

I so appreciate your feedback and support along the way!  also, i read your story and updates and was very moved. i am happy to hear your experience and progress with tapering. this is an amazing journey. somehow i feel we are collectively healing as well.

 

off to work ~  the stress challenge!  i keep repeating my newest mantra --  Life Force...Serenity...Prosperity

 

best,

 

Poke

 

[Pokeshaw]

Hi all - i have a question about what is happening now ~

 

So, i have pretty much recovered from the nasty flu and am now starting month 4 at 0.5mg.

 

as you know the cut from 0.6 to 0.5 was too much and i had alot of w/d symptoms during which i kept thinking i needed to updose since 10% was likely too much of a cut for me. stuck it out and have had some decent windows. flu was a major set back but have been about a week now feeling recovered from that with only some residual sinus congestion.

 

But now, it seems i am moving back into side effect symptoms.

 

wired feeling

superwoman bursts of energy

anxiety/overactive mind

neck/jaw tension and pain

vertigo/balance off

waking at 4:30 am

increased hot flashes

slower gut motility (not constipated but normal bm every other day)

 

 

These symptoms were worse when i was at 0.6 mg. especially the neck/jaw pain and constipation.

 

Just wondering if this is to be expected. should i stay at 0.5 mg? will it even out or is it a sign that i need to do a micro taper?

 

since i was off the lexapro almost 10 months before reinstating when i did the too fast taper 3 yrs ago, i feel that i really walk a fine line between and or combination of w/d symptoms and super sensitivity/ side effects.

 

I know you have probably seen this before but i havent read alot of posts where people reinstated after many months, so just wondering?

 

i dont really want to make any changes unless it is advised.

 

Thanks!

 

Pokeshaw in Bklyn

 

 

[areyouthere]

Pokeshaw,

 

I can only tell you what it looks like to me. 

 

* you are sensitive to lexapro reductions

* it is good news that your symptoms are similar to what they were at .6 mg but less intense. It means that you are healing with the reductions. 

 

 

I can say the above two statements for myself ( different doses obviously) and also I am still in a long hold ..it will be 4 months May 2nd for me. 

 

Because I had pretty significant trouble with larger drops when before it had gone more smoothly….I'm just going to be cautious and have gone to the trouble of ordering a liquid to drop by much smaller increments.

 

I COULD try another larger ( 10 %) drop but I ask myself … why? Why take a chance on upsetting my CNS when I don't have to? 

 

I think ..MAYBE… you are at this place too. Where you have to weigh the consequences.

 

Hope this at least gives you something from someone else tapering the same drug with problems…. Good luck in whatever decision you make!!

 

RU

 

 

Hi all - i have a question about what is happening now ~

 

So, i have pretty much recovered from the nasty flu and am now starting month 4 at 0.5mg.

 

as you know the cut from 0.6 to 0.5 was too much and i had alot of w/d symptoms during which i kept thinking i needed to updose since 10% was likely too much of a cut for me. stuck it out and have had some decent windows. flu was a major set back but have been about a week now feeling recovered from that with only some residual sinus congestion.

 

But now, it seems i am moving back into side effect symptoms.

 

wired feeling

superwoman bursts of energy

anxiety/overactive mind

neck/jaw tension and pain

vertigo/balance off

waking at 4:30 am

increased hot flashes

slower gut motility (not constipated but normal bm every other day)

 

 

These symptoms were worse when i was at 0.6 mg. especially the neck/jaw pain and constipation.

 

Just wondering if this is to be expected. should i stay at 0.5 mg? will it even out or is it a sign that i need to do a micro taper?

 

since i was off the lexapro almost 10 months before reinstating when i did the too fast taper 3 yrs ago, i feel that i really walk a fine line between and or combination of w/d symptoms and super sensitivity/ side effects.

 

I know you have probably seen this before but i havent read alot of posts where people reinstated after many months, so just wondering?

 

i dont really want to make any changes unless it is advised.

 

Thanks!

 

Pokeshaw in Bklyn

[Rhiannon]

It might be time to consider making a very small drop, if you're feeling pretty good. I'd like to see how you would do with very small cuts but I think you'd need to learn how to make your own liquid. I guess you could see if the doctor would prescribe a 2% cut, but I doubt it.

 

Also I want to make sure that you understand that when we talk about reductions in percentages we are talking about percentages of your CURRENT dose. So it would be 2% of 0.5 mg. I know that's a very miniscule amount but I'd like to see you try it if you can arrange it. I just have a feeling that really tiny cuts more frequently might be an approach that would work better for you than larger cuts and longer holds. At least I'd like to see what would happen if you tried it.

 

It does sound like the drug effects are catching up and outweighing the withdrawal effects now. It's always a balance between those two, you have to decide where to walk that line. It wouldn't harm you to hold longer if you want to, I think, it's up to you. 

[Pokeshaw]

Thanks RU and Rhi -

 

Yes, it does seem that the drug effects are catching up and beginning to outweigh the withdrawal effects.

 

My doctor will prescribe whatever reduction i ask. she understands what i am dealing with and has encouraged the very slow taper. The pharmacy will make whatever she asks.

 

i currently get it compounded and it has the ingredients below. the cellulose or methocel (not sure which one) make it time released. i opened a cap and tried to dissolve in water to see what happens but it clumps and wont dissolve at all since they are thickeners. so i would go with the script when i try a small reduction. not sure switching to liquid lexapro would be a great idea for me?

 

Lexapro

Microcrystalline cellulose

methocel E4m (med viscosity)

Food color

 

 I was hoping that i might get to a place where i felt pretty good for a stretch before next cut. i just wasnt sure if that would be possible since i am moving toward the side effects.

 

I have no problem with waiting to see how it goes. Today was better than yesterday but that is mainly because bowels didnt move much and so didnt have the after symptoms.

 

when ready i will try a 2 or 3% reduction - so i would go from 0.5 to 0.485 or 0.490

 

i just wanted to get your take on it since you all have more experience with this.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

[bubble]

Hi Poke,

 

I'm learning from what others are posting for you in this situation so can't offer any advice.

 

I just wanted to say your reasoning sounds very solid and you are doing well all things considered.

 

I hope this new wave/side effect thing passes soon. 

[Pokeshaw]

Hi Poke,

 

I'm learning from what others are posting for you in this situation so can't offer any advice.

 

I just wanted to say your reasoning sounds very solid and you are doing well all things considered.

 

I hope this new wave/side effect thing passes soon. 

Hi Bubble - nice to see you!  Actually, happy to report that today was pretty good.  even with major stuff going on at the job, i felt good.

yes, i am getting valuable advice here as usual.

i will stay where i am with dosage for now and see if i get a stretch of feeling good. if the 'norm' becomes mostly side effects then i will make a small reduction - as Rhi suggests.

i hope you are doing ok?

best,

Poke

 

[bubble]

I can't stop finding this fascinating!!!

 

Even with major stuff going on at work AND without changing anything about the meds, your situation changed and changed for the better! wow

 

thanks for asking: very happy to report the situation is very much similar here: the wave held me for good 2 weeks and then without changing anything, got tired of molesting me so was left in (relative) peace can't complain  

[Pokeshaw]

I can't stop finding this fascinating!!!

 

Even with major stuff going on at work AND without changing anything about the meds, your situation changed and changed for the better! wow

 

thanks for asking: very happy to report the situation is very much similar here: the wave held me for good 2 weeks and then without changing anything, got tired of molesting me so was left in (relative) peace can't complain

Hi Bubble - good to hear that you have some peace!  that is so precious. 

 

yes, it is fascinating how this healing process goes ~~ been a pretty good weekend. got alot done. clearing out stuff. hardly thought about work, got some sleep.

 

best,

 

PK

 

[Rhiannon]

Hi Poke, been thinking about you. How's it going? Are you still holding on the 0.5?

 

Also, I love your doctor. I think we have a list somewhere of reasonable doctors, maybe we could add her name to the list. 

[Pokeshaw]

Hi Rhi -

just signed on to say that i have made a small cut and saw your note. 

was at 0.5 mg for 3 months, one week.  the side effect symptoms were increasing (constipation, awake 4 am, neck pain, irritability, eye twitch)  so i just made a cut of 3% to 0.485 on Thursday.  After being constipated, had a normal bm today but now some dizziness/nausea and the anxiety and panic that go along with that. not too bad though.. i understand that a bump is to be expected. of course will give it some time to see how it goes.

i read so many accounts here of people not being able to reinstate after a few months. i reinstated after almost 8 months. have you seen any cases of reinstatement after more than 2 or 3 months? just curious.

it is still remarkable to me how after staying at 0.5 for a good stretch the side effects start again. some days i feel so angry about what 'stopping' this medication did to me. @##$

 

Yes, my doctor is great. her name is Shelly Menolascino and she is in Manhattan. once my GP suggested that all the problems i was having had to do with the medication, she was on board. the GP is Leo Galland who is a well respected dr of integrated medicine who specializes in complex cases and gastro issues. Unfortunately, both are expensive and the only reason i was able to see them is because i have a very good insurance plan thru my job. it has a low deductible after which out of network docs are covered at 80%. when i was at my worst - discontinuation syndrome from hell, Gall bladder surgery then parathyroid surgery, then suicidal- i had been to many specialists in my network then decided to go to Galland regardless of cost. Shelly is very open to alternative modalities and is keen to see me recover but at the same time encourages me to take this very slow. she saw me at my worst. but i only started seeing her about 7 months into discontinuation. she did encourage me to reinstate. it took a month before i agreed. 

all that to say that anyone going to her with suggestions from this site will not encounter any resistance.

 

today we are having a stoop sale. it is a lovely day. went to a 7:30 am 12 step meeting up the block.  i took Friday off for a mental health break from stressful job.

grateful for the little things! and always grateful for this site.  wish we could have a 'Surviving' picnic!

 

Hope all is well with you!

 

Poke

[Pokeshaw]

6 days at 3% cut - been a wavy ride. especially having a lot of trouble sleeping. this is rough. hoping things even out in a few days.

 

Poke

[areyouthere]

Wishing you all of the best from one 3% taperer to another. I had a couple of tough days since the cut as well… They say Lexapro is a strong SSRI and I believe it. I intend to ride it out and hope for smoothness in a week or two also.

 

RU