Kadie Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Hi everyone! I'm not new to antidepressants (signature) and after some soul searching I decided to get myself off of Lexapro. For the most part, I think my withdrawal has been tame compared to other stories that I have read. Thankfully, I didn't get the brain zaps (I have experienced them before) but I am constantly clenching my jaw and the other symptoms seemed to be on a schedule. Between 10 and 11am, I would be overcome with anxiety. It would be over by noon. Between 2 and 3pm, I would get "flu like symptoms". Both of these things happened, like clockwork, for a few weeks. Finally, I stopped the flu like symptoms and shortly after that, the anxiety hour was gone. I am still clenching my jaw. I thought the worst was over, but I may have been wrong... This week has been especially rough because it is causing me to question my decision about stopping the SSRI. Earlier this week I sunk into a mini depression. I was telling myself that it is the last of the Lexapro trying to keep a hold of me...going out kicking and screaming. However, the last few days I have been getting unprovoked feelings of anger and rage. For the most part, I have been keeping it under control. Nothing physical. I've been bitchy and mean to my wife, but we have an open line of communication and she has been great through this process. I'm staying away from many social situations because I don't want to do/say something that I will regret when I *think* it's the withdrawal and not me. The reason why I sought out this forum is because I am scared. I'm afraid that maybe this isn't withdrawal and I'm really a moody ******* that should be on SSRI's. I'm hoping to find people who have been or are going through a similar situation and can help me though this (or together we can help each other!) because I really don't like the person I have been this past week and I really hope this isn't the "real me". I've been on SSRI's for so long, I don't even know who the "real me" was... Thanks for reading. Hope to talk to some of you soon. Was suggested to start an antidepressant because of my "mood swings" in 2004. Started Lexapro 10mg 11/2004. By 01/2011, I was taking 20mg Lexapro, 75mg Effexor, and 5mg Abilify. Went cold turkey on 09/2011 because I changed jobs and lost health insurance. Believed the hype and thought I still needed something. Tried Prozac for 1 week in 01/2012...horrible hives and anxiety. Switched to Zoloft after that...even worse anxiety and hives. Back on 20mg Lexapro by 02/2012. Recently lost faith in many doctors and pharma. Because my life situation has been much, much better I decide to consult with my new (non-pill pushing) doctor about tapering off Lexapro. Started tapering off Lexapro end of November 2013. Took my last dose of 5mg Lexapro on January 17, 2014. Have been taking L-Trytophan nightly. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 9, 2014 Administrator Share Posted February 9, 2014 Welcome, Kadie. Those sound like withdrawal symptoms to me. You may have tapered too fast off Lexapro. Many people need to decrease over 6 months or more. What you might to stop withdrawal symptoms is reinstate a small amount of Lexapro, 5mg for example, stabilize, and taper more slowly from there. Do you have any Lexapro left? For titrating Lexapro, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/406-tips-for-tapering-off-lexapro-escitalopram/ About reinstatement http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/ About withdrawal syndrome http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/603-what-is-antidepressant-withdrawal-syndrome/ This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Kadie Posted February 9, 2014 Author Share Posted February 9, 2014 Thanks for the reply. It is very reassuring to have affirmation that these are withdrawal symptoms. I did read the links that you provided. After not having any Lexapro for 3 weeks, the last thing that I really want to do is take it again. I just don't want to put it back into my body. I knew that there would be withdrawal and I am trying various things to lessen the symptoms, and I do think that my symptoms are mild compared to what I have read from other people and from the time I had to go cold turkey. It's not paralyzing me (like Prozac and Zoloft did)...I'm able to function...I'm just kinda sad and a bit ***** now. I do have some Lexapro left and I have Klonopin (prescribed for the withdrawal) which I only took a few and really don't want to take. I'll have a discussion with my wife about reinstating...I just really, really, really, don't want to take any ever again. Was suggested to start an antidepressant because of my "mood swings" in 2004. Started Lexapro 10mg 11/2004. By 01/2011, I was taking 20mg Lexapro, 75mg Effexor, and 5mg Abilify. Went cold turkey on 09/2011 because I changed jobs and lost health insurance. Believed the hype and thought I still needed something. Tried Prozac for 1 week in 01/2012...horrible hives and anxiety. Switched to Zoloft after that...even worse anxiety and hives. Back on 20mg Lexapro by 02/2012. Recently lost faith in many doctors and pharma. Because my life situation has been much, much better I decide to consult with my new (non-pill pushing) doctor about tapering off Lexapro. Started tapering off Lexapro end of November 2013. Took my last dose of 5mg Lexapro on January 17, 2014. Have been taking L-Trytophan nightly. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 9, 2014 Administrator Share Posted February 9, 2014 Reinstatement is best done sooner rather than later. How about 1mg Lexapro? This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Kadie Posted February 9, 2014 Author Share Posted February 9, 2014 My wife and I talked. It seems that I'm not on the edge of the reinstatement window. I'm going to stay off this week for now...I am not completely opposed to reinstatement, but the withdrawal symptoms seem to happen, run its course for a week, and then are gone. I'm going to bring the Klonopin with me to work in case I start to feel overwhelmed. I fear going back on it if I only have a few more days to this to go through. Was suggested to start an antidepressant because of my "mood swings" in 2004. Started Lexapro 10mg 11/2004. By 01/2011, I was taking 20mg Lexapro, 75mg Effexor, and 5mg Abilify. Went cold turkey on 09/2011 because I changed jobs and lost health insurance. Believed the hype and thought I still needed something. Tried Prozac for 1 week in 01/2012...horrible hives and anxiety. Switched to Zoloft after that...even worse anxiety and hives. Back on 20mg Lexapro by 02/2012. Recently lost faith in many doctors and pharma. Because my life situation has been much, much better I decide to consult with my new (non-pill pushing) doctor about tapering off Lexapro. Started tapering off Lexapro end of November 2013. Took my last dose of 5mg Lexapro on January 17, 2014. Have been taking L-Trytophan nightly. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted February 9, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 9, 2014 Oh Kadie, I was just about to turn off my laptop and go to sleep when I read your story. I've been there. I went off of 5 mg Lexapro. than was on 2.5 for 2 weeks and then stopped. I felt bearable for 30 days but instead of subsiding, the symptoms were progressively getting worse and more extreme. 40 days later I had the worst panic attack of my life and experienced derealisation for the first time also. Now I wish I had found this site much sooner. But I felt like you, that I can tough it out, that I just had to endure and it will get better. But no. It's like your very foundation has been hit hard and it's actually collapsing from underneath you. I reinstated 5 mg 4 months ago and still fighting for my stability. Alto's advice is priceless but the decision is yours. I just wanted to share my experience. We will get where we want to be (drug free) only if we go slow, that's what I've learnt here. best of luck, bubble Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2 2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013) Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg. 2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days afterreinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours 28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr 2015 1 mg, 25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64 Xanax 9 month hold 24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26 Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. Link to comment
Pokeshaw Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Hi Kadie, Welcome. you have definitely come to the right place. and i would second Alto's suggestions. if i knew then what i know now, i would have tapered VERY, VERY slowly and avoided a horrible experience that was beyond anything i had ever experienced. i tapered off 10 mg Lexapro over a 3-4 wk period and was able to handle the withdrawal until about 2 months later when i got very, very sick. i persisted and stayed off the lexapro for several months because i could not fathom that going back on it would do me any good. i wanted it out of my system. As the weeks and months wore on the withdrawal symptoms got worse and i ended up on disability for 3 months. i finally reinstated so that i could go back to work which was not easy. I have been tapering ever since. the problem for me and for many people is that staying off the medication after tapering too fast did a number on my nervous system. I had no clue about how SSRI's affect us. luckily i was able to reinstate at 5mg but it has been a bumpy ride. i am now doing much better. this site is without a doubt the best location for info on tapering off SSRI's. trust me, i did a lot of searching, researching and had a million tests trying to figure out what 'hit' me. luckily i have a psychiatrist who is open to the fact that i need to micro taper, so i feel very fortunate. I am able to get exact dosages from a compounding pharmacist so that i can continue to reduce at 10% per month. i have gotten the support i need here and am extremely grateful. I hope you are able use this site as a guide. you will be glad you did! Pokeshaw in Bklyn 7 yrs Lexapro 10 mg. Mar/2011 - 1 month taper. Severe W/D. Multiple symptoms.Gallbladder and parathyroid surgery in Aug and Oct. Disability 3 months. Dec/2011 reinstated 5mg Lex and went back to work. very bad shape. By Aug/2012 - self tapered to 1.25 mg cutting pills. -very bad shape. Nov/2012 Dr. Hinz neuro-replete. up and down. Aug/2013 at aprox 1.0 mg Lex stopped neuro-replete ~Oct 2013 Found this site ~ began using compounded Lexapro and have been micro tapering since then and holding as needed. 11/6/2013 - 0.6 mg 2/1/2018 - .135 mg Now reducing 5-10% per month 4/1/18 - .1 mg 4/17/18 - changed delivery from compounded individual caps to aliquot. went from .1 mg to .09 aliquot 7/4/2018 - .09 mg Holding due to wave of W/D symptoms 7/22/18 updosed to .1 mg aliquot 9/30/18 - reduced to .0975 aliquot 2/1/19 - updosed to .1 mg aliquot due to instability bad wave W/D 9/12/19 - back to .1 mg individual caps since could not get stable using aliquot Link to comment
Administrator Karma Posted February 10, 2014 Administrator Share Posted February 10, 2014 Hi Kadie, I understand all about wanting to get off of the med and stay off, but what good does that do you if your system is unstable for years after coming off of the drug? We see it more times than not. Those who have tapered too fast and exhibit any withdrawals symptoms within the first 30 days do not improve unless they re-instate. If you re-instate, wait until you are stable and then execute a slow, safe taper you'll have far more control over you anxiety, anger, rage, depression, irrational thoughts, etc. Just because you do a slow taper off the last of Lexapro doesn't mean you need these meds - it just means you are being kind to yourself and allowing yourself a gentle landing. I know you would just rather be off the meds ... but these drugs don't allow that for most people. Karma 2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax 200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg; 1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted February 10, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 10, 2014 Hi Kadie, I also agree with Alto and the others. I too stopped too soon and thought I could ride it out. I discovered the hard way too that withdrawal can be horrendous. I was at just 5 beads from a capsule when I quit, withdrawal was a nightmare but I reinstated and went to 4 beads and started a slow taper from there. Because I tried to tough it out it took 7 months before I was stable enough to drop again. It is not because of depression that you need it, it's because the nervous system has been 'propped up' by them and they need to be removed very slowly so the brain and CNS can rebuild connections. They are struggling without their support right now, like pulling a trellis away from a plant, and trying to stabilise. It's physical dependence, not mental or emotional. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Kadie Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 You all have me thinking and talking with my friends who have or are going through the same. I did call and get an appointment today with my doc's NP. I don't trust most doc's, but this one I found last year is not a pill pusher, so I have more confidence going to her than others in my past. Thank you for all your responses. Was suggested to start an antidepressant because of my "mood swings" in 2004. Started Lexapro 10mg 11/2004. By 01/2011, I was taking 20mg Lexapro, 75mg Effexor, and 5mg Abilify. Went cold turkey on 09/2011 because I changed jobs and lost health insurance. Believed the hype and thought I still needed something. Tried Prozac for 1 week in 01/2012...horrible hives and anxiety. Switched to Zoloft after that...even worse anxiety and hives. Back on 20mg Lexapro by 02/2012. Recently lost faith in many doctors and pharma. Because my life situation has been much, much better I decide to consult with my new (non-pill pushing) doctor about tapering off Lexapro. Started tapering off Lexapro end of November 2013. Took my last dose of 5mg Lexapro on January 17, 2014. Have been taking L-Trytophan nightly. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted February 10, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 10, 2014 We are here to help, all of us are in it together and know the pitfalls. Hope the appointment goes ok **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Kadie Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 We are here to help, all of us are in it together and know the pitfalls. Hope the appointment goes ok Thanks. I know you are. My one friend who is also withdrawing right now (she kept it secret) told me last night, "Do what you need to keep functioning." I'm not happy with my level of functioning right now. I'm getting through each day, but it's always a battle and I fear that the very thin line that I'm on might break. I'm not even close to as productive as I usually am, and that is also making me depressed. I came here to make sure that I wasn't crazy. You (posters) made me realize that I do need to do something before it gets out of control. Thank you. Was suggested to start an antidepressant because of my "mood swings" in 2004. Started Lexapro 10mg 11/2004. By 01/2011, I was taking 20mg Lexapro, 75mg Effexor, and 5mg Abilify. Went cold turkey on 09/2011 because I changed jobs and lost health insurance. Believed the hype and thought I still needed something. Tried Prozac for 1 week in 01/2012...horrible hives and anxiety. Switched to Zoloft after that...even worse anxiety and hives. Back on 20mg Lexapro by 02/2012. Recently lost faith in many doctors and pharma. Because my life situation has been much, much better I decide to consult with my new (non-pill pushing) doctor about tapering off Lexapro. Started tapering off Lexapro end of November 2013. Took my last dose of 5mg Lexapro on January 17, 2014. Have been taking L-Trytophan nightly. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Jemima Posted February 10, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 10, 2014 I agree with what everyone has said about getting back on a small dose of the Lexapro, stabilizing, and then tapering very slowly. I was on 10 mg. Lexapro for eleven months (preceded by several months on Pristiq and Remeron) and "tapered" off over a four month period. I went through awful withdrawal for the first three to four months, which included flying into rages, cursing, and throwing things. It has taken me over two years to get back to a place where I feel almost normal. I think if I had tapered as slowly as is recommended here things would have been a lot more pleasant along the way. Although I might be at exactly the same place as I am now, I doubt I would have had the awful anxiety, rages, insomnia, and feelings of hopelessness that I experienced. What a lot of people don't understand about SSRI-type antidepressants (and probably a lot of other psych drugs) is that they change the physical structure of the brain. Stopping the drug abruptly takes away the artificial, chemical support for that structure and your nervous system ends up floundering trying to get back to normal. In a correctly done taper, the drug is withdrawn just a tiny bit at a time, giving your CNS a chance to normalize slowly instead of in jerks, stops, and starts. If I had it to do over again, I'd do exactly what all those other wise and experienced folks above are telling you to do. Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment
Kadie Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 ***Update*** My doc and I developed a "Plan A" and a "Plan B". Plan A: Time released 5-HTP and L-Theanine as needed for anxiety. Plan B: Reinstate Lexapro in liquid form and taper 10% every 2 weeks. I'm on day 2 of Plan A and it has made a difference so far. I'm functioning, motivated, and even happy. However, if that starts to change I am going to reinstate. **edit** Since I am 39 she is sending me in for labs to look at my hormone levels since I may be in perimenopause and that may be compounding the symptoms. Thanks for everyone's help. I probably wouldn't have gone to the doctor if it wasn't for this thread. Was suggested to start an antidepressant because of my "mood swings" in 2004. Started Lexapro 10mg 11/2004. By 01/2011, I was taking 20mg Lexapro, 75mg Effexor, and 5mg Abilify. Went cold turkey on 09/2011 because I changed jobs and lost health insurance. Believed the hype and thought I still needed something. Tried Prozac for 1 week in 01/2012...horrible hives and anxiety. Switched to Zoloft after that...even worse anxiety and hives. Back on 20mg Lexapro by 02/2012. Recently lost faith in many doctors and pharma. Because my life situation has been much, much better I decide to consult with my new (non-pill pushing) doctor about tapering off Lexapro. Started tapering off Lexapro end of November 2013. Took my last dose of 5mg Lexapro on January 17, 2014. Have been taking L-Trytophan nightly. Link to comment
KT38 Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Hi Kadie! I know it's been over a year since you posted, but would love to hear how you are doing! Dec 2014 I tried Zoloft 25mg for one week (adverse reaction - extreme anxiety and felt like I was on an amphetamine). Dr. said to quit cold turkey, so I not only quit Zoloft but also 2 weeks of Xanax .25mg -- extreme dizziness, hyperarousal and anxiety began! On Jan. 29, 2015 my psychiatrist put me on new stuff and this is how my next 2 months and 7 days looked like (I was having the same bad reactions to all of these):Effexor XR 37.5mg (3 days) - throwing up, heart palpations, night tremors/convulsions or something where whole body shakes for a second, Prozac 10mg (15 days), Prozac 20mg (7 days) - internal restlessness, electric current through body/brain (not zaps), agitation, intense fear and could no longer nap at this point (still can't today because of this), Lexapro 5mg (4 days) - same as Prozac, a horror show...extreme internal agitation, Lexapro 7.5mg (2 days), Lexapro 10mg (16 days), Zoloft 12.5mg (3 days)...she said try it again since my blood relative does well on it, Zoloft 25mg (7 days) - same as before and getting worse!! Zoloft 50mg (6 days), Zoloft 25mg (4 days and then came off cold turkey on April 8, 2015). I used Xanax .25mg about 7 times per month through all of this until June 30, 2015 (my last benzo dose). Extreme anxiety, nervous system traumatized, mental akathisia, anger triggered by nothing but the brain totally going off on its own, feeling of a pressurized electric current going through me like my brain and body are trying to explode, stress reaction x10000 to everything, waking in terror lasting all day, fear, very sensitive, brain can't keep up, don't know what to do with myself, feeling like everything is going too fast and I can't keep up, helium head, deep depression like something is ripping out my soul, out of my mind, can hardly drive or be alone, cognitive issues, simple tasks are so complex and straining, feel disturbed because the brain can't process anything right even though your brain tries so hard and it makes you go mad, episodes of deep anguish with a sick toxic poison feeling (like you have some unknown virus). Link to comment
Kadie Posted June 19, 2015 Author Share Posted June 19, 2015 Hi Kadie! I know it's been over a year since you posted, but would love to hear how you are doing! Thanks for asking! I am doing great! I have been off anti-depressants for a year and a half. I don'the know if I mentioned that my doc figured out that I had iron deficiency anemia. I had my first IV iron infusion in Aug. 2013 and it lasted about 1.5 years. When my iron got low, anxiety, depression, and fatigue returned but I got my second infusion in May and in less than a week I was feeling super awesome again. My doc did test my hormones and I was low in DHEA, so we got that where it needed to be also. I fon'the know if that had anything to do with it, but I feel great. So, it can be done! I think the most important thing is to find a doctor aligned with your philosophy and who you are comfortable with. My physican is about nutrition and hormone balance before prescription. It works for me and I am prescription free, healthier (evidenced by blood tests), and have lost 40 pounds in the last 2 years without exercising. So yeah...things are great! Was suggested to start an antidepressant because of my "mood swings" in 2004. Started Lexapro 10mg 11/2004. By 01/2011, I was taking 20mg Lexapro, 75mg Effexor, and 5mg Abilify. Went cold turkey on 09/2011 because I changed jobs and lost health insurance. Believed the hype and thought I still needed something. Tried Prozac for 1 week in 01/2012...horrible hives and anxiety. Switched to Zoloft after that...even worse anxiety and hives. Back on 20mg Lexapro by 02/2012. Recently lost faith in many doctors and pharma. Because my life situation has been much, much better I decide to consult with my new (non-pill pushing) doctor about tapering off Lexapro. Started tapering off Lexapro end of November 2013. Took my last dose of 5mg Lexapro on January 17, 2014. Have been taking L-Trytophan nightly. Link to comment
Iamfine Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Hi Kadie! I know it's been over a year since you posted, but would love to hear how you are doing! Me too. I am about 3 1/2 months away from Lexapro and still having some symptoms, almost on a daily schedule kinda like yours. No way I'm going to even touch that stuff again, I don't feel any worse with the withdrawals than I did while I was taking it that last year or so. In fact lately I've been feeling much better than when on, but I know I'm not out of the woods quite yet. As requested. In the last 3 years to the best of my recollection I first dropped the max dose of Lamictal. Yes I just stopped it was doing absolutely nothing. Then I dropped Lexapro, that was even easier I had been on and off that a dozen times before. There were at least 2 odd off label attempts at anxiety that I won’t be able to remember. Then there was sweet/evil Seroquel. That was the last to go it’s been around 16 months. Lithium, Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Celexa, Lamictal, Lexapro, Luvox, Viibryd, Brintellix, Pristiq, Zoloft, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Geodon, Abilify, Latuda, Ritalin, Adderall, Valium, Clonazepam, Alprazolam, Propanalol, Spravato Link to comment
Iamfine Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Hi Kadie! I know it's been over a year since you posted, but would love to hear how you are doing! Thanks for asking! I am doing great! I have been off anti-depressants for a year and a half. I don'the know if I mentioned that my doc figured out that I had iron deficiency anemia. I had my first IV iron infusion in Aug. 2013 and it lasted about 1.5 years. When my iron got low, anxiety, depression, and fatigue returned but I got my second infusion in May and in less than a week I was feeling super awesome again. My doc did test my hormones and I was low in DHEA, so we got that where it needed to be also. I fon'the know if that had anything to do with it, but I feel great. So, it can be done! I think the most important thing is to find a doctor aligned with your philosophy and who you are comfortable with. My physican is about nutrition and hormone balance before prescription. It works for me and I am prescription free, healthier (evidenced by blood tests), and have lost 40 pounds in the last 2 years without exercising. So yeah...things are great! I didn't see this before I posted. Good to hear that you are doing well. As requested. In the last 3 years to the best of my recollection I first dropped the max dose of Lamictal. Yes I just stopped it was doing absolutely nothing. Then I dropped Lexapro, that was even easier I had been on and off that a dozen times before. There were at least 2 odd off label attempts at anxiety that I won’t be able to remember. Then there was sweet/evil Seroquel. That was the last to go it’s been around 16 months. Lithium, Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Celexa, Lamictal, Lexapro, Luvox, Viibryd, Brintellix, Pristiq, Zoloft, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Geodon, Abilify, Latuda, Ritalin, Adderall, Valium, Clonazepam, Alprazolam, Propanalol, Spravato Link to comment
Kadie Posted June 19, 2015 Author Share Posted June 19, 2015 Hi Kadie! I know it's been over a year since you posted, but would love to hear how you are doing!Me too. I am about 3 1/2 months away from Lexapro and still having some symptoms, almost on a daily schedule kinda like yours. No way I'm going to even touch that stuff again, I don't feel any worse with the withdrawals than I did while I was taking it that last year or so. In fact lately I've been feeling much better than when on, but I know I'm not out of the woods quite yet. Hang in there and stick with it! You can do it and I think my life is better without it! Was suggested to start an antidepressant because of my "mood swings" in 2004. Started Lexapro 10mg 11/2004. By 01/2011, I was taking 20mg Lexapro, 75mg Effexor, and 5mg Abilify. Went cold turkey on 09/2011 because I changed jobs and lost health insurance. Believed the hype and thought I still needed something. Tried Prozac for 1 week in 01/2012...horrible hives and anxiety. Switched to Zoloft after that...even worse anxiety and hives. Back on 20mg Lexapro by 02/2012. Recently lost faith in many doctors and pharma. Because my life situation has been much, much better I decide to consult with my new (non-pill pushing) doctor about tapering off Lexapro. Started tapering off Lexapro end of November 2013. Took my last dose of 5mg Lexapro on January 17, 2014. Have been taking L-Trytophan nightly. Link to comment
KT38 Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Kadie, I'm in Tampa, too! Iamfine, I am 2 months and a couple weeks off. You are 3.5 and still having symptoms? Ugh!!! Kadie, do you remember if you had a rough few months in the beginning? I can't drive or go anywhere alone because my CNS is so messed up and am over emotional and paranoid about everything. This was not me before all this. Dec 2014 I tried Zoloft 25mg for one week (adverse reaction - extreme anxiety and felt like I was on an amphetamine). Dr. said to quit cold turkey, so I not only quit Zoloft but also 2 weeks of Xanax .25mg -- extreme dizziness, hyperarousal and anxiety began! On Jan. 29, 2015 my psychiatrist put me on new stuff and this is how my next 2 months and 7 days looked like (I was having the same bad reactions to all of these):Effexor XR 37.5mg (3 days) - throwing up, heart palpations, night tremors/convulsions or something where whole body shakes for a second, Prozac 10mg (15 days), Prozac 20mg (7 days) - internal restlessness, electric current through body/brain (not zaps), agitation, intense fear and could no longer nap at this point (still can't today because of this), Lexapro 5mg (4 days) - same as Prozac, a horror show...extreme internal agitation, Lexapro 7.5mg (2 days), Lexapro 10mg (16 days), Zoloft 12.5mg (3 days)...she said try it again since my blood relative does well on it, Zoloft 25mg (7 days) - same as before and getting worse!! Zoloft 50mg (6 days), Zoloft 25mg (4 days and then came off cold turkey on April 8, 2015). I used Xanax .25mg about 7 times per month through all of this until June 30, 2015 (my last benzo dose). Extreme anxiety, nervous system traumatized, mental akathisia, anger triggered by nothing but the brain totally going off on its own, feeling of a pressurized electric current going through me like my brain and body are trying to explode, stress reaction x10000 to everything, waking in terror lasting all day, fear, very sensitive, brain can't keep up, don't know what to do with myself, feeling like everything is going too fast and I can't keep up, helium head, deep depression like something is ripping out my soul, out of my mind, can hardly drive or be alone, cognitive issues, simple tasks are so complex and straining, feel disturbed because the brain can't process anything right even though your brain tries so hard and it makes you go mad, episodes of deep anguish with a sick toxic poison feeling (like you have some unknown virus). Link to comment
Kadie Posted June 19, 2015 Author Share Posted June 19, 2015 Kadie, I'm in Tampa, too! Iamfine, I am 2 months and a couple weeks off. You are 3.5 and still having symptoms? Ugh!!! Kadie, do you remember if you had a rough few months in the beginning? I can't drive or go anywhere alone because my CNS is so messed up and am over emotional and paranoid about everything. This was not me before all this. I think my symptoms really subsided after I started the "Plan A" above. However, it was really, really hard at first as you can see from the posts above. I think the supplements that I took helped a lot. If you are interested, my doctor is Dr. Lisa Koche at Spectra Wellness. She's not your typical MD, but since I've been under her care I feel the best I ever have! Was suggested to start an antidepressant because of my "mood swings" in 2004. Started Lexapro 10mg 11/2004. By 01/2011, I was taking 20mg Lexapro, 75mg Effexor, and 5mg Abilify. Went cold turkey on 09/2011 because I changed jobs and lost health insurance. Believed the hype and thought I still needed something. Tried Prozac for 1 week in 01/2012...horrible hives and anxiety. Switched to Zoloft after that...even worse anxiety and hives. Back on 20mg Lexapro by 02/2012. Recently lost faith in many doctors and pharma. Because my life situation has been much, much better I decide to consult with my new (non-pill pushing) doctor about tapering off Lexapro. Started tapering off Lexapro end of November 2013. Took my last dose of 5mg Lexapro on January 17, 2014. Have been taking L-Trytophan nightly. Link to comment
KT38 Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Thank you! I will need to check that place out! Dec 2014 I tried Zoloft 25mg for one week (adverse reaction - extreme anxiety and felt like I was on an amphetamine). Dr. said to quit cold turkey, so I not only quit Zoloft but also 2 weeks of Xanax .25mg -- extreme dizziness, hyperarousal and anxiety began! On Jan. 29, 2015 my psychiatrist put me on new stuff and this is how my next 2 months and 7 days looked like (I was having the same bad reactions to all of these):Effexor XR 37.5mg (3 days) - throwing up, heart palpations, night tremors/convulsions or something where whole body shakes for a second, Prozac 10mg (15 days), Prozac 20mg (7 days) - internal restlessness, electric current through body/brain (not zaps), agitation, intense fear and could no longer nap at this point (still can't today because of this), Lexapro 5mg (4 days) - same as Prozac, a horror show...extreme internal agitation, Lexapro 7.5mg (2 days), Lexapro 10mg (16 days), Zoloft 12.5mg (3 days)...she said try it again since my blood relative does well on it, Zoloft 25mg (7 days) - same as before and getting worse!! Zoloft 50mg (6 days), Zoloft 25mg (4 days and then came off cold turkey on April 8, 2015). I used Xanax .25mg about 7 times per month through all of this until June 30, 2015 (my last benzo dose). Extreme anxiety, nervous system traumatized, mental akathisia, anger triggered by nothing but the brain totally going off on its own, feeling of a pressurized electric current going through me like my brain and body are trying to explode, stress reaction x10000 to everything, waking in terror lasting all day, fear, very sensitive, brain can't keep up, don't know what to do with myself, feeling like everything is going too fast and I can't keep up, helium head, deep depression like something is ripping out my soul, out of my mind, can hardly drive or be alone, cognitive issues, simple tasks are so complex and straining, feel disturbed because the brain can't process anything right even though your brain tries so hard and it makes you go mad, episodes of deep anguish with a sick toxic poison feeling (like you have some unknown virus). Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted June 19, 2015 Administrator Share Posted June 19, 2015 Does Dr. Koche know how to taper? If so, please add her contact info to http://tinyurl.com/7cp8l8v This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
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