LexAnger: tapering or no tapering, generic vs. name brand lexapro

[LexAnger]

Hi catnaps,

Thank you!! Yes, that is a typo.

Nice to meet you! I'm sorry you are in the struggle too. I will visit your thread soon and talk to you more there.

Lex

[LexAnger]

LexAnger, I understand that you're caught between this bad reaction and withdrawal symptoms.

 

But perhaps it's time for a 1/3 reduction.

 

Either way, you'll feel poorly, but this blackout reaction seems the greater danger.

Hi alto,

 

Thanks again!

I am now right at the mark with 1/3 remaining, still debating. Such a hard decision.

Will update soon.

[Lilu]

Maybe switching to a different SSRI, like prozac, or a tricyclic antidepressant that is also prescribed for migraines, will get you off this Lexapro roller coaster?  It would be like the bridging technique. 

 

Maybe your headaches are caused by something other than Lexapro? Have you been thoroughly tested?

 

I would say, work with your doctors to eliminate the awful headaches, stabilize, and then worry about tapering.

 

I also had the experience with bad Lexapro generics. The manufacturer Accord Healthcare makes a bad Lexapro generic. I switched to Camber Pharmaceuticals, and it was fine.

[Altostrata]

LexAnger, Lexapro reaches peak plasma in about 3-4 hours. My guess is the adverse reaction is the early part of your dose hitting your nervous system, then getting more Lexapro on top of that. It sounds like the early part of the dose may be plenty.

 

Celexa is Lexapro's weaker sibling. I have no idea if switching to Celexa or Prozac might get you away from Lexapro adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms.

[LexAnger]

Hi Alto,

 

My sincere gratitude to your continuous effort helping me!!

The concentration peaking time is great info to help with better understanding of what is going on!

 

I reviewed my journal for the last several months since the worst hit going down with just 0.025 mg in dose, and felt so scared of the brutal needling pain I experienced during that period, drop by drop, I eventually still took the full 3.2 mg in 6 hours by taking longer breaks for the last 1/3. Like past few days, I felt the reaction exactly at the 1/3 mark again (about 3 hours since starting dosing which confirms the peak time info, although usually I finish dose in like 3-4 hours lately but this is still very close to the peak time info) . I still felt the reaction to each of the last few drops (numb, clot, twist feeling on head) but didn't get the blackout/coma like feeling. Other symptoms that typically company the blackout (fast heartbeat, shaking etc) didn't show either.

 

 

 

I am thinking to give a few more days to see if the longer dosing time provides a chance for me to reduce slower. I'm convinced now that for some reason, the current dose is too high for my body so my direction is clear to further tapering (was thinking to hold here for a long long time until I can retire). Just too scared of sudden total collapse.

 

As for switching, it seems Very hard for me to be courageous enough to make that change or any other changes if I'm not pushed to the very dead end.

 

Thanks again all my dear friends for your dearest care and kindest support! I know you all are in midst of your own turnmiol.

Love you all and hope you continuous healing.

 

Lex

[Fresh]

Try reading this thread Lex  Tolerance Withdrawal

[LexAnger]

So dear of you Fresh!

I found this topic just a few minutes ago while searching for some good info for my coworkers mom, who was put on lexapro at hospital a month ago been suffering tremor ever since on top of her original heart problem,

 

Love and hugs, my dear friend!

Lex

[LexAnger]

Maybe switching to a different SSRI, like prozac, or a tricyclic antidepressant that is also prescribed for migraines, will get you off this Lexapro roller coaster?  It would be like the bridging technique. 

 

Maybe your headaches are caused by something other than Lexapro? Have you been thoroughly tested?

 

I would say, work with your doctors to eliminate the awful headaches, stabilize, and then worry about tapering.

 

I also had the experience with bad Lexapro generics. The manufacturer Accord Healthcare makes a bad Lexapro generic. I switched to Camber Pharmaceuticals, and it was fine.

Thanks Lilu for sharing your concern and thoughts!

I know by my heart and it's very obvious too that all my strange pains are caused by this drug. Even I started lex for a bad tension headache, the pain I have after meds is totally different and it goes with how the drug plays in my body daily and hourly. I was very healthy and athletic with life time exercise daily routing even during the WD except for days I'm completely bedridden. Even Now I have problems every part of body, all parts still work like a high end healthy person when I'm in a window.

 

I thought about bridging last year when I got stuck after increasing lex dose, but didn't do with fear of greater harm. Giving the full set of lex particular problems I am getting, it is very possible someday I have to take that option.

[Happy2Heal]

LexAnger, Lexapro reaches peak plasma in about 3-4 hours. My guess is the adverse reaction is the early part of your dose hitting your nervous system, then getting more Lexapro on top of that. It sounds like the early part of the dose may be plenty.

 

Celexa is Lexapro's weaker sibling. I have no idea if switching to Celexa or Prozac might get you away from Lexapro adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms.

I was on Celexa before switching to Lexapro, & one of the 'selling points' for Lexapro is that there are fewer side effects. I had terrible ongoing nausea, nearly constant headaches, and fuzzy headed-ness and yawning & I cant even recall all the side effects I had, on Celexa, and they never seemed to get better, like they usually do when you've been on a med for awhile.

 

When I was switched to Lexapro, I had a tiny bit of nausea for a day or so with each dose increase, but overall, I could almost say compared to Celexa, Lexapro has "no" side effects to speak of, they are that much milder. It  impressed me a lot at the time, and I was very grateful to have been switched to it. (Not feeling so grateful now, of course )

hope this helps

 

just mentioning this since I would think that switching might make things worse.... 

[LexAnger]

Thanks so very much catnapt for sharing this important experience of yours!

I'm glad lexapro works for you much better. It seems everything in this psyc drug battling is completely random in all aspects. The human brain should never be touched by any drug in the first place indeed. This is what I have been telling everyone around me, period.

 

Wish you continuous healing!

 

Lex

[Lilu]

 

Maybe switching to a different SSRI, like prozac, or a tricyclic antidepressant that is also prescribed for migraines, will get you off this Lexapro roller coaster?  It would be like the bridging technique. 

 

Maybe your headaches are caused by something other than Lexapro? Have you been thoroughly tested?

 

I would say, work with your doctors to eliminate the awful headaches, stabilize, and then worry about tapering.

 

I also had the experience with bad Lexapro generics. The manufacturer Accord Healthcare makes a bad Lexapro generic. I switched to Camber Pharmaceuticals, and it was fine.

Thanks Lilu for sharing your concern and thoughts!

I know by my heart and it's very obvious too that all my strange pains are caused by this drug. Even I started lex for a bad tension headache, the pain I have after meds is totally different and it goes with how the drug plays in my body daily and hourly. I was very healthy and athletic with life time exercise daily routing even during the WD except for days I'm completely bedridden. Even Now I have problems every part of body, all parts still work like a high end healthy person when I'm in a window.

 

I thought about bridging last year when I got stuck after increasing lex dose, but didn't do with fear of greater harm. Giving the full set of lex particular problems I am getting, it is very possible someday I have to take that option.

 

 

Hmmm... What do your doctors think you should do? Are you working with a psychiatrist and/or Neurologist? Have you had an MRI or any other required tests?  To be put on Lexapro for a tension headache is very odd. My cousin has had daily Cluster headaches for 4 years, and one of the drugs that he was prescribed was a tricyclic antidepressant Nortryptaline.  I would definitely not switch to Celexa since Lexapro is a metabolite of Celexa. I probably wouldn't try Prozac either, since you might be predisposed to adverse reactions to SSRI's.  However, a tryciclic antidepressant, at the right dose would still provide the Serotonin inhibition of an SSRI  along with headache management. Also my cousin said that one of the most helpful things for him was a high dose of Vitamin B, I forget which one, B6, I think. I can check.

 

Either way, if you are sure that it is the Lexapro that is causing these awful side effects, which sound worse than withdrawal, than why stay on it?  I made this mistake with my meds. I developed an adverse reaction to Klonopin and Ambien, where it was causing me many severe side effects all of a sudden, including a very fast heartbeat (tachycardia) and fast shallow breathing (hyperventilation) as well as severe restlessness (akathisia). Even though that drug is supposed to be tapered, I quit cold turkey, because it was obvious that it was the drug that was causing these symptoms.

The same thing happened when I was on Pristiq, and developed insomnia and extreme fatigue. I held on for months and months suffering. But it wasn't until I switched to Lexapro and stopped taking Pristiq completely that those symptoms went away.

 

The side effects you are having are very serious. You need to work with your doctors on this. They need to make sure that the cause of your headaches and other symptoms is not something else. (For instance, in my cousin's case they found stenosis in his carotid artery, but were not sure that it is the cause.)

 

Either way, I think you need to stop torturing yourself with Lexapro.  Are your withdrawal symptoms worse than what the drug is doing to you right now?

Sometimes tapering is not the best option if the drug is really hurting you.  When I went back on Lexapro, I was still taking Klonopin and Ambien, and my brain and body couldn't heal or get the benefit from the Lexapro as long as Klonopin and Ambien were causing those awful adverse reactions.

 

And please, work with your doctors. Preferably a neurologist. They know better about all the medication options out there that might help you get off this Lexapro rollercoaster.  Don't torture your nervous system the way I did mine, sticking to the taper and tolerating withdrawal symptoms to the point where I have a psychogenic movement disorder now.

Seriously. Stop playing doctor.

[Altostrata]

Lilu, after all these years, you still think you can get a doctor to solve these problems for you. If you ever find such a doctor, please let me know.

 

How are you doing, LexAnger?

[LexAnger]

Hi Alto,

 

So I stayed on the 3.2 mg on the 4th and 5th ( yesterday) finishing dose in 6 + hours by 5pm. The same pattern was observed with the last 1/3 feeling stronger reaction but no more coma/ blackout/ confusion just some weird head sensation numbing, hardening plus slight fast heart beat, and half sleeping feeling but all got much better in evening basically functioning. I felt almost normal last night.

 

i got only 5 hour sleep ( usually 9 hours at the least) last night waking up by my neighbors dog barking constantly. Surprisingly I had no sxs today so far just finished the 3.15 mg as the first day down by 0.05mg. I didn't feel any symptoms the entire dosing time.

 

Still too early to know what is going on. I had similar experience before if I was forced to sleep less, the next day usually would be surprisingly ok or better.

 

I'm thinking to give some days to the 3.15 and continue the 6 hour dosing, measuring from ther for next step. hope it won't flare up big issues.

 

Thank you very much!

I will update more frequently with any changes.

 

Lex

 

Hi LilU,

 

Thank you for your continuous care and support!

To be honest, I stopped seeing any doctor for this problem and I truly believe it's waste of time and money. I had all those tests in my early stage of learning from the forum, but now I know the drug is the cause of every single symptom. Plus, I couldn't take anything anymore since last year, including vitamins so even I have some other health issues, as long as they are not life threatening, I would not seek medical treatment because I feel my main problem is this one and it can't be messed up by adding anything into my body. Im so sacred that I didn't take any pain meds for a teeth procedure last year and endured all the pain for weeks.

 

I have to admit that I'm the least brave person in making changes in this war . I'm just too scared of the unknown knowing how powerful and destructive theses drugs are.

 

Hope you are making peace with the current 5mg lex!

Thanks again for your support!

 

Lex

[Happy2Heal]

Thanks so very much catnapt for sharing this important experience of yours!

I'm glad lexapro works for you much better. It seems everything in this psyc drug battling is completely random in all aspects. The human brain should never be touched by any drug in the first place indeed. This is what I have been telling everyone around me, period.

 

Wish you continuous healing!

 

Lex

I agree, I wish I'd never taken any of these meds.

 

thanks for the good wishes, the same to you!!

I am going to be following your progress if you don't mind, since we are tapering off the same drug. maybe we can help each other thru the rough spots

and brainstorm ideas for ways to cope

;-)

[AliG]

Hi Lexanger.   I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I hope you and Alto can work this out, so that you don't have to suffer so badly. I can only imagine , what you have been going through. You are " one tough cookie".  I think we all know by now , that doctor's are not the answer. They put us here in the first place and it's up to us collectively, to dig ourselves out of the " mess" they created. I hope you find some relief from your symptoms, soon.

Hugs,

Ali

[Ssriwarrior]

Hey there,

 

Sorry it's been so long! But I've caught up with your story and just wanted to pop in and say I think you are so so strong to endure the taper for this long.

 

I too wondered about a Celexa switch. I know how terrifying that thought would even be so no pressure, just brainstorming.

 

I'm also wondering if you have ever tried a probiotic during the process of your microtaper.

 

I'm still at 7.5mg but have been experimenting with different probiotic strains and fermented foods and seem to be having success with small doses. I really think all psych drugs alter the gut microbiome and that is a big part of the crazy WD symptoms we all experience...so it's tricky to add probiotics bc it has to be the specific strain your gut needs. Just some thoughts.

 

Keep up the great work!

[LexAnger]

Thank you so much catnapt, AliG, Warrior! Your dear care and support give me the strength continuing!

 

Yes, Catnpt, I would love very much for us to help each other along this horrendous journey! I will follow your thread too closely.

 

AliG, I'm sending a big warm hug back to you and hope you are coping ok!

 

Warrior, I have been following you in the past and always wondering how did the reinstate from 2.5 to 5 worked for you. I am sorry you had to increase more to 6 just lately. How are you doing?

[LexAnger]

Today's update

 

With a mysterious good day yesterday, i took 3.15mg yesterday during the same long 6 hours for the plan of slow tapering further for the purpose of reducing the recent reaction to the last 1/3 dose.

 

Woke up at 3am by a bright flashing lighting companies by a very sick feeling of cold heart. This is the typical reaction to the micro drop in the past since the hit by dose increase last year. So I know it immediately and added the 0.15 mg as I felt the reaction was much bigger than usual before going back to sleep.

 

Had 8 hours sleep waking up with the tension headache throughout the dosing and now still on. This is the same tension headache for which I started the Lexopro in 2009, it only flared back couple of times in the past 7 years.

 

So I'm back to 3.2 mg today, and basically 3.2 mg yesterday too with the last drop token at 3am today.

 

No brain blackout, coma, or confusion, only the other everyday regular stuff, numb on left side, head to toe, tight muscle, swelling head etc., back pain, plus this tension headache (and nausea from the headache).

 

So it seems reducing dose won't work better at this time. I'm thinking to hold on 3.2mg with the long hour dosing see how things change.

 

So many rounds of seeking a way out in years, now I am convinced that all paths are closed for me. The only thing I can do is to stay in this tiny hole without moving around, praying for some quiet time.

 

More i endure, more I admire each of us going through this journey!

 

Love,

Lex

[Altostrata]

Very sorry it's so difficult for you, LexAnger.

 

Perhaps it's time to think about switching to Celexa.

[LexAnger]

Thank you Alto!

 

I always am proud of being strong surviving the tough situations life offers and consider myself unbeatable. I have to admit this one beat me up by taking every piece of my body and soul' strength. A true test for humans limit!

 

I will look into Celexa info for the option.

 

Best regards,

Lex

[Altostrata]

Lexapro is 2-3 times stronger than Celexa. My guess -- and you know this is just a guess -- is that your system might accept the Celexa molecules instead of Lexapro without much fuss, but not experience the adverse reaction to Lexapro.

 

Celexa comes in a liquid. You might be able to substitute a little Celexa for your last drop of Lexapro, then substitute drop for drop over four days or so until you are taking only Celexa.

 

There are a lot of unknowns here, Lex. Nobody will be able to predict if this will work, but you seem so miserable, it might be worth trying.

[LexAnger]

Hi Alto,

 

Thank you so very much for your full attention, continuous advice, information, even working out a strategy, and, kindest care!

I will defnpinitely keep this as an option. I completely understand the unknown of the change.

 

Today is not too bad with brain functional and ok pain etc continuing at 3.2mg over 6 hours. The tension headache very slowly lessened late last *** and dint show up today.

 

My highest priority is to keep the job as losing this job will change my entire situation not only on the financial side. If I continue feel like what I feel today, I still can manage not to lose the job. I have taken quite a bit time off work lately so it's crucial to go back to work for a while before taking any days off. Giving my sensitivity to Lexopro dose change, I won't be surprised the transition will stir the water quite a lot even it eventually work. So my thought is to take actions when a better time is available IF the current hold allows me to be somewhat functional. In the meantime, I can be more prepared for the switch learning more about the whole unknown.

 

The value you live to is another reason I should try to be stronger and hold some value for others!

 

Best regards,

Lex

[Altostrata]

Thank you very kindly, LA.

 

You may wish to make changes over a long weekend or holiday.

[LexAnger]

Yes, Alto. I do habpve lots vacation time which I can use when a proper time for work needs.

 

Best regards,

Lex

[Lilu]

Lexapro is 2-3 times stronger than Celexa. My guess -- and you know this is just a guess -- is that your system might accept the Celexa molecules instead of Lexapro without much fuss, but not experience the adverse reaction to Lexapro.

 

Celexa comes in a liquid. You might be able to substitute a little Celexa for your last drop of Lexapro, then substitute drop for drop over four days or so until you are taking only Celexa.

 

There are a lot of unknowns here, Lex. Nobody will be able to predict if this will work, but you seem so miserable, it might be worth trying.

 

I'm not so sure about this Alto. In my experience, the metabolite of a drug has fewer side effects than the original drug. I had terrible side effects when I tried Celexa. But much fewer with Lexapro. The same thing happened with Effexor - horrible side effects, but almost none with Pristiq, which is it's metabolite.  Effexor has many "inactive" metabolites which cause side effects that Pristiq doesn't. The same could be true with Celexa. Still no one knows how anybody could react to any drug.  (Big sigh...)

 

Good luck Lexanger. I hope you find your way out of this mess.  Don't be afraid of change. Sometimes you just have to take that leap and try. You can always go back to what you were doing before, I guess.  It's amazing that you are able to keep a job through all this.

[LexAnger]

Thanks Lilu for your kind support!

Unfortunately I am very afraid of changes as i learned it by hard experience making super tiny changes, and I could not GO BACK to where I was even with the same drug.

 

I think it important to clarify so others won be misled. My current status is nothing to hold any job. For the past years with main issues on the physical part, I managed it for many fortunate reasons like working from hom with flexible hours, without hard deliverables as a manager for a highly functional team, and my main responsibility is to ensure resource and quality of work by providing guidance and allocating resource. SInce the new year, I can barely talk (for things requires congnitive thinking) or type most of the time in a day. So I try to catch up a bit for the minimal stuff when my brain is able to think better. I know if this continues I have no way to hold a job. I still can do some simple house work, super slow though, and somedays I can find 1 hour or two good enough for some light exercise. I can drive around areas that I am familiar with even I feel not much consciousness (strange, but somehow it feels the whole body remember what/where to do/go without the need of a functional brain). 

 

how are you doing with the recently increase lex dose 5mg?

 

lex

[Altostrata]

Lilu, thank you for sharing your theories, which are based on a sample size of one.

[Lilu]

Thanks Lilu for your kind support!

Unfortunately I am very afraid of changes as i learned it by hard experience making super tiny changes, and I could not GO BACK to where I was even with the same drug.

 

how are you doing with the recently increase lex dose 5mg?

Going back on Lexapro was what got me out of a 2.5 year withdrawal nightmare. That and going on Baclofen, which I now have to withdraw from with all the challenges of withdrawal. But with Lexapro, what I did was taper UP in liquid over 4 months until I reached 5 mg and then switched to tablets.  I don't have any major side effects from the Lexapro or the Baclofen.  At this point Lexapro is about the only psychiatric drug I can take, so I'm thankful for that. And that I'm out of the living hell I endured for a year is over. 

 

Of course our body chemistries and our reaction to Lexapro are vastly different.  The only advice I have left to give is turn to your innermost feelings. I heard a transformational teacher on the radio yesterday. And he said that you have to pay attention to how light or heavy, energetically, something feels in your life. Even if it's scary to your brain, or doesn't make sense. If doing something feels heavy inside, like it's holding you down, then it's the wrong choice for you.  If the idea of switching to a different medication feels "lighter" than staying on Lexapro, then it's your body's way of telling you to switch. Or if getting off of Lexapro completely without switching "feels lighter" than maybe that's the right option.

All I know is that when I kept taking meds that my body was reacting badly to, I could not START recovering.

[AliG]

Lex, How are you going ?

Ali

[LexAnger]

Thanks for checking on me Dear AliG!

 

I took another day off day before yesterday. Severe needling pain allover with brain non-functional and DR entire day, momentary heart palpitation without the typical better off in evening, no particular harder points though.

 

Yesterday I got up early at 6:30 (7 hours sleep instead of 9) for an important meeting that I have to show up. I took me lots struggle weather or not to present in person as this requires tons effort to get up early, drive through the traffic and SHOW in the meeting.

Eventually I decide to just go unless I am totally collapse. So I made it to the meeting and glad nothing too embarrassing happened even was able to make some comments during the moment the brain worked (kind of). Started dosing immediately after the meeting at 10am (my normal time), brain/head/upper body has been on fire the entire 6 doing hour, difficult to talk, type, do anything really, but can still walk normal and pretend a quick smile to others on the hall way.

 

All got better after dosing and was able to function in a 1-1 meeting with my manager followed by a light class at company's gym. Weak brain again afterwards on the way back home with fuzzy DR Etc. which got better again in an hour, was able to cook.

Slept 10 hours again up for another meeting dialing from home, the usually typical symptoms numb, DR, swelling, brain weak, needling sensation etc. now dosing again.

 

Overall, the coma/blackout is gone, replaced by brain on fire, weak, fuzzy. DR still on and off, pain/numb swelling etc. pretty much the same. Energy ok, no depression or real anxiety. Brain no good for any serious work, but still works for simple routines in house cooking and cleaning.

 

Giving that I am not completely collapsing, I am leaning to continue holding allowing more time for the hope of improvement of the brain function. After years battling, I feel I can live with the physical torture if the brain works for the basic requirements of job etc.

 

Thanks all for your continuous care and support! The information and knowledge this forum provides has been a lifeline to me all these years, and the immediate support I received from moderators and dear friends kept me alive and gave me the level of strength I would never imagine I could have. 

 

Wishing you all strength, wisdom, and continuous healing!

 

 

love to all!

Lex

   

  

[LexAnger]

Another update for rest of today, with good news!!

 

Since doing at 10am, only mild reaction to each drop during the 6 hours, brain worked and other symptoms are minimal. Very encouraging and grateful! Can live almost like normal Ina day like this.

 

Fingers crossed for a longer window!!

 

Wish everyone a better day too!

[LexAnger]

Just a quick update,

 

It has been getting even harder to finish the dose each day and I feel I reached the toxicity level from lex that my body simply can't bear.anymore (swelling head and blueish skin along with others).

 

I'm waiting for my Pdoc call me back for the prescription for liquid Prozac.

 

I choose Prozac over Celexa for the particular cardio risk Celexa is documented in a few studies and publications.

 

I'm also considering brand name Prozac. According to a couple quick googling search.

 

From the recently shared information in the forum about equavilent doses between various SSirs, the current 3.2 mg lex is approximately equivalent to 7mg Prozac as a starting dose

 

Also think to follow the 2 week switch method discussed in the Prozac bridging topic.

 

Still a mystery how this toxicity of lex suddenly started during a super slow taper.

[Altostrata]

Personally, I would aim for the low side on the equivalent Prozac dose: No more than 5mg.

 

Healing thoughts are with you, Lex.

[LexAnger]

Oh Alto, you makes me almost in tears, with rescue each time when I am in true crisis!

 

My Pdoc denied the request of script for Prozac as he doesn't feel comfortable to do so and urged me to see a psychiatrist for it. I think he is frightened by my case. So I reached out to Dr Shipko again. He wants to see me to discuss the risks before he would like to write the script.

 

I was feeling very urgent today reaching out docs while going through the severe reaction. Now I feel much better almost normal ( always goes away couple hours after finishing dose) and the urge calmed down too. I did a full round of review of all relevant information ( Prozac, Prozac vs lexapro, comparison among all SSirs, switching experiences from others, my journal etc) still feel uncertain about the change. I now understand more about your advice/suggestion switching to a similar ssir. So far the best about lex is its minimal side effects on pchyc area including anxiety and depression while tons of physical SEs including the serious cardio effects. It seems Prozac is least selective and has more risk of anxiety and agitation. I have to say I appreciate the normal logic I maintained without emotional side effects from lex, so is now worried about the switch.

 

I may try one more time to see if cutting down a bit dose will help. One thing I did differently this round is the long hold (4+ months), my physical sxs has improved a lot lately paralle in timing to the worsening of the dosing reaction. It maybe my body used to the constant reduction of the dose then couldn't handle this long hold. I also read some posts here about feeling better after cutting dose.

 

I feel such a coward in this decision. It seems only possible to happen when I'm in middle of suffering.

I will keep you and all updated.

 

Best regards,

Lex

[KarenB]

I don't have anything to add to what Alto is saying, but wanted you to know I'm following along with all your posts, and thinking of you lots.

 

Much love,

Karen

[LexAnger]

So dear of you Karen!

 

i entered to a whole new world of WD last week. Severe DR, feeling non existing, total hang over, wow, amazing new experience I was amazed I was still able to talk and walk around not knowing if it was someone else talking.

 

Panicked by it, I reached out another Pdoc as dr Shipko can't see me until next week. After my explanation of how story, this doctor commented My dose is so small like nothing, he also told my problem is anxiety not withdrawal which he want me to start Ativan for it even I told him I don't feel anxious and repeatedly emphasized how difficult to micro taper the drug, and how severe the recent reaction. I was very disappointed as I was referred to him by a friend who is also his patient, saying he is very open minded! Eventually I know it's another total waste of time and money ( just a phone conversation he charges $480). Eventually I asked him to give me a script for Prozac which he agreed. He didn't ask or provide any thing as how the switch should be done, except for mentioning 2mg as a starting dose. When I asked why, he had no real answer/ rational.

 

Anyway, 6 days ago I started a half drop then 3 da toys ago I increased to 2 drops feeling more and more I'm getting severe Leroy reaction to the current dose. Then 2 days ago my swollen head was gone, 1 day ago my DR lessened a lot. I did have massive needles and pins pain yesterday and parallized left side head to toe today, but I feel this is still much better than few days ago. So I am still on lex and hoping I don't have to switch.

 

I will hold a few days if possible to make sure no huge Wd before I drop further gradually.

This round experience opened my mind even more about how incredibly unpredictable this process can be. I remember a few members like ladybug and grandma talked about long holding gets things worse and small cut actually make things a bit better. So far my experience is consistent with this concept, and I will see if it can be confirmed with more time and observation.

 

Hope you and everyone are doing better!

I may not be able to update too often but I will try to come back for major changes.

 

Lex