ToesInTheSand Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I'm sorry you aren't getting relief from the supplements. I know it is frustrating. <p>Lexapro taper from 7.5mg to 5mg for one week to 2.5mg for one to 2.5mg every other day for one week. Original dose of Lexapro was 10mg. On that for a few years,then cut back to 7.5 with no effects. In total, on Lexapro for about 7 years. Never did much to help with my panic disorder. Cross-tapered with Zoloft 12.5mg for one week, 25mg for one week. Stopped after ten days due to sexual side effects. Off Lexapro completely since end of July 2014. Update: Aug. 20, 2014 - restarted Lexapro at 3.75mg due to intolerable withdrawal symptoms. Update: Sept. 16, 2014 - increased Lexapro to 5mg on advice of GP. Update: Jan. 13, 2015 - requesting Rx for Liquid Lexapro from pdoc on Friday to start taper. Horrible side effects from Lexapro since going back on. Haven't resolved so need to come off. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted September 4, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 4, 2014 I just recently started on a regimen of supplements based on my visit to a functional medicine doctor and I've been feeling horrible since. Sore throat, stomach issues, dizzy...one if Pure DGL as well as probiotics, magnesium and digestive enzymes. They also put me on something called Neurolink, which has 5-htp in it, which makes me a little nervous as I thought you weren't supposed to take that AND antidepressants. I'm all around confused. Hi pokiok, I'm sorry the supplements have made you feel worse. No matter what you read about "natural" supplements or herbs, or even if an alternative practitioner, naturopath, or integrative doctor recommends them, you cannot treat withdrawal syndrome as though it is "natural" depression. In "natural" depression, your nervous system is normal and it is operating your body properly. In withdrawal syndrome, your nervous system is struggling to get back to normal operation... ...Whatever you try, understand you may be hypersensitive to that particular substance or treatment. If you are trying an herb or supplement, take a tiny fraction of a normal dose and see how you react. Don't think you're going to smack a symptom down with a big dose of anything. More is not better when your system is sensitized by withdrawal. Try herbs or supplements one by one. Don't take a bunch of supplements at once. If you have a bad reaction, you won't know which substance caused it. For this reason, we don't recommend "mixed" supplements... For more information see: Important topics about tests, supplements, herbs, treatments I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
pokiok Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 Hi Petu and thanks for the reply. Do you think I could still be dealing with withdrawal after having reinstated? I'm feeling wobbly and dizzy some days and just an overall unwell. My appetite still isn't great but I can at least force myself to eat now, whereas before it was almost out of the question. My muscles ache some days and my digestive issues still are there, sometimes to a lesser degree than others. I just don't know what to make of anything, I just want to feel good. 1995-Zoloft 100mg 1996-Off Zoloft C/T 2000-Zoloft 100mg 2002-Off Zoloft after 50mg decrease then C/T 2006-Zoloft 50mg 2009- Off of everything except occasional Xanax as needed for anxiety Fall 2009-Pregnant with extreme morning sickness, doc prescribed Zoloft again 50mg Summer 2010-Zoloft and Klonopin for anxiety Fall 2011-Quite Zoloft C/T had severe withdrawal, ended up on Lexapro Fall 2011- Lexapro 20mg and Klonopin .5mg May 2014-After weaning myself down to 5mg of Lexapro,I quit. I was fine for the first month August 4th-started back on 5mg of Lexapro, hoping to do a proper taper this time. Also on .5mg of Klonopin and .25mg of Xanax as needed. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted September 4, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 4, 2014 HI Pokiok, First I'd like to say it's nice to have you here and see you supporting other fellow sufferers. In reply to your question. as I probably said already, we are all different, with different drug histories and so on but it's not at all unusual for stabilisation to take time. How much it will take depends among other things on how big jump we made and how long we stayed off the med. I was off the med for 40 days (jumped from 2.5 mg Lex and xanax) and I was very gradually improving over 4 months before I noticed a substantial improvement although still nowhere near to ow I was before the CT...I also ended up on Lexapro following WD after CT Zoloft. As Alto says,this experiences forces us all to become Zen Buddhists. You are doing fine. It might take a bit more time but there will be more and more good days (windows). wishing you more good moments 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
Administrator Karma Posted September 7, 2014 Administrator Share Posted September 7, 2014 Hi Pokiok Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I think stopping all supplements was wise. Yes, I think you are still experiencing withdrawals even though you have re-instated your SSRI. You will likely experience gradual improvement and your symptoms should minimize. Your digestive symptoms sound like gluten intolerance, but I'm not a medical professional and I'm not making a diagnosis. I'm just sharing an observation. Hopefully, your blood work will reveal something specific. Even if magnesium, probiotics and enzymes are the right thing, you will want to start one at a time in a very low dose and see how your body reacts. 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
pokiok Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 Hi All, I got some test results back yesterday from the clinic I went to and it seems that part of my problem, is histamine intolerance. They said that getting off of the Lexapro is a big goal for us and they are totally behind the idea. And also confirmed that AD's can do significant damage to our guts, and maybe that was causing me problems as well. It was nice to have some validation. Also, gluten is a big no for me, as well as tapioca, teff, sesame (boo, I love tahini!) and dairy. So I'm going to try and be very strict in avoiding these and see how that goes. Thanks for the replies guys!! 1995-Zoloft 100mg 1996-Off Zoloft C/T 2000-Zoloft 100mg 2002-Off Zoloft after 50mg decrease then C/T 2006-Zoloft 50mg 2009- Off of everything except occasional Xanax as needed for anxiety Fall 2009-Pregnant with extreme morning sickness, doc prescribed Zoloft again 50mg Summer 2010-Zoloft and Klonopin for anxiety Fall 2011-Quite Zoloft C/T had severe withdrawal, ended up on Lexapro Fall 2011- Lexapro 20mg and Klonopin .5mg May 2014-After weaning myself down to 5mg of Lexapro,I quit. I was fine for the first month August 4th-started back on 5mg of Lexapro, hoping to do a proper taper this time. Also on .5mg of Klonopin and .25mg of Xanax as needed. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted September 10, 2014 Administrator Share Posted September 10, 2014 Interesting. Histamine intolerance seems to be going around, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3503-histamine-intolerance/. Please still be very gradual in going off 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
pokiok Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 Really interesting read, thanks Alto! I've been feeling horrible lately, after a weekend of bingeing on foods I will no longer be able to eat whilst doing this diet for the histamine issue. I've had a headache for 4 days now and feel extremely run down. I'm still on 5mg of Lexapro and .5mg of Klonopin. Have not taken any Xanax.... 1995-Zoloft 100mg 1996-Off Zoloft C/T 2000-Zoloft 100mg 2002-Off Zoloft after 50mg decrease then C/T 2006-Zoloft 50mg 2009- Off of everything except occasional Xanax as needed for anxiety Fall 2009-Pregnant with extreme morning sickness, doc prescribed Zoloft again 50mg Summer 2010-Zoloft and Klonopin for anxiety Fall 2011-Quite Zoloft C/T had severe withdrawal, ended up on Lexapro Fall 2011- Lexapro 20mg and Klonopin .5mg May 2014-After weaning myself down to 5mg of Lexapro,I quit. I was fine for the first month August 4th-started back on 5mg of Lexapro, hoping to do a proper taper this time. Also on .5mg of Klonopin and .25mg of Xanax as needed. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted September 17, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 17, 2014 Nice to hear from you! Sorry you haven't been feeling well but it's good that you know what caused the increase in symptoms. I would like to congratulate you on not reacting to symptoms by changing doses. A person who has mastered that is on the right track to coming off ADs successfully. Now we are on a similar "coctail" and as someone who is suffering badly while trying to come of Xanax, I can only say it's great that you stay away from it. Some 4 months ago I also developed stomach and gut issues following antibiotic therapy and things still haven't settled down. I did a lot of research only to come out confused. The latest was on histamine intolerance and it only added to my confusion ;( I also have an awfully hard time sticking with any diet because my appetite is through the roof and I have cravings for particular food. The longest period I managed to stick with a very restrictive dietary regime was for 10 days... That's why I try to comply at least with the basics: avoid sugar, dairy, gluten and take yoghurt probiotic cultures and most recently whey. I look forward to hearing about how you go with histamine diet. 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
Moderator Emeritus areyouthere Posted September 18, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 18, 2014 Good for you for keeping your med dosages the same and for not using the xanax. It may take a while for your system to settle down after the dietary binges , supplement changes etc. Keeping the med doses even should help in the long run and you will be very grateful for that so keep up the good work!! I'm sure that you have done this already but have you checked out the symptom and self help forum? Perhaps some mindful meditation, very, very gentle exercise such as yoga perhaps, stretches etc. will have boost your natural brain "feel good" chemicals to help tide you over until you are feeling better? I'm sorry that you are suffering but it makes sense because of the changes etc. Hang in there ! RU Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone 1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox. b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b] 2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax My mantra " go slow & with the flow " 3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day) 4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day. 10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro. 1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms. 1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut. Link to comment
pokiok Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Hi Bubble & Areyouthere, Thanks for the encouraging words. I've been very adamant about not changing doses, and will not be starting my taper until October. I'm very nervous about it but have just ordered a milligram scale and am really looking to do this the proper way. I can honestly say that I don't feel as though the Lexapro is even working, it's just keeping me from feeling the intense withdrawal symptoms I was before. Does that make sense? As for the anti-histamine diet, I'm waiting for my nutritionist to send me a meal plan so in the meantime, I'm really struggling with what to eat. Haven't been doing very well, but managing to avoid gluten and dairy at least. xx 1995-Zoloft 100mg 1996-Off Zoloft C/T 2000-Zoloft 100mg 2002-Off Zoloft after 50mg decrease then C/T 2006-Zoloft 50mg 2009- Off of everything except occasional Xanax as needed for anxiety Fall 2009-Pregnant with extreme morning sickness, doc prescribed Zoloft again 50mg Summer 2010-Zoloft and Klonopin for anxiety Fall 2011-Quite Zoloft C/T had severe withdrawal, ended up on Lexapro Fall 2011- Lexapro 20mg and Klonopin .5mg May 2014-After weaning myself down to 5mg of Lexapro,I quit. I was fine for the first month August 4th-started back on 5mg of Lexapro, hoping to do a proper taper this time. Also on .5mg of Klonopin and .25mg of Xanax as needed. Link to comment
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