Whole1987: Tapering Lexapro and body aches, nausea

[Whole1987]

Hello. I am 55yo female, stay at home mom. I've always struggled with depression and anxiety. I don't like to use self diagnosis, so please forgive these labels...if I were to look at a collection of things that have caused me to have trouble in life, they could be clustered around sensory integration disorder and some aspergers tendencies. I live in a community full of high achievers, and many have the aspergers tendencies, so I don't feel so bad about that anymore, but for 54 years, I did. The sensory integration issues were a hot bed for the exhausting anxiety and resulting depression.

 

I went on Lexapro 5 or 6 years ago when my 11 year old son's learning disability (rooted in sensory integration disorder) was completely overwhelming me. I was freaking out over not being able to help him and my husband's complete inability to help or even participate--for my son or for me. I went on the Lexapro to help me to stop screaming at and physically grabbing and charging at my children, esp the 11 year old, but the then 6 year old was watching. The Lexapro helped, but soon, I realized that anxiety was a useful fuel for me in my days and I missed it. I also became completely depressed over my situation (having given up my outside the home career, husband whose expectation that I seamlessly transition from highly educated executive to laundress), so I went on Wellbutrin. I have also always kept some Lorazepam in my purse for anxiety attacks. Having it available has usually been remedy enough, so I scarcely ever use it. Less than 10 pills per year which I break in half for 50-75% of a whole pill.

 

The apathy that has come with my treatment has gotten way out in front of me. My husband changed jobs, not unusual in his field or in our lives (but tiresome as he is a pain in the --- during the transition), but the insurance transition was annoying so I ran out of Wellbutrin and figured I'd just stop it. Time for the apathy to go away. This was 3-4 months ago, and while initially it was wacky, I feel I am over that. I did, however, gain 15 pounds. On top of the 20+ I had already gained since starting Lexapro and the 20 I gained prior to starting medications with the anxiety with my son, I now have 55 pounds to lose, which of course, makes me depressed and overwhelmed.

 

I want off the Lexapro. I cut 20 mg pills in half and have been on 10 mg for a while. I sometimes forget to take the pill and pay the price with tingling, dizziness, blurred vision. I was going to trim down to 5 mg, but after reading these posts, I will go for 7.5 for a month.

 

Looking for recommendations for supplements for getting through this. Sounds like vitamins, omegas are a starting point. Also the dreaded diet and exercise.

 

I just turned 55, and came up with a program called 55Alive for myself. Shooting for 55 minutes a day of: walking, focused mothering, focused wife-ing (this will be the hardest one), focus on friends, focus on faith, focus on housework & home improvement. Not trying to do all at once, but as much and as many as I can per day. Trying, also, to keep a log.

 

My member name refers back to the year in my life where I was most happy and confident with myself, the most optimistic, and the most energetic in my life. So much exercise involved in that, but it was wonderful. I want to be the person that person would have been at age 55.

 

Thank you.

[pug]

Whole1987,

You have found the right place to get help an support; welcome and so glad you are here.

[brassmonkey]

Hi Whole1987-- I remember that being a pretty good year too.  Welcome to the group, I'm glad you found us.  Sound like you have a lot going on in your life right now.  There are a couple of things we need to know that will really help us make suggestions. The big one is how did you come off of the Wellbutrin?  If you would list everything in a signature block it would be really helpful;

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

 

Also there are some other threads that it would be a good idea for you to read

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

 

There is a ton more information here, but this will be a good introduction.

[Whole1987]

After about 3 months at 10 mg Lexapro down from about 4 years at 20mg, this week I went down to 5 mg. I was proud of myself for making progress, and the drop from 20 to 10 wasn't too bad. I had stopped Wellbutrin cold turkey about 3 or 4 months ago also, which was messy. I was tripping and falling so much from that, that even my husband noticed it. But I got through it, gained 10-15 pounds.

 

Going down to 5 mg of Lexapro on Monday leaves me, by Friday, feeling like road kill. My joints are very painful and I am having body aches as though I have the flu. The nausea reminds me of when I was pregnant (I vomited for 7 months with both my pregnancies). I've lost about 5 pounds, and today I just don't feel like eating at all. Today I took 2 Aleve for my joints, I think that is starting to kick in. (I hope I hope)

 

I am optimistic and very happy to be making my way to a med-free life. In the years I was on the meds, I became very apathetic. But I had never felt not-anxious or not-depressed. I was thankful for that. It gave me a benchmark of feeling that I had never experienced. With that, I will remind myself when I feel anxious that I can dial it back by choice. That will be hard, but I really want off this drug.

 

Finally, I notice I am crying at sentimental things again. Not too much, but I used to really tear up at stuff. It shows me how numb I had become. I've had a few occasions where I have cracked up laughing in a way that was almost down right gleeful. It was so stark, I was taken aback by it!

 

Any tips and reassurances for my current symptoms would sure be welcome. I am going to go with the flax seed oil and vitamin D for sure and see how that helps.

[Tilly]

Hi Whole,

 

You are tapering very quickly. 10% (max) reductions at very slow (monthly or longer) intervals are recommended to avoid stressing your nervous system.

 

I am currently tapering from Lexapro. Once I hit the 5mg mark I was hit by very similar symptoms to you which caused me to be bed bound at times. I have stayed at 2.9mg since May to stabilise and not stress my system any more than it can manage.

 

I think that we can all empathise with the need to be med free. However, slow and steady is best to avoid any more suffering or destabilisation of the nervous system.

 

Wishing you well.

 

Tilly x

[Altostrata]

Hello, Whole.
 
Yes, you are getting withdrawal symptoms. This isn't good for your nervous system. Please consider tapering more slowly.
 
See
 
What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

[Petunia]

Hi Whole,

I merged your new post in with your original introduction/update topic, its one intro thread per member. You can use this thread as your ongoing journal to track progress, write about symptoms, ask questions and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want.

 

You have been tapering too fast. We suggest reducing by no more than 10% of the current dose every 4 weeks, this reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms arising. Please read through this which will explain why:

  

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Over time, these drugs change your nervous system. Their effects on your nervous system change as well.  These changes are temporary, but the CNS does take quite a while to right itself after the drugs are out of the body. Also see:

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

 

and... Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

 

My own experience with coming off Lexapro was that I tapered much too fast after being on it for about 7 years. I finally stopped taking it at the end of 2010 after a 2 - 3 month taper. I did what you are doing, I was cutting my dose in half every few weeks.

 

Five years later, I'm still in protracted withdrawal.

 

You are already in withdrawal from stopping wellbutrin CT just a few months ago. Please stop tapering and take the time to read the information here, for some people, withdrawal syndrome can last a long time, and you are already showing signs that your nervous system is in trouble.

 

I see that Alto added a post while I was typing this, she added the same links I did, please read through them and save yourself from possibly suffering for a long time.

 

Petunia.

[Whole1987]

Today I feel well! I need to get the liquid for tapering and will make an appointment with the Dr. on Monday. Thank you for the feedback!

[Altostrata]

You're welcome. You may wish to stay at your present dosage for a month or more, to allow your nervous system to accommodate to all the changes.