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Blondiee1915: 3 months off lexapro - does it get better?


Blondiee1915

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  • Mentor

Yea, still the same . I slept better last night though so hopefully will be ok tonight too

oh good! I sure hope you have a good night!!

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
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Thank you Catnapt ❤️ I hope you are doing okay

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
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  • Mentor

thanks

hanging on, taking it one minute at a time

<3

 

we'll get thru this

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

This actually sounds very promising. It takes 4 days for the drug to register and if you already slept better that's a very good sign.

 

Keep us posted.

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 after
reinstated 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. 

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Glad to see you are getting more rest, Blondiee. It can make all the difference. Just give it time and know people are pulling for you.

 

Peace, love and healing.

PatriciaVP@AbleWriterSays My Intro

 

Zoloft 150-200 mg- on and off between 1998 and 2004.

 

Lexapro 40 mg - 2004-2013 30 mg 2013 - August 2015 20 mg August 2015- September 2015 15 mg September 2015 - October 2015 10 mg October 2015 -Nov. 1 2015. Nov. 2015 increased dose to 12.5 mg to stabilize. Dec. 28 2015 11.25 mg March 29, 2016 10 mg. August 1, 2016 9 mg. October 23, 2016 8.1 mg. Nov. 29, 2016 7.5 mg. Feb. 25, 2017 7 mg. April 9, 2017 6.5 mg. June 2017 6 mg. Aug. 2018 5.75 mg March 2019 5.5 mg Apr. 2019 5.25 mg. June 2019 5 mg Sept. 2019 4.75 mg Nov. 2019 4.5 mg Dec. 2019  4.25 April 7 2020 4mg 

 

Depakote 1000 mg 2008-2013  750 2013-Dec 2015 500 mg Dec 2015 to Feb 2, 2016. Sopped completely Feb 2 2016.

 

Adderall 40mg 2004-Feb 29, 2016. Feb 29,2016 - reduced Adderall to 20 mg based on pdoc's recommendations. March 29, 2016 - Reduced Adderall to 15 mg. April 30 reduced Adderall to 10 mgs. May 28, 2016 reduced Adderall to 5 mgs.June 8, 2016 stopped taking Adderall due to extreme agitation.

 

Amphetamine 20mg 2008 - 1/16. 1/16 - Stopped Amphetamine completely because pdoc did not renew script.

WWW.PSYCHFREE.NET 

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Thank you so much everyone. The support really helps and keeps me going. Day 3 on reinstatement 2.5 mg seems okay . Some tiredness, lost of appetite but I feel calmer (placebo effect). I was able to work and concentrate even though I felt dizzy and off balance . I took 0.25 of Xanax (split it in half for am and pm ) . I am feeling positive today and like I can function . Hope everyone is doing okay ❤️

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment

Day 4 since reinstating 2.5 mg of Lexapro.  Work day was okay.  I did take xanax 0.25 (split into two for am and pm).  I did not have I am going crazy thoughts so that is progress I guess. I am still dizzy and disbalanced, but no freak outs just trying to accept the current situation.  I really hope I dont have to increase the dose for lexapro.  I am also having a hard time splitting the 5 mg pill into two, it comes out uneven.  Not sure if that makes a difference.  I started listening to some meditation playlist it helped me fall asleep but insomnia at 4 am again.  Taking it a day at the time.  At this point I am happy I can get through the work day and function.  I am nervous about thinking ahead and being in that dark place again with anxiety and racing thoughts etc.  I am also worried about taking xanax so often.  I am not planning on taking it this weekend since I will be off work.  Hopefully I will feel more at ease with the reinstatement. Hope everyone is doing okay  :mellow:

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment

Glad to hear you're hanging in there. Making it through a day at work is a huge success. Take it a day at a time. You'll be just fine.

PatriciaVP@AbleWriterSays My Intro

 

Zoloft 150-200 mg- on and off between 1998 and 2004.

 

Lexapro 40 mg - 2004-2013 30 mg 2013 - August 2015 20 mg August 2015- September 2015 15 mg September 2015 - October 2015 10 mg October 2015 -Nov. 1 2015. Nov. 2015 increased dose to 12.5 mg to stabilize. Dec. 28 2015 11.25 mg March 29, 2016 10 mg. August 1, 2016 9 mg. October 23, 2016 8.1 mg. Nov. 29, 2016 7.5 mg. Feb. 25, 2017 7 mg. April 9, 2017 6.5 mg. June 2017 6 mg. Aug. 2018 5.75 mg March 2019 5.5 mg Apr. 2019 5.25 mg. June 2019 5 mg Sept. 2019 4.75 mg Nov. 2019 4.5 mg Dec. 2019  4.25 April 7 2020 4mg 

 

Depakote 1000 mg 2008-2013  750 2013-Dec 2015 500 mg Dec 2015 to Feb 2, 2016. Sopped completely Feb 2 2016.

 

Adderall 40mg 2004-Feb 29, 2016. Feb 29,2016 - reduced Adderall to 20 mg based on pdoc's recommendations. March 29, 2016 - Reduced Adderall to 15 mg. April 30 reduced Adderall to 10 mgs. May 28, 2016 reduced Adderall to 5 mgs.June 8, 2016 stopped taking Adderall due to extreme agitation.

 

Amphetamine 20mg 2008 - 1/16. 1/16 - Stopped Amphetamine completely because pdoc did not renew script.

WWW.PSYCHFREE.NET 

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I wanted to comment on this as well. I was also on SSRI (mostly lexapro) for 8-9 years (seems like a blur).  I tried a few times to come off lexapro, in the beginning it was okay and then I got hit with a wave of really crappy symptoms.  I tried again this July and stayed lexapro free for 3 months but my anxiety got so bad and I could not function for the last week.  I felt like I wanted to hide this intense depersonalization/detachment feeling, racing thoughts then insomnia hit and terrible headache that lasted 5 days!  I could not even do things to help with the anxiety like yoga, walking my dog, going to the park I was in fear and dizzy with ears ringing and anxiety.  I made a decision to reinstate this week.  I slept a bit better and got thru the work day okay with the help of a small dose of xanax.  I hate being on SSRI, the emotionless, the tiredness, indifference, dizziness, the only thing it does is helps me function and not feel like I am going crazy.  I still have anxiety on lexapro but not as intense if I were off.  I reinstated at 2.5 mg and my plan is to stabilize for few months.  I felt like a failure I cried and thought I am not strong enough.  But at the end, I am still going to try,it is just a small step back.  I had to reinstate so that I can function and continue on with doing vitamins, healthy diet, walks, yoga.  And when I am strong and stabilized enough I will attempt to taper again.  I think that when you become nonfunctional and cannot do things like in my instance I cannot not go to work I have a mortgage and my family cant financially support me, so I had to reinstate because of that.  Maybe If i had financial stability and other support I would have hold on longer.  But to each its time.  I am glad I can function somewhat and I will continue this quest to be drugs free.  It is a journey.  Each person is different and there are limits.  You can be strong and hold on or you can reinstate and take a step back.  You have to listen to your body and be accepting.  

 

Blondiee, at what point you noticed that you had become emotionless? I'm curious since you have been so many times on and off. Your signature says you have been emotionless during WD but also you just said that you were emotionless when you were on SSRI. 

I was very emotional before meds and on them and during WD I was super emotional until last Autumn when I decided to updose 1mg(4mg-5mg). I had a bad reaction to that updosing and I am still suffering from anhedonia after an year from updosing.

 

Since I had so long lasting symptoms from 1mg updosing I think it is possible to have long lasting symptoms from reinstatement too if one gets bad reaction. Updosing and reinstatement isn't the same thing but there might be similar mechanisim on the onset of bad reaction? No one knows really. One just have to decide what is less risky to them. I cannot know what is best decision for CJAJ16. 

 

I wish you best of luck whatever you decide CJAJ16!

Edited by scallywag
moved from CJAJ16 Intro thread

Citalopram 40mg from 2003-2015

Jan 2015 started tapering first dropped to 35mgFeb 30mg, March 25mgApril 20mg, May 17,5mg, June 15mgJuly 12,5mg, Aug 12,5mg,

Sep 0mg for 5 days because of stomac flu and after I raised to 7,5mg. All the symptoms of acute WD shaking, diarrhea, vomiting, barely could walk ect. Still didn't realize that it wasn't only stomac flu but I was also going through WD.

Oct 2,5mg and crashed again badly and quickly raised to 4mg. It was then when I knew my symptoms were due to WD.

Then in November after a month holding on 4mg raised to 5mg due to muscle weakness and had a VERY BAD reaction to reinstatement: akathisia(lasted for one or two weeks), insomnia, anhedonia... Drop quicly back to 4mg, Dec 3mg

Jan 2016 2,6mg( in the middle of Jan after I had been on 2,6mg for a week I tried to updose to 2,8mg and immediately had bad reaction to it: akathisia for a day, andehonia got worse. The next day dropped back to 2,6mg), Feb 2,4mg( a new symptom PGAD lasted 24/7 for 2 months after that on and off), March 2,4mg, April 2,3mg, May 2,2mg, June 2,1mg, July 2,0mg( Pgad almost nonexisting, sleeping pretty good, still some anhedonia but there has been a lot of gradual progress), Aug 1,97mg-1,89mg, Sep 1,88mg-1,49mg, Oct 1,48mg- 1,70mg,

Nov 0,65mg- current dose 0,5mg

 

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Hi reachingforthestars. Sorry if I were confusing . It is a different feeling . On medication I was more flat indifferent careless at times did not care how I looked and everything took effort (I was always exhausted) . When I went off medication I felt more in tune and started appreciating small things that I overlooked when I was on meds. After I stopped the med on the emotional level I felt disinterested in dating I had no desire to be with anyone physically it has been 3 months and it is weird I feel nothing in that department

Edited by scallywag
moved from CJAJ16 Intro thread

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment

Blondiee.   I am also having a hard time splitting the 5 mg pill into two, it comes out uneven.  Not sure if that makes a difference.

 

Yes. It makes a big difference. You may want to look into a pill cutter or going to liquid - either compounded or making your own to be more exact and not deal with inexact amounts. Precision and accuracy is key.

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/406-tips-for-tapering-off-lexapro-escitalopram/

 

You seem to be going well but it pays to be very careful at this point. Xanax needs to be seriously monitored or you will end up with a problem. It only takes a few weeks to be " hooked".

 

Ali

Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014

 

                                                  Psych Drug - free since May 2014
.
         

Link to comment

Hi AliG, I do have a pill cutter but the 5mg so tiny that when I cut it in the pill cutter it still looks a bit not even maybe I should find another pill cutter . Yes, I am worried about Xanax as well, no way I want to be hooked on that . I only took a bit in the am yesterday and planning on not taking it today and tomorrow . I just had to get thru the work week :/

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment

Blondiee. I understand.  Yes, Pill cutter or liquid. Either way but it needs to be exact.

 

Try to look to natural methods of handling stress/ anxiety/ depression -  whatever brought you here.  Once you get that sorted you are " free & clear ". There will be no further need for the drugs. The thing is to get that base to work from and go on from there. Build a solid base with your " tool kit" of ideas/ coping skills & strategies that fulfill you and help you work towards your eventual goal.  

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Ali

Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014

 

                                                  Psych Drug - free since May 2014
.
         

Link to comment

I am worried because the main reason I started SSRI was panic attacks and then when I got on SSRI I developed general anxiety (no panic attacks) so now since I am stopping I get anxiety and I try not to let it escalate into a panic attack I tried CBT but when I feel icky from withdrawal I get extra sensitive and even more scarred to get a panic attack . I am up at 2.5 mg day 5 now anxiety in am tired body aches Ughh frustrating

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment
  • Mentor

I am worried because the main reason I started SSRI was panic attacks and then when I got on SSRI I developed general anxiety (no panic attacks) so now since I am stopping I get anxiety and I try not to let it escalate into a panic attack I tried CBT but when I feel icky from withdrawal I get extra sensitive and even more scarred to get a panic attack . I am up at 2.5 mg day 5 now anxiety in am tired body aches Ughh frustrating

 

 

I know, this is very hard to go thru.

What is helping me is to not think ahead at all. If I find myself start to worry about what *might* happen in the future, I stop and remind myself that it won't help, and that the only thing I need to do is get thru RIGHT NOW

 

I am scared of going back to what I just went thru as well but I am forcing myself to not think about it.

I know it's very hard.

 Distractions work pretty well for me, sometimes. Other times I have to put on a relaxation tape or play some thing online like what I have on now

 

other times I need to get out of the house, take a bus somewhere or go for a walk. Get together with positive people or go to an event if it's not too stimulating or stressful.

 

Mornings are the hardest. DO you have a plan to deal with the morning anxiety?

it's different for everyone. For me I am leaving the tv on, the noise helps me and I actually sleep more with it on, than with it off. I have always slept better in noisy places, go figure

 

I also have an air purifier that is quite loud and provides white noise, that helps me. Don't know if it's something that would help you.

 

when I wake up and my heart is pounding, I focus on deep belly breathing. Before, I would get scared and worried that it was going to progress to a panic attack but now, I just say, ok this is what is happening now, my heart is beating hard, that's not a bad thing, I can get thru this, I will breathe deeply and think about my breathing, pay attention to my belly rising and falling as I inhale and exhale. If my mind starts to wonder back to things that are distressing, I gently remind it to come back and think about my breathing. Sometimes a calming phrase will run thru my mind, Usually just something i heard the day before (sometimes It's a part of a song, and I will just replay that in my mind as long as I find it calming)

 

it's hard work, but you can do it. It is very frustrating!

 

we are finding out that taking a pill did not really do us much good, and now we need to learn the other ways to deal with anxiety.

but we can do it! we've always been able to do it, we just didn't get any advice on HOW to do it.

now we can teach ourselves and reach out to others who are doing it, and learn to calm ourselves down and move on.

 

I find it extremely helpful that we don't have to go thru this alone. we've got this wonderful group of supportive people. It is making a huge difference for me

 

try to find one small thing each day that you are thankful for, that will also help I think. That way, when you do have anxiety, you can remember that there are good things in your life and draw strength from those things.

also you can draw strength from the fact that you have made it this far, that's a huge achievement!

you *are* getting thru this, as difficult as it is.

you are to be congratulated for that.

 

you're going to be ok.

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

That's a great post Catnap! Thank you :)

 

Blondiee, a lot of members including myself make our own Lexapro liquid. It's very easy actually. All you need is a syringe (I have 10, 5 and 2 ml) and a small jar with a lid.

 

I have 10 mg Lexapro pills. You can put that 10 mg pill into 10 ml of water, wait a bit, stir it well and it will disintegrate. Then you take 2.5 ml with a syringe and will get 2.5 mg very accurately.

 

More about it here:

 

At the bottom of Post #1 in the Tips for Tapering Lexapro topic there is information about how to make your own liquid from tablets to get lower doses.  I suggest you read the following links: 

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

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 after
reinstated 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

I would have liked to see you reinstate on less. I suggested  0.5 - 1 mg. I'm not sure why you jumped to 2.5 mg, however it's done now. I would stay steady for a long while.

 

If you stabilize for a good period of time :  as in many months , then during that time you can possibly learn the coping skills necessary to eventually taper off and remain stable and drug free.  

Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014

 

                                                  Psych Drug - free since May 2014
.
         

Link to comment

Thank you everyone for responding 

 

I am guilty of overthinking what will happen, will I be okay?  I do need to be in the moment more.  

 

Catnapt - thank you for your suggestions.  I do not have a plan on how to deal with my anxiety.  I get terrified by it, think there is something wrong with me, ignore it, and hope it goes away.  If it does not, I freak out even more.  Mornings are difficult for me because I have little time to get ready and get to work.  And while I am getting ready for work I am thinking about my anxiety how it will be and so on.  I am looking for a magical fix, but I know there is none.  

 

Bubble - thank you for the link.  I am going to call my doctor first and see if she can prescribe liquid if not,  I do think I need to start making my own.  

 

AliG - I got so freaked out by how I was feeling that I wanted to feel better asap and I honestly thought that .5 mg will not make a difference.  At 2.5 I do not have that intense depersonalization and detachment but the anxiety is still there.  I should have perhaps started at 1.  

 

Update: today is day 7 at 2.5 mg.  Depesonalization is mostly gone.  I sleep thru the whole night now, no insomnia.  Intense fear is gone and I can function.  I still feel anxiety specially in the am.  Some brain fog, tiredness,  some apathy (I know lexapro is making me feel this way).  I dont want to do things and I feel like this is a closed circle.  I am doing my best to appear normal.  I have a social anxiety as well.  I am worried that I am still single need to date, have children.  But I am such a mess I cannot even go on a date.   

 

Question - did anyone have success with self help books?  

 

Thank you everyone again for your advice and support <3

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment
  • Mentor

hi Blondie so glad you are feeling better

 

I have a book called Managing Your Mind, it covers ALL kinds of topics, including anxiety and depression

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/883834.Managing_Your_Mind

 

It's kind of like a reference book, you don't need to read the whole thing, just go to the chapters that address the issues you are having.

 

I am having better luck with audio CDs and online meditations but that's just me. where i live it is very quiet, I am oftne alone and that scares me, so I need to have added noise. the news/tv and most radio stations tend to trigger me, so I find  soothing things to listen to.

 

ah yes, I was getting terrified by my anxiety too and trying to ignore it but it turns out, that makes it worse :(

as hard as it is, we need to face it and kind of talk back to it, tell it that it's just a feeling, not based on FACTS but just a reaction that our brain is having,

while it heals,

and that it will pass and it will not hurt us.

it feels scary and awful but that's all, it's not dangerous.

we can curse it out for being so awful if that helps LOL

 

Oh I still want a magical fix as well but try not to think about that, cuz that will get me nowhere.

 

maybe if you have little time in the morning, you could try maybe going to bed earlier and getting up a bit earlier, would that be something you might want to try?
or do you have set sleep/wake hours?

I have Too much time in the morning because I still only sleep about 3 or 4 hrs and wake up and cant' get back to sleep. I have to try to plan things to do to keep my mind from going to bad places.

Coming here and trying to help others going thru this, is one of the things I do.

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
Link to comment

Hi Catnapt, 

 

Ah, thank you for the recommendation on the book.  I will check it out.  I do think having support here is making this process a bit easier.  People that understand and can listen and give suggestions.  

 

I tried everything with my anxiety - cursing it, playing nice with it, yelling at it, nothing helps, it is just there.  I do need to just accept it.  I just took my dog for a walk and I felt anxious. I was breathing and trying to accept it but it is so hard.  My mind was going into, what will happen if I pass out because I am so dizzy?  Who will find me?  Where is the nearest house I can run to in case I need help?  So irrational.  I remember back in the day when I was struggling with anxiety I would get chest tightness, shortness of breath.  Now I my chest feels fine, my breathing is okay, it is just the dizziness.  I appear normal.  I remember when I used to go for CBT therapy, my therapist made me hyperventilate to trigger anxiety and then he took a video of me walking and talking.  I was so dizzy but I appeared like a normal human being.  That actually helped me to know that at least others don't see me looking cray cray.

 

My therapist also shared this analogy with me which I find helpful: anxiety is like an annoying neighbor.  Let's say you are having a party and the neighbor (anxiety) is not invited.  You are having fun with your guests enjoying and then this neighbor comes by and starts banging on the door to be let it.  If you don't let him in and try to do everything to prevent him from coming in it will create even more stress, you will be focused on not letting him in, paying attention to knocking and trying to control the situation.  But if you just open the door and let him in and let it be it could be easier.  It does not mean you need to be best friends with him, but simply accepting it and letting it inside.  You can continue on with you party and just say ok, here is my annoying neighbor I am letting him in and he is here but I will continue on.  I don't know if it makes sense but to me I thought it was helpful. 

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment

Day 8 on 2.5 mg - still have anxiety specially in the am I am afraid to go like that to work so I take tiny dose of Xanax . Terrified to get addicted to it . How long do I stay on 2.5 mg of lexapro to stabilize . I am starting to feel the fatigue which means it is working but my anxiety is still there.

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment
  • Mentor

Hi Catnapt, 

 

Ah, thank you for the recommendation on the book.  I will check it out.  I do think having support here is making this process a bit easier.  People that understand and can listen and give suggestions.  

 

I tried everything with my anxiety - cursing it, playing nice with it, yelling at it, nothing helps, it is just there.  I do need to just accept it.  I just took my dog for a walk and I felt anxious. I was breathing and trying to accept it but it is so hard.  My mind was going into, what will happen if I pass out because I am so dizzy?  Who will find me?  Where is the nearest house I can run to in case I need help?  So irrational.  I remember back in the day when I was struggling with anxiety I would get chest tightness, shortness of breath.  Now I my chest feels fine, my breathing is okay, it is just the dizziness.  I appear normal.  I remember when I used to go for CBT therapy, my therapist made me hyperventilate to trigger anxiety and then he took a video of me walking and talking.  I was so dizzy but I appeared like a normal human being.  That actually helped me to know that at least others don't see me looking cray cray.

 

My therapist also shared this analogy with me which I find helpful: anxiety is like an annoying neighbor.  Let's say you are having a party and the neighbor (anxiety) is not invited.  You are having fun with your guests enjoying and then this neighbor comes by and starts banging on the door to be let it.  If you don't let him in and try to do everything to prevent him from coming in it will create even more stress, you will be focused on not letting him in, paying attention to knocking and trying to control the situation.  But if you just open the door and let him in and let it be it could be easier.  It does not mean you need to be best friends with him, but simply accepting it and letting it inside.  You can continue on with you party and just say ok, here is my annoying neighbor I am letting him in and he is here but I will continue on.  I don't know if it makes sense but to me I thought it was helpful. 

 

 

thanks you Blondie for sharing that stuff about anxiety, that's interesting- from now on,

I will call my anxiety  my annoying neighbor lol

 

I hope you are doing better.

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
Link to comment
  • Mentor

Day 8 on 2.5 mg - still have anxiety specially in the am I am afraid to go like that to work so I take tiny dose of Xanax . Terrified to get addicted to it . How long do I stay on 2.5 mg of lexapro to stabilize . I am starting to feel the fatigue which means it is working but my anxiety is still there.

has anyone mentioned that you can have a rebound effect from the xanax? I'm reluctant to say too much about it, as I don't fully understand it myself,

but I had been trying to take a tiny tiny dose of klonopin to get me thru the anxiety and panic attacks and it basically backfired and made things worse

 

I will try to find the name of the member who helped me with that, offhand I think it was Shep..? I am very tired today and having a hard time thinking well

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Blondiee it can take several weeks for the CNS to stabilize after reinstatement. Please keep notes on paper of your symptoms.
Take notes of doses and symptoms

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Hi Catnapt - I am doing okay.   I am so exhausted.  I went to bed at 8.30 pm woke up at 7 and was tired all day. Got home from work ate dinner it is 7.22 and I am ready for bed.  I know that lexapro wiped out my adrenal gland (I had that saliva test done which showed very low levels of adrenal gland production).  Question is will it improve?  I was tired before reinstating but now it is worse.  I do not know if I can continue function like this.  Honestly, is there anything I can take to feel normal again?  I am getting so frustrated and it is hard to do anything like exercise or meditate because I am falling asleep right after work.  I am also feeling ache all over my body like a flu.  

 

Hi scallywag - thank you for your feedback.  I hope I will last and it will get better.  I will keep notes on my symptoms.  

 

I just want to feel a tiny bit better.  It feels like a closed circle.  Lexapro makes me exhausted, apathetic, dizzy and I sleep all the time and when I am trying to withdraw I feel like crap too.  What do I do :( 

 

Sorry for a sad rant, just not a great day.  The only good thing is that I lasted a full day at work without taking a xanax.  

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment
  • Mentor

Hi Catnapt - I am doing okay.   I am so exhausted.  I went to bed at 8.30 pm woke up at 7 and was tired all day. Got home from work ate dinner it is 7.22 and I am ready for bed.  I know that lexapro wiped out my adrenal gland (I had that saliva test done which showed very low levels of adrenal gland production).  Question is will it improve?  I was tired before reinstating but now it is worse.  I do not know if I can continue function like this.  Honestly, is there anything I can take to feel normal again?  I am getting so frustrated and it is hard to do anything like exercise or meditate because I am falling asleep right after work.  I am also feeling ache all over my body like a flu.  

 

Hi scallywag - thank you for your feedback.  I hope I will last and it will get better.  I will keep notes on my symptoms.  

 

I just want to feel a tiny bit better.  It feels like a closed circle.  Lexapro makes me exhausted, apathetic, dizzy and I sleep all the time and when I am trying to withdraw I feel like crap too.  What do I do :(

 

Sorry for a sad rant, just not a great day.  The only good thing is that I lasted a full day at work without taking a xanax.  

 

 

Hi

sorry things are not going well for you. I would be concerned that the xanax is making you so sleepy, not the lexapro, or not just the lexapro

 

 

as far as taking something to feel better, sadly I think what we need to do is find ways to deal without ingesting things (beyond certain supplements and as healthy a diet as we can eat- no caffeine, etc)

 

I don't know anything about any saliva tests... where did you find info on that?

 

hopefully a mod can give you advice as I'm just a fellow traveler on this journey and only know what is working for me.

I had taken a tiny tiny bit of klonopin when I first started having these massive early morning panic attacks and cortisol spikes and it back fired and made things worse. So I stopped it and it was rough but I got thru it.

I think I'd probably still be having problems if I hadn't taken the advice I was given her to heart.

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
Link to comment

Hi Catnapt, thank you for your feedback.  I am going to give it a bit more time and see what happens.  I am still so exhausted 6.30 pm and ready for bed.  The only thing that the reinstatement helped with was the intense fear and racing thoughts and some detachment.  But now I am even more dizzy disbalanced and exhausted.  I need to keep my job and I am thinking of possibly increasing the dosage to 5 mg, but nervous that fatigue will intensify.  I was also considering of bridging to prozac, but not sure.  I think lexapro pooped out on me a long time ago and when I am on it I feel like I am in a dark hole and like a zombie.  

Hope you are doing okay

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Please don't increase your dose from 2.5. Lexapro is a very powerful medication; it's hard to know how you'll respond to a jump to 5 mg.

 

You've been on the reinstated dose for 9 or 10 days now. It can take weeks for your CNS to settle down and for your symptoms to stabilize. Please give it time and take care of yourself.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment
  • Mentor

Hi Catnapt, thank you for your feedback.  I am going to give it a bit more time and see what happens.  I am still so exhausted 6.30 pm and ready for bed.  The only thing that the reinstatement helped with was the intense fear and racing thoughts and some detachment.  But now I am even more dizzy disbalanced and exhausted.  I need to keep my job and I am thinking of possibly increasing the dosage to 5 mg, but nervous that fatigue will intensify.  I was also considering of bridging to prozac, but not sure.  I think lexapro pooped out on me a long time ago and when I am on it I feel like I am in a dark hole and like a zombie.  

Hope you are doing okay

 

 

hi

i'm gradually doing better each day. Please listen to the mods on this, I re instated at a TINY dose, just 1/20th of a mg and yes, in a few days I was up to 1/5 of a mg, but that's still TINY compared to the jump you are considering

 

I had rough days, yes, but this is a process, and you have to expect some bad days. I am still not 100% and frankly no longer expect to be 100% for a year or more, but I am so much better than I was 2 weeks ago.

 

however, If I had gone up any more in my dose, I am SURE I would not have continued to improve. It would have been too much and I would be in bad shape, maybe not in the same way I was before, but in some other way, with more severe side effects or something

 

I know how hard it is to be patient but please try  ok?

 

hang in there, it's going to get better!!

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
Link to comment

Hi Catnapt,

 

I am glad you are doing better each day.  I hope you continue to succeed on this journey and inspire others.  Thank you for giving advice and support it makes me want to stick to this and not give up.  I will try to be more patient and accepting with myself.  A day at the time.  I worry about the future though and my ability to perform and that terrifies me.  As moderator recommended to stick to 2.5 mg to stabilize I will suck it up and stay at this dose.  I just hope I can function and I will improve, it seems impossible at this stage, but I am hopeful. 

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment

Hi Scallywag, 

 

Thank you for your reply.  I did not think my nervous system was sensitive as I was on these drugs for over 8 year I figured my body is so used to drugs this tiny dose will probably not do much.  But it does make sense.  My body is adjusting and healing and needs time.  I will report back on the symptoms in few days I hope I can see some tiny improvement. 

 

Question - since I was initially prescribed the meds for anxiety and panic attacks but never received therapy for it (except for few weeks of CBT) would you recommend starting therapy again to deal with this or in this case because of intense withdrawal symptoms it is better to hold off to feel better first and then attempt therapy again?  I would like to start therapy but as of now my withdrawals are intense I feel like it will not benefit me at the moment.  

 

Thank you again!

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

It would probably be best to wait before undergoing therapy.  Especially if your anxiety and panic attacks where initiated from trauma.

 

However, when you are feeling a bit more stable you could start learning Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms without going into formal therapy.  Below are a list of things which you can check out.  Dr Claire Weekes in particular is very good.  She was a doctor who suffered from anxiety and learned and taught ways to cope:

 

  1. Acceptance
  2. Acceptance and Mindfulness
  3. Acupuncture - Posts #6 & #8 (not detox or stimulation)
  4. Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System
  5. "Change the channel" -- dealing with cognitive symptoms
  6. Change cognitive framing - Redirect - Another Way
  7. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression
  8. Cognitive Behavior Therapy lessons
  9. Guided Meditations, Calming Videos, Sleep Hypnosis
  10. Journalling - Therapeutic Writing & Health Benefits
  11. Yoga for calming (very simple poses can help greatly) - see especially the "legs up the wall" position

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

And here's a good one:  Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment

Thank you so much ChessieCat ! I will check out the links. It has been 12 days since I reinstated and the exhaustion and detachment are so intense . Is this really possible for lexapro withdrawal to feel so exhausted ? I don't know if I can continue being like this but increasing the dosage terrifies me as well as when I was on lexapro I was exhausted as well . Sallywag mentioned it can take weeks to stabilize but I don't know if I can be like this any longer and have a full time job :((((

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment
  • Mentor

hi Blondie just popping in to say hi and see how you are doing.

 

I wonder, since I am kind of a solution oriented person, if there is any way you can take a short leave from your job or some sick days (paid time off) or something? I know that's rarely an option for anyone these days but just thought I'd ask. I know you're very concerned about keeping your job as you go thru this WD.

Is there anyone, family or friends, who might be able/willing to help you out if you needed to take a couple of days that you wouldn't get paid for?
I was just thinking since you mention the job so often, that maybe have some sort of alternative might ease some of your stress.

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
Link to comment

Hi Catnapt, 

 

I am doing so so.  My job is so demanding and our office is small and everyone knows what is going on and talks most I can get would be a week off.  I am going to see how I am doing this weekend and if not better I have to go back on lexapro's at least 5 mg.  I would have to take that risk on my nervous system because my job is at risk and I just cannot continue going to work and feeling like this.  My plan is if I am not getting better go back on 5 mg and finish up with my work exam wait until year end (we get bonuses/promotions) and based on that I will then start tapering again and even take a leave of absence if necessary.  I almost left work today felt that anxiety and extreme disbalance/fatigue I dont even know how i made it through the day, but I am glad I did.  Thank you so much for advice and solution I think if I did not have to work I would def ride this out for sure and not even reinstate.  But it is what it is.  

 

How are you doing??

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
Link to comment

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