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

[Frogie]

Hi Frogie - thank you for the friendship

I have that gene mutation MTHFR where my body does not absorb folic acid so I have to take it in the special form

Hi Blondiee:

 

Sorry to hear that, but at least there is meds that help you.

 

I hope that Luvox helps you. Sounds like it makes you really tired.

 

I just started tapering Lexapro, I have a long way to go.

 

It will be nice to talk to you

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Happy2Heal]

  I had a bad day yesterday and thought it will never be better, but today was a much better day.  I am not sure if this has to do with the weather the sun was shinning and I always feel better during sunny days.  I thought how when I feel terrible I cannot even fathom that one day I can be fine and have no symptoms, I jump to the worst conclusions and it just such a sucky feeling.  And then when I feel somewhat okay and I quickly forget about the bad symptoms and then when they return it is hard to be accepting again and remember that the good days are possible.  I have to be positive and think about the present.  I like what you wrote in your latest post how to be with the now is very important and crucial.  I started therapy and I realize that all of my fears are about the future and the past.  I do not think about the present being in the moment and this is something I have to work on.

 

 

this is exactly what I am going thru. I like the good days so much and I am so disappointed when I get a bad one, it seems harder and harder to get thru them each time, instead of easier.

 

the sun being out has a huge impact on my mood as well, I need to look into getting one of those lamps they have for SAD (seasonal affective disorder)

[Chicago77]

Hi Frogie - thank you for the friendship

 

I have that gene mutation MTHFR where my body does not absorb folic acid so I have to take it in the special form

I have that MTHFR gene mutation too! I would be curious to see how many of us that are suffering from WD have that mutation. It would be interesting to see if there is any correlation. 

[Blondiee1915]

 

Hi Frogie - thank you for the friendship

I have that gene mutation MTHFR where my body does not absorb folic acid so I have to take it in the special form

Hi Blondiee:

Sorry to hear that, but at least there is meds that help you.

I hope that Luvox helps you. Sounds like it makes you really tired.

I just started tapering Lexapro, I have a long way to go.

It will be nice to talk to you

Take care,

Frogie xx

Hi Frogie -

 

It is a supplement not a med so I guess at least that is good that it can help

I always had fatigue as long as I can remember after I started lexapro but Luvox does make me tired too specially in the beginning when I switched I am a tiny bit better in the tiredness department

When are you thinking to start tapering ? You can do it ! Just go slow . I wish I found this site in spring it was such a quick taper all the withdrawal symptoms I experienced in October were so scary I never want to go back to that place .

[Frogie]

 

 

Hi Frogie - thank you for the friendship

I have that gene mutation MTHFR where my body does not absorb folic acid so I have to take it in the special form

Hi Blondiee:

Sorry to hear that, but at least there is meds that help you.

I hope that Luvox helps you. Sounds like it makes you really tired.

I just started tapering Lexapro, I have a long way to go.

It will be nice to talk to you

Take care,

Frogie xx

Hi Frogie -

It is a supplement not a med so I guess at least that is good that it can help

I always had fatigue as long as I can remember after I started lexapro but Luvox does make me tired too specially in the beginning when I switched I am a tiny bit better in the tiredness department

When are you thinking to start tapering ? You can do it ! Just go slow . I wish I found this site in spring it was such a quick taper all the withdrawal symptoms I experienced in October were so scary I never want to go back to that place .

Hi Blondiee:

 

I did a really stupid thing and last spring I cut my Lexapro in 1/2. I had a really hard time with nausea, 24/7. It's getting better now. I might have it 2 times a week. That's the only W/D symptom I've had. I started tapering in January, down to 9. My dr gave me the liquid. I'm taking it slow. But know I have a sinus infection that my fiancé had and shared. Wasn't that nice of him. Lol... Did you have nausea at all? I tried ginger, it made me sicker. My dr gave me zofran and phenegran but only take it when it's unbearable.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Blondiee1915]

 

I had a bad day yesterday and thought it will never be better, but today was a much better day.  I am not sure if this has to do with the weather the sun was shinning and I always feel better during sunny days.  I thought how when I feel terrible I cannot even fathom that one day I can be fine and have no symptoms, I jump to the worst conclusions and it just such a sucky feeling.  And then when I feel somewhat okay and I quickly forget about the bad symptoms and then when they return it is hard to be accepting again and remember that the good days are possible.  I have to be positive and think about the present.  I like what you wrote in your latest post how to be with the now is very important and crucial.  I started therapy and I realize that all of my fears are about the future and the past.  I do not think about the present being in the moment and this is something I have to work on.

 

 

Hi Cat - I actually have a lamp I used it a few times and stopped thinking about using it again consistently I think I have that seasonal disorder too .

 

 

this is exactly what I am going thru. I like the good days so much and I am so disappointed when I get a bad one, it seems harder and harder to get thru them each time, instead of easier.

 

the sun being out has a huge impact on my mood as well, I need to look into getting one of those lamps they have for SAD (seasonal affective disorder)

[Blondiee1915]

 

Hi Frogie - thank you for the friendship

I have that gene mutation MTHFR where my body does not absorb folic acid so I have to take it in the special form

 

I have that MTHFR gene mutation too! I would be curious to see how many of us that are suffering from WD have that mutation. It would be interesting to see if there is any correlation.

 

Hi Chicago77, how are you doing ? Any updates ? So I guess I am not the only one on lexapro and with that gene mutation . I wonder if lexapro caused it . So crazy

[Frogie]

Hi Frogie - thank you for the friendship

I have that gene mutation MTHFR where my body does not absorb folic acid so I have to take it in the special form

Hi Blondiee:

 

How do you know if you have it or not?

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Blondiee1915]

You get a test for it . It is a kit and you take your saliva few times a day and freeze it send it to the lab and they provide a report on findings . I do not remember the name of the company . But you can look it up on google maybe? I got it done at an alternative med center .

[Blondiee1915]

I am feeling some nausea today and fatigue allllll day . I had a few okay days and today not so good . I switched to Luvox cr 3 days ago not sure if that could be related . I count the beads since it comes in a 100 mg and I noticed that some of the beads are a bit dofferent in size but they are so tiny I am not sure if it can cause anything

[Frogie]

I am feeling some nausea today and fatigue allllll day . I had a few okay days and today not so good . I switched to Luvox cr 3 days ago not sure if that could be related . I count the beads since it comes in a 100 mg and I noticed that some of the beads are a bit dofferent in size but they are so tiny I am not sure if it can cause anything

I was counting beads with my Prilosec and found the same thing.

I know a PPI is not an antidepressant, but I don't know if they change anything or not.

 

Thanks for the info on the folate test.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Blondiee1915]

Hi Frogie - you are welcome . Yea I am not sure what is going on with this nausea . I had 3 days where I was okay and the last two I am nauseous and very very tired . How are you ?

[Frogie]

Hi Frogie - you are welcome . Yea I am not sure what is going on with this nausea . I had 3 days where I was okay and the last two I am nauseous and very very tired . How are you ?

I got my fiancés upper respiratory infection. Went on antibiotics sat. Tried sudafed and it wigged me out, no more of that for me.

I still get nauseous 3-4 times a week, but at least it's not everyday.

Hope you feel better.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Chicago77]

 

Hi Frogie - thank you for the friendship

I have that gene mutation MTHFR where my body does not absorb folic acid so I have to take it in the special form

Hi Blondiee: How do you know if you have it or not?

 

Frogie,

 

You can also get a blood test from your doctor to see if you have the MTHFR gene. If you don't want to go to your doctor you can order a Saliva or blood test like Blondie said. I've ordered saliva tests from Life Extension online.

[Frogie]

Thanks Chicago77

 

Nice to meet you!

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Blondiee1915]

The past few days have been difficult.  Struggling with fatigue.  My body feels so heavy and even achy.  I just want to collapse and sleep.  Not sure what is going on if this is a wave or medication or WD still.  Even my breathing is so slow.  I wonder if this fatigue will ever lift, or bc I am still taking medication it will not.  

Also, how long do I have to be on this dose before deciding to start tapering again?  I know I am thinking ahead and should first stabilize.  I guess my mind is jumping into what if this is the state I will be in for a while but I still want to taper what do I do then? 

[ChessieCat]

Brassmonkey calls withdrawal normal.  You can read his description here:  brassmonkey

 

This topic may be helpful too:  Stabilising After a Reduction - What Does That Mean?

 

You might also find it helpful to Rate Symptoms Daily to Check Patterns and Progress.   If you rate your symptoms you may be able to notice small improvements that you haven't felt.

 

There are some useful symptoms lists here including printable and computer versions:  Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms

[Blondiee1915]

Thank you ChessieCat I will check it out

[Blondiee1915]

I had a follow up visit with naturopath.  She tested me for some viral infections (searching for the causes of fatigue).  She gave me the results and it looks like I have some viral antibodies that I tested positive for - cytomegalovirus antibody IGG, EBV Viral Capsid AG AB IGG and EBV Nuclear AG AB IGG.  She said that my immune system needs to be able to recover and needs some boost and perhaps having these viral antibodies add to the fatigue.  I did some research at home and it looks like they all belong to herpes family, I do have dormant herpes virus but I am not sure if these other viruses have anything to do with being in withdrawal and my immune system being weakened and not as strong.  Naturopath gave me some viral immune stimulator drops and an immune complex.  The way I am interpreting this is that being on medication for 10 years and withdrawing weakened my immune system and past viruses I had my immune system did not fully fight off.  I also struggle with heavy periods.  She thinks it could be connected as well.  Wants me to do lean protein veggies diet a week before I get my period to see if it helps plus iron & ferritin supplement. 

Any input much appreciated. 

Today I am very tired.  Slept 10 hours plus a nap.  I have an event to go to later in the evening hope I can get through it and not fall asleep. 

[Blondiee1915]

Th fatigue has been so bad the past few days I am not sure what to think . My body feels so heavy and even achy, my eyes hurt, my ears ringing and it is so hard to wake up in the morning . There is not even a small window in a day where I feel somewhat awake . Is this normal in WD?

[LexAnger]

My guess, it's from the drug side effect. Do you want to try to reduce the dose see how you feel?

[KarenB]

It's true, as LexAnger says, that people do sometimes find relief from side effects by reducing a little.  Usually though this is after a longish hold where no improvements had been seen. 

 

I had a look back through your thread to see what's been happening lately, and saw that on 23 January you cut the luvox from 50mg to 37.5mg to see if it would help with the exhaustion and vertigo.  That was a big reduction for your CNS to cope with, and it has not helped with either symptom, so I don't imagine that reducing further would provide relief.

 

Have things worsened since that Jan 23rd cut?  If so, there may be some merit in up-dosing to something close to where you were.  However I'd want input from some other mods first as I'm torn between that and having a good long hold to allow some stabilisation to happen. 

[Blondiee1915]

My guess, it's from the drug side effect. Do you want to try to reduce the dose see how you feel?

Hi Lex,

I was thinking about the dose cut too but too nervous . I was going to hold for a month and then reduce by 10% to see if that helps .

How are you doing ?

[Blondiee1915]

It's true, as LexAnger says, that people do sometimes find relief from side effects by reducing a little.  Usually though this is after a longish hold where no improvements had been seen. 

 

I had a look back through your thread to see what's been happening lately, and saw that on 23 January you cut the luvox from 50mg to 37.5mg to see if it would help with the exhaustion and vertigo.  That was a big reduction for your CNS to cope with, and it has not helped with either symptom, so I don't imagine that reducing further would provide relief.

 

Have things worsened since that Jan 23rd cut?  If so, there may be some merit in up-dosing to something close to where you were.  However I'd want input from some other mods first as I'm torn between that and having a good long hold to allow some stabilisation to happen.

 

Hi KarenB,

 

I did do a large drop from 50 to 37.5 (25%) mainly because of vertigo episodes . Since then I have not had any vertigo episodes which is good . I am nervous that updosing will bring them back. I think my mood seems better so that is an improvement . Anxiety also seems okay. The fatigue did not improve though. Part of me thinks it is a drug side effect for instance usually I would be awake at 7 am no problems but now if it is the weekend I can easily sleep until 10/11 am and would feel a need for a nap . It is that kind of tired that I can't concentrate at times and feel like I am awake but not present and just very heavy feeling . I remember my dr saying it could be anxiety as it manifests itself but I don't think it is I think I am fatigued . The other part of me thinks it could be related to lexapro WD. I was tired on lexapro and remember when I was off it this fall similar symptoms of fatigue burning eyes and heavy body / flu like feeling . For some reason I think my fatigue is worse now . I also think that I developed fatigue while being on lexapro and in order for me to recover I need to be off it for some time as my adrenals are shot . So if I do increase I feel like I am taking a step back. Maybe I should just suck it up a bit more

 

I am not sure what to do . I was thinking of holding at 37.5 for a month and then reduce by 10% and seeing what happens . It is getting nicer out and I usually feel better when it is .

 

B

[Blondiee1915]

I also started taking mitochondrial NRG supplement to help with the fatigue (3 daily ) I have to add this to my info

[PatriciaVP]

Hi Blondie-

 

Sorry to hear you've been so tired lately. I remember feeling that way when I was on all my drugs. I could sleep 24/7 and never feel rested. It was awful. I was always wondering if I had some hidden illness. Turned out it was the drugs the whole time.

 

Right now the anxiety and akathesia are just so overwhelming, I long for the relief of sleep. I recognize, however, that this is a process. My body and brain are doing what they need to do to find healing and equilibrium. All I can do is just endure until that happens. Just hoping it is sooner rather than later.

[KarenB]

That's great that you've had no more vertigo, and also that some of the other symptoms have improved. 

 

In light of that, I agree about waiting for a month and seeing what happens.  Hopefully it will be further improvements. 

 

Is your iron supplement a good quality one, and do you take any vitamin C to help absorb it? 

[Blondiee1915]

That's great that you've had no more vertigo, and also that some of the other symptoms have improved. 

 

In light of that, I agree about waiting for a month and seeing what happens.  Hopefully it will be further improvements. 

 

Is your iron supplement a good quality one, and do you take any vitamin C to help absorb it?

 

Hi KarenB - ok I will give it another month and see what happens . The only reason I am nervous to increase to relieve some of the WD is the vertigo .

 

I actually have a question about iron that perhaps someone can help me with . I am anemic . My last results showed iron level to be in a good range but ferritin low which means (from my research) is that my body does not have enough stored iron levels/can't hold on to iron . I was taking reactive iron supplement (ortho molecular brand ) but then the naturopath also gave me ferritin to take to help with that . The brand is cardiovascular research ltd and it's called ferritin bio available iron . I asked her if I should take the two and she said yes . But I decided only to take one and now just taking ferritin .

 

I feel like they are the same no? And I don't want to take reactive iron and ferritin bio available iron together . Am I thinking right ? Is one better than the other ? Should I take vitamin C as well ? I bought vitamin C from cvs but didn't start taking it yet

 

Ty!!!

[Blondiee1915]

Can I get some input on measurement?

 

So I am taking Luvox extended release and the smallest dose is 100 mg. it comes in a capsule so I have to count the beads. Sometimes there are 92 beads sometimes 93 but today I counted 95. i have to take 35 beads daily. But I am noticing that the size of them differed slightly . Do you think it will have a drastic effect or should it even out over time ?

[ChessieCat]

Have you read this section in Post #1 (about middle of the post) under the heading Extended-release capsules: Open and count out beads in Tips for tapering off Luvox (fluvoxamine)?

 

There is a list of link under this heading to other bead measuring/counting topics.

[Blondiee1915]

Have you read this section in Post #1 (about middle of the post) under the heading Extended-release capsules: Open and count out beads in Tips for tapering off Luvox (fluvoxamine)?

 

There is a list of link under this heading to other bead measuring/counting topics.

Hi ChessieCat, just saw this . Thank you, I just checked out the information. I am going to try to stay on this extended release and taper off it first if I become too sensitive I will switch to regular Luvox and would have to make liquid.

[Blondiee1915]

Last night I went to refill my prescription and I counted the beads and instead of 92 beads in a capsule there were 96 so I took 36 instead of 35 beads which equates to 37.5 mg . Not sure if this has anything to do with a new refill but today I woke up and I feel this slight vertigo . Not as before where I could not even get up, but still spinning sensation and also some nausea . I have not head nausea in a while . I am started to think it could be related to Luvox.

I also want to try to taper but a bit nervous . I know there is no right time. My biggest symptoms now - dizziness, disbalance and fatigue . Emotionally I seem okay.

[KarenB]

Blondie - the important amount is what is left in the capsule.  Doesn't matter how much you discard, but keep the amount you swallow at the same number of beads.  There is great variation in the capsules.

[Blondiee1915]

I meant that I take out the beads and count them and based on the number I calculate the percentage dose I need so 37.5/100 mg times beads in the capsule and then I place those beads in the capsule and take it . It is so strange the amount varies . Last night in one capsule I counted 96 and today 90 . Why can't these pharmacies be consistent :/

[KarenB]

This will mean that your dosage is changing slightly each day.  Instead, count the number of beads in, say, 10 capsules and work out the average.  Then calculate the percentage you want and reduce consistently by that amount each day.  Each day you should take the same number of beads.   

[LexAnger]

Hi Blondiee, thank you very much for sharing your switching experience in my thread! It helps a lot!

 

I'm guessing for meds made in the form of beads, it's the total weight for each capsule they measure, not the number of beads. I would think its quite difficult to have all beads web weight exactly the same.

 

This makes it challenging for those who taper by counting beads. Giving that you current dose is still at the high side, about 1/3 of the whole capsule, the error rate will be very small even the beads are not consistent.

 

I think what you did is the correct way, relying on the total number of beads in each capsule, the take the percentage based on total weight then translate it into number of beads.

 

I'm sorry you have to deal with this hassle everyday. Be very careful though, you may want to write out every step of the math to make sure.

 

Hope your day is ok.

Lex