Frogie: how to taper off Lexapro and Xanax?

[Frogie]

 

 

 

Day 2 of updosing. Just as sick as I was before the updose

I know it isn't going to happen overnight, but I'm about to give up.

Frogie,

I feel that way daily (wanting to give up), endless suffering.

My skin permanently itchy, and covered in eczema and rashes.

It's a long, hard trudge...but I saw an amazing movie not so long ago......called "The Long way back". TRULY inspiring.

It was about some men who in 1938 escaped from a "Gulag" (prison camp) north of Lake Baikkal in Siberia; and during the winter. They walked ALL the way to India!! They survived the Siberian winter, biting mosquitos at the head of Lake Baikal in June, crossed over to Mongolia and across the Gobi Desert into China, Tibet, Bhutan, West Sikkim and India.

It took them 10 yrs!

TC,

JC xx

Hi JC:

I'm sorry you're going through all the skin problems. You really are a trooper, always have a great attitude.

I used to have a great attitude as you know, but I thought I had the nausea beat, but no, had to rear its ugly head again.

I sit and cry a lot lately.

I'm just having a pity party.

Take care,

Frogie xx

Frogie,

I'm no trooper...have my good and bad days like you...and the pity parties (too many).

Sometimes it helps to watch movies about really brave people to remind us of true grit and suffering.

We're more resilient than we give ourselves credit for!

Hang in there my croaky friend :0)

TC,

JC xxx

Thanks JC,

 

I'm just sooooo tired of being sick.

 

But apace41 is really trying to help me, bless him.

 

I can't even watch the news right now, I just sit and cry. Those movies would send me over the edge.

 

Thanks for caring.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

Hi JC:

 

Do you know anything about liver supplements?

 

You are so knowledgeable about supplements, I thought I would ask.

 

Thanks.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Junglechicken]

Hi JC:

Do you know anything about liver supplements?

You are so knowledgeable about supplements, I thought I would ask.

Thanks.

Take care,

Frogie xx

Frogie,

 

I'm not sure....Scallywag and Apace14 (Andy) are very knowledgable as is AliG.

 

TC,

JC xx

[Frogie]

 

Hi JC:

Do you know anything about liver supplements?

You are so knowledgeable about supplements, I thought I would ask.

Thanks.

Take care,

Frogie xx

Frogie,

I'm not sure....Scallywag and Apace14 (Andy) are very knowledgable as is AliG.

TC,

JC xx

Ok thanks.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

We'll, day 3 of the updose and I'm still nauseous.

 

What fun is this ????

 

Frogie xx

[Blondiee1915]

Hi Frogie,

 

Stopping by to see how you are doing.

 

I ready about your updose to see if it helps nausea. I really hope it works . Also, this is just a thought and I might be wrong, but could Xanax be causing your nausea ? Like a side effect ? I was under the impression that on benzos you can develop a tolerance and eventually a small dose will not work and you would need to increase etc . I am not saying you should increase at all I am thinking more of a Xanax poop out effect is it possible ? I see that you are on It for quite some time now maybe it is causing the nausea .

 

I also know that nausea could be a symptom of anxiety (I get it occasionally when extra stressed) . Are you anxious during the day/night ? Does your nausea accompany an anxious moment / anticipation etc or is it sporadic ?

[Frogie]

Day 4 of updosing, still sick as soon as I open my eyes.

 

Not fun at all.

[Frogie]

Hi Frogie,

Stopping by to see how you are doing.

I ready about your updose to see if it helps nausea. I really hope it works . Also, this is just a thought and I might be wrong, but could Xanax be causing your nausea ? Like a side effect ? I was under the impression that on benzos you can develop a tolerance and eventually a small dose will not work and you would need to increase etc . I am not saying you should increase at all I am thinking more of a Xanax poop out effect is it possible ? I see that you are on It for quite some time now maybe it is causing the nausea .

I also know that nausea could be a symptom of anxiety (I get it occasionally when extra stressed) . Are you anxious during the day/night ? Does your nausea accompany an anxious moment / anticipation etc or is it sporadic ?

Hi Blondiee:

 

I've never had a problem with my Xanax, but anything is possible.

 

I didn't know that it had that side effect. I will try anything to get rid of this nausea.

 

Maybe a mod will see this and answer me.

 

Hope you're doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[scallywag]

Frogie, I'm pretty sure we've posted everything we know to do about nausea.

[Frogie]

Frogie, I'm pretty sure we've posted everything we know to do about nausea.

Scallywag:

 

I'm sure you have covered everything and then some.

 

I had 2 really good months. Wish I could have them back.

 

Blondiee said something about maybe it could it be my Xanax? Could it be that?

 

Really appreciate you helping me.

 

Thanks...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[scallywag]

Frogie, I have no idea what it is causing the nausea or even what it could causing it.

[Frogie]

Frogie, I have no idea what it is causing the nausea or even what it could causing it.

I don't either, but I can tell you one thing I'm really tired of it.

 

All my blood work was fine a month ago, and had a chest X-ray. It was fine.

 

Just so discouraged

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

Day 5 - sick as a dog this morning.

[Happy2Heal]

Hey Frogie, I was reading the thread about antihistamines, as my allergies seem to be acting up, and I found this (copied and pasted below)

 

didn't you say that your dr gave you phenergen for your nausea?

 

How long have you been taking that? maybe *that* is causing your new issues...?? this says it works a lot like an AD, so basically, using the phenergan may have had the same effect as an updose...??

 

 

"Phenergan (Promethazine)  is an antihistamine which can cause dependency issues of its own and not a drug we recommend to take to relieve antidepressant withdrawal symptoms.

 

It works on some of the same receptors as antidepressants, the same receptors which need to recover from the changes caused by antidepressants. Dr. David Healy has suggested that taking antihistamines regularly while trying to recover from antidepressants is basically like going back onto an antidepressant, see:  Antihistamines and what to use for allergy relief - Symptoms ...

 

and  Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) for withdrawal insomnia ...

 

Another problem with using antihistamines if your nervous system is sensitized by withdrawal, is that the drug can have a paradoxical effect and cause worse symptoms. I know of one member at least who had her recovery set back by taking Hydroxyzine, another antihistamine.

 

Also see:  Atarax (Hydroxyzine) for Anxiety? - Surviving Antidepressants"

[Frogie]

Thanks...

 

Could be my problem, who knows??

 

He gave me that prescription probably 2 years ago. I only take it when it's unbearable, maybe once a week. He also gave me zofran. I might take that once a week.

 

I'm thinking of going off all my supplements, maybe something there isn't agreeing with me.

 

I appreciate you giving me the info.

 

Hope you're doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

P.S. I just keep editing this, I keep coming up with things to say. ????

[Frogie]

Day 6 - still sick as a dog.

 

So tired of this.

[Happy2Heal]

Day 6 - still sick as a dog.

 

So tired of this.

 

 

so sorry to hear this

 

I was just looking up about histamine foods, since I'm having some allergy symptoms but it's really too soon for me, I"m allergic to grass pollen and rag weed and it's not their season, so I"m thinking it's something I'm eating

 

check this out, it mentions nausea as a symptom of having trouble with high histamine foods:

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11175/everything-you-need-to-know-about-histamine-intolerance.html

[Frogie]

H2H:

 

Very interesting...

 

I'll have to try this, maybe it will get rid of my nausea.

 

I haven't taken anything (phenegran or zofran) for over a week, still as soon as I open my eyes I'm immediately nauseous.

 

I give up.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by ChessieCat
changed member name

[Frogie]

Apace41,

 

It's been 6 days, and like I just told H2H, as soon as my eyes open, I'm immediately nauseous.

 

Can we updose yet and see if that helps? Or maybe go down, I don't know, I'm so confused.

 

I was talking to my therapist about it yesterday. She knows a lot about antidepressants (I'm lucky). She thinks that Lexapro is very hard to get off of, especially when you are below 10mg. And I need to go slow, but need to get off of it. She wonders if it isn't helping anymore and that's why it's making nauseous. She said that sometimes happens. I have no other symptoms.

 

What about trying Brassmonkey's taper? Would that help me? Brassmonkey said that is what that taper is for, trying to combat symptoms.

 

I just can't take this much longer. I'm just tired of it.

 

Thanks...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by ChessieCat
changed member name

[apace41]

I haven't taken anything (phenegran or zofran) for over a week, still as soon as I open my eyes I'm immediately nauseous.

 

I give up.

 

Frogie,

 

Rather than give up, give it one more day and if there is no improvement try another small titration upward to 7.9.

 

This will get better.  We just need to find the right level.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[apace41]

Can we updose yet and see if that helps? Or maybe go down, I don't know, I'm so confused.

 

At the end of the day only you can decide which way to go.  My personal view is that I would at least try the updose route until you get to the last place you felt okay (8.1mg).  After that, I would probably reverse course and start moving down.  I'm hoping that you can find stability without nausea by going back to that level. I'm always wary about any plan that includes the notion that you have to get off to feel better.  Sometimes that is the case but I would view that as a last resort because it tends to lead to very fast tapers and potentially difficult withdrawals.  If you do find yourself in a place where you are having adverse effects from the medicine then it makes sense but not until you have given yourself every chance to stabilize and taper slowly.  Again, reasonable minds can differ and others might not agree with me.

 

 

 

She knows a lot about antidepressants (I'm lucky). She thinks that Lexapro is very hard to get off of, especially when you are below 10mg.

 

ALL of these meds are hard to get off of for the right (wrong?) person.  The tendency we have is to point to Paxil, Lexapro and Effexor and say they are "really hard" but that suggests the Prozac, Zoloft and Pristiq users have a walk in the park.  If that were the case there wouldn't be so many of them on this board.  I understand (and share) your frustration.  It is critical, however, that you remain disciplined and don't react rashly in response to this problem.  

 

I know you said you tried ginger and don't care for it - did you try it in tea form?  What about lemon balm essential oil?

 

Best,

 

Andy

[Frogie]

 

Can we updose yet and see if that helps? Or maybe go down, I don't know, I'm so confused.

 

 

At the end of the day only you can decide which way to go.  My personal view is that I would at least try the updose route until you get to the last place you felt okay (8.1mg).  After that, I would probably reverse course and start moving down.  I'm hoping that you can find stability without nausea by going back to that level. I'm always wary about any plan that includes the notion that you have to get off to feel better.  Sometimes that is the case but I would view that as a last resort because it tends to lead to very fast tapers and potentially difficult withdrawals.  If you do find yourself in a place where you are having adverse effects from the medicine then it makes sense but not until you have given yourself every chance to stabilize and taper slowly.  Again, reasonable minds can differ and others might not agree with me.

 

 

 

She knows a lot about antidepressants (I'm lucky). She thinks that Lexapro is very hard to get off of, especially when you are below 10mg.

 

ALL of these meds are hard to get off of for the right (wrong?) person.  The tendency we have is to point to Paxil, Lexapro and Effexor and say they are "really hard" but that suggests the Prozac, Zoloft and Pristiq users have a walk in the park.  If that were the case there wouldn't be so many of them on this board.  I understand (and share) your frustration.  It is critical, however, that you remain disciplined and don't react rashly in response to this problem.  

 

I know you said you tried ginger and don't care for it - did you try it in tea form?  What about lemon balm essential oil?

 

Best,

 

Andy

Hi Andy:

 

I agree with you, that I need to get to a "comfort" level, hold, then taper again. I'm just getting really frustrated with this Lexapro and my body. I'm doing my best to keep positive. I don't want to go fast, if going slow is doing this to me. I just can't imagine going fast.

I am doing everything that you are proposing to me. Do you think if I get back to that level where I'm not nauseous, and start to taper, am I'm going to be nauseous through the 7's again? Just curious.

 

I know that going off any antidepressant is not a walk in the park for most people. I have seen people go off and never have a symptom. How lucky are they? If I didn't have nausea, I wouldn't have a symptom. But I have to have one of the worst lol...

 

I don't think my therapist was telling me to go fast, she gave me no indication of that. She just said maybe it's starting to poop out that's why I'm nauseous. She said it's very hard to go off of, and you do have to go slow.

 

I just wish I could get off of this and have no more nausea. It's really getting old . I didn't have this much nausea when I was pregnant with both of my kids.

 

I'm doing everything you are suggesting. Any form of ginger makes me throw up, but I'm willing to try the lemon.

 

What do you think of Brassmonkey's taper method?

 

You have no idea how much I appreciate you helping me. It means a lot. And it means a lot for all the other mods helping me too.

 

Thanks again...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[apace41]

Frogie,

 

As you know, there is no way for me or anyone else to predict whether you will get nauseous again as you taper back down (assuming you stabilize at a higher level).  My guess would be that if you were to go slow enough under those circumstances you could get through this level.  The odd thing is that some people have a sort of "roadblock" like this and then, once thru, find it easier at a lower level.  It is truly unpredictable.  

 

 

 

If I didn't have nausea, I wouldn't have a symptom. But I have to have one of the worst lol...

 

Mindset plays a very important role in this and all healing processes.  I know it feels like this is "one of the worst" but that is only because it is yours!  By way of example, and not in any way for you to seek to elicit sympathy, in the past 24 hours I have been dealing with derealization, dizziness, shooting pains in various parts of my body (fairly random) and terrible brain fog.  Any one of those symptoms could be "one of the worst."  My point is very simple -- each of us lives in our own world and struggles with their personal situation.  Yours is no worse and no better than mine and visa-versa.  Yours is worse to you and mine is worse to me because we have to live in our own skins.  The more you realize that the less you will feel like you are being personally victimized in this process and you will gain greater perspective into yourself.

 

Sorry to preach to you but I really believe that shifting your mindset might help you.  I also (as I have said many times on SA) am a member of the "those who can't do teach" club so allowing myself the liberty to type the words on your thread might help me try to adopt those principles in my own life. Thus, I beg your indulgence.  I am not trying to criticize -- only help.

 

 

 

What do you think of Brassmonkey's taper method?

 

I am a big fan of the "slide" and have adopted it to a certain degree in my own case.  I used a microtapering method when I was getting off the benzo and am a firm believer that the more you can do to slowly and steadily drop the better off you are going to be.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[Frogie]

Hi Andy:

 

I'm so sorry that you are having symptoms, and here I am complaining. We are all human on here, and are all going through something, or we wouldn't be here asking for help.

 

I hope that I didn't disrespect you when I said, "I had the worst" symptom. I've never been through what you are going through, so yours truly could be the "worst". I guess we learn from each other. I feel so selfish right now.

 

I hope you are right, I go up, and taper down, and that symptom goes away. Let's pray for both of us that all of this will end soon. Then I get to taper Xanax, that should be fun lol...

 

I don't even want to go anywhere. I just want to stay at home in my "safe pace". Is that wrong? I did go with my fiancé last night to his company dinner. We sat in the back of the room. He sat on one side of me and his boss (which he and I get along so well), sat on the other side of me. I felt safe.

 

My Uncle is coming for Easter. I'm excited to see him, but have to entertain him for 5 days. I will just get a positive attitude and maybe I can do it.

 

I think when you and I come to an agreement for me to start to taper, I'm going to try Brassmonkey's. It's slow and maybe instead if going down 10% at one time, the small tapers will work, and keep the nausea under control.

 

Please forgive me for being all about me. I didn't even think that you, as a human, on this site, could be having symptoms too. Like I said I'm really sorry for being so selfish (im crying about it right now).

 

I hope we can help each other.

 

Thank you...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[apace41]

Frogie,

 

I was only trying to make a point -- not to elicit sympathy.  But I do appreciate your thoughts and wishes.

 

I am happy to help to the extent I can -- as you know, we as moderators see more cases than one so we can provide input on that basis, but NOBODY knows all the answers in this area.

 

It is perfectly fine to stay in your "safe place" for now as you get over this little wave.

 

I would agree with a very, very slow slide-type reduction after the nausea is in the rear view mirror.  By way of example, I have most recently implemented a 1.25% a week reduction which results in 5% a month.  If I'm not feeling well when it's time to taper I hold off.  It's very slow but for now it's about all I can manage.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[Frogie]

Hi Andy:

 

I wasn't trying to sympathize with you, just my feelings for other people (even if I don't know them personally) really get to me. I want everyone to be happy and healthy, and we all know that's not life.

 

I had a bad day yesterday, and I think it added to my symptoms. It was my moms birthday. She passed away almost 8 years ago of a stroke at 67. She was my best friend. My dad passed away 4 years ago last month, so it's been kinda a hard time. I'm an only child. And my youngest son hasn't talked to me since my mom passed away. My oldest son, daughter in law and granddaughter live almost 200 miles away from me like my uncle. I live in a town of 600 people, and no friends for 4 years here. But I'm not depressed. Isn't that weird? I have my fiancé. We are eventually moving home. Hopefully in a year or two. I go to therapy to learn how to do things without friends and wanting to stay in my safe place. Learning to get out and do things on my own. I'm sure you don't want to hear all of this, I'm sorry. Please don't feel sorry for me.

 

I know I'm not the only person on here. You have many more people to help. I'm just hoping you can get me through the worst of this and then check in once in a while. And I can check in with you once in a while.

 

I truly am sorry you are going through what you are, and you gave a HUGE window soon.

 

I really appreciate you listening, and helping me get through this. I'm here to listen too, even though I'm not a mod. I learn from other people. You can never learn enough.

 

Again thanks...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[apace41]

Understood, Frogie.  

 

You WILL get through this.  It's a painfully long process but you WILL.

 

 

Best,

 

Andy

[Frogie]

Understood, Frogie.  

 

You WILL get through this.  It's a painfully long process but you WILL.

 

 

Best,

 

Andy

I really appreciate you helping me get through the worst of this. Then we can check in with each other.

 

Tomorrow if I'm not better, I'm going up to 7.9.

 

I wish for your symptoms to leave soon.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[apace41]

Frogie,

 

Found this for me -- sharing it with you.

 

http://www.recovery-road.org/acceptance

 

Best,

 

Andy

[Frogie]

Thanks Andy:

 

I'm going to print it out and take it to therapy and really work on it. I'm starting CBT next week. Never done that. I've done DBT 5 times (5 different teachers). I learned a lot, but for some reason, I can't seem to use my skills right now.

 

Again thank you for helping me through this. Hopefully it will work. Going up, holding, and tapering small.

 

And like I said I hope you see a HUGE window very soon.

 

Thanks again,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

Day 7- still nauseous. Guess it's time to updose to 7.9.

 

I sure hope it helps, this nausea is horrible.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[apace41]

That's what I would do, Frogie.  Let's hope this does the trick.  

 

Hang in there.

 

Andy

[Frogie]

Thanks Andy:

 

I hope it works. I can't handle this nausea much longer.

 

Thanks for your help. Hope you are doing better.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

Apace41(Andy)

 

Don't sell yourself short.

 

You have helped me tremendously. You have stayed involved and given me helpful information.

 

I hope we both feel better soon.

 

(((HUGS)))

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Blondiee1915]

Hi Frogie, did you updose last night ? Hope you are doing okay

[Frogie]

I'm updosing today.

 

I just feel like such a failure. I've been trying for almost 2 months on 7.3, and am just so sick.

 

I thought you were supposed to taper not go up.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx