Frogie: how to taper off Lexapro and Xanax?

[RachelSusan]

Forgie,

Praying for you and Brownie.  I so want her to be alright.

xoxo

RS

[Frogie]

Just now, RachelSusan said:

Forgie,

Praying for you and Brownie.  I so want her to be alright.

xoxo

RS

Thanks RS:

 

I really appreciate your concern. She is my everything. I want her to be ok too. My heart is broken and I'm so sick to my stomach it isn't funny.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[direstraits]

I'm crying with you....praying for you.....xxx

[Frogie]

Just now, direstraits said:

I'm crying with you....praying for you.....xxx

Thank you.

[ShakeyJerr]

My heart goes out to you and Brownie, Frogie.

 

Our cat, Chiana, is nearing 17 years old. She has diabetes. We went on vacation last week and for the first time boarded her (we usually just set her up at home and have people check on her, but she can't be left alone like that anymore). She got depressed, stopped eating, and ended up at the vets on IV fluids. She was in a bad way when we picked her up. But she has begun to bounce back (though she still barely eats anything)! And maybe Brownie will too. But either way, like you, we do not know how long we have now with Chiana. I know you will cherish every moment with Brownie. Love on her and know that she loves you too - and that you will make it through this time. You have a strength that you might not be able to see right now, but it is there!

 

SJ

 

[Frogie]

4 minutes ago, ShakeyJerr said:

My heart goes out to you and Brownie, Frogie.

 

Our cat, Chiana, is nearing 17 years old. She has diabetes. We went on vacation last week and for the first time boarded her (we usually just set her up at home and have people check on her, but she can't be left alone like that anymore). She got depressed, stopped eating, and ended up at the vets on IV fluids. She was in a bad way when we picked her up. But she has begun to bounce back (though she still barely eats anything)! And maybe Brownie will too. But either way, like you, we do not know how long we have now with Chiana. I know you will cherish every moment with Brownie. Love on her and know that she loves you too - and that you will make it through this time. You have a strength that you might not be able to see right now, but it is there!

 

SJ

 

Thanks, I will pray for your cat too. I can't stop crying. I'm a mess.

 

Frogie xx

[ShakeyJerr]

2 hours ago, Frogie said:

Thanks, I will pray for your cat too. I can't stop crying. I'm a mess.

 

Frogie xx

 

I totally understand. We shed a lot of tears when we found out that Chiana was sick and apart from us. Let them flow, my friend. Thanks for the prayers. I will be praying for you too.

 

SJ

[Frogie]

36 minutes ago, ShakeyJerr said:

 

I totally understand. We shed a lot of tears when we found out that Chiana was sick and apart from us. Let them flow, my friend. Thanks for the prayers. I will be praying for you too.

 

SJ

I just want to know if she has days, months, or maybe a year to live. She is not in pain at all.  Even the vet said that. I just can't stop crying, you can't see my eyes. Prayers together my friend. She will eat McDonald's hamburgers.

[ShakeyJerr]

On 9/1/2017 at 2:39 PM, Frogie said:

I just want to know if she has days, months, or maybe a year to live. She is not in pain at all.  Even the vet said that. I just can't stop crying, you can't see my eyes. Prayers together my friend. She will eat McDonald's hamburgers.

 

No one ever knows, really. I did not think Chiana would last out the night when we first got her home. Then the first few days we just waited for her to pass. Now we're like "boy, if something happens, it will be a surprise!" And yet, like you, I shed a lot of tears now. The not knowing but anticipating can be rough. But hang in there! Get yourself a Happy Meal!

 

SJ

[Flowers]

Hi Frogie

 

I think it is only natural to be upset and crying a lot if your 'baby' Brownie is poorly.  At least she isn't in pain.

 

Animals can be very resilient too and bounce back sometimes. Lets all hope and pray this is the case.

 

Sending you lots of hugs

 

Flowers xxx

[Frogie]

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts with my baby Brownie.

 

She is eating, drinking more water, and barking. My vet put her on an antibiotic. She said that if Brownie is sick, not eating or drinking, her kidney and liver functions are going to be off.  She wants blood work done in a couple of weeks and we will see.

 

I have a question. Since Brownie is better, my back has hurt for 2 days and I'm soooo tired. Could it be stress related? I haven't tapered, or plan to until this is overwith with Brownie.

 

Thanks for answering my question, and thinking of my baby.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[RachelSusan]

Frogie,

 

Yes, back pain can be stress related.  It might or might not be WD stress related. It might just be orthopedic stress.  When we are stressed we hold our body tighter, our muscles more ridged, that too can cause back pain.  Moderators can be more informative about WD stress than I can.

 

I am so glad that Brownie is feeling better.  So happy.  You can't see me but I am doing my happy dance.

 

xo

RS

[Frogie]

1 minute ago, RachelSusan said:

Frogie,

 

Yes, back pain can be stress related.  It might or might not be WD stress related. It might just be orthopedic stress.  When we are stressed we hold our body tighter, our muscles more ridged, that too can cause back pain.  Moderators can be more informative about WD stress than I can.

 

I am so glad that Brownie is feeling better.  So happy.  You can't see me but I am doing my happy dance.

 

xo

RS

I think it's stress related. As soon as she started doing better my back hurt. My body had to hold the stress somewhere.

 

Thanks for the happy dance, I needed it.

 

Hope you feel better soon, I took steroids and had a WD reaction after I tapered off. You will be fine.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[LexAnger]

Hi Frogie,

here I am, hoping your doing fairly with your tapering off lexapro and handling life!

 

back pain is a sure WD symptom for me as it goes with all other symptoms from this ordeal. I can have zero back pain one moment or day then it flares up in extreme next. It feels different from my original back pain too that is from couple disc disposition. The pain from WD is more from the stiffness of the entire spine and the electric sparkling allover my head and back. 

 

Im glad the nausea is in bay now for you. It sounds the most disturbing symptom for you for a long while. It's horrible as it can make your whole feeling very sick. 

 

From what I read on many other slow taper experience, The good thing is, as long as you have no issues holding long as needed at each drop, the rest journey can be rather smooth. I had to speed up dropping doses in the past two years for the severe drug reaction so I have been in great agony dealing with both loosing the advantage of long hold. Be very careful about updosing as my # 1 warning to all. As that's what put my journey so horrified after couple updose and the whole world turned up side down even considering the WD ordeal we all know so well.

 

take care and best wishes,

lex

 

 

[Frogie]

13 minutes ago, LexAnger said:

Hi Frogie,

here I am, hoping your doing fairly with your tapering off lexapro and handling life!

 

back pain is a sure WD symptom for me as it goes with all other symptoms from this ordeal. I can have zero back pain one moment or day then it flares up in extreme next. It feels different from my original back pain too that is from couple disc disposition. The pain from WD is more from the stiffness of the entire spine and the electric sparkling allover my head and back. 

 

Im glad the nausea is in bay now for you. It sounds the most disturbing symptom for you for a long while. It's horrible as it can make your whole feeling very sick. 

 

From what I read on many other slow taper experience, The good thing is, as long as you have no issues holding long as needed at each drop, the rest journey can be rather smooth. I had to speed up dropping doses in the past two years for the severe drug reaction so I have been in great agony dealing with both loosing the advantage of long hold. Be very careful about updosing as my # 1 warning to all. As that's what put my journey so horrified after couple updose and the whole world turned up side down even considering the WD ordeal we all know so well.

 

take care and best wishes,

lex

 

 

Hi Lex:

 

Thanks for stopping by and giving me so much information. I haven't tapered since the 25th of July. I don't think I'm up to it right now.

 

I have a 16 year old chihuahua that got sick last Thursday. My vet is 2 1/2 hours away and she wasn't in the office anyways. I took her to a vet an hour away. Because she was really badly dehydrated, her liver and kidney functions were off the charts. This vet wanted me to put her to sleep right then. She said I had to think of her (my chihuahua) and the good life she had. My fiancé and I said no. I talked to my vet on Saturday. She said if anyone is sick and dehydrated their kidney and liver function would be bad. She started her on an antibiotic. Yesterday, she ate better and drank more water, so I'm hopeful. Today she ate a little better but has been sleeping a lot.

 

I've just been so sick to my stomach over all of this that I can't do anything but sit with her and love her. I know the day will come, but I want her forever. I'm sure you know how I feel. They give you unconditional love and that's what I need right now going through this horrible WD.

 

I'm sorry you had a horrible experience with your WD too, but you are almost at the end.   I have a long ways to go, but that's ok. I'll go slow and steady.

 

It was nice to talk to you. Don't be a stranger.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

 

[LexAnger]

I'm so sorry about your beloved chihuahua! I'm a big lover to all anamals especially dogs. Oh I know how you feel as they are the best in giving love and company! I hope the treatment is quick and effective and she bounces back to her full life soon!

 

i try to be more active in updating and posting to support peers in the forum but the past year I have been too sick birth physically and mentally unable to do the minimal like that. I will definitely stop more often cheering you on!

 

Hope your day is not too bad.

you take good care yourself and her.

lex

[Frogie]

15 minutes ago, LexAnger said:

I'm so sorry about your beloved chihuahua! I'm a big lover to all anamals especially dogs. Oh I know how you feel as they are the best in giving love and company! I hope the treatment is quick and effective and she bounces back to her full life soon!

 

i try to be more active in updating and posting to support peers in the forum but the past year I have been too sick birth physically and mentally unable to do the minimal like that. I will definitely stop more often cheering you on!

 

Hope your day is not too bad.

you take good care yourself and her.

lex

Thanks I appreciate that Lex. I hope she bounces back too.

 

Keep me up to date on how you are and I'll do the same.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[LexAnger]

For sure. I can't wait for the day when I can share my recovery story! And I will claim it as my secondary birthdate .

[Frogie]

13 minutes ago, LexAnger said:

For sure. I can't wait for the day when I can share my recovery story! And I will claim it as my secondary birthdate .

That will be awesome I can't wait for you either!

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Flowers]

So glad things are sounding a lot more encouraging with Brownie.

 

Hugs to you and Brownie.

 

Flowers xxx

[Frogie]

1 minute ago, Flowers said:

So glad things are sounding a lot more encouraging with Brownie.

 

Hugs to you and Brownie.

 

Flowers xxx

Thanks Flowers:

 

I think she is doing better than me. She ate more today than she has for a few days. We have an appt with her vet sat. So we will know more. Hopefully good news.

 

I'm a wreck, I'm sick to my stomach, can't leave her sight, I cry a lot.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Flowers]

Keep strong Frogie

 

She will fret if too about you being so upset!

 

Flowers xxx

 

 

[Frogie]

Well,

 

We are taking Brownie to her vet tomorrow morning for more blood work. She fights me and screams like a baby when I have to shove 2 pills down her throat. She doesn't understand.

 

I hope this medicine is working. She is only eating McDonald's hamburgers,chicken baby food and corn dogs. She's drinking though.

 

For me, I'm a wreck. I just sit and cry. I'm so sick to my stomach but I'm sure it's just nerves.

 

I hope everyone is doing better than me.

 

Hello JC, Flowers, Joy, RS and anyone else I forgot. My mind isn't working too well these days. 

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[direstraits]

hope all goes well w/ the vet...sending hugs to you and Brownie.

xxx

[Frogie]

9 minutes ago, direstraits said:

hope all goes well w/ the vet...sending hugs to you and Brownie.

xxx

Thanks DS

 

Hope you are doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Blondiee1915]

Hi Frogie, 

 

So sorry about your dog.  As far as pills go maybe try to wrap it in a piece of food? When I have to give medication to my dog i take the pill and wrap it in a piece of cheese or cold cut or meat and I sneak it in her mouth, it works. So I give her a piece with no pill then a piece with a pill hidden and right after give her another piece that way she does not realize that the pill is in there (hopefully I am making sense here )  If the pill is too big you can split it in two and wrap each individual piece in her favorite food .  Just an idea  

[Frogie]

18 minutes ago, Blondiee1915 said:

Hi Frogie, 

 

So sorry about your dog.  As far as pills go maybe try to wrap it in a piece of food? When I have to give medication to my dog i take the pill and wrap it in a piece of cheese or cold cut or meat and I sneak it in her mouth, it works. So I give her a piece with no pill then a piece with a pill hidden and right after give her another piece that way she does not realize that the pill is in there (hopefully I am making sense here )  If the pill is too big you can split it in two and wrap each individual piece in her favorite food .  Just an idea  

Hi Blondiee:

 

Thanks, but we've tried that. She just spits the pill out. We have tried everything. I'm so scared about tomorrow (the vet), that I have made myself sick all week.

 

I hope you are doing better.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[apace41]

1 minute ago, Frogie said:

Thanks, but we've tried that. She just spits the pill out. We have tried everything.

 

Have you tried crushing the pill up and then putting the powder into the cheese rolled up?

That should work.

 

Hope Brownie and you are doing okay.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[Martina23]

13 minutes ago, Frogie said:

Hi Blondiee:

 

Thanks, but we've tried that. She just spits the pill out. We have tried everything. I'm so scared about tomorrow (the vet), that I have made myself sick all week.

 

I hope you are doing better.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

It is a wise dog, ha, ha.

[Frogie]

10 minutes ago, apace41 said:

 

Have you tried crushing the pill up and then putting the powder into the cheese rolled up?

That should work.

 

Hope Brownie and you are doing okay.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Thanks Andy:

 

We have tried that and she must smell the pill because she just spits it out and walks away. I feel so bad holding her and shoving it down her throat. She has 2 she has to take. Then she screams like a baby and gags. Then I hold her and her little heart is going a million beats a minute. She's 16 and my everything. I'm so scared about her vet appt tomorrow.

 

I have made myself sick all week crying and thinking about her. My stomach is so upset it's not funny.

 

I'm sorry you are going through a rough time. You don't need me crying about a dog.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

 

[Frogie]

4 minutes ago, Martina23 said:

It is a wise dog, ha, ha.

Too smart. I wish she knew it would make her feel better.

[apace41]

10 minutes ago, Frogie said:

We have tried that and she must smell the pill because she just spits it out and walks away.

 

Perhaps trying the same thing in a substance with more odor to mask it -- such as peanut butter?

 

11 minutes ago, Frogie said:

I have made myself sick all week crying and thinking about her. My stomach is so upset it's not funny.

 

I understand how much you care, Frogie, but it won't do Brownie any good for you to make yourself sick.  Easier said that done, I know, but try to apply some of the self-soothing techniques to this situation and see if you can't reduce the level of angst you experience.  Deep controlled breathing might be useful.  

 

12 minutes ago, Frogie said:

I'm sorry you are going through a rough time. You don't need me crying about a dog.

 

I appreciate that, and I certainly understand how you feel about Brownie.  When we had to deal with the sickness and loss of our first Yorkie I cried like a newborn.  Dogs have a special place in our hearts because of their unconditional love.

 

I have a good feeling that Brownie will be around for a while.  

 

Best,

 

Andy

[Frogie]

6 minutes ago, apace41 said:

 

Perhaps trying the same thing in a substance with more odor to mask it -- such as peanut butter?

 

 

I understand how much you care, Frogie, but it won't do Brownie any good for you to make yourself sick.  Easier said that done, I know, but try to apply some of the self-soothing techniques to this situation and see if you can't reduce the level of angst you experience.  Deep controlled breathing might be useful.  

 

 

I appreciate that, and I certainly understand how you feel about Brownie.  When we had to deal with the sickness and loss of our first Yorkie I cried like a newborn.  Dogs have a special place in our hearts because of their unconditional love.

 

I have a good feeling that Brownie will be around for a while.  

 

Best,

 

Andy

Thanks Andy:

 

Keep that good feeling coming. I need it for my baby.

 

I'm so sick to my stomach it isn't funny. I know it isn't WD or tapering because it's been almost 2 months. But I was holding off because of everything that has happened since July. My life has been h**l, the sewer collapsed, our washer went out, I had to have 3 teeth pulled and my partial broke the 1st day I had it and now Brownie. I don't know how much more I can take. 💔💔💔😭😭😭

 

I guess when it rains it pours...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Gridley]

When wrapping in cheese and all else failed with my sick dog, I tried to think of the most delicious sauce that would cling to the pill--and remembered bolognese meat sauce for pasta.  It worked for me every time.  If that's too much trouble to make, just make a good thick pasta meat sauce (ground beef, canned tomatoes, etc.).  I know how crazy-making it can be when you can't get your dog to take what he/she needs to get better.

[Frogie]

1 hour ago, Gridley said:

When wrapping in cheese and all else failed with my sick dog, I tried to think of the most delicious sauce that would cling to the pill--and remembered bolognese meat sauce for pasta.  It worked for me every time.  If that's too much trouble to make, just make a good thick pasta meat sauce (ground beef, canned tomatoes, etc.).  I know how crazy-making it can be when you can't get your dog to take what he/she needs to get better.

Thanks Gridley:

 

I will have to try that.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Flowers]

Hi Frogie

 

Thinking of you today - let us know how you get on at the vets.

 

Love from Flowers xxx