Frogie: how to taper off Lexapro and Xanax?

[Frogie]

14 minutes ago, Happy2Heal said:

that's wonderful Frogie

I'm so happy for you

 

 

 

Thank you. And thank you for your kind thoughts and words about Brownie. Yes she was sick but doing well. Then in one day she was gone. She was my soulmate as you know and it's still tearing me up. She will be gone 3 months this Friday. Thank you for being so kind.

 

Hope you are doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Junglechicken]

1 hour ago, Frogie said:

I woke up this morning with no nausea and no headache.

 

Maybe I'm going to make it 😊

 

Hope everyone is doing well.

 

Thank you MMT for all your help yesterday! Please write me when you have time. 😎🌻

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

Great news Frogie!

 

there is a general shift in a positive direction re: your updates 

 

This time, you're inspiring me, lol.

 

JC xx

[Frogie]

1 minute ago, Junglechicken said:

 

Great news Frogie!

 

there is a general shift in a positive direction re: your updates 

 

This time, you're inspiring me, lol.

 

JC xx

Thanks JC:

 

I'm really trying to be positive through all of this, although it does get difficult once in a while. I just don't get on a whole lot anymore.

 

I'm glad I could inspire you a little, instead of the other way around.

 

I hope you are doing better since being on your AB's.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Junglechicken]

4 minutes ago, Frogie said:

Thanks JC:

 

I'm really trying to be positive through all of this, although it does get difficult once in a while. I just don't get on a whole lot anymore.

 

I'm glad I could inspire you a little, instead of the other way around.

 

I hope you are doing better since being on your AB's.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

You're doing really well Frogie.

 

My therapist wants me to work through the CBT book "Mind over Mood - Change how you feel by changing the way you think".

 

Once we move into more positive thinking, this reduces our physical symptoms as we are less stressed/depressed.

 

Its my last mountain to climb, however, ND says I don't need to climb any mountain, I can choose the easy route through the valley.

 

All part of our recovery "journey".

 

jC xx

[Frogie]

7 minutes ago, Junglechicken said:

 

You're doing really well Frogie.

 

My therapist wants me to work through the CBT book "Mind over Mood - Change how you feel by changing the way you think".

 

Once we move into more positive thinking, this reduces our physical symptoms as we are less stressed/depressed.

 

Its my last mountain to climb, however, ND says I don't need to climb any mountain, I can choose the easy route through the valley.

 

All part of our recovery "journey".

 

jC xx

I'm doing CBT with my therapist. She doesn't take no for an answer lol... It's helping a lot. You really need to do CBT with your therapist. It's not one program to do alone.

 

I have a lot of mountains yet to climb. I'm not off Lexapro and have Xanax next. But I'm going to make it.

 

I appreciate you saying I'm doing well. That helps a lot.

 

If you want to chit chat come over to my Frogie's Off Topic. Would be great to hear from you.

 

How are you feeling since you are on AB's? I hope better.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Junglechicken]

25 minutes ago, Frogie said:

I'm doing CBT with my therapist. She doesn't take no for an answer lol... It's helping a lot. You really need to do CBT with your therapist. It's not one program to do alone.

 

I have a lot of mountains yet to climb. I'm not off Lexapro and have Xanax next. But I'm going to make it.

 

I appreciate you saying I'm doing well. That helps a lot.

 

If you want to chit chat come over to my Frogie's Off Topic. Would be great to hear from you.

 

How are you feeling since you are on AB's? I hope better.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

Yes, the ABs knocked the infection on the head, but my gut is now playing up.

 

will pop over to your off-topic thread next time.

 

Glad the CBT is helping you!

 

TC,

JC xx

[Frogie]

I have a mod question. It is not life or death, but if someone could get back to me that would be great!

 

I have been on liquid Lexapro since January, 2017. The brand name is Camber.

 

When I went to get it refilled, the brand is now Lannett. I talked to the pharmacist and because it is a small town, family owned pharmacy they are ordering medicine that is the least expensive for them. I can understand that. I explained that I really didn't want to change brands, could they order the Camber for me and they talked to the owner. Unfortunately, the owner said no because the price had gone up quite a bit.

 

My question is: Is the brand change going to hurt me? The pharmacist looked up the information on both brands and said there was no difference in the ingredients.

 

I appreciate someone answering me when you get time. 

 

I hope everyone is doing well...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Rosetta]

How much do you have left of the old brand?  If none, try offering to pay the difference to get a bottle of the old stuff so you can have the option of mixing old with new until you gradually get over to the new. I've seen other people say they are doing this, but   I hope a Mod can help you determine how to slowly switch over.  I'm not sure exactly how you would do it in this case 

 

Maybe you feel well enough to drive to a different pharmacy?  I hope so.  You are moving in January?

[Frogie]

32 minutes ago, Rosetta said:

How much do you have left of the old brand?  If none, try offering to pay the difference to get a bottle of the old stuff so you can have the option of mixing old with new until you gradually get over to the new. I've seen other people say they are doing this, but   I hope a Mod can help you determine how to slowly switch over.  I'm not sure exactly how you would do it in this case 

 

Maybe you feel well enough to drive to a different pharmacy?  I hope so.  You are moving in January?

Hi:

 

I have enough of the old brand for maybe 3-4 weeks.

 

Unfortunately, there isn't another pharmacy near me in the same state. The next pharmacy is in the next state 50 miles away and they don't take my insurance. It's about $200 a bottle. My co-pay is $3.35.

 

I'm sure a mod can help me. 

 

We are hoping to be able to move the beginning of next year. Not soon enough for me lol...

 

Thanks for your help. 

 

I hope you you are doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Rosetta]

Perfect!  Get your new bottle right away and keep bumping your post if you have to.  

[Frogie]

3 minutes ago, Rosetta said:

Perfect!  Get your new bottle right away and keep bumping your post if you have to.  

I went ahead and got my bottle.

 

I don't know how to "bump" my post?

[apace41]

Frogie,

 

Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure whether one generic form of a medicine is exactly the same as another generic form of a medicine.  There are stories on the site of people who have had issues when they are forced to switch from one generic to another, but I believe them to be more the exception rather than the rule, and that most people do reasonably well switching from one generic to another.  You have not seemed to be overly sensitive to the medicine (as compared to some) so my best guess is that you won't have a major problem -- maybe a couple of days of minor symptoms.  If you want to be more careful you can do something to change over more slowly, for example use your medication day 1, the other day 2 and so on for a week, then do yours for a day and the other for 2 days, etc.

 

I don't think you should stress too much about it.

 

Happy to hear from others who have different ideas.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[Frogie]

14 hours ago, apace41 said:

Frogie,

 

Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure whether one generic form of a medicine is exactly the same as another generic form of a medicine.  There are stories on the site of people who have had issues when they are forced to switch from one generic to another, but I believe them to be more the exception rather than the rule, and that most people do reasonably well switching from one generic to another.  You have not seemed to be overly sensitive to the medicine (as compared to some) so my best guess is that you won't have a major problem -- maybe a couple of days of minor symptoms.  If you want to be more careful you can do something to change over more slowly, for example use your medication day 1, the other day 2 and so on for a week, then do yours for a day and the other for 2 days, etc.

 

I don't think you should stress too much about it.

 

Happy to hear from others who have different ideas.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Thanks Andy:

 

I'm just going to switch. Like you said I shouldn't have much trouble. Hopefully a couple of days with minor symptoms. I'll just push through them.

 

I appreciate you helping me out.

 

Hope you are doing better.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

On August 19, 2018 at 4:09 PM, Rosetta said:

Perfect!  Get your new bottle right away and keep bumping your post if you have to.  

Hi Rosetta:

 

I forgot to say thank you for your help. I'm sorry for being rude.

 

It was greatly appreciated. 

 

You are very kind. I hope you continue to do well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

 

[Blondiee1915]

Hi Frogie, 

 

Hope you are doing well.  

 

I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and see that you were on Armour Thyroid which is the medication that I got prescribed as well.  It looks like you were not tolerating it well?  Can you share a little bit about your experience with it and how you are doing now and your thyroid labs?  Also, when did you develop thyroid issues while on lexapro or when you were tapering?  I started medication 3 days ago and today feeling flu like symptoms.  I am hoping it is my body adjusting and not an allergic reaction. 

 

B

[Frogie]

1 hour ago, Blondiee1915 said:

Hi Frogie, 

 

Hope you are doing well.  

 

I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and see that you were on Armour Thyroid which is the medication that I got prescribed as well.  It looks like you were not tolerating it well?  Can you share a little bit about your experience with it and how you are doing now and your thyroid labs?  Also, when did you develop thyroid issues while on lexapro or when you were tapering?  I started medication 3 days ago and today feeling flu like symptoms.  I am hoping it is my body adjusting and not an allergic reaction. 

 

B

Hi:

 

I was diagnosed in May, 2017. My TSH was high, everything else was perfect. I was prescribed Levothyroxine first and took it for 4 days and threw up for 4 days. The dr changed me to Armour, and I felt like I had the flu and shook internally the whole time I was on it. So we tried synthroid. My heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest. The last one was NP Throid. I did ok with it. It took my TSH down to 3.03, but when the dr upped the dosage my TSH went up. In July of this year my TSH was 4.38 (high is 4.50). The dr decided since it was just my TSH and everything else was normal he would just watch it. I watch what I eat, no soy, broccoli, things like that. He thinks it might be subclinical hypothyroidism because it happened since I have been tapering. My brother in law had the same problem with Armour. He felt like he had the flu and shook internally. As long as you don't have any tumors or anything on your thyroid and your other numbers are ok, you can just watch your TSH. It can even be a little high as long as you feel alright.

 

Hope that helps. Good luck.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Blondiee1915]

Thank you so much Frogie for sharing.  From what I read TSH is really not a good indicator and even when you get a full thyroid panel (T3, T4, Reverse T3) and the results are within range/normal it does not necessarily mean it is optimal.  I would not have looked into thyroid but my fatigue is still bad 2 years later.  My TSH is within range/normal but T3 and T4 are not optimal (even though they are within range).  So after measuring my temperature and doing additional test the doctor finally declared me hypothyroid.  Thankfully, I do not have any inner shakes just flu like feeling.  I will give it a bit more time.  

 

So you are off all thyroid medications?  And doing okay it seems?  You are almost off lexapro, that is amazing!

[Frogie]

Well, after lots of thinking and talking with someone, I'm taking the plunge off Lexapro. I'm going to take 0.4mg the end of this month, 0.3mg, the end of December, and 0.2mg the end of January. Then I'm "jumping off". I think I've gone as low as I need to go. I've had very few, if any symptoms for months as you can see from my signature. No nausea! That was my biggest symptom. I'm ready 😊😊😊 

 

Then I am going to wait for about 3 months and start my taper of my Xanax. I'll need Shep's help and everyone else's at that point. My dr will be thrilled to say the least. He has been after me for  months and months to get off the Xanax.

 

I hope everyone here will give me their blessing and support. I'll need it lol...

 

I know I haven't been on or posted for a long time. I hope everyone is doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Scorpio]

Hi frogie’’

well done you have done brilliantly and almost there - congratulations and so pleased to hear your symptoms are virtually gone. You are being very sensible and it will all pay off. 

[Frogie]

Just now, Scorpio said:

Hi frogie’’

well done you have done brilliantly and almost there - congratulations and so pleased to hear your symptoms are virtually gone. You are being very sensible and it will all pay off. 

Thanks Scorpio for your kind thoughts.

 

I hope you are doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Gridley]

Great work, Frogie!

[Frogie]

12 minutes ago, Gridley said:

Great work, Frogie!

Thanks Gridley!

 

I think I'm ready. It's been a long haul. I started tapering March, 2016 almost 3 years.

 

I appreciate you thinking of me. Hope you are doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[ChessieCat]

51 minutes ago, Frogie said:

I'm taking the plunge off Lexapro. I'm going to take 0.4mg the end of this month, 0.3mg, the end of December, and 0.2mg the end of January. Then I'm "jumping off".

 

Remember to listen to your body.  Even though it only seems like a tiny amount for each reduction the first one is a 25% reduction and the next is 33% reduction. You might need to hold for longer then 4 weeks.

 

Just a thought.  If you are able to measure 0.1mg you might want to consider adding in an extra reduction step.  It would only add 1 month and not much in the scheme of things.

[Frogie]

Just now, ChessieCat said:

 

Remember to listen to your body.  Even though it only seems like a tiny amount for each reduction the first one is a 25% reduction and the next is 33% reduction. You might need to hold for longer then 4 weeks.

 

Just a thought.  If you are able to measure 0.1mg you might want to consider adding in an extra reduction step.  It would only add 1 month and not much in the scheme of things.

Thank you ChessieCat for the valuable information. I will take it all in while doing this taper.

 

I will do a journal of symptoms. I can't measure 0.1mg. My syringe only goes to 0.2mg.

 

Thank you again for caring.

 

I hope you are doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[ChessieCat]

21 minutes ago, Frogie said:

I can't measure 0.1mg. My syringe only goes to 0.2mg.

 

You could add .2mg to a measured amount of water and drink half one day and keep the remainder for the second day.  Dark container in the fridge.

[Frogie]

4 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

 

You could add .2mg to a measured amount of water and drink half one day and keep the remainder for the second day.  Dark container in the fridge.

Thank you Chessiecat. I'll come back and ask you how to do the water stuff if I need to. I'm hoping that 0.2mg will be low enough for me to jump off.

 

I value your information very much and thank you again. I may need you as it's all new to me.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[ChessieCat]

I'm just very concerned that after doing so well to get this far I'd hate the wheels to fall off this close to the end. 😊

[Frogie]

Just now, ChessieCat said:

I'm just very concerned that after doing so well to get this far I'd hate the wheels to fall off this close to the end. 😊

I'm worried about giving up Lexapro at all. It has been a crutch for 20+ years, so I'm hoping I'm making the right decision in getting off at all. But I value your concern and information very much. And I will come to you if I need help with the water. I promise you that.

[apace41]

4 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

I'm just very concerned that after doing so well to get this far I'd hate the wheels to fall off this close to the end. 😊

 

Nobody can ever argue with a suggestion to be more cautious, CC.

 

Having said that, at the end of the day, Frogie, it is your choice when to jump.  As you know, there are no hard and fast rules governing this stuff.

 

I believe somewhere Alto has a guideline of 98% of the starting dose as a point to consider for jumping off.  That's from recollection as opposed to knowing for sure.  If that's right, however, .2mg would work fine.  As CC suggest, .1 gets you one increment more "protection." 

 

Whatever you choose the lack of symptoms you are having is a great sign.  If you have none between here and jumping off you should have good confidence when you do.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[Junglechicken]

Way to go Frogie!

 

You've been beavering away all this time 🙂

 

Have you guys moved yet?  Hope life has improved for you.

 

TC,

JC xx

[Frogie]

1 minute ago, Junglechicken said:

Way to go Frogie!

 

You've been beavering away all this time 🙂

 

Have you guys moved yet?  Hope life has improved for you.

 

TC,

JC xx

Thanks JC!

 

I've been doing my 10% a month, just like I'm supposed to. But I think it's time to take the plunge.

 

Life hasn't improved per se. I get to see my granddaughter over Christmas, just found out last night. And we are moving this spring!

 

If you want to chat, jump over to my a Off-Topic thread and we can chat. Would love to know all about the job😊

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

11 minutes ago, apace41 said:

 

Nobody can ever argue with a suggestion to be more cautious, CC.

 

Having said that, at the end of the day, Frogie, it is your choice when to jump.  As you know, there are no hard and fast rules governing this stuff.

 

I believe somewhere Alto has a guideline of 98% of the starting dose as a point to consider for jumping off.  That's from recollection as opposed to knowing for sure.  If that's right, however, .2mg would work fine.  As CC suggest, .1 gets you one increment more "protection." 

 

Whatever you choose the lack of symptoms you are having is a great sign.  If you have none between here and jumping off you should have good confidence when you do.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Thanks Andy:

 

If I do have minuscule symptoms I'm going to jump off at 0.2mg. I think I'll be ok. 

 

I dont want want to go through adding water and measuring.

 

The worst that can happen is I get a little nauseous. I'm used to that and haven't had that but maybe 2-3 times in 7-8 months. I can't even contribute that to tapering either as it happened a couple of weeks after tapering. 

 

All I can do is try 😊.

 

I really want want to thank you and Chessiecat for your concerns.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Rosetta]

Wow, Frogie.  You will be off all meds?

[Frogie]

1 minute ago, Rosetta said:

Wow, Frogie.  You will be off all meds?

No I still have my Xanax to taper. I've been tapering the Lexapro for almost 3 years now.

 

I hope you are doing well.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Rosetta]

OH, I see that.  I'm so happy that you are having no symptoms!!  Amazing.  Now you are stable and you know how to control a taper.  Such wonderful a news!

[Frogie]

1 minute ago, Rosetta said:

OH, I see that.  I'm so happy that you are having no symptoms!!  Amazing.  Now you are stable and you know how to control a taper.  Such wonderful a news!

Thanks Rosetta. I appreciate your kind words.