Frogie: how to taper off Lexapro and Xanax?

[Frogie]

Frogie -

 

I think it is better to try the Benadryl then trying the prescription nausea medicine.  I did read that Zofran was a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and that scared me because I was getting off an SRRI and I didn't want anything that affect serotonin in anyway.  I am not exactly sure what that means, but thought I should avoid anything possibly messing with serotonin. 

I will have to get some. Thanks  

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[bubble]

Have you tried ginger or some other non-drug remedies?

 

Sometimes the only way to get off tge drugs merry go round is to endure a symptom... we just have to be stubborn and eventually they leave.

[Frogie]

Have you tried ginger or some other non-drug remedies?

 

Sometimes the only way to get off tge drugs merry go round is to endure a symptom... we just have to be stubborn and eventually they leave.

Hi bubble:

 

I tried ginger capsules and they made me sicker. The dr. gave me Phenegran, Zofran and Carafate. I was reading about the Carafate and it's not metabolized in your body. It goes into your intestines and stomach. I've tried some of it and it works well, but you get constipated very easily. I don't know what to do about that? Thanks    Take care, Frogie xx

[PatriciaVP]

Hey Frogie,

 

Have you had any relief from the morning nausea at all?

 

Was just catching up on your thread and noticed the liquid Lexapro was making you constipated. Oddly enough it has the opposite effect on me. Just goes to show how individualized this can all be.

 

Hope you're having a decent day, and thanks for all the encouragement lately!

 

{{Hugs}}

[Frogie]

Hey Frogie,

Have you had any relief from the morning nausea at all?

Was just catching up on your thread and noticed the liquid Lexapro was making you constipated. Oddly enough it has the opposite effect on me. Just goes to show how individualized this can all be.

Hope you're having a decent day, and thanks for all the encouragement lately!

{{Hugs}}

Nope, still nauseated. But I guess I'll just have to live with it and hopefully someday it will go away.

I went the other way from constipation for a long time, I feel for you.

We are all here to encourage and help each other. I'm glad I could.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

Hi all:

 

Maybe someone can help me out.

The last couple of weeks I have been more nauseous than usual.

Maybe it's the change of my house, the Christmas tree, people coming to my house, I don't know.

I even had the dry heaves this morning. I've never had that.

 

I don't know. Any suggestions would be great. No ginger, makes me sick. I've been sipping peppermint tea. Also, been taking my zofran a few times. I just can't be sick to my stomach with the holidays.

 

I'll make it, I always do.

 

Also, I stopped taking Prilosec, and I have actually gained 4 pounds. Is that normal? I thought I would lose some weight...

 

Thanks,

Frogie xx

[scallywag]

Frogie, I received your message. Unfortunately your situation is more complicated than anything my meager knowledge can assist. I hope that you find relief from the nausea from others' suggestions or maybe even an overnight spontaneous disappearance.

[Frogie]

Frogie, I received your message. Unfortunately your situation is more complicated than anything my meager knowledge can assist. I hope that you find relief from the nausea from others' suggestions or maybe even an overnight spontaneous disappearance.

You are more knowledgeable than you give yourself credit for.

 

I'm wondering also, if it could be that this week I went completely liquid on the Lexapro?

 

My liver is actually doing really well. Been tested, and it's coming out within the normal limits.

 

I'm now just learning more about WD affects and actually talking a lot to a person here. We hit off and are helping each other.

 

Is it normal to gain weight when you go off Prilosec?

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Flowers]

Hello Frogie

 

I have a little suggestion that you might want to try or may have tried before.

 

I don't suffer with nausea very often but when I do it is usually when I am travelling which isn't so often these days. I get seasick, airsick and carsick! I managed to get some wristbands that have a small plastic ball in them that is kept tightly over the inside of your wrist by the band. It takes about 20 minutes to kick in. I realise that this wouldn't be good if you get periods of nausea all day but if it is worse in the mornings you could try wearing them for a few hours.

 

It works for me but I am not sure if it would work for everyone.

 

Best Wishes

 

Flowers x

[Frogie]

Hello Frogie

 

I have a little suggestion that you might want to try or may have tried before.

 

I don't suffer with nausea very often but when I do it is usually when I am travelling which isn't so often these days. I get seasick, airsick and carsick! I managed to get some wristbands that have a small plastic ball in them that is kept tightly over the inside of your wrist by the band. It takes about 20 minutes to kick in. I realise that this wouldn't be good if you get periods of nausea all day but if it is worse in the mornings you could try wearing them for a few hours.

 

It works for me but I am not sure if it would work for everyone.

 

Best Wishes

 

Flowers x

Hi Flowers:

 

Thank you so much for helping me out.

 

I have some of those bands, and tried them once before. They didn't work so I put them away.

 

Maybe I need to break them back out and try them again.

 

I'm glad you mentioned that, I forgot I even had them.

 

I'll let you know.

 

Thanks again.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Flowers]

 

Hello Frogie

 

I have a little suggestion that you might want to try or may have tried before.

 

I don't suffer with nausea very often but when I do it is usually when I am travelling which isn't so often these days. I get seasick, airsick and carsick! I managed to get some wristbands that have a small plastic ball in them that is kept tightly over the inside of your wrist by the band. It takes about 20 minutes to kick in. I realise that this wouldn't be good if you get periods of nausea all day but if it is worse in the mornings you could try wearing them for a few hours.

 

It works for me but I am not sure if it would work for everyone.

 

Best Wishes

 

Flowers x

Hi Flowers:

 

Thank you so much for helping me out.

 

I have some of those bands, and tried them once before. They didn't work so I put them away.

 

Maybe I need to break them back out and try them again.

 

I'm glad you mentioned that, I forgot I even had them.

 

I'll let you know.

 

Thanks again.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

You are welcome Frogie! You never know this time they might just work! I really hope so.

Flowers xxx

[Frogie]

 

 

Hello Frogie

 

I have a little suggestion that you might want to try or may have tried before.

 

I don't suffer with nausea very often but when I do it is usually when I am travelling which isn't so often these days. I get seasick, airsick and carsick! I managed to get some wristbands that have a small plastic ball in them that is kept tightly over the inside of your wrist by the band. It takes about 20 minutes to kick in. I realise that this wouldn't be good if you get periods of nausea all day but if it is worse in the mornings you could try wearing them for a few hours.

 

It works for me but I am not sure if it would work for everyone.

 

Best Wishes

 

Flowers x

 

Hi Flowers:

Thank you so much for helping me out.

I have some of those bands, and tried them once before. They didn't work so I put them away.

Maybe I need to break them back out and try them again.

I'm glad you mentioned that, I forgot I even had them.

I'll let you know.

Thanks again.

Take care,

Frogie xx

You are welcome Frogie! You never know this time they might just work! I really hope so.

Flowers xxx

I hope so too.

 

Nice to speak with you!

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[PatriciaVP]

Hi Frogie,

Sorry to hear you are still so nauseous. It's never very fun, but around the holidays when there are so many good treats, it must be intensified tenfold.

 

You have such a great attitude, though. Reading your posts is always encouraging to me.

[Frogie]

Hi Frogie,

Sorry to hear you are still so nauseous. It's never very fun, but around the holidays when there are so many good treats, it must be intensified tenfold.

 

You have such a great attitude, though. Reading your posts is always encouraging to me.

It is intensified and maybe that's my problem. I had my granddaughter this last weekend and we made cupcakes and cookies. Of course I had to eat them lol  

 

I'm just tired of being nauseous. Wish it would stop. Yesterday I woke up and I wasn't nauseous, imagine that. I figure I have to make the best of it.

 

I'm trying to have encouraging words from now on. It's easier to smile than cry...

 

Hope you are doing well...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

I have a question.

 

I stopped Prilosec and I've gained weight. Is that normal?

(I know I'm not normal, but that's beside the point) lol...

 

Thanks,

Frogie xx

[lillylou]

Im so sorry to hear about the nausea. Im experiencing the same thing right now , especially the morning dry heaves, although it seems to get a little better in the evening. I can barely eat though which is horrible. I think it might be an effect of heightened anxiety. I really hope this stops for the both of us soon.

Must be a lexapro thing

[Frogie]

Im so sorry to hear about the nausea. Im experiencing the same thing right now , especially the morning dry heaves, although it seems to get a little better in the evening. I can barely eat though which is horrible. I think it might be an effect of heightened anxiety. I really hope this stops for the both of us soon.

Must be a lexapro thing

Hi lillylou:

 

Nice to meet you.

 

I'm sorry you are going through the same thing as me. I sound exactly like you. Wake up nauseous and by afternoon it's better. I don't want to eat either, so I eat small. Peanut butter, applesauce, things like that.

 

I hope you feel better soon.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[lillylou]

Nice to meet you too!

 

Oh frogie its horrible, im afraid to leave the house in fear of fainting bc of the lack of food. I dry heaved again this morning . do you mind if i ask how long this nausea wave is lasting you?

Im also experiencing horrible thoughts of hopelessness. It just sucks that the only thing i can really do is wait it out you know?

[Frogie]

Nice to meet you too!

Oh frogie its horrible, im afraid to leave the house in fear of fainting bc of the lack of food. I dry heaved again this morning . do you mind if i ask how long this nausea wave is lasting you?

Im also experiencing horrible thoughts of hopelessness. It just sucks that the only thing i can really do is wait it out you know?

Mine has been going on since June, hopefully, I pray, yours doesn't. I don't go anywhere except to therapy on Thursday. But I live in a very small town, so there isn't anything to do.

 

I have thought of hopelessness this time of year. I live away from my family and friends. I haven't spent a Christmas with my granddaughter for 4 years now. But I had her last weekend. That was great.

 

Let's keep in touch, maybe we can make each other smile.

 

I met a lady on here that is very dear to my heart. We talk everyday and have become very close. She lives about 3,000 miles away from me though. But it's nice to make friends that you can talk to and have the same symptoms. Where do you live, I haven't read your thread (I'm bad I know).

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[lillylou]

Im from ontario canada. Im having the worst time, im 24 trying to do a post graduate certificate and then this hits. I was going to have to spend xmas alone but i brokedown over the phone with my sister and shes coming up. My boyfriend is taking my dog to his families for xmas . They have a huge property for her and other dogs.

Its a vicious cycle, wake up extreme anxiety about xmas alone, assignments , cant eat, dry heave, try to eat, serious anxiety of leaving the house bc my body is running on empty. Boyfriend check in on me and it only makes me sadder bc i know i wont see him for a week. Im really hoping my sister can pull me out of this rut.

I started my courses in october and my exams are the 2nd week of january. I need to pull through because i start work right after and a new semester after that.

I think about everything i have to do and just crumble under the crippling anxiety. I think about less than a year ago before tapering i was mentally stable. I stopped because lexapro was always suppost to be a temporary thing for me. How could something that once made me feel so normal do this to me? I want the hopelessness to end frogie. Reading other peoples wd stories has gotten me terrified, I feel as though I cant do this for a month or even a year forget about multiple years. Has 2.5 years of lexapro set me back for life? What if my boyfriend doesnt want to be with me if this persists, i feel tremendous guilt that he has to endure this too. I love him so much i dont want to lose the only good thing in my life.

[PatriciaVP]

Hi Frogie,

 

I saw a post from you to me on Catnapt's thread so I thought I would reply here. I'm doing OK. Still in the throws of a pretty intense wave. Pretty anxious most of the day with nausea and stomachs pain so I have a really hard time eating. I'm going to post more of an update on my thread. There's a shortcut to my thread in my signature.

 

Sorry to hear you're still so nauseous. I know how you feel. It's so exhausting and seems to go on forever. You just want it to end.

 

It'll get better for both of us. Hopefully sooner than later.

 

{{{Hugs}}}

 

PatriciaVP

[Frogie]

Hi Frogie,

I saw a post from you to me on Catnapt's thread so I thought I would reply here. I'm doing OK. Still in the throws of a pretty intense wave. Pretty anxious most of the day with nausea and stomachs pain so I have a really hard time eating. I'm going to post more of an update on my thread. There's a shortcut to my thread in my signature.

Sorry to hear you're still so nauseous. I know how you feel. It's so exhausting and seems to go on forever. You just want it to end.

It'll get better for both of us. Hopefully sooner than later.

{{{Hugs}}}

PatriciaVP

Do you have nausea? You've never mentioned it.

 

If you do, I wish it to go away for you. I sure wish mine would.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[O2bhappy]

Frogie -

 

So after a couple of months of not having nausea I am back to not having an appetite.  After I eat my stomach starts hurting and making all sorts of noises.  I hope this is something that will resolve quickly.

 

Hope your nausea is improving. 

[Frogie]

Frogie -

 

So after a couple of months of not having nausea I am back to not having an appetite.  After I eat my stomach starts hurting and making all sorts of noises.  I hope this is something that will resolve quickly.

 

Hope your nausea is improving.

 

Hi O2bhappy:

 

I'm sorry you are going through this. It's not fun at all. I hope it resolves quickly for you too.

 

My nausea is is still there, every morning, rears its ugly head. But oh wel...

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[O2bhappy]

Frogie -

 

I am sure my current stomach issues will resolve. As you know it is just frustrating.

 

I like your "oh well" attitude. Maybe that attitude will cause less stress and overall help your nausea.

[Frogie]

Frogie -

I am sure my current stomach issues will resolve. As you know it is just frustrating.

I like your "oh well" attitude. Maybe that attitude will cause less stress and overall help your nausea.

Hi:

 

I hope your resolves.

 

I have had 2 days that I wasn't nauseous. So guess I'm making headway lol...

 

Take care.

Frogie

[O2bhappy]

Frogie -

 

Two days without nausea is wonderful. I am sure you enjoyed those days. I hope they continue. I would say you are making headway!

 

I think I celebrated too much yesterday and ate a little more then I should have eaten. I was awake all night because my stomach was so full. That is a symptom of the delayed gastric emptying I have.

[Frogie]

Frogie -

Two days without nausea is wonderful. I am sure you enjoyed those days. I hope they continue. I would say you are making headway!

I think I celebrated too much yesterday and ate a little more then I should have eaten. I was awake all night because my stomach was so full. That is a symptom of the delayed gastric emptying I have.

Ho O2bhappy:

 

I have the same problem, delayed gastric emptying. I think that's why I'm nauseous in the morning. Just guessing.

 

I hope I can get three days without nausea. They are not in a row, but I'll take them.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[PatriciaVP]

 

Hi Frogie,

I saw a post from you to me on Catnapt's thread so I thought I would reply here. I'm doing OK. Still in the throws of a pretty intense wave. Pretty anxious most of the day with nausea and stomachs pain so I have a really hard time eating. I'm going to post more of an update on my thread. There's a shortcut to my thread in my signature.

Sorry to hear you're still so nauseous. I know how you feel. It's so exhausting and seems to go on forever. You just want it to end.

It'll get better for both of us. Hopefully sooner than later.

{{{Hugs}}}

PatriciaVP

Do you have nausea? You've never mentioned it.

If you do, I wish it to go away for you. I sure wish mine would.

Take care,

Frogie xx

Oh, yeah. Nauseous every morning usually with an upset stomach sometimes with cramping. I don't remember the last time I woke up without some kind of stomach issue. I usually have no desire to eat until around 3pm. I often feel full most of the day even if I haven't had a bite to eat. Sometimes it's hard to know if anxiety is causing exacerbating the issue or if it's the other way around.

[Frogie]

 

 

Hi Frogie,

I saw a post from you to me on Catnapt's thread so I thought I would reply here. I'm doing OK. Still in the throws of a pretty intense wave. Pretty anxious most of the day with nausea and stomachs pain so I have a really hard time eating. I'm going to post more of an update on my thread. There's a shortcut to my thread in my signature.

Sorry to hear you're still so nauseous. I know how you feel. It's so exhausting and seems to go on forever. You just want it to end.

It'll get better for both of us. Hopefully sooner than later.

{{{Hugs}}}

PatriciaVP

Do you have nausea? You've never mentioned it.

If you do, I wish it to go away for you. I sure wish mine would.

Take care,

Frogie xx

Oh, yeah. Nauseous every morning usually with an upset stomach sometimes with cramping. I don't remember the last time I woke up without some kind of stomach issue. I usually have no desire to eat until around 3pm. I often feel full most of the day even if I haven't had a bite to eat. Sometimes it's hard to know if anxiety is causing exacerbating the issue or if it's the other way around.

That's exactly how I feel.

 

I hope we can both feel better soon.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

I have a question for anyone that can answer it...

 

I started to taper my Lexapro on 1/1/17. I got liquid!!  I'm doing the 9mg right now.

 

Since I am on Xanax, would it be possible for my Lexapro taper to be easier?  Could I taper every 21 days instead of 28 days?

 

I'm asking because I may be moving in less than a year.  The dr. I'm working with now is not having a problem giving me the liquid to taper.  But if I move, I know my other dr. will not give me the liquid and will have me taper in a couple of weeks.  I've already discussed it with him.

 

Thanks.

Frogie xx

[ChessieCat]

The best thing is to be patient, listen to your body and throw out the calendar.

 

My suggestion would be to ask your current doctor to contact the other doctor to explain your need for the liquid.  Either that or find a second doctor who will prescribe the liquid.

[Frogie]

The best thing is to be patient, listen to your body and throw out the calendar.

 

My suggestion would be to ask your current doctor to contact the other doctor to explain your need for the liquid.  Either that or find a second doctor who will prescribe the liquid.

Thanks I really appreciate you answering me.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[PatriciaVP]

Hi Frogie,

 

Thanks for all the encouragement on my thread.

 

Your posts on my thread seem to indicate you are having a lot of symptoms right now like I am. Due to all my symptoms, I am holding on the taper until I feel much more stable. I have experienced the destabilizing effects of even a small drop at this dosage and know that is not somewhere I want to go right now.

 

If you are really feeling as poorly as I am right now, perhaps it's better to consider holding until things settle down? Just a thought. I would just hate to see someone as dear as you are in any additional pain.

 

{{{Hugs}}}

[bubble]

I fully agree with what both Chessie and Patricia wrote. I'm a bit surprised you are tapering so soon after being so unwell and for the whole 10 %.

 

Also I would think that having been through what you have been through and spending time here and seeing what othets are going through you would think of a slower rather than a faster taper.

 

As Chessie wrote your brain will tell you what kind of pace it can cope with. And it will tell you this through symptoms. I'm only able to make a 2 % cut on my Lexapro at the moment. 10 days after the cut I'm hit with WD symptoms which are as unpleasant as I can put up with. It takes around 5 days for them to abate. I then wait some more to recover before my next cut.

 

That's an interesting idea that your Lexapro taper should be easier because you take xanax. I'm afraid quite opposite might be the case: those of us who are polydrugged generally have a more difficult time (also a long history of psychotropic drugs, changing drugs, doses, CT-ing, fast tapers... that all weakens are brain and makes it sensitised so we have to procede with great caution.

 

Every time we do it again it gets even more difficult than previous times. So I would do everything it takes (and more) so that I can get the drug and taper at a speed that allows my brain to regrow itself.

 

This taper will tell you how fast you can go. Just carefully monitor your symptoms and take notes. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Frogie]

Hi Frogie,

Thanks for all the encouragement on my thread.

Your posts on my thread seem to indicate you are having a lot of symptoms right now like I am. Due to all my symptoms, I am holding on the taper until I feel much more stable. I have experienced the destabilizing effects of even a small drop at this dosage and know that is not somewhere I want to go right now.

If you are really feeling as poorly as I am right now, perhaps it's better to consider holding until things settle down? Just a thought. I would just hate to see someone as dear as you are in any additional pain.

{{{Hugs}}}

Hi:

 

I really appreciate you giving me advise. It helps a lot.

 

You encourage me also, that is what we are here for. To help each other.

 

I think I will hold and see how it goes.

 

Thanks! . (((Hugs back)))

 

Take care,

Frogie xx