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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Misssy on September 21, 2004, at 12:06:25
I'm trying to wean myself off of Lexapro 10mg daily and am having a hard time- severe dizziness, lightheadedness, runny nose, watery eyes, diarreah, etc. How do I do this?????????
I feel like dyeing....
Posted by SLS on September 21, 2004, at 12:18:11
In reply to Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by Misssy on September 21, 2004, at 12:06:25
> I'm trying to wean myself off of Lexapro 10mg daily and am having a hard time- severe dizziness, lightheadedness, runny nose, watery eyes, diarreah, etc. How do I do this?????????
>
> I feel like dyeing....
How are you going about it?I would try cutting off a tiny piece and taking it whenever you feel the withdrawal symptoms coming on. This is how I managed to get off of Effexor without suffering too much. Hopefully, the time in between dosing will be longer and longer.
- Scott
Posted by Misssy on September 21, 2004, at 12:24:54
In reply to Re: Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by SLS on September 21, 2004, at 12:18:11
> > I'm trying to wean myself off of Lexapro 10mg daily and am having a hard time- severe dizziness, lightheadedness, runny nose, watery eyes, diarreah, etc. How do I do this?????????
> >
> > I feel like dyeing....
>
>
> How are you going about it?
>
> I would try cutting off a tiny piece and taking it whenever you feel the withdrawal symptoms coming on. This is how I managed to get off of Effexor without suffering too much. Hopefully, the time in between dosing will be longer and longer.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>Well, you might think I was nuts, but I tried it cold turkey for the past few (of the longest)days (of my life!). Then I read some past advice of cutting the pills up and was feeling desperate enough 10 minutes ago to try that. I'm starting to ever so slightly feel better. Any more advice for me?
Posted by mattw84 on September 21, 2004, at 12:29:08
In reply to Re: Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » SLS, posted by Misssy on September 21, 2004, at 12:24:54
Just keep cutting little pieces off when it gets real bad, that's how I finally got off zoloft. Don't worry, it feels like you're going crazy now... but it will end I promise! Only other advice I have is DON'T TAKE SSRI's!!!
Posted by Bill LL on September 21, 2004, at 12:30:26
In reply to Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by Misssy on September 21, 2004, at 12:06:25
Based on other people's experiences, it may help to take Prozac while you are weaning off of the Lexapro. Ask your doctor if that is ok.
Posted by Misssy on September 21, 2004, at 12:34:48
In reply to Re: Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by mattw84 on September 21, 2004, at 12:29:08
> Just keep cutting little pieces off when it gets real bad, that's how I finally got off zoloft. Don't worry, it feels like you're going crazy now... but it will end I promise! Only other advice I have is DON'T TAKE SSRI's!!!
So, as I feel this way, I can continue to take small pieces of it? Up to how much, the regular daily dose? Or less? I just want to be sure I understand how to do this right...
Posted by SLS on September 21, 2004, at 12:38:28
In reply to Re: Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » SLS, posted by Misssy on September 21, 2004, at 12:24:54
Hi.
I'm glad you are starting to feel better. It's amazing how little time it takes after dosing for the withdrawal symptoms to subside.
> Well, you might think I was nuts, but I tried it cold turkey for the past few (of the longest)days (of my life!). Then I read some past advice of cutting the pills up and was feeling desperate enough 10 minutes ago to try that. I'm starting to ever so slightly feel better. Any more advice for me?
Wait until you begin to experience the beginnings of the withdrawal syndrome again before you take your next dose. Each time, the interval between dosing should grow longer and longer. Then you can try taking even smaller pieces. Don't be afraid to do it by "feel". I was able to get off of Effexor 300mg within 10 days this way.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by Misssy on September 21, 2004, at 12:43:06
In reply to Re: Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by SLS on September 21, 2004, at 12:38:28
Thank you Scott for your valuable advice. I appreciate it alot!
Posted by mcp on September 21, 2004, at 13:15:38
In reply to Re: Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » SLS, posted by Misssy on September 21, 2004, at 12:43:06
I am going through Lexapro withdrawal right now, so let me give you a few pointers from what I have experienced. First and foremost, it so hard, but patience must reign supreme. By that I mean the way these withdrawals work is that you will start feeling better and then all of a sudden you feel horrid again. It is up and down all the time. It is quite insidious. Recognizing this and not freaking out about it helps. Drink tons of water. Eat a good diet with strong supplement support. For me I take fish oil, vitamin E, a good multi-vitamin, and inositol. The two most important part of withdrawal, however, are exercise and faith. Turn to that higher power and lean on Him for strength. Get outside, no matter how bad you feel, and force yourself to exercise. Trust me, it will make you feel better and hasten the recovery process. As far as tapering, I went from 10 to 0 in a month and that was too fast. They say you are only supposed to go 10% at a time. Lastly, you can do this. I know it sucks, but hang in there. Don't let it beat you. Stay strong and if you want to talk about it you can e-mail me at mcpark@socal.rr.com
Posted by mattw84 on September 21, 2004, at 13:31:58
In reply to Re: Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » mattw84, posted by Misssy on September 21, 2004, at 12:34:48
Try to avoid taking the whole dose. Cut the 10mgs in half, and take one half each day for a few days. Then cut the Halves in half again and take that each day and then try to stop again.
Posted by Waki on September 21, 2004, at 18:41:35
In reply to Re: Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by mcp on September 21, 2004, at 13:15:38
mcp has some solid advise.
when ever i want to get off a med and it has withdrawl symptoms, i start 1-2 months in advance. I figure whats the hurry? each day i reduce it a little bit at a time before you know it your off of it. i had a difficult time with lamictal, right now i'm down to 25 mg per day down from 400. i think i've been at this one for at least 2 months.
personally i would not do the routine where you suffer then take a small portion. there is no need to suffer if you use a slow taper method.
i know a guy who has been taking a very small amount of paxil for a year. this guy is using 2 years to get off paxil.
Posted by ana67 on September 22, 2004, at 10:43:21
In reply to Re: Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by Waki on September 21, 2004, at 18:41:35
What are the w/d symptoms? Maybe I have had them and just don't know it ... I went off Tegretol and lexapro at the same time. I was actually better in some respects on days I didn't take Tegretol ... I eventuallly went to every other day, one dose a day ... then every two ... then done. I noticed on days I took tegretol, my face and extremities puffed up or my ankles were swollen, and I felt nauseated. The other days, I was OK. I would've just quit completely cold turkey but was afraid of seizing.
On the Lexapro ..., I was only on 5 mg once a day, and I sometimes forgot to take it anyway. When I went off the tegretol, the lexapro induced mania, and my doc said to stop it. I asked if there was any w/d to expect and he said "no." And I didn't notice any. I just quit taking it. Maybe because he told me not to expect anything, I didn't look for anything?
I have gone on taper doses before, not expecting problems, though, and they have found me. So, I just wondered what Lexapro was doing to folks?
Posted by Misssy on September 22, 2004, at 11:42:53
In reply to Re: Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by ana67 on September 22, 2004, at 10:43:21
> What are the w/d symptoms? Maybe I have had them and just don't know it ... I went off Tegretol and lexapro at the same time. I was actually better in some respects on days I didn't take Tegretol ... I eventuallly went to every other day, one dose a day ... then every two ... then done. I noticed on days I took tegretol, my face and extremities puffed up or my ankles were swollen, and I felt nauseated. The other days, I was OK. I would've just quit completely cold turkey but was afraid of seizing.
>
> On the Lexapro ..., I was only on 5 mg once a day, and I sometimes forgot to take it anyway. When I went off the tegretol, the lexapro induced mania, and my doc said to stop it. I asked if there was any w/d to expect and he said "no." And I didn't notice any. I just quit taking it. Maybe because he told me not to expect anything, I didn't look for anything?
>
> I have gone on taper doses before, not expecting problems, though, and they have found me. So, I just wondered what Lexapro was doing to folks?
Well, I've been feeling jittery, anxious, lightheaded, very dizzy, runny nose, watery eyes, diarreah, yucky stomach, and sleepy, all at the same time.
I was told that there would be no withdrawal symptoms and that I could not get addicted. I was also told there would be no sexual side effects, but my drive was in the toilet and climaxing took ALOT of effort and concentrating.
What is tegretol for? I have a brother that's on it.
I think doctors just parrot what they've read and not speak from "experience". I get frustrated by this and even though it's not practical or realistic, I wish they'd go on these medications and experience what we do. Then maybe they would not think we were crazy, and make us feel as though we were.
This is the end of the thread.
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