My Journey to Freedom from Lexapro

[Brassmonkey]

Kay--I am so glad that things are going well, this is great.

Give DH a man hug for me, he deserves a lot of thanks for the support.

[Kay2020]

Originally Posted by sparkswallace

You are amazing!!

We ALL are! Think of it this way, we are all going to be done with this. Little by little all of us really done with ADs!

[Kay2020]

Originally Posted by Brassmonkey

Kay--I am so glad that things are going well, this is great.

Give DH a man hug for me, he deserves a lot of thanks for the support.

Aww Thanks! He is rooting for everyone here. I have told him about your tapering and he finds it very interesting. He asks about people on here and how they are doing and you are one of them.

I copied this from recovery-road.org on the impact page, I think that it is so true!

You will reconnect and re-establish important relationships. You will also make new, valuable friendships. Life will have new meaning and you will make positive life changes. Little things once taken for granted will become more ‘precious’. For some this experience leads to a reassessment of values and priorities. You go from being a victim of benzodiazepine or antidepressant dependency to being a victor and survivor. This can be very empowering. You may find that your confidence in your ability to cope with life’s struggles is much higher that it was before your withdrawal.

You may become more tolerant of others, less judgmental and more compassionate. This experience can be life-transforming in a most positive way. Adversity and overcoming can bring many gifts, including that of wanting to help others.

[hopewillbe]

Hi Kay!

Glad to see you are feeling well

I was wondering, what ended up being your last dosage? 0.7mg as you mentioned previously in the thread?

All the best!

[Kay2020]

Hi Hope! Actually it was .80mg I thought it was .70mg while I was taking it and when I went off I noticed the bottle I written .80mg Which is weird because I planned on jumping off at .70mg

Last time I tried to taper I could not get lower than 2.5, this time I did the 10 percent with the last 10mgs and made it without too many problems. A walk in the park compared to the first time.

[Kay2020]

Still doing good. Feels like when you are stable on a dose and ready to drop again.

Right now I am working on my brain. Taking some online classes and just trying to keep my mind focused.

I should add my Klonopin amount in my sig. I am still waiting for my beaker and I have to shop for jars but I am in no hurry as far as when to start.

With that said I am so grateful and still cautious but very happy and praying for everyone here.

[lotusflower]

Originally Posted by Kay2020

Last time I tried to taper I could not get lower than 2.5, this time I did the 10 percent with the last 10mgs and made it without too many problems. A walk in the park compared to the first time.

This gives me a lot of hope. Congratulations!

[Kay2020]

Originally Posted by lotusflower

This gives me a lot of hope. Congratulations!

Thank you so much! I am very happy! I can't wait for all the people who helped me while they were going through their own ordeal to cross the line! This includes you, many of your posts has helped me.

Stepping down in small increments really makes sense now. And I would have not known how to taper smaller without this site and everyone here.

[lotusflower]

Originally Posted by Kay2020

Stepping down in small increments really makes sense now. And I would have not known how to taper smaller without this site and everyone here.

So true, so important. I really believed I'd never be able to do this....and believed that I couldn't function without a drug because I failed at every attempt to stop. It was like a prison sentence.

[hybridpollo]

I read all of your thread and I must say congratulations. Very glad to hear that there are others that are successfully leaving the SRRI prison. Continue to update us with your progress as you enjoy your life lexapro free. I'm going through my 10th month of being srri free and wish you just as much success.

[Kay2020]

Originally Posted by lotusflower

So true, so important. I really believed I'd never be able to do this....and believed that I couldn't function without a drug because I failed at every attempt to stop. It was like a prison sentence.

I felt the same way! I was told by my doctor that I would not be able to function without being on medication. Now I know differently because of PP.

[Kay2020]

Originally Posted by hybridpollo

I read all of your thread and I must say congratulations. Very glad to hear that there are others that are successfully leaving the SRRI prison. Continue to update us with your progress as you enjoy your life lexapro free. I'm going through my 10th month of being srri free and wish you just as much success.

Funny you mention prison, because when I decided to stop after .80 I basically said ".80mg is when I am running for the fence!" Like a prison!

Thank you so much! I do plan on updating and I also have a klonopin taper to do in the near future.

[Kay2020]

I have been suffering. Not from withdrawal but the blood pressure medication I have to take because of my lexapro use and added weight.

I didn't take my pill yesterday and I am not going to take it today and have a call into the doctor's office.

The weird part is int he beginning I had no side effects now I do.

So dizzy I cannot stand it.
Headaches weird rope around the temple feeling some times severe sometimes in the background
Nausea all the time, there is no time where I am not nauseous.
Extreme tiredness

None of the symptoms are anything like the wds I went through.

As far as everything else .. no anxiety, fear or depressed thoughts at all. If not for this irritation I would feel great.

[Kay2020]

Wow, About my blood pressure medication I entered my symptoms on drugs.com and I had two answers telling me to call my Doctor immediately. So I did and he said to stop taking the water/potassium pill and to wait 3 - 4 weeks and them come in.

I have not had that pill for two days and the symptoms are already gone.

As far as after Lexapro, my last dose was May22 and so far no wds or any depression or anxiety. I am wondering if my taper of Klonopin will be sooner instead of later.

[Wld]

Originally Posted by Kay2020

Wow, About my blood pressure medication I entered my symptoms on drugs.com and I had two answers telling me to call my Doctor immediately. So I did and he said to stop taking the water/potassium pill and to wait 3 - 4 weeks and them come in.

I have not had that pill for two days and the symptoms are already gone.

As far as after Lexapro, my last dose was May22 and so far no wds or any depression or anxiety. I am wondering if my taper of Klonopin will be sooner instead of later.

Whew! Kay I'm so glad you're ok. Even happier it's not WD related. You're such an inspiration...and I'm not saying this to be sappy or anything, you're just the poster girl for how to do this stuff right. XOXO

[Brassmonkey]

So glad things are sorting them selves out, I was starting to get worried.

((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))

[Kay2020]

Originally Posted by Wld

Whew! Kay I'm so glad you're ok. Even happier it's not WD related. You're such an inspiration...and I'm not saying this to be sappy or anything, you're just the poster girl for how to do this stuff right. XOXO

Wld Oh thank you! My first taper that failed took 9 months (40mg) (seizures), my second taper for 30mg took 1.5 years (6 months per 10mg) and the last 10mg I did the 10 percent only because I found this forum because of long_way_home I met on a lexapro thread on drugs.com. I consider myself very lucky.

My brother is not so lucky cymbalta protracted WD 3.5 years and still ongoing. He was the person that opened my eyes.

I pray for everyone here. I sometimes get that "I cannot believe this happened to me". And "Why is this not well known?"

[markca]

Originally Posted by Kay2020

I sometimes get that "I cannot believe this happened to me". And "Why is this not well known?"

you can say that again!!!
Exactly ....why in gods name is this not out there and known about......
How many people out there who have tried to get off and thought the onset of symptoms is them and not the drug...? id say millions...!

[Kay2020]

Originally Posted by Brassmonkey

So glad things are sorting them selves out, I was starting to get worried.

((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))

Thanks! You know I was going to pm you about this. But I posted on drugs.com and gotten a few answers that prompted me to call the doctor.

[Kay2020]

Originally Posted by markca

you can say that again!!!
Exactly ....why in gods name is this not out there and known about......
How many people out there who have tried to get off and thought the onset of symptoms is them and not the drug...? id say millions...!

What is bad is the people might be thinking it is their fault or they think it is their "illness" coming back. Doctors tell people that, my doctor told me that.
In the early years I believed him. I believed everything he said and took whatever he prescribed, I mean back then I would never think that it was all a bunch of baloney. I would think that a Doctor wants to "cure" a patient.

Now I trust no one who wants to prescribe a pill for anything. I ask a zillion questions and try to see if there is a better way.

[markca]

Originally Posted by Kay2020

What is bad is the people might be thinking it is their fault or they think it is their "illness" coming back. Doctors tell people that, my doctor told me that.
In the early years I believed him. I believed everything he said and took whatever he prescribed, I mean back then I would never think that it was all a bunch of baloney. I would think that a Doctor wants to "cure" a patient.

Now I trust no one who wants to prescribe a pill for anything. I ask a zillion questions and try to see if there is a better way.

you know Kay2020....i was the same...i fell for the chemical imbalance lie.
The sad thing i asked all the right questions...im sure for that matter so has everyone else....like 'is this addictive' answer 'no' and 'are there any side effects'...answer ' very minimal'
the thing which infuriates me is in 2000 i went to the top occupational specialist in the country for pain in hands from keyboard overuse ...and was given drugs and not even told they were ad's. or told to come off slowly ...is it any wonder i was diagnosed with serious depression 6 months later when i thought they were useless and ct....what i had was horrific wdl from one of the most addictive drugs there are......and then to be told i had an underlieing depression ...in hindsight i can just see a cacofanous litany of total lies and incompetence from people who have pledged 'to do no harm'.
i thank god i found pp.

Sadly i believe pp is a place desired by millions but found by few.!

what is going on is nothing short of totally shocking and criminal its origins have come straight from the engine room of hell itself.

oh yeah and congratulations on your freedom from lexapro.!...huge ...just huge!

[Kay2020]

Originally Posted by markca

you know Kay2020....i was the same...i fell for the chemical imbalance lie.
The sad thing i asked all the right questions...im sure for that matter so has everyone else....like 'is this addictive' answer 'no' and 'are there any side effects'...answer ' very minimal'
the thing which infuriates me is in 2000 i went to the top occupational specialist in the country for pain in hands from keyboard overuse ...and was given drugs and not even told they were ad's. or told to come off slowly ...is it any wonder i was diagnosed with serious depression 6 months later when i thought they were useless and ct....what i had was horrific wdl from one of the most addictive drugs there are......and then to be told i had an underlieing depression ...in hindsight i can just see a cacofanous litany of total lies and incompetence from people who have pledged 'to do no harm'.
i thank god i found pp.

Sadly i believe pp is a place desired by millions but found by few.!

what is going on is nothing short of totally shocking and criminal its origins have come straight from the engine room of hell itself.

oh yeah and congratulations on your freedom from lexapro.!...huge ...just huge!

Sorry about the hands, I had carpal tunnel and had to go to a neurologist who did a test and said I already have started nerve damage, my thumb and pinky were numb at that point. He said I needed surgery.

Lucky for me I have studied the use of medical oil on an doff for about 10 years. I made a "super duper" pain oil mixture,

15 drops of Bulgarian or French Lavender (higher altitude is more medicinal and English is more for cent than medicinal)
5 drops of peppermint oil
15 drops of Sweet marjoram oil

in a 15mil bottle, fill the rest with jojoba oil or sweet almond oil or sunflower oil.

Rub into the hand , joins and wrist and wrap with an ace bandage.
Use as much as you want witht hat first time. I did a second time and that is all it took for me. The 15 mil bottle lasted over a year.

Lavender - muscle pain, headaches, burns
Sweet marjoram - muscle pain, and reduces swelling (most important!)
Peppermint - Migraines, nerve pain and muscle pain.

After discovering this about these oils I have not used over the counter pain reliever.

I make this for friends and family, I took it on as a hobby (thought I would make my own perfumes and such) and found it to be very useful.

The quality of the lavender and marjoram is important so google "naturesgift.com" I always get their lavender and Sweet marjoram.

I never used the oils for withdrawal, because the muscle pain was everywhere. I did use lavender on the back of the neck and peppermint on my temples for bad headaches though.


I would be so angry if I were you! I think as they are adding the ADs to other areas the truth has a better chance to get out. I post about PP every where. I have messages saved in text files about PP and I twitter about them and post about PP. I figure someone might see it and try it and find the truth out about antidepressants.

My best friend just quit an SNRI, so far so good, but I am finding out that more friends are taking SSRIs because of pain. It is disheartening.

I am very happy to be finally off! It is still unreal for me!

[markca]

thanks kay2020..ive printed that one out.

[Kay2020]

Well today was a pretty great day.

I have to say the food part is getting easy thanks to Brassmonkey/Tom who suggested that I look into my BMI. Now I know how many calories are right for me.

BTW I lost my cravings. Not sure if it is being without Lexapro or of watching my calories, getting as much healthy nutrition in those calories and changing the portions and eating steady meals over the day instead of two larger meals.


I am going to start my Klonopin Taper today. I am trying to put together how much to drop and how often to drop. I am dissolving one dose of Klonopin in 100mil of milk, so the .50 of Klonopin will be 100mil of liquid, then I will have to decided how much to take out. 10 percent (10mil) or 5 percent (5mil) or do I do 1 percent a day(1mil)?

[Brassmonkey]

Kay--I am so glad that the diet thing is getting back on track, it's probably a combination of both, but I found that the BMI stuff really helped.

((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))