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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KathrynLex on August 9, 2018, at 16:44:12
The first time I took Lexapro was more than a decade ago, and while the initial side effects were completely miserable (I felt like I had the flu, and it actually increased my anxiety, which was horrible because I needed it to help treat panic attacks and depression), I eventually found a lot of relief. After about six weeks, it gave me my life back. I could travel again and I was actually interested in the world around me. Eventually I tapered off, and functioned without medication for several months.
Fast forward to early 2017, and I thought I'd be alright without medication again. This time around, I tapered off 3 mg of Klonopin and stopped 40 mg Prozac. This turned out to be a horrible mistake, and both my anxiety and depression came back with a vengeance. It's been a nightmare to find something new. Since October of last year, I've tried Abilify, Trintellix, and Lexapro.
Lexapro hasn't been good to me. After tolerating the horrible side effects of increased anxiety, feeling like I had the flu, and an incredibly low libido, I found it did nothing for my anxiety and turned me into a zombie. I've limped along for a few months, taking 10 mg of Lexapro, varying amounts of Klonopin, and Xanax as needed. But now I'm getting ready to try Nardil, and I have to be off Lexapro for 14 days.
My pdoc told me I could simply stop taking the Lexapro and I had my misgivings, but I went for it. After only 2 days, I do feel pretty out of it, but suddenly I have energy again. I'm not sleeping 12+ hours and I feel like my perspective on the world isn't nearly as dark. My body actually feels relieved to be off it. I never thought I'd say that about Lexapro, because it used to be one of my favorite medications.
I am really shocked to realize how tired it made me (my pdoc and a nutritionist I tried working with were very quick to blame my horrible fatigue on the Klonopin, but they were so very wrong). Has anyone else stopped taking 10 mg of Lexapro and just found themselves relieved?
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 9, 2018, at 18:35:29
In reply to Relieved to be Quitting Lexapro, posted by KathrynLex on August 9, 2018, at 16:44:12
i took celexa w/ abilify for an episode of...i dunno. "agitated depression," i think. it was awesome...until it wasn't. since the abilify is basically my life partner, i dropped the celexa and I perked up almost immediately. true story.
Posted by linkadge on August 9, 2018, at 19:44:10
In reply to Relieved to be Quitting Lexapro, posted by KathrynLex on August 9, 2018, at 16:44:12
If you notice a rebound in anxiety, you could go back to 5mg.
Linkadge
Posted by KathrynLex on August 9, 2018, at 21:21:00
In reply to Re: Relieved to be Quitting Lexapro, posted by Christ_empowered on August 9, 2018, at 18:35:29
I'm glad you've had success with Abilify. It was just so disconcerting to stop Lexapro cold turkey, and find that I'm actually feeling better instead of going through horrible withdrawal. I guess that's a good indication my relationship with Lexapro has soured, just as yours did with Celexa.
> i took celexa w/ abilify for an episode of...i dunno. "agitated depression," i think. it was awesome...until it wasn't. since the abilify is basically my life partner, i dropped the celexa and I perked up almost immediately. true story.
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Posted by KathrynLex on August 9, 2018, at 21:24:38
In reply to Re: Relieved to be Quitting Lexapro, posted by linkadge on August 9, 2018, at 19:44:10
That's a good thought, and I won't rule it out. I'm hoping to manage any rebound anxiety with Klonopin. (My dose varies, but I can take up to 3 mg per day.) And if that doesn't work, I do have my Xanax.
I'm hoping to not need to take an Lexapro because I need to be off of it for 14 days before I can start Nardil. But I think you're right, sometimes it's a good idea to go ahead and take a small dose to mitigate rebound anxiety.
> If you notice a rebound in anxiety, you could go back to 5mg.
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> Linkadge
Posted by SLS on August 9, 2018, at 21:55:48
In reply to Re: Relieved to be Quitting Lexapro » linkadge, posted by KathrynLex on August 9, 2018, at 21:24:38
I found lorazepam to be effective as a PRN to combat anxiety arising from Trintellix withdrawal.
- Scott
Posted by KathrynLex on August 9, 2018, at 23:41:47
In reply to Re: Relieved to be Quitting Lexapro, posted by SLS on August 9, 2018, at 21:55:48
Thanks Scott. I've heard good things about Lorazepam, and if Klonopin ever stops working for me, I think Lorazepam will be my next stop.
K
> I found lorazepam to be effective as a PRN to combat anxiety arising from Trintellix withdrawal.
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> - Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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