Why are you discontinuing taking the meds? You should be stepped down slowly, not cut them off right away-which is what I'm assuming if you're going thru this. Are you changing meds? If that is the case, it does take some time to get adjusted. I'd definitely speak with a psychiastrist as they would likely be better equiped to help than strictly an MD.

seagrass,

I am so sorry you are struggling with this. I hope you are stepping down slowly! If not I urge you to seek out a different doctor!!

My thoughts & prayers are with you.

Because Lexapro has a short half-life ,withdrawal becomes more difficult. I don't know if your doctor would recommend putting you on a longer acting ssri or just want to slowly,and i mean slowly,taper you off. The biggest problem I have with withdrawals are the brain zaps. A psychiatrist would know clearly the effects of withdrawal.

My sister had a rough time withdrawing from celexa, which is similar. She had brain zaps and other weird issues. She tapered very slowly and was still miserable for several weeks.

good luck !

I wasn't stepped down slowly enough, as it turns out, and my primary care doctor is totally unfamiliar with the ramifications of it. The med stopped working for me, and the substitute was at odds with the tamoxifen I'm taking for breast cancer.

I've had do do my own research and have come to this forum to find others who have experienced this. I do have an appointment in August with a psychiatrist/neurologist but that's a long way out and I've been feeling dizzy and crappy for months.

Are you off the SSRI now ? If so the effects of withdrawal should not be lasting "months".

Were you having the "dizzies" while on the drug ?

From my research, the withdrawal symptoms are quite variable and somewhat dependent on the dosage and length of time on the drug. I was never dizzy on the ultimate dose of 20 mg.

I'm having a very hard time trying to understand what's happening to me. I've seen my primary care doctor and my oncologist within a week of each other and they have no clue how to help me. Except lose another two months of my life waiting to see the neurologist.

Seagrass, I'm so sorry about what you're going through.

Tomorrow morning, I would call your primary and explain to him/her that because they removed it too soon/quickly, that you are suffering. Ask them to call the psychiatrist/neurologist immediately to get you an appointment either tomorrow or first thing next week. August is far too long to wait.

Lisa - it is too long to wait. I live in a federally-designated underserved medical community. We live on outer Cape Cod. My oncologist's nurse suggested I call the psychiatrist/neurologist's office and ask to be put on their cancellation list which I will do tomorrow.

Thanks to all of you for your kind responses.

seagrass

Seagrass, ask the oncologist nurse to make the call for you and get you an appt. pronto. I have friends who are nurses and would do this for me. It can be done.

I think you need to pressure both your primary and your oncologist's office to call the psy/neuro and get you in soon. You mentioned breast cancer, you are going through withdrawals, you are not mentally stable right now (I'm assuming based on descriptions above). Demand to get help. Get a family member or friend to advocate for you, too.

You are not a "cancellation list" patient. You are a medical emergency.

ETA to add clarification. But Seagrass, I hope you get what you need right now. Don't wait.

What Lisa said is absolutely correct. Don't be hesitant or reluctant; call the onc office and your pcp office if you need to. The pcp that prescribed the med without knowing how to taper you off appropriately should should work to get you into a psych tomorrow.

Seagrass, I am so very sorry and my heart goes out to you. Years ago I suffered horrendous withdrawal from Effexor (was not stepped down), and I was in a very dark place. The physical symptoms were excruciating and caused me to miss two full weeks of work. The electrical zaps and dizziness with nausea were a constant for awhile but gradually decreased. It did take a long time and even nine to twelve months later I still had an occasional zap. It takes a very long time to completely get past it for some of us.

You do not have to suffer and I wish I had known this. Please do as others have suggested and get in touch with your doctor and INSIST on receiving help NOW. I know how bad it is and understand why many people become so despondent as to even give thought to ending it all. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS.

Sending you much love and strength.

Seagrass, I took Lexapro for several years to help during a period of my life when menopause-related hormonal upheaval along with workplace and personal stresses almost broke me.

It was tremendously helpful, and when I decided I could stop taking it I had to wean myself over a period of several months. IIRC, it was almost a year-long process so SLOWLY was the key word! I feel very fortunate that I never had negative side effects, and if you are having these I join with the others who advise you to get in to see the right medical source immediately.

Especially as a cancer patient, not only do you have complex biochemical and medicine issues. your emotional health has to be severely stressed right now so dealing with something that hopefully can be alleviated is not a luxury, it's a necessity. I hope you feel better very soon!

I want to thank each and every one of you for your responses. I am going back to see my primary care doctor on Wednesday (soonest they could fit me in given the July 4th holiday). I am going to ask her to put me back on Lexapro, 5 mg is the minimum dose. If my dizziness/imbalance improves or goes away then I can go back to square one with the tapering. And she will learn about antidepressant withdrawal.

If things don't improve, then I'm in for a series of neurological tests and probably a brain MRI (which is something my oncologist was ready to order when I saw him yesterday). I have very powerful claustrophobia and have to be sedated to get through the procedure.

Again, many thanks.

seagrass

I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this. I hope you don't need this, but for this:

I have very powerful claustrophobia and have to be sedated to get through the procedure.

a friend who'd had an incredible number of MRIs, many in the old totally-closed tube kind, gave me the best advice ever:

Close your eyes before you go in and don't open them under any circumstances till you come back out. Sedation never helped me, but that did.

I just wanted to say I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope they get things resolved quickly so you're feeling much better.

That could be rough. Here is a nice article explaining that without issues withdrawal should take 6 to 9 months and with issues as long as two years Link

Practigal - I printed that article and took it to my primary care doctor when I saw her two weeks ago. She said she was not aware of discontinuation syndrome. She said she was willing to consider it, but wants to rule out other causes. My husband was with me when I talked to her, and will come with me when I see her this Wednesday. If I go back on Lexapro and my symptoms lessen or, even better, go away entirely then we will have an answer. If not, then move on.

I don't know how she'll feel about it. I really like this doctor. So I'll wait to see.

Many thanks,

seagrass

Seagrass-I am so sorry you are going through this. I took a similar medication for a few years, and with my doctor's help gradually discontinued it over about a six month period. Even with that, it was not an easy process and the brain zaps were horrible. So, even done slowly and correctly it is difficult to discontinue an antidepressant.

I hope you get some answers and find some relief from the symptoms you are experiencing.

Oh my Lord Sea!!!!

Yes, this kinda thing is an "invisible near emergency". I'm SO glad you're getting in soon!!!! I have personally discontinued (tapered off slooooowwwly) Zoloft a couple times. Not under my GP, who was aware of, & works in the same office-suite, but with a Therapist familiar with CBT, anxiety meds, etc.

I had very few issues during the looooonnng tapers. I DOUBLED the normal taper period, & my CBT Dr. was fine with that. With the the great "Mental training" that CBT stresses, I knew what to expect, and how to NOT BE AFRAID!

Faron

Bringing this back to the top to ask a couple of questions. Most importantly, seagrass - are you feeling any better? How did your recent appointment go?

Does anyone know if the same type of discontinuation symptoms can happen when there is an *increase* in dose? My DH has recently for the first time in his life experienced debilitating anxiety/panic attacks and underlying depression. He's been through a couple of medication changes over the last few months because the doctor is trying to find a combination that is helpful with as few side effects as possible - some of his side effects actually made the panic attacks worse. He started on a low dose of Sertraline in May and the doctor has been gradually stepping up the dose with the last increase 10 days ago. He's experiencing all the flu like and pain symptoms that I read about with discontinuation. Honestly I don't know how much more of this he can take or what the alternative could even be. I'm at a loss, he's in so much mental and physical anguish and nothing seems to help.

Yes DLM2000 a change in the dosage of any drug can cause various symptoms- it is exactly the problem his doctor is trying to resolve.

As to panic attacks here is something to consider: it is not possible for your mind to accelerate to a full blown panic attack if you start counting your breath... So the moment you feel that first onset, start counting. Inhale for four counts, hold your breath for two, exhale for four counts, hold your breath for two....etc. this won't prevent the attack from starting, but it prevents it from becoming a full blown debilitating event.

DLM2000 - I'm sorry you and your husband are going through this. I do not know anything about the situation you describe, but I am convinced that general practice doctors don't have the knowledge they should to prescribe this class of drugs.

I found from my research a book written by a psychiatrist at Harvard medical school, Joseph Glenmullen M.D., called "The Antidepressant Solution" and have been learning about what is happening to me. I don't know if it would be pertinent to your DH's situation. I bought it from Amazon.

He has a website. Just Google his name. He also has a private practice in Cambridge, MA. He accepts emails. I did not return to my PCP this week. My husband and I decided I shouldn't go back on a drug prescribed by a physician who doesn't know what she's doing.

Best wishes to you.

seagrass

DLM-

What is his dose now? How frequently was it changed? It takes 2-3 MONTHS for Sertraline to really start helping! BY ITSELF, this drug will "help", but when used in conjunction with CBT-Therapy, Anxiety issues are really "taken apart", & a persons' recovery is even more complete!!!

Is he also seeing a CBT-Therapist? If not....DO IT!

Sea-

Yes...please update again How are you???!!!

Faron

I printed that article and took it to my primary care doctor when I saw her two weeks ago. She said she was not aware of discontinuation syndrome. She said she was willing to consider it, but wants to rule out other causes.

This just makes my blood boil. A physician who isn't aware of the very real effects of discontinuing a powerful, brain-altering medication?!? I haven't gone back through this thread, but I wonder - is she the medical professional who prescribed this for you?

I'm not better. Dizzy, brain fog, unsteadiness/staggering, no appetite, sleeping an extraordinary amount. It was my general practice doctor who prescribed it for me, kept upping the dosage and then took me off of it too quickly. My last dose was August 2015. I've been through hell since then. All she's been doing is putting me through more tests. Waiting to see a neurologist on August 17. Just about a year out from the start of this nightmare.

I want my life back.

If it is discontinuation syndrome, would going back on a low dose of SSRI provide immediate relief of these symptoms? Might be worth it until you can be under the care of someone more competent?

Oh, seagrass I am SO sorry you are dealing with this - for a year! Hang in there and I hope you get some answers and help soon. Other than understanding more about what is happening to you has the book given you any concrete steps you can take? My DH says the same thing - he wants his life back.

Faron I have to tell you that I started crying reading your post. Maybe it's another man understanding what my DH is going through - we're living in a new state and I know he's feeling adrift. He's actually at his first therapy app't as I type and she does specialize in CBT so I am cautiously hopeful.

robo - but what dose? I insisted that I get into see my primary care after I learned that I had to wait until August 17 to see the neurologist. I was frantic. My husband is of the "tough it out" mentality. I had an appointment with her on July 6 and was going to ask her to put me back on the drug. If my symptoms went away, we'd have our answer. But I/we decided not to return to the drug under care of a physician who doesn't know enough about it. So I cancelled the appointment last week.

I do believe going back on some dose of the Lexapro and then a well monitored taper by an experienced clinician is the answer to my misery. This is one of the things I learned from the book.

As I went through my long battle with breast cancer, several of my doctors suggested antidepressant to help me "deal with it". I told myself they could have my body, but they weren't going to get my head. Well - guess what. They did.

seagrass

I think it would, too. I take just 10mg of Lexipro (smallest dose) a day. If I get 4 hours past the time I usually take it, I get achy and start having brain zaps. I have no idea how I will ever stop taking it. I feel like I would be fine without it, if not for the withdrawal.

cattyles - It does come in a 5 mg dose. That's what I was initially prescribed, ultimately ended up on 20 mg. I'm going to share an article I found early in my research about this:

http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/05/07/lexapro-withdrawal-symptoms-how-long-do-they-last/

Have patience and read through the comments. That's how I learned about the book "The Antidepressant Solution" by Harvard medical school psychiatrist, Joseph Glenmullen, MD

My heart goes out to you.

seagrass

Sea grass-I'm not of the tough it out variety and it seems to me a year is too long to be doing so! Your husband isn't going through the agony you are. And lots of people just don't "get" mental agony unfortunately.

robo - my husband is right beside me with this and I value his optics. We both take medical reccomendations with a grain of salt. It's really weird, but my agony is more physical than mental. I cannot walk without staggering. Like getting off of a long bumpy boat ride and not having your sea legs. I can't go anywhere and do things.

Thank you for talking about this with me. This forum has been awesome (and no co-pay!) lol

Seagrass, I don't know anything about what you are going through, but love and good thoughts headed your way from the Upper Cape to the lower. XO

DLM-

I "THINK" I've got a decent handle on your DH. CBT helps you understand what's PHYSICALLY going on....AND why we get scared/react the way we do. NO ONE...NO ONE...no matter how tough they are, is born knowing how to process these events, if they start. Thus, the problem just grows & grows, & the person gets worse & worse.

<<< Medication can help, but doesn't eliminate the cause. It's like putting a new roof on a crumbling house....>>>

I'm a different person for having went through CBT, in combination for a time with Zoloft.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SEA-

Dear Lord...If I could wave a wand & get rid of this for you, I would!!!! I'm gonna make a "blunt" statement here....... IMO, you're not going to see an improvement in your physical symptoms UNLESS you taper BACK ONTO Lex (or similiar). Then, with an appropriate form of therapy for a time, you'll learn how to process the mental & physical symptoms you HAVE had.....AND how to prepare for, & DEAL WITH a long tapering-off period.

>>>> I'm gonna venture to say that your BRAIN couldn't handle the cold-turkey stoppage. It was just too much of a "disconnect" for it to handle. I'm hardly a Dr., but I now have some first-hand knowledge of this stuff!

Faron

Faron - I know you are correct. I need a doctor who can get me on the right path. I'm close to that. Another month. Your support means a lot to me. We are strangers, but I look to all of you for strength. This has been a lonely battle.

seagrass

Seagrass please check out survivingantidepressants.org.

It's an online forum designed solely to support and educate people on the trouble and side effects of Discontinuation Syndrome. The side effects are far reaching and unknown by much of the medical community. They don't understand theses medicines alter the way the brain operates, and tapers to re-normalize life without the meds isn't as easy as bing bang boom-all done,-back to normal.

Most of the longtime members found out the hard way about coming off SSRI's and tirelessly help others. So many have made trips to neurologists for bizarre scary symptoms that mimic so many devastating diseases only to told they are fine. They also have advice for re-instating meds and how to taper safely. Best of luck.

Aktillery9 wrote: A psychiatrist is the only person that should be writing these Rx's.

Exactly. I know what I'm about to write is anecdotal, but I know 2 people who are healthy and thriving with antidepressants. One is under the very careful watch of his psychiatrist, and another works in the health care field and can self-monitor her symptoms based on her access to information and resources about the drug she's taking. (She doesn't write her own Rx, of course, but she knows what to track so she can report back to her doctor, etc.) Most people are not as educated as she is when given the prescription (often recklessly and stupidly by their physicians), or are not under the careful watch of a psychiatrist.

Everyone else... and I mean everyone else I know who takes or has taken prescription antidepressants has not had good experiences.

I almost started one last year, and after reading this thread, I'm so glad I never ventured down that path. I understand some people will respond that their med works just fine for them, but I believe you are the exception.

Seagrass and DLM, my prayers go out to you and yours.

aktillery9 & LisaD82 - thank you both for sharing your experiences and knowledge.

I'm in the middle of a conventional process of differential diagnosis to rule out mean, nasty things. I am more than willing to go back on the Lexapro, but not under the "guidance" of my GP. I've spent more time researching and reading about withdrawal from it than I did on my Master's thesis, and far more than my GP.

I'm hoping the neurologist I'm seeing next month is knowledgeable about the drug. I'm going to take the articles from the Harvard Women's Health Watch and the book by Joseph Glenmullen, M.D. (teaches psychiatry at Harvard medical school). I want to inform her in case she needs to be informed.

OTOH, maybe I do have something mean and nasty. I'm a stage III breast cancer "survivor". Surviving doesn't mean you get your life back.

seagrass