My psychiatrist knows, but I have to get some guidance from her. I've been having major withdrawal symptoms, both physical (things like nausea, chills, dizziness, sweating) and psychological (rages, crying bouts, severe anxiety). It is scary. I don't feel like I'm myself.

I hope I won't need a cross taper with another drug (like heroin addicts have with methadone). Maybe switching to another and tapering from that would be wise, but I have so many problems with these drugs. I fear I'd trade one nightmare for another.

I wonder if supplements would help me through this crisis.

I believe antidepressants actually cause your body to stop producing its own neurotransmitters. I may be wrong, but it sure feels that way!

Has anyone had this issue? How did you successfully get off the drugs?

Thanks for any input you can provide.

Hubby went through this and it took over 2 years to get him off all psychotropics and seizure meds.

Amino acids are the answer.

You are correct -- SSRI's taken long-term reduce the total supply of serotonin. You have probably heard the phrase "You can't beat a dead horse."

SSRI's do not replace the supply of serotonin -- they only keep it in circulation longer and the supply just keeps shrinking -- some serotonin is used up and less and less is being recirculated.

Very few psychiatrists know anything about amino acids or very little they will share with their patients because it would put them out of business if they weren't needed to prescribe pills anymore.

A nutritionally oriented doctor can test your neurotransmitter levels and amino acid levels and design a supplement program specific to you.

5HTP and l-theanine may help but you need to be tested because supplementing with the wrong thing could make your problems worse instead of better.

Best wishes

Here are some links that might help:
http://www.prozactruth.com/lexapro.htm
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/031168.html

Best of luck. And you ARE getting better -- I can see it in the way you write. Hang in there.

I want to thank you for posting about this, and thanks also to the many Lymenetters who recently posted about the seriousness of taking antidepressants.

It is scary how quickly antidepressants are being considered as a solution to a person's depression. (That said, I would not begin to judge whether or not it was appropriate in your situation, or anyone else's.)

I think every patient should be told that these drugs are addictive, and physical illness (such as Lyme) should always be considered as a possible cause.

I can't imagine how complicated our lives would be if my son and I had to battle the side effects of antidepressant usage in addition to battling Lyme.

Instead, my son had suddenly gotten so much better after a year of antibiotics, that a doctor has taken the depression label out of the diagnosis only two months after other doctors had affirmed it.

In my own case, a doctor (who believes I have Lyme) wrote me a scrip for Prozac to relieve symptoms. Three weeks later, she saw such a change in me that she thought I was taking it. Nope -- I was just responding favorably to Mepron/Zith for babesia.

My MD supported my decision but did warn me of the withdrawal symptoms. I felt terrible. I also felt depressed. That feeling has stayed. But, I do not want to go back on those kinds of meds. I think I am on enough already.

At some point we all really need to clean out our bodies and detox from all these meds. (That's just my opinion).

I wish I could afford to see a naturopath. I may not be able to buy much in the way of supplements. I am in financial duress.

My psychiatrist is a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy), and she follows holistic practices. Maybe she could advise me properly. I can't afford to see her right now because I have to pay up front, but maybe I can get the information I need through messages.

I know that serotonin receptors are in the gut, too. I'm glad you raised that issue, beachcomber. I think that's why I'm having nausea and intestinal pains, too.

Muddling through. And I start college in about a month (going back to school, at the ripe age of almost 38, for nursing).

Unfortunately, I am back on them again. I know the Wellbutrin XL does wonders for my concentration. People are prescribed it for ADHL and it really helps. I am also taking Lexapro 5 mil. I know that the two of these drugs are really helping a lot. It is so important for me to be able to function at work. The antibiotics have not helped recently. I plateaued (sp?) Now I am on a new mix and it is too early to tell.

Anyway, it's not about me, but you!!! I feel for you. I am also very proud and excited that you are following your dream to get a medical education. Great!!!!!

This transition will pass and you will be on your way!!!

Yeah, team!!

Auntybiotic's daughter has been having a tough time with this. If you look up Aunty's posts from this year, you should be able to get some helpful information.

Best wishes,

You are tapering way too fast. When you have been on antidepresants SSRI's for longer than 3 months you must taper by only 5 to 10% and stay at that dose for a minimum of three weeks.

If you were on 5 Mg that would mean you would taper by no more than 1/2 Mg. which is 10%............you tapered by 50%, from 5 to 2 1/2 Mg.

The neurotransmitters in the brain need time to adapt to the change in serotonin levels. You may even get the zaps which are misfirings in the neurotransmitters in the brain causing electric like shocks and tingling in the extremeties.

You may also notice nightmares, severe fatigue, sleeplessness, stomach cramps,sinus congestion, dizziness and depersonalization. These are common Lexapro withdrawal symptoms.

You may want to look into Bach Flower Essences. For hopelessness and anxiety and mood swings,the one for these symptoms is White Chestnut, (They are available online or at health food stores.)4 drops sublingually four times a day for two weeks.

If you get to where you may feel like harming yourself or others, try Cherry Plum Bach Flower Essence.

Lexapro is becomiing known as THE WORST antidepressant to withdrawal from........even more difficult then Paxil which held this title. You must be very careful with tapering any SSRI.

Have your blood levels checked because Lexapro is also known for affecting glucose levels. if you find hat you are having bouts of low blood sugar, try walnuts as a snack throuout the day.

You may also want to have your paulse checked regularly because Lexapro use has affected blood pressure and pulse levels. Some have resting pulse levels over 100.

Lexapro comes in liquid form to make the tapering by 1/2 Mg possible using a 1 Mg syringe that measures by .01 Mg.Just measure your dose and taper down.

It has taken us 6 months to reduce lexapro only by 40% dosage but if the taper is too fast psychosis can set in.

What antibiotics and other meds are you on.

Lexapro cannot be taken with Biaxin, Erothromycin, Diflcuan, Xanax, Valium, Advil, Tagamet, Claritin D, Milk Thistle and MANY others as it is affected by the cytochrome P 450 system. These drugs INSREASE serum levels of the lexapro.

The above drugs RAISE the levels of the lexapro sometimes causing Serotonin Syndrome.When this happens symptoms can be mania like reactions, sweating, chills, muscle spasms. This is very serious so medication interaction with Lexapro should not be taken lightly.

What medications are you on, I will gladly look them up on my Flockhart P 450 Drug Interaction Chart.

Please ask me any other questions as I have had the exact same problems.
aunt y

You are tapering way too fast. When you have been on antidepresants SSRI's for longer than 3 months you must taper by only 5 to 10% and stay at that dose for a minimum of three weeks.

If you were on 5 Mg that would mean you would taper by no more than 1/2 Mg. which is 10%............you tapered by 50%, from 5 to 2 1/2 Mg.

The neurotransmitters in the brain need time to adapt to the change in serotonin levels. You may even get the zaps which are misfirings in the neurotransmitters in the brain causing electric like shocks and tingling in the extremeties.

You may also notice nightmares, severe fatigue, sleeplessness, stomach cramps,sinus congestion, dizziness and depersonalization. These are common Lexapro withdrawal symptoms.

You may want to look into Bach Flower Essences. For hopelessness and anxiety and mood swings,the one for these symptoms is White Chestnut, (They are available online or at health food stores.)4 drops sublingually four times a day for two weeks.

If you get to where you may feel like harming yourself or others, try Cherry Plum Bach Flower Essence.

Lexapro is becomiing known as THE WORST antidepressant to withdrawal from........even more difficult then Paxil which held this title. You must be very careful with tapering any SSRI.

Have your blood levels checked because Lexapro is also known for affecting glucose levels. if you find hat you are having bouts of low blood sugar, try walnuts as a snack throuout the day.

You may also want to have your paulse checked regularly because Lexapro use has affected blood pressure and pulse levels. Some have resting pulse levels over 100.

Lexapro comes in liquid form to make the tapering by 1/2 Mg possible using a 1 Mg syringe that measures by .01 Mg.Just measure your dose and taper down.

It has taken us 6 months to reduce lexapro only by 40% dosage but if the taper is too fast psychosis can set in.

What antibiotics and other meds are you on.

Lexapro cannot be taken with Biaxin, Erothromycin, Diflcuan, Xanax, Valium, Advil, Tagamet, Claritin D, Milk Thistle and MANY others as it is affected by the cytochrome P 450 system. These drugs INSREASE serum levels of the lexapro.

The above drugs RAISE the levels of the lexapro sometimes causing Serotonin Syndrome.When this happens symptoms can be mania like reactions, sweating, chills, muscle spasms. This is very serious so medication interaction with Lexapro should not be taken lightly.

What medications are you on, I will gladly look them up on my Flockhart P 450 Drug Interaction Chart.

Please ask me any other questions as I have had the exact same problems.
aunt y

Hopeful: I posted to you on General Support, asking if you'd send my your email addy. I lost it when the computer when flooey! I'd like to catch up with you, and I may need a new doc soon. I'm considering Dr. H.

I'm glad you have a regimen that is helping you! I may ask about the Wellbutrin. That is one I haven't tried, and I have trouble concentrating. Not good for school and work!

Aunty: Thank you for your vast wealth of knowledge! It's much appreciated.

I wish I could get that Lexapro liquid. I am in poor financial straits, and I get the pills for free. They are samples from my psychiatrist. I will ask about the liquid, but I doubt I can get it. I may need a cross taper with another drug.

I'm only using a CSM (Questran) protocol right now. I also take Protonix for GERD and Armour Thyroid.

Thanks again!

Steph

[This message has been edited by auntybiotic1499 (edited 27 July 2005).]

She approved this: 5 ml to start, and then down by a half a ml every five days.

Just so you know, it would take my daughter until day 7 after a taper to get the withdrawal effect. This may be confusing if you are tapering every five days.

My daughter would begin to notice the effects on day seven and they would last thru day 10 right up until day 14. She would then stabalize and I would give her a week before I statred the process again. This gives the neurotransmitters in her brain a chance to get use to the taper.

Keep this in mind. You still may be tapering too fast time wise. Five days may even be too soon for you to get the effect of the first taper. Please be cautiously aware of withdrawal effects with this schedule.

If you do have withdrawal effects such as moodiness, anxiety, nightmares, sweating, withdrawaling from people............you may want to wait until you stabilize before the next taper.( This would take an average of two weeks in my daughter's case). You can run this by your doctor.

We have been living this taper scenero the past several months and it has been like clockwork..........Taper..............on about the seventh day I will notice her headaches, stomach cramps, severe fatigue,moodiness etc. If the taper is TOO fast you may even get mania or restlessness.

Please e mail me if you have any questions. You are on the right rode with the liquid..........you may just have to alter your schedule somewhat............play it by ear.

The brain does need time to stabilize and readjust to the lower serotonin levels.I fear five days between tapers may not be enough...........but every case is different. I am speaking from my daughter's experience. Good Luck.
aunt y

I will get the liquid today. In the meantime, I will take my full pill dose because the nausea, violent shaking, tachycardia, headache, and intense body pain has been unreal. I will heed your advice about the tapering. If five days isn't adequate, I will stretch it out longer. I'll inform my doctor.

I wish I didn't have to deal with this now what with nursing school starting next month and treatment changes for the Lyme in the works (what I'm doing now isn't working). I had to drop this Lexapro, though, because I was becoming too reactive. I think I WAS having some kind of improvement in my health! (I'm keeping fingers crossed.)

One day at a time, huh?

Hope you don't mind me popping in and asking a question as well?

I've been on the antidepressant merry go-round for 20 years since my first depression due to lyme.

I've been on everything. I never had a psychiatrist taper me down off these meds except for one who had me off prozac within two weeks. Looking back - what a horrible experience. I never knew it was withdrawal I was experiencing. I always thought all of the symptoms were due to my illnesses.

I knew that my body reacted very badly to some. I was outright allergic to Serzone and felt like I had the flu on this one.

Anyone know much about Cymbalta? My dr. recommended this one for depression and because also known to help with pain.

I am on a lot of other meds and am trying to get off as many as possible to detox. Any knowledge of this med. would be helpful. Tx.

Thanks for your kudos regarding my school plans. I don't know if I'm just crazy at this point! Actually, I had good reason to believe I'd feel better now, but with this and having been off active treatment for awhile (long story), I'm a mess.

I'm sorry you suffered through so much withdrawal in the past. Some docs just don't seem to realize the importance of a proper tapering.

I was allergic to Prozac. I never heard of anyone else allergic to an antidepressant. Interesting. I took Serzone, too, but after years, I had liver effects.

I've never heard of Cymbalta. You can do a web search. Many sites offer information about the drugs, including warnings and side effects.

Best of luck to you!

I will go back to my standard dose of the pills. When I feel stable, I will begin tapering. I will only taper down when I feel stable at each level, not at a blanket five days.

I have to do this sensibly.

Meanwhile, I feel like I'm going to pass out from my headache.

Love you people!

My LLMD gsve it to me. When he found out I was on effexor. I wasn't depressed, but had symptoms which I know now are Lyme symptoms, but my GP put me on it anyway.

I've been too chicken to get off of it because to be honest I have been feeling better, but am 90% sure it's do to the abx and other treatment. I have noticed a lot less heart palptitations.

Unfortunately, around the same time I started Lyme treatment, my effexor kicked in at the 3 week ramp up period. So i am not sure which is helping what symptoms for sure.

FYI: I just found out that I was very very defficient in Vit D and B12, which is a known cause of depression and I am outside all the time.

It's a simple blood test, which you may be able to get done at a health clinic?

B12 is pretty cheap - although my LLMD says that the best cure is B-12 shots for 8 weeks which I think are pretty expensive if you have no insurance. But they do make you feel pretty good!

I want to clarify something. I didn't feel better overall, but I seemed to not need this antidepressant anymore. I was experiencing a kind of overdose effect, I guess. For instance, I developed severe insomnia.

My B-12 level is apparently fine.

I appreciate all tips!