Banner Sponsors
For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Burlison BearsI was wondering if any of you are or have been on Lexapro? I've been experiencing serious side effects. Been on it for two years and suddenly it's gone haywire! I started experiencing nerve damage a few weeks ago. Like I had an itch and I'd scratch but I couldn't feel myself scratch...weird I know. It lasted for over a week then went away. Then a few days ago my eye started twitching and then I started getting facial tics. I looked up side effects for Lexapro and found that those are some of the more serious side effects. I'm on Xanax too but it didn't say that those were side effects for it.
So two days ago the twitching eye and facial tics got out of control and I couldn't stop for a whole day. I got scared and didn't take my dose of Lexapro nor my Xanax. I went through a horrible night of uncontrollable twitching and then my arms and legs started jerking throughout the night. The past two days I've been without medication. The twitching eye has definitely lessened but I'm still experiencing it on and off as well as the facial tics. And now I'm experiencing major withdrawal symptoms. Today has been horrible. I'm shaking and jerking all over, I'm dizzy, have horrible headache, my anxiety has sky rocketed, I have stomach cramps. I feel like a druggie coming down from a high. I feel so sick.
My doctor is back in Kansas and I haven't gone to my new doctor yet here in Massachusetts. I'm afraid to go back on my meds though because I feel I may end up with permanent nerve damage. I know you're supposed to wean yourself off of prescription drugs, but I'm too scared to take even a small dose. I've quit meds before cold turkey without having serious withdrawal symptoms, but this is definitely different.
I know what will happen if I call my doc back in Kansas. He will say I need to up my medication. That was always his solution to everything. I've been feeling like I'm overmedicated for a long time now. Every time I told him that he would up my dosage or put me on additional meds. I used to be on Seroquel as well. I got off of it due to it was controlling my life, putting me in a coma-like state.
I've been wanting to get off Xanax too because my body has become too dependent upon it for getting me to sleep at night. I know it's easy to get addicted too, but my doc said I'd be fine. I think my doc is nuts! And I've had other doctors just like him.
I want to see if I can live a more normal life without meds. I just want to get clear-headed. I've been in a fog of medication for 2 years now. I don't know how long these withdrawal symptoms will last and if my eye twitching will ever go away. This really makes me wary of getting on any other medication. When I was 14 I was put on something that started with a "P". It gave me hallucinations so I was taken off it. Then put on Zoloft which gave me major headaches for half a year until I got off it. I've never yet been successful with meds. I hope I can find some sort of natural remedy for depression and anxiety. I have been eating healthy and recently cut out all caffeine and sugars. Even my juice is now natural with no sugars. I want to get back to exercising. I tried jogging today, but ended up even sicker and more dizzy. I guess it is too soon due to these horrible withdrawal symptoms.
Well, I guess that's all I can say about this. Just curious if any of you have side effects with Lexapro or any other prescription med...and plus how long does withdrawal symptoms last when you get off them?
Back Road BearsGO SEE A DOCTOR!!!!!! Go to the emergency room if you have to!
I'm sure there are many of us who could tell you horror stories about the side-effects of RX drugs... especially anti-depressants. I decided very quickly that I'd rather be depressed though I know that's not a good answer for some.
The bottom line is that everyone is different and no, you should not stop a drug you've been on cold turkey, experically one that alters your entire body which indirectly, anti-depressants do. Will the withdrawals go away? Probably but can you get through this phase and will any other damage be done in the meantime?
A lot of doctors are NOT helpful but can't give up on them.... you are in a city full of marvelous doctors..... please go see one!!!! :pray:
BruinwerksGO SEE A DOCTOR!!!!!! Go to the emergency room if you have to!
I totally second that! It is dangerous and POTENTIALLY DEADLY to cold turkey most antidepressants (they can affect your heart).
You need to find out why you are suddenly having side effects and then have your withdrawal closely monitored.
Please...this is not something to try and do yourself!
Take care,
Cheryl :hug:
I second and third what Daphne and Cheryl have said. Please don't quit these meds cold turkey, especially after such a long run with them. You most likely do NOT risk serious damage at this stage in the game by continuing with your regular does (although I'd for sure get new side effects/symptoms checked out), but you might risk serious damage by QUITTING them abruptly.
Even if you land in the ER with this complaint, I urge you to take it seriously and discontinue your medication under a doctor's orders. Yeah, I know; many of them are idiots and prescription happy, and that's an absolutely reality. But some of them are not, and if you share your concerns as vigorously and honestly with the RIGHT doctor -- maybe an ER doctor, who can refer you elsewhere? -- you WILL be heard and helped.
So sorry you're having to go through this, sweetie. Good luck to you and please let us know how you go.
Past Time BearsBeen there, done that, Eliza, and I want to strongly suggest that you DO NOT abruptly quit taking the anti-depressant . . . it can have very devastating consequences. In my case, the medication I had been taking for 8 years (Paxil) just didn't work anymore - it was like I wasn't taking anything. I went to my PCP who started weaning me off Paxil and he gave me another type med to take at the same time. I don't know if I withdrew from the Paxil too fast or whether the other med (Wellbutrin) just didn't fit with my system, but within two weeks, I was very suicidal. So, please don't mess around with these drugs by yourself - do get under the care of a doctor - and fast. Thanks to Paul (my hubs) for his intervention or you wouldn't be reading this post. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Back Road BearsEliza - I was just talking with my neighbor and dear friend who is a drug and alcohol counselor..... the drugs/chemistry side of her education was her favorite and she excelled in this area. Her advice: Do NOT do this alone.... you MUST find a doctor. Sue Ann's testimony is proof. She (my friend) said the side-effects can get a lot worse than what you are currently experiencing. She said that you do indeed need to be weened from the meds with the temporary assistance of other meds. She confirmed that our bodies and chemistry make ups do change through out our life.... just because a medication used to work doesn't mean it always will. But it doesn't mean there isn't something better out there or that you should quit cold turkey. This is too serious of a drug to be messing with it alone.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Please also keep in mind that you've been through some BIG changes in recent months that will have mental and physical effects... and likely continue to do so even if your move was a good thing and a positive experience.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Call hubby and get to the ER!!!! Good Lord, you're scaring the beejeebees out of me!!
Worry, worry, worry, worry..... 
Aleta
Tami Eveslage Original Teddy Bears:pray: :pray: Yes, get to the doctor! I'll say some prayers for you!
q.D.paToOtieSOkay, I'm in with the yes that sounds really scary and I would immediately go to the ER! Sending some prayers your way Eliza!!! Please let us know when you go to the doctor's and if you're okay!!!
Yes, Eliza please go and see the Doctor and I am sending prayers your way so that you can get this
sorted and feel well again.
Hugs
Carolyn
Posts: 1,836Yes, find a doctor you trust & go to the ER like others have mentioned. My first concern is that you're assuming the physical symptoms are from the meds...the ER could do test to rule out anything else or confirm your concerns.
It is possible, even in today's high tech world, to get a "bad batch" of meds. You just moved too...did the pharmacy do anything with your script?? Double check the dosage, did they substitute a generic or anything that could have caused a sudden change?? I wouldn't stop cold turkey with any regular med. My hub takes meds for a serious back problem.... if he was to stop cold he could face all kinds of issues...like seizures for example. Wanting to get off the meds and maybe find alternative ways of healing and living is fine, but do it with a professional who has your best interest in heart and mind. Good docs are out there...you just have to find them and trust your gut & leave the bad ones.
:hug:
~Chrissi
Burlison BearsOkay, y'all got me seriously scared yesterday so after reading a couple of the first responses on here I immediately took my regular dose of Lexapro and called my doctor back in Kansas. And guess what? He's out of town for a month! I told them I need to talk to him right away about side effects I'm experiencing. They asked if I'd like to talk to one of the nurses there. So I say yes and they transfer me to an answering machine! I leave a message and an hour passes before I'm called back.
The nurse was not helpful. She got on to me for not coming in for regular check-ups on my meds when I'm having problems. I told her I haven't been having problems until the last couple weeks and I wasn't scheduled to come in until October anyway. Plus I have moved and need a new doctor, but I wanted my old doctor's opinion on what is happening to me since he prescribed the drugs in the first place. She said she doesn't think it's Lexapro causing the trouble. I told her that those are some of the serious side effects listed on my prescription pamphlet for Lexapro. She still insisted that it wasn't Lexapro, and she was real haughty to me and told me she can't help me across the country. So I got an appointment with my new doctor (who happens to be within walking distance of where I live...convenient since I don't have a car).
My appointment was this morning at 9:00 am. She saw me right away, but guess what? She can't help me! She told me that she can't prescribe or refill mental health drugs and that I need a psychiatrist for that...which is weird cause my doc in Kansas was a regular family practice doc and he could prescribe those meds for me. I told her my problems and she said she really can't even talk to me about those meds. She said I will have to get a psychiatrist, and she told me that there aren't any psychiatrists in her building. I will have to find a different location and she gave me a number to call. She did check my vitals and she actually witnessed my twitching eye and facial tics during the test. Also she told me I have TBJ, I think is what it's called but that she can't help me with that and that I need to go to a dentist for that and get a mouthguard. I don't even know what that is! She told me my jaw is painful because I'm always clenching it constantly due to my anxiety, which is true. I told her about my nerves in my body going numb at different times, and she didn't know what that meant. She said my eye twitching could be caused by caffeine. I told her I already cut out all the caffeine and sugars from my diet weeks ago, and that I wasn't having those problems when I was drinking cokes. This is something new. She had me go get bloodwork done and I will find out my results in a couple days. I don't think I have any kind of disease. I just really believe my meds are going haywire.
So I get home and I call the number she gave me for the psychiatrist. And guess what? No one can see me until October 17th!! I told them I'm having trouble with my meds and that I can't wait that long. They said that's all they got but they put me on a long waiting list as well. What am I supposed to do in the meantime!? What if I am being damaged by my medication! I can't get anyone to talk to me, not even my old doc as he is on vacation for a whole month! I don't know what to do.
Now Joseph and I are wondering if this is typical healthcare for Massachusetts? Do all doctors here have to refer you to a specialist? Are there no regular family doctors who can prescribe mental health meds? Does everyone have to go to a psychiatrist for that or is it just that one place I went to that works that way? Joseph is going to ask his coworkers if their doctors work the same way. We've never heard of anything like that. Is that what it's like in big cities? And the waiting list for psychiatrists...I wonder if that is typical? What about people that really need help? What about people who aren't on medication yet and are suicidal...do they have to wait a month before they can get help? That's crazy!
Thanks for listening to my medical rant and thank you all for the prayers. :hug: I still feel sick and dizzy, but better since I went back to my regular dose of Lexapro. Although now my twitching is worse again...which is why I believe it has to be the Lexapro. And my new doctor today didn't seem to know one way or another. My nerves don't feel numb right now but it comes and goes. I'm still debating about the emergency room since no one seems to be able to help me. I'm not sure where the nearest emergency room is. I will have to find out. Right now I got to go lay down as I'm even more dizzy and headachey since they did bloodwork. Uggg... 
BruinwerksI'm so glad you checked in Eliza, I have been seriously worried about you!
I'm sorry that we scared you but I was really concerned about what was going on with you!
I know our Healthcare system in Canada is a bit different but I know I got my mental health drugs when I needed them through my regular doctor. It sounds like perhaps your new doc was just uncomfortable prescribing something new without a full history.
That being said, I would head to the ER right now. They will have a Psychiatrist on call and can probably straighten things out for you.
Cheryl :hug: :hug: :hug:
Teddy Bear and FriendsTry asking your pharmacist. He/she might be able to check the dosages of the meds and/or refer you to a family practice doctor who can help you. You should not need a psychiatrist for Lexapro, unless that's a law specific to Massachusetts -- and the pharmacist would know that, too.
Worst case, go to the ER.
Good luck!
Mindy
Swan Valley BearsEliza, what a nightmare ! ! ! I found the same problem with docs when I went from Kaiser to an HMO. Different world. Anyway, I would go to a pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist. I think they know more about medications than the doctors. A pharmacist won't be able to change your scripts but may be able to help you sort out the symptoms you're experiencing. Then, armed with info from the pharmacist, I think a trip to the ER would be in order.
Apple Dumpling DesignsOh good grief...the problem with our health care system here in the US is everyone doctor wants to be in charge but noone wants to be responsible. :twisted: :twisted: I've seen in over and over again!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRR Okay I'm off my soapbox.
I agree with what's been said...head to the ER...there will be not only a psychiatrist but a pharmacist there who should be able to help straighten out what you have going on or at least get you headed in the right direction. And I wouldn't leave until someone does. I'd also ask the nurses to recommend a primary care doctor...nurses are always the best people to ask...THEY KNOW who's good and who stinks!!!
Take care of yourself Eliza....we are all thinking about you!!!
Shantell
Chaska, MinnesotaEliza wrote: So I get home and I call the number she gave me for the psychiatrist. And guess what? No one can see me until October 17th!
Eliza: listen carefully, call your healthcare insurance company and tell them what is going on. They can call a psychiatrist and make an appointment for you quickly. You may have to drive a little ways but "crisis appointments" are done everyday. I know because I work for an insurance company (behavioral health side) and we do this all the time for our members who are not suicidal or homicidal but need to be seen quickly like medication issues. Waiting 6-8 weeks for a psychiatrist appointment is standard across the industry. But I am telling you how to maneuver around that...please call your insurance carrier right now and ask to speak to a "Triage Care Manager" or "crisis care manager". Don't talk anybody less than a care manager for these are the folks that hold a license and will know exactly what to do. Tell them you can't make the appointment yourself because nobody is getting you in ASAP. Make sure you tell them you are currently experiencing side effects. The care manager will know what to do if you have questions about this further, you can PM me and I can walk you through it.
If that does not work, go to the ER...
As for Primary MDs prescribing psych meds, some are comfortable doing this and other are not. But let me pose a question to you. Would you go to a dermatologist to treat your heart condition?..........no.....What I am trying to say, is, PCPs often treat simple psych problems such as depression but really, if you are having side effects, you need to see a specialist like a psychiatrist.
Oh my gosh Eliza.... if you don't go to an ER... then find another regular doctor!
I'm not in Mass - I live in the Chicago area. But I take Lexapro (I feel normal again after 20 years!) and it was prescribed for me by my regular doctor. I was going to her for back troubles, and broke down in tears one visit - so she felt I needed some "mood medication" Best thing I ever did was hurt my back LOL!
Anyways... we moved (but within the same state) I changed doctors and my new regular doctor was able to continue the RX without a problem. Maybe your new doctor is just not the right one for you - regardless of geographical convenience.
I do experience a couple of side effects - but they are mild compared to yours! I have a constant ringing in my ears now... but I'm used to if after 2 years LOL!
Please let us know how you do!!!!!!!!
Sue Ann -- I am SO glad Paul was there for you!! It just wouldn't be the same without you
Back Road BearsOK..... it's not a Massachussetts law that they can't perscribe anti-depressants. It's up to the physcian and to be honest, primary care's don't have enough knowledge to be handling the distribution of anti-depressants... especially to someone who has had to try many and is on another psycho-related drug. It's like letting your general physcian treat you for breat cancer... what do they know??
Having said that you have a couple of choices RIGHT NOW.... find another doctor... perhaps someone your hubby works with can recommend someone but get a name and call today and ask if they'll help you with anti-depressants/anzxiety meds.... otherwise you'll go the whole weekend feeling misearble or waste your time with another doctor.
Or... find an urgent care facility. Not necessarily a hospital emergency room.... but the urgent care facility or ambulatory care unit at the hospital can orchestrate the necessary steps to get you to someone who will work out at least a temporary program for getting you off Lexapro or changing your dosage right now. Look in the phone book. The Lahey clinic there in Burlington would be one consideration. I know you don't have a car but these places have evening hours. Have your husband take you after he gets out of work.
And for TMJ (not TBJ) you do need to see a dentist for that. You grind your teeth too as a result of having a tight jaw due to anxiety (a sign that you NEED these meds you are on... don't stop them!) and a dentist can make you a plastic/rubber mouth guard... they have to take a mold of your mouth so a general physician can't do this. Look TMJ up on the internet to learn more.
Don't blame any of this with the doctor today on the state of MA. It's the doctor you saw and could also be your health insurance rules. HMOs stink as you have to have a referral for everything. Except the dentist I think because that usually a different ins. carrier. The good thing about having to have a referal is that if your situation requires immediate attention, having your doctor's office call in to the specialist can usually get you a sooner appt. than if you called yourself.
Whew. Sorry about all the typos. I'm on my way out the door but wanted to respond to you... I've been worried about you!
I've given you my number, haven't I? Call if you want to talk.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Canna Bear PaintI'm very glad Michelle recommended calling your health insurer, and Daphne suggested an urgent care facility... both were at the top of my mind as well.
Here's something else to chew on, though. You mention that you recently made drastic changes to your diet. Cutting "cold turkey" off of some things (caffeine, aspartame, etc.) can cause nasty withdrawal symptoms, some of which can last for weeks. Sad to say, but things like that (and they aren't even medications!) also need to be tapered down for sensitive individuals. If you really did make this dietary changes recently, you may want to consider going backwards a bit... see if adding a little bit of your old foods back into your diet helps your symptoms.
Take care of yourself!
Kelly
Apple Dumpling DesignsGood point Daphne about the Urgent/Immediate Care Facility...I always forget them...because the one here is absolutely worthless. Everytime I've had to go there I've sworn it was the last.
Hugs, Eliza :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Past Time BearsYou've received advice for some good options, Eliza. I certainly hope something will work out so you can see a medical professional who can solve your dilemma promptly. My PCP was treating me on an emergency basis and changed my meds according to how I was responding. However, after a third visit, he said mental illness wasn't his specialty and I definitely needed a psychiatrist to prescribe the CORRECT medication/dosage and to monitor how well I tolerated them. He gave me recommendations for a therapist and a psychiatrist - but guess what? Neither took Medicare patients. Fortunately, you won't have that problem, but I think it's an individual thing with doctors . . . they are either comfortable with prescribing mental health medications, or they're not. Much, much good luck with getting this problem sorted out - I've thought a lot about what is going on with you and wish you the best possible outcome. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Burlison BearsI'm okay, you guys. I've gotten pm's from some of you and I want to say thank you to all who have been concerned. Thank you so much for all the advice and prayers. I really appreciate it. I haven't felt up to writing, but I am doing better now. I got through the weekend and most of my symtoms went away, except for the initial symptoms I had before I skipped Lexapro dosage. I'm not jittery and shaking like I was. My nerves don't have the numbing anymore. I still do have the eye twitching but it has lessened. The facial tics are gone.
Don't really know what's up with me. I kept in mind what some of you said about caffeine and added a small amount back in my diet, instead of eliminating it all at once. I looked up my symptoms on the internet and have discovered that eye twitching and facial tics can be a symptom of extreme anxiety and stress, which I do have, especially the last few weeks. And like the doctor told me my jaw hurts so bad because I've been constantly clenching it cause that's how I try to relieve my anxiety...doesn't work of course, but I can't seem to stop. I've been having waves of anxiety through my stomach too a whole lot. I clench my stomach muscles a whole lot too and can't seem to stop that either. But that still doesn't explain my nerves going numb at times. Serious side effects for lexapro mentions numbness and facial tics/twitching. So it could be either the Lexapro or just that I have severe anxiety or maybe a combination of both. Who knows?
I didn't go to ER because my dad warned me that they will more than likely commit me to the psych ward, which I definitely do not want to do. I'm not feeling depressed or suicidal. I just want my dosage tweaked or be put on something different. My regular doc back in Kansas could do that for me. If anything were to make me depressed it would be to be put back in a psych ward. I was in one of those for 2 weeks when I was a kid. It would bring back all those awful memories of my past. Plus the one I was in at age 14 was really abusive to us kids there.
I tried calling different doctors over the weekend but all I got was answering machines. I looked up different doctors on the internet and found a lady doctor. I called today and talked to the receptionist about my ordeal. She said that this doctor does in fact prescribe antidepressants and anxiety medication, just like my old doc in Kansas. So I got an appointment. They tried to give me a mid-October date, but I told her I needed the soonest possible appt. So the soonest they had was for Friday the 28th of this month, and I took it.
But if my nerves go numb again and my eye twitching gets out of control again like it was a few days ago then I will go to ER. I just want to do that as a last resort.
Thank you again all of you for being so kind. It means a lot to me. :hug:
Hi Eliza. I'm so glad you're doing better. Thanks for the update.
I did want to add that, even with your history, there's no reason to fear that an ER would temporarily commit you to an inpatient unit (or 5150 you, as they say in California) for coming in with depression and symptoms that could very well be the side effects of medication. I think you have to be a clear danger to yourself or others for that to even be considered. Hospitals take the removal or restriction of personal rights and freedoms very seriously, for good reason. I know a little bit about this, mostly because my husband works for county behavioral health. Although he's in charge of the Adult outpatient clinic, he's very well versed on inpatient policy and that includes commitment procedures.
Anyway, my point is, please don't let a fear of recommitment keep you from self-care when it makes good sense to pursue an ER visit. I think that if you present at the ER as rational and not suicidal or in any way approaching a break with reality -- and it sounds like you're not nearly at either of those points -- you'll be fine on this aspect.
Good luck with your upcoming appointment!
Past Time BearsSo glad you gave us an update, Eliza, and I, too, am relieved that you seem to be a bit better. Hope very much that your new doc will be able to alleviate your medication problems. Can't even comprehend medical professionals in a psyche ward being abusive to their patients . . . . not acceptable!
