Low energy level

Quick bio. 4 yrs ago I started taking Tramodal. After about 6 months I switched to 10/325 Hydro/Vic took about 8 of those per day for about 3 1/2 years. Went cold turkey off of 4 10/325 per day for 18 days. Then relapsed for 17 days. Went c/t again off of 2 10/325 per day. now I am 3 hrs away form 41 days sober. My question is what is up with my energy levels, I don't want to do anything, don't want to clean, force myself to go to work, no yard work, nothing, all I want to do is lay in bed, or sit on the computer. Also I find it very hard to find pleasure in anything. I still have problems sleeping as I still get RLS in my left leg and my left arm. is there anyone who has this problem after 40 plus days. I take a flinstone multi vitamin with iron once per day and suck down energy drinks.

Anyone out there take Lexapro and find it to dull their pleasure's, or joy in simple little ways? I was thinking of getting off the Lexapro, I have very little depression anymore, and no anxiety. It has worked well but I think I would like to try life without it again.

[FLaddict]

I felt the same way on Lexapro in the end... I went off of it.. I felt like a numbed version of myself.. I did the amino thing for that too, so I could avoid any 'relapse" of symptoms that commonly occurs when you stop this type of medicine.. I learned alot about antidepressants too... SSRI"s like Lexapro do not increase serotonin at all... which in the case of a depressed or anxious person is what is needed.. These drugs take whatever serotonin you do have and recycles it over and over.. actually causing the problem to get worse over time..
I tapered off mine and started taking 5HTP with B complex and L-glutamine.. made the trasition very easy.. I plan to start cutting back in a few weeks and then to only a few times a week which is what the book said to do.. Because these supps actuallly FIX the issue.. not bandaid it like SSRI's do..

[GA Guy]

I'm with FLaddict, I think it's the Lexapro. I've taken every antidepressant in the book, and the Lex zapped me like no other. Discuss with your doc about changing or tapering you off the Lexapro all together. See how things go. You can always go back on or change drugs. After 40 days, your energy should be back from the withdrawals..

[oxyhydro]

I think you guys are right! it worked so good in the begining, on top of being totally out of energy, I feel fuzzy and confused alot of the time. I will call my doc on Monday, but should be able to get off it within a month with a slow taper. Thanks!!!

[oxyhydro]

I agree: I am going to start tapering off the Lexapro, slow of corse. I have been reading about the 5HTP that you mention in an earlier post, and have done quite a bit of research on it, sounds like a good option I would like to try. I see you are  around the same sober date as I am, are you still having energy problems? or problems sleeping? You might still have problems sleeping from the pain your in, and that sucks, my pain levels are manageable with Advil 600mg's. I read all your posts, and you are awsome at helping people, you should get into some type of addiction counciling work. Thanks for your help.

[FLaddict]

I actually worked in the addiction field for over 3 years when i lived in PA.. so I have been around the block..
The 5htp worked wonders for me.. I started with 50mgs 3x per day and then 100mg 3x per day... Now I am taking 50mgs 2x and 100 at night it helps with sleep that way.. also the L-theanine helped with any anxiousness.. If you want the list of aminos for depression I can post it for ya tommorrow.. just remind me please.. I am off to bed gotta work early.. and yes my sleep issues are more related to my pain that anything... as far as energy the B-complex 100mgs seems to help me  alot... you have to take that with the 5HTP to help the absorption...
Let me know if you want more amino info.. there are certain ones for depression..

[beach777]

What is 5HTP?

[FLaddict]

5HTP is a amino acid. It is what your body turns tryptophan into prior to being turned into serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that handles our "feel good" emotions.. 5HTP is a way to help make more serotonin if you have been using pills and your neurotransmitters have been affected and are "coming up short" and you are getting depressed after withdrawl (withdrawal)..