Aa
Im baaaack!
Hi all.. I was an active member on this board back in 2011 when I started my adventures with SSRI's for anxiety - namely Cipralex (Lexapro for my American friends)... In 2012 I felt like he stressors that had me turn to SSRI's had been considerable reduced or eliminated so in July 2012 I weened myself off it after being on Lexapro 15 mgs daily for a year. That process went well and all seemed good going forward.
Here I am one year later with a new set of stressors and all the physical symptoms of anxiety that I recognize oh so well from last time have returned and I am about to go back on Cipralex again.
Has anyone every started an SSRI, gotten off it and then found themselves back on it again? Is the ramp up period different when you go back on it a second time? The 6 weeks ramp up I had last time was tough (I chronicled it daily on this board and almost quit several times) but I stuck it out and everyone was right... everything levelled off. Just wondering if my body will recognize it again and it will be less intense.
Here I am one year later with a new set of stressors and all the physical symptoms of anxiety that I recognize oh so well from last time have returned and I am about to go back on Cipralex again.
Has anyone every started an SSRI, gotten off it and then found themselves back on it again? Is the ramp up period different when you go back on it a second time? The 6 weeks ramp up I had last time was tough (I chronicled it daily on this board and almost quit several times) but I stuck it out and everyone was right... everything levelled off. Just wondering if my body will recognize it again and it will be less intense.
Excellent! You sound like you're in a good place mentally. And yes, you're definitely at an advantage this time, as you aren't doing this for the first time, not knowing what to expect! The Ativan will definitely help if you need it. What dose are you starting out on?
Thanks for the kind words. Knowing we help people get through some of their darkest times is what drives me to come back day in and day out. It truly makes me so happy to hear! I wish this kind of support system and info would have been available when I started out at 18 struggling to deal with my newly diagnosed panic disorder.
Thanks for the kind words. Knowing we help people get through some of their darkest times is what drives me to come back day in and day out. It truly makes me so happy to hear! I wish this kind of support system and info would have been available when I started out at 18 struggling to deal with my newly diagnosed panic disorder.
DAY 1 - Well hi everyone.. now that I have completed some days of work travel and am on the ground until mid-august I decided this was to be DAY 1 of my return to Cipralex (Lexapro). Starting the ramp up at 5 mg and will see how I respond. Last time I was on this in 2011 I found 5 mg a bit steep of a start in terms of the side effects and cut down to 2.5mg for a while and then up to 5, then to 7.5 then to 10 and then through to 15 which is my prescription dosage. I have some Lorazapam to fall back on if the early side effects show themselves like they did last time.
Will be interesting to see how this ramp up goes. Last time I did not know what to expect and I think the manifesting of some side effects triggered health anxiety and compounded the overall experience. Looking forward to seeing if coming from a position of knowledge this time changes the experience.
Anyway I will post daily as I did last time for those interested in following.
Will be interesting to see how this ramp up goes. Last time I did not know what to expect and I think the manifesting of some side effects triggered health anxiety and compounded the overall experience. Looking forward to seeing if coming from a position of knowledge this time changes the experience.
Anyway I will post daily as I did last time for those interested in following.
Good luck!!
Remember, there's a good bit of the side effects that are attributed to anxiety too. We can psych ourselves out, waiting and worrying for the side effects. Then, if we DO experience some side effects, we make ourselves more anxious about it. The best thing you can do is to try not to overthink the process too much, keep yourself busy and distracted.
Fingers crossed that it goes smoothly...definitely keep us updated on this thread. I'll be anxious (no pun intended, lol) to watch along and see how you do.
Remember, there's a good bit of the side effects that are attributed to anxiety too. We can psych ourselves out, waiting and worrying for the side effects. Then, if we DO experience some side effects, we make ourselves more anxious about it. The best thing you can do is to try not to overthink the process too much, keep yourself busy and distracted.
Fingers crossed that it goes smoothly...definitely keep us updated on this thread. I'll be anxious (no pun intended, lol) to watch along and see how you do.
I'm following along too :) Hopefully your "position of knowledge" will make a big difference this go around. I know past positive experiences help me tremendously.
DAY 2 - Took my 5 mg dose this morning after a workout at the gym.
Was feeling a bit edgey last night so I went and did an hour of cardio at the gym which at first got me "edgier" but an hour later the edge was off and I slept pretty well last night.
So for now, no Lorazapam. Still got a bit dizzy in the car on the drive in to work this morning but its manageable and not like it was 2 weeks ago when I had the panic attack and had to pull over on the highway. I am avoiding highways for the time being and taking side streets. It's a nicer drive anyway. Less stress and less traffic. That's worth the extra 15 mins on the commute.
Cutting coffee down to 2 cups a day in the morning as I remember from last time coffee is NOT your friend as you ramp up on an SSRI.
Anyway... as I thought this is familiar territory so that is helping BIG TIME
so far. I know what to expect over the next 4-6 weeks....
Was feeling a bit edgey last night so I went and did an hour of cardio at the gym which at first got me "edgier" but an hour later the edge was off and I slept pretty well last night.
So for now, no Lorazapam. Still got a bit dizzy in the car on the drive in to work this morning but its manageable and not like it was 2 weeks ago when I had the panic attack and had to pull over on the highway. I am avoiding highways for the time being and taking side streets. It's a nicer drive anyway. Less stress and less traffic. That's worth the extra 15 mins on the commute.
Cutting coffee down to 2 cups a day in the morning as I remember from last time coffee is NOT your friend as you ramp up on an SSRI.
Anyway... as I thought this is familiar territory so that is helping BIG TIME
so far. I know what to expect over the next 4-6 weeks....
Sounds like you have everything covered, my friend, and are doing well! Awesome! Keep up the good work!
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