Lexamil 20 Mg-going Off

Updated

I am a 21year old female who has been on lexamil 20mg for about 2 years,before that on almost everything from Lithium to Epilum,Cylift and Rispadel.
I was diagnosed with a very low serotonin level at age 14 and have been on various medication ever since.
After a long session with my psiciatrist a week ago and the fact that I cannot continue with my chosen career (air hostess) for which I am in training.I have decided to go off my medication.My psiciatrist does agree with my decision.I have to be off Lexamil for a period of 3 months before I can re-apply for my class 2 medical certificate.I need some advice as of how to go about this,what to expect and how to deal with it.Please!!

16 Replies

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1

Can I just stop taking them

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2

For me I have depression and have been off them for a period of 18 months and within the last 3 months takin them up again. For me I was on previously 20mgs and I dropped by 5mgs every week and even going from 5mgs to nothing the withdrawl symptions were shocking I had to go and see my doctor about what was going on. For me I have realissed with mood swings and attitude I am far better with them than not and hence why I have gotten back on them. Is it better that you stay on them and choose another profession and have a quality of life than a job but thats for only you to choose.

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3

Lexamil contains the active ingredient Escitalopram, it is an SSRI antidepressant and a sudden cessation in taking them could lead to rebound effects, which could include symptoms that are worse than what you started taking it to treat.

Therefore, your best idea is to taper the medication, as slowly as possible, to try to prevent the worse of these withdrawal effects from occurring.

You can still expect to feel drowsy, depressed and somewhat foggy headed for several weeks.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Escitalopram/­

Are there any other questions?

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4

Thanks Verwon...wow, some knowledgeable down to earth advice for a change! I have been unable to answer my question about Cylift on this blog though.
I am VERY aggresive and irritable...which I think may be the Cylift (have been on it for 2 years) so I am slowly tapering off...but the nasty moods persist. Have also just changed Thyroid meds to T3 only. Can Cylift be the cause of my terrible attitude?

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5

ntombi, yes there is a good chance that it could be from the Citalopram, which is the active ingredient.

It's an SSRI antidepressant, so it's working on the serotonin in your brain and, for some people, it can cause quite the opposite effects of what it should. Thats why many antidepressants have the warnings about increased risk of suicide.

Since your body changes over time, it is even possible to have been taking it for a long time, then suddenly start suffering problems.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Citalopram/­

I can't say with 100% certainty that it's causing your problems, but as I said, it is definitely possible.

If it is, you can also expect some problems to linger for a month, or more, once you have finally completely stopped taking it. It can take awhile for your brain to readjust to regulating itself, without the help of the medication.

Do you have any other questions I can help with?

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6

A million thank-yous Verwon!! As I have OCD since I was 15yrs....would I need to go onto another anti-depressant?
I have found that changing to T3 (Tertroxin) only....has been a miracle in my life!!!! Could it be that now my body is at last, after perhaps 40 years, regulating itself correctly....I may no longer need anti-depressant meds? That alone would be a gift from heaven. I have read that Thyroid meds and SSRI's could clash seriously.
If I struggle on no anti-depressants, what meds would you suggest I try as an alternative to Cylift? Your help is amazing. Thank You. Pat

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7

Yes, it is always possible for your body to change and you may find that you no longer need a medication, or one no longer works, as well for you.

OCD can cause a lot of problems, if it's severe. When I was on pain management, several years ago, the medications would cause mine to get so bad that I couldn't sleep.

There is an antidepressant that is specifically approved to help with OCD, I took it for several years, until I got off of the other medications and no longer needed it. It's called Sertraline, the U.S. brand name would be Zoloft. There are several dosages available, so you might want to discuss it with your doctor.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Sertraline/­

Compared to others I tried, it didn't cause me to suffer a lot of side effects, which is very rare for me, as I react badly to many medications and usually suffer every possible side effect in its most severe form.

Whether or not you are going to need one, is going to be up to you and your doctor. You'll really need to evaluate how bad your OCD is, if it is mild, you may be able to handle it on your own.

Sometimes, just being aware that it is a problem for you, is enough to help control it. You find yourself thinking of something obsessively, or doing something repetitively and can make yourself stop and break the cycle.

Anything else? :-)

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8

Thanks a ton Verwon. The Cylift and my mental control almost eliminated habitual actions of OCD, but obsessive thoughts are my demons, and make me mistrust my instincts and judgement. I find these thoughts intrusive, time consuming and mentally exhausting...and almost impossible to control. Nice to talk to another OCD sufferer. Few admit to having this debilitating disorder. Here is hoping it won't get worse as I come off Cylift. Thanks again.

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9

So...Verwon. Not to change the subject, but ....do you happen to know if super glue is toxic? I'll let you know why later. Thanks. D

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10

Diane, to be honest, I am not sure I want to know. LOL But I will answer your question.

Regular SuperGlue usually contains Cyanoacylate and, if only small amounts are ingested, it usually requires no treatment and isn't considered to actually be toxic.

It is actually the same compound that is used for surgical glue, because it can bond skin, without causing toxicity and problems, unless someone is allergic to it.

Problems can arise, however, is someone, or an animal ingests large amounts and this is because even in the moist environment of the body, it can still harden and may cause blockages.

However, in most cases, such as someone getting it on their skin, lips, or etc. it just causes some minor irritation and, of course, can be a real pain to try to remove.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Cyanoacrylate/­

Is there anything else I can help with?

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11

thanks for the reply Verwon. I actually answered my own question by doing my own research instead of making you do it. :) It is regarding dental work with superglue. Check out the blogs, you'll be surprised. Have a great day!

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12

i forgot to take my lexamil for the past 8 days and am feeling foggy headed. I really don't want to go back on them as i'm not a pill person. I started as i experienced some depression after giving birth at the begining of this year. Can I stay off them and will the foggyness go away soon? Thanks.. any response/advise will be appreciated...

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13

hi there,my name is grace.i have been on cylift for the last 7years. My dosage was 40mg once a day.over the last two months ive taken it down to 1and half tablets,then 1. i forgot to take my meds on thursday,so decided to stop altogther,as im on holiday and can now do it,without it affecting my work.im experiencing the most intense vertigo,disorientation,forgetfulness,and um very teary,but not in a bad way.i actually feel the most awake emotionally than i have felt in the last 7years.i dont feel as numb emotionally anymore,but side effects are horrible,interestling enough my body also feels alot more sensitive.is what im feeling normal?does anyone who has come off cylift have an advice for me,or something they did that help ease the symptons.id be most grateful for any response.

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14

it's been 2 weeks since ive withdrawn from Lexamil 20 and zopax after taking them for a period of 6 months. i figured the more i take them the more complicated my life became. i am way better than i was when i was hospitalized for deppression last year. i dont want to keep taking any meds whatsoever. is it safe for me?
i have a few side effects varying from sweating all the time to crying for no reason sometimes.

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15

Hi, im 7 weeks pregnant. When I found out I was pregnant I was already weening myself off lexamel 20mg. I was on half a tablet monday to friday and still full dose on saturday and sunday. My gp recommended that I go down to taking half every second day for the next week and then stop. Which I did. I am experiencing weird sensation for the last week and a half. I've been to my gp and gynaecologist to see what is causing this. All tests have come back normal. At first I thought it was lightheadedness, but the symptoms are not quite the same. For example I was sitting still and just moved my eyes from left to right and I got tingling feeling in my hands. When I take a deep breath it does the same. I have had simular symtyms when I was unable to get my lexamel. Could this be a result of going off lexamel too quickly? I also get tired and my head scrambles some times. My gynaecologist has highly suggested that I do not drive for a while. I also get numness in different parts of my body when I move sometimes.

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16

I have been on 20mg Lexamil for 6 months after being on 10mg for 10 months. Stopping lexamil will give you withdrawal symptoms. You also need to taper off your dosage over a few weeks. The withdrawal symptoms (as I experienced them) was: lightheadedness, nausea, cold sweat, mood swings. They lasted for weeks. BUT while you are in withdrawal you will start to loose some of the weight you picked up while taking them.

I quit because my depression was mostly situational and the pills made me gain 10kgs. I do not think if you have been taking anti-depressants since you are 14 that you should quit for any reason. You have a serious, chronic, physical illness that you should treat as such.

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