weaning off Lexapro...

[miss communicat]

Anyone have experience switching from AD to 5-HTP? SAM-e?

Its been 1 year, I am taking 5 mg Lexapro (half a tablet) and I feel it is time to go off it. I want to explore the nutritional route. Any experience is welcome. Thanks!

[kelsh]

I was on 10 mg of Lexapro and weaned off my Effexor XR with my Lexapro increased to 20 mg. I was asked to do this by the doc that was filling in for my doc for her vacation. I should never have done it.

I became very depressed and could not function at all during Christmas...did no cards...no gifts...nothing.

When my doc got back from vacation she took one look at me and wanted to know what had happened. I was then put back on my Effexor that I had been taking 15 years and the Lexapro was decreased gradually to 10 mg.

All I can tell you is that Effexor XR & Lexapro are my miracle meds for my depression. That doesn't mean it would work the same way for someone else.
You are taking a very small dose so should not have any problems but should check with your doc first.

I have never tried natural herbs or meds...but know of people that have. It is up to each person how they want to handle their illness....I have Chronic Depression, have been sober 20 years the tenth of this month & will have to take an antidepressant for the rest of my life for the imbalance of Serotonin in my brain....this is the best I have ever been with my depression.

Good luck to you,

kelsh

[SoosieQ]

Definitely do your research first. Check out some of historyteach's posts (she/ he---sorry I am not sure) has got some great web posts on nutrition. Also, be certain that your diagnosis "feels right" to you. sam-E and the like are for uni-polar depression and can actually trigger symptoms in those (like me) who are considered bi-polar by the Western folks.

[SoosieQ]

Some other suggestions (cause this is my favorite subject and I can't shut up!). Consider looking into testing for hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism. If you have insurance, you may be able to talk to a naturopath who can help you put a program together. I also get great results from homeopathy, but again, it is always good to have some guidance when navigating all of these systems. Good luck. Pm me if you ever want to yak about this stuff.

[KELS1961]

I was on lexapro for several years I had no trouble at all coming off it, It just quit working for me. I am now on paxil 60mgs it seems so far to be working but about 2 weeks okay I just kept forgetting to take it and I started feeling sick headaches mood swings just feeling werid. I thought I bet it is the paxil and it was. I gotback on it pretty quick and felt better. If I had know this about paxil I would have refuses it lexapro was not like this.
Kelli...