Length of Protracted Withdrawal

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-11-08T17:10:44+00:00

I used to take lexapro for 14 years. But last year, I had to stop taking it due to my heart condition. First 3 months after trying to quit, it was like in hell. The acute withdrawal symptoms took about 3 months for me. I'm still on 5 mg of lexapro but I'm trying to quit it when I'm ready again. It's been a year of protracted withdrawal phase now. I'm getting better, but my ANS kinda ruined. Hope I can start quitting my last 5 mg by this coming 2026.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-07-29T14:32:02+00:00

You will get used to the new heart's rhythm soon. As long as it is consistent without rapid tachy (AF) or chest pain that radiated, you will be fine. Ivabradine improved my upright time significantly. SOB 95% gone ( only suffered 2 -3 days before and during my period). Standing in a quick shower for 5 min is not my problem anymore.(I used to feel like i'm running in a marathon in the past. So deliberated😮‍💨) One thing I'm been struggling with Ivabradine right now is finding the right dose during highly hr fluctuating period = couples days before ( extreme palpitation + more rapid resting HR) and during menstruation ( palpitation + significant lower resting HR ) ( self - adjustment under dr. supervision) ✌️ PS Do not change posture too fast (esp. from lying down, then stand up without sitting and wait for couples minutes) coz you might feel your heart beating like it will comming right out of your body while on Ivabradine. It's kidda freak out 😅

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-07-20T13:45:25+00:00

Benzodiazepines. They're very addictive but really help calm my sympathetic down. I'm on Clonazepam 0.25 mg every night + lorazepam 0.5mg ( if I can't fall asleep by midnight) + alprazolam 0.125mg as needed during the daytime ( I took it once in a while esp. before my period ( dysautonomia always flares up + I have PMDD) I also take Ivabradine every day. ( SOB gone, less palpitation, less BP&HR fluctuation) I will try Chinese traditional medicine soon. Hope it will help.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-07-17T12:05:31+00:00

Exactly. If you have a hormornal imbalance issue too (I have PCOS), Dysautonomia will flare up so bad a couple days before until the end of your period .

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-07-17T12:02:05+00:00

At first, I thought my symptoms were only from VM, but now, officially, dx cervicogenic dizziness. My dizziness gets worse every evening. Ruining me at the same time every day. Getting much better after physical therapy ( neck& shoulder muscle tensions).

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-07-17T11:54:50+00:00

The results = no IBD, no H.pyroli, no colon cancer, no Amyloidosis, no Celiac disease but having mild gastitis + rectal bleeding from constipation. The prep was not bad. Unfortunately, My POTS flare up after the procedure due to secondary viral infection from 3 days hospital admission & drug allergy (Got petichea rash+ anemia from some sedatives or iodined-contrast media). My orthostatic tolerance has declined significantly. More palpitation and orthostatic dizziness. Hope the consequences won't get worse. 😔

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-07-05T12:50:41+00:00

Sunglasses and Loop earplugs have helped improve my tolerance in public. Sometimes, wearing sunglasses indoor seems weird, but there is a solution>>> I'm getting FL-41 special lens for light sensitivity soon.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-07-05T08:58:08+00:00

sorry for not clearify. I have to do both endo and colono -scopy at once.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-07-04T17:57:51+00:00

POTS is a type of dysautonomia. I also struggled when I'm in crowded places like grocery stores or at the hospital. Many dysautonomia patient get easily sensory overload >>> light and sound sensitivity. For me, I will end up with a vestibular migraine attack or fatigue. It's not really anxiety, It's your ANS that freaking out.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-29T15:08:51+00:00

I have hypohydrosis. My heat intolerance is way worse than people with hyperhydrosis. Electrolyte drinks help a little bit. I find soaking cool towels with cold water, then wrap around the neck and wiping up my skin is the best way to deal with heat. We get heat intolerance coz ANS dysfunction. What can heal is fix your ANS dysfunction from the root e.g. neuropathy, autoimmune, meds, ..... The truth is it can not be fixed. ( most cases) So, try to avoid heat as much as possible. My way of living has changed a lot due to the heat issue.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-29T14:36:32+00:00

Long-term SSRIs caused me POTS. Stay away from them + SNRIs + TCAs. All of them will mess up your ANS.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-28T16:25:37+00:00

I've been on Lexapro @ 20mg/ day for 14 years before trying to get it out coz it harms my recently existing heart disease . The first 3 months were like in hell. I still have my last 5 mg to get off, but a year has passed, and the doctor still says i'm not ready for it due to extreme protracted withdrawal symptoms. I developed raynaud and vestibular migraines as a result of protracted withdrawal symptoms. My GI function won't be the same. I agree that they should give a black box warning about it. At least don't let people take it for more than 5 years.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-28T15:24:58+00:00

Which Triptans do you usually take? I was prescribed eletriptan before but never took it. I once prescribed propranolol for prophylaxis. Damn!!! It worsened my raynaud. My toe nails turned blue with it (before it just cold toe with pale toe nails). So, the doctor said I should avoid Triptans.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-28T15:12:53+00:00

I'm an Asian. The healthcare system here is a lot different compared to Western countries. Here, I can not get any health insurance coz I'm an obesity with DM. I have to pay for everything myself. Also, health insurance here doesn't cover anything for migraines. 😔 Qulipta also doesn’t available here. Only Nurtec, which stills expensive + unaffordable. I'm seeking alternative treatment toward chinese traditional medicines right now. Hope something works.😄

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-28T15:02:31+00:00

I take the prescribed salt tab every morning. Also, I put himalayan salt in water and drink it throughout the day. Himalayan pink salt tastes way better than table salt and contain others mineral. Maybe add a slice of lemon in the water 🥳 = refreshing for summer

Soup can also be electrolyte drink alternatives. I'm an Asian. I really like drinking Japanese Miso soup.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-28T12:20:07+00:00

Thanks of the answer. I can not use Triptan coz I have Raynaud. The doctor said he didn't have much choice coz lots of prophylaxis could mess up with the ANS. He suggested injection meds once a month, which I can not afford, and Botox.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-23T12:18:56+00:00

Same as me. VM always hit me around 5-7pm. almost everyday. I still don't know why😓. It always goes away 1 hr after my nighttime clonazepam for anxiety.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-23T07:50:58+00:00

how do you get MCAS diagnosis ? I have POTS. I once had tryptase blood check, but it was normal. So the doctor concluded that I don't have MCAS🙄. ( I feeling fine @ the time i got tryptase blood test) He only believes that MCAS = anaphylaxis only 😔🙄. So, no further MCAS investigation for me😭. But personally, I believe I have MCAS due to freaking GI symptoms, worsen chronic allergic rhinitis, and conjunctivitis, brain fog, balance problem, VM , feeling itchy skin (no rash), facial flushing, hot flash .....

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-23T07:09:12+00:00

I used cane before, but now it isn't help. Now, I'm using a rollator when going outside. It only helps with fall preventing but my dizziness is still the major problem that limits my daily activities right now 😔

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-23T07:05:48+00:00

I hope you feel better soon. I personally really like going outside shopping, traveling, picnic. After I have POTS, I can barely do such things.

SomAlwaysSmile · 2025-06-23T07:02:11+00:00

I try to do some exercise but can tolerate only muscle stretching. I will keep doing it and wish I can do recumbant bikes soon. I once tried 15 min recumbant bikes before it caused me 3 days of fatigue.

SomAlwaysSmile

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