Hi all. Really needing some encouragement and hope at the moment.

I've been in this for 14 months but have recently become very disabled after destabilizing further. I'm also feeling like an anomaly within a minority as my injury happened without a dose change.

I got very severe akathisia (and other WD symptoms) a few days after my first iron infusion last July. I'd been on Lexapro 2.5mg for 7 years at the time. I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off to ERs and doctors for some time with zero real help or answers not knowing it was the Lexapro. I did succumb and try one pill each of Seroquel and Zoloft (was also CTed from Lexapro about a week in).

Months in I realized the iron changed my metabolism of the Lexapro. There is one study showing iron infusion increased cyp3a4 by 120% in iron deficient people. These enzymes are actually made up of iron. I must have been in very strong interdose WD which also crashed baseline levels of the drug. I think I was in interdose after reinstating too but didn't recognize it. Reinstatement was extremely rough but leveled out but never helped. If I knew it was the drug causing everything I don't know that I could've stuck with the reinstatement.

I was walking a lot at the start though it slowly decreased. On NYE I got sick which made me instantly bedbound. I developed a new problem at this point of inner akathisia worsening with exertion. However I built back up to 30-40 minute walks (in a quiet park), could attend occasional appointments and grocery shop, distract and pass the time a little at home though I still had aka and was very limited and sensitive but things were a bit more livable.

I had a setback in June for unclear reasons that made the exertion problems worse but I was building back up slowly.

I increased iron in my diet in July which now seems incredibly foolish but my thoughts were to keep enzyme levels stable and not back in a deficient state. I was genuinely blindsided but on August 9th I again was thrown into very clear interdose WD and worse inner akathisia. At around this same time I also started a new batch of the drug for the first time in a very long time which could have been a different manufacturer. The exertion akathisia problems worsened too and I'm currently more limited than ever, bedbound and needing family's help and not really able to distract.

Generally, the Lexapro dose of about 1.06mg (not sure I trust accuracy of my scale) now feels sedating/calming, at times extremely so. Sometimes it's paradoxical right after taking it or at peak, 4-5 hours later. When serotonin is higher due to where I am in my cycle, the paradoxical effects can be quite bad. Nights (dose taken at 10am) can be very rough. I would say nights have been some of the worst times.

I've considered splitting the dose but also fear changing anything. I'm eating a limited, low iron diet and have quite bad anxiety/OCD around food after this. I see myself very slowly tapering off when I hopefully get stable and functional.

Sorry this was so long. I welcome support and thoughts. Hoping I can keep up with posting and updating.

Edited October 3Oct 3 by SarahMc

Welcome to the forum!

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are tapering and/or experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications and withdrawal syndrome. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. We simply offer support and opinions which you could use as talking points with a medical provider knowledgeable in withdrawing off psychiatric medications.

The value of this forum is in the community it fosters. We hope that all of our members will be able to learn from each others' experiences, both the good and the bad. To this end, we strongly encourage members to not only document their personal journey on their own thread, but to read and post on other members' threads and otherwise make full use of the resources available throughout the forum.

 

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I'm so sorry to read about the tough time you've had recently you will find plenty of support here for sure.

1 hour ago, unmanned2 said:

I got very severe akathisia (and other WD symptoms) a few days after my first iron infusion last July. I'd been on Lexapro 2.5mg for 7 years at the time. I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off to ERs and doctors for some time with zero real help or answers not knowing it was the Lexapro. I did succumb and try one pill each of Seroquel and Zoloft (was also CTed from Lexapro about a week in).

Months in I realized the iron changed my metabolism of the Lexapro. There is one study showing iron infusion increased cyp3a4 by 120% in iron deficient people. These enzymes are actually made up of iron. I must have been in very strong interdose WD which also crashed baseline levels of the drug. I think I was in interdose after reinstating too but didn't recognize it. Reinstatement was extremely rough but leveled out but never helped. If I knew it was the drug causing everything I don't know that I could've stuck with the reinstatement.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I haven't heard of iron infusions causing or worsening withdrawal myself, but it certainly seems plausible to me (and others on here may know a lot more about this than I do).

I see in your signature that you'd been on lexapro 2.5 mg for several years before the iron infusion, but you also describe "failed attempts to reduce further over the years by halving doses, skipping doses." To your knowledge, were you experience any withdrawal symptoms from these failed attempts at the time of your iron infusion? Is your thinking that you were completely stable and the iron infusion caused brand new withdrawal symptoms, or that it worsened existing symptoms?

1 hour ago, unmanned2 said:

I was walking a lot at the start though it slowly decreased. On NYE I got sick which made me instantly bedbound. I developed a new problem at this point of inner akathisia worsening with exertion. However I built back up to 30-40 minute walks (in a quiet park), could attend occasional appointments and grocery shop, distract and pass the time a little at home though I still had aka and was very limited and sensitive but things were a bit more livable.

I had a setback in June for unclear reasons that made the exertion problems worse but I was building back up slowly.

I increased iron in my diet in July which now seems incredibly foolish but my thoughts were to keep enzyme levels stable and not back in a deficient state. I was genuinely blindsided but on August 9th I again was thrown into very clear interdose WD and worse inner akathisia. At around this same time I also started a new batch of the drug for the first time in a very long time which could have been a different manufacturer. The exertion akathisia problems worsened too and I'm currently more limited than ever, bedbound and needing family's help and not really able to distract.

It sounds like things have been really tough for you. I'm glad you found us, there are many people on here who can empathize. The kinds of ups and downs you're describing (windows and waves) are a very common withdrawal pattern. Sometimes we can point to something that caused a wave, and sometimes there really isn't anything at all and it's just what the body needed to do to heal. But we do see that for some very sensitive people, things like diet and changing batches can cause issues.

Can I ask what makes you certain that you're experiencing interdose withdrawal? That's a common issue with drugs with shorter half-lives but not as common with the ADs. That's not to say it can't happen though, I'll believe anything with these drugs! I'm just curious how you know that's the source of (at least some of) your issues.

1 hour ago, unmanned2 said:

Generally, the Lexapro dose of about 1.06mg (not sure I trust accuracy of my scale) now feels sedating/calming, at times extremely so. Sometimes it's paradoxical right after taking it or at peak, 4-5 hours later. When serotonin is higher due to where I am in my cycle, the paradoxical effects can be quite bad. Nights (dose taken at 10am) can be very rough. I would say nights have been some of the worst times.

I've considered splitting the dose but also fear changing anything. I'm eating a limited, low iron diet and have quite bad anxiety/OCD around food after this. I see myself very slowly tapering off when I hopefully get stable and functional.

We have one other person here (@Finni) who is also quite destabilized right now and has been considering splitting her dose. If you are experiencing interdose withdrawal that does seem like the obvious move, but I understand the fear of making a change. One thing that has been suggested to Finni is to gradually move very small amounts of the dose -- so not the full half dose, but start with a much smaller percentage and take it an hour later, for example.

Are you able to get enough calories and nutrients with your limited diet?

Again, very glad you found us. I hope you start to see some progress towards stabilization soon.

In the mean time this is what I would do if I were you:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind!

 

You are very welcome here and I hope you find the site supportive.

Welcome @unmanned2

Glad you found us.

It seems you have a really good understanding of why is happening to you.

On Survivingantidepressants.org I have read of others having this negative reaction to iron infusions. One of them was your story and also Citeforsoreeyes. It is also very common unfortunately for females to be affected by hormonal cycles.

I also am interested in why you feel you are experiencing interdose WD.

What a crazy journey this is. You have done well managing an horrible situation. Good for you . We are here to support and help. ❤️🙏

Edited October 3Oct 3 by LostinCanada

At the time of the infusion I felt 100% stable with the drug way in the background of my life and no withdrawal attempts for several years.

5 hours ago, SarahMc said:

Can I ask what makes you certain that you're experiencing interdose withdrawal? That's a common issue with drugs with shorter half-lives but not as common with the ADs. That's not to say it can't happen though, I'll believe anything with these drugs! I'm just curious how you know that's the source of (at least some of) your issues.

My basic pattern every day since August 9th is WD symptoms starting at night and going into morning until I take my dose at 10am. Agitation, panic and buzzing in brain and body, weird/scary thoughts and images, stomach pain and reflux, muscle pain/sensations, insomnia. Some nights are better than others.

The dose does take this away and sedates me. But it is more complicated as I do have paradoxical effects post dose sometimes, and sometimes aka all day too.

I do think I'm getting enough calories currently as I feel it when I don't eat enough and it makes symptoms much worse! But it's not the ideal diet. Many veggies have vitamin c or beta carotene which helps iron absorption and I've been avoiding them. I hate the situation.

I've been reading @Finni 's thread and would love to share any insights I end up with.

Thank you very much for welcoming me Sarah.

2 hours ago, unmanned2 said:

At the time of the infusion I felt 100% stable with the drug way in the background of my life and no withdrawal attempts for several years.

My basic pattern every day since August 9th is WD symptoms starting at night and going into morning until I take my dose at 10am. Agitation, panic and buzzing in brain and body, weird/scary thoughts and images, stomach pain and reflux, muscle pain/sensations, insomnia. Some nights are better than others.

The dose does take this away and sedates me. But it is more complicated as I do have paradoxical effects post dose sometimes, and sometimes aka all day too.

I do think I'm getting enough calories currently as I feel it when I don't eat enough and it makes symptoms much worse! But it's not the ideal diet. Many veggies have vitamin c or beta carotene which helps iron absorption and I've been avoiding them. I hate the situation.

I've been reading @Finni 's thread and would love to share any insights I end up with.

Thank you very much for welcoming me Sarah.

I’m so sorry you had to find this forum, but welcome ❤️

Are you thinking about splitting your dose?

I’m heading that way, but I still haven’t gotten the courage after all the changes.

Hey @unmanned2 Welcome to the forum. I am sorry it would appear the Iron infusion has caused all of this for you. The nervous system is so sensitive and an important element of our wellbeing, we try to preach natural clean living on here and avoiding supplements for this exact reason. You will find a community that whilst we are all going through our own individualised journeys can fully empathise with each others. Glad you found us. Please post reguarly or as often as you would like of course.

14 hours ago, unmanned2 said:

My basic pattern every day since August 9th is WD symptoms starting at night and going into morning until I take my dose at 10am. Agitation, panic and buzzing in brain and body, weird/scary thoughts and images, stomach pain and reflux, muscle pain/sensations, insomnia. Some nights are better than others.

The dose does take this away and sedates me. But it is more complicated as I do have paradoxical effects post dose sometimes, and sometimes aka all day too.

I'm so sorry to hear that. That kind of consistent pattern does seem suggestive of interdose WD to me. Although I agree that these drugs interact with our bodies in all sorts of complicated and unpredictable ways, especially in WD, and I have definitely seen seemingly consistent WD patterns shift for people over time.

14 hours ago, unmanned2 said:

I do think I'm getting enough calories currently as I feel it when I don't eat enough and it makes symptoms much worse! But it's not the ideal diet. Many veggies have vitamin c or beta carotene which helps iron absorption and I've been avoiding them. I hate the situation.

I'm glad you're able to eat enough, though I can imagine how frustrating it is to feel so limited in what you can eat. I would imagine a lot of like meal replacement-type foods that you might take to supplement nutrients are also high in iron?

13 hours ago, Finni said:

I’m so sorry you had to find this forum, but welcome ❤️

Are you thinking about splitting your dose?

I’m heading that way, but I still haven’t gotten the courage after all the changes.

Thank you ❤️ Reading along which is all I can do often has helped me feel less alone though yes, I'm sorry any of us are in it.

I think there's a good chance I'd be better off with a split dose. But also any change I make seems to explode in my face so I'm also feeling like I just want to hold for the moment. I think it's possible my nervous system is just so sensitized it's reacting even to normal variations in med levels at this point and just needs time to calm down. The same could be true for you.

I saw that you were going to try but paused as you were a bit worse? I'd do the same. And I'd try just the tiniest change by like 30 minutes I think. I understand the back and forth though and wanting to do something to fix things but also being scared to make any moves ❤️‍🩹

Welcome to the forum.

Have you noticed any kind of trajectory or pattern since eating a lower iron diet from mid August?

On 10/4/2026 at 7:51 AM, unmanned2 said:

Thank you ❤️ Reading along which is all I can do often has helped me feel less alone though yes, I'm sorry any of us are in it.

I think there's a good chance I'd be better off with a split dose. But also any change I make seems to explode in my face so I'm also feeling like I just want to hold for the moment. I think it's possible my nervous system is just so sensitized it's reacting even to normal variations in med levels at this point and just needs time to calm down. The same could be true for you.

I saw that you were going to try but paused as you were a bit worse? I'd do the same. And I'd try just the tiniest change by like 30 minutes I think. I understand the back and forth though and wanting to do something to fix things but also being scared to make any moves ❤️‍🩹

Really wish I had seen the weight of the move I tried.

I’m paying a brutal price.

19 hours ago, Luke said:

Welcome to the forum.

Have you noticed any kind of trajectory or pattern since eating a lower iron diet from mid August?

Thank you Luke.

Things seemed to keep worsening into September.

This time a month ago, I'd be up many nights/during the interdose dip with unbearable aka and just feeling very agitated and unwell. Then in the day I'd be feeling the postdose effects. Panic, dizziness, worse tinnitus, pain and pressure, more horrid aka with a layer of sedation over it. At times I was very oversedated and unable to even scroll. Some DPDR too. And just a very sick and screwed up feeling brain overall. I could also barely get up to do the very basics without flaring the aka terribly.

So far this month has felt less extreme. I've still had some rough periods with borderline unbearable aka. The dose still makes me feel sedated and a bit out of it maybe. And might give me some anxiety or head pressure. But I feel a bit more able to move around though the aka still can flare from pretty much nothing which forces me back into bed. I'm still bedbound basically. And unable to really engage with much other than med harm stuff.

Just getting back to being housebound would be a massive relief. I could be on the computer, go downstairs, stretch for a few minutes, be on the porch or look out the window. And watch things on YouTube and distract.

Getting back to my old active self who loved being outdoors, that would feel like a miracle but feels a million miles away. I think I might be a bit dissociated as I'm not fully feeling the grief of it. Or just in survival mode. Or maybe just resigned as I know I can't do much other than wait.

I remember you were pretty limited Luke but have improved? I'm really glad for you.

Thank you for answering.

I hope that you stabilise more in the coming weeks.

1 hour ago, unmanned2 said:

I remember you were pretty limited Luke but have improved? I'm really glad for you.

I'm just about managing to work full time and function. I'm much, much better than I was but things are still difficult.