I've read a lot of peoples posts from years ago about going off lexapro and the side effects. I was wondering how they are doing and if they were able to stay off meds and if the withdrawal every went away. I am new to all of this. I have a history of panic and anxiety. I was on paxil for 8 years. got off it without problems(mainly because I only took 12.5 every other day or less for the last 4 years). I was off med for over 7 months without any problems. In that time we moved from Texas to new York and my husband and I started having major problems. After 6 months of continuous stress, lack of sleep and the arrival of winter, I started feeling panicky again. Instead if seeking a therapist help, I restarted my paxil. Took it for three weeks, then switched to lexapro. Doctor got me up to 20mgs in three weeks. Told him this drug doesnt work and making me worse, just told me to give it time. I have now been on it for three months. Saw a psychiatrist, told me not right med for me. Said I could go off or try prozac. I decided to try going off and then therapy and natural supplements. If that doesn't work, maybe prozac.
Now, I have been weaning off lexapro and having really bad withdrawal. Worst is in the morning. I went from 20 to 15 for 5 days without problems. Then went to 10mg. Started to feel not so great after a couple of days. Still went down to 5 mgs after 4 days. Talked to psychiatrist, she told me to go back up to 10 for a week or two then go down to 7.5 then 5 then 2.5. I hate this. I feel like dying in the morning. My husband told me to suck it up. I'm not dying. Nice, right. That's another issue all together. I am working on that issue separately. Right now, I want to regain my life, mind and body from lexapro. Will it happen? It doesnt feel like it. Am I making the right choice by going off? Any input would be great.
I also have three young children who have never seen their mom like this. I need my life back pre lexapro. Then I need to figure out the whole marriage thing.
Again, please let me know this is worth it and the withdrawal will end. I forgot to mention my symptoms. Brain saps, dizziness, terrible headache, nausea, diarrhea, sever upper gastric pains, nervousness, crawling out of my skin, chest discomfort. Not all at same time (thank goodness). I started a high dose of omega 3 and multi vitamins. Naturalpath said to add 5 htp to aid in withdrawal. A little nervous to do that. Told doctor and he said it'd be okay. Anyone else do this? I guess this is s lot longer than I planned. Sorry. Just freaking out a bit. Like to know I'm not doing the wrong thing and that it'll be worth it. Thanks for any input. Ribs13
Can anyone who has successfully gotten off lexapro share their experience?
Question posted by Ribs13 on 9 Feb 2011
Last updated on 15 February 2022 by Egghead Ed
This question has also been asked and answered here: Lexapro withdrawal symptoms?
8 Answers
I had been taking Lexapro 10mg a day for three years. I was able to taper off it without too much discomfort by slowly taking smaller doses over an extended period of time. I broke the pills in half and took 5mg a day for a couple of months, then I cut the halves in half and took 2.5 mgs for about a month. I offset the withdrawal blues by taking a level tablespoon of kratom three times a day. I no longer take any Lexapro but still take the kratom. It is truly a blessing for me. I am not in a hurry to quit the kratom because it elevates my mood and also works great at stopping some chronic pain issues I have. I don't want to swap one addiction for another. When I am ready, I can easily cut back on the kratom. Before I slowly stop the kratom I have one other med to finish tapering off of. It is Trazodone. I was taking 25mgs each night and slept well.
It works for insomnia but I want off of all pills, so I am also currently tapering the Trazodone and am down to 12.5 mgs and sleeping is not so easy anymore. I am lucky to get four hours each night. Once again, the kratom relieves most of the withdrawal symptoms from the Trazodone. I am also taking Omega 3 fish oil and multivitamins and they do seem to help. I can do it this way and still function! What bothers me is the fact the prescribing doctor said nothing about how difficult those drugs are to quit! That should have been discussed up front before I even started taking them! Kratom is also addictive so be careful. However, you don't need a prescription for it and it is a Godsend for problems such as these.
I was on Lexapro 5mg for about one year. I had a difficult time initially with the medication as I experienced lots of uncomfortable side effects which lasted for about 3 months. I do believe that my ever present anxiety/depression/panic attacks had a lot to do with my experiencing the uncomfortable side effects. After one year I began to taper off under the guidance of my GP. I have weaned off successfully and would like to share what helped me the most.
1. Prepare for your tapering- by this I mean when you choose to do it. Try to choose a time where you are not overly stressed and do not have a lot going on (ie: not on vacation or during the holidays). If you are unable to determine a time, try your best to create the best possible environment to go through the tapering schedule.
2. Coping- keeping yourself busy and distracted is key to not noticing certain side effects. Ginger root pills worked amazingly well for me to stave off the nausea. Tylenol helped the headaches. Being patient and extra nice to myself helped me immensely. Breathing exercises and taking plenty of time to rest and relax also helps with decreasing potential stressors.
3. Understanding- you WILL have good days and bad days. This is a fact. Learning to accept and experience the bad days instead of fighting them helps a lot. You must go in knowing that some days will be smooth while tapering off and some days will be absolute hell. Give yourself extra love and care for yourself more on the days that are hell.
4. Records- keep daily logs of your symptoms and how you feel mentally. This helps you see how much better you are doing and is encouraging on the difficult days. It also helps with seeing any patterns.
5. Patience- be patient with yourself and your body. Your internal voice should be extra soft and loving. Take walks, increase your physical activity, do things you enjoy, distract yourself. It is just a matter of time before you will be completely off of the medication.
To ne, Lexapro is poison! I was put on it for anxiety and am now more depressed than ever. I need to get off of it. Seeing my doctor tomorrow... wish I never ever took this crap!
I am having a awful time with withdrawals. As soon as, I went down to 5mgs, hell broke lose. Shakes, rapid heartbeat, brain zaps and feelings of heaviness in my head. I also feel better by afternoon which, is odd. This morning, I went to dr for emergency visit. I thought I was literally dying. Wish I never started lexapro! I am curious if anyone ever successfully got off these meds ?
How long have you been on Lexapro?
I was on lexapro for 3-4 years after dealing with stress, anxiety, panic attacks. I was literally sick from the stress of a divorce and the aftermath. I had a lot of gastro-intestinal symptoms: nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea - that would come on me suddenly and along with a panic attack. I had to do something to get better and couldn't go on living the way I was living! I started on 5 mg of lexapro. It took about 3 weeks, but could feel some improvement. I eventually got up to 20 mg and stayed there for over a year. I had forgotten what it was like to feel "even" and somewhat 'calm', so it did help me.
However, I didn't want to stay on this medication forever. The side effects that I had were 30+ pounds of weight gain, restless legs, brain zaps (which really scared me!). I tried to come off of it the first time, tapering down over a couple of months from 20 mg to 5 mg, then I came off of it. I had to go back on! Couldn't stop crying, felt nasty, my body was going crazy! I went back on for about 3 months at 20 mg again. Then over the next YEAR (yes, a year), I weaned down to 2.5 mg and then started ''baby dosing'' by going every other day, every third day.
I am now totally off of the medication and have been for about 2 months. It wasn't as bad this time. However, I did feel yucky... almost 'viral' feeling off and on.
I am glad that I could get help with lexapro, but it is NOT a drug that I would choose to stay on! I am glad to be off of it! I have lost 10 pounds so far, but I still have a ways to go.
Hope you are well and happy and off of the lexapro now! I pray that I never have to take it again!
I was on lexapro for 4 years. 10mg a day. I gained 30 pounds and my cholesteral ratio was bad. I have afib as well. The lexapro worked in "taking the edge off" and me being more tolerant of my teenage daughter. But it seemed to be creating other health risks. My doctor cut my dosage in 1/2 for 30 days. My behavior was not good. I was irritable with major mood swings that I had trouble controlling and even see coming. However, my behavior seems to be coming back to norm. However, I have been consistantly "light headed" and my afib (irregular heart beat) has been occurring more frequently. I do believe I will get through this withdrawal and will stick it out. Since quitting the lexapro, adjusting my diet and working out I have lost 17 pounds. Good luck!
Hi Ribs, I know it's not too pleasant being inside your body right now, but I want to encourage you to stick it out, and like the others said, perhaps slow down your taper. All the side effects you are feeling is just your body saying it's uncomfortable with the change and needs more time. I think it's a great idea to go with the naturalist - there are many other things alternative that can help. I encourage you to eat nutritious foods and to get some exercise - maybe take the kids for a walk. It's important to use your support system now. If you've had time to make some new friends in your new State, go out with them some. Get out of the house - have some fun. If you havent made friends yet, then get working on it. Identify some people you'd like to become friends with, and start talking to them, etc. It won't take long until you are comfortable. This is so important. I know you have children - demand equal time out of the house and go out.
If you are religious, go to church. You will make it through this time, and through your problems with your husband. Hang in there!
Thank you elizajane23. You are right in finding friends/support system. It's a little to snowy and cold for outside walks right now, but as soon as the sun decides to shine:). I think you hit the nail on the head with trying to find time for myself. Not something I do often, if at all. Finally starting to learn that it needs to be a priority in order to deal with everyday stressors. Thank you so much for the words of encouragement.
Hey Ribs,
Hope this finds you feeling a bit better. You need to taper more slowly like your doctor suggests. I recommend not reducing dosage but every week to even two weeks. At least in my experience, the slower you go the less the side effects. I know that it is a hassle but you can do this with minimal discomfort this way. The multivitamin sounds like a great idea. I have never taken 5htp so can't comment.
Hang in there, it will get better, I promise,
Laurie
Laurie,
Thank you for your post. I really appreciate it. I will take his advice, but I struggle with it. I've read so many people slowly taper and then have effects weeks after last dose. It's scary. It just makes me want to meet it head on. Get it over with. Anyway, thank you for your support.
You're welcome Rib and keep in touch, let us know how you are doing.
I agree, the faster you go then add the other stress that you have going on in your life can only make it worse, I was on Lexapro at one time, I never went above 10mg once a day along with xanax 1mg. four times a day, but I made up my mind the Lexapro at that dose would be easier to come off even slow, when it come to the Xanax, I didn't take the full tablet 4 times a day, I used as little as I could and did everything I could to distract myself, music, read, when my Dad passed I moved back in with Mom, she is 93, sharp as a tack, but I help her do things, not take away from her but help make her more able to continue to be the best she can be, that along with these other things help me. as Laurie said to you things will get better, We want to know how you are and please let us know how things are going!
Thank you caringsonbj. People do survive worse things, I know. It's just hard to remember that when your head feels like it'll explode any minute. I am grateful to all who have ever posted about withdrawling from antidepressants. It really helps to remember you are not alone and not going crazy. I will try very hard to go the slower route. I just want to be my old self again. I guess we all do. I pray for that for each one of us going through tough times. Thank you again for your support.
We want to know how you are doing, I friended you, I am not a doctor or an expert but I hope that being someone who wants to be a friend and allow you to use them just to listen if they are unable to do anything lese, We want to hear how you are
Related topics
lexapro, withdrawal, side effect
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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