[maljon]

My mom is an alzheimers patient taking Lexapro 10 mg. It is common for Alz patients to take some form of antidepressants. Anyway, the neurologist is saying that a spamtype jerking problem she is having could be coming from taking Lexapro. The want to wean her off by taking half a tablet for 8 days and then none. I don't think that is quite enought. One time when she mised a dose for two days she had unstoppable crying.

Please let me know your thoughts and also let me know if any of you have suffered any side effect such as the jerking spasmic type episoldes.

Thanks!

[withdrawalwar]

hi, i'm signed on under my husband's screen name here, so this is the wife for anyone who reads his stuff. i read your post, and replied b/c i am on lexapro and do experience some "jerking" or muscle spasms like you mentioned. overall, it does not inconvenience me in anyway and the benefits of the drug have far outweighed any side effects (except the sexual ones of course but i guess your mom doesn't have to worry about that ). so, i'm no doctor, but i would say if the spasms aren't causing her any harm and the otherwise the drug is helping, i wouldn't take her off of it or decrease at all.

[auntybiotic]

I would disagree. Spasms and cramping of muscles are a side effect. If your mom MUST be on a antidepressant I would think Remeron would be safer then the Lexapro.

Withdrawal is going to be tough of her at the huge drops her doctor is suggesting. As one ages, the liver functions drop so that she is most likely slow metabolizer in the P 450 cytochrome system. This does not even take into account what other medications she is taking to compromise the liver functions.

The rule is usually do not reduce anymore then 10% and wait until the patient is stable. In your mom's case this would be about 1MG reduction at a time. It usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks to stabilize.

Good luck, it must be heartbreaking to watch you mom endure this as I am also watching a family member come off of this horrible drug.

[maljon]

Thanks for your replies. My moms jerking is extremely annoying and she sometimes does it for half the day. Some days she can't function for jerking so badly. So she will have to come off the drug if it is doing this to her. I only wish I'd known about this on the front end.
I got a phone call from my mothers Geriatric doctor and they must be in disagreement with weaning mom off of the Lexapro. The nurse said to let it stand until her doctors appointment on October 6th. I don't think they realize how it bothers my mom and my dad to watch.

I think the Geriatric doctor is not being understanding. I do think that the dosage needs to be 9mg instead of 10mg. Do They made 9mg tablets? How would we lower the meds if they don't? I wish Mom were strong enough to go cold turkey.

Thanks again for your responses!

[auntybiotic]

They make Lexapro Liquid. I would lower it to 9.5 and then in about three weks lower it again to 9. Your mom is frail with her age and there is no need for her to suffer from severe withdrawals.

You can continue lowering the dose with the liquid untill you see an improvement in her muscle jerking. What other meds is she on. Run this by your doctor..but most know nothing about withdrawal off of lexapro.