Lexapro and all SSRIs not worth the RISK

[eissa321]

I have been on every SSRI you could imagine. I have quit all of them at some point or another. Until Lexapro I thought Zoloft had the worse withdrawal symptoms but I was wrong. Lexapro is definitely a dangerous drug. The dizziness and balance issues associated with its withdrawal remind me of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. I don't believe the risks associated with withdrawing from Lexapro could ever justify its use. It is my hope that Lexapro be taken off the market and that the FDA reexamines the so called benefits of these SSRIs. In my professional opinion I believe SSRIs actually worsen pre-existing symptoms as well as create new symptoms whether you are weaned off the drug or not. In fact this is exactly what the pharmaceuticals want, to make you come back for more, a vicious cycle.

[sexysue]

i agree with you . it is very dangerous drug . it was given to me by my so called psychatrist for depression due to the death of 16 years old son in march of this year 2006 . was only on it for a month . stopped it very adruptly because it was worsened my depression and also making me very suicidal as well . been off for nearly 5 weeks now and i think i am still going thru the withdrawals from it . i have been having these really severe tingling burning sensations all over my body with some numbness for the last couple of days and it is getting much more worse . told my psychatrist about this today and he told me that it is my head like everything else . was and still very upset about it . i don't think that i am going to survive this . i am sure that this so called antidepressant has done some serious damage to me and no one is listening to me . this drug should be banned . [xx(][V]

[eissa321]

I am sorry to hear about the love ones you have lost, your uncle, and especially your son. I cannot imagine the pain involved with such an experience. My only suggestion is to stay away from SSRIs, if you need something to help with serotonin I would recommend using Lithium, Lithobid to be more precise. Lithobid is usually given in two doses, one when you wake, and one before bed. Lithium can help increase serotonin levels and more clearly helps stabilize mood. It is prescribed in Europe as a first step for Depression or unstable mood swings. I hope you are aware that psychiatrists in the U.S. and Britain often try to avoid prescribing Lithium because its rather cheap and effective.

[allinmyhead]

Ive been on Lexpro and I've gone off it easy. The key to coming off it is to do it very slowly. You have to decrease your intake by 5mg for every two weeks. Then take 5mg every other day for 2 more weeks. So, depending on your dosage intake, it may take some patience to come off lexpro safely.

Some people ( and I know I did) felt more anxiety when I first started taking it. It is one side effect they all have. But it goes away.

Also, it is a fact that Lexpro has the least withdrawl symptoms than any other SSRI out there. Why? Becuase it is more advanced than Paxil or Prozac. It is a great drug than can help elevate your physical symptoms of anxiety and depression but you must also see a therapist or look into CBT to deal w/ your underling issues or you'll just rebound.

Dont let all these folks put more anxious thoughts in your head. The reality is this drug saved me and w/ my doctors help, the withdrawl symptoms were next to nothing. If your feeling more than the average withdrawl symptoms you may be 1 out of 250,000 or it may be all in your head!

[Miles]

eissa321:

Excellent comments! You nailed it!

For more, see (lengthy, but worth the time): http://www.time.com/time/pacific/mag...0228-1,00.html

Miles