Lexapro Withdrawal

[crazzykat785]

When i get stressed out i forget what im doing,and i generally end up being sick i've been off for about 2 months.
Im in the middle of a break down right now, i've been vomiting.
i just started a new job which i now have to leave because i can't take it.

[Goodlife]

thanks for sharing. I was wondering, did you experience rebound depression right around the 3rd or 4th month being off it? If so, did the depression eventually lift?

Let's see... I went off Oct 20th, and around March. I suddenly was having acute anxiety fits. So that's what-- about four and a half months. But I think I started having some reboud in February, it just didn't become slap-you-in-the-face obvious until March.

Because I had so many sinus infections from Dec-Feb, I might have been dismissing anxiety symptoms as sinus symptoms (my ENT had told me trembling, weakness in legs, etc, can be sinus symptoms). So I suppose it's possible it started earlier than March-- just in March I became unable to work for a long time, which is how I gauge these things (I do freelance creative work, so anything that stops it is a threat to my livelihood).

The disturbing thing to me about the late withdrawals was that I actually felt like I was out of my mind. My anxiety has always been a very focused thing: I am worried about x. When x is okay, my worry is gone. But this literally felt like my mind was flying away, an experience I've never had before.

Beware that pill.

[mims]

What kinds of medications did you take for your sinus infections, and do you think those meds could be contributed to your to your anxiety? Antibiotics can have some bad side effects as well as decongestants and antihistamines. Sudafed (pseudophedrine) can cause extreme anxiety, increased heartrate, in some people (including me). Benadril is also terrible for some people (again, me).

I wonder if those of us who have had extreme reactions to Lexapro and withdrawal from Lexapro might be over - sensitive to many other drugs.

Are you still having sinus infections?

[anti-drugs]

HI there,

I've been away for a month and have FINALLY finished traveling long enough to sit and post and read all the posts I've missed.

Well I'd like to be able to post that things are going great, but I'd be lying. Months 7 & 8 have been hard. When I have good days they are GREAT, but when I have bad days they are HORRIBLE! I do seem to have more good days then bad, compared to when I first quit Lex (cold Turkey - per DR.).

I've had a lot of severe anxiety, which affects my memory and concentration. I think I worry more than usual about small things and health. I still have a lack of motivation when it comes to doing things. My muscles still twitch sometimes, but not as bad as a few months ago.

Even though I still have a few side effects, I feel as though I'm starting to see the light. I know I still have a long way to go for a full recovery, but I'm hopeful I'll make it.

Anti-Drugs

[mims]

Are you still taking the amini-3 vitamins? do you think that helped? Is that a B-complex?

I, too, have muscle twitches and also myoclonic jerks in addition to vibrations internally, mostly in my spine and hip. Did you have any of that, and did it improve? My eyes have improved, but not completely.

Hope you were having some fun while you were away for a month!!

I'm looking for some of those GREAT days -- My good days are only "tolerable" and the bad times are when I can't sleep due to vibrations. It's frightening and makes me worry about the future.

[Aeroman]

HI there,

I've been away for a month and have FINALLY finished traveling long enough to sit and post and read all the posts I've missed.

Well I'd like to be able to post that things are going great, but I'd be lying. Months 7 & 8 have been hard. When I have good days they are GREAT, but when I have bad days they are HORRIBLE! I do seem to have more good days then bad, compared to when I first quit Lex (cold Turkey - per DR.).

I've had a lot of severe anxiety, which affects my memory and concentration. I think I worry more than usual about small things and health. I still have a lack of motivation when it comes to doing things. My muscles still twitch sometimes, but not as bad as a few months ago.

Even though I still have a few side effects, I feel as though I'm starting to see the light. I know I still have a long way to go for a full recovery, but I'm hopeful I'll make it.

Anti-Drugs

Hey you! I was just thinking about you...your timing is about close to mine (last pill of 5mg Lex was 2/27/07, fast 1-month taper). I have about 2.5 weeks until my 8th month mark.

I had a "window" month 6 for about 3-4 days. I could just feel the "lift" but wasn't 100%. It was short lived and sunk back to the funk.



That's where I have been since then, just treading through the days.

Current symptoms:

- depression
- lightheaded (comes and goes)
- low back pain
- sleep pattern still jacked up

Those are my biggest complaints. E-mail me, keep in touch!!!

aerodjjc@yahoo.com

Hoping for recovery as well....

P.S. I stopped all supplements. They did nothing for me.

[crazzykat785]

Thanks to anyone who has read my posts,
I think this is one of the only places we all feel we can say what ever it is we are really feeling. We are all going thru similar times.

I rang up and quit the job i've only been at for 2 days, i couldn't handle it at all. it was meatworks.

Does anyone get depersonalization and memory loss kind of things when they are in the car? for some reason that's my worst time.
I can't even walk to the kitchen or eat i'm just sick.

Email me when ever you like! crazzykat785@hotmail.com

[Julia77]

Thanks to anyone who has read my posts,
I think this is one of the only places we all feel we can say what ever it is we are really feeling. We are all going thru similar times.

I rang up and quit the job i've only been at for 2 days, i couldn't handle it at all. it was meatworks.

Does anyone get depersonalization and memory loss kind of things when they are in the car? for some reason that's my worst time.
I can't even walk to the kitchen or eat i'm just sick.

Email me when ever you like! crazzykat785@hotmail.com

Hi there,

When did you quit? What you're experiencing now is "normal" stuff after you abruptly stop medication. Be prepare to be sick for some time. I am saying some, but really mean 12 months or so. But you should be able to see slight improvements in 6 months or so... If you are taking more meds now, that complexes the picture even more.

I would avoid driving altogether if I were you. Also, don't worry about non working now. Many people get days so bad that they are unable to leave the bed... Good news is that we all get better as time goes by.

[Julia77]

It's been 8.5 months off for me after careful tapering off my Lexapro. It's been a tough journey, but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. My symptoms are less frequent and less intense. If I am sad, it won't last more than some hours.If I wake up with surges of anxiety, they will most likely disappear in a few hours.

However, I am still easily overwhelmed by things and work. I am able to work full-time now though. But whenever there is an issue at work, I will end up thinking about it obsessively, almost non-stop. I also get surges of fear in the elevators. Any suggestions on whether I should push myself to use it now or wait till I'm less frightened are welcome. I never used to be scared of elevators.

I get easily obsessed about cleaniness in the house. It's neat and spotless, and I would get upset about a dirty dish or something like that.

Months 6-7 were a nightmare emotionally wise. I remembered and investigated almost every painful emotion I ever had, and got to cry over it. I never knew how many painful and very distant emotions would surface. Interestingly, I remember the same emotions surfacing several months before I was put on Lexapro. I found that I only procrastinated working on my emotions by taking Lexapro. They never disappeared, but were stacked somewhere down in my head, waiting for a chance to jump out.

Months 8-9 are much better, and I hope things keep improving for all of you. as well. I promise that we all get better. I now find that working on prevention measures is much more effective than trying to resolve things when they start to surface. I find that I was too pushy with myself, too emotions-numb. I grew up in the household where showing emotions was thought to be rude and showed lack of upbringing. I was a high achiever, pushing for more every time I got what I wanted. I never stopped to enjoy the beauty of life. In fact, I don't remember myself crying for many months or even years before I collapsed. I was some kind of an overblown balloon that burst out one day.

We've got to learn some lessons of life before we attempt to discontinue those drugs. What were we doing wrong? By the way, wrong-doings could also be things as simple as eating too much junk food. Or even not knowing how to make healthy choices in a grocery store!

Love to all......

[anti-drugs]

Hi Mims,

I am still taking the Animi-3 vitamins, 1 tab 2x a day. They contain:
500 mg Omega-3
1 mg folic acid
12.5 mg B-6
500 mg B-12
Phytosterols 200mg

They do seem to help with the depression and energy. I have noticed they speed up my metabolism (lost 7 lbs.in 1 month). They also really help with PMS. I originally started taking them for memory, which is still not 100%, but got all these added benefits. Doctors are starting to use them for cardio vascular disease, dementia,depression, and arthritis prevention. It's not a "miracle" pill, but it does help.

I had a lot of muscle spasms and inner tremors for the first 2 or 3 months after stopping Lexapro. They have almost completely disappeared. So hang in there!

Anti-Drugs

[Aeroman]

Hi Mims,

I am still taking the Animi-3 vitamins, 1 tab 2x a day. They contain:
500 mg Omega-3
1 mg folic acid
12.5 mg B-6
500 mg B-12
Phytosterols 200mg

They do seem to help with the depression and energy. I have noticed they speed up my metabolism (lost 7 lbs.in 1 month). They also really help with PMS. I originally started taking them for memory, which is still not 100%, but got all these added benefits. Doctors are starting to use them for cardio vascular disease, dementia,depression, and arthritis prevention. It's not a "miracle" pill, but it does help.

I had a lot of muscle spasms and inner tremors for the first 2 or 3 months after stopping Lexapro. They have almost completely disappeared. So hang in there!

Anti-Drugs

Anti, are you still going through a funk? I am about 7.5 months out and this depression doesnt want to lift! Low motivation and energy along with some other fun stuff...just wanna hear some success stories!!!!!!!!

[anti-drugs]

Hey Aeroman,

Sorry to hear you are still having a hard time. The last few days have been hard for me as well. I'm still really struggling with anxiety and all the wonderful side effects that come with it. Some days I can't even remember what normal feels like. I exercise 3 days a week, but it doesn't really help ( more of a short term fix). Oh Well maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Anti-drugs

[anti-drugs]

HI CrazzyKat,

I had those same things happen to me when I was in the car. Actually that was the first time I had ever experienced depersonalization. It was really scary because I had my son with me and didn't want to freak out in front of him or crash the car. Sometimes I would be driving and turn into the wrong Stores parking lot, forgetting where I was suppose to be going. I can't believe a tiny pill can cause so much damage to us.

Stay strong, we'll get through this together.

Anti-Drugs

[Aeroman]

Hey Aeroman,

Sorry to hear you are still having a hard time. The last few days have been hard for me as well. I'm still really struggling with anxiety and all the wonderful side effects that come with it. Some days I can't even remember what normal feels like. I exercise 3 days a week, but it doesn't really help ( more of a short term fix). Oh Well maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Anti-drugs

yeah, the anxiety does pop its head in...i had it yesterday and I couldnt shake it off, even after accepting it. You also have depression with the w/d's, right?

[mims]

Anti-Drugs:

I almost cried when I read your reply about your internal tremors fading away. I feel a tremendous sense of relief to think that there will be an end to the vibrations. That's been my most worrisome problem recently, in addition to brain fog, but the fogginess seems worse on the days when the tremors are worse. I've been taking slow-mag, which is a slow release calcium and magnesium, and I do think it has relaxed the tremor somewhat, but not enough to make it go away, just enough to "turn down the volume" .

Now I have hope for the future. And 7 pounds off! More hope for the future.

I'll try to get some animi-3 vitamins. It looks like it includes some of the same supplements I've been trying to take, but combined in one pill instead of a handful. Oh, by the way, I looked at the animi-3.com website, and there's a coupon you can request -- I don't know what the value is.

Anti-Drugs and Julia:

Your encouraging words have really been helpful. 8 months is a long time to wait for withdrawals to go away, but it's great to hear that you are both continuing to have improvements.

Julia, Wish I knew what to say about the elevator. I recently had a bridge to drive over, and I pulled over and almost called my friends to come get me, but forced myself to do it. When I had to cross back over from the other direction, it was not as scary, so I'm really glad I forced myself to do it. I had to breathe in a paper bag to do it (really an umbrella case, which was the only "bag" handy at the moment.)

Don't worry , nobody will give you funny looks if you start breathing in a paper bag in the elevator. - I'm sure nobody laughed at me driving along with an umbrella case over my mouth. (I'd put a smiley face here, but I guess that's not available on an "edit".)

[swdcguy]

hi folks,

i started taking lexapro 3 days ago after i told my doctor i needed something to "get me through" what i expect/hope to be a short depressive state. i've been depressed before and knew the symptoms but didn't fully recall the side-effects--it's been a few years since i weaned myself off celexa and went natural. my doc told me to take the lex in the morning, though he didn't tell me WHY. i immediately (that night) experienced sleeplessness after the ambien i took to sleep (i've been having to take that to sleep for a couple of weeks while i was in my tail-spin into depression after my father passed away unexpectedly) wore off--in about 5/6 hours. so i did some research online the second evening (which i should have done BEFORE taking the first dose) and besides learning about the sleeplessness, i read many horror stories about weight gain from taking lexapro. i just spent over 3 years losing 30 pounds and feeling so much better about myself--i will NOT go back to feeling depressed because of my weight.

i took the full 10mg dose the first two mornings and 5mg's yesterday morning, and none this morning--i want this stuff out of my system NOW. i'm feeling a little--not a lot--pressure in my head, very slight dizziness, a little inability to concentrate and increased perspiration--which actually started when i started the lex.

QUESTION: how long do you guys/gals think these withdrawal symptoms will last given the very brief period i took this stuff and the relative small amount in my system?

thanks in advance,
swdcguy

[Goodlife]

What kinds of medications did you take for your sinus infections, and do you think those meds could be contributed to your to your anxiety?

I have taken some antibiotics for them, but never saw things get worse from the antibiotics. Since having lexapro, I've become suspicious of pretty much all medicine, and even just taking some can cause me anxiety right after I swallow it (definitely before it has time to get into my system). I just don't trust medicine at this point, I can't help but wonder if ALL medicines have gone through the same slipshot FDA checking that Lexapro got.

So I took antibiotics once or twice, but they neither helped much nor gave me any unusual side effects.

Yes, I still get the sinus infections. I don't remember having a single one before I went on Lexapro, but I've probably had 20+ since being on that pill, in only two years. In fact, I just had my first one of the fall season, this week.

[boogie30]

It has been three weeks since I took my last Lexapro. I am waking up at 5:00 in the morning with severe anxiety attacks. My legs feel like jello for about 5 hours after waking up. I also have nausea. Sometimes I have dry heaves in the morning. By 6:00 in the evening I am 100% better. I went to the doctor last week and she wants me to try 10 mg of Prozac. I don't know if I want to get back on an antidepress. I am having bad anxiety and depression. What should I do? And, are the withdrawal symptoms that I am having normal? Please respond to me. Thanks

[anti-drugs]

Yup, Those are definitely withdrawal symptoms and yes they are normal. (I'm not a doctor, I'm only speaking through experience). They could last for a while depending on how long and what dose of Lexapro you took. Also if you tapered slowly or fast. Everyone is different. I hope this helps.

Anti-Drugs

[boogie30]

Thank you for responding. Do you suggest that I take the Prozac to get through this rough time.

[anti-drugs]

Thank you for responding. Do you suggest that I take the Prozac to get through this rough time.

Boogie30,

You can take the Prozac if you really think you need it. Just remember Prozac comes with it's own list of nasty withdrawal symptoms, so you would just be substituting one for the other. I know withdrawals can be hard, I've been going through them for 8 months. You just need to stay positive and we will all get through this together.

Anti-Drugs

[boogie30]

Thank you for your words of encouragement. You are so right, I will stay away from the Prozac. Do you take anything that helps with all of the withdrawal symptoms? Have a good day!

[mims]

It has been three weeks since I took my last Lexapro. I am waking up at 5:00 in the morning with severe anxiety attacks. My legs feel like jello for about 5 hours after waking up. I also have nausea. Sometimes I have dry heaves in the morning. By 6:00 in the evening I am 100% better. I went to the doctor last week and she wants me to try 10 mg of Prozac. I don't know if I want to get back on an antidepress. I am having bad anxiety and depression. What should I do? And, are the withdrawal symptoms that I am having normal? Please respond to me. Thanks

Look back 2 or 3 pages to see a previous discussion about switching to Prozac for the purpose of tapering off - some people switch over temporarily because the withdrawal effects are not as bad as Lexapro. Maybe this is what your doctor has in mind. ????

After 3 weeks, you might be almost over the worst of it anyway.

[boogie30]

I think you are right -- this is what the doctor is wanting to do. I have another question for you. I just took a nap and woke up after 15 minutes with what I call an adrenal surge. It wakes me up for a sound sleep. My heart is racing and I feel so hot. What is causing this? It happens everytime I go to sleep. Thank you for responding!

[mims]

I think you are right -- this is what the doctor is wanting to do. I have another question for you. I just took a nap and woke up after 15 minutes with what I call an adrenal surge. It wakes me up for a sound sleep. My heart is racing and I feel so hot. What is causing this? It happens everytime I go to sleep. Thank you for responding!

I don't know what causes it, but my worst symptoms occur when I'm resting or sleeping. Internal tremors, headache, muscle twitches and jerks, ear noises, light flashes, needle-like pains, other abnormal sensations, numb hands and feet, strange breathing noises and singing noises in my sleep. The brain zaps and body zaps have improved a lot, but they are most likely to happen when I'm drifting off to sleep. I haven't really had the adrenalin - type surge, but that is a complaint I've seen before on this message board a number of times, along with sweating. I'm assuming hormones are affected by Lexapro -- I do know that it is sometimes prescribed for menopause hot flashes, which would make you wonder if withdrawal could actually cause hot flashes. (What you're describing sounds similar to a menopausal hot flash -- I'm not saying that's what you're experiencing, but it's a similar experience.)

All these other things have awakened me suddenly during the night or when I'm just drifting off to sleep.

Some of these things also happen when I'm awake, but rarely when I'm active. Sometimes happens when I'm sitting quietly, but most often when I'm going to sleep or sleeping. I'm about 9 or 10 weeks off Lexapro -- some symptoms are improving, but most remain; some are less frequent or less intense than before.

[boogie30]

Your words make me feel better about this situation. At least I know that there is hope. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Have a nice day!

[mims]

Your words make me feel better about this situation. At least I know that there is hope. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Have a nice day!

Did you notice that on Sept 14, somebody ( "catjo") posted on this board with your very same complaints? So you're definitely not the only one having those problems after quitting Lexapro. I don't think she ever posted again - maybe she'll come back and let us know how things are going.

Hope you feel better soon. And you, too, Catjo, if you're still reading this board.

[boogie30]

How funny--Catjo was me. I tried to log back on with that username and password and the system would not allow me to, so I have to reregister under another username----boogie30. Thanks!

[mims]

How funny--Catjo was me. I tried to log back on with that username and password and the system would not allow me to, so I have to reregister under another username----boogie30. Thanks!

That's so funny! I actually wondered about that, and decided you were not the same person. Ha! Anyway, I'm sure I remember that there have been others with the same symptoms on this site -- it's actually helpful and educational (but time-consuming) to go back and read through some of the previous posts on this board -- I found that people reported all kinds of symptoms, like floaters in the eyes, feeling like eyes don't converge properly, headaches coming from the back of the neck, etc., that I had experienced but for some reason had never made the connection to lexapro.

[staggerlee]

i've been taking lexapro 20mg for almost a year & started trying to wean myself off 3 weeks ago. I cut down to 10 mg for 2 weeks, then 5 mg for 5 days (which was this past Friday)

My doc also prescribed Elavil 20mg for upperback/neck pain about 5 weeks ago. After the drug finally kicked after 2 weeks and made be loopy/spaced out, I decided I couldn't handle the 20mg Elavil and started its taper. I am now down to 5mg every day for the last week.

My goal is to finally get off all this stuff altogether but want to limit the amount of withdrawal I face doing so in the short and long term. I've also gain 20 lbs since and I feel the drugs have alot to do with that and I probably won't be able to lose any if the drugs are in my system.

As for the lexapro taper, I got down from 20 mg to 5 mg over three weeks w/o any symptoms I can remember. I didn't take the 5mg on Saturday or Sunday to see if I was good to go.Needless to say last night (Sunday night) was a rough one.....chills, then sweats, slight nausea, insomnia, tingling/burning in thighs, etc. I took my 5 mg when I woke up. (needed some ambien to get to sleep)

1) Now knowing that the tapering schedule needs to be longer, What do you suggest my tapering schedule should be to eliminate the withdrawal?

With the Elavil, I haven't had any problems getting down to 5mg and I think it actually has helped with the neck/back pain (hasn't killed it but definitely has made it more manageable). I'm sure it has also made the Lexapro taper easier.

2) Does Elavil have strong withdrawal symptoms?

3) Should I at least stay on the Elavil until I'm completely off Lexapro?

4) Whats a good tapering schedule for Elavil at 5mg?

Thanks for your advice....