[jepd92]

Hi all - I have been lurking and browsing thru this forum for the past few weeks and figured it was time to come out. I'm Eileen - 39 year old mom who suffered her first major panic/anxiety attack in August. Dealt with a kidney stone nightmare over the summer, and on my way to getting an xray with the kids in the back seat, had a major attack on the road. Been going thru hell since then with anxiety issues. Tried St Johns, 5-HTP, valerian, etc - all natural ways just weren't helping. Finally went to my doc a month ago and she put me on Lexapro.

Started out on 10mg but by week 3 the side effects (headaches, dizziness, major major anxiety even worse than before, etc) were still pretty bad so I went down to 5mg. So have been taking the 5mg now for about 5 days and I STILL am having side effects. Last night I had abdominal pain and cramping like I have never experienced in my life, wasn't sure if I was having a heart attack or what. Pretty bad, but passed after half hour. Yesterday afternoon I was feeling really good so decided to go get some sushi for lunch. Was sitting at a red light and suddenly felt completely detached from my body, I felt like I was looking out at the world thru a 13 inch screen and everything else around it was completely blurred out. Then felt dizzy, and of course, that made me feel even more anxiety so I headed home where I was ok.

Anyway...I hate this drug. I hate that I have been feeling worse since I have been on it. I want to stop taking it but thanks to this forum, know that the wisest thing to do would be to wean off. Tomorrow I see my doctor for my follow up visit and I plan on telling her that I don't want to take this anymore. At my initial visit, she told me how great Lex was because there are no side effects when you come off it. (!!!) So I am wondering if I tell her I dont want to take it anymore if she will tell me to just stop cold turkey or wean.... BUT - what is my best option for weaning? Was on 10mg for 3 weeks, 5 mg for one week... Should I start taking 2.5? And for how long? How long should I wait before stopping completely?? Should I have xanax available in "case of emergency"??


Thanks for any advice!

[mims]

I'm not sure I'm one to be giving much advice since I'm not getting along so well myself.

Since you asked about xanax, I wonder if you might have taken xanax or some type of tranquilizer before you had your first panic attack. The reason I ask is that I know tranq's can trigger panic attacks after coming off them. I know someone who never had a panic attack in her life (age 55) until she had to take a tranquilizer (ativan, I think) for dizziness following a virus, and it triggered really bad panic attacks after she quit. Looking back on my first panic attack many years ago, I know that it happened at a time when I had taken tranquilizers.

It's too bad our doctors don't know much about the side effects of lexapro withdrawal -- since they don't know, it's hard for them to help us.

My personal opinion is that it is better to slowly taper off Lexapro in most cases, but since you felt so bad while you were taking the full 10 mg of Lexapro, not just while withdrawing, I wonder if you should do a quicker taper instead of a slow taper and see how you feel. Since you were only on Lex for 3 weeks, it's less likely you'd have long term problems from a faster taper, even though some of us have had bad experiences after taking lexapro for only a short time.

Some people do take a tranquilizer to help with withdrawals. -- somebody on this board (maybe Erin?) has taken small amounts of klonipin. I'm not certain it was Erin, but I've seen that drug mentioned several times. When you come off any kind of tranquilizer you have to taper off also.

I hope somebody else will come on and offer their advice to you.

Usually, when you taper, you stay at each level until your withdrawal symptoms sort of stabilize, maybe a few weeks, but since you feel terrible on the drug as well as off, you might find it hard to tell when to make the next cut. That's why I said you might be just as well off with a faster taper, since you may feel sick either way. I previously mentioned a doctor's name, Joseph Glenmullen, who has written a book about how to withdrawal from SSRI's. The book was available in our local library, and seems to offer good advice. He also has a website that might be helpful.

It's really helpful to go back and read through alot of these posts on this message board. There's plenty of good advice here if you can take the time to read it.

don't take xanax with Lexapro unless you ask your doctor first.

Try drinking some kefir to help with your gut issues -- It's similar to yogurt, but better, and it's a food, not a drug, so I'm sure it is OK.

Lexapro is hard on the stomach, and changing your lexapro dose changes the serotonin in your gut as well as your brain. Some people have complained of severe vomiting when coming off Lexapro, as well as diarrhea and bad gas, etc.

Since you're going back to your doctor soon, ask about probiotics like culturelle, or Florastor. I take florastor and it really helps keep my gut from getting upset. It's over the counter, not prescription.

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. I can't help thinking that your problems are coming from the drug itself rather than from the reduction in dose, especially since you've only been on it a short while.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by jepd92

Hi all - I have been lurking and browsing thru this forum for the past few weeks and figured it was time to come out. I'm Eileen - 39 year old mom who suffered her first major panic/anxiety attack in August. Dealt with a kidney stone nightmare over the summer, and on my way to getting an xray with the kids in the back seat, had a major attack on the road. Been going thru hell since then with anxiety issues. Tried St Johns, 5-HTP, valerian, etc - all natural ways just weren't helping. Finally went to my doc a month ago and she put me on Lexapro.

Started out on 10mg but by week 3 the side effects (headaches, dizziness, major major anxiety even worse than before, etc) were still pretty bad so I went down to 5mg. So have been taking the 5mg now for about 5 days and I STILL am having side effects. Last night I had abdominal pain and cramping like I have never experienced in my life, wasn't sure if I was having a heart attack or what. Pretty bad, but passed after half hour. Yesterday afternoon I was feeling really good so decided to go get some sushi for lunch. Was sitting at a red light and suddenly felt completely detached from my body, I felt like I was looking out at the world thru a 13 inch screen and everything else around it was completely blurred out. Then felt dizzy, and of course, that made me feel even more anxiety so I headed home where I was ok.

Anyway...I hate this drug. I hate that I have been feeling worse since I have been on it. I want to stop taking it but thanks to this forum, know that the wisest thing to do would be to wean off. Tomorrow I see my doctor for my follow up visit and I plan on telling her that I don't want to take this anymore. At my initial visit, she told me how great Lex was because there are no side effects when you come off it. (!!!) So I am wondering if I tell her I dont want to take it anymore if she will tell me to just stop cold turkey or wean.... BUT - what is my best option for weaning? Was on 10mg for 3 weeks, 5 mg for one week... Should I start taking 2.5? And for how long? How long should I wait before stopping completely?? Should I have xanax available in "case of emergency"??


Thanks for any advice!

YES do cut down to 2.5 mgs for at least a week before stopping the lex. If the problem you are having is panic attacks then, xanax is the most logical benzo choice; short term, low dose of course. Xanax takes 15 to 30 minutes for onset, making it the fastest acting benzo which is what you want when panic hits. If you have never taken xanax before you should start at .25 mgs which is the lowest dose and take at the onset of an attack, it will calm you down but, may make you sleepy. Talk to your doctor about this option. Something else to consider. It is rare for anyone over the age of 24 to develope panic disorder without ever having had panic attacks before. That said, I reccomend that if you have never had a problem with panic in the past that you take a very close look at everything that has been going on in your life around the time the panic started. Even as far back as several months. The current panic may be due to a build up of stress issues. (stress raises cortisol which triggers adrenaline and the "fight or flight" mechanism in the brain) leading to anxiety and panic. If you can isolate what started the panic you will have more success getting it under control. If excessive stress has not been an issue then you should get your thyroid checked. If your TSH levels are off even slightly, it can cause panic attacks. If you have any questions that I can help with just ask...Peace...Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by jca1928

i understand what you your saying about the bipolar it has crossed my mind in the past. but there is one thing here i have to clear up. before i was put on lexapro i was NOT depressed. i went for treatment of ADD. the reason that i wanted to get treated again for ADD was that i was thinking of going back to school. i thought maby it would be a good idea to get screened again due to the fact that i have always had a problem staying focussed. but as fare as the whole depression thing go's before being put on lexapro i cant remeber ever being realy depressed. now having aniety some times yes. but mainly just having trouble focussing on what ever task i mite be doing. my mind like to jump from onr thing to the next. wich i think may have been what caused my anxiety problems. i only seemed to have anxiety when i would be out in large group. reason is that its hard for me to focus on one thing at a time. putting me in a room with lots going on is always a chaleng cause my mind is every ware. though it does have it perks i tend know what going on around me more than most lol. thats why i'm fairly sure now that most of this is probbly withdraw. usauly this time of year i'm in such a great mood. I Love christmas more than any other holyday. but this year i am not feeling up to doing all the things i normaly would. so its kinda hitting me double time you mite say. i have seen some improvent over the last 11 months though. so i just try to tell my self that i'm not as bad as i was before. thanks again for you help erinjk.

This is a problem far more common than many know. The very drugs that we are given to treat one problem can and do cause other problems. Your deppression is probobly a direct result of the lexapro. You seem to have some anxiety so, the doctor gives you lex thinking anxiety is the true probblem when ADD is likely the true issue. It is VERY common for ADD/HD to be accompanied by anxiety though rarely with depression. My oppinion in your case is that you are "chemicaly deppressed" if you read up on the side effects of lexapro you will see that deppression is a side effect! I am afraid that until you get proper treatment (for ADD diagnosis) and get off of lexapro, that the deppression is going to be tough to beat...Unfortunately, as you have found out, your doctor will continue to add new and more med's totreat deppression...If I were you, I would seek a second and possibly even a third oppinion on your diagnosis. Be sure to tell any new doctor your complete history especially the fact that you never suffered deppression before lexapro treatment....Let me know what you decide to do and if I can help further...Good Luck and God bless...Erin

[crazzykat785]

Hi everyone,

I honestly can't believe i haven't had to post anything in a couple of months, i do know the horror that is lexapro withdrawal. I was at the point in which i was ready to take my own life if my brain couldn't sort itself out.

It's beenn around 8 months since i went cold turkey. My first few months were hell, i can't explain but we've all been there i'm sure. But i also had an encounter in which my SSRI's met MAOI's. That left me, vomiting, clenching, crying, sleeping for days at a time, and the worst part was depersonalization i NO idea, who i was or where i was. That has past for the worst, but on days like today it returns and the panic kicks in. The first few weeks of that meant i could not go to the supermarket without vomiting of fear and sweating.
I also had been driving with my mum, who didn't know i had been on these tablets, i said "stop, stop the car, who are you, where am i what..." and i cried and i slept.

I slept in the back of my friends car for 2 days, and in her room for another few, my family would not have understood and i couldn't bear being awake long enough to experience the depersonalization effects for longer than 10 minutes, i had hoped, if i sleep the day away i might wake up okay. If i sleep i won't scare anyone with my thoughts, i won't harm myself.

Other than that, my short term memory, has gone out the window.
For example remembering a specific day i went to the shop. Could have been monday, tuesday or wednesday i honestly could not tell you. And i'm not even sure when i stopped lexapro couldn't even tell you a month.
Strange, but i'll either get better with time or i'll deal with it i guess.


Seriously, if you are so scared about your life right now people understand, i won't even recommend you go to a doctor because they will only put you on something else or tell you to change your routine.(of course you should go if you feel the need too)
Just rest, you need too, tell everyone you know, you need to.
It's as bad as withdrawing from illegal drugs, I found it a LOT worse.
Your brain has been fed this drug for however long, and then it's gone.


Thanks for everyone's support!

[crazzykat785]

I just read a dozen more pages of posts.

If they don't find a way to see if lexapro is going to negatively effect a person before they start taking it, i will probably scream, or at least get this on the news. There are too many people suffering from something the drug company says will make us better, or in some cases worse, but hey, they will just go ahead and take the risk.

Because it isn't them.

[NewWife52]

I am 23 years old and have been on Lexapro and Lorazepam (Ativan) for about 6 months. I got engaged and married, and my parents got divorced all within 8 months, so needless to say I had major anxiety issues going on. I take the lorazepam as needed (usually about 1/2 a pill before bedtime) and am now on Lexapro 5mg one day off the next 5mg one day off....you get the idea. I weaned myself slowly as was advised by my doctor, but I feel like it was to much to soon! Today was my first day with NO Lexapro and for half the day my head felt like I was in a cloud, then later in the evening it felt like a strong hand was pushing on my chest, my pulse was high and I was so hot. These are exactly the same symptoms I had before the medication, so should I stick through it and continue my 5mg on, off, 5mg on, plan? Are these normal withdrawl symptoms??

[Dragonneyes]

Like Jepd, I have been trolling this forum for a few weeks now, as the withdrawal symptoms have hit me full force. Reading your words help me feel like I am not alone, but it also makes me nervous for how long it will take to wean myself off of this drug.

I was only ever on Lexapro for a total of 1.5 months, with my dosage being upped from 5mg to 10mg. Then, when I realized I didn't need or want it anymore, I dropped it back down to 5mg, then 5mg every other day, then 5mg every 4 days. I did this for about a total of 3 weeks.

Now I am definitely experiencing zaps, dizziness, and a killer head/neckache that only goes away with OTC pain medication. My question to you all is: should I just fight through it? Where is the light at the end of the tunnel? Does anyone have averages on how long these withdrawal symptoms last, given how long I was taking the drug?

As a side note, a friend of mine who is a pharmacist mentioned that the drug has a half life of 2 weeks, meaning you metabolize it completely in 2 weeks. However, it is the damage done to your seratonin receptors that causes the withdrawal. He said that most doctors -- especially general practitioners -- don't understand the effects, especially long term.

Hope that helps!

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Dragonneyes

Like Jepd, I have been trolling this forum for a few weeks now, as the withdrawal symptoms have hit me full force. Reading your words help me feel like I am not alone, but it also makes me nervous for how long it will take to wean myself off of this drug.

I was only ever on Lexapro for a total of 1.5 months, with my dosage being upped from 5mg to 10mg. Then, when I realized I didn't need or want it anymore, I dropped it back down to 5mg, then 5mg every other day, then 5mg every 4 days. I did this for about a total of 3 weeks.

Now I am definitely experiencing zaps, dizziness, and a killer head/neckache that only goes away with OTC pain medication. My question to you all is: should I just fight through it? Where is the light at the end of the tunnel? Does anyone have averages on how long these withdrawal symptoms last, given how long I was taking the drug?

As a side note, a friend of mine who is a pharmacist mentioned that the drug has a half life of 2 weeks, meaning you metabolize it completely in 2 weeks. However, it is the damage done to your seratonin receptors that causes the withdrawal. He said that most doctors -- especially general practitioners -- don't understand the effects, especially long term.

Hope that helps!

Hi,

Just wanted to offer a word of warning to those of you doing the 5 Mg of lexapro every other day, or every few days. This could be harmful and is not the correct way to taper. You are putting yourself in a constant state of withdrawal. It would be easier if you slowly weaned off the medication , by taking a smaller dose DAILYand stayed at the lower dose for a minimum of two weeks before tapering again. Skipping days on and off of lexapro can be damgerous as the neurotransmitters are not getting a steady dose of medication required to taper with fewer withdrawls.

In my experience, taking lexapro for 10 days can change the structure in the brain and cause withdrawals after stopping or quickly tapering off, I wonder if that is why Forrest gives out samples of lexapro in a ten day pack??

If you are experiencing amy sort of dizziness, braun zaps, sweating, mania or extreme fatigue then you have tapered way too fast off of the lexapro.

For those of you experiencing the depersonalization. Noni Juice taken thru out the day will take this away. Must take at least four ounces add to a bottle of water and sip thruout the day. The depersonalization will improve dramatically and then go away completely. Depersonalization is also a sign that one has tapered too quickly bit often does not set in till about three months after stopping the lexapro.

Noni Juice has helped many and can be bought at at Vitamin Shop or even at some Walmart's.

Hope all have a Happy Holiday.

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by NewWife52

I am 23 years old and have been on Lexapro and Lorazepam (Ativan) for about 6 months. I got engaged and married, and my parents got divorced all within 8 months, so needless to say I had major anxiety issues going on. I take the lorazepam as needed (usually about 1/2 a pill before bedtime) and am now on Lexapro 5mg one day off the next 5mg one day off....you get the idea. I weaned myself slowly as was advised by my doctor, but I feel like it was to much to soon! Today was my first day with NO Lexapro and for half the day my head felt like I was in a cloud, then later in the evening it felt like a strong hand was pushing on my chest, my pulse was high and I was so hot. These are exactly the same symptoms I had before the medication, so should I stick through it and continue my 5mg on, off, 5mg on, plan? Are these normal withdrawl symptoms??

Hi,

I started this forum a few years ago. How did your doctor wean you off of lexapro, what dose and how did you taper off?

You should not skip days taking lexapro on and off as a way of tapering. What you are experiencing are symptoms people get from going off lexapro cold turkey or tapering way too fast. The symptoms may get worse over the next few weeks with the physical symptoms improving by about week four, usually followed by emotional withdrawls which surface as a "phase two of lexapro withdrawal", often then followed by depersonalization at about month three with a onset of depression which is all withdrawal related. This can go on for a period of 6 to up to 18 months for many.

I can compare the effects of the neurotransmitters in the brain which have been structurally changed by lexapro and require the drug to function. When the drug/lexapro is not "slowly tapered" giving the neurotransmitters a chance to learn the function with lesser amounts of the serotonin uptake function , this can be compared to what happens to somone that may have had a stoke. The brain has to learn to function again. Stopping lexapro quickly is in my opinion, is equivilent to a injury to the brain. The brain usually takes up to 18 months to heal.

In other words what many people experience as lexapro withdrawls is the effects of the brain's neurotransmitters trying to regenerate and learn to function without the chemicals in lexapro. It is not a matter of how quickly lexapr's half life is and when the drug is no longer in the body but rather the effects of the brain trying to repair from strucural changes caused by lexapro. The ZAPS or electrical impulses are a sure sign that this is happening.

I am not a doctor and this is my opimion I have after years of research on lexapro withdrawals.Please check with a physician familiar with SSRI withdrawal.

Hope this makes it a bit clearer to newcomers who are going thru withdrawals.

aunty

aunty

[mims]

I came on board here in August after googling my symptoms and finally getting the answer my doctors could not find. I'm still having strange physical sensations that crop up and send me back to the doctor for more tests that fortunately always turn out negative. So hard to believe recovery takes so long.

How is your daughter?

Thanks for checking in.And thanks for everything you've done to help so many people who have benefitted from your research and advice.

[Stoic]

This is my first post ever on here. I've been anti-drugs the majority of my life (I suffer from tourette syndrome as well and some of those drugs had some pretty psychologically scarring effects on me. Drug free in regard to that, praise God). Ironically enough I'm also an RN (though I don't work as a nurse and hate the profession... I'm a photographer now).

While I was going through nursing school I got to the point where I was at rock bottom and having suicidal thoughts on a daily basis. It took that amount of desperation and misery to get me to take Lexapro. I hate drugs, even for pain, but I desperately wanted to want to live.

That was oh... a year ago? It feels like forever. I honestly don't know when I started taking it. My life has been somewhat of a whirlwind since then.

Lately I've just felt... "wrong". I don't know how to describe it fully. I guess anhedonia would describe it properly. I just don't care about much of anything. I'm apathetic about most things. Sounds and feels a whole heck of a lot like mild depression to me! I'm tired of this junk. Way to fail at your job, Lexapro!

I've been taking 10mg daily. After reading what some of you wrote I think I'm going to taper down to 5mg daily for a week or two and contact my psychiatrist about getting a few more sample packs just to help me taper (I'm running out of pills and don't want to fill another scrip).

I just want to feel again. Even if I feel depressed at first. I want to feel the highs of life too. I might live in relative cyclothymia, but it's better than numbness.

You know the scariest thing? The way I found this site is this: I typed "Wean off of" into Google and the first thing that its predictive text put in the box? ..... "Wean off of Lexapro." Talk about creepy.

I need some success stories here people. How has life been since getting off? I figure I'll dip into depression after I get off, but I'll never be under the kind of stress I was in nursing school again, so I don't mind being depressed once in a while. I want to hear about how your lives have changed. I'm scared but more happy about not having to take that stupid pill every day.

[Dragonneyes]

Aunty, you certainly are extremely helpful -- the odd thing, however, is that the "every other day" method is HOW MY DOCTOR (a psych, not a GP) recommended I taper!

Do you think I should begin taking the Lex every day again, starting back where I left off? I use my brain for a living -- I'm a Ph.D. student! The last thing I want to do is cause permanent damage.

I'm going to call my doctor ASAP tomorrow, but we'll see what he says. I'm not too sure I trust him at this point.

[Stoic]

Originally Posted by Dragonneyes

Aunty, you certainly are extremely helpful -- the odd thing, however, is that the "every other day" method is HOW MY DOCTOR (a psych, not a GP) recommended I taper!

Do you think I should begin taking the Lex every day again, starting back where I left off? I use my brain for a living -- I'm a Ph.D. student! The last thing I want to do is cause permanent damage.

I'm going to call my doctor ASAP tomorrow, but we'll see what he says. I'm not too sure I trust him at this point.

That's odd... Escitalopram's half life is 27-32 hours, which means that by the end of the 2nd day you're already in withdraw. ...sounds like ignorance on his part. I'm an RN, not a doctor, but I know plenty about pharmacokinetics. What he's doing just doesn't seem to make much sense.

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Dragonneyes

Aunty, you certainly are extremely helpful -- the odd thing, however, is that the "every other day" method is HOW MY DOCTOR (a psych, not a GP) recommended I taper!

Do you think I should begin taking the Lex every day again, starting back where I left off? I use my brain for a living -- I'm a Ph.D. student! The last thing I want to do is cause permanent damage.

I'm going to call my doctor ASAP tomorrow, but we'll see what he says. I'm not too sure I trust him at this point.

Hi,

A Psych or a GP..............very few doctors are aware of any withdrawals from SSRI's. After talking to several hundred Lexapro users and years of research, your every other day tapering method will not work. If you are getting dizziness and the brain zaps that is added proof that you are only causing harm by tapering this way.

I am by no means a doctor but from the experience of hundreds that have withdrawn from lexapro................. the best tapering method is: decrease the lexapro dose by no more then 5 to 10% of your current dose and take evry day for two weeks until the withdrawals subside. Then decrease again.

You may want to consider reinstating at the last dose you were taking and see if you stabalize. See what your doctor says but unfortinately ignorant physicians are the reson that there are so many people in distress over lexapro withdrawal.............over a million hits on this forum alone.

Good Luck
aunty

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by mims

I came on board here in August after googling my symptoms and finally getting the answer my doctors could not find. I'm still having strange physical sensations that crop up and send me back to the doctor for more tests that fortunately always turn out negative. So hard to believe recovery takes so long.

How is your daughter?

Thanks for checking in.And thanks for everything you've done to help so many people who have benefitted from your research and advice.

Hi Mims,

My daughter is DOUBLE majoring and double minoring in college and got straight A's in all six subjects/courses on her first college report card. She was #3 in her graduating class of about 500 students in high school. She is also is working part time and still finds time for a social life!! Not bad for a teenager. She is withdrawnat times and depressed............. but I think that is all part of the lexapro withdrawal.

She is still not completely off of lexapro but we had to take breaks from withdrawaling due to finals and other stresses in her life the past six months. She has decreased by 75% of her original dose but depression started setting in and she was reluctant to decrease the lexapro anymore at this time with the hetic schedule at college and the depression she is feeling. We will resume withdrawaling the lexapro once things are less hetic. She will be trying acupuncture for the depression.

Thank you for asking.

aunty

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by mims

I came on board here in August after googling my symptoms and finally getting the answer my doctors could not find. I'm still having strange physical sensations that crop up and send me back to the doctor for more tests that fortunately always turn out negative. So hard to believe recovery takes so long.

How is your daughter?

Thanks for checking in.And thanks for everything you've done to help so many people who have benefitted from your research and advice.

Mims,

I forgot to mention that lexapro is protein bound so if you are doing good and then have a bad spell with withdrawal symptoms.............it could be that the lexapro that was bound to the protein in you body broke loose and is in your system causing a bout of withdrawals. This is very common.

[preza]

Hi auntybiotic, since you are aware of the lexapro withdrawal syndrome, I hope you don't mind reply to my question:

I am on 10mg since August. I will be honest: lexapro helped my anxiety not tremendously but enough but no as good results in intrusive thoughts and OCB.

Now after I explained my condition to my Doctor he advised me to gradually increase it to 20mg or at least to 15mg.

My question is if I increase the dosage to 15mg or 20mg the withdrawal effects will be worse than if I keep it to 10mg?

This is the only reason that I am not increasing the dosage, my fear for worse withdrawal effects.

[mims]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

Mims,

I forgot to mention that lexapro is protein bound so if you are doing good and then have a bad spell with withdrawal symptoms.............it could be that the lexapro that was bound to the protein in you body broke loose and is in your system causing a bout of withdrawals. This is very common.

Thanks, aunty. I wondered why I would have weeks when I felt much better, and just as I would begin to feel optimistic, I'd suddenly get hit with some variation of the same old symptoms, or new ones. So discouraging. When that happens, I find myself questioning if this could really be lexapro withdrawal, and start looking again for other possibilities.

Your daughter is doing so well despite the lexapro issue. I'm glad she is able to "keep going" even through the difficult times. I don't know how she has so much energy. One of the wonders of youth, I guess!

I think alot of college students have depression problems. It's fortunate that you are aware of the hazards of suddenly changing Lexapro dosage, and that you've been able to watch over her as she withdraws from the Lex.

For me, the drug itself caused depressed feelings.
Withdrawal is a nightmare, physically and emotionally. but the feelings of depression, and the exhaustion that brings, were worse on the drug than off.

My worst problem has been the tremor/vibration and myoclonus. (Almost 5 months off Lexapro now.) But in the past couple of weeks, I think the ear noises may be the most annoying problem. In addition to buzzer and zipper noises, etc., in my ear or head at night, now I also have to hear my pulse rhythmically whoosh - whooshing in one ear all day and all night.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by preza

Hi auntybiotic, since you are aware of the lexapro withdrawal syndrome, I hope you don't mind reply to my question:

I am on 10mg since August. I will be honest: lexapro helped my anxiety not tremendously but enough but no as good results in intrusive thoughts and OCB.

Now after I explained my condition to my Doctor he advised me to gradually increase it to 20mg or at least to 15mg.

My question is if I increase the dosage to 15mg or 20mg the withdrawal effects will be worse than if I keep it to 10mg?

This is the only reason that I am not increasing the dosage, my fear for worse withdrawal effects.

Obviously this is a choice that only YOU can make however, I will say this. If this were my decision to make; I would stick with the 10mgs and look at adding a few vitamins and supplements to the daily regimine and see how you feel after a few weeks. The higher the dose of Lex you are on will not neccessarily make any potential withdrawls better or worse but, the higher the dose you take= the longer you must wean to get off of the med. So, if you do go up to 20mgs it will take you twice as long to quit as 10mgs. (if that makes sence). Most important supps in my oppinion (and I learned ALLOT of this from Aunty) is: Fish oils x's 3 daily, good quality multi-vitamin, Calcium/Magnesium with vitamin D supp. Noni juice daily as needed if you get depersonalization (Also, it just plain taste awesome) Passion Flower capsules for anxiety, sleeplessness and relaxation. There are others that may help also. I have found personaly that the Magnesium combo helps allot with the intrusive thoughts and inability to focus. You may want to begin by trying just the magnesium maleate supplement but, do keep in mind that long-term you will need the calcium with vitamin D to balance out the Magnesium...Strange but true, All three work together to synthesize proper absorption etc. I wish you the best of luck! Peace....Erin

[erinkj]

HELLO! it is so very good to cyber- see you..Ha,Ha. It has been a long time. I understand your daughter having to put the taper on hold, I am in the same boat for now. I just finished a semester myself taking 19 credits, plus taking care of my home and family...UGH man that just wipes you out, And, We have to function. I am happy to hear that she is doing well though. She has ALLOT on her plate...God Bless her. I couldn't do it!

Remember Mary? (Ivysphotomom) We keep in touch and talk on the phone a few times a month at least, sometimes more. She is doing SOO much better. Mary has managed to get off of lexapro completely and has been off of it for 2 months at least. She is taking her supplements etc, and improving daily. I am quite proud of her progress...(thought you might like to know)

As for myself, I am doing well enough. My taper is stalled for the moment but, I will drop another 1 to 2 mgs over Christmas break. Anyway, I just wanted to ssay hello and wish you a very Merry Christmas. By the way, how are you doing? You still having knee trouble? Let me know how YOU are o.k.! Peace and Love to you...Erin

[preza]

Thanks a lot Erin.

Edit: btw I read many people with longterm lexapro usage, so couple of years is common.

If I use lexapro that much, after this long time, would I be curred in a way or when I wean off it will be the same old anxiety?

[lov4k9's]

The antidepressantfacts.com site has unfortunately been allowed to expire. Good news, though! The invaluable information provided on that wonderful site has been archived here:


Link for the homepage of the site as of the last date archived (in 2007): http://web.archive.org/web/200710221...antsfacts.com/

Link for Surviving and Adverse Reaction (and Withdrawal) here: http://web.archive.org/web/200710101...m/reaction.htm

Link for Charly's (the man who created the site after a very bad experience with Prozac) experience: http://web.archive.org/web/200801312...rly-Prozac.htm

Link for Pinal Gland http://web.archive.org/web/200201150...inealstory.htm

[mims]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

Mims,

I forgot to mention that lexapro is protein bound so if you are doing good and then have a bad spell with withdrawal symptoms.............it could be that the lexapro that was bound to the protein in you body broke loose and is in your system causing a bout of withdrawals. This is very common.

Aunty, I have one more question to ask you. (Now that you're posting again, you might be bombarded with questions) One of my eyelids is drooping (ptosis). In your Lexapro research, have you found this to be a problem for anyone else? And if so, can I expect it to improve? I think it started several years ago when I used Lexapro for a while, then quit without noticing extreme withdrawals. Didn't notice the droopy eyelid at the time, except that I thought photos of me looked terrible and eyes looked "goofy". Later started back on Lexapro and had the full range of withdrawals, and when I started going to doctors, they noticed the eyelid, too.

I've been tested for myasthenia, Lyme, MS, thyroid, B12, anything that might cause a droopy eyelid, but results are all negative.

Thanks, aunty.

[Nealnineteen79]

Hello.

I'm sorry to hear that she is having a tough time getting off of Lexapro. I have been on 10mg/Day for 3 years and am on day 5 now of no Lexapro, no pills at all. How old is your daughter? I ask because I am 29 years old and I am definitely have withdrawals, but I think because I am older I can cope with them better. If I was like 18-21 going through this it would probably be worse since I was a little less mentally stable then. That's just a guess though.

I have experienced a little moodiness, but mostly a strange feeling that I can only describe as "out of body-like". I'll be sitting still and then move slightly and I feel this big "shift" that isn't coming from my body—but from my head. I think it might be vertigo, although I have never experienced that before, so I'm not sure. This isn't something that bothers me that much, but I can see how it could scare some people and cause them to have anxiety attacks.

I'm just looking towards the future since I know that these feelings will soon go away.

I would say just show her your support and let her know that you care, which you obviously do since you are on here looking for support.

Best of luck, you'll make it through.

[wffir]

I have been going through the same hell with all of you since July.The difference is I am a physician and work with-believe it or not-diseases of the brain (Vascular,not psychiatric).I have all the support and resources in the world to understand and fight this thing,and after months and months of fighting it every which way there is here is what I've learned:
The field of psychiatry is the most underdeveloped branch of medicine.It is basically a ********************shoot,there is a list of drugs and a list of diseases.Nobody knows why,but all drugs are used one way or another for all the diseases,if some ******************** happens nobody can tell if it's the disease or the medication,and all they can do is try another medication to help with the ******************** the first one caused.And by the way it takes months for the good effects to occur but as clearly seen from these postings,it only takes a week or two for the ******************** to happen.In my case I damn near died trying to fight it off without any meds,once your receptors are screwed upyour brain starts reacting inappropriately to all kinds of stimuli: Prilosec and Pepcid which I have taken a zillion times before w/o a problem caused me to lose all feeling (anhydonia),and not be able to remember anything for 5 days until I realized what was going on,once my brain was screwed up by lexapro (took it for 6 weeks at 5mg-10mg and tapered off in 2 weeks cause I couldn't stand the side effects,things went awry 5 weeks later).
Nobody other than the people on this site will understand you or believe you,my colleagues are the most obtuse people who claim this drug is the best thing since sliced bread and has no side effects or addiction potential.
If you have the luxury to take time off for weeks or months,by all means do that,but if you cannot,do realize that you are in serious trouble,suicide is not the only cause of death related to depression and anxiety,God knows how many heart attacks and cancers and accidents are happenning because of this evil that all of us know!So whatever takes you out of the state you're in is the best thing right now.If that's another antidepressant so be it.None of them seem to be as hard as lexapro to come off of.In my case,wellbutrin 300mg XL did the trick.
Beware of benzodiazepins (Clonopin,Xanax,Ativan).I took these as sleep aids without realizing what they do!Especially clonopin.It is longer acting,so the withdrawal occurs a couple of days after taking just one pill.It makes you weepy,anxious and suicidally depressed.Yes weepiness,which prompts doctors to immediately prescribe antidepressants is another form of anxiety that in some cases is directly related to the use of these very same drugs.
All in all,I have been in contact with so many people that have been through this and learned that this probably is the most common chronic disease out there and probably the deadliest (if you take into consideration stress related diseases that are 10 times more common in this population),if you hang in there long enough (most cases 6 months or so) it gets better in 90% of patients on it's own and whatever gets you through that tough time is OK to take as long as it's not alcohol or some other narcotic.Do not forget that mortality and morbidity from depression and anxiety disorders-including caused by lexapro- is greater than 10%.Other antidepressants maybe easier to get on and off of and trust me it's not like you are a junkie or defeated if you have to take them and they are working for you.
By the way,we all know what this *********************************** pill does to us,but there is no way to prove it with any tests such as MRI or EEG.One of these days,if I survive that long,I will start imaging peoples brains before and after lexapro to see who gets better and who gets screwed and how.Everybody in this site is more then wellcome to participate-I hope we can help people and also sue
the SOBS who put us into this position one day...Good luck and don't forget THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THAT TUNNEL

[mims]

I had a nice Christmas gift -- the tremors and muscle jerks & twitches settled down to a much lower level despite the stress of Christmas shopping , cooking, having company for Christmas dinner and overnight, etc. Usually stress makes matters so much worse for me, so maybe this is a good sign that the 6- month mark will be a turning point. Even the ear noises improved over the past couple of days.

However, I have been really disorganized, having trouble making even the smallest decisions, and impulsively having weird comments to make. When I do that (say something stupid) it sort of sends me into a depression when I realize that I have said the wrong thing. I think this gets alot worse with stress or lack of sleep -- I find myself saying things that a child with attention deficit disorder might say. You know, impulsively blurting out inappropriate things -- nothing really terrible, but just comments that are out of character for me and potentially offensive. It's embarrassing and I'm sure other people think I'm rude or silly sometimes. Does anyone else have this problem? I keep worrying about whether I might be getting Alzheimers disease.

Anyway, the improvement in the physical symptoms has been a relief, and I'm grateful for that. More company coming tonight!

Hope you're all enjoying happy holidays.

[mims]

Were you able to get off the Wellbutrin, or are you still taking it?

I looked back at your previous posts, also, and I see that you had a pretty long Lag time between stopping Lexapro and developing the withdrawal illness -- 4 weeks? I think that probably happens to alot of people who, because of the delay, never figure out that their health problems are a result of Lexapro. Especially if they just had flu-like symptoms for a week or two. That may be the reason doctors fail to diagnose withdrawal illness, and it's probably why these drugs have a reputation of being "clean". My problems started about a week after stopping Lexapro, and I still didn't make the connection until I googled my symptoms and found the info I needed.

I've gotten the feeling that some doctors don't take you seriously once they find out you've been on psych drugs, regardless of the reason they were prescribed.

Also, someone close to me (in my family), who knew I was having neurological problems and seeing a neurologist, used to call regularly to ask how I was doing. After I told her that I thought the problem may have come from taking an antidepressant, she never inquired about my health again. Can you believe that? I guess she no longer thought it was important or real, even though I was still very ill.

[jenthebod]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone could tell me about any vitamins that helped them feel better? Depersonalization is a big problem for me, so I am literally about to leave to go get Noni Juice (Thanks Aunty!) but was wondering if there was anything else that helped anyone just stay more calm, give a little energy boost, anything? Also, any vitamins to stay away from(you never know with Lex)? I would say at this point depersonalization is my biggest challenge, but since I am FINALLY!!! thinking with a clear head after getting Lexapro out of me, it's much easier to deal with. I hope everyone's well!

[wffir]

My previous postings were at the beginning of taking wellbutrin.These were the toughest times for me and trust me I would not put another antidepressant in my mouth if I did not have to.As I said at the time,I was damn near death.I couldn't eat or sleep,couldn't take antacid meds like prilosec or pepcid because of their side effects on depressed brain and had to do something to survive. I have stabilized around thanksgiving and do not have it in me to fight another fight and try to get off of the wellbutrin right now.Accordingly it is recommended to stay on these things 6m to a year if they are working...We'll see about that.I am not going to recommend anybody to take other pills after what I've been through,but it did get me off the hook at an important point in my life and so far saved my life.I was telling everyone around me everything until 2 months ago,when I realized all I'm doing is hurting myself and I'm not gaining anything by it.So if things get rough,I suck it up.When somebody asks,I tell them I'm doing great and that's it.The one advantage of depression and anxiety is unless you lose control,the people around you don't have a clue...So I learned to use that instead of anouncing to the world what I have...Good luck to all of us...