[rujoking]

Originally Posted by mims

Haven't heard from you lately -- how are you?

I'm here mims - I have been busy with lots of family stuff these past weeks - I am managing but some days it is hard.

I am still struggling with back pain and some anxiety issues, I wonder if that is how it will be for me now - some days are better than others and I know all the stimulation with my family is fueling the fire. Those are really the worst of my lingering symptoms so I am thinking about CBT and finding some ways to manage the anxiety which may help my back and chest tightness it is a source of constant tension

- I have to acknowledge that some of this could be menopause stuff that I never had to deal with before. I am officially one year and 2 weeks off all meds so that feels good! Issues that have been resolved or nearly resolved:

Depersonalization - gone
hypoglycemic feelings - gone
insomnia- gone
itching - gone
skin issues - still having lots of dryness
back pain - still present and worse with stress
dizziness - gone
vision problems - gone
internal shaking - mild in the am/worse with stress
chest tightness - present under stress
breathing issues - gone
motivation/anhedonia - much better
headaches/zaps - no zaps occasional headaches
muscle twitches - gone

I can't think of anything more at the moment -

I never had the weight issue many of you struggle with but I do believe that once the autonomic nervous system regulates it will be easier for you. I know this can take a long time - keep the faith people this is a very scary experience. At this time last year I thought I was damaged beyond repair - I hope in another months I can report that things are even better!

ruj

[mims]

ruj,

Glad you're holding on to most of your improvements, and I hope the back and chest tightness clears up soon. I wake up with anxiety and some depression, too, along with the vibrations, which have improved, but still annoying. My vision is worrying me more than anything right now; don't know how much of it is related to lexapro. Breathing problems still happen, but not as severe. I wake up dead tired in the mornings, but improve as the day goes on. Still having some trouble sleeping, but some nights I sleep through til morning. I'm always amazed when that happens. Muscle twitches are minor, headaches are better.

So, overall, much better in terms of physical symptoms. Still spending way too much time at home.

There's something about reaching that one-year mark that feels great! I'll be there in a couple of weeks! Surely the worst of the lexapro illness is behind us now.

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by Pugcrazy

Hi babybottom. Thx for your words of support. It may sound crazy bit right now I feel really good but who knows how I will be in a couple of hours. I have been off the lexapro cold turkey since may 15th of tthis year so more than 6 weeks. As for the weight loss I gained about 40 pds on lexapro and since going off I am down about 10 pds. After stopping the lexapro I noticed I did not have that bloated feeling anymore so I am sure that some of the weight loss is due to my body ridding of the excess water it held on to from the lexapro. I have a decreased appetite since coming off lex and have been dieting and exercising. It really bothers me that I went on lexapro after my doctor assures me that lexapro would not cause weight gain. I guess he did not know much about this med after all. Please keep posting the posts are very encouraging to me!!!!!!!!
Pugcrazy

we must have the same doctor as he told me the same exact thing after I asked him. I lost 35 lbs by eating better, exercising and after getting on Lexapro, I gained it all back and then some!

[emmalyn]

Hi everyone. I've been reading a lot of these posts for a while now. Here's my story:

I've been on Lexapro for almost 4 years now (10 mg). I was an overdramatic kid who was really bad at relationships (screaming, yelling, ridiculously jealous and irrational), and overall was just down a lot. I'm not quite sure if I was exactly "depressed", but I went to the health clinic on campus and the doctor was quick to prescribe a "new drug called Lexapro." At the time, I was young and thought "cool, a drug? sweet give it to me!" No research, no nothing. Now I totally regret it.

A little while ago I decided to taper off. I cut back to 5 mg everyday for a month. Then I cut back to 2.5 which only lasted two days...when I cut back to 5 mg I had no symptoms of feeling like ********. But the minute i went down to 2.5, I started getting the zaps. So I called my primary care physician who told me to just stop taking it altogether and that I should feel fine in a week. I knew that was bs, but I figured why not, I know I"m gonna feel like ******** anyway, might as well just get it done and over with. After about 3 or 4 days with no lex at all, I was STRUGGLING. I got really depressed (which is probably a combination of withdrawal and breaking up w/ my long term boyfriend), non stop crying, INSANE brain zaps, dizziness, nausea, gagging, dry mouth, headaches, fatigue, lethargy, oh man, you name it I had it. So after putting up with all that for two days, I decided I couldn't handle it anymore. I was having suicidal thoughts and that was ridiculous. I went back to taking 5 mg and the next day I felt better. Its now been a week since being back on, and I feel back to how I was before - which is content. Not really happy, but not really sad either. Just content. Which is what lex does to a lot of ppl.

I made an appt w/ a new psychiatrist tomorrow and I"m gonna talk to him about getting off again, but of course, much slower this time. But at the same time, I'm really scared cause I don't want to feel like that again. And what if I really DO need it and am just setting myself up for failure by trying to come off again?I kind of feel like I could be ok with just taking this low dose of 5 mg everyday, but like many of you, I just don't want to be on any SSRIs anymore, ever, plain and simple. Plus, I want a family one day and I don't want to risk my kids' health.

It's weird how when I went from 10 to 5, I felt fine. But when I went from 5 to 2.5, I started feeling weird. Anyone know why?

Anyway, thanks for reading this far if you have. I know this was really long.

[emmalyn]

Wanted to ask one more thing:

I heard that switching to Prozac and then tapering off is not as bad as tapering off Lexapro. I know everyone reacts differently to each med, but I was thinking about mentioning this method to my doc tomorrow and see what he thinks. I just dont want to have to regret that decision either. Ugh! This is sooo annoying! Being on this pill is ALL I think about now and I hate it!!

[rujoking]

emma - the lower you go in dosage is usually the roughest part of w/d - you also tapered waaayyyyyy too fast.....a ten percent reduction every few weeks is about right -

If you go on prozac you will still need to go thru w/d - some say it is easier but it wan't for me...
don't expect your doc or the psych to know anything about w/d by the way - most have no clue how tough it can be

look back on this site for better tapering advice - good luck!

ruj

[emmalyn]

Originally Posted by rujoking

emma - the lower you go in dosage is usually the roughest part of w/d - you also tapered waaayyyyyy too fast.....a ten percent reduction every few weeks is about right -

If you go on prozac you will still need to go thru w/d - some say it is easier but it wan't for me...
don't expect your doc or the psych to know anything about w/d by the way - most have no clue how tough it can be

look back on this site for better tapering advice - good luck!

ruj

Yeah I dont expect my doc to know anything or understand what I've been going through. I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt, but if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. I'll just find someone else!

[Pugcrazy]

Aeroman I was wondering I was reading some posts and I noticed aunty emailed you info o
n amino acids and how certain ones would stabilze rh withdrawals in 8 - 10 weeks. I was wondering if this info helped you and if it did would you be able to pass it on to me. Any help would be wonderful. Thx
pugcrazy
Pugcrazuk

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by Pugcrazy

Aeroman I was wondering I was reading some posts and I noticed aunty emailed you info o
n amino acids and how certain ones would stabilze rh withdrawals in 8 - 10 weeks. I was wondering if this info helped you and if it did would you be able to pass it on to me. Any help would be wonderful. Thx
pugcrazy
Pugcrazuk

Hi Pugs, she contacted me and I responded but I haven't heard from her. Sure, I will share it with anyone!

[Pugcrazy]

Aeroman thx for the quick response. I will keep watching and reading. Thx for sharing!
Pugcrazy

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by Pugcrazy

Aeroman thx for the quick response. I will keep watching and reading. Thx for sharing!
Pugcrazy

Of course! I know this Lexapro w/d sucks! We will come out of this eventually. I know how hard it is not to feel like "you"...the real "you", wishing your old self was back before SSRI, anxiety, and/or depression.

[dizzydude]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

Does anyone have any experience from withdrawaing from Lexapro 20 Mg for one and a half years?? My daughter is having a tough time tapering off lexapro.
She is getting sweats, anxiety, moodieness and manic like actions.

Let me know if anyone has sucessfully weaned off a SSRI and what happened along the way.
Thanks

Hi aunty b and all lexapro withdrawers,

I'm new to the discussion board on drugs.com. I've been experiencing debilitating withdrawal symptoms after coming off lexapro. I was on 20 mg for about 2 yrs and went down to 10mg about 4months ago. I stopped taking it cold turkey about 3 weeks ago. I also weaned off of 20mg of valium.

The side effects are so real...dizziness, brain zapps, insomnia, headaches, memory loss, sweating, joint pain, restless leg syndrome, irritabilty, vivid nightmares. Like I said it has been almost 3 weeks and these sidfe effects aren't going away??? I have read a lot of peoples testimonies and it is scary to see how real this is. I told my gpdoc about my symptoms and he was ready to launch me on 10mg tablets of lex again...I filled the script, took it for 2 days and finally flushed them down the toilet. I don't want to be on a drug this powerful.

I've read so many posts (which have been very helpful) but it's making me dizzy as there seems to be no closure for a lot of people. Any suggestions, feedback and support would be great.

God bless

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by dizzydude

Hi aunty b and all lexapro withdrawers,

I'm new to the discussion board on drugs.com. I've been experiencing debilitating withdrawal symptoms after coming off lexapro. I was on 20 mg for about 2 yrs and went down to 10mg about 4months ago. I stopped taking it cold turkey about 3 weeks ago. I also weaned off of 20mg of valium.

The side effects are so real...dizziness, brain zapps, insomnia, headaches, memory loss, sweating, joint pain, restless leg syndrome, irritabilty, vivid nightmares. Like I said it has been almost 3 weeks and these sidfe effects aren't going away??? I have read a lot of peoples testimonies and it is scary to see how real this is. I told my gpdoc about my symptoms and he was ready to launch me on 10mg tablets of lex again...I filled the script, took it for 2 days and finally flushed them down the toilet. I don't want to be on a drug this powerful.

I've read so many posts (which have been very helpful) but it's making me dizzy as there seems to be no closure for a lot of people. Any suggestions, feedback and support would be great.

God bless

My friend, know this isn't "you". It is classical symptoms of Lexapro W/D.

A question for you:

At what dosage did you feel "ok" and stable?


You tapered too fast as you have probably noticed. In fact, the Lexapro insert states never to cold turkey (and you have found out why).


The first thing you need to do is get back on the dose to where you felt ok (stable). Then, hang on there for 3-6 weeks. Around that time, taper 10% off of that dose every 3-6 weeks until you get to 0. Yes it may take a long time but you will at least keep your good quality of life.

Good luck,

Aeroman

[Araminta]

Hi all,

My doctor wants to put me on Lexapro. After having researched what people who've taken it have to say about it, especially how hard it is to get off of, I'm so not interested. I've been trying to tell my husband what "brain zaps" are, based on all I've read. He's read a lot of the same posts that I have, but somehow he doesn't seem to have read a good description of what a "brain Zap" actually is. I've gathered that it feels like an electrical shock going through ones brain. Is that about right? If someone feels like providing me with a more thorough description of this, please do.

Thanks,

Ara

[Pugcrazy]

Hi ARA, I never really had brain zapa that bad. To me the zaps felt like my brain was actually shaking when I closed my eyes. It was worse for me when I tried to fall asleep at night. I also would get involuntary movement of my legs when I was laying on my side in bed. It was like my leg would just bounce one time before I was drifting off and make me wide awake and unable to fall asleep. For me was on on a streak lately where I was very irritable and just nasty. Today was the first time I felt real good in a long time. Today looked bright for me instead of gloomy. But of course with the good comes the bad I got very fatigue early this evening and fell asleep way to early and am now wide awake. The past two weeks I was sleeping great. Well I would rahter be in a good mood and tired than wide awake and irritable. Now I just need to get motivation back. Of I were you I would research many of the beginning pages of this thread and you will find some great info on supplements that may help you. I just had one of those leg twitches while I was writing this. I tell you those withdrawals seem to continue to pop up from no where!!!
Pug

[mims]

Originally Posted by Araminta

Hi all,

My doctor wants to put me on Lexapro. After having researched what people who've taken it have to say about it, especially how hard it is to get off of, I'm so not interested. I've been trying to tell my husband what "brain zaps" are, based on all I've read. He's read a lot of the same posts that I have, but somehow he doesn't seem to have read a good description of what a "brain Zap" actually is. I've gathered that it feels like an electrical shock going through ones brain. Is that about right? If someone feels like providing me with a more thorough description of this, please do.

Thanks,

Ara

hi, Ara!

I initially thought of the zaps as a feeling of blood rushing into my head. Since it happened as I was falling asleep, it was hard to really know what was happening. It does feel sort of like a surge of electricity into your head. some people have them only when they turn their head. Mine was almost always as I was going to sleep, or very relaxed. Sometimes, there was a flash of light at the same instant, and/or a sudden pain in another part of the body. It was surprising, frightening, but usually not painful, except briefly on some occasions.

There were zaps in other parts of my body also. I think it's some kind of an electrical sensation that travels through a nerve, and through the brain, due to changes in neurotransmitter levels. (That's my personal theory, not a medically-educated opinion)

The brain zaps were not fun, but that was not the worst of it for me. Internal vibrations, and choking feelings , sleep apnea, those have been the worst. Pretty bad headaches for awhile, too.

Some people get the zaps while taking the meds, other people get them only when they quit.

[Pugcrazy]

Mims I agree the zaps we'd always when I was relaxed or going to sleep. Those we not the worst for me. For me is the anger, irritability, fatigue and lack of motivation are the absolute worst. I thought my motivation was coming back bit the last few days all I want to do is sleep! Well I guess this will pass eventually. The sleep apnea an throat closing sounds horrible and very scary. Are things improving for you?
-pug

[mims]

Hi -- Yes, the most of my physical symptoms are getting better. I still have internal vibrations, but not as intense as before. I'm still aware of some throat/breathing problems when falling asleep, but it has definitely improved. Some nights I still wake up at 3 AM, but it used to be every night. I don't jerk and twitch when falling asleep nearly as much as I did a few months ago. Needle-like pains are much less frequent. Headaches are rare, Still have vision problems, but light flashes are better.

I still have low energy, and some anxiety and depression, but I'm beginning to feel like I want to do things, so I think I'm beginning to feel the return of some motivation; I used to just accept the fact that it seemed normal to sit around doing nothing because I felt so bad. There are changes I need to and want to make, but I've become accustomed to being a slug, and my personal and social relationships have suffered. So that creates some anxiety for me.

When I have flare-ups of my physical symptoms, I seem to recover faster than I did a few months ago.

[Pugcrazy]

Hi Mims I started to reply and then I hit a button and lost the reply it will probably show up later. But I was saying that the lack of motivation is just horrible. I got up at 9am and literally took me hours to get moving. Thank God my kids sleep late and it is summer vacation. I got up at 9am but not get moving until about 11:30 am. I was sitting on the couch this afternoon and actually started to doze and had a bout of the leg twitches and RLS. Just a gross feeling. I feel so LAZY but that is not it all. I literally just cannot get started. Some days are so much better than others. But then my irritablility sets in when I cant get moving and then I am a mess. Right now I am wide awake but I really have to start to settle down so I can fall asleep. I cant take anything to help me fall asleep such as benadryl because it knocks me out way to long and when I wake from a benadryl sleep the lack of motivation is a million times worse. So again I take it day by day.
My next question I just want to see if everyone agrees I am taking the right amount of supplements.
Omega's one pill in the am and one in the pm (1000 mg each)
Magnesium and calicum one pill in the am and one in the pm
5 htp one pill in the am and one pill in the pm
I have read about the Vit Bs and those are just not for me at this time.
Do you think I should increase the omega, Mag/ca/ and HTP to 3 times a day?
Also should I add a multivitamin. I also did a 2 week liver cleanse to get my metabolism in check and help speed the lexapro out. I am not sure if it helped but anything is worth a shot at this point.
THX PUG

[mims]

I do take supplements, but I don't feel qualified to make any recommendations, except to say that you should make sure your omega/fish oil is good-quality name brand, free of heavy metals. I have switched from Carlson, which is a good one, but gave me fishy burps, to nordic naturals lemon ultimate omega - no fishy taste or smell. I've been told that magnesium glycinate is the best mag, since it doesn't cause diarrhea, but I use slow-mag brand, which seems to be OK.

A multi-vitamin might be a good idea, but probably the most important thing is to eat well and get plenty of exercise.

I have no idea if 5HTP is OK - I looked at online info and couldn't decide about it, so I never did try it.

just a word of encouragement - for me, the anger and irritability settled down alot after the first month or two. For a while, every little frustration would set me off.

[Pugcrazy]

Thanks mims for the advice. Now today feels like a good day as far as irritability. Each day seems to be getting better. I have been off Lexapro since May 17th so I am coming up on the 2 month mark soon. I have been reading old posts on this forum and found most people felt completely better at the 6 month mark. So 1/3 of the way there for me. I feel so much better than I did in May when I look back I cant beleive how awful I felt. I still cant believe how awful I felt on the lexapro and did not realize it until I was off. That is crazy it actually sounds like an old Vincent Price horror film that I was the star of. And this is all from a med that was supposed to help me.
pug

[pussycatdolls]

Hi everyone - i love this site.
i have a question.
i have had some ocd and anxiety for 10 years. it was pretty much in control and i was doing so well.
then i had my baby. my Ty i got very ill in the hospital and thought i was basically going to die. within one week - i was very very depressed and crying all of the time. i told my ob - he prescribed lexpro. 30 ml... two weeks after that - i was hysterical all the time and started having irrational thoughts- then thoughts of harming myself and my son - and then everyone around me! (i can't even bring myself to think about it.) i developed postpartum psychosis. put myself in the hospital for 4 days inpatient - and then outpatient for 5 days. got on RISPERDAL too. within about 12 months or so, i got off RISPERDAL but stayed on LEXAPRO. my ocd got much worse throughout this period of time - and all of the checking, counting, repeating got worse and turned religious. (i am a christian) and i had horrible phrases running through my head about God, etc... long story short...
i have been off RISPERDAL for 8 months (thank God for that) and some holistic supplements.

but - i went from 30ml to 20ml about 2 months ago. felt good still - no withdrawls at all. still have major OCD though...

went from 20ml to 10 ml about 2 weeks ago... still no withdrawls.

BUT - my OCD HAS GOTTEN ABOUT 75% BETTER WITHOUT LEXAPRO...
and my harming other people/myself thoughts have decreased by about 90%!

so i am confused. has anyone else experienced this?
i am thinking that i was going through severe baby blues, or postpartum depression - NOT PCYCHOSIS - but then after going on LEXAPRO - that caused me to develop the PCYCHOSIS and worsen my OCD?

thanks for reading...
God bless you all

[rujoking]

Originally Posted by **********catdolls

Hi everyone - i love this site.
i have a question.
i have had some ocd and anxiety for 10 years. it was pretty much in control and i was doing so well.
then i had my baby. my Ty i got very ill in the hospital and thought i was basically going to die. within one week - i was very very depressed and crying all of the time. i told my ob - he prescribed lexpro. 30 ml... two weeks after that - i was hysterical all the time and started having irrational thoughts- then thoughts of harming myself and my son - and then everyone around me! (i can't even bring myself to think about it.) i developed postpartum psychosis. put myself in the hospital for 4 days inpatient - and then outpatient for 5 days. got on RISPERDAL too. within about 12 months or so, i got off RISPERDAL but stayed on LEXAPRO. my ocd got much worse throughout this period of time - and all of the checking, counting, repeating got worse and turned religious. (i am a christian) and i had horrible phrases running through my head about God, etc... long story short...
i have been off RISPERDAL for 8 months (thank God for that) and some holistic supplements.

but - i went from 30ml to 20ml about 2 months ago. felt good still - no withdrawls at all. still have major OCD though...

went from 20ml to 10 ml about 2 weeks ago... still no withdrawls.

BUT - my OCD HAS GOTTEN ABOUT 75% BETTER WITHOUT LEXAPRO...
and my harming other people/myself thoughts have decreased by about 90%!

so i am confused. has anyone else experienced this?
i am thinking that i was going through severe baby blues, or postpartum depression - NOT PCYCHOSIS - but then after going on LEXAPRO - that caused me to develop the PCYCHOSIS and worsen my OCD?

thanks for reading...
God bless you all

sad but true - psych drugs can certainly do this...

google Amy Phillo zoloft and read her story - also Time Magazine has an article about this and the Mother's Act - a group that wants all mother's to be screened for depression and possibly put on meds before pregnancy - Amy is leading the charge AGAINST such a horrible cause.

ruj

[Pugcrazy]

**********catdolls I gott a tell you after I delivered my first my baby I developed post partum depression. You can find my story a ways back in a post but I thought some crazy thoughts about death in regards to me and my baby. I would of NEVER hurt him but it was these thoughts and imagines that would just enter my mind. I felt like such a loser. I was to embarrassed and afraid if I told someone they would think I was uncapable of taking care of my child. Those were some low times in life. When I did tell my MD I was depressed she just through some paxil my way and never even thought of offering me to see a therapist. That was the beginning of my 10 year ordeal with SSRI's. Right now I have been off lexapro since May 17th and really feel great. I am not against antidepressants because they really help people and did help me too. I just wish I went the route of therapy before jumping into an SSRI than I could not withdraw off of so easy. And to answer your question I think you had the severe baby blues like me not pcychosis. I am no way an expert but it sounds to me like lexapro certainly can worsen your OCD and increase your thoughts in regard to harming yourself. I think if you look around this forum at many of the posts you will find proof in your theory. I tell you off of lexapro I feel so alive and HAPPY not in a fog like I was on lexapro. On lexapro I was so withdrawn, non-emotional, and un-loving. I am really surprised my husband stayed around. I was also extremely insecure. I will say that part of the worst parts of my withdrawals on lexapro is my anger and irritability but the days are getting better as they will for you.
pug

[babybottom]

Originally Posted by mims

hi, Ara!

I initially thought of the zaps as a feeling of blood rushing into my head. Since it happened as I was falling asleep, it was hard to really know what was happening. It does feel sort of like a surge of electricity into your head. some people have them only when they turn their head. Mine was almost always as I was going to sleep, or very relaxed. Sometimes, there was a flash of light at the same instant, and/or a sudden pain in another part of the body. It was surprising, frightening, but usually not painful, except briefly on some occasions.

There were zaps in other parts of my body also. I think it's some kind of an electrical sensation that travels through a nerve, and through the brain, due to changes in neurotransmitter levels. (That's my personal theory, not a medically-educated opinion)

The brain zaps were not fun, but that was not the worst of it for me. Internal vibrations, and choking feelings , sleep apnea, those have been the worst. Pretty bad headaches for awhile, too.

Some people get the zaps while taking the meds, other people get them only when they quit.

I remember getting those zaps before I withdrawled.I remember thinking it looked like a camera flash and a loud bang or a boom in my head while I was trying to fall asleep.I think that is usually when I got them.I didn't associate those to brain zaps until you said , "flashing lights", like a camera.I would get a freezing cold sensation that would run through the sides of my cheeks, mostly felt like the inside of my cheek.I still get that and don't know why.

[mims]

For me there was usually a brief sensation of electricity or a pulse sensation along with the flash.

Did you know there's actually a condition called exploding head syndrome -- (google that). Comes with a flash and a noise as you fall asleep - not sure that's what I experienced, but it must be similar. I have had other zap sensations without the flash and/or noise, also.

And my ice-cold chills were up and down my sides/ ribcage, -- you've had those in your cheeks? My chills have gone away - hope they don't return when the weather turns cool.

Some people have described brain zaps as a computer reboot; I guess it seems like the brain blanks out for an instant and then reboots.

Such strange things have happened to us.

[babybottom]

some things I experienced or experience i'm not sure if they are related to withdrawal or just my aging 35yr old body.Some friends say oh, everything is related to your age.I have a friend, the one who tells me it's my age causing problems who's been on all different types of antidepressants for ten or more yrs.She'll never stop she just keeps adding things to help her and sleeping pills which is fine temporarily but she is so adiment about staying on these drugs for the rest of her life.That sounds depressing.When I have talked about what I had been going through she kind of looked down on me and my choice not to use lexapro anymore.She tells me to get another one.I kind of lost my point along the way, just ranting about stupid stuff.I never knew what was my body and what was lexapro.I would think that people who are on these drugs would be more understanding about what can happen, no they aren't.The other night while trying to fall asleep I did one of the biggest body jerks, I practically lifted off the bed.OOOH, fun!Still trying to lose weight.No luck!I'm glad your doing pretty good mims.

[ElizabethAnn]

I started taking Lexapro in 2002 when it was new. It worked great for quite a while, but then not so good, and the weight gain. I decided to take a very long time withdrawing, six months. I first went from 10 mg. to 7 1/2 mg. Yes, I cut the tablets. After a couple or three months, I went to 5, then later, cut the 5 in half, was at 2 1/2 for a long while. When I quit that, I had so hard of a time with headaches, zaps, etc. I couldn't cut the pills anymore. I did a bit of research, and found that Lexapro comes in a liquid. My doctor said it didn't, the pharmacy said no, but I knew I was right. So....the pharmacy found it was true and told the doctor's office. It was ordered in for me. The pharmacy gave me one of those cc measurement things that look like a shot, kind of like how you measure children's liquid medicine. It worked great. I could go down to one mg, half mg, and the withdrawal was a lot easier. When I would get the headaches, I would chew about three magnesium tablets and that would help the pain, of course I also took some advil, but advil didn't really help the headaches all that well. I did this slowly as you can see, and my main point is that the liquid lexapro made a huge difference in my experience. I wish you all luck, it can be done. I know it's scary to go through all of this to get off a drug. I did it, and I'm a big baby at times!

[ElizabethAnn]

Your name says it all! I thought I'd send you a link of a pic of my pug, "Raven". I love pugs to, have been raising them for years. They are too sweet!

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL444.../115729922.jpg

[mims]

The information you posted will be helpful to many people; So many come to this site looking for advice on how to taper for a successful withdrawal. Thanks so much!

There might be some reasons not to take much advil with lexapro - not only stomach issues, but also drug interactions, so people who have headaches should ask their pharmacist or doctor about that before taking advil. (I did it at very low doses without running into trouble.)

mims