[vestabula]

Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. I admire anyone that has to go to a job everyday with these symptoms. I'm an 'old broad...LOL', 63, and my heart goes out to those who have to do the most rudementary tasks while zapping, swishing, staggering and crying as they try to make a living. My daughter in law is a medical malpractice attorney. I am so tempted to ask her if it is possible to initiate a class action lawsuit against this company...even knowing that Lexapro (and other SSRI's) has been a life saver for some during their darkest hour. But we are not informed of these horrible withdrawal effects sufficiently when they are prescribed for us. I have fibro, Meniere's Disease, two herniated discs, spinal stenosis, anxiety/panic disorder and RLS, and on my worst day I have NEVER felt this hopeless and non functional. I'm afraid to blink my eyes to squeeze away the tears. ZAP!

Thank you again and sorry to be such a downer at the moment. I would just like to be able to bend over and pick up my grand daughter.

Donna

[rujoking]

Originally Posted by vestabula

Actually, I got the Lexapro as free samples from my Rhuemy who is a family friend. I don't have health insurance and I am sure he believed helping me without the cost was beneficial. At the end...I took the 10mg pill and cut it up into the smallest pieces I could and did that for about two weeks...that's what I meant about 'licking the powder in the bottom of the box' which sounds ridiculous but I truely thought I couldn't get a smaller dosage than that! Also, about two months ago I started taking 2.5mgs every other day and that's when the zaps started...so missing a day or two a week didn't help...kept on taking 2.5 mgs then cut that in half for two weeks. I called my pharmacist yesterday and asked if there was anything I could take for the zaps. She said "OMG...I have been trying to get off this drug for six months and have had to finally give in a take it because I can't do my job with the brain shivers." She mentioned benadryl but I don't want to take anything else that makes me sleep all day. I take 5mgs of valium at night for Restless Leg Syndrome...which I also read helps with lexapro withdrawal but hasn't seemed to affect me. BTW..she also told me that since being on this drug herself she has done some research and the withdrawal is as bad as or worse than cocaine withdrawal!

I am a writer by profession and can't seem to complete a sentence...since starting taking it and withdrawing from it. Thanls for the vitamin B warning. I won't take anymore of that. ZAP!

Originally Posted by vestabula

Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. I admire anyone that has to go to a job everyday with these symptoms. I'm an 'old broad...LOL', 63, and my heart goes out to those who have to do the most rudementary tasks while zapping, swishing, staggering and crying as they try to make a living. My daughter in law is a medical malpractice attorney. I am so tempted to ask her if it is possible to initiate a class action lawsuit against this company...even knowing that Lexapro (and other SSRI's) has been a life saver for some during their darkest hour. But we are not informed of these horrible withdrawal effects sufficiently when they are prescribed for us. I have fibro, Meniere's Disease, two herniated discs, spinal stenosis, anxiety/panic disorder and RLS, and on my worst day I have NEVER felt this hopeless and non functional. I'm afraid to blink my eyes to squeeze away the tears. ZAP!

Thank you again and sorry to be such a downer at the moment. I would just like to be able to bend over and pick up my grand daughter.

Donna

your an "old broad"???? I am 10 years older than you!!!!!

[Aeroman]

It's 3 a.m. and I'm up because I was hungry and decided to check email while eating my snack. I found I had a message from a PP member asking about my condition these days only to realize what interesting timing it was since exactly 3-years ago today I stopped Lexapro after only a 6-week trial. I had no idea that day what hell was ahead for me.

I haven't posted in a long time and I owe this to any of you who have followed my story, and of course, to those of you in the thick of it. I compare my story much to Shea Carney, Lilly and a few others here that probably suffered the worst. If you want more background you can go back and read my old posts. But in a nutshell, my whole life fell apart not long after stopping Lexapro. I became horribly ill with severe depersonalization that lasted about 19 months, massive stomach and digestive issues, headaches, unreal anxiety and fear, apathy, depression...the list goes on. Luckily, I never chased after doctors to diagnose and cure me; somehow I just knew this was some type of severe withdrawal and Paxil Progress, Drugs.com and every book I could get my hands on about this gave me the strength to hold on for a very nasty road ahead.

To be honest, I don't know how I made it through except for the fact that I had a loving fiance (now husband) that cared for me every second he wasn't at work. During the first year I was like a prisoner in my own home, and in my own body. In some ways, the 13 - 24 month period was worse because I was still very sick but friends and family were giving up on me. My fiance never gave up on me, but even he started to suffer from some compassion fatigue and I could see the fear in his eyes, wondering whether or not I would fully come through. I was certainly more functional during months 13 - 24 than the first 12, but still I could not work, have obligations, feel truly relaxed and plan my future. I managed to attend some functions and get out on my own and finally drive, but it was a struggle, still baby steps for sure. I guess around 24-months I realized true recovery was indeed happening, but it didn't become real until sometime around the 2 1/2 year mark. It seems like all of the sudden my shattered self started to glue back together and I finally recognized me again.

I feel good most days now, but I have a few days a month where I still struggle and even a day here and there that really sets me back. It frustrates the hell out of me when that happens this far out, but I still believe I am recovering. My case was so bad, I would not be surprised if it took a couple more years to get 100% or close to it. Don't worry, I'm doing better now than I even thought ever possible a year ago! Two months ago I got married and let me tell you...the wedding was a much bigger deal than it was supposed to be! I handled the stress pretty well and felt great on my wedding day! We married two years later than we had hoped, but this nightmare actually bonded us and our relationship is stronger than ever would have been, I'm sure of it. In many ways, I'm a much better person having gone through this, certainly more wise. I learned to take care of my body, eat healthy organic food (but do cheat now and then and I can actually drink coffee again without having a negative reaction!), I'm taking my finances very seriously and we are building a large emergency fund because you just never know as we experienced, I'm more compassionate, and more skeptical about consumer marketing, drugs, doctors, etc.

An experience as such will smack you in the face so hard your world view will forever change as I found out. There has been a loss of innocence and I am a changed person because of this, but I actually think I may be better. I go back and forth with that one because I still have issues and there is no excuse for what happened to me. And I would never want to go through it again even for the benefits of my new wisdom. But since it happened, at least I see a silver lining. I can't lie, I still worry. I'm too cautious these days and wish I could "let go" like I used to and I still have strange dreams most nights and before this drug I rarely remembered dreams, but I guess I can stand it with the hope it too will abate. There are few other unresolved problems I'm sure, just can't think of them at the moment, but I deal.


I still react to the trauma of it all too, but I'm moving away from it all the time. My husband and I were only in our house two months before this happened to me. The house was a major fixer and what I will describe as an inhospitable environment to recover in. We managed to work on it during my recovery, but it has only become the "scene of the crime" for me and so we listed it for sale last week. I wanted to move a couple times before, but for various reasons it did not happen and in fact, I'm glad. I don't think I recovered enough to get a fresh start somewhere else, but now I feel ready. I think it will make a huge difference! I've been excited about the future and anxious for the move!

Like Shea said before, there is no magic bullet, just the passage of time...and hope. And if you are still in the stage where you need Paxil Progress for comfort all the time don't beat yourself up over it, it's OK. Never fear, as you heal won't dwell on the ******** that happened to you and will no longer need comfort here. You will move on and like me, merge onto your highway of life and PP will be remebered as the crutches that helped you to walk again. I no longer need to come here like before, but I hope this post helps those of you in withdrawal and thank you always to everyone who keeps this site alive and well!
__________________
Adverse reaction to 10mg Lexapro. Quit cold turkey after six weeks of use.

Depersonalization (starting to resolve!)
anxiety/fear (so, so much better)
bronchitis (resolved)
GI upset (much improved)
vivid dreaming
headaches (only if overstimulated)
eye pain (resolved)
tingling (came back a little bit)
Depression (resolved for most part)
fatigue
slightly dizzy

Still healing, but starting to feel like old self...tired old self...18 months as of 4/1/08

[pboy]

Thanks for the re-post, that is a comforting story. I can relate to a lot of it.

I wanted to ask something. I think I'm having 'derealization' but I'm not sure. I sort of feel like I can't focus on the outside world, like I'm living inside my head, and I can't see what's going on properly. And I have trouble judging the distance people are from me and so I panic. Before, I had a sense of myself in relation to the world but now I don't? It's hard to describe. I'm not sure if it's derealization or depersonalization.

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by pboy

Thanks for the re-post, that is a comforting story. I can relate to a lot of it.

I wanted to ask something. I think I'm having 'derealization' but I'm not sure. I sort of feel like I can't focus on the outside world, like I'm living inside my head, and I can't see what's going on properly. And I have trouble judging the distance people are from me and so I panic. Before, I had a sense of myself in relation to the world but now I don't? It's hard to describe. I'm not sure if it's derealization or depersonalization.

Hmmm, don't know which one it could be. But does it really matter? The main thing is that YOU KNOW something isn't right...and it's temporary. Know that this will subside but it takes time. In the meantime, accept it for what it is - SSRI withdrawal and let it be. I know it sucks - I do the same. I am soooooooo in tuned with myself inside me, I forget the outside world. Take care.

[pboy]

I guess you're right, it doesn't really matter. I always find something new to worry about It's just so frustrating and impairing socially.

[sayyadina]

I came off Lexapro in June after my psychiatrist suddenly dropped me for no reason, without talking to me about it, and my prescription ran out. I also have PTSD & major trust issues, so this event has shattered my trust in psychiatrists, and people who do not have PTSD do not seem to get this. And this doctor knew fully well about my PTSD & trust issues, which makes it even worse. And I had a similar experience with a therapist, which is why I'm not seeing one.

I tapered off as best I could, though I only had about a week left.

Had issues being overly emotional at first, and have been dealing with stomach issues since. Most days I don't get hungry and its a real effort to figure out something to eat. And I've had a few episodes where foods that I've eaten in the past with no issues have made me violently ill. And the episode of food poisoning I had in August didn't help any.

And now for about a month I've been having daily episodes of depression, but they don't last the whole day and I can move out of them. I'm hoping this is just my body adjusting to being off the Lexapro.

I have found a good naturopathic dr here, and she's been able to help me quite a bit.

And right now for some reason, I am shivering violently. My room's not THAT cold, and I am wearing a wool shawl.

[vestabula]

I just talked to a friend with clinical depression that is on Cymbalta, Abilify and Wellbutrin. OMG. No problems...but he flat lined twice on Lexapro...BP dropped to nothing over nothing. Just goes to show ya...

[pboy]

Originally Posted by sayyadina

And now for about a month I've been having daily episodes of depression, but they don't last the whole day and I can move out of them. I'm hoping this is just my body adjusting to being off the Lexapro.

And right now for some reason, I am shivering violently. My room's not THAT cold, and I am wearing a wool shawl.

Sounds like you may have hit the 4 month mark where people usually experience the rebound depression. I get the shivering thing too, but it seems to alternate between me feeling too hot, then shivering an hour later lol.

[rujoking]

hi all - I just wanted to make a correction to my last post above - I relpied to vestabula that I was 10 years older than she.....no so...I thought she meant she was born in 1963, LOL

so okay, I am 10 years younger, but I guess in the end it really makes no difference in how this junk affects us all, age just makes it scarier....

hang in there vestabula, pboy and sayyadina, it gets better, time is your only friend right now.

ruj

[Aeroman]

"I'm hoping this is just my body adjusting to being off the Lexapro."


Um, no. The issues you are experiencing is your brain trying to compensate without Lexapro. AKA, addiction.

You are in Phase II: The Emotional Symptoms (depression, anxiety, irritability, etc).

At this point, it is best for you to ride this out.

What dosage and how long were you on Lexapro. The shrink tapered me off too fast too so, I know how you feel. Good luck.

[sayyadina]

Well, the brain is part of the body.... And there's a difference between addiction and chemical dependency. Chemical dependency would be more accurate.

I was on 20mg for several years.

Today I'm doing better, except for the back pain. Is it normal for old injuries to flare up once off the Lexapro? I cracked my L5 4 years ago and its been more painful recently.

What exactly are the phases? Are there any books out there about coping with going off an antidepressant?

I know that a therapist would be a good idea, but at this point I have less than 0 trust in any mental health professional.

Probably will end up seeing my new naturopath sometime later this week, since my back pain in still pretty bad.

Its just so frustrating. At first, the GI symptoms limited what I can do, and now the back pain. I have 2 ponies I love, but I've been barely able to see them.

[rujoking]

sayyadina -

I have had unrelenting back pain for 15 months from this garbage - it is a well documented w/d symptom - I use occasional advil (rarely though because I also had gut issues), tylenol and those sticky therma-care patches the emit heat for 8 hours or so - epsom salt baths can help along with gentle stretching.

If you are not taking fish oil and magnesium you should consider it - it can help.

ruj

(also Aeroman has found some relief with acupuncture)

[John Weelsen]

Originally Posted by wonder4678

Hi,I took 20mg of Lexapro for almost a year, and was switched to Wellbutrin XL by my Dr. right before Christmas. For the first week I took both, the second week, I took the Wellbutrin, and Lexapro every other day, then took a half dose every other day, until I was taking only a half dose every few days. I still had side effects, but they were nowhere near as bad as stopping all together. It has been about 3 weeks since I have stopped taking it, and I am still having some side effects, although they are pretty minor. My advice is to wean her off gradually, it will make it less noticeable. Good Luck.

Yes, my dr. recommended to me taking Wellbutrin too... in this moment im feeling good.

[sayyadina]

Thanks rujoking.

I did break a vertebra years ago, and this is the same pain I'm having. I've tried pretty much everything medication wise for the pain and nothing touches it. The only thing that does is a hot bath, but our water heating system isn't working very well now. Accupuncture has only provided temporary relief or made things much worse. And my multivitamin already has magnesium in it.

I went vegetarian 3 years ago since meat, poultry & fish were making me really sick, so the fish oil is out.

Yesterday & today were pretty good as far as mood, but my back pain isn't much better. Trying to take it easy & rest, which worked yesterday but I had too much to do today. There's only so much time you can take off when you have a farm.

[vestabula]

Six days off Lexapro. Zaps/swishing/thumping (like a single heart beat) still raging in my head with every movement and eye blink. What feels like a tension headache along with eye strain has started...3rd day of that. Called my doctor and he told me to start back on it and wean off again more slowly...A Four month wean isn't long enough? Have a lovely back and neck ache also. This is the trip from the southern tip of Hell. Had a friend tell me he used to pay good money to feel these sensations back in the 60's. Hmmmm...

d

[pboy]

A slow taper is essential.

For example my taper schedule from 5mg is something like this:

5mg for 2 weeks, 4.5mg for 2-3 weeks (until symptoms stabilize), 4mg for 2-3 weeks, 3.7mg for a few weeks, 3.3mg for a few weeks...etc.

You need to taper no more than 10% of your current dosage. I crush my Lex in juice and then remove 0.6mg using a liquid syringe, then flush it away. I then drink the juice/Lex mixture. You have to use the same amount of juice as Lex, so for 5mg Lexapro you'd crush it into 5ml juice.

I keep a schedule so I can see how long I've been at what dosage. Doing it this way will minimize withdrawal symptoms and make them more bearble, and enable you to function in the meantime. It's gentler on your brain and body.

[drdexter33]

Hi there..

I've tried several times in the past 2 or 3 years to stop taking Lexapro without any success.

It seems I start tapering off to a point and then for a month or so I feel ok.

Then it seems I just nosedive into depression and despair.

It's pretty ugly.

So I start taking it again.

I've been taking this particular anti-depressant for about 6 or 7 years.

Any advice?

Thanks.

Doug

[mims]

Originally Posted by mims

Did you go straight from 2.5 down to "licking powder" or did you taper from 2.5? If you were stable (feeling OK) at 2.5, you might want to consider going back to that dose, stay there for a few weeks, and taper by grinding tablets or switching to liquid lexapro.
If you're going to reinstate, it might be best to go ahead and do it now.
I waited a month and I think maybe that was too long. Or maybe I was just going to be sick anyway. I'm really sorry -- nobody can say how long it will last, but for me, the worst of the zaps and the occasional dizziness lasted only a few weeks, but some of the other problems have continued.

Some of us have found magnesium glycinate helpful for sleep. Magnesium malate is supposed to be good, and the malate is thought to help with fibromyalgia. Some people say that B vitamins make symptoms worse. Don't take anything that affects serotonin levels, like 5htp , etc.

Look back to the postings on this thread in February 2009, and find the post by hope for the best -- might be helpful to you.

Good luck

This advice (copied above) was for a previous poster, but might apply to you also, esp. the tapering advice from "hope for the best". Very slow taper is the best hope for minimizing withdrawal effects. Also, see pboy's recent post for his taper method.

Feelings of depression are very common withdrawal complaints, sometimes it doesn't hit you until several months have passed. Exercise, getting outdoors, fish oil, good diet, magnesium, can help to some extent.

It seems that the more times you go off and on these drugs, the harder the withdrawal, so if you do go back on again, try to taper as slowly and carefully as possible in hopes that you won't have to do it again.

Many people have trouble dropping from 5 or 2.5 mg lexapro down to 0.
Lexapro is a strong drug and small amounts may have a big effect. Tapering to very tiny doses before quitting may be helpful. Many of us have had to suffer through some periods of depression and/or anhedonia after quitting lexapro. It is part of the withdrawal process as your brain/nervous system attempts to recover.
Doesn't necessarily mean the return of previous depressive illness, and it probably won't last forever.

[mims]

Hope to hear from you soon. How are you? How was disneyworld, pug?

[sao_paulo]

I started taking SSRIs in about 2001, I had lost my job, my wife left me, was suicidal. Took Effexor for 3 years or so, it seemed to work but often left me in a state of uncontrollable gaiety: I couldn't stop making jokes. Thankfully, the jokes weren't too stupid. My life got better- I was able to hold my job, which involves client work, so relationships are important- but after a while I wanted to retrieve my personality, so the doctor switched me to Celexa. It was a big improvement over the Effexor. about 3 years ago I switched to Lexapro because the doctor said it had fewer side effects than Celexa. However, the cost went way up because I went back on a patented medicine. 20 mg/day Lexapro for 3 years, and though my mood was generally good, i had gained about 35 lbs. and again, wanted my life back- the ability to function sexually, the ability to lose weight (going to the gym every day while taking lexapro wasn't making a dent). 3 months ago I started dropping the dose by roughly 10% per week, thusly: Sunday- 20 mg; Monday- 15 mg; Tuesday + Wednesday 20 mg; Thursday 15 mg; Friday 20 mg; Saturday 20. Progressing eventually, today, to 10 mg per day. I did it without doctor supervision for financial reasons. I've been on 10 mg per day now for a week, and have felt depressed, angry, paranoid, and have been crying.
I picked a bad time to withdraw, due to being unemployed, and due to marriage problems. But after numerous attempts over the years to stop the SSRIs, I finally decided that maybe there's never a good time.
I haven't had the brain shocks or physical effects except for one day last week I felt like I had the flu, body aches.
And this is only down to 10mg... what's going to happen when I'm down to 5 and then 0.. I am reading the stories and don't look forward to it.

But as someone pointed out, these withdrawal symptoms will go away, they are transient, hopefully.

I also have been taking, for the same 8 years or so, 20 mg of Buspar per day, for anxiety. I am not fiddling with that for now, withdrawing from it has other ramifications, and taking it prevents panic attacks to some extent.

I am thankful for the advice given above on the very very slow tapering from 10 or 5 mg down to zero, via the juice method: sounds like very good advice.

I hope the anger ( I get angry even watching a movie, or angry at someone doing something I think is stupid ) subsides or I learn how to control it, because now on job interviews I'm sometimes a little too aggressive, not good.

[sao_paulo]

can someone advise, how I can subscribe to this thread of lexapro withdrawal, or am I automatically subscribed when I post to it? I would like to get email notifications of posts, or at least be able to find it when logging in.

thanks in advance

[sayyadina]

Hi sao_paulo.

If you go to the top of the page & click on 'thread tools' a window will pop up and 'subscribe to this thread' will be at the bottom.

You can also save a copy of this page to your bookmarks/favorites.

[sao_paulo]

thank you sayyadina, found it.

[mimmie2008]

Originally Posted by mims

Hope to hear from you soon. How are you? How was disneyworld, pug?

I am doing much better! It seems that the problems are mostly gone. I still have some troubles every now and then but for the most part they are gone. The only MAJOR problem that I am having is my vision. I am going to have to go back to the eye doctor yet again to get new glasses. I just can't see anything up close. It's becoming scary now. It's like my eyes can't focus on any up close work. Reading causes eye strain and then I have to resort to using magnifying glasses on top of my reading glasses. I do feel better though, so there is hope. Coming up on the 2 year mark soon, in Jan. I just hope the vision straightens up. Hang in there guys.

[rujoking]

Originally Posted by mimmie2008

I am doing much better! It seems that the problems are mostly gone. I still have some troubles every now and then but for the most part they are gone. The only MAJOR problem that I am having is my vision. I am going to have to go back to the eye doctor yet again to get new glasses. I just can't see anything up close. It's becoming scary now. It's like my eyes can't focus on any up close work. Reading causes eye strain and then I have to resort to using magnifying glasses on top of my reading glasses. I do feel better though, so there is hope. Coming up on the 2 year mark soon, in Jan. I just hope the vision straightens up. Hang in there guys.

mimmie - as always it is wonderful to hear your update! I am very sorry about the vision problems and I really hope you find some answers soon -

I am coming up on 16 months and feel better every week - I still have a bit of internal trembling and GERD but over all this has improved - sleep is pretty good which always helps everything. I still have problems with getting motivated but I am getting out more and doing things with less anxiety and trepidation.

The latest thing I have been dealing with are gum issues and dry hair that is falling out more that usual - I certainly hope this is another bump in the road, but as I mentioned in another message - it seems I worry more now about every stupid little thing.

Everyone else out there - keep hanging on, you can do this!

ruj

[WFKS]

Been on 20mg for over 5 years. At the time I was having A LOT of stress in my life and had unexplained weight loss, so the doctor put me on lexpro. Naturally I have gained the weight I lost plus another 45.

Over the years when I have stopped taking it, for no reason other than being lazy, I notice that I now have an extremely short fuse. When I get back on it my temper goes away.

Since I no longer have insurance, I have tried to quit cold turkey. The last time I got extremely depressed where I felt as if I might harm myself, so I started back on the lexapro.

I have now dropped down to 10mg, but I have had problems w/ ears buzzing and being dizzy.

[mims]

Mimmie,

It's good to hear that you're doing so well. Have you had a second opinion from a different doctor about your vision problems? I have read that sleep apnea can cause vision problems, due to increase in eye pressure, but you're already treating your apnea.

I'm still having some vision problems too, but mine is mostly affecting distance vision. I still haven't gotten the Cpap.
It seemed that the magnesium I started was really helping, at least during the light sleep stages when I was aware of the throat closing, but I got worse the past couple of days. I think stress is a factor - due to someone in my family having surgery, and spending lots of time in doctors office and hospital, under fluorescent lights, which seems to make me worse also.

I hate to think that I just can't seem to cope with any stress, but I do notice flare-ups of symptoms when there's any stress.

Good to hear from you, mimmie. Keep getting better!

[mims]

Welcome to all new members - hope you will find helpful info on this thread.
You'll definitely find that many other people have travelled this road during withdrawal from lexapro and other SSRIs. The anger and short temper problems will improve gradually -- read pugcrazy's posts -- she described this problem.

taper as slowly and carefully as possible; don't skip days or alternate dosage from one day to the next.

[sayyadina]

I was wondering if there's a list anywhere of symptoms I can expect to experience now that I'm off the Lexapro. Been off for 4-5 months. Don't really have the time or desire to read through all 359+ pages of posts.

Doing better with mood and such. Now having a bit of trouble getting to sleep. Not able to go to sleep until 1-3am and not waking up until 10-11am. Not getting tired until then, which is why I'm up.