[courtney_girl]

up to day 5 of weaning............ so far so good!
only had one lil sook on day 3, but i feel great today! (no with drawl symptoms wat so ever!!) im in such a happy mood..... i think i can do this!!!! i just want everyone who reads this to know that sometimes withdrawl can work out alright.... i mean i do have a long way to go, but so far nothing has gone wrong! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!

[SEB]

After reading y'alls messages, I'm so angry that I wasn't warned about these withdrawal symptoms when I started taking Lexapro. I've been suffering from terrible depression since I was about 13, and I started having panic attacks by the time I was in 10th grade. I'm the kind of person that is distrustful of medicine, so it wasn't until I got to college that I was able to convince myself to even see a psychologist. She was great, and she succeeded in convincing me to see a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist decided to put me on Lexapro after listening to me talk about how afraid of medicine I am because she said it had the least amount of side effects.
I felt great for the first few months, and then I started to get really suicidal again. I cut my arms and legs with a razor blade, but I don't remember any of it. I just woke up covered in blood. I also started fantasizing about running my car off of the road to kill myself. I wanted to talk to my psychiatrist about this but she went out of the country right after presribing the Lexapro to me! I decided to just cold turkey it because I don't want to die yet. Now I feel awful. I can't concentrate on anything; I feel nauseous, dizzy, and irritable, and my anxiety is coming back too. It's only been a week, but I can't take it! We have some Wellbutrin laying around the house, and I was wondering if you all think it would help if I took the 150mg samples until I can get hold of a doctor. Thanks for your help!

Sarah

[auntybiotic]

SEB.

Does your doctor have anyone on call?

I would try the lexapro at a lower dose until you reach your doctor. Cold Turkey is serious especially when you are having sucidal thoughts. Please take care and let us know how you are.

[SEB]

I don't know how to reach anyone. I don't want to start the Lexapro again because I've had such hell with the withdrawal symptoms I don't want to start all over again. I'm hoping that I'll get a call back from either my doctor or a psychiatrist some of my family's been seeing. You're right about the Wellbutrin, though. I'll just wait until I can talk to someone before I start taking anything else. Thanks for your help.

Sarah

[auntybiotic]

Sarah,

Did you hear from anyone? What was their advice.How are the withdrawals?

How did you taper, by what amount and for how long.

Thinking of you.

[courtney_girl]

hey everyone!!!
Just letting you know, im up to day 8 of weaning off lexapro, and doing great!!
no side effects apart from being a lil oversensitve for one day....
life is looking up, i have been referred to a counsellor, and also have just joined the gym!!!
Luv Courtney -xoxoox-

[auntybiotic]

courtney,
Congrats, from my understanding te 21st day (for about 10 Days) can be very emotional so if this does happen, rest assured that it will pass.

You are doing so well. Tell us what you attribute your ease of withdrawal to?

Does anyone reading this and taking lexapro or withdrawaing from lexapro have terrible foot pain and numbness or sever stomach cramping??

[DMS321]

Hi all, I am new to this forum.... I too have been dealing with symptoms of withdrawal from Lexapro.... Darn Doc's office is out of samples and I don't have a rx plan[:I].... I have not had Lexapro for almost a week and I am now experiencing light headedness..... What else should I expect??? Also, has anyone else gained weight on the rx??? I gained 20 lbs in about 4 months on this product.... I thought I was just doing something wrong but I have read on other message boards that others have gained weight too.... this is pretty screwy considering I have had an eating disorder.... ya think the doc would have reconsidered giving this to me.... oh well, enough of my blabber thanks all in advance who respond....

[robsinfo]

quote:Originally posted by KarenLA

I was on Lexapro for about a year. Wanted to stop taking it so I didn't have to take it the rest of my life. I have been experiencing withdrawal symptoms also but didn't realize what it was, felt like I was going crazy. The dizziness is the worst!

I'll tell you why they put her on Lexapro for TMJ problems, because it's the typical, "Oh you're a woman, you're having anxiety attacks, which is making you grind your teeth." That's what they told me when I went to the ER with several serious problems, that I was having panic attacks. Turned out I had a TIA (like a stroke) and they didn't know what the heck they were talking about. It took me a long time to find a dr that could give me the answer but before that I got talked into going on the Lexapro to help my "female anxiety."

The stereotypes dr's have of women really hinders us getting proper healthcare!!

Anyway, I am not through the withdrawal from 20 mg Lexapro yet, but tell your daughter to hang in there. Try meditation maybe, different exercise...I don't know. Just tell her to hang in there and know that it's not her, and that she's not alone!

Karen

[robsinfo]

quote:Originally posted by KarenLA

I was on Lexapro for about a year. Wanted to stop taking it so I didn't have to take it the rest of my life. I have been experiencing withdrawal symptoms also but didn't realize what it was, felt like I was going crazy. The dizziness is the worst!

I'll tell you why they put her on Lexapro for TMJ problems, because it's the typical, "Oh you're a woman, you're having anxiety attacks, which is making you grind your teeth." That's what they told me when I went to the ER with several serious problems, that I was having panic attacks. Turned out I had a TIA (like a stroke) and they didn't know what the heck they were talking about. It took me a long time to find a dr that could give me the answer but before that I got talked into going on the Lexapro to help my "female anxiety."

The stereotypes dr's have of women really hinders us getting proper healthcare!!

Anyway, I am not through the withdrawal from 20 mg Lexapro yet, but tell your daughter to hang in there. Try meditation maybe, different exercise...I don't know. Just tell her to hang in there and know that it's not her, and that she's not alone!

Karen

[robsinfo]

Dear KarenLA,
I was on Lexapro for a few years. I went thru the lowering dose process and it was terrible when I stoped. So many symptoms that lasted for 6-8 months. I looked up on of the symptoms on the Mayo site and it seemed I was experiencing TIA. I made an appt. with my Dr., told him my symptoms, what I had found on Mayo, and he assured me it could not be possible. He acted like I was nuts. I had also been taking diluadid, 8mg 6 times a day and valium, 10 mg 3 times a day. I weaned my self off them first, I had flu like symptoms for a few days, then was fine. I waited about 2 months before weaning off the Lexapro. The pain came back when I stopped the diluadid and valium, and it is disabling, but the withdrawel from those was nothing compared to Lexapro. I will never take any type of antidepressant again. Would you explain your experiance with TIA? I "let it go" after talking with the Dr., but I am having extremely high blood pressure and very rapid pulse (even with blood pressure medication) and feel the need to find out all I can about TIA. I think your experience would be more informative than any I could get from a Dr., as they don't seem to know much about any of my problems.
Thanks,
Robbie

[Bobcat4956]

I took 5 mg. two days 7 weeks ago, then 5 mg. two days the next week, then stopped cold turkey. Then my doctor talked me into taking another dose two weeks ago 5 mg. for one day. I felt as if I had taken SPEED and two weeks later I am a bit better but my BP is high and my anxiety level is horrible. I have not been sleeping well. This is the WORST drug I have EVER taken and hope these symptoms subside soon. Good luck to all.

[auntybiotic]

Robsinfo,

Tell me how you withdrew from the lexapro, how much did you taper and how long did you wait inbetween?

What symptoms did you have after you stopped the lexapro. Are you still having symptoms, are you normal yet?

Did you lose any of the weight gained?

Are you able to sleep?

Do you have severe mood swings??

Thanks,
aunty

[auntybiotic]

DMS,

You can expect the ZAPS, electrical like feelings in your brain, naseau, nightmares and depersonalization and anxiety.

Let us know how you are doing.

[DMS321]

Hi all,

Well now the lightheadedness has turned into full blown dizziness.... but for some reason it is only happening when I am inside... I normally work outside and it doesn't impact me like it does inside.... I have never gone through withdrawal from any drug, I was previously on Celexa and Zoloft... My dr told me that Lexapro and Celexa were very similar, I wasn't so nervous about trying Lexapro because he said they were so similar and my biggest concern was weight gain.... when i was on Celexa I lost 15 lbs but being on Lexapro i have gained 20 lbs .. I have also experienced anxiety and mood swings since i have stopped this wonderful drug... I also read that once you stop taking Lexapro and if you have gained weight while on the med that you can expect to lose about 3-5 lbs a month.. so i think i can deal with all the withdrawal affects as long as i lose this darn weight i gained..

[DMS321]

Robsinfo,

I am concerned about your pulse and blood pressure if you have been taking a pill to control this and you said that it is still not under control.... I was on a med for my blood pressure and although my pressure was under control my pulse was super high. The dr told me that this pill had that affect but it took 2 years of taking it to find this out. He also told me that it may take a while for my pulse to go back to normal once off of the med. I stopped taking the med in January of this year and my pulse is still the same as it was when I stopped taking the med. I would do some research of the drug on your own.... I have experience that dr's treat you like you do not know a thing and that you are fine (since you dont have MD or DO on your name) when you are truly not fine. I dont want to alarm you but I would rather you be safe than sorry. Take care and let us know how you are doing!

[roro24]

I have been off lexapro for 4 months now and im still dizzy from it...My friend has permenant brain damage from it...Im going to get a MRI for myself also......I was only on it for 6 weeks and 10mg I started haveing bad effects while i was on it....I would turn my head and everything would go in slow motion with sharp dizzy spells.....Now its a lot better but i still get weird sensations in my head and visual problems since i stopped Lexapro....I never had any of this ever before.....This medicine is posion.......

Rose

[mp3wishes]

quote:Originally posted by auntybiotic

courtney,
Congrats, from my understanding te 21st day (for about 10 Days) can be very emotional so if this does happen, rest assured that it will pass.

You are doing so well. Tell us what you attribute your ease of withdrawal to?

Does anyone reading this and taking lexapro or withdrawaing from lexapro have terrible foot pain and numbness or sever stomach cramping??

[robsinfo]

quote:Originally posted by KarenLA

I was on Lexapro for about a year. Wanted to stop taking it so I didn't have to take it the rest of my life. I have been experiencing withdrawal symptoms also but didn't realize what it was, felt like I was going crazy. The dizziness is the worst!

I'll tell you why they put her on Lexapro for TMJ problems, because it's the typical, "Oh you're a woman, you're having anxiety attacks, which is making you grind your teeth." That's what they told me when I went to the ER with several serious problems, that I was having panic attacks. Turned out I had a TIA (like a stroke) and they didn't know what the heck they were talking about. It took me a long time to find a dr that could give me the answer but before that I got talked into going on the Lexapro to help my "female anxiety."

The stereotypes dr's have of women really hinders us getting proper healthcare!!

Anyway, I am not through the withdrawal from 20 mg Lexapro yet, but tell your daughter to hang in there. Try meditation maybe, different exercise...I don't know. Just tell her to hang in there and know that it's not her, and that she's not alone!

Karen

[robsinfo]

Dear DMS,
Thanks for the info about the pulse. Was the blood pressure med what made your pulse increase or the Lexapro? I had a suitcase dropped on my head while asleep on a plane. Someone was trying to get it out of the overhead bin, it was too heavy, and she dropped it on me. I woke up crying, started vomiting, etc.. The pilot wanted to land but it was the middle of the nite, I have a son with diabetes who was having blood sugar problems, and had been gone so long I finally talked them into bringing me all the way. They agreed if I was taken off by ambulance. The EMS techs diagnosed me as "coma, stupor". That is when my blood pressure and pulse went up. It had always been on the low side. I told the Dr. I thought it was due to the extra pain (I have nerve damage in my sciatic nerve with no feeling in my leg and foot and often feel as if I had just had the laminectomy that day) and the stress of losing my jobs from this accident. For a month after it happened I would fall asleep with no warning. I could be eating, talking, anything. Due to that and the pain I couldn't drive. He insisted that could not be the reason for my high B.P., and it was unrelated. Turns out almost every disc in my neck is crushed, arteries are efeccted, many days I can't use my arms, everyday I have headaches so bad I can't do a thing. My eye and nose tears, I'm sensitive to light and sound, my teeth hurt. Its the worst. The neurosurgen won't even see me till I have a milogram and CAT done, as it is such a complicated condition. I have had 2 MRI's, the 2nd with and without contrast. After reviewing the films he ordered the other tests. Point being, that is what I thought was causing my B.P and pulse problems. Good luck with getting off the Lexapro. It took 6-8 months before I started to feel normal. I had all the symptoms everyone else has mentioned and ringing in my ears. That almost drove me crazy. Also, eye twiches, loss of depth perception, the dizziness and brain shcoks,ugh! Hang in there, only time will take care of it. Don't try another type of med to help you tru it cause you will have to start all over when you stop it. You can do it, so hang in there.
Robbie

Dear auntybiotic,
As I told DMS321, it takes a long time to get thru it, but you will. I started taking a pill every other day for several weeks, then half a pill every other day for several weeks, then every twoo days, etc. What kills me is that I was never told of the withdrawel symptoms, they are handed out like candy and are so much worse (in my opinion) than dilaudid which I need to be able to move, yet almost every Dr. acts like you want them to get high. I only take them as prescribed, always have. I finally found a pain management Dr. that was so empithetic and didn't look down on me. He is really helping me. They aren't all like him tho. Many I saw first were cold and disrespectful. Good luck, time cures all.
Robbie (I'm new to this site, haven't read all the instructions yet, hope these get posted.)

quote:Originally posted by KarenLA

I was on Lexapro for about a year. Wanted to stop taking it so I didn't have to take it the rest of my life. I have been experiencing withdrawal symptoms also but didn't realize what it was, felt like I was going crazy. The dizziness is the worst!

I'll tell you why they put her on Lexapro for TMJ problems, because it's the typical, "Oh you're a woman, you're having anxiety attacks, which is making you grind your teeth." That's what they told me when I went to the ER with several serious problems, that I was having panic attacks. Turned out I had a TIA (like a stroke) and they didn't know what the heck they were talking about. It took me a long time to find a dr that could give me the answer but before that I got talked into going on the Lexapro to help my "female anxiety."

The stereotypes dr's have of women really hinders us getting proper healthcare!!

Anyway, I am not through the withdrawal from 20 mg Lexapro yet, but tell your daughter to hang in there. Try meditation maybe, different exercise...I don't know. Just tell her to hang in there and know that it's not her, and that she's not alone!

Karen

[auntybiotic]

Robbie,

Over what lenth of time did you taper? Were you on 10 or 20 Mg?

What symptoms did you have during the taper? When you stopped what would you say your symptoms were. How would you describe your improvements over the six to eight mon

Thanks,

[elliee50]

Hello,

I wanted some advice on Lexapro and wondered if anyone else has had similar feelings as to what i am feeling because I am becoming very worried.

I was currently put on Zoloft for GAD and hypochondra, I only lasted on that for a few days because I got so freaked out about taking it. So then I had a massive panic attack and really realize after speaking with my therapist that I had to try a different medication. So my GP put started me on 5mgs of Lexapro which I started last Tuesday, and up untill about 2 days ago I was feeling fine, and now i have a lot of muscle twitching in my legs, arms, my left like and arm feel kinda tingly so now im getting worried that I have MS or ALS or something. Has anyone encountered such things while taking such a lose dose of this medication! Help I'm really worried there is something really wrong with me!

Thanks!

[alfaspark]

quote:Originally posted by auntybiotic

petra

[alfaspark]

quote:Originally posted by auntybiotic

petra

[Wigging out]

Hi everyone..I'm going through Lexapro withdrawal and I'm experiencing "brain zaps", severe moodiness, anxiety, frustration, and drowsiness. I had been taking 10 mg for about 8 months, tapered off by taking 5mg every day for a week, then .25 for another week. This is the 7th day cold and I'm wondering if I'll ever be normal again. If it is this bad withdrawing I wonder what permanent damage has been done in those 8 mos. I can't be around friends because I wig out if they don't say just the right thing, whatever that should be. I couldn't find my Sam's Club card this morning trying to buy SamE, and almost threw a fit. I, too, wonder how long I'll have to endure this. I thought SamE might help a bit, but it takes a while for that to take effect. I'm 57 and live alone thank goodness as if there was someone else around they might just put me away. I went on it because my doctors decreased my throid meds and my mind and body became a train wreck. I gained weight from the decrease in thyroid meds and more when I went on Lexapro. I suffer from Chronic Fatigue too and the Lexapro caused drowsiness on top of the fatigue. I say...stay away from all doctors if you can. Good luck to everyone and I'll keep reading the posts here as they do provide comfort.

[redrunner]

quote:Originally posted by sheilsrave Everytime I miss a few doses of the Lexapro, I get those "shocky" sensations in my head when I take a step too quickly or turn my head. I discussed with my Doctor, and he said that he thinks it's not withdrawal from the Lexapro, but evidence of resurfacing anxiety/depression. I think that he's wrong.

I am SURE he's wrong. Why? Because I'm online today for one reason...to see if lexapro withdrawal can cause dizziness. Not dizziness exactly, but the "Shocky Sensations' you and others are talking about. I've narrowed it down...my theory is it's related to your body's Balancing mechanisms, for lack of a more informed terminology. I get the shock sensations only under certain conditions

1. i have to be moving. (occasionally happens when i'm not, but much less severe)

2. my eyes have to be open.

3. my eyes have to be aimed either left or right ( up and down do nothing) or moving left or right.

take this test. while walking, look (with your eyes, not your head..keep your head facing forward) to the left quickly..experience it? if so, try looking up instead...curious to know if my experiences are the same as others. And if so, curious as to what the mechanism at play is...

I decided to just take myself of Lexapro, for better or worse, after about 6 months. 10 mg. I actually feel a little better (i think it was numbing me, along with the Pot and the Adderall, which I stopped at the same time..adderall was only 5 mg) but these shock things had me a bit worried. I'm sure, now that I read this forum, that I (we)'ll be fine. As long as this goes AWAY. LoL. (though it's not all that funny)

Good luck.

Red

[Wigging out]

quote:Originally posted by redrunner

I am SURE he's wrong. Why? Because I'm online today for one reason...to see if lexapro withdrawal can cause dizziness. Not dizziness exactly, but the "Shocky Sensations' you and others are talking about. I've narrowed it down...my theory is it's related to your body's Balancing mechanisms, for lack of a more informed terminology. I get the shock sensations only under certain conditions

1. i have to be moving. (occasionally happens when i'm not, but much less severe)

2. my eyes have to be open.

3. my eyes have to be aimed either left or right ( up and down do nothing) or moving left or right.

take this test. while walking, look (with your eyes, not your head..keep your head facing forward) to the left quickly..experience it? if so, try looking up instead...curious to know if my experiences are the same as others. And if so, curious as to what the mechanism at play is...

I decided to just take myself of Lexapro, for better or worse, after about 6 months. 10 mg. I actually feel a little better (i think it was numbing me, along with the Pot and the Adderall, which I stopped at the same time..adderall was only 5 mg) but these shock things had me a bit worried. I'm sure, now that I read this forum, that I (we)'ll be fine. As long as this goes AWAY. LoL. (though it's not all that funny)

Good luck.

Red

The shock sensations are definitely due to Lexapro withdrawal so your doctor is wrong. And to Red, those sensations during movement...eyes left and right or head left and right...not up and down as you say, is what I'm experiencing also. For me, the brain sensations are stronger when I move my head or eyes to the right. Lexapro must affect the part of the brain that controls eye movement. I also experienced a numbing effect while on Lexapro...things upset you, but you don't care, you don't feel and if that's the case, is this what life is supposed to be...almost a flatline existence? I think these drugs are dangerous. Thanks to all of you because I feel better after reading these posts.

[redrunner]

quote:Originally posted by Wigging outFor me, the brain sensations are stronger when I move my head or eyes to the right. Lexapro must affect the part of the brain that controls eye movement.

Disagree, as it doesn't affect me unless I'm walking and my eyes are open. Perhaps when the SSRI's are taken away, the dearth of available Serotonin leaves the brain incapable of the complex kinaesthetic calculations necessary when your body's doing one thing and your eyes are doing another. I'd also guess that since it doesn't happen when looking up and down it might be related to the complexity of stereoscopic vision. Kinda like removing RAM from your computer and asking it to render 3d graphics in realtime. Just total masturbatory guessing, but very interesting to me. That it affects you more when looking to the right than the left, I dunno if that trumps my whole hypothesis or not. Thanks for the reply.

FYI, it was much worse yesterday than today, and I'd had a few to drink yesterday.

[robsinfo]

Dear Rose,
I'm so sorry about your friend with brain damage. I too would like to know what kind of damage, symptoms, tests required to diagnoes, and how do you know it is from the Lexapro? The more I find out the scarier this is. Sounds to me like we should band together and file a class action suit before more people are injured. Hope to hear from you soon.
Robbie

quote:Originally posted by mp3wishes

[robsinfo]

Dear Aunty,
20 mg, 2 months, all the symptoms everyone else has mentioned and ringing ears, I still have that somewhat and still have blurry vision, poor memory, confusion, lack of smell, taste to an extent, and more. I don't know how many symptoms I now have are from the Lexapro or the suitcase that fell on my head. I did find info at a site on Rose's message by clicking on brain injury. It brings you to a blog that Attornies who specilize in brain injury have posted. Go there very informative. I have e-mailed them. Also great info on the Disabilities Act. Good Luck.
Robbiespecialists

quote:Originally posted by auntybiotic

Robbie,

over what lenth of time did you taper? Were you on 10 or 20 Mg? How long did you take it?

What symptoms did you have during the taper? When you stopped what would you say your symptoms were. How would you describe your improvements over the six to eight month? Do you think you have any permanentt damage.

Did you take any supplements or vutamins to help the withdrawals?
How is your sleep now?

Rose,

My God, what type of permnent damage doe syour friend have? I am so worried about my daughter. This is her eight day of the taper from 14 Mg to 13 Mg and she told me to F--K myself last night. I got so upset that I started to have chest pains and difficulty breathing. I know it is the damn Lexapro making her so moody.

I know that it is suppose to get harder as you go lower in dose...........my God, how will we get thru this.

Thanks,
aunt y