[anxiousagain]

I just stopped Lexapro for the second time. After having taken 10 mg a day for 6-7 months, I tapered off slowly and have now been Lexapro free for 3-4 weeks. Each time I stopped the Lexapro my anxiety level has quickly increased to intolerable levels but, I just couldn't stand living in a Lexapro fog. I'm working on the anxiety with prayer and help from my doctor. In the meantime, I've started experiencing facial muscle twitching. It happens on both sides, mostly on the left,at eye level. Has anyone else experienced facial twitching after stopping Lexapro?

[tjwriter]

*raises hand* oooh, me! my eye did that. It was really annoying. It stopped. For those who don't know I took lexapro for almost 3 years, 10mg, tapered to 5 for about 11-12 days then stopped. I was irritable but no brain zaps, i still dont know what they are exactly. Someone explain? I just want you all to know I am doing great, I feel great and I am really happy.

TJ

[crazygal]

hi
i have been off my lexapro for just over three weeks now. i don't know if i'm going insane or if i'm just suffering from withdrawal symptoms. my brain feels like it's going to explode and i am so tired i can hardly lift my feet. i went to the emergency doc last night who said the only she could advise was tha ti should start taking the lexapro again and see hoe i feel. no way am i starting them again. i have to get off them sometime and it might as well be now. i have to register with a new gp and have an appointment for this evening. i don't really have any support at the moment and i am not sure if it's depression or withdrawal symptoms that are making me feel so bad. i thought about going into the psych ward so that i could be monitored for a while to see what's up. i'm not sure if this is possible as the psychs usually just want to drug you up to hide the problems. has anyone ever actually had a psych who could help them safely off their meds. i do want to reach out for help but past experience tells me it might be a waste of time. any advice would be appreciated

thanks
Nora

[Wigging out]

Hi Nora,

Any advice sought from doctors or hospitals will include drugs...this much I know. I'm 2 weeks off Lexapro and still experiencing the brain zaps, anxiety, frustration, anger and extreme tiredness on top of my chronic fatigue. It's no picnic. I would suggest finding a naturopathic doctor (ND) who will probably put you on a detox diet and supplements. I'm sort of doing that on my own. I've added SamE to help with mood, inositol to help with anxiety, choline to help with energy and memory and also green foods (Magma plus) that's supposed to be an energy booster as well as an overall healthy supplement for your body. I'm hoping that one day I'll wake up and feel good. So far that hasn't happened but I'm going to hang in there stay off of prescribed antidepressants. Best of Luck.

To anxious again,

My description of brain zaps is like having a spinning wheel inside your head, or being hit with electric shock inside your head for a second. It creates a dizziness sensation and makes me unbalanced for a few seconds. I can't stay upright too long. I find that I have to take Ibuprofen (for lack of a better alternative) if I want to go out "in public". Seems to help somewhat.

[crazygal]

thanks for that wiggin. I am just back from the doctors and believe it or not it wasn't too bad. he didn't direct me straight to the shrink which has been my experience in the past. ok admittedly he couldn't do tha tmuch for me but he actually listened when i told him i wanted to go drug free for a while. he has given buccastem for the nausea. i have been taking them already and they help a little bit. not much he can do for the brain zaps though. i guess i'll have to try and sleep them off.
I'm just going to keep going an hour at a time and see how i go. i am determined to stay off them this time. going to have a look for a detox that i can do myself. then i am going to try and shift some of the weight that is dragging me down aswell. the weight is not a priority but i just want to feel healthier overall. i am fed up being tired all the time. life starts here.....let's see how it goes. my thoughts are with all of you going through this right now. i wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. good luck to you all
Nora

[crazygal]

Btw does anyone know of another name by which lexapro is known. i have just moved to the uk and doctors here have never heard of it
Nora

[Wigging out]

quote:Originally posted by crazygal

Btw does anyone know of another name by which lexapro is known. i have just moved to the uk and doctors here have never heard of it
Nora

Per Mayoclinic.com, the name for Lexapro is Escitalopram (Systemic)

[auntybiotic]

Anxious again.

Try lecithin for the muscle spasms, possibly double the dose recommended on the bottle and the spasms should stop after about two weeks. I wold continue the lecithin for about a year according to Dr. Breggins to alleviate the damage to the neurotransmitters that SSRI's can cause.

Crazy Girl,

It's not you but the withdrawal. It has been suggested that White Chestnut (Bach Flower Essence) available either online or at a health store (will most likely have to be ordered at the health store). The "White Chestnut Bach Flower Essence" 4 drops under the tongue, 4 times a day, will alleviate and control the anxiety and OCD that withdrawal from Lexapro causes.It may sound corny............but it works.

To help control the brain zaps, it has been suggested that Omega 3 Fish Oil liquid, Carson's Brand is the best. will help heal the brain and also control depression and help with the weight loss.

Additional supplements suggested are magnesium citrate for anxiety, and Primal Defenses (available online) which replaces good bacteria in the gut to aid in the stomach cramps caused by the SSRI withdrawal// 90% of serotonin receptors are in the gut so stomach distress is a common withdrawal. I am not a doctor so you can research the recpmmended nutients supplementation by searching GOOGLE "Dr. Anne Blake Tracy SSRI Healing" into your search engine.

If anyone is hopeless or self destructive, Bach's Flower Essence Cherry Plum can help.

For depersonalization, Naoni Juice available at the health store can help. Dizziness is often caused by the low blood sugars that SSRI's and withdrawal causes, walnuts are excellent at helping the blood sugars to remain stable. Snack on them throughout the day and have a handful before bedtime to stabalize the glucose level thruout the night.

These are suggestions that others have told me has worked for them Everyone is different but you may research these suggestions to see if they may possibly benefit you.

aunt y

[crazygal]

thanks wigging/aunty it helps to know i'm not alone

[speechy]

Hey Crazy and wiggin...
i totally understand about not wanting to take the pills again to make the withdrawls go away. that is how i was too. and if you can keep going without...more power to you! but I was having a rough time, and i took ONE pill...and then ONLY took one if I felt the brain zaps or horrible dizzyness. this is how i have been weening down from them, and it is working for me. I only took one 10mg every like 4 days, then increased to five, then seven...then I cut in in half, and only took one 5 mg when i felt the withdrawls. I am trying to just "listen to my body" and it is totally working for me. I took a 5mg 8 days ago and have not felt anything since. I have had some moodiness, but I will only take the pill if I have physical symptoms. emotional symptoms are easier for me to deal with (take a nap, write in a journal, read a book) than the physical, which i have NO control over.
good luck however you get through it guys. I work in the healthcare industry (im a speech therapist) and it is very common to give stroke patients antidepresants, and I have been using my own experiences to educate my patients and their families about medications like lexipro. I just tell them that coming off them may be tough, so make sure to ween off carefully. They can have their benefits, but anyone here can tell you how hard it is to come off them!
hang in there everyone!

[ajt]

I've been on Lexapro for about 7-8 months and have been wanting to go off of it for the past 2 months. I accidentally went cold turkey when i travelled out to California for a week and forgot to pack it. I'm definitely having the nausea, fatigue, and dizziness -- and i'm actually a bit headachey -- however, I figure since I've been off of it for a week, I might as well keep going. How long should it take for me to feel better from this?

does anyone have any suggestions for easing the withdrawal? foods or herbal or alternative medicine? unfortunately i don't have the luxury of being at a diminished capacity for an extended period of time.

thanks!

[Wigging out]

AJT,

I'm not working so I can't imagine what would happen if I had to. Speechy said that taking one Lex every 4 or 5 days might help and tapering down from there. I have to take 400 mg Advil just to go out in public. It seems to help with the dizziness, headaches and a little of the miserableness, but not brain zaps. I haven't found or heard of anything else that might help so I'd be interested as well. Check out AuntyBiotic's previous post of natural remedies. I'm seeing my doctor on Thursday. Not that I expect to get any answers but I'll ask anyway.

[BOBO911]

I HAVE BEEN ON LEXAPRO 10MG FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS, JUST AFTER PAXIL WAS RECALLED. I TOOK PAXIL 20MG FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS FOR OCD. I'VE DECIDED RECENTLY TO GET OFF OF PRESCRIPTION PILLS ALTOGETHER. KNOWING THAT THE PHARMACUTICAL INDUSTRY CAN EASILY BE COMPARED TO OIL THE INDUSTRY. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY, DOCTORS GET A BONUS FOR PRESCRIBING CERTAIN PILLS, LIKE VACATIONS, MONEY, ETC. WELL, I DIGRESS. ANYWAY I STARTED CUTTING MY PILLS IN HALF TO START WHEENING MYSELF OFF THE LEXAPRO. DID THAT FOR ABOUT A WEEK. NOW, BEING TWO WEEKS LATER I HAVE HAD VERY MINOR DIZZY SPELLS, USUALLY WHEN TURNING MY HEAD, OR EVEN MOVING MY EYES QUICKLY. BUT IT'S DEFINETELY GETTING BETTER DAY BY DAY. THE KEY IS TO WHEEN YOURSELF SLOWLY, IF YOU'RE ON A HIGH DOSAGE IT MAY TAKE A COUPLE MONTHS TO DO THIS, EVERY PERSON IS DIFFERENT. IT DOES GET BETTER TRUST ME, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO RID MYSELF OF THIS CURSE. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR INFO.

[BOBO911]

ATTN: AJT

I HAVE BEEN TAKING TWO PILLS A DAY AT MORNING (AS NEEDED) OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. IT'S ALL NATURAL NO SIDE EFFECTS, IT'S WORKED WONDERS FOR ME, AS I WENT THROUGH MY WHEENING PROCESS. PLEASE CONTACT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

[Quincy]

I have been reading with interest about the withdrawal effects from Lexapro. I have been taking it since last July and have decided to go off of it. Unfortunately, before reading the hazards of going "cold turkey" that is exactly what I have done. The only side effect I have had are is severe dizziness. It doesn't bother me to drive, but once I put my feet on the ground and walk or turn, I experience some nausea and I want to sit down. I thought it was a sinus infection because I am dealing with that, also, but Sinus remedies have not helped me, so I can only assume that it's the Lexapro. I really want to go off of it. If this is the only side effect, I don't want to go back on it and then try to taper off. Has anyone heard of the drug Deprex? It is supposed to be an all-natural remedy to naturally release serotonin in your body as opposed to taking anti-depressants. How long will this dizziness last? I am sleeping o.k, but I also take Tylenol P.M. and have for years. Any suggestions or advice? Thank you.

[auntybiotic]

Quincy,

What dose of Lexapro and when did you stop. If you are not getting any symptoms I wold wait a few weeks to stat any serotonin booster.
There is a risk of serotonin syndrome if you add another serotonin supplement too soon.

If you just recently stopped........it may take two weeks to feel the full effect of the withdrawals. If after 2-3 weeks you do not have stomach cramping, mood swings, anxiety,nightmares.then I would say that you are one of the lucky ones with withdrawal effects.You can try the non drowsy dramanine or Bonnie for the dizziness, it has worked for many during withdrawal.
aunt y

[Wigging out]

Hi Quincy,

I ordered Deprex online and tried it for a couple days until I saw that it contained aspartame (phenylalanine) so I sent it back for a refund. I then bought SamE and take 400 mg daily. It takes a while for that to build up in your system so I can't say I've experienced the full effects of it to recommend it but I will continue on with it. I'm now 17 days without Lexapro, and have been taking SamE for 10 days.[/quote]

[Quincy]

Aunt y-

I am new to the discussion board, and I am not sure how to send you a direct message. I sent one, but don't know if you got it. I went off of the Lex last Friday. I was on 20 mg. daily, up from 10, but I don't feel I need to be on it. Again, I am not sure it isn't sinusitis because I have a terrible earache and my left eye has a lot of pressure. I was fine this morning when I got up and went for a walk, but the longer I am up and doing things, the worse the dizziness gets. I just talked to my doc and she said that Lex has no withdrawal symptoms, but I disagree. They had to see me to make sure my blisters in my tonsils aren't viral, but I am four hours away. I guess I will have to see someone in the area. I had a girlfriend go on Zoloft for a while and then switched to LEx and she is off with absolutely no side effects whatsover. She was only on them for 7 months, so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Thanks for your advice.

[crazygal]

Hi Quincy
I can wholeheartedly say that your doctor is wrong to say lexapro has no withdrawal symptoms. If I was you I would seek advice elsewhere. You only have to read the posts here to realize just how bad the effects of withdrawal are. Your gf is one of the lucky ones. My side effects are getting easier to manage bit by bit. I have decided to persevere as I know I don't want to be stuck on tablets forever. As i've come this far I'll keep going. Good luck and hang on in there. it will get easier.
Nora

[speechy]

Quincy~
I agree with the others, your doctor is misinformed. One thing doctors seem to be afraid to say is "i dont know" or "I havn't heard of any, but let me look into it". Which is most likely the case. Your doc either doesn't know (hasnt researched) or hasn't researched ENOUGH about withdrawl from lex. All i did was a generic GOOGLE search to find out it does.
I have good news for any of you thinking about wheening like I did. I have now gone 10 days with no lex, and no side effects...yet at least. but thats been the longest yet!! woo-hoo!! good luck to you all, and TAKE CARE!

[Wigging out]

Hi Everyone,

Wait til you hear this. I saw my doctor today (internist)and told her of the withdrawal problems I'm having with Lexapro. She said:

Since it's been 18 days since I've taken any Lexapro that it's completely out of my system. When I asked what in her opinion is causing the brain zaps and other symptoms she said she didn't know..perhaps the thyroid. I told her of this web site and of all the people who have written about similar withdrawal symptoms. Her reply was that anyone can post on the internet. I said that these are people just like me who have no agenda other than trying to determine the reason for these withdrawal symptoms that neither the doctors nor the drug companies warn us about. No answer. She wanted to refer me to a psychiatrist for recommendations on meds. I flat out refused...been there, done that and they had me on every medication they could think of (including ritilan) for one year until he finally said, you are not depressed and I can't help you. I told her if anything, I'd like a referral to a naturopath and follow their program. She said that they are drugs too and are not monitored by the FDA so they can give you anything and get away with it. Then she said, this is what I do...I prescribe drugs and if you don't want to take what I prescribe then there's nothing I can do for you, and of course I'm free to pursue the naturopathic way if I so choose. I told her that if I listened to her, I'd have a counter top filled with pill bottles. So, there you have it and this is why I see pharmaceutical sales people in doctors offices every time I go. They buy lunches for everyone in the office and give them tons of free samples. Between the medical profession and the drug companies, they'll have all of us downing every pill under the sun if we allow them. Just thought you'd be interested in this.

[crazygal]

Well wigging I guess that just proves what I 've always thought. It's all about profit and doctors know less about the medication we take than we do. It is in our own best interests to find out what we're putting into our bodies. I for one will be steering clear of meds (and doctors)in the future. I will put up with the nausea ansd brain zaps for another while. At least my mind feels like my own for the first time in ages. I am sure that in time the physical effects will go away. I certainly don't have a hidden agenda for posting on this board. I was just relieved to know that I wasn't going mad and that the effects I was feeling were real. I suppose it is only the likes of us that realise the full extent of the withdrawal symptoms as we are the ones suffering from them. when i first got 'ill' the doctor told me too that what he did was provide medication and that if i didn't take it there was nothing else that could be done for me. I went along with him because i was so depressed at that time i didn't have the strength to argue. Thank god that's in the past and now I am feeling a lot stronger. It was talk therapy that helped me in the long run. I am still attending that and getting stronger by the day. I know I will do my best to stay away from meds. I don't think they do that much to help anyway. I think they are dispensed far to freely and a lot of people would be better off without them.
Can I ask people why they were prescribed the lexapro. Mine was for depression even though there was never any proper diagnosis made and I am convinced that my depression is/was caused by factors other than a chemical imbalance.

[johnnyskeptic]

Don't you think it is possible that your "withdrawal" symptons - the anxiety, panic attacks, dizziness, etc., are simply your basic personality / mental health disorders that lexapro was treating/masking? Once you are off the medication, those disorders are back! This is not withdrawal after a period of three plus weeks, since the drug is out of your system.

I have taken 10mg/daily for about 10 months, and am qutting cold turkey as of yesterday. I will report back in a week to let you know my thoughts ...

[Wigging out]

To Johnnyskeptic

I didn't have brain zaps or dizziness before I went on Lexapro. In my case, I also didn't suffer from anxiety or panic attacks prior to or after Lexapro.

Best of luck with your withdrawal.

[FSU02]

Hello, first I have to say this site is just what I was looking for. I have been on lexapro for 2months and have to get off it. I have two questions that hopefully someone could answer.
1) Does lexapro affect cortisol levels? I have had three cortisol urine and blood tests recently and all came back elevated.
2) What whould be the best way for me to come off the lexapro 10mg I have been on for two months.
Any help would be great!

[Wigging out]

To Johnnyskeptic:

Whoops, I misspoke...I did suffer from anxiety so the Lexapro did help with that, but it's not worth being on it to control that. Will find other ways.

To: FSU02:

I was on 10 mg for 8 months. My doctor told me to take one pill every other day for a week and I'd be done. I started to do that, then switched to 1/2 tab each day as withdrawal was awful. Then I kept going for another week, reducing to 1/4 tab per day. Withdrawal was pretty bad. One poster here said he takes one pill every 5 days when he was at his worst, then increased the days to 6, and so forth. Guess it's different for everyone. It's been 19 days since I've been off altogether and I'm still getting the brain zaps. If you read all the posts here, you'll find all the ways people have coped.

[auntybiotic]

YES Lexapro effects cortisol levels in a BIG way. One dose of lexapro doubles the cortisol level. It can take wuite awhile for the levels to stabilize after stopping the antidepressant. How did they taest your cortisol level, saliva 24 hour test or blood. How high was it? Can you post the results.

As far as tapering, the good thing is that you have not been on it for long. I would taper the dose by 10% and keep it at that level for two to three weeks before tapering again.by doing this you should avoid the ZAPS and it will give your brain a chance to get use to the lower serotonin levels.

Still expect naseau, anxiety, sweating and mood swings and possible crying. Carsons Omega 3 Fish Oil helps.
Skeptic,

You are incorrect in your assumption that the withdrawals are just a return of previous prelexapro symptoms. My daughter was prescribed lexapro for TMJ tooth grinding...........she now has anxiety, naseau, moodiness.all lexapro induced. She was never depressed or had any symptoms prior to lexapro. It is poison!!!

[FSU02]

My 24hour urine cortisol was 123 with normal range of 20-70.

[johnnyskeptic]

FSU, if you were only taking it for two months, then just quit! Jeeze, there is no need to taper it after that long. I doubt you even gave it a chance to help for whatever reason you started taking it in the first place.

And for Wigging, if you had anxiety beforehand, then its simply come back now that you are off lexapro. It probably seems worse since you were less-anxious the whole time you were being treated for lexapro.

Why is it that the folks who have all these withdrawal symptoms are the same ones with the severe disorders that required the constant medication in the first place???

[Wigging out]

To Johnnyskeptic:

I said in my previous post that I never had brain zaps, dizziness. I said the anxiety was lessened by the Lexapro. I'll deal with it and that was not the reason I went on Lexapro in the first place. Why don't you quit writing here if you're going to criticize everyone..It does no good. Go into a chat room or something. We'll see how critical you are after you've been off it for a bit.