[anxiousbabe]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and just would like to start by saying that I am so glad I am not the only one who feels the withdrawel effects from the lexapro. I have been suffering from from panic/anxiety since I was 17 now 34. I always took xanax here and there for a panic attack and it always worked wonderful, but suddenly my anxiety got worse about 2 years ago and I told my doctor so she suggested Lexapro. I was so afraid to take it. (Mediphobic) I put it in my cabinet for about 2 months until I started experiencing those panic attacks which made me paranoid about shopping alone and having to leave my carriage in the grocery store in fear of passing out etc... I am sure anyone who suffers from this knows all too well exactly what I am talking about.

Anyway I started taking the lexapro and felt great the first 6 to 8 months however the scale started escalating by the month and before you know it I was 32 pounds heavier. The first 10 to 15 pounds I could have dealt with, but anything above and beyond that was unacceptable on my 5'4" frame. Then the faint headache behind my eyes started and I lost all ambition to do the things I was once so particular about like filing my important paperwork and just everyday things in general. Then I felt like I had the early onset of alzheimers. I can't remember a thing. This is not the way I want to live my life with 3 children and husband.

However this is my third attempt getting off the lexapro and I am sticking to it. The first two times I tried to get off in the last 5 months were not too bad, but just that the anxiety started to creep up a little and I didn't want to deal with it so I went back on, but now this is it. I went to a homeopathic doctor today and she performed some accupuncture and gave me some natural meds so I am going to give that a shot. Not to mention that I have been eating so healthy and working out at the gym 5 times a week and the scale still hasn't moved.

My next question is does anyone know if once you are off if the weight starts tapering off. That would be very helpful to know. Sorry for a long drawn out story, but it always helps me to read someone elses story and see how it all started and the steps they took to get where they are. This is my sixth day of weaning and so far I just feel really hungry for some strange reason and a little hyper at night, but I am sure there is more to come.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[bella_mania]

Hi anxiousbabe...

Believe it or not I just replied to you on anothe website about this very same thing!

I'm on day 8 of no Lex and feeling the withdrawal symptoms. I got the OK to taper and quit from my doc. It's not that I'm cured but my CBT is working far better than any med could for me. So, it's time for me to get through this withdrawal period and hopefully I'll see the weight come off. I'm down about 5lbs since I started my taper schedule (15 to 10 to 5 to 0) and now that I'm not taking it anymore I'm hoping to see more in the downward loss direction.

Let's keep in touch with each other about our progress, OK? It'll be nice to have someone to go through this with, don't you think?

[losingmymind]

Hi everyone-glad to know i am not alone! I quit cold turky 3 days ago and the 'zaps' are really sinking in today. I, too, gained about 15 lbs, (I'm only 4'11"!, after about 1 year on lexapro-and 2 years on paxil before that, so I'm anxious to see if stopping helps. The first 2 days after stopping were almost euphoric-I felt really good and had tons of energy. Today is much worse. I feel very aimless, tired, and 'zappy'-electric shock-like feelings. I've had a couple beers and that seems to help, but what are we to do-trade one drug for another? I fwe can support one another through this, I think that will help us all immensly. Thanks in advance for any help and/or advice, and I'd be happy to pass along what I can...!
Tracy

[bella_mania]

Hi Tracy! I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this too but at least we're not alone?

I'm almost 2 weeks without Lexapro and the zaps are sometimes bearable and at other times a living hell. I almost took a pill last night...knowing that if I got back on it then I'd at least get rid of the horrible withdrawal symptoms. But, I didn't...and I'm glad I didn't.

The weight gain has got to be the worst...I feel awful about myself and it's definitely messing with my frame of mind. Well, one day at a time...right?

Keep posting if you can...it'll be nice to have a place to come to and keep each other company in our "misery" LOL!

(hugs)

[losingmymind]

Hi Bella-Thanks for the nice message! Any support right now is much appreciated. I'm on Day 6-today wasn't so bad but the zaps are hitting me big-time tonight! Thanks God I don't have anymore or I'd probable take one. (The price tag to get it refilled has been a great deterent!) I had a glass of wine and that seems to help. One day at a time, right? Thanks again,
Tracy
BTW, I just talked to my Mom and she is NOT being supportive-not much help! But then again she knows what a mess I was before I went on Lexapro. I just feel like I'm ready to try again on my own. Any advice for coping with depression/anxiety?
Another thanks,
Tracy

[New2Lex]

Hello
I just started lexapro 2 weeks ago .. When did you see the weight loss. I have read that i will gain weight .. And this is something i do not want to do .. I have went from size 1 to size 10/12 and weight is part of the problem i am on lex.. I just started a new job and dont know if i should stay on the lex to see if it helps me loose the weight .. and of course help me mentally .. Any advice? I also want to know if takin omega 2 helps with weight loss or helps speed it along.. Please feel free to email me or add to aol buddy list if anyone has any suggestions.. Thanks
Charmedingranger ( Aol Screen name)


Thank God for the internet . Because sometimes our Doctors dont help... Shell

[auntybiotic]

New2 LEX,

You will lose weight the first two months that you take lexapro then you will dramatically put on between 20 to 70 pounds by doing nothing differently. It affects your metabolism. I would give a million dollars to be where you are right now....if I was I WOULD NEVER TAKE ANOTHER LEXAPRO. You will become addicted to them. Please beware. Tapering or cold turkey will be stressful and painful.

[New2Lex]

Hello.. So should i continue to take the lex for the weight loss benifits untill around the 1 month time frame. How would you suggest to get off lexapro? I am so scared .. I have not taken it for 2 days and i feel so out of sorts.. I mean i am so tired and just cant focus.. I dont know what to do .. All i want to do is loose 30lbs.. Not gain it and feel like i can cope again.. Any advice.. thanks



New2 LEX,

You will lose weight the first two months that you take lexapro then you will dramatically put on between 20 to 70 pounds by doing nothing differently. It affects your metabolism. I would give a million dollars to be where you are right now....if I was I WOULD NEVER TAKE ANOTHER LEXAPRO. You will become addicted to them. Please beware. Tapering or cold turkey will be stressful and painful.
[/quote]

Thank God for the internet . Because sometimes our Doctors dont help... Shell

[butterfly3]

Hi N2L,

I've been on Lexapro for about seven months now and my weight hasn't changed. I guess everyone is different. Good luck with whatever you decide to do...

[New2Lex]

[quote]Originally posted by butterfly3

Hi N2L,



Hello
Butterfly3
I am having the worst time trying to get off this .. I finally had to take a lex the other night.. I was so out of my mind.. I was 100 times worse then not taking any meds at all ..
I hate the effects it has on you and i am so mad at my doctor for putting me on something that makes u feel like a drug addict. I feel like i am just so out of sorts..
Good luck to you .. I am going to wing myself off.. I will not stay on a drug that tryly traps your body and sole.. its evil

Thank God for the internet . Because sometimes our Doctors dont help... Shell

[mhillqt]

auntie....i think everyone is interested in your story and opinions and we are all sorry for the pain lexapro put you and your family thru BUT please dont make blanket statements that you lose weight in the beginning and then gain 20-70 pounds....just because thats your experience doesnt mean its everyone else's.....i think everyone reacts differantly and we should all caveat our posts with "this is what happened to me and may or may not happen to you"....its great to be warned but we shouldnt look at it as black and white.....i for one, would never ever want to go thru what you went thru with lexapro and would be fuming but lets hope that most dont have to.....thanks for the warnings...it def makes me more cautious about this drug...

Michael

[EasyMeds]

Wow! It sounds like the weight issue is different for everyone! When I was on it for a year I had to do everything to keep weight ON!

One thing that I am seeing in this string is that people are quiting cold turkey. Please don't do that. It can be dangerous and lead the the w/ds. When I went off it (from 20mgs a day), my Dr put me on a 6 week taper and I didn't experience any w/ds.

So please, if you want to stop Lexapro taper off. It should be much easier and safer for you.

David

[auntybiotic]

Hi,

The weight loss and weight gain issues are NOT just what I personally experienced. I have been researching lexapro for the past year and a half and have corresponded with over a thousand people taking and getting off of lexapro. Go to the Lexapro Withdrawal forum on this site and you can also read about others. Weight gain on Lexapro is the normal experience..it it not a blanket statement.

Most lose weight the first few months and then the weigh begins to pile on. If this did not happen to you then you are a lucky exception. Research further and you will see that the statements I have made have a great deal of research behind them.True, everyoneone is different but in at least 85 to 90% of lexapro users will and HAVE experienced this. Continue taking lexapro and check back in six months and see if you have not put on several pounds. It will occur after about a year of taking lexapro.

[sarita]

Aunty,
I was the one who mention The Road Back Program. Although i haven't started yet, it's been a great experience. This is what it's all about.

www.theroadback.org is a company that creates a taper program for your individual needs. it also gives you all the supplements just like the ones you mentioned, but you can order them through them. you also are assigned a specialist who e-mails you anytime you want. everytime i've e-mailed, the person gets back to me within 24 hours or less. they recommend a 5-10% taper with little or no side effects.
first, they start you on the supplements (omega 3's, barley, cherry extract). once you get to feeling good, they adjust your supplements up or down, and write you a personal taper program. it sounds really great. they supposedly have had over 10,000 success stories which you can read at their website. i haven't started yet. i'm waiting to receive my supplements. and then i will begin.
they are the ones that told me switching from pill to liquid causes side effects and adjusting, although everyone else i spoke to say no.
i'm not taking any chances unless you know differently.

my psychiatrist recommended i crush the pill, and make like cocaine lines, 10 of them, that'd make 10% of each line. i tried it and it really seems to be the most accurate taper i've tried. i thought that was so funny for her to say that, but whatever!!!

gained 20 lbs in 8 months. didn't eat or do anything different. went from size 2 to size 8. had to buy new pants and shirts.

anxiousbaby,
i went through exactly what you did on the lexipro. haven't tapered yet. waiting on my supplements.