[soundmind]

It has been 21 days since my dose reduction. I had the typical withdrawal symptoms peak between 10 and 14 days, mostly emotional. I thought I was in the clear and then an onset of physical symptoms began about a week later: terrible aches in my legs, diarrhea, insomnia, headaches, night sweats, and not to mention an additional round of crying spells, feeling hopeless, detached, etc. I am wondering of this is relapse because it has already been 3 weeks or if I have an actual virus? Looking for someone to reassure me that withdrawal symptoms take longer than the textbooks say, "usually reside within 2-3 weeks"? Thanks!

[themom]

my daughter was on lexapro and seroquel and klonopin. they all made her worse off so she was taken off both lex. and seroquel at same time. she had been on them for app. 5 months before she ended up in the hospital. it took her 8 weeks cold turkey with the exception of klonapin which at times was 20mg. to calm her down. it was a nightmare getting her off those crazy meds she has now returned to normal but, it was hell for her. she will NEVER take any ssri's again. she had a little trouble getting off the klonapin but, it wasn't anything compared to the others. good luck and there is light at the end of the tunnel. she has no memory of the two months coming off it. blessing? i don't know. good luck dear. and hang in there.

quote:Originally posted by soundmind

It has been 21 days since my dose reduction. I had the typical withdrawal symptoms peak between 10 and 14 days, mostly emotional. I thought I was in the clear and then an onset of physical symptoms began about a week later: terrible aches in my legs, diarrhea, insomnia, headaches, night sweats, and not to mention an additional round of crying spells, feeling hopeless, detached, etc. I am wondering of this is relapse because it has already been 3 weeks or if I have an actual virus? Looking for someone to reassure me that withdrawal symptoms take longer than the textbooks say, "usually reside within 2-3 weeks"? Thanks!

[auntybiotic]

Hi,
How did you taper, what dosage??
It can take at least FOUR MONTHS for the withdrawals from lexapro to improve. You have the classic symptoms, the runs, sweatinging, crying, moodiness, sleeplessness, fatigue, muscle aches, etc.

It is not the flu, this is all withdrawal, it even causes sinus issues.

The Mom,

What dose of Lexapro was your daughter on? Can you share what your daughter went rhu cold turkey? Did she remain in the hospital for the entire eight weeks. Did she gain weight from the SSRI?? How long did it take her to return to normal? Thanks.

[annaoffmeds]

Most people seem to experience withdrawl later down the road- but I was shocked 2 days after my last dose with every symptom available-- why is it that this is so different for everyone? Also, any insite on if this could get even worse, or if (since i have every symptom possible it seems)it might just last longer like this.
thanks!

[soundmind]

Thanks for all your replies. I went from 15mg to 12.5mg, then 12.5mg to 10mg in about 3 months. I did not have any "major" issues with those dosage reductions, minor withdrawal. My original entry regarding all the symptoms occurred when I decreased from 10mg to 7.5mg. Althought the physical symptoms have subsided, and were gone approx. 25 days after the dosage reduction, I feel very depressed, still have major crying spells, am very oversensitive, nervous, & not sleeping well. Thus, I wonder if this could be a relapse even though I am still taking 7.5mg of Lexapro. I also heard that the efficacy of Lexapro was not established in Clinical Trials below 10mg, which maybe would mean that once you get below 10mg, it does not work at all? I know that my depression lifted when I reached 10mg, and now I feel like it is back. I guess I am going to stick it out another few weeks to determine if it still could be withdrawal or relapse. Any suggestions? Thanks everyone, I sure do feel alone in all this, and just need some hope that one day I will get off these drugs so we can have another baby.

[johnnny]

soruquel isnt that a sleeping pill because i get samples from my dads doctor because i have trouble sleeping maybe i shouldnt be taking it i already have enough problems but can u tell me exactly what it is

[annaoffmeds]

hey i wanted to add a few things that might help.

First off, have you checked out the lexapro withdrawl forum? Theres a lot ofgood insight there. Some things mentioned are supplements that might curb some of the side effects you're experiencing as well as help your mood. Right now I started taking a good vitamin, fish oil and magnesium....all explained if you look through the forum!

Also, just so you know, one of the sideeffects of withdrawl is depression, anxiety, etc. Theres a crazy list of physical and mental withdrawl effects out there. My suggestion (i'm not a doc, just a person going through the same stuff!) is to stick it out. You really can't even tell if your anxiety/depression is real until you stop going through withdrawl....crazy right? Plus knowing how bad these effects are now makes me never want to go through it again.

Oh and one more good story to tell!
My older sister had severe anxiety and panic, but decided to go off her meds so she could get pregnant. She struggled of course a lot, but once she got into her pregnancy...her anxiety went away! She's brestfeeding right now and still no anxiety- some people say the hormones, etc during those times curb the anxiety, depression,...

anyways, it just goes to show you that even natural things help people...plus when i saw you wanted to have a child, i thought that story might cheer you up!
Good luck!
anna