[headspinning]

Okay, here's my story. I was recently started on Lexapro 10 mg and only took it 4 times. The psychiatrist I saw made it clear that I should not stop taking it right away because of side effects. He said most side effects are mild and will go away with continued use. He is an intimidating man so I did not feel okay about questioning him too much.

The first day I was itching like mad. I had the worst headache of my life and began throwing up and had diarrhea. The next day I developed a rash and still had a terrible headache and was still vomiting all day and the diarrhea got worse. I also was clenching my teeth together and they ached. My neck and shoulder area began to ache. I had that spaced out numb feeling and thoughts of wanting to die increased. The mild panic attacks I felt before taking Lexapro became severe panic attacks. I felt hot and flushed and kept sweating. My body ached all over, especially my knees and fingers on both hands. I was so dizzy I couldn't function. I was not able to sleep for even a minute for all those days. Every muscle in my body felt like it was aching, almost cramping like. By the fourth day my vision became blurred and a slight tremor began in my hands. I was almost passing out from the weakness the vomiting and the diarrhea caused. I ended up getting taken to the ER by a friend. The ER doc said I was so dehydrated that my heartbeat was not normal.

I was on IV fluids for two days. The nausea and diarrhea have mostly stopped. They gave me something for the nausea and something for the diarrhea. Of course the Lexapro was discontinued. Now it's been four days since I've taken Lexapro and I'm getting what I think are those brain zaps. I've been told that I've stopped talking mid-sentence and just blinked my eyes for a few seconds when it happens and that I seem a little confused. I feel it happening but I was not aware I stopped talking or blinked. When it happens I feel like the kind of shock one gets from static electricity only stronger…more painful. The pain goes from my head down to the rest of my body. Someone told me her sister had epilepsy and did the same kind of stop talking and blinking that I was doing. I have never done that before. My vision is still blurred, not as much I don't think, but still blurred. I still have the tremor only not constantly. Now it's mostly when I hold something.

My questions are:

Are all the symptoms I had/have typical of Lexapro. Do any of them ever stay around permanently?

Is what I'm experiencing brain zaps from withdrawal? Is this what they are like?

Can a person even have withdrawal symptoms after being on Lexapro for only 4 days?

Could the Lexapro have given me epilepsy?

My vision is still blurred. Is it normal for blurry vision to occur and then last after for several days after the Lexapro has been stopped?

How long before I am symptom free, if ever?

A friend is typing and posting this for me because my blurry eyes and shaking hands make it too difficult for me to do it myself. I can't believe all of this could happen from just taking a prescription medication only 4 times.

How I wish I had found this site and read the posts here before I ever took this horrible drug. Feeling depressed and having mild panic attacks were nothing compared to the terrible things this drug has done to me.

I want nothing more to do with the psychiatrist I saw because he definitely made me feel that he would not be happy if I didn't give this drug a good try. I won't be going back to him and I won't be taking Lexapro ever again so I'm not up to getting into it with him.

I would very much appreciate any information or input any of you can give me.

Thanks in advance.

[headspinning]

Sorry, this was supposed to go with the Lexapro withdrawal posts. I posted it where it was meant to go but can't delete it as a separate topic. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Again, sorry.