[Donica]

I tapered from 20 to 10MG of Lexapro back in the middle of September. Felt fine for a while then it all hit me--chills, zaps, zombie feeling and my IBS returned with a vengeance. I went back to the 20 MG and within a week, felt much more normal. But, I'm still experiencing some residue feeling and some IBS symptoms. Can this be possible after two months? I even went for a colonoscopy to check on the old colon and everything was normal.

[BobaFett49]

First question...how long were you on Lexapro before you started waning off?

[Donica]

Hi--
About two years at least.

[BobaFett49]

Two years huh? Hmm...well I know that you'll have to taper off with a continually-waning dose for awhile. As far as the IBS...I used to have terrible IBS, and I tried several things such as Hyoscamine, Bentyl, Donnatoll, until it finally just sorta went away. I've heard mixed reports about antidepressants and IBS, but I don't know exactly what the interaction is. Fortunately there has been a TON of research into this field in the last couple years, and theres lots of treatments for IBS. You should ask your MD about Zelnorm, as well as Bellamine-S, Librax, Bentyl, Levsin...those work great.
Hope this helps.

[Donica]

Thanks! I'll ask about them. Actually my doc put me on a bit of a higher dosage on Friday (30mg) to see if that helps my IBS. We shall see. But I will definitely inquire about those others you mentioned. Thank you for your help!

[samiprem]

I took lexapro 5mg for 2 months and it did help me with depression but made my anxiety worse. I am in the process of weaning off and taking 3.75 mg daily. I have minimal withdrawal symptoms. As advised by a taper off program i take 2 340mg EPA omega-3 capsules in the morning and two in the after noon empty stomach and tart cherry concentrate capsule at bed time for help with insomina. What really made a difference for me as far as my anxiety is corncerned is reading a book called "Help and hope for your nerves". It made me under stand the whole anxiety and panic attack process and ways to deal with it.

Good luck to everyone