[shadieangel74]

are any of you still around? I really need some advice on this. i am really scared now i see no one has spoken on this topic for a while now...really hope all is well!!!

[Flaky1]

Shadie good luck if your symptoms get you to these extremes, why not call your doc and let them know? Or just go to an emergency toom and ask them to help you.
I've been off Lex for only 48h. the next day I began to take it again.
Anyways, my withdrawal symptoms were severe: headaches, nausea, vertigo, flu-like symptoms, crying allot, severe depression etc. I even began to feel homicidal and suicidal on the 2nd day. Anyhow, I took my meds and feel same ole now. But, I am extremely sensitive about what happens around me, any disturbance/nervousness.... and so I end up taking my Lorazepam 3+ times a day. Needles to say... its difficult to stay up, I feel sleepy all the time etc. Almost unable to function. I'm seeing the doc soon and will try to get instead of 20mg the pills of 10 mg. Hope I can at least decrease the dosage now.... Good luck to you and anyone else quiting this terrible med.
Flaky1

quote:Originally posted by shadieangel74

are any of you still around? I really need some advice on this. i am really scared now i see no one has spoken on this topic for a while now...really hope all is well!!!

[cablewife]

i have been on antidepressant for several yrs. nothing seemed to work so my doctor took me off lexapro cold turkey and put me on buspar and clonazapam. i am having mood swings brain zaps i sure do want off lexapro it is hellish. any ideas.
thanks

[auntybiotic]

Go to Lexapro withdrawal on this forum for more support..it is under Featured Coonditions

[janbanan]

I am so glad I came across this message board!! I have only been taking Lexapro for 7 days now, I forgot to take a pill yesterday,... and all day today I have been DRAGGING. It was so bad that I decided to look up causes for extreme exhaustion because I literally could not get up and do anything!!
I came across this website and according to what everyone is saying about Lexapro, I am soooo glad I found this.

After reading everyones posts, Lexapro scares me to death. I want to stop taking it right now..does anyone know since I have only been on it for 7 days, will I still get withdrawls?????
Thanks!

[mulleme]

Hello - I just found this website today. I took Lexapro 30mg for 18 mos. I just got switched to Cymbalta 3 weeks ago. When I would miss a does of Lex I noticed the same eyes and brain did not match that I saw mentioned. However, taking both meds for a week and then going straight to Cymbalta was great for me. No ill effects. I am also diabetic -fyi. I hope this helps some of you out there. I also took Effexor for a couple of years. I do still also take Xanax and Klonopin. I also go to weekly talk therapy. For me, the combo approach to my depression has been very helpful. Find a great therapist and doctor and let them help you get better! Good luck!

[drugbuster]

Tips from my Paxil friends...

The worst part of withdrawals will last about 3 weeks. For the following 3 weeks you will begin to feel a whole lot better... and the extra weight should start to come off.

Benadryl Nighttime will help you sleep

Dramamine or Gravol will help with the dizziness

The brain zaps are harmless and will disappear.

Exercise as much as you can

Eat fish or take Omega 3



Tim

prozackills2002@yahoo.ca

[Princess369]

I suffer from PTSD with panic disorder, depression, and anxiety issues and am under treatment for all.I was started on lexapro 10 mg for two months, followed by an increase of lexapro to 20 mg for two months currently.
I found that my panic attacks are more frequent, i suffer from anorgasmia, and am losing my hair in an alarming fashion, I suffer from tremors and insomnia, knees aching, restless legs at night, and strange dreams as well.
As a nurse, i will seek my physicians assistance in weaning down off lexapro until i am on none at all.
I did find all of the adverse effects including many more online and was shocked at just how many there are that fit me. I'll keep you posted on how I do.

[drugbuster]

Dear Princess,

Once you get totally off the Lexapro, phone or write to www.truehope.com. Ask them about EmpowerPlus.

I've never tried it, but I convinced one of my friends to quit her drugs (Paxil... then Cymbalta) and she loves it.


Tim

prozackills2002@yahoo.ca

[shell68]

Tim, your posts are the only actual suggestions on how to deal with these awful withdrawls. I had no idea there were ANY withdrawls and sped from 20mg down to 10 in no time and now I'm suffering! thanks for the suggestions!

[drugbuster]

Thank you shell68.

I spent a lot of time on Paxil message boards taking notes of the withdrawal symptoms and little tricks they used to stay alive.

With Paxil and I bet with ALL the a/ds, the last 10 mgs are by far the hardest to stop. If you write to me, I'll give you a list of Paxil withdrawal boards that have forums similar to this one.

The people at www.truehope.com have tried with little success to have people use EmpowerPlus during withdrawal. But it certainly helps once you're off the drug.


Tim
prozackills2002@yahoo.ca

[numb]

I just found this message board and am relieved to see what others have gone through.

I've been on Lexapro 20mg for almost a year (began with about 2 months of 10mg) for depression. I guess I'm pretty numb/detached, but overall still sad. I don't feel like it's doing me any good, and maybe more harm than good (lack of concentration, mild weight gain), and so I want to get off.

Whenever I've forgotten to take a dose 2 days in a row, I get that vertigo swimming feeling in my head. That's what reminds me to take my pill! It's very disorienting.

One time when I had trouble getting my subscription re-filled, I went off Lexapro abruptly for a week. It was HELL. I was deep in some nether-world walking around like a zombie hearing voices and feeling desperate. I dread that feeling again, which is one reason I haven't quit before now. But it's time quit!!

I'm a little scared of these brain zaps I keep hearing about...

Today I cut my 20mg pill in half-- to take 10 mg. I'm thinking of trying to take 10mg/day and see how I feel. If I have trouble, I may alternate a day here and there with the 20mg, but I want to get this over with! We'll see...

[numb]

Day 4 of 10mg and so far so good.

[drugbuster]

numb....

Load up on Benadryl nighttime. It'll help you sleep.

Dramamine or Gravol will ease the dizziness.

Drink lots of water and exercise.

Sunglassses.... some people get extremely sensitive to lights during withdrawals.

The brain zaps are inconvenient.... and harmless.

Make sure you have someone you can call and talk to. It makes life a whole lot easier.

Yes, you'll live thru it. The worst time is for about 2 weeks after the last pill. But if you've tapered down okay, you'll survive that.


Tim

prozackills2002@yahoo.ca

Every 5 minutesan American is killed by an FDA approved prescription drug.

[numb]

Thanks Tim. Benadryl sounds like a good idea. I'm probably not getting good sleep, although it doesn't help that I have a 2-yr old nephew with croup climbing into my bed in the middle of the night wanting his back rubbed (and getting me sick).

Water, water, water. Okay, made my way to the fridge and back without falling down. I'm super super super dizzy. AFter cutting down to 10mg/day for a week and a half, I was doing okay for the most part except for major lack of concentration and mild dizziness. So I cut down to 5mg/day for 4 days and then decided to begin to try to get this over with over the Memorial Day weekend. I did not take anything Friday Saturday or today, trying to go cold turkey. Now the dizziness is overwhelming at times. Earlier I was backing out of a parking space and the turning combined with the heat (80 here) made me feel like I could pass out right there in my car. I'm afraid I could get pulled over for drunk driving when ironically I have nothing in my system!

I know I should be consulting with my doctor, but he left his practice last summer right after prescribing my meds, and he seemed to be throwing drugs at me without knowing much about them anyway. Almost like he didn't know much about depression and didn't care to know. I haven't decided yet whether to follow him to his new practice or find another doctor.

I also stopped seeing a therapist earlier this year because I felt like we'd run out of things to talk about and she tried to invent problems to fix that I didn't care about. But I have a good support system in family and friends. As far as the depression returning (not that it ever really left) or the withdrawal causing mood swings, I vowed to practice mind over matter and be aware of my mental state and work on the things I've learned from my therapist and not let the internal mechanics of my mind get all twisted and dark and sad as it's so prone to do. Even despite the emotional hell i've gone through at work and the anonymous perverse harassment I'm enduring and the loss of 15-year friendships as a result of it all! ... I can't go through life in my own pity party because then I will miss out on LIFE!

I'm going to do it all without the help of drugs (anymore), but am looking into all the more natural, vitamin and mineral and water and exercise therapies available. Spending time with my adorable smart nephew is also a great therapy. Hell, maybe I'll go back to church. I'm so glad I found this forum and thanks Tim for your advice.

[lanzieblue]

Thanks to all who provided candid information about the Lexapro withdrawel symptoms. It has been almost 3 weeks for me coming of the 10 mg daily. I am still taking Wellbutrin XL 300. I was put on Wellbutrin 2 years agoto help with hormone replacement and Lexapro for situational depression about a year ago. When I first went off the Lexapro a few weeks ago, I had a surge of energy and eupohria for about 2 days, which was encouraging because I too have gained about 20 lbs on the Lexapro over the past year. I was aware that Lexapro made me too relaxed and that I just wanted to watch TV in my spare time, I am normally a very active energetic 47 year old woman. Anyway, after the 2 day high, I started to develop flu like symptoms which have persisited up to today. Symptoms like extreme dizziness, nausea, head fullness, head ache/throbs, neck, shoulder and jaw pain (TMJ came back with a vengance!). Not realizing this could be Lex withdrawel, I started worrying about heart disease because I have also recently developed high blood pressure and high cholesteral ( which I attribute primarily to the weight gain). Anyway, my mind, with the help of the internet, ran away with me and I began to imagine I might have symptoms of a heart attack. Then suddenly it hit me that all this began after I stopped "cold turkey" taking the Lexapro a few weeks ago. This new internet search led me to Drugs.com and all these experiences contributed by you all. I just want to thank you for releiving me of all this worry and now I am sure it is the Lex withdrawel. I am also looking forward to passing the 3 week mark and hopefully getting my weight down to adjust the blood pressure and cholesteral issues! Does anyone else take Wellbutrin 300 XL? Just wondering if the combination contributed to withdrawel effects. I am still taking the Wellbutrin. Thanks again for putting my mind at ease!

[Ktown]

My doctor has had me on 40, yes 40 mg of lexapro for three and a half years. During this time, I have gained 35 pounds and really have ceased to function as a human being, as far as I am concerned.

I had some bad viruses - Epstein Barr and polio - as a child, so it has been hard to determine the cause of the extreme fatigue. I just read the laundry list of Lexapro-related problems and I think I have 3/4 of them.

I see my doctor tomorrow and I am quitting Lexapro!! I have looked at a mess of clothes on the floor in my hallway for four months, but it is beyond me to figure how to sort it out. I cannot get my house picked up and won't let anyone in to see the mess. I am too embarassed to let anyone see what this place looks like. I have never used illegal drugs, but if you asked me I would say I am "stoned."

I will post back to let you know if I am truly nuts or if it is the Lexapro. I had clinical depression 20 years ago and got through with very little medication in spite of hospitalization.

It has been a relief to read what has been posted. I am pretty sure my problem is Lexapro-based. I used to be a high-functioning woman, now I am less active than the cat! (And the cat enjoys life!)

Drugs are not the answer for everything!!

[numb]

Lanzieblue,

Your experiences with quitting cold turkey are so similar to mine. The first 2 days I also experienced the euphoria. I thought I was manic, after being depressed for so long, to finally be able to feel sustained giddiness for absolutely no reason. I was afraid I might crash hard but tried to make the most of it nonetheless.

I also developed flu-like symptoms (although the dizziness was beyond flu-like) -- but I think my symptoms may actually be something that's going around. My dad recovering from pneumonia wants to spend all his time at my house hacking in every room of my house and filling it with germs... So I imagine my stuffed-up head is more from that than the withdrawal. Today and yesterday I've had some heart palpitations, although that could be attributed to the vitamins I'm taking. Today I also got some weird pains behind my eyes that come and go... but I'm glad I saw that here so I'm not worried...

Isn't this site great though for realizing others are having similar experiences?

My therapist had recommended Wellbutrin also to accompany the Lexapro. I never took it.

KTOWN --

I know what you mean!! Lack of energy!! I have the same pile of clothes!! ... among other things. Where to start?? In the past week, though, since quitting Lexapro, I've made incredible progress on my house! I'm regaining the ability to prioritize, organize and dive in! Can't wait to have people over!

Focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, and take manageable steps toward it.

[karenwithdrawls]

my experience with lexapro withdrawls are as follows
a. extreme mood swings
b. zapping feelings throughout my body
c. edginess
d. extremely mouthy and i am a quiet person
e. general feeling of .....what the heck is going on here..has sybyl entered my body
F....WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BE PUT ON THIS MED

[Long Island Girl]

I completely regret taking lexapro and feel very angry at the Dr. that prescribed it, for not warning me of any of these horrible side effects (I've noticed that weight gain and loss of libido are among many others, that seem to be common on this message board...in my opinion this will make anyone depressed!) and the withdrwal symptons are awful.

I just got married, and even though my husband has been supportive through this nightmare, it was so great to discover this board. I'm really scared of what's to come through this withdrawal process....any reply is appreciated...thank you...It's nice to know that we are not alone...

I think we should protest this drug company!!!!

I wish everyone well

-LIGirl

[lblue]

Hello, I am right there with you. I was on 40mg's of lexapro and went cold turkey, it is beginning to be a nightmare. I am weepy,scared,bad dreams,hot flashes. It's been four weeks for me.

[lblue]

I think I know what you all are talking about body pains. I get little spots all over that feel like I am getting splattered by cold water, but nothing is there.
I sometimes feel like there is a bug crawling on me,but nothing is there.
I was taking 40 mg's of lexapro and I quit taking it cold turkey because of the sexual side affects and I just felt too numb to everything, I never even felt like crying at all. It has been four weeks now. I do take lorazapam for anxiety and insomnia, I managed to get my self down to a quarter of a 1mg pill. I am doing ok with that. Does anyone know how long to wait after stopping the lexapro to get completely off lorazapam? When the withdrawl affects go away?
Prayer is a good place to start when quitting these meds.

[3j'smom]

ABSOLUTELY! I had the restless leg thing going on & could NOT lie still to sleep. It was EXTREMELY uncomfortable. I went from a whole pill to a half a pill and then a quarter, etc. over about a month & 1/2 period of time & I still had the withdrawal symptoms. It took awhile - like 3 weeks or more but they finally subsided.

[Atlasmark]

I started taking lexapro about a year ago - at first 10mg - then 20 mg. I was so scatterbrained and exhaused all the time. I told my doc and she suggesting taking it before going to bed. This did not help and all I wanted to do was sleep all of the time anyway, and it didn't matter if I took it day or night. I couldn't stand not feeling any sense of urgency or energy anymore and the "brain zaps" were a huge concern of mine - I guess you could call it "seritonin fits". I also gained weight even though I ate less than before.

I went down to 10 mg for about 4 months, and then I went to 5 mg for about a week and then 2.5 mg for about 4 days. I am doing all right on my 3rd day off lexapro. I found some old wellbutrin from when I tried to quite smoking, so I have been taking it for the last 3 days.

My house is finally picked up and more organized then it has been for the last year being on lexapro. Haven't had any brain zaps yet, but I have cried some. I have some leg cramping and I am smoking a lot. I think it is as though my brain needs SOMETHING - as if it thinks the cigs will give it the sertonin boost like lexapro does.
Anyway - thanks for helping me see that the cramping is lexapro related. I appreciate the heads up about the possible withdrawal symptoms and the length of time it may take to feel "normal" again - whatever that means!

[Atlasmark]

Originally Posted by Atlasmark

I started taking lexapro about a year ago - at first 10mg - then 20 mg. I was so scatterbrained and exhaused all the time. I told my doc and she suggesting taking it before going to bed. This did not help and all I wanted to do was sleep all of the time anyway, and it didn't matter if I took it day or night. I couldn't stand not feeling any sense of urgency or energy anymore and the "brain zaps" were a huge concern of mine - I guess you could call it "seritonin fits". I also gained weight even though I ate less than before.

I went down to 10 mg for about 4 months, and then I went to 5 mg for about a week and then 2.5 mg for about 4 days. I am doing all right on my 3rd day off lexapro. I found some old wellbutrin from when I tried to quite smoking, so I have been taking it for the last 3 days.

My house is finally picked up and more organized then it has been for the last year being on lexapro. Haven't had any brain zaps yet, but I have cried some. I have some leg cramping and I am smoking a lot. I think it is as though my brain needs SOMETHING - as if it thinks the cigs will give it the sertonin boost like lexapro does.
Anyway - thanks for helping me see that the cramping is lexapro related. I appreciate the heads up about the possible withdrawal symptoms and the length of time it may take to feel "normal" again - whatever that means!

I have now been off of lexapro for a little over 2 weeks. Man...what a ride..

First 2 days I felt energized and Euphoric...then the cramping started
Felt like I had the flu for 3 days after that.
For 3 more days I had major dizzy spells and was very tired. The brain zaps and body jolts were every 10 minutes or so.
had 6 more days of dizziness, insomnia and exhaustion.
I am finally feeling better. Still having trouble sleeping though.

To anyone experiencing the withdrawals......It will get better!!!!!!

[kimberoo]

Aunty

It has been 5 days taking 15mg and the zaps are more than ever and stranger than ever. They woke him out of his sleep last night. He hasn't had much sleep at all for the past two days. Dizziness and vertigo are still the same. And, the palpitations had practically disappeared while tapering, but they're back now.

Is it possible that Lexapro just doesn't work for him anymore, that it causes adverse effects now? Do you think that he should be switched to another SSRI at this point so that he can stabilize? Have you ever known of anyone who has done this and tapered successfully, or are we just playing with fire out of desperation?

His birthday is tomorrow and he has absolutely nothing to look forward to. I can't believe that he has been this way since Father's Day!! If we were to make a decision like this, we'll wait until we go to Johns Hopkins and talk to the psychiatrists there first. I've read that Dr. Healy (sp?) recommends switching to Prozac because of it's longer half life, but then again Prozac doesn't have the best track history either.

He's very afraid about changing meds, but he can't go on anymore like this either. He hasn't had a normal day for 1 & 1/2 months now, nor has he driven or worked. Patience is at it's all time low. I really thought that reinstating him this much would've done the trick. His maximum dosage was 20mgs over a year ago, I can't imagine that 15mg hasn't brought any relief. What do you think?

Kimberoo

[HelpMe58]

Originally Posted by psalm91

403lady ... thanks for the feedback and support. God bless you and I pray for your boyfriend that this week God move in his life mightily for a quick recovery.

I did check with my mother's doc and you were right ... docs seem clueless to this issue.

I'm going to go the way of "gradual" in terms of time and amount in lessening degrees - seems that is what may work best.

My question that remains to any former lex users IS ...

HAS ANYONE experienced "HEARING VOICES" when they stopped taking their lex meds?

Yes, not only do I hear voices but I see things out of the corner of my eye..and I know I'm not crazy.

[butchy yost]

thanks to everyone who posted on this board...it always helps to know that you are not the only one dealing with these problems...

lexapro is evil...the two weeks after I stopped cold turkey(not by choice)... were probably the worst 2 weeks of my life(not counting the first week off heroin and oxy, but even in that hell my mind and emotions held up better than going off the lex)...closest I ever came to a complete mental and emotional breakdown...most seriously I ever considered suicide...etc.etc.

started on 20mg prozac now and feel 100% better...not like my depression or anxiety is cured...but its way better than with nothing or with the lex...also while on the lex the headache that would start about an hour after taking it was pretty severe and happened every day...

wonder how many people and especially kids started taking lex after it was featured on The Sopranos(for AJs depression)...wonder how much the drug co. paid for that product placement...

[southerndiva27]

Originally Posted by sfsyed

I've been having severe withdrawal symptoms after my doctor made me ween off of Lexapro recently. These symptoms are severe restless leg syndrome all throughout the day, being jittery, uneasiness, and being overall restless. I'm also sleeping a lot less, waking up during the night, and I've been smoking a lot more, and I mean a lot. Has anyone else experienced these types of withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro?

I had a bad experience with Lexapro. I had bad mood swings while I was on it. If you are having side effects have your DR switch you

[LMCHelp]

Originally Posted by butchy yost

thanks to everyone who posted on this board...it always helps to know that you are not the only one dealing with these problems...

lexapro is evil...

...wonder how many people and especially kids started taking lex after it was featured on The Sopranos(for AJs depression)...wonder how much the drug co. paid for that product placement...

....OK so I'm freaking out reading this thread. We never saw The Sopranos but my 15 yr old was just today prescribed Lexapro by a psychiatrist for "moderate to severe depression" with no anxiety. I'm scared to fill this for her now. She is an competitive dancer who couldn't possibly cope with the "head zings," dizziness, and visual disturbances". It could be dangerous. Not only that but it would interfere with concentrating in school and that's the last thing she needs. This all sounds worse than the depression she's dealing with!! I guess she'd probably feel better once she's adjusted to the drug, but I'm scared for what will happen when she tries to get off it. I'm also not thrilled to read about so many instances of weight gain, since she's also dealing with an eating disorder. Can anyone suggest a better medication for someone like her (adolescent, depression, no anxiety). I know, everyone responds differently! But, reading this, I'm terrified of Lexapro!! Thoughts??? Thanks in advance.