What causes the "brain zaps"? These symptoms are scaring me so much. Please help? Thank you
Lexapro withdrawal is horrible... how long will it last?
Question posted by emilia1981 on 24 Nov 2010
Last updated on 20 July 2019 by WildcatVet
This question has also been asked and answered here: Lexapro withdrawal symptoms?
23 Answers
WildcatVet
21 July 2019
If you follow a reducing dosage schedule supplied by your prescribing physician you should experience few if any discontinuation symptoms at all.
The horror stories that you hear come primarily from people who have stopped their medication abruptly or have tried to discontinue it by themselves without medical supervision.
These are the same people who didn't educate themselves in the first place about the medications that were prescribed for them. At very least, there is literature included with every prescription that describes the medication, how it works, potential side effects, proper precautions, how to take the medication, potential interactions, and what to avoid while taking the medication.
Also, many of the so-called discontinuation symptoms are actually a return of the original symptoms that the drug was prescribed for.
Nothing is more annoying than opinions posted on social media which too many people accept as factual medical information. Medications are not poisons and prescribing physicians are not idiots.
Sickasa Dog
21 July 2019
Lexapro DONT DO THIS POISON !!! I wanted to get off this so my Dr said taper it down so I did 3 weeks ago. But I'm over a week into having pain in my gut, headaches, insomnia, inability to eat anything, a feeling of fatigue. No vomiting so its not stomach flu. Ive been on ketogenic diet for a couple years that has been fine previously . But nothing appeals to my appetite. I don't notice any brain zaps, but the first week I had lucid dreams. Im still on Vimpat & onfi for seizure control from epilepsy.
marissalane
17 Dec 2018
I am really glad I found this site. This is an extremely isolating phase, and my friends and my siblings and my parents do not seem to understand the extent of how damaging and alone it feels.
It's been about ten days since I stopped taking Lexapro, and I did stop the drug cold turkey, which I am of course now regretting. My symptoms are brain zaps, dizziness, reduced coordination, mental fogginess and fatigue.
Emotionally, this drug withdrawal period has brought me the darkest thoughts and most severe mood swings I have ever encountered. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I can't stop crying.
The brain zaps are there constantly, when I wake up, when I do anything. It throws me off balance, slows my mental thinking, and forces me to stay home. I can't drive, I feel like I can't see friends, and its stopping my productivity as well.
After reading these posts and seeing that it takes weeks or even years to stop feeling this way, it seems like the only way to get away from these symptoms is to take the drug again. Which I will not do.
Really hoping for some alleviation from the symptoms, and hoping you guys start to feel better too.
camillfa
4 Nov 2018
Hi AM ameliadd, I absolutely agree that the key to coping with withdrawal is to go slow!
The slower the better, especially if you've been on SSRIs a long time - in my case, about 15 years.
I dropped from 15mg to 10mg and felt awful. Went back to 15mg, then dropped to 12.5mg for a month or so, then 10mg - with no serious problems, just a bit short-tempered and emotionally unstable. Now retired from teaching, so didn't have to worry about resisting the urge to throw my students out the window (only joking!)
Now stable on 10mg, and will put off further reductions till spring ( dark winter days and Xmas "joys" not my favourite time of year).
I'm in no rush (luckily, covered by insurance) and after 15 years taking these drugs, if it takes a year or two to get off them completely, and as painlessly as possible, then that's fine by me!
So far so good, I've read that the worst part is when you finally drop to zero. Some people recommend using a liquid form of Lexapro, and making really small reductions using a dropper. Not sure if I'll have the patience, we'll see what happens!
I don't want to scare anyone, I've read several posts from people who just stop taking Lexapro, or reduce much more quickly, and have no problems at all; seems it's very much an individual response.
Anyway, good luck to everyone and hope this information is useful.
ameliadd
4 Nov 2018
I know this was asked a while ago but I hope it will help some new people trying to get off Lexapro. I've been on this drug at 20mg for just over a year. When I first tried, I consulted in a doctor and he said for me to drop the dose every two weeks. Bad idea, I was really anxious and had a big meltdown. So I went back up to 20mg.
A few months later I wanted to try again, but this time I did my own research and listened to a few podcasts. One guy took 6 months to get off this drug! So I decided to go down to 15mg for one to two months depending on how I felt.
A few symptoms I had was faint, but consistent nausea and increased appetite. These symptoms only lasted about two weeks. Mind you, I did go to see my Dr. Camilla, who specialises in Japanese acupuncture and she helped shorten my symptoms. Other than that I've been feeling great! My mood is stable, anxiety still comes and goes as normal but I think the acupuncture really really helped. I'm continuing to visit her as I continue dropping my dose. I hope this helps someone! Stay hydrated also!!
CarolineH523
12 Aug 2018
Hi everyone!!
I wanted to add my response to this forum because I read all of these responses before and during my Escitalopram/Lexapro taper and withdrawal, and I wanted to give my 2 cents. First off, you are all troopers, and I hope your loved ones know how difficult the process can be! My husband was incredible and it helped a lot to be able to vent and have someone support me.
I took 20 mg of Escitalopram for four years due to panic attacks. I tapered from 20 mg to 10 mg for two weeks, no symptoms. Then I tapered from 10 mg to 5 mg for two weeks, no symptoms. Finally, two weeks ago, I went from 5 mg to nothing. I know this is a SUPER fast taper, but just wanted to be transparent about what I did.
No symptoms on day #1 without my pill, but definitely got hit with them midday on day 2. They were pretty unbearable on day 3-5. I was extremely nauseated, dizzy, zappy, all of the general symptoms you see listed. However, I work from home and was able to complete all of my work, so I wasn't totally out of commission. I noticed that I would feel OK in the mornings and then dizzy and awful by evening. My insomnia was also pretty gnarly. For a full week, I spent every night googling my symptoms and crying about the terrible outcomes I saw on various websites and forums.
By one full week after my final dose, I felt fine. I had braced myself for a full month or two of crappiness, but my symptoms were basically half gone by one week and totally gone by two. I wanted to post my story because if you're in the midst of horrible withdrawals right now, YOU GOT THIS. There IS a light at the end of the tunnel and many people on these forums are outliers. Brace yourself for about a week of basically feeling like you have the flu, but don't feel hopeless and expect it to never go away. It DOES go away.
The two things that I can't recommend highly enough are exercise and hydration. There was one day I felt too dizzy and nauseated to workout, but I forced myself to go to the gym every day after day #2. I truly felt like a new woman after running a few miles and getting a good sweat on. I also drank water like nobody's business (and I drink a ton of water in my day-to-day life already). If you can't workout strenuously, at least go for a walk in the sunshine. I swear it helps.
I also took a variety of supplements that I heard were helpful during this phase. I took fish oil, B12, and iron during my taper, and then I added magnesium and B6 once I stopped taking the pills completely. I'm not sure if they helped or not, but I never say no to a good placebo effect.
Anyway, I just wanted to add my own POSITIVE outcome getting off Escitalopram. I know how hopeless and awful this process can feel, but I am so thankful I just buckled down and did it. Sweat, supplement, drink water, mediate, and I promise you'll get through it and be glad you did!
camillfa
13 Aug 2018
Thanks CA CarolineH523 for such a positive post, I think encouragement that it DOES get better is what we all need, and sometimes very quickly as in your case. I'm taking things more slowly, but doing fine after dropping from 15mg to 12.5mg, no terrible symptoms except a tendency to fly off the handle without warning! This week will reduce to 10mg/day, fingers crossed!
CarolineH523
13 Aug 2018
@camillfa
You’ve got this!!! And I totally relate to flying off the handle. Today marks 3 weeks going off these meds and I still cry several times a day out of nowhere- not because I’m sad but because the littlest things make me feel sappy! It was really helpful for me to roll with the punches- if I got dizzy, I let myself take a breather and reminded myself that it is NORMAL and nothing to fear. My spontaneous tears make me laugh now. The nausea sucked but I just satisfied all my cravings when I did have them, so that’s a silver lining. I think freaking out and thinking, “what’s happening?! How long will this last?!” can just make the symptoms seem worse and more insurmountable. Take it day by day, symptom by symptom, and be EASY on yourself. ❤️ And every time you feel horrendous (and I definitely DID for awhile) just think to yourself, “Thank god I’m getting this horrible day/moment out of my system. I&rs
quo;ll never have to go through this exact moment again.” Sorry if that sounds hippie dippy but positive thinking can make such a difference for me.
beckyhut
14 Aug 2018
I have been on lexapro 20 mg for many years—probably 7. I decided to taper off it (with doctors’ consult). I went from 20 to 10 and was on 10mg for 2-3 weeks before I went off completely. I have been off completely for about two weeks now. My doctor did not give me ample information about the withdrawal I might experience. My main symptoms are intense mood swings—I mean crazy ups and downs, intense bouts of suicidality (extremely intense, but come and go), after being off completely—low energy, the “zaps” everyone talks about, and insomnia. My doctor is hard to get into, but I plan on reaching out in the morning. My question is this—I’ve been off completely for at least two weeks. Would it be useful at all to go back on 5mg to lessen the withdrawal symptoms and then go off the 5 mg in a few weeks? Because I’ve been off for a couple weeks, I don’t know if it would make things better or worse.
Any thoughts? (Again I am going to reach out to my doctor but in the middle of the night as insomnia has kicked in, I thought I’d ask you all).
Kamalakaruna
31 May 2018
I was able to successfully get off of Lexapro by doing the following. I have little to no anxiety and the mood swings from withdrawal are now gone. Here is what I did and what I highly recommend.
1. Take B vitamins and magnesium. These will help with the mood swings and brain zaps. I took a great whole food women's supplement that also has hormone balancing components as well. (New Chapter Every Woman's One Daily Multi) Men of course will need to get a men's multi.
2. Drink a lot of water. Your body is trying to figure out how to gain some balance again. Hydration helps the nervous system.
3. Take up a vigorous exercise routine like your life depends on it. I mean work out hard, if you can. I started going on 15 mile hikes to distract myself from the electrical zaps and to have a focus. And to retrain my body to use adrenaline when needed and not for a mood swing and overreaction to every slight.
4. Wait out the furies. I was super angry for no reason. About everything. This will pass. Have patience with yourself. You will be all over the place emotionally. This doesn't mean that you're depressed again or that your anxiety is back and that you need the pills. You may, but more likely it's your body re-learning how to behave normally.
5. Eat healthfully. Mostly fruits and veggies. This is just good practice anyway. I gained about 30 lbs on Lexapro so my body was happy that I was giving it good stuff and that I was exercising.
6. Keep up your exercise routine. Don't let this one slide. It's easy to dismiss exercise because it's probably the last thing you want to do but it will cut your withdrawal time down significantly.
I was on Lexapro for about 3 years and have withdrawn from other meds in the past as well. This time was Sooo much easier with the exercise, water and supplements. - And patience.
eaglepeakway
11 July 2018
How long did it take for you to feel like your withdrawal symptoms were gone? It's been about a month for me and I feel like I can't take it anymore. I hate who I am right now. By the way, I am dieting and exercising consistently. I feel great after working out, but it's short-lived.
camillfa
22 July 2018
Thanks Kamalakaruna for your encouraging post, I have recently started tapering Escitalopram (Lexapro) after nearly 15 years. I have just retired and didn't think I could handle the withdrawal symptoms while working. I rapidly dropped my initial -(doctor-approved) - plan to drop from 15mg to 10mg, and have now been on 12.5mg for about 2 weeks. Sleepy most of the time and get furious over nothing whenever I try to do anything, brain feels like pea-soup sloshing around inside my head. Feel it's going to be a long road, so great to hear from someone who got there! I have found reading about other people's experiences extremely comforting (if you have to suffer, at least don't suffer alone!) and found another very useful website called the withdrawal project. Hang in there everyone, it seems best to take it slowly!
1ccanita
5 April 2018
I have taken trazodone at night for sleep and also Zoloft 100 milligrams in the morning for depression. Then my pain physician put me on Paxil Lori Lordi when I felt so crazy out of my head, I tried reducing the Paxil without the doctors instructions. My husband said he did not know who I was anymore. Now I am interested in reducing my husband Lexapro and because of the side effects of agitation Etc.
Ash2017b
5 April 2018
Perhaps (you've probably already done so) but if not maybe get a second opinion. Also I'd recommend keeping track of your moods, sleep and possibly diet as its all connected. Could also consider psychotherapy and/or herbal supplements before weaning any meds. Good luck with it :-)
Imek
17 Jan 2018
I’m two years of that poison lexapro , I’ve been in hell ever since . The brain zaps started in 2016 and gets worse in the evening . This is year 2 and I hope it goes away cause I am tired
Victoria99
1 Feb 2018
I don't know if this will help you, but it's sure helped me so far. I did a lot of reading before I started my (very slow) taper back in Nov 2017. You are already off your poison, so it's a mater of rebuilding your system. Two of my favorite books/websites are the Mood Cure by Julia Ross and the anti-anxiety food solution by Trudy Scott.
Victoria99
1 Feb 2018
I should say that I was a candy/chocolate lover. Since I started tapering I've completely stopped eating refined sugar (including honey) and have not had any anxiety at all in over two months... caffeine is up next for elimination. One toxin at a time:-)
I've added lots of green vegetables (cooked and raw) and reduced starchy veg that tend to become sweet when cooked.
Thelostboi
16 Jan 2018
I've been on Lexapro 20 mg since Nov 2016, and when my Dr. Office decides my meds are not priority enough to provide me an rx refill, I go thru the worst withdrawals. I'm talking in only about 1 week to a week and a half "Brain zaps" start at about day 3, then my back muscles are constantly sore as well as ribs. I wake up in sweat puddles every night. And a new symptom that i got this time (since its now been 2 1/2 weeks tomorrow) my hands started feeling numb with this tingly sensation..and I'm starting to cry for no reason and everything at the same time. All while still dealing with these irritating brain zaps.
lclif68
14 Nov 2017
I’m strugglibg with this very problem. I’ve been on Lexapro for about 7 years with doses ranging from 10 to 20mg. Recently I have adjusted my meds (without talking to my GP)... I’m feeling just horrible. My heart rate is fast, I’m more anxious than ever and feel like crying. How long will this last?
I’ve dropped from 20 to 10 and am happy to sit on 10 if I can cope with this!! It’s been 2 weeks
RachMarie
8 Nov 2017
I have the same issue and am hoping from what I've read that this won't last for years. I'm 1 week off Lexapro (Escitalopram). 3 years 20 mg, then 10, then 5 mg. These are my withdrawals I'm experiencing: brain zaps, fatigue, lightheaded, inner shakes (not sure how else to describe, it's like my insides spazz out but no shaking involved), cold symptoms (or maybe I have a cold, almost like the flu), happy/sad/mad off and on, and more. I go see the nurse practitioner on the 28th of this month. I just want to be off this mess and feel normal again. If there will ever be a normal me. I still take 150 mg. of Wellbutrin (bupropion) for smoking cessation/anxiety that I started 4 years ago when I quit smoking cigarettes. I would like to be drug free one day, but this is horrible! I may try vitamins to see if it alleviates these negative withdrawals. I feel like I am going crazy!
sjheadlee
16 Nov 2017
I was on 20mg Lex for 2 months, suffered week long flu symptoms 3 times during those 2 months. Dr. said not to take Lex with my Claritin though Pharmacist said it's ok, Dr. felt the combo caused too much seratonin. I started weaning off the Lex and tapered down carefully to 2.5. Last pill was 7 days ago, unfortunately my allergies were out of control so I took my Claritin for a few days which put me into another week long flu situation. Now I'm beginning to think I might also be experiencing some withdrawal symptoms as I'm just not feeling myself. This really blows. Here's hoping we find relief from our w/d symptoms soon!
bemerzn
11 March 2018
I'm in the thick of it now, 10 days off Escitalopram, and I am going crazy!
BasMan77
23 Aug 2017
Hi everyone.
I am just getting off Cipralex (Lexapro) now and am experiencing similar symptoms. I weaned down to 2.5 per day and have been off completely for about 4 days.
First few days:
- felt like I had the flu. Aches, pains, fever, severe pain in my ribs, especially when inhaling a breath
Right now my skin feels ultra sensitive. Like I had a sunburn all over. Still getting a bit of brain zaps but not too bad.
I am really hoping this goes away soon. Any guidance would be helpful. I am also scared by these posts about it lasting years...
I took this medication due to depression from a concussion, and now getting off it I am in pain. I really don't want to be dealing with it right now, but I also don't want to be on the medication forever.
Hope everyone stays strong and that your symptoms get better with time.
I find that light exercise helps a bit.
ariannaroq
3 Aug 2017
Has anyone successfully gotten off Lexapro?? I'm getting very worried from these responses. I've been off for about 2 weeks. First few days, I felt GREAT. Better than I've felt in years. I felt NORMAL. Unfortunately that didn't last very long and now I've had brain zaps, dizziness, feeling like I'm lightheaded and have allergies, foggy, nausea, fatigue. Very frustrating because I never want to get on this drug ever again. Medicine should not be the first thing they prescribe for us! It should be a last resort, especially since these withdrawal side effects are this scary. Am just wanting some hope! I've reached out to a pharmacist and said she I could expect up to a month of symptoms, since I've been on it for almost 7 years. I know I have to stay patient. Just getting worried reading about people being off for YEARS and still feeling weird... thanks guys!
Amy12365
3 Aug 2017
You can if your determined im getting the brain zaps and dizziness but im taking berocca and and I tyrosine did alot of research and these vitamins have actually helped me im on my 6th day off lexapro and brain zaps are lessing everyday
ariannaroq
3 Aug 2017
Thanks! Will check into those
AliceM8511
3 Aug 2017
I have just been riding them out. I have been taking OTC products that ease the discomfort like Vertigo Less and Bonino or Dramamine for motion sickness (1/2 tab so I don't feel too groggy and out of it.)
ariannaroq
23 Aug 2017
Super helpful! Thanks Alice! I'm finding that allergy medicine is helping the dizziness
Belare
8 Sep 2017
Hello everyone, I've been getting same side effects. How long do they last? I'm just so tired of it. Thank you for your support.
Selene1333
14 Sep 2017
I am in the same boat I tapered off lexapro from 10 to 0 mg in 4 weeks. The first 2 weeks I did not have withdrawal symptoms and the next two weeks I have been feeling terrible. I am nauseous all the time. Really fatigued without energy. I am not sure if the nausea can get this bad just from being off lexapro and feeling so faint like I am going to pass out if I don't sit down.
Amy12365
31 July 2017
IM currently off lexapro 3 days tapered off from 10mg to 5mg then to 2.5mg came off then completely and getting brain zaps, feeling orientated and dizzy , doc appointment tomorrow I really don't want to go back on meds anyone know how long these last? Started taking vitamin supplements to help any suggestions welcomed
Ash2017b
5 Aug 2017
How are your brain zaps going now? I don't have any now :-) took about 2.5 weeks for mine to go completely.
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- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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