Question posted by LEXAPROPOISON on 18 Jan 2010
Last updated on 15 April 2018
... choice, as it went against my dr.s rec. BUT, i want it out of my system asap. I have been taking it for 10 mos. I have 3 questions:
1. How long will the TERRIBLE withdrawl last? My body aches all over and I vomit anything I eat. It's only been 5 days, so I'm sure the worst is yet to come.
2. Is there ANYTHING I can take to ease the sysmptoms?
3. Will I lose the 30lbs. I gained while taking the drug?
Thanks so much
I am on day 3 without lexapro and my affects are tremors , zoned out feeling ,and brain zaps... Also I'm not sleeping as much as I was but so far that's all my affects ... of course I only took 10mg for like 6 months and tapering was a mess for me so I quit after the 4th day of that .. I hope what I'm experiencing is all I get bcuz I'm so ready to have this out of my system ... thanks Jamie
Hi, Jamie! We can't post links on this site, but you can Google "Lexapro withdrawal" and go to this article, "Lexapro Withdrawal Symptoms: How Long Do They Last?", from Mental Health Daily for some factual information that may address your concerns.
Hi... i too did cold turkey.
Didnt realise untill now from researching these posts of how bad it is.
Maybe the memory loss has made me forget any symptoms... but i did get into a more severe depression, hence why i am going back on a few months later. Forgot to ween on and took 20mg... big mistake!! So ive been vomiting,teeth aches, skin crawling, brain hurts. Day 2+3 i took 5mg, but still feeling pretty shitty.
The more i read the posts the more im freaking out about this drug. I cant believe people have to seen off for upto 2 years!
Im definately freaking out a lil...
I have also experienced "serotonin withdrawal" trying to get off Lexapro. I didn't have any vomiting... but also felt the body aches, lethargy (slept for over 24 hours... almost felt like I had the flu). I also experienced extreme dizziness, "brain zaps" (buzzing/electrical sensation) that started in my head but moved to my entire body. I would compare the dizziness I felt to symptoms of "vertigo"... and suspect (based only on personal experience)... that might be why you are vomiting. (I was prescribed Lexapro for OCD and GAD... have been taking 10mg of Lexapro daily for about 2 years.)
I immediately went back onto my daily dose of 10 mg of Lexapro and found that within about 3-4 days most of the "withdrawal symptoms" had subsided... but it took almost a week to feel "physically" normal again.
I agree with "oktoday"... it is NOT a good idea to quit Lexapro (or most SSRI/SSNRI antidepressants) cold turkey... NO matter how badly you want to get off the medication. It is definitely better (and healthier) to slowly taper your dose, as "oktoday" suggested. 10 mg again for at least a week (if not 2 weeks to get your brain/serotonin levels back to "normal")... then try 7.5 mg for couple of weeks... then 5 mg for another couple of weeks. Then (using a pill cutter) trying to divide 5mg into approximately 2.5mg. As "oktoday" said... it will seem like taking a "sliver" and perhaps taking smaller dose every other day would work as well.
As you taper your dose, you might still experience some withdrawal symptoms, but they will hopefully be milder and shorter lived than what you're experiencing right now. (Look up "serotonin withdrawal" to compare your symptoms to the ones described.)
Q 2) "is anything you can take to ease symptoms"? I disagree with "oktoday" regarding using Xanax to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms. If you were prescribed Lexapro for anxiety, and feel more anxiety without it (minus the incredibly uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms)... then Xanax would be more warranted (in my personal opinion).
Xanax (or any stronger benzodiazapine such as Ativan, Klonopin or Valium) is an effective treatment for "serotonin syndrome" (where you're brain has too much serotonin - often caused by switching to a stronger SSRI or addition of a serotonin enhancer such as Trazadone)... but I don't know if a benzodiazpine would relieve your physical "withdrawal symptoms" as Lexapro (and other SSRI's) have a direct effect on your brain's serotonin levels (or ability to use available serotonin).
Q 3) Unfortunately I can't answer your question about whether or not you'll lose the 30lbs gained on Lexapro... probably depends on multiple factors.
Please... research serotonin withdrawal" and talk to your Doctor about the symptoms you're experiencing. The worst may still be "yet to come" and could become much more serious!
Best wishes... I hope you are feeling better soon!
Thank you so much for your answer. I was prescribed the drug for ocd and anxiety as well. I'll be taking your advice... thanks again!
Please take this advise Go to the ER or get your doctor to help you the right way. I am sad to hear that a doctor would be that calius and unprofessional to allow you to go cold turkey you wanted to or now. good Luck and I hope you feel better soon
HI
I was on lexapro for one year 10mg and cold tukeyed. five days later i was rushed to the er with uncontollable muscle movements, headache, nausea,loss of appetite. i had to go back on and taper over one month. when i was off i still got withdrawals and extreme tiredness. i took some xanax for the anxiety and got gatorade and ensure. it will go away and you will be fine. this happens alot and i never thought i would never get better but i did. try going on 10mg then wait them go to 7.5mg and wait then five etc. I then took like a quarter of a slither of it every other day. good luck keep in touch.
lexapro, generalized anxiety disorder
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