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?
Lexapro withdrawal symptoms?
Question posted by sfsyed on 10 Aug 2006
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116 Answers Page 4
centaur62
23 Feb 2008
I started 10mg daily Lexapro 8 mos. ago to alleviate depression caused by a traumatic event in my life. I feel it's time to come off Lexapro. My doctor recommended a tapering off regimen of 5mg for 6 weeks, 2.5 for 6 wks, 2.5 every other day for 6 wks. After 2 1/2 days at 5mg I started feeling dizzy, nauseous, anxious and highly irritable. I went up to 7.5mg and this seemed to help somewhat. I maintained the 7.5mg for 10 days, then went down to 5mg. Again, after 2 1/2 days the withdrawal symptoms came back with a vengeance. I had to go back to the doctor who recommended I go back to 10mg, but I told him I was determined to come off the drug. He prescribed Xanax which has pretty much alleviated the withdrawal symptoms. Now I'm hoping withdrawing from Xanax won't be an issue! These drug companies sure know how to get us hooked. I find the whole pharma industry quite insidious and unethical. There should not be a drug on the market that is so difficult to stop taking.
vduda
23 Feb 2008
hippie,
I think you are the exception in case. It is great that you had an easy time of it. How long were you taking the ativan and what dose?
It is easy to play down the suffering of others when you don't experience something. Like I said I am happy for you. Benzo withdrawals almost killed me. And it is deceptive when someone like yourself comes on this forum and says, "I had no withdrawals". You are putting your life on the line if you go cold turkey with benzos, especially if taken at higher doses for prolonged periods.
oldhippie
23 Feb 2008
My shrink pulled me off Lexapro cold turkey and I didn't go through any withdrawl.
Same thing with ativan. They say you have to be 'weened" off of that but again I stopped taking it and had no problems. He told me I wouldn't.
Sometimes I wonder where these doctors get their information from.
erinkj
22 Feb 2008
Go to the thread "Lexapro Withdrawl" started by Auntybiotic. It is under the featured conditions tab (I think) It is the most active thread on this subject and you will find TON'S of info there. Good Luck... Erin
Chamois
16 Feb 2008
Hi everyone.
I'm so thankful to have found this site, and thank you all for sharing your experiences tapering off of lexapro. It's helped to put my mind at ease. I was actually happy to discover that those little dizzy spells are those "brain zaps" many of you have talked about. I've been tapering off now for about four months and am down to 2.5 mgs. I've had practically every symptom described - brain zaps, headaches, nausea, tiredness, mood swings, sweats, chills, flu-like symptoms etc. However, for the past two weeks, I've been dealing with bouts of depersonalization and extreme tiredness, which really worries me. I had CNS lyme disease back in 1995 which was successfully treated with ceftriaxone, but it's almost like the symptoms are back. This is what I hate - is what I'm experiencing lexapro withdrawal, or something else? I had some blood work done and am seeing my doctor next week to try and figure out what's going on.
I feel I'm in for the long haul with this since I've been on between 20 and 30 mgs of lexapro for SEVEN years! Now I'm wondering if some major damage has been done to my brain being on the stuff for so long. I look forward to the day that lexapro is completely out of my system! (I know it takes 45 days after the last dose is taken.)
Has anyone been on this drug for the same amount of time as me, and if so, how long did it take before you were completely symptom free?
Thanks again for sharing!
erinkj
3 Feb 2008
I am not familiar with that supplement but, sam-e is effective for depression treatment and has been well researched. If you can avoid anti-depressant medications to treat the depression then, I highly recomend that you do as they can be far more trouble than they are worth especially if your depression is not chronic. I feel anti-depressants should be used only when all else fails. ( I been on SSRI for 11 yrs and they SUCK) Also, you should start taking fish oil supplement daily, carson's brand is best and most pure. Fish oils (rich in omega 3 and 6) are PROVEN to support brain function and help with depression and mood besides, the omega's benefit your whole body. Check into Inositol as well. It has been studied for deppression and is a natural supplement. St. Johns Wort is effective to treat deppression for many people however, some people get stomache aches with it and it does interact with some medications. If you decide to try it run a consumer report search on St.
Johns Wort first to see what brands routinely test their product, as that will help you determine the best and safest brand to use. Supplements are not FDA regulated so, we have to check it all out for ourselves. Many supplement manufacturers actually test their product for quality and publish results... I hope this helps, Good luck... Erin
just_normal
3 Feb 2008
My doctor suggested that I start taking Lexapro for mild symptoms of depression. He gave me samples to last for about 3 weeks, beginning with 10mg a day for 7 days and increasing to 20 mg. a day maintenance dose. I have been taking this drug for THREE DAYS now and am on day three of headachy, dizzy and nausea feelings and as a result of these symptoms, an increase in feeling depressed. I decided to check the web for any information about my symtoms and discovered this discussion board, which has been very helpful and a bit alarming. I am going to stop the Lexapro immediately and look for a drug free solution. I recently heard about a mineral supplement out of Canada called Empower plus that has been working for people dealing with depression. Has anyone heard or had experience with this supplement? Thanks again for sharing your valuable experiences.
erinkj
1 Feb 2008
YES to the weight gain. Yes to the lost sex drive. Yes to the weaning suggestions. My advice is to go to the thread called lexapro withdrawl started by aunybiotic. Start at the most recent posts as the weaning/tapering scheduale had been covered again in depth over the last few days. You will find any and everything that you ever wanted (or did'nt want) to know about Lexapro on this thread... Good luck... Erin
Ma'am
1 Feb 2008
I have been taking lexpro for about 6 months. I have gained about 20 lbs. now I am depressed. I am going to try to wean myself off of this drug. So any suggestions? And also has anyone else gained weight with this drug and have you lost your sex drive?
erinkj
12 Jan 2008
Just thought I would let you know that we found a good dr for my hubby. They don't think he is bi-polar! :D yea! They said he deffinately has ADHD but that he has depression and anxiety with it. They put him on cymbalta for the anxiety/depression and depakote to stabilize mood/aggression as well as to help prevent migrains and the possibility of seizure as he tappers his "over the top" xanax use. So far, so good... How are you doing? able to quit the Lex yet... ERin
jc545
3 Jan 2008
yes, I'll look into his postings. Sounds like we have some similarities. Thanks.
erinkj
3 Jan 2008
Hey if you are still checking in would you take a look at what my husband has posted and see if any of it sounds familiar. I think the thread is anxiety with no deppression?! or look up posts by ynotfish... Let me know if you have any thoughts on his probs... Thanks. I hope you are feeling better... Erin
erinkj
31 Dec 2007
You should visit and post on the thread: Lexapro withdrawl started by antybiotic. It is a popular board and full of people like us who are coping with this problem. Some on that thread have been off meds for a long time and some are trying to get off their meds. there are many people there who can help answer your questions. Good luck to you... Erin
workingitout
31 Dec 2007
I slowly decreased 5 mg/day (my highest dose) to 2.5/ day and then 2.5 every other day and every three days for about 6 weeks. My last dose was 2.5 mg one week ago. I am having all of the same symptoms as many have stated. I feel like I am not myself... anyone know how long this is going to last? Also just began Buspar for the anxiety attacks which I was originally taking the Lexapro for. Trying to figure out if the symptoms I am having are from the new med or form getting off of the old one. I did have flu like stuff happening when I would miss a few doses of Lex. in a row so I have been attributing my yucky feelings to the withdrawal.
I do have to say the first year I was on this med I felt great, the last year I just felt like a zombie going through the motions of life. Getting off of it seemed like the next best step but the withdrawal is horrible. I would not recommend to anyone that they start this drug unless they never plan on stopping it.
I have put on 5 lbs in the one week off the meds, I had headaches but they have stopped, still have dizziness, I have shooting, stinging pains occassionally in my chest and arms, I am very irritable and anxious, general feeling of not being able to relax or calm myself, all of my senses seem to be on overdrive and I am spouting off at anyone who comes in range of my voice (not typical of me AT ALL) which could be because I can't sleep through an entire night, I wake every hour or so.
I felt amazing the first week I decreased to 2.5 every other day and then went downhill from there, almost manic on some days. I dumped the rest of the bottle because when I tried to take it again to relieve the symptoms, I just ended up going through the bad part again.
two positives from stopping this med. sex drive is back and I even enjoy it again! and I feel like a foggy shroud has been lifted from my head, I no longer feel like I am living underwater.
My question is this... can anyone who has made it through this tell me how long I have to deal with the tense, irritable, "I want to run away from my life" feeling? And does ANYTHING help get you through this? My kids want their fun mommy back...
SARAH258
29 Nov 2007
I stoppped taking 20mgs of lexapro on the 6th of november, it is now the 28th, and the shocks are almost gone, still getting them every now and again but not nearly as bad. I am finding that my mood is very irratic, I seem to be quite irritable and get annoyed at just about anything. and only with my family, i go friends houses and am my normal giddy self. someone explain that to me!! I am 28yrs old, and i am feeling PMSish all the time. in no way do i want to take lexapro ever again, but i hope this moody thing goes away before i end up losing my family. It isn't eay to keep happy happy all the time. I also am finding myself to get confused easily and just seem airheadish and stupid!! anyone else??
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Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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