Lexapro withdrawal symptoms?

I can't believe what I'm reading. I've been on 10mg of lexapro for about 2and a half years and now feel well enough to stop taking them but the withdrawal sounds worse than any of the symptoms I had before it was ever prescribed. It was for anxiety. I've been using healthy lifestyle changes and supplements lately and am delighted with the mood regulating results but don't want to risk everything I've worked so hard for. Most drugs have long term side effects so I really want to stop. Has anyone tried any food or supplements that can help with the side effects of withdrawal.

I also have stopped taking lexapro, i stopped taking it on 11/06/07 it is now 11/12/07 and for about 3 or so days now, i have had a nonstop buzzing in my brain, and my ears are rining like crazy, and when i blink or a sharp sound hits me, i get like an electrical shock. i feel so off, and all i do is cry. so i know the pain you go through. all the research i have done says it lasts anywhere from 2 days to 3-6 weeks depending on how much you were on how long, and just the person in general, i have Lupus and Fibromialgia and OseteoArthritis also, so i hurt to being with, but all this now... it is NO fun at all. i have worked with doctors for about 12 years, and have learned so much, but some things are just out of my hands. :(

I have been on Lexapro10mg for about 18 mos. and it seemed to help me a little bit (before I went on, I couldn't get out of bed and did nothing but cry). However, due to a financial situation, I had to stop 4 days ago and I am in hell. I didn't think it was possible, but I've got even more symptoms than I had before. All I want to do is get out of my own head, and every morning I am disappointed that I woke up again. Does anyone have any suggestions on getting through these withdrawal symptoms? And how long does the withdrawal process take? I'm afraid to call my doctor because he'll yell at me for not coming in to get a refill (he has no sympathy for the fact that I can't afford his fees). Any suggestions (short of street drugs)? Thanks!

She probably will gain weight. Read my post (#70)~ I wouldnt start her on this.

Does anyone know about getting baggy eyes after taking/withdrawing from Lexapro? I took the 10mg Tablet for one week and stopped because I was only mildly depressed. It's been over a month now, but I still have the baggy eyes and I didn't have it before I took it. I"m getting enough sleep too.

Hi i have been taking 20mg of Lexapro for bout 9 mnths after suffering 'reactionary depression' after treatment for cervical and lung cancers. Recently i missed somewhere between 2 to 4 days medication and for the last 2 weeks i have been getting quite dizzy. How long is it reasonable to expect this to continue. I have not missed any doses since and am beginning to worry. Appreciate any help anyone can give. As i'm sure you can imagine anxiety is getting the better of me.

hello everyone, several months ago i visited this forum for help with my Lexapro issues. I went from 20 to 10mgs for about 8 weeks and it was not working out. I went back to 20mg and have been on it for almost 4 months now. Early May I had really bad fatigue and I am still dealing with fatigue issues. I wonder if I have Chronic fatigue syndrome. Also, I get pains in my head but they are not as frequent. I have not seen anyone else with a similar experience. What's the deal? I found that this med helped me alot except when I started trying to cut back. Was taking omega 3 supp, taking magnesium, and I'm also taking CoQ10. Anyone try melatonin for deeper sleep? To LMChelp: Has your daughter tried therapy first? My advice is to see how well therapy works before starting the med. Therapy might help bring underlying issues to the surface that is causing your daughter to be depressed and have an eating disorder.

finally i've been looking for similar symptoms, of lex. Yes i have a lot of stinging, like someone's throwing sand at your whole body. it hurts, everywhere. I only took this drug for 2 days, and got virtually no sleep, because of the stinging pain. and my mind was racing. Now i took this at around 10 am each day, and like i said only for 2 days, my dr. wants me to be on this for a week, till i get used to it. but the side affects, that i've experienced, i really don't want to do that.

Hi: Can you tell me how much calcium/magnesium citrate to take daily? I tapering off Prozac and its awful. I'm taking the other things you mentioned. Thanks

Lexapro can be weaned off of by using it in a liquid form. It is much easier and can be done in very tiney increments. 1/2 mg at a time to feel less w/d side effects with a stretch of 2-3 weeks between drops.

Unfortunatley most physicians don't understand this. If we go off too quickly or drop by too much the w/d symtpoms can last much longer than doing it slowly.

I learned how to taper from a website "paxilprogress" from lexapro.

Lexapro comes in liquid. The pharmacist will give you the syringe.

It can be done in 1/2 mg. drops which has less of a debilitating w/d effect.

My schedule

20 mgs.
19.50 @ 2-3 weeks
19.mg @ 2-3 weeks
18.50 @ 2-3 weeks

and so on...

TWO TO (4) WEEKS BETWEEN DROPS ALLOWS US TO STABILIZE BETWEEN DROPS.

Supplements

I learned on paxilprogress to take calcium/magnesium citrate liquied for anxiety. To be taken with 1,000 mgs. Vit C. Really helps cut anxiety.

Magnesium powder for anxiety/depression

Pharmaceutical grade Omega 3's for depression

Multi Vitamin and Mineral Liquid

HOPE THIS HELPS... celestial

I haven't used Lexapro, but Paxil and it was awful going off it. No one told me not to quit cold turkey. Man, I was sooo depressed and suicidal and no one could help me. It was much later that I found out it was the paxil. I'd say wean very slowly. ??

... 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.