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
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
116 Answers Page 6
southerndiva27
3 Aug 2007
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
butchy yost
1 Aug 2007
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...
HelpMe58
31 July 2007
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.
kimberoo
26 July 2007
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
Atlasmark
25 July 2007
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!!
Atlasmark
13 July 2007
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!:cool:
3j'smom
26 June 2007
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.
lblue
19 June 2007
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.
lblue
18 June 2007
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.
Long Island Girl
16 June 2007
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
karenwithdrawls
3 June 2007
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
numb
2 June 2007
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.
Ktown
31 May 2007
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!!
lanzieblue
31 May 2007
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! :o:)
numb
28 May 2007
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. :rolleyes: I'm so glad I found this forum and thanks Tim for your advice.
Related topics
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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