Ive been on Lexapro 10mgs for about 10 weeks. I am sick of feeling 'out of it' and the weight gain has been depressing. So, Im completely done with this drug and will not take it any longer! Im hoping to power through these withdrawals. I am on day 4 and just today am I feeling them a bit. My head is killing me - the same way it did when I first started. SO my question is... will my withdrawal symptoms be similar to the side effects I experienced when starting Lex? And since I only took the drug for 10 weeks - will this make them less severe? Thanks!
Quit Lexapro cold turkey - withdrawal help?
Question posted by egibs01 on 20 May 2012
Last updated on 4 May 2020 by WildcatVet
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.
16 Answers
WildcatVet
4 May 2020
Anyone considering stopping any medication for any reason should always do so with the guidance of a health care professional. Otherwise, it's a hard lesson learned.
"People taking antidepressants should never stop “cold turkey.” Quitting suddenly throws the brain into a state of imbalance that can be worse than before. The resulting symptoms are both psychological and physical."
"Do not stop using Lexapro suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose."
"Quitting without consulting your doctor can be life-threatening. Suicide is a serious concern. It can also trigger withdrawal symptoms and relapse of your depression/anxiety. If you relapse and start taking an antidepressant again, it can take weeks for the drug to rebalance your mood."
"If you feel like stopping your medicine because of bothersome side effects, remember that finding the right treatment may take trial and error and some tweaking. Don’t stop taking the medicine until you have spoken with your doctor."
liz1965
4 May 2020
Would you mind giving an update of how this went for you and how you are now? All best wishes.
Sharazmo
18 April 2019
Hi just wondering if you got through the withdrawal? Thanks
Tterentte
26 Feb 2019
hi.hope your are feeling well, I'm currently withdrawing from Lexapro and having severe symptoms such as derealisation ,extreme fatigue, lack of concentration, total muscle weakness, I'm trying to cope with everyday tasks, it's just so hard
Sharazmo
18 April 2019
Hello how are you now? I'm two weeks into my lexapro withdrawal and I seem to be feeling worse everyday. Today it's fatigue, exhaustion, nausea , feeling very flat, dizzy, etc . Just wondering when it all will pass as I'm seriously considering going back on some kind of anti depressant to get rid of these symptoms.
zacclynn
22 Aug 2017
I weaned myself off of Lexapro 20mg, Wellbutrin 150mg & Topamax 50mg 2x a day and on July 10, 2017 is the last time I took anything.
I don't remember what it has felt like to be normal because I have been on Lexapro since 2004. In 2015 I added Wellbutrin because my depression & irritability were increasing & Topamax (for migraines).
In October of 2016, my migraines were not managed so I decided I wanted to live toxic free. I started with food & personal care products, and in the process of living toxic free, I have not suffered with migraines since November 2016.
Since I no longer was having migraines, and I began to understand that the medications I was taking had too many fillers and ingredients that I could not account for, so I decided it was time to see what BEING ME felt like.
So I weaned myself off, no not with a doctor's guidance - I know!
However, a LOT LOT LOT of really stressful situations have occurred since & during the time of my medication changes. I thought I was handling things pretty well, but recently I have had extreme ANGER outbursts, I can't handle overloads of information very well, and I also have no motivation at all to do anything. Including things that are required to maintain the necessities of life.
I don't want to call my doctor, my insurance changed and I can no longer see the doctors I was seeing. To start somewhere new and start from scratch is even more irritating to me.
Please tell me - SOMEONE - that this will pass. I honestly don't know if because I was on the medication for so long if I have to wait longer for symptoms to subside and for my brain to regulate. I need some hope. If you have any info, that would be awesome!
B1212
30 Nov 2018
Hey I went off Topamax and Lexapro for 2 weeks and experienced similar symptoms, and was digging deep in my emotions with a psychologists. I struggled with daily life tasks so I went back on. DId it pass? How are you doing now?
alydunk1
7 Jan 2017
I've been on 30mg for 15 years. I had to take a medication for an infection and was told that I need to stop my Lexapro for 10 days. I did with little side effect. I decided to stay off of it. I've been off completely for 6 weeks now. No longer any side effects. I feel alive now, full of energy. I'm more emotional but I think the meds were masking some emotions and other things in my life. I'm hoping I can remain off of it for good as I really don't think I was on the right medication to begin with.
Lauramkcaddy
2 March 2017
So happy to read your post, as I too have been on 30 mg for about 15 yrs. I started getting worried about my dosage after reading the high dose was 20mg!
I recently heard that if you decrease lexapro you can lose weight. I have had no problems with lexapro and assumed since I felt so great on it, I'd just stay on it forever.
After reading some of these horror stories, I am considering weaning myself completely off it.
My side effects after weaning from 30-20 mg in just a week, are shakiness and worse hot flashes.
I will continue for about a month on 20 mg & see if I feel anything.
Love some others who use 30mg for 15 yrs to comment.
Kay35
24 June 2017
Glad to hear it was easy for you. I wonder if the medicine for your infection helped with the process?
Goirish222
5 Oct 2016
Hi I've been taking 5 milligrams of Lexapro for 4 days and I've been super tired I'm not going to take it no more will I have withdrawals if only taken it four days I'm really nervous about it
Kyana98
20 Aug 2016
Last thing you want to do is stop it.
I'm on lexapro 20mg.
Strongest dose you can get.
I thought I was fine so I stopped taking them and then 2 months down the track I'm having severe panic attacks and really bad anxiety.
I tried taking the medication while not having them for 2 months.
I took only 1 tablet and it gave me "overdose" symptoms.
They're something you shouldn't muck around on !!!
You need to be serious if you want or do not want to take them !
I'm sure you'd rather put on a few kgs than have an anxiety attack.
If you have anxiety you need to stick to them !
And also if you stop taking them and feel like you need to take 1 by any chance.
ONLY TAKE HALF THE TABLET
Simon2498
6 Nov 2016
Hi I've also stopped taking Lexapro because I kept forgetting to take them and eventually I just completely stopped. I believe it's been almost 2 months now? At first I felt depressed and kept procrastinting and then I had dizziness and hot flashes and shock sensation (only twice), and now its itchiness, it started with low itching on my wrist but I couldn't stop and hurt myself bc of the scratching, now this week it's my arm, my foot, my tigh (started today) and literally it's so unbearable I want to take the meds again. Like I'm really decided to do it but at the same time I'm afraid it might do something worse or dangerous but I can't frickin wait for my doctor to get me an appointment, like someone said they're usually "unavailable". I just wanna know if I take them again with only half for a week then 1 everyday am I going to be okay?
LillyAngelMarie
12 May 2014
To answer your question, yes the withdrawals (actually a discontinuation syndrome) will be much like how you felt starting up on Lexapro.
Will your short period of taking the medication make them less severe? No-one will truly know as we are all different.
**
2 years ago I was put on 10mg of Lexapro after years of being told that my Interstitial Cystitis, Adhesions, scarred Fallopian Tube, and possible Endometriosis was not causing me chronic pain and everything was in my head.
I was in a bad place and after some ironic events I was put on Lexapro to help me deal with my current situation. 2 years down the track and I have a team of specialists eager to help me and hopefully my last surgery around the corner. I didn't need Lexapro any more, I was mentally able to cope. When I spoke to my specialist about coming off she said no and decided to bump me up to 20mg for the third time with no reason to give me.
Just over 2 weeks ago I never increased my dosage and quit my 10mg cold turkey. I'd been from 10mg, up to 30mg, down to 20, and finally back down to 10mg multiple times and felt no need to taper off and, with my GP onboard, quit. Just like that.
Usually when I miss a tablet for a few hours I used to get a bit of a head zap. 4 days cold turkey nightmares started slowly, my anxiety rose dramatically, I felt nauseous, the head/brain zaps got worse and I could feel them in my hands. By day 10 the nightmares and heavy night sweating had stopped, my anxiety dropped, and the head/brain zaps became barely noticable. Day 15 and the main withdrawal I was/am contending with is nausea and I have full faith that in another week I'll be nearly there.
PLEASE speak to a specialist or GP when you feel like stopping Lexapro, regardless of whether it be tapered or cold turkey. This is NOT a drug to mess with especially having no understanding of what could happen.
I have promised myself I will never allow myself to be put on another SSRI again and am already changing my lifestyle to make this happen.
To anyone reading, you're not alone. If your withdrawals get bad, and you'll know when they're bad, please seek medical advice asap.
shayausten
12 Feb 2013
So tell me how did it go? I had to stop cold after 5 weeks due to allergic reaction. How long did withdrawl symptoms last and what were they? I am on day 5 of quitting and my rash is almost gone so I definitely cannot take some to compensate for the withdrawl issues.
Bill7340
23 Oct 2012
I have been taking for 10 years and decided to stop cold turkey. It's been 3 weeks and am experiencing dizziness and several other symptoms of withdrawal but don't care. My doctor told me yesterday to ease off by taking 10 instead of 20mgs for week then 5mgs for a week. I didn't tell him I had quit 3 weeks ago. This stuff I believe helps no one except make the drug companies rich. It is horrible to think we have to take these medications instead of becoming a stronger person mentality. Just take another pill and we'll all feel better, that's crap and we all know it...
kaismama
23 Oct 2012
I agree that lexapro isn't the greatest med there is, but you can't say that people who are depressed are weak mentally. We lack a chemical in our brain, that is physical, has nothing to do with our mental strength.
Bill7340
23 Oct 2012
Depression in it's simplest form is a weakness in human behavior that is either corrected by taking drugs, working through the symptoms by professional counseling or taking the initiative to self medicate by opening up and pouring out your deepest secrets to a person who will listen, then crying until you laugh out loud and finally grabbing your ass and pulling yourself up and taking charge of your brain which is what got you into this in the first place.
kaismama
23 Oct 2012
That is not depression, that is sadness, and if you don't know what you're talking about, better to say nothing. No amount of talking alone can solve depression.
Bill7340
23 Oct 2012
Well I'll just trash my Phd on your advice...
Bill7340
23 Oct 2012
There is no scientific evidence we lack a certain chemical in the brain. Drug companies would like you to think you are lacking but the real truth is the only thing you are lacking is the emotional strength to overcome your self inflicted depression. By virtue of letting your brain to fill itself with stress related issues, you have created a pity party in your subconscience therefore assuming you are suffering from depression. What else can you blame it on, god forbid it's a self created diagnosis, so since there is nothing else for you to blame you think you have depression and by taking a pill you will fix the chemical imbalance.
kaismama
23 Oct 2012
You have come on here and told all of the depressed people that the only thing wrong with them is a weak mind and only the drug companies say its the chemicals. Real smart move. Now they can just throw away their meds and they'll be fine when they strengthen their minds. Many of the depressed people here are fragile and you've just hurt alot of them. I am stronger and can deal with it. I have no issues whatsoever to make me depressed, I've been depressed since I was a teen and I'm 65. I had a good childhood, a happy life, and a good career. What do I talk about to cure me? What the heck is your phd in, statistics?
Bill7340
23 Oct 2012
Are you speaking in behalf of everyone on this blog? Do you personally know all of the individuals suffering from what you term depression? I would be careful in your analogy of representing the entire population of bloggers who think they have depression. Depression is the simplest way to define a state of mind when sometimes the very issue is within each individual. If you look at all the symptoms of depression none are the result of of chemical imbalance. You seem to be angered at the fact that there may be another solution besides drugs. Lexapro and others only mask a deeper more seeded problem. Why do you think these individuals want to stop taking drugs? They don't fix the problem, do they ...
kaismama
23 Oct 2012
No, I'm angry at the fact that you come on here and make statements that may harm some of the regular people here. We always say that you need therapy as well as meds, but your statements have basically made it sound like people are depressed because they are weak only. You sound like the people who say, oh just buck up, its not as bad as all that, its all in your head.
Chrissyjels
23 Oct 2012
Hi bill7340,
I do not have a weak mind. My depression was not self. I drove home from work that day thinking I am a fighter and will just get another job and move on. A couple of days later while thinking positively my mind decided that instead of dealing with the shock and horror and consequences in a positive wat like you suggest, it was going to take control and repair itself first. I hate medication in any form but when I needed to close my mind, let it rest and let it cope with the stress of this experience so that I I could deal with what I needed to in order to move forward I needed the medication and it did help and when my mind was ready to do things for itself again it decided to get rid of the medication and go it alone. So to say I have a weak mind is something I can not agree with. Having a phd does not make you an expert any more than it education in psychology at masters level gave me.
All the academic knowledge in the world did not prepare me to ignore what my mind needed to fix itself. The sad thing about all schools of thought is that it is driven by something that has nothing to with actually healing someone. Motivations are for academic achievement with theories that disregard the sufferer or by money like those drug companies.
I have come through the worst. And as a positive update I have let the boyfriend go. He has since slashed 2 sets of my tires now. But my mind is in a better place to deal with this and that's in large part to the credit of medication that allowed me to heal and evaluate how I would deal with issues when they arise again.
My life is one that is full of issues none of which I asked for. I did not inflict a psychotic bf onto myself. I didn't ask that the break into my house and have my dig attack him which resulted in my only true support to be impounded as a dangerous breed. I did not ask that I fight in court to get her back a fight that took 3 long months of no contact with my dog. I did not ask that I get evicted from my house with 4 children I didn't ask that I lose the last job I had because my OCD manager decided to infringe on my right to privacy by calling on My old workplace to gossip with his peers in The industry.
So in the past 3 months since commenting on here more Non self inflicted things went wrong and the truth is if I did not take the medication then I would beneeding it now todeal with all this. I can only suggest that if someone needs help use what is available at the time. Meds are good to help you repair but should've stopped once you have learnt to cope on your own. For some it's good diet and all your suggestions, some find the ongoing strength in religion. I believe to
Each his own. Taking a position that isolates an individual and making them
Think they are weak in their weakest moment does not constitute good advice. I know cos the more my friends said this is not you, you are strong the more stressed and depressed I became because they were setting an ideal that was unattainable at the time.
I suggest get the right dovtor psychologist and psychiatrist. Get ones that listen to your needs for that moment and are able to explain the different symptoms of your experience and help you through it.
Depression is an emotion just like happiness. They are not mutually exclusive but understanding that the both exist and not judging one better than the other will go a long way in teaching people to understand the mind Andean it is telling us we need for it to thrive and in my case survive.
During the height of my depression, I discovered the power of my mind and I was in awe. I saw 2 men standing at the side of my bed in medical attire telling me to get out of bed and deal with things and that I needed to fix it. Then when I fell asleep I would have dreams of my childhood home and my dead grandmother and uncle telling me they were sending me people to help me. I did not understand this to you it would be evidence of my weak mind but my psychologist explained that rhat part of my mind that believed I should be strong and fight surfaced as the 2 guys and the part of my mind that needed me to repart took me to a safe place and showed me the support of the one of could always run to. Trust is not a weak mind that us the power of the mind. Academics did not teach me that but my experience with a compassionate academic made me understand my mind.
Bill7340
23 Oct 2012
If the Meds work so well, why are so many trying to get off of them? ( answer please) I'm not telling anyone what to do, I'm just stating a more common sense approach to drugs.
These drugs are a mask and yes these individuals need help but if the drugs aren't helping and they want off them what do you suggest they do? (answer please).
Chrissyjels
23 Oct 2012
Why were you on it for 10 years? How is it when you needed it you did not philosophise? Your hard approach now is cos you are in withdrawal and thats normal. We hate it getting off, read my posts I chose the anxiety over theses feelings. I lashed out at everyone blamed the drug companies blamed everything. It's a drug it has withdrawal symptoms it's not different from illicit drugs in it's withdrawal phase. So be upset at it. I'm happy you found your ability to deal with things without medication it took you10 years to get here it you came through none the less. Now let the rest of the sufferers do the same. I first came on here for understanding of the highs and lows of withdrawal. I got that. I expressed my discontent at the drug companies for making money of my pain of withdrawal. It was a cruel period but it had to be done in order to get to work
Things out for me without medication. Diet and exercise were always recommended by all 3 of treaters. If you are not saying that people should not take medication then what are you saying.
Chrissyjels
23 Oct 2012
People are on these drugs cos they need it to help them cope cos in some cases all the exercise and healthy eating did not make them feel any better so they use the drugs to mask the insufferable bad feels and give themselves a break from it. Then when they need to get off the deal with the withdrawal and all it's phases cos they want to live life without medication. Thats why we get on and then off and then again. Do you honestly think a person who is depressed for no reason is inflicting this on themselves? Why would they want that? Some deep seated need for attention as a 40 yr old. How attractive is that? Why would someone choose to be depressed and a burden to friends and family. For you to claim that it's a choice then you have a very bleak view of the people on general. Academically I have learnt that sociopaths and psychopaths do things for self gain and make no consideration for how others feel.
Your view if depression amongst people reflects one that makes us all dependent, self inflicting individuals who are so obsessed with our own lives that we don't care how our moods and emotions effect others. Sucking it up and being happy is not always and option.
Bill7340
23 Oct 2012
Chrissy, thanks for your reply.
I'm not surprised by your comments and understand you are coping, but how much longer do you want to continue on the same path that led you down the highway of hell? Everyone's life comes with many unwanted events, thus over time as these multiply and we forget just how many we have had to endure.
The sure number take a toll which we don't realize the long term affect. The number of events in our life explain how our brain gets overloaded and why we turn to our physicians. The problem are physicians, who are trained to make all of us feel better. If we are diagnosed with depression their only solution is RX thus hello Lexapro.
Physicians offices are full of RX reps every day giving out samples of a new and better med. Physicians offices are overloaded with patients all suffering from different illnesses, therein lies the problem. Only a specialist can really determine whether you are suffering from depression. GP's deal with so many patients and it's so easy to prescribe an RX without spending time to find the underlying cause. Sounds like you fall into this category, my suggestion lifestyle simplification... See a professional
Chrissyjels
24 Oct 2012
I need professional help for what exactly and who are these professionals if not my physician, my psychiatrist and my psychologist? What exactly do I need to tell them now that they have covered my childhood, my teenage depression, my diagnosed type A personality, my move across the world my divorce my ex bf my everything what exactly do you want me to pay them for?
What exactly is your phd in cos if it is in the field of psychology I have to question your knowledge and experience with individuals suffering depression other than yourself.
My degrees are in the field of psychology and human sciences. I have counselled people and I do understand non self inflicted depression amongst people who have no underlying cause.
Please answer: why were you on meds for 10 years if you had no need for it? Are your friends constantly their for you every time you got depressed and went in search of your root causes? Do you have a psychiatrist treating you at the moment? Do you have a psychologist counselling you?
You do not know anything about my physician. She put me on meds because I needed it not because she had samples. I went to her because she has an associate degree in psychology and has written papers on depression. Btw I do not have depression I suffer anxiety and stress and yes it is because of my childhood my marriage and everything else I poured myself out about to professionals.
So how does rehashing it all every time I am depressed or manic help? Well it does not.
Therapy has taught me this. I can't stop my mind from choosing to repair itself but I can help it on its path of healing and if that means taking medication when I need it so be it. I will advocate for any person taking medication because when you need it most it helps. I would rather see someone allowing themselves time to heal than struggle on their own thinking that no one is listening professional or not.
To those that understand that some are predisposed to depression and bipolar and manic disorders I say don't let the know it alls tell you to suck it up. It's not always possible. And there are non judgemental people around who do understand, like those who supported me on this blog when I needed help.
I have learnt to know my limits and choose my battles. I know what signs I need to look out for so that I don't need to be dependent on medication even though my psychiatrist insisted I need to be on it for the long term.
Your comments are short sighted ill informed and lacking in depth as a result of it. Lexapro is not a resident evil. It does help when it is needed and if it is right for you. The withdrawals are intense and at its weakest scary. Getting off it will frustrate you and have you question it's authenticity in your healing that brought you to this place where you feel you can now go it alone. Good for you your meds did what you needed at the time. If your coming off it it's the toughest 4-6 weeks of all time. I took on a new job 6 weeks after I came off and I still felt mild symptoms but I got through. Thing fell apart again but I did not need to go back on meds because I learnt to look for the signs and use what I was taught to deal with things. It's not easy but I am able to deal with thing differently.
Good luck.
ktvc123
15 Dec 2016
Bill7340, i think that lexapro does work well. The reason I am trying to come off is because of sexual side effects. So, yes it does work for some people for depression - regardless of what you think about drug companies.
Chrissyjels
4 June 2012
It's 6:33am and I have still not fallen asleep nor do I feel like it. I have spent almost every sleepless night over the past 2 weeks finding comfort in reading other horror stories of the lexapro withdrawal. And if there's one pattern out there, it's that no one understands. I wish I knew why. This is the beginning of my fourth week and I feel no closer to the end than when I first started. That sound I hear as three sudden shoops every 3 to 5 min accompanied by jerky internal movements and shakes is so tiring but sleep can bring no relief because I rarely get proper sleep. when I do get sleep I feel like I cheated death for a few hours. I understand the hatred for the sound of a phone ringing. i can't even stand its vibration. It's helps even less when you have a boyfriend who won't understand but claims to and calls 100 times in a couple of hours. Yes that's possible.
So I switch of all sounds and vibrations and miss important calls cos I can't cope with its sound. No one can watch tv wit me in the room cos even on the lowest audible volume it's too loud for me. My kids voices are like Piercing knives through my brain. No one is allowed to talk on either side of my head near an ear. Its too loud. By evening light becomes the enemy cos everything is too bright and mOves too much. I constantly see things moving in my peripheral vision and there is always a non existent someone or something talking or making sounds when the room is empty. At this point I think it was easier dealing with my anxiety.
It gets worse at night and the zaps and brain shudders are at their full strength when I am trying to get people to understand and back Off.
Why won't anyone at least read some of what's on these blogs just to see that I'm not lying. This is excruciating.
I want to beat up everything for 5 min and then in the next 5 I can climb mount Everest with my euphoria but just as I reach the summit I fall rite back to a confused angry state. That's my 5 min mood cycle. even my thoughts wen I'm alone follow the same pattern.
I am just exhausted but thankful that I can get on here and express how I feel without needing to beg for understanding. How much longer is this going to gO on for.
Sadly these are only some of my symptoms I still dealing with the anxiety of all the weight gain, the fear of going to an job interview in 2 days with this missing in action memory and attention span. Oh god I sound like a case for the psych ward and this is my good moment cos I'm just lying here typing this out and crying.
Thank you for reading, listening and understanding. U r the most familiar strangers I know.
kaismama
4 June 2012
The benefit of talking to us is we're quiet, lol... Wishing you comfort soon.
SeeknFind
4 June 2012
O Chrissy, sooo sorry, unfortunately I know exactly how you feel except those are my symptoms when my fibro flares, add some crappy weather and I know.
Wondering if you were on any anti-depressant prior to Lexapro, or on any other meds? Why put on the lex in the first place? The reason I ask is 'cause those symptoms of your withdrawal seem to be going a bit longer than usual. Were you on a high dose? can you speak to your doctor? Perhaps you need another anti-depressant, I like celexa much better than lex, just sayin. At least know we understand you here and you have our best wishes. write again to rant if you need to,the rants are part of it too. take care
Chrissyjels
5 June 2012
Thank you Kaismama and Seek. I made a personal disclosure at work to the occupational health and safety office about being bullied at work. She suggested I make a formal complaint to HR and she told the HR officer to meet with me. After making the complain I was fired a week later for not fitting into the org. A major medical research org where I managed donors. I went into shock so severely that I started hearing voices, spoke to people waking me in the middle of the night to fix me. I have suffered from the effects of stress before after my divorce In early 2008 and reluctantly went onto 10 mg lex then got off after a year and was fine. This time round I started on 10 mg lexapro in the morning , 200mg seroqual at 8pm and then 200mg of seroqual again before bed.
After 4 months I was reduced to 200mg seroqual a nite and then 100mg quick release seroqual before bed and the 10 mg lex was increased to 20 because I was experiencing some withdrawal symptoms which was effecting my judgement to the point I had an accident. In all The drama of suffering stress and anxiety and depression I suffered huge blood loss due to a fibroid so I received 4 units of blood twice over a 4 week period until I had an emergency hystorectomy. After that I just slept my life away for the past 8 months, needing seroqual to sleep and lexapro to stay awake. I reached a point in feb when I decided that I was not coping with looking for a job and feeling drowsy on seroqual so I eased myself of that. Since then I have an aweful rash across my abdomen. When I mislaid my repeat prescription for lex 4 weeks ago I just decided I have had enough and I need to put myself back on the track I was used to. I believe I am manic I have more energy than the average 40 year old woman and usually only needed around 5 hours sleep. But as always one can be depressed without being manic but the other way around is never accepted and so psychologists keep trying to get me diagnosed as bipolar. My psychiatrist cant box me in so easily and while he won't say I manic, still supports that I get single episode stress related depression wit a specific cause. Unfortunately the last single episode of extreme stress related depression has left me suffering long term anxiety. The moment I start catastrophising and can't sleep I know things are about to lose shape fast and I get panicked and go though hell. Being droopy and edgy on meds was not helping so I just came off and trying to get past this by seeking support from preople like me who only know what this feels like cos they were in it themselves. Everyone including professionals think that we will pass it all once there's a label attached but I am not comfortable being called bipolar wen I am usually always happy and bouncy and I know how abnormal manic energy feels. I never got depressed I was too busy being happy for that. Being manic was a full time job. I had no time for depression and I honestly loved it. I hate this jittery fearful person I have become. I want the real me back only problem is I not sure how much of this withdrawal I can get away with before I need to go to my doctor and say I may need help again and the med cycle starts again.
Bill7340
23 Oct 2012
Hold on as quitting won't kill you. It will make you a better person if you change your lifestyle. Dump the boyfriend, start a rigorous exercise routine and eat only healthy food.
It's all in your mind and if you thought lex would solve your problems you were wrong. No pill will help you mentality deal with what you think is depression but really a weakness that you can overcome with lifestyle changes.
Consult only those people in your life who you can openly share your feelings and I mean pour out your guts to... Sometimes pouring out your guts followed by crying and then grabbing your ass is the best solution. Remember we are alone in this world so only you can help you.
deb6596
7 Dec 2013
I have been on Lexapro for years and it worked well, but I have now had to stop cold. I lost my job and my health insurance right before I was to go in for my yearly check up, My doctor told me, she would not refill my prescription until I came in for my yearly physical. I found this site while trying to find ways to deal with the side effects. As if things were not hard enough right now with the job lost, I feel like I'm ready to fall apart. I'm not sleeping and am on edge all the time. It is such a struggle to talk to people without the angry I'm feeling ripping their heads off. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Scrubby122
11 Jan 2019
Bill, mental illness is not a weakness. You disgust me. Seek help immediately.
balbanese
20 May 2012
And my question is, why isn't the prescribing physician involved? Once we're put on a med we are best off to follow the directions so we don't have complications, this goes 10 times more for stopping a medication. Your Dr knows best how to wean you off so you do not suffer the consequences of stopping too soon. It's not too late to do this, make the call. Hope this helps.
Pennkronbach
17 Jan 2015
Probably the prescribing physician is unavailable as they mostly are or possibly this person is fortunate enough to have a Dr's office tell them "well,use your best judgement" in regards to stopping my Lexapro... that was the answer I got from my Dr's office today... my Dr. is only in the office one day a week and I was told I would be lucky to get an emergency appointment in the next two weeks... I have been suffering from headaches,severe nausea and horrible vertigo ... but since the Dr. is "unavailable" my Dr's office today told me to "use my best judgment on how I should stop taking my Lexapro" This poor person probably has no medical help as they all are either UNAVAILABLE or they plain just don't even care...
balbanese
18 Jan 2015
Please if you are not the original poster of the question post your own response rather than comment on mine, it;s rude and inappropriate.
SeeknFind
20 May 2012
egibs, I'm with Pledge's advice. I, too, tried to get off Lexapro, it's a rough cold turkey. Taper off is less uncomfortable. Go back on at a lower dose if you have any and cut down slowly, your body will tell you the pace for you. Since you've been on it 10 weeks your body has acclimated to it, usually does after 3-4 weeks, so be patient with yourself. I know what it's like to just want "off" a drug NOW but it doesn't always work well that way. Do whatever you need to do to relax and be patient with yourself. Best wishes
egibs01
20 May 2012
I have plenty left if i do decide to taper - still hanging in there for the time being. If symptoms get worse, ill definitely try to taper off. Thanks for the advice!
Inactive
20 May 2012
Hello egibs01. I had posted my answer and well, trying again. Yes, in answer to your question. You will be likely be feeling some of the same symptoms stopping the Lexapro as when you began taking it. The severity, because you mentioned that you only now in your 4th day are feeling withdrawls, should be less severe. I was on Lexapro for several years, and I would miss a dose, my body would quickly tell me that I had. Its one of the more harsh psychatric drugs when it comes time to stop taking it be it through a taper or cold turkey. I suggest that if it becomes to uncomfortable, you (if you still have lexapro) either take the 10mg or cutting it in half and taking 5mg. Have a good Sunday, and hope for an easy successfull result. Regards, pledge
egibs01
20 May 2012
thank you for the advice! im definitely going to hang in there a bit longer, since the withdrawals arent too unbearable. If they get severe, I will probably do as you suggested. I never noticed a difference before when id forget to take it. Thanks again!
SeeknFind
20 May 2012
If I forget an anti-depressant sometime I don't feel it for a day or two, but the next day Bam. Take it easy, they are heavy drugs that affect your entire brain, body and functions so be kind to yourself
Related topics
lexapro, weight loss (obesity/overweight), withdrawal, weight
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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