I was on 20mg Lexapro for GAD that was so bad, I could not eat or function. I have been on the meds and feeling amazing for about 7 years. I decided on trying to taper down... slowly... and did 10 MG for about 3-4 months, then went down to 5MG. After 2 weeks of being down to 5MG, I had a massive relapse in symptoms... I started to take 15MG immediately the next day after the symptoms returned, and now am 1 week in, and will bump up to 20MG. I guess I thought being on the meds so long, that they would have re-balanced in my system sooner, but I am still feeling really bad. I could take Xanax for relief until the meds fully kick-in again, as I am prescribed and rarely take them.
Has anyone else had similar experiences with tapering down? Feeling like you're literally starting back at zero?
Tapering down on Lexapro and relapse in symptoms?
Question posted by KMH92 on 27 Dec 2020
Last updated on 28 December 2020 by WildcatVet
Answers
Hi, KMH!
It's called the rebound syndrome and many people experience it when trying to discontinue certain types of medications, especially psychotropic drugs.
Antidepressants don't "cure" depression/anxiety and so some people do need to stay on them permanently. There are two types of depression/anxiety... situational caused by a specific event(s) and generally only lasting for a relatively short period of time... and clinical which can potentially last a lifetime.
You might want to discuss this with your doctor and get her/his advice as to whether you should continue taking the medication.
Just for the record, I've been on medications for nearly 50 years and still haven't been able to stop them without a relapse. Since I don't mind taking my meds it's just a matter of doing it daily.
Best regards and I hope you're feeling better quickly!,
Hi Krista,
I was on Lexapro for about 2.5 years and just finished tapering off 10mg over 6 months. Yes, I did feel the same relapse of symptoms. This was my second time tapering off an antidepressant and after the first experience (complete relapse of depression/anxiety which I thought was due to changes in my life, but I now see that it was due to tapering off too quickly) and a ton of research, I learned that the best way to alleviate those symptoms is to taper as slow as possible. I think you coming down 5mg each time may have been too much, too quickly. Even with my very slow taper (I literally cut my pills into tiny pieces and even took some of the powder bits/dust at the end. Tried to do 7.5, 5, 2.5mg, etc and even tried to extend the hours in between to 30 hours rather than 24) I felt like I was suffering, but I got through it. I think it is worth it to go even slower than what you did (3-4 months each taper seems like a good idea... maybe just less of a drop).
Ultimately I realized nothing is too slow because many doctors think a couple months will suffice, but your brain has been accustomed to certain amount for so long, it really takes time to adjust, and everyone is different. I also know I have some vitamin deficiencies which can contribute to anxiety/depression so made sure I was taking care of that as I was tapering.
Sasha
Thanks, Sasha,
Can I ask, after your first experience with a relapse in symptoms, how long did it take your medication to kick in again and begin providing you with relief? Was it about 2-4 week? as that is how long they usually take to work when starting from zero?
Yes, it was pretty much that 2-4 week timeframe that I began to feel better. I noticed that it was working when I began eating again. However, the first time I was on Zoloft. I think lexapro made me feel better, faster.
Related topics
lexapro, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, relapse, tapering, symptom
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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