Coming off Lexapro not what I expected

[kristine9190]

UGH.........Now that I have weaned myslef off of Lexapro, I am hating the way I feel. All of my anxiety symptoms are back, but since I know what it is now, it is not as debilitating, just uncomfortable. I didn't like the way Lexapro made me feel, but I feel like I should go back on it. I thought I was ready to tackle this on my own, but maybe I wasn't ready, and it was actually the medicine working and making me feel better. I don't want to go through the waiting period on a new medicine, I am starting a new job next week and I want to be able to make it through my day. This is just a real bummer, I don't know what to do, obviously the first step is to call my Dr.. But I feel like I should go back to taking the Lexapro, since it probably won't take too long to get back into my system.

Any advice would be helpful!!

Thanks!

[gma2]

That is great that you took control of that and are better for it. I went off Lexapro (cold turkey) just this last month after having been on it for over 3 years. (I had some major crying jags is all - I was lucky)

The new hospital I went to (in for a week - on a video EEG for syncopal events) took me off (cold turkey) Seroquel, Klonopin, and Zolpidem (Ambien). I had major migraines during that stay, which they treated, and by the time I left I had no withdrawl symptoms. No answer for the syncopal events but have had only two since. (Stress-related drops is another name for them)

I still take Mirtazapine (Remeron) at night and I'll be going in to see my doctor in 2 weeks regarding all I have taken myself off in the last 3 months and since that is the last anti-depressant med, I will ask him about it before going off it. Between him and my ex-psychiatrist they had me taking 25 pills a day (some were some pretty powerful psych drugs as noted). I set a goal in 2008 for myself to get control of my life back. Nothing is perfect. I am agoraphobic so in one respect, for the first time, that is working for me. I'm home, can cry, lay down, sleep, whatever I need to do to get through whatever.

Going to the doctors is an automatic Ativan time for me and if traffic is bad, weather is not perfect, or office is crowded, etc I usually end up taking more until I get home and am back in my comfort zone.

With all that said, this is all the very WRONG way to go about getting off meds. I admit that and by all means do not think I should be doing it. So why then am I 'doing this to myself'...MY doctors would not hear a thing about going off anything at all....change something to something else, maybe, but not get me off them. I felt after five years of being refilled and med changed to death all the time, I chose to take my life back. Baby steps with the rest tho.

I am down to 3 pills in a.m. and 4 pills in p.m. (Ativan as needed) Those are 1 baby aspirin, Mirapex for restless leg, cholesterol med, thyroid med and the Mirtazipine. As days go by, I feel better and better. I am taking natural dietary supplements, eating healthier (gluten and lactose intolerant, so that was a forced thing, but much healthier anyway).

So, long story here, but I felt a need (maybe a bit selfish on my part - sorry) to say that over-medicating is a result of not being in control of your own health and to...be well, is all. Take care of yourself. Kind regards

[kristine9190]

I am also on Lorazapam (Ativan). I had been off the Lexapro for just a couple of days. I spoke with my Dr. and I have restarted the Lexapro, and starting to feel better, with the help of the Ativan. I do get headaches on the Lexapro, but I am willing to deal with them until I get my feet wet on the new job, then I will be able to deal with the waiting period for a new med to work.

Thank you both for your advice!

[jcrowe00]

How long have you been off?

I would go back on Lexapro and after you settle in the job think about switchigng.

[gma2]

Are you on any anti-anxiety meds at all? For situational aniety I take Ativan. If I was starting a new job, for example, knowing it is a situation where anxiousness would develop in all likelihood, I would take one to stop it from coming on. Just my opinion. If you are not on anything for anxiety, and you are having symptoms again, it just makes sense to take that 'chill pill' when those occasions call for it. Talkin to your doctor about that exact thing would be the best bet. Your symptoms are back...call the dr. Kind regards