Weaning off lexapro

[gigi82]

I have been on lexapro for about 10 month, 20 mg.  I am also on trazadone 50 mg because of problems with sustaining sound sleep for 8 months after battling serious pain issues after a serious auto accident.  I am having side effects such as feeling emotionally numb and my libido is gone.  I have a history of panic attacks, anxiety, fears, worry and obsessive thoughts.  I have recently began psychotherapy and I have made changes in my diet, exercise and I use supplements.  I desparately want to get off both medications but I want to wean off in the best way.  I know that the medication has helped with the symptoms but I also know that I must do the real work to heal.  I no longer have a psychiatrist due to insurance changes, my primary physican prescribes my medication.  How can I wean off these medications.  

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It is your decision about medications, especially now that you do not have a psychiatrist to consult. But you should watch carefully, and monitor this with your therapist so you can figure out what are withdrawal  symptoms, and what is anxiety.  Re the lexapro...the schedule is to wean over a three week period. the first week with lowest possible dose daily that does not bring on side effects...then that dose every other day for ten days; then that same dose every third day for ten days, then stop.

After the lexapro, then start tapering off the Trazodone, or substitute something like ambien which is shorter acting, and use at lowest dose, then get off the ambien.

[SnowWhite88]

The best advice I can give to you is to do this under the watchful eye of a doctor, regular appointments with them e.t.c. It's never a good idea to wean yourself off medication off your own back, especially if you have been on the medication for a while. I am expecting that you were tapered on to the medication and the same should be done whilst coming off the medication. It's good that you are beginning psychotherapy but you will not have immediate results. Take things a step at a time, talk to your primary physician about the possibility of stopping the medication and ask for their professional opinion.