Weening from Lexapro

[CaptainMurphy]

I've taken Lexapro for a number of years and I've just decided this year to come down off of it. I was on 20mg so I went down to 15mg for about 3-4 weeks, then 10mg for about 2-3 weeks, now I'm down to 5mg. I'm not dizzy or numb, but I AM however very edgy, intolerant, and fidgety.

What I need to know is this: Is this new intolerance, agitation, and fidgetiness a result of the chemical imbalances or is it just the "real me" coming back (it's been so long, I don't remember how fidgety and angry i used to be so this is a problem) Is there a good and healthy cooping mechanism I can use to help me control these symptoms?

Also, my fiance and I have noticed a severe lack in my sexual desire and feeling of pleasure. Is this from weening off the Lexapro? Is this a whole nother problem?

I can't take it much more so I need to know if I should abandon the "weening ship" or if I should stick it out with new ways of keeping myself together.

Please help!

[Paxiled]

That's a difficult one -- usually it's being on the drug that causes the sexual problems!

[CaptainMurphy]

I went back up to 10mg and it's probably too early to really tell yet but I do feel better about the decision. Now I just have to figure out if this weening process is causing my sexual problems as well.

[Paxiled]

You're suffering withdrawal.  You may need to wean more slowly.  Whether this is the real you or not won't be known until you complete your withdrawal.  I assume you and your psychiatrist determined you no longer need the medication and that's why you're quitting.  If that's not the case, cnote is right, you're not ready to come off it.  But if you are, withdrawal from ssris is very common and often very unpleasant, so take it slow, relax, go as slow as you need to.  If you feel it's necessary, go back to the dose at which you were feeling fine and if you immediately feel better you'll know it's withdrawal.  Then start there and taper more slowly, as slowly as you feel you need to.  

[cnote]

if you felt better when you were on it, why ween off?