I've posted several rants now re: Lexapro withdrawal symptoms. I've pretty much been getting the dizziness and brain zaps that other people have described. I can't help but feel that this was not worth having been on the drug. They helped a little with anxiety, but I don't think it did much with the low moods I got in. I hate how the mental health professionals seem so eager to get people on these drugs when there are other alternatives. Unless someone is suicidal, I think exercise and other methods are safer, and should be tried first. I don't know how long these withdrawal effects are going to last (I've only been off the Lexapro for a few days now), but if it's anywhere near the 8 weeks that it could last (according to a site I read), there will be many more rants from me about this drug.
I have been on Lexapro for about 14 months. I recently started noticing I was sweating a lot more than usual. I've gained 25 pounds and have felt like the past year has been a daze. I forget things a lot. I'm an educated woman and I feel really concerned about my memory problems. About 1 month ago I started finding sites on the internet describing the same things I was going through while on Lexapro. I realized it was the Lexapro that had created all these health problems. 25 pounds is alot for someone who was trying to lose weight before I started Lexapro. Anyway, I tried to go off Lexapro by myself with terrible results. I then called my obgyn to tell me how to successfully get off this stuff. He said to take a pill every other day for 2 weeks. I did that and now I'm a week without the drug at all. I am pretty miserable still. Maybe a little better, but my head feels like it's not all working together like it did. I turn my head and it's like my eyes have to catch up. I went to the gym and tried to do some of the machines and had a crying spell because my head hurt so bad. Honestly, while on Lexapro I didn't cry the whole time I was on it and in the last week I've cried 4 times. It actually felt good to have my real feelings come out and to just freakin cry! If what you need is to not care for a while this is the drug for you. I personally will never go on another ssri again. I've basically been a zombie for over a year and am looking forward to my occational really good days. For me anti-depressants just aren't the answer and actually I feel like a guinea pig. I had no idea I would become an addict going through withdrawls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beware if you are considering this route for your problems. I was better off before!
I took Lexapro for 4 months for very mild depression. After the intial week of a few side effects, everything seemed to go well on the medication...except now, I am 35 pounds heavier and that disturbs me more than mild depression.
I stopped taking the Lexapro four days ago, cold turkey. Now I'm reading that's a bad idea, but I refuse to put another one of those pills in my body. I am hoping to start trying to get pregnant next month and the last thing I want in my body is medication.
Unfortunately, starting today really, I've been experiencing some very weird sensations. My brain feels fuzzy I feel funky.
There has to be a better way. Next time, I'll just go shopping!!!
I have taken Lexapro for over a year and Wellbutrin for 4 or more years. I really have not had any side effects except for the lethargic feeling. Three weeks ago my Dr. and I decided I wanted to get off of Lexapro. He halved my dose for a week and then told me not to take the Lexapro again. He made no mention of the many side effects I have had since getting off of the Lexapro. Like many of you, I have had the zapping in the head, nausea, dizziness and flu like symptoms. I have been off of the medicine totally for almost two weeks. It almost seems that the side effects listed of Lexapro when taking the drug are the ones I'm having now. Right now, the back of my scalp is numb. Called the Dr. two days ago and he said I can have these symptoms for almost two weeks more. I really wish he would have told me this would happen when I got off of the Lexapro.
I do feel better in the mornings when I get up. I am totally awake and ready for the day. I haven't felt like this in many years. I am just hoping these symptoms leave my head soon!
Just wanted to update my last entry. It has been about 6 weeks since I began withdrawling from Lexapro and I can now say I'm over the terrible head feeling. I really felt better after about 5 weeks, but rarely feel the shocks and dizziness anymore. I have been very agitated. Guess what I'm not a zombie anymore. I'm praying for strenth to get through this initial period without Lexapro. I told myself I wasn't going to let things bother me like while I was on Lexapro, but they do again. I have to figure out how to deal with them another way. Still trying to lose that 25 pounds. Finally had to start Weight Watchers to get myself back in control. I weigh in next Wednesday and I'll let you know if I lose. I just found on Lexapro that I couldn't stick to any kind of diet. I craved carbs and it seemed like the Lexapro made me weak-minded. I couldn't stay motivated one day to stick to a better eating plan. Now I've been on weight watchers for 4 days and am still on track. I feel in control again. I just hope the medicine didn't screw my metabolism up too bad.
I have been withdrawing from Zoloft, Buspar and Klonipin since August and have experienced much of what every is talking about. I am only taking .125mg of Klonipin at bedtime at this point. It has been difficult to deal with the day to day stressors of life and the withdrawal. I have had anger and agitation and crying jags. One thing I know though is that I will get better as time goes on and I will learn how to deal with my feelings. The meds numb. That is it. The issues will be there until YOU cope with them...when you come off of meds, I think some past hurts come back, too but again you must deal with these feelings and move on. Exercise is one of the best tension relievers I know and it will help you lose the weight. I am still having problems with my ears, strangely enough, I feel like there is water in there. I dont know an answer for that one.