withdrawal from Lexapro

[beachartist]

I tapered off of Lexapro too fast. Now I'm having what feels like electrical shocks in my head, dizziness, irritability and flu like symtoms. My dosage was 10 mgs a day. I cut back to 10 mg every other day for a week,then 5 mgs every other day for a week then I stopped completely. My last 5 mg. was 6 days ago. Each day is worst than the last one so today I took 10 mgs. of Lexapro about 30 minutes ago because I can't live like this. I've heard taking prozac before coming off Lexapro helps.I think I should add that I am 62 yrs. old and was taking Lexapro for social anixety and hot flashes. I want to get off because of the weird dreams and deep sleep I have and it doesn't seem to help with the hot flashes as much any more. Please advise me on what to do.

[sleich142]

Hello.  I'm glad I found this forum!  My doctor prescribed me Lexapro for GAD.  At the time I was feeling dizziness and fatigue, so he though it was due to anxiety.  I took the pill for 3 weeks, but I did not like the side effects.  I was feeling pretty much like a zombie, and I generally did not like the aches and pains among other reactions.  I told my Dr I wanted to get off of the pill, so he told me to gradually reduce my dosage.  Well, being the  idiot that I am, I quit cold turkey.  The first few days were okay, but after that, it has not been pretty.  I have been off for about 3 weeks now, and I have constant aches and pains in my muscles and joints.  It is just a dull ache, and more annoying then anything, but it is still not fun.  I've felt this dull ache in various parts of my body on various occassions.  Also, I seem to get fatigued at times (not consistent) and have trouble sleeping.  I don't have any of the brain zaps or anything like that, but I do get some headaches and some light headedness at times.  I wish I never started taking this pill in the first place, as I was generally happy before.  The doctor says that withdrawal can last up to 3 to 4 weeks, but I have read on here that it could take longer.  The strange thing is that some times, I feel absolutely fine, but then the withdrawal seems to kick in on it's own.  I've had other tests done to rule out anything else, and everything is fine.  I would advise anyone not to quit cold turkey.  Just gradually taper off!  Has any one else had similar experiences?  Seems that way from what I have read.  Various sites on the web seem to list major side effects for SSRI's in general.  Sorry for the long ramble, but sometimes it feels better to chat and share my experiences with others.  Good luck to you all!

[Mito]

I have slowly tapered down.  When I quit taking Lexapro altogether, I had some experiences of vertigo and the "brain shocks" for about a week. I have felt very tired.  Definitely the depression is still there.  I don't have the food cravings that I had.  I am trying to excercise a couple of days week to help energize my brain and body!

One day at a time....

Peace,

Mito

[Mito]

I am now in my 6th week of withdrawing from Lexapro, 30 mg/day.   I am taking 5 mg. per day and will begin 5 mg. every other day.

I have not had any extreme reactions.   As I got down to 5 mgs., I have experienced dizziness.   But over all, it hasn't been a bad experience.

I do think the slow approach has been good and I so I don't recommend doing this fast.

I must also say that my MD and PhD did not recommend me going off, but I've got to try it for three reasons:  to see if I can lose some 50 lbs. that I have gained since taking it (I know that Lexapro is not supposed to cause weight gain, but I gained it for some reason...).  2nd, because I feel that I have gained some better skills for dealing with my tendency toward depression.  3rd.  I have a good support network, psychologist, and priest/confessor that help me believe that I am good/loved --even when I can't believe it.

Peace,
Mito

[idcmktng]

I've decided to get off Lexapro myself due to weight gain, cost, and previous problems with this drug.  I quit taking them last week, hoping to give myself the extended Thanksgiving holiday to get through the worst part.  Brain zaps are very bad...almost every 10-15 seconds.  I feel as if I'm a 5 year old who just took a tripple espresso followed by 4 caffeine pills.  Jittery, confused, shaking...if this is what cocaine addicts go through, I feel sorry for them.

In a previous attempt, I actually lost hair.  Alopecia areata.  I had a 3" COMPLETELY bald spot on the crown of my head.  Has anyone else experienced this?  After a year, 90% or more has grown back...I hope this doesn't happen this time.

Doctors should be required to discuss these possible withdrawal symptoms instead of handing this stuff out like candy.  It seems that one out of every 3 people I meet are on it!

[graffixjones]

I'm also in the process of going through Lexapro withdrawal, and it's not fun.

I was put on Lexapro by one of the University physicians where I was attending college, to help me with GAD.  I was so stressed out from school (being that I also have a wife and kids) that I was having periods of anxiety where I would almost pass out from shortness of breath, so the physician thought that Lexapro would help me out.

Of course, I also got the impression from the physician that Lexapro was a 'wonder drug' that wouldn't cause any problems, and was the safest of the GAD drugs... she never mentioned that I could have a bad reaction to going off of the drug.

Needless to say, I graduated in May of this year, after having been on 20mg Lexapro for about two months, and I qualified for the low-income plan offered through the makers of Lexapro that would allow you to receive the drug for free (thanks to being a starving student at the time).  However, now that I'm no longer a student, I don't have the ability to see the same physician (who works for the college), I've run out of Lexapro, and have no medical insurance to pay for a physician to get some more... so I'm pretty much stuck with the 'cold turkey' method.
Luckily, I had been splitting my pills for the past couple months, and I started only taking them when I started feeling the withdrawal effects, so it really isn't 'too' bad, but I still wish I had known about this before starting this medication.

I have to say, by far, the worst effect of withdrawal is the vertigo... the weirdest thing is that I can close my eyes, and move my head all around without feeling it, but if I open my eyes, and look too quickly one direction or the other, I feel like I'm going to fall over.  I also get the 'reboot' feeling now and again, and also the electrical pulses in my face and the 'snap' in my brain, but luckily those aren't as bad this time around.  I tried quitting cold-turkey a couple months back straight from 20mg, and I don't recommend that at all... it was horrible.

The sweats are also irritating, but I think I sweat worse when I was on Lexapro, so it's something I've been dealing with.

So, to anybody whose physician is considering putting them on Lexapro for GAD, try to find another alternative if available, or be prepared for a long weaning period.  I'm currently looking into homeopathic remedies that hopefully will ease the transition a bit (Deprex looks compelling, but I'm still researching it).  I just wanted to offer my $.02 to this discussion.

[blossom1211]

Hi everyone. I'm new to Lexapro. Just started last week. I seem to feel better than I was. I also take 50mg of Trazodone at night. I take 10mg of Lexapro in the mornings. I was severly depressed to the point of suicide. My doc is wonderful and I refused to see a counselor because I really feel comfortable with my pc doc. I must admit after reading some of the side effects I am some what doubtful that this is the right med for me. All I know now is I feel better. Still a lot of things to work through but now I actually feel like I can. At least I hope I can. Anyone out there ever felt so bad that they thought there was no way out? Probably sounds crazy but I really don't have anyone to tell or want to share with around here. My home area that is. Just need to hear from someone who has been there. Thanks.