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SSRI discontinuation syndrome
Over the past 3 to 4 weeks I have suffered from sharp, sudden pains in my lower abdomen. Cat scans and ultrasounds have ruled out any apparent cause for my pain. After reading a few things online, I'm wondering if they could be caused by going off Lexipro too quickly. The pains started about 4 days after stopping the Lexipro completely. The pain is usually preceded by a shock-like sensation. My doctor doesn't think that my small dosage (5 mg) was enough to cause these symptoms. However, I have been on Lexipro for about 6 years. This week I went back on Lexipro every other day and the pains have decreased in frequency and intensity. In fact today I have not experienced any. I am looking for an second opinion. Thank you.
I want to thank you for your help. Through the secretary, I have contacted my doctor regarding my symptoms following discontinuation of Lexapro. I haven't spoken to him in person, but I get the impression that he doesn't feel that I should be having these symptoms with such a low dose. But, he did recommend that I go on 2.5 mg. every day for a week and then call with an update. Communication is difficult when you can't speak to someone directly. At any rate, most of the painful episodes have subsided now that I have been on a consistent dosage for a few days. I'm concerned about the next step because these pills are so small. How will I quarter them? He's not familiar with the liquid form that I've read about.
Thank you again for letting me vent and for your support.
Thank you again for letting me vent and for your support.
I'm not sure what happened, I wrote a response yesterday but it is not appearing here.
Thank you for responding to my concern. I believe that the pains started about 4 days after my last dose, during the first week in July. For 2 weeks in mid June i took 5 mg every other day. After that i went to 2.5 mg every 3 or 4 days but was not consistent and I only did that for a little while. Not having any problems, I just decided to stop. So, I believe it has been 3 to 4 weeks. I'm afraid I didn't ask for the doctor's help in stopping, my friend suggested 2 weeks of every other day. I should have done my homework.
I only asked my doctor in passing whether it could be the Lexapro. He was thinking appendicitis at that point so kind of pooh-poohed that idea. Now that all the tests have come back fine, perhaps I should ask him again. The tablets are so small that it's hard to break them. So I think I may need help with tapering down.
It truly is difficult describing this pain to a doctor because it sounds so bizarre. Shock like feelings followed by intense, sharp pain. And to make it more challenging, the pain occurs on the left sometimes, then on the right 15 min. Later. It sounds crazy.
Radiology has ruled out kidney stones, appendicitis, bowel obstruction, cancer and probably lots more. I do have some nausea around the the time that the pains start and have not had much appetite. That could be just nerves from not knowing what is going on. I go from feeling 100 percent pain free to bending over in pain in an instant.
I will take your advice and either talk to the doctor or taper more slowly on my own. After your note I took a dose and this morning have not had a pain.
Thank you so much.
Thank you for responding to my concern. I believe that the pains started about 4 days after my last dose, during the first week in July. For 2 weeks in mid June i took 5 mg every other day. After that i went to 2.5 mg every 3 or 4 days but was not consistent and I only did that for a little while. Not having any problems, I just decided to stop. So, I believe it has been 3 to 4 weeks. I'm afraid I didn't ask for the doctor's help in stopping, my friend suggested 2 weeks of every other day. I should have done my homework.
I only asked my doctor in passing whether it could be the Lexapro. He was thinking appendicitis at that point so kind of pooh-poohed that idea. Now that all the tests have come back fine, perhaps I should ask him again. The tablets are so small that it's hard to break them. So I think I may need help with tapering down.
It truly is difficult describing this pain to a doctor because it sounds so bizarre. Shock like feelings followed by intense, sharp pain. And to make it more challenging, the pain occurs on the left sometimes, then on the right 15 min. Later. It sounds crazy.
Radiology has ruled out kidney stones, appendicitis, bowel obstruction, cancer and probably lots more. I do have some nausea around the the time that the pains start and have not had much appetite. That could be just nerves from not knowing what is going on. I go from feeling 100 percent pain free to bending over in pain in an instant.
I will take your advice and either talk to the doctor or taper more slowly on my own. After your note I took a dose and this morning have not had a pain.
Thank you so much.
When was the last day you took the Lexapro? If you're noticing improvements, it may just make more sense to give it some time, especially because you were on a pretty low dose.
Thank you so much for responding.
I'm afraid that I did not do my homework and ask my doctor about this. But, I remember clearly that when he put me on it for some anxiety that he said there was no problem getting off of it. The nature of the pains makes it difficult to describe because they sound bizarre and are not always in the same place.
On a friends advice, in mid June I tapered my dose of Lexapro to 1 tablet every other day and did that for two weeks. I went another week on a tablet every 3 days, then stopped because I felt no ill affects. It was about 5 days after my last dose (the first week in July) that I had a sudden sharp pain in my abdomen and the pains seemed to become more frequent and more intense as time went on. After a week a saw the PA in my doctor's office. She and I were certain it was a UTI. At that point it never entered my mind that it could be the Lexapro withdrawal so I didn't mention it.
When the antibiotic didn't help I returned to the office and saw my regular doctor who ordered lots of other tests. Again, I never dreamed it was the Lexapro and didn't mention it.
It is only now (about 4 weeks later), after finding out that I am very healthy and there is no explanation for my pain that I'm exploring the Lexapro discontinuation issues. I guess I want to hear that I'm not dreaming this.
Yesterday and today I have fewer and less intense pains. Do you still think that I should go back on a low dose for awhile? I'm fine emotionally and psychologically. I can suffer through the pains as long as I know there is an end.
Thank you again for your help.
I'm afraid that I did not do my homework and ask my doctor about this. But, I remember clearly that when he put me on it for some anxiety that he said there was no problem getting off of it. The nature of the pains makes it difficult to describe because they sound bizarre and are not always in the same place.
On a friends advice, in mid June I tapered my dose of Lexapro to 1 tablet every other day and did that for two weeks. I went another week on a tablet every 3 days, then stopped because I felt no ill affects. It was about 5 days after my last dose (the first week in July) that I had a sudden sharp pain in my abdomen and the pains seemed to become more frequent and more intense as time went on. After a week a saw the PA in my doctor's office. She and I were certain it was a UTI. At that point it never entered my mind that it could be the Lexapro withdrawal so I didn't mention it.
When the antibiotic didn't help I returned to the office and saw my regular doctor who ordered lots of other tests. Again, I never dreamed it was the Lexapro and didn't mention it.
It is only now (about 4 weeks later), after finding out that I am very healthy and there is no explanation for my pain that I'm exploring the Lexapro discontinuation issues. I guess I want to hear that I'm not dreaming this.
Yesterday and today I have fewer and less intense pains. Do you still think that I should go back on a low dose for awhile? I'm fine emotionally and psychologically. I can suffer through the pains as long as I know there is an end.
Thank you again for your help.
The shock like sensation sounds like Lexapro. People who have stopped AD meds abruptly experience this feeling. I would find a doctor who has more knowledge about meds and how to safely come off them.
Hello and welcome!
Your pains absolutely could be from the cessation of Lexapro. The good news is, you've ruled anything serious out by seeking a medical evaluation (good move!)
Let me ask you this, were you tapered off the Lexapro, or just told to stop taking it abruptly? These meds always should be tapered to minimize the symptoms of the discontinuation syndrome.
Even though you were on a low dose, it doesn't matter. After 6 years, your body is used to having the Lexapro on board. How long has it been since you stopped completely? I'm gathering it looks like a few weeks?
Sometimes, if people are having a rough time, it is recommended to restart the med at a low dose and then gradually taper off. That may be something to consider. If your doc told you to stop the Lexapro without a taper, I would recommend finding a new one to handle this issue.
Unfortunately, these things just take some time, to allow your body to readjust. If indeed the abdominal pain is related, it should start to subside with time. Are you having any other GI symptoms, like diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite?
Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.
Your pains absolutely could be from the cessation of Lexapro. The good news is, you've ruled anything serious out by seeking a medical evaluation (good move!)
Let me ask you this, were you tapered off the Lexapro, or just told to stop taking it abruptly? These meds always should be tapered to minimize the symptoms of the discontinuation syndrome.
Even though you were on a low dose, it doesn't matter. After 6 years, your body is used to having the Lexapro on board. How long has it been since you stopped completely? I'm gathering it looks like a few weeks?
Sometimes, if people are having a rough time, it is recommended to restart the med at a low dose and then gradually taper off. That may be something to consider. If your doc told you to stop the Lexapro without a taper, I would recommend finding a new one to handle this issue.
Unfortunately, these things just take some time, to allow your body to readjust. If indeed the abdominal pain is related, it should start to subside with time. Are you having any other GI symptoms, like diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite?
Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.
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