lexapro withdrawl

[Martha52]

I have been off of lexapro for about 8 days and would like to know if anyone can tell me the true withdrawl symptoms>  

[sparkeler]

Lexapro withdrawl can lead to symptoms like

[tanns]

Did you just stop of did you taper down?  How long were you on?  The first time I stopped I was only on for 2 weeks.  I stopped with no problems.  The second time I stopped I had been on for about 8 months.  I tapered down in 2.5 increments over 6 weeks.  I still had horrible headaches (at the start of each taper down week) and the hardest part was 3 weeks after it was out of my system.  I had a crazy surge of anxiety.  I never thought the Lexapro was working until that happened!

Anyway, everyone is different and I am very sensitive to medication so my experience may not be your experience.  But as sparkeler said, make sure it is under the care of a doc.

Good luck!!!

[woozy]

I came off of Lexapro about 8 months ago. My withdrawals included dizziness, having a sensation of strange blood rushes through my head and some fatigue..that was about it. oh, and some increased anxiety for a little while, a few weeks maybe?

[trixie67]

Wow...am I glad I found this site. I had been taking Lexapro since Nov. 2004 at first 10mg worked, but after about 18 months my doctor and neurologist has me increase to 20mg daily. I am now seeing a therapist since Dec. 2006 and she recommended a change to prozac as the lexapro wasn't doing what it should. Neither Dr. told me about any withdrawl symptoms except headaches and irritability...WRONG!!!!!!!! They also never told me to taper off....so I went cold turkey on Feb. 6th, 2007. I have felt like I am walking around stoned...light headed, chills and hot flashes, tired, dizzy, can't sleep...then all I want to do is sleep...bitchy, blurred vision...crazy dreams...can't concentrate...It will be 14 days tomorrow and I am hoping that these stop soon... I wonder if anyone out there may have some clue to how long the withdrawls may last?? I have read lots of sites and all these and then some are normal, but am just wondering how long I have to live like this? Or if, when I start the prozac that I will start to feel normal?? or as normal as possible with drug controlled depression!! Thanks to all... have a good night!

[tanns]

I am SO surprised that neither one of your docs told you to taper down!!  Not even the therapist???  Yikes!!  I would have been a basket case.  From what I understand (and I am NOT a doctor) is that it takes 3-4 weeks for Lexapro to get out of your system after you stop.  A neighbor of ours is a pharmacist and he told me that.  That made sense to me because after three weeks I had a increase in anxiety and jitters and that lasted for a while but is better now.  

Call your doctor about and tell them your symptoms and really, don't cold turkey anymore!!!  Don't let them tell you it's okay.  From what I read it can be very dangerous but you seem to be past that stage now.  But do call, just to let them know.

Good luck!!!

[cappacino]

i would very much like to hear from someone who is experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping taking lexapro....on the advice of my physician i cut my 20mg dose in half for 2 weeks and then totally stopped taking the medication....i have been experiencing nausea and dizziness and am very light headed....after calling my md he suggested i go back on the lexapro. i am not experiencing any drastic mood swings or severe crying spells..after he said to try for one more week staying off the meds and then calling him back....can someone please e-mail me at ***@**** if you can help me in trying to get thru this withdrawal period....i didn't like the fact that the quick fix was to go back to taking the lexapro...hope to hear from someone soon...thanks

[staciusa]

After several years of taking Lexapro I tapered down to 2.5 mg.  I tried to stop taking the pills several times. Every time I tried to stop taking it completely I would get excruciating headaches and eventually I would get very nauseous and start vomiting.  It would start in the afternoon and continue to get worse and worse for hours until I couldn't take the pain anymore - around 1 AM.  I would go back to taking the pills and the withdrawl would go away almost immediately.

In December after going through a bad episode of withdrawl I took 2.5 mg again for a week and then tried to stop again.   This time I had none of the symptoms.  I haven't taken the pills again since.  I've been mostly ok but it was kind of rough at first.  I was getting incredibly angry and crying on a regular basis.  

That has all settled down now and though I still have ups and downs for the most part I'm feeling pretty good.

[trappedinside]

This is my first attempt to discuss this via the internet.  Thanks all who make this available.

I do not believe I should be on an anti-depressant, however, due to a series of events, I am suffering the "cure" of Lexapro and Klonopin.

I had been on a med for digestion, which after 11 days, had me in such a confused and anxious state that I wound up in the emergency room.  Checked out healthy and sent home.  At the advice of friends I called my Gyno who said it sounded as though I needed something for anxiety and prescribed Lexapro, 10mg.  Took one that evening, and the next morning was seriously wanting to harm myself.  Back to the emergency room, admitted to "Behavioral Medicine" wing.  Seen very briefly by a psychiatrist, who said "You've had a panic attack, take Lexapro"

After discharge, went to see his associate who takes my ins. (he doesn't), and she simply concurred with him and has me on Lexapro and Klonopin.  I have never been more miserable in my life!  It has been three months.  The first month was slow going up, the second month level, this past month is nothing by crying and thoughts of, well, you know.  I WAS NOT LIKE THIS BEFORE THE DIGESTION MEDICATION AND THEN LEXAPRO.  Am I off the mark thinking I need to be off this stuff?  I am not funcioning like a normal human being, and am dragging my family down with me.  When I last spoke with the Dr. she thought upping the dose might help, but I think that's the wrong direction.

Any thoughts from those who made it through this long question?  Thanks.

[3yearsoflexapro]

I have been on 10mg of lexapro for 3 straight years.  1 year ago I decided to quit it, and failed.  The withdrawl was too much to handle.  Major brain zapping, chest pains, massive whole body tremors, horrid heartburn that kept me up most of the night, headaches, dizzy.  So I went back to my 10mg and felt better.  Please note that while on it I felt zero side effects.  6 months ago I gave quitting it another try.  I went from 10mg daily to 5 mg daily for 2 weeks, then to 5mg every other day, and then 1/4 every 2 days.  When I reached the 1/4 pill, the nasty withdrawl started.  I have horrid zapping sensations mostly when I lie down to sleep, tremors that make me shake from head to toe, shoulder, neck and back pain, my heart will pound so badly that I can hear it in my ears, I also have TMJ due to this and have to wear a mouth guard at night.  I cannot concentrate, nausea that comes and goes, have heartburn sometimes, massive mood swings, and chest pains.  I have been off the pills totally now for 6 days, and the chest pains are very sharp at times, other times I feel fine.  Anyone else going thru any of this???  Please let me know, my dr says it is not from the lexapro at all!!  Yea, right!

[Msellada]

i want to die from all thi withdrawls'
all i can tell u

[kate4bama]

I was on lexapro 10 for a 4 months and 20 mg for 4 months and then i went back to 10 mg for 2 weeks and then 1/4 of that for 2 weeks, then i stopped...
now i get head rush or fainty spells like i am about to pass out...just for a second. it seems its worse when i am sleepy or haven't eaten.  Is this normal? Will this stop?

[SophieRose]

I'm going through some nasty withdrawal myself. But fortntly or unfortunately it's because I can never remember to send in my prescreption assistance. I've been off lexapr for at least 8 or 9 days I think and I can't remember anything, I'm having the weirdest headache thing and the last few nights I've had bad craying spells and been really irritable and the last time this happened the third day I started getting really twitchy. I can't get any work done and I can't get any help since my doct is out of the office and hasn't called in my refill. that was the plan since I keepforgetting. I'm really having mood swings and obviously having toruple typing abd remembering even what I'm saying... sorry this is such a crappy entry but I can tell you this really is miserabl

[kkim]

I have been off for 3 days and feel like I have a sinus headache. I am nervous about what is coming. I have been on 10 mg for almost 2 years, I quit cold turkey.  I could not stand the lack of sexdrive other then that I felt fine.

[kkim]

what I mean is I felt fine on the medication, I had no side effects while being on it. I was never depressed just anxiety and panicky.

[broken1]

I was on Lexapro for two years.  At the beginning of the second year, I developed chronic backpain.  I have been to countless numbers of doctors that have done everything from x-rays to MRIs and beyond and have found nothing that could be causing the pain.  To my dismay, I discovered in the fine print of the Lexapro adverse reactions pamplet that it can cause myalgia.  My psychiatrist  casually told me to taper off of it for a number of days.  I did and the results were horrifiying.  I have been through tons of symptoms... nerve twinges, crying fits, anxiety attacks, depression, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and just overall sickness for the past two months.  To top it all off, my backpain has increased.  When I talked to my psychiatrist about the problem, he told me that it must be some other medication that I am on, because it couldn't be the Lexapro.  Needless to say, I promptly fired him on the spot and may file a complaint about him.  I want to get the word out on what this medication is capable of ...  It may come out some number of years down the road that the side effects of this medication could be permanent, as I have heard of cases that some of the effects were.   For me, the side effects have far out weighed the benefits of this medication.  My advice.. don't just take your doctor's word about the effects of a medication.  Do some research and ask a lot of questions.  I have lost time at work due to illness from this medication and hundreds of dollars in doctor bills.

[broken1]

I have several friends that are on Paxil that have tried countless numbers of times to stop taking the medication and have failed.  The withdrawl effects sound very similar to that of Lexapro.  To all of you trying to get off of this medication (Paxil or Lexapro), hang in there.  It may take about three months for the effects to go away... I am in month two myself.  If anyone knows of a way to make these withdrawl symptoms public knowledge (aka, get it published and mass communicated) I would love the knowledge.  

[kickqueen]

I had taken 20mg of Lexapro daily for over 2 years. I didn't notice any side effects until about a year and a half into it - and then came weight gain. I work out just about every day (aerobics instructor) and watch my diet, but the weight kept creeping on. I decided to quit about 5 -6 weeks ago - a week at 10 mg, a week at 5 mg, a week at 2.5, then every other day at 2.5. Things were going fine - I even had more energy - until I stopped taking Lexapro alltogether. Now, I feel like I'm just sick - nausea, lethargy, etc. I'm also incredibly sensitive, crabby, and have major crying jags. I've also experienced the brain zaps, which I can handle, but the fatigue I can't. I can barely make it through an aerobics class - which stinks, because that's my job. I guess I want to cry on someone's shoulder.....Does anyone know how long the fatigue and weakness last?

[BS65]

I used to take Paxil and the withdrawal symptoms are similar to what you all are describing. They are MISERABLE and you think you will never get through it. I failed a few times myself but I did eventually do it. It took a year of tapering down. I was literally taking tiny bits off a pill just to have the tiniest amount in my system because it was the only way to get off it without the terrible symptoms. I felt so sick and so dizzy and the brain shock sensations were horrendous. I still had depression so I needed to be on something so they switched me to Serzone, which has since been taken off the market. But I was able to stop that after about a year and took nothing for nearly 3 years until recently when my doctor put me on a low dose of Lexapro. I have only been on it for 3 months and am switching to Wellbutrin now. I noticed a huge difference in how good I am feeling almost immediately with the Wellbutrin. I just hope I don't experience the Lexapro withdrawals now while switching to Wellbutrin!

[sweetny]

I have been on 20mg of lexapro for the past 4 years.  It helped me worry less and cope better with my generalized anxiety.  The main side effects have been a 20 pound weight gain and a much decreased sex drive.  About a month and a half ago, I decided to begin to taper off because I am getting married and hoping to get pregnant, and I don't want to be on medication during my pregnancy (and need the sex drive back..lol).  I went from 20 mg to 15mg for about 1 1/2 weeks, then 15mg to 10 mg for 2 weeks and then 10mg to 5 mg for 1 1/2 weeks.  During this time, I have had withdrawl symptoms (brain zaps, sweating, irritability), but it wasn't too bad.  However, when I went from 5 mg to nothing about 3 days ago, things have gotten really crazy!  Mood swings, crying spells, anger/irritability, and then last night I had a total emotional meltdown.  I guess the best thing to do is start taking 2.5mg for a week before trying to go off of it completely again.  It really helped to read about the experiences of others having these withdrawl symptoms.  Everyone around me (except my fiance who is supportive) is just questioning whether I am really ready to get off the medication because they see how crazy I have been lately.  I know I am ready, but it is soo tough going through these withdrawl symptoms!!!!!

[BeatleBabe]

I've been off Lexapro for about two weeks now. The "Brain Zapping" and other side effects are gone except for depression. I didn't have depression when I first started having the other side effects. The depression came about a week later. Does this last long? I hope it is just a short term side effect of coming off lexapro and not how I'm going to feel without being on it.

[tohelpu]

I HEAR YA and thank you for trying to get this word out on LEX.  I don't care what my psychiatrist says, I know he's wrong and I believe something should be done.  I was on Lex for 9 months at 10mg and have stopped.  I've been off it for 29 days and my withdrawls are soooo bad.  Over the course of taking Lex I developed constipation, bad bloating, weight gain all around my belly (like I'm pregnant).  Now I am going through the withdrawls and it's sooooo scary.  I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S ALL GOING TO STOP.  You would think 29 days would be sufficient but NO.  From what I'm reading it looks like I'm headed for another 2 months of this ****.   My withdrawls since stopping have included:  brain zapping, dizziness, sounds in my ears, bad heartburn, soooo tired, blurry vision at times and the only thing I see changing to the better is my sex drive.  This is the only thing that I feel is getting better so this is the one that is indicating that my body is slowly coming off this drug.  Oh and the doctor says, "you'll be fine in 3 days" - ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  I hate these doctors.  They don't want to admit what's going on with this drug.  And I hate when they say that these symptoms are not a result of this drug - Does he think I'm a moron?   I guess I am for taking this stupid drug.   Look, I believe that if one is that depressed than something needs to be done but Lexpro is not the answer.  I feel like my whole body has to correct itself from this drug and it's scary.  DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN I SHOULD START FEELING BETTER?  

[tohelpu]

I understand what your going through and I wish I can cry on someone shoulders too. I live far away from family and they don't understand nor do the doctors. These symptoms are not going away completely. I have been off LEX for 29 days and I am still withdrawing.  Today I had the worst pain in my heart like a burning feeling.  This stuff is SCARY.  I wish I never went on this drug.  I hope people who read this know that what they are getting into with this drug becasue the doctors are certainly not going to tell them.    

[tohelpu]

Does anyone know how long it takes for Lexapro withdrawls to completely leave you body???  I was on Lex for 9 months at 10 mg.

[lexabutrin]

I am soo glad I found this forum.  I was on Zoloft forever and it never worked (and the side effects never went away) and my doctor put me on Lexapro.  I felt alot of lethargy and dizziness at 20 mg. I just felt so unfocused, it was depressing. My doctor added Wellbutrin (slow release) and I feel like my life is coming together for the first time in my life. I take 150 mg of Well.  My whole life, I had depression and severe anxiety and this combination (for what-ever reason) works for me.  It scares me, however, that now I feel like I may not be able to go off of it (the withdrawal symptoms sound just horrible!)  all I know right now is that I feel happy although flat at times, and I have less anxiety too.  I was willing to try different combinations and change up dose amounts because I had hit a wall and I was soo tired of feeling awful and having no quality of life. I never wanted to go on medications, but I kinda feel like I may be on them the rest of my life.