hello, i have been on lexapro for 3 years now and i have decides to come off this c**p.this was the greatest thing when i first started it but now im catching hell. the withdrawals are crazy. i have been off this med for 3 weeks now and im statring to have bad withdrawals. i had thought about going back on it but now after reading this i will cont. to fight this. withdrawals: headaches,eyes hurting,chest pain, upset stomach, gas,sharp pains in my head,sweats. i never thought i would go though this with this med. i guess i should have done my homewoek before starting it.
I was on Zoloft for about 3.5 years for PTSD- my main symptoms being depression and anxiety; about 2 years ago it stopped working and I was switched to Lexapro. At first it seemed like a godsend- I truly felt normal again, like myself; happy, looking forward to the future and on track. A few months ago I noticed a general lack of interest in things; something I now know is a side affect of some SSRI's- add to that a sudden disinterest in intimacy and consistent weight gain I began to wonder if I was getting depressed again. After a little research I realized these were all possible side effects of Lexapro- not the usual side affects the inserts mention or your doctor discusses with you. I took the leap of faith about a month ago and quit the Lex after halving my dosage for about a month.
I have had the brain zaps- which we call the woob-woobs at my house- extended crying jags, the worst period of my life- physically and emotionally, am moody, short tempered and frustrated. I feel like I could crawl out of my skin some days-I've had nauseous headaches- feel worthless, am acutely aware of my weight gain and generally unhappy. I have difficulty finding words some days- today I stayed in bedd all day and missed work- second time this month. I have been searching for an end to these symptoms, how long can they possibly last I ask myself, unfortunately it seems there is no patent answer- our physiologies are too different.
Stil, I am hopeful that I can say someday soon that I feel...and know my feelings, not those contrived by withdrawals or inflated by meds- my organic feelings. I have been doing some research that suggests amino acids and omega's along with other vitamins- to help the brain chemistry level out. I've only been taking the supplements a few days but the omega's definitely help with zaps. As for how long this will last...most people say about 4-6 weeks- hang in there and have someone to talk to about your symptoms- you can get through it just like I am and so too are thousands of others.