8/10/10, Hi all, sorry you have all felt so bad withdrawing off this Lexapro. I am a social worker and drug counselor, on my 9th day of a 20mg lexapro dose I had been taking for depression over past 5 years. I FEEL AWEFULL!! Dizzy, brain zaps, tingling, nauseaus, thirsty, exhausted felt the first 3-4 days that all I could do is sleep. as I hit my 9th day, I am still dizzy, nauseated, exhausted, ditzy,(more than usual...ha ha trying to keep some humor, really had to focus, moving my eyes one direction and feeling like it takes my body three minutes to follow in that direction. Irritable, even unable to tollerate any tight clothing on my body, head feels like it is chronically being sqeezed, eyes have pressure, periods of wanting to cry, however, I believe it is not because I am depressed, but because I FEEL SO BAD PHYSICALLY. I actually don't feel depressed, a bit of freedom in that this freekin' drug has supposedly suppose to have helped my depression, however, I feel it has made me tollerant, having NO NO NO Sex drive, poor hubby, thank god he is 10 years older than me and quite tollerant to my craziness. My neurologist (for I am on lamictal too for epilepsy) said I should not be feeling this bad and that I should try the Wellbutrin she prescribed, but at this point I AM DONE WITH ANTIDEPRESSANTS at this point. If I can get rid of these horrible symptoms I am not sure feeling a little sad once in a while would ever bring me to taking them again. I feel like one of my patients and have more empathy and sympathy for addicts addicted to opiates never mind an Freekin antidepressant. I am not a hippocrate, and believe there is depression, anxiety, chemical imballances and there are many patients Isee who truely need some mediation assistance to feel safer, or less anxious and of course reduce suicidal ideation. But i am in a good place in my life, have a safe home, loving family so I wanted to see how I felt off of it for the first time in years...................Any one know how long these symptoms have lasted for them? I was on 20mg, did 2 month taper down to 0mg been free for 9 days and still feelings like c**p....................Looking for some encouragemnt and offering extra sympathy for people in withdrawal due to drug addiction. Good luck. Push fluids, rest as much as you can and I guess try to be patient....this too will pass. xo
Hi, I quit about a week ago, after taking Lexapro 20 mg for almost a year. I feel great so far. I give the credit to God.
Anyone else?
Anyone else?
Its been several more days and still fine. I wonder why so many people are having more problems with it. Everyone is different. So as a critical care nurse, please be very careful weaning off an med without MD guidance.
Hello,
I was own Lexapro 20mg. for 5 years. The drug positively changed my life. However, I think it's time I try to live without it. I have become a strong person and think that I can do it. [I went on Lexapro because I was depressed; depression seems to run in my family.]
I went down to 10 mg. a few months ago and about a week ago I stopped altogether.
I can definitely corroborate the "flu-like" symptoms. I had the worst sore throat for about a day and I have a lot of congestion and blow my nose a lot. The brain "tremors" are definitely annoying, but not unbearable.
I couldn't sleep last night - I read that insomnia is a side effect of Lexapro withdrawal and I would agree because I typically never have any trouble falling asleep.
Other than that, I feel a little "out of it" and more emotional than usual, but so far, so good.
Alli
I was own Lexapro 20mg. for 5 years. The drug positively changed my life. However, I think it's time I try to live without it. I have become a strong person and think that I can do it. [I went on Lexapro because I was depressed; depression seems to run in my family.]
I went down to 10 mg. a few months ago and about a week ago I stopped altogether.
I can definitely corroborate the "flu-like" symptoms. I had the worst sore throat for about a day and I have a lot of congestion and blow my nose a lot. The brain "tremors" are definitely annoying, but not unbearable.
I couldn't sleep last night - I read that insomnia is a side effect of Lexapro withdrawal and I would agree because I typically never have any trouble falling asleep.
Other than that, I feel a little "out of it" and more emotional than usual, but so far, so good.
Alli
Hi all
The doctor convinced me (against my better judgement and with no warning of side effects / withdrawal issues) to take Lexapro to help treat the depression brought on by glandular fever and I think it gave my immune system a boost. I took 5mg for 4 days and then 10mg for 5 days. After 6 days I had an allergic reaction to it - bright red, itchy burning skin on my chest and neck. It took a few days to work out what was causing the allergic reaction and the doctor told me to stop taking it immediately and told me I would feel "a bit fragile" for a couple of days - ha ha!
Even after only being on a low dose for just over a week I feel like I have been unable to move for the last week, dizziness, nausea, pressure behind the eyes, weepiness and complete exhaustion. I feel so sorry for everyone that has been on it longer, and so disgusted with how much the doctor pushed me to take it with no warning of the potential issues with it. I'm hoping that as I wasnt on it for long the side effects won't last much longer, but no sign of them abating yet - I feel worse than I did with the glandular fever.
I will never take anything like this ever again!
The doctor convinced me (against my better judgement and with no warning of side effects / withdrawal issues) to take Lexapro to help treat the depression brought on by glandular fever and I think it gave my immune system a boost. I took 5mg for 4 days and then 10mg for 5 days. After 6 days I had an allergic reaction to it - bright red, itchy burning skin on my chest and neck. It took a few days to work out what was causing the allergic reaction and the doctor told me to stop taking it immediately and told me I would feel "a bit fragile" for a couple of days - ha ha!
Even after only being on a low dose for just over a week I feel like I have been unable to move for the last week, dizziness, nausea, pressure behind the eyes, weepiness and complete exhaustion. I feel so sorry for everyone that has been on it longer, and so disgusted with how much the doctor pushed me to take it with no warning of the potential issues with it. I'm hoping that as I wasnt on it for long the side effects won't last much longer, but no sign of them abating yet - I feel worse than I did with the glandular fever.
I will never take anything like this ever again!
Hello, I don't recommend this to anyone, but I quit 20mg of Lexapro cold turkey a couple of months ago. No problem at all. I happen, only happen to have been on Prednisone for a GI issue at the time, and I am wondering if that is why some problems may have been covered. I am a critical care nurse. I would have gone back on the Lexapro if I had any significant issues, and again, I do not recommend doing this. and I certainly do not recommend prednisone if you do not need it. I am currently not on any medications at all. If you can get off of Lexapro, please do it the safest way possible. God Bless.
I have been on Lexapro for 6 months, first on 5mg then up to 10, then with no change it was increassed to 20mg then 30 and now 40mg.
I was not keen on taking any to start with and have now decided to stop, as i have put on weight, feel tired and lazy and totally unmotivated :-( i have had good days aswell as bad but thats what i was like before taking anything, my depressive episodes could be for one day to 3 months of really bad depression, then fine for a day or so to up to a month or more. There was no real pattern, and it seems the same while on lexapro!
not going to cut back, i just want off, everone says they have bad withdrawl symptoms when they have cut back slowly as well as cold turkey. I figured i may as well go cold turkey and get it out of my system asap! am on day 2 :(after reading allthese i am like way scared! at least i have support at work by my bosses not so much other staff though :-(
Emily
I was not keen on taking any to start with and have now decided to stop, as i have put on weight, feel tired and lazy and totally unmotivated :-( i have had good days aswell as bad but thats what i was like before taking anything, my depressive episodes could be for one day to 3 months of really bad depression, then fine for a day or so to up to a month or more. There was no real pattern, and it seems the same while on lexapro!
not going to cut back, i just want off, everone says they have bad withdrawl symptoms when they have cut back slowly as well as cold turkey. I figured i may as well go cold turkey and get it out of my system asap! am on day 2 :(after reading allthese i am like way scared! at least i have support at work by my bosses not so much other staff though :-(
Emily
Hi there,
have any of you noticed any significant improvement from you're withdrawal? Have any of the symptoms subsided? I have been off cipralex (lexapro) for about 2 months now.. and the depression, anxiety, and constant crying just keep getting worse by the day. Does anyone know when it will go away?
have any of you noticed any significant improvement from you're withdrawal? Have any of the symptoms subsided? I have been off cipralex (lexapro) for about 2 months now.. and the depression, anxiety, and constant crying just keep getting worse by the day. Does anyone know when it will go away?
I have been on Lexapro for 4 years. Due to lack of insurance, and a general want to get off the meds- I stopped taking them about a week ago. I have been crying non stop and my boyfriend and I are about to break up because I've been such a b*tch to him about everything. I feel like hell all the time. I contacted my doctor to ask if he had any suggestions to help and all he did was put some more Lexapro samples aside. I'd rather just stop taking them, hopefully I'll feel sane again someday. I feel like a total nut case right now. I don't want to lose someone so important to me because of this. :'(
I think you should try to wean yourself off of them instead of going cold turkey if that's the way you have been feeling.
Getting off of Lexapro isn't a walk in the park, it's not exceedingly difficult either. Maybe you're just not ready to be completely off of it at this time. Nothing wrong with baby steps.
Good luck.
Getting off of Lexapro isn't a walk in the park, it's not exceedingly difficult either. Maybe you're just not ready to be completely off of it at this time. Nothing wrong with baby steps.
Good luck.
That's not an option since I do not have insurance, I ran out of the meds a couple weeks ago. There goes my b*tchiness again. My doctor has set some aside for me (free samples) but I'd almost rather go through it and get off this stuff. When I take it I feel tired all the time, and I'm starting to think Lexapro is the reason why I'm always so lathargic and lazy. I'll follow up with you guys and let you know how it goes!!
Hi my fellow Lexapro/other SSRI withdrawers,
As I type this, my brain is zapping. Unlike many of you, I don't mind it, and actually, it sometimes feels nice, reminiscent of a roller coaster feeling. It doesn't become purely negative unless I get like 10 of those zaps in a row-- at which point I will feel dizzy and nauseous. So, I enjoy the good zaps. Perhaps you can switch your perspective on what is happening... I don't want to sound all "yey I'm handling it well." No, not really. I am finding myself a lot more foggy/sleepy headed, and I listen to my body, assuming I have the time to do so. I also find myself being a whole lot more cranky and aggressive-- Not fun when I fixate on something that upset me. But, I can tell that this is not the normal me, and I have faith that it will pass. Perspective, or the lens that we interpret our experience through makes a whole world of a difference.
Anyway, I digressed. The main reason why I decided to post here is to inform you of when you should and shouldn't come off of these drugs, whether cold-turkey (ultimate test of how much you've changed since you've been on them), or tapering. The question to ask oneself is: Have I overcome and changed my attitude towards that which has led me to use these drugs in the first place? If you have done nothing to change your attitude towards life, then you should stay on them until you do, even if your sex life sucks or you can't feel as much as you did before. If you have, on the other hand, changed your attitude towards life in such a way that you can say with confidence that you do not need these drugs anymore, then you can try cold-turkey or tapering. By the way, I'm obligated to say that cold-turkey is not the way to go, even though I am doing it myself (20mg to 0mg after approximately 2.5 years).
I write this because I am a Mental Health Counselor. I believe these drugs are wonderful for providing a crutch the way many of us use alcohol or other drugs when we are down. Granted, there are major differences, mainly in psychological addiction. Nevertheless, I want to communicate that these drugs are but mere CRUTCHES, and if you HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THAT WHICH CAUSED YOU PROBLEMS INITIALLY, THEN COMING OFF OF THEM IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER WILL LIKELY LEAD TO A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
Understand that these drugs are but crutches, which is something that a vast majority of psychiatrists will not tell you, nor understand. Many of them believe that your problem lies in a chemical imbalance... But, is it not possible that the c**p of life that you went through CAUSED a changed in your biological make-up? Yes it is. It's the "Chicken or the Egg" dilemma. Is your biological make-up causing the problems, or your experience of life that is causing a change in your biological make-up? I believe it is a combination of both, but M.D.'s (psychiatrists) tend to ignore one of them: your experience of life. So, grab the crutches (aka the meds), and then grab a broom (aka a psychologist) and clean the c**p up. Then, when you feel your own strength beneath your feet, drop the crutches.
I hope I was of help to at least one of you.
Good luck,
Adam
As I type this, my brain is zapping. Unlike many of you, I don't mind it, and actually, it sometimes feels nice, reminiscent of a roller coaster feeling. It doesn't become purely negative unless I get like 10 of those zaps in a row-- at which point I will feel dizzy and nauseous. So, I enjoy the good zaps. Perhaps you can switch your perspective on what is happening... I don't want to sound all "yey I'm handling it well." No, not really. I am finding myself a lot more foggy/sleepy headed, and I listen to my body, assuming I have the time to do so. I also find myself being a whole lot more cranky and aggressive-- Not fun when I fixate on something that upset me. But, I can tell that this is not the normal me, and I have faith that it will pass. Perspective, or the lens that we interpret our experience through makes a whole world of a difference.
Anyway, I digressed. The main reason why I decided to post here is to inform you of when you should and shouldn't come off of these drugs, whether cold-turkey (ultimate test of how much you've changed since you've been on them), or tapering. The question to ask oneself is: Have I overcome and changed my attitude towards that which has led me to use these drugs in the first place? If you have done nothing to change your attitude towards life, then you should stay on them until you do, even if your sex life sucks or you can't feel as much as you did before. If you have, on the other hand, changed your attitude towards life in such a way that you can say with confidence that you do not need these drugs anymore, then you can try cold-turkey or tapering. By the way, I'm obligated to say that cold-turkey is not the way to go, even though I am doing it myself (20mg to 0mg after approximately 2.5 years).
I write this because I am a Mental Health Counselor. I believe these drugs are wonderful for providing a crutch the way many of us use alcohol or other drugs when we are down. Granted, there are major differences, mainly in psychological addiction. Nevertheless, I want to communicate that these drugs are but mere CRUTCHES, and if you HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THAT WHICH CAUSED YOU PROBLEMS INITIALLY, THEN COMING OFF OF THEM IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER WILL LIKELY LEAD TO A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
Understand that these drugs are but crutches, which is something that a vast majority of psychiatrists will not tell you, nor understand. Many of them believe that your problem lies in a chemical imbalance... But, is it not possible that the c**p of life that you went through CAUSED a changed in your biological make-up? Yes it is. It's the "Chicken or the Egg" dilemma. Is your biological make-up causing the problems, or your experience of life that is causing a change in your biological make-up? I believe it is a combination of both, but M.D.'s (psychiatrists) tend to ignore one of them: your experience of life. So, grab the crutches (aka the meds), and then grab a broom (aka a psychologist) and clean the c**p up. Then, when you feel your own strength beneath your feet, drop the crutches.
I hope I was of help to at least one of you.
Good luck,
Adam
Hi All,
I have been reading through all your postings here and Adam (Justaguest) I think what you are saying is so spot on, and you said it very well.
I just wonder has anyone any idea how long it takes to get usual sexual desire/ability to orgasam back after you stop taking Lexapro?
I used to have a very healthy appetite for sex & no problem reaching climax but now it's gone completely and it's not right at all!
I'm very interested to hear how any of you found it... please god tell me it comes back!
I have been reading through all your postings here and Adam (Justaguest) I think what you are saying is so spot on, and you said it very well.
I just wonder has anyone any idea how long it takes to get usual sexual desire/ability to orgasam back after you stop taking Lexapro?
I used to have a very healthy appetite for sex & no problem reaching climax but now it's gone completely and it's not right at all!
I'm very interested to hear how any of you found it... please god tell me it comes back!
I stopped cold turkey from 20mg down to 10mg at the same time I weened myself off of ativan for insomnia. I am having terrible symptoms crazy half awake depressing dreams, bloated aches and pains in joints and pain in the neck. I was alarmed and called my doctor he said for me to retake the Lexapro for now. Im eating healthy taking amino acids and vitamins all I want is to be able to sleep regularly at this junction in my life. Im glad to hear from everyone, I thought I was going crazy.
Hi All,
I was on Lexapro for 3 years, 10mg a day. Do to several of the side affects, I decided to stop by weaning myself down to 5mg a day then 2.5mg. It's been 5 weeks since I stopped and I still feel dizzy, nauseated, extremely exhausted, ditzy and can't seem to concentrate. Has anyone found any kind of supplement to deal with these withdrawl symptoms? I found that pepermint oil helps with my nausea, but I can't seem to increase my energy or tackle the fatigue??? (=_=)
I was on Lexapro for 3 years, 10mg a day. Do to several of the side affects, I decided to stop by weaning myself down to 5mg a day then 2.5mg. It's been 5 weeks since I stopped and I still feel dizzy, nauseated, extremely exhausted, ditzy and can't seem to concentrate. Has anyone found any kind of supplement to deal with these withdrawl symptoms? I found that pepermint oil helps with my nausea, but I can't seem to increase my energy or tackle the fatigue??? (=_=)