You have to dose down in 5mg increments
I would do it over a 4 week period at least.
I came off 20 milligram that way successfully.
Last year the doc put me on 5 mg lex again to help me sleep. I’m in the process of coming off a simple 5 mg dose and it’s just as hard ... good luck you’ll get through - just don’t do it cold turkey
I would do it over a 4 week period at least.
I came off 20 milligram that way successfully.
Last year the doc put me on 5 mg lex again to help me sleep. I’m in the process of coming off a simple 5 mg dose and it’s just as hard ... good luck you’ll get through - just don’t do it cold turkey
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I am just going through this process myself and scoured these boards for help. Here is my experience and what I did to help the discontinuation symptoms. I was on 10mg for 18 months; it helped tremendously, but I no longer needed it, and I went from 120 pounds to 150 pounds. Under the care of my Dr., I went from 10 mg to 5 mg for a month, then to nothing. I wish I had tapered off a little more.
These were my symptoms in the order they appeared, and what I eventually learned helped the symptoms:
Insomnia for 3 nights
Dizziness, light-headedness, almost vertigo-- Dramamine was a life saver
Headache at the base of my neck. This was the WORST part and lasted for three weeks. I tried to take Tylenol extra strength because Aleve and Advil upset my stomach. Take the strongest of whatever you can tolerate. An ice pack really helped, as did Ben-Gay, believe it or not.
Nausea- this was made worse by the headache. Pepto-Bismol really helped.
Major IRRITABILITY- This showed up at the beginning of week 2 and lasted for about 2 weeks. I meditated and did yoga when my head wasn't killing me. But this had to run its course.
What I finally tried at the beginning of week three and I wish I tried earlier was taking 1/2 a pill of Ativan when I could no longer stand the headache for the day, usually around 6 PM. That alleviated the headache and I slept peacefully through the night. Then I would wake up WITHOUT the headache. Slowly as the day wore on the headache would return, but it was much milder. I only needed to take the Ativan for three nights. I am now at day 24 off the Lexapro and I am almost done with the discontinuation symptoms. I have a mild headache at times, but no irritability or any other symptoms. I feel much better. At week two I almost couldn't picture feeling better. It was HORRIBLE!!!
I also took a Vitamin B6 and B12 complex and Omega 3 Fish Oil.
I wish you the best of luck. I know how terrible this is.
These were my symptoms in the order they appeared, and what I eventually learned helped the symptoms:
Insomnia for 3 nights
Dizziness, light-headedness, almost vertigo-- Dramamine was a life saver
Headache at the base of my neck. This was the WORST part and lasted for three weeks. I tried to take Tylenol extra strength because Aleve and Advil upset my stomach. Take the strongest of whatever you can tolerate. An ice pack really helped, as did Ben-Gay, believe it or not.
Nausea- this was made worse by the headache. Pepto-Bismol really helped.
Major IRRITABILITY- This showed up at the beginning of week 2 and lasted for about 2 weeks. I meditated and did yoga when my head wasn't killing me. But this had to run its course.
What I finally tried at the beginning of week three and I wish I tried earlier was taking 1/2 a pill of Ativan when I could no longer stand the headache for the day, usually around 6 PM. That alleviated the headache and I slept peacefully through the night. Then I would wake up WITHOUT the headache. Slowly as the day wore on the headache would return, but it was much milder. I only needed to take the Ativan for three nights. I am now at day 24 off the Lexapro and I am almost done with the discontinuation symptoms. I have a mild headache at times, but no irritability or any other symptoms. I feel much better. At week two I almost couldn't picture feeling better. It was HORRIBLE!!!
I also took a Vitamin B6 and B12 complex and Omega 3 Fish Oil.
I wish you the best of luck. I know how terrible this is.
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Read thru all the posts n feel better knowing that this the norm. I had no clue why I was getting all those symptoms till it struck me just this morning that it might something to do with stopping lexapro cold turkey about a month ago. Whew!
Now that I know I'm not going senile the next concern is how long does it take to completely get over it? Does anybody know? I read somewhere that sometimes it takes a long time and sometimes some people never get over it. That is very discouraging. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Let's all pray that we all get over it. Hang tight.
Now that I know I'm not going senile the next concern is how long does it take to completely get over it? Does anybody know? I read somewhere that sometimes it takes a long time and sometimes some people never get over it. That is very discouraging. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Let's all pray that we all get over it. Hang tight.
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How r u, my name is Medardo am 43 , I was in lexapro for 15 months and have been off of it for 4 months and am still experiencing similar symptoms like u are my email is ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** posting of private information such as name, phone number or email address is not allowed in order to protect your privacy*** Please read our Terms of Use would like to chat and get to know u if it’s ok with u , thank u and take care
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