I have been taking Lexapro 20 mg. for a number of years now. If I miss even just one dose, I start to get every symptom imaginable. It is the absolute worst. The head spinning feeling, the brain zaps...which I didn't know that's what you called them, but that is what it feels like. It probably would have to be the worst withdraw effects ever....worse than being an alcoholic and stopping. If your thinking of stopping I would definitely consult your doctor and see if there are things you can do or take to lessen the horrible feelings. Good luck!
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I am so happy to have found this forum!
I started taking Lexapro in May of 2008. Was taking 10mg originally and cut it back to 5mg fairly quickly. I didn't experience any withdrawal at that point. Then last year, I started to cut my pills into quarters (2.5mg/day). That is when I first experienced the zaps and dizziness, which lasted a week or so. 6 days ago I took my last pill. From last Wednesday though the weekend, I felt really good and thought that I had beaten out the withdrawal this time. Wrong. Monday I woke up with a splitting headache that pain relievers just would not fix. Last night the zaps started full force and today I have been dizzy and completely out of it for most of the day.
I know that there IS an end to all this, so I'm trying to stay strong, but in the meantime it definitely does suck. If you are coming off this drug, just remember...it DOES get better. I'm hoping that by this time next week, I'll feel like my old self again.
Good luck everyone!
I started taking Lexapro in May of 2008. Was taking 10mg originally and cut it back to 5mg fairly quickly. I didn't experience any withdrawal at that point. Then last year, I started to cut my pills into quarters (2.5mg/day). That is when I first experienced the zaps and dizziness, which lasted a week or so. 6 days ago I took my last pill. From last Wednesday though the weekend, I felt really good and thought that I had beaten out the withdrawal this time. Wrong. Monday I woke up with a splitting headache that pain relievers just would not fix. Last night the zaps started full force and today I have been dizzy and completely out of it for most of the day.
I know that there IS an end to all this, so I'm trying to stay strong, but in the meantime it definitely does suck. If you are coming off this drug, just remember...it DOES get better. I'm hoping that by this time next week, I'll feel like my old self again.
Good luck everyone!
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I thought I was okay each time I stopped cold turkey Lexapro 20 mg. This time it was so emotional, and my doctor told me that I probably made myself resistant to Lexapro. The anxiety and ups and downs drove my boyfriend crazy, off of Lexapro, and I cried constantly, and felt great the next minute, up and down, for over a month! I was finally honest and the doctor is sending me to a psychiatrist to see what to do and told me to stay on 10 mg of Lexapro and Xanax .25mg once a day prn. I take it at night and I feel so much better now. I never thought of a psychiatrist, but imagine a copay and an expert to see how to safely go off or on or change medication, or get counseling, or more. I have no reason in life to have felt the degree of emotional depression and anxiety I did off of Lexapro now, and am glad I found help even though I can't see the psychiatrist for a month. The Xanax is really helping. Good luck to everyone.
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These posts are great to read but everyone posts them while they are going through the withdrawals and not when they're done with them. I am going through it now, having lots of bloating and zapping in my head that is driving me INSANE, I'm trying to find out how long it lasts?
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They do go... just have patience, might take up to two months and they will gradually get lighter & less frequent. Do your best to take high potency fish oils, I found they helped a bit, and lots of colourful foods, fruits & veg to help to detox the body... try some chinese medcine, I like going for some chinese massage to help my mind, and lots of fresh air & relaxation.... Best of luck, you will be fine :)
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Yes I agree with this post. It took a good 2 1/2 months to 3 months, for the Dizziness and nausea to go away. Take the fish oil tablets daily. It really does help.:-D It's now been over 3 months for me and I'm feeling like my old self.
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This time for the first time I weaned down the Lexapro from 20 to 10 and now 5 mg and I have had no side effects. I used to go cold turkey off 20, and thought I was fine, but I'd be a mess three weeks later. I also recommend therapy and God. Joyce Meyers book : Battlefield of the Mind is also in CD and I cannot recommend enough. She also wrote Managing Your Emotions and Don't Give Up. For me, these are better than any meds or therapy. Please try them. Many prayers.
And No I have not gained weight.
And No I have not gained weight.
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Hello All,
I took Lexapro (20 mg) for about 3-4 years. I have been off Lexapro for about 9 months.
I started seeing a psychologist about 2 months ago, and my mood is gradually improving. My psychologist gave me the book (it's even illustrated): A RATIONAL COUNSELING PRIMER by Howard Young.
This "book" is GREAT - it has challenged my negative thinking patterns, and therefore helps improve my mood - it's short and sweet and I RECOMMEND it to anyone feeling anxious, depressed, etc. My psychologist tells me to read it often, and I do - I read it regularly, especially when I experience negative thoughts.
Here's a link - it's a cute little blue book - http://www.paperbackswap.com/Rational-Counseling-Primer-Howard-Young/book/0917476018/
Good luck! :0)
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I am coming off of lexapro on a very elaborate withdrawal process. full pills then 1/2 pills then one pill off then back to 1/2 then one full and then eventually replacing full with 1/2 and 1/2 with quarter pills.
I'm not down to 3 days off and 1/4 of a pill for one day. This has been over a 3 month period...so way more gradual than what my doctor recommended. She just said start skipping one pill in week one, two in week two, etc and 7 weeks you'll be done. That didn't work at all.
I'm ok with the brain zaps. Very minor. Last time I tried to come off of lexapro they were unbearable and I had to go back on. This time I've supplemented lots of omega's through salmon, walnuts...selenium with brazil nuts and lots of other things like that. Those things have helped with the brain zaps.
BUT, I'm uncontrollably irritable, excessively negative, mean, and have an overwhelming anxiety feeling that starts in my gut. I'm also foggy and my sleeping patterns are way off. Not like me at all. Worse than before I went on lexapro.
It's unbearable...almost suicidal as it all starts to build up against me. No support system from my wife or others.
Can anyone share actual success stories of coming off of this drug after feeling the increased depression, anxiety, and agression while withdrawal..? I need help in understanding if this can be done or if I am hopefully addicted to a designer drug.
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to the guest who posted on 6/4/11
see my post about the RATIONAL COUNSELING PRIMER [right above ur post].
therapy [i would recommend a ph.d. psychologist] + reading that book [over and over] + effort = gradual improvements in my mood after coming off of lexapro.
it does get better - there will be good days and bad days - but it can be done.
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I went from 20 mg....to 10 mg for 5 days. I then stopped completely. I felt ok until day 6. It is now day 8 and I'm still struggling with the brain buzzes, and severe dizziness which leads to nausea. On day 6 and 7 I had to take my Imitrex for migraines. Hated taking that two days in a row. No headache today though. I sleep or try to lie still in bed all day. Could not imagine trying to work while going through this. I cry in the evenings after feeling that the day has been wasted and out of some embarrassment. Sensory wise....I'm very sensitive to light. The brain buzz feels like a neuron is zooming from one side of my brain to the other and a shaking sensation or sound is felt when it reaches its destination. My dreams have also been very vivid and very strange. I'm supposed to be headed out on a roadtrip 2 days from now....I hate this. I want to plow through but will have to cave and take maybe 5 mg if by tomorrow I do not feel markedly better. This has been the worst few days for me ever. It scares me to think I may have to resume taking it...I plead to feel better tomorrow!!
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Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this string. I wish I had read it a week ago before I went cold turkey off 10 MG. I have been on that dosage for almost 2 years since giving birth to twins, one of whom has a spinal cord defect and is medically fragile. I suspected that what I have been experiencing was withdrawal and reading this string has confirmed it. So, I just popped one (after 6 days without any). Maybe I'll try every other day, but it's not worth going through this like this (I haven't slept more than 2 hours a night since stopping, aches & pains I never had before, nausea). I wanted to stop taking it because I just don't want to be on it forever. It seems like I should suck it up & deal with life without drugs, even if they are medically prescribed. Well, not this week. Maybe some other time. If anyone has an alternate drug that does not cause wait gain & does not impair libido, I'd love to hear about it.
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I would also like to have the answer to as to how long symptoms last when you stop taking 20mg lexapro, cold turkey. I have been on lexapro off and on and mostly on for the past 5 years due to stress of taking care of my aging parents (who have both passed). I am having headaches, my head feels as if it weighs a ton, I feel did-oriented, fatigue, shakes as if I am cold, but not cold. In other words I almost feel lifeless at times. I also have nausea. I stopped taking lexapro after I had gained about 25 pounds since going on it. Now, with this extra weight, my chlosterol has went higher and I have never had high chlosterol before. I need help as I still lead a busy life. I am 72 years old and other that minor ailments, I am fairly healthy. Anyone in medical field or not, please let me know how long I can expect these symptons to last. Thank you
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