I am honored that visitors are still coming to this blog and sharing their experiences and hope for recovery from withdrawal (or the more popular wording "discontinuation syndrome") of Lexapro. I hope that by coming here you will know that you are not alone. Time and encouragement will help.
It looks like the Wikipedia article has been updated for those of you who like reading.
More reading
Even more
Remember that regular exercise is a great antidepressant! More tips.
What are your favorite ways to keep depression at bay?
Best,
-L.
31 comments:
Hi.. SO Happy I found this site..
I had been on L. for almost 3 years. 10 milligrams.. for my Panic Disorder.. Anxiety..and ADHD & OCD. wow I read like a Nut case. lol.
Lots in my life brought on the Panic Disorder, Heredity and the birth of my son who is now 13 but was born a Micro-Preemie weighing 1 pound 10 oz.
I was Put on Zoloft then to handle the anxiety. 75 milligrams. I weighed 108 lbs. Im 5'6".. That was way too much for my body.. I got off after only 2 months of taking it.. The withdrawls were ugh. Awful. Ever woke up to the noise of a gunshot in your head, or wine glasses shattering in your ear? It was amazingly Hard to get off it, I started to Take Ativan to help me.. Well I have been on Ativan since then, almost 8 years.
Thats going to be a tuffy to get off of.
Anyway.. I stop taking my Lexapro about 8 weeks ago. Cold Turkey. I promise you my body and brain were telling me that it was doing exactly the opposite of what it was supposed to be doing.. Adverse Effects? Is that possible ? I tried 4 times in the last year to wean myself off,, three days and I was freaking out .. right to the drug store.. good intentions, but addiction takes over sometimes..
Since I see that you have not Blogged about this since 2010.. that must mean you are doing wonderful?? I hope so ;)..
about 8 months ago I started to feel like the Lexapro was not working anymore..
8 weeks ago.. I finally stopped cold turkey.. day 3 passing the drug store was hard..
but i had to do it.
The Body Sweats were embarrasing
No Libido
Anxiety overboard
Mad at everything and everyone
etc.
Been off for 8 weeks now, I am FREEEEEzzzzzIIInnnGGGGGG COld.. as I type this.. I am wearing snow mittens, with holes cut out in the fingers.. I LIVE ON AN ISLAND!!! IT'S 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE.. Lol I just told my boyfriend that I felt like we were in Seattle Snow Skiing..
Wearing the Snow Bunny Blanket as we speak.
Other symptons.. oh boy..
My Symptons of withdrawl until last week.. (7 weeks off)
Major Irritabilty
Mood wings major
PISSED OFF
Insomnia
No Libido at all zero
Saying it like it is was becoming very easy
No Patience for adults
YELLING OVER CHEESE??
Big Time Noise sensitivity
Not Hungry
more
Ive had a few Brain zaps
Overwhelming feeling about 65% of the time
Less Anxiety in the morning
as of last week.
Still scatterbrained but i am ADhd and OCd its expected
Cant not focus unless I have my earplugs in .
I am an artist so work on the computer ALL day and night
Feeling more energized.. then lethargic
SUPER MOTIVED
I have a booming business its a good time to get off the roller coaster..
I was on Lexapro 10 mg for a few months, and now I’m about three weeks off of it. I failed twice to come off it before. This time I got sick (without a fever), floating feeling, but for me, the worst has been the brain zaps. I wonder when they will go away. A couple of days ago, I cried while writing in my prayer journal. I never cried at all on Lexapro. Frankly, I’m glad to be able to cry again. It’s like I’m human again.
I’m a little more irritable than before, but I think I can modify that and control it. I’m going to have to, because I’d rather chop off my own head than go back on Lexapro or any other SSRI. I just can’t live that way, and I can’t tolerate the withdrawals and I don’t want my mood dependent on a drug that may well be altering my brain permanently.
About a week into a tapered "discontinuation" . . . . resenting doctors & their Big Pharma Pimps for pushing pushing pushing drugs drugs drugs on unsuspecting people. My naturally-electrified physiology is now short-circuiting. As a "chronic-depressive" I'm no stranger to this predicament - but it never gets easier. I've been on lexapro this time around for over three years (20mg a day). I want to say "never again" but who knows? Thanks for the site, even if its only a "virtual" community of support.
I went on Lexapro about a year and a half ago after my friend committed suicide. Last summer I tried to go off of it but the symptoms were too much to bear, and the only "cure" my doctor could offer was to go back on it. I tried all different dosages; 5 mg did nothing, 10 mg was the sweet spot for a while, while 20 mg made me cry all the time, feel nothing other than hopelessness, and become so apathetic that I didn't care if I failed out of school. 10 mg was great but eventually stopped "working." I felt depressed again and wondered exactly what I was paying for when I went to go refill my scrip. My social anxiety also came back full force while still on the 10. I decided to make a change, consulted with my doctor, and have been very open about it with my parents and friends because I didn't want to go through this alone.
I've been off of the Lexapro for 4 and a half days now. I get the terrible, violent brain zaps, sometimes accompanied by a sound like power lines (especially when I'm in bed trying to go to sleep and it's quiet) and I feel a lack of self control over what I eat and what I say to people. I also twitch. I can't concentrate (I've been trying to write a paper for days and have only progressed two or three sentences.) I feel hungover, like I have the flu, and like I have allergies all at once. One moment I feel super happy to be alive, the next I feel sad or terrible, terrible guilt, and the next I feel like flipping a table over. Suddenly I'll burst out heave sobbing or scream. Last night I could not sleep.
Something that astounds me is this:
from Wikipedia on SSRI discontinuation syndrome
"Critics argue that the pharmaceutical industry has a vested interest in creating a distinction between addiction to recreational or illegal drugs and dependence on antidepressants. Arguments against the use of the term "withdrawal" are primarily predicated on not frightening patients or alienating potential customers who may or may not need the medication.[17]"
Now, that's not fair. I was not warned about this syndrome because that's what was best for their business model and not for me. Now I am missing school, constantly uncomfortable, snapping at my parents, and I can expect weight gain in the near future. My doctor seemed perplexed at my symptoms last summer and couldn't offer any solution other than to just stay on the medicine. That doesn't seem like a solution, it seems like willfully choosing to set it aside and not deal with the real problem. I wanted a solution, so here I am struggling to keep up with daily tasks and suffering very much physically and mentally.
By writing this I want people who are considering going on Lexapro to know what will happen when you stop. I will say however, that it was affective for a while. Why it stopped working, I don't know. If you are depressed or overcome with anxiety and it is disrupting your life, please consider going on a medication and don't let the negative feedback keep you from helping yourself. You don't deserve to suffer, but what you do deserve is to make an informed decision.
And...my favorite way to keep depression at bay is by being around and touching cuddly animals! Also, keeping distracted by learning about something that interests me. Nature shows or history shows are great passive ways to learn things if you're feeling unmotivated. Keep away from or limit yourself with the gangster and horror films if you're not in a good mood. They have a way of pointing out what's worst in the world.
My question is for Leetie if you are still reading these. How long has it been since you have been anti depressant free? How long did it take to be free of the withdrawal effects? Are you feeling healthy in your emotions and nervous system these days.
I also want to add that I have posted here several times and I am still weaning off of the lexapro. Presently at 2.40 and have been there for a few months due to adrenal fatigue brought on from the other withdrawals. My faith has kept me strong and stillin the game of getting off of this stuff and my naturalpath has been a huge support helping me to take good care of my system and 'hang in there'. Good luck to all of you-especially you women whose hormones are devastated by the withdrawal and adrenal exhaustion from anxiety. Take care of yourselves-all of you.
Thanks for keeping your site up even though you are off Lexapro. I'm just beginning to wean off Lexapro after 9 years on it. I can't believe it's been so long. I've wanted to get off before but never did it. I did manage to lower the dose though. Wish me luck.
I have been having withdrawl symptoms since Lexapro has gone generic. It seems the switch has been giving me chronic diarrhea for the past month, zaps, unexplained bruising, chronic belching, gas, and night sweats. I'm seeing a gastrentologist tomorrow.
It's been 2 long months since cutting down my dose from 20 to 10 mg. I've been taking Lexapro for 8 years. How do I know if I still need it if I don't try to stop. I'm so afraid after going thru these awful withdrawl symptons I will be anxious and depressed. There is comfort knowing I'm not alone. Brain zaps, dizziness, sweats...will they ever stop?
I ran out and couldnt get another appointment til tomorrow to see my doctor. Its absolute hell i cant stop shaking, i cry for HOURS and i am achy like I have the flu. I dont know if i should ween off or just go back on. I never want to feel like this again. I feel like im dying.
I am a 61 year old man slowly weaning off 20mg Lexapro, writing a first entry here after waking from wild crazy dreams and spending an hour reading results from Internet searches on "lexapro withdrawal dreams".
Wow, I am not alone! Thanks to everyone who has gone before me and shared their experiences in a highly supportive way.
Jim
Ear sensations/sensitivity?? In what way? I have been off of Lexapro for about a week now and have the funniest sensation in my ears. ANY insight would be wonderful!
After 12 years on lexapro and a slow weaning process with the assistance of a naturopath, I have been lexapro free for exactly one month!! The first two weeks were very difficult--I was having brain zaps, especially when I would go to bed, and I felt like I had the flu (fever, aches, etc). The past two weeks have been much much better. I am experiencing, though, some mild brain zaps and more emotional difficulties. I seem to be crying at least once a day, if not more than that, and I've had some difficulty concentrating and feel a sense of purpose in my life. I'm not discouraged, though, because I'm definitely feeling and experiencing increased improvement and am trying to use the emotional releases as opportunities to heal past pains (if that makes any sense). I have to say that it actually feels good to cry--I never really was able to while I was on lexapro. Please continue to write and share your experiences. They help so much. Robert
I have been taking Lexapro for 4 years. I have quit cold turkey. I am finishing my second week. I have cried over almost anything. I have wanted to snap off people's heads for small issues. My legs and feet tingle. I have vertigo moments. I have a very swollen stomach. I feel as if my legs weigh a ton when I run. I am trying to convince myself not to start back
I'm trying to get off of Lexapro 20mg, taped dosage down to 5 mg, dr said I could start every other day and then stop. The brain zaps are driving me absolutely crazy, its hard to even function. I dont think docs know what to do w /these things. The sweats, etc I can handle but these brain things have got to go. I have been on lexapro for over a year. I took it several years ago and never had this problem but, come to think of it, I think I just changed over to another type of antidepressant. so no brain zaps.
But now? Any one have any suggestions how to stop these things? I'll beg if I need to. I do not want to start that stuff back up, I want to stop it and clean my system out. BTW, a couple of months ago, I had a horrible cardiologist who prescribed me meds that did not react well w/ the antidepressant. So if you get prescribed coreg or cardiovol and are on antidepressants, make sure your cardio doc is aware of it AND that he cares. I've since changed doctors.
Day five after quitting cold turkey. Ive been on Lexapro 20 mg for six years. I am well beyond the reasons that I started taking it to begin with....divorce, menapause, job loss. Thank you for sites such as this. While I am experiencing dizziness and sweating my symptoms seem pale in comparison. Sex drive on the other hand....Gone! Someone please tell me that this too will pass.
I've been on lexapro for several months after my almost nervous breakdown. I was worrying about anything and everything and I found it consuming my life. I have no problems with taking it, but after running out of it on Sunday and forgetting to pick up my script, I found myself having horrible withdrawals: sweating profusely and irritable at first, and now having severe dizzy spells (I'm assuming that is the brain shock I've been reading about) which is causing extreme nausea. Needless to say I picked up my script today. I cannot handle one more day of these symptoms. I'm so glad to have seen this site.
I've been on Lexapro for 4 years, and its definitely helped my depression - I've been pretty much depression free for the last 4 years. The main side effect has been a big reduction in libido, but thankfully there's still some left. I've been a huge defender of L, but I recently read Whitaker's book, "Anatomy of an Epidemic,", and it scared the crap out of me, because it argues pretty convincingly against there being any value in long-term use of antidepressants. In fact, it makes the case that our long term outcomes may be far better without drugs. Now I'm reading about withdrawal and I'm ten times more scared. But I'm resolved to get off this stuff. I'm going to talk to my doctor about tapering and see if I can find anything out there that helps with withdrawal and doesn't sound like voodoo or pseudo-science. I'm not a Blogger or big-time sharer but reading these posts seems to help and strengthen my resolve. Thanks to all of you for so honestly and fearlessly sharing your feelings. I'll post again after I get started. ITSME
Help! I've been on lexapro for 7 years and tried coming off 3 times without success because of horrible withdrawal symptoms.
I did manage to cut down to just 2.5mg and have been happy staying at that level BUT I have just moved towns and am experiencing terrible anxiety every morning and night. I think I need to increase my dosage again :(
I am finding it really hard to cope with this anxiety and hate being stuck on this drug! I just want to be normal and able to deal with things like other ppl.
Just wish people understood so I could talk to someone about it without them saying "toughen up princess"!
Thank you so much for keeping this blog up. It's been 3 weeks since coming off cold turkey from 10mg, and I am worried I will never feel normal again. It is beyond reassuring to see that the withdrawal symptoms could last longer than I anticipated. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I withdrew from lexapro cold turkey 2 weeks ago. This time successfully (I tried once but failed).
I had wild dips in mood. Trytophan supplements / fruit snacks with trytophan / sunshine helped change a low mood into an OK one after about 15 minutes.
I had a lot of stress hormones in the morning. Particularly on days 2 and 3. Apparently that's due to a cortisone surge. Easing up on coffee and high impact aerobic exercise helped with that.
I had tons of dizziness. My doctor said that could be from orthostatic hyptotension. Frequent meals helped. A little nap during dizzy spouts helped. And apparently - good old fashioned salty meals with water helps too since it's basically low blood pressure. I had my blood pressure taken, and the lady said I the lowest blood pressure she had seen.
I'm not saying it's easy. It's just a lot easier when you treat the symptoms with a few strategies. The first time I withdrew, it didn't work at all because I didn't do any research or have strategies to cope with the withdrawal symptoms.
I am 3 months 7 days off lexapro. What a horrible trip. It gets better everyone and worth it. Still have really bad days of rage and sadness. But far more better days. Actually went into a detox center in California that got me off this shit. I don't know what to say. I take omega 3 fish oil 5 http, b6, drink Java and ginger tea. Seriously the good days are so worth it. 24 years on psychiatric drugs. Lexapro was the worst.
Hi,
Please feel free to anyone to post this in other forums. I have been off lexapro for a month and half and feeling fanatic.
I found a lot of negative stuff about coming off lexapro, so I was very scared. I have too young children. When going on lexapro I had a lot of side effects it was horrible, so I was thinking the worst. For three days going on lexapro I couldn't get out of bed.
Finally up your fish oil, b12 vitamin and magnesium. Cut the lexapro up, I was on 5mg, 2.5,1.2, take it very slow.
I stuffed from headaches, mild dizziness and felt like I had been on a boat, but these didn't last all day.mit would come on and off for a couple of time through the day and last 2-3 min.
I would eat something if dizzy and sit down that helped. It would last for about 4-5 days and disappear.
On stopping it all together on day 3 and 4 just felt mild dizziness couple times through day, then it displeased.
Feel on top of the world now. Keeping up all my vitamins, sleeping better at night, more energy. So please feel free anyone to past this on any other forums with lexapro withdrawals, as all I found was negative feedback about withdrawals, so I felt alone.
Be strong and strong in the mind and you can do it. Just ride out any side effect and you will get through it. Mind you the doctor tell you nothing about it and we're not helpful at all for me. Going to a naturopath was way much a better option and she listen.
I can tell you after being on Lexapro for about 10 yrs and then getting off and getting healthy that depression is totally linked to gut health. Get plenty of probiotics, sunshine, exercise, fiber and you will be on the right track to feeling better.
I wrote an article about how I was able to quit in the hopes that it may help othes out there.
http://voices.yahoo.com/quitting-lexapro-made-easy-11991123.html
Been on lexapro for around 2 years. 10mg til about 10 months ago, I arbitrarily reduced to 5mg as I did not like how I felt when I didn't have it. Decided when I got ahold of it, would take half to lessen its grip. Was hellish anyway, but doable.
8 days ago l, I ran out again and decided to just say goodbye to it. Has much much better this time, so far. No brain zaps. No intrusive and disturbing thoughts. No depression. But the dizziness has been steadily getting worse. Day 8, today, the dizziness is worse than it has ever been.
But I am holding course. No anxiety or depression means it is fairly easy to endure, at least so far. I'm just hoping that this is the peak of it. I can endure a week or so of this quite easily, but I can tell if it gets much worse, I will have trouble functioning for any length of time.
Funny thing is, I was on this stuff for a year quite some time ago, 10mg. One day just decided I didn't want to take it any more and felt great, no significant side effects. Curious how each time is different.
Post a Comment