Lexapro (Escitalopram) has emerged as one of the most popular antidepressant drugs in the United States. It works as an SSRI (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and has approval to treat major depression in individuals over the age of 12. In addition to being utilized for depression, it is also prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It is strikingly similar to the drug “Celexa” in the fact that it contains just the (S)-stereoisomer (without the (R)-stereoisomer).
There is controversial evidence suggesting that Lexapro may be slightly more effective than Celexa. In some cases, Lexapro is used to treat social anxiety disorder, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and panic disorder. This is one of the most prescribed SSRI’s in the United States due to the fact that it has been found as one of the most effective. Most people stay on this medication until it either stops working or they are compelled to quit.
When a person quits, they may not expect to experience any significant withdrawal symptoms – especially if this is a person’s first SSRI. If you plan on stopping this medication, it is important to know what you should expect and prepare yourself for the symptoms. Most people experience a pretty severe withdrawal period when they come off of Lexapro, which goes to show the power of this drug.
Factors that influence Lexapro withdrawal
There are a few factors that are thought to influence the severity of withdrawal from Lexapro. These include things like: time span (i.e. how many months or years you were on this drug), the dosage that you took, whether you quit cold turkey or tapered, and your individual physiology.
1. Time Span
How long were you taking Lexapro? In the event that you were on it for years, the withdrawal process is likely going to be longer for you than someone on it for months. In general, the longer you take Lexapro, the more intense the withdrawal process.
2. Dosage (10 mg to 20 mg)
Most people take anywhere from 10 mg to 20 mg of Lexapro. The recommended starting dose is 10 mg, but for some people this isn’t quite strong enough. Therefore most doctors continue increasing the dose to achieve the desired effect. Doses tend to increase up to 20 mg, and then it is up to the patient and doctor whether 20 mg needs to be exceeded. Keep in mind that the higher the dose you are on, the greater the difficulty of the withdrawal process.
3. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
It is never recommended to quit Lexapro “cold turkey.” Although some have done it, quitting cold turkey leaves your brain in a state of chemical disarray. Some people do not have the patience to taper because they feel so crappy on the drug. If you are able to taper, try to work with your doctor to gradually reduce your dosage. The higher the dose you are on, the longer the tapering process should be.
4. Individual Physiology
To a lesser degree than the other factors, your individual physiology will play a role in determining how quickly you bounce back from the discontinuation symptoms. Some people find that they feel normal within a few months of quitting the drug, while others find that it takes months to start feeling a little bit better. Everyone responds differently and heals at a different pace.
Lexapro Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below are some symptoms that you may experience when you stop taking Lexapro. This is a collective of some common symptoms that people experience when they withdraw from this drug. You may only experience some of the symptoms listed below, but in any event, it is better to be mentally prepared for what you may experience so that you don’t become overwhelmed.
- Anxiety: Most people will experience anxiety to a significant degree when stopping Lexapro. This is a drug that inhibits the reuptake of serotonin. If you have been taking it for an extended period of time and discontinue, your serotonin levels are likely lower than average – causing severe anxiety. This is because your brain had become reliant upon the drug to increase serotonin and is no longer receiving it.
- Appetite changes: You may experience changes in appetite when you first quit taking this drug. Some people notice that they aren’t quite as hungry and/or aren’t eating as much, while others regain appetite. Usually changes in appetite are opposite to your experience while on the drug.
- Brain Zaps: It is common to experience “brain zaps” or sensations of electrical shocks throughout your brain when you stop taking Lexapro. This is a common symptom that occurs when withdrawing from many different antidepressants. These usually subside within a few weeks.
- Concentration problems: One thing that most doctors will not tell you is that your concentration may be extremely poor during withdrawal. You are experiencing a ton of withdrawal symptoms which naturally detract from concentration, but the neurotransmitter levels are imbalanced – creating a state of brain fog.
- Depersonalization: This involves feeling unlike your natural self. Most people feel depersonalized and when they try to describe it to someone else, the other person may just not understand what they mean. It can feel as though all natural emotions have been sucked out of the body and the person is lifeless. The emotions will eventually return as the person stays off of SSRI’s for awhile.
- Depression: It is common to experience “rebound depression” when you quit taking Lexapro. It is a drug that was created to treat depression, so when you stop it, the depression will likely return. Many people notice that their depression is actually worse when they stop this drug – this is because the brain has become even more chemically imbalanced after taking this drug.
- Dizziness: Many people report feeling dizziness, in some cases to the point of having “balance” issues. This dizziness can last for an extended period of time and may make life difficult to deal with. Recognize that this is a result of your brain trying to cope without stimulation from the drug.
- Eye floaters: Some people report seeing “floaters” when they come off of Lexapro. Floaters are small shapes that “float” in and out of your field of vision. These are harmless and do not indicate that anything is wrong with your vision. Do your best not to panic and think that you are doomed if you see these.
- Fatigue: It is very common to notice that you feel excessively tired throughout the day. The lethargy, tiredness, and fatigue may become so difficult, that you think it’s never going to end. This is likely due to your brain trying to restore itself to homeostasis.
- Headaches: This is another extremely common symptom to experience when you withdraw from any drug – especially SSRI’s. If headaches are intense, do your best to relax – as many can be caused by tension. Also make sure that you are drinking plenty of water and consider taking headache relief medication if they become too difficult to deal with.
- Insomnia: Some people are unable to fall asleep at night when they first stop Lexapro. This is usually a result of sleep pattern changes and increased anxiety. Some people find that taking a little melatonin supplement helps.
- Irritability: If you are becoming increasingly irritable, do your best to control it without lashing out on others. It can be extremely difficult to control yourself when you feel as crappy as you do, but keep trying.
- Libido changes: Most people notice that their sex life improves when they stop taking antidepressants. Lexapro is known to cause delayed orgasm and in some cases, inability to orgasm. When you stop taking this drug, your sex life should bounce back.
- Mood swings: It is common to experience crazy mood swings when quitting this drug. One minute you may feel as though you’re going to recover and the next you may feel as if there is no hope. People may notice that you are acting especially irritable and angry. Realize that you don’t have much control over these during withdrawal.
- Nausea: It is common to feel nauseated when you first stop taking an antidepressant. In some cases it may lead to vomiting. Do your best to deal with it and understand that it will go away.
- Suicidal thoughts: When coming off of SSRI’s like Lexapo, it is very common to feel suicidal and experience suicidal thoughts. Although you may have felt suicidal before going on this drug, the intensity of these thoughts will likely be higher when you withdraw.
- Sweating: Many people sweat more than average during the withdrawal period. You may sweat more than usual throughout the day and/or notice that you sweat excessively during your sleep.
- Weight changes: Most people experience some degree of weight gain on Lexapro and other SSRI’s. When they come off of the drug, they may notice that they experience weight loss.
How long does Lexapro withdrawal last?
It really depends on a number of different factors including how long you’ve been on the drug and the dosage that you were taking. If you conducted a gradual taper, the symptoms that you experience during withdrawal may be less intense and last for a shorter duration than if you quit cold turkey. Unfortunately there is no exact timeline for determining how long you are going to experience withdrawal symptoms. It is important to recognize that most withdrawal symptoms persist for much longer than professionals think.
I have taken Lexapro and know that the withdrawal process is certainly not as trivial as most people make it out to be. If you withdraw from this medication, you can expect to experience some discontinuation symptoms. These symptoms may only last a few weeks, but in many cases they end up lasting months after the person has taken the last dose of their drug. I would suggest that if you used Lexapro for a year, used 90 days (i.e. 3 months) as a checkpoint.
Most people notice that their severe discontinuation symptoms tend to subside after about 90 days. If yours continue to persist beyond 90 days, just know that it’s most likely that your brain is still in disarray after SSRI usage for an extended period of time. One individual reported that he never fully returned to feeling like “himself” until 48 months had passed (4 years). Although most people will feel “normal” before a three year term, it is important to recognize that withdrawal effects can last months and in some cases, it takes over a year to fully recover.
Hi, I have a question. I took lepraxo for 2 months because I had a terrible depression, I think I had a serotonin deficiency. I stopped because of side effects and its been one month now without the drug. I expected my depression to come back but the only thing I felt were brain zaps. I steel feel like I’m on the drug and sometimes I even feel euphoric. I don’t understand, is the drug still in my system? I’m scared it altered my brain forever. I don’t want to feel artificially happy.
The brain zaps are part of withdrawal. The euphoria should reset itself unless the drug triggered a manic switch (and you have Bipolar disorder). The drug didn’t alter your brain forever – you will eventually revert to homeostasis. Also, when you stop taking this medication, it is cleared from your system within 2 days. Best of luck.
Today is day 31 off Lexapro & doing pretty well considering what I know a lot of people go through with withdrawals & what hell it can be. I was on Lexapro for 4 years no more than 10mg but mostly 5mg. I tapered very slowly over many months. This is my second time coming off Lexapro,first time wasn’t as easy or successful. This time I did a lot of preparation prior to taking my last dose. I’ve also had the assistance of a naturopath which has been very helpful.
The naturopath put me on a gluten, dairy, sugar, soy free diet which has been tough, but well worth it to minimize withdrawals. Supplements wise I take a lot & have had hardly any brain zaps…fish oil, vitamin e & d, mega B, probiotics, ginger for nausea, liquid herbs including passionflower & liquorice. Just started on St Johns wort & amino acids. Naturopath said first 6 weeks is the ‘critical time’ & expect at least 3 months before you’re ‘in the clear’ & feeling much better. Just waiting for energy levels to pick up now. Good luck all & hang in there!
I too Lexapro for 4 years due to panic attacks and peri menopause symptoms. I quit cold turkey 12 days ago. I was fatigued for a few days and had off and on migraines. Now over the last couple of days the symptoms are much worse: dizziness, brain zaps, nausea, headaches, flu like symptoms and feeling feverish, horrible weird dreams, fatigue, diarrhea. I can’t focus/concentrate. I have been SO frustrated by the weight gain (25+ lbs) over the last 4 years. I also have this awful sensation at night watching TV. I can’t sit still. My legs feel like they need to run around the block. I am trying to take vitamins (including extra D3) and exercise which gives me some brief relief. I am praying the flu symptoms and diarrhea get better and the dizziness!
I am tapering off Lexapro after 7 wks of 10 mg because I started to get a muscle jerking in my legs. Now I recall too late that something similar happened a few years ago with Trazadone – also an SSRI (weaned myself off that). Now down to 5 mg Lexapro after one week legs still jerking periodically during the early part of the day. Tonight I dropped the 5 mg and will take it every other day for another week. I have increased difficulty falling asleep and decreased appetite with loss of 4 pounds over the past 10 days. So far none of the other symptoms others have mentioned – thank goodness! Stopping cold turkey is dangerous, always taper.
Since my post 11/7/14 I decided to stop entirely rather than continue the 5 mg 1/2 dose and I have done well. It was another 7 days till the leg spasms finally stopped and I believe I am free of this drug. I have been more fortunate than others I believe because I was only taking it 7 weeks when the leg issues got my attention. I am now starting to wean off Benadryl for sleep… seems that is no fun either! I will try Valerian or Melatonin but no more drugs for me.
Happy for you. :)
I have been on Lexapro for 5 months, & it worked wonderful until recently, it started working adversely. This is my sixth night off, I am extremely dizzy, off balance, low fever, & have mild brain zaps, migraines, & insomnia, however, it has not really affected my concentration. If I had known that it would be this bad just to stop I would’ve never started taking it! I also feel disconcerted! UGH hopefully it let up soon, the dizziness is the hardest thing to deal with!
I almost forgot, I also gained over 50 lbs, & should’ve actually been losing weight… was working out, among other things, so I was on Lexapro for depression, but ended up being more depressed due to weight gain – just can’t win.
How are you doing? I’m just entering week 3 and have many of the same symptoms. Was also on Lexapro for 5 months, my symptoms were the same for the first 2 weeks but have changed a bit the past week. Wanted to know how you’re going? How your symptoms have progressed and have they stopped yet? Thanks so much in advance.
My weight gain is the biggest reason I looked into stopping since my script got screwed up and I couldn’t have taken it until tonight (4 nights late). I gained 50 when pregnant with twins, was put back on it and never lost the baby weight.
Been on Lexapro 20mg for 14 years, have tried tapering before but side effects always stopped me. This time I tapered to 10mg for 30 days, now at 5mg for 7 days and I have nausea, dizziness, sinus and eye pain, heart palpitations, etc. Trying to quit smoking and coffee at the same time. Yes I am truly miserable but hope after a few weeks this will all start to ease up. I quit my very stressful job as a registered nurse so that I could pull this off.
Oh my! Quitting all three sounds hellish! I don’t smoke nor have a caffeine addiction, but I know it takes great strength and resolve for you to keep that up. Wishing you a speedy recovery and hope it has worked out!
I am still back on the Lexapro, 10mg a day and do not think I will ever try to get off of them again. I know I made it until 2 months but the anger issues were to much for me and my family and they were getting worse instead of better after the 2 months. It just wasn’t me to be such a cold angry person. I am not sure what Lexapro does to the brain to make you so angry but obviously it happens to everyone. My question is this: Has anyone stayed off Lexapro forever and gotten rid of the anger issues 100%?
Would love to know the answer to this also.
Yes I got off Lexapro 4 years ago after finally getting help from a quality psychologist in Rural WA who was able to help me deal with PTSD and anxiety issues associated with a sexual assualt by a my doctor in Melbourne at the 8 week check up after delivering my first child 15 years ago. The combination of a really good CBT and tapering off from 10mg really slowly helped with reducing the side-effects.
My husband was also really supportive and needed to read lots and be part of the recovery so that he could understand my mood swings and personal internal battles. I stayed off it for 2 years and life was great! Unfortunately, 2 years ago, when my youngest daughter had just turned 13, the older brother of one of her friends set up a hidden camera in his sisters bedroom and filmed my daughter after she had got out of the shower with a view of having footage “called a nudie” amongst the Instagram crowd to share with his mates at school.
The fallout from this, meant that I’ve ended up on Lexapro again and only now am I trying to wean myself off it, cold-turkey….and the symptoms are just awful…dizziness, my eyesight has deteriorated to the point where I get worried driving at night and as a side effect of going back on Lexapro, I developed narrow angle glaucoma which, while I’ve had surgery to prevent permanent damage to my optic nerve, I feel that I could have avoided if I didn’t go back on the Lexapro.
I desperately want to be back where I was a couple of years ago. The symptoms of withdrawal are so bad this time in comparison to last time. While I don’t have the brain zaps, the constant ringing in my ears is driving me potty! Good luck everyone. Thank you for having this blog because before reading it, I was wondering what the hell was going on with me because withdrawing from Lexapro use this time has been so much harder and weird than a few years ago.
I read all the comments everyone wrote and I am so glad I decided to stop taking escitalopram when I did! I started 10mg in June 2014 and increased to 20mg two weeks later. I took it for only about 4 1/2 months. It worked great for my anxiety and minor depression. I decided to stop taking it because of personal conviction. I lowered the dosage back to 10mg on 10/19 and to 5mg on 10/26. I took my last pill on 11/1.
It’s now 11/4… I started feeling extra irritable right away but yesterday the withdrawals noticeably started. I was feeling dizzy and in a fog and really tired. Today is different but still very tired. I have had a headache all day. This morning I was very nauseous. I think maybe I just rushed the tapering of the pills. My doctor said it’s normal and suggested taking 5mg every other day for a week to help. All of the comments I read were very helpful and encouraging. I hope mine is helpful to someone else as well.
My girlfriend, who was on 40mg of Lexapro for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, decided to taper herself off the medication. Our relationship was going really well and we were talking a lot about a future together. Because of her comfort in our relationship she thought it would be nice to be drug-free for improved sexual pleasure as well as the possibility of becoming pregnant (we weren’t trying to get pregnant but weren’t being too careful either). I was thrilled when she told me her plans – it seemed, in a way, like a commitment to something long-term and this was something I wanted too.
She tapered off gradually, 5mg at a time every two weeks, and it seemed to be going well. When she dropped down to 20mg however I began to notice some changes. In particular, she seemed colder towards me and more distant. She was also very easily irritable and often cancelled plans we had due to exhaustion. This gradually became worse the further she dropped. We talked about it a few times but she mostly just reassured me that it was the effects brought on by withdrawal. A few weeks ago she came off the medication entirely and basically told me that she didn’t feel like she could be in a relationship anymore.
She reassured me that it was nothing personal, that she just wanted to be completely alone. We have continued communicating over the past few weeks but she still feels exactly the same way. This has been particularly difficult for me because I love her so much and was really happy with where we were heading. It just seems so ironic that she went off the drugs as an endorsement of our relationship, only for it to seemingly bring about the relationship’s demise. I’ve been reading a lot about anxiety and the withdrawal symptoms of Lexapro to try to get a better understanding of what she’s going through because first and foremost I care for her well-being. This blog has been particularly interesting reading. I would love to hear more about other people’s stories of the impact of Lexapro withdrawal on their relationships. Obviously some reassurance would be nice, even if it doesn’t help bring her back to me.
My situation is a bit similar to your ex’s. When I started weening off my Lexepro I was happily in a relationship. My job seemed steady, I was going back to school, I was just happy overall. So I decided to finally get off the damn thing that’s caused me such grief over the years. I was down to 10mg when our relationship ended, and honestly, I’m not sure how much of it was us and how much of it was the drug. I got quiet, introspective, depressed…and I think he did too, being around me. Luckily it was before the irritability kicked in, or it would’ve ended a lot nastier.
It just felt like it stopped working. We’re trying to be casual these days, to an extent…but nothing feels the same. I’m still in the heat of withdrawal symptoms, and the depression recurrence is making optimism impossible. Being with the person who’s made me the happiest brings me pain and sadness (not by any fault of his), and I can’t help but be pessimistic. And as with depression, of course I’m blaming myself for anything and everything. We both know we need to talk about it and see where we stand, but like your lady, I can barely handle my symptoms…I can’t imagine dragging someone I care about into this hell with me. I can imagine that she probably feels similar.
This site is such a relief to find! Thank you all for sharing and helping to bolster one another up. I was prescribed Lexapro in early June for situational anxiety but, after life settled, triggers subsided and after gaining nearly 15 pounds, I decided it was time to re-calibrate myself and get off of prescription medication. Today is day 5 off the pills and I am experiencing many of the same symptoms: foggy-headed, blurred vision, lack of concentration, dull headaches and mild nausea.
I have lost 7 pounds since weighing myself 2 weeks ago but that could be due to me choosing to not drink alcohol for the time being and my reduced appetite of late. My question is: does anyone have experience with the supplement 5-HTP? I’m looking for a holistic alternative but have read of some pretty serious warnings regarding mixing 5-HTP with the use of anti-depressants so I’m not sure if I should try it or not.
I agree with others that, had I been made ware of the side effects associated with withdrawal, I might have been less reticent to begin with SSRIs. But, at the time, Lexapro worked wonders and if I weren’t concerned with rapid weight gain, coupled with life issues settling and feeling more manageable, I would stay on it for the foreseeable future. Everyone is fighting their own battle but it’s so healing to know we’re not alone in this. Best of luck to you all.
Hi SB, I started taking 5-htp to help come off Lexapro… I think it has been a big help. A couple of years ago I was on 10 mg of Lexapro and over the course of 3 months tapered down and got off – but I lost my mind in the process. Totally went off the deep end with anxiety. So I was put back on and at double the dose (20 mg). I also gained 15 lbs (despite never, ever having weight issues) and decided I needed to come off (life became more settled and manageable for me as well).
In mid August I started tapering and took my last pill 10 days ago. I have dizziness and fogginess but the most important thing is my anxiety has been totally manageable. It has increased for sure, but nothing even close to how bad it was when I came off the Lexapro before. It’s probably a combination of life being more settled and the 5-htp.
I also read about the warnings when taking it with an SSRI (I believe the risk is serotonin syndrome) so I just made sure not to take too high of a dosage (I take 50 mg twice a day) and monitor my symptoms. I’ve also read that it’s not something you need to stay on forever.. eventually your serotonin levels will normalize. I found The Mood Cure by Julia Ross to be a good resource for alternatives to prescription medications. Good luck!
Thank you for your feedback, B! I am on day 10 off the Lexapro. I stupidly went cold turkey but, at this point, I do not want to go back. Most days are pretty bad. Dramamine has helped with the dizziness but it makes it virtually impossible to function while at work. I’ve resorted to taking sick time these past few days.
I’m encouraged to read that 5HTP has been helpful for you. I’m considering that or Valerian root. I’ve also been taking fish oil supplements. I feel ever so slightly better but find that I can only manage very small amounts of social interaction before “losing my mind”. My brain hurts and my eyes ache and I just feel so…not myself. I can’t wait for this to be over.
I will look up The Mood Cure and, again, thank you for writing! Hang in there!!!
Your symptoms sound just like mine. I have also been off cold turkey for about 10 days. Please tell me you are doing well! I just started taking fish oil and magnesium today, so hopefully that will help. The 800 mg of ibuprofen my doctor prescribed to help with the headache is not even doing anything.
I am going through the worst withdrawal from this particular medication and would suggest that no one ever start taking Lexapro! I feel completely helpless and sick to my stomach on a daily basis. It has caused so many issues with my personal and professional life. If I could go back in time I would have never started taking it!
Hi – I’m trying to get pregnant so my doctor took me off my lexapro (cold turkey) and I’ve been feeling the side effects. Is it normal for you to feel tingling in your tough or when you go to look suddenly at something you get little mini seizure-like feelings in your brain? I was on 20mg for 1 year. I’m very paranoid of medication and I’m scared that I’m going to have suicidal thoughts. I was put on the medicine for anxiety (ha) this being an example. I just want to know if anyone can tell me how long the fog lasts in your brain and if the seizure-like symptoms stop?
I can’t believe no one has responded to you! Yes, those are all symptoms that have been regularly reported. The seizure like feelings have been described as “brain zaps”…I’m lucky enough not to have gotten those myself. Like the article says, the longer you take it, the longer the withdrawals and the greater the severity. Going cold turkey usually results in harsher symptoms as well. The symptoms could last anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months, depending on how your body reacts to it. The main thing I’ve learned is it’s different for everybody. Hope you’re feeling better by now!
Oh I thought I was going to get off easy. I had cold turkeyed other SSRIs and anti-deps and anti-psychotics before but this. This is f#cking brutal and the worst part it doesn’t hit you hard right off the bat like Paxil did to me. Oh no, for the first 48 just a minor annoyance. Now I’m borderline psychotic two weeks later just trying to keep my sh#t together. Copious amounts of benadryl, Ativan (this is going to make to more addicted to Ativan) and sad to say, booze are helping me stay just on this side of bugging out.
I had no choice. I got anxiety out the wazoo. Worst – alternating from destructive rage to collapsing tears. Dissociative behavior showed up a week after quitting. Two types: the first is observing my rages and thinking THIS IS NOT ME. The second is a brain fuzziness the likes of which I have never experienced. It’s like observing myself in a dream. I would say to anyone – first ask your doctor. I casually mentioned I went off cold turkey – my GP didn’t say a work because she literally could care less. Second, having read everything here – have a plan – get what you will need to get through this.
Based on previous experiences, I think I won’t be through with this completely until New Year’s. I’ve had brain zaps before but what I’m getting now is the SWEEP/SWOOSH feeling moving my eyes side to side used to give me on other withdrawals but this happens without any external stimuli at all and in response to nothing. Its like have a vacuum cleaner in my head. Yes there has been good things – I have energy (nervous energy but energy nonetheless) and weight loss and sexual response has returned big time. All the emotions deadened come back in big rush.
I welcome being able to feel again but these emotions are not yet regulated in my brain and go beyond the bounds. Sometimes, seriously the only thing that stops the fireworks in my brain is primal screaming followed by a good cry, scotch and some Ativan and benadryl. I have to – I’m worried about breaking things around here otherwise. Now it’s just a grim slog to get to the end of this. And I will. I will never go back to those drugs. But the downside – Ativan is next and I’ll probably have to go inpatient with that as I’ve been on it for 3 years and the heroin addicts will have pity on me.
After having read all the comments on this page, this one sticks out to me the most. I think the line “the emotions deadened come back in big rush” hits the nail right on the head. I wish I could say lexapro hasn’t been hitting me right on the head as well, but I’ve experienced lots of headaches and dizziness. After taking lexapro for only 6 months (and wanting to get off them after the first 4 once I stopped feeling like I was on top of the world and started to experience worsening side effects the doctors claimed I would never feel anyway) and being a relatively healthy 18 year old, I thought the withdrawal would not hit me so hard.
I believed that, with a little determination, I could avoid the symptoms. I probably should’ve realized that this is the same thinking that got me into such a dark spot- that all I needed was determination and I’d get through my depression. I now realize what I needed all along was patience- with my body, the process, and most importantly, myself! Determination is important, but patience helps keep the frustration away when determination to get better isn’t enough. I, like the many others who have struggled and remained strong despite years of struggling with oneself and one’s doctors, wish I had never taken the meds, but even when I’m at my worst with these withdrawal effects.
I try not to blame myself for what happened then- otherwise, all that I have learned through painful lessons about self-love while I had been on these godforsaken meds would be dust in the wind. I also try to not kick myself in the head for deciding the best course of action would be quitting cold-turkey. Who knows if my doctor would’ve convinced me to continue or if I would’ve had the initiative to make a change in my life. It’s been 2 weeks since I stopped, and it’s not always that easy to maintain a positive outlook without feeling guilty about my past choices. But when this happens, I recognize that the return of these feelings is directly a consequence of my past choices- after months of emptiness (albeit, peaceful emptiness), like the previous commenter said, it’s all rushing back.
Lots of bouts of intense primal rage here too! I am also worried that these symptoms will push away family and the few friends I have left, as I often find myself unable to control my intense anger from targeting anything around me both physically and emotionally. However, this website has brought some seriously needed relief for this concern, as I can now explain that this isn’t me! This is just something my body is going through right now and over time, I will get over this. Hopefully, the people that truly care will try to understand this and have compassion for our recovering bodies and minds.
I have relied on medical marijuana to get me through most of these symptoms. I notice that the days I do not take some form of it, I experience the worst of it: insomnia, lack of appetite to the point where I feel physically weak but cannot make myself eat (this last part is mainly the result of conditioning myself not to eat after the lexapro caused me to gain 10 pounds in the first place), depression and those same pesky suicidal thoughts that I took the meds to get rid of. Of course, I came off the pharma meds so that I could return to feeling not so distant from myself, and many would argue that marijuana “numbs” you and distances you from reality.
On the contrary, I feel more in touch with myself than ever. The one downside is that pot does not help the sweating/ hot flashes. I didn’t go off these meds expecting to feel menopausal but life has its blessed, and not-so-divine, surprises. My main concerns right now regard how long these withdrawal symptoms will last, as I hope they will not extend into the holiday season. Anyone else been in the same situation as me (6 months, cold turkey, relatively young) that can tell me how long their symptoms lasted?
I’m in a similar situation. I’m 24 and took Lexapro for 5 months. I was on 5mg for a month went to 10mg for 4 months. When I decided I wanted to come off it I had read about some of the side effects so tried to wean myself off a little bit. I cut down to 5mg and after a few days I had one day of awful symptoms including an upset stomach, dizzy, brain zaps, headaches, tired and weak. The next day I felt fine again. I stayed on 5mg for a week and half before deciding to stop taking it all together.
I really underestimated how bad the withdrawal could be. I thought I might have a rough day or two when stopping but I didn’t imagine it would be like this. Tomorrow it will be 3 weeks I have been off it and am still having symptoms. For the first two weeks they were pretty consistent but this past week they have changed a fair bit. I mostly feel hit by a bus all the time, I am exhausted and sleepy no matter how much sleep I get.
I’ve had a headache for the past 3 days that nothing gets rid of and the brain zaps have turned into a more constant light headed/dizzy feeling. I feel like it’s just completely kicked my butt and everything is off. I feel as though it may have thrown out hormones as well as my skin has been having a few break outs and I’ve had some cramps and a little bit of bleeding. Like everyone else I wish I had never started taking this drug in the first place and it just goes to show how strong it is and what it can do to your body.
I think the symptoms will continue to change/die down and am hoping it won’t last too much longer! I can’t see when you’ve posted this so if you’re further along than me let me know how long it took for your symptoms to stop! So happy to have found this website, I’ve sometimes thought I was going a bit crazy over the past few weeks because the symptoms can be a little up and down! Thanks in advance.
Thank God I found this blog. I have had and I am having all the s/s mentioned. What was not mentioned was my abdomen is so swollen it is like I am 5 months pregnant. Also, the rebound depression is very severe. I have all the other s/s from moderate to severe. I read a book named How to get off Lexapro that helped. Started reading Dr. Joel Fuhrman and have gone on his Nutrition eating pattern of mainly vegetables, fruits, oatmeal nuts seeds and beans.
Take Bs especially B 12 and magnesium ionic by Dr. Dean, have a supportive spouse. Thank you all for making me realize I am not crazy. Also, my liver enzymes went up and I can not get them below a high normal. (Got fatty liver). I use body calm supreme nighttime relief with melatonin/it has a B vitamin in it that helps prevent night mares/many times melatonin can cause nightmares and I have been using this for over a year and it works for me.
Also, please do not blame yourselves, these prescribed SSRI’s and the like change you. I have been on lyrica/gabapentin and now I have to get off this but a small dose of it helps with the rebound depression. Sincerely Linda
Radio1, can you please update us? I’m about 6 weeks into quitting cold turkey and suffering. Please let us know if you were able to stay off of Lexapro and how you are overall. Thank you.
Reading through these comments sends me a sigh of relief I’m not alone. I come off lexapro cold turkey after my husband and I decided we wanted to have a baby. At first I just had a headache and thought nothing of it as I had in the past come off Effexor 150mg cold turkey with just and minor head ache so I didn’t think much of this one. That was until about my third day when I felt so sick all of a sudden I couldn’t do a thing but lay and cry from how ill I felt.
It’s been 8 days and all of these things have happened the brain zaps at first and then feeling like your not even there one minute then back to normal the next, day 7 my breakdown started crying uncontrollably but sometimes laughing at the same time. I too used to take Xanax as a back op if I could not calm myself and although being off that for 3yrs I had to escort to that to help control my crying ( mostly while at work). I’m hoping my withdrawals don’t last too long I’m not sure how much I could take.
I am just so glad to see that my symptoms are because I’m coming off the drug and not something else which I first thought, but likewise if I’d had known how bad the withdrawals would be I would never had taken it. I just wish they would tell you these and give you the option before they just go ‘here you need this’. Good luck to everyone we can get through it :)
Reading these comments about lexapro is depressing me. I took 20 mgm for about 8 years. I suffer from fibromyalgia and anxiety disorder. I was given lexapro for anxiety and irritability and thought it was a miracle drug. My anxiety was under control as well as my kids realized I truly wasn’t a b****. After talking it for so long I started seeing articles on the computer about it causing pain. A light bulb went off in my head. I am suffering from fibromyalgia and taking a medicine that may be contributing to my pain.
The pain got so bad I wanted to die. I questioned my pharmacist and she said she hasn’t heard if it causing pain. I told her I had been researching it so she looked farther and said yes it can cause pain. I decided on my own to start weaning myself from it. I had done it over a 3 week period and my doctor said it was out of my system and if my pain had decreased than it more than likely was adding to it. My pain decreased quite a bit. Now I have been off the lexapro for over 2 weeks and the dizziness and nausea wont go away.
Anxiety is back as well as irritability. I will find a way to deal with those because I will not take medicine that was making me hurt that bad. I was hoping to read comments and find that there was hope of this dizziness going away soon. I shouldn’t drive but have had to a few times. I have motion sickness so bad and no appetite. I am praying this doesn’t go on for months. Any ideas on how to make thIs easier?
I know it’s probably not a permanent solution but I found taking a dose of Benadryl in the morning/or say half hour before you go out ect really helped to suppress a lot of the symptoms for most of the day. I save it for if I’m having an extremely rough day where your head is just going so crazy you can’t think.
The dizziness goes away. Mine did after 21 days. I’ve been on it for 12 years and off of them for 3 weeks. Like I said, in my 21 days I’ve been in hell. Dizziness being the worst. I’ve lost 10 lbs. I also damaged my SUV pulling out of the garage while the door was still opening and clipped the antenna. I had to quit Lexapro cause it kept causing low sodium bouts and sending me to the ER.
Since I quit my Dr had me take a 24 hour cortisol test to determine why I’m so fatigued. He’s sending me to an Endocrinologist to discuss why it was very high. But after spending today reading up on Lexapro withdrawals I see it is also the cause of high cortisol which is why we face insomnia. I guess it goes away. I would like one person on this site to post that they made it through. I worry many of you went back to SSRIs. My plan is to stick it out!
Please update me! I have been on this for years! I was on Paxil to start with. Going off made me worse than I was before I ever started. I miscarried a month after starting although I was told it was safe. All this began in early 2000. It is now 16 years later and I still cannot get off these. Last 12 or so years it has been Lexapro. Weaning off slowly has same effects as cold turkey.
I am 45 now. I don’t know if I have the 2-4 years to spare to stay off and deal with the withdrawal. And the will power to live. So I suppose I will go back on them to function. To live. One thing for sure is that others have to be warned to never ever start one of these drugs. They cause permanent damage.
After trying to wean off slowly, stop cold turkey, and reading others experience, the conclusion is that these horrific withdrawal symptoms will occur no matter what. Weaning off slowly will not help. Us fighting this battle need to stop others from ever using these drugs to begin with. That is if we can focus through the fog and dehumanization etc to do anything about it. It should be against the law to put children on this. And everyone should be warned this is a life-long drug.
Day four and my undiagnosed chronic pain hasn’t been this good for as long as I can remember. I was wondering if it had something to do with the medicine. Lo and behold…
Rita, I too have just retired and said it is time to get off the Lexapro. I went though the withdrawals and flu like symptoms that were really really bad but the instant rage I felt over nothing was the worst. I jumped on the littlest things and made a big deal out of everything. I finally went to my Primary Care doctor and explained how I took myself off of them for the past 2 months but still had the “no patience with anything or anyone” feeling.
I do not see the original doctor that kept me on them for the past 9 years. My doctor and I had a long talk and agreed I NEVER should of been seeing her for 9 years. However, I am back on the Lexepro, 10mg, once a day. I never thought I would ever go back on them after all I went through getting off of them but this rage feeling I was having, could not stay. I never was like this in my life and I like you, would not have a husband or any friends left if I did not go back on them. After the first day back on them I was my old self.
I too lost weight when I first got off of them, I believe it was all the anxiety I was having. I guess it is, what it is, my body needs that Serotonin and that’s it. At least I can say I did try to get off but did not like what I am without them. My doctor said, it is safer than many other drugs, Prozac etc. No excuse, at my age what is the big deal? I need to be happy.
Smoki, please update me.
I too have had all symptoms as described. Tapered off lexapro one fourth tablet at a time until completely off in May 2014 after being on 10-20 mg for 6+ years. My dr started me on it due to work issues and I was completely losing it. After being retired for 3 years felt I didn’t need to be on it. At this point I am having rage issues due to family issues. Things that shouldn’t bother me do. Have used xanax which I think are causing the rages. Going to see a counselor next week.
Hoping this withdrawal from lexapro will be over soon. Read somewhere it could take a year or longer. Hope I still have a family when it’s over. Jobs aren’t worth losing your health over. Get a new one instead of taking meds like this. Also have lost weight since not taking lexapro. Feel good physically just go into crying fits pity parties and uncontrollable rages. Physician denies weight gain caused by lexapro. Drs must get a big cut from pushing these drugs. Wish I’d never heard of antidepressant meds.
I went off Lexapro cold turkey (by accident lost my packet and getting a script from my doctor is a lengthy experience). Had been on 20mg nearly exactly a year. 4 days in and I have sweaty palms, nausea, scattery vision, and I cant concentrate. Anyone have an immediate cure to this?
I had been on 20 mg. Lexapro for 5 years. My new MD of the past 3 years cut me down to 10 mg for 3 years. Recently. My MD suggested to “wean myself off the Lexapro” as the symptoms I originally had been prescribed it, had subsided (anxiousness from menopause and work related stress). Anyway, I was never told of withdrawal symptoms. They are terrible! Headaches, profuse sweating (unrelated to any form physical exertion), dizziness, and nausea! If I knew this before, trust me, I would have stayed on Lexapro! I have not been able to drive or work! Please, when your MD suggest getting “off” medications such as this, ask about “withdrawal symptoms!”
Elaine, You just hit it on the head for me. I have been off since the beginning on September and all I have left now (Only?) is anger issues. I have never been like this in my life. I used to be able to just let things go but now, no way. I have become outspoken and say it like it is and see people for what they are, good or bad. I don’t like myself like this at all.
Tomorrow I am seeing my Primary care for my annual and will talk to her about what has happened this past 3 months. I just hope and pray I do not stay like this. I’ve become so opinionated, it is not me. Has this happen to anyone else? I almost want to go back on these bad pills, but no way I will. I did feel better on them and these things never happened!
Well I thought I was seriously ill, but now I see it’s the withdrawal from lexapro. Feel flush with “brain zaps” didn’t know how to describe those! Hope it doesn’t last long… stopped due to weight gain which erases any good its doing for me. Good luck to everyone.
Hi everyone I am soooo happy to read everyones comments. I was on cipralex for about 2 yrs after having a nervous breakdown. It was amazing and it saved my life but after I changed my life I decided to get off it. I had put on 40+ pounds and zero sex drive at that point. I switched to Wellbutrin in March this year. Withdrawal was bearable. Last couple of weeks I decided to try a combination of both because I was getting bad anxiety attacks which wellbutrin is known for.
I was against the cipralex but I felt I needed the help. During all this back and forth I ended up taking 5mg cipralex for a few days then stopped. Now all I have is suicidal thoughts, confusion, crying. Cipralex is good for people in great crisis who really need something to help them power through. My plan is to get off all this nonsense by summer. My only thing is Cipralex is good and evil at the same time.
I stopped taking lexapro about a week ago (tapered off very slowly) and it is hard. This is the third time I have tried to get off the pills so I know what to expect. The worst thing for me is the anger. I’m fighting with all of my family. I normally just let things go and not take offense, but no more. I get angry and stay that way for days. I hope things calm down for me and I can finally be done with these horrible pills. Good luck to everyone.
I’ve been on 5mg then 10mg for 10 yrs. I tried to quit once (cold turkey) and fell back into the pit of depression again within a month. (With no other side effects). That’s a place I dread and fear more than the symptoms of withdrawal mentioned here. So much so that I’d rather take the Lexapro. The Lexapro bad side effect for me is lack of sexual desire. As I’m happily married, I’ve found ways to cope with that.
However, I’m on this page because I wonder about giving it up. Seems to me I’d have to find a natural substitute first to my very real depression. BTW, Lexapro does eliminate that for me. I wonder, could the withdrawal symptoms indicate a need for the meds?
Eep. I am about a month into a “taper” of Lexapro (Cipralex in Canada). This means that I went from 10 mg, which I’ve been on for 9 years, to 5mg, as at least in Canada, 10 mg is the smallest dosed pill you can be prescribed, and going to 5 means cutting it in half. It’s pretty near impossible to break this tiny, weirdly shapen pill down any further, and if I could, I would have tapered much more slowly than going down by 50%. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to do this?
I have been experiencing a pretty intense bout of discontinuation symptoms, including anxiety, mood swings, very low mood, sleep disturbance, headaches, depersonalization, and irritability, which have begun to really take a toll on my ability to cope with difficult work and life situations. If anyone has advice as to how to get prescribed a 7.5 mg dose (or something of the like) in Canada, I think it could help lessen the intensity of this withdrawal. Thanks, everyone!
Hi, I’m not sure which part of Canada you’re in, but here in Toronto there’s a compounding pharmacy that can cut pills and capsules into smaller doses. You could google your location and “compounding pharmacy” to see if there’s one near you. Get the info and ask your doctor to make the prescription. I came off Prozac that way, since 10 mg capsules were the smallest. I got 5 mg caps made, so I went 20 mg, then 15, then 10, then 5, then off. I did it in 6 weeks, but that was too fast, I think. I had many symptoms. I read a book that suggests a 2-4 month taper. Check out “The Antidepressant Solution” by Dr. Glenmullen. It’s informative and useful. Too bad I read it AFTER my taper! Best wishes, C.
I have been on lexapro for 11 yrs. My Dr. has given me Lexapro in liquid form. Stared at 10mg and decreased by 1% a month (9mil) I have been decreasing for 5 months down to 3mil for the past 2 weeks I have been having bad headaches and insomnia. Taking the liquid makes it a lot easier to lower the dose. I will be off soon , let you know if by decreasing very slowly helps with side effects.
Think about your taper in the total amount taken per week.
Example: I was taking 10mg a day times 7 days = 70mg.
My first week of taper was started on a Sunday with 5mg, then Monday 10, Tues 5, Wed 10, Thursday 5, Friday 10, Sat 5.= 50mg total.
Following week which is week 2 of taper: Sun 5, Mon 10, Tues 5, Wed 5, Thursday 10, Fri 5, Sat 5 for a total of 45mg.
Week three of taper: Sun 10, Monday 5, Tues 5, Wed 5, Thursday 10, Fri 5, Sat 5 for a total of = 40mg.
Week four of taper: Sun 5, Mon 5, Tues 5, Wed 5, Thursday 5, Fri 5, Sat 5 for a total of 35mg.
I could feel my mods cycle as the medicines were increased on days when I took a larger does as opposed to a smaller dose, for me how I felt on a given day depended on the dose I took the day before. Make sense?
After nearly 4 years on Lexapro 10 mg and 20 mg I have decided to come off it. It is 10 days now and I am doing pretty OK. I use in the morning a tablespoon of FLAX oil and a banana. I have given up coffee. From time to time I do get the shocks, but it don’t last long. The headaches are more of a challenge but they too come and go. I uses a fair amount of fresh fruits and fresh vegetable salad (e.g.sweet pepper, peeled cucumbers, tomato, christophine, cabbage with a bit of olive oil, and lemon juice. I’m getting along pretty OK.
Well it’s been about 2 months now that I am off Lexapro and so far the only symptoms I have left is “I have no patience with people!” I see them for what they are. It lasts most of the day. The other one is, sometimes I start out laughing and laugh so much I start crying! I know it’s crazy but I haven’t laughed so much in years since I have been on this pill. I also haven’t cried since I have been on these pills, which is the reason I was put on them because I found my father dead of a heart attack and cried off and on when I least expected it for months.
It was crazy, I had to work and could not keep the outbursts of crying. So they did the job and then there was one excuse after the other of why the doctor wanted me to continue them. Well, I finally said it’s time I am in the real world without these pills but never knew how bad it was going to be getting off of them after 9 years. I am so glad the worst is over. I hope! Prayers are with you all!
So glad you are doing so well now you are off. I have experienced the same thing in the past week laughing so hard I had tears… have not done that in a long time. It feels good to FEEL again.
I just connected the dots for myself in reference to the laughing so hard it hurts, to crying so hard it hurts. Thought I was going a little nutty this week since stopping Lexapro cold turkey. I actually am so happy to even have feelings again after feeling almost nothing that I wasn’t worried. After reading this, it makes sense, LOL. It actually makes me laugh thinking about how silly I have seemed to my husband lately. Which to me is a good thing!
Thank you Smoki. In all of these posts, we’re all saying the same thing… “This sucks!!”… But I’m still trying to figure out how to cope. How do I get up and take care of my kids and go to work and do the laundry and make dinner and help with homework when I can’t even see straight? It’s nice to know that this too shall pass, but what do I do in the middle of the storm?
Thanks for keeping us in the loop Smoki. 3 weeks off Lexapro and my major anxiety and fear has decreased thank god. Last night right before bed my stomach became bloated and I had intense gas pains… so bad I thought to call 911. I have been constipated for years so the gas couldn’t come out my tear so I threw up gas… it was the weirdest f-ing thing in my life.
After that I slept an hour and woke up with the same gas pains. Then same thing… happened all night until around 4:00am. Woke at 7:00 with diarrhea – grateful for the diarrhea. So far I’ve gone 4 times… feel weak, lightheaded, can’t concentrate… so I don’t know if it’s the Lexapro withdrawal or a stomach bug…
Does anyone else feel an immense pressure to continue on as per usual, despite the withdrawal symptoms? Like I should hide the fact that they are occurring and I feel so uncomfortable. I did not know the symptoms would be like this… if I had, I may have reconsidered taking them in the first place. The weight gain has been upsetting. I hope a result of the discontinuation of Lexapro for me is weight loss.
I started taking 10 mg. My oncologist prescribed this to me to help deal with anxiety related to breast cancer. Since my scans have been coming back positive, I decided to taper off. I don’t like relying on meds, and cancer was already a huge adjustment. Six months on and I gained 15 pounds. You are talking to an anorexic who always looks in the mirror and sees a fat woman.
I was feeling good before the 15 pounds came on. Can’t exercise like I I used to for fear of lymphedema in my arm. Now I get to deal with lightheadedness and dizziness along with being tired all the time. I hope it goes away soon because cancer tried to take my life away. I’m not about to miss one more day with my four beautiful daughters because of this drug withdrawal!
Just wanted to say a quick thanks to the creator of this page and all of the comments on personal experiences. It is nice to hear other people going through the same thing that understand it. Eight years on 20mg and day three completely off.
I have stopped lexapro cold turkey. Have been having alot of the same withdrawals. Sweats, dizziness, stomach upset, and sleeping trouble. My legs have bothered me awhile wonder if it was from the medicine. Really glad I found this site… I did not know there was a reason for all my symptoms. Waiting patiently for them to stop.
Hi all.
I originally started my Lexapro around Feb/March of 2013…and like some of you, immediately had a huge difference. It was like the world opened up to me. That also had to do with the fact that I was also on ADHD medication. (50mg of Vyvanse in fact) Anyway long story short, I really started to plateau and things weren’t clicking anymore.
I decided to wean myself off both, because we weren’t created to take all of these manmade drugs. Don’t mistake me, humans are so far from imperfection (Adam and Eve) that sometimes these medications are needed to help us. (I am definately in that category as I have chronic depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc.) I do feel we as imperfect humans do need things to help those of us who have these problems, but I have often questioned if it should be natural or manmade.
I have made the switch to natural, and as I was weaning myself off of my drugs, I was coming onto some wonderful natural supplements at the same time. For the first week I felt great! Tons of energy, extremely happy, hopeful, etc…which took a downhill spiral…and now about in my 3rd or 4th week, my withdrawal symptoms have seemed to debilitate me. In fact as I write this I have a serious headache.
Almost everything on this list I am experiencing. Except maybe the brain zaps and the vision problems. Sometimes they are all at once, sometimes it’s only a couple times, sometimes they go and come back. I never know what I am going to get or at what time and that is a hard way to live a life. As you all know!
I’m writing to tell you all I’m struggling along with you. While I wish none of us had to go through this, I know that at the end of the day, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel for us all. This has to be better for us then pumping all of these crazy dangerous drugs into our bodies that stop working, have all these horrible symptoms, etc. Our bodies are detoxing, I hope we all stay strong enough to remember that. I hope all of us keep holding on. We can do this!
I also am a firm believer in God & the Bible. The Bible gives us comfort in our time of need, and provides some major hope for the future here on earth. When none of us will have to deal with these things.
“And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” – Rev. 21:4
“Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more;
You will look at where they were,
And they will not be there.
But the meek will possess the earth,
And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”
-Psalms 37:10,11
I hope that helps you as it helped me.
Thank you for such a wonderful blog post. It was so insightful.
I have been on Lexapro for 10 years and if I forget a pill (I take them at night) I get this sensation while I am dreaming that I’m trying to wake up but I can’t I wind up screaming or moaning and finally wake up. I’m scared to death to go off of it because of the effects. I’m in bed right now after a dream episode and googled it.
I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about with the sensation of trying so hard to wake up or move, but can’t! I completely relate mine to my anxiety and also to anxiety medications I was on. It used to really panic me and made me not want to even go to sleep. Now I think of them as SLEEP panic or anxiety attacks.
So I begin dealing with them just like an attack when I was awake. So instead of fighting it, I try to not struggle to wake up or struggle to move my body. Just focus on anything pleasant if I can while breathing slowly. The softness of my blankets, the cool air from the fan, feeling of my soft pillows, etc. I’ve found that they are less frequent and less severe, if occurring at all.
I’ve only been off Lexapro for a week though, but I’m hopeful. So next time don’t fight it just try to stay calm mentally as much as possible. With anything it gets easier each time. At least it did for me. Hope you find a way to not suffer anymore! God bless! Oh yeah and taking time to meditate or just give yourself a time to be peaceful in quietness everyday helped me too.
What you are referring to is called “Sleep Paralysis.” It’s very scary, I suffer with that sometimes as well. You can look it up, and find some good info. I thought I was crazy, so I never even told anyone about it. It helps knowing you aren’t alone.
I also get that as a symptom of Narcolepsy. It sucks!
Amen, sister!
What supplements are you taking?
Amen!
Maria, thank you my sister. I am going off Lexapro tomorrow and if you will remember me in your prayers I know I can succeed. Your comments are so appreciated. Please feel free to email me. Tove
I have taken Lexapro for 18 years and I just went cold turkey. I don’t have any of those symptoms you guys are talking about except I feel a little irritable. It has almost been a month since my last pill of 10 mg. It sounds like there might be a possiblility of some withdrawals symptom that I have not experienced. Is it possible to have delayed symptoms? I feel fine other than the irritability.
I was given Lexapro in the original for anxiety because I had a break down. I feel good. No headaches, no dizziness etc. I MAY feel just a slight, very slight bit of insomnia but not serious. And I have not had a chance to really explore my libido….lol! Do I have more symptoms coming?
Thanks,
Pamela
Hi Pamela, it is possible to have a delayed onset of withdrawal symptoms, but most people experience them within a week or two of discontinuation. If you are only having minor symptoms, consider yourself lucky compared to others with more severe ones! It is possible that you could have more coming, but unlikely. Thanks for sharing your experience.
This drug is a big deal to come off because of the affect it has on the brain. If you quit cold turkey and have no withdrawals I would have to wonder if you were getting a placebo. I expected withdraw symptoms after taking it for 8 years but this is rough.
I am very happy for you that you have no bad symptoms. Now would be a good time to get down on your knees and thank your God. As for myself, I am praying for relief. Been up since 4 am and have a headache like never before. Everyone is totally different. Good luck and God Bless us all.
I have been on it a long time, though not as long. It’s day four and just dizzy. Scared to think what may come along with it. I felt amazing today other than that. I hope you continue to feel well!
I stopped lexapro after 8 years one year ago. My withdrawal symptoms did not start till 6 months later. It was horrible but will not go back to any drugs. I am trying to cleanse my body. I feel better now and can go several weeks feeling good. I am taking 2000 mg magnesium, 2000mg fish oil and Neuro-Mag L-Threonate. All my product are from LifeExtension, good quality. I keep a very cold cloth on my nightstand to cool off when I wake up in sweats. Works great. It cools you right down and helps with headaches. Good luck to all my fellow sufferers.
I’ve been taking Lexapro for 8 years and it worked well, but it has plateaued and now is no longer working. I’ve been on 40mg for at least 2-3 years, and about two weeks ago, my doctor tapered me to 30mg and added 20mg of Cymbalta. I’ve been on 20mg of Cymbalta since then but I am now down to 10mg of Lexapro after 1 1/2 weeks of the tapering process from the 40mg dose. In the past week I have started to feel suicidal thoughts re-arise, disassociate/depersonalizations and brain zaps, all of which I expected.
Tonight, 6 hours ago, I took my normal bedtime medications for chronic migraines/neck pain (all non-narcotic and preventatives) and melatonin, and I have yet to fall asleep. An hour and a half ago I started to have intense pain in my lower back and it has slowly traveled all the way down both sides of my legs to my feet. Is that side effect normal? I know everything else, including insomnia, is normal and may last for a while, but I haven’t heard about experiencing this kind of pain.
Any experience, knowledge or advice would be greatly appreciated and welcomed.
That sounds like sciatica! Ouch! Recommended to find a chiropractor.
Thank you for the information. After suffering with a valium addiction that took 12 years to break, I was prescribed Lexapro at the rehab and followed by my doctor. I decided 10 days ago, enough. I was told by my doctor that it would be fine and no withdrawal symptoms. I have been suffering with such severe dizziness that I thought about going to an ER thinking it was a cardiac condition. The doctors I work with inspected my ears at my request — I took my blood pressure — drank orange juice. Bottom line — dizziness has persisted. On a whim, I found this site. Thank you everyone.
You cannot ever take a prescription drug and get the truth from the prescriber or the pharmacists. Just trust your own body/mind/soul.
Yes Cathy, always trust yourself and your own experience when going through withdrawal. Doctors really don’t know what it’s like because they haven’t gone through it. Since you’ve been taking the medication, they’ll just assume that some new mental problem has emerged while you’re experiencing all of the discontinuation symptoms, when in fact it’s the withdrawal. It’s a shame more aren’t educated on discontinuation effects or how to properly taper patients off of medication.
I stopped taking lexapro in 2008 and still get brain zaps. :(
I was on Lexapro for 4 months in 2012, stopped taking it, and started getting brain zaps right away. I told my doctor and she said it was all in my head…no pun intended. She told me there were no side effects with Lexapro. She tried to tell me I was imagining these things. Apparently, she had never been on it herself.
Didn’t take long to stop seeing her too. It has now been 4 years and I still get them occasionally. It usually happens when I’ve had too much caffeine, or very tired. I have just started taking a supplement with Omega 3-6-9-5-7 and it has helped tremendously.
Thing is, I got the zaps before lexapro, too. I’m just getting off of it now and the descriptions here are frightening me. It’s been 4 days since I stopped as I ran out and couldn’t get a script in time. I wanted off anyway. Today, aside from the dizziness, I’ve felt great. I’m scared for it to go away and feel worse. :(. 6/27/16
I was taking Lexapro for about a year and a half. I tapered for maybe 3 days, taking half of my normal 10mg dose–I had been a zombie for about a month and decided I wanted off of it fast and met with my doctor about it. I have been loosing weight (about 5lbs) in the last two weeks. Sleeping normally too. I have been dealing with severe bouts of lightheadedness, nausea and vomitting. Also have felt a little buzzing that goes through my eye/brain I just attributed to allergies. I was not told about any of these “withdrawal” symptoms by my doctor–I had to google it to see what was happening. I hope it goes away quickly. Going to try the over the counter motion sickness meds like someone mentioned. This was helpful–thanks to everyone!
Hi, I’ve been on 10 mg of lexapro for almost 3 months for panic attacks, of course along with the panic attacks came the hopeless feeling and depression. I feel that it’s time to get off lexapro. I started taking 5 mg 3 days ago and feel fine. My plan is to taper off of it slowly. I am 26 now, at the age of 22 I started with panic attacks and I overcame it without meds, a short time ago I relapsed, and this time the panic attacks were uncontrollable. Now, I feel sluggish, lazy, and tired all the time, not like me at all. No Xanax for me either thank God. It’s so sad to see people going through this, and that the only answer from doctors is medication. There are so many ways to beat this. I just want to shed some light and say there is always hope in Jesus Christ. I will post about my progress later on. Good luck to you all. God bless
Hi Lorena, How did you go? you and I are in the same situation exactly so I would love to know how you went? :) Thanks.
I have been taking Lexapro- 20mg daily, for about 9 months now. I started the gradual tapering about two weeks ago, cutting down to half the dosage I was taking (10mg). I am experiencing lightheadedness, dizziness and lots of shakiness of my hands. It is like that feeling when you’ve gone without eating and your blood sugar is dangerously low. I am experiencing what seems like tremors, where my mind goes blank and by body shakes.
It can take anywhere from several minutes to several hours to recover from this. Afterward, I feel very outside of myself and have a hard time getting refocused. I read above about some supplements and vitamins I can try, but does anyone have any other suggestions for dealing with these “brain zaps”? I have a very demanding job and must be able to concentrate on my work. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
The tremors, shakiness, depersonalizations (mind going blank), sound like panic/anxiety attacks themselves. The attacks may be brought on (or stronger) from going off the meds. These are the attacks I would experience almost daily which is why I started lexapro. Why were you put on this med to begin with?
I saw my doctor for the last time this week. I ended on a good note. I still felt like she wanted me to stay on something but I told her NO, I am fine. I have felt much better the last few days, more energy, less fever, and everything else seems to have gone away. I hope they do not come back but for now I am feeling great! So there is hope out there for all of you. My withdrawal systems (15 of them) are gone. My prayers will still be with you!
How long did it take for the withdrawals to go away?
Well my doctor did call back the other night and talked me into seeing her next week. I could tell she would prefer for me to stay on 10mg of Lexapro but I told her no way, not after going through the hell I have been through for past 14 days. She is trying to tell me that none of her patients ever told her about these side effects when they got off the drug and I bet it’s because they are still on them!
I did ask about the Serotonin supplement and she said she never heard of them and laying in the sun without sunglasses would give you some serotonin back. I was doing that before she told me that and honestly it does feel good. Well, it’s day 14 and last night I had the false fever off and on and woke up during the night with cranky legs. I get about 5-6 hours sleep now and that feels good but I am sure it is because my primary doctor has me on a very low dose of xanax to help me fall asleep. I have been on that for years and I can’t even think of stopping that right now.
Yesterday was day 13 and I felt like I was having out of body experiences, like I was there but not caring. Then bang, I got a burst of energy and started cleaning! It felt so good. However the tiredness returns whenever it wants to. On the positive side, I think I am doing better that a week ago. I am still taking 2 fish oil caps and Citrical and a vitamin. It can’t hurt. I lost 2 pounds this week without trying (wow, something good that came out of a bad week)
Ok, my fake fever is gone now (lasted 10 min) I think I’ll wash my dishes! Mary, say a prayer to St. Joseph, I think he is helping me. I will say one to him tonight for everyone that is going through this withdrawal. Will keep you posted.
It is both a relief and sadness to see so many people going through the same things as I am.. back story. 6.5yrs on Lexapro 10mg. Started decrease in Nov 2013 and ended March 2014 due to not feeling I needed medication any longer as my life was great and I was originally on med for situational depression but somehow left on it. Initial withdrawal was mood swings, strain in eyes, dizzy, headaches,fatigue, higher anxiety which resulted in me upping my xanax that I was prescribed also for 6yrs from 3 .5mg tablets a day to 4..
I would have vivid nightmares, feel very clear one minute then detached from everyone the next.. In my 3 months of being off Lexapro I started getting extreme dizziness and unbalance.. I went to my eye doctor and upped my RX which helped some but I continued to deteriorate. By July I was canceling clients and in bed way too much no matter I tried to push myself.. then came the brain zaps, my Lord it’s like someone sticking a cattle prong on my head and they even happen in sleep scaring me awake..
I got so debilitated with zaps, dizziness and unbalance ontop of horrible headaches that I stopped working and driving July 30th… I have been on bedrest since barely using the restroom or getting to and from car for appointments that i cannot even drive on my own too.. went To ER and MRI was negative no one knows what’s wrong. Following up with ENT doctor next week but it is just strange to me how 3 months off the SSRI I got worse and am now staying with my parents as I can barely walk with dizziness and this crazy unbalance and detached feeling..
My next step is to detox the xanax as I feel like many that the band-aid effect of giving me meds never really helped me it just masked me and now I’m having 6yrs of this veil over my brain lifted if that makes sense and it’s very overwhelming, I am in constant tears, pity parties and no one understands what I’m going through, everyone knows me as this strong woman but I feel she has disappeared and I’m like a small helpless child. I read about red wine but was nervous of caffeine or Alcohol but I am sure my serotonin is very low.
I am just curious if anyone knows why so long the severe withdrawals and if or when I’ll regain my life.. it’s lonely living in a dark room and at my parents when I have my home and car that are just sitting there along with my practice that I am afraid I will lose. I am 33 yrs old and have always worked hard and enjoyed life, now I feel like I may never have that luxury again, even sunlight or light of any kind upsets my eyes and head. It is just insane that we are not warned about this.
I would have gladly bought extra wine if I knew Lexapro and xanax would ruin my life. I am scared to death to even think about getting rid of the xanax but I feel it is just poison. I have been taking vitamin D3 and magnesium as I read they help. I hope anyone fighting this gets through it, it’s an invisible battle that only you can see…
Hi, I didn’t take the exact same meds you did, but I did take the same types. Both can have side effects while one is taking them, plus bad withdrawal effects while one is coming off them. Xanax is a Benzodiazepine medication, which slows the central nervous system down. They work on certain neurotransmitters in the brain. In medical literature, the benzodiazepines are also known as “vestibular suppressants”, meaning they suppress the very system you need to stay balanced and upright.
They are meant for short-term use only, ie.. 2-4 weeks. If taken longer, they can cause all sorts of problems with balance, sleep, mood, anxiety, etc. Please look up Dr. Heather Ashton, a psychopharmacologist from the UK who did extensive work in getting people off these types of medications. There’s a website (benzo.org.uk) with a “manual” that gives information about proper tapering schedules. There’s also BenzoBuddies (another website) for support when tapering off. It’s a great resource.
I, too, have had severe balance problems and after many medical tests (vestibular, CAT scan, hearing, vision, neurological), it turned out that the medications were the cause of the problems. Unfortunately, I’d already been prescribed Prozac, which can affect balance as well — both while one is on it and, of course, during withdrawal. I wish I hadn’t taken it.
I have withdrawn from both, but the balance problems remain. I’m told they should resolve themselves, so it’s a waiting game… a very long, painful, distressing waiting game. The process is called “vestibular compensation”, during which one’s system of balance tries to restore itself to normalcy. More medications that affect balance will only prolong the process, so I will not be taking anything else. There is Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy, which may be helpful for some. I may try it again. I had to stop when I came off Prozac, since the dizziness increased a lot and I could hardly stand up.
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re going through this. I totally understand. Please take care of yourself, and look up benzodiazepines. These medications are overprescribed and, obviously, have strong and dangerous side effects. You’re young, so you’ve got that on your side. Everyone is different when it comes to healing. The body has amazing restorative capabilities, but we have to work WITH it, not against it.
Best wishes and take care,
C
Hi again! I forgot to mention something….alcohol will only worsen things. It’s a very bad combination with benzodiazepines (possibly dangerous), since both are central nervous system depressants. Be careful with that.
Hi – I started Zoloft at 18, managed to stop taking it for 5+ years in my 20s, and then went on Lexapro at 30. About 2 months ago, I started tapering the Lexapro from 10 mg down to a current 2.5 mg. In the past I also used Xanax to help me cope but I agree with the other posts – this drug is actually much more habit-forming and difficult to withdraw from (for me) than SSRIs. The withdrawal symptoms are immediate and intense and the irrationality is off the charts!
That said, if you make it through that initial period, I’m confident you will start to feel more “normal” and see the world in a more balanced way. I’ve resolved not to use Xanax if I can at all help it because I know how easy it is to get used to the feeling of calm. I’m experiencing the nightmares, fatigue, appetite changes, mood swings with Lexapro withdrawal but I have to say that acupuncture and herbal medicine have also helped me.
I was skeptical, but firmly believe that if something helps it’s worth pursuing regardless of “why” it helps. I’ve been there with my parents and also have a challenging career – you just have to believe and keep telling yourself that this is temporary. You are the same person you were before, it’s just your body going through the adjustment of withdrawing from these meds. Good luck to you. Alison
Mary, how are you doing now? Yes, symptoms of withdrawal get worse over time. Living in a state of fog, veil of fog… like being in another dimension… hard to describe. It is very lonely and scary and makes death preferable to living alone in ones head. Please tell me how you are doing now.
What do you mean gwen? I have been off loxalate now for about a month, feel absolutely rotten and gone through CT scans, optometrists, hearing tests, and booked for ENT. Can this get worse? How much worse and for how long?
I was talking xanax for about 14 years and I always felt like it was only a band aid. It never healed anything, just smothered it. When I it taking it a year ago I experienced the lowest of lows and the worst depression combined with anxiety. That’s prob what prompted my Dr to switch me to Lexapro from my original antidepressant.
The withdrawal from the xanax for me was very short and if I had known that, I would have never started a new med. Basically I’m saying that at least for me, xanax made things better for a tiny bit so I could deal, but the feelings from withdrawing each time were worse than if I had just dealt with the underlying issue. Which thankfully I can say that I’m on what I believe is finally the right track and I have God to thank for that!
I was on Lexapro 10 MG for 11 years. I got myself off of them 12 days ago and feel awful with all the above side effects. I almost gave up today and went back on them but the thought of starting over again stopped me. I have left a call to my DR. 3 times in 5 days and she has not returned my call. My question is, if it is Solatonin related would it be a good idea to take a Solatonin supplement? Has anyone tried this and if so, how long did you take them ?
Having a hot flash!
Thank you
Sorry misspelled Serotonin. It must of been the hot flash. Today is my 13th day off of them.
Had the crying jags this morning, felt good then 5 hours later, exhausted. Still better than yesterday. Oh by the way, my doctor never called back. I did call her again and left another message that I will not be back! I am still trying to find out if the Serotonin supplements are ok to take or will my brain think it is me and then I have to get off them too and go through this. If they were good I would think more people on this site would of mentioned taking them.
I was on Cymbalta for years. Had some really bad withdrawal symptoms to the point I felt like I was going to die, then realized it was a massive panic attack. Wrote all the withdrawal symptoms down and showed then to my Dr. who believes holistic. She could not believe I had all the symptoms stated above. So she put me on Lexapro. 5mg to start with and then up to 10mg.
I was only on this for about 2 1/2 months. They told me to go off it cold turkey. I said no. Tapered down to 5 mg. for 2 wks. then went off last Friday. Today is Mon. I had the sweats this morning, no appetite (and I need to gain weight). Never connected a weight issue with any of these drugs. Depression is back and anxiety. I am a widow and live alone so that doesn’t help. Do have some balance problems.
All the above tells me this can happen. Would you believe I had an allergic reaction to dilation drops when I went in for an eye exam. My eyes are still slightly dilated even after 4 days. This is probably all connected. Will pump up the vitamins and may try Aikido whatever that is..
Hey Everyone,
So It has been one week since i have come off the Lexapro. I used to take 10mg for 1 year and 8 months. My issue right now is the light headiness i feel (vertigo) as well as nausea. My other issue is i think i have put on weight since i have started to come off the medication. Is this possibly due to the lexapro? I really don’t want to put weight on i have done such a good job trying to lose weight i am scared i will put it back on.
I feel like I should say something positive, as I read all these comments before I quit and they terrified me. I was on lex for 18 months 10mg. I felt fantastic, so good that I decided to come off them as I felt I’d broken a cycle of anxiety. I am on half a tablet and have been for 10 days. Then half a tablet for 2 weeks. I feel absolutely fine, so I hope this continues and I hope this helps anyone reading all these horror stories.
My doctor told me she has had many people come off lex with no problems. Obviously the stories here differ from my own, but that doesn’t mean it’s horrible for everyone. Good luck everyone, I don’t mean to offend, just wanted to give a positive reaction.
Thank you! I’ve been thinking about working off my 20mg lexapro for the last 6 months, I have been on them for 4 years solid. I’m kinda terrified of my brain not finding a stable place through the withdrawal process. I’m functioning well now, and have been for a year or two. Though I feel so empty and emotionless from the SSRI… and libido is basically non existent. I’m almost certain that I am ready to do away with the script, but f*ck me, these withdrawals sound brutal.
I tapered off lexapro very gradually after taking it for over 2 years and didn’t have any physical withdrawal symptoms. Instead I’ve had horrible emotional ups and downs – nothing like I was before taking it. I describe it as having my previous worst days every day. I hope my mind will return to just normal highs and lows.
The stressors that led me to take it are gone but this welling of sadness and tears is really horrible. On the plus side I have much more energy than while on it and my libido has returned. I hope things return to normal sooner than later!
I thank you, I am having some withdrawal, mostly emotional (crying all the blasted time), but to hear you are great and doing well gives me hope. Thanks for sharing, I for one am not offended, more positive.
I was put on Lexapro about 4 years ago for anxiety and anger issues. (mostly because I had an insane amount of responsibility at my previous job) I started to taper off about 8 weeks ago, took my last 2.5 mg tidbit about a month ago. I’ve had almost every one of the withdrawal symptoms listed above and continue to get most of them. The good news is, I’m starting to get glimpses of clarity, I’ve lost about 8 lbs without even trying, and my sex life is improving. So don’t give up!!
I had been taking Lexapro for about 2 yrs, because of work issues and my son’s teacher at the time. Plus we found out that our son had ADHD and the teacher was INSANE. I have been on a 5mg pill for at least 4-6 months now. I came off of it all at once last Wednesday. After not taking it I noticed my mood was better, I had more energy to do things and was loving it.
I noticed this past Sunday that I was feeling more down and I could not sleep at all that night. I am now wanting to cry at the drop of a hat and I feel like every time I touch something I can feel my nerves tingle in my body. If I had know it was going to be like this I would have never done this. How long after you took your last pill did you start to notice it was coming out of your body? How long till you start to feel like your old self again?
Hi. I am curious how long you were on 2.5 for and did you just stop after that or miss a day out between? I have been on this for 9 yrs and was on 20. Down to 2.5 and when I miss a day I have horrible headache and brain zaps/ electric shocks. Please help! Thank you.
Thank you, just thank you. Been on 20mg for about 5 years after an anxiety attack and Ativan too. It started to not be as affective so saw another psych. He hates this drug and wants me off it so we have been weaning off. Had the headaches and zaps, I am 2 days in on zero and just questioning the length of time til recovering from it.
I am super emotional, crying comes very easy at the moment but I have an amazing husband and family and friends who I am so very grateful for. I am glad to hear a success, it makes it seem worth this trial!
I took 10mg of lexapro for 2 1/2 years and the withdrawals have been ugly. Dizziness, headaches, depressed, tired all the time, and sweats. The dizziness and sweats stopped after 3 weeks. Now what I keep experiencing is weird dreams all night. As soon as I fall asleep I start dreaming. I wake up so tired since I don’t get a good night sleep. I’m feeling down about the whole situation but I will NOT get back on lexapro. Doctors never tell you these things when they give you these meds. Good luck to all with this struggle. Hope I can look back one day and say that use to be me but not anymore.
Thank you so much for this article. I have been on Lexapro for over 7 years, peaking at 40 mg for the past several years. I thought it was a miracle drug, because I tried so many different medications for depression & anxiety and nothing worked. Unfortunately, it’s not working anymore and I am tapering off of it. The withdrawal is very serious & I was not prepared. I had to take a leave from work. I have issues concentrating, brain fog & zaps, nausea, fatigue- you name it. I feel like what was up is now down and vice versa. I wake up in panic. Thank goodness I am still on klonopin & have a supportive significant other or I’m not sure I’d be here. I find solace in the fact that I am not alone in this. Thanks.
I, too, felt that Lexapro was a miracle drug. I was on it for eight years. For the first time in my life, I could function. I didn’t have anxieties. I went from being an introvert to being an extrovert. I was even quite humorous. However, over those eight years, I had brain zaps, ringing in my ears, and no libido. My memory also gradually worsened. My memory got so bad that I started having trouble functioning. Since the whole reason for my being on Lexapro to begin with was to function, I started questioning whether or not it was time to get off the drug.
I asked my therapist. (I was no longer seeing a psychiatrist.) Instead of recommending that I get off the drug, she wanted me to increase my dosage from 10 mgs to 20 mgs because my stats showed that I was suffering from depression. It was then that I knew I had to get off the drug and I had to do it myself. I tapered slower than the recommended taper just in case. My depression worsened, yet I was having no thoughts to go along with the depression. Then I started having very circular, negative thoughts. I hit my lowest point about six to eight months after getting off of Lexapro.
That was three to four months ago. My greatest side effect now is that my physical body is overreacting to stressful situations, even to very mild stressful situations. I still have memory issues, but they seem to be gradually improving. My thoughts are becoming more positive, but I wonder are they really my thoughts? Sometimes I hear my thoughts in my head as if its my brain that is analyzing my experiences and coming up with the thoughts, not me. I feel so disconnected from my thoughts, subsequent actions, and consequences from those actions. Who am I?
I had been taking Lexapro 20 mg for about 8 months, previously I was taking Celexa 40mg for years, a close relative of Lexapro. So at first taking it, it was wonderful, I stopped having any of the anxiety attacks that had been consuming my life. After awhile though I started feeling almost opposite.
Like instead of feeling relief from not having anxiety, I felt like I didn’t feel anything about anything. Very much just “going through the motions”. Which ended up causing me anxiety about not having feelings at all. I stopped cold turkey a week ago and prepared myself mentally to not go back on medication period.
I gained probably 30 lbs while on Lexapro and was sleeping or sleepy ALL the time at the end. I now feel more energetic, but also have had trouble sleeping at night. I thought I was going nuts at first over how CRAZY bloated I felt. It never occurred to me that the withdrawal from Lexapro my tummy stuff were related!
I feel so much better after reading these stories from people, also very grateful for the supplement info! Can’t wait to get some and start feeling healthy and fit again! Thank you to you all!
It’s 12:15 AM and I’m wide awake. So wide awake that I could get up and clean the house, go exercise or read this thread all night. This on the heels of a 10 hour work day. I should be sleepy. I want to go to sleep, but I cannot.
It’s day 6 of my Lexapro withdrawal. I was on it for five years. I originally started taking it after a job loss and extended unemployment. It helped a lot and I got through some hard times with it, but now I realize I don’t want to be controlled by a drug.
I’m bloated like Rachel mentions. I’m hungry but not hungry like I was on the drug. I gained a lot of weight while on Lexapro. I hope to lose it after the withdrawal subsides. After reading the comments, it appears it’s different for everyone. Here’s a few things I’m noticing after being off this drug;
-I’m overly sensitive and am tempted to react vs respond to people.
-It’s difficult to concentrate at work.
-Not excited about anything. I just sold my house, made a tidy sum…but feel numb about it.
-Hopelessness, what’s next?
-Dull headaches.
-Anxious.
This thread has helped me immensely to understand that I am not alone in feeling these symptoms. I thank everyone who has commented and shared their situation, it helps. I am definitely going to get back into exercising, yoga, walking and keep moving in general. I’m sure that will help.
As one commenter mentioned, one day at a time. If you get through the day, it’s been a success. In the meantime, dear Lord, please help me sleep.
Spot on.
I feel the same way. Let me know how long the post w/d took. Sending you some healing energy.
I have the same experience as you about the weird dreams. I am having them almost every night as soon as I fall asleep. I was on lexapro for 4 years now its been 2 weeks since I quit cold turkey, it hasn’t been fun.
Me too. Very strange dreams. Sleep for about 30 minutes wake up. And do this all night…
Wow my Exact symptoms! 10 days off, I am taking 5-HTP and my mood is good for most part being aware Ian’s kind to yourself helps. The sweats and dead tired mornings are very real. Glad I hound this site so I know I am not imaging symptoms!
I have been experiencing withdrawal symptoms from taking 5-10 mg of Lexapro for a month now. I did not realize how potent this drug was and have never experienced such uncomfortable side effects from withdrawing from any drug before. I have felt intense nausea, and have felt cramps and had frequent bowel movements daily. I also experienced feeling agitated and extremely bloated.
I gained four to five pounds in the six months I had been taking the drug and I do not usually gain any weight so this was unusual for me. I am finally feeling like I am over the worst of the withdrawal symptoms but I would not do this again for any reason. This drug is too toxic, potent for all the good it offers.
I was on 10mg for a week then cut back to 5mg for a week of Lexapro and have been off of it for 4 days now with a on going headache and sinus ache and dizzy and feeling like I am not me hard to think, I was on Prozac before and went cold turkey off of it also and feel like I had the flu for a month then started Lexapro wishing I hadn’t and once I get this drug out of me completely I will not take anything else.
I was feeling some stress and not depressed kept telling the Dr this but he insited I take these, why do they push these drugs? All blood work is good so I just need to eat better and workout and take vitamins and minerals and be happy! These drugs have way to many side affects for me…I wish everyone good luck coming off of them and just listen to your body and rest and have patience and it will get better at least that is what I am reading!
Hi, Is anyone experiencing vision disturbances? I took lexapro for 12 days and have been off for 4, but my far off vision is gone!
Yes, I have visual disturbance, and this is due to anxiety… Mostly the problem is linked to eyes muscles and nerves. I feel sometimes electric shots in the socket of my eyes and pressure behind them and around the socket. It’s horrible what I am experiencing due to quick tapering from Benzos.
I have just come off 10mg Loxalate or Lexapro after taking it for a year. I was also taking 20mg for about a month of this year. I was prescribed it for anxiety attacks and depression. I was so happy with the nearly instant transformation in the way I felt once I started taking it.
I decided myself that I didn’t need it anymore as my life became more stable and I cut down to 5 mg for about two weeks. Now one month after finishing all together I have again had anxiety attacks due to feeling claustophobic and am feeling mildly depressed again. Nothing too bad though and I am determined to get through it without going back on antidepressants. I also feel dizzy quite often which isn’t pleasant. Meditation and exercise are helping – good luck everyone ;-)
Try the supplements above.
comments are correct. tried several times to get off Lex after 10 years. Painful withdrawals. This time followed recommendations of taking vitamin supplements: Per day: B-Complex, Magnesium, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vit E, Vit D, Niacin, multi-vitamin tabs. All supplements are Pharmaceutical grade, meaning, they are better than the junk you buy at most big box stores (walmart, et al). Titrate off Lex 2% every 2 weeks for many people (I have been able to do 50% every two weeks down from 20-10-5mg so far). Withdrawal symptoms are very manageable to nonexistent. Fish oil is the cure for brain zaps btw. This recipe is a modification of theroadback.org recommendations but without their supplements. i am not affiliated with theroadback.org in any way but I can tell you from my own experience this will work.
Thanks for your post. I have tried once before to come off the drug after 4 years. You reminded me that I need to be diligent about taking the supplements. I have all of the ones you mentioned and just took them. I have been having a really bad today but feel more hopeful now.
10-16-2015. Hello…I’ve been tapering from 20 mg and now at 1.6 mg liquid soon to 1.4mg one of the biggest problems I have experienced is terrible bloating, pain, pressure & nausea feel like I’m going to explode sometimes 2 or so weeks after cutting dose. Wondering if others experience this? Also I experience withdrawal more than once after dose reduction maybe a week apart…and am tired all the time. Anxiety and depression are usually short lived maybe a day or so here and there. I have had insomnia for months just can not sleep for more than a few hrs a night. Lots of other things as well. The most glaring are insomnia, gas and bloating nausea…wondering if this stuff is normal? Please feel free to offer suggestions that may help in my endeavor. TY.
During my withdrawal I’ve been taking magnesium, vitamin B complex and high grade fish oil. This does seem to be easing the symptoms, and a good substitution. This is really great information to share with other people. It works folks!
I was on Lexapro (the generic) for 15 years. Weaned off in 3 weeks. Took my last dose 2 weeks ago. I have shortness of breath, hot flashes and chills, itchy feet and palms, extreme anxiety, anger (screamed in my car this morning after I dropped off my son), I also got lost twice this week taking him to school and to another place I’ve gone to for years… can’t concentrate on work or anything, very fearful, agoraphobic, loss of appetite (I like that part since I’m a gainer).
My Doctor started me on a new med last week called Fetzima. It’s an SNRI, or a serotonin and norepinephrine (so) reuptake inhibitor. After reading all these posts I think I’m crazy to go on a new one….however, I forget that on nothing I will feel catatonic in 6 months… Sophie’s choice… I’m going to go drop $100-$200 at Whole Foods later for, at least, some of those supplements you wrote about. Good luck everyone.
Oh my gosh thank you for telling us the supplements! I will start fish oil and hope it cures these horrible brain zaps!!
I began taking Lexapro in December 2013 and discontinued it in May 2014. I am 15. I was on 15 mg at first and then my doctor increased it to 20 mg (I have severe OCD and depression). Since discontinuing in May, and it is now July, I have experienced brain zaps, dizziness, nausea, and absolutely insane migraines every single day. I’ve been informed by my doctors that Lexapro has no withdrawal symptoms, but I don’t know what else this could be. If anyone out there has any insight into this, please, please let me know, I am so panicked.
Can you please tell me what a brain zap feels like? I’ve been off for 5 days and am feeling my tongue and teeth tingle. Is that it?
I’m on day 13 of discontinuation and at this point I wish that I would either get better right now or just die. I’m pretty sure that you have not yet experienced a brain zap. Why do I say that..because you won’t be wondering what if feels like. Brain zaps feels like your brain is shocked or smacked. Mine is at their worst when I move my eyes around i.e. look at something and then look away to focus on something else… so so debilitating… and I’m absolutely exhausted. It’s difficult feeling like this and coping with work and home life. I’m hoping that it won’t last much longer.
Brain zap – feels like you’re being electrocuted on the inside *zzzzap!* I was on 10 mg of escitalopram for 10 years. Started tapering 2 months ago… Last pill was 1/7/16. Today, 1/12/16, has been the worse… So bad that I took a pill :-(… nausea, dizziness, brain fog/can’t concentrate, and brain zaps every time I turn my head. Single mom with 2 kiddos, not good combination! I need help too! How can I get through this and still function in reality?
Did it get better Karyn? You have exactly the same symptoms as I’m experiencing. It’s utterly horrific. I am 6 weeks into weaning process (2 weeks since I stopped completely) and the side effects are just awful. Please tell me it gets better? Chrissie
I am on my 2nd try and withdrawals are really bad but I’m not having the electric zaps this time. I guess the first time I didn’t taper off long enough. When I think back to the electric zaps, I feel like these muscle tremors are a walk in the park. They’re not really. They’re awful but the electric zaps were so bad that I went back on the Lexapro because I couldn’t take it. I think I can endure this time.
High doses of fish oil helped me GREATLY. At first, I doubled my dose daily. If I had zaps, I took another pill. It went away in an hour or so. It started decreasing so much. Now I take fish oil every single day and I feel so wonderful
Yep! I get that exact feeling if I miss my pill 1-2 days in a row!!!
I was on lexapro for 6 months due to anxiety for what the doctor thought was post natal depression (psychologist thinks it was adjustment disorder). I weaned off over 2 weeks and have been off it a week now and it’s horrible. The brain zaps are bad which literally feel like zaps of electricity zapping through your head, and my hearing kind of goes quiet while this happens, and my eyes go weird. I feel lightheaded too and get hot flushes. It’s horrible and I never want to go through this again. :(
I took lexapro and in discontinuing, experienced a multitude of issues including: loss of concentration, anxiety, panic attacks, electric shocks throughout body, severe outward nervousness, as well as anxiety and panic issues and a weird depersonalization. I have not taken Lexapro in a year. I went back on it a after a six month break and I feel as though I will never get my old self back. I know it was effective, but this is frightening and I don’t feel I will ever be ok to really function.
Mike, so you reinstated Lexapro 6 months ago? Have any of your symptoms improved?
I have been off Lexapro For about 4 weeks. The brain zaps are driving me crazy. Always a ringing in my ears. Headaches and losing my balance. Could you tell me your supplements please?
Hi, Seeing that you have experience and plenty of knowledge on this topic I was wondering if you could help me. I only took 10 mg escitalopram for 11 days, and now 25 days after my last pill I am still dizzy and disoriented/depersonalized. Is this normal? Any idea when I can expect to feel like myself again?
Thank you in advance for any words of wisdom/encouragement.
– Myron
Myron, it’s important to realize that there’s no “normal” when it comes to antidepressant withdrawal. Your experience is going to be unique to you. I’m fairly surprised that you were only on it for 11 days and are still experiencing these symptoms.
The best thing you can do for yourself is avoid freaking out about them. It’s going to be uncomfortable, but you need to do your best to just suck it up and realize that they will eventually (it may take awhile) subside.
I do not know when you’ll feel like yourself again as different people recover at different rates. I would give it about a month or two and then see whether this feeling goes away. Hang in there and you’ll eventually see light at the end of the tunnel. Best of luck.
I went on lexapro for 8 days, in that they started me at 5mg, took me up to 10 after a half a week, did 10 for a few days, and then back down to 5mg for a half a week, then took me off it. It has been 5 days since I have stopped taking it. I have had body tremors, crazy headaches, crying spells, aggression, fever, and worst I’ve been too lightheaded to get to work.
The headaches and moodiness I can stand but has anyone found anything to help with lightheadedness? I fought my doctor on trying this medication for 3 weeks, wish I had fought harder. Any help would be fantastic! :)
Lauren:
I am using OTC meclizine (motion sickness chewable tablets) for nausea, dizziness and lightheadedness. It helps a lot! I am also feeling apathetic (depersonalization) and some rebound depression, but I’m going to try to wait it out (I used Lexapro 7 years and yesterday was my 3-week “anniversary” of stopping after tapering down). If I had known how bad the withdrawals were going to be, I never would have taken it. Any doctor that says Lexapro has no withdrawal effects is full of crap!
I took 20 MG for over 4 years. I quit cold turkey apx. 3 weeks ago. Pros are: I have more energy & get so much more done. Cons are: headaches, can’t sleep, I have gained weight instead of losing, and brain fog. But I feel getting off this is what I need to do for me now. Kim
Yep, I’m off of it for about 10 days after taking it for 2 years – I was up to 30mg/day at one point! I wish I had listened to my intuition in the beginning as I felt that my doctor really didn’t have a firm grasp of how best to treat me and what medication to prescribe. Had I know what I was in for, I would have sought out a second opinion despite the fact that I love my doctor (for most stuff) and I was an emotional mess at the time. I spoke with a neurologist who works with a lot of holistic treatments this morning and he offered me some help to ease the withdrawal symptoms which I really hope will work!!
How long did it take you to feel like you are normal again?
I started taking Lexapro in September of this year and quit cold turkey 3 days ago. I was on it close to 4 months. I felt worst on it so I decided to research other ways to dealing with my depression. Today is my third day off it and for the first time I experienced tachycardia and dizziness since early in the morning. Also unstable while walking, like if I am drunk. Brain zap and headache. I am a registered nurse so I have been assessing my symptoms all day. So now I wish I never started to take the antidepressant to begin with.
I too have experience of lightheadedness during withdrawal. I noticed my blood pressure was lower than normal during these lightheaded spells. I found that working out helped bring up my blood pressure and lessen the effects of the lightheadedness. However I’m unable to tell if it is helping my melancholy mood. If it is I really don’t want to know what I’d be like if I wasn’t working out.
For anxiety and panic attack syndrome have been on and off antidepressants since 1986. Began 10 mg Lexapro 3 years ago during severe bout of shingles. Doc increased dose to 20 mg this summer. Had to discontinue use of 20 mg Lexipro in mid October as side effects had gotten severe: memory issues, brain freeze or fog, tremors, sweats, heat intolerance, joint pain, neuropathy in feet. Per doctor orders reduced dose to 10 mg, then 0 mg over 2 weeks.
Never realized that side effects from taking these drugs for a long period of time or possibly just being prescribed too high a dose could make me feel so sick. If you read the literature, Lexapro side effects are identical to Lexapro withdrawl symptoms. Especially treasure the frightening little seizures called brain zaps, body tremors, sweats and muscle spasms that sent me to the ER in fear more than once. Had described some of these symptoms to docs for many years, their answers were always more drugs: ativan, xanax, ambien, flexiryl.
6 weeks into clearing Lexapro from system the brain zaps have almost subsided. Still have great difficulty sleeping, bouts of anxiety, anger and impatience. Helped by reading blogs, taking Omega 3’s, B-12, benedryl, Aleve, melatonin and tryptophan. Still not recovered, expect another 60 to 90 days til out of the fog.
I know what you mean, however as bad as the withdrawal side effects are I couldn’t make it without it when I was at my lowest. It seems like everyone here forgot why they took it in the first place. I’m sure we all needed it to begin with. I know I did.
Amen.
And that is what makes being a pdoc so difficult…
You’re the first person that has mentioned body tremors. I tapered off Lexapro and have now been 5 days without any. I feel like I have to walk as softly and smoothly as possible to keep the tremors away but it’s not possible to keep them away anyway. It’s really awful.
As long as I don’t move I can bear it. Trying to walk and then make a turn, even if it is just a very small one, causes tremors and then dizziness. I just hope that since I tapered off all this will be gone soon. I feel like crying but it’s usually ’cause I feel sorry for myself. Glad to know I’m not the only one with these symptoms but at the same time I am so so sorry for everyone trying to get off Lexapro.
It’s over 13 months since last Lexapro tablet. I was slowly getting better and then last night I went back to hell – full on night terrors. The really odd thing about discontinuation is that the problems I now have are all caused by having been on Lexapro – and you know what – Lexapro never really helped – just deadened me. I guess that’s our modern definition of a productive member of society.
I’ve been on 30mg of lexapro for probably 15 years, and I just stopped cold turkey a few days ago. The withdraw is wicked and I’m not sure I can go through this for MONTHS I’ve been reading! I’m extremely busy, I’m not sure I made the right decision. I just wanted to get off of it because I didn’t think I needed it anymore. What the heck do I do?
I am replying to you not because I have an answer but because I am in the same boat and it’s been a week since your post and I’m wondering what you have done. I to have been on for 15 years but only 10mg mixed with 150mg wellbutrin. I’m still on the Wellbutrin but my withdrawal symptoms from the Lexapro are every bit as bad as everyone is posting here. I’m not sure my relationship or my job will survive this. So basically I’m wondering if you found any solution or relief?
I was on Lexapro and Wellbutrin for 23 years. I weaned off both over the course of a few months and have been off them completely for a month. I can tell you that without my vitamins and supplements I would have gone right back on them. The withdrawal symptoms are no laughing matter for sure. I can help with the supplements I take if anyone is interested.
Hi Liza, I am in the tapering off process and facing severe dizziness. Can you please share the name of the supplements? Thanks, Nauman
Hi Lisa. I’m in my 3rd week of weaning myself off Lexapro and suffering horrific symptoms, the last 3 days, non-stop crying among other things. What supplements do you take?
What supplements did you take?
Lisa – what supplements do you take to help with the withdrawal?
Lisa, My best friend is going through the tapering process now. What supplements helped you?
Lisa, Can you please share what supplements helped you with your withdrawal symptoms? Thanks!
Which vitamins worked for you? I took months to taper off if 10 mg and I have major anger, trouble sleeping, nausea, sweating, crying spells and I, literally, cannot eat. Actually, testing to see if something else is going on. I’ve lost 18 pounds in 6 weeks and my stomach hurts after eating small amounts. I was on Lexapro for 9 years.
I want to know what vitamins/supplements you are using.
I found that vitamin B stress complex helps with falling asleep, there’s some hops and Melissa extract in it too. Valerian can help too.
I’ve been taking magnesium citrate 135mg 3 times per day. The last dose before bed. Best sleep I’ve had in years! Tapered off Lexapro after 10 years. Been off completely for 2 weeks. Started the magnesium 1 month before I stopped. It gave me the courage to stop. Do some research on it. It’s been working so far.
Hi Lisa, I have been off Lexapro for about 2 1/2 weeks. First two weeks I was fine, now super anxious, moody. Would love to know which vitamins/ supplements you are taking?
Can you tell about the supplements? Thanks very much.
Yes please tell what vitamins you’re taking. I am experiencing the whole array of withdrawals and I have have chronic migraines which I suffered with for years. These w/d from lexapro are killing me. I am still tapering ism down to 3 mg roughly right now. That for any input you can share.
Hi, I’m sorry I didn’t get notification that I had responses to my comment. I am choosing to use Shaklee supplements to treat my anxiety and depression naturally. I take a Vita Lea (multi vitamin), Mood Lift complex, Lots of Vit B and Stress Relief. These are all on my website, but I would rather talk or email more details. If I can help with any questions please send me an email. lisadsam[@]gmail.com
Lisa, I would love to hear the supplements you took to help you through. Thanks in advance.
Lisa, I’m very interested in your supplements. I’ve been totally off if 20 mgs of Lexapro for about 2weeks. The irritability and weepiness are what’s troubling me now. I’m over the hump as far as insomnia, dizziness, and headaches. I would appreciate your help.
Omg!! Me too!! They wanted to put me up to 40mg!! I’m 21 I’ve been on an array of psych meds since around the age of 11 and I’ve decided to discontinue taking all of my meds, I have a problem with seizures though. :/ I’m pretty worried about doing the crappy flop while getting off everything.
I’m down to 20mg at the moment. I’m going down to 10mg in 3 more days and than 5mg, and than down to nothing. I’m currently using Lexapro, Lamictal, Seroquel, Hydroxyzine, and Trazodone. I honestly am more worried about the sleep meds more than the antidepressants.
Hi Maddie, I recently came of Trazodone after 10 years and like you I was more worried about that than the Lexapro/Cipralex. The first few days of trazodone withdrawal are seriously uncomfortable, probably the worst I’ve ever felt, BUT they started to disappear after a 5-7 days and then pretty much disappeared apart from the sporadic insomnia. Just so you know if you are planning to get off that too, I don’t regret doing it at all.
My Dr told me to take 1/2 a pill for 2 weeks and then 1/2 a pill every other day for 2 weeks. I am noticing sleep issues and fatigue, but I imagine it would be worse cold turkey.
I have been on Lexapro for years, I felt like it wasn’t working so I have decided to stop taking it. Of course the doctor doesn’t want me to stop taking it, but I’m DONE! Yes I feel awful and have no energy, moody and cry A LOT and am hoping I start feeling better soon.
My head feels like it’s on a Merry-go-round, it’s awful, but reading everyone’s comments at least lets me know I’m not totally losing it. I am not very happy right now, but damn it I’m going to win this fight. The only winners here are the drug company’s and the doctors.
You should probably taper off.
Almost 6 months withdrawal for me… Horrific digestive and stomach problems starting to go away. Fatigue has been tough. Can’t go to work more than 2 days in a row. When this is over, I’ve won the lottery.
I’ve stopped for 1 month now and am bloated hard stomach and lots of burping. What were your digestive problems?
Give it time. I also had these symptoms and they lasted for awhile. I found Gas-X to help with the bloating. You might try that.
I am also having awful stomach problems, I thought I had a stomach bug last weekend when I started to taper off, but I never threw up, cramping, gas diarrhea, the leg issues everyone is talking about, dizzy angry chills etc etc. It’s been a week of just taking half the dose I was taking before, mostly just headaches and the stomach pains/gas/diarrhea and I realize that I don’t think I did have a stomach bug, just withdrawal. My doctor wants me to start skipping every other day starting tomorrow and I’m a little scared that I will feel awful again. Also I can’t stop eating, but it’s also ‘that time of the month’ – crappy planning I guess.
My daughter is 17 and is trying to stop Lex. I swear if I knew all these side effects would happen when she was to come off I would have never agreed to let her take it! Nausea, blurred vision, mood swings, feels like she is floating…etc. She wasn’t on this, but 8 months. She STOPPED taking them on her own, but the side effects are so bad that I had her go back on 1/2 dose (10 mg. She was on 20 mg). It has been day 2 of 10 mg. No change in withdraw symptoms as of yet.
I had the digestive problems as well. Really bad acid reflux and flatulence. I can hardly wait until I take the last dose.
I have been on just about every antidepressant there is. TBH none of them have worked as well as Lexapro did for me. Life isn’t perfect, but it’s a lot better than before. I’ve been taking it for about 7 months and I just stopped taking it last week because I was taking Alprazolam instead (F*ck benzo’s). Nonetheless, this week off Lexapro has been HELL.
I have had major nausea, fatigue, sweating, and headaches. I’ve been off for it 8 days. If it’s not better by tomorrow I am going to just start taking it daily again, even though I’d prefer to rely on no medications for my depression and anxiety… but I do need them unfortunately.
I am just skeptical of the drug because of the way it’s made me feel through these WD’S. These last two days have been awful… and I’ve been through Benzo WD so lemme tell you I know what feeling like sh*t feels like. I guess I am nervous about it.
I absolutely share your thoughts, 5 months withdrawal after 12 years on antidepressants hahaha. It’s crazy and sometime unbearable. I ll add just one trick: drink plenty of red wine especially by night, it really helps. Valériane is great to recover your sleep. AIKIDO IS just fantastic during all this kind of illnesses, I let you discover why! Good luck and be super mega patient
I wonder if it is normal to have bad memory. I stopped lexapro 2 weeks ago and I need to study, but I feel like I cannot. Also, this weird sensation on my legs ( like tingling or numb). I took lexapro for 6 years and I feel like my brain does not work anymore.
Lexapro will cause you to have a bad memory. That’s why I stopped taking it.
Hello… Wow, I fought about that point for a while with my doctor. Apparently it was in my head. Now we will see.
I started to take Lexapro for OCD and panic attacks, January 2013. My TheRapist or doctor blood money had me on up to 40mg in just weeks. Life was good, I started my old habits again Marijuana and painkillers opiates, which I thought had been the problem to begin with. I completely stopped taking the Lexapro or escitalopram in April or may, I continued to use street drugs and felt no withdrawal symptoms from the SSRI.
Maybe it was because I was high all the time. My ocd progressed or I relapsed later in the year around the end October, I remember the time so vividly because it felt like end of everything, November into next year 2014 I was in hell. I began to feel better in June or July the rest of year was bliss. Most of 2015 was magnificent then my perfectionism could not be upheld or I was having withdrawal symptoms from ending a 8 year Marijuana career, not only by honorable choice but by dishonorable circumstances.
I can’t say if these drugs can save us, this SSRI this Lexapro. Therein exists my greatest question or my darkest fear, by being the one’s whom need a pill to feel happy or a drug to survive in the maelstrom of this modern-day civilization, is this natural selection are we doomed? This notion has been proven false by eugenics, the chromosomes or hereditary DNA for a variety of mental illness cannot be identified to pinpoint that a person will be born with depression or any other mental illness.
This undoubtedly means something is wrong with society or most people in general, since we were children they’ve been conditioning us to become addicted to almost anything. Planting the seed in our minds, with their advertising fear mongering, promoting gluttony overall. Humility, empathy and the desire to help one another take a back seat to personal gain GREED. Since the beginning the people the king’s who own this planet have drilling a hole in our hearts and souls that can never be filled.
This may seem irrational to most, though I believe this tyranny is root of all of our depression in this country and 1st world countries alike. A new idea must be formed a new way of thought, we must evolve and go hand in hand into the future, instead of the way we have existed for most of mankind’s history. WE MUST BE UNITED, WE MUST ASCEND TO THE COLLECTIVE!!!!
Don’t worry about it, your short term memory will come back. Whats happening is the serotonin and dopamine levels are trying to get back to normal. The reason why your short term memory is gone or lacking is because all of your brain’s energy went to your fight or flight receptors when you were having panic attacks. When this happens your brain stops focusing on your cognitive memory so much and worries about other more important things to keep you safe.
For example, if a bear is going to charge at you, your first instinct is not to wonder what you ate yesterday for lunch. Your first instinct is to either run the hell away or fight the bear. This is a very common side effect and although it sucks, you need to be patient and it will get better. Plus, its always helpful for anybody to carry around a journal and write things down!
Great explanation. I’m currently detoxing from Lexapro after seven years, while at the same time finally solving a chronic stress related problem caused by PTSD 15 years ago. Your write up was perfect, so much felt like I was reacting to a bear attack, too.
Hey hon, my main reason for stopping this drug is from memory and brain fog issues. Also feeling lethargic and numb all the time. I decided I would rather be my moody, anxious self and actually feel things again. In a whole I feel better already and it’s only been a couple weeks… but the dizziness was extreme the last couple of days.
I tapered off Lexapro, mostly following my therapist’s advice over a 4-week period. I have literally been stuck in bed for two days due to severe dizziness, nausea and headaches. My eyeballs even hurt, like flu symptoms. How long will the dizziness and nausea last?! I am a busy mom of three kids with an active, demanding dog. I can’t lay down all of the time.
I stopped my lexapro 20mg sometime at the end of May and beginning of June 2015 because it was damaging my liver. I went through the brain zaps and feeling so angry, and when someone made me upset I got so mad I and anxious I would literally feel like I was going to have a heart attack and was MAJORLY dizzy to the point that I had to ask someone to drive me to work and while at work I’d have to sit down until it was time to check someone out at my register.
It’s July 21st today and I’ve stopped working and just started helped my mom with her business. I was on lexapro for 5 years and reading your post as made me feel better because I just thought I was going crazy. I’m not dizzy anymore and the brain zaps are gone I’m still angry but I just figured it was because I’m not taking the medication anymore…I’m dealing with memory problems and feeling spaced out.
I can be in a crowd of people or just face to face with one person and not have a clue what anyone is saying to me. I’ve lost my appetite but lexapro made me super hungry all the time and I gained 40 pounds while on it but I just feel nauseous all the time. I’ve haven’t been able to sleep and I am getting what I feel like are hot flashes but I’m only 21 and that shouldn’t be happening. Thanks for sharing though. I thought I was just going crazy but I guess this is still withdrawals.
I have been on lexapro 5x in my life, all due to horrific circumstances that were beyond my control ( except once), and have had wonderful results with the drug. I’ve obviously come off the drug 5x as well. I can’t remember the side effects the last 4x that I am currently experiencing now. All I remember about the last 4x was that I had taken it for approximately 1 year each time and I began feeling like I didn’t care about anything.
I assumed that that meant I didn’t need it any longer. I always went off cold turkey because I didn’t know any better. This time I quit taking it cold turkey only because I kept forgetting to renew my RX. I’ve been off the drug for 7 days and have been horribly nauseated and have experienced blasting headaches. Today, I began processing the new found crazy amount of energy I’ve had for the last 3 days, despite nausea and it hit me. I must be withdrawing from lexapro.
The good news is that I have been devastated over my lack of energy since March and the 20# weight gain and now I know why. I only needed the lexapro for 7 months, but when I kept taking it, I guess my body and emotions shut down. For instance, I am 47, an ER nurse manager, a competition power lifter, and was teaching a crossfit style class 3 mornings per week. I suddenly was only able to run a little and do a little power-lifting.
I stopped being able to teach my class and for the last 2 months, I only wanted to be in bed when I wasn’t working. I have a 10 year old wonderful grandson that I have custody of and I do many activities with him. I convinced him that watching movies in bed was better than doing other activities. I really thought it was my age catching up with me and I was getting very overwhelmed with why age has to slow a person down.
I can’t believe how crazy my thoughts were. 3 days ago I woke up at 04:30, (I always would wake up at this time to read my bible and get to the gym by 05:45 until like June) and jumped up, read, ran 3 miles, went to work, power lifted at 18:30, and went to Walmart with my grandson and picked up all of his birthday party stuff and ingredients for homemade chicken soup for a fundraiser the next day.
2 days ago, I loaded up 7 boys and went camping without my husband. I had loads of a activities for these boys. My oldest daughter, 29 and another mother helped transport the boys from location to location at the campground, but I was in my own with them for the night. I woke up today at 06:00 and went full force at cleaning the cabin, getting breakfast and organizing the boy’s belongings.
By noon, I was home doing all the laundry, putting things away and just finished cleaning my car inside and out. It finally hit me… THE LEXAPRO. I’ve been googling this for an hour and I am convinced that your body tells you when this drug has finished its course. Also, I’ve lost 6 pounds in 3 days. I have used sublingual zofran and baby aspirin for the nausea and headaches. I truly hope this is the last time I have to take lexapro, but at least I know it’s there and it works if I ever need it again.
To Laura: I’d like to know some more about your experience with Lexapro. I’ve been on it for almost 2 years, and for the last several months I’ve been experiencing extreme fatigue, anhedonia, lack of motivation; all those things that make you feel like you’re living life as a zombie. I’ve also gained 25 lbs. this year that I worked to lose 3 years ago… My question is this: the new-found energy and enthusiasm for life you experienced-was that AFTER discontinuing the Lexapro?
Or did that happen after you had been on it for several months? I want to stop taking this drug because I feel like the life stressors that lead me to this prescription are all gone, and I feel like it has now become ineffective. When I miss a few doses I start to feel ‘human’ again by the third day but resume taking it out of fear of withdrawal symptoms. I know I need discuss this with my physician, but I wanted to know others’ experiences and I can definitely relate to yours. Thank you for sharing such a personal experience. -Lynn
Was using the drug for about 1years and a half. It help me with a loss in my life. Was up to 20mg/day for about 6 months, then back down to 10mg. I did gain about 28 pounds. I decided to stop medication because of my lack of energy. I’m not a lazy person, but I could have stayed in bed until noon every day.
Extremely affected my libido. Sometimes people forget to add this on, but it’s an important part of our life. My dosage was 10 mg. I cut down to 5mg for 9 days. Why 9 days? Because I have all that energy and I’m awake and ready for my day by 7-8am. My side effects…
@ A fog once in a while. But it don’t last for long.
@ A minor headache by the end of the day.
@ My energy is back. When I awake, I’m ready for my day.
@ Libido is coming back slowly.
I hope that this comment help a bit.
You did not transition your experience well enough for me to understand how you went from being in bed to all of a sudden filled with energy. Please fill in the gaps.
I’ve been on Lexapro for about 2 and a half years. I finally got a payout from the highly stressful job, which was the source of my anxiety and depression. I was having some of the side effects from the drug (all of which you list – fatigue, loss of sexual libido, etc.), one of which, excessive sweating, I was finding quite uncomfortable and embarrassing. Being temporarily unemployed, I decided to wean myself off of it.
I cut the dosage in half for several days, and then to a quarter, which I’m still taking. Like you, I have lost a substantial amount of weight – 4 kilos in an extremely short period of time – 7 days. My energy levels are returning, and I’m doing good cardio workouts at the gym, which is easing the anxiety and agitation. I’m having a bit of insomnia, but melatonin is helping with that. I’ve had some headaches and some tingling sensations at the top of the head.
Has anyone else had strange vision sensation after stopping Cipralex like the image I’m looking at is kind of lagging as I turn my head? It’s hard to explain but I feel like my eyes are not following what I’m looking at at the right speed.. makes me a bit dizzy.
I was on Lexapro/Cipralex for over 3 years off and on, I never totally went off because of fear of side effects. After a few days off my sex drive returned to the point of having “wet” dreams lol, I’m female and 47 so that’s funny. But this thing with my vision is annoying.
Well, I thought I would answer the question really quickly about how withdrawal went from going to laying in bed to being filled with energy asked by Jim to Louise. One of the more common withdrawal symptoms of lexapro is mania or elevated mood (one which I experienced). I hope for Louise this isn’t the case and that her energy will last. I was on lexapro for 13 years along with a whole mess of medication.
I started at 5 mg and it saved my life. It started to work less, and less, and eventually, I was on 20 mg and receiving, I believe, no more benefit. Withdrawing from lexapro and SSRIs is awful. Complete hell. In 13 years, over the last several I have tried to go off the lexapro, or gone off for a while. The worst symptoms are the akathisia, RLS that wakes you up right as you fall into sleep, and the EPS such as dystonia.
It’s really quite similar to having many symptoms of parkinson’s disease. I have no idea what to think of this drug because it helped me so much so many years ago. But these days I am highly skeptical. I think there is a whole lot more to depression and mood disorders than neurochemical levels. For instance, it has been debated that the reason for the short term efficacy of SSRIs has nothing to do with the increase of serotonin in the synaptic cleft (in general), but the efficacy is more attributable to neuronal plasticity, and the increased expression of BDNF (brain derived growth factor)-> encouraging the growth of the hippocampus and other areas of the brain, as well as, re-establishing so-called healthy neuronal connections.
Anyway… psychiatry can be so helpful… but also so harmful it seems.
Magda I have this 24/7 at the moment too and it’s driving me nuts! I went cold turkey 7 days ago after being on 40mg each day for 5 years now. I have a constant headache, cry at the drop of a hat A LOT have zero patience/tolerance and get super angry very very quickly. The eye/vision lag thing is constant and makes it hard for me to concentrate on anything at all.
My short term memory is completely shot – perfect example is if I am talking with someone about something and someone interrupts and breaks my train of thought I literally can’t pick up where I left off. I need the person to remind me as to what I was talking about. Worse still getting in the car – driving into town only to get there and have no idea what the hell I had to come into town for in the first place.
I must admit, the doom and gloom and horrible life ending thoughts have certainly retuned full force – this scares me the most as I don’t know if it’s just withdrawals making me feel and think like that or if that’s the real me thinking those things. I am hoping this doesn’t last forever. Further added to this… home life is stressful with 4 little ones who I adore, my marriage is a roller coaster – and hubby has no clue what’s it’s like living like this.
He has no sympathy/empathy whatsoever re depression let alone the craziness of coming off this drug. So no support there sadly. One other time I attempted to come off it, as soon as Id had a couple of teary episodes I’m told (yelled) to just “get back on it again, you’re cranky, rude and crying all the time – you obviously need it.” Crying yes, cranky yes, rude no.
This time I can’t even tell him I’m coming off it. Then I know That every time I didn’t react/do/say the perfect thing it would because I’m not in the drug. He wouldn’t help or support me – this is guaranteed. Best doing it alone than have that. :( I am doing my very best here, I’d never wish this on anyone… But damn I’d just love him to try and live in this head/body for 1 whole month.
Thank God I found your post! I have been experiencing some of the same symptoms coming off the Lexapro. I thought it was just me! Now, I think I might make it through these horrible withdrawals! Thank you! Davidica
I too am glad to have found this. I am a week into no lexapro and it’s driving me nuts with the headaches, nausea, and dizziness. I tried to get off this crap once and when I talked to my doctor his answer was to increase my dosage. I have been taking it almost two years. I was 135 pounds and I am now 218 pounds. Doing my research I found that some of the side affects have caused me to be put on other medications. More pills seems to be my docs answer. I am so glad that I am not alone in this. Thank you for the very helpful information and I hope everyone the very best.
Feel the same way! Been on Lexapro 4 years, 20 mg. Decided to go off it and tapered to 1/2 a pill for a month, then no pills. Man am I glad to find this post!! I’ve been experiencing severe lethargy, mood swings, dizziness and body pain/discomfort!
2 weeks from my last dose. Coming off of 20mg I fast tapered over 10 days. It was the best I could do at the time. My blood pressure is all over the place. Really high like 180/110 then as low as 90/55. My normal BP was rarely over 130/80. The nausea and dizziness is pretty bad but doesn’t start until I’ve been up a few hours.
But then it is pretty constant. My eyes are very sensitive to light. Glad I found some people who are fighting this sh*t as well. They lied about this drug. I was on it for almost 4 years but honestly the honeymoon was over around a year in.
Also glad to be sharing this with others, I finally stopped a week ago after 9 years on 20mg. Agree with all the symptoms you guys are describing, the best way I can explain the physical discomfort to other people is the way you feel after reading in a car. Constantly nauseous with a dull ache behind my eyes, as well as the ‘brain zaps’ that everyone seems to experience. I must have read a hundred different posts and comments and as far as I can tell, this lasts anywhere between 5 weeks and several years – does anyone actually have any experience of being on the other side of withdrawal?
I have been taking 20mg of Lexpro for almost 5 years. I gained close to 20 kgs over that time due to my increased appetite. I also got into a bad habit of drinking lots of wine every night + more food. :( Now I am detoxing from Lexapro. Not weaning as such because my doc is putting me onto Xanax. I am terrified of Xanax so have only taken a couple as needed but in getting off Lexapro, I have taken only 4 in 11 days.
I have not experienced the symptoms others are describing but my tiredness is unbelievable!! I wake up feeling so lethargic and it never stops. I do think it’s affecting my intestinal system too. I had the eye floaties on Lexapro so maybe that will stop soon. But all in all considering I have gone off rather quickly, I am surprised so far at how easy it has been for me. Time will tell I suppose if that remains.
I have only taken Lexapro for a few months but have experienced terrible headaches, dizziness and weight gain. I started taking this for insomnia, still can’t sleep. Have stopped for about a week, symptoms persist.
I’ve been on lexapro for about 11 months and have recently decided I want out. I’ve been fairly slack lately in taking them anyway. My routine was sort of: forget to take tablets for 2 days, get irritable, take them consecutively for 3. Forget to take them for 5 days and get dizzy, irritable, headaches etc so take another tablet and the routine would kind of continue that way.
I take that routine as my “tapering” period, as I wasn’t consistent for a couple of months. I haven’t taken them for about 7 days (until I took half a tablet today as I couldn’t stand the withdrawals) and I was uncontrollably crying. For NO reason. My poor workmate had to deal with me and take me home. Then my husband had to deal with me sobbing on the phone.
I’ve just spent hours reading so many comments on this article and I can’t help but think, “is this withdrawal period really so hopeless?” It’s so easy to get into the trap of feeling that, as all of these fellow lexapro users have experienced terrible discontinuation symptoms (for sometimes years), I too have no hope. In the array of comments there is a handful of experiences that have successfully gone off lexapro.
Think of the reason we went on this drug in the first place; depression and/or anxiety. Reading all of these experiences will only play negatively on our (bless them) anxious minds! The anxious pessimist I am chose to discard those positive comments and concentrate on the fact that people are still having these withdrawal symptoms after 6 months or more! What hope do I have!
My husband just came home and made me snap out of my comment reading, depressed state. You know why? He is also on lexapro. He hasn’t taken a tablet in 2 weeks. Is he crying uncontrollably? No. He said he feels completely fine apart of the occasional mild dizziness. Just remember, friends, the commenters on this page have Googled “lexapro withdrawal symptoms” because we are the ones experiencing the unbearable withdrawals.
The majority of comments and experiences are extreme because that’s the reason we’re on this page in the first place. My husband certainly isn’t googling this topic because he has no need to. My point after all this is that, yes, this sucks for all of us, but no two experiences are the same. For every person that has been prompted to comment about their 6 month long discontinuation symptoms (and rightly so, that’d be awful), another hasn’t even thought about the topic because their experience is fine.
Don’t lose hope and don’t stress yourself about the possibility of how long your experience will last as your experience is unique to the next. Get through today and you’ve won. :) Matthew 6:34 – So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.
Thank you Courtney, I needed to hear what you wrote. Thanks heaps.
Thank you for your post. I, too, needed to gain a little perspective. It’s hard to have a “this too shall pass” attitude when you’re bogged down in the mire, but it truly will. No one person’s experience is the same as another’s, but it is comforting to know that there are other people going through similar experiences (in this case symptoms).
At least from reading everyone else’s posts I know that all of this really is normal and that I’m (most likely) not going crazy or dying! ? So, I think at this point I’ll stock up on ginger and ibuprofen for the nausea and headaches and take up yoga or some other sort of activity to help with the anxiety and fatigue that hit hard sometimes.
I feel like it helps me to focus on the things that I have control over, and find ways to improve the way that I feel and how I cope. Practicing mindfulness and reciting daily affirmations have helped a bit so far, and I’ve really started focusing on ways to improve my health. I’m frankly proud of myself for having the strength of mind to stop taking Lexapro, and while the withdrawal symptoms really suck sometimes, every day that I’m off of it is another day closer to getting back to me (hopefully a less anxious and moody version this time around).
We’ve all been through our share of tough times (or we probably wouldn’t have been on Lexapro in the first place), but the fact that we’ve decided to stop taking a medicine like this speaks volumes about how far we’ve all come on our own journeys. Stay strong. It will get better.
Short answer – you are exactly right! Hope you are no longer experiencing these yourself! I am…
Read all the comments, but haven’t found anyone who has a metallic taste in their mouth. Everything tastes the same!
I have the metallic taste in my mouth. Nothing tastes good and I find it difficult to eat.