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. Â This is a common symptom that occurs when withdrawing from many different antidepressants. Â 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 (4Â 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.
So glad to find this page. My Dr. Put me on 20 mg Lexapro for PE. It helped a little bit with my problem, but after being on it for 2 years, I decided to wean myself off the Lex. I went down to 10 mg for a week. Then down to 5 mg for a week. Then nothing. I’ve been off it now for about 2 weeks, and I’m having some of the symptoms. I have gotten really bad tinnitus, crazy scary dreams, and now I’m having anxiety when I’m just laying in bed. I was really thinking about just going back on the meds. After finding this page, I can see that I don’t want to do that. I’m hoping I can get through the hell that is the withdrawal of this awful drug. I just hope it doesn’t take too long.
Kevin, do not give up and go back on. Expect the worst and hopefully it won’t be so bad, but do not go back on. You only have to start all over again. Just remember that it will eventually end. Some times weeks sometimes months. For me it is since the first of December and finally getting better. And it changes from day to day like a chameleon. If you find that you come to the end of your rope, and can’t cope any more, go to your mental health provider or doctor or the closest psychiatric hospital. Or come here and talk to us. It helps.
I have now been off of this dreadful medication for 63 days and still feel terrible. I’ve felt the dizziness, brain zaps, depression, and all other symptoms including a cough that I’ve had since I stopped taking them. I hyperventilate myself. I know it has to all stop, but when oh when. Terrible things. If I’d been told all these things there would have been no Lexapro for me. -Von
Reading other people’s experience has been of tremendous help to me. The whole experience trying to withdraw from antidepressants has simply been a nightmare. There’s been times when I actually thought I was losing my mind. I pray for each of you. I cannot understand why our doctors readily give us this but do not tell us of these terrible withdrawal problems.
I was on for 30mg of ciprelex for 6 years. Had to get off because my body was consistently over heating plus it was time. It’s been 5 months and I still have very bad stomach discomfort. At first I had trouble digesting food than that went away after 2 months. Now my whole abdominal area feels sore and really uncomfortable. I’ve been to the hospital a million times to rule anything else out because my doctor doesn’t seem to think withdrawal symptoms are this bad. Anyways, everything is fine but this is one heck of a ride.
Hi. I’m going through withdrawal from Lexapro right now and am blogging about it daily because it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Here are some tips I’ve found: for brain zaps, fish oil (krill oil too) seems to be working for me. For nausea and vertigo, dramamine is working – although it may be making me tired. Here is my website where I’m blogging every day about what it is like: https://ssriwithdrawal.wordpress.com. I hope it helps someone.
I was on Lexapro six years with excellent benefit for four of those years then it just made me feel awful. My psychiatrist refused to believe the Lexapro was the culprit. I finally begged him to please get me off of it. He tapered me down for four weeks and let me tell you it is the worst withdrawal. I only get severe flu like symptoms, but they never go away or improve. People are asking if I am okay, I just tell them it’s allergies. I can not wait for the day this stops.
Feeling better. Not 100%, but better. My focus has come back thank God! and many symptoms are much less intense. The ringing in the ears with mild zaps persist and learning to cope with the rebound of heightened anxiety, depression, and insomnia. There will eventually be good days and bad days, not just horrible days like at 1st. Stay in contact with your Dr, if you don’t like what he says, get another one.
Get out and exercise the first part of your day this really helps a lot. Drink plenty of water. Just remember if you can hold out there is a point where it begins to let up around day 30 for me @ 9 months on 20mg. The other things, it seems you may have to live with a while before they resolve themselves. I’m there now. I cannot speak for everyone. The anxiety I had was manageable except during times of excessive stress, and I had no problems with depression to start with. I went to my Dr and asked to be placed on something. But in hindsight, I would never take that route again.
Withdrawal story, after tapering for one year. Tapered by lowering dosage every 3 months: From 20mg, started at 15mg then to 10mg then to 5mg then to 2.5mg. Days 1-3: minimal symptoms. Days 4-9: all-day brain zaps, dizziness and lots of sweat when moving or at rest. These were the most noticeable symptoms. Didn’t really know how long this period would last. Day 10: First day I felt like there was a light at the end of the tunnel, brain zaps 50% gone. Avoiding stressors outside of work.
Day 11: Brain zaps 80% gone, still sweaty, but no more dizziness. Days 4-9 were the worst, and after everything I’ve read about the unpredictable nature of the duration of the zaps and other symptoms, I was keeping my head up knowing I did a disciplined one year taper. I’ll continue to post progress. Hang in there and consider a longer taper before you quit.
Are your days of symptoms listed referring to when you began tapering or after stopping fully? I plan to do a similar taper.
This will probably sound a bit crazy, but I took Lexapro for three days and found myself reacting extremely badly to it. Intense anxiety rushes that I had never before experienced, feeling as if I wanted to die, etc. On day one and two I took 10 mg each day. On day three, after the adverse reaction, I took only 5 mg. On day four, I stopped completely, because it was driving me nuts. In the four days since, I have gone through such an intense battle with anxiety that I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
Fortunately, each day I seemed to be getting a little better and today I feel pretty much my old self — or at least close to it. But the last two nights I’ve had terrible insomnia with a feeling that every time I’m about to fall asleep, by brain zaps me back awake. Before I took this I had some fairly mild to moderate hypochondria. When I asked my GP if there was something I could take to level me off, she suggested Lexapro. She didn’t bother to mention the possible side effects and I blindly took the pills. Worst decision of my life.
I write this having only been able to sleep for about and hour or so over the last couple days. I find it unbelievable that this drug could affect someone so strongly in three days. My doctor says it’s all in my head. That’s it’s my own anxiety causing these symptoms. She said the drug would have been out of my system the day after I stopped taking it. Funny, but everything I’ve read says it takes several days to leave you because the half life is something like 27-32 hours.
Somebody please tell me how these doctors can prescribe something they know nothing about? And somebody please tell me that I’ll be able to sleep soon. Because I don’t know how long I can take this.
I’ve had a similar experience to you with many medications. Although you may have hypochondria, which certainly amplifies the symptoms and the amount of obsessing done over them, it doesn’t mean they are any less real than someone without hypochondria. Doctors like to assume that hypochondria = always imagining effects, when this is clearly not the case.
I’ve found that having hypochondria makes you even more sensitive to slight physiological alterations. Despite having taken the drug for only a short duration, withdrawals are still common… taking any drug and then discontinuing will result in some sort of “comedown” – it’s common sense.
Best of luck getting back on track with your sleep. You may want to consider various relaxation exercises and/or consider supplementation with melatonin.
Nearing 5 weeks off Lexapro following a 4-5 mo wean, I had 2 good days, played golf and made it to 10 holes. Today was again back to withdrawal. A few zaps, headache, and visual disturbances. Horrible dream last night. It would make a great movie. Felt myself getting angry over stupid stuff. Had to concentrate on backing away. I have also been back to the “I am losing my mind” mentality. Can’t remember even simple things.
Have been obsessed with worry over things that I can’t control. Then all of a sudden tonight, all was well again. Hope I have 3 good days in a row this time. Everyone hang in there. There are special cases, and there are also doctors who do not need to be doctors. Did you guys know that many physicians now work for hospital owned groups and are on “production” type contracts? This means that they are required to see so many patients in a given time frame.
So don’t for a minute think it is you. It is all about the all mighty dollar. At our expense. It is also about the fact that there are so many “patients” out there abusing the system that the ones who are really hurting don’t get the care and compassion they need to get well. It is also about doctors listening to the hype from pharmaceutical reps rather than the experiences of patients. Have you ever been in a Dr’s office around lunch and smelled that delicious aroma?
It is more than likely a rep of some sort feeding the good doc and his office staff. Enough of that. I hope that each of you take heart from hearing about each other’s experiences as I have. It has been a lifesaver and didn’t cost me a dime. Blessings to all and please, please hang in there.
I just had something I haven’t had in a long time. A day where I felt like myself. I knew a difference when I woke up this morning. Still have the symptoms, but I had a (much needed) good day where I was not constantly fighting, but could ignore them somewhat and could manage to enjoy the day. Getting outside early and exercising make a huge difference also. I’m on day 26 and this is at least encouraging for all of us at this time.
I am now nine weeks off the drug, my symptoms continue unabated. Getting up from bed or a chair causes my head to rush. It is the dumbest, most difficult sensation to describe. I am headachy, woosy, detached, volitle, intolerant. No Dr. has been of any help. Apparently, they accept what the manufacturer tells them, and those of us who suffer are “special cases”. I’m really annoyed that I was never warned, at least then I would have known.
Myka, please don’t give up. Try all the helpful advice you find here but of most importance is staying very well hydrated. It truly does help your body to readjust itself and flush all the bad stuff out. The Fish oil/omega 3 and other supplements help also but hydration is so important for this and many other reasons. Physical exercise is also important. All together since the start of my taper and quitting it has been probably better than 6 mos. I have experienced all the symptoms you describe and more. I am now having good days instead of just 1 good day. You can do it.
I am amazed to hear SO many stories of withdrawal horror! I’ve been on lexapro just over 6 years. I’ve previously tried to stop but had similar stmptoms.. Extremely vivid dreams that were so frightening. I have just tapered down from 20mg and been on 10mg for 5 days. The irritability and tiredness has affected me most. I really want to get off this drug. My worry is that I have a new job which I love, but I need to be in “top form” when I’m teaching students. I’m scared I will have bad withdrawals and side effects… Some of which sound quite debilitating!
Firstly I want to know if anyone had experience with 5-HTP and has any advice on using this whilst tapering down lexapro? I will also get omega 3s. I was prescribed lexapro initially as I had post natal depression. Looking back I was not surprised I was depressed considering my situation. I had never suffered depression before. I have a supportive family and a low stress life. Hopefully now knowing your stories, it will help pull me through the dark moments. Thanks.
Update, I’m still off the med but do not recommend cold turkey like I did. Do I still have withdraws? Damn right. I went to my doctor and he recommended staying off but does not believe I could be still having withdrawals 20 some odd days later, typical. Insomnia, anxiety through the roof, no memory, a deep dark gloomy depression that feels more physical than emotional. Which I did not have prior to taking Lexapro. I can hardly focus on anything mentally or with my eyesight, it’s almost tunnel vision.
I seem to have no sense of time whatsoever almost like being high if anyone remembers that from high-school. Ringing in my ears never stops. I get vertigo when I cut my eyes left or right and a general scene of not being real. Hard to explain. Anyhow I am in my 30s, a professional, and do not use any other drugs. Hoping praying this will all pass in time and I will feel like myself again and be mentally sharp again soon. I can’t trust myself now and have to double check myself constantly and remind myself of what the hell I’m doing.
Around 5 weeks now. It does get slowly better. Killer headaches are now down to annoying. Visual disturbances are better but get worse with noise and lights. GI stuff off and on. Tinnitus better but not gone. Feel hot almost all the time, like menopause only constant. Wearing shorts and tank-tops in Jan. For a long time, all I have wanted to do is hide out from everyone and everything. I am going to play golf tomorrow with my husband… I can’t believe it.
I may only make 3 holes but at least I am trying now. Hope it snows! Probably will be the only people on the course. Ashley, Tsuki and everyone else, hang in there. Get out and moving as soon as you feel like you can. Don’t let the depression come back. I am finding that activity of any kind but especially physical, helps tremendously as soon as you can do it. Just remember that those who have never been in our shoes cannot possibly understand, so don’t expect them to. Come back to us. Someone will be here for you.
I was taking Lexapro for about 1 year for depression. Approximately 1 month ago started tapering off and am now totally off medication. Experiencing: fatigue, flu like symptoms and extreme joint aches. Glad Lexapro was available to me for my depression. Will just push through these withdrawal symptoms, was worth it.
THANK YOU!!! I’m 2 weeks clean from Lexapro after 5 long years. I have also been on Wellbutrin this entire time. I am just going nuts right now with the Lex withdrawals – the quickie dizzy episodes are getting old, real fast. I often get dizzy and have to shake my head to make it go away and sometimes my eyes don’t focus. Not great for when you work looking at computer screens all day. Just very thankful there are others here who say you can get through all of these side effects/withdrawals. 2 weeks down… more to go.
Hey guys, I just wanted to come back here now that my withdrawals have ended and give you guys a confirmation that the withdrawals do, in fact, end. In my personal case, as you can find somewhere above in the comments OR a more detailed, personal version I put as my website, mine lasted a bit longer than most of them say it will…My symptoms didn’t drop off until about three months of being off the med. BUT! I’m so glad to be off it.
It was hell and a half, but I feel alive. Anti-depressants numb who you are as a person. They dull down your ambitions and desires and even your personality to dull down your depression. For me, it wasn’t worth it. I’m back to having depressive episodes. It’s hard to control the amount of emotion I’m feeling now that I’m off the meds. I’m very glad I have supportive people in my life. It’s a challenge, but it’s better than the feeling of not much at all.
Overcoming the withdrawals has inspired me in ways that my depression kept me from. To those of you in this thread experiencing withdrawals, keep your chin up. There is an end to the misery. I don’t know how long it will last for you; hopefully not as long as it lasted for me. But when you get to the other side you will be proud of yourself for making it there. I wish all of you well.
Thank you Tsuki. The encouragement means a great deal. God Bless
Tsuki, I am so relieved to read a positive outcome from this horrific withdrawal process. My 15 yr old daughter is withdrawing and I am saddened and heartbroken by the numerous stories of lives that have been shattered and permanently altered by this drug. She too is experiencing symptoms that are unimaginable to me, and as her mom, I am trying to help her through this process as best I can.
I won’t let her read any of these posts – I cannot allow her to give up, but, I can at least reassure her that these terrible things she is experiencing are normal and give her a somewhat accurate timeline for the occurrence of the symptoms. IF ONLY THE DOCTORS WOULD HAVE INFORMED US ABOUT WITHDRAWAL!! I am so so sorry for you and everyone else who has and is suffering, and… I want to thank you all for these posts and wish you continued success.
Into 3rd week of no Lexapro after 4 month taper. Worst day yet. Vomiting, headache, eyes hurt with weird visual issues and very emotional among other things. Can’t stand bright lights or loud noises. I have had some good days where I think the worst is over then it comes back. I have been trying to carry on with my life with only slight modifications, but I think I just need to give in to the misery and let it run it’s course. I may be expecting too much too soon. I have been angry at everything and everyone. Hope the worst is over soon. So miserable. So miserable. Please consider very carefully before you begin this med. Good luck and many prayers to each and every one of you. Group Hug!
Thanks for your response earlier. I am so sorry you had a bad day today! I did as well :( On the upside, my headache has significantly lessened. Now I cant seem to keep any food inside me. I’ll eat something and have to spend the next 20 minutes in the bathroom. Not fun. I’ve also developed sleep paralysis and even had a panic attack the other day which Ive rarely had since before I started on lexapro in 2009.
The worst part is waking up and not knowing how I’m going to feel. There seem to be new symptoms every day! Some disappear as quickly as they come. If I ever recover from this successfully, I am going to make a point of it to stick around and encourage people. I have been telling myself that everyone who did it and feels great would have no reason to post on a page like this. So just because I don’t see any success stories, doesn’t mean they’re not out there.
It is now better than 4 weeks and I have had the best day I have had in a long time. I know that it is probably just a glimpse into the future but encouraging. Thank you Ashley for your encouragement. I would like to send it back to you as well. Thanks also to all of you who have beat the beast and have come back to tell us it can be done. Without all that I would not have made it. My GP, my pain management physician, and my mental health therapist are all clueless. They all just mumble and rush me out the door. You guys have been my salvation. I send love and prayers to all of you and many thanks. Please don’t give up. I won’t. By the way, I have 2 other mental health drugs to rid myself of but I know by far that SSRIs are the very worst so did it first. I too will make a point of staying around for those just starting their journeys.
Zeb, I’ve previously failed to get off Lexapro and that’s why this time I’m so committed to a slow, slow taper. And, even this time I’m experiencing some unpleasant withdrawal. You might try reinstating at a lower dose until you stabilize and then begin 10% taper. I always reinstated to full dose but looking back believe I could have relieved symtoms at lower dose. I base that on all the experiences others have shared online. Good luck and keep trying.
I also am grateful for finding this site. Thank you to everyone who told their stories and made suggestions for easing the withdrawal symptoms. If anyone feels like reading through my rant, please do. I could use some feedback. I have read through almost everybody’s stories but don’t see any exactly like mine. I started on Lexapro about 8 (?) years ago until it wasn’t covered by the latest insurance. So, I tried citalopram for a couple of years which didn’t help and then when the generic came out, I was on escitalopram for quite a while, which also didn’t work like the original.
Now, I had been back on Lexapro and feeling sort of normal, when our insurance changed policies again and it’s not covered again. This being January 2015, I was sent escitalopram without my permission from last year’s mail order company and lost a chance to get one more 90 day supply of Lexapro. Then the new company is sending me a 90 day supply of escitalopram because my idiot physician’s assistant didn’t ask them not to send it automatically. So, I will then have 180 pills I don’t use and I have to pay for the newer one.
The doctor’s office has no compassion, do I want to try a different medicine?? I guess I was stupid to start getting my scripts through my general physician’s office because they obviously have no idea how complicated it is to just suddenly stop or change drugs! So, I decided I’d quit cold turkey after my last pill is gone. When I was prescribed Lexapro originally, I felt so normal, it was wonderful. My psychiatrist told me I would probably have to take it the rest of my life since I had depression/anxiety symptoms since I was a child and it runs in my family along with suicide. I accepted that since depression has always ruined everything good in my life.
So here is my big, complicated question… I have not been taking my pills consistently for a long time. I keep forgetting, then take it when I remember or when I am being especially angry or sad. I have has a lot of other health issues come out the past year or so. I ended up in the hospital when my lower back hurt so much, I couldn’t get up off the floor. I have had terrible gastrointestinal bloating and pain. My migraines appear more and more often.
I have had really angry outbursts and crying jags. After reading the comments, I’m thinking I have been going through side effects of starting and stopping pills every few days? Does that make sense? I have gained another 30 pounds on top of the previous 20. I guess I’m just convincing myself that the cold turkey thing is right. My husband told me it hasn’t exactly been working anyway, by the way. How much worse can it get? I already feel crazy half the time, severe migraines/headaches and exhaustion all the time, stomach bloating. Any thoughts?
I’m thinking you are spot on with your self-observation of going through “mini withdrawals” associated with stops and starts of your medication. The drug is meant to be taken consistently (once daily). You are going through brief stints of withdrawal, which may be disrupting your nervous system – followed by reintroducing the medication, which can a few days to stabilize.
I would weigh the pros and cons of being medicated vs. non-medicated and determine whether you truly function better with medication or would be best suited pursuing other options. Hope this advice helps and wish you nothing but the best in your personal journey to finding what helps.
I’m so grateful to all of you from this website. My prescribing doctor is clueless to the side-effects of this drug Lexapro, much less the challenges of withdrawal. To hear her tell it, it has no side-effects, and there are no challenges to stopping it, everybody loves it, and are happy happy happy. I was feeling stupid, like, it must be just me, (that’s what my doctor would have me believe). You people have confirmed what I felt, and have supported me in this lonly mind &@#+ of a drug. You know how several of you mentioned the anger? Well, now I’m really pissed.
As the new year begins I’m hopeful that I will be off Lexapro come summer. I’ve started my second month of tapering and currently taking approx. 7.5 mg daily. Headaches were the biggest problem last month with a little nausea which I relieved with Dramamine. I’m also taking 2400 mg of Fish Oil, Vit D, Folic Acid. Around the third week of December I felt extremely irritable, angry for really no good reason, it passed and since I’ve felt better. I’ve been on Lex 12 years…it’s gotta go! I hope everyone who is attempting to get off Lexapro will succeed. Please continue to share.
Well I gave in and got back on the full dose due to side effects and wore down from insomnia but just cant stand the foggy head and lack of motivation while using the drug. I spent a couple days away from my prescription over the holidays so I took opportunity to quit cold turkey. It has been a week or so and it was easy till now withdraws setting back in insomnia, vertigo, hard to focus mind and vision, irritability mood swings, but with irrational overwhelming depression and lack of drive to do the simplest things, and what I assume to be brain zaps, night sweats, and insane dreams. Pretty bad I was just a normal guy at the Dr office for something unrelated and asked for something to help with the stress and anxiety from my high pressure job. Now I find myself feeling lobotomized and trying to keep it together at 3 am.
I was on lexapro for 5 years at 20 mg then took 10 mg for 3 months. then I stopped taking it for a week, switched to prozac for a week, but the side effects were so bad the doctor said to try going back on lexapro. Did that for a week to no avail and the doctor now told me to come off again entirely. It’s been about a week and a half of taking nothing.
I feel really bad…worst is the headache which is all over my head, in places that have never hurt before. My neck, jaw, ears, and behind my eyes are under immense pressure and pain. Constant ringing in the ears and tingly sensations as well. Are there ANY success stories out there? All the comments make me believe that I will feel like this for another few months which is unbearable.
Miss Ashley, I am about 2 weeks post last weaning with no Lexapro now. Did it over 3-4 months. As I said before, the headaches are the worst. I have had a few days with only a few hours of pain, then today almost all day. Also threw up a couple times. Talked to my local pharmacist who happened to be rather knowledgeable. She suggested I treat the headaches like migraines and use Excedrine Migraine or similar. It does help some. Still other fleeting symptoms come and go.
But everything I have read says it may take a good while, even months and the symptoms will change as the body restores each layer of itself. I am sure there are success stories, it just takes a while. I keep telling myself to hang on. I know I can do this. You can too. It took years for me to fall apart and now it will take time to put myself back together. If there is any one who has made it and still hangs around the site, please let us know and give us a little encouragement. We would appreciate it. -Mimi
I am 8 days off Lexapro after 3-4 month taper from 4 years on 10-20 mg. PTSD and lots of personal and family issues resulting in additional severe depression and anxiety. I feel better mentally, but the physical symptoms are awful. I am half blind, feel like I am stuck in a time warp, and dizzy. Floaters, visual auras, and tinnitus so loud I think others can hear it. Some chest pain and shortness of breath but the worst are the headaches. Never had migraines but I think this is what they must feel like.
Have resorted to taking pain med prescribed for an orthopedic injury last year for the headaches. Hope this is okay. I am trying to get through this on my own as insurance is not good. I have taken a lot of comfort in the posts of others and am trying the supplements others have recommended. I thank you all for being here and sharing this horrible experience so we know we are not alone. Those who have never experienced it surely do not understand it, even family members who are medical personnel. This, and other posting sites like it, have probably saved my life.
I am an older adult and have relatively little stress and daily responsibilities left to worry about (Got rid of most all of my stressors). I truly feel great compassion and empathy for those of you who have to keep on going with jobs and kids etc. I will pray for all of you daily and ask you to do the same for me. In the mean time I will continue to hibernate, and hope this gets better soon. I understand it may take a while. On the upside, my long lost forgotten libido is back with a vengeance. My husband hopes this doesn’t change. Me too! Again, good luck and God Bless.
So I have been struggling with migraine headaches over the past two months, and doctors were having a tough time figuring out the root of the problem. So naturally my doctors thought the migraines were do to the stresses of life, and prescribed Lexapro to combat the symptoms. At the time I was under the impression that the meds were to treat headaches, not the anxiety that for me is not difficult to deal with.
Immediately upon taking 1 pill I had a fire sensation in my belly, which immediately traveled into my head. Then I received my first “brain zap” as people call them, and lost my vision for about a second. I went to the ER the next day after vomiting a couple of times throughout the day, and realized my blood pressure and heart rate was abnormally high for me. The had to admit me over night for possible serotonin syndrome.
In retrospect, I wish I did not trust what my doctor was telling me, and should have look into how powerful this drug really is. After one dose, I’m still have several symptoms five days later. Each day is slowly getting better, but I know its going to take time for my body to get to where it was.
Any advice I could give about this drug, is to use this as a last resort. It will not work for everyone! The side effects or long term damage is not worth it. Exercise, sleeping properly, and eating right is probably the best remedy to making sure any type of anxiety is put in check.
I have been on Lexapro for about 6 months for menopause symptoms which seemed to work until about a month ago. I too had very vivid dreams every night. I started to wake up totally soaked and thought well this is not helping my night sweats so I decided to taper and discontinue the mess. Now I have this annoying buzzing in my head and light saber noises when I look up down or any direction with just my eyes. I thought it was due to a cold but reading the above posts I am starting to think it is attributed to stopping the meds.
Hi, so glad I found this page. I have been on lexapro for 2 years. I had a breakdown and was desperate to find some clarity and be able to get out of bed. I think the medication helped me function, and to find a way to keep going. It didn’t make me ‘happy’ just a functioning member of society. Now that my life is coming back to normal and I feel lexapro has lost most of its effectiveness, I decided to see how I feel on a lower dose, then possibly off it all together. I Have been on 30mg daily which I’m taking down to 20. This gap has caused excessive fatigue and terrible dreams. I think I’m more emotional as I’m feeling things more deeply. (But this is a good thing). I have been on lexapro back in 2011, I experienced severe sleep paralysis as I withdrew. I am relieved to read your journeys and to know this fatigue seems a common effect.
I have been on Lexapro for almost 12 years. I’ve tried 8 or more times getting off this medication and the withdrawal symptoms are a nightmare.
I feel stuck. I went back up to 20mg after last time withdrawing on Nov 2013. By March I went to 10mg. Then by April I alternated 5mg every other day. My dad passed in June and depression set in, scary thoughts came back (does anyone experience that?) Obsessive worry, mind would not stop over thinking things. Constant worry. It wore me out!
It was mentally exhausting. It’s called obsessive compulsive thoughts…. From my research. My mind would not shut down. So back up to 20mg I went!For about two weeks, then down to 10mg. By Sept. Back to 5mg everyday. Going to try 2.5 in January. Goal is to be off by February. I’m slowly tapering. I’m scared to get off, BC of the side effects coming off. The obsessive scary thoughts scare me:( I’ve never done that before the medication! I just want to be off of this medication without any side effects!
They just prescribed it to me after I had a baby instead of checking my hormone levels. I should have been given something to level out hormone levels not lexapro. I have felt stuck on this medication bc of withdrawal symptoms. I pray for strength and pray everyday that I can get off of this medication. Any suggestions or support would be great. Getting off this medication has been a 12 year battle and it feels like I’m losing to Lexapro :(. Bless you guys that were able to get off. I hope I can eventually!
Yeah, been on it for 9 months due to anxiety disorder 20 mg and a high stress job that I lost due to losing focus. Wanted to taper off now that Im at my new job. Started taking 10mg a week ago.Experiencing all the above and really started to question if I were going crazy or not so I Googled and found this article. Glad it is here others described my symptoms to the T. I am at the point of either baring with it or going back up in dose. The anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, and depression and insomnia is terrible. I just hope it does not cause me to screw up my new highly technical career.
Thank you so much for sharing this information. I have had no idea that the horrible way I’ve been feeling was completely due to Lexapro withdrawal. I swear the symptoms have gotten worse after the first few weeks off of the meds. Pain, fatigue, crying, rage, confusion, awful sweating and incredibly frightening dreams. I’ve bee panicked big time. And forget talking to a professional! I tried explaining the brain zaps to my psychologist earlier this week and she had no clue what I was talking about. I honestly thought I might be having mini strokes. Again, thank you for sharing your experiences. Reading the other posts has given me some hope. :)
I’ve been taking 10mg Lexapro since Feb this year and I’ve been weaning off it now for the last month. I reduced to 5mg for 2 weeks and then 5mg every second day for 2 weeks. I’ve only totally stopped taking it for 3 days now. The dizziness is ridiculous. I thought maybe my iron levels were low but from reading this it is obviously a side effect of the withdrawal. My dreams recently have been nuts. So vivid and frightening!!!
My doctor never mentioned any side effects so I never even thought it could be withdrawal but reading your experience and that of others here, it all makes perfect sense. It’s amazing the number of people here who have spoken to their health care professionals who can offer no help or advice on this. I understand that everyone’s symptoms are different but seriously there are obviously side effects!! It’s is such a relief to at least know I’m not going crazy or alone in this. Thank you all for sharing your experiences!!!! It has really helped. :)
I have been taking Lexapro for 2 years (10mg). Is there any danger in cutting my dosage 50% before I go completely off?
Hi Glo, I know exactly what you are saying. Please read my reports above. However after being off Lexapro for about 6 weeks, I had to go back on them. I went to my family doctor this time and explained everything. She said to go back on them (10 MG) and I did. It took a lot to stay off of them for 6 weeks. I was so proud but so miserable! I hated myself and had no patience with anyone or anything.
I don’t know if those symptoms would ever have gone away and I know people around me were having a hard time coping with my anger (which I never had). I would love to know what causes the anger? I skipped one the other morning and by the end of the day I was biting everyone’s head off. That is not me. Why did you stop taking them? I stopped because I just thought there was no need after all these years but I think the pill caused the need to take them. Hope you feel better.
I was on Lex for approx. 5 years after my husband died. I quit cold turkey 5 weeks ago. I have every symptom listed in the above comments. I keep thinking maybe I should go back on it, but do not know what to do. I know I cannot continue to feel like I do presently. I don’t like the person I am now and I feel so bad I do not want to go to work or anywhere else. My GI problems have worsened, I am so jittery, mean, angry, etc. I wish someone would address if the damage done by the lexapro to our brains is permanent and/or if we go back on it what happens to the receptors and brain.
Great Blog – I too have had some of the above withdrawal symptoms – brain zaps, fatigue, nausea etc…was on 10mg Lexapro for just over a year – took one month to gradually withdraw then went cold turkey…started getting the withdrawal effects but I have found this routine helped enormously. I started exercising at a moderate to vigorous level every day (I run along the beach , but it could be any exercise) – I also take a complex vitamin B tablet everyday and combine this with a fish oil table daily. I have been off totally now for a mere 7 days and have seen my withdrawal effects lesson dramatically….so much so that I think if I follow my routine I should be all clear within 2 to 3 weeks. Hope this helps.
Hi all. I have been on Lexapro 20mg for over 10 years and decided to go off them. I am 62 years old and always eat healthy. I cut my 20mg tablet in half (10mg) and did this for 2 weeks. I then cut the half in half (5mg) and did this for 2 weeks. Because I could not cut in half again, I just took the 5mg dose every 2nd day for 2 weeks then stopped.
I noticed in the 1st week I felt calmer and the anger in my body had disappeared. (Never realized I had this, as after 10 years you do not know the real you). My only side effects when giving up, were a slight headache in the morning, and I did not need any medication as it was easy to manage, and a few sweats. After reading all the comments before I started out I was ready for everything but it was easy.
As long as you go off gradually and I had always taken Vitamins (e.g. Vit B, C, D, E). Magnesium, Zinc, L-lysine, and Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000mg. I also eat real food lots of salads, and vegetables, meat, butter. No artificial products. My weakness is 3 Chocolate Mint Biscuits for my afternoon tea. I do not drink coffee, only tea. I weigh 50 kg and 163 cm. Weight only changed about 1 kg reduction. The reason I gave up was I suffered really bad depression in the last couple of years, and had been to several psychiatrists to no avail. Good luck to all of you.
I’ve been on lex for about 18 months. 10-15mg not enough and 20mg was too much. Currently weaning before starting another med and the withdrawal process has made me feel like crap!!!! Haven’t been able to work because of dizziness, excessive tiredness and mood swings. Not to mention the headaches. I saw the post about vitamin therapy to help so I’m going to give that a go. Good luck to everyone who is experiencing this type of private hell.
I was on 30mg of escitalopram for about six years, until about 20 months ago, when I started tapering off. I have been doing it very very slowly, finally dropping to 10mg about a month ago (from 12.5mg). Mostly I hadn’t experienced any side effects until the last two weeks. Suddenly I am having mood swings, am extremely irritable, extremely fatigued (feeling utterly depleted), intermittently very anxious and even sometimes having mild brain snaps. Is it normal to experience such extreme symptoms while you are still actually on the medication, and even when you have been going off it so slowly? Thank you so much! Saskia
I was on lexapro around 2-3 months at 20 mg and then decided to go off it cold turkey. Never got the brain zaps, but did experience panic attacks, visual trails, dilated pupils, severe night sweats and inability to stay asleep longer then two hours. I’ve went through 2 jobs because of the extreme misery it caused going off it. Its been about 2.5 months now and all the primary withdrawal symptoms have subsided, but I still have memory impairment and the feeling of being detached from my emotions (e.g. I no longer look up at the stars in awe, but feel nothing).
I’m also a poet and feel that it took away all my creative powers. I have no novel thoughts anymore. I read that there is a primary withdrawal that can last about 6 weeks and then there is a post withdrawal that can last months or even years. I just hope I go back to my old self soon. Each day for me is like a semi hell that keeps dragging on while feeling this way.
Hello! I have been off lexapro for about three weeks..didn’t taper properly (shocker), I was on 30mg for about 2 years I believe. I was on adderall, mirapex and lexapro. Adderall I quit in August, Mirapex in September, my Shrink in October and finally Lexapro. I have to say that so far I have lucked out a bit…this is NOTHING like when I went off Effexor. Severe vertigo right away and those awful scary head-zaps.
Why does no Dr. warn you about it beforehand? Mine knew, and I still get them from time to time. Right off the bat, SMOKI, I am getting my laughing fits back too. They are uncontrollable and it actually hurts. I got these before, even having one of these fits at my fathers funeral :/, but it’s been years since my last. I forgot how humiliating they are. I am also crying again over nothing.
They said I had PTSD after they misdiagnosed me with the less severe bipolar. I am 37 right now and this hit me at 29. At this point I would feel safer going to a witch doctor. I am extremely fatigued and I was hoping my appetite would calm down but it is brutal. I’m starving all the time, I get what feels like hunger pains. Anyways, one thing that is really bothering me is that besides slight dizziness, I have just in the past week started to get a sound in my ears.
It’s like when you are in the car on the highway with the window slightly open. I notice the more I concentrate to hear, the worse it gets. Anyone else have this? It almost comes in waves- if that makes any sense. Anyways, hang in there everyone :) hope to get feedback from ya’ll soon!
God, I’m so grateful I found this. Everywhere I look, withdrawal symptoms seem to be lasting a few weeks tops, and mostly mental symptoms. I was on Lexepro 20mg for 6 years, ages 16-22. Never really felt it helped much with my depression or anxiety symptoms…so I went down to 10mg for a month before going off it, as my doctor suggested. I started losing weight and appetite when I dropped the dosage, and almost as soon as I was off the medication, a flurry of symptoms began. I could barely eat, and couldn’t keep even bread or cheese down. I’ve had flu-like symptoms: nausea, vomiting/dry heaving, diarrhea, hot and cold spells, feeling feverish, insomnia, fatigue, and dizziness.
Mentally, I’ve been a train wreck. Irritability, depression, and anxiety are not enough to describe it. I’ve gone stomping out the house by myself and just walked until I barely could in the middle of the night. I’ve gotten in total screaming fests over misunderstandings. I’ve gotten the closest to cutting since…well, since I stopped cutting. Hopelessness and pessimism are my closest friends now that I’ve pushed all my real ones away. It’s been three weeks and little has improved. My parents are worried sick. I’ve lost a total of 15 lbs, and the people I care about don’t want to be around me.
I don’t blame them. Medical marijuana is the only way I’ve been able to eat and keep food down (and has helped with other symptoms), but I still either dry heave or vomit every other day. When I go out and do things, I end up sleeping 12-16hrs straight to recover from it, now that the insomnia has cleared up. I’m absolutely miserable. I’ve had several sessions of reading up on SSRI withdrawals, up to and including published scholarly articles.
Yours is the first to show me that because I’ve been on the medication so long, even if I weened off it slowly, my withdrawals could REASONABLY last well more than a month. No other site even suggested that. This has really given me some peace of mind when I thought I was an outlier who might be stuck with these symptoms for who knows how long. So really, I can’t express my thanks.
Sorry to hear you are feeling so awful, but I too wanted to know how long this would last and nowhere else accept people’s real experiences did I find out that the adjustment period could take months. I tapered off slowly and have been off lexapro for 2-3 months. I actually can remember how long, but I have brain zaps, dizziness, feel unbalanced, and all the other things people have said. I also just don’t feel right, and have this sort of crawling feeling in my body, it’s horrible. Hang in there, we all our and let’s pray for our adjustment period to finish quickly.
Wow, can I relate to this. Two-months post Lexapro. The sinus issue, brain zaps, and nausea are gone — however the irritability, horrible anger/striking out, and little “electric crawlies” are still present mainly in thighs, also a tad bit of self-loathing is present. Withdrew gradually on doctor’s suggestion. Will be talking with doc regarding he needs to give info to patients about withdrawal.
I, like others on this site, wish I had never started the drug. After 20 days of beginning the symptoms I found this site. May God bless you for this site. I thought I was totally alone. Whoops, started crying writing this. Hope the remaining symptoms go away soon. Oh, forgot – still having sleep issues, just not as bad as the first 6 weeks.
Sometimes I’ll go to bed at 10:00 and will still be awake to see the clock strike 4:00 before my body and mind finally quiet down enough to sleep. Hang in there everyone. There must be light at the end of this tunnel!!
In one hand I am very glad I found you… but on another, I can’t find a “happy end” example here… Does it ever stop? Or it’s just getting worse? I’m 34 and want to get pregnant. But with these side effects of the withdrawal I really can’t handle having a baby. I can’t take care of myself, I cannot walk, I cannot think straight, my mind is blurred! So from what I can see, pregnancy is out of question. I feel like quitting my job and staying in bed all day. Or having my meds back and leading a “normal” (as far as it can be) life. Because I really can’t handle anything else, my quality of life is equal to zero.
I stayed on Lexapro for 2 pregnancies + nursing. Obviously not ideal, but if you need to be on them, benefits outweigh risks. I have two healthy, happy kids and despite my history of severe depression, did not suffer any post-partum issues.
I echo this. Two pregnancies I went off it cold turkey both times. A few days of dizziness for me. I think any of the symptoms that may have returned during pregnancy were masked by pregnancy symptoms. I was given it immediately following my twins’ birth for post partum (they were in NICU and I was awful). I want off permanently.
I feel unhappy. I must be depressed. “Here, take this anti-depressant.” I feel unhappy, castrated, and suicidal. “Must be the anti-depressant. Take it in conjunction with this pill.” I feel unhappy, castrated, suicidal, and unable to do anything. “Interesting. Must be both pills. Stop taking them.” I feel constantly near death, can’t sleep, can’t stand, can’t sit, can’t talk, can’t read, and ache, cry, and so on. “I see. Take this anti-depressant. It’s new.”
Unhappiness is the baseline of existence. The only effective medication is opioids, which stop the two-way flow of pain and relief from pain (i.e., pleasure). Of course, you become a subhuman addict if you take opioids.
Anti-depressants don’t work. No study shows otherwise. Publication bias within big pharma’s research activity is not an exception but the rule. If you are unhappy it’s because you’re a human being. If you are depressed you will find relief in hard work, physical exertion, companionship and talk therapy. At the very least take a walk. The positive effect is more dramatic and instant than any SSRI.
When you submit to taking an SSRI, you are experimenting with yourself — and the deck is stacked against you from the start. The chance of positive, negative, or no effects is 50/50. Typically you get some of each, and then you must decide if your new pain/pleasure ratio is preferable to your original non-medicated state. Withdrawal is 100% assured in every case. And the solution for any “snags” is more medication, with more risks and more assured withdrawals.
Very well stated. Not sure that I agree with the statement about opioids being the “only” effective option, but most evidence would suggest that they are superior to that of SSRIs. Absolutely spot-on portrayal of dialogue between patient and psychiatrist… You’d think that eventually they’d get the hint, but as it becomes worse, a patient becomes further medicated… here take this antipsychotic too ;).
Hi everyone, I was having bad panic attacks so I started taking lexapro was on 5mg for 1 week and had to stop due to all the side effects nausea, diarrhea, tremors, jittery feeling then 2 days later my dr put me on Zoloft… I took half of 25mg for 1 week and just stopped that as well both without tapering. It’s been 3 weeks since I’ve taken the Zoloft and 4 weeks since taking a lexapro and I am having extreme withdrawals. Everyone thinks I’m crazy I have already ended up in the ER due to anxiety.
My heart felt like it was racing out of my chest and tremors. I went to see a psychiatrist yesterday and his advice was for me to go on Paxil. I’m not taking another pill but also I feel so hopeless I can’t function at all when is this going to go away. I wasn’t on either of them very long but I am very hypersensitive to medication as well. I have been taking 0.25mg of Xanax to help with the anxiety and tremors but I just want to feel normal again without any meds. Please help I’m desperate.
Hi Danielle, I totally empathize with you and know what you’re going through. Withdrawal symptoms can persist even after being on these meds for short periods of time – especially if you are naturally hypersensitive to them. I was in a similar boat and had been told there’s no way I was experiencing any withdrawal symptoms, when in fact I knew it wasn’t in my head.
An important thing to keep in mind is that hypersensitivity and anxiety (constant analysis) go hand-in-hand. You are naturally more alert and aware of any sensations from the medication because you are primed with anxiety. What I would recommend for you is to start seeing a high-rated or good psychotherapist. Going to therapy will help you learn how to cope with your anxiety and whatever else you are experiencing.
Additionally, make sure you are eating healthy, getting exercise, and not spending too much time on your computer or phone dwelling on symptoms. Stay as busy as you can, and get yourself in ASAP to see a psychotherapist. If you think you need meds, tell your pDoc that you are hypersensitive and that you’d like to start on the lowest possible dose (this will reduce the potential for withdrawals in the future). For example, at one point my pDoc prescribed Paxil 10 mg and instructed me to take 1/4 each day (so 2.5 mg). Hope you feel better soon.
This has been so refreshing to read! I’ve been on 20 mg. for about 3 years. In that time I’ve lost my sex drive, gained about 20 pounds, and have developed Gastrointestinal problems. I’m sure now that at least those first two are a result of the Lexapro. I felt that I needed it initially for depression and generalized anxiety. I wish my Dr had really talked to me about it more and encouraged other options for me first – I have three young kids!! A lot of what I was feeling was probably just NORMAL for a mom!
I just don’t want to be on it anymore and I decided to stop. I’ve been cutting my pills in half and taking 10 mg daily for about a week now. I’ve had a continuous headache for about 4 days. I was hoping I could just quit after taking only 10 for another week or two. After reading all these posts, I’m going to take it slower before quit completely and look into some of the natural supplements discussed. Thank you all for sharing and I wish you all the best!
I have experienced “brain/body zaps” when i discontinue Lexapro for 2 days or more. I haven’t been off it for more than a few days in several years, and the only gap is when I haven’t filled my prescription in time. The withdrawal effects are pretty immediate.
Wow so relieved to hear everyone else’s experiences. I’m day 6 off the stuff and can hardly get about with the dizziness and the weird vision. Can hardly describe it but everything is ultra-clear vision wise one moment then I have to try and refocus. Brain is fuzzy and yesterday I got the sweats and could feel a rage happening for a while (not great when you’re sitting in a work meeting trying to control it).
I’ve gone cold turkey off these things because I’m over feeling numb to life. Sure it took the edge off the panic attacks and anxiety but not feeling is no way to live. Am hoping that as these withdrawal symptoms decrease, some life will come back. Good tip on an earlier post re fish oil and other supplements. Will have to give those a go. None of this was on the info leaflet and none of this was on the agenda when I started taking the stupid things. Good luck everyone else!
Hi, 10 years ago my marriage broke. After few months of trying to reconcile I had to accept the faith. I was angry to everybody. I went to the doc to get some pills to help me in the moments of anger (by the way I’m nerd not a violent guy). He gave me Lexapro 20 mg telling me all is going to be fine as long as take the pills regularly. 3 years ago went overseas for holiday, run out of lexapro due to unexpected delay (two weeks).
It was like I can see clear trough the symptoms all those years. Went back home decided to quit and change my life. I quit the pills and the cigarettes at the same time. Crash 3 days latter broke my hand hitting the door (ME?). Went back on the pills same story… life passes by, me? I’m just watching. I have been working on this program for over a year now stuck without an answer. Did few courses to get the answer no result.
40 days ago while working on other program forgot to get the refill, end up on long holiday, no pharmacy working. As distraction to the side effects I started playing with problems – I was stuck in and I fixed it within 5 hours. 2 days later my program was finished and sold. I lost 10 years on Lexapro lived day by day numb about my life and surroundings. So far I’ve experienced every freaking withdrawal symptom. It’s hard to have mood swings during presentations and chills are the worst.
Being able to write this down and open up to other people its the biggest plus I’ve got since the quit. I’m getting my life and my brain back no matter the cost of the withdrawal. By the way every time when I spoke to a doc to quit the pills he would ask me why quit if you’re feeling better. I cannot understand that. People get upset, anxious, angry it’s part of our character – it’s what makes us who we are.
After 5 years taking 20 mg lexapro, my 53 yr old husband stopped cold turkey about 4 weeks ago. He had minor withdrawals off and on for the first few weeks, but the last few days have been horrific. He has all the symptoms except brain zaps and eye floaters – worst being anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, mood swings, and gastrointestinal issues. He attempted to go cold turkey a year ago but resumed dosage after suffering withdrawals for a week. Now he has resumed taking 10 mg hoping this will be enough to see him through for a few weeks. He hopes to taper off soon. Any advice on how to do this with least amount of discomfort? Is there better treatment for general anxiety?
Hi! Just a suggestion… It’s best to taper off these medications. Two to four months is a suggested time-frame given in the book The Antidepressant Solution, by a Harvard professor/psychiatrist (Dr. Glenmullen). It’s worth reading if you want some suggestions regarding how to go about the process safely. If your husband hasn’t tried counseling (e.g. CBT), it’s a safe and effective option to try for anxiety and depression.
Anyone on antidepressants, thinking about going on antidepressants, thinking about getting off antidepressants, or prescribing antidepressants needs to read this book. It’s an invaluable resource and was a huge relief to me to read. Basically, 99% of GPs out there don’t have the slightest clue when it comes to withdrawl (or prescribing, for that matter). Thank you for mentioning it (and to the person upthread who did the same); it has saved my sanity.