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.
I have been on an antidepressant since I had post partum depression with my 2nd child 5 years ago. I was on Cipram which was great until they discontinued and now am on LexaPro. I was only 10 mg but a few months ago wanted to go off, and now am down to 2.5 every night and am nervous to start going off every other night for 2 weeks then I’m done. I too have been feeling dizzy, seeing floaters, irritable, etc.
I know I still have a road ahead of me once I discontinue. It seems like the side effects keep going for awhile even after being off of it. Now I’m telling anyone who asks my opinion not to go on Lexapro in the first place if you can avoid it. I have a great supportive husband who’s been going through all this with me and keep praying that going off with go smoothly.
I have been taking Lexapro for the last 13 years. I have been on a dose of 30mg for 8-10 of them I think. It’s been so long I can’t remember. I have attempted to taper off before but always chickened out. I’m now over 30 and am hearing up for getting pregnant. My psych dropped me to 25 for the next two weeks then we will check in. Its been almost a week and I’m feeling crazy.
I have had dizzy spells, funky stomach, insomnia, anxiety, racing thoughts, low appetite, OCD, anxiety related thoughts, increased libido, feeling like I’m going to cry then laughing. I’m worried about what I will be like off the meds. Life was awesome on them but I’ve always wanted children. I don’t drink or smoke or take any other medications. I eat a good diet and am active but don’t run or workout but walk a ton.
I’m terrified it will take forever to feel okay since I’ve been on the meds so long and on such a high dose. Has anyone experienced withdrawal from this high a dose? Any suggestions? Am I screwed? I’m entering my second and final year of grad school and I’m worried this tapering will make it too hard to succeed. I’m getting older though and want to have my body be ready for children in the next few years at least. Help!
Lauren, you are in for a wild ride! 8 years at 20mg a day. I weaned off over a 6 month period under my docs supervision. My last month I was doing 5mg every other day. Thats when it all started! Everything mentioned above is true. The brain zaps are starting to subside after 3 months of no Lex. Anger remains a problem.
I am pissed at the whole world and my fuse is always lit. My mind races again as I can think about hundreds of things that I need to do all the time. My emotions are all over the place. Mostly pissed, then sad, then pissed. Laughing and joy are rare for me. Suicidal thoughts sometime happen for no reason.(Just thoughts) I have lost about 10lbs, cant remember anything anymore (granted I’m 47) and am always tired.
Feeling overwhelmed is constant. I know this is not what you wanted to hear but there it is. I have considered going back on it but I don’t want to be numb to the world anymore (that’s what Lex does to me). The suffering is worth it because I know eventually I will get back to normal. I have read that some people take YEARS to return to normal.
I hope this is not my case or yours! OK, now for the positives of 3 months Lex free: My libido is back and I have lost about 10 lbs. That’s it. Good luck!
Wow, I’m glad to see I’m not the only one with side effects, but more than that I hate to see so many others are experiencing it. I was put on 20mg over 5 years ago for anxiety. Turned out all I had was tachycardia that was causing the anxiety, I found this out a year later after the Lexapro wasn’t doing any good. Trying to get off of it has been one of the hardest things ever, I’ve experienced just about every side effect listed in the comments of others.
I’m down to 5mg every other day as I cut myself down and the side effects are no appetite, trouble concentrating and just overall lack of interest in anything, some episodes of depression here and there, but NO brain zaps… they were the worst for me. With them I couldn’t function, couldn’t drive safely so I didn’t. Since taking it it has actually given me a real generalized anxiety disorder which sucks, but I’ll never take another SSRI again.
My doc just started giving me small doses of Xanax which treat the anxiety without the “high” (which is why it is abused soo much). This works wonders and I actually feel like my old self before I ever started taking any of these meds. I’ve been on Xanax before and when I stopped I never had any withdrawal symptoms. I’m not pushing for others to try taking any other meds, I’m just saying what has worked for me and may be worth discussing with a doctor about.
I hope that as I cut the Lexapro even more over the next few months I’ll be completely off of it by the fall. I believe this med, Lexapro, and other SSRIs should be off the market completely. Looking at all the horror stories of patients how can they justify the small percentage of people that it may actually help? I’m sure there are safer options for those patients.
I think that the only reason that SSRI’s gained so much traction in the first place is because they were being pushed as drugs that wouldn’t be abused for recreation. If that’s the main factor for approving a drug, well, I think that is a major sign of trouble in the health care industry as a whole, but that’s a whole other topic… Thanks for sharing your stories everyone it’s good to not feel alone when going through these effects, a lot of people don’t believe what it’s actually like, which sucks LOL.
This is really helpful, thanks to all who shared their experiences so candidly. I started taking celexa 13 years ago and switched to lexapro sometime several years back, but finally decided I was leaning on a drug that wasn’t doing me much any longer. Things in my life are stable, which they weren’t when it was prescribed.
So I decided to self-taper, after reading directions online. It has been about six weeks since the tapering started and two since I stopped the medicine completely, and I’m pretty damn miserable. Depressed and anxious mostly. I have not seen much improvement, but after reading the blog will hang on a few weeks as I’d really like to be med free. -RH
Major vertigo/dizziness/headaches after withdrawal being on 10mg for 6 months. What has helped me is Dramamine Motion Sickness Relief — Non-drowsy with Natural Ginger.
First, I would like to thank everyone who has shared the details of their journey with Lexapro. I began taking it close to 5 months ago and I am currently on Day 8 after quitting cold turkey last week. I know it sounds cliché, but if I had known then what I know now – I would have never agreed to start taking this drug. I have always been a slave to my faulty psychology. I have been diagnosed as major depressive with a healthy dose of PTSD. My “episodes” can last anywhere from a day to a month. I have always possessed the typical depressive traits.
If you are reading this you are likely already familiar with that list. I understand the components and contributing factors for my affliction: inherited genetic factors from my mother, extreme physical and emotional abuse as a child and the lonely and complicated journey of coming to terms with my homosexuality. I have always understood the Why…but never the How. How do I make it stop? How do I move on? How do I become whole? I thought Lexapro and psychotherapy would be the answer. After days of crying and weeks of contemplation – I decided to take the plunge.
Initially, things were fine…but then side effects slowly crept in – weight gain, inability to focus, emotional numbness. It seems there was a new side effect every other week. Eventually they outweighed the benefits. I made the informed decision to quit – cold turkey. I understood the dangers, reached out to friends and researched natural ways to counter some of the withdrawal symptoms (fish oil, 5htp, melatonin, B vitamins, etc.) It has still been hell.
I feel as if I am existing outside myself. I feel as if the world is whirling around me and I can’t seem to keep up. I exercise daily and have restricted my caloric and fat intake and my weight is STILL increasing. The insomnia alone is enough to keep me agitated and impatient; and the vertigo just makes it impossible to feel physically or emotionally steady. But I will push forward – without Lexapro. I am not sure when my withdrawal symptoms will subside but I have to believe they will. They must – right? The only consistency in my life is my inconsistency. This will change. Change is certain. Change is necessary. Change is life. I choose life. Thanks for reading.
Hey I’ve been reading through all your comments nice to know I’m not alone. I’m trying to come off lexapro for the 3rd time in 2 years I’m determined this time as some of the stress has gone from my life. I have been “tapering off” as recommended. I kept forgetting to take the lexapro & felt it was my saying time to get off because I didn’t need them anymore, when I really needed them I NEVER forgot.
It’s extremely hard the side affects have been so bad that it makes you feel like your not better yet & need to go back on. Very confusing!! I’ve experienced the teariness, brain zaps, overwhelming tiredness, hopelessness and lack of concentration. But I’m hanging in there because I feel like I’m doing the right thing lexapro helped me when I needed it but now I feel I can handle it without them. Praying I can make it the few months for these symptoms to pass. Good luck others out there.
I began my taper in December, 2014 by reducing my dosage 10% of the weekly dose. That was my schedule until May when my anxiety and irritability reached a point where it seemed either I needed to up my dose to stabilize or hold tight on the current dose until I stabilized. It was a tough decision as my husband really wanted me to up my dosage to relieve the symptoms but I decided to stay the course and work through the difficulties.
During this period my patience was at an all time low, raging over nothing was common and suicide ideation creeped into my days as well. Lack of energy, occasional nausea and light headiness had also returned. I don’t recommend my decision to anyone as I believe upping my dose by just a little would have saved me and my family concern and discomfort but it was the course I took.
There really is no hurry and I had even mentioned in a previous post that I didn’t care how long my taper schedule took as long as I was moving forward but the thought of upping my dose seemed as if I was losing ground. Clearly that wasn’t the case and those thoughts perhaps was an indicator of my state of mind. At any rate, within 3 weeks I was feeling better and my family could clearly see I was stabilizing.
After some thought I decided to change my taper to 5% and I have hopes of experiencing fewer withdrawal symptoms. Thanks to all of you who have posted, please continue with your updates.
My friend is having problems with withdrawal having stopped these a month ago and wanted me to find some information. First thing, these comments are so helpful! Thank you all for being honest and frank about your experiences, you have really laid to rest many of her concerns. She thought she might be losing her mind with the disassociation of thoughts and not feeling like she is herself.
Second, I am quite concerned with how readily this drug is being prescribed by Doctors. It sounds alot to me like the heavy withdrawal, deep psychological and physiological effects it has are somehow on a par (or worse) than the initial depression. I don’t know much about it at all but my impression is not a good one. Anyway, once again thank you all so much.
I’ve been on 20mg escitalopram for 5 years for PTSD and depression. Tried reducing to 10mg a year ago but after 2 months, had a major relapse and had to go back to 20mg. After a few months though, felt it wasn’t helping, so I became my own guinea-pig and took an extra 10mg to see if it would help – you bet it did. This ‘test’ showed me that I would need to increase my dose to feel better – and then what, after another year would I need to increase it again to 40mg?
No. It was time to plan another taper but this time, in combination with supplements and antioxidants. So in Feb 2015, I started taking 200mg S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and 600mg N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) and B3 (Niacin) for 2 weeks in addition to escitalopram, then halved the escitalopram while still taking supplements…after 4 months all is well…had anxiety and ‘brain fog’ for first week but have been OK on 10mg without a relapse.
I feel better in the mornings now (usually couldn’t get out of bed till round 10am). These supplements aren’t for everyone, but just sharing what has worked (so far) for me and what hasn’t worked. Onto my next taper now… peace and love to all!
This is all very helpful. I went off cold turkey when I kept forgetting to pick up my refill at CVS. I was having a lot of stomach bloating on Lexapro and wanted to lose weight, plus I didn’t have a lot of energy. Quitting cold turkey was really quite misguided! Mostly struggling with quite a bit of nausea even though its been about a month now. Thought I had some kind of fatal disease but I bet it’s withdrawal! Also a bit manic. But loads more energy and some spurts of increased creativity and productivity. It is so helpful to connect with other people in this boat. I was just starting to think I was going crazy!
I’ve been taking lexapro, 40mg per day for over ten years. Prior to that I’d been on effexor, worst drug ever for me. It made everything worse and the Dr solution was to up the dosage. I cold turkeyed off that and it was 6 months of hell. all of the symptoms that have been mentioned. And I’d only been on it for about 8 months. Its been 4 days since my last pills and the zaps are constant today.
So far I haven’t had the sleep paralysis (and I hope I don’t, that was incredibly awful). I haven’t told anyone in my family that I’ve stopped them. They don’t understand that I’ve had enough and just think if I keep taking them everything will be OK. I’m also on seroquel, 600mg at night, and once I get through this w/d I’m going to start reducing the seroquel.
I’m just so tired of taking pills. If I talk about not taking pills I’m told they they keep me stable but I want to know if I am stable without them. I’d like to keep a check on myself by posting where people understand. I note that one of the w/d side effects can be suicidal ideation. I am scared of that. the rest of it is awful, but physical and I know it will pass eventually. My thoughts changing is what scares me.
I took Lexapro for 2 1/2 years after losing my Mother and Father-In-Law in a 5 day span. I have been working my way off of the medication for over 6 months now by decreasing the dosage and now taking it every other day. The withdrawals are crazy, I can’t sleep but I am so tired I can’t keep my eyes open at work during the day. I am dizzy and lightheaded to the point that I hesitate to drive some days, I have numbness in my face and hands, especially my lips.
I feel nauseous and lethargic. I am only on my second day without taking medication but I am realizing the the medical Doctors who are prescribing this stuff have no clue what it does to people. My Doctor told me to quit cold turkey and I would be fine. They need to educate themselves and their patients before prescribing medication. Next time I will know to educate myself BEFORE I take any medication. Good luck to everyone who is on this journey.
I took Lexapro for over 15 years, I have been tapering down for 6 months almost to nothing. I feel worse than when I started taking it. I can’t feel normal again. The stress level is very high, and the worst feeling is I can’t get rid of a gastritis. Everything I eat upsets my stomach. I wonder how long am going to feel this awful?
Been taking Lexapro for 6 years at 10mg/day. Came off cold turkey last sunday. My feet and ankles are now swelling and feel a little sore. Is this normal??
There’s no timestamp but I wanted to say yes that edema is common.
I was on lexapro 10 mg for about 7 months. About 2 months ago, I decided I really didnt want to have to take a pill everyday and told my Dr I wanted off. Having not consulted about the withdrawal symptoms and knowing nothing about tapering off, I thought nothing of it when she told me just to stop taking it. Well, it was a tough week or two. It really wasn’t that I was depressed, I just felt weird. The brain zaps that everyone talks about were the biggest annoyance. That is how I would describe getting off it: an annoyance.
Each day that went by made me never want to be reliant on any substance and made me more motivated to get off it, regardless of the withdrawal symptoms. I understand that I wasn’t on it as long as many of you and was also on a low dose, but I just want others who are getting off it to know that their is light at the end of the tunnel. It took about 2 weeks before I felt back to my old self. The first week is the toughest, but it gets slightly better each day. Trust me, you can do it! And you will be glad you did.
Hi All, I’ve been in Lexapro (escitalopram) 20mg for 3 years. I started with 2.5mg for 2 days, then 5mg for 1 week, then 20mg for 3 years. I started this due to Panic Attacks and anxiety. First of all it was intended to be just a 1 year treatment but then my psychology and my doctor found out that I had lot of similar symptoms when I was a kid (I am 28 now) and never treated them so they decided together to continue with therapy and with 2 more years of Lexapro.
I started taking the meds on November 2011. A few months back I started to taper off the Lexapro. Here is what my Doctor told me. The body of humans needs 21 days to make a habit and this is for everything we need to get used to. For the brain is the same so the reduction of the pill must be very slow and every 21 days (minimum). I asked my doctor if I could choose to make that longer and she said that it will be better also. So I started to taper of 2.5mg every 45 days.
Now I am at 10mg. I did 20, 17.5, 15, 12.5 and now I am at 10. I had no issues at all, not bad feelings not symptoms. I will save this page and I will let you know every time I reduce 2.5mg and let you know what I feel. I did sports all my life but I was very thin. (70kg) I am 1.83 meters tall. This was before starting to take lexapro. After starting the treatment I begun to do CrossFit and started to eat very health and I am now 83kg and my 13kg I increased was just muscle with no fats. I feel better than ever in my life.
I am Argentinian. Sorry for my poor English if you see something that doesn’t make sense… hahaha. Feel free to contact me at anytime I will be happy to share my story details with any of you and help as much as possible my small knowledge. Mark :)
Hi Guys, More than one year later I am at 5mg now and feeling well. Nothing serious just a few anxiety symptoms but not a big deal.
I’m a 54 year-old female (if that matters). I was experiencing lightheadedness 10 years ago, and was put on Lexapro for anxiety (which I didn’t feel I had). Anyway, I took it for 10 years because I was afraid to go off it and be dizzy again. Decided to go off it though, because 10 years is a long time to go without being able to cry or have intense orgasms. I tapered off in my own way – one pill every two days for about a month, and then a full stop.
Its been about two months and there hasn’t been any dizziness. The only withdrawal symptoms I’m experiencing are decreased appetite, impulsivity, crazy mood swings, a lot of crying, and amazing orgasms. As long as I can be careful with impulsivity (like not go out for an oil change and come home with a new car)… I will consider it a very good thing to be rid of this medication!
Hey everyone, I feel like it’s important for me to comment–after having read other comments below. I’ve been on 30 mg Lexapro for probably 15+ years, and have decided to see how things may have changed in my brain as I’ve gotten older. I’ve been tapering off for the last four months now. Lexapro helped me feel normal. You do realize this is medication, right? Why would anyone fight a doctor about a three week trial period? I’m sure the doctor would tell you it has to build up in your system for you to start feeling “normal”.
Some will say you may feel better very quickly–but your brain still has to get used to it. If you are depressed, you are willing to do this to get your life back. But taking it for a couple of days or weeks, stopping, and you have to stay home? Suck it up, and work through the pain, fog, nausea or whatever until your next appointment when you try a different drug. Drink caffeine. Take nausea medicine, go for a walk. Remember why you started down this path–it’s not because you have a stubbed toe.
Hi all. I’m 26 years old, and was on Lexapro (different name where I live) 15 mg for 8 months due to mild reactive depression. It really helped me out in the most difficult moment so far in my life. Since then I had a lot of therapy with a good psychologist, I felt much better and 2 months ago I decided to stop taking the medication. I did 2 months of tapering (1 month on 10 mg, 1 month on 5 mg), and ten days ago I quit – following the schedule planned with my shrink.
Side effects during the treatment were anxiety (which fortunately lasted shortly), extreme tiredness, hands shaking, weight gain (around 10 kg), delayed and pleasure-less orgasms, dizziness, tachycardia, absence of feelings (but that was OK because I was surrounded by suffering and I couldn’t really deal with it). Symptoms during tapering and after quitting included: super annoying restless legs during night which gave me problems in falling asleep, vivid and creepy dreams, headaches, strong dizziness (almost like balance problems), mood swings, anger and irritability with no reason (like having PMS 24/7).
However, there were also good news: I started losing weight (which I really needed) with no effort, I have much more energy and even if I don’t sleep much it’s OK because with the meds I used to sleep around 12 hours per night. And most importantly, my orgasms are just back to normal, which is so so great. About the mood swings and the fact that I burst into tears for kind of no reason (like reading love letters on journals – my god).
My shrink says it’s normal, life is full of emotions and I just have to learn back how to live them but also keeping them under control. Its been harder than I thought, but not unbearable: I know I have been lucky. Thank you for reading my experience, I send a big hug to all those in the same situation. Be strong, and don’t feel lonely: we’re all in the same boat!
I was on 20mg of Lexapro for approximately 15 years and on Cipramil for about 5 years prior to that. I recently questioned myself on the need for me to continue with the Lexapro after being on it for such a long time, and I also read that after the age of 60 (I’m 61) the dose should be no more than 10mg. I also believe that in the early days my depression was situational and that, 20 years on, my ‘situation’ has changed dramatically for the better.
Even though I visit my doctor regularly, she has never queried my continued use of Lexapro (and I’ve never queried it), other than to offer me a new script so, instead of consulting with her, I decided to wean myself off gradually over 3 months. I used to get brain zaps every afternoon even when taking the medication, however their frequency and intensity upon withdrawal was something else. Fortunately, 5 weeks after taking my last tablet, they have subsided a lot and I only experience the odd weak one from time to time.
Other symptoms which I have that I attribute to withdrawal are: nausea (gets worse as the day wears on), loss of appetite (unheard of for me), anxiety, restlessness (especially in legs in bed at night resulting in insomnia), spaced out feeling, feeling very emotional (crying at slightest thing), feelings of dread, shakiness, tiredness and feeling unmotivated. I have a friend who has successfully weaned herself of Lexapro and she said that it took a good 8 to 9 months until her withdrawal symptoms had completely subsided.
She has lost a lot of weight which she believes is due to stopping the medication as she says that she is now eating more than ever and the weight is still dropping off after all this time. So I know that I have to be patient and I believe it will be for the best in the long run. After reading the experiences of others here on this Forum I realize that a lot of you are doing it tougher than me, so good luck and thank you for sharing.
I was on up to 60 mg of lexapro recently but mostly on 40mg for the last 15 years. The dumb doctor took me off the last 20mg cold turkey and my brain feels like it’s being zapped non stop. I want to yell and cry at everyone and I feel super nauseated. If this lasts as long as some of y’all claim I’ll never make it. I’m totally non functional.
I had been on 40 mg. Lexapro daily, for about 10 years. Suddenly, during my last med check, my doctor told me I had to go off because I’m over 60 years of age and warnings to physicians say that dose and my age can cause heart Arrhythmia. He gave me a plan to taper off over a month’s time, then I was to start Effexor. I got to the end of the Lexapro taper-off and had barely started on Effexor. One day I woke up with severe nausea and vomiting. I spent the next 4 days, unable to eat or drink anything. That progressed to severe dehydration and erratic blood pressure.
I’m now 6 weeks past the first “draw-down.” I no longer have vomiting. Nausea happens several times a day. I stumble badly and have nearly fallen many times. I have so many of the withdrawal symptoms others have mentioned, I can hardly believe it. I am beginning to wonder if I’ll ever feel normal again. Like so many others on this website have said, if I had known how awful the discontinuation would be, I never would have taken Lexapro. I am unhappy with my Psychiatrist for not being more forthcoming with details of what might happen. Unless my depression becomes unbearable I will not take SSRI’s, ever again. The cure is almost worse than the disease!
I can’t BELIEVE you had to taper down that fast! Longer time would have made the side effects a non-issue. So sad the doctor is stuck on an age. I hope your new drug will be a good replacement, and will be thinking of you…T
I did my best to keep this as short as possible but my experience(s) with Lexapro withdrawal, and it’s cohorts over the past 7 years has been a hellish journey that upon reading might be of benefit to some coming here for help on this topic. I was always relatively normal emotionally. Heavier drinker, but manageable. Came to realize I had some underlying depression and drinking was my go to. Cut back, aged a bit and found some solace in my marriage, God & my 3y/o daughter.
Soon, wife was pregnant with our 2nd child and we lost our baby girl about a week before her due date. Anxiety, major depression and emotional chaos ensued and my drinking progressed. I couldn’t sleep out of fear God would take my girls from me and reality seemed too much to cope with for extended periods of time. Then I found legalized drug dealing in the form of a psychiatrist who was happy to make my problems subside with the following:
-10mg Lexapro for anxiety and depression
-Welbutrin for depression
Reality was now softer/number. Realized I could further avoid the uneasiness life often brings.
-Added Xanax
When life started to get real again
-Upped dose of Lex to 20mg and more welbutrin too
Now being awake was just dreamy. Things leveled out, but I couldn’t drink like I used to and I would blackout from drinking what would have only given me a mild hangover in the AM. One serious blackout nearly cost me my job right after being promoted, moving into a new home and now two children and one more on the way (surprising to me since Lexapro killed my mojo and kept me from finishing). This incident scared me straight for 10 months. I didn’t drink out of the uncanny fear that came along with losing it all.
5 years along the meds were less potent. I gradually drank a little here and there and then things started to get real again. One doctor suggested I try Vivanse for BP Disorder. I didn’t drink because I couldn’t function enough to lift a glass to my drooling mouth. My wife was hopeful, supportive and patient. While I got off that horrible stuff. Back on Lex/Wel b and….perhaps I’m ADD? How about some Adderall?
So for about a year my day looked like this:
7am -1pm: Lance Armstrong
1pm -3pm: Elmer Fudd
3pm-5pm: Sleeping beauty
5pm-9pm: Kim Jong Il
10pm-1am: Just a tired, restless, selfish, lazy jerk
I never got what I was looking for no matter what I took, when I took it or how consistently I tried. Self medication was what I knew best and the ability to feel and sense the world around me while experimenting being off the Lexapro and WB, even with the withdrawals, and mood swings was preferred. Feeling real emotion again made me want to experience life that way again, but my underlying issues were still there waiting for me.
The love of my life I are now separated and I am not able to see my beautiful children every day like I used to. The very real emotion I feel most often each day is utter heartache and sadness. I struggled with drinking, but became very active in a support group, spiritual growth and my relationship with God. I chose to go off of Lexapro and Wellbutrin. Adderall will come next, but I can’t afford to be off work right now. I pray every minute that I will one day have my family and my complete sanity back.
Everything you read about the withdrawals you’ve likely found to be what you’re experiencing. It sucks, but it will pass eventually. There is little mention of God or a higher power on these message boards which is in itself something to be pondered. This is not a forum for that, but I share my story with you because most of us made a decision to take drugs like Lexapro to alleviate one malady or another. And most of us came to this board because for whatever reason we didn’t like how we were feeling.
First when we went on it and now that we want off. I’m sure there are great success stories to be shared and I may have been one of them at another time, but I know now just how painfully horrible life can be. But I also know some mental anguish can be endured and conquered. When we become dependent upon anything other than a higher power, particularly when it’s our own will, we only compound or mask that pain. The Lexapro withdrawals will subside within weeks or a couple of months for most.
While that’s happening, talk about it with other people in a forum like this, pray to a higher power when it gets bad and be thankful to that higher power when it’s good. Read, watch TV, go bowling, spelunk… whatever you can bring yourself to do and… it will pass. If you’re hearing voices in your head, tell them to shut up. If you’re dizzy be careful not to fall. Brain zaps, insomnia, ugh. I just write really long posts on forums until 3 am and fall asleep at my computer. Good luck. God bless. I hope this helps someone out there.
Been on Lexapro for about 2 years. On the 10mg dosage. Stopped it cold turkey about 12 days ago. Experiencing tingling feelings, sleepiness. Worst of all is a weird sensation in my eyes; moving my eyes around makes my vision jerky and I seem to “hear” my eyes moving. Really freaky! I may have to go back on 1/2 dose and taper off over time, this really sucks.
Steve, I don’t know why you stopped your lexapro cold turkey, but that was a big mistake!! I am not in the medical profession but I have been on and off antidepressants for the past 15 years of my adult life. Lexapro was and is one of them. Though there is no perfect scientific proof as to what exactly it does do to your brain; but there are enough studies that point towards them stopping your natural production and activity of your own serotonin and other chemicals. When you stop cold turkey the serotonin and other chemical balances in your brain stop too.
Here is one illustrated way to look at it. You live in a small town with numerous back roads to get here and there. You’re happy you know nothing different and you function and travel that way. Consider that as the picture of the way your brain may naturally work. No problem for your brain it is used to that too. All the different little paths carrying our chemicals from here to there. Now think about this. The town decides that it takes too long on those small roads and more cars could fit and go faster if we put in an interstate high way.
Consider that as your new antidepressants – an interstate for your chemicals. So when the new interstates go into towns less travel goes on the old roads and some are no more traveled. Those roads are no longer cared for and grow up with weeds and rubble causing cars to no longer travel them. Consider that as the way your brain has become since the use of antidepressants. When you stop cold turkey it is like the town putting in an interstate and ten years later ripping it before fixing the the old roads and leaving the town stranded or taking too long to get to their destination on the old roads.
If they were to decide to take out the newer interstate they would first have to begin to repair the old roads and let traffic use it a little at a time to get it used to the travel that way again. When everything is running smoothly on those roads and everyone knows they are being used again they can begin to slowly take down the interstate. Kind of a long story but that it sort of how it works. Your brain can not function productively on its own any more. You ripped out the interstate without setting up the old roads.
You need to call your doctor to find out how to get back on your lexapro at the full dose most likely and stay there for a couple of months to stabilize. Then you and your doctor can create a weaning plan if you want off. From past experience it will take you a minimum of 100 days if you do a 1 milligram reduction every ten days. That is still rushing it a little and you will have some withdrawal symptoms, but it will be a lot better than the cold turkey or rushing the weaning process. Hope this helps.
Wow! and I thought meth was tough to kick! Child’s play compared to lexapro. It worked well for me as an antidepressant. Unfortunately, I came across a circumstance that has had me off of it cold turkey for 7 days now (@20mg, but was up to 40 at one point) day 1 and 2 I didn’t notice anything. right now I am having trouble typing this, headaches (bad), Foggy like pea soup “foggy,” shaky limbs, shortness of breath, high pulse (I haven’t had so much energy since I started on this stuff – sucks. I’m too whacked to do anything productive), and scariest of all is my eyes are bloodshot, and I’m having some minor issues with bloody-nose-globs.
I think I remembered that I’m also having some memory issues, and decreased appetite. some occasional visual effects I cant help but notice don’t exist. Generally I gotta say, right now I really miss my meth withdrawal, LOL that was way easier than this. Guess I should have listened to my social worker when she warned me about this withdrawal issue. I guess I didn’t realize how hard a drug this little pill really is. BEEF! – that was almost 20 minutes worth of my life to write that. It works well, but beware!!
Hello everyone. Thank you all for sharing your experience with me in regarding going cold turkey on lexapro. The main reason why my doctor suggested me to take lexapro was because I tried to commit suicide by locking myself inside my car in a very hot weather and I passed out inside until someone saw me and called 911 and they took me to the hospital. The paramedics found my suicide note in my car and the hospital want me to admit myself to a psych ward for at least 10 days and if I refuse then I will have to stay for 30 days or more.
It left me no choice. The reason why I did it because my wife wants a divorce right out of the blue after 15 years of marriage even though I still love her very much and we have four beautiful handsome boys. She fell in love with another woman and she lied to the court stating that I have abused her and wanted a restraining order against me and force me to leave my home and become homeless, so her girlfriend can move in with her. I really felt like I am in a twilight zone. I was lost until my family member took me in to recuperate.
The doctor told me that he suggested me to take lexapro so I would not feel depressed and feeling the anxiety. I took 10 mg of lexapro and it’s been two years now. My wife and her girlfriend and my children has moved and she feels that I am taking medication because it can endanger my children and she wanted to “protect” them. I haven’t seen my boys and I do not know where they are now. The last I heard was someone told me they are in Canada. My wife did not ask for child support, nothing.
I have moved on, and I have a job and I work like 6 days a week. I do not have much of my social life at all because lexapro has made me lose interest in sex. I haven’t been with anyone since my wife. I wanted to move on because I feel the medication is giving me a clay like bowel movement, gained weight and sleep too much. I wanted to have a life and the reason why I wanted to get off lexapro is because I wanted to start the weight loss program and also detox my body and start living a healthy lifestyle.
I got to admit that I really love sex, but the medication is making me lose interest in it and I hated it. I stopped taking them a week ago, and my only symptoms are brain zaps and feeling lazy. I had hard time going to sleep but I work night shift like 5 pm to midnight and by the time I get home I don’t feel tired until like 3 to 4 hours later then slept for 9 to 10 hours. Maybe it’s a normal thing? I am not sure. I really miss having a nice glass of wine because u can’t drink alcohol with it. I wanted to change myself so I can be myself for who I am. I wish you all the luck going cold turkey and all I can say is wishing you the best of luck.
I was on Lexapro different levels for 3 years. I tried different methods on quitting including switching to Paxil. I’ve been off of both for 5 years now. At first I experienced most of the withdrawals listed. It was painful, the brain zaps and blood rush was the worse. No joke, 5 years later and I still experience the anxiety, brain zaps, blood rushes, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia. These are not as frequent, maybe once or twice a month. I’m 43 years old. I envy those that have not had the withdrawals, you have no idea what we go through. Sometimes I think the side effects of the drug are better to deal with than the withdrawals.
I was prescribed Lexapro fir severe panic disorder several years ago. It helped me so much for a couple years. Unfortunately, I began having the most severe panic attacks of my life. I would wake up in a full blown panic and have no idea who I was. It was horrifying. I made the decision to stop taking Lexapro. I began taking smaller doses every week at a pretty relaxed pace to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Did. Not. Work.
I cut down on the meds for a little over a month and was feeling pretty alright once I was on 5 mg ( I had been taking 20 for 5 years). I got a bad sinus infection and blamed my symptoms on that initially, except it had been a month and I felt worse everyday. Strong brain zaps, dizziness, stomach aches all of the time, horrible mood swings, thoughts of suicide, you name it. I feel completely defeated. I had to take 10 mg again today because I it is too much for me to handle right now. I hope I can eventually stop taking it.
I feel like I’m going through hell, it’s been not even two weeks and I was only on 5mg. All day I feel dizzy, sick with no energy and headaches. It’s becoming unbearable, every day feels like a marathon I just want to my body to feel normal again. Mentally I’m fine except when I feel just overhwelmed by feeling so crappy all the damn time. I’m scared there’s no end in sight.
I am 28 years old and went on lexapro 20mg for 2 years. I have gradually reduced the dosage and quit approximately 10 days ago. I’m still feeling dizziness and nausea. But the worst symptom is the rebound depression. Sometimes I just want to disappear. I haven’t given up yet because I believe that after a while it will be worth it.
I took lexapro for 6 years 10mg. I stopped cold turkey 2 weeks ago and I thought I was going crazy. Nightmares, nervousness, super tired. My biggest concern is my memory I feel like I cannot retain information, I forget things easily (even when I was taking lexapro) I am freaking out because I have to take my nursing examination for my license and I feel nothing is in my brain. Any suggestions, please!
Its been helpful to read everyone’s posts. I’m 3 weeks cold turkey after 5+ years of 20 mg. a day. I still have increased energy, fewer body aches and less brain foggy. The thing is, while on Lexapro I didn’t think I was foggy. Still have bouts of light headedness and extreme fatigue, and really vivid dreams. I have been more emotional, but I think that’s okay.
It’s not out of line, but rather appropriate to the circumstances. I’ve cried also. I remember once on Lexapro I almost fell down the stairs and I didn’t even get an adrenaline rush. I read an article on the web recently about how a large percentage of women are on SSRI’s. I think Lexapro played an important role for me initially and for a while after that.
What I’m hoping now, is that since the reasons for the prescription no longer exist and I have developed behaviors to respond to situations that used to send me into a panic, that getting off of it is the best for me. I still think it’s crazy that this decision was forced on me by an insurance company and not a doctor, but that’s a whole different topic! Good luck to everyone, I’ll check back in a couple weeks to post how I’m doing.
I’ve been tapering off Lexapro since December and doing really well until the end of last week when I began having anxiety, nausea and feeling light headed along with head pressure. I had just started an antibiotic and thought it was the cause and, in fact reading the side effects of the antibiotic convinced me and I discontinued it after only three doses. I assumed it wouldn’t take long for my system to clear the antibiotic so I was surprised on Monday I felt no better.
Today, (Tuesday) I’m a smidgen better but the brain fogginess is still evident, nauseous, dizzy and not sure footed. At last a light went on this morning and I decided the taper has reached a low enough dose that withdrawal has arrived. I’ve been on 10 mg of Lex for approx 12 years and while it helped for the situational depression the time to get off is way passed due. I have tried 3 times before but with what I’ve learned… now know I tapered too much, too quickly and was destined to fail.
This time I’m taking it much slower and dosing down approximately 10%. Because I take Lex pills and splitting isn’t an exact science I’m tapering as close to 10% weekly as possible. And, up until this last week it’s worked out fine. Currently my weekly dosage is 42.5 mg and I won’t reduce again until I’m totally adjusted to this dose. I’m due to reduce again April 1 to 35 mg weekly but I need to feel stable for at least three weeks before that happens and think I might just wait until May. I don’t mind if it adds a month or two to my schedule…I just want to succeed.
Good luck to everyone who is on this journey and sharing your experiences keep the rest of us on track. Thank you. P.S. BTW…I took a Dramamine today and it has relieved some of the dizziness and head pressure. Keep it in your arsenal to relieve withdrawal symptoms.
I am 60 years old and started 10 mg of Lexapro 12 years ago for PMDD – premenstrual dispahoric dysfuntion. Lexapro helped me through that peri and menopause time, and I continued to take it just out of habit. I recently spoke to my doctor about weaning myself from it, because although Lexapro deadens the lows, it also deadens the highs. I don’t think I’ve cried in 12 years. On his advice, I went from 10 mg to 5 mg for a month.
He said if I could tolerate that I could “let go.” I did, and it’s been almost three weeks now. I’m feeling pretty good: I do get the occasional headache, my dreams are all about anxieties, and I’ve barked at my husband more than once. But my sex drive is back, my appetite is down, and I’m feeling pretty darn good. No brain zaps, depression, no stomach ailments. The one odd thing I do notice though, is I do have times where I am feeling euphoric – almost in a manic state, where I’m hyper alert and really excited.
I am not bipolar and I was never on Lexapro for typical depression, so this is new to me. Although I don’t have the manic flip side – I go from euphoria to normal. I can live with that. It’s nice to have strong feelings again – even anger! And, I now tear up over commercials, happy moments, and sad events. I can’t imagine that after 12 years I am coming “down” this easily, and maybe it’s too early on for the serious withdrawal symptoms to start. Time will tell!
Sally, can you please update me on how it all went for you? Were you able to stay off of Lexapro?
I have been on antidepressants since 1995. I have tried them all. Zoloft (couldn’t cry if I wanted to), Wellbutrin, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, and Now lexapro for the past year or so. My prescription ran out and I didn’t make my appointment to see the doctor for a refill so I have been without it for two weeks. I guess I then quit cold turkey. Having night sweats but don’t know if that is withdrawal or Menopause.
I am having weird dreams and cannot sleep but again, don’ know if insomnia is because of withdrawal or Menopause. Can’t concentrate, dead tired all of the time. No brain zaps thank goodness and no tingling. I am moody and seems like just Mad all of the time. Anyone over the age of 50 experiencing withdrawals while going through menopause?
I am 47 and have been on Lexapro for 10 years only off during pregnancy. I went back on after pregnancy due to postpartum depression. I was originally given lexapro when diagnosed with debilitating chronic pain issues. I am not a great responder to narcotics, they make me feel awful. The lexapro took the edge of the anxiety from having pain.
I once traveled and left all my meds at home leaving me cold for 4 days. The depression and other emotions hit like a ton of bricks so I got right back on. Over all this time gained 45 lbs. I now have a good grip on how to manage and deal with the pain and wanted off the lexapro as I felt it was causing the weight gain. 10% decrease each week by crushing in 10 ml water and using a 10 ml dose syringe (oral sln).
I started perimenopause symptoms prior to tapering so thought that was it at first. I am now certain that what I feel is withdrawal. Night sweats, brain fog… I actually got lost on my way to a place I had been 2x before, even while using GPS. Horrible insomnia and occasional body zaps. That’s a bizarre sensation. I don’t have them in my head but various areas on my body and unexpectedly, usually at night.
My dr. gave me phentermine to help with weight loss but that is a whole mess of insomnia. Stopped that, may begin after completely off lex first. Metabolism seems shot but getting off the lex is priority one. Can’t tell if some of symptoms are menopause or withdrawal but I don’t care either way, just pushing through and hoping to feel better eventually.
I’m glad I found this site. Had I not, I would probably still be on this awful drug. I had no idea. My dr. Also said I could go off cold turkey. I don’t hold that against her. Doctors are not perfect. We have to make informed decisions and be proactive. It’s a catch 22 for patients and doctors. Do they have time to research every new drug?
No… but I have A LOT of time to research just this one. We have sat down and talked about a game plan which she is supportive of… MY plan BTW, not hers. She knows I’m intelligent and I need her MD. Next I’m working out the supplementation, nutrition, and diet. If anything focusing on this process keeps me occupied and my mind of the I’ll feelings of withdrawal.
I am married with an 8 yr old child and a demanding full time job… doing the best I can. Onward.
I was prescribed prozac in 1999 and just took my last dose 2 weeks ago. I tapered off 10 mg starting 6 months ago down to 2 mg at the end. Wow! Terrible side effects! Every one on the list was as bad as listed. I never received info concerning “end game” effects! I’m 67 years and always hard working mother of 3, fully functioning, and successful.
I’ve been on 10 mg Cipralex (now Lexapro) for about 7 years. Psychiatrist talked to me about coming off but I felt it would be good to stay on to keep the brain “balanced”. Turns out it was causing runs of heart palpitations that concerned me so the Cardiologist recommended I come off it. I had over the last year been taking it 10 mg every other day so I had already started the weaning process. I started with 5 mg every other day for two weeks then every three days for two weeks.
By sheer forgetfulness I ended up off it completely a little over a week ago. The withdrawal symptoms have been so bad the last few days. I can’t sleep, get dizzy, lightheaded. I feel like when I turn my head my brain is spinning in my skull. Feel nauseated during the middle of the day. The side effects really only last from about 10 am to 4 pm (sometimes just a couple of hours, sometimes the full 10-4). The good news is I have more energy, feel like myself more and am actually able to have real emotions. The withdrawal symptoms are just causing some feelings of malaise.
I’m trying acupuncture tonight for it. My doctor is pretty good at helping any kind of illness with acupuncture. I’ll also try the vitamin mixture too. I’m just wanting this feeling of my brain being crazy to go away. I had tried the magnesium for sleep aid and it did work. I’ve got Vit D and E at home as well as a multivitamin. Hopefully all of that will help reduce the seriousness of the side effects. Or the amount of time per day I feel like crap.
Two days after the vitamins and acupuncture I’m feeling a bit better. Well, compared to how I felt Friday, I’m about 75% better. I did the acupuncture for it and the doc did the needles for nausea, sleep issues, and headaches (forearms, back, neck, top of the head). She agreed with the vitamin mixture. I started Saturday taking one niacin, vit e, vit d, b complex, multivitamin and an omega 3 (6-9 was on the bottle). I added the Magnesium at night as it helps with sleep. Sunday I felt immensely better. I was able to function for most of the day and sleep well.
My headache came back at night (had been bad late afternoon-evening on Saturday) and the dizziness was not as bad as it had been Friday. No nausea at all. Today still better. My head still has the “shocks” in it and it feels off balance when I turn my head. The pain behind my eyes is gone though which was another good thing. I have another acupuncture appointment tonight and then again Wednesday. Of course this is just my results and my body. I was down to 5 mg for several weeks. I’m hoping that I’m feeling much better next week after this vitamin mix and the acupuncture has been ongoing for a week.
This is my first full week off of Lexapro and really interesting. From some searching found out that the medication is out of my body after 4.5 days (half lives and all that.) I realize I’m early in the withdrawal process but so far, so good. No brain zaps, just an occasional internal warm feeling. Some lightheadedness, but I had that while taking the meds, so, no big difference. Fatigue, yes, there have been times I felt I would fall down if I didn’t lay down. Luckily I’m self-employed and work from home so I can take naps if needed.
The biggest thing, and this has made it all worth it, are the majority of joint aches and pains that I attributed to osteoarthritis, are gone. It’s just incredible. My body doesn’t hurt and movement is so easy and painless. My mood hasn’t changed and I’m conscious about not talking myself into side effects if they don’t exist. But like I said, it’s early in the game. I’ll have to see how it unfolds.
I too have been suffering with a lot of pain that my Dr says is osteoarthritis! I’m wanting off the lexapro because of fatigue and brain fog. I’ve been on half dose of 5mg for 4 days. Was wondering how you’re doing? My brain fog has already lifted a lot. I’m considering just staying at this dose if I can get the weight to come off.
I’ve been on 20 mg. Lexapro for 7 years when I got diagnosed with cancer. All well now, but kept on it because it made life easier. I wasn’t so nervous all the time. I’m currently have health coverage through the ACA and just recently changed plans. My new prescription plan has forced me to go cold turkey. They refilled all my scripts from my former PCP except Lexapro. Old provider won’t respond to their requests for documentation and I don’t have a new provider yet.
Hence the cold turkey. So far it’s been three days and I’m doing pretty good but given everyone’s comments, I can’t imagine that lasting. I’m thinking I would like to see if I can live w/o the medication. My cancer is in remission, the stressful job is gone and my life is more calm, to a degree that life can be calm. What I’m wondering is what is happening in my body by getting off Lexapro? Can it chemically get back to the way it was before I started taking Lexapro? Thanks. -Laurie
I stopped taking Lexapro 20 MG 3 full weeks ago. I have thus far been able to avoid any of the above listed symptoms by using 5-HTP in it’s place. I tapered down my 20 mg tablet to cut it in 1/2 for 1 week. I then cut that in 1/2 for the following week. On Thursday of that last week, I took my last quarter pill. The next night (Friday) I took my 1st 5-HTP and haven’t looked back since. It’s nice to finally be free of the big parma drugs.
That’s great! How were you feeling on lexapro? I started to feel worse after 11 weeks so I want to come off it too, but I’m scared to loop out and lose my job and my boyfriend. I’ve already been crying depressed panic attacks this week just from messing around with my dose. Was feeling down on 10 mg so went up to 15mg for 4 days then got much worse. Back to 10 yesterday then 5 today. How much 5 HTP do you take? Thanks.
Started my 10% taper off 10 mg Lexapro in December and this month has gone smoothly. I haven’t had the usual dizziness, nausea or irritability that normally happens the third week of a new taper. This is a slow process but I’ve been on Lexapro 12 years and I’m determined to successfully get off this time. My previous attempts failed because I tapered too much, too quickly. Please everyone continue to post your experiences. And, good luck to all.
Great to find this website and thread! I have been on lexapro for approx 7 yrs with a couple of breaks. I have found it to be great for my (mild) anxiety, however the sexual dysfunction I experienced has been the biggest disappointment. I was toying with the idea of coming off it but then spoke to my GP who recommended I switch to Valdoxan, an SSRI with no side effect of sexual dysfunction.
She said to stop the lexapro outright and immediately commence the Valdoxan. I was dubious at first, but thought that as one SSRI was taking over from another it would be fine. But I have been experiencing vertigo and associated nausea, change in appetite, some headaches, feeling spaced out, neck and shoulder aches and some flu like symptoms. It has been 8 days now. I thought I was experiencing side effects of the new drug but since reading these posts have realized it is the Lexapro withdrawal.
I took lexapro for 3 months and I stopped for 4 days out of pure forgetfulness. I felt tired and slept a lot and was a bit irritable. But I started taking it again finally and I’m scatter-brained, I can’t sleep, and the anxiety is too much. I feel like I’m better off without it.
Well I am glad I found this post and reading all your feedback as I was so worried about my dizzy spells and severe headaches I was about to go to the emergency dept! After 7yrs on Lexapro 20mg I have now been weaning off it for the past 5 weeks, am now down to 2.5mg every 2 days but still suffering the withdrawals you are all experiencing. My plan is to move a day between half a pill every week. So next week will take 2.5mg every 3 days etc. Yep it’s a terrible experience and was well and truly hooked. Perseverance will see us all off these sh*tty little pills.
Took lexapro for about 2 years, before that was on bupropion for 3 years. I decided it was time to venture into life med-free. About 2 months ago I started tapering off, and 2 weeks ago was my final dose. The withdrawal symptoms have been getting worse the last few days – nausea, no appetite, dizziness, “brain-zaps”… And I’ve lost 10 lbs in a very short period of time. I’m already a very petite person so 10 lbs is very shocking. Feeling very sensitive, I indulged in an hours-long crying spell yesterday – something I haven’t felt the need for in years. Just feeling a bit stripped down and raw. I really hope it ends soon. Hard to stay strong and positive when no part of myself is feeling strong physically or emotionally.
Laudel, this sounds a lot like what others have gone through. As I am almost over the worst of it after more than 2 months off after a slow taper, it is easy to be optimistic. It does get better, I promise. And the only common denominator for all of us is that each experience and misery are different. There were days when I thought I might die from the misery. Still have bad days, but they get further and further apart. Please hang in there.
Hi Mimi, I find your posts to be very helpful. I just wanted to ask: when you decided to wean yourself off Lexapro, were you fine while you were on them? The reason I ask is because I weaned myself off Cipralex which is escitalopram (so basically the same as Lexapro) and quit because I’d been feeling awful on them for my last year (out of 4 years on them). Thanks. -Baret
I recently went cold turkey on Lexapro, I have been on it since May of 2014. I was prescribed the drug right before I got divorced (whole separate issue, I got set up!) Two weeks ago I made the decision to quit taking it and everything was fine up until this week. My whole mood has gone from upbeat to gloomy, it’s like I don’t care what happens now, I’m having drastic appetite swings, and shaking a lot. I really want to stay off of Lexapro but scared that I’m doing more damage to myself by not staying on it. :(
Dear All, I started out on 20mg of the SSRI drug Cipralex (escitalopram) almost 4 years ago. I had systemic intestinal candidiasis which causes a whole host of mental problems due to the effect it has on the gut and nervous system. Recently, after taking new tests (and a whole host of supplements to combat the infection), it became obvious that the infection has long since been cured and that my ongoing intestinal and mental issues are probably because of the escitalopram.
I’ve been reducing my meds by 5mg at a time every 2-3 months. I have now been off the meds for 2 weeks. I still have gut issues and have experienced eye floaters, anxiety, depression, burning/freezing sensations on the skin, the occasional UFO sounds in my inner ear and swelling emotions. I am thankful that I found this site and read that it is normal to have such effects for months. I will keep you informed on my progress. I will say this: I don’t care what the effects are or will continue to be – there is no way I am getting back on meds. Good luck all and I will post again.
About 7 weeks off Lexapro… Brain zaps and visual disturbances along with worst of H/A mostly gone, but still having multiple withdrawal symptoms. I am very quick to anger, particularly my spouse. But maybe he deserves it. He is part of the reason I was having A and D in the first place. Also periods of depression, last night had a panic attack but finally overcame it. (I have Xanax if I really need it). I knew what it was and that I want to recover to a state that does not require drugs to function, but I will use the Xanax if necessary.
I am considering a divorce as I have eliminated all the other sources of stress from my life, and I feel like maybe this is the final step. It is a long, lonely and sad story that should have ended long ago. My fault for being so dependent. My message to you all is to hang in there and realize that this is a long and very uncomfortable journey but that it will get better. It won’t solve all your problems. You have to find the courage to do that, but the withdrawal symptoms subside and you can then decide what your next step will be.
Don’t give up. I hope 1 more month will be the magic date, but who knows. Please everyone, make it known to your doctor, therapist, friends, but most importantly the drug company, about your experience with this drug. You can find info on line about reporting adverse drug reactions. You might just save someone else from the hell that we have all gone through. God Bless you all and much courage. Know that I pray for you all daily. I would not have made it without you guys.
Interesting that you mention anger at your husband and divorce. It’s been almost three months since I stopped (weaned) the 10 mg of Lexapro that I had been taking for 12 years – and I’m a total nag to my husband. I don’t know if it’s the Lexapro or just how I really feel! Everything he does irritates me, and I too have thought of divorce. I don’t know what to trust of my feelings so I am going to hang in awhile and see what shakes out at about the 6 month post-withdrawal mark. He is not the reason I started taking it.
Well I’ve been up since 3.30 am today started cleaning at 5.30 am. I just refuse to give in to these wammies I have. Nice clean house but now I’m really tired. I try to occupy myself . I’ve been taking 5HTP and I’m finding it very useful. My naturopath wants to now change me to B3 as she has said it balances brain chemicals to stop real weird dissociation moments I have. I can be having a conversation with my husband (who’s my rock) and just stop half way through and forget what we were talking about.
He laughs at me and with me which does help me. I find I paint a lot to distract me to which also helps me. Stay with it. I’m sure we can only get better. This fight has given me the strength to keep going. I’m sure doctors do know the side effects and it’s probably why they would never use the tabs themselves. They just live off of the kickbacks. Have a good day everyone.