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Lexapro Withdrawal Symptoms: How Long Do They Last?

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.

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703 thoughts on “Lexapro Withdrawal Symptoms: How Long Do They Last?”

  1. I was prescribed Lexapro for the panic and agoraphobia that followed my thyroid removal. I’ve been on it for about 10 years. Recently, I became aware that I had no joy. I wasn’t unhappy. I just didn’t have fun. No fun. No joy. Nothing like that. A psych nurse tried to switch me to another anti-depressant and one day I realized I was actually PUNCHING my beloved dog.

    So much for that. I stopped the new drug. I stopped Lexapro. These drugs are dangerous, I think. Now I am in withdrawal and it ain’t pretty all the time. Anger, hyper panic, hostility, impatience. ALONG WITH COLOR. Suddenly I notice colors. I love them. I notice I like my living room.

    Why… I thought I hated everything about my house. But, surprise, I like my living room. But suddenly I realize it needs a touch of blue. I find a vase and a pillow. I love how they look. I love my living room. And I am a tad twisted coming off of Lexapro. But somehow, I suddenly see color. What is up with that?

    Oh yeah. I am also dizzy and nauseous. All the time. But I find that cold air helps. Going out of the house helps. I try not to breathe too loudly. But it helps.

    Reply
  2. I been on 20mg of Lexapro for 7 years. I tried to stop about 4 years ago cold turkey and experienced the worst of all withdrawals symptoms listed and described above. I caved an took another pill and have continued. I never felt like it aided to my quality of life and I have always felt victim to a pill ever since.

    Well last week, I decided I was “done”. I quit cold turkey once again and refusing to get on another “pill” to get off of this one. I am experiencing all of the symptoms, mood swings, zapping, nausea, eye floating ,irritability, headaches, fogginess… I will fight this. I have been drinking red wine at night and taking lots of vits and supplements.

    I have 4 kids – young – and I have told them we will do it together. Time and Patience. One day at a time. Rest when I need. Pray when I can’t take it. One moment, one withdrawal, one memory – without a pill. We will win.

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  3. I just wanted to thank everyone for sharing their experiences. I was on this a couple years and just been off it completely for about 2 weeks. The first week and a half I felt amazing. No more brain fog, I was actually feeling rested after sleeping at night, and way more energy. BUT, the last couple days the dizziness has hit me like a mac truck. Really bad today, to the point I thought I might pass out. I’m a little quicker to anger and more moody, but it’s nice to have feelings again. ;) Thanks for showing me the light at the end of the tunnel y’all. Bless you xoxo

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  4. I was prescribed Lexapro 10 mg as an adjunct to Bupropion, which had stopped working for my depression. I found it to be a very effective antidepressant with an unusally fast onset of action: I felt better in less than a week. It made me feel dizzy for a week or to, but that effect wore off in a week or two.

    The continuing side effects were what made me quit after 6 months:
    1) The sexual side effects were terrible: erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia. Taking Bupropion is supposed to mitigate these effects, but not in my case.
    2) Night sweats that literally soaked the sheets.
    3) Constant diarrhea for months.

    The initial withdrawal symptoms were what I expected: despite tapering off, I felt dangerously angry and had the classic electric shock sensations. I was not prepared for the long period of crippling fatigue that followed the cessation of the other symptoms. This lasted well over a month and my psychiatrist said that this was not normal, so I am now taking Adderall, which has helped a lot.

    This is a very powerful medication: I was taking a low dose for a relatively short period and I have been dealing with the withdrawal effects for months. Lexapro can be very effective for depression, however, I strongly suggest that others consider the pros and cons before trying it.

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  5. I have spent the last month tapering down from 30mg to 10, but I have brain zaps all day everyday when I try to go down from 10 mg. I don’t know what to do!

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  6. I have been on Lexapro for quite some time. Probably around 8 years. I tried coming off it about 3 years ago and I lasted two weeks. I was so angry and upset. I was having a lot of other problems in my life at the time, it just wasn’t good timing. I have bipolar 2 disorder, been diagnosed for ten years. I have also had substance abuse problems. I am now clean and sober, and my life is very steady.

    I only take 20mg of Lexapro and 50mg of Seroquel. I have always thought that I would like to get off medication one day and manage my life drug free.
    I have been thinking that this time of my life is a good time to do it. The only thing is that I intend to start studying in March next year. Reading this info I am wondering if now is really a good time… Its really daunting to think how much time it could take to level out.

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  7. I started on a dose of 5mg three days ago, I feel a lack of energy and a dry mouth all of the time. I took this medication for premature ejaculation, and even after day one it has worked. WOW. Reading these comments has made me question if it is worth it. I don’t think I will ever increase above 5 mg. Does the dry mouth and lack of energy ever go away?

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  8. I have taken Lexapro for a month now and after 2 weeks of withdrawal due to me moving and losing my meds I feel like a total zombie. My symptoms had me thinking I was pregnant. I can’t think because my head hurts. I can’t eat because my stomach hurts. I can’t sleep because of my panic attacks and I’m just tired. None of my family understands how I’m feeling which is pissing me off as well because it’s not a “big deal” to them. What can I do about my head and stomach. Please someone help me!

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  9. I was on 10 mg of Lexapro for 3 yrs. I have been on 20 for a little over a year. Due to a lapse in health insurance I am on about week 2 of no meds. This drug worked wonders for me. I was put on it because I was plagued w anxious thoughts that I could not shut down. I am very anti drug. I did everything in my power with no success before I finally cried uncle. I would lay in bed at night and create scenarios in my head and then emotionally respond to them as if they were actually occurring.

    It was God awful! So now without the meds I’m back to nurturing anxious thoughts and what’s really concerning me is the dizziness. After reading many of your comments I’m wondering if I want to go back on this drug. Insurance should be squared away some time in the next week. Not sure if I should push thru this withdrawal and accept that part of being me is over thinking or run and get my refill ASAP.

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  10. Hi everyone. I took Lexapro during the time of my fathers death. Started out on 10MG and increased to 20mg for a total of almost 4 months. With my DR, I slowly tapered off. I noticed it made me super tried when on it. The first week off, I felt great! The 2nd week, so tired I can’t keep my eyes open, emotional and the worst is lightheaded and dizzy sitting or walking.

    My DR said if it was from the withdrawals, it would have been the first week. I have never taken anything like this before. Am I crazy, or is it from the withdrawals?! I don’t agree with my DR. on this one. Yes, I tapered off however everything I have is a listed symptom with withdrawals. Opinions anyone?!

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    • Dear Christine, I’m a Belgian citizen who used lexapro (sipralexa) – 10 mg – for one year. I wanted to quit and took the last pill the 20th off September. I also slowly tapered off. Now, almost 2 months later, I still feel withdrawals from it: tired during the day, light in my head, sometimes pain all over my body… How are you doing from the moment? Did the withdrawals stop? Regards.

      Reply
    • I am having the exact experience! Week 1 off these after tapering down and I felt great. Now week 2-3 the dizziness is almost unbearable. I thought I’d pass out today. I don’t know how old your post is, but would love to know how you’re feeling now. :)

      Reply
  11. I am glad to have read this and the many comments. I have been taking Cipralex for nearly eight years, before that Paxil. I had never experienced withdrawal symptoms like this before. Thank you to those who have shared. I was afraid that I might be having mild seizures these ‘zaps’ are alarming, and the dizziness that accompanies it didn’t help. Here is what has helped: taking frequent breaks.

    I have three young children and the sudden stress I’ve been experiencing has made me short tempered. I have also spoke to my husband, shown him this article, and he is more than willing to cover for those moments when I need a little time out. I know it will take time to adjust to living without this medication, thankfully the withdrawals are temporary.

    I have been keeping cool. Heat makes the zaps and dizziness worse, even now I have a fan on me. And reducing TV and internet use helps with the headaches.

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  12. I was prescribed Escitalopram back in April of this year. I’ve taken it in the past with good results, however this time, I suffered the entire time. My PCP kept trying to get me up to the once therapeutic dosage of 40 mg (worked years ago), so I stayed on it until I reached it. Throughout the whole process, I was sick, brain foggy, not myself, mood swings, and personality changes. I’ve never had a mental illness either except for manageable anxiety; some panic.

    I decided to quit this PCP and went to a psychiatrist for the first time in my life who prescribed Buspar and wanted to lower my Escitalopram to 10mg so I went with it. I felt a little clearer but had fast heart rate and elevated bp so stopped it. He also stopped by Escitalopram, “Try going off of it for a week”. This was in response to continued tearfulness and not feeling myself. This psych didn’t monitor me well; wouldn’t allow me to correspond with him to note any problems so I found a new PCP who appears to be good.

    He’s been monitoring me and the fact that I’ve now been off the Escitalopram for one week. He agreed that I should have been titrated off of it slowly. I’m still experiencing what I did while taking the med which I think is unusual; brain fog/dp/dr, mood swings, irritability, heightened anxiety…just not myself at all. I took the Escitalopram a total of three months so I’m wondering how long I should experience withdrawal and why, I felt the same way while on the med as I do off…most horrific experience of my life.

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  13. I’ve been taking Lexapro for 12 or 13 years and was just diagnosed with Narcolepsy, since Lexapro causes drowsiness, my doc obviously wants me to stop taking it. I have been having all of the symptoms listed, but my ears ring like CRAZY! In addition to withdrawal from Lex I started taking Wellbutrin, so I’m not sure which symptoms are from the Wellbutrin or Lex.

    I was on 20 mg, tried to drop to 10 right away but couldn’t work from the dizziness and the brain zaps… which were the worst. I’ve been taking 15 mg for about 12 days now, and have been able to work, but I don’t know when I should try to cut it down again. I thought maybe I would wait until the symptoms go away, but it sounds like that could take months or years.

    Anyone have any suggestions? I’m starting to think I should take a leave of absence from work and drop the dose every week until I’m off. I’m not worried about the depression because the Wellbutrin is working just fine.

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  14. I have not started my Lexapro detox because I came off of 7 years of .50 Klonopin just 4 months ago and just quit pot a week ago. I had no problems with the klonopin detox, but believe it or not, I had anxiety/insomnia/nausea from pot. My question is: when I start my detox in a month or so, is there a schedule on how to detox from 10 mg -4 years successfully. I would appreciate that. I am totally scared to do this!

    Reply
    • I’m not sure about the Lexapro detox but I’m curious about how you were able to get off Klonopin? I’ve been on it now for five months and worry about addiction to it. I’ve heard it’s difficult to stop. I worry too that since I’m not recovered yet from the lexapro withdrawal, now might not be the time to try to get off Klonopin. Congratulations on getting off of it… I’m sure you’ll do fine with the Lexapro as well.

      Reply
  15. I have been on lexapro for about 3-4 years and my GP upped my dose from 20mg to 30mg and now I am weaning down off the 30mg. I am on day 3 of 20mg and already had a massive anxiety attack that landed me in hospital, experiencing nausea, depression and insomnia. I have to do 7 days of 20mg, then 7 days of 10mg and 14 days of nothing. If this is what the 20mg withdrawal is I am dreading to think of the 10mg and nothing stages. If anyone else has any of the same withdrawal symptoms please help me as to how you are getting through them. Any help would be much appreciated.

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  16. I was feeling dizzy all the time when I stopped taking cipralex. So, I had to go through a VERY gradual decrease of dosage over time. From a 5 mg pill, I started taking 1/2 for 1 month, then 1/4 for one month, then 1/8 for one month, and finally 1/16 for one month. After completing stopping the medication, I felt dizzy for about 1 one week and then I was fine. The best feeling ever.

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  17. I have been on Escitalopram for two years and now I am tapering off. I bought a big 50ml syringe, the kind you use to inject flavor into a turkey. I use it to dilute the pills and discard part of the dose. I am reducing my dose by 10% every 3 weeks (10% of the remaining dose). So far, I went from 15mg to 10mg and my side-effects have been only two or three headaches behind my left eye and some mild dizziness when I move my sight from place to place. I plan to taper this way very slowly for some months until I get to zero to let my brain adjust and avoid major withdrawal symptoms.

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  18. I have been weaning off Lexapro for 6 weeks and the past couple days I have felt lightheaded, off balance and I’m so out of it I feel like I could pass out sometimes. If it doesn’t get better I still may go to the doctor and make sure something else isn’t going on. I’m hoping this feeling I am having is just withdrawal symptoms.

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  19. I was on Lexapro for about 2 years, 10 mg. I wanted to get off because I no longer feel it is working. I have no sexual drive anymore and had gained about 20 lb. After 2 weeks of taking a reduced dosage of 5 mg I just took my last pill. In the past 2 weeks I have experienced such dizziness that I fell down my front steps and hit my head, bruising my whole body. I also am experiencing nausea and intestinal discomfort. I wish I could fast forward a few months and feel like myself again.

    Reply
  20. I don’t recall when I last posted but still taking 5 mg of Lexapro and while not feeling 100%… will not increase the dose. After taking the long taper from 10 to 5 mg I’ve still not lost one pound… now know you must be totally off to experience weight loss. What a disappointment!!!! Wanting to start another taper but not sure my family is up to the anger and irritability I went through before and they certainly need to be considered. Sadly the process of tapering affects every family member. Please keep posting progress and how you managed symptoms. Peace be with everyone on this journey.

    Reply
  21. I took just two doses of Lexapro 10mg earlier this week and it completely killed my sex drive. I stopped taking it ‘cold turkey’. How long does it take to recover your sex drive after you stop taking this stuff?

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  22. Update #2: I’m still slowly tapering. I did my three months at 9mg, started to feel great towards the end and so encouraged, started my three months at 8mg. If you haven’t read my previous posts I am taking a compounded Cipralex in capsules. I have an amazing doctor and am going down 1mg every three months. 8mg has been difficult.

    Upset stomach, memory loss, and panic attacks. I put things down and forget them. I was on vacation and had a day of such bad anxiety I spent most of it in the bathroom. I am seriously tempted to go back to 9mg, but then the last two months would be wasted… I have decided that I am not yet ready for 7mg which was my plan. I have to function as a mother and at work. I can’t be debilitated by anxiety – that’s what got me on this medication to start with.

    I will stay on 8mg for another 3 months. I am still taking 2400mg of Omega 3-6-9 and 2000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily. No weight loss.

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  23. Glad I found this site or I would continue thinking I had MS or another brain disease! I was on Lex for 3 yrs. 15 mg tops. Most of the time I was on 10 mg. I did a fast wean/almost cold turkey from 10mg a year ago and it ended badly. Back on it again. 5-10mg. I slowly weaned off for a cpl months down to 2.5 mg every other day for 2 wks. I’m on week 6 off Lex. The worst of the symptoms for me is depersonalization and detachment.

    It’s absolute hell. Also have some dizziness, off balance, muscle weakness. After 4 wks I started getting no appetite, lost some weight and lethargic. This is very very very hard. I am about ready to turn myself in. But after reading, I know I have to wait longer. I barely recognize myself in the mirror. It’s pure horror. I see a Naturopathic Dr and I’m taking L-theanine, B Complex, D3, lots of Vit C, Zinc, Magnesium.

    I still take a half of a klonopin a day. I am constantly worried that I will be stuck like this. I use to be SO energetic. I was a triathlete and runner and super motivated person. I went on Lex b/c of severe anxiety from a Lyme Disease diagnosis in 2012. I do wish I never went on it. But I cannot think of that now. What’s done is done. Do ppl really make it out of the withdrawal symptoms!?!?

    Our brains must somehow make it back to homeostasis eventually. This is so mentally exhausting! I consider myself to be a tough person. But this is way too much. I’m going to keep going. I have no choice. Never again will I touch Lexapro. Thank you to everyone on this site and I pray for recovery for all of us.

    Oh! I forgot to mention the Anger and crying spells! Ugh Started after week 4. I am a very hard person to be around at this point!

    Reply
  24. I tapered off from 20mg lexapro – after 10 years – over the course of 10+ months. I went “free” on US Independence Day (July 4th). Still on 300mg Wellbutrin tho. I am taking supplements (B-complex, omega 3, magnesium & an A, C + E combo) intermittently. Also taking ginkgo for brain fog. Somehow I am getting things done, despite brain zaps & feeling overwhelmed.

    Worst problem so far has been the anger/irritability. I have tried to cut down before (4-5 times) so I am aware of how I’m acting. It is what always made me go back to full dose. I am trying to tell myself – lighten up, whatever is bothering me is not important, doesn’t matter. Remind myself to “not engage” with the situation. Also trying to read “positive thinking” material in the morning for at least a few minutes.

    I am not naive about how withdrawal works – I’ve failed before. So am trying everything I know. Even if it seems silly on the surface. It helps me slow down the nervous energy to sit still & read. I might be better off exercising the energy away, but not there yet. Doing what I can to push thru. Just like the rest of us. Helps to know I’m not alone.

    Reply
  25. Wow. I am SO glad I found this information. I thought I was loosing my mind. I have been on Lexapro since I was in 7th grade (almost 8 years ago) and I decided I had enough after dealing with side effects such as anxiety. I weaned off about a month ago now and I feel as though I am on auto-pilot in someone else’s body.

    I’ve had some instances where I was almost willing to go back on the drug, just to see if I felt normal again. But reading this information has given me strength to press on. It also gives me hope to come out stronger on the other side. I have noticed that writing down my thoughts and recognizing what it is that I am feeling, has been very comforting to me. Thanks again for this post, and god bless you all in this process!

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  26. Without Lexapro I could not have survived an extremely difficult occurrence in my life, an event that is not normal and should not have happened. I’m grateful Lexapro was there to help me. After 3 years of taking it, I’ve weaned myself from 10 mg to 5 mg to 2.5 mg (a little tricky to cut) and now nothing for the last 5 days. I’ve experienced headaches, nausea, some confusion and dizziness.

    The dizziness being the worst side effect so far. It’s reassuring the read others experiences. Although I’m not feeling great physically at the moment, I’m pleased I had Lexapro to get me through a very hard time, I think I’m strong enough now to handle it, I hope so anyway. Good luck to everyone out there, stay strong.

    Reply
  27. I was on Lexapro for…4 years. I lost my prescription and my doctor wouldn’t give me another script until I filed a police report (yes, this is true) so I said screw it I’ll just quit taking it. It’s been almost a week and I’m going crazy. I’m dizzy all the time, I’m nauseous, my heart beat is really hard (it’s the only way I can describe it) and my migraines are horrible.

    I know it’s the best decision but these withdrawals are terrible. I have an almost 4 year old and I can’t even play with him or make him food. It kills me. I feel like a horrible mother. Everything is on his father and I cry everyday all day. I just need to know that this is going to get better.

    I need to get back to my life, I can’t lay in bed anymore. I’m an independent person and to be too sick to even take care of yourself is awful and humiliating.

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  28. Hey guys! This website helped me get through my withdrawal symptoms when I decided to stop taking Lexapro. I was diagnosed with Anxiety & OCD and was prescribed Lexapro. I was on it for 4 years until about 3 months ago. It took me 2 weeks until I started to feel better. Those 2 weeks were hell.

    I was EXTREMELY dizzy, spaced out / disorientated, angry / irritated, moody, I had brain zaps – really bad, my vision kept shuddering, my tongue and face went numb, headaches. I felt as though I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t get through it, but I did, I didn’t take one day off work because a colleague was already on sick leave for a week.

    I went to see my doctor who said there was no medication or anything to help (apart from a tablet to stop me from being dizzy, but it only took away 20% of my dizziness). I’d start to feel better, and then the next day I was back to all those awful symptoms. I just had to get through it. After the 2 weeks the only thing that stayed around was the brain zaps.

    They stayed around for over a month. But 3 months on and I totally forgot about my withdrawal symptoms, I don’t have any symptoms anymore! I’m free of Lexapro! You guys can do it too! (:

    Reply
  29. My 17 year old daughter has been taking 20 mg Lexapro for 8 months. She has decided that she wants to try to cope with her anxiety either on her own or with supplements. She stopped taking it cold turkey June 16 and didn’t tell me. I knew this was something she would need to ween from, but alas…here we are. I had no idea how BAD the side effects would be and how many there are!

    I wish I had researched this drug more before I let her take it. Her WD symptoms are worse than the reason she needed it in the first place. I am so worried for her and scared. I don’t know if I should have her go back on it and then try to wean off the right with supplements. She can’t see and it is getting worse. Blurry vision that at first was just distance. Now she said it’s all of it.

    Headache, depression, anxiety, insomnia, disassociation and other side effects. I took to the internet a few days ago and to my surprise there are so many similar stories about withdraw and long it takes. My daughter’s doctor did not tell us how this would be to get off of. I have to say I am angry that we were not warned how difficult this is to rid from the body.

    Reply
  30. Hoping that someone may have experienced the same symptoms as me. It has been 5 months since I stopped taking Lexapro and I had all the terrible withdrawal symptoms. Two months after the worse was over I started to have tension and pain in my back progressing to spasms that had me in the hospital emergency room having morphine injections to stop the pain.

    Many tests later, bloods, MRI, US, CT etc., as well as Physio, acupuncture, Pain management Specialists and Doctors – nothing! Would have liked to continue with an alternative therapy but lost my job (due to not being able to sit for more than 2 or 3 hours without my back tightening and spasms), and so have been affected financially as well. Very sensitive to other drugs – have sores on my arms, neck, face and legs and look terrible (biopsy done and came back as drug allergy).

    I still feel lightheaded and fatigued. Now have diazepam (Valium) and panadeine Forte just in case I feel the spasms coming on. Taking some Vitamin D and Magnesium. Affecting my whole life! Anyone come through the other side of these type of symptoms and how long did it take?

    P.S. I worked for Doctors who thought I was mad to come off Lexapro and all the advice I’ve had so far is to start taking them again. I’m thankful my husband is supporting me through this – I just want my life back!

    Reply
  31. I’m went from 20 mg to 10mg down to 5mg and have now stopped for 7 – 10 days. Am experiencing brain fog, disassociation, etc… But the worst is the brain zaps. Like an electric shock running through your brain. My eyes can’t keep up with my head movements which makes me dizzy. I’m also getting zaps through my limbs and tingling in my hands and feet. These are very disorientating and my limbs involuntarily jerk.

    Makes it very hard to work as I’m an electrician and spend a lot of time up ladders. I had a car accident 18 months ago that led to trauma, anxiety and depression, the doctors had me on Panadeine Forte, Endone and Lexapro as well as sleeping tablets. They just seemed to want to give me more drugs to counteract the effects of the other drugs I was taking. I have now come off the Panadeine forte, slowly reduced the Lexapro and went cold turkey off 5mg and have reduced the Endone dramatically.

    I can cope with the withdrawals during the day as i am occupied but have reduced my work load, have to finish early as the brain shocks and spasms increase in the afternoon. The only thing I find that reduces them is one Endone when I get home. Otherwise I’m a mess. This gets me through to bed time and then I take 2 Temazepam to sleep. Other wise I toss and turn to 3 or 4 in the morning and have a shit day the next morning.

    Very much looking forward to being off all the doctor drugs soon. Thought I was going mad with these zaps and spasms, even began to wonder if I had a brain tumour or something. But after reading the reams and reams of reviews above I’m feeling like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Hi Tim, how long have you been tapering? To reduce withdrawal symptoms as much as you can you should taper very slowly. The people at Surviving Anti-depressants forum actually advice the 10% schedule: “In a nutshell, the 10% taper method recommends a 10% dosage reduction every 3-4 weeks, with the 10% calculated on the last dosage. The amount of decrease is proportionate to the dosage and keeps getting smaller.”

      I wanted to do a rapid taper myself (bad idea but didn’t know this at the time) and dropped from 20 to 10 in one week and then dropped down to 5 after taking 10 mg just a few days. Feeling tired wasn’t such a bad thing…kept yawning as well, lost some of my appetite and didn’t sleep as good as I used too. But I also had terrible mood swings and suicidal thoughts. This wasn’t the case when I tapered Lexapro the first time (far more gradually over years).

      Now I will stay on 5 mg for a few weeks, because I don’t want to experience these withdrawal symptoms again. Thinking about asking my doctor for the liquid form of Lexapro so I can reduce my dose with 1 mg every month. I wish you a speedy recovery!

      Reply
      • My daughter dropped Lex cold turkey, but was so bad I made her at least take 10 mg. (She was also on 20) Her side effects are really bad. The vision problems have me the most worried. They’re getting worse. She has 5 – 10 mg pills left. I think I’ll ask about the liquid form to ween her down to 5 mg after 10 mg for a while.

        Reply
  32. I’ve done 5 days of enforced cold turkey after 10 years at 40mg per day. I’m doing night shift in a remote location offshore and I forgot to pack my meds. How stupid of me! I’m a little worried because I feel amazingly well. Singing and dancing at work, clear headed and energetic! Perhaps I’m in denial and trying to remain super positive because I’ve got 7 more days until I’m home. I cannot understand how well I feel and I’m worried that something bad is going to hit me hard soon. Has anyone ever come off lexapro and had the same experience?

    Reply
  33. So I went to the Doc and this is day 12 now. Still head spins but I’m not feeling too bad. The Doctor reckons this feeling I’m getting will last 2-3 week tops. He was going to put me on a lighter strength but I still have my prescriptions for the ones I was taking and I can cut them in halves or quarters just like most people said if I have to.

    I’m hoping this is it because then it’s been easy for me for some reason, for these tablets that I’ve relied on so much for so long. If I crash badly I’m going to try and persist for as long as I can. I’m a Restaurant Manager so I cannot lose it. It makes me feel good teaching and training staff.

    Thanks again everyone. Darren

    Reply
  34. I have taken lexapro for about two and a half years and if felt like it stopped working. Throughout the day (when I was taking it) I was getting major head spins and dizzy spells all the time. I also experienced weight gain and head aches. I spoke to my Dr and asked if I was able to come off the drug and replace it with a similar one.

    The detox from the lexapro were really bad. I had all of the symptoms like brain zaps and head aches. I figure the biggest problem with doing something this big in your life if that you just have to ride the wave. It sucks. It really does. I’m only a week into my detox from lexapro and I still have all the symptoms but they are nowhere near as bad as they were before. I was also on 20mg lexapro.

    I hope that helps some people out there with the same story as me. Just remember ride the wave.

    Reply
    • Hi Pete, Thank for sharing. I think you’re right about riding the wave. It’s tough at the moment, not physical, but I’m more depressed then ever and I can’t concentrate on anything. Don’t feel happiness anymore and don’t care about living, but I’m guessing it’s the Lexapro talking. I don’t know if I’m having any physical withdrawal effects, except for muscle twitches in my legs.

      I really want to quit taking the drug today, but cold turkey isn’t really a good idea…so I’m stuck at 5mg for a few weeks I think… Oh and which drug are you going to switch to? My Lexapro stopped working. I have intrusive thoughts/obsessions and had a major relapse after 6 years.

      Can consider it as a poop-out…and I think it’s no use to switch to another SSRI, so I figured I need to get rid of the Lexapro first and see if I can do this on my own…

      Reply
  35. Maybe my experience and with escitalopram with help someone. I’m now 32 and I’ve been taking escitalopram for 6 years now. Started with 10, but I’ve also been on 15 and 20 mg. I started this drug for obsessive thinking (I’ve got one intrusion that keeps popping up and dealing with depression because of this as well).

    The last 24 months it got better and better and I was free of this obsession. So the last 6 months I took only 5 mg’s and recently I took one pill every other day. What I noticed the last 3-6 months:

    -I began to dread my work (not always, but certain bigger and more important stuff I had to do)
    -Every once in a while I had eye floaters

    I don’t know if this is from tapering off. Could be. I decreased my dose very slowly, not because I really want to quit taking the drug, but because I thought I could handle stuff with just 5 mg’s. My intrusive thought(s) weren’t coming back so it seemed 5 mg’s was quite enough.

    At this moment I’m on 10 mg again, but planning to go back to 5 tonight. I had a relapse about 6 weeks ago and increased my dosage (to 15 even) but this doesn’t do anything for me anymore, so I’ve decided to try it for a while without medication and give my brain some time to reset.

    Reply
  36. This has been a great read. I was on the 20 mg’s of Lexapro for 3 and a half years. I just stopped taking it 9 days ago because I feel I’m in a right place to stop and I just don’t want to take this anymore. So anyway it’s day 9 and I am getting continuous dizzy spells when I’m not sleeping. I’m getting them now.

    I’m going to have to go to the Doc tomorrow and see if I’m doing the right thing going cold turkey because I only thought these symptoms might only last 2 – 3 weeks tops. I’m hoping to persist with going cold turkey but I suppose the next week will answer my question. I’m not getting head aches or neither do I feel depressed or getting bad thoughts (which put me on this in the first place). I just want these dizzy spells to go away because it’s annoying now.

    It’s great people make an effort to explain what you go through. Good luck to all. Darren

    Reply
  37. Hello everyone! I stopped Cipralex seven days ago after five years of taking 20 mg per day (for depression). I spent over three months tampering (thanks god!) but still got some mild withdrawal symptoms. My doctor, who seemed so great with everything else, suggested that I could get off this drug within a month. OMG, I can’t even imagine the horrific results if I have listened to him.

    If I could go back, I would have taken at least 10 months to get off it (10% decrease every month to avoid any side effects). The third day was the worst – total fogginess, multiple head zaps, nausea, dizziness. Lucky for me, I have been feeling better every day! I understand that there is a small chance that I might get worse, but I expect it’s unlikely as Cipralex’s half life is no more than 37 hours & I have been steadily getting better.

    I wanted to post on this thread because I read it all on day 3 & I got REALLY SCARED. I want to tell you that tampering does help, tremendously. Please-please take MANY MONTHS to wean off this drug! You are in NO RUSH at all!!! Slow is better! Our nervous system is very slow to re-built (and this is literally what’s happening), so please don’t go cold turkey and don’t take a fast tampering approach.

    I feel almost perfect today on day 7, physically & emotionally (emotionally there has been no changes, which is great). This could be done! Please go slowly. I know I probably should wait at least a few more weeks before writing this review, but I know myself – when I get perfectly well, I no longer care & won’t find time to write this. Again, please go very slowly and ask your doctor to prescribe you liquid Cipralex so that you can go as slow as necessary.

    I have been working out every day, eating very healthily, and started taking vitamins (especially omega-3 as a result of reading this thread) – please take care of yourself. Help your body in this fight! And one last thought – there are many people on this forum who mentioned that, if they knew how hard it would be to get off this drug, they would have never started it.

    Likely, you are perfectly right in your case. In my case, Cipralex was the only thing between me and suicide, on MANY-MANY occasions. Without a doubt, this drug saved my life. Good luck to all of you!!! You can do it but please go super slow!!!

    P.S. Sherrie, your message almost made me cry. Please stay strong and maybe go even slower with you process. Take good care of yourself & your cats. They will forgive you.

    Reply
  38. I landed here after wanting to find out if there was any withdrawal effects. I’ve been on escitilopram (spelling?) for 18 months, and this past week I “lost” my meds, so haven’t had a dose for 6 days. We got a new cleaning lady, and my wife put the meds in a spot I didn’t find. I was feeling dizzy at times to the point of almost falling down, and some extra bursty energy.

    It was nice to read everyone’s stories about going off the drug. I didn’t intend to go cold turkey, but even after 4 days off, things started happening, and I didn’t attribute it to lexapro until I read the above. I got my dose (only 10) today, and hopefully will fix everything until I go off it for real next week after I meet with my doctor.

    The strongest problem I have is that my right hand has that tingling like it’s asleep, but I have full function of it. can’t seem to wake it up. I also get real dizzy if I turn my head fast. Like I was on a rollercoaster.

    Reply
  39. I cannot thank you all enough for sharing your experiences in the withdrawals from Lexapro. I am 68 years old, live alone and have no one to help me with all this craziness. My doctor of 24 years flat out told me to just stop, that there were no withdrawals!

    I knew better and began weaning off, but it’s been horrible! Everything makes me cry or throws me into a rage, then I cry again. My poor 10 and 11 year old cats stay so upset, which really hurts me.

    It’s a blessing to know that I am not alone in this and to not give up. Thanks again and may God bless you all.

    Reply
  40. I was on Lexapro for 8 years. I was told, but apparently misunderstood what my doctor said to go off of it in two days, down to zero. 12 days into the worst medicinal experience of my life. It’s at least good to see that someone out here would understand what I am going through.

    No one understands the brain zaps, the headaches, the anger, and this whole list. I have every single symptom listed to an intense degree. Now I find out that I misunderstood what my doctor said. Never again with this business.

    Reply
  41. I was put on Lexapro at age 14 for my IBS and recently found out it was an SSRI and decided to get off of it. I have never had depression or anxiety, but I have had moments of anxiety while traveling (only on the place). I was on 20mg and went down by 5 mg every 3 weeks and recently had my last dose 5 days ago.

    During the tapering process, I did have current headaches, 1 brain zap and I was irritable as all hell. Some days I could rip peoples head off, and others I was the friendliest person on earth. I also had a loss of balance every few weeks, but never fell. Since my last dose, I have had a few headaches but have had a lot of fatigue within 5 to 6 hours of waking up. Today, I am dizzy and lightheaded and can’t move too fast.

    It seems as if I haven’t had too bad of an experience compared to others. Does anyone know how long after stopping the final dose the symptoms will go on for? I need my energy back!

    Reply
  42. I stop taking the pill 2 weeks ago. Been taking it for 10 years for GAD. Now I’m hearing this sound in my head for days… I cant describe it but it’s like the sound you hear when you stretch your body when you wake up in the morning… and I hear it also when I try to look at the corners of my eyes. Anyone experienced this also? Or am I having an episode of anxiety again?

    Reply
  43. I’m a week into no-Lex too, and did taper for 3 weeks (20 – 10 – 5). I wish I had done it even more slowly, the brain zaps and dizziness, irritability, sensitivity to everything is literally putting my relationship and job in jeopardy. Only 1 week into withdrawals! I ended up going back to my psychiatrist and getting prozac to taper off of that. It has a 30 day half-life, meaning it sort of does the super slow tapering for you as it exits your body.

    I think a good way of describing the withdrawals is like:

    Imagine all those bad feelings, the depression, the anxiety, the anger, the hopelessness and confusion, plus all the physical symptoms that come from those things (cramps, nausea, headaches, back and neck pain, restless leg syndrome) were never taken away by Lexapro. Only put aside. Then you come off Lexapro and all those bad things came rushing back in at the SAME TIME. In my case, 3 years worth. It’s so overwhelming, mentally, physically, emotionally.

    I feel like I’m typing with mittens on. I vomited this morning and would have at lunch if I wasn’t at work. The lady at my juice place asked if I wanted for here or to go – and I couldn’t even process what that meant. My boyfriend and I were supposed to sign a lease together a few days ago, but I freaked and pulled out after months of looking. And I can’t get out of my head thoughts of dumping him and his cruelty, when objectively he really did nothing wrong.

    There’s a definitely split between rational thought and emotional thought – and emotional thoughts always wins out. Again, this is only a WEEK into withdrawals! If I knew all these things, I would never have gone on lexapro, or at the very least stopped when I was feeling better after my traumatic life event. Maybe 9 months max. It really did help, but I had to stop because the restless leg syndrome was torture, and I couldn’t smoke weed until I passed out every night for the rest of my life.

    Treating the side effects of Lexapro snowballed so badly that I had a whole box of 30 medications and supplements next to my bed. Plus, my weed tolerance was getting too high (pun intended). You read about people’s experiences in a forum like this, but its hard to think of them as real people. Not just worried words on a website. Until of course it happens to you!

    Reply
  44. I quit cold turkey a little over a week ago after 10 years on 20 mg for most and then 10 mg mixed with Wellbutrin for last 2 years The withdrawal symptoms are horrific, the dizziness and headaches are almost too much to function. I feel like I am experiencing the worst hangover of my life, nonstop.

    Good news is I made decision to stop due to 10 years of irritable bowel and diarrhea, which no one every attributed to the Lexapro. But its already better, no symptoms in last 3-4 days. Funny my doctors could never connect those dots. Just hope that continues. I wonder if I should try tapering off now, or if I just stay strong since I’m already a week in?

    Reply
    • Hello everyone, I just wanted to share something with you. Today is May 19 2016 and from past 5 days I used lexapro 5 mg which I filled in 2012. I started facing withdrawal symptoms and I was going crazy. The only reason I took this is because I relocated and I might have called several psychiatrist to see if I can get an appointment. Most did not accept my insurance and other did not accept new patient.

      Can somebody help me understand whether the symptoms I was facing were from that expired lexapro? Now I got few pills from my pharmacy and started taking that and after I take it I feel fine for almost more than half a day and then again brain zaps. Today is the second day I took an unexpired pill.

      Reply
  45. Week 7 after gradual cessation. Feel like I’m going stark raving mad and taking everyone with me. :/ I have moments of feeling calm and happy being drug-free and then, BANG… on comes the tears, intense feelings of gloom, feeling scared of life, totally overwhelmed by receiving one unexpected bill or witnessing a spilt drink, anxiety attacks and increased heart beat.

    I’m desperate for the old me to come crawling out from deep inside… I know she is in there, she talks to me all the time, but this insidious depressive cloud keeps over-shadowing her and muffling her beautiful familiar positive words. Exercise is brilliant! (The only time I feel in control.) And it produces natural feel good hormones but I feel I am now addicted to the gym!!

    Deep breathing helps, in through the nose totally filling the chest. Wine is nice too. :) Also, get bloods checked for any other possible physiological reasons e.g. thyroid, hormones, iron, etc. I’m going to choose to believe that it will all smooth over and be a distant bad memory in a few short weeks… fake it till I make it. :) The strength you all are showing in these blogs is remarkable. HUGS!

    The fact that we all put our faith in a little white pill so we could do the daily things we have to do shows guts. We will most likely try anything to smile through our day and enjoy our children, our work, our one chance at life. The shame here falls on the pharmaceutical companies and the seemingly deliberate lack of research and/or sharing of information. But in this current climate none of us will be even slightly surprised by that… Power to us.

    Reply
  46. I just quit cold turkey after several years of 20mg per day dosage. So far it’s been just a few days, 5 to be exact and I feel no differences yet. I intend to continue with the withdrawal and hopefully things will work out.

    Reply
  47. I want to thank you for this website. 2 years on 10mg and I have no sexual desire, not a lot of emotion, a extremely poor memory and a lot of pain. As I’ve read the countless post I realize that taking this medication has caused more problems than the original depression and moodiness that I was seeking help for. Now I go to my doctor complaining of the above and countless more issues only to get a look.

    I’ve decided to stop taking lexapro, for a week I cut them in half only to have a feeling of being zapped the shakes, the feeling of a bad trip so I just stopped all together since it was bad how much worse could it get? Well, It’s been two weeks, and it’s worse. I feel like I’m losing it at times and I thought it would be done out of my system by now however, it looks like I could have a long ride.

    It wasn’t until I read this post and realized the length and intensity of the withdrawals, but there will be an end. I know it will be worth it. The next time I deal with depression I’m heading for the great out doors to find my balance, a person to talk to, maybe some yoga. Never Never again. No more antidepressants.

    Reply
  48. I took Lexapro 10 mg for about 3 years. Started it going through my divorce. I’ve always dealt with severe anxiety and panic but never medicated until then. My anxiety had gotten much worse this year, the last couple of months. I was very irritable, anxious, unmotivated and unable to focus. I didn’t feel like the medicine was working for me anymore but I was afraid to go off of it.

    I saw my Dr in April and when I told him all of my symptoms, he immediately prescribed 20 mg. No other action was even discussed. Well, I never filled that prescription and I decided last week that I was going to stop the medication. It will be a week tomorrow. I have to say, I am so happy that I did. I know it’s early, but I have felt so much better! Way more alert.

    I did experience bad mood swings the first couple of days and a headache off and on. But nothing like what I have read on here so I am hopeful that I won’t have bad withdraw symptoms. I didn’t have any side effects other than weight gain while on the meds, so maybe there is some correlation between how the side effects affect you, and the withdraw.

    Meaning if it’s mild, the withdraw might be mild. Anyway, I just wanted to tell about my experience because after reading some of the stories on here, I was determined to get off of it for good. Good luck to all!

    Reply
  49. I have been taking 5mg of Lexapro per day for 10 years. I have tried several times in the past to get off of this drug, however, I get severe symptoms of nausea, muscle aches, fatigue and extreme sensations of being cold. The reason I want to come off of Lexapro is to see if my present feelings of being emotionless, having difficulty with focus and memory return.

    I also take 300mg of Gabapentin twice a day which helps with chronic pain. I’m not planning to come off of this yet but in the future would love to be free from daily pill taking. I just started reducing the Lexapro by taking 5mg every other night, from there I hope to keep spacing the distance between pill taking.

    I find it really hard to split a 10mg pill into quarters to take 2.5mg but this might be the better way to reduce. Does anyone have a successful way of doing this? Thanks for your help.

    Reply
  50. I have been on Lexapro for about six years 20 mg. I decided to go off with the help of my doctor and tapered to 10 mg for a month and then down to 5 mg for a month. I have experienced a lot of the symptoms dizziness being the worst. I am hoping that within the next month I will no longer feel this way.

    The nausea has gotten better the mood swings have also gotten better I have been off completely now for 4 days and if I could just shake this dizziness. I will post in a month to let you know how I feel a month later.

    Reply

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