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Luvox (Fluvoxamine) Withdrawal Symptoms

Luvox (Fluvoxamine) is a medication that is used predominantly to treat OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) as well as major depression. It is also prescribed to help treat various types of anxiety disorders such as social phobia and PTSD. It is classified as an SSRI antidepressant, meaning that it functions primarily by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. It differs from other SSRIs in that it also acts as an Sigma-1 receptor agonist.

It is the Sigma-1 agonism that is believed to make this drug helpful for managing some negative symptoms and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia as an adjunct treatment option. Many consider Luvox to be a top-notch treatment, specifically for OCD. Research shows that Luvox can be therapeutic over a long-term and maintain efficacy for over a year.

Although Luvox may be an ideal medication for certain individuals, not everyone will react well to its effects. Some people will be unable to tolerate the side effects and others may not get therapeutic relief for their particular condition. In other cases, people who have been on it for awhile may find that its effectiveness wears off.

In these scenarios, a person may end up deciding that it would be best to discontinue treatment. During the discontinuation process, a variety of withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur.

Factors that influence Luvox withdrawal

There are several key factors that are thought to influence a person’s withdrawal from Luvox. Factors that can influence severity and duration of withdrawal include: the time span over which the drug was taken, the dosage, whether the person quit cold turkey vs. tapered, and other individual factors (e.g. physiology, genetics, other drugs, etc.).

1. Time Span

How long did you take Luvox? In general, the longer you took the medication, the more difficult withdrawal is going to be. Those who were on the drug for years are likely going to have a tougher time coming off of it than someone who was on it for a couple months. The longer you are on it, the more your brain and physiology will have become dependent on the drug for its effects.

Discontinuing the drug as a long-term user is likely to result in severe and difficult withdrawal symptoms, especially if you do not conduct a gradual taper. People who only took the drug for a few weeks shouldn’t have as difficult time quitting.  Shorter term users aren’t typically as physiologically reliant on the drug.

2. Dosage

The greater the dosage of Luvox that you take, the more difficult withdrawal is thought to be. Higher dosages result in more change to your physiology and neurotransmission compared to lower ones. The more of the drug that you ingest, the more your brain becomes accustomed to receiving that particular dosage or strength of the drug. Those who are taking low doses such as 50 mg or in some cases, less than 50 mg (e.g. 25 mg), withdrawal will likely be less difficult.

Luvox comes in multiple formulations including an “immediate release” type and a “controlled-release” type. The immediate release is the classic Luvox that is taken once daily and is released into the body all at once. The “controlled-release” pills are pills that breakdown differently than the “immediate release,” allowing for a more balanced absorption of the drug throughout the day. If a person quits cold turkey from the “CR” version, it may be slightly more difficult than quitting from the standard formulation of Luvox.

3. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering

How did you quit taking Luvox? Did you conduct a gradual taper over the course of weeks or did you decide to quit cold turkey? In general, it is never recommended to discontinue any psychotropic medication on a “cold turkey” basis – especially an SSRI. Cold turkey withdrawals tend to be significantly more severe and tend to yield more protracted discontinuation symptoms.

If you are unsure about how to taper off of Luvox, talk to your doctor. If you were on the medication for a long period of time and/or at a higher dose, your tapering period should be longer than someone who was on a lower dose for a shorter period of time. It is recommended to taper off of Luvox by reducing your dosage at a rate of 10% per month.

Since this drug has an extremely short half-life, reductions in dose should be very gradual. If you feel 10% is too slow or quick of a taper (based on your circumstances), you can adjust the percentage accordingly. Individuals taking the “CR” version will want to taper down to the lowest “CR” dose, and then either switch over to a lower form of the standard, immediate-release Luvox OR carefully reduce the number of beads that are taken in the “CR” capsules.

4. Individual Factors

Understand that many individual factors will influence what you experience during your withdrawal. It is important to realize that two people may take Luvox for the same duration and at equal dosages, and one may experience completely different withdrawal symptoms for a longer duration than the other person – everyone is different. Each person has different genetics, physiologies, and habits that may (or may not) promote healing.

It should also be mentioned that a person who is on other medications may be less likely to notice withdrawal from Luvox compared to someone who was only taking this drug. Other medications can sometimes act as a buffer to lessen the severity and duration of withdrawals. Additionally someone who eats healthy, keeps busy, and exercises may recover at a quicker rate than someone who doesn’t.

Luvox Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities

The withdrawal symptoms associated with Luvox will largely be based on the individual. One person may experience nearly everything listed below, while another may only experience a couple symptoms. Realize that the list below is a compilation of symptoms that have been reported during discontinuation.

  • Agitation: During withdrawal you may begin to feel more agitated or feel as if you are increasingly nervous than usual. The feeling of internal nervousness may be present for weeks after discontinuing your medication. Realize that this is a common symptom and will improve over time.
  • Anxiety: Individuals that were taking this medication for anxiety may notice a significant degree of rebound anxiety upon discontinuation. Even those that were taking it for other conditions such as depression or OCD may feel highly anxious during withdrawal. The increased anxiety is largely due to the fact that the brain no longer has the drug to prevent reuptake of serotonin. Additionally serotonin levels are thought to be abnormally low upon discontinuation.
  • Burning sensations: An odd, yet fairly common symptom some people experience during discontinuation is that of burning sensations. You may feel as if your head or various parts of your body are burning, and this results in extreme discomfort. As time continues to pass, the intensity of the burning should diminish.
  • Brain zaps: When discontinued, nearly all of the SSRI medications can result in “brain zaps” or electric shock sensations throughout the head. Do not be surprised if you experience a sudden jolt or as if you have been shocked when you quit Luvox. These zaps are highly uncomfortable, but like all other symptoms will lessen with time.
  • Confusion: A person may feel confused during withdrawal as a result of many symptoms, experiencing brain fog, an inability to concentrate, and changes in memory functioning. The confusion will clear up as a person’s brain adapts to functioning without Luvox.
  • Cold flashes: People may feel changes in body temperature during discontinuation. Although hot flashes are common, some individuals also exhibit “cold flashes” or sensations of cold temperature in certain parts of the body such as the face.
  • Depersonalization: Some people will feel unlike their normal self during withdrawal – this is completely normal. Depersonalization is caused by alterations to brain functioning and levels of various neurotransmitters. It is a result of being chemically imbalanced and can be exacerbated by severe anxiety. Do your best to realize that you will not feel this way forever, and that you will eventually feel normal again.
  • Depression: When quitting any antidepressant, there is a good chance you will feel depressed. During discontinuation, your serotonin levels are thought to be low and functioning will be altered. This leads a person to feel very depressed during withdrawal, even if they weren’t being treated for depression. Those who were being treated for depression may feel more severely depressed than prior to taking the medication.
  • Diarrhea: Certain people may notice changes in the frequency of bowel movements and/or diarrhea during discontinuation. Those who became constipated while taking Luvox are more likely to notice the opposite when they come off of it. This is a normal reaction that will diminish as your body reverts to homeostasis.
  • Dizziness: A very common symptom to experience is that of dizziness or vertigo. You may feel as if the room is spinning and/or you are going to lose your balance because you are so dizzy. The dizziness can be long lasting, but will gradually diminish over time.
  • Fatigue: During withdrawal from Luvox, you may become increasingly tired throughout the day. It may be difficult to get out of bed in the morning, go to work, and function. You may not be able to muster up the energy to cook a meal, go to the gym, or do housework. Realize that this can last for weeks or months (depending on how long you were on Luvox). Do your best to push through it, understanding that your energy levels will slowly increase.
  • Headaches: Some people experience headaches when they stop this drug. Headaches can often be remedied by drinking more fluids, practicing stress reduction, and getting adequate nutrition. If you have a headache during withdrawal, know that it is completely normal and will be exacerbated by anxiety.
  • Hot flashes: These are sensations of an increase in temperature throughout the face or in other regions of the body. Hot flashes are generally brief and are more likely to occur during the first few weeks of withdrawal.
  • Insomnia: Many individuals notice a change in their sleep cycle when discontinuing an SSRI like Luvox. When you quit this drug, you may end up being unable to sleep at night with insomnia. The insomnia may be difficult to deal with, but it should improve over time as your neurotransmission changes and sleep cycle resets itself.
    Irritability: You may notice that you become easily irritated – significantly more than usual. Understand that the irritability is a product of the medication withdrawal and that it will eventually diminish in the future. During the first few weeks of withdrawal everything may get on your nerves.
  • Mood swings: It is common to experience crazy mood swings during withdrawal. One minute you may feel as if you are becoming your normal self again, the next minute you may feel stuck in a deep state of depression. Realize that it is common for mood swings to occur until your neurotransmitter levels normalize.
  • Muscle aches: During the first few weeks of withdrawal, people have reported experiencing muscle aches and cramps throughout the body. These are generally mild to moderate intensity and are usually not severe. As you continue to exercise your body and your physiology readjusts, you will not feel as achy.
  • Nausea: Some people may feel nauseated when they quit Luvox. This is more common among those who quit “cold turkey,” and typically will last a few days after withdrawal. Most people note that nausea will fully subside within a couple weeks of their last dose.
  • Poor concentration: Even though this drug isn’t thought to affect concentration, many people may experience “brain fog” when they quit. This fog will clear over time, but may make completing work-related tasks or school projects increasingly difficult. As brain activity and neurotransmitters readjust without the drug, concentration should improve. Keep in mind that the array of other withdrawal symptoms may be mentally draining and distracting, contributing to concentration problems.
  • Suicidal thoughts: When quitting any SSRI, it is important to recognize that suicidal thoughts are relatively common. Depression can become more severe during withdrawal, leading a person to feel suicidal. Quitting an SSRI leaves the brain in a state of chemical disarray and it needs time to recover back to its homeostatic functioning. Some believe that antidepressants can cause a chemical imbalance, leading to abnormally low levels of serotonin upon discontinuation. If at any point you feel suicidal, be sure to seek immediate medical attention and closely monitor your thinking.
  • Sweating: A natural reaction by the body when withdrawing from any medication is to sweat. This is helps detoxify your body and also is a physiological signal that your body had become reliant on the drug for functioning. You may experience night sweats and/or profuse sweating throughout the day.
  • “Swoosh” effect: Individuals have reported feeling and/or hearing a “swoosh”-like sensation in their head/ears during discontinuation. This is a relatively vague description, but one that people going through the withdrawal may be able to understand. It was described by one individual as distortion of sound combined with feeling as if they are falling.
  • Tingling sensations: In addition to burning sensations, many people report “tingling” throughout various parts of the body such as the face and across the skin. This tingling may be unexpected, but is known to occur when discontinuing Luvox. Like any other symptom, it will take time to diminish and eventually subside.
  • Vomiting: Some people will get sick when they quit taking Luvox, resulting in flu-like symptoms. Those who experience intense nausea upon discontinuation may end up vomiting. It is relatively rare to vomit, but should be noted. This symptom is more likely to be experienced by those who quit cold turkey from a high dose.
  • Weight changes: Some people will lose weight or gain weight while taking Luvox. There are several case reports that suggest weight loss is more likely than gain. During withdrawal, you can expect your body to regain the weight that it lost during treatment; vice versa also applies.

How long does Luvox withdrawal last?

There’s no specific duration that withdrawal symptoms from Luvox are thought to last. For one person, withdrawal may only take a few weeks, while for another, symptoms may persist for months. A good rule of thumb for long term users to follow is a 90 day rule – reevaluate your symptoms after you’ve been off of the drug for a full 3 months. Most people panic in the first few weeks and believe that they will never feel “normal” again.

Typically as time passes, the body and brain are given enough time to restore normative homeostatic functioning and return to a baseline. Most people will notice significant improvement within 90 days, but others may need more time to recover. Keep in mind that it is important to distinguish withdrawal symptoms with reemergence of the initial depression or anxiety that lead a person to use this drug.

For many people, differentiating the depression as a result of withdrawal and their initial depression prior to taking the drug is extremely difficult. The half-life of Luvox is considered the shortest of any SSRI at 12-13 hours – even shorter than Paxil. Therefore, the drug will be completely out of your system within 1 day. However, drugs with shorter half lives tend to yield more extreme withdrawal symptoms.

In order to reduce the length of time it takes to withdraw from Luvox, it is recommended to conduct a very gradual taper. By tapering, you will give your body more time to slowly adapt to functioning with less of the drug. If you quit abruptly, it may shock your nervous system which may have become reliant on the Luvox for functioning.

Withdrawal from any SSRI medication can be extremely difficult. If you have taken Luvox and been through the withdrawal process, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below. By sharing your experience, you may help provide someone who is going through something similar with a bit of hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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102 thoughts on “Luvox (Fluvoxamine) Withdrawal Symptoms”

  1. I have been taking Fluvoxamine for about 3 years for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and some PTSD. I started with 50 then went to 100 mg. Due to a shortage in the market, I had to go cold turkey about ten days ago and while I am experiencing the whooshing feeling, sleeping too much, crazy vivid dreams, and brain zaps, the weirdest one is period-like cramps for the past four-five days without any period. I am confused and can’t seem to find any real answer about this, has it happened to anyone before? Thank you.

    Reply
  2. I’ve only been taking 25mg for a couple months. Getting off it now because it was causing me to be very angry all the time. Doctor and pharmacist told me I didn’t have to taper off since it was such a low dose. Went cold turkey a week ago. I am experiencing the swooshing sounds, headaches, and lots of tears. I can’t imagine getting off of a higher dosage. After reading this article, I’m hopeful.

    Reply
  3. I took fluvoxamine (immediate release) 200mg for 10 months. I tapered up to the 200mg gradually though. It seemed to be a miracle drug or fix to my OCD, PTSD for several months. Then I became like a zombie… I had no motivation, no cares. I didn’t want to get out of bed, shower, fix myself up like I usually did.

    The fatigue was almost unbearable. I also gained 30lbs in those 10 months. I had lab work done to make sure It wasn’t anything else causing the weight gain & all labs were normal. I gradually tapered down & took my last 50mg 6 days ago. This past week has been pretty hard as far as the brain zaps, ringing in ears, swooshing, dizziness, excessive sweating.

    I Have also been very agitated mostly at my husband. I’m hoping that goes away because I love him. My dreams are crazy! But, I can live with the dreams, before they were nightmares.

    I’m only on day 6 of withdrawal but hopefully these symptoms go away quickly & that I start losing some weight. Not sure what my step will be as far as a different med or trying it on my own.

    Reply
  4. Hi. I have been on fluvoxamine since April (for a form of OCD). I started at 100mg. I was too lazy to pick up my prescription one time so I was off cold turkey almost a week. Didn’t see any withdrawals but wasn’t looking for any. Talked to doctor and went to 150mg.

    I have only been on the 150mg maybe 2 months. Just went off cold turkey 6 days ago per doctor due to hallucinations and confusion (thinking side effects of the fluvoxamine). My body aches were so bad for past 2 days and I didn’t know if it could be a part of withdrawals.

    Any help on the possible side effects and withdrawal would be so appreciated. The side effects I mentioned are of great concern because of a couple other things I have going on. Not on it for a whole 5 months.

    Reply
  5. So, after years of trying to taper and get off of Luvox (I have been taking the drug 100mg for 25 years), I found a way. I recently went Keto in my diet meaning I went low carb, no sugar, high fat and moderate protein intake. I went from 100mg down to 50mg and have been at 50mg for three weeks.

    For the first time, I had NO BRAIN ZAPS. I am tired and experience mental fog. I am hoping they go away in a few weeks but I have never been able to do this before without experiencing the brain zaps and “swooshing”. Something about Keto helps the withdrawal.

    Reply
  6. Took this for a couple months after Effexor. Stopped cold turkey a couple days ago. Called in sick today from work. I only took 100mg then 50mg. Tiredness, heat intolerance, weight gain, and TRT acne that was finally under control flared when I started Luvox.

    Feel like s*** but going to suck it up. I currently take Contrave, Lisinopril, and Testosterone gel with supplements and toss in Ambien and benzos here and there. All these pills have side effects, most worse than my OCD and depression.

    My ability to have sex has 90% returned but it’s not a big deal. I’m married living in different states so I’m in Monastery mode. OCD screwed my relationship and testosterone supplements made me not give a s***. Wife has a tough time with my OCD even after it has improved.

    Reply
  7. One thing that I have done that has helped me with the withdrawal symptoms… has been to set a schedule for eating, hydrating and moving. I’ve upped my workouts, including more weight training and outdoor cardio, especially walking, under trees when possible.

    I also increased my intake of vitamins… B-complex, magnesium (especially at night), D-3, calcium, fiber and vitamin C. I keep Gatorade fully stocked in the fridge to keep my blood sugar level and to help with the muscle aches…. potassium via bananas.

    Another thing that helps is red light therapy. It helps with aches and pains as well as with insomnia. Amazon has great lights as well as red light therapy massagers that are great for aches and pains.

    Thoughts and prayers for everyone! (Always remember to consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your regimen… supplements can interfere with efficacy of meds.)

    Reply
  8. I started coming off Fluvoxamine very slowly, under my doctor’s directions this year. At times I’ve been on 150mg but mostly 100mg. I have just experienced my first 5 days with no medication in the last 10 years.

    Going very slowly reduced the horrible dizziness and whooshing feeling that I experienced when I tried to go off the medication quickly and by myself. However I am feeling very teary – could cry every moment of the day (very unusual for me as I rarely cry).

    I’m feel incredibly depressed. Struggling to complete a full day of work. Speak and interact with people. Reading this article has helped – my doctor didn’t talk me through these symptoms. I feel like if this is the reason why, then I can push through.

    Reply
  9. I was taken off Luvox abruptly at Christmas due to shortage. I then discovered it is no longer being manufactured (not profitable enough) and learned the pharmaceutical industry tried this with an epilepsy drug now on the World Health Organization’s list of required meds.

    Next, replacement tried with sertraline and sickening results, next mirtazapine with nerve-wracking suicidal thoughts. The industry needs to be held accountable. I’m shocked by the capricious, financially based abuse of those trying to cope with mental illness.

    Reply
  10. I’ve been on Luvox 200mg for probably 8 years now, I went down to 100mg about a year ago without telling my doctor. I informed doctor about 6 months ago and I am now tapering off of the 100mg.

    Currently on 50mg for the next 21 days. It’s been two days and I am feeling 70% of withdrawal symptoms. Feels terrible. Would like some help or info on what to do, how long it could last/severity, and what to do to calm it/get through the day.

    Reply
  11. I finally stopped last week after being on Fluvoxamine for about 8 months. I began reducing from 150mg (Too strong for me) to 100mg (still too strong) to 50mg for about the last three months, stopping about four days then restarting 50mg and now finally off and trying to stay off.

    I have not had nightmares when taking Fluvoxamine but my dreams were so intense, {might miss that side effect}, almost Memorex real and multiple dreams a night sometimes & continuing the same dream after each trip to the bathroom. Frequent urination is an issue on this stuff at night – my body wants this stuff out of me. Still dreaming and continuing dreams but only had been off a week.

    I could not function at work on Fluvoxamine as if I was being sedated… I count less – my OCT side (Obsessive Compulsive Tendencies – it’s not a disorder :-)). If I put my head on my desk I would wake up hours later. I was on Fluvoxamine for Impulsiveness. I was a constant thinker but found myself on this stuff not thinking about anything for stretches of time, that is not me at all.

    The medicine seemed to be changing my personality, who I was and how I acted – what I feared could happen and why I never sought out a doctor to try taking some. Mental illness history in my family was one hindrance to seeking help. I had abuse issues when I was younger and that lead to my OCT and impulsiveness and vivid imagination to escape and protect myself and my emotions I believe.

    Shortly after stopping I was feeling like I was having mini-strokes so I looked up withdraw side-effects and found this site and saw most of the things I told my wife about that I was feeling. There they were – especially the dizziness, feeling like I was going to fall – sense of the room spinning – even when sitting or lying down, some whooshing feelings, trouble falling asleep, loss of drive to get up and do things, in a fog, but sexual issues seem to already be resolving a bit… :-)

    Like I mentioned above I felt like I was being sedated – sneaky bastards. My own thoughts are they increase their income with more patients. Most, I believe, are sincere and think they are helping though some blindly prescribe to try and help as they are overwhelmed – why else would they not thoroughly explain all the side effects while on and when coming off the medication?

    Now because I know what’s happening, I feel I can keep going that I’m not going crazy, just suffering along with the rest of us uninformed guinea pigs. God bless you all.

    Reply
  12. I weaned off luvox after 21 years since it was off the market. Well after one month off I had an anxiety attack — first in 20 years and have now found luvox and am starting back on. Scared as hell. Never wanted off. Hope I feel settled soon. ?

    Reply
  13. Thank you for this online information. I took Luvox for OCD for 23 years, and began weaning off of it (under doctor’s care). For the last month, I have had about 80% of the symptoms listed. I kept complaining to Kaiser about the symptoms–I also switched BP meds because I had to. I finally looked up all the things I complained about.

    There they were–especially the dizziness, constant whooshing in ears and feeling like I was going to fall. Also, the irritability. Because I know what’s happening, I feel I can keep going. That I’m not going crazy, just suffering withdrawals. By the way, my OCD has not returned!

    Reply
    • I have been taking fluvoxamine, the generic for Luvox for 12 years… I have been at the clinical dose (300 mg) daily for a decade now. I have slowly gained a lot of weight over this time, but I knew the meds were necessary when I was undergoing CBT for my OCD.

      I’ve been out of CBT for about two years now and feel it’s time to come off the fluvoxamine. I have been scared for a long time to stop taking my meds, because I was worried my OCD would fly back, that part of my brain that’s been quiet would come rearing back… with a vengeance.

      Well, some obsessive thoughts have popped up, but I’m able to identify and deal with them. I’m at 150 mg a day now and I’ve dealt with the following: dizziness, headache, temperature irregularities (but I am a little menopausal too), muscle aches, sleep irregularities and worst of all, itchy skin.

      I’ve also noticed that food is tasting differently and my desire for morning coffee is creeping back. I think I was afraid that I would somehow unlearn how to deal with my OCD without the meds… but reading these comments has made me feel less “crazy” and hopeful about continuing to taper off!

      Reply
  14. I stopped taking Luvox about 2 1/2 months ago. My main reason for stopping it was the intense, horrific nightmares that I was having. I found I was having difficulty waking from the nightmares and they would stay with me all day.

    I did do a gradual tapering of my dosage to ease my withdrawal. Even now, about 10 weeks later I still have occasional intense dreams but not the nightmares. Has anyone else experienced this with Luvox?

    Reply
    • Same here. For me the nightmares disappeared somewhat but yes, they can be particularly horrifying. I’m having nightmares after stopping, the dizziness comes and goes.

      Reply
    • Jackie I stopped last week after reducing from 150mg to 100mg to 50mg, stopping, restarting 50mg and now finally off and trying to stay off. I have not had nightmares but my dreams are so intense, might miss that side effect, almost real and multiple dreams a night – sometimes continuing the same dream after each trip to the bathroom, peeing is an issue on this at night – my body wants this stuff out of me.

      Still dreaming and continuing dreams but only been off a week. I could not function at work on Fluvoxamine as if I was being sedated… I count less – my OCT side {Obsessive Compulsive Tendencies – it’s not a disorder :-)}.

      If I put my head on my desk I would wake up hours later. And then there was a loss of appetite. I was on it for impulsiveness. Hope this helps.

      Reply
  15. To those who can’t get Luvox: I’ve been getting the generic equivalent, Fluvoxamine, for over a year. I just got a 30-day refill of 50 milligram tablets yesterday, 19-March-2018. I live in the US, in the Mid-West. Best wishes and best of luck to all.

    Reply
  16. I’m tapered off Luvox after being on for 23 years. Stopped completely 4 days ago. It’s no picnic. It stopped working for me and by the way it was no longer available. I’m trying to stay positive.

    Reply
  17. How are we suppose to decrease gradually when the drug is unavailable? Has anyone switched from 100mg luvox to 50mg sertraline? How did it go? I have no real choice due to the luvox shortage. Any feedback would be great. I’ve been on it 27 years.

    Reply
    • I’ve been on it for 12 years and was told it’s being discontinued back in November. I was given a replacement that is not a SSRI and wasn’t tapered off the Luvox. It will be 2 weeks Monday and the past 10 days have been nothin short of hell. Head zaps. Dizziness. Sadness. Sore muscles. Head zaps and swooshing in head is the worse.

      I bawled and called my doctor last Monday, a week into it, and he said I came this far so just plug through the rest of the withdrawal. I hit it’s peak 2-4 days in and it has slowed down a bit but this is not fun.

      I’m so glad to read your all posts as I feel alone and can’t explain to the people around me. I’m talking slower and don’t feel myself at all. Again I feel the zaps subsiding a bit but I feel like sh#t. I’m drinking lots of water but anyone know when this will end!?

      Reply
      • Very sorry Samantha! I don’t know how long the withdrawal lasts. I tried cold turkey from luvox (100 milligrams daily) about 15 months ago, after being on it for 23 years. I’d been without it for as long as 3 days with no problems, so I thought I could cold turkey.

        I couldn’t. After 5-7 days the symptoms you describe hit me. I also was very nervous and very short-tempered. After about 7 days of symptoms with no relief, I reinstated luvox 100 mg. When my symptoms calmed I began my taper.

        Now 14 months later, I’m now at 19 milligrams a day. I’m sorry I don’t have a solution for you.

        Reply
  18. Was on 300 mg (maximum dose) for 28 years. December of 2017 I found out it was going to be unavailable. Mid Jan. of 2018 took my last dose 1 night and started the maximum dose of Lexapro the following night.

    Have done amazingly well with few to no side effects except a couple different nights of insomnia in the 1st week. I am having loose bowel movements that sometimes come on quickly and it’s been 45 days. If this doesn’t remedy itself fairly soon, I’ll be asking my doctor what I can take for this.

    Reply

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