Is This Lexapro Withdrawal ? Horrific !

Hello all :) I have been desperately searching for information & reassurance as to why I am experiencing such a nightmare ordeal after being taken off Lexapro by my doctor, cold turkey. I have been taking 10-20mg for years. This week (since cessation - 10 days ago) I have been to the doctor 3 times and the hospital on Thursday night - convinced I am dying! I feel SO tired that I can barely lift my head at times. I have horrible headaches - frequent "brain zaps" (thought I was having a stroke). I was throwing up and lived next to the toilet for 2 days.... I get "rushes" of what feels like adrenalin (?) that crawls down my arms and then tingles in my hands and finger tips. I am dizzy - I am aching (joints) - I feel like my head is clogged and I have a horrible flu virus or something. Sweats / nausea / generalised "sickness". I have NO energy when 12 weeks ago I was running 3-4 hours a week.... feeling wonderful. I have never felt so crap. Have had blood tests & x-rays to rule out anything glaringly obvious - but all clear? Surely Lexapro withdrawal can't be this horrendous? On the other hand - please tell me that it is because I'm frightened about what else it might be?! Help please x ** I am also 2 years sober - without a drink, for what it's worth.

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Hello, Chrissie! I'm so sorry about what you're going through, that's awful!

And oh yes, it certainly can be that horrific if you stop cold turkey, after being on it for such a long time.

In the U.S. most antidepressants now come with warnings about the withdrawal effect and the preferred method for stopping one is via a slow taper schedule. The SSRI class, such as the one you were taking is known to be particularly bad for causing such problems.

If all the checking you've had done has turned up nothing else, then it definitely makes me suspect that the withdrawal is causing your issues. I stopped one cold turkey several years ago, after being misdiagnosed and having taken it for about 6 years and it took months for all of the symptoms to stop.

It would be rather easy to find out for sure, see if your doctor will prescribe one or two just so you can try it….if you take one, or part of one and the symptoms ease or disappear entirely, you'll know that it was all due to the withdrawal.

Are there any other questions or concerns?

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Hi, I'm sorry to hear what your going through and YES this is definitely withdrawal. I experienced all of these symptoms when I started lexapro as my body adjusted to the drug and was told by the dr that I would most likely experience all these symptoms when I decide to stop. She said to NEVER stop cold turkey and to taper off as slowly as possible so your body can try to balance its self out and readjust. I would def see your dr again and ask for a low dose to try and ween off if your still having trouble.

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Dr Ann Blake Tracy on the dangers of all SSRI drugs.

youtube.com/watch?v=rDTg14SxtzU
drugawareness.org

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Chrissie even a slow taper can cause bad withdrawals. You need to go back on the medication and taper much much much slower.

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Hi I'm 15 months off lexapro and I still feel like I'm dying sometimes I have had a million text done and a rib removed. I'm still sick any ideas help me

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