Lexapro Withdrawal Unwanted Side Effects (Page 13)
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I have been taking Lexapro 10mg once a day for about a year. I have had many unwanted side effects which according to my doctor there are very few side effects from Lexapro. He says it is a clean drug. Wrong. It did nothing to help me and I want off. My doctor refused to give me anti-anxiety meds to help with the withdrawals from Lexapro because once again, there are no withdrawals from Lexapro. Why do doctors lie about this. Why do pharmaceutical companies lie about this? I have read so much about people just losing it while trying to stop taking Lexapro. I have not taken it in about ten days after weaning off for about two months from 10mg to 2 mg a day. My nerves are a wreck, I am extremely irratable, and have slight headaches. This is a horrible drug with many long lasting withdrawal symptoms. The makers of Lexapro, Forrest Pharmaceutical, should be ashamed of themselves. Do not lie to so many people just to increase the market strength of your company.

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I began weaning off Lexapro on 7/1/2012 and stopped all together on 8/31/12. The following days were absolutely awful. I was dizzy, couldn't think clearly, extremely tired, agitated, had diarrhea, nauseated, stomach bloated. As of 9/25/12, I am feeling better. Hope this helps someone. Seems you have to give it 3 months. Trust me, I thought I couldn't live like I was during the process but suddenly I feel better. Give it 3 months. A few things I did was go to see an acupuncturist, take Chinese herbs, take fish oil with high EPA, and take a decongestant if you need it. Stay away from anything that make you feel dizzier...like benadryl, mucinex. Very bad to go through but you can do it.

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So so happy for you! I love Louis Hays! I have one of her books too! She is incredible. I know this may sound silly, but I am looking in to self healing with reiki and I would love to help others eventually too. Can't hurt. I have a family member that practices it and I am now intrigued by it. It is all about positive healing energy. Good luck!! I wish you the best!!

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Good Morning!

First of all, I am so sorry that has Lexapro haunted you for so long. Depression is truly debilitating. I also agree that Lexapro is a HORRIBLE drug, and it has basically scared me away from any other medication forever (if I can help it). I didn't trust it going in and I should have listened to my gut. I am also going through mood swings, depression, anger, and difficulty finding my words, too. I was only on Lexapro for a little over 3 months, so my withdrawal period is probably going to be shorter than yours, but I can empathize. I should have stopped taking it when it caused severe suicidal thoughts in the first week, extreme night sweats for the entire time I took it, and chronic exhaustion. I'm sorry that you were victimized by our medical and pharmaceutical system. I just hate how this drug was touted to me as a miracle drug and the doctors look at me like I am stupid when I disclose the symptoms I am going through. You are so smart to have chosen counseling; treating the cause rather than the symptom is always the lasting cure. I am doing the same.

As far as the acne goes, I believe it has basically run its course! Finally!!! I woke up this morning and everything feels basically over! Now I just have to treat the left over marks (chemical peels and perhaps a laser treatment IF needed). Patience and faith (and a little help from my esthetician), and this will all be behind me soon.

Lastly, I wanted to mention Louis Hays to you... her life-coaching points have saved me through my anxiety and depression. If I would have been introduced to her world 6 months ago, I wouldn't have ever even turned to Lexapro. It might seem cheesy at first, but it totally works. It's basically just positive self talk.

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Yes, you do have many reasons to be optimistic. I have to say, i went into a deep, deep, depression and am only starting to get out of it,,, it's been over a year too. Lexapro is really bad. Not sure if you were on it long enough to mess with your moods, but take everything with a grain of salt. This could kick back up on you... Not the acne, but mood swings... They are harsh. I was on it for over a year... Feels like i am coming out of a tail spin or a mid life crisis. Not on anything now. And never will take anything ever again. Just into more counseling ... Less side effects...lol

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Thank you for your response! I also think I am going through a re-adjustment period. I just get so discouraged when I think of "what my skin has become" and I worry and worry that I'll never return to normal. But from what I've been told by my doctor, it takes about 3 months for lexapro's effects to fully build up in your system. That tells me that it would take at least another 3 months for my body to get back to normal. I also try to remember that I was only on lexapro for a little over 3 months, so that should shorten my recovery time. I've also deduced from reading that this is either an effect of my liver detoxing or of my brain "re-learning" how to function and communicate and produce chemicals without lexapro interferrance. And lastly, I have found others who have experienced the same problem after lexapro. I think I have reason to be hopeful and optimistic :)

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Brittany, Sorry to hear that. It is probably very, very upsetting, but i feel if this is a side effect you are experiencing, then it should pass soon. I have heard about adult onset acne, but maybe this is just from the meds. Have you tried any of the neutrogena deep cleanse sysytems? Is not, they are amazing! Even loreal has some good ones. These are the ones that have glycolic acid in them and they really, really make your skin beautiful.... It does take a few weeks though and you should probably read if they are harmful to use if experiencing acne... This would be good for when the break out is done and you are clear. I wish you all the best. Good luck.

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Hello Everyone,
I have been off of lexapro (10mg) for 2 and 1/2 months. I was only on the drug for about 3 months, and about halfway though those 3 months, I started developing jawline, chin, and neck acne. I have never had acne before in my life. I decided to get off of lexapro at that point because of the acne and it making me so exhausted all of the time. As soon as I got off (I did wean off), the acne EXPLODED on my cheeks, neck, and jawline and has gotten increasingly worse ever since. Is this just withdrawal? I was sure that it would have cleared up by now. I am terrified that taking lexapro has ruined my skin forever. Will this acne go away??? I am totally depressed over it and it has ruined my life. I hope that someone will tell me that this WILL go away.
Thanks for any response- I am desperate!
Brittany

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Hi, I took 10 mg lexapro for 6 months and ultimately decided to get off because it made me way too tired. I dosed down from 10 to 5 for a week, then 5 every other day but found on the day I wouldn't take it I was totally dizzy so I just stopped altogether. That was 5 days ago and I'm not feeling the flu like symptoms that a lot of you mention, but I'm so dizzy and have brain zaps (as you call them) and it's driving me crazy. Just when I think it's getting better it's not! When can I expect this to end? I'm also irritable and not sleeping well. I'm actually very annoyed that I went on lexapro in the first place. It stabilized my mood for a few months but then it just made me tired and gain weight, and now I have to deal with this craziness coming off of it. I'm happy to read other posts about this so I know what to expect.

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I've been off for just a little over a week, but I was on the 10 mg dose for 2+ years. Now, I feel a little dizzy once in a while, compared to the room-spinning feeling I had last Friday night/all day Saturday. I'm no doctor, but I honestly think you should have been weaned off of such a high dosage instead of straight cold-turkey. O_O No wonder you're feeling so miserable. ;_;

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I was on 20mg for the past 7 months. I spoke with her about it and she just said your fine it will pass. You said you still feel out of it sometimes how long have you been off of it. I really dont know how much more I can take of this. If I went to the er would they be able to help. Anyone who knows how long this last or if the er would be able to help please let me know. Thanks

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If you feel really bad, check out the web site i posted on in one of my earlier posts. they have people that have weaned themself off of it. I had to wean off, going down to 2.5 each day and then 2.5 every other day , then every third day.... This was over a 3 to 4 week period.... Then there are "phases" to look out for - depending on how long you were on lexapro will probably depend on the severity of the phases.... There are some reports of manic/deep depression phases 6 months out!! Be careful, dont trust your moods to be just your moods... It could still be withdrawls.... Be kind to yourself and take lots of vitamins and try noni juice. try to really take notice when you are feeling very, very down...

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I should have asked - what dosage were you on? If it's 15 mg or 20 mg, I think you need to talk to your doctor about the cold turkey method. I was on 10 mg, and I felt out of it (still do in a bit), so coming off of higher doses would probably be even worse. :(

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Well, I'm on Day 7 as well. It's no walk in the park, but I think my symptoms are milder than most. I've suffered mainly dizziness and feeling as if I'm using someone else's head between Friday and today. Saturday was the worst, though - actually burst into tears while talking to one of my lecturer's on-line. I didn't even feel sad or anything; just straight waterworks for about 10 or so seconds.

Today's better, though. Got up and speed-walked some laps before getting some more sleep. Still have periodic out-of-body sensations, but it's slowly getting better.

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How long did it take to get thru lexapro withdraw. I have been off of it for 7 days and feel horrible my body hurts I cant think straight am very on edge. I feel like it is never going to get better. My doc told me to go off cold turkey so I did.

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Good luck! I have been off the meds since last september and i have no side effects anymore.... I was thinking today how great it is to not be "zapping" anymore!

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Thanks for mentioning that! My prescription ran out on the 21st, and I don't have the first cent to revisit my doctor until June. I was freaking out that I'd have the same dizzy, out-of-body feelings like I did the last time I went days between pills, but now I have hope!

I'm already on Vitamin B Complex with the Lexapro, Vitamin C, and fish oils. I'm going to try the Noni juice and, above all, keep hydrated. I'm also going to try and be more active exercise-wise. I'm sure it won't be roses for the first few days, but I'll deal with it if it means I'll be off those drugs for good.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to give me this information. It is a big help to have something to look at!

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The web site I was talking about is called drugs-dot-com (not the real name, but if you type it in the way you would for a web site then it should take you there) in the forum for lexapro withdrawal.... There is so much information that could help you Along with this website too.

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Thans. I'll check those things out!

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You need to go search online and look at lexapro withdrawal... You are exibiting classic stage 1 withdrawal symptoms... It only gets worse. You need vitamins and fish oil and vitamin B. You may also benefit from noni juice. I went through the exact same thing... There is one poster "aunty" she has done incredible research! Go and read! All of you should! It's great support! I was on there too! Good luck!

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