Lexapro Withdrawal Unwanted Side Effects (Page 5) (Top voted first)

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.

REPLY

REPORT

If you start to get crippling symptoms its withdrawal not your old conditions coming back. That is likely due to your taper. 10mg- 5mg drop is big. Lexapro is double and up to 10x stronger than other SSRI's. 10% taper per month is recommended to reduce those nasty side effects. Good luck. The drug has helped people but trying to get off it is extremely difficult.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I have been on 10 mg of Lexapro for approx 8 yrs now. Recently I spoke to my Dr about going onto another antidepressant as Lexapro has not helped my anxiety/depression. He told me to take 5 mg for a week, then have 4 days break and then start on my new medication. He gave me some tablets to help me sleep, they put me to sleep, but I keep waking up every few hrs. so sleeping is frustrating, l also feel short tempered at times. And very depressed. l know these are side effects of coming of Lexapro so knowing that helps. Each day it gets easier. I haven't put on any extra weight or have sugar cravings, just a slight brain zap now and again, but my motivation is down. The insomnia is the worst. I know it will be worth it in the end so I'm pleased when each day passes. I feel like my light has gone out, but l won't let these feeling beat me. My light will shine again hopefully on the new anti depressants. Fingers crossed, and to all of us who are withdrawing l congratulate.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I tapered from 10 mg to 5 to 2.5 and now none these past 2 days. I have a muffled head feeling and some dizziness that I guess is still medication withdrawal. Hanging in.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

wow we have a lot to ensure. how long have you been off the Lexapro

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

wow 20 months I am just at 11 months. This drugs is terrible. We need to pray to God because he alone can help us now to recover.
I know this lady as well, she is off 10 months now and she is feeling just as how we are. She is even constipated at time.
You know sometimes I have problem swallowing as well

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I think I'm tapering too fast, but I'm so eager to be off of this medication. I've used 10 mg for about 10 months for anxiety related to a promotion. It helped, but I was feeling completely unemotional and gained 30 pounds.

I tapered from 10 to 5 for about 3 weeks. I am now at 2.5. I have heart palpitations, joint aches, light sensitivity, headaches, jittery, etc. The symptoms are not debilitating, but annoying. I take Advil PM to help me sleep and am taking omega 3.

I know what to expect because I've weaned off of Effexor before., but it still sucks. I'm trying to be strong and have warned everyone at work and at home about what I'm doing.

I'm trying to stay calm and just get through it. I'm taking easy on myself right now. No new big changes at work or at home. I know everyone says to exercise but exercising stresses me out a little because I have to fit it in my day. The additional 30 lbs also make it hard.

Let's get through this together. Good luck.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hi
I have also experienced many withdrawal symptoms. My eyes are very sensitive to light and feel very heavy and ache. I also get pressure type headaches and sometimes my ears feel like they want to pop. This pill has been a nightmare. I found that taking fish oil seems to help with symptoms.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Been off it now for about a month and side effects are all gone.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

This encouraged me to make my Dr. Appt so THANK YOU! I also mapped out a really slow tapering plan. I will keep informed of my process. I am currently on 5mg. That is my regular dose.Going to reduce to 3.75 ish as soon as I decide to start officially, take that a month, then 2.5 mg for a month, then 1.25..., then every other day....It is scary, it was SO bad last time...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I am itchy a lot. Once it starts I want to scratch everywhere! Low energy.
How did you do your taper? Specifically, how did you do reducing from the 5mg point. Size of pills, cutting, duration at each interval, etc...

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Yes, took lexapro 2.5 mg for 2 days and felt so sick I stopped taking them and that's when I started feeling worse and headed towards my doctor. He said I needed to keep taking them so I could feel better and that it takes time to adjust. So after battling these symtoms for a few days (which later I discovered were withdrawal symptoms) I resumed. I took 2.5 mg for 5 days then about 3.75 for 13 days. I had to stop again cause the side affects were making me go crazy. Doctor never really told me what to expect and the withdrawals that could occur. I told him again about my symptoms so he took me off. No tapering or advice because he said my dosage was so low and I would be fine. (I was given lex due to anxiety and depression after my only daughter started kinder, but he could of suggested other options first.) I know it's a low dosage but I'm on day 18 off them still struggling. I'm in the hyper emotional phase with a few physical symptoms but I'm good and normal most of the time and that's what keeps me going. The other day my daughter said mama remember when you would cry in the shower, you're soo much better now. You're getting better mama. I tried hiding it from her but she saw the havoc the meds and withdrawal have done but I keep fighting for her and myself. So stay strong and listen to your body, I should of stopped after those first two days but I didn't and now I haved moved back in with my parents for support and guidance. This has helped so much with my recovery.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Ok I have been on lexapro 20 mg for about a year. I have gained forty pounds and am the laziest most exhausted person on the planet. I will say my depression stopped while on lexapro. I am knocking it down to 10 mg a day wish me luck!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hope it's not a hard ride for you . And I am glad your sober, that it self is a big accomplishment!!. One day at a time that's what I tell my self

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I just wanted to give everyone an update. Somewhere in theses messages someone recommended various vitamins. I tried them and They really helped. I have been completely off Lexapro, after tapering too fast, for about a month. I was suffering terribly with headaches, crying, depression, anger, irritability, body aches and fatigue. After a few days on the combination of the following vitamins I feels dramatically improved. I am taking Omega 3 fish oil, Magnesium, B-12.(these are the 3 that were recommended) additionally I am taking Ultra Pure Tumeric from a company called Direct Naturals. Have to order online. My whole bday feels better. And lastly I am taking a supplement called Black Cohosh. I don't know exactly what did it but the side effects are now manageable. I still feel weepy and depressed at times and a head ache occasionally but everything is much less. I also started exercising which seems to help as well. I feel really good after working out. Good luck everyone.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

They want us off benzos at all costs. CDC and DEA guidlines changed in 2020.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hi Shey,

Thanks for your post, I'm going to get that book. I see your the most recent post on lexapro withdrawls and side effects.

I just wanted to ask you are you feeling better now that it has been a couple months or do you still feel the side effects?

Any other advise you could offer me?
Thanks!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thans. I'll check those things out!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

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

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

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.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

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.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I started lexapro for anxiety and hot flashes. Was given 20mg but only took 10mg to start. I took this for 3 days. It di...

3 REPLIES

I took Eliquis for 6 days, during those six days the side effects were unbearable to the point I thought I surely would ...

6 REPLIES

What are the side affects of Risperdal? My Dr has me on it for insomnia. He took me off Risperdal due to being drowsy du...

13 REPLIES

My husband is backing down on percocet and complaining of dizziness is this a comm I need side effect? ## Hello, Madge! ...

1 REPLY

My husband takes Tramadol for pain. It has caused him to be depressed. He is now addicted to the drug can't function...

31 REPLIES

I was on Citalopram from August 2017 to June 2018. I decided to taper off of them because I didn’t like how I felt...

2 REPLIES

I've taken brintillex 20 mg for around 9 months. It has worked very well for depression. I had nausea going on it. I...

1 REPLY

Any one else go off of cymbalta and experience muscle/leg cramps? I'm on day 7 of going off and since day 5 I've...

1 REPLY

Hi, I've been taking depkote. I recently stopped taking it because I lost my doc. I've been have like these jerk...

6 REPLIES

I stopped taking a 300 mg twice a day dose of gabapentin last tues. I feel awful depressed sweaty moody irritated emotio...

22 REPLIES