Lexapro Withdrawal Unwanted Side Effects (Page 7)
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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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REPORT

I had to taper down to 1 mg due to those exact withdrawal symptoms...my thought was there was no rush to end the meds might as well go as slow as my body needed...it really helped to taper down to a tiny amount daily rather than a larger amount skipping days

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I have terrible withdraw. On lexapro 10 years 10 mil. I feel like I am so tired walking is tiring. I have dizziness sharp headaches and just feel like it takes a lot of effort to do anything. I went on it 10 years ago after my mom passed from a long illness 10 I just did not feel like it was helping anymore. It is tough. I just hope I get my energy back soon I am so exhausted all the time

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after taking the 5htt, wouldn't you become hooked on this also. Is it not like another ssri. let me know, because I'd like to know more information about the 5htt.

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I have been taking 5 mg of lexapro for a little over a year now. I started lexapro because of a sudden on set of SEVERE anxiety and moderate panic attacks that were occurring on a daily basis. Now, I am trying to come off of it. What I did was start taking it every other day about a week ago and now I have started taking it every three days. I was going to go cold turkey after doing the every other day regimen but I felt really weird, almost panicy so I took one and the symptoms stopped. I am assuming that this is part of the with draw symptoms. I am going to the doctor tomorrow and see what he says to do as far as coming completely off of it and how to taper from here.

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I would think three days isn't long enough to cause too much of a withdrawal, as your body is actually not used to having the drug. Probably more symptoms from starting to take it than from stopping. As with most questions like this I would ask your prescribing Dr though.

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What a relief to read that so many people share so many of my side-effects.
I put on 45kg since taking Lexapro. That's about 7 stone. I have, successfully, lost 30 kg but an struggling to lose the last 15kg.

I didn't know Lexapro was causing the weight gain.

Two months ago, I cut out all grains and all dairy products from my diet.

I can't begin to describe how settled, happy and sane I, now, feel!

Many people experience mental problems as a result of eating grains and dairy. There is so much information on the internet about it.

Now that I feel so wonderful, I would like to go off Lexapro so see how I'll feel.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.

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I have just been put on Lexepro 10mg and have taken it for 3 days. Should have done research prior to taking it but after researching withdrawal symptoms I do not want to proceed with this drug. Is it ok to go cold turkey since it has only been 3 days or should I ween off? Any help is appreciated.

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I have been trying to wean off Lexapro for almost 8 months. I had been on 10 mg. for almost 8 years! First attempt failed..went back on it for a couple of months and tried again. Went from a few weeks of weaning to a few months this time. Yes, slower is better! Have been off for only three days. Remaining strong, positive and praying for this to be the time I can succeed! Shame on doctors and the manufacturers of this drug for not making their patients aware of how horrible the withdrawal of this drug really is!!!

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I was on generic 10mg Lexapro for approx 6 months before coming off about a week ago..tried to go down to 5mg then decided to quit cold turkey. irritable, SO OBNOXIOUSLY TIRED, and, oddly enough, having incredibly vivid dreams that feel like De ja vu (which I also experienced while taking the drug). I've always experienced these traits, but now they all just seem much more.. intense, I suppose. I don't have a primary physician.. I'm actually not quite sure how I've legally been able to consume this without psychiatric guidance but I've been getting my rx filled just fine.. I'm just feeling loose and confused. your daughter seems to have the most similar symptoms to me.. how is she doing now?

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Six weeks Lexa-sober after 2.5 years of 15 mg. I did a drop down to 10 mg for a bit and then almost as little as 1 mg every two weeks taper. The dizziness and vertigo were intense. I am happy I was able to get off completely. I tried to just stop once done with 2.5 but that was a nightmare. Went all the way down to a crumb of a pill every other day. Now I do find myself crying at small things and getting overwhelmed with everyday stressors, but I equate that to trying to run a mile after not working out in two years. We just have to get back in emotional and mental shape. I hope everyone out there going through this same thing or contemplating a taper finds hope in the thread here. We are not alone.

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I hope you get this message since its been 4 years. This is very helpful thank you so much

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I am wanting to get off and your posts have given me the encouragement. I tried to wean off a few times, but I just go back as it seems like the withdrawal symptoms are horrid. As long as I can get rest, I am okay, but I started having trouble sleeping and gave in. I plan on starting a year-long weaning program adjusting my dosage by 1/4 and slowly progress downwards.

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I can tell you after weaning off, I felt the same way for several months. Quickly angered, weepy, unable to handle a lot of stress without an emotional meltdown. But for me, it did improve. I worked with a therapist who supported my decision to not medicate (which is not right for everyone) and did a lot of cognitive therapy to help deal with the emotional side. She's also a nurse and helped me understand the physiological issues with going off the meds and how I would "feel everything" for awhile. She encouraged me to be patient with my brain as it relearned to deal with things that the Lexapro caused me to not have to deal with.

I am now 9 months Lexapro free, and I feel amazing! No more cloud, no more fog, brain zaps are gone and my emotions have leveled out. I wish you blessings on your journey and hope your outcome is positive as well!

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Geez Diane, your story is my story!! I was on 20mgs for 5-6 years. Weaned VERY slowly at 5 mgs each month, down to the 5mgs, then one every other day. Had this dizzy thing in my head tho, was almost going to get a brain scan, thought I might have a tumor! Eventually got my energy back, and felt awakened again!! But the thing Is you are awakened in every sense of the word...I am angered REALLY quickly, my partner and kids just plain give me the s***s most of the time! I am unhappy and grumpy and confrontational. I wonder whether the suppression of emotions due to the drug, just all come back up after you withdraw??? I am tempted to get back on them again to feel a little happier.. but really don't want any drug dependance again. Maybe I am just an a**hole of a person just naturally? Although I never used to be.

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I'm so sorry you seem like you are really suffering. Being on Lexapro for 8 years is a long time and I would think you would need about a year to get off. Weaning very slow. I also felt better being on Lexapro with my anxiety but, my hair was falling out by the handfuls. I gained over 20 lbs in a few months and I have no libido. I still take a 1/2 a pill a day, 5 mgs. and now my hair is okay. I still have the weight. I think when you start feeling better with your life, it's only natural to want to get off your meds. Suicide ideation and life feeling blah is very depressing. These meds really mess up your mind. I would probably have stood on this medication if the side effects weren't so bad for me or getting off of it wasn't hell. I want to lower my dose still but my anxiety level has been high and I am afraid to. There is a lot of stress in my life.

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THE GOOD: Eight years ago, Lexapro was my savior from anxiety and depression. I felt, mentally, a way I hadn't felt in twenty years. I could put up with the excess and constant sweating, anorgasmia, and jaw clenching in exchange for this. Now, after talk therapy with the most amazing psych in the world, I have tapered off.

--THE BAD--: When I first started to go off, my doctor said I shouldn't have any problems and recommended a quick taper of going down 2.5 mg each week. Mid-way through week 2, I was a mess. I kept falling from dizziness/light-headedness; everytime I turned my head, there was a swishing/whirling; I had headaches; I was manic; I was crying -- all of the time; I was stressed and irritable and jumping on co-workers and students. So, I reported it to my doctor, who said she was unaware of what could be causing this. Grrrrr! I told my psych, who was also unaware. Dr. said I should do a slower taper over two months that would include up-down doses. BAD IDEA! So, I went online, found others' horror stories and did a nine-month taper, one mg at a time. Each time I would step down, I would cry and stress from day three to five or six. When I got down to two mg, I became incontinent -- that lasted until I was completely off six weeks, then stopped as abruptly as it had begun. (related to the anorgasmia?and downright weird) When I was completely off, there were no symptoms for the first few days, and I thought, wow! this is so great! I am free! Then, the crying started - anywhere, all of the time! (note: I am NOT A CRYER) Everyday for four weeks. I noticed toward the end that I was crying less frequently and started keeping track of the episodes. Every day crying stopped around four weeks and tapered gradually until at the end of six weeks, no more crying.

THE UNBEARABLE - My stress level started creeping up at week eight post and is now at a full roar. I am now ten weeks post-Lexapro. I have been grinding my teeth so fiercely over the past year that my top teeth are shifting. My stress level over the past two weeks has escalated to seemingly unmanageable. I have been eating right, exercising and meditating. NOT HELPING. A couple of times I have had fleeting thoughts that my life is unlivable, though I would not take action on this. And, when it happens, I think how weird it is to have such thoughts and try to shift focus.

Oh, and I can only sleep for an hour at a time. This started one week ago.

So, if anyone can help with how long the insomnia and the almost complete inability to deal with stress lasts, please, please help me.

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Hi Linda, Being on medication for 2 years and stopping in like 2-3 weeks, (especially that this medication is addictive), to me has to be very hard. I am hearing on this site how people who have been on Lexapro, did exactly what your doctor told you to do, and suffered greatly. This medication did help me with anxiety and I'm thankful for that, but I have gained a lot of weight and don't want to be unhealthy either. My method slowly decreasing the dosage by a 1/4 of a pill and staying on that dosage for 8 weeks has been so much better. Once your body has adjusted to the new dosage and you are feeling better, then I cut it down to another 1/4. I am on a 1/2 a pill now (5 mg.) and have one more week, then I will cut it down to 1/4 of a pill and stay on that for 8 weeks. It's a process, but if I don't have the horrible withdrawal symptoms, then I will keep doing it this way. I have to work and take care of a family and cannot be suffering from major withdrawal symptoms and of course I don't want to. Even if it takes 6 months to get off it, at least you will eventually be off. Lot's of Luck.

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I would also like to comment that this page has been wonderful, thank you EVERYONE for posting. I no longer feel alone!

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Hey Isabella, I did what my Dr. Told me to do, cut in half for a week and stop. Big mistake, I was on for 2yrs. I think my Dr was so wrong!

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Linda, Did you very slowly wean yourself off, especially if you have been on it for a while. I am finding people that weaned off for only a few weeks or less are really having a hard time. I am still weaning myself off this medication since February. I have gained a lot of weight, on this medication and I'm anxious to get off, but I know it's a process, so I am doing it very slow. I am only having mild side effects.

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