Lexapro withdrawal

Thank you so much for your input. I was out on lexapro bc of postpartum. I've been for 15 yrs and every time I try and ween off this happens so the doc puts me back on. I love how I feel off lexapro. I'm the old me ☺️ It's just these panick attacks that paralyze me. I finally found a good doctor to help. I had no idea withdrawal could be this hard. I am looking forward to seeing who I am off this drug. Hoping it's just the withdrawal causing the panic attacks. If it's more and I'm prone to these I'll make sure to stay on a medication that works for me. I really appreciate all your kind words and hope you continue to feel well ☺️

I am sure friend you did the correct action when you decides to go to a new doctor, as your independent decision is clear in choosing professionals to discuss with you the problem. addiction and withdrawals signs need professionals.
Thank you for taking our support for you in action!

Hi, I've been taking lexapro for about 16 years. I was on only 10mg/daily. I have tried weaning myself off of it several times with no success. However, about 2 months ago I went down to 5mg/daily for a month, then 5mg every other day for a month, then totally off for about a week now. I'm irritated, not sleeping well, moody and feeling like I'm not really here. When I've talked to my Dr. about it, he says that I shouldn't have these withdrawal symptoms with only being on it 10mg/day, cause it's a very low dose. But I certainly feel horrible every time I've tried to get off of it. I don't want to be on medication anymore. I certainly don't want to go back on it, after getting this far. Has anyone had success getting off of Lexapro with out getting on another anti-depressant?

Hello, @ramos06, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I moved your message to this existing discussion about weaning off Lexapro so that you can meet some of these members who've been talking about this topic. You may be interested in reading some of their previous posts in this thread.

You mentioned one of the symptoms you've experienced is feeling like you are not really here. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

Thank you. I feel like I can't concentrate, like my thoughts are just random.

Hello ramos06!! Oh boy you are going through what so many of us do!! Life can be so overwhelming to say the least. One day everything is fine and the next is like we were stuck in a never ending blender for no reason. The dose really is so small that if you feel better on it then maybe go back to 10 just to see if it helps. This is all a big trial and error type of situation. Try to think if something happened to trigger your anxiety, like a tough visit or a diet change or homones? If you can't seem to figure it out then wait for the next awful feeling and take the xanax. Time it and see if within 5-10 minutes if you are so much better or no change at all. Most of the time you are better but not always. This can be something to report to your next care giver.
I always think that a bunch of ways to approach the "crawling worm" times is best. See if an audio for hypnotherapy or yoga or a nice walk or calming music helps. Coping skills like always checking your reactions or approach when you get poked emotionally. Life requires many many coping skills to be called upon at any given moment.
Going off meds can be like taking that layer of protection away. I read that 30 minutes of any kind of exercise gives the brain good chemicals just like a pill does. This may be totally untrue but I took it to heart and it worked for me. It gave me some control over what seemed like a whole universe of problems!!
I am one of the very few lucky ones who (thanks to Dr. Borovansky at Mayo) found extreme intolerance to wheat barley and rye. After 4 years I still and always will have Celiac Sprue, always have to stay on my gluten zero medical diet. Now I have no panic attacks, no gut issues, (thanks to VSL#3 probiotics) very few foggy brain days and my mood and outlook is normal I gladly admit!!!
Never stop trying to find your answer but always do your best getting to that solution. We are so fortunate to have places like the Mayo that never give up. You can do this!!!

i'm new here. I have a son, age 19, trying to withdrawal from 40mg day Lexapro, with doctors help. He's been on 30mg for two weeks and huge anxiety / panic attacks coming up, overwhelming him at bedtime (when he takes his meds) - been taking Lexapro for 3 years, original diagnosis autism and OCD and agoraphobia and panic attacks. Original prescribing doctor thought he had schtizophrenia too. New doctors say no to that.

Welcome, @johnlionheart

I'm sorry your son is experiencing these symptoms. Is he changing to a new medication as he goes off Lexapro? Sounds like he might need an anti-anxiety med. It also seems that you might be ready to take him to the ER. Are you keeping his doctor and psychiatrist aware of what you see? I do hope that his body will adjust to the medication change soon.

Jim

what other anti-anxiety meds are there? He takes Clompramine 100mg and Olanzapine 7.5 mg now. Also has Ativan .5mg as needed and Gaba chewables over the counter as needed, but rarely uses them.

@johnlionheart

I take Clonazepam (Klonopin). I'm sure there are others. Have you looked at the Mental Health group discussions? If you can find a good discussion, you may find the answers you need.

Jim