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← Return to Lexapro withdrawal
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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?
Replies to "Hi, I've been taking lexapro for about 16 years. I was on only 10mg/daily. I have..."
@bradyswife04. You have not mentioned why your doctor is tapering Lexapro. Is it because of any adverse side effects of Lexapro or any other reason? Unless there is a very good reason, it is not advisable to taper the medication. A very large number of people suffer relapse after tapering their anti-depressants. If everything was going well for you and you were stable on 20 mg Lexapro for a long time, it would probably be advisable for you to continue it, particularly because Lexapro has almost no side effects and is one of the safest and best anti-depressants. Many doctors commit the mistake of tapering anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs soon after the patient starts feeling better. That leads to relapse in a very large percentage of cases. And after that, it becomes more difficult to restore your previous condition even if you revert to the earlier dosage of the anti-depressant. The safest course of action is that if you are stable on a particular drug or a combination of drugs, don't tinker with it; simply continue with it indefinitely. Understandably, many patients want to get off the drugs as soon as they start feeling better. Unfortunately, a majority of them suffer a relapse of their illness. Only a small minority do not suffer a relapse. So far, it is not possible to know who will suffer a relapse and who will not. Trial and error is the only way to find that out. Therefore, if your illness is chronic and you have already suffered a relapse in the past, the safest course of action is to continue the medication on which you have been stable. Hope this is helpful. Best wishes.
@ramos06. I can understand your wish to get off medication but there is a danger of relapse, which you appear to be suffering. Please see my response to @bradyswife04 posted a few minutes ago. All the best.
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I am currently weaning off of lexapro. Dr took me from 20 to 10. I feel awful. Nauseous, irritable and my head feels heavy. I hope these symptoms don't last long or I'll have to up the dose again and after 9 years, I don't want to be on it