1. < Depression & Anxiety

Lexapro withdrawal

Posted by freefromdrug1 @freefromdrug1, Apr 19, 2017

I am currently weening from 10 mg lexapro after 15 years of being on the drug. I was put on this drug due to post partum. Having a difficult time getting into psychiatrist due to wait list. I've been weening for 2months and taking .5 instead of 10 mg daily. I was doing fine until 2 weeks ago when severe anxiety hit, no appetite, flu like symptoms and very emotional. Doctor prescribed xanax to help with anxiety and I take only as needed but honestly I'm afraid to take another drug. I see an phych nurse this week and a holistic doctor as well. Taking a multi vitamin, fish oi, B12 and vitamin D as well. I'm trying to figure out if my severe anxiety is due to withdrawal or if I'm prone to anxiety attacks because I've never had anxiety before.

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Jun 14, 2018

Hi, @justin2000, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You may notice I merged your discussion with an existing discussion titled, "Lexapro withdrawal." I did this so your message would be received by members like @pankaj @positivelife @mrmaid11 and others discussing your very topic. Hoping they, like @gailb, might provide input on your withdrawal and also the tiredness, headaches and feelings of depression you are experiencing.

I'd concur with gailb and suggest your pharmacist could be very helpful to talk with in this process, and I'd be interested in any challenges you may have had with this medication?

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kaylacookie | @kaylacookie | Aug 24, 2018
In reply to @freefromdrug1 "Thank you so much for responding. Every time I try the process of weening I end..." + (show)
@freefromdrug1

Thank you so much for responding. Every time I try the process of weening I end up back on lexapro bc my doctor thinks I NEED this drug. I don't think they recognize that it could possibly be withdrawal. I am seeing a new doctor this week and pray that she will be open to the possibility that this could be withdrawal. I don't want to be on these drugs anymore bc of how I feel on them. If I truly need them then I'll deal with it but I owe it to myself and my family to see if I need to be medicated. I am so scared to take xanax bc not sure if there is a withdrawal from that as well. Also, I know you can build up a resistance to it. The panic attacks/anxiety is so bad that I cannot go to work some days. I feel like the doctors answer is always you need this drug. There has to be another answer and another way to treat people coming of antidepressants.

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@freefromdrug1 : were you able to successfully withdraw?

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kdo0827 | @kdo0827 | Aug 25, 2018

I can thankfully say I’m now off Lexapro! It took me 2 weeks of weaning off. I suffered badly. I was put on Cymbalta and as I also take Remeron it caused me to have Seratonin Syndrome. Please make sure your doctors know ALL meds you are taking as that was very serious and could’ve been fatal. My doctor knew of my meds but didn’t think I would have that reaction. The withdrawals are very tough, you feel like you’re not going to survive but you will. If you live alone don’t go through it by yourself. Have someone stay with you. Things get bad quickly. Above all else hang in there and stay in touch through this site. It was my saving grace.

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1 reply
ght456 | @ght456 | Sep 1, 2018

I made a huge mistake and stopped taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin a week ago. Now I have a severe migraine and I’m feeling nauseous and dehydrated. What should I do? Should I go to the hospital?

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37 replies
youngsally | @youngsally | Sep 2, 2018
In reply to @ght456 "I made a huge mistake and stopped taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin a week ago. Now I..." + (show)
@ght456

I made a huge mistake and stopped taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin a week ago. Now I have a severe migraine and I’m feeling nauseous and dehydrated. What should I do? Should I go to the hospital?

Jump to this post

It's far from ideal to stop suddenly...or at least without input from your doctor or therapist. Is there a particular reason you stopped? I would call/leave a message with your doctor/therapist to let them know what is happening and get their feedback - but the easiest way to feel better is to go back to taking both drugs (if you have them on hand) and then make an appointment to discuss stopping them with your doctor. Generally SSRI withdrawal is unpleasant - but not usually dangerous - but if you are really uncomfortable - a trip to urgent care might get you more comfortable.

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kdo0827 | @kdo0827 | Sep 2, 2018
In reply to @ght456 "I made a huge mistake and stopped taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin a week ago. Now I..." + (show)
@ght456

I made a huge mistake and stopped taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin a week ago. Now I have a severe migraine and I’m feeling nauseous and dehydrated. What should I do? Should I go to the hospital?

Jump to this post

I just recently weaned off Lexapro and it’s a several week process. Even doing it that way wasn’t easy. I would definitely call your dr and perhaps call the hospital and speak with someone. I’m afraid your symptoms may worsen. Please let us know how you are!

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mommabird74 | @mommabird74 | Sep 2, 2018

How are you doing! We’re you successful. I will be doing the same thing in 1 month

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mommabird74 | @mommabird74 | Sep 2, 2018
In reply to @ejhoneybee "I am an 18 yr old female that recently went off the antidepressant Lexapro. I have..." + (show)
@ejhoneybee

I am an 18 yr old female that recently went off the antidepressant Lexapro. I have been on various antidepressants since I was fifteen. I never had a problem with my sex drive until now. Literally a week after I stopped taking the Lexapro, I just had no physical interest in my boyfriend. I just want to know if this is because I went off the medication, even though I never had problems from the meds before? I can’t think of any other reason why my libido is so low. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

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Look up Kelly brogan. She’s a homeopathic md with lots of great info. Good luck! I’ll be weening same drug in 1 month.

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1 reply
youngsally | @youngsally | Sep 2, 2018
In reply to @kdo0827 "I can thankfully say I’m now off Lexapro! It took me 2 weeks of weaning off...." + (show)
@kdo0827

I can thankfully say I’m now off Lexapro! It took me 2 weeks of weaning off. I suffered badly. I was put on Cymbalta and as I also take Remeron it caused me to have Seratonin Syndrome. Please make sure your doctors know ALL meds you are taking as that was very serious and could’ve been fatal. My doctor knew of my meds but didn’t think I would have that reaction. The withdrawals are very tough, you feel like you’re not going to survive but you will. If you live alone don’t go through it by yourself. Have someone stay with you. Things get bad quickly. Above all else hang in there and stay in touch through this site. It was my saving grace.

Jump to this post

Were you weaning off the Lexapro to move to a different drug? Does seem odd to do both Cymbalta (which is essentially Effexor without the need to titrate up) and Remeron - but I've always thought that Remeron might be the right solution for me - but my psychiatrist (it's a new relationship) says that it isn't that popular...because people have a tendency to gain weight - and after 60lbs of gain on Paxil - I am not interested in gaining weight...hard enough just to keep 30lb of the gain off.

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kdo0827 | @kdo0827 | Sep 2, 2018

I was weaning off of Lexapro to start on Cymbalta. I’m still currently taking Remeron as well. I have gained about 20 pounds and I’m not happy with it! I’m planning on asking my psychiatrist about going off of it because I already struggle with my weight. I’m constantly hungry! I do like how I feel with the Remeron but I can’t keep gaining. Are you feeling better?

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