Lexapro withdrawal

Welcome to Connect, @ght456 and @farabella,

You might also wish to view these conversations about Lexapro:
Tapering Lexapro-last 10mg https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-lexapro-last-10mg/
Anxiety and Panic Attacks https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/

I’d like to bring @frank1 @ronnie3716 @jay_baruch @kaylacookie @holycow into this discussion because they too have written about making changes in their dosage of Lexapro, and may have some thoughts to share.

How did you get off or wean down easily? I’m nervous about weaning from 7.5 mg lexipro to 5 mg. Next Saturday.

I wish it would have made me a little higher in the blood sugar, but it made me and is making me too low.

@gailb I like the way you think.

I dropped from 20mg to 10mg of Lexapro while trying to transition to Cymbalta (for some pain relief benefit), and I felt pretty bad. I resumed taking 20 mg of Lexapro and added Abilify and soon felt much better, and that's what I take now and have taken successfully for many months. The Cymbalta was also making me feel agitated, but maybe again it was the drop in Lexapro, I do not know. Gabapentin was added for some pain control and off-label for anxiety, and I also continue on that, 600mg x 3 daily. I hope that your tapering is measured and successful and you find the right medication that works for you.

@youngsally

Thanks for responding. I do know that Medicare covers the DNA testing for drug reactions, so anyone on it should be fine. Sorry to read that you have a long history of "drug testing" as that means you've been aware of your health issues for a long time. I really only became aware that I had needed an antidepressant for years AFTER I started Citalopram about 6 years ago. I had a messed up childhood, PTSD, and anxiety/panic attacks since I was in my 20s and probably before that. After I started Citalopram my life was so improved I could hardly believe it. I stopped having panic attacks. I can now fly anywhere I want, zipline, ride in boats, cross bridges, and drive/ride mountain roads free from fears that had prevented those activities in the past for me. And my mood certainly improved. I know my brain chemistry was not in balance previously. I hope you have a nice Labor Day.

My psychiatrist had me wean off of it over a 2 week span. It was supposed to be a 3 week span but I developed Seratonin Syndrome and had to abruptly stop on my 2nd week.

@farabella Hi! I was on Lexapro for about 7 years. And before that, took Effexor. I am in shock reading these accounts on withdrawals. I was on 375 mg of Effexor and did wean off it. But I experienced no withdrawals-same with Lexapro, None! I wanted to let you know that there is hope.

@parus

Thanks Parus. How are you doing these days? I'm having some recurring back pain so I decided to start yoga again. So happy I did that because I already feel more alive! I had forgotten about how great I feel when I do it.

I recently stopped taking Glipizide 2.5 mg. which was supposed to help my blood sugar. I also take insulin. I noticed that in the last 4 or 5 months I have gained 10 pounds and I couldn't figure out why. Then I read the prescription info and it mentioned weight gain. I stopped taking it that moment. I paid too much in $$, pain and work to lose weight with an RnY gastric bypass to gain it back because of a pill!

I also stopped taking the 10 mg of Valsartin, which probably wasn't doing me any good anyway. It was for blood pressure, but my pressure has actually been too low for nearly a year. I read on NPR that certain manufacturers of the drug (for high pressure), use a process that results in a cancer causing NDMA chemical and the FDA has blocked prescriptions from those manufacturers until more research. The other day I read that the FDA has expanded its research into all manufacturers of Valsartin. I stopped mine om that day. I feel fine, and my blood pressure has remained low.

Many years ago I had decided never to "take a pill for the side effects of another pill." Now, I've decided to not take pills that cause other problems if I can help it. My only remaining pills are Citalopram and Omeprozole (for occasional gastric inflammation). I know you too have stopped many medications.

I also wanted to let you know you have inspired me to go to an oil painting class/group, and watercolors are next. I love your work so much! I'm thinking these will help me be more interested in life (and more interesting too), and I will hopefully make some new friends. I have been lonely here, even with my husband as he reads most of the time. I need to have women friends to talk with I think. I decided that for me, loneliness is a choice I can change. I recognize that this isn't a choice for everyone, but it is for me. I need to be more active.

Have a good Labor Day Parus.

Thanks for your concern. I’m already taking Cymbalta and I’m really liking how I feel. I took it 2 years ago and didn’t like it. Most likely due to the other meds I was on. I have indeed had the DNA testing and will get my results next week. My psychiatrist has been out of town or I would’ve had the results sooner. My reason for going off Lexapro was due to how over medicated it made me with other medications. It also didn’t help my depression.