Lexapro withdrawal

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Hi everyone! I have been taking lexapro for about 4 months. I had a really bad panic attack back in June. After the panic attack I was having really bad anxiety and a physician that I work with wrote me a prescription for lexapro and told me it would help me out. The first two months were horrible! I was having really bad anxiety, couldn't sleep, very irritable, I felt like I was loosing my mind. I'm feeling better now but no longer want to be dependent on something everyday to make me feel "normal". Any tips on what I can do to ween myself off and what helps with the withdrawal process? I don't have a family doctor or insurance. The doctor that prescribed the medication no longer works with me.

@mbaker51291 Hello!! I would recommend a very slow taper to quit. You have not been on it long so that will help. What mg are you currently on?

I also started taking CBD oil to help with the weaning process.

I'm on 10mg. I was reading reviews on it online and it seems to help people with anxiety and feeling anxious. I will definitely have to get me some. Where do I find it? Also, should I take a pill every other day or cut them in half. I'm sorry for all the questions, I am new to this and a little scared after reading what can do to people.

I know there is a more specific tapering rec, but I would cut in 1/2 do 5mg for 10-14 days then 5mg everyother day for 2 weeks. I buy my BCD online. There are many companies. I've used Lazarus Naturals.

Okay thank you! I will try that. Thank you so much @jeny4fitness!

Your welcome, prayers for an easy taper!

@mbaker51291 - From what I read from your posts you were prescribed lexapro by your physican for panic attacks and anxiety and had a terrible time for some time after that, but now feeling fine. You go on to talk about that you don't want to be dependent on something to "feel normal".
When I was experiencing panic attacks & anxiety years ago my psyciatrist put me on Klonopin (1mg). I too remember feeling the same way about taking a pill to feel normal especially since this was the 1st time I was facing this kind of decision in my life. I shared this with him and he helped me understand with this simple analogy. An automobile needs specific fluids to allow it to run smoothly and our bodies produce all kinds of things that allow our bodies to run smoothly as well. In my case, your body is not making enough of a certain chemicals that allow it to work (a half a quart low 🙂 ) and this product will aid in that issue.
That analogy really helped me understand and as I have mentioned in previous posts take back my life that I had already had thought about giving up on!
As I remember it took awhile to build up in my system and for me to begin taking the small steps initially doing several things that just months earlier wondered if that would ever happen again. I guess I felt compelled to tell you this story to encourage you that because you take a drug to help with an issue you are having that does not make you less of a person. I experienced a major HA back in 14 and their will be 2 drugs that I will have to take the rest of my life and I don't feel any less of a normal person. Be encouraged & well! Jim @thankful

Hello, Ive been having a pretty rough paradoxical effect of Lexapro adjustment. After 2 months of going up and down from 2.5 mg to 5 mg to get to the therapeutic effect, the doctor finally told me to stop and taper off then we start something new. Im currently on 50-75 mg of Seroquel for sleep and 0.5 mg Ativan for panick attacks. My experience with Lexapro is horrendous!!!! Im experiencing a foggy brain, lack of concentration, dark thoughts, extreme anxiety, jittery hands, feeling like wanting to crawl out of my skin, lack of energy and motivation, and racing thoughts, and a terrible insomnia. It is horrible! These side effects increase within 3-6 hours of taking the medication. Then I need Ativan to stop shaking. Has anyone else experienced this with such a low dose or upon initiating treatment? Im really hoping that getting off of it will ease this misery. Im barely functioning. I want to get back to a normal, happy life with my husband and two little kids. Any experiences shared with me would be greatly appreciated to get me thru this. I just hope the withdrawal won't be as bad as the initiation.

Hi, @happythinkingma — welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry to hear you've been experiencing some rough effects of adjustment with escitalopram (Lexapro). The symptoms you are experiencing — foggy brain, lack of concentration, dark thoughts, extreme anxiety, jittery hands, feeling like wanting to crawl out of your skin, lack of energy and motivation, racing thoughts, and terrible insomnia — all sound very difficult. Understandable you'd like to get back to a normal, happy life with your family.

You'll note that since you mentioned withdrawal from this medication, I've merged your post with this existing one, "Lexapro Withdrawal." Hoping that members like @guener @wwwzeydotrocks @annalivia @kdo0827 @kaylacookie @farabella may have some thoughts for you as you are tapering down and experiencing some challenges.

What has your doctor advised about these symptoms you've been having, @happythinkingma?