Lexapro withdrawal

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?

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.

Well, for a while the doctor kept on encouraging me to keep going and get through the tough adjustment period with Ativan. However, I was really getting scared with the dark thoughts so she decided to get me off of Lexapro. It is strange,however, that the symptoms are so horrific this time around as I was on Lexapro a few years ago and have not experienced anything like this. So this is my second time around on this medication and it's been a completely different experience. It helped first time around. I am really hoping to feel better soon. Today is my first day without Lexapro. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Has anyone experienced good results with a medication the very first time around and a horrible experience on the second try?

I experienced the same .. first go of Lexapro went great then 3 yrs later went back on again and it was a horrible experience. After 3 months of enduring the side effects, I noticed the pharmacy had been giving me the generic Escitalopram. Because this was the only difference from 3 years ago, my psychiatrist prescribed a DO NOT SUBSTITUTE and now back on primary Lexapro with great results and little side effects. It’s worth checking on. There are many blogs online regarding those that are unable to tolerate the generic

Good day, My name is Whitney I'm in my early 30's. I have been on Lexapro (20mg) for over 2 yrs. I began taking the medication shortly after starting a new, very stressful position. Recently, I have been medication free (I also have Lupus) for my Lupus and wanted to rid myself of the remaining medication I was on. I started to ween off the lexapro slowly. At this time, I have not taken a pill in 5 days and, I am experience some very undesirable symptoms. Currently, I am experiencing extreme dizziness and nausea. I have luckily, only had one small anxiety attack which only lasted a few minutes. Can anyone give me some pointers on how to help the dizziness and nausea? I am currently taking vitamins, fiber supplements, using "Sea Band's" which are used for motion sickness etc and, taking benadryl to try and calm some of the dizziness but, that is making me drowsy and also making it hard to stay awake at work. Thank you so very much in advance!

Hi, @wmontalvo1 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will note I moved your post here where many other members are talking about escitalopram (Lexapro) withdrawal in a thread by that name.

If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.

I'm hoping many members here will have some thoughts on the dizziness and nausea you have experienced in your taper, in addition to some anxiety, like @shevet123 @happythinkingma @mommabird74 @freefromdrug1 @farabella @kdo0827 and others.

Has your doctor weighed in on how to deal with these symptoms you are having as you taper off this medication, @wmontalvo1? If so, what did he or she suggest?

Thanks so much! Really appreciate any feedback, advice or assistance. My doctor suggested slowing down the taper and also suggested staying on the drug but, I’m not really up for that. Today is day 5-6 of no medication at all. I’ve adjusted to the life changed and am grateful for the lexapros assistance during that transition but, I’ve learned ways to deal with any anxiety that don’t include medication.

I’m on day 15 with no lexapro and my withdrawal peeked at day 10. I tapered slowly over 4.5 months & followed a diet plan for decreased inflammation. My withdrawal made me feel like I had a cold, I was irritated by little things & crying lots. But the crying was a good thing in that it felt like a release. Running helped me a lot through this and Jesus my healer!

I’m on day 15 with no lexapro and my withdrawal peeked at day 10. I tapered slowly over 4.5 months & followed a diet plan for decreased inflammation. My withdrawal made me feel like I had a cold, I was irritated by little things & crying lots. But the crying was a good thing in that it felt like a release. Running helped me a lot through this and Jesus my healer!