Lexapro withdrawal

After taking Lexapro for almost 20 years, my PCP suggested lowering the dose because of my age (80 Y)).
I went from 20 mg to 17.5 mg to 15 mg. to 10 mg. Most of the lower titrations have gone by without any notice but at 10 mg. I am suffering!
My hemorrhoids are bleeding more, I have gastritis, diarrhea. body pains, some allergy type symptoms etc. Can this all be withdrawal???
If so, any suggestions!!!!
Thank you

That sounds really rough—sorry you're going through this! It definitely could be withdrawal, especially since you've been on Lexapro for so long. Maybe slowing down the taper even more or checking in with your doctor could help? Hope you start feeling better soon!

Brother, I took Bupropion for 10 years and the doctor just stopped it. I thought I was losing my mind. Physically, I was about where you are now. I found a doctor who knew how to titrate medication. He took me down gradually. He also wrote the old doctor a terse letter on compassion and education on taking someone off of medication.
Many doctors won’t prescribe benzodiazepines because you might become dependent and have withdrawals when stopping. I’ve stopped Valium 10 mg X 4/day with very little withdrawal. Antidepressants are as bad, if not worse. I wish you the best of luck my friend. PS: maybe get the doctor to take you back to 15 mg and squat there for a while. Talk to him frankly about your symptoms. Regards, Greg

Thank you so much. I felt like maybe I was imagining these symptoms. But I’ve researched and it seems probable. Doctors don’t quite get it. They are not educated enough about these reactions. It seems to me every cell in my body, especially the whole gastric network is revolting against losing this drug. It’s a lot to take in. Something that was so helpful can resist my dose lowering to this extent. I’m also guessing that at 80 YO my body does not react as easily as a younger persons.

Wow I'm sorry.i didn't have a good time either but eventually it went away

Believe it or not 10mg is a lot of Lexapro

Thanks for your comment. I have gotten through the worst and am now starting to feel better. But I am thinking, as you said, that 10mg is still too much at my age.
And as an aside, I lost some weight without even trying so there is that to consider.

I have been on lexapro 5 mg for 14 days. I have decided to taper myself off of it. I’m looking for guidance from others on what will be a good taper schedule for me. Any advice is welcome.

@jody197 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

You do not state why you want to reduce/stop the Lexapro. Anytime we taper off a medication, no matter how long or short we have been taking it, it is best to have the prescribing doctor help us along. They know our medical history, any other existing health condition, other medications we are taking, etc. Also, they should want to understand why you want to taper off, perhaps replacing this :Lexapro with something else.

Will you consider doing this?
Ginger

I have seen all the horror stories about others trying to get off of lexapro. I think I made a mistake asking my primary care to prescribe something if my anxiety. I’m starting counseling and I believe that is the best way for me to deal with my anxiety. In my experience all the doctors I have seen do not have a clue about tapering.