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Lexapro withdrawal
I’m an 80 yo woman who has been taking Remeron and Lexapro for over 15 years. My PCP suggested lowering doses. I was able to lower Remeron from 7.5 mg to 3.75 without any noticeable effects. And on the good side, I was able to lose a few pounds. Now I’m working on reducing Lexapro and have gone very slowly from 20 mg to 10 mg. This seemed to be going well from 20 to 17.5 to 15 mg but i started have issues after a week on 10 mg. I’ve tried this before and gave in to not wanting to feel lousy but I know that at my age, these drugs are conflicting with other age related health issues. Anyhow I’m having body pains, sick stomach, bleeding hemorrhoids, sore eyes, constipation and diarrhea. I read these are to be expected. Is there anything I can do to ease these symptoms without taking any other medications.
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Undiagnosed symptomsMy son had a panic attack put on Lexapro (sp?) then had to go off of it, as it messed him up. Since then, May 2025 till present, he has been experiencing ever day:Brain fogDizziesStomach painNauseaSome headachesContinuous nasal dripTingling in hands and feetSleep issuesDepression due to being sick for this longTreatments done:EndoscopyColonoscopyMRI’sCT scans on stomach and head/ brainNumerous blood testsKetamine treatmentsEmergency room visitsSeen numerous doctors, blood doctors, stomach specialists, primary care, functional doctors, ear/nose/throatThey did find that his ferretin levels are high and has some inflammation in his stomach (gastritis). Also found that his sinus are completely clogged on one side and the other is 3/4 cloggedHe is having sinus surgery on the 10th of February to have his sinus cleared as antibiotics did not help.Currently sending in tests for:GI mappingOrganic acids testMycotoxins profileMetals toxic elementsWe have had no success in getting him any answers and everyday is getting harder. Any suggestions, help would be great. Thank you
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2 Reactions@oceanayers - I wanted to let you know I moved your post here to an existing discussion on escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro) withdrawal:
- Lexapro withdrawal https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lexapro-withdrawal-4/
Please also note that this Mayo Clinic article on escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro) says the following:
Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. This will decrease the chance of having withdrawal symptoms such as increased anxiety, burning or tingling feelings, confusion, dizziness, headache, irritability, nausea, trouble sleeping, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
From: Escitalopram (oral route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/escitalopram-oral-route/description/drg-20063707
Hoping that @preston1962 will return to discuss going off this medication and whether it might lead to some of the symptoms and emergency room visits your son has experienced since going off of it. I'm also inviting @freefromdrug1 @hopeful33250 @shushu @lighthouseceliac @1000016352 @janetfinkel to join in to offer any input or suggestions from their experiences.
Actually I’ve had a bad time since trying to cut the dose or stop taking Lexapro. The hardest thing is getting any doctors to understand. They absolutely do not accept the withdrawal issues. I’m now anticipating having endoscopy because my stomach has been an issue since I started this path.
My anxiety needs work! But this physical breakdown is worse. Acid reflux, IBS, gas, bloating, bathroom issues that interfere with my social life. I recently tried a Gummy! First, I should say I am 81 and never touched drugs in my life. But a low dose gummy seems to quiet down the physical distress.
So I went from worrying about the effects that the drugs may be having on an elderly woman to feeling crappy most of the time. This serotonin/gut connection is REAL!