Lexapro horror stories!!!

[Brandi Menifee]

Hey guyz long time no c! I have a question on either weaning off or jus quitting Lexapro cold turkey. It seems as though either way the withdrawal symptoms r or can b quite dibilitating! I have heard & read from different websites that ppl have a hard time with withdrawal symptoms after Lexapro. I've been on Lex 4 the past 2 yrs & even though it's done me justice I jus don't want 2 b on it 4ever. I've been taking 20mg for most of the time I've been on it. I tried 2 wean off slowly about some months back but after weaning down to 10mg for jus a few weeks I kept feeling like I was gonna have panic attacks again, so I went back up 2 the 20mg & felt fine. Well I haven't had the $$$ to get a refill on my prescription this past wk so haven't had any 4 at least a wk. So I figure why not jus stop taking them??!! So far I've felt the "brain zaps" off & on but other than that I'm fine. Should I b worried cuz what I've read & heard about quitting Lex sounds kinda scary??!! Is there anyone whose been off Lex and made it thru the horrible withdrawal symptoms? God Bless!

[Paisleegreen]

I was on Cymbalta and Wellbutrin, when I decided to switch to Serzone instead of Cymbalta, which I felt was causing me to gain weight. I got very dizzy and fell a couple of times when I switched. I still stayed on the Wellbutrin. Anyway, after a couple falls and feeling dizzy all the time and near falls, I went off the Serzone. So I was just on Wellbutrin and that is when I felt a "rubbery" leg feeling or "jelly" leg. That is when a family Dr subbing for my Psychiatrist suggested Xanax, but I didn't know that much about Xanax at the time.

I eventually, started to see a Psychologist and used Dr David Burns 10 Steps to Self Esteem Workbook. I was able to wean off of the Wellbutrin and Xanax. But I did experience my first panic attack 2 months later due to stressing circumstances and then getting a massage, a Soma and Temazepam that made me feel faint and started my first panic attack. Anyway, part of it was due to my thoughts...a long story...but it was my DR suggesting I get rid of "things" and I didn't know what he meant by that and ruminated about it meaning that I had to get rid of all my dreams and hopes.

Long story short, I weathered a few more panic attacks, a DR's Assistant put me on Remeron and Beta Blockers, it ruined my summer last year. Then I found a new Psychologist and my old Psychiatrist helped me wean off the Beta Blockers. Later I weaned off the Remeron.

It was Lucinda's program, this website, as well as my previous experience with Dr David Burns' books and prayer that helped me. I have been off of Xanax and antidepressants since December. Just eat right and get exercise and sunshine in plus listen to the CDs.

Good Luck...I did a gradual weaning...also I'm going through Menopause so I think that initially started my downward spiral with my meds I had been on for quite some time. paislee.

[Brandi Menifee]

Well 2day I've definately noticed some other withdrawal symptoms! All of a sudden I feel angry, easily aggitated & irritable! Yes balance has been a little off & still gettin those oh so weird "brain zaps"! It feels like my brain has skipping moments or somethin! I wanna get thru this though cuz I don't wanna b on these meds anymore. To top it all off I am goin thru a really stressful time right now! Financially my husband & I r sinking, but r tryin 2 catch up & get on track. However him & I r barely speakin 2 each other & it's kinda been bothering me @ times for us 2 b acting like this towards each other but then other times I'm numb to it & it seems I could careless. Could this b bcuz of me not takin my Lex? We've been together 4 forever, but we've only been married a yr! This financial strain is jus a test I kno but it sooo really sucks! We need prayer for our marriage & finances especially cuz we have 2 babies! I need prayer 2 get thru this not takin my Lex anymore! GOD SAVE US PLEASE!

[Paisleegreen]

Hi Brandi--Yes, you are going through withdrawals. Is there anyway to wean off gradually...I think you said that you are out of them, so you probably can't. I forgot how long you've been on them and I'm having my own issues with brain fog so I'm not going to reread your first posting. Anyway, for these withdrawals it will take a lot of self control as you experience the agitation and uncomfortable feelings.

You're doing this along with financial struggles and raising small children...so all you can do is literally "walk it off" and Pray with all your heart. Eat foods with high protein and omega 3's in them and listen to a relaxation CD. If your husband was in a better place he could be the person you could talk to when you are having bad moments. I was able to wean off of Beta Blockers by having my husband understand the withdrawals symtoms. He had watched a documentary of people coming off of drugs and how hard it was. I wasn't on Beta Blockers for long, but they had some form of relief for me that when I weaned off, I was going to feel the withdrawals symptoms.

Just as sugar affects our body or caffeine, there will be withdrawal symptoms that aren't pleasant. I've been off of anti-depressants 7 months now, completely off. Every thing taught on Lucinda's CDs has helped. I do take Temazepam at night, and I do have Xanax if I really need it. But I found that if I take a small dosage of Xanax that it bothers me as well. It was needed when I was in a full panic attack or having a meltdown from too much anxiety.

But if I had someone to listen to me and kept myself distracted, ate good foods and walked and got into the sunshine, I felt better and I still need to do that to feel good. Paislee

[Paisleegreen]

P.S.-I'm going through my own problems with DH, as I'm not the same person I use to be, I'm not on anti-depressants that helped to feel better, but there is a trade off to be off of them. I'm having other issues that involve Menopause and adjusting to being an empty nester. Not totally empty nester because I had two adult children that are still part of my life, one lives at home still and the other works in our business and has her own issues to work on. But I seem to be the "scapegoat" for both these young adult children's problems. So I have a lot of anxiety around them, don't trust them totally and DH doesn't speak up enough for me.

So I know how it can be when your husband and you are quite talking to each other because it is very painful. Going though a financial downturn if very difficult and I've been there. And it started when we first got married, and then we struggled with ups and downs. So things will get better, but it did take a lot of faith and prayers, and hard work. So for now just take Baby Steps, and don't look too much into the future. It will take patience and positive thinking. P.

[Momof2cuteboys]

Just a quick question....if something is working and helping you out, especially during stressful times, why are you so adement about getting off? It's not hurting you in anyway while you were on it and you said it helped you? Same as someone with diabetes or other diseases that they need to take the meds on a daily basis. I know not all are for meds (I used to be totally against them) and I am not saying you need it forever, but just some advice, if it's a stressful time maybe it's a good idea to stay on?

I been on Lexapro for about 6.5 years and it's been a life saver to be honest, I tried all things natural and nothing helped; I hope to one day be off of it, but not untill I am truly ready. Just like now, I am going through a really stressful time and am so glad that I am still on it....I can feel the panic/anxiety lurking.

Anyway, if you want to stay on I know you can get Lexapro free for 3 months at a time, expecially if you are financially struggling right now...you get it direct from the company itself. If you want information please let me know and I will give you the link.

Good luck either way