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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:00 am
by Keeping the Faith
Hi there. I spent over a year cutting down from 10mgs a day of Lexapro to 2.5 mgs of Lexapro 3 times a week for the last several months.
Last week, I cut back to 0, figuring I was on such a low sporadic dose anyway.
It's been a week. The last two days I've had weird head "zaps". Can hardly explain what they feel like except feels like VERY momentary spaciness, followed by the sensation of my heart stopping or breathing stopping (neither of which happen actually) and then and then it feels like a split second electrical zap that goes from one ear to the other and then goes away.
All this transpires in probably less than a second, a second at the most.
Help. Anyone remotely know what I am talking about? Is it a withdrawal symptom or am I dying???? I hate this feeling!
Thank you!!!
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:46 am
by Guest
Hi there,
Were or are you anxious about taking yourself off of the Lexapro? To me the spaciness and the feelings of stopping breathing or your heart going to stop, sounds like symptoms of anxiety. Especially since you're paying very close attention to your body symptoms. I had something a lot like what you're describing happen to me when I came off of Ambien. Ambien is addicting, and in my case addiction was probably 20 percent of the problem. However, when I realized what I was doing to myself, and realized that a lot of it was my anxiety of being off of the med, that helped me deal with it a lot better. Just take some deep breaths, realize that if you haven't died from getting off of it yet, chances are very likely that you're not going to. If all else fails and you still feel like things arent getting better, talk to your doctor. In the mean time try and maybe do more relaxation related activities?? Hope some or all of this helps.
Becky
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:54 am
by Guest
Thank you! Someone else just told me to make sure I breathe and take deep breaths. Amazing what it can do!!!!
The first time I tried weaning, I was a WRECK. I waited several months and tried again and was not anxious at ALL this time....until now!LOL Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!!
Originally posted by beckyl:
Hi there,
Were or are you anxious about taking yourself off of the Lexapro? To me the spaciness and the feelings of stopping breathing or your heart going to stop, sounds like symptoms of anxiety. Especially since you're paying very close attention to your body symptoms. I had something a lot like what you're describing happen to me when I came off of Ambien. Ambien is addicting, and in my case addiction was probably 20 percent of the problem. However, when I realized what I was doing to myself, and realized that a lot of it was my anxiety of being off of the med, that helped me deal with it a lot better. Just take some deep breaths, realize that if you haven't died from getting off of it yet, chances are very likely that you're not going to. If all else fails and you still feel like things arent getting better, talk to your doctor. In the mean time try and maybe do more relaxation related activities?? Hope some or all of this helps.
Becky
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:58 pm
by Guest
You're welcome!
Just remember, that you are never alone. We are all going thru something at them exact same time you are. Be strong, you can do it!
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:36 pm
by Guest
You are NOT losing your mind! I'm in the exact same situation right now. I stopped taking Lexapro after taking it for about 2 years.
I had tapered off slowly and thought I was fine and then I would wake up dizzy, lightheaded...and had these electrical sensations in my head..plus I have been super sensitive to things said to me or just life in general! I can't stand how I feel!
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:12 am
by Guest
That's EXACTLY what I just said to someone: I'm supersensitive right now and irritable (or irritating depending whose side you're on!!). My pdoc assures me it's all harmless and will go away (especially the brain zaps). Convincing myself is another thing!!
Well, we both have to try to get through it and remain as positive about it! I know I rather be on THIS site than others; there's too much hysteria about the meds out there and what I need and YOU need is support, not chaos.
Hang in there! I will with you!!
Originally posted by Scenic61:
You are NOT losing your mind! I'm in the exact same situation right now. I stopped taking Lexapro after taking it for about 2 years.
I had tapered off slowly and thought I was fine and then I would wake up dizzy, lightheaded...and had these electrical sensations in my head..plus I have been super sensitive to things said to me or just life in general! I can't stand how I feel!
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 5:27 am
by Guest
I know you guys may not be schizophrenic but you can go to this site and read all kinds of amazing stories about people that were tortured with psychiatry and meds and had amazing full recoveries. They realized that painful situations were actually created purposefully for the consciousness to grow and expand but since the mind can't comprehend what the heart does it goes into a period of chaos during the transformation and freaks out. The site is sucessfulschizophrenia.org It talks about psychiatry and the way it operates. It's really interesting....and very hopeful for others battling emotional/mental pain.
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:29 am
by Guest
I weaned off Lexapro (20mg/day) over several weeks and was bothered by the very same things you describe. Someone called it a "brain reboot". They do go away over time. Don't worry.
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:59 am
by Guest
Yeah....I was on Lexapro for a while and just got off of it about 2 months ago....I still wonder if I have done the right thing....but I know that the pills are not going to change how I think and react to the world around me....just started this program this week and it has already helped me to hear from others who are in the same boat....just very tired emotionally today......thanks to all of you for your words.....
JChick
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:28 am
by Guest
Now I'M anxious! I love my Lexapro [10 mg] but hate being on meds. I wanted to cut down to every other day eventually, but maybe a year from now. Currently, the only side effect I'm having is VIVID CRAZY BELIEVABLE dreams. Then I spend 1/2 of the morning deciphering what I actually experienced or not. It's trippy.