Want to get off meds, but still have body symptoms...

Brandi Menifee · Post by **Brandi Menifee** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:54 am

I have been on Lexapro for about 7mos. I want my doctor to start to ween me off after I've been on them for a year, which will be Feb. 2010. However, I still deal with body symptoms off and on, and I still worry sometimes. I have not had any panic attacks since Feb.2009, and I can live my life again! I do feel tons better. I just want to know, if I should stay on the meds since I still have body sensations and worry? Do I need to be 100% symptom free to be off my meds? I posted this on another thread, but I need lots of opinions please. Don't want to be on the meds forever. Although I think some may have to be, right?

david cruz · Post by **david cruz** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:40 pm

Always follow your Dr.s advise. I so wanted to go off meds after about that time frame. It was too soon for me. Work with the program ....time will let you know when you may stop them. Keep working the program...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 3:07 pm

Hi Brandi, You should definitely have this discussion this with your doctor. He or she will have the most insight into this. I was very anti-med for the simple fact that I was afraid I would be one them forever. The way my therapist explained it to me was that when you take the meds it allows you to function by breaking the anxiety/depression loop. When the loop is broken, you engage in more functional behaviors, which the brain now uses to make new healthier connections. Eventually the new learned behaviors take over and the anxiety loop is significantly weakened. The time it takes to make new continues varies between people and will depend on the progress of your treatment.

I don't know if you have to be 100% symptom free, I would imagine not. However, I don't think you can put a time frame on it. It may actually increase your anxiety. Give yourself time.