Lexapro withdrawal anyone?

Hi...I usually post on the fibro forum but see some familiar faces here!  Anyway, about two years ago I was put on Lexapro for fibro pain and some anxiety issues I was having at the time.  I immediately noticed a drastic change in my vision...duked it out until I decided I wanted to be able to read a book without all the words being out of focus.  Went to the eye doctor and when I told him I was on Lexapro he told me not to come back for a year after I had gone off of it, as these drugs can cause vision problems and also do something to the retina of the eye.  So...went through a four month wean as it wasn't doing that much for my pain to begin with.  When I got down to 2.5 mgs I started getting the brain swishing sensations and zaps.  It has been three weeks off this drug and I am in agony.  I can't move my eyes or move my head without getting a jolt.  First of all, are SSRI's prescibed for pain?  When I told the doc about these withdrawals he told me to go back on it.  Not going to happen...I want to be able to read.  The headaches are unbearable...mainly behind my eyes and at the temple.  I can't even drive the car because I can't turn my head without getting zapped.  Does this sound familiar to anyone and if so...how long does this nightmarish Hell last?

Thanks

Donna

Hi Donna!

Wow, I'm so sorry this is such a miserable time for you. You certainly do NOT need this misery added to everything else that goes with fibro pain.

First, yes SSRI's and other antidepressants are often prescribed for the pain of fibro. They increase the seratonin in the brain to help lessen the sensation of pain. It helps many people but doesn't ever make you pain free, of course. BUT...the side effects, as you have found, can be horrific for some people. Your head feels all messed up, groggy, achy...and just miserable. Then try to stop taking it and your head feels even worse than when you WERE taking it! I was on Lexapro for a long time and did fairly well. My body adjusted pretty easily which is strange because I'm usually extremely sensitive to that type of medication. Stick with your doctor's recommendations for the best way to get off.

Now for some better news... these med's are very helpful with fibro pain so it's nice if you are able to take them....yet some people just can't. One thing I learned from my doc is that most antidepressants work for about 2 years and then lose their effectiveness. Or you can try one brand or type with no results, try another and it works wonderfully. Either way usually if you are going to be taking antidepressants you will be changing from one to another every couple of years or even have to try several to fine one you can tolerate and that helps.

That said...there is a newer type on the market in the past couple of years. They are SNRI's...Here is a clip from the article and a link to a very good explanation of this medication and it's uses including fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain. What I take now is in this class and I don't have the side effects I had with some others. Hope some of this information helps...there is hope...really!

Warm hugs,
Chutzie


http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/41/5/30

"In 1997, however, a new class of antidepressants made its debut on the American market—the combined selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These drugs act on both serotonin and norepinephrine, as the tricylic antidepressants do, but without the latter's side effects."

Hi. I don't comment often, but I have to tell you that a close friend of mine went through it. She had awful brain zaps, abrupt mood swings, and felt AWFUL. She had a lot of difficulty concentrating too. It took about a month for the worst of it to subside, but about six weeks total. It was a horrible experience for her. She has vowed to never go on another SSRI ever again.

So since you are already three weeks in hopefully all of the withdrawal will end soon. I hope you feel better.

Flower

Lexapro is awful.  After taking it 10 years and trying to get off many times my psych doctor switched me to Cymbalta.  However, it has the same side effects when you are trying to go off of it.  My doctor pretty much has told me once you are on them you have to stay on them.  The withdrawls are awful and can last for months.

Hope this helped.