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Lexapro withdrawal

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Posted 1/5/2016 12:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all.
I am on week 3 of a 4 week tapering schedule for lexapro. I have been taking 5mgs for 1 year. My schedule has been every 2nd day for 2 weeks then every 3rd day for 2 weeks and then stop. I have been having slight nausea and acid reflux issues, tingly feeling on scalp and other various places, weird headaches as well as the zaps ive heard so much of but otherwise i tend to feel better on the days im not taking my tablet than on the days that i do. I guess im just looking for some encouragement. I have one week left until my last dose and im really hoping my withdrawal symptoms stay reasonably minimal. Im finding it difficult to find anyone else whose gone off of just a 5mg dose as im aware is lower than the lowest therapeutic dose of 10mg. So if theress anyone out there whose gone off this drug successfully id like to hear your story and how long i should expect withdrawal to last. Thankyou all in advance.
Posted 1/5/2016 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Jessie,

I don't have personal information to share...but just wanted to send my encouragement.

Are you currently taking a fish oil supplement? Many people find this helpful with withdrawal effects.

How about coping skills? Do you have therapy or self help tools to get you through your discontinuation and beyond?

If you need ideas we've got great ones in our Resources at the top of the main forum page.

Best wishes and keep posting for support!

S.C.
Posted 1/5/2016 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Jessie,

I did wean off this drug successfully without any side effects. I am going back on it, because I really should not have come off, but I am dealing with that.

I came off 20mg and weaned down over a period of months. Down to 15mg for a couple of months I stayed on 10 for a few months, trying to decide whether to come off, then went to 5 for a couple of months and then nothing. I had no issues. But as I said, it was a long taper

Yours should not have to be so long as you were only on 5mg.

Best of luck
Posted 1/6/2016 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info guys.
Scaredy, I am taking a high dose fish oil, all the vitamin b's and magnesium as suggested by the doctor. Tlkat its encouraging hearing your withdrawal wasnt severe and from a much higher dose than myself. I keep reasing horror stories of lex withdrawal abd scare myself but forget to realise ive only been on 5mg for a short time compared to others on higher doses for much longer. Fingers crossed it stays painless
Posted 1/6/2016 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Jessie - did you find the 5mg Lexapro helpful? I was on 10 mg initially, several years ago, but I could not cope with the side effects, so I reduced to 5mg. That eliminated the side effects but I am not sure, at that level, the drug had much impact. Hard to say. After about 4 months, I went off it. I had no problem with the withdrawal, but I guess that may differ from person to person.
Posted 1/6/2016 9:57 AM (GMT 0)
I dont really think it did much for my anxiety at all. I still was having panic i found the 5mg mostly just dulled my life. Flat emotions and gained alot of weight. Im only small. 5ft and 50 kilos usually so weight gain doesnt look good on me especially as im an athlete so that was my main reason for quitting. I must admit when i first reached the 6 week mark starting the drug i felt alot happier but it didnt last long and i really should have got off sooner. My withdrawal today has been sharp head pains that last no longer than 30 seconds at a time but still... ouch
Posted 1/6/2016 10:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I have been on various antidepressants over the years and found Lexapro the easiest to wean off and had no withdrawal effects I was taking 15mg and slowly lowered the dose over a couple of months.

Hibee
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