Lexapro - Long Term Effects???

Hello,
I am pretty desperate for help. If someone could even point me in the right direction, I would be eternally grateful.

I tapered off Lexapro over a 2-week period in March (likely way too fast after taking it for 2 years, as I now know.) I got the traditional withdrawal - head zaps, fatigue, emotional instability - as well as a feeling of burning skin and overall heat, despite no increase in temperature, sweating or any hot to the touch feeling. I started Zoloft a few days after this (a very low dose - 50 mg) but the withdrawal symptoms never went away. I am still extremely depressed, hopeless and irritable; I have consistent stomach upset and constipation; I have no energy and can barely get out of bed in the morning; my muscles ache and seem weak; and worst of all, I feel incredibly hot in a room that's even a little warm, as though my skin is burning and my body is hot inside.

It is now the beginning of May, so all this has lasted roughly 6 weeks. My doctor has no idea what this is from and can only suggest that I take a higher dose of Zoloft. I'm seeing a neurologist as well, and he put in extensive bloodwork, so we'll see if anything comes up there. (The bloodwork my main doctor did showed slightly lowered testosterone levels, but nothing else.) Does anyone have any idea what might be going on? Is it possible the Lexapro caused this because I came off it too fast? If so, will a higher dose of Zoloft help? 50 is doing nothing. Or is there something else I can try, some doctor I can see, some test I can have done? I feel completely horrible and it's frustrating getting no help from my doctor. I greatly appreciate any advice at all!!!

Hi...I can only give you my Lexapro experience and I know not everyone responds the same way.  I was on it for almost three years and last October decided to wean off, as I was not aware that I was not supposed to take NSAIDS with it as it can  cause intenstinal/stomach bleeding...which it did.  I have fibro and need to take Advil for pain.  I weaned over a six week period which is way too fast.  When I got down to 2.5mgs I just stopped. I still have occasional brain zaps and crying jags but the headaches, burning skin and the feeling of having the flu have passed.  When I told my rheumy about these symptoms his reply was 'these drugs are a lifetime commitment.  I suggest you go back on it, or another drug in the same class."  Uh, no. Didn't care for the intestinal bleeding.  Lexapro is one of the hardest SSRI's to wean from but not everyone will have the lingering symptoms that I do.  I hope you are one of them, and maybe the Zoloft will help you...if it is Lexapro withdrawal that you are experiencing.  If it is...it will get better.

Donna

Did you have the burning skin feeling on Lexapro?

I take it for panic attacks when needed.