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Are these symptoms of quitting Lexapro cold turkey?

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Posted 9/2/2016 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
So I wanted to to get off lexapro for awhile now.i take 10mg and I just want to stop cold turkey.so I'm 2 days in and I feel like zaps in my body and head.i also feel short of breath and just a little shaky.also a little dizziness but it only happens for literally a split second.
Posted 9/2/2016 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
cinder,

You should never suddenly stop a medication on your own merit without the consent of your doctor.

To answer your question in a general sense, I'm sure there will be symptoms. For these specific symptoms, I would check with your pharmacist or the insert that came with your script.

-smooth
Posted 9/2/2016 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi CW,

Yes, the zaps are a classic discontinuation effect. Please call your doctor for how best to proceed.

Hopefully you can get a good weaning plan, that will help you gently step down...and avoid further issues.

The use of fish oil supplements can also help.:)

Wishing you the best with this, and the next phase of your plan. Keep us posted, so we can keep you in support!

S.C.
Posted 9/3/2016 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Ahhhh yes...the dreaded head zaps. I was on 10mg lexapro for probably almost 6 years and I had to stop cold turkey the pharmacist said its better to taper if you can but because it's such a low dose as is that I should be ok. I just had horrible head zaps/dizziness and kinda felt foggy for a little but within a few weeks it all went away and I felt great and also lost all the weight that I gained! Stopping Lexapro was a cake walk compared to trying to taper slowly off lamictal I couldn't do it even after 2 days I was so sick I have to start all over again and am going much slower now. But from my experience the Lexapro withdrawals weren't horrible and did eventually go away! I'd still talk to your dr about everything first though.
Posted 9/3/2016 7:47 AM (GMT 0)
yes they probably are but why torture yourself? its not an addictive type of drug, just ask your doc for advice on weaning off and you'll thank yourself for not having to post questions on the internet:) and worrying about side effects. plus maybe your doc will disagree and keep you on it. i have decided to wean on my own before and discontinue meds, then 6 -12 months later wished so bad that i would have just stayed on them because my symptoms came rushing back so badly, and now i had to start all over again. ]
at any rate, consult yer doc or at the very least ask your pharmacist about tapering off.
Posted 9/3/2016 8:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Yes sounds like you are getting sudden withdrawal symptoms.

I suggest you go and speak with your GP regarding a weaning schedule as its not a good idea to quite cold turkey trust me as I have done it in the past and had a tough time with withdrawal.

Hibee
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