Lexapro

Hi there.... I was diagnosed with ptsd, depression and anxiety about 10 years ago. Anxiety and nightmares being the worse problem. I took Prozac for about a week and couldn't take the severe anxiety producing side effects. I took zoloft off and on for a few years (lowest dose)and didn't have side effects when not taking it, but sexual side effects (lack of desire) and fatigue while taking even a low dose. About 3 years ago, my dr prescribed lexapro (10 mg / day). The nightmares never stopped and I didn't like my true emotions being so suppressed. Also experienced severe fatigue during the day and increasing nausea.

So, the reason for my post is to share the painful effects of lexapro withdrawal. I began lessening the dose while on vacation- a three-month planned low stress vacation at the beach at the beginning of this summer. Over about two months, I slowly increased the days between dosages. Should have probably taken less mg, by cutting the tablet, but it didn't occur to me since it was a low dose to begin with (and apparently, serious withdrawal symptoms happen either way). Even after 2 months, I couldn't get past 4 days, without screaming pain... body "shocks", migraine type "shocks", severe motion sickness from just moving my eyes, additional nausea, etc. All this time, I was under little stress, mostly taking beach walks, yoga, reading, etc

After reading all the withdrawal symptoms others were having, I realized it was going to hurt, whatever method of tapering. So, five weeks ago, to the day, I quit lexapro. After 4 days, the physical withdrawals kicked in. The first three weeks were miserable. Took supplements, hoping to ease some of the pain. Finally, the fourth week, the electric shocks started to weaken, the nausea was gone (which is great since it was a problem while taking the meds), and my nightmares became less extreme, more coherent and lucid, and are occurring with less frequency (actually the nightmares started to improve after less than a week- nightmares I hadn't been able to control for 10 years, so I definitely think the lexapro was making my nightmares much, much worse). During this fifth week, I thought the shocks were gone for a couple days, but they returned, but in a very mild form. The main problem I'm now having, is insomnia. I have been a little more tearful and hope this isn't a sign of depression returning. I'm actually enjoying the added emotion, just hope the anxiety doesn't kick in. So withdrawal is possible, but a good four weeks before the symptoms are tolerable. I will NEVER take lexapro again. If I do get anxiety and/or depression again, I will need another method, even if a homeopathic method isn't quit as effective. If anyone has any good suggestions, please share. Tx

I have been on Lexapro for over 3 years and stopped cold turkey. I have the 'head sparks' and have had them for 3 weeks now. It has definitely interfered with concentration which causes agitation and irritability. I have also not had one night without seriously bizarre dreams that last the entire night. Whatever it takes, it can't last forever and can't say Lexapro did anything for me but cause serious weight gain. It's easier to deal with life than to mask it with medication; I recommend getting involved in self help books.

Lexapro is a medication that you take every day as prescribed by your doctor. Xanax is a medication used when you feel anxiety.

In some cases.

yes but you need to pis on them first

You should never take 2 lexapro at the same time. I did once because, well never mind, and its just not good for you. One is supposed to make your emotions stable but taking more than one is a huge body hazard. Please don't do it even just as some type of experiment. Drugs are not a joke. Thank you.

Irritability and crying can be side effects of stopping Lexapro, especially if the medication is stopped suddenly. As with most antidepressants, they should be discontinued slowly by tapering the dose with the help of your doctor.

I have lost over 90 pounds in 7 months. What you seem to be losing is water weight.

I suggest you look at cutting your calories down dramatically. I have lost my weight with 1200 calories per day. I eat anything I like, BUT i stick with 1200 Calories only! This has allowed for 3-4 pounds per week.

I have used minimal exercise ( I walk one mile per day in the morning.)

If you do this you will lose. You just have to learn to count your calories.

Answer

Walk everyday at a reasonable pace for 45 minutes. Cut out any foods with high fructose corn syrup, transfats or saturated fats. Cook at home so that you are certain of the ingredients. Drink several glasses of water a day, eat your veggies and protein, and get enough rest. A 1200 calorie diet is too low for most people, so you want to vary your diet daily from this very low to a reasonable 16xyour current weight so that your body doesn't think it is starving. There are lots of websites with reasonable plans and ideas for eating to lose weight. 1 to 2 pounds a week is reasonable loss and it should stay gone if you do not revert to old habits. Keep in mind that your age and any medications you are taking can slow things down a bit.

Most cases of neuroleptic malignant syndrome develop between four to 14 days of the initiation of a new drug or an increase in dose.

Careful with the yaz pill!!! I was on that and i have never been more miserable in my entire life!!! I was a crazy nutjob with the emotional range of a 60 y.o. during menapause at the age of 24.... btw.... lexapro will not weaken the bc as for the clonazepam that is a good possibility as for weed?? idk.... highly doubtful

I wouldn't suggest it at all. Just from personal experience, I developed a moderate case of serotonin syndrome while weening myself off Lexapro to switch to Cymbalta. Had I taken my regular dosage of Lexapro (20mg) with the 20mg of Cymbalta, I probably would have ended up in the ER.

As far as I know you can. I have been taking them together for about two years. Both prescribed by the same dr and filled at the same pharmacy.

It can indeed hurt the unborn child. Most pregnant women do not smoke nor do they drink much alcholol during pregnancy. This enables the unborn child to get healthy and strong, and makes the change of giving birth to an unhealthy child significantly smaller. The same goes for steroids -- it would be un-advisable to use them during pregnancy. In fact, I would not recommend anyone to use them at all.

Most likely a reduction of its anti-hypertensive effect.

Generally, 5mg is a starting point to taking 10mg, which is the lowest proven-effective dose. However, try 5mg for a while! If it works, then there's no need to take 10mg.

no go see a theripist or a docter they might help more

it is safe to be on all these medications at the same time; however, you should take your synthroid by itself, on an empty stomach, at least one hour before a meal to fully absorb it. the others are fine to take all at once.

personally, i take my synthroid first thing in the mornng, mvi with breakfast, and lexapro at bedtime.

yeah, this is not an issue.

Hi there i tried weening off lexapro and ended up in the hospital with every test being ran, nausea, vomiting, gas, extreme leg cramps, back pain, pins and needles, brain zaps, joint pain, muscle aches, it is so hard it was only after 1 day, i felt like i was dying. i am know back on them for 1 day and its not changing

Yes, I have been taking Lexapro 5mg in am and pm for two years. However I got very bad effects from trying the cheaper generic equivalent.

if you are taking medical treatment it will drive you mad . search for the buch flower remides site read , learn about them and get them from there original sources and use them belive me they are magic and they cured me from panic

i also am afraid to go to work..i am a nurse and I'm having a terrible time thinking.(even keeping up with converation) i called off today and am going to my GP tomorrow to see what he says....but i don't think I'm safe ..almost feel "surrell"?? like I'm outside whating me live (or try to) and it's like i can hear myself talking loudly when i speak??? i stopped lexapro3 wks ago and added Pristiq...supposedly there would be no withdrawl since we added pristiq....fyi...not working...i am hardly functioning here

If you're sweating smelly brown liquid your problem is probably caused by something more serious than drinking bourbon. Please contact a medical professional as soon as you can. ~ T I have been an alcoholic for several years and am currently in the process of detoxing for the 2nd time. On average I was drinking over 1 pint every evening. With all do respect that puts your 2 drinks to shame. Have you been drinking for a long period of time yourself? And if so have you had your liver tested. I have heard of jaundice however, I'm not sure if it's possible to sweat out bilirubin. Perhaps it is. Though I have never seen it and you know how much I consume. Call your Dr. Hun! And good luck :)