Lexapro

Dropping antidepressants/anti-anxiety meds cold turkey without tapering down your last dosages can cause you to go into a deep state of depression/anxiety. If you tapered down as recommended, then you should go see a doctor about putting you on something else. If you were on Lexapro before, then why did you stop? Antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds don't cure you. They help you.

I took Lexapro for one day (1 20mg pill) and never felt so sick in my life...had horrible jaw tremors that turned into a gag reflex and nausea, dizziness, shakiness, just a general nasty feeling. I thought if one pill does this to me, what will happen if I keep taking it? So I stopped after reading the horror stories of so many who have taken this awful drug. And like so many, my doctor told me there were minimal side effects!! A few days later, after one pill, I've been experiencing hives and swollen lymph nodes in my neck and groin. Has anyone else noticed this?? Thanks.

not sure, but i suggest gradually weaning yourself off (i.e. half your dosage, take it every other day, etc.)

Anything that smells... No, seriously. That's the only kind of sniffing one should do. Why on earth would you ask such a question? The answer is nothing. If someone told you to go snort cocaine and Extasy would you do it? Enjoy death.

I'm on my fourth week of lexapro. i did actually get worse around week two but then at around three weeks of being on it i feel like a new person and it has made a HUGE difference. I'm not sure what the long term plan is...i actually go to the doc tomorrow to see what we do from here.

i did and it did nothing for me at all exept insomnia and nausea. those things go away, but i never felt any benefit. now I'm hoping that i do not have a hideous withdrawal since yesterday was my last day. switching to paxil. buspar doesn't work either. ugh

Make sure that the anti-anxiety medicine your taking, has no risks of becoming addictive. But don't let that put you off because the situation may get worse like mine.

Obviously, you would not want to take any other addictive or dependent medications because that would defeat the purpose of you stopping your Lexapro. Not only that, but you would also become addicted or dependent on those other medications.

First of all, you should only stop taking medication that is prescribed to you under the advice and supervision of the prescribing doctor. The doctor would have weaned you from the medication to help prevent or at the least lower the withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing. He would have also given you advice on how to cope with the symptoms.

Nonetheless, there are several things you can try to do to help yourself become more comfortable. What generally works for you when you are feeling the symptoms you are feeling such as: the anxiety, the nausea, etc.

You can actually request Phenergan from a doctor. This is prescription medication for nausea and vomiting. It will also make you sleepy. Taken correctly, and only for the couple of days that you must, you will not become dependent on this medication. Since it makes you drowsy as well, it could also help with the nervousness or anxiety you might feel.

Try taking a cool shower or relaxing in cool bath water if you are experiencing cold sweats, a common symptom of withdrawal. Dress in cool clothing but throw a blanket over you if you feel too cold, which will also keep you from feeling too overheated.

You can take Tylenol, up to 1000mg every six hours, for any aches, pains, or headaches you may be experiencing, provided you are not currently taking any other medications containing acetaminophen.

For the anxiety, shakiness, or nervousness, what do you normally do when you need to relax? Relaxing in the tub, relaxing in bed, concentrating on something that will take your mind from your anxiety such as a movie or TV show, are some things that may help.

I don't know of any "home remedy" type teas or massage methods myself. Maybe someone else will come along and add more input as far as that goes.

Just hang in there. Withdrawal symptoms will only last for a few days. The best you can do for this is to sleep it off if you can without the help of any other medication or addictive substances. This can be difficult during withdrawal though. However, the reason that you were taking Lexapro, commonly depression, will not go away after this illness has passed. It may even get worse.

It is really important that you contact the doctor who prescribed your Lexapro and seek his advice on this matter. He may have better ideas or something that could really help you for your specific requirements.

Yes, that is a common reported side effect. This and other side effects will generally lessen and often go completely away with time. If after months of usage the side effects outweigh the benefits either dosage adjustments or complete change of medication should be determined between you and your mental health professional.

A lemon honey drink is good. All you need to do is get a mug and add 2 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of honey and then add hot water. Stir until its all dissolved. If it's too sour add another teaspoon of honey. It should help heal your sore throat.

Sometimes SSRIs like Lexapro and benzodiazepines like Klonopin need to be adjusted, or you need to just find a different medication that doesn't cause bad side effects. For example, to replace the Lexapro, there are drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft, and to replace the Klonopin (if you think that is causing you more side effects) there are drugs such as Ativan and Xanax.

Good luck!

It sounds like your having an allergic reaction to Lexapro.

It is possible that taking Lexapro and Requip together can increase the side effects of drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people have also had impaired thinking while taking these medications in combination.

Some cases lexapro can cause anorgasmia or the inability or decreased ability to have orgasms.

I am on my fourth day of quitting Lexapro cold turkey. Yes, I am itching! I am hoping that this goes away, along with a nagging dizziness if I turn my head too fast or stand up abruptly

Ask your Doctor that prescribed the Lexapro. Your local Pharmacist is also a good resource. Also, you should always check with your Doctor before stopping medications.

I have been on it for a year now and noticed after a couple of months that my glasses were no longer effective. (They were new glasses though). Am not slowly weaning myself off Lexapro and blurred vision is worse - much worse!

I have been on it for a year now and noticed after a couple of months that my glasses were no longer effective. (They were new glasses though). Am not slowly weaning myself off Lexapro and blurred vision is worse - much worse!

Med doses and timing differ for people at different stages of treatment. PLEASE do not give up hope. I know a handful of pills that make you feel weird are not easy to swallow ( in many ways). But, if you were Diabetic you would take your insulin to control it, right? If you question your meds and amounts, ASK THE DOC, GET A SECOND OPINION, CHANGE DOCS, DO RESEARCH ON BIPOLAR. There IS HOPE. Life is great...don't stop the meds. There are SOOOO many great atypical meds out there (Depakote is a blessing over lithium and electric shock. (Rent the movie 'One Flew Over the Cookoos Nest' from the '60's and compare THAT to our options today) During my first psychotic episode, to bring me down from the high, I was on Risperdal, Lorazapam, Clonopin and a couple other things I can't recall (in '97, age 35). I weaned off everything in 4 months because the doc said I could either be bipolar or this could have been a one-time thing. Going off all meds with no relapse would prove the latter. Another episode would prove the former. Two years later I had another episode. Same routine with Risperdal, et, al. After a month on that Depakote was added, Lorazapam & Clonopin dropped. Later Risperdal was dropped. Result = 1000 mg Depakote for maintenance. Two years later I peaked out with unexplained agitation and homicidal thoughts; enter 200mg Seroquel. Ahh! I normalized very quickly. Beginning 2007, I started to wean off Seroquel and I'm down to 50mg. My doc says I should consider weaning off altogether over 2-3 years and see how things go. People DO THAT and live WONDERFUL lives. Others stay on meds and live WONDERFUL lives!! I was a computer programming consultant making 80k+ and have retired VERY early, as was my plan PRIOR to my episode and diagnosis. So you see, my life has not ended. In fact it is better because I know what is important...My Lord, my health, love and each day I'm not in a jacket! Best of luck and God Bless you!