Tapering off Lexapro

[hb_kenzie]

Hi everyone! I’m brand new to this site and want to know others experience in tapering off of their anxiety/depression medications. I am really wanting to do this and have tried before but was unsuccessful. I’m curious to know how others have went about doing this and their experiences.

[Agora1]

Hi hb_kenzie, Welcome to the Anxiety & Depression Support Forum. Four years ago, I came off long time benzo usage. My doctor had placed me a very low dose of Xanax and then Ativan for many years. When neither worked any more, I decided to wean off all benzos. With the help of my psychiatrist who is a Benzo specialist in weaning, I was put on a safe, slow wean under the direction of Dr. Heather Ashton (Psychiatrist/UK) It was done by substituting Valium for the Ativan, reducing first the Ativan in slow, small increments and then switching to Valium (which is a longer acting drug) until finally I was off everything.

Because of the length of time I was on Benzos (30 years) the process was slow (2 1/2 years) After taking the last benzo, it still was another year plus for my brain to heal and start making chemicals on it's own once more. The withdrawal symptoms however started weakening and as each day went by, I felt more in control, with fewer bad days. I am left on Lexapro now for the last 5 years and eventually want to wean off the medication as well.

I do not know what the protocol is for Lexapro however. I am free of benzos and feel back in control with my life. No lethargy, clear headed and am myself again. I wish you well in getting off your medication. Do not attempt to do it by yourself or cold turkey. It takes a professional to follow you through. Good Luck, we are here to support you through this. xx

[hb_kenzie in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so much for your reply. My problem is needing to find a doctor near me who specializes in weaning. When I tried to wean off before with a doctor, they did not even tell me that I would experience withdrawal symptoms so I was shocked when I suddenly started shaking and throwing up because my body was out of whack. I’m going to be doing a lot of research on doctors in my area and I’m hoping I can find someone who will really actually help me on my tapering journey. I really appreciate your reply and support. Thank you.

[Agora1 in reply to hb_kenzie]

Good Luck hb_kenzie. Slow is the key. Keep us updated xx

[hb_kenzie in reply to Agora1]

Thank you I will. 😊

[fauxartist]

Benzo's are very addictive, and not like SSRI's...although:

Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and is deemed to be physically non-addictive. An SSRI helps increase the serotonin levels in the brain. Someone with a Lexapro addiction has abused the drug enough to create an addiction. Often, someone abusing escitalopram is doing so in order to enhance their elevated mood or trying to get high which is not possible with SSRIs.

When you stop taking an antidepressant, you need to wean yourself off slowly to minimize the horrible side effects that result. Usually you'll wean off of the meds over the course of a couple of weeks. Nonetheless, here are some of the withdrawal symptoms that have been reported:

Anxiety

Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Feeling confused

Strong feelings of anxiety

Headaches

Loss of energy – feeling drained

Having electric shock sensations

If you have decided to stop taking the medication then get advice from your physician on how to gradually reduce the dose over time so that you can minimize your chances of experiencing these things. If your experience become worse and worse, to the point where you can’t tolerate it, then consult your doctor. Your doctor will tell you how to stop taking Lexapro so that you can stop taking the drug successfully.

[hb_kenzie in reply to fauxartist]

That’s what I tried to do before but my doctor didn’t even let me know that I’d be going through withdrawals at all... when I got to the point in my weaning when I was taking a different drug that wasn’t an SSRI (I don’t remember the name of it) I was throwing up and shaking. I just felt kind of hopeless at that point and gave up and got back on the lexapro so that I didn’t feel like that anymore.

[fauxartist in reply to hb_kenzie]

why do you feel you need to not take your antidepressants if you don't mind me asking. I know many don't like taking meds just as principle...but for me if I took meds for a heart condition that I have no control over...it's pretty much the same reason I take antidepressants, I have no control over by body chemistry, just the way I was wired.

[hb_kenzie in reply to fauxartist]

I just feel like they aren’t really helping me anymore and I feel like the side effects out-way how much “better” this medicine could be making me feel, which is not really good anymore. I never used to have motion sickness before I started on the lexapro, but now it’s like I can’t even sit in a car without either being the one driving or sitting somewhere in the car where I have a clear view of what’s going on around me and air blowing on me. I’ve been on this medication for about 5-6 years now and I just feel in a fog and I don’t really have any motivation anymore to do the things I like to do and to even keep my apartment clean. I feel too overwhelmed to do anything anymore really and I feel like I’m just spiraling downwards...

[fauxartist in reply to hb_kenzie]

geezzz that's really horrible....I have had motion sickness all my life....I understand if it's a side affect from your meds...I wouldn't want it either...My dizzyness is from an inner ear problem I've always had....I really feel for you on this...but if your symtoms are bad enough off meds....there are a few others ...wellbutrin...and a few newer ones. I hope this can get resolved for you...

[hb_kenzie in reply to fauxartist]

My brother is actually taking Wellbutrin now after not liking lexapro. I’ve also experienced weight gain which I can’t completely blame on the medication but still...