Lexapro withdrawal symptoms

Anyone have experience with weaning off lexapro as it is antagonst for RLS.

I have cut dose in half to 5 mg and have been doing that for 3 weeks. I will continue the cut back to 5 mg every other day and keeping fingers crossed I can move on without an antidepresssant anymore.

I have experienced a myriad of withdrawal symptoms and wondered if anyone can share what they experienced. I am also incorporating behavior modification as well.

I am happy to report I am sleeping nearly all through the night. Haven't done that for years. It's wonderful..

Please let me know your thoughts.

[BAK524]

I have been on lexapro for over 20 years. A few years ago I attempted very gradual taper. Using the liquid form, I tapered from 10mg to 3 mg over a three year period. I received a job promotion and then experienced crippling anxiety, so I had to reinstate to 10mg. My RLS got dramatically worse, and is still bad. While tapering I had many unpleasant side effects: brain zaps, insomnia, parasthesia, neuropathy... I recommend you check out the website survivngantidepressants.com. Getting off this med is tough...glad you're sleeping though.

[Hidden in reply to BAK524]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience

[1brightongirl]

I took Lexapro for about 10 years and didn't have any withdrawal symptoms luckily. Sorry I can't be of any help.

[BlackPhantom]

Hello. I posted about 2 weeks ago regarding Lexapro and RLS. I went off Lexapro cold turkey which I don't recommend! Was waiting for the auth and refill process! Yes, definitely symptoms with coming off to include insomnia, dizziness, brain fog, light headedness and paresthesia. I can honestly say it's been worth it though! Still have RLS, however improved, and have a battle ahead to wean off Requip. Hang in there!

[Hidden in reply to BlackPhantom]

Thank you. That is helpful. I'm finding as is with most things it just depends on the person.

[SamaraSamara]

I stopped it too, gradually. But my shrink also prescribed Pristiq. I was supposed to up the Pristiq, while decreasing Lexapro. At 10mg I screwed up and stopped it all together. Anxiety. Brain zaps. (Still to this day, actually, but not debilitating). On Pristiq I feel better: more in control of my feelings and of myself. I am beating myself though.... Here it's Mothers Day, and none of my children want to see me. Depression has ruined many lives in my family (to this day). They recent me for being “unavailable,” I guess. I wonder: would they feel the same way if I had diabetes, or breast cancer? So, anyway, instead of crying all night long I watched “The.best Bloopers” on YouTube. I figured either I cry all night long, or I forget I am such a sorry poor excuse of a mother and laugh all-night long. I saw daylight come through my window. That is just about the saddest thing you can see when you've sunk even lower than the deepest bottom of your life.

Happy Mother’s Day, Ladies. I do wish you lots of hugs and “i love you’s” all day long. Do me q fave... Please pray for me. Thx u.

[Hidden in reply to SamaraSamara]

We are not all mothers but thanks for the thought. There is help out there. Find the right dr and get on a better anti depressant. There are so many out there. Please reach out for help.

[FlintHills]

Withdrawal from Lexipro is very tough!It took my daughter several months to do it. I had to withdraw very slowly as well.

Won't take it ever again.

[Crochetnany]

Boy oh boy, I spent a whole summer trying to withdraw from Lexapro. Not only did it activate my rls but when I tried to withdraw after years the symptoms were horrible. I literally thought I was going crazy with RLS throughout my whole body aches and pains those brain zaps were debilitating. The worse part was my doctor didn’t seem to believe me. I have found that I cannot take any anti anxiety meds. And I’ve certainly needed them. I’ve had to rely on grief counseling, friends and walking, diet. No easy fix for me . I wish I could just take a pill. Hundreds and thousands can but not me. Good luck to you and keep in mind that what you are feeling is real!!!