Cammiex: Lexapro withdrawal sleep issues

[Cammiex]

Hi everyone, 

I usually would never have the courage to post on a forum but I really need advice. I am currently struggling at the moment with what I think is withdrawal off of Lexapro. To make this short I was put on 10mg back in 2017 for panic and anxiety triggered by stressful events at university, that left me unable to function in society. Tapered off it in august 2020 and although my final dose was in November, I feel as though the real withdrawal is only kicking in a few months later. Almost like my brain hasn’t caught up that the Lexapro is gone until recently. In the past few weeks to months, I have had crying spells, low mood, lack of sense of self, dissociation, trouble focusing, to name a few. Some days I get better and then back to square one on other days. I know it is just my brain adjusting so I am willing to put up with it.

 

However I write this post now because for the past few nights, I have not been able to sleep. Usually I sleep the whole night through with no issues, and have never had sleep problems before now. A few nights ago my heart began racing and pounding hard and gave me slight shortness of breath, and from that point on I could not induce sleep. No matter how relaxed I am, I can hear my heart pounding and cannot drift to sleep. I have had to take a sleeping tablet for the past few nights and as soon as I wake up during the night, I can’t go back to sleep again. Knowing that I won’t be able to sleep has caused several distressing panic attacks the past few days, especially at night time before I go to bed. I have a general sense of doom  that I’m never going to be able to sleep naturally again. Has anyone else experienced anything like this before, and could it be linked to the body coming off of Lexapro ? I am hoping and praying that it passes , I cannot fathom not being able to fall sleep naturally ever again. 
 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. 
Cammiex

Edited April 18, 2021 by Gridley

[SkyBlue]

Hi Cammiex and welcome to SA. 

 

Thanks for filling out a signature.

 

What rate/dosages did you taper at between August and Nov? 

Even if it wasn't a cold turkey (going off all at once), it seems a bit fast.

It sounds like this could definitely be related to withdrawal. 

 

I can understand a sense of doom, and it sounds really scary--withdrawal symptoms *do* ease in time, and there are also things we can do to comfort our nervous systems in the meantime, which you'll find a lot of info about on this site---

 

Also, can you read the thread on reinstatement and see what you think? I'm not advising for or against that, but it's good to be aware of.

 

You're not alone. Welcome. 

 

[Cammiex]

Hi SkyBlue,

Many thanks for your response, I will check out the thread on re-instatement. For the first month of withdrawal I was on 10mg every second day. The next month I was on 5mg every day. Then the final month it was 5mg every second day. 

I am very against ever going back on the drug again because of the lack of depth and emotion I experienced whilst on it.

I feel that my lack of sleep (due to the pounding heart) is possibly nervous system dysregulation as my brain tries to restore itself- I don’t think that it is a relapse of my original anxiety (I hope). 
At the moment I’m very distressed about not getting sleep which is causing panic and anxiety. Seems to be a vicious cycle  Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

[Gridley]

Welcome from me too, Cammiex.

 

The symptoms you describe are typical of withdrawal.  Sleep problems are one of the most common symptoms of withdrawal.  Here are some links that might be helpful to you.  You will heal from this, as well as other withdrawal symptoms.  Time is the great cure.

 

Relaxation exercises, guided meditations, calming videos, sleep hypnosis

 

Tricks and tips to fall asleep faster

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/02/16/tips-tricks-fall-asleep-faster.aspx?utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20170216Z1&et_cid=DM133787&et_rid=1889748952

 

This link contains helpful information, including insomnia and also non-drug coping skills.  

 

Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems

 

Some members have found Melatonin helpful with insomnia.   

 

Melatonin for sleep   It's best to start at a very low dosage, such as .25mg, and gradually increase if needed to the lowest effective dose.  

 

So that you have a better understanding of what you're experiencing, here is some information on withdrawal and the healing process.

 

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

These explain the healing process really well.

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that are single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements).

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

l

 

[Cammiex]

Thank you for this information Gridley. The 24/7 panic and distress got so bad the past few days that I thought I would need to be hospitalised. Seems like my nervous system was thrown completely out of whack and the not being able to sleep was just a trigger for it to destabilise. I have had no choice but to reinstate 5mg lexapro. I am taking sleeping pills to sleep at the moment and hoping that the lexapro kicks back in soon so that I can stop taking them.