Hopeful99: Lexapro taper

[Hopeful99]

Hello! 25F. I was prescribed lexapro 10mg early 2019 for severe health anxiety and panic attacks including full body pins and needles. After a few months I thought I was better and quit cold turkey. About 6 weeks later I got hit with a huge bout of really severe anxiety (almost out of nowhere it felt) and it increased by OCD. My doctor said I was relapsing and needed to start my medication again. Over the next few years I took lexapro 10mg again until the weight gain, constipation and 0 libido got to me. I tapered over 3 months (was definitely not slow enough) and was OK for a few months, then suddenly bang! I started getting horrendous insomnia (which was the worst thing I had personally ever experienced). I think in all honesty it was caused by intense anxiety and OCD but it led me to be suicidal hence restarting the medication. 
 

Just today I have found this website and I am equal parts sad and happy. I want to come off lexapro completely because the side effects are not worth it and because it’s always been the WD that’s made me go back on it when I thought it was just my mental health. 
 

I would like to do a reallllly slow taper. I’m thinking 10% every 3 months (towards the end maybe for up to 5 months). Is there any harm in going really slow? I just feel like perhaps I need to allow my body to properly process the change as it’s happening and not shock it so much. I’m very afraid and honestly just don’t want to end up in the state I was, and hoping a slower taper might help? I accept however it will still be extremely tough and I am in awe of the bravery of so many people in this community. 
 

Note, lexapro works well for me it’s just the low libido, weight gain and constipation + fear of long term affects. 

[Frogie]

@Hopeful99

 

Welcome to SA. We are a volunteer ran site helping people taper off psychiatric medications or have tapered off and are now healing.

 

This is your introduction page, ask questions and meet other members. We ask that you only have one introduction page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

Unfortunately, dr's don't know much about these medications and the dr tapered you off too quickly causing you to have wd symptoms. We don't suggest more than a 10% a month and many go much slower than that.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

 

 

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications:

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

Here are some links you may find useful.

 

Withdrawal Normal Description

 

Sleep problems - that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

Weight Gain, Weight Lose and Appetite Changes

 

Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction PSSD

 

 

We don't suggest supplements on here as they can be stimulating to the central nervous system except 2. If you would like to try one, try a small amount and wait a few days before introducing the other.

 

 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

 

After reading the links provided, please reach out with any questions you may have.