alexmp201: 3 weeks into lexapro withdrawal and I have some questions

[alexmp201]

So may of 2022 I started my SSRI journey I had bad anxiety and my doctor recommended I take Zoloft. I listened and started with a low dose I completely forget what dose I took but I know I had a terrible reaction to it I lasted like 2 months and then got switched to lexapro. Once I was in lexapro I went from 2.5mg to 10mg wayyyy to fast my psychiatrist was terrible and I got so so many side effects from 10mg so she had me taper off within a month from 10mg-0mg and I had every side effect in the book, you name it I had it. (Brain Zaps were the worst). She then switched me to buspar 5mg 3 times a day and man I could only last 9 days on it. It gave such bad intrusive thoughts it was scary. So I decided to get back on lexapro in January of 2023 and go super slow like start with 2.5 mg and I knew I was sensitive because 2.5 gave me side effects so I started slowly upping my dose and the intrusive thoughts got worse, blurry vision, urge to cry daily, dizzy, and after about 5 months in it I became numb. Nothing would give me anxiety but also nothing would give me excitement.

 

 

So I started tapering very very slow I went from 5mg to 2.5mg to 1.25mg and then 1.25mg every other day and it was definitely a better taper from last time because I got no brain zaps so far.

 

 

 

So currently I’m almost 4 weeks in off of lexapro and man this is hard. I’ve technically been on meds for 1 year just not consistently so I do understand that it will take awhile to heal but man these side effects are weird.

 

I don’t feel happy but I don’t feel sad it is such a weird feeling. I have days where I feel amazing like back to normal and then the next day sucks. Just feels like my motivation is low right now and excitement, I thought that would come back after almost 4 weeks off the pill. Another big thing is the insomnia it is so hard to stay asleep at night. It’s like I have an urge to cry but can’t. 

 

just wanted to know if these side effects are common with someone who’s been on ssris for a year 

Edited July 31, 2023 by manymoretodays
name to title

[alexmp201]

I definitely do not want to reinstate a small dose because I read some people do that I’m definitely gonna tough through because I feel as if I have my anxiety under control 

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  From what you describe, it sounds to me like you are experiencing symptoms from adverse reactions to your drugs, as well as some withdrawal symptoms.  All the symptoms you describe are very common ones.  Are you completely off psych drugs at this time? 

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  We only need drug names, dosages, and dates, as best you can remember.  Please read the link below for instructions.  

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

 

On 7/29/2023 at 10:03 AM, alexmp201 said:

I have days where I feel amazing like back to normal and then the next day sucks.

This is very typical.  Please see Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

As time goes on your nervous system will very gradually adapt to being without the drugs, and you will very slowly feel better, probably with windows and waves.  Learning some non drug coping skills will be very helpful.  Please keep in touch, and let us know how you are doing. 

 

 

 

[getofflex]

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

[Altostrata]

How are you doing @alexmp201?

[alexmp201]

Well I am 6 weeks in on lexapro withdrawal and I have some questions, hoping some of y’all can help me. 
 

My drug history-

 

zoloft 75mg may 2022-September 2022

lexapro 10mg September 2022-December 2022

buspar 5mg 3x a day (this was terrible I lasted 9 days on it) 

back on lexapro 5mg January 2023-July 2023 

 

so basically I’ve been on an ssri for a year just not consistently and none of them have worked well expect lexapro and that one was even hard for me. I tapered very very slow the second time on lexapro like it took me months to go from 5mg-0mg because I’m so sensitive to meds. 
 

but my reason for this post is I’m 6 weeks in to what I think is “lexapro withdrawal” and it’s tough 

 

I have days where I sleep good and days where I sleep terrible. Some days my anxiety is manageable some days it’s terrible. Same goes for my apetite. But one thing I’m confused about is I feel down in the dumps…like not sad but also not happy it’s like my excitement is dulled a tad. This is also a reason I got off meds is because I was starting to feel numb. I’m also having a side effect where I feel the need to cry but can’t it’s so weird. Also the dreams are very vivid and sometimes scary and the intrusive thoughts can be overwhelming some days. S*x is still low as well.
 

I used lexapro for anxiety not depression but why when I’m withdrawing do I feel so down in the dumps…like is any of this common does anyone have any stories they can share?

 

it almost feels like I’m stuck and I’m scared because I don’t wanna feel like this forever. I’m also scared because I’m 6 weeks in to my withdrawal and I still feel bad, I thought I’d be feeling better by now.

[Altostrata]

4 hours ago, alexmp201 said:

but my reason for this post is I’m 6 weeks in to what I think is “lexapro withdrawal” and it’s tough 

 

@alexmp201 when was your last dose of Lexapro?

 

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