Tigerlily82 Posted October 2, 2023 Posted October 2, 2023 Hi everyone, new here! Was hoping to get some help….June of this year I had some anxiety creep up and my doctor prescribed lexapro. I took 5mg for 17 days and decided to quit cold Turkey due to really bad side effects, insomnia, no appetite, agitation, diarrhea, dry mouth, urine retention etc During that time I also noticed persistent earworms which have continued to this day. We’re talking 24/7 and they’re causing me a great deal of distress. I had the earworms before but didn’t notice them until the lexapro. It’s now been a bit over 2 months since I stopped the lexapro and I’m still experiencing the persistent earworms. I have a few questions: Could the lexapro have caused this? Could the lexapro have done permanent damage to me in 17 days of use? Was I stupid to stop cold Turkey after just 17 days at a low dose? Please if anyone can shed some light, I’m so scared. I have no other symptoms at this point and don’t take any other medication or supplements. I don’t drink and don’t smoke and have no other health problems. Please help :( April-October 2020 Lexapro 10mg (tappered completely off with no issues) June 12-29 2023 (17 days) Lexapro 5 mg, stopped cold turkey June 2023 5 doses over span of 2 weeks of Ativan at 0.5mg Currently No medications or supplements
Moderator LotusRising Posted October 2, 2023 Moderator Posted October 2, 2023 Hi @Tigerlily82 Welcome to SA, Thanks so much for creating a signature. 1 hour ago, Tigerlily82 said: I had the earworms before but didn’t notice them until the lexapro Did you have them prior to taking lexapro in 2020? Withdrawal symptoms tend to heighten any pre-existing conditions, I suspect this should slowly start to fade back to your baseline. It sounds like you have no other symptoms? 1 hour ago, Tigerlily82 said: Could the lexapro have done permanent damage to me in 17 days of use? It is your nervous system trying to come back to homeostasis, which can take time. 2003-2009 on and off various SSRI's for short periods 2010-2011 Ativan 2013-2021 ativan 1-1.5mg 10-12x/month 2016 - Effexor 75mg, short-term 2021 Mar -Jun Buspar ADR at high dose, tapered 3 months Oct 22/21 - Direct switch ativan to clonazepam (don't do this) Tapered clonaz Oct/21 - Apr/23 - 0mg! "Believe that your tragedies, your losses, your sorrows, your hurt, happened for you, not to you. And I bless the thing that broke you down and cracked you open, because the world needs you open" - Rebecca Campbell *** Disclaimer: Please note, suggestions/comments are based on personal experiences. This is not medical advice. Please consult a knowledgeable practitioner to discuss decisions regarding your medical care *** *** Please do not send me PM's ***
Tigerlily82 Posted October 2, 2023 Author Posted October 2, 2023 Hi @MedRN, thanks so much for your reply. I didn't have the earworms in 2020. They started June of this year. I had them prior to beginning the Lexapro this time around but they magnified a few days into taking it which is why I stopped them cold turkey, I would have waited for my doctor to recommend a taper but she only works 2 days a week and I was desperate. Prior to taking the Lexapro they didnt bother me and I hardly noticed them. I have no other lingering side effects from the Lexapro. April-October 2020 Lexapro 10mg (tappered completely off with no issues) June 12-29 2023 (17 days) Lexapro 5 mg, stopped cold turkey June 2023 5 doses over span of 2 weeks of Ativan at 0.5mg Currently No medications or supplements
Moderator LotusRising Posted October 2, 2023 Moderator Posted October 2, 2023 @Tigerlily82 It looks like we have a thread on this, might be helpful. 2003-2009 on and off various SSRI's for short periods 2010-2011 Ativan 2013-2021 ativan 1-1.5mg 10-12x/month 2016 - Effexor 75mg, short-term 2021 Mar -Jun Buspar ADR at high dose, tapered 3 months Oct 22/21 - Direct switch ativan to clonazepam (don't do this) Tapered clonaz Oct/21 - Apr/23 - 0mg! "Believe that your tragedies, your losses, your sorrows, your hurt, happened for you, not to you. And I bless the thing that broke you down and cracked you open, because the world needs you open" - Rebecca Campbell *** Disclaimer: Please note, suggestions/comments are based on personal experiences. This is not medical advice. Please consult a knowledgeable practitioner to discuss decisions regarding your medical care *** *** Please do not send me PM's ***
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