JamesMc: Cold Turkey from Cipralex(Lexapro)

[JamesMc]

In May 2023 i stopped taking 5mg Cipralex (which is the uk brand name of Lexapro). I was taking it for 3 months.

 

Here i am, 8 months on having experienced so many withdrawal symptoms. The first few months consisted of panic upon wakening in the morning, burning brain and heightened anxiety. These have all resolved. Most concerning to me, which started in the first few weeks of stopping was my sex drive just turned off. I woke up one morning and it was gone. That part of my body felt disconnected from the rest of me. Over time i am seeing improvements in this area. I am getting windows of being interested in sex where i am getting aroused. At the beginning it was only aroused when touched but i’m noticing i’m getting aroused by simply looking at my partner. But then a wave hits and i’m right back to feeling completely detached from that part of my body again. During a wave i also feel detached from the world. I believe depersonalisation and anhedonia are the terms to sum up how i feel. Its not nice. 

I understand these symptoms would be classed as PSSD. Ive read some not so pleasant things about this condition which scares me and i find the very fear of it makes it worse and takes me off any track of recovery.

 

I’m in a wave right now, which has probably driven me to write this post. I am constantly thinking if i should reinstate a low dose of the drug as i’m mainly in a wave and finding it so difficult. I have the liquid version so could easily get the low dose (0.5mg). I tried 1mg 5 months ago, panicked, and stopped. But looking back at that day, i went for a walk, i had lots of conversation, colours seemed brighter somehow and i felt like i was coming back to the person i knew. It wasnt all perfect, i felt dizzy, my sleel that night was broken but looking back it was the panic that stopped me from continuing.

 

I wonder if anyone can help me in this decision? To reinstate at 0.5mg or to continue this journey? In summary, i’m 8 months on from a cold turkey stop, my symptoms are brain fog, fatigue, symptoms of post ssri sexual dysfunction, but they do seem to lessen at times. I’m just finding this journey so hard and its getting me very low.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and i wish you all the best in your journeys.

[Emonda]

Welcome @JamesMc

 

Stopping an AD cold turkey is pretty rough. As you may now be aware, the recommendation here is to taper by no more than 10% per month: Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

In your scenario, you should expect to experience WD symptoms such as you have. I've included the following checklist for your reference: Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

20 hours ago, JamesMc said:

The first few months consisted of panic upon wakening in the morning, burning brain and heightened anxiety. These have all resolved.

 

This sounds positive...you are healing with time.

 

Sexual side effects are common with ADs. Time and patience is required to heal.

 

Reinstatement generally works best within the first 3 months, and you are outside that. You should read the following link: About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Should you reinstate the AD? I can't answer that question for you. Adding an AD to try to minimise a side effect caused by an AD is not something I would want to do.

 

The following links would also be good to read:

 

Windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

Emotional Spirals

 

Non-drug coping strategies

 

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

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Avoid alcohol. 

 

You mentioned you are finding this journey hard. Yep, it is, but as you said in the last paragraph, 

 

 "’m 8 months on from a cold turkey stop, my symptoms are brain fog, fatigue, symptoms of post ssri sexual dysfunction, but they do seem to lessen at times".

 

Why not take a look at the success story section of this site? That gives me a boost when required.

 

Please post any updates here in your thread.

 

Please sign out with any questions.

 

Emonda