mk321: Lexapro Withdrawl

[mk321]

Hi Everyone,

For years I have been on and off SSRI's of all kinds. I was on lexapro for just over a year and stopped in November of 2023 cold turkey. I had 0 issues stopping this medication and experienced no side effects from quitting cold turkey as I was in such a good place mentally.

In June 2024 | experienced a minor panic attack while out to eat where I had to stop eating and try to relax myself and eventually it went away and I was totally fine the next day.

Fast forward to end of June I was on a nature walk when all of the sudden I felt another attack coming on. I ended up having 2 minor that day and moved on. The next day my head was tingly and i had a tension headache/ brain fog. A few days after this started I developed diarrhea and extreme anxiety.

July 6th I had a panic attack like none other. Ended up in the ER because my HR/ Blood pressure was through the roof and I was uncontrollably twitching and overall freaking out.

Since that day my anxiety has been through the roof.

I was given ativan as needed as well as lexapro but I am so over being medicated I told my doctor no thanks to the lexapro.

They have done several tests and have found overall nothing wrong with me. Is this SSRI withdrawl stemming months later? I know anxiety can return but this is nothing like having general anxiety

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disorder like I am used to. I guess I am looking to.

[Emonda]

Welcome @mk321

 

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Stopping an AD CT would very likely lead to unpleasant WD symptoms. This Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) is a helpful summary of what many experience.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage? The reductions should get smaller and smaller each month, for example: 10mg, 9mg, 8.1mg, 7.3mg etc. This process involves a degree of trial and error, as there is no way of predicting how an individual will respond. Importantly, if you develop unpleasant side effects from tapering, halt the taper, give yourself time to settle, and once stable, taper more slowly and by smaller amounts moving forward. The experience of others suggests that the lower you go in dose, the slower you need to go with tapering.

On 7/31/2024 at 10:27 PM, mk321 said:

Is this SSRI withdrawl stemming months later?

I note that anxiety and panic attacks are WD symptoms from stopping ADs too quickly.

 

On 7/31/2024 at 10:27 PM, mk321 said:

but this is nothing like having general anxiety

 

I've read people make these sorts of observations. Withdrawal can produce symptoms far greater than you experienced prior to ADs. That's certainly been my experience.

 

 

On 7/31/2024 at 10:27 PM, mk321 said:

I was given ativan as needed

Be very careful. I've seen people on this site develop a dependency to this in as little as 14 days.

As to reinstating Lexapro this far out from your CT, that sounds wise to hold off. Reinstating is best within the 1st 3 months.

Recovery from ADs and tapering is not linear. There are good days and not-so-good days/weeks/months. This is referred to as the Windows and waves pattern of stabilization.

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 and Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

Avoid alcohol.

Once again, welcome to S.A.

Emonda

 

[zma1]

From what I understand this is not uncommon. But others may have more knowledge about delayed withdrawals. The thing is no matter what is causing the panic attacks etc the response is the same. If your doc says you’re ok then it’s  anxiety. Anxiety can shift and change from panic attacks, GAD, OCD like obsessing, body symptoms, etc. don’t let the intense panic make it anymore than run of the mill anxiety. It feels worse and is scary and surprising though. Read Claire Weekes, and watch/listen to Disorded and The Anxious Truth on YouTube. Don’t let the new form of anxiety recreate a disorder. Whether it’s withdrawal or “relapse” doesn’t matter. Try not to depend on Ativan, as it can send a signal to your brain that you need the drug around to stop the panic because the panic is dangerous. It’s not dangerous it just feels that way. I’m so sorry you’re feeling bad. I hope you get some relief soon. ❤️