PowerOfPositivity Tapering off Escitalopram (Lexapro) after 1 week of use

[PowerOfPositivity]

Hi all,

 

I was put on Escitalopram / Lexapro last week, starting on 5mg, for depression and anxiety. I didn't want to start on it since I have made great improvements with therapy without any meds, but my psychiatrist insisted I give it a try for a few months. I haven't noticed any affects yet, positive or negative, but have decided to get off of them after just 1 week, at least for now, to try to cure my anxiety without meds.

 

Will I need to do a slow taper since I was only taking it for a week? My primary care doctor said I should be good to just go down to 2.5mg, then stop completely. Is this true? The pills are 10mg and I was splitting them to get to 5mg.

[LexAnger]

Hi pop,

 

Welcome!

I consider you extremely lucky reaching out and finding SA at this early stage!

If I were you, I would just stop it and ride out the WD if any.

 

But it's just my own opinion, so please wait for advice from our mods and more experienced members.

 

Lex

[PowerOfPositivity]

Thanks! Some of the stuff I read on here was a big reason I decided to stop taking it.

 

I saw the doctor for a huge panic attack I had out of nowhere that triggered permanent depersonalization / derealization. I've been going to therapy and am improving, but when I saw a psychiatrist he wanted to put me on antidepressants. I thought I was making good progress without antidepressants, and from what I've read they don't help much with DP / DR, and could actually make it worse during withdrawal.

[SquirrellyGirl]

Hi PowerOfPositivity, 

 

Welcome to SA!  

 

You were smart to question going on the meds, and it is a good thing you have only been on them for a week.  I would do as your doctor said, 2.5 for a few days and then off, just to be sure that a 50% cut doesn't mess with you too much.  Generally for short term use, we say take as long to come off as you took the drug.  So, one week to come off.

 

Since p-docs are basically good for one thing, prescribing drugs, I suggest ditching the p-doc and continuing with your therapy.   There are so many non-drug ways to deal with anxiety and depression and it sounds like you feel what you are doing is helping.  Best not to mess with your precious brain with brain-altering drugs!

 

You might enjoy surfing around here:  Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

In case you want to spend more time with us or have trouble coming off of this med with a quick taper, please fill out your signature block with your drug history:  Please put your Med History in Signature

 

It may be helpful to read the link for tapering off Lexapro as well:  Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

 

Feel free to ask questions here.  And let us know how you are doing and whether you encounter any difficulties.

 

SG

[Altostrata]

Welcome, PowerOfPositivity.

 

Great response, SquirrellyGirl.

[mammaP]

Hi Powerofpositivity, I like your user name! It's great that you came here after only one week, well done for taking a stand and making the right choice !  

[PowerOfPositivity]

Thanks guys! I started the taper, been only taking .25 for the past few days. Unfortunately all day yesterday I had loud ringing in my ears, which I guess is a common side effect of Lexapro. I read that this could be permanent so it freaked me out a bit and yesterday I had one of the worst days ever.

 

It just makes me glad I made the decision to not take it. It's crazy how it can affect you after only a week.

 

I think I may stop taking it after I take another .25 today, hopefully that's good enough

[Dan998]

Hi PoP,

 

I think you're making the right decision in getting off these drugs as quickly as possible. Ask anyone here and they'll tell you that they wish that they had never taken anti-depressants. If we could turn back time, we would all have screwed up that first prescription and thrown it back in our doctor's face.

 

Your psychiatrist may be very insistent about your need for AD's, but he can't force them down your neck unless you are a danger to yourself or others, all he can do is recommend that you take them. Ultimately, the choice is yours as to what substances you put into your body. If you don't want to take them, you don't have to.

 

As for the ringing in your ears, you are absolutely right, it is a very common side effect of starting and stopping lexapro. In all likelihood it will clear up fairly quickly, but if it doesn't there are many online resources to help you cope with it. I've had tinnitus myself for several months now, it's a bit annoying at first, but you just get used to it.

 

Please keep us updated about your progress and let us know about any new symptoms that you encounter.

[PowerOfPositivity]

Hi all,

 

I'm not sure if this post belongs on this site, but I'm hoping to get some advice.

 

Since I got off the Lexapro I reached a point where I was 100% recovered. Unfortunately this was followed by a panic attack and I sort of relapsed. Since then I recovered again then relapsed once again with a panic attack.

 

Both my therapist and doctor, who were both very supportive when I decided not to take the Lexapro, now think I should see my psychiatrist and get back on Lexapro, since I don't seem to be getting better.

 

The psychiatrist told me I would be on it for a year then I would taper off if things got better. He believes that my years of social anxiety and agoraphobia are what lead to my current situation of having De-personalization, and that Lexapro would help me.

 

I don't know what to do and I'm hoping I can get some advice here. I really wanted to recover from this without meds, but it's really hard. I am worried about getting worse. However there are many accounts of SSRIs causing DP/DR in people, so I don't want it to make things worse for me. Should I start taking Lexapro?

[KarenB]

Personally I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot-pole.  Considering that it just isn't necessary - that there are other much more effective ways of managing anxiety etc - it basically boils down to whether you want to keep looking to drugs, or not. 

 

Anti-depressants lead to de-personalisation.  They also cause anxiety and depression.  Have you read Your Drug May Be Your Problem by Peter Breggin?  Also Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker.  Those with the best outcomes are those who never use psych drugs.  Next best are those with the lowest use rates.  Worst outcomes?  Those who use psych drugs for longer. 

 

A therapist who can't see past drugs isn't worth your time or money. 

[LexAnger]

Can't agree more with Karen!

I always tell my friends to pass the words, never touch any of these drugs even you feel you are dying.

 

You will survive the panic attack with thousand times less suffering by NOT taking these poisons. Ppl often feel their situation can't be worse before the drug experience but you would wish with every penny you have you stayed away from them AFTER you know how much worse it can be.