LexaproJo: trying to come off Lexapro

[LexaproJo]

 I’ve been anxious since I can remember. I think it’s in my DNA. I went on lexapro the first time in 2013 after some bad experiences that left me feeling depersonalized any time I was in social situations. Super weird considering I’ve never had social anxiety before in my life. 

 

Fast forward to 2016 and I finally feel ready to come off lexapro. I had barely any withdrawal symptoms, aside from brain zaps, and I came off pretty easily in about 3 weeks. I was successfully off lexapro for two years with minimal anxiety, until last summer hit out of nowhere. The anxiety came back full force summer ‘18, and by December it was either go back on lexapro or quit my job. With the latter not being an option, I went back on lexapro. 

 

The second time around, the lexapro didn’t work as well, and I felt like it almost made me have some depression, which is something I’ve never dealt with. At that time I had worked my way up to 10 mg and stayed there for about 2 months before starting to lower again. 

 

My husband and I are trying to get pregnant soon, so I decided to try to wean off lexapro the beginning of June. I finally stopped completely last Monday and seemed to be ok for about a week, until yesterday hit me like a ton of bricks. 

 

My head feels like there’s tons of pressure built up, my eyes are having a hard time focusing and are extremely sensitive to light, I feel dizzy and light headed, I’m disoriented and can’t focus when people are talking to me and it honestly feels like I’m losing my mind. I had to leave work early because I kept feeling like I was going to black out. Is this normal? I had none of this the last time I weened off lexapro. It’s honestly to the point where I want to get an mri to make sure there’s nothing seriously wrong with me. 

 

After reading around a bit on this site, it looks like I may have tapered too quickly. I feel so stuck and don’t know where to go from here. Do I just try endure these horrific side effects until eventually they may subside, or do I reinstate a low dose and try to taper again? I actually took about 2.5mg this afternoon but immediately after I started to question why I did that. (Edit: I’ve been crying and have felt sick all afternoon. I don’t know if taking the 2.5 mg had anything to do with it, or if I would still be in this state anyways had I not taken it?) Someone help!  

 

Edited September 8, 2019 by LexaproJo
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[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Lexapro Jo.  I'm sorry you're suffering.  Twi questions: when was your last dose and what was that dosage?

 

We recommend tapering no more than 10% of current dose every four weeks.  

 

 http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

Your 3-month taper was far faster, resulting in the withdrawal symptoms you're now suffering.  The symptoms you describe are typical.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

Reinstatement of a very small dose of the original drug is the only known way to help alleviate withdrawal syndrome.  The only other alternative is to try and wait out the symptoms and manage as best you can until your central nervous system returns to homeostasis.  Unfortunately no one can give you an exact timeline as to when you will start feeling better and while some do recover relatively easily, for others it can take many months or longer.  

 

Reinstatement isn't a guarantee of diminished symptoms for everyone but it's the best tactic available.  You're still in the time period where reinstatement predictably works, up to 3 months after last dose.  It is best to reinstate as soon as possible after withdrawal symptoms occur. We usually suggest a much smaller reinstatement dose than your last dose.  These drugs are strong, and when reinstating it is better to start with a small amount and increase if symptoms remain unbearable. Your system has become sensitized and If you take too much it may be too much for your brain and can cause you become unstable.  Then, once you've stabilized on that dosage, which can take several months,  you can begin a 10% per month taper down to zero.   Please read:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

 It takes about 4 days for a dose change to get to get to full state in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.

 

If reinstatement is something you want to consider, please answer my two questions above and we will suggest a reinstatement dosage. 2.5mg is far too high.

 

This link is specifically about tapering Lexapro and gives instructions about how to obtain the small doses you'll need for reinstatement, basically cutting and weighing tablets, making your own liquid, or getting a prescription for liquid Lexapro..

 

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

 

If you reinstate, it still may take some weeks or months for your nervous system to settle down. You probably will continue to have waves and windows, but symptoms won't be as intense. 

 

Please let us know how you're doing.