TheUglyWithdrawal: Lexapro Withdrawal

[TheUglyWithdrawal]

anyone going through this .......

 

i have been on Lexapro for almost 18 years, went up to 40 mg 5 years ago felt better for a while and it hit me again 

head pressure( brain is not working right, lack of concentration} feels like my eyes are lagging, weakness, blurry vision, nausea, eyes tightness. Did brain, neck, lumbar, mris,  ct scans with angio,  all kinds of blood work , hospital visits almost every 3 mnths.

no answer ,  started the withdrawal process about 17 weeks ago,  not fun at all, daily disorientation, dizzy, balance issues, no appetite, lightheaded, agitation, crying spells, insomia, 

no doctor seem to figure out why. went down to 15 mg  M, W, F, S   AND 20 MG  T, TH, SAT,  FOR 3 WEEKS SYMPTOMS NEVER WENT AWAY,  talked to the doctor yesterday we agreed to take a 10 mg at night and 10mg in the morning . hope it will  help.. 

hope i am making the right decision.  the symptoms are horrible. 

 

Edited October 29, 2021 by ChessieCat
Name to title, reduced all caps in title and name/changed to plain text

[Shep]

Hi, Ugly Withdrawal.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. 

 

It sounds like the way you're tapering may be making things worse for you. Please note we don't recommend alternating doses like that, so I'm glad you're being consistent now with 10 mg at night and 10 mg in the morning. Although if this is a drug that's stimulating for you (some people find Lexapro to be stimulating), taking all of it earlier in the day may be helpful. 

 

You may want to hold and see if you can stabilize for awhile and then taper at no more than 10% a month, based on the prior month's dose (not the original dose).

 

Here is some information on withdrawal to get you started: 

 

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

The Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-tapering

 

How psychiatric drugs remodel your brain

 

Healing from antidepressants. Patterns of recovery video (4 minutes)

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Please add a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

Please use this thread to document your taper and to ask questions. 

[Heath]

Welcome to SA TUW !! Lexapro side effects are a little tough I’ve also had most of the ones you had . I also had dry eyes, dry sinus, dry mouth . The one I hate is like you concentration problems. I’m sure there are more side effects it causes that I have yet to relate. And yes I have seen drs and test for side effects which were negative. Back and forth! I quit going to sinus allergy dr . Most drs know nothing about ssri side effects and withdrawals they only try to give you pills for whatever symptoms you’re having that are actually side effects of ssris. It’s kinda like everytime you go to dr for sinus ear ache allergies they gonna give you antibiotic. I’ve withdrawn from 15 to 9 mgs so far. Once I learned about these meds it really helped knowing what withdrawals and side effects are and when a dr can help or not. Learn everything you can about side effects and withdrawals of these meds. It will help you get through this . SA is full of info! In past when I had bad withdrawals it would take me between 3 and 6 months to stabilize. Keep same dose, same meds, same time and a

stabilization will come patience. Slow steady stable. And acknowledge accept float. The moderators here will guide you on what to do! Hang in there! You are in the right place! 

[TheUglyWithdrawal]

JULY 16 STARTED DHEA FOR 1 WEEK. 

JULY 31 2020 TOOK BUSPAR FOR 1 WEEK ONLY

AUG 2 2020 STARTED FLUDROCORTISONE 0.5 MG FOR LOW BLOOD PRESSURE 1 PILL IN THE MORNING

SEPTEMBER 9 2020  STARTED LEXAPRO 20 MG 

DECEMBER 14 2020 STARTED LEXAPRO 15 MG

JANUARY 6 2020      STARTED 10 MG NIGHT 10 MG DAY OF LEXAPRO 

JAN 5/2020 TO JAN 27/2020 NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL 

AFTER JAN 27 IT HAS BEEN REALLY BAD WITH NO RELIEF. 

AND SINCE IT HAS BEEN THE UGLY SYMPTOMS ANS SCARY PART. 

 

 

[TheUglyWithdrawal]

finally I am down to 10 mg Lexapro in the evening , started Pristiq 25 about 3 weeks ago but my doctor put me on 50 mg as of June 17 2021 I take it daily at 10 am and still taking 10 mg Lexapro in the evening till my body and my symptoms get better,  going through bad side effects, crying spells daily, weakness, mild chest pain, dizzy, tight stomach. 

some blurry vision and more. could the Pristiq do all this? want to stop it but doctor said give it one more week, any ideas....

any one having all this starting pristiq 50 mg and how long this going to be ..today my cardiologist at UofM decided that i have dysautonomia or pots according to a tilt table test i did back in 2018 when i had a bad broken leg. could antidepressants cause all this... please help

[Gridley]

 

@TheUglyWithdrawal

 

Please don't start any more Introduction topics for yourself.  Only one Introduction topic per member.  Post all your updates and questions here on this thread.

 

Is your doctor aware that there is a major drug interaction between Lexapro and Pristiq?  A description follows at the end of this post.

 

Please add the new Pristiq information, including dates and dosages, in your drug signature.  Please also add the date you started the Lexapro.  Use this link and press "save."  You'll need to use a computer rather than a phone.  Here's the link to update your signature.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

Here's the information on the drug interaction between Lexapro and Pristiq.

Interactions between your drugs

Major

escitalopram  desvenlafaxine

Applies to: Lexapro (escitalopram), Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

Using escitalopram together with desvenlafaxine can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

 

 

[manymoretodays]

Hi TheUglyWithdrawal, @TheUglyWithdrawal

It does sound like your doctor is pretty clueless as far as WD(withdrawal) goes and in their safe prescribing skills.

Pristiq would never be a good addition, or cross taper to from Lexapro.

 

And then post right here, on your Introduction.  You'll see some of your initial information, and a welcoming post including additional information from Shep now, as you scroll up.

Not sure if you were able to read that before your prescriber took over. 

 

On 1/8/2021 at 9:56 AM, TheUglyWithdrawal said:

i have been on Lexapro for almost 18 years, went up to 40 mg 5 years ago felt better for a while and it hit me again 

That's an insane amount of Lexapro to begin with, that 40 mg dosage for 5 years.  And an insane way for your doctor to taper you off of it. (I did scroll up and read some of the changes you've posted in narratives, so again you can see why it's helpful to have all your information in one place)

 

I can only try to imagine how you might be feeling right now.

 

To check out any medication, before you begin it, from here on out, you can go to Drugs.com

You'll see a box at the top where you can enter a single drug and then read all about, including the side effect profiles.

And then below that, you'll see where Gridley so nicely, got the information in the post above mine, from the Interaction Checker.  You just plug in your drugs and it will show you interactions, which can be serious.

 

And yes, give a try at redoing your signature.  This is portion that we can see at a glance, below all your posts.  Please don't use all caps, it can seem like yelling, and also be hard on the eyes of those who are spending a lot of time scanning posts here, and trying to help out.  Moderators and other members alike.

 

This goes a bit further into what we'd like to see:

How to List Drug History in Signature

It's easier if you do this from a PC.  Saves us having to scroll up and read all of your posts before making suggestions.

I thought I saw the Pristiq was started on June 17th of 2020, with one dose increase already.  Get the date, name of drug, dosages and dose changes in there.

That would go for your Lexapro too. 

 

And do your best to maintain the best you can right now.  This won't last forever.  Again, I can only imagine how tough it might be right now.   Once you get some more of the preliminaries done, we may be able to further assist, suggest, and support.

 

Oh, and hugs.......

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

moderator manymoretodays(mmt)

 

 

[TheUglyWithdrawal]

u guys ae the best thank you ill work on it

[TheUglyWithdrawal]

moderator please help with signature not sure how it works or what to put or what it means.

[Gridley]

58 minutes ago, TheUglyWithdrawal said:

moderator please help with signature not sure how it works or what to put or what it means.

Go to the following link and type in the new information about the Pristiq: first dose, date you started that dose, your current dose and the date you started that dose. Also add the date you started the Lexapro.  This drug signature (your drug history) will appear below each of your posts and is very helpful to the moderators.  You will need to use a computer, not a phone, to make these changes to your drug signature.  Here's the link.  Enter the information and press "save."

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

[TheUglyWithdrawal]

Was on lexapro for 22 years 40 mg stopped working, tappered down for a year , 35 mg in feb , 15 in June, 10 in July, 5 in aug 2021,  last 5mg was in Aug 30.  Symptoms are bad and still going after 30 days . Daily headaches, bad dizzy spells all day, eyes pressure, crying spells, tight neck, blurry vision Not sure if I am still having the bad withdrawals still? Could lexapro withdrawals last that long?Anyone been through it ?? Please advise please ,  started pritiq 25 in May, up to 50 mg in June , back down to 25mg in sep.

[Kiasofia]

Hi @TheUglyWithdrawal

 

I moved this post to your introduction topic. Please post any questions about your personal situation here so all the information is in one place.

When did you reduce Pristiq from 50 mg to 25 mg?

 

Please update your drug history here

so it shows when you took your last dose of lexapro and when you reduced Pristiq.

 

Are you taking any other drugs than Pristiq?

 

Edited October 30, 2021 by Kiasofia

[Altostrata]

Hello, @TheUglyWithdrawal

 

Exactly what drugs are you taking now, at what dosages and times o'clock? How do you feel before and after each dose?

 

How are you taking 25mg Pristiq?

[TheUglyWithdrawal]

On 10/29/2021 at 3:20 PM, Kiasofia said:

Hi @TheUglyWithdrawal

 

I moved this post to your introduction topic. Please post any questions about your personal situation here so all the information is in one place.

When did you reduce Pristiq from 50 mg to 25 mg?

 

Please update your drug history here

so it shows when you took your last dose of lexapro and when you reduced Pristiq.

 

Are you taking any other drugs than Pristiq?

 

 

[ChessieCat]

@TheUglyWithdrawal

 

Your last post was just a quote with no response.

[TheUglyWithdrawal]

pristiq 25 mg tappering

 

Can someone tell me please how to taper off pristiq 25. It is a time release tablet ,  can't not be cut it has a coating, been taking it for 8 mnths never felt good ,. Doctor said to start taking it every other day, been doing it for 8 days ,  doctor won't prescribe compound script, 

 

I took Lexapro 40 mg for the last 3 years I tappered down in about a 1.5 years I know it's fast, in June of last year I started something called pristiq 25 in July I went up to 50 mg it was bad for me in September went back down to 25 mg I was still going down on Lexapro my last 5 mg of Lexapro was in August 30th I have been on prestige 25 little bit over 6 months I just seen my doctor because pristiq is not working for me and I'm going through hell already he decided to wean me off of it by going every other day for 2 weeks my last pill would be in 2 days he decided to put me back on Lexapro 2.5 mg to start but I'm very scared and I don't know what to do I am going through bad withdrawals or I don't know what it is if it's my blood pressure actually or it's the withdrawals,. These symptoms been around even before I start weaning down, I get very bad cold chills daily feeling like I'm going to pass out when I'm walking feeling like I'm not in my body..balance bad,. NECK SIDES PAIN .

 

Edited March 31, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

4 hours ago, TheUglyWithdrawal said:

Doctor said to start taking it every other day, been doing it for 8 days ,

 

Please see:

 

NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER

 

4 hours ago, TheUglyWithdrawal said:

It is a time release tablet ,  can't not be cut it has a coating

 

Yes, it is a time release tablet.  Once the tablet is cut or crushed it becomes immediate release and needs to be taken 2 x per day.

 

Please read Post #1 of this topic which explains how to get non standard doses.

 

Tips for tapering off desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

 

If you crush a tablet you could then weigh a small amount and add it to water and get your dose that way.  I discovered that I could do this with the contents of my capsules that I had made with my Pristiq tablets.  It will keep in the fridge, covered for a few days. 

 

Many members use the Gemini-20 scale or similar.

[ChessieCat]

  

9 hours ago, TheUglyWithdrawal said:

anyone here have non stop crying daily all day, daily impending dooms, waking up at 9 or 10 am with feeling like about to die, cold chills,, and bad body aches, 

 

Yes other members have reports similar feelings.

 

I move the above post to a different topic.  Please be sure to read Post #1 which has links to other topics that you might find helpful:

 

neuro-emotions