TexasBorn: Lexapro for 3 weeks

[TexasBorn]

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum and figured I’d ask some questions and describe my situation. I started on 3/16 taking Lexapro 5 mg once daily. Didn’t experience any issues at all for the first week (8 days) and then doctor bumped me to 10mg daily. This past week I started to get a numbing/vibrating sensation around the head of my genitals (trying to be proper here) I’ve never had any issues in this area at 44 and I’ve placed a call to my doctor. The medication has seemed to help, however there is no way I can tolerate that feeling and my concern is that this is now permanent? If I taper down, will that go away or is there something to where the damage is already done? My hopes is that it’s early (3 weeks) and that I can go back to normal in that area. I appreciate anyone’s input on this topic 

Edited April 2, 2021 by Gridley
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[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, TexasBorn.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  Drug name, dosages and dates in a list format.

 

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What you're experiencing is a side effect from the increased dosage of Ldxapro.  To put your mind at rest, the symptom is not permanent.  The general rule is that side effects decrease as dosage decreases.  The questions are how to reduce your dosage and whether you want to remain on the Lexapro at all.  

 

A person is at risk of withdrawal symptoms after approximately one month of being on a psychiatric drug.  Keep in mind that the vast majority of doctors know nothing about withdrawal (they're taught it doesn't exist) or about safe tapering.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

At three weeks you're right on the cusp of the one month time frame.  You might be able to simply drop back down to 5mg with no ill effect.  This could eliminate the symptom.  On the other hand, your system has been sensitized by the increase to 10mg, and might not react to 5mg the way it did before.  

 

The alternative is to slowly taper down to 5mg (or all the way to zero if that's what you want).  We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks.  If you do stay on the Lexapro and decide at a later point you want to stop, we would would recommend the 10% taper to avoid withdrawal problems.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

The following link is specifically about tapering Lexapro, including how to get the small, non-standard doses needed for a 10% taper.

 

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

The easiest way to taper Lexapro is with a prescription liquid.  The link also describes other tapering methods.  After you've read the material I've supplied, let us know how you want to proceed and we can help you from there.

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that are single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements).

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.