NeDaytoDayMJ: 24 days after quitting Lexapro feeling worse symptoms

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

Hello,

 

I quit drinking alcohol 11 years ago and a doctor at that time thought the anti depressant Zoloft would be beneficial for my "anxiety" from quitting.  This is how I started using these drugs.  It has taken me forever to finally quit.  I'm a 43 year old male.  

I've quit Lexapro 2.5 mg 24 days ago and have had the worst three day stretch to date.  I feel extremely tired and fatigued.  I feel symptoms of brain fog, memory failures, cognitive decline, crying spells, sadness, slight headache, head pressure, eyes tired, some body ache, and slight brain zaps.  

I'm trying to stay positive and day to day but this is brutal.  I feel like a zombie and would just want to sleep.  I also have mild sleep apnea in which I have started using a cpap machine a week ago but have found no relief.  I think I'm going to stop using the Cpap machine for a month to rule out the machine being the cause for recent three day stretch.

I want to believe that the withdrawal symptoms are what is causing me to feel this way but I'm unsure now.  I have always had some of the described symptoms on a day to day basis before.  These symptoms went as far back as the last two to three years.  They weren't nearly as severe.  I haven't heard of anyone having the described symptoms as a result of actively taking the antidepressant drug.  If this is something that can be confirmed I would feel much more at ease as I would have to wait out the withdrawal process.

I guess I am looking for words of encouragement and hopefully some validation that these symptoms are from the withdrawal and this is a normal process.  Last night I started myofacial exercises as an alternative to the cpap.  I know it will be sometime before I see any benefit from them.  I also ran 2 miles yesterday.  This morning I practiced some Pranayama and will continue this daily.  

I'd appreciate any feedback and thank you for reading my story.  

 

Matthew

  

 

[getofflex]

On 8/17/2021 at 3:32 PM, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

I want to believe that the withdrawal symptoms are what is causing me to feel this way but I'm unsure now. 

What you are describing sounds like classic withdrawal from psych meds.  I believe you jumped off at too high a dose.   Lexapro is very powerful, and is 2 to 4 times stronger mg per mg as other SSRI drugs.  Even at low doses, it has a strong effect on the nervous system.  This will cause the symptoms you are describing.  It is estimated that even at a dose of 2.5 mg, about 62% of your brain is still being affected.  The following link contains a chart that shows how big of an effect even low doses of these drugs has: 

 

SERT Transporter Occupancy Studies Show Importance of Tapering

 

Not to worry, there is help to be had.  But first, lets go over some basics about these drugs and withdrawal.  Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.  

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

 Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

What is Happening in Your Brain

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

Also, as we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. This is extremely important. 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

When we recover, there may be times of feeling OK mixed in with times of feeling bad.  This is called windows and waves.

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Acknowledge, Accept, Float

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

My suggestion to you is to consider trying a small reinstatement, which is going back on a low dose of your Lexapro.  The purpose of this is to help alleviate the severity of your WD symptoms.  It is best done carefully.  This is temporary, and after stabilizing you would then taper gradually off of this.  There is some risk involved, but we can mitigate that risk by starting you off on a very low dose. I would suggest 0.5 mg.   Here is some information about reinstatement.  

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

I would suggest getting some liquid Lexapro and some small 1 ml syringes.  Here in the USA, 1 ml of the liquid contains 1 mg of Lexapro, so that will make it easy.  You would just take 1/2 of a ml of the liquid.  Please let us know what you decide. 

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart.  We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through.  Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities.  It takes time, but healing can and will happen.  By the way, congratulations on 11 years of sobriety!  That is a major accomplishment. 

Edited August 18, 2021 by getofflex

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

Hello getofflex!  I like the username.  I can’t say how much I appreciate your reply.  Thank you kindly.  I read what you wrote and told my girlfriend.  She immediately made the liquid form from my leftover pills.  I will try to request the liquid form from the pharmacy/dr tomorrow.  
I knew it would be hard going off the drugs and my dr is clueless.  It’s so refreshing to have people that care.  
I will read the links provided and give an update tomorrow night.  

[Heath]

@NeDaytoDayMJ welcome to SA! 
what you are feeling is definitely withdrawals! I have had most of those symptoms myself. The moderators will guide you through this process. 
you will heal ! Hang in there ! 

[getofflex]

22 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

Hello getofflex!  I like the username.  I can’t say how much I appreciate your reply.  Thank you kindly.

You're welcome.  Please let us know how the reinstatement goes.  It takes a bare minimum of a week to feel a difference.  I can take from several weeks to a couple of months for a reinstatement to fully settle.  Please keep us posted on how it goes.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

Thanks for words of encouragement Heath. 

I will toughen out the two weeks for reinstatement.  Thank you for that advice.  So far I haven't noticed much of a difference.  Still waking up with headache, fatigue, lack of mental clarity, memory issues.  I'm hoping to get some progression here in a bit.  

[getofflex]

What day did you start the reinstatement? It would help if you could put that date in your drug signature box. Thank you.  Hang in there it takes time for reinstatement to help.

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

Last Thursday (week ago) I came back from a trip overseas. I had made enough oral .5 mg lexapro for 14 day trip.  Ever since returning I have had a consistent 6 out of 10 tension headache each day.  Also I am tired super easily.  I am dizzy and have brain fog.   I am unsure if this is due to the jet lag from Greece or if somehow I wasn’t taking any of the lexapro due to being near the bottom of the bottle.  If it’s the jet lag I would hope it would subside after a week.  Alternatively if it is the lexapro I have took three days straight of good doses so I would think I should normalize.  But I am not.  
I am scared again.  I just want to quit these damn drugs.  I don’t recall reading when you are allowed to quit completely after reinstatement.  How much longer am I suppose to take these even if I feel like crap while taking the drugs.  Wouldn’t it be better just to suck it up for the next two months and quit.  I’m not doing well.  Any advice input is appreciated.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

Still have the headache. It’s bad today. I am in bed trying to rest it away. It’s been 7 days of straight headaches.  Ibuprofen doesn’t help at all.  Any advice. I’m not trying to break down but this is getting old. Trying to stay positive.  

[Heath]

@NeDaytoDayMJSorry you are feeling bad! I have felt that jet lag flu feeling and the headaches and brain fog before and spent a lot of Time and money trying to figure out . Usually with me it takes a few months then I look back and see the whole picture and put 2 and 2 together and see what happened. 
I had a terrible sinus headache last month after a 2 mg slow taper. I mean it wiped me out. So tired after it let up. I thought it was allergies but no. I still have the brain fog, dizzy, sinus headaches, dry burning sinuses in allergy seasons only. Usually lasting a week or so. Over past 2 years it’s getting less and less. 

that’s how these work if there is a change in the ssri dosage or brand , liquid or pill, time it is taken etc you may not see the full effects for a week or even 2 months. That’s what makes it hard to figure out. These drugs affect our whole body. 
 

Were you able to get a prescription for liquid?

If you change to liquid prescription do a slow change.

Week 1 - 3/4 pill dose

( homemade liquid) and 1/4 liquid .
Week 2  - 1/2 pill and 1/2 liquid  dosages. Week 3 -  1/4 pill and 3/4 liquid dosages. Week 4 full dose prescription liquid. 

I hope you can get the prescription liquid it makes it a little easier!

 

I feel your pain. We all want off this poison yesterday!! I have had to train myself patience after a few failed attempts to come off.  From what I have seen it appears most are jumping off in the hundredths place. Like 0.02 mgs. 

It our choice when to quit and how to quit. From my experience as a provider of my family I have to go slow so I can keep working. That’s my situation and choice. Many people have jumped off at a higher dose but it’s tough for a real long time mostly years and no guarantee the withdrawals will not last for years. And if dose is high most likely it will last a real long time. Not trying to discourage you just letting you know my experience and what I learned here. 

have you read through symptoms and self care? Lot good stuff in there. If you have a symptom. Go to google or whatever and search - headaches surviving antidepressants and it will bring you to where you need to be .

check out link below. 

I see you have your signature updated that’s good! If you keep it updated to current they can help you better . 

if you want someone like a mod or anybody to answer any questions just put the @ in front of there name like this @getofflex and they will be notified.  Just remember they are in same place as we are and may not be able to communicate right away but will reply when they can. Getofflex or another mod should be along shortly! Hang in there 💪

[getofflex]

Hello @NeDaytoDayMJI need you to answer the following questions, please.   

 

1) Did the reinstatement of 0.5 mg Lexapro help you at all, before you left for the trip?  

 

2)Did you start to feel bad after you got back from the trip?  

 

3) How did you feel while you were on the trip?  

 

It's hard to tell from the information above if your symptoms are from the trip, or from withdrawal from the Lexapro?  It is possible we could increase your reinstatement, but first I'm trying to determine if the problems are from stress from the overseas trip, from you jumping off at 2.5 mg Lexapro back in July, or some of both.  

Edited September 24, 2021 by getofflex

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

@Heath  Thank you so much for the kind words.  I found a place that will do the liquid Lexapro but they only have a 14 day shelf life.  Also, CVS here in Nebraska only sells 240ml liquid for $170 and I don’t have insurance.  So I bought a scale that weighs out to the .001 grams.  It’s going to have to work.  I just don’t trust making my own solution. 
I actually do feel better today without a terrible headache.  It’s a small headache so I’ll take that as a win.  I’m not sure if that is from the jet lag wearing off or getting back to a more stable dose.  
 

@getofflex

 

1) Did the reinstatement of 0.5 mg Lexapro help you at all, before you left for the trip?  

Yes the reinstatement helped.  My symptoms subsided.  And I would say I was progressing to having the same symptoms as when I was on the 2.5mg dosage.  Those symptoms I would have are  dizziness, spacial disorientation.  difficulty concentrating,  pronouncing words incorrectly,  my brain not being sharp (I feel like a sentence takes awhile for me to say and sometimes I say the wrong thing.)
 

2)Did you start to feel bad after you got back from the trip?  

 

Yes, the following day after returning  I felt a bad headache which lasted until yesterday.  So far today I would say a level 1.5 out of 10 headache.  
 

3) How did you feel while you were on the trip?  

I periodically had the symptoms described above.  
 

On a side note I do have sleep apnea. So it’s hard to tell if any of the symptoms are strictly from the drugs or my poor sleep.  That is why I want to wean off the drugs ASAP to possibly rule them out or determine they are what causes the daily symptoms.  

[Heath]

@NeDaytoDayMJ definitely have to do $170🤨.  There is a lot of information on weighing and making liquid under tapering on home page. There are several moderators and members here that used a scale. If you need help with weighing and calculating they will be glad to help. I have 0 experience in that. Read through the following and see what you think if you haven’t already.

 

[getofflex]

2 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

Yes the reinstatement helped.  My symptoms subsided.

I'm glad the reinstatement helped. 

 

2 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

Yes, the following day after returning  I felt a bad headache which lasted until yesterday.  So far today I would say a level 1.5 out of 10 headache.  

I would guess that your headache was mostly from the stress of the trip, and jet lag.  Overseas trips take a lot out of us.  I'm glad to hear the headache is now mild.  

 

2 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

On a side note I do have sleep apnea. So it’s hard to tell if any of the symptoms are strictly from the drugs or my poor sleep.

Ah, I see.  There are several factors at play here, then.  

 

My suggestion is to stay on your reinstatement dose of 0.5 mg Lexapro for a couple of months at least.  Give your system a chance to fully recover from the trip, and to stabilize and find homeostasis, before you attempt another reduction in your dose.  Here is a link about stability: 

 

Stability

[Heath]

@NeDaytoDayMJ I meant in last post the $170 liquid prescription is waaay to expensive and like you said the scale and weighing will have to do

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

@Heath Thank you for the video links. I have switched to crushed powder pill form the past 5 days.  I will stay on those.  
 

@getofflex The headaches have returned.   I had the headache for 7 days after trip and then felt somewhat better for a week.  Now the last 10 days have ranged from 5-7 out of 10 pain level on the headaches.  Nothing helps. Tylenol, Motrin, etc.  It’s primarily tension headaches with some small dizziness and brain fog.  I don’t feel like I am stabilizing at all.  It is constant from when I wake up until I fall asleep.  It’s so sad waking up having the pain in temples knowing it’s another bad day.  I’m losing faith.  
 

 I did switch back to crushed / powder 5 days ago as I feel like the liquid was inconsistent.  I’m wondering if I should tough it out for next month staying on the .5 mg and hope for the best. It’s incredibly frustrating.  I’m thinking about going in for a ct scan for any brain tumors as there aren’t many headache only withdrawal symptoms for quitting Lexapro.  Is it odd or can I get some reassurance that this is a primary symptom.  I know the apnea can’t be creating these headaches.  I’ve simply never had them this bad ever.  It doesn’t make sense. 

[getofflex]

17 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

@getofflex The headaches have returned.   I had the headache for 7 days after trip and then felt somewhat better for a week.  Now the last 10 days have ranged from 5-7 out of 10 pain level on the headaches.  Nothing helps. Tylenol, Motrin, etc.  It’s primarily tension headaches with some small dizziness and brain fog.  I don’t feel like I am stabilizing at all.  It is constant from when I wake up until I fall asleep.  It’s so sad waking up having the pain in temples knowing it’s another bad day.  I’m losing faith.  

You will stabilize eventually.  You are probably in a wave.  Please be patient, and hang in there.  It is common for symptoms to come and go during AD WD.  

 

17 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

I did switch back to crushed / powder 5 days ago as I feel like the liquid was inconsistent.

This could be why you are having a wave, because you suddenly switched from liquid to powder.  We suggest you cross over from liquid to tablet or vice versa gradually, not suddenly.   Crossover - Tablet to Liquid, or Vice Versa

 

Read the last paragraph in this linked post:  Dose Change Events

 

Why do you feel the liquid is inconsistent?  The liquid is not inconsistent, unless it is made incorrectly, or you dose it inconsistently.   Our systems tend to be extremely sensitive, and any drug changes need to be made gradually.  I hope you are weighing the powder with a scale that measures this powder accurately as per this link:  Using a Scale to Weight and Measure Doses. Since our systems are extremely sensitive, any inconsistency in your dose from day to day can cause withdrawal symptoms.

 

Are yo taking your dose at the same time each day?  This is important.  It is also essential to avoid alcohol, and mood altering substances.  Eating too much processed foods can cause trouble, as can intense exercise, suddenly changing your routine, severe weather, significant stress, etc. MSG (monosodium glutamate) and/or aspartame can also cause headaches and other symptoms.  

 

17 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

I’m wondering if I should tough it out for next month staying on the .5 mg and hope for the best. It’s incredibly frustrating.  

Yes, I suggest you do this.  Yes, this process is quite frustrating.  It would even test the patience of Job.  (someone from the Old Testament in the Bible). However, jumping around on meds because of a wave could put you in an even worse position.  

Edited October 18, 2021 by getofflex

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

I just took a covid test yesterday and it returned positive. Life just works this way I guess.  I can imagine my body trying to deal with the  neurological healing and on top of that having to fight off a virus.  So far I’m okay.  I had a mild fever that got up to 101.1 at one point.  Fever lasted a day and now I’m running 98.8. I hope this is good news. I’m getting a monoclonal antibody infusion tomorrow at 3pm.  I just don’t want to risk or think of the what if’s had I not get the infusion done.  I have sleep apnea which qualifies me as high risk.  My wife passed away last year in February from what I strongly believe was covid (she had pneumonia and organs failed) so that also factors into getting the infusion.  I need to live damn it!  My two sons need me. 
Anyways, the headache hasn’t gone away either.  This part of my life health wise is pure misery.  Should I fork over the $500 for a ct scan to check for a brain tumor.

 

 I mean what else could possibly cause a consistent tension headache (a 6 on a scale of 10) for 17 days with no relief at all unless sleeping.  

[getofflex]

18 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

I just took a covid test yesterday and it returned positive. Life just works this way I guess.

I'm sorry to hear this.  When it rains, it pours.  We had another member here get covid during WD - it was Phoenixmama.  She survived it.  Go check out her thread at 

 

Phoenixmama

 

18 hours ago, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

Should I fork over the $500 for a ct scan to check for a brain tumor.

Personally, I wouldn't if it were me.  It seems to me that you have enough on your plate at this time.  Headaches are seldom caused by brain tumors.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

I managed to power through the covid symptoms. I am on day 7 of covid.   The worst is over.  I can’t taste or smell.  Covid really wasn’t bad compared to the headaches I deal with daily.  The covid at least I know they will go away and there was a reason for the symptoms.  
These headaches I can’t stand them anymore.  It’s driving me crazy.  I just want to cry.  That is all I do is cry.  I want it to go back to before I quit from 2.5 mg. 

@getofflex would it be beneficial to try a different drug like Prozac or something easier to withdraw from?  Would you advise going up a dose?  I’m getting desperate here.  I can’t function like a normal person.  Life is bleak. 

[getofflex]

@NeDaytoDayMJ  You've given it a couple of months, so your system should be well adjusted to the 0.5 reinstatement you did on August 18.  I'm sure the COVID is just compounding the situation.  Just the stress from the COVID could cause your withdrawal to flare up.  How were you doing with your withdrawal before you got COVID?  What new symptoms have started now that you got COVID?  

 

Are you using any alcohol or mind altering substances?  Do you take the same exact dose each and every day at the same time, or do you ever skip a dose or vary your dose?  Are you doing any intense exercise?  Any other major new stressors?  

 

If it were me, I would not switch to a different drug.  It is almost always best to taper off the drug your body is dependent upon.  

Edited October 24, 2021 by getofflex

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

1 hour ago, getofflex said:

@NeDaytoDayMJ  How were you doing with your withdrawal before you got COVID?  What new symptoms have started now that you got COVID?  

 

Are you using any alcohol or mind altering substances?  Do you take the same exact dose each and every day at the same time, or do you ever skip a dose or vary your dose?  Are you doing any intense exercise?  Any other major new stressors?  

Before covid, I was still having headaches daily, all day from when I wake up til I sleep.  They are a 5-6 out of 10 pain level.  Sometimes they spike to 7-8 zone for a couple hours but that is rare.  There have been no new symptoms related to the withdrawal.  Just the headaches.  
 

The reinstatement seemed to be working.  I still had symptoms but nothing alarming.  I went to Greece and felt fine.  When I came back I got the headaches for 7 straight days and then it seemed to go away for a week.  Then it came back and now we are on the 23 day stretch of headaches.  
 

I do no drink alcohol.  I drink coffee about two cups a day.  No illegal drugs.  I measure .007 grams each day in the morning.  I never skip or vary doses.  I’m diligent with doses.  I do not do intense exercises.  No major stressors that are present in my life.  I wish I could pinpoint it onto something.  It just has to be the withdrawal.  It along with the jet lag from Greece really messed up my nervous system.  That is my best guess.  Unless I have a brain tumor.  
 

I just can’t imagine the headaches  lasting so long.  I think I’m going to try a couple of chiropractic adjustments this week and if I find no relief I will up the dose to 1mg.  I’d hate to do so but I need stabilization.  

[getofflex]

It sounds like you are doing everything right.  I can't say for sure if the headaches are from withdrawal or not.  Headaches can be caused by many things, including allergies.  Many people have fall allergies.   Usually in withdrawal people have other symptoms too, like anxiety, sleep issues, depersonalization/derealization, etc.  You could try to updose to 1.0 mg Lexapro, and see if that helps.  If that doesn't help the headaches, then I wouldn't go up any higher on the Lexapro.  Give this a chance to settle in your system.  It takes about a week for it to get in your system and your brain to register the new dose, and could take several weeks to a couple of months for it to fully settle.  Keep us up to date after you do this, and let us know how you are doing.  

[Heath]

@NeDaytoDayMJ  just a thought here! When  I had withdrawals in fast taper or even a slow taper, I have noticed on occasions that I am more sensitive to msgs and sodium. I ate a hamburger with a little dales on it and major headache worst I ever had. Then months later pack of pb crackers, again major headache. It took me a while to figure out it was withdrawals maybe a year or so. I avoid msgs when I need to. Then in august I had a major knock me out headache after a slow taper and hold. Grocery shopping then home to crash. Don’t know exactly what caused it maybe I ate msgs🤷‍♂️ but I am leaning to withdrawals.  Just remembering some of my experiences as I read your post!  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

On 10/25/2021 at 8:08 PM, Heath said:

@NeDaytoDayMJ  but I am leaning to withdrawals.  Just remembering some of my experiences as I read your post!  

Thanks for the heads up @Heath I sure hope these headaches are just from withdrawals.  I saw my dr Friday and he says they are tension headaches.  He prescribed me naproxen which hasn’t done anything to relieve pain.    I have an mri scheduled for Thursday.   I just can’t tell anymore.  Life is pretty bleak.  I’m sad because they don’t go away.  

[Foxclover6]

On 10/24/2021 at 6:36 PM, NeDaytoDayMJ said:

I managed to power through the covid symptoms. I am on day 7 of covid.   The worst is over.  I can’t taste or smell.  Covid really wasn’t bad compared to the headaches I deal with daily.  The covid at least I know they will go away and there was a reason for the symptoms.  
These headaches I can’t stand them anymore.  It’s driving me crazy.  I just want to cry.  That is all I do is cry.  I want it to go back to before I quit from 2.5 mg. 

@getofflex would it be beneficial to try a different drug like Prozac or something easier to withdraw from?  Would you advise going up a dose?  I’m getting desperate here.  I can’t function like a normal person.  Life is bleak. 

Do you eat good? I used to get headaches on lexapro,  sometimes they felt like my head was going to explode through my eyes,  I drank lots of water and exercised, stopped eating dairy,  gluten and refined anything and they went away.  I got a virus after stopping the lexapro, im still getting over it. Started having so much pain in my limbs I couldn't even walk.  It sucks to go through sickness when you're already feeling like sh*t. =[

[Heath]

@NeDaytoDayMJ Did the dr suggest any tests ?  
that headache pain can feed the anxiety/pain cycle so just be aware. Read through symptoms and self care ! 
Yes it’s hard enough dealing with withdrawals and side effects!  
 but then on top of that you have to figure out if it’s withdrawals or side effects or actually something else. I have struggled with this many times. I’ve had 2 surgeries in past because of side effects 🙄.
 

you may chase drs for a symptom and it end up being because of the lexapro or you may have a symptom and think it’s withdrawals - and not go get it checked when it’s really something else. It is very tough. A diary helps some with this. I think if it is a serious symptom definitely get it checked! 
 

The lexapro just keeps on giving 🤨

 

@Foxclover6 oh yea I have had those weird back of the eye feeling headaches. I feel like with me it is related to the lex side effect - dry sinuses. 
 

y’all take care ! 

[Foxclover6]

19 minutes ago, Heath said:

@NeDaytoDayMJ Did the dr suggest any tests ?  
that headache pain can feed the anxiety/pain cycle so just be aware. Read through symptoms and self care ! 
Yes it’s hard enough dealing with withdrawals and side effects!  
 but then on top of that you have to figure out if it’s withdrawals or side effects or actually something else. I have struggled with this many times. I’ve had 2 surgeries in past because of side effects 🙄.
 

you may chase drs for a symptom and it end up being because of the lexapro or you may have a symptom and think it’s withdrawals - and not go get it checked when it’s really something else. It is very tough. A diary helps some with this. I think if it is a serious symptom definitely get it checked! 
 

The lexapro just keeps on giving 🤨

 

@Foxclover6 oh yea I have had those weird back of the eye feeling headaches. I feel like with me it is related to the lex side effect - dry sinuses. 
 

y’all take care ! 

I still have dry eyes even 5 months off-_-

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

16 hours ago, Foxclover6 said:

Do you eat good? I used to get headaches on lexapro,  sometimes they felt like my head was going to explode through my eyes,  I drank lots of water and exercised, stopped eating dairy,  gluten and refined anything and they went away.  

@Foxclover6I eat okay.  I don’t eat junk food or fast food.  But I also can eat a lot better with more vegetables and fruit.  Maybe I need to stop the dairy, gluten and refined crap.  I’m desperate so might try that.  Thank you for suggestion. I hope you are feeling better.
 

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

16 hours ago, Heath said:

@NeDaytoDayMJ Did the dr suggest any tests ?  
that headache pain can feed the anxiety/pain cycle so just be aware. Read through symptoms and self care ! 

I think if it is a serious symptom definitely get it checked! 

@Heath The dr didn’t suggest any other tests. He thinks I’m just dealing with some small headaches.  I’m not going back to him.  I hope the mri shows nothing serious and these headaches are just from withdrawal.  I know my body will heal itself.  It’s just taking some time.   I will read through self care. 
I called and told the nurse the naproxen isn’t helping so I have been prescribed a stronger medication nsaid Meloxicam

These headaches definitely are serious. They just wipe me out after doing a little cleaning or work around house.  So I guess I also have fatigue as a symptom.  I was simply doing the laundry today and felt the  tension throb of pain.  It put me in bed as I needed to rest and I started crying.  I only cry for 3 minutes or so.  When I’m busy I don’t fixate on it as much but it’s hard when you are reminded like I was doing the laundry.  

[getofflex]

Good luck with the MRI. If it comes back negative, try and clean up your diet, and see if that doesn't help.  I used to have occasional sleepless nights out of the blue where it felt like my nervous system was just buzzing, and ever since I quit MSG and eat healthier, less processed foods, this has stopped.  It was well worth it.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

@getofflex The Mri results came back negative.  You were right the whole time.  I do have some piece of mind knowing there is nothing major.  I guess these headaches must be from the lexapro withdrawal and probably from some sleep issues.  I’m ready to combat and get rid of the headaches!  I’m still taking .5 mg Lexapro.  I’m going to hold tight on dosage for a bit and give the chiropractor some more sessions to see what happens.  I have an appt with a neurologist on the 16th.  

[getofflex]

Sounds like a good plan. Sometimes we just have to sit with discomfort for a while and wait fro our nervous system to heal.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

I’m doing better than before.  I am able to get out and about more without feeling absolutely horrible.  I still have head pressure, disorientation, smaller headache but I feel the worst might be behind along with the covid symptoms.  I’m probably dealing with an overall 5 out of 10 discomfort level.  While before it was 7 out of 10.  I long for the day to be at 0.  I’m reading it can take people 3 years to adjust and that is bothersome.  
I’m thinking about long term getting off the drugs and I’m just confused.  I’m leaning towards taper down now and get the worst out of the way.  I’m already feeling miserable and I’m not sure my nervous system can go back to where I was prior to quitting from 2.5mg.  I wish it would go back to then.  If I would have only known how bad that decision to quit was.  I think I screwed myself big time and the reinstatement helped just enough but not nearly enough to find homeostasis.  Kind of in between right now.  
The other option is to updose to 1.0mg and hope for the best.  There is no guarantee I would feel better and the taper down to get rid of the drugs from my system would be much longer.  
I know there is no right answer.  I was just wondering if anyone has any input from seeing someone in a similar situation.  If anyone wants to chime in please do.  

[NeDaytoDayMJ]

@getofflex Quick question.  I went to neurologist today and she surprisingly said the headache, head pressure could be from the lexapro withdrawal. She did refer me to the neurology dept as she deals with headaches only.  She wants to make sure there is nothing else underlying.  Not sure what the hell else it could be.  
Either way she prescribed me topomax and from what I have read it could be hard to get off that drug also.  Though it is suppose to help with the headaches.  She prescribed this as she normally prescribed antidepressants for headaches.  So is this something that is okay to take or stay away from?  Thanks!

[Alice1]

If you can bare the pain even barely, I’d stay off it.  JMO.