Dancingcat: Is yearlong withdrawal from lexapro possible?

[Dancingcat]

Hi,

 

I'm scared because I've been feeling bad ever since I got off of lexapro in December 2012. I had been taking it for 2 or 3 years. I had to stop because it was making me sleepy all the time towards the end. I tapered off, but did it over a few weeks. I started to get all kinds of symptoms-hot flashes and chills, brain wooshing, sweating, insomnia, dizziness, irritability, digestive problems. My period even stopped for three months. This went on for 5 months and then I started to feel better, but I felt drained and lacked energy. In the last few weeks, the hot flashes, sweating and insomnia are back. I wake up several times every night because I go from being too hot to too cold. I also just missed a period. Is it possible for withdrawal to come and go and disrupt so many systems? I also feel drained and can't focus very well. My doctors are confused. They said withdrawal should only last a few weeks. I hate this and I'm scared I won't ever be the same again.

Edited November 12, 2013 by Petu
Member name added to title

[Petunia]

Hi Dancingcat,

 

Welcome to the site and thank you for posting an introduction.  I'm sorry you have had a return of symptoms, its quite possible that this is still withdrawal related.

 

Most doctors believe withdrawal symptoms disappear within a few weeks but there is ample evidence this is not always true.The belief that withdrawal symptoms always disappear within a few weeks is untrue, there is a significant minority for which withdrawal lasts much longer, sites like these provide anecdotal evidence of this.

 

I tapered off Lexapro much too fast in 2010, my situation is quite a bit different from yours because I've been on medication for over 13 years and other drugs were involved, but I'm still having problems now, I've been off Lexapro for over 2 years and off all medication for 6 months.

 

I was having all those symptoms you mentioned, plus more.  For a while the hot flashes, chills, sweating and insomnia went away, then came back. I've been free from those particular symptoms for about 6 weeks now.  We call it the 'windows and waves pattern of recovery', there is a helpful topic about it pinned to the top of this thread here:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/8-symptoms-and-self-care/

 

The thread also contains lots of non-drug help for managing symptoms as your nervous system continues to recover.

 

You will fully recover and this current wave of increased symptoms may only last a short while, in general would you say you have been feeling better, worse or about the same over the last year?

 

Some people choose to reinstate a small amount of medication to try and alleviate withdrawal symptoms and then when they feel better, begin a much slower taper from the reduced amount.  But at a year out, there is no guarantee that it would help, and its possible it would make you worse, reinstatement works best when started as soon as withdrawal symptoms appear.

 

Others should be along soon with more support and ideas.  I hope you start to feel better again soon.

 

Petu.

[mammaP]

Hi Dancingcat, sorry you are feeling so bad and I hope this 'wave' soon passes for you. 

Welcome to SA, there is a lot of useful information here and you will get lots of support. 

[Jemima]

I went off Lexapro too fast in the fall of 2011, ending in mid-December, and am only now beginning to feel like myself again. This is not at all unusual for those of us who went off an antidepressant too quickly.  You can and will get better, but it's likely going to take much longer than you'd want.  These drugs are very strong and affect more than just our moods, so yes, they can affect all of our bodily systems. (My intro topic is linked below if you care to read it.)

 

I'm sorry to say that most doctors are clueless about antidepressant withdrawal. They don't know how to help people stop taking the drugs and then assume the patient is relapsing when, in fact, the patient is having withdrawal symptoms because they followed incorrect advice from the doctor about getting off the drugs.

 

It would be very helpful if you could put your drug history in the signature area of your profile, like this:

 

How To Put Your Drug History In Your Signature

 

Welcome to the forum.  You'll find lots of good information and friendly support here.