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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sushinutz on May 27, 2005, at 7:18:19
Hi! After frustration with gaining some weight and other unpleasant side-effects, I decided to taper off Lexapro over a period of three weeks. I started at 10 mg and used a pill cutter to eventually work my way down to 2.5 mg. During my taper I also took 3 mg of EPA (from fish oil) and 2 g of Tyrosine. Physically and mentally, tapering was the easy part. I've been Lexapro free since Sunday, but still continue with EPA and Tyrosine. I have felt horrible all week. It's been hell trying to get out of bed. Also, I've had dizzy spells and often feell on the verge of tears for no reason. I know some people on this board have had very a severe case of SSRI withdrawal syndrome, especially from Paxil and Lexapro, and I was wondering if all these things I am experiencing are a milder form of withdrawal. If that is the case, how long can I expect to feel this way?
Posted by SLS on May 27, 2005, at 8:40:23
In reply to Lexapro withdrawal!, posted by sushinutz on May 27, 2005, at 7:18:19
What you describe sounds exactly like a withdrawal syndrome.
It is difficult to guess how long it will last. I'm sure you've seen people here post that it sometimes takes weeks. However, it is often the people who have suffered most who end up posting here, so you are not necessarily getting a representative sample of the general population.
Withdrawing the last 25% of the initial dosage is the most difficult. That's what 2.5mg represents. So dropping that last 25% may have been a bit too much to prevent symptoms from appearing. If the symptoms seem to get worse over the next week instead of better, you might opt to returning to Lexapro and continuing to taper or take Prozac for a few days as a substitute. With its very long half-life, Prozac seems to be an easier drug to taper. It sort of tapers itself automatically.
To return to Lexapro might mean taking smaller and smaller doses several times a day whenever you feel the withdrawal symptoms appear. This kind of dosing is considered "flexible". You adjust the amount and timing of your doses to match the status of the body during its process of re-adjustment. If you can't cut the pills any smaller, perhaps you can grind up each one and add it to a glass of fruit juice and drink fractions of the glass, being sure to stir well. Lexapro is also available as an oral solution from the pharmacy.
- Scott
Posted by Maxime on May 27, 2005, at 8:50:48
In reply to Lexapro withdrawal--please advise!, posted by sushinutz on May 26, 2005, at 9:40:44
Go to the withdrawal board and people will help you there.
Good luck.
Maxime
Posted by sushinutz on May 27, 2005, at 9:10:40
In reply to Re: Lexapro withdrawal!, posted by SLS on May 27, 2005, at 8:40:23
Thanks so much!
You are right that withdrawing from the last stage is most difficult. When I tapered from 10 mg to 5 mg, I felt pretty good and less groggy. If I continue to feel horrible, I will take 2.5 mg of Lexapro as needed. I really want to get off SSRI's for good!
Sheesh! Another thing I noticed is that my tummy is distended, but I am not gaining weight.
This is the end of the thread.
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