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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Esther26 on July 4, 2005, at 8:39:15
Is it difficult to go off of Lexapro? I want to and am very afraid of the withdrawal effects.
Posted by SLS on July 4, 2005, at 9:31:04
In reply to Lexapro, posted by Esther26 on July 4, 2005, at 8:39:15
> Is it difficult to go off of Lexapro? I want to and am very afraid of the withdrawal effects.
As is the case with many other drugs, both psychiatric and non-psychiatric, a gradual taper (slow removal) of the drug can minimize the withdrawal effects of its discontinuation. There are several ideas offered on the Psycho-Babble Withdrawal board that you might find helpful. I prefer the flexible-dosing strategy. Others suggest switching temporarily to a drug with a long half-life like Prozac.
It is possible to discontinue these medications without suffering intense withdrawal effects.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on July 4, 2005, at 9:53:00
In reply to Lexapro, posted by Esther26 on July 4, 2005, at 8:39:15
> Is it difficult to go off of Lexapro? I want to and am very afraid of the withdrawal effects.
What dosage tablets are you using, and how many pieces can you split them up into?
- Scott
Posted by Esther26 on July 4, 2005, at 10:20:36
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by SLS on July 4, 2005, at 9:53:00
> > Is it difficult to go off of Lexapro? I want to and am very afraid of the withdrawal effects.
>
> What dosage tablets are you using, and how many pieces can you split them up into?
>
>
> - Scott
I take 20 mg. every night. I can begin taking 10 mg. I'm going to call my doctor because I'd like him to give me something else so I don't freak out while going off of the Lexapro. What do you think?
Posted by SLS on July 4, 2005, at 13:17:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by Esther26 on July 4, 2005, at 10:20:36
> > > Is it difficult to go off of Lexapro? I want to and am very afraid of the withdrawal effects.
> > What dosage tablets are you using, and how many pieces can you split them up into?
> I take 20 mg. every night. I can begin taking 10 mg. I'm going to call my doctor because I'd like him to give me something else so I don't freak out while going off of the Lexapro. What do you think?Did you have anything special in mind?
Xanax might help prevent you from becoming too anxious and agitated. It is a drug that can be habit-forming, so you really would not want to use it except for during intense episodes.
Although justified to be concerned, your fears of withdrawal might be exaggerated based on some of the things others have said in the past - most of whom stopped taking their medication abruptly (cold-turkey). If you taper properly, your withdrawal symptoms should be tolerable.
You might feel a little strange. Don''t be afraid of these strange feelings as they will disappear. Just recognize them for what they are. They shouldn't prevent you from functioning. You will probably experience anxiety and perhaps flu-like aches and pains. Unfortunately, a common withdrawal symptom is a very alarming sensation in the head nicknamed "brain-zaps". They do not represent any sort of brain damage. Most of these things can be avoided by listening to your body and not being afraid to taper more gradually if you need to.
Let's take things once step at a time. Let's see what happens when you decrease the dosage. Can you go to 15mg instead of 10mg? I would recommend it. If you ask your doctor for anything, it should be 5mg tablets of Lexapro so that you can work with even smaller and smaller doses.
- Scott
Posted by Esther26 on July 4, 2005, at 14:52:35
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by Esther26 on July 4, 2005, at 10:20:36
Sorry that I keep posting questions. I'm just learning how to use this board.
I think I can break the 20 mg. pills in half. I had such a hard time getting off of Effexor that I'm scared of going off of Lexapro. Hopefully it won't be as bad as going off of Effexor. I will call my dr. tomorrow - I just wanted to know what people who went off of it thought. I can't afford to lose my mind right now.
Posted by linkadge on July 4, 2005, at 18:03:08
In reply to Lexapro, posted by Esther26 on July 4, 2005, at 14:49:20
It can be hard to get off.
You can taper by cutting pills.
You can desolve pill in water, shake it up, pour half out.
You can try the prozac route. Whereby you swich to prozac (which has a extremely long half life),
and then come off prozac (which is easier than lexapro)
Linkadge
Posted by Anon2005 on July 5, 2005, at 5:50:55
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by linkadge on July 4, 2005, at 15:18:06
I've tapered off Lexapro very gradually. When I went from 20 mg to 10mg, I felt a bit "weird" for a day or so. 10 to 5 I was a bit irritable, 5 to 2.5mg was barely noticeable.
Stopping altogether has been the hardest, even with such a small dose. I had flu like symptoms and then a lot of dizziness that still won't go away after over two weeks. I used Klonipin on occassion to take off the edge. It's been over two weeks now and I feel better except for the strange dizziness.
Same as when you go on, you will probably experience lots of weird symptoms, so try to ride it out, but call your doc if anything is really bad. My doc says to go back on because of the dizziness, but I'm trying to just deal with it.
Posted by SLS on July 5, 2005, at 9:07:21
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by Esther26 on July 4, 2005, at 14:52:35
> I think I can break the 20 mg. pills in half.
I think you are going to need to split them smaller than that. Things get more difficult the closer you get towards the end of the taper period (25% of the original dosage). It would be desirable to obtain 5.0mg tablets to be able to split them and use 2.5 mg doses. The more you can "fine-tune" your dosing of Lexapro, the less uncomfortable the withdrawal symptoms will be.
> I can't afford to lose my mind right now.
Don't worry, you won't.
- Scott
Posted by Spriggy on July 5, 2005, at 13:44:06
In reply to Re: Lexapro » Esther26, posted by SLS on July 5, 2005, at 9:07:21
I went off of Lexapro in february.
Whatever you do, take it SLOOOOOOOOOOOOW.
I did not take it slow and I thought for sure I was going insane.
I went for 5 mg's to around 3 mg's for 4 days and then I just quit cold turkey. DON'T DO THAT.
It took me about 6 weeks to feel somewhat "normal" again and not have those strange feelings like I was on an acid trip.
If you take slow enough, you should be okay. Just don't get into a hurry.
I would definitely ask for Xanex!
Posted by anxiousbabe on July 5, 2005, at 14:37:19
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by Anon2005 on July 5, 2005, at 5:50:55
Hi my name is anxious babe and I have been off of this site for a while, but currently have signed back on. Your post caught my eye because I tried to get off the lexapro and experienced that wierd dizziness that I can't explain.
I also get those brain zaps in my head which makes me feel like I have a brain tumor. In fact I went to my MD and she said maybe I should go for a head CT for my sinuses.
I can't stand the dizziness, it comes and goes and is very unpredictable. I was down to 2.5mg of the Lexapro and then off for a week and a half, but now I am back on 5mg because I can't deal with those dizzy episodes.
Does anyone else experience this feeling?
anxious babe\
I've tapered off Lexapro very gradually. When I went from 20 mg to 10mg, I felt a bit "weird" for a day or so. 10 to 5 I was a bit irritable, 5 to 2.5mg was barely noticeable.
>
> Stopping altogether has been the hardest, even with such a small dose. I had flu like symptoms and then a lot of dizziness that still won't go away after over two weeks. I used Klonipin on occassion to take off the edge. It's been over two weeks now and I feel better except for the strange dizziness.
>
> Same as when you go on, you will probably experience lots of weird symptoms, so try to ride it out, but call your doc if anything is really bad. My doc says to go back on because of the dizziness, but I'm trying to just deal with it.
Posted by Anon2005 on July 6, 2005, at 11:03:09
In reply to Re: Lexapro » Anon2005, posted by anxiousbabe on July 5, 2005, at 14:37:19
> Hi my name is anxious babe and I have been off of this site for a while, but currently have signed back on. Your post caught my eye because I tried to get off the lexapro and experienced that wierd dizziness that I can't explain.
>
> I also get those brain zaps in my head which makes me feel like I have a brain tumor. In fact I went to my MD and she said maybe I should go for a head CT for my sinuses.
>
> I can't stand the dizziness, it comes and goes and is very unpredictable. I was down to 2.5mg of the Lexapro and then off for a week and a half, but now I am back on 5mg because I can't deal with those dizzy episodes.
>
> Does anyone else experience this feeling?
>
> anxious babe\
>
>
>
>
>
It's been about 2.5 weeks and the weird dizziness is becoming less frequent, but still bothersome. I don't know it it's a brain zap...I've had the zaps through my body but that was just a few times in the beginning. I'm now feeling the mental/emotional side effects but I'm determined not to go back on. I should add that I take Wellbutrin 150 XL once a day.
Posted by anxiousbabe on July 6, 2005, at 13:22:24
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by Anon2005 on July 6, 2005, at 11:03:09
> > Hi my name is anxious babe and I have been off of this site for a while, but currently have signed back on. Your post caught my eye because I tried to get off the lexapro and experienced that wierd dizziness that I can't explain.
> >
> > I also get those brain zaps in my head which makes me feel like I have a brain tumor. In fact I went to my MD and she said maybe I should go for a head CT for my sinuses.
> >
> > I can't stand the dizziness, it comes and goes and is very unpredictable. I was down to 2.5mg of the Lexapro and then off for a week and a half, but now I am back on 5mg because I can't deal with those dizzy episodes.
> >
> > Does anyone else experience this feeling?
> >
> > anxious babe\
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> It's been about 2.5 weeks and the weird dizziness is becoming less frequent, but still bothersome. I don't know it it's a brain zap...I've had the zaps through my body but that was just a few times in the beginning. I'm now feeling the mental/emotional side effects but I'm determined not to go back on. I should add that I take Wellbutrin 150 XL once a day.
I don't take anything else but xanax as needed and I haven't had to take it much since the Lexapro. Does your dizziness feel like it is in the front of your head like a mask over your eyes?
It's very hard for me to explain.
Posted by Anon2005 on July 6, 2005, at 20:39:36
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by anxiousbabe on July 6, 2005, at 13:22:24
> > > Hi my name is anxious babe and I have been off of this site for a while, but currently have signed back on. Your post caught my eye because I tried to get off the lexapro and experienced that wierd dizziness that I can't explain.
> > >
> > > I also get those brain zaps in my head which makes me feel like I have a brain tumor. In fact I went to my MD and she said maybe I should go for a head CT for my sinuses.
> > >
> > > I can't stand the dizziness, it comes and goes and is very unpredictable. I was down to 2.5mg of the Lexapro and then off for a week and a half, but now I am back on 5mg because I can't deal with those dizzy episodes.
> > >
> > > Does anyone else experience this feeling?
> > >
> > > anxious babe\
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > It's been about 2.5 weeks and the weird dizziness is becoming less frequent, but still bothersome. I don't know it it's a brain zap...I've had the zaps through my body but that was just a few times in the beginning. I'm now feeling the mental/emotional side effects but I'm determined not to go back on. I should add that I take Wellbutrin 150 XL once a day.
>
>
> I don't take anything else but xanax as needed and I haven't had to take it much since the Lexapro. Does your dizziness feel like it is in the front of your head like a mask over your eyes?
> It's very hard for me to explain.
>It feels like this really weird quick whoosh of dizziness across the front of my head.
Posted by anxiousbabe on July 6, 2005, at 21:37:11
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by Anon2005 on July 6, 2005, at 20:39:36
> > > > Hi my name is anxious babe and I have been off of this site for a while, but currently have signed back on. Your post caught my eye because I tried to get off the lexapro and experienced that wierd dizziness that I can't explain.
> > > >
> > > > I also get those brain zaps in my head which makes me feel like I have a brain tumor. In fact I went to my MD and she said maybe I should go for a head CT for my sinuses.
> > > >
> > > > I can't stand the dizziness, it comes and goes and is very unpredictable. I was down to 2.5mg of the Lexapro and then off for a week and a half, but now I am back on 5mg because I can't deal with those dizzy episodes.
> > > >
> > > > Does anyone else experience this feeling?
> > > >
> > > > anxious babe\
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > It's been about 2.5 weeks and the weird dizziness is becoming less frequent, but still bothersome. I don't know it it's a brain zap...I've had the zaps through my body but that was just a few times in the beginning. I'm now feeling the mental/emotional side effects but I'm determined not to go back on. I should add that I take Wellbutrin 150 XL once a day.
> >
> >
> > I don't take anything else but xanax as needed and I haven't had to take it much since the Lexapro. Does your dizziness feel like it is in the front of your head like a mask over your eyes?
> > It's very hard for me to explain.
> >
>
> It feels like this really weird quick whoosh of dizziness across the front of my head.
Yes, exactly. It drives me crazy. It just comes out of no where for me and then I get nervous and start to panic thinking that I am going to pass out or something.Does is happen everyday to you or do you notice anything in particular that sets it off?
Posted by Anon2005 on July 8, 2005, at 16:19:01
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by anxiousbabe on July 6, 2005, at 21:37:11
It's been about 2.5 weeks and the weird dizziness is becoming less frequent, but still bothersome. I don't know it it's a brain zap...I've had the zaps through my body but that was just a few times in the beginning. I'm now feeling the mental/emotional side effects but I'm determined not to go back on. I should add that I take Wellbutrin 150 XL once a day.
> > >
> > >
> > > I don't take anything else but xanax as needed and I haven't had to take it much since the Lexapro. Does your dizziness feel like it is in the front of your head like a mask over your eyes?
> > > It's very hard for me to explain.
> > >
> >
> > It feels like this really weird quick whoosh of dizziness across the front of my head.
>
>
> Yes, exactly. It drives me crazy. It just comes out of no where for me and then I get nervous and start to panic thinking that I am going to pass out or something.
>
> Does is happen everyday to you or do you notice anything in particular that sets it off?
It's become less frequent now that it's going on 3 weeks off Lexapro. I did notice it happening more frequently last night when I had a beer with a friend. She wondered if maybe it was the affect of the Wellbutrin and maybe the Lexapro somehow counteracted it. Either way, I hope it goes away and it's good to know someone else knows what I'm talking about!
Posted by Anon2005 on July 18, 2005, at 10:55:49
In reply to Re: Lexapro, posted by Anon2005 on July 8, 2005, at 16:19:01
I noticed yesterday that I hadn't been having the weird dizziness. It took 3.5 weeks, but it's finally gone and so is the Lexapro. Yea!!!!
This is the end of the thread.
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