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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Morree on April 23, 2004, at 20:50:51
I just quit Lexapro cold turkey 4 days ago after about 5 months of 10mg. daily. Withdrawal didn't occur to me but I decided to do some research today after feeling very dizzy and strange. From what I've read, many people have weeks of side effects. Am I one of the lucky ones experiencing only moderate dizziness, or may I have weeks of hell ahead of me? I did not notify my doctor of my decision.
Posted by Sad Panda on April 24, 2004, at 4:33:25
In reply to lexapro withdrawal, posted by Morree on April 23, 2004, at 20:50:51
> I just quit Lexapro cold turkey 4 days ago after about 5 months of 10mg. daily. Withdrawal didn't occur to me but I decided to do some research today after feeling very dizzy and strange. From what I've read, many people have weeks of side effects. Am I one of the lucky ones experiencing only moderate dizziness, or may I have weeks of hell ahead of me? I did not notify my doctor of my decision.
>
>You will be fine. Trying to gauge from withdrawl reports on the internet will give you an idea of 'worst case scenario' because people who have zero problems with AD's rarely go to a message board & say the have had no probems. It is good info, however, as it gives you an idea of what the worst can be.
Cheers,
Panda
Posted by fraulein1456 on April 24, 2004, at 22:53:11
In reply to lexapro withdrawal, posted by Morree on April 23, 2004, at 20:50:51
From my experience you'll probably feel funny for about a week. I experienced "brain zaps" when I did this. When you move your eyes quickly do you feel something like a pulse of electricity? That's a brain zap. I also experienced some swelling in my ankles for a few days.
Posted by Morree on April 24, 2004, at 23:50:01
In reply to Re: lexapro withdrawal, posted by fraulein1456 on April 24, 2004, at 22:53:11
You know, I wondered what "brain zaps" were. No, I haven't experienced anything like that. I think I'll be pretty lucky through this. I began to ask questions here because I was afraid brain zaps were a sort of horrible, almost vascular, pulsing headache I had last summer. I'd get a pulse that would crescendo and last about 5 seconds every 10 minutes for 3-4 days at a time. If a little light-headedness is all that's in store for me I think I'll be all right :)
Posted by Bill LL on April 26, 2004, at 10:08:20
In reply to lexapro withdrawal, posted by Morree on April 23, 2004, at 20:50:51
It's nothing to be afraid of. If you do feel worse, then take half a dose every other day for a week, then every 3rd day, etc. until you are off of it.
If your depression returns, please consider going back on either Lexapro, or a different antidepressant.
Posted by allynorcal on April 27, 2004, at 20:52:02
In reply to Re: lexapro withdrawal, posted by Bill LL on April 26, 2004, at 10:08:20
I just went through this recently...and now I am back on...they don't say "don't go off your meds without doctor supervision" for nothing.
I had these weird dizzy spells. It felt like when I turned my head, my head kept going. And every time I sat up or stood up. I also felt a little nauseous, lightheadded (in addition to the dizzy spells) and just plain lethargic. The funny thing was, it took about a week for the side effects to kick in. I was taking 20 mg for about a year, and then I ran out of meds and just figured, "hey, I'm feeling ok...lets stop this crap. I dont really need this." Well, after a week of feeling progressively weird and a week of hell, I finally got a new doctor and saw her yesterday. I'm back on the lex, but I'm working with her to see what other possible solutions can be had. In the meantime, I'm glad I'm back on lex....as much as I hate popping pills each day to function like a normal human being, the alternative is far worse, and I don't mean just the physical symptoms of withdrawl.
->ally
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