What happens if you stop lexapro

As a result, it can take a few weeks before a person notices its effects on the symptoms of depression or anxiety. However, a sudden drop in the amount of Lexapro that a person is taking can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Keep reading for more information on Lexapro withdrawal, including why it occurs and how to cope with the symptoms. Due to its slow build up in the blood, withdrawal symptoms are less likely to affect people who take Lexapro for just a short time.

However, people who have either taken other SSRI medications before starting Lexapro or used Lexapro for a long time have a higher likelihood of developing withdrawal symptoms. Lexapro withdrawal symptoms occur because of how SSRI medications affect the brain. SSRIs increase the levels of serotonin , a neurotransmitter that contributes to happiness and feelings of reward.

Over time, in response to the increased levels of serotonin, the brain shuts down different receptors to prevent overstimulation. Once a person stops taking Lexapro, the body needs time to adjust.

The amount of serotonin may decrease suddenly and will need time to replenish. During this time, a person may experience withdrawal symptoms. There are several potential symptoms that a person may experience as a result of withdrawal from Lexapro.

The authors of a study divided the symptoms into two stages. The timeline of Lexapro withdrawal symptoms will vary from person to person. Not everyone experiences all of the symptoms, and some people experience no withdrawal symptoms at all.

Withdrawal symptoms may last for several weeks or even months. During this time, a person can take some steps to help reduce the severity of symptoms. Has anyone experienced this with lexapro? Does it get better? I am so glad I found this website. It makes me feel less alone in all this. Let me know if you find another solution as well or if your symptoms start to subside.

Hi Carissa, Just to see how you are doing now, I hope you are finally getting there, I have posted a similair case to you self Greg Norton. Hi, I have been using a Valerian Root tablet, which is from a plant so all natural and non-addictive. The valerian seems to make me calm so it helps with anxiety and a bid with the Lexapro withdrawal symptoms.

I stopped taking the Lexapro 15 days ago and today is worth than yesterday. Any help would be great appreciate it. Wow, I am so glad I looked on this site. I stopped lexapro cold turkey in mid July, not to my own desire. I have been on the drug for a long time due to menopause and a a divorce. I felt I was ready to come off the medication but as not given the proper withdrawal timing, I have experienced horrible withdrawal symptoms.

The first 3 weeks were fine, then I experienced horrible fatigue and muscle pain, this had been going on for four weeks. The last 3 weeks have been horrible anxiety and NO patients with anyone. I finally talked to my doctor and was put back on the medication and maybe withdraw at the proper dosage.

Teresa, how are you doing? Curious what your experience is after only 10 doses. Sometimes I can actually go to the store or outside for a walk. I wish you all the best. It is absolute hell. My entire body is tingling, movement makes it worse, especially my face, lips, and tongue. I have the random brain zaps, but also these jolts through my body.

I also have bad nausea after I wake up, which goes away after a couple hours. Insomnia, mood swings, total lack of interest in sex.

The dumbest things have set off this absolute FURY, like Netflix froze and buffered last night and I nearly threw my laptop at a wall. Yeah… So much fun. I missed a day last week at the next day I felt like hell.

It seems there is no minimum threshold to get off this horrible drug. Hi Hope all doing well and getting there? I was on Lexapro for just over 7 months, It never really worked for me but gave it a good go to work, I stopped at the beginning of June now off for 4. I was only taking 10mg and was side effects free for a whole year but then suddenly one day i just felt gloomy and my heart kept palpitating and i just felt so anxious. Had to do go back onto the medication for it to stop.

Wow, Firstly John I am so sorry for you lose. Your comments have really help me to carry on fighting, I was on Lexapro for 5 years after losing my mother to cancer, I tapered down over a 7 month period from 10mg to 2.

Claire xx. I started Lexapro 2 months ago and the side effects were horrible! Headaches, nausea, severe anxiety and panic attacks so bad that I was scared to leave my house.

I started with 5mg then went to 10 mg then went to 15mg then back to 10 then back to 5. It has been suck a roller coaster of feelings, emotions and side effects. I hate it! I talked to my therapist and she had me stop taking the medication. I and currently on day 2 off the medication and feel nausea and have diarrhea.

I also have the electric shock feeling in my head and whole body at times. I hope I feel better soon. I try to help myself by meditating doing aroma therapy and doing self care like taking long warm baths. Everyone hang in there! Keep fighting all.

Im so glad i found this site it makes me feel im not going mad, I took Lexapro for only 3 months and stopped just over 3 months ago and have been having a terrible time trying to hold it together, I have full day panic attacks and still show no signs of easing up.

Great I have found this site, I can understand all your comments, 8 months off Lexapro and still going through horrendous adrenaline spikes, this medication has pretty much take everything I hold valuable in my life, on for only 3 months getting crazy side effects so stopped even tapered down from 10mg over a 4 week period but a shocking journey.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Previous Next. View Larger Image. This article is for informational purposes only. If you are struggling with Lexapro, please speak to your doctor about it. New Choices Treatment Centers provides top-quality detox care as well as comprehensive addiction treatment services.

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Lucas September 12, at pm - Reply. Wolfgang Menzel October 5, at pm - Reply. Hi Lucas, Not sure about ticks, but my ears are summing Tinnitus after a month off the Lexapro, which is super annoying. Kira September 15, at am - Reply. In a meta-analysis of controlled studies, investigators at Harvard Medical School and other universities found that people who undergo psychotherapy while discontinuing an antidepressant are less likely to have a relapse.

Stay active. Bolster your internal resources with good nutrition, stress-reduction techniques, regular sleep — and especially physical activity. Exercise has a powerful antidepressant effect. It's been shown that people are far less likely to relapse after recovering from depression if they exercise three times a week or more. Exercise makes serotonin more available for binding to receptor sites on nerve cells, so it can compensate for changes in serotonin levels as you taper off SRIs and other medications that target the serotonin system.

Seek support. Stay in touch with your clinician as you go through the process. Let her or him know about any physical or emotional symptoms that could be related to discontinuation. If the symptoms are mild, you'll probably be reassured that they're just temporary, the result of the medication clearing your system. A short course of a non-antidepressant medication such as an antihistamine, anti-anxiety medication, or sleeping aid can sometimes ease these symptoms.

If symptoms are severe, you might need to go back to a previous dose and reduce the levels more slowly. If you're taking an SRI with a short half-life, switching to a longer-acting drug like fluoxetine may help. You may want to involve a relative or close friend in your planning.

If people around you realize that you're discontinuing antidepressants and may occasionally be irritable or tearful, they'll be less likely to take it personally. A close friend or family member may also be able to recognize signs of recurring depression that you might not perceive. Complete the taper. By the time you stop taking the medication, your dose will be tiny. You may already have been cutting your pills in half or using a liquid formula to achieve progressively smaller doses.

Some psychiatrists prescribe a single milligram tablet of fluoxetine the day after the last dose of a shorter-acting antidepressant in order to ease its final washout from the body, although this approach hasn't been tested in a clinical trial.

Check in with your clinician one month after you've stopped the medication altogether. At this follow-up appointment, she or he will check to make sure discontinuation symptoms have eased and there are no signs of returning depression. Ongoing monthly check-ins may be advised. To learn what you can do to get the sleep you need for optimal health, safety, and well-being, but the Harvard Special Health Report Improving Sleep: A guide to a good night's rest. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

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