The HORRIBLE post-withdrawal effects of Lexapro
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Some people can experience post-withdrawal symptoms of Lexapro (Escitalopram, Cipralexa). Apparently, i am one of them.
I think people should know about this, so this substance should not be taken lightly.
This article explains what I am talking about based on research:
www.everydayhe...
Also, if you suffer from insomnia, this should really help:
• What is Insomnia and H...
The effects of me leaving it was much worse than before using it. NEVER AGAIN.
how so?
I am in week 2 without it and I feel like I want to kill myself 10 times over
Jennifer Bright same! These withdrawals are so bad I thought about going back on it..FUCK THIS
@@MrWakensurf I actually had to restart it or I was going to admit myself
Jennifer Bright ;( oh no! Get off it. I’m finding that journaling, music and working out is distracting to the weird thoughts/feelings/sensations. Read about it it too. It’ll motivate you to stop. MD articles even admit how it’s harmful to your body after taking for awhile. GET OFF IT PLEASE.
I‘m so glad i stumbled upon this video. I‘ve been feeling ill for 3 weeks now. Dizziness, nausea and I‘m irritable as hell. I honestly feel like I‘m going crazy. Thank you for sharing this. I know I‘m not alone. And everyone reading this, you‘re not alone too!
This is exactly how I feel now. Did it ever go away?
Ich Du how r u now
@@h0neydrip495 how are you feeling now? Are you still having withdrawal symptoms. How long did your withdrawal last
I’m at that stage at the moment and it’s hell 😢don’t have any tolerance my poor kids
Hi, how are you now?
I'm withdrawing right now , i feel like I'm going to die. Prayers please.
Have you joined a fb group? It has helped me so much. I belong to a benzo fb group but most in it are dealing with antidepressant withdrawal as well. You will heal, it takes time.
Mr Clean you will be OK,,,
Mr Clean praying for you. How are you?
I am also in withdrawal stage since 3 months now .. completed last dose last week .. started feeling good now still some anxiety
@Robert Anderson thanks ..
I’ve been on lexapro (20mg) for about 2 years. I’m currently in the process of weaning myself off of it. The last time I tried weaning myself off of it I went literally crazy to the point where I blacked out and I cried and cried for hours for zero reason at all and I had HORRIBLE panic attacks only after a few days. It’s been about three weeks now and it’s much better this time around thank God. I’m still having some mood swings and the occasional “brain zaps” but I’m hopeful I’ll get through it. Great video btw ❤️
thank you so much for your comment. I am really glad you are doing better, keep up the good work!!
Why get off it if it makes you feel so horrible
When people ask why we get off it, I just roll my eyes and wonder if thet have listened to a single thing that has been said or written in the comments...
I was on it for two years I took 30 mg which is really really high now that I quit it I feel like dying
Me to brain zaps suck I'm also on it for years but want to come of it
Lexapro gave me life again after being bed bound with anxiety for a month. Non relenting anxiety. Panic symptoms 24/7. Fast forward 2 years and my life is much less stressful. I decided to quit Lexapro (10 mg) cold turkey. I had gained A LOT of weight over the two years and just felt nothing. Wanted to sleep all the time, didn't care much about anything really. I quit cold turkey over a month ago and had NO withdrawal symptoms! It feels great to feel again. It feels great to care about my life again.
Edit, I did have trouble sleeping for a week and actually wet the bed a few times that first week. Thinking back that must be a withdrawal effect.
To anyone reading: DO NOT QUIT COLD TURKEY
I am. 20 mg for a year. Today I though up twice and I walk like I'm drunk. I found it takes 6 dsys to get out of ones system. Can't wait for it to be over
@@lobstermania4025 it will all be allright. Just take it easy and don’t try to worry too much.
@@quintenverbist6443 Thank you! Day 11 . Going on my 5 mile walk even though it takes everything I have. No alcohol, lexipro, propanonol. And trazadone. One day I will turn the corner and see the light. Thank you again for the support, I need it. Lobstah
@@lobstermania4025 what i can tell from my experience. Once you start acting like a strong person you will become a strong person. Just a disclaimer. Strong mental resilience doesn’t mean happiness. But mental resilience leads to happiness. Life is full of shitty stuff but just realise it is just that shitty stuff. Stay strong and i pray for your journey!
@@quintenverbist6443 Very well said. I'm going to just take it one day at a time and as of today it is the same. But only day two with out meds.. Beer its day 11. I WILL go to 100... Thank you for listening
Anyone else dizzy ALL the time? My lip also swells up randomly.
Courtneyodo It’s common to feel drowsiness when taking it. Also that lip swelling might be an allergic reaction, you should go talk to your doctor.
The dizziness yes, so annoying, I can’t leave my house because I feel like I’m gonna faint, how long does this last for you? I’m kinda desperate
Dizzy-like...vertigo dizzy. Also-fun new symptom: olfactory hallucinations. Smelling garbage...ALL the time.
Maureen Seel omg i have olfactory hallucinations, I smell garbage and I would say: whats the awful smell and people be like must be this must be that but no one can actually smell it 🤯 i did not know thats what it was
I came here to say that the symptoms lasted two weeks for me and they started to fade from that, now they are completely gone, just the extreme anxiety is left but I think that’s just how I am lol. Stay strong xx
i’ve been taking lexapro for 9 months straight now, and i ran out of my prescription 3 days ago and haven’t been able to refill it yet. I almost ended up going to the emergency room because i literally felt like i was dying. I couldn’t even move without throwing up, i was having an AWFUL headache and chills, and within seconds i kept switching from violently sweating, to shivering. I literally would do anything to never have to feel this way ever again.
Are you off of it now?? I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm also going through running out of medication. I have a couple pills left and I'm slowly just decreasing the dosage
How are you doing now and what was your dosage?
SAME
Withdrawal is HELL
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MIA interview with doctor exposing SSRI withdrawal
ruclips.net/video/uqoaPKeR_gU/видео.html
Interview with Angie Peacock counselor and survivor
ruclips.net/video/MJ8zBCSAxZE/видео.html
Peter Breggin drugs damage
Same with me right now just got refilled today. I’ve been off for 7 days and the nausea is the worst so far. Hoping to get better by tommorow.
I been on 20mg of lexapro for about 10 years and I've experienced all your symptoms trying to get off of it. I've tried 6 times to get off the drug. One time for as long as 4 months. Hopelessness is the key word for me. I could only sleep 2 to 3 hours a night . And wake up wide awake in the middle of the night. Obsessive negative thoughts. I wouldn't wish the depression I felt on my worse enemy. They should do a class action law suit for this drug!
Joe Murray you can get off this nasty drug. It may take many months. I’ve been tapering off for. 18 months and still struggling. Don’t give up. Go to survivingantidepressants.org
I took it for 3 days and still suffering since 12 days now.
Why get off it if you feel so terrible
Hi Joe, I know this is a bit late, but have you had any improvement at all? Could you tell me how did you taper off? I am in the same exact boat as you. Wake up multiple times during sleep wide awake and find myself unable to go back to sleep.
@@bubbasernie5762 honestly you replied to multiple people asking them why they got off of Lexapro if they didn't want to deal with side effects and I'm praying that you aren't just an asshole troll and just need some information to stop seeming this way. Women come off of Lexapro sometimes because of the potential negative side effects to a future pregnancy. Some men and women alike were given this medication to treat something that this isn't commonly prescribed for, some were suggested this by trusted doctors to help them through a hard time and when that time is over, they want to move on from it. These are just a few reasons, but hopefully it will pull your head out to being a bit more compassionate when others are struggling 😉
Anyone feel like they low key have the flu constantly?
Yes! Literally I weaned off completely over a week ago and I have felt like that and woozy and weak. When you weaned off did it get better for you?
@@jaclyntriesit i am 6 days off ...dame how you doing how long this hell last
@@garysimone4977 honesty, it took time and I still don't know how much is after effects and how much is my health issues, but the worst was over within about two months... some times were better and others worse. The brain zaps/weird imbalance was the hardest for me. What side effects do you have right now?
@@garysimone4977 the anxiety and panic attacks are much better now, I still get tense but I haven't taken any medicine for a long while now.
@@jaclyntriesit major mood swings, depression hit hard today really bad, short temper, anxity,, was on 10mg for a yr took 3 months to ween to,,, You have the same WD effects
I stopped cold turkey and experienced pure rage, argued with everyone and no one could reach me. I had violent/homicidal thoughts too, wasnt sleeping, and drank and smoked weed every day for about 2 months just to cope.
Ruined my marriage and messed up an already strained relationship with my only sibling 😢
I wish I would have reached out for help instead of stopping but I was so frustrated and lost at the time.
Did you get back on the meds to help relieve some of the thoughts? I find myself having those quite regularly. Hope you reconcile with some of the people you truly care about, I'm sure they'll understand where you're coming from
I've been weaning off 20mg in 5mg increments for the past month and a half. Currently a week into the last phase (5mg). Withdrawal has hit like a ton of bricks. Very irritable, anxious, not sleeping, crazy mood swings, and a migraine level headache. Nothing I can do right now. I'm encouraged that others know what I'm going through by reading these comments. It's an invisible illness that people judge harshly when they see the adverse social effects of withdrawal (like me losing it on someone). I'm reluctant to tell everyone I have a skiff with, but I also don't want to lose friends. Anyway, this drug sucks. I've found it awful coming off it so far. But, under all the noise, I know I'm now mentally healthy and can push through...as hard as that is.
I’m going through the same thing. 5 mg at a time. Not a big deal until I finished the last 5 mil. Holy crap. Sleep is bad and I’m dizzy as hell. I was in for over 15 yrs after a very serious depression. I didn’t have a chemical imbalance, but a situational imbalance. It took me many yrs of therapy to figure out it was ADHD and a career I didn’t care for but I gave everything I had to get the degree. But I noticed I was coming apart as soon as I started my health care career. I’m out of health care now and never happier, but this first few days of finally being off this drug has been very challenging.
How was each stage 20to15, 15to10, & 10to5? I just started from 20to15. Thanks.
The bad dreams have been insane. Random dizziness, shivers, headaches, loss of weight.
Thanks for gathering your courage to do this video. I need to be reminded that these symptoms are normal and that it's NOT ME. I was on Lexapro 10mg => 5mg for 14½ years. Recently, a friend who is a physician suggested I stop taking it. I took his advice but I may have weaned off it a little too quickly. It's been 2 weeks and, even though it is getting better and the Brain Zaps are less severe than at the start, I'm still having crazy mood swings, mostly anger - agitation - and then sudden crying... I mean bawling! ... for 5 - 10 minutes at a time. I also sometimes have depression and think I may need to commit suicide... but that thought passes pretty quickly. Fortunately, I have not had any panic attacks since I stopped taking it. It was the panic attacks in 2007 that convinced me I needed to take this drug. Once I get over these withdrawal symptoms I hope to never have to take anything for depression/panic ever again. The "back-end" price is too high.
can you tell me what a brain zap feels like
@@davidsykes6465 Have you ever put your tongue on the terminals of a 9-volt battery and felt a kind of mild shock? It's similar to that... not pleasant and you wouldn't want to do it all the time but it's not harmful. A brain zap feels like an electric shock going through your brain. It's not painful but it is annoying because it comes without warning. It happens 2 or 3 times in a row, several times a day. Since I entered my original comment, the zaps have faded away to nothing... about 8-10 weeks in all since I stopped taking Lexapro.
@@davidsykes6465 Like almost an electric shock in your head. Very disorienting.
How long did the withdraw symptoms last??
@@raiderrick9274 8-10 weeks brought an end to most of the withdrawal symptoms for me but to this day, 11 months later, it doesn’t take much to get me crying but it’s not out of control. It happens once or twice a day, only lasts for a few minutes, and it’s usually something I see or hear on the TV or radio that gets it going. But I guess that’s not such a bad thing. I can control it if I’m around other people.
The doctors are no better than candy store managers. SMH they have no idea the damage they are doing to us in many cases. 😥
true
They know, but don't care. They are beholden to big pharma
They know.
Either way, they don't care. I was prescribed this when I was merely 15yo. I'm now 29 and trying hard to fight off all the withdrawal symptoms this little pill is giving me. Looking back I don't understand how it's legal to prescribe 'medicine' that screws with brain chemistry to a child who's brain wasn't even developed yet. It is frightening that this is the standard procedure of how schools deal with kids who need help. School counselors recommend students to go to psychiatrists that will always want to put anyone on the pill. The worse thing about this is that they will feel like they actually helped you. The system is so messed up
It's been horrible.. headaches and crying for no reason
You will be OK,,,antidepressants are poison,,
How are you doing now?
Thank you for this, such a hard subject to talk about. I went cold turkey, not a good idea, I'm having messed up episodes of mania, no sleep, loneliness and extreme sadness. I never imagined it would be this bad, and I quit much harder drugs than this...
Same here. Was on it for 3 years with 20mg daily. I tapered down over 2 months then stopped completely. Its been about a month since I ceased taking it and now the suicidal thoughts, mania, headaches and constant crying is kicking in. Plus dealing with this withdrawal during covid crisis and I literally have no medical or social support right now. These are dark days for me and I just want all this misery to end.
@@kazbah1217 it gets better, I'm better, the withdrawal symptoms are gone and my life seems ok now. You can do this, I found exercise to be the best medicine when feeling manic. Hang in there
@@thegrooveriders5417 thank u 😊 I need to get some healthy coping mechanisms started. Exercise and meditation is now back on my menu👍am glad u r feeling more in control now, can't wait to feel this too!
@@thegrooveriders5417 how long did your withdrawal symptoms last? I’m going through the same
@@kazbah1217 are you feeling better now? How long did your withdrawal symptoms last? I’m going through the same
I jave CONSTANTLY 24/7 nausea/headache feeling around my cranial points.
Its 24/7 im desperate I can only oray to God.
Lexapro KILLED ME.
I keep feeling these weird shocks in my body all the time. Lexapro helped for a bit, but I became very aggressive after a while and it hasn't gone away since weaning.
Laura Ervin Huddersfield Laura sup! I'm in the same boat! Just finished weaning off last week and the withdrawals are super gnarly. I'm actually looking into supplements like fish oil, magnesium and b complex. Also, drink lots and lots of water. Hang in there
How are you feeling now Laura?
@@christophermannmanno6318 not gonna lie, the timing of this question is really interesting. Almost two months ago I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. My immune system has been attacking my thyroid for years and has been causing lots of emotional issues which had led me to seeking help for panic attacks four years ago. They put me on Lexapro which only made things worse because mental health doctors don't really know anything about the brain, and they never ran a blood panel for me.
Since receiving the correct treatment I've been much better. I highly recommend running a blood panel if you feel emotionally unstable.
Really sucks going through this alone with no support. This is like the 1000th time I’ve tried to quit. I’m so tired I can’t keep my eyes open and my blood pressure randomly spikes. I wish I could get a straight answer on when I’ll feel normal.
I’m dying 4 months off do you go back to normal taking it again I’m terrified to take it again
@@misssami4642hey I'm in the exact same situation. 4 months off and finally took 5mg for 2 days now but tbh not much help. Very lost deciding whether should take it or not
Ho guys how are you now?
Currently, i have been off this drug for 3 days... had to take the day off work because of the brain zaps, horrible dizziness, but i feel like on lexapro im dull.. I have a hard
Time making the right choices lifestyle wise... does this drug affect your personality? I want to be off ...
Psychiatry is still an experimental field and therefore basically anything can happen with these substances that doctors cannot predict. It's a mind altering substance so yes, in my opinion it can affect your personality. Good luck with the tapering. Be gentle with yourself.
Faith Coridor yeah the brain zaps are freaking weird asf, I get those still to this day
I had to go back on them... i couldnt handle being sick, i have to work, and drive, it sucks but... Hopefully i can ease myself off eventually..
i am sure you will, hugs to you!!
Take it at night to avoid the drowsiness feeling.
I have tried so many times to get off and bought a book about it. The only solution I have found is reduce 10% per month for the Taper.
yeah apparently the slower the taper the better. See my video for more: "coming off antidepressants: 5 mistakes I've made"
Two weeks to taper on...TWO YEARS TO TAPER OFF!!!
SSRI'S ARE NOT WORTH IT. THE PAIN I HAD BEFORE WAS NOT AS BAD AS THIS. THIS SHIT IS DESIGNED TO HOOK YOU FOR LIFE!!! THEY ARE A FUCKING TRAP!!! BIG PHARMA IS THE DEVIL!!! I WILL NEEEEVVVVEEEERRR TAKE THIS SHIT AGAIN ONCE I AM OFF OF IT FOR GOOD.
@@homeslice2487 how how are you now?
Hey i hope you're still with us :( we havent heard from youre last video 4 years ago. Please say youre still here
Two years ago I quit taking it, I actually gradually went off of it throughout a month. Flu like symptoms and random crying in public which weirds people out of you’re a dude. this was the withdrawal, AFTER the withdrawal..... HOLY FUK, as soon as I woke up every morning, I didn’t want to be alive. Nothing sounds fun, the feeling of dread is unimaginable. I wrote about the feeling, it was like I was in the middle of the ocean swimming but knew I would eventually drown. The scariest part was not knowing if these feelings would ever go away. I was driving Uber at the time and couldn’t drive much because I would have to be on the phone almost constantly with a family member or someone that I was close to. It’s like you are just reaching out for anything or anyone. I lost about 20 pounds in a month. I had to force myself to eat half a sandwich for lunch, it had no taste but I would get a little mood boost and then I could finish the other half at dinner. I felt so much better at night, I would feel almost normal, then again the next morning, a crippling dread and depression. I was like a child that needed his hand held to go outside. I went back on it after that month of terror, I didn’t see an end in sight.
Im on 10mg for 3 weeks. How much were you on. I feel ok
N
@Oh Nome I wish I'd never started taking it. 17 years later I am starting the weaning off process and the withdrawals are severe. My advice to people is do your research before starting an SSRI like this. It's been 7 days of cutting down from 10mg to 5mg and I feel like I am going insane, severe insomnia, agitation, depression, paranoia, nightmares, hot sweats, throat feels like it's closing.. I wish I had never started this medication
How are you now, plz reply I am suffering the same
@ashbash1700 how are you feeling now? Are you still tapering? How fast or slow are you tapering?
I was taking 20mg for about a year, and recently weaned off it, currently on 4 days without, and I am so dizzy, and nauseous.
I feel awful
Sunshine club how r u now
I haaaate lexapro. I still have to take it at least once every week or I’ll get really dizzy and itchy. Like I feel like bugs are crawling on me then I get paranoid. It’s the worst literally.
watch my latest video on "how to safely quit antidepressants" :)
Did anyone have weird feeling like heart beating to fast when trying to get off Lexapro?
Yeah I'm feeling bad 😕
yeah same with me i was having heart palpitations
Frank Miranda hope you're feeling better now :)
YES. Did it ever go away?!??
@@h0neydrip495 I gradually reduced the amount like one pill every 3 days did that for a week then half a pill every 2 days. Then quarter pill every 4 days all at a week's time. Helped me ween off of it
anyone who has severe leg-symptoms like muscle twitches, pain in legs, legs like stones ?
Yes, twitching and dead legs
I got the same. So much sensation on legs that i couldnt sleep properly so Doctor gave me 1month vit b12 course. Now am ok. But anxiety getting worse.. but i will never have the tab
Me too
Yes, twitching/spams mostly in my legs, and sometimes my whole body will feel heavy.
I'm about six months into withdrawal after 15 years on SSRIs - have endured protracted stomach cramps (which finally seem to have dissipated). Have been feeling continuously dizzy for the last three months. Worst symptom has been gradually worsening pains in my legs. Minimal activity such as going for a walk is bringing on aching sensations, fatigue and post exercise persistent pain in the leg area. It's been quite worrying as I've been concerned that this will be a permanent state. Trying to stay positive but it's tough going... Reading about others' experience gives me solace.
I'm using canibis right now for the withdraws. I'm thankful.
Does it work??
@@JJDiane it does
@@Polyglot_English what does uit help with?
I have been on this for 3 weeks. I feel sleepy and drowsy all the time. It makes me not care about anything. I rather just have anxiety than feel like this.
SHAWN SHAARI i took it for 3 days my anxiety was soooo little but i went to the doctor and took it for three days i started getting headaches, panic attacks, couldnt sleep! Weird dreams when i could and brain fog. I stopped right after the third day. Because like i said my anxiety was sooo little like it was just that i got a little nervous driving a car. I was fine that following month but i started to feel brain zaps, and body aches. I googled it and this was normal and now this month my brain fog is horrible and i am depressed, body aches i feel like i am dying. And the doctors dont believe me because i was only the pill for three days but i was perfectly fine before i started lexapor never had depression or anything. These doctors are just handing stuff out
@@margueritarucker8108 Do not take it. I just tried it because I had exhausted all other remedies. These drugs all mess with our brains natural functions which are there for a reason. I also had the weird dreams which I still do. I was on lexpro for 3 weeks but it was clearly having the opposite effect of whats intended.
I have kaiser for my insurance and they are terrible. They refuse to give me an appointment!
SHAWN SHAARI dude I have kaiser and it’s been a freakin nightmare, I can only see a therapist once every 3 months but yet when it came to taking SSRIs they gave it to me like nothing.
And I’ve tried to ask kaiser to send me to an outside company for therapy and they always tell me no
@@andrewreyna742 Stop taking lexapro. There are other more healthy alternatives. Ginko Biloba works for me. You can get it OTC in Supermarkets.
SSRI are garbage they inhibit those elements that make you human.
Also meditation and exercise help.
@@andrewreyna742 As far as kaiser dont bother. Try going out of network. Look up your local therapists and psychiatrists. The initial consultation shouldnt cost too much. You can just talk to them without drugs.
I've been taking Lexapro for 4 years now for extreme GAD and its literally saved my life.
If a neurotoxin is what you need to calm your brain down all the more power to ya but this shit ruined me.
Well and good until you withdraw.
I have GAD too and I've taken it for several years but it caused me to gain weight and have endless hunger pangs
It will end up killing you. Antidepressants just mask the issue, doesn't fix it.
Hope you're doing well these days. Currently tapering off Lexapro. My story is 23 years long. One day I'll have the courage to share it.
It has killed my creativity and stopped my aspiration to achieve. Im just a limpet. Just occupying space, not happy or sad. But if i go off it ill go crazy and ruin my relationship and go back yo square one.
I’m currently going through this and it’s extremely hard.. have almost checked myself in so many times. Severe anger issues that I NEVER had before.. so scary. 😭
Did you taper off or stop cold turkey? I’ve been tapering off Leda pro for 18 months and it’s very difficult. I’m having insomnia anxiety disturbing thoughts irritability stomach trouble and more. Doctors betrayed me. They did not treat me they just slapped a chemical strait jacket on me.
They need to be tapered off not cold turkey
How are you now
Hello, iv been on lexapro for 5 years now iv decided to try and come off it i was on 20mg then dropped to 15mg for a month or so and now im going to drop to 10mg for abit then hopefully to 5mg then 0 i really hope i can get off this i dont want to rely on pills anymore
I am experiencing ... horrible symptoms
perhaps I missed it and I haven't watched the whole clip but right from the start the important part missing is how long were you on it before you tried to come off it ?
I'm 15, i've been on lexapro for almost 2 years now. it never helped me so i stop taking it even though i know it will hurt me. every time i stop taking it, i get really sick. i just want to get better..
Did you stop? And how?
I had to smoke weed and exercising every day just to get off it brain zaps were the worst.
How about leg zaps and tingling and horrible itch sensations etc ?
I got weird shocks running through my lower body when I stopped. Withdrawal wasn't so bad for me in the end, but then again I stayed on 5mg dose....I was pretty okay after 1 week
ADHD Patrick me to 😂 I’m currently getting crazy shocks
@@lycky3054 Stay strong! It will pass :)
Yes
@@lycky3054also in your legs etc
I was forced into withdrawing from the Lexapro because I was thrown in jail. The charges were bogus but nevertheless I ended up spending five days in jail without my medication and I about went insane.
I threw myself to the floor and acted like I was dying. I was doing this in order to be put into the hospital so I could get the medication that I needed that they kept him promising I was going to be getting.
I was locked up in a room with metal beds in it and got myself so worked up that I got on top of the metal bed slamming my feet as hard as I can down and making as much noise as possible. I kept screaming I need my medication I need my medication but they withheld from me and they never did give it to me. After four days they said you can go and they dropped me outside the jail and said basically good luck You have no charges against you.
They took my guns and I still haven't retrieved those back from them because I was so badly depressed At that point I was on the Lexapro and very easily manipulated and coerced into doing things that I normally wouldn't do. I gave away $7000 to people and I normally would not do that. Especially since they already owed me money previously. I still can't understand how I was so weak that I gave into it and let them have the money.
I am now completely Lexapro free and I am feeling better than I have felt for a long time. I suggest extreme caution if you're reducing the amount of Lexapro that you are taking on a daily basis. Cut your tablets in half, take half a tablet every other day, stop taking Lexapro. Starting at 20 mg which is the standard dosage don't immediately cut to 10 mg. Better off to switch to 15 mg by cutting the tablets they don't cut easily. Using my approach will take approximately three months ending as I suggest with half a tablet every other day.
if you're currently at 20 mg cut down to 15 mg for a minimum of a month. Then cut down to 10 mg for a minimum of a month. Then cut down to 5 mg for a minimum of a month then take half a tablet which is 5 mg every other day. I'm not a doctor but this is what I did and I was able to get off of it with a minimal amount of mental distress.
Holy shit that sounds beyond horrible. I hope i don’t get this bad while on it…
I felt sorry for you indeed hoping you are better
Has anyone else watched this recently ? I’m crying right now because I’m getting off this shit for good and I’m going through hell
I’m going through the same thing. I tapered off very slowly but I’ve been completely off the med for about 6 days and I don’t know if I can do this. The withdrawals are terrible.
how are you doing?
Ho sweety, how are you now? 😞
Is it normal to have high heart rate? It's like 10 beats higher than normal according to my fitbit and the beats feel very heavy. Been like this for 3 weeks now since quitting =(
Mine wasn't to bad, had about 10 days of electric feeling zaps and a little cloudy. I didn't feel depressed, I feel happier in a way. Eating is the same. Yes sleep sucked for about two weeks. I'm a little over 3 weeks now and all is good. No panic attacks, no sweats..
How about now?
@@alynnl648 since that post I haven't took one, nor thought about it and I feel fine. More energy, less here and there sweats and nothing in terms of withdraw. Only the first two weeks I felt a bit different and the little zap feelings. I actually feel less anxious then before
I realised that the depression I was hoping to treat was just me wandering around the shallow end of the sadness pool without a reliable frame of reference.....4 years of lexapro and 4 months of withdrawl later
with its terrifying aggression and homicidal rage mixed with UNIMAGINABLE despair and I'm really starting to feel better. Having now seen what a truly depressed person goes through and the toll it takes I'll take the natural sadness, that at one time seemed terrible, 100% of the time going forward. This "medication" is true evil as we don't even know how it works, yet family docs are handing it out like skittles to keep their waiting rooms clear of people who are simply sad because the way we live in the west is super unhealthy on 40 levels. As if a pill can change the mess were in lol. I was such a fool. Run to a therapist for help and avoid learning about the nature of hell untill you get there the old fashioned way. AvOID!!!! (But still adtrss the problem in other ways) Save your silver bullets for killing vampires.
Silver bullets are for werewolves.
How are you now dude?
@Handlefire I'm great actually! Thanks for asking. Changed up allot in my life since I got off those pills and worked through the seemingly endless withdrawls. I got some help in an online mindfullness meditation course, started exercising daily and eating better. Cut down the booze to occasional from daily and stopped smoking weed completely. The excercise has helped reduce the terrible back pain that I was suffering from too which was likely contributing to the depression. I have also been taking some online philosophy courses to engage my mind which has made me feel allot more stimulated. All in all its been a really transformational year, im really trying to steer this ship away from the rocks and so far its working. Hope you are doing well too.
@@rickywinthrop wonderful to hear this gives me so much hope. I am still struggling with withdrawal but as hard as it is I will never take those poisons again. Any advice on how to move forward through this hell?
Did anyone experienced blurry vison after discontinuation?
Yes
Did you ever get insomnia so bad that you didn’t sleep at all? Like not even 5 min of sleep?
Yes.
I'm on RUclips trying to look for answers, i've had anxiety for four days in a row I know big deal four days but I can't stand it. I've never really had this kind of anxiety before. But hearing what you have to say I'm going to hit the gym tomorrow and see if I can work through this. Ive also had a bad break up and it sucks being alone. You are beautiful and I hope you can find someone that treats you like a queen.
I am sorry that you feel so anxious. Are you also experiencing post-withdrawal effects? Thanks for the compliment, I am mainly focusing on my recovery right now
No I am not going through post withdrawal, The last time I was on an SSRI was Zoloft several years ago, The withdrawal symptoms were horrible I had vertigo brain zaps and a myriad of other side effects. I have been considering going back on an SSRI that is when I found your channel I guess I was looking to be reminded on how horrible they are. Not to say that they can't be beneficial for some people. At this time I am just going to try to be engaged with people and stay active, I never really knew the importance of that until recently.
true. connection to others is essential during recovery and any time for that matter
I was taking 20mg of Lexapro for about a year and a half (little less). I went down to 10mg for a few weeks and then weaned off. It’s been about two weeks and I feel AWFUL. Disoriented and dizzy all the time, nauseas, irritable. I feel insane. Does this ever go away??? I just started taking 5HTP, Krill Oil, and magnesium to hopefully help.
Does 5htp helped with tge withdrawls??
thank you for this video and all the comments! i am so dizzy, nauseous, and irritable! i have kids and i am really trying to not flip out on them as they are just kids and not doing anything wrong and i am trying to finish my BA. i am having such a hard time typing sentences that make sense! lexapro should not be given to anyone! when i was on it i was extremely tired and numb! it was no help then and certainly no help now!
Omg this the worst I feel like I’m going crazy is this normal ??? I’m two weeks with out lexapro
I just started to wean off 10mg cut it in half and starting with that - don’t want to be on it forever 😢
I must say I was immediately struck by your beautiful eyes,hope you feel better.
thank you! yes I am
I was on escitalopram for 3.5 years ,I was first on 10 mg then reduced to 5 mg then I quit it in December 2017 cold turkey..... I did not have any issues , I was just more arrogant.... Then in Feb I had a Break up and things just changed from there....I started vomiting, sleep troubles,loss of appetite, sweaty hands, major anxiety.... Now I feel like the world is moving ahead and m left alone....Wt should I do m really worried
go see a therapist and a psychiatrist asap. get a support group, spend as less time alone as possible, get into any sort of group. good luck, keep me posted
Nazaré's Lab I went to a psychiatrist, he said it's a relapse.....and gave me 10 mg again.....when I took that pill at night,the next day I started shivering and felt like m gonna faint....Now I have this brain fog and lack of concentration
Anubhav Singh you probably don’t recall but these are the initial side effects. These will go away with time. You need to be strong and stick to it.
GoldPeakLLC thank you for your well wishes..... Well things are quite normal now, symptoms have subsided reasonably well....Now the only symptom I have ryt now is short term memory issues....otherwise everything is manageable
Anubhav Singh I am really glad about that!
around the time I stopped i was offered two different jobs and it seemed like a life or death situation in my head. it still does, which is why im here. im fucking TERRIFIED. i almost went to the hospital. the thoughts that go through my head are horrific. i mean i always had dark thoughts but not like this. im scared of everything. i dont want to have to try at life. i dont want to work under the 1% while i slave away- id rather be dead.
although.. i stopped lexapro over a month ago and only these past 2 weeks have been out of control, so im not sure if it was just a delayed effect or if I really do need medical help still. i have a job interview soon for an old job i had and cannot stop crying about how miserable i was there (but i really wasnt). covid destroyed my career and all this at once makes me really want to die. just knowijg im not alone is helpful. thank you
One word. Marijuana.
Dante Mills exactly
Amen
Been on Sertraline for 20 years, eventually getting into the maximum 200mg dosage. I just stopped taking them about 2 months ago and fck me its been a rollercoaster ride. first 3 weeks were surprisingly easy to cope with, then the next 3 weeks i couldn'e keep food or drink down, the next 3 weeks after that when i could eat and drink i would just break down crying almost everyday, just felt broken. The following 3 weeks up to where i am now is that my body is aching all over, i get emotional and upset and the anxiety comes back now and again. would i go back to drugs? haha no fkcin way because they do not help! they just turn you into a fckin zombie with no real joy, no sex drive, no real love or hate for anything. Now i feel like shit but i feel like human being, yes i feel sad, yes i feel anxious, yes i get stressed and i can breakdown, but thats being a human being.
Agree. Zoloft numbed for years and horrible to get off. WD got worse after 2-3 months. Easier in the beginning.
@@Snowflake1374 yeah my body feels about 120 and maybe I need exercise, but going cold turkey was probably a mistake but I just got sick of feeling nothing, my anxiety is back but I'll just roll with it, what is there to lose?
How are you holding up? I'm checking in! Sounds like you're having a rough time :(
@@JennieOhs I'm gonna do a video abour it later Jennie, check in later and I'll tell you.
@@JennieOhs but yeah I'm getting by, I feel ill all the time and I cam get very low, but I would not go back to medication thanks for asking eh.
Trazadone gave me awful dreams all night, made me wake up like 10 times during the night and then felt drugged all day. AWFUL.
key is if u want to stop. do it very gradualy, taper down so slow. im on paroxetine 30mg daily. now im down to 10mg daily totally fine bit when i tried 10mg every other day after 3weeks i felt some weird sensation and my sleep was afected a bit so i decided to go back to 10mg daily now everything is fine. the point is feel your bodys reaction while tapering down. u can always go back tapering down again n again if your ready. just never quit COLD TURKEY cause definitely your gona stay in the mental hospital
I am already suffering from insomnia and Doctors tossed me Lexapro 5mg. I am afraid to start it
Me to
antidepresant was my life saver, before i was taking it. i attempted 3 suicides and those nega thoughts just keep repeating everyday, so i decided to give it a try and after 6montha of taking it. the world is just so beautiful im back to life. i dont inderstand y people want to quit when its working and helping them recover from suicidal thoughts and attempts
Great point, what is the big deal in taking one pill if its gonna give you a better quality of life. I'm on it 5 weeks and if it really starts to work I will be staying on it,anything is better that the bulshit life I was living..
I've only been on 5mg of lexapro, but taking it about a year. And it was working great for me for a long time, but the last few months I've been feeling very foggy, I zone out and when people talk to me I always have to ask them to repeat themselves. I've lost chunks of memory, like whole days...I can't remember anything important, miss appointments unless I set multiple reminders and check my calendar constantly. I've become agitated and struggling to do my job at work, cleaning everything like crazy, I feel like its slowly driving me crazy...and I don't feel like me anymore. So I'm weaning myself off, because the side effects aren't worth it to me. I can find another anxiety medication or go to therapy, and I've heard that lexapro can permanently change connectors in your brain...I'm just hoping it didn't cause too much damage taking it for a year
There are other side effects, like effecting sex drive, sexual function, concentration and weight gain that bothered me... they helped curb my impulse to self harm, definitely that was awesome, but I’m in a much better situation now .. i never thought about stopping them until I felt strong and supported enough to do so, if it’s working out for you, go with it!! :)
Everybody is different
@@hajarfi329 bs u are ignorant
Took 10 mg of Lexapro for week and unfortunately the side effects were horrible, I’m cleaning now natural lifestyle eating organic detoxing, I want this drug out of y system ASAP
I've been on them for 2 months maybe 2.5 but, I have PTSD. I can't tell any difference really. I stopped about a week ago and am not doing well, have always been suicidal. Tried twice and lived so I think I'm here for a reason and have the most wonderful fiance that understands. She's my person after hundreds of women she's my heroin. I've never opened up to anyone the way I do with her and that's truly amazing. I'm having a rough day so I decided to watch this video and think I need to come off it. I have only seen a psych 5 times bc of no insurance and nowhere around I can afford the help much less find it. Rural East, TN sucks for this.
@Bentley things are looking up. Thank You for asking, how kind of you. I'm actually at the nursing home with my grandma getting everything in order to bring her home for hospice as well as taking care for my mother. I got back on Lexapro and it's done great things for me thus far. How are you?
@Bentley I currently take 5mg a day and am going to find out how the 2.5 works because my "doctor" has no idea of what he actually writes to be honest. I have to literally have to have read or study more peer reviewed journals, as well as videos such as this. Sad here in Appalachia, I've thought about going to school for psychiatry. For now we are trying to help as many people as possible with PTSD, S.U.D., Depression, etc.
@Bentley well alongside that I'm one mg 2x daily Klonapin, for quick fixes a small dose is fine but that's me being on lexapro, suboxone, bp meds, and do lots of cod and all natural things. But yes, whether you are doing one or 4 meds no one can tell you how these medications work for 99% of people. I've been afraid of Benzos and the SSRI because they come with deadly withdrawals. Obviously I didn't begin with these compared to 8 years ago and have went down in how many and for how long.
this video was made 6 years ago. how are you doing these days?
I honestly have a bad feeling. I spoke to her via email a long time ago, but she hasn't uploaded In 4 years. I really hope she's alive
Ran out and I keep feeling like I'm on the verge of an emotional breakdown. I'm confused, drained, short term memory loss, actually feeling my worse. I don't look forward to being back on Lexapro.
I cold turkeyed. Was on 20mg for like 6months. Then started taking 40mg randomly bc it no longer felt effective. Now I stopped bc I just randomly wanted to. I’ve been feeling weird.
Don't let this poison destroying your life,,,I was on cipralex,i started to feel weird,,my doctor rised it to 20mg ,,,then the confusion.I decided to stop this poison.Insomnia,,,weird dreams,,electric-chocs,,nausea,,dizziness,,vomiting,sweating,,etc,,etc,,it was HELL,,you will think that something is wrong with you,NO NO NO ,,its the poison of the antidepressant..YOU ABLE TO STOP THIS POISON,,,you will need support from your family,friends.
Don't cold turkey!!!!! Gotta taper slowwwwwww
@@caramccormack5566 I started it again a while ago and have been managing anxiety a bit better
My psychiatrist was unreachable for 9 days and I couldn’t get my medicine. Even looking to the left without moving my head made me so dizzy I felt like vomiting. I was sweating so bad, had the electric zaps in my head, I could barely walk. I had really bad sudden withdrawal effects and I was so mad and so miserable. This happened twice. Switched to a new psychiatrist and started slowly tapering off the medicine. Currently on day 2 of no meds and the withdrawal effects are not nearly as bad. Still dizzy but putting pressure on my head helps A LOT! Reducing light and wearing shades helps me. Might not work for everyone but I’ve been trying to keep pressure on my head and just chill out. Hopefully it doesn’t get much worse.
I was on 20mg too. Took it for a year but I couldn’t really tell if the medicine was working and it just made me so sleepy. Kinda anxious to take medicine again because of it, so hopefully some lifestyle changes can improve my mood a bit
Has anyone who gone off of Lexapro had visual dizziness? Like I can be completely still and move only my eyes and I get dizzy. Brain fog, headaches, nausea. Overly emotional, though I would take that over the first mentioned issues. If so, how long did this take to go away?
I'm on day 9 20mg and doing cold turkey. Please tell me it gets better soon.
@@lobstermania4025why cold turkey
How long does the depressive state from withdrawal last?? 3 1/2 weeks for me now and it’s terrible.
How are you now??
I had to stop cold turkey and ITS AWFUL. I'm still supposed to be on it but my office doesn't have a medication dispenser anymore and I've been struggling to get a refill. I just started school again two days ago and I'm so miserable
Isabella Srey How are you doing now ?
khadija jouabri I'm better. I'm on something called duloxetine. It's definitely made me feel less depressed but my anxiety levels have risen a little. It hasn't given me any horrible side effects though. Thank you for asking :)
I’m on lexapro right now. Thank you so much for the information. ❤
I’ve been on 20MG on Lexapro for 10 years now, and I love it!! I’ll take it for the rest of my life. It took a good year for my body to get use to it. I had dry mouth, and sometimes restless night. But that’s it.
I'm going through withdrawls atm. I'm one week in. I've been getting brain zaps, sweating, muscle tension and headaches. It's tough but every day is a step closer weening off them completely.
The withdrawal is unreal. I've tried quitting cold turkey many times over the years. I've been on Lexapro for 18 years and a few others for about 11-12 years. I'm weening slowly just a little bit at a time. Could take a few years after all this time and on high doses of all of them. I wish you all the luck!!!👍
why get off them tho? What caused you to think about stopping?
hi can someone please reply if you read this i badly need anyadvice please😢😢 i took lexapro yesterday and now im not taking it anymore the side effect is too much for me...😢😢 please should i worry i will suffer from withdrawal after 1 day of taking it?? I took 5mg only PLEASE😢😢😢
I hope you’re doing ok today ❤
I've been on Lexapro for around 8 years owing to certain life events. Those events are not going on now.
I don't like the fact that I am STILL taking it, and want to quit. But I am afraid.
I quit cold turkey about 3-4 weeks ago and I was left with no choice but to cold turkey benzo about 4 months ago. I’m going crazy I still have some lexapro I feel like I need to reinstate but should I do that even though I’m 3-4 weeks out?
That might not be a bad thing to reinstate the lexapro. Lower dose cause tolerance likely went down.
When I hear someone tries quitting an antidepressant cold turkey my heart goes out to them. The risks are too high to do it cold turkey 😢 like suicidal ideation and planning hopelessness anxiety panic attacks and so much more.
Please be careful!!!!
Fuck these meds. I was on 10 mg and then to 5mg after a month, and then after another month to 2.5. And after a week of stopping completely, i starting getting bad brain zaps and insomnia. I had to start on 2.5 again. From now on I'll start 2.5 every other day, and then every 3 days, and then after that I'll stop. Even for me, going from a measly 2.5 mg to none was enough to cause severe withdraw.
These meds are over prescribed. For people with very severe depression and anxiety they can be a relief, but for normal people they are definitely not worth it.
Please tell me how to help the insomnia I’ve got the exact same thing to a T 😭😭😭
Magnesium glycinate and l-theanine have helped me a lot with the insomnia
The itching is driving me INSANE. I cannot sleep barely. Brushing my hair makes me feel like I want to scream I'm so hypersensitive. Food disgusts me and I'm nauseated, feels like my knees are bruised. It is horrifying.
how long dose this withdrawal shit takes to disappear im on my 3rd week¿
How are you doing? I will never get off it. I am so scared to get off it. It is so hard to get off this drug.
Thanks for sharing this. I am currently experiencing withdrawal effects. I am stepping down under my doctor's supervision but withdrawal sucks.
I’ve been off Lexapro for roughly 10 days now and I’m still having those brain zap surges as well as crazy nausea, acid reflux, and irritability. How long does this last?
It depends on your taper plan, experience, etc. If you want send me an email with the exact details and I will try to help nazareslab@gmail.com
Miggs 80 how r u now
@@sangeetalambh6389 I’m ok now but I was getting those brain zaps for a good month or two. It was terrible coming off of Lexapro. I’m glad it’s over.
@@miggs80 did u feel depersonalization like emptyness or brain fog in ur withdrawal.please ans I quit sertailine and qutipen clonazepam.feel these sym 138 days sober now
@@miggs80 how many years u took lexapro
What MG dosage were you on?
Weaning off Lexapro now. Had a bad experience off something else. What helped me with brain zaps and tremors I was having was Fish oil -open the capsule and add drops to drink 2-3 times a day , vitamin D3 gummies or caps and American skullcap at night a 5 or 6 drops at night. Also, multi vitamin with b complex. If not eating boost or some time of drinkable nutrition drink. Also taking Lion’s mane capsule/powder to help regrow the nerves that may be hurt by all this. Its supposed to help heal nerves. Benadryl for sleep. This helped me with horrible brain zaps and stomach issues connecting to the zaps. I am now almost off Lexapro while having withdrawal from other. Not looking forward to the new possible effects coming. But I hope these help me through it. I also have been trying rescue remedy for panic attacks. The spray. It seems to help short term. I wanted to share this as I found all this information on videos and web and it helped me sleep. Focus on something other than being sick. It consumed me until I forced myself to focus on anything else. Insomnia , tremors , convulsions, brain zaps and much more. All going away . Some good days some bad. Have faith. Take care.
Good for you, MichaelT. Brave, persistent and smart. Hope you are doing better now a year later..
Thank you for your courageous and informative report, Nazaré! It gives me courage to get off of my Lexapro, as well, but to do it /very/ slowly, and with help of tryptophan or 5-htp, b6 (p5p), magnesium, aminos, gaba, l-theanine, exercise, meditation, whatever i can to reduce stress..
Hi! How long did the post withdrawal symptoms lasted in your case?
My doctor put me on Lexapro. Never took it tossed it in the trash. I'm tirating down from 2mg klonopin. That's all the hell I need. Dr wants me on gabapentin. Aw hell no. I'll just smoke weed. Good luck on your journey
Weed is awful.
@James Banbury I switched to cbd
Hey Innocent n Nice video. God bless you. Hope we all recover before its late.
How are you now manish
I’m currently going through horrible withdraw symptoms it’s 9am and I’m still up I wish I would have never taken this medicine and the people who made this should have to pay for what there making us go through.
I weaned off Lexapro 10 months ago & was ok for 4 months then crashed into the WORST Depression EVER! I've been bed bound, crying, anxious, DEPRESSED, angry, agoraphobic ..... ect. for the last 7 months. No End in SIght!!!
Montesa how r u now
Update?
@@jcbanbury @James Banbury - No Improvement. I've applied for Physician Assisted Suicide (M.A.I.D.) - Medical Assistance in Dying, so I'm praying I will get it
@@montesa9136 how are you? Im also severely injured by Lexapro
but how long were on Lexapro?
Thanks i sent this to a friend. Appreciate the video
I have a serious question, I have been on Cipralex (Lexapro) for 6 weeks (1 week on 5 mg and 5 weeks on 10 mg), I have decided to stop taking this drug as it doesn’t make any difference to my mental health but the opposite happened my depression got worse, so I just took 5 mg for 2 days and stopped taking the drug, Now I am on week 6 without the drug completely but from the beginning of this week I feel depressed more than usual only depression all half the day and then feel better the rest of the day, do this is usual to be withdrawal symptoms or this is my depression case from the begging (which was not this bad before)?
I have been prescribed it and I’m meant to take it tomorrow morning but reading these comments are making me have second thoughts, help what do I do?
Going through the withdrawal now. Headaches, nausea, brain zaps and irratibility. Will not give up though. Will keep strong.
The nightmares and waking up shaking like a war veteran seriously hate this drug
Im off 6 months and still experiencing brain zaps, balance problems and itching,anyone has same problems?
I'm withdrawing now, spent a month tapering and have now had a raging headache for 2 weeks. Seriously I want to just smash my f**king head open with a sledgehammer and let the pain out. I had the brain zaps and a lot of fatigue and the nausea but the non-stop headache is the worst for me. I can sometimes barely think. I will never go on any other psychiatric medicine again after this. It's so bad that I'd rather just go head to head with the depression and take my chances.
Hope u feel better man I took it for 10 weeks did nothing for me. I feel so fuckin tired each day since I stop taking it
Are you better now
@@aliceinreallifeland2536 Yes. My original taper was too fast so I slowed it down. I went from 20mg a day to 0 and it took me 6 months. I still have anhedonia and I'll always be convinced that it comes from 4 years of SSRI use. Hopefully it will go away eventually.
I beat my depression, long story short, through doing a billion hours of exercise. I run about 30 miles a week these days. I have to be strict about my schedule because I can go backwards quickly if I stop for a while, but I am better.
I just started 5mg. I think it does make it harder to sleep... if I have a hard time sleeping again tonight maybe I should quit... thanks for sharing your experience! I hope you find something that works. :(
some antidepresant cause trouble of sleeping, but u dont need to stop insted take it in the morning. learn to adjust see how your body works
You need to take lexapro for a few weeks before you know if it’s helping or not! It needs time to build up and level out and your brain needs adjusting