Hi all,

This is my first time posting on these message boards. I'm a frequent visitor of other panic and anxiety forums...

I have been off of Lexapro for about 3 weeks now. I had taken it for the past year, beginning at 5 mg and going up to 10 but stopping there. About three weeks ago, probably the third or fourth day of me quitting the Lex. (cold turkey), I was driving and had this tingling feeling as if the left side of my brain fell asleep. I felt that I couldn't focus my vision correctly and nearly had to pull my car over.

I went to my PCP the next day and she ordered an MRI. The MRI revealed one spot of "non specific white matter" to which the neurologist INSISTS is nothing and could possibly have been there my whole life. I question now that I have MS, as I have been experiencing headaches, severe dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea over the past few weeks almost daily. I have had dizziness ever since my anxiety began, but it has been pretty severe ever since I stopped taking the Lexapro.

I'm wondering if the feelings I'm having are from not taking the Lexapro (it has been nearly 3 weeks now...? ) or if I should be more concerned with an underlying neurological disorder. My clinical examination by the neuro was absolutely fine, and all my tests (VEP, EEG) have come back for the most part normal. I still have been feeling sick every single day. I know my anxiety isn't helping it, but I just wonder if I should be persistent and get more tests done or just hope this lets up...?

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
Thank you!
Jenny

I am almost certain it is withdrawals, especially since you quit cold turkey. I was on Effexor for only about 4 weeks. I quit cold turkey, felt great for a few days, then had the worst dizziness and double vision I have ever experienced for several days.

I tried to quit but my anxiety came back so I had to go back. I had the same kind of withdrawl.

you know I just had a discussion on another anxiety board about MS. I too have all the symptoms you do and it has debilitated my whole life. I went for an MRI and I have 13 white lesions in the frontal lobe. They did subsequent tests and MRI's for MS. The doc also told me they could have been there my whole life. I am going for a 1 year follow up on Saturday (another MRI) to see if the lesions have changed at all. Even though they ruled out MS last year I am still scared that there will be a change. My symptoms don't improve with drugs..so I wonder all the time is this really anxiety