I have taken Lexapro for 8 months, I told my doctor I wanted to get off of it because the sexual side effects. He advised me to take 1/2 dose for 7 days and that should be sufficient tapering off. About one week after I finished the last pill (about 2 1/2 weeks ago) I started being dizzy, foggy brained, having these sharp pains shoot up my neck occasionally and overall feeling of tiredness. Are these side effects? How long does this last and what should I do?
Started taking 1/2 dose of Lexapro again last night. Now taking 10mg. How long am I supposed to do this and what happens once you finish taking the 10mg, do you go down again to 5mg or what?? I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INPUT ON THIS SITUATION, I AM MISERABLE.
Last edited by LeeAnn1365; 10-06-2005 at 10:08 AM.
Reason: WRONG FONT
One week is not long enough to taper off. You are most likely suffering from withdrawal effects. For some reason, doctors don't understand, don't get it, or just don't care about the effects of coming off a medication -- especially an AD.
The slower the better. Take the 10 mg until you feel better/stabilized, then go down again. Stay there until you feel better/stabilized, etc... do this until you can comfortably stop taking it.
Everybody is different. It took me 10 months to get off of Effexor.
Don't get discouraged. Just listen to your body and be kind to yourself while you go through this.
I agree with soe! I think those are withdrawal symptoms you are feeling ~ I felt like that the 1st time I tried weaning off Lexapro ~ I was at 20mg Lexapro too ~ the 2nd time I weaned off I did 10mg Lex for 2 weeks, then 5mg for 2 weeks, was going to do 2.5mg for 2 weeks, but when I tried to cut them that small they got crushed, so went to 0 after that ~ I didnt feel nauseous and dizzy at all this time weaning off ~ go as slow as you can! it helps
Thank you both so much. So, I will take the 10 mg for 2 weeks, 5 mg for 2 weeks, and then go from there??? I just don't want to feel that way EVER again!
Thank you both so much. So, I will take the 10 mg for 2 weeks, 5 mg for 2 weeks, and then go from there??? I just don't want to feel that way EVER again!
Remember, pay attention to your body -- it could be more than two weeks, it could be less -- don't tie yourself to a specific time period.
you cant always listen to the doctors ~ I've also had 2 other doctors say that you only need a couple days to totally wean off ~ they obviously havent done it before cuz it takes a lot longer than that! good luck!
