Coming off antidepressants (Lexapro): what to expect (weeks 1 to 3)
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- In this video I share my experience from the side effects of coming off Escitalopram (aka Lexapro or Cipralexa), what to expect and how to deal with the withdrawal symptoms of discontinuation throughout the procedure.
I was on 10mg for 2.5 years.
When I went to the doctor, the initial tapering plan that she gave me was:
- Week 1: alternating between 10 mg one day, 5 another day
- Week 2: alternating between 5 mg one day, 0 the other day
- Week 3: alternating between one day on 5 mg, 2 days on 0 mg
- Week 4: alternating between one day on 5 mg, 3 days on 0 mg
This was too short, so the plan that I ended up creating for myself was:
- Weeks 1 to 3: alternating between 10 mg one day, 5 another day
- Weeks 4 to 5: alternating between 10 mg one day, 0 the other day
- Weeks 6 to 9: alternating between 5 mg one day, 0 the other day
- Weeks 10 to 13: alternating between one day on 5 mg, 2 days on 0 mg
- Weeks 13 to 16: alternating between one day on 5 mg, 3 days on 0 mg
WARNING: This was my personal plan, made according to my own life circumstances at the time. Your might take more or less time, according to your own reactions and life events that may arise.
Hello everyone! I’m on Cepralex (Lexapro) for almost 3 years. I’ve already stop taking it for almost 6 months now. I don’t experience any withdrawal symptoms. I just share what I did. I’m on 20mg. After two weeks I cut the dosage to 5mg so I’m taking 15mg. After another two weeks I cut another 5mg again, taking 10mg. After another two weeks cut 5mg again until it reach 5 mg. After another two weeks on 5mg I totally stop. Everything is okay with me.🙏
I'm glad this worked out for you, but it's definitely *not* the way to do it.
The recommended way is to cut the dosage in half at every step, i.e. 20mg > 10mg > 5mg > 2.5mg > 1.25mg > 0.625mg
This way the effect of the medication will drop off linearly. Whereas if you reduce the dosage linearly, you will actually have a big drop off in efficacy from 5mg to 0mg, with a rather high likelihood of experiencing withdrawal issues.
@Marshall H pill /medication cutter. Costs like 2 dollars
@@michaelgraflmusic brother help me pls i don't know how can i stop it and there's no doctor know how you can stop antidepressants in my country pls i ask you to help me bro.
so you were on 20 mg at the most ?
I was on 400 mg .celexa and vistaril
I cut to 100 for a while and then stopped
have slept 6 hours in 2 months and 2 weeks. please let me know how much you were on?thanks
@@michaelgraflmusic Hello Michael . Could u please explain how did you manage to get this dosages as lexapro is coming in tablets of 20, 10 and 5mg. I was on 5 mg before I stopped and had severe symptoms on week 6 so I had to re instate it. (I was on 20 then 15 then 10 and 5 mg.) I would like to know how to get a 1.25mg and 0,625 mg dose.Thank you in advance
I hate how the thumbnail is a person in handcuffs. Sometimes people need medication to help them early in their recovery. That should never be a bad thing. Meds have their pros and cons but some people need them to help get to a place where they can learn better coping skills. Not to mention there are some disorders like OCD where a lot of people find they just function better on meds. There’s no shame in that.
It took a month going from 20 to zero off lexipro, but in two days I will be free from it for a week! It's tough right now with being so dizzy it's hard to walk but when it clears I will know I finally have my body and mind back. Never AGAIN.
The brain zaps are the worst for me. I find myself wanting to cry for no reason at times, and it's confusing as f*ck. But to know that it's normal is so much better than having to suffer and wonder if this is supposed to happen and making your anxieties worse. I tell myself that my neuro-pathways are reopening and that it's a good thing, it'll pass, just drink some water and lie down for a minute.
gaamatsu4dewin Ive been off almost 8 weeks after weaning off slow for 10 months.. ive had so many crying fits. Are u feeling better now, I hope?
Becky Taylor im a 230 lb 6 ft dude and i got crying fits so yeah it happens
@@bsafistication i am about to ween off Lex how it go How u doing
@@garysimone4977 After being off of it for 10 weeks, I caved and went back on. The withdrawals were just too miserable and I blew a couple of job interviews because of it! When I went back on, I only took 5mg every other day or so which helped, but I still got dizzy spells and brain zaps 8 months later, so I went up to 10mg every other day. I'm doing fine at that dose right now. Make sure you taper VERY slow! It may be better for you though... I was on Lexapro for 14 years when i went off of it which made the withdrawals more intense, I'm sure. How long have you been taking it??
@@garysimone4977 You're very welcome, Gary. Sorry to hear about your concussion.. I sure hope you fully heal!! No, I haven't heard of Point of Return before - will look into it! Yes, I would like to try to taper down again.. I'm thinking this spring.. and this time, I know to go very slow. These meds are no joke! Had I known then what I know now, I'd never have started it! Wishing you all the best! Saving your email.
Thank you so much for posting this! I am on week two and really needed to hear someone else’s experience to let me know that I’m not losing it and these side effects are normal. I’m so happy for you and hopeful for me. Thanks again
Love this video. Im currently tapering off of my 20mg of lexapro. I'm on 15mg right now... I just had such a bad crying spell. I need to take it easy and relax... laying down and being by yourself is important. And binging all of these lexapro tapering videos. It makes you feel more normal.
I’ve taken 20mg for 9 years and I’ve been off it now for 30 days. The withdrawal symptoms are nasty and more different kinds are showing up now. It’s difficult, but it helps to know that you’re not alone. I appreciate these videos and the small stories in the comments.
All the best to everyone
The worst part for me is feeling numb in my fingers, arms, legs, toes and chest
William Werenberg what about brain zaps ? did they subside ?
khadija jouabri Yes, they did eventually, but it took abit longer than I expected. I never have them now, so don’t worry 🙂 It will end, my friend
William Werenberg Omg thank you so much for your positivity , I have been reading many horror stories about withdrawals and I was about to lose hope . Thank you and i hope you're doing fine ❤️
khadija jouabri Don’t ever lose your hope. I promise you that things always get better 😊👍 Thank you
I was on them 20 years. Ive been off of them 9 months. Terrible withdrawls but i take it day by day
I tapered off Lexapro in 2 weeks but was put on Prozac. I was probably on Lexapro for 10 years. It’s been 3 weeks and I still can’t stand myself or my husband for that matter. And I truly love him.
You are braver then you believe stronger then you seem and smarter then you think. (Christopher Robin from Winne the Pooh)
I'm on week two and I was getting cold and hot flashes- normally the room was hot but today I felt cold! And yes, irritable. But I am pushing through it! And I have a plan in place for my emotional health. I am not just going to stop taking the drug without a plan. I have done that before and it was not fun. Without new habits, people will never change what it is that is making them depressed or anxious. I think lexapro helped me (5 months at 20mg), but I don't think it is a long-term solution. And I agree, the best thing is to take some time off work, because you can feel pretty miserable sometimes, and it would be really helpful to curl up in bed and take a nap. I feel for the people that have to go through the withdrawal process while they are at work.
this is a good attitude to have! good luck on your process
How did it go?
How does one get past the depression off losing there 20 yr old baby boy ?
@@mistyblue1962 that sounds really hard. I can only imagine the pain you are going through as a father losing a son. I am assuming you are the father since the username is Nick?
@@permaculturedandfree2448 just saw this comment I'm back on antidepressants and attending AA meetings to maintain my sobriety
Recommend no more than a 2-5% taper every 2-4 weeks. This is EXTREMELY important. Many times, withdrawal is delayed so you may be doing large cuts and feel great, actually better than ever but just be blindsided with severe, debilitating withdrawal weeks or months later and at that point it's often too late to reinstate so it's a waiting game. Please be aware most doctors follow old tapering guidelines and the majority going through withdrawal did follow their doctors tapering advice.
Sue these pharma companies
yeah i hope someone do cause they are true pigs all what matter to them is profit
I’ve been on 20mg for a year.
I cut from 20>10 for two days then I did from 10>5 for four days.
Today I haven’t taken anything.
I lost my appetite for the first couple days, one day I cried a bit and I’ve had nightmares every night but no brain zaps or anything. 🤷🏻♀️
Krtko Mravec My appetite came back fine :)
Krtko Mravec It will pass just give it time, I hope you have a good support system around you! Xxx
@@krtkomravec8875 breathing exercise helps
@@MC-fv9no how are you feeling now ?
Just want to thank you for your share! I’m in the process now and I took everything I could from your experience. It’s been 10 days with no medication(escitalopram) and I’m hanging in there. But I’m having all the symptoms and feel bad for the way my irritability affects my family and coworkers. Thank you!
I think tapering really slowly is the best way to do it. I was on 20mg for a year and I am now on 5mg. I've mainly just had tiredness, nausea and irritability but no brain zaps, thankfully. I slowly just reduced my tablets and took them everyday as alternating didn't work for me but I agree it takes about 3 weeks to adjust to the new dosage.
Anyone else here get cold / flu symptoms for 3 weeks straight
Perfect English, eloquent with cute accent. Great subject and explanation. Thank you!
I'm currently going through this, Day 5 of being completely off of lexpro, It's so miserable!! Between the brain zaps, dizziness, feeling anxious, irritated ect.. I'm so ready for this to be over with! I just want to feel normal again! 😕
Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this video
Thank you for this. Such an important message.
This is one of my favorite lexapro videos, A member of our family is intending to start this therapy soon
I have been on mine for almost 4 years but still have so much trouble in my life. I want to go off because I know it’s bad to stay on for too long, but I would like to be stable in my life before I do. This video is very helpful for transitioning thank you very much
There a book by Dr. Peter Breggins about antidepressant withdrawal. It's the only book of it's kind apparently.
www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/03/17/dr_peter_breggin_psychiatrists_have_gone_mad_for_prescribing_medication.html
its very very important to take magnesium, b complex, vitamin d an check ur iron levels too not saying that one will not feel the withdrawal symptoms but lets say if u need to suffer 4 weeks u will suffer 2 weeks an with lil less intensity ofcourse which is better than nothing. my last lowest dose of effexor (which is similar shit to lexapro, have tried that one too) was 4 days ago the second an third day i felt like a complete shit but its somewhat more manageable when u do it with the help of vitamins minerals- supplements.Also for the one reading this an planing to go on antidepressants DO NOT try that never ever u can give it a try to natural supplements like st john wort or l-thianine i wish i knew this before i started falling in the trap of big pharma also called as antidepressants.
Exactly! very well put
Same here! I was naive once too..
Everyone goes through withdrawals .
Taper down, get the smallest dose size pill and get a pill cutter. Keep cutting them smaller and smaller slowly but surely. If you do this well it eliminates 80 percent of withdrawl feelings and it’s pretty easy to stop.
@@larrytate1657 use liquid tapper
I'm on day 10 from cold turkey of 20mg 4 years.
heavy brain zaps and vivid dreams.
but feel great
Do you regret taking antidepressants in the first place? I took mostly Lexapro a few years ago during a major crisis, and lately have started my "second go round" with the drug due to other issues. I couldn't focus, couldn't stop myself from ruminating, couldn't stop my regret, my fears, my anxiety. It was just every day and I didn't know what else to do. I'm on day...6 or 7 of Lexapro now and of course am having side effects (even though I've taken it before). Mornings are really hard. I just...I wish I didn't have to take this, but it's almost like my brain was broken and I couldn't put it back together no matter now much therapy I was having. I've been running more and am up to week 5 of Couch 2 5k. I kind of feel that I need this Lexapro for right now, but I know I don't want to be on it forever. I just want to feel like myself again.
I absolutely do regret taking it in the first place, but that is because i had other horrible post withdrawal effects, as you can see in my next videos, that were even worse that the depression. However, not everyone has these effects and i suppose it can be of help to a lot of people
Please read mind of your own. Keep running, stop eating diary, gluten, sugar. Go see a homeopathic MD. Get blood work done & see what is physically wrong. Depression is not a disease, it’s a symptom of a medical condition. New research findings! Good luck! I ween on the 28 th!
I think it's such a great drug for anxiety
thank you for taking time to make this video
you're welcome!
My experienced was crazy dreams more like nightmares stomach pain and tiredness I felt like a couldn’t sleep deep enough, woke up tired
Yarelis Acosta bad nightmares for me
The entire time I watched this video, after every withdrawal symptom you went into detail about I went "oh god". Haha. I've been on lexapro since 2010. I've been on 20 mg since 2011. I've tried to taper off of it in 2013, and came down to 15 mg and it was a mess. Considering it was my first year in college, maybe it wasn't a good idea to taper off of it, so i went back up to 20 mg. I decided to wait until I graduated college to taper off of it. It's been 2 years since I've graduated and I decided to taper down to 15 mg of lexapro again. I'm deciding to start after Thanksgiving, because of some things going on in my life and there's really no perfect time for me to do this, but man lol I'm really not looking forward to the withdrawals. I think my biggest fear is snapping at someone at work or something and losing my job or getting into a dumb fight with my S/O. Also I don't want to go back to not being productive and not being able to get stuff done. I'm not going to freak myself out about this, but I hope I can handle this. Your video gave me some hope so thank you for this!!
How are you doing?
How do you feel now have you tried tapering off?
Such excellent help thankyou! I’m about to start this journey 🙏🏼
Took me 2 years to feel normal whengoing off Paxil
A psychiatrist I saw while hospitalised forced me to come off 20mg lexapro in a day. Ie 20 mg, 10 mg, 0.There was no medical urgency but she basically implied it was unecessary to taper them and I should just rip the bandaid off as quickly as possible. I have no idea what kind of neurological ramifications this had because she put me straight on 225 mg Effexor. I’m still feeling the withdrawals from the Venlafaxine taper a month afterwards. The way these chemicals are handed out or forced on people in my case & others is so irresponsible & dangerous.
That's insane. Perhaps you need to change your dr ?
I started tapering myself two days ago. I've only been taking lexapro for 6 months but through out that time I've experienced so many side effects that it's not worth taking any more. I am on 10mg daily but I'm starting to take this every 2 days until I see on doctor in the new year than have him taper me down to the 5mg. The only thing I've experienced thus far is dizziness but I was feeling that anyways while taking my normal dose. I feel like I'm in a good place to start going off of this and I really want to start managing my migraines instead.
I 've been on cipralex,,,its POISON,,,very easy to take 10mg/day,life was beautiful then the NIGHTMARE,,,was waiting for me around the corner.I did stop cipralex 2/3 months ago and not anymore(horrible side affects)..if you able to stop this poison safely,,,do it.
i went cold turkey been two months now...never again!!!
Darwin Richard did the brain zaps subside ?
Thank you!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️Very informative & well spoken!!!!!
you're welcome! glad it helped
I found what I ate determined when I got nausea. Cut out caffeine and alot alot of fatty foods. I meditate and force myself to Work out Daily.
R Ogbe I’m on month 3 almost when will it end
@@lindajohnson1789 same here
That big explosion in the beginning scared me so bad 😭
I wish brain zaps and depression were the only withdrawal symptoms. I suffer from panic attacks, and I’m currently taking Remeron 21mg, and finished an 8 month taper off of Ativan two months ago. I’m still going through hell. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to taper from Remeron anytime soon, unless I get help from a holistic psychiatrist/doctor.
Ana Lozada sister I’m on Ativan medicine too but I want to quite it for good. Because it’s a very addictive medicine,
Ana Lozada sister what do you do for living?
I'm going to pay to see a homeopathic Doctor my doctor is useless and I hate her for putting me on this.
@tyrel yes I am healed but I taking it regularly. Which is not a good thing… I don’t know how to quit it.
Thank you for making this!
Excellent video.
These need to be paired with therapy. My doctor never mentioned it but I knew going in I wanted to do both. Don’t just take a pill. Take care of your self so you can work once you taper off.
I'm going through major withdrawal symptoms right now, bad headaches, brains zaps, nausea and a little bit of off balance...I feel like Shit! Does anyone know how long I can expect these withdrawal symptoms to last? Thanks
For about a month for me
Very helpful for me. Thank you
someone please get back to me!
I read the comments and everyone was on 20 mg?
I was on 400 mg.
please send me a comment. have not slept for 2 months and 2 weeks 🙏
I was on antidepressants 20 for years. Ive been off of them 9 months. Its been hard but im pushing forward
Tony how r u now
@@sangeetalambh6389 Im okay, good days and bad days. I take natural supplements
@@Phin13760 did u feel depersonalization in ur withdrawal.please ans I m 135 days sober now
@@Phin13760 did u feel depersonalization in ur withdrawal please ans I m 148 days sober now
@@sangeetalambh6389 yes i did, how long did you take meds?
So would you say the taking this drug isn’t worth it in the long run?
For me Lexapro/Cipralex was my saviour for GAD. In that sense it was worth it because I couldn't work or do normal tasks without it. Weaning off sucks but it's temporary. It's all relative to what you're going through.
For how long have you been of? Have you experienced weight loss after quitting?
Did anyone experience problems with hair debilitation while on antidepressants/lexapro?
Got a question, would this lexapro control cravings or triggers for coping w drug addiction ??
I was on both 10 and 5 mg for a few years. I’ve now been off the med for a couple of months now and still experiencing side effects. Very short tempered, occasional depression and still some panic issues. Thought they’d be gone by now.
why do you want to get of lexapro if it helps you. I have been on lexapro for years. It has always kept me normal, it doesn't build up tolerance, and i could not care less what anybody thinks about me having mental issues. I'l be on it until it doesn't work anymore.
I got a positive effect from taking Prozac for 2 months and then I quit. I actually withdrew completely after one month (no withdrawal symptoms)and then went back and took it again for a second month at double the initial dose. (Did experience withdrawal symptoms and it was sickening, but short lived)
I believe these pills should only be taken short term and the dose kept reasonable.
Thank u for sharing.i had a bad reaction to meds and i did my taper as best as i could.i had to stopp at one point and i am 2 weeks in withdrawls.i feel like i wont make it.
U look amazing and im happy for u 😊😊👏👏👏 . I'm was on 10 mg for only 4 month I felt great but the only thing that make me want to stop taking it is im geeting weitgh and im losing alot hair . I had to stop them immediately . I waint from 10mg to 5mg for 10 days and now im on 2.5mg for another 10 days . im feeling horrible big fight with my husbnd crying feeling more depressed but I'm holding my hope that this will be over soon
@M erry. I feel sorry for you,,cipralex/lexapro ssri is poison,,detox is not easy but ,you have to be strong.and you can make it be patient..I'm on detox,off cipralex,no more..how are you doing? I understand how you are feeling,cause I went through,but you gonna be ok.Good luck Lady
I am trying to come off from Lexapro 10 mg/day. I have been using it for 10 months for panic attacks and it did wonders, but I am much better now and I want to say bye bye to it. So far I´ve been using 5 mg instead of 10mg for the last 3 weeks and I have only ONE single side effect : I am sleeping very poorly and waking up at 4-5 am instead of 7am. Sleeping maybe 4-5 hours a night but with bad quality. Thats it, I only have this side effect. I am planning to get rid of the other 5 mg maybe in a month or so.
Yup this is a common effect
Please take it as slowly as you need. Better to go slowly and hold until you stabilize than to go too quickly and suffer debilitating symptoms (which has happened to me). I suggest you try 2.5 mg as another cut after the 5 mg rather than 5 to 0. There is a very helpful website: survivingantidepressants.org
I been on lexapro for 3 days so only took 3 pills how long does it take to leave my body I don't like the feeling
I’m slowly coming of it too, taking half a tablet for the last 5 days.. been having bad headaches, very irritable and depressed and brain zaps and tremors . I hope it doesn’t last forever 🙁
Kim Jong-un it will go away. This too shall pass ;)
I cant Imagine Kim Jong Un taking anri depressants haha just kidding
I'm going through all of this Right Now! Plus nausea 😵
Are you still off or did you go back to taking and if you're still off how long for the withdrawal symptoms to go away?
What about week 8? This is hell
Still withdrawing from lexapro, depressed, irritable, feeling hopeless. And, the wellbutrin has not eased the withdrawal from the lexapro. The extreme emotional sensitivity is the worst. Sick of crying.
Brian did u feel depersonalization in ur withdrawal please ans I m 144 days sober now
Please help sombody dont want to be on this medication
I could nt take them the thought of all them chemicals in your body no way
If you can heal depression naturally it's even better. Go to my latest videos for some tips ;)
@ i want off this med On 10mg Going to go slow really slow like a 5% cut
I was 30 years on antidepressants. I weaned off them 2 years ago & I became completely dysfunctional. I haven't healed one bit
Any suggestions?
Why did you stop taking it
@@XDhorsecrazyXD @Annette Wojtowicz - I stopped due to over half a dozen severe medical issues caused by long term antidepressant use
My hand and foot joints ache on and off. Sometimes feels like pins being pushed into my fingers and feet. Been off about 2 weeks. Has anyone felt these symptoms?
Ryan Warren yes, I was on Paxil for 11 years. Coming off after a fast taper of 3 months. I had every side effect listed.
Been on lexapro 5mg for 2 weeks whats the best tapering off plan i can do?
Did you taper off???
I'm on cymbalta and I'm trying to coming off..Im on 30mg every 4rth day and I been through very bad withdrawal symptoms..now I feel lil better..can u tell me how long I have to wait to go on 5th or sixth day...
Plzz guide me thx
Sarwat Khan I think the best person to get advise from is your doctor because I was on antidepressants for 6 months and I had to stop taking it as it’s making things worse for me I can’t even sleep and my chest feels tight. If it’s helping you then carry on using it if your having symptoms I think u should contact ur doctor
Not as bad as alporazalam.
This is a tapper i will try Been on Lexapro only 3 months. Want to get off before i get in to deeper
Im now citalopram 20mg to 10mg week 2 pfff its hard how long took ik t to normal Whit less anxity
Studies gave shown AD Are only 11 per cent better then
Placebo
Ao hơ you doing now
Y
Didn’t even get withdrawal til 3 months off and I’m still ruined 2 years later. Weeks 1-3 😂😂😂
Same here
@@mariaali7404 I’m getting a lot better.. hang in there.
How?? Do use any specific supplements which helped you in getting better?or any other thing in particular
@@mariaali7404 what’s helped me the most is removing myself from all the forums.. I’ve stopped reading up on it and avoiding all the scary negative shite that comes with those sites. I also recommend daily mental activities like learning a language or reading a book aloud (if you’ve been cognitively affected). Try avoid obsessing and Just keep at it.. being consistent, doing healthy positive things, eating well and just being easy on yourself.
@@glynhayes5930 thank you will keep this in mind.💕 Stay strong
If it suits you why come off it ?
I’ve noticed quite a few of these stories of people having terrible “withdrawal” symptoms seem like their mental illness symptoms returning are what are causing their problems
uh.... pregnancy
I took 30mg and quit cold turkey. Its no diffrent to quitting any other thing. Be it sugar or nicotine.
Oh please its not that bad.