Lexapro "withdrawal"

Hello. I have been taking Lexapro for GAD for around 4 years. I have tried going off of it before (gradually and cold turkey) because I felt I didn't need it due to finally being diagnosed and treated for narcolepsy. I also don't enjoy the side effects (no sex drive, difficulty achieving orgasm, etc). However, every time I get withdrawal symptoms of extreme anger and rage after being Lexapro free for about a month. I've never had anger issues before. I feel like I want to hurt others/destroy things. It is so bad that it causes problems with my marriage and I end up going back on it.
My husband and I are now trying to get pregnant, so I stopped taking the Lexapro about a month ago, but the rage/anger has returned. It is unbearable. I took a pill earlier. Has anyone else experienced this? How long does the anger/rage last after stopping Lexapro? Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

Hey,

I'm actually in the perfect position to reply to you because I took lexapro for 4 years, but my 'withdrawal' period lasted around a year of those 4 years. Basically, I made 3 attempts to come off it, and I only managed to remain completely off it after the 4th attempt. Most of the time, the anger and stress was the major problem, but one time I also suffered such a severe dip in mood that I just went home like a zombie and hopped straight into my bed, boots, clothes, etc still on! Basically, you should just 'float' on the lowest dosage for a while (5mg), and then stop taking it for a day, but taking it the next day. Then, you don't take it the day after that again. In effect, you're taking the lowest dosage once every two days.

When you feel comfortable doing that, try to take it once every three days, or even just try coming off.

Let me know how it goes.

Kevin

Thanks for the reply. I will try that. I forgot to mention that I'm on the 20mg dose. It's hard to gauge how much/often I need to take it because I don't have any other withdrawal symptoms, just the anger/rage that comes out of nowhere. Ugh, I hope it doesn't last a year.

It might last a year, but you don't have to make it all that bad. Just try to get into the habit of taking it each morning and then forgetting about it. Also, if you're on 20mg now, then you can break that tablet into two I think, giving you 10 and 10. So, try the 10 each day. When you're comfortable on 10, go back to your doc to get a prescription for 5mg. If 5mg is too tough, you can always go back to 10 by taking two 5's.

Let me know how it goes... ...be prepared because it will be tough. On the days after you drop down a dose, make sure that you've nothing overly stressful on the horizon, okay?

Kevin

I have been on Lexapro 20 mg for 5 years. I have tried to taper off twice, this is my 3rd attempt. I get rage issues after about a week without any of the medication. I taper off for 5-6 weeks to zero. I get the brain zaps and then the rage issues. I verbally attack people like my husband and family. In the last 2 attempts of quitting this drug, I end up going back on by now because of the rage. I do not want to fail again. Anyone else experience this symptom?

Yep, I went through all of that. I suffeered the 'rages', the 'brain zaps', and more. I managed to stay 'clean' on my third attempt. What you must do is ensure that there is nothing too stressful upcoming in your life when you plan to come off them again. Let thos around you know about it too, so that they can change their behaviour yowards you a little to make the transition to 0mg that little bit more easy.

Kevin

Hello. It has recently been suggested to me that I should try Lexapro, and I found this thread. I am a little scared after reading your comments, as it sounds like hell coming off of them. I guess I'm just wondering if they helped at all? I understand trying to come off meds if you want to get pregnant, but why would anyone else want to stop them, if they were working? And also, what exactly are 'brain zaps'? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hey,

I've been here for 5+ years, Takisha, and I believe that Lexapro is one of the better ones. So, if it as been offered to you, then I believe you should accept the offer. You must realise too that any press you read - about anything - is most likely going to be negatve. it's just human nature to focus on and remember the negatives - you agree?

Lexapro is slow-acting and shouldn't cause you any severe side-effects. However, you must take it as directed by the doctor. A 'brain zap' could occur of you come off it too quickly, and here's my description of what a brain zap feels like: A complete emptying of every ounce of happiness that exists inside you. So, when a brain zap occurs, you'd be better off just going straight to bed to sleep it off. I only suffered one with Lexapro, and it happened while I was coming off it.

Any more questions?

Kevin

Hey Chucky (Kevin?). Thank-you for your prompt and insightful reply. Yes, i agree that the press tend to focus on the negative. I can only handle small doses of the news because they make it sound like the world is a horrible place. However, when it comes to finding information on anti-d's, I find that the drug company websites are too positive. Except for the lists of side affects, which are just scary because they have to list them all. I guess I just wanted to see what real people had to say about them. So thank-you for what you wrote, and the way you expressed it. For some reason I am a little more at ease with the whole idea now. I experience what you described as 'brain zaps' quite often already, so if I have to come off them I'm sure i can handle it. I know that I can't feel much worse than I usually do, so there's a good chance it'll help. Well, I can't think of any more questions. I guess it's something i just have to try for myself, because i'm different than most people anyway. Thanks again.

I just realised that I still want to know if they helped you, and with what in particular, and why you wanted to stop them? If these questions are too personal, that's fine. Thanks.