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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by captain on August 24, 2004, at 11:19:21
I have been taking 10mg of Lexapro for about 3-4 months and have decided I want to try to taper off. I have gained about 5 pounds and I know it is the lex because I am training for a half marathon and I teach a class at my gym before work! I know my body and this isn't normal. I also want to try to come off because I want to see if my anxiety and hypochondria return or if I can handle things on my own.
I took my first 5mg dose last night and so far so good. Has anyone gone thru this that might have suggestions for me, or stories of things that I might experience? (being a hypchondriac - i don't want to have weird sensations that i can't explain while i am trying to get off of this!)
Thanks!
Captain!
GAD
28 year old female
Posted by Beatrix34 on August 24, 2004, at 12:45:52
In reply to Tapering off Lex - any suggestions?, posted by captain on August 24, 2004, at 11:19:21
I'm with ya there sister... ;) As I mentioned in the above post it's day 2 at 5mg and feeling pretty good...tired but that's it, oh and a little cranky but nothing crazy.
Posted by JenStar on August 25, 2004, at 2:30:31
In reply to Tapering off Lex - any suggestions?, posted by captain on August 24, 2004, at 11:19:21
hi Captain,
congrats on your decision to taper! I hope it goes well for you.When I tapered from 10 --> 5 --> zero, I had to go slow. I went to 5 mg for a week, felt anxious and weird, went back to 10 for a week, then went back to 5.
When I went to zero I did OK -- no nausea, no headaches, no electric "zaps" that others have talked about. My only problem was dizzy patches. It was weird -- it wasn't dizziness like standard dizziness; it was sort of a weird swooping feeling of "otherness" and "surreality" that would come upon me. Sometimes I would feel like my head suddenly became completely weightless and that I was dropping; sometimes I felt like I was swooping on a wave. Sometimes I felt like I was receding fast, like on a train, from the world around me. This would only last for a second and I'd shake my head and it would go away. Sometimes I felt like I was going to pass out, although I've never passed out in my life, and I'm not sure what it would feel like. None of this made me lose balance or stumble look weird or anything like that - it was just an odd, odd feeling.
Three weeks after going to zero, the swoops/dizziness have subsided mostly but are still there a bit.
I AM feeling more anxious again. I can tell because I'm worried that the swooping dizziness is not actually a side-effect of quitting Lex, but in actuality a coincidental issue with my heart that just happens to be occurring at the same time as the Lex-quitting. I KNOW in my head that it's the Lex leaving my system and my brain acclimating, but my anxiety whispers to me, "It's a heart condition!"
But I think I can overcome this too with careful treatment and a little TLC.
I think you'll be OK tapering off. And congats on the impending marathon - very exciting!
JenStar
Posted by captain on August 25, 2004, at 8:49:41
In reply to Re: Tapering off Lex - any suggestions? » captain, posted by JenStar on August 25, 2004, at 2:30:31
Jen! It is great to hear from you! I have been looking for you! :) I knew you were tapering off and wanted to see how it is going.
I have had that swooping feeling many times - mostly linked to vertigo. That is actually how vertigo is described so maybe that is more of what you have. I am making an appointment with a vertigo specialist because I keep having ringing in my ear and the swooping dizziness. (of course my little inner voice wonders if it is a brain tumor!) But my dad has suffered from equlibrium issues his whole life so maybe I just got a raw genetic deal! :)
Hopefully the tapering down continues to go well. I have not had any issues so far. It has only been 3 days a 5mg - I will probably stay on 5 for 2 full weeks. I really should stop drinking coffee in the meantime as I don't want to bring on anxiety that might not be there and then contribute it to stopping the lex.
Anyway - keep in touch so we can see how it is going!
Captain
Posted by captain on August 26, 2004, at 11:09:19
In reply to Re: Tapering off Lex - any suggestions?, posted by captain on August 25, 2004, at 8:49:41
Jen - how are things going this week? Are you feeling any better? Check in when you can!
Captain
Posted by JenStar on August 28, 2004, at 14:24:38
In reply to Re: Tapering off Lex - any suggestions?-JENStar, posted by captain on August 26, 2004, at 11:09:19
thanks for asking! :) Yes, I'm feeling much better. The dizziness has gone away almost entirely and I feel OK. I think the anxiety has gone down, too -- it was really bad when I was in the first 2 weeks w/o any Lex, but now (4 wks later) I'm OK again. I think I'll be OK without it now! Very exciting....
Of course, I still have a full bottle of it so I can go back on if i need to. But I'm going to see how well I can do on my own.
How are you doing? Sorry I haven't been reading all the messages and keeping up. What have you decided?
talk to you soon!
JenStar
Posted by captain on August 29, 2004, at 11:03:38
In reply to Re: Tapering off Lex - any suggestions?-JENStar » captain, posted by JenStar on August 28, 2004, at 14:24:38
Hey Jen! I am glad you are feeling better.
So far so good for me. I am still not taking it. I took 5mg for about 4 days and then went off all together. I am not sure if that was enough time but I forgot to take it one night and just said - oh well!
I actually feel better now than I ever did while on it. I hope this feeling continues. I hope I have passed thru the hypochondria episode I was in! I have felt great. I am going to make an appt with a pdoc though as I think that couldn't hurt!
I am glad to hear things are good for you!
Keep me posted!
Captain
Posted by captain on August 30, 2004, at 16:02:26
In reply to Re: Tapering off Lex - any suggestions?-JENStar, posted by captain on August 29, 2004, at 11:03:38
Ok, one question people!
I finally am OFF off, have been for 2-3 whole days. This afternoon I am starting to feel a little funny, weird sensation kind of in my head.
How long should I have tapered down? I did about 4 or 5 days at 5mg. Was on 10mg for 3 months!
Thanks!
Captain
Posted by JenStar on August 31, 2004, at 12:53:29
In reply to Re: Tapering off Lex - any suggestions?-JENStar, posted by captain on August 30, 2004, at 16:02:26
hi Captain,
I think it's different for everyone. Stick it through and the sensations will go away!I got weird head stuff in the beginning (dizziness, feeling kind of a vague weightlessness, etc.) and it took a while (~2 wks total), but now it's completely gone. For me, the head "stuff" started in earnest a few days, about 3 days, after I went off totally. This might be b/c the body was slowly purging all lex from my system and after about 3 days it was thinking "hey! where's my lex? aaarrrgghh!" I know the half-life of lex in the system is shorter than 3 days, but that's my anthropormorphic assessment, anyway!
I feel great being off the meds, too. I haven't lost weight yet but I feel excited and happy to be 'free' of the med. I'm grateful b/c it helped me, but I'm grateful that I can function w/o it too. I know I can always go back on if I need it, but for now I'm going to try it w/ot the lex.
Congrats to you for making a tough decision & sticking with it. Keep us updated on how you're doing & feeling!
JenStar
Posted by captain on August 31, 2004, at 15:12:29
In reply to Re: Tapering off Lex - any suggestions?-JENStar » captain, posted by JenStar on August 31, 2004, at 12:53:29
Hey Jen! Feeling much better today knowing it is the meds. I haven't had any hypochondria thoughts, but am ready for the wierd head feelings to subside. It isn't all the time either so that is good. It is similar to the feeling I get when I am really hungry, similar to lightheadness I guess - especially since it is accompanied by a little crankiness! :) My boyfriend has been SO understanding about it so that is nice.
I am going on vacation with my college girlfriends on thursday so I am ready for that! Although we are headed to Gulf Shores, AL so I am hoping the latest hurricane doesn't strike!
I am glad you are doing well and feeling great!
Captain!
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