Tag: health

How I Weaned Off of Lexapro

The Keeper of the Cheese1 Comment

After dealing with some of the most challenging situations of my life and thinking I can handle the anxiety again, I decided to wean off of Lexapro (see this blog post).  I had also gained ~15 pounds and noticed my energy levels were lower and my motivation to exercise was significantly affected on this medication (less motivated).  Exercise has always been my stress relief, so the medication took its place a great deal, but that did not help my body image or fitness level.

I was already taking 5 mg/day for several months. I moved down to 5 mg/day every other day for a couple of weeks. Then I discontinued use. Here is how I felt and what I experienced upon discontinuing use.

I did experience side effects. The side effects were intense at first and then gradually faded away.  For the first couple of weeks, I debated going back on the medication so the withdrawal effects would subside – that is how severe they felt at times.  I questioned whether I made the right decision and wondered if I would ever be the same as I was before starting the medication, mainly from the standpoint of wanting to feel “normal” and recognize how my body was feeling.

Reducing from 5 mg/day to 5 mg every other day

  • Side effects: Increased anxiety and difficulty sleeping (mainly because I couldn’t quiet my mind).  I started meditating every night for ~10 minute or putting on a mediation / deep sleep music and this helped me fall asleep. 
  • Higher energy levels: I got back into the habit of exercising most days to expend the energy and also found that the exercise alleviated some of the anxiety that I was feeling.

Discontinuing use

  • About 3 months prior, I reduced the dose from 10 mg/day to 5 mg/day.
  • About 1 month prior, I reduced the dose from 5 mg/day to 5 mg every other day.
  • Day 0 was my last dose.
Day 1 – 2I felt ok, just a little more anxious than usual. I went for a daily walk to curb my anxiety.
Day 3 – 4I felt dizziness, like there were these waves of energy going through my brain body – I’m not sure if that is what folks are referring to as “shocks”, but it felt to me like waves…. To where I often needed to sit down. I also felt like I had more energy and got out for exercise more often during the next few months than I had previously.
Day 5 – 6Same as Days 3 – 4. I did not drive days 5 – 9 because these waves felt like they would affect my ability to concentrate / focus on driving. I was feeling anxious about whether the side effects would cease, and I would feel “normal” again.
Day 7 – 10The “waves” of dizziness and energy (maybe what folks describe as “shocks”, reduced over these days.
Day 11 – 14I started feeling more normal. The waves / shocks were reduced to ~2-3x per day.
Week 3The side effects were still recognizable, but I wasn’t as concerned and knew that I was through the worst of it. I noticed my motivation and interest in hobbies was coming back.
Week 4Same as week 3. I also felt like I was more so “out of the woods” and was more confident in my ability to not go back to the medication.
Month 22 months later I have no symptoms other than a panic attack or high level of anxiety in certain situations. I am exercising more, though, which feels like a constructive way to deal with such emotions, and I feel better about myself after a good workout. I don’t think I will go back on the medicine but know that it helped me when I needed it and am forever thankful for medicines like this that help people live their lives and be who they want to be without debilitating anxiety.
Month 3I definitely notice my anxiety again. However, I have stepped up my exercise routine and also faced some challenges head on rather than just letting them go and coping. This has not been easy, but I think it will be something I will need to do moving forward.

Since discontinuing use, I have increased my exercise and activity to help with my anxiety. I have also been working on establishing better boundaries (an area I know I need to work on). I think I got this from here on out, but definitely think about how much the medication helped me when I truly needed it.

Anxiety and How Lexapro Helped Me

The Keeper of the Cheese1 Comment

I was prescribed Lexapro for anxiety (panic attacks).  I have a high stress job and can get overwhelmed around people.  My panic attacks can be debilitating if triggered and tend to cluster.  The feeling of anxiety made it very difficult for me to focus and be my best and, while exercise had helped me earlier in life, I needed additional support. I asked my doctor if there was a medication that could help me with anxiety. She mentioned that Lexapro was a more neutral (not super uppity or down-y) and I decided to try it. I took the generic version, escitalopram. 

Here is what I experienced when I began using Lexapro and then ~3 years later when I stopped taking the drug.

  • About me: I am an active female ~135 lb and 5 ft 8 in.  I work full time and do yoga/walk/jog 3 or more times per week. 
  • My starting dose: 5 mg/day
  • Side effects:
    •  I had a hard time sleeping at first, but then my sleep actually got better than pre-drug.
    • I had some nausea, but it went away after the first few weeks.
    • I did feel better after a couple of days and even better after a couple of months.
  • What it helped with:
    • I was less easily irritated. Being easily irritated was something that really bothered… irritated 🙂 me. 
    • I didn’t have any more mood swings and my PMS symptoms were gone.
    • I was able to work through high stress situations with less of the super high highs and very low lows. The medication kept me more even keeled.
  • Titrating up to 10 mg: The doctor recommended I increase the dose since I was feeling so good with the 5 mg dose.  I did this for about a month but felt like it was almost too much.  I felt more dissociated, granted that makes it easier to function in highly stressful situations, but since I wasn’t feeling any anxiety, I also felt kind of bored, and struggled to motivate myself.  I did stick with the 10 mg/day for a month here and there when I knew it could be helpful, but for the most part, I went back to 5 mg as that was enough to take the edge off. 

Overall, Lexapro was a Godsend for me. It helped me to function better and to not sweat the small stuff. It definitely helped me to keep my cool in difficult situations and for that I am forever grateful.

After about 3 years on Lexapro, I decided to wean off of it. Here is what I experienced.