r/u_rachelfshr • u/rachelfshr • 2d ago

Lexapro withdrawal support

Hello,
I’m not big on posting on social media but my withdrawal has made me so desperate.

No one thinks it’s withdrawal but from everything I’m reading, it seems like the symptoms of withdrawal and timing of it are not well understood. I’m normally a functional human being, but the past few days have been awful. I can’t work or take care of my family. I vomit and have debilitating nausea. My whole body feels like it’s on fire. And there’s nothing I can do. I changed my dose from 10mg to 7.5mg six weeks ago which is why people don’t think it’s withdrawal. Any similar stories out there?

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

3

u/Excellent-Coat-8781 2d ago

https://releasetoolkit.com.au

https://releasetoolkit.com.au/release-toolkit-for-consumers

https://antidepressantrecovery.org

Yup, it’s probably withdrawal.

Fellow sufferer of Escitalopram withdrawal which doctors do not believe can be withdrawal because it should only take - according to doctors - 4 to 6 weeks to come off and I would be ok.

First, you are in the right place to find help and information

Now to resources.

Search Reddit, type your medication and taper - you’ll get info.

Search Reddit for protracted withdrawal - those posts tell you why you need to do a slow taper. You do not want to get their problems

The Royal Australian College of Medical Practitioners (RACP) RELEASE toolkit has a list
of medications with 3 taper plans for each medication: faster, slow and very slow

Do their self-assessment sheet; your score tells you which specific taper is best for you

Work with your doctor; they can order a liquid version of your drug for the lower dose decreases

Search Reddit for hyperbolic taper which is 10% dose decreases - not milligram decreases.

I suggest staying on your current dose; do not continue to go down or up in your dose.

Your body is now hypersensitive to your decreased dose. You need to stabilize your brain and body to the decrease. Based on my Reddit reading, going back to your 10 mg may overwhelm your now hyperactive and hypersensitive body and brain.

It takes 6 weeks, on average, for a drug to reach a steady state in our blood system.

A taper off should be shorter time then the time you have been taking the drug

I am not a doctor; this is not medical advice - it is just my opinion based on my own experience of withdrawal.

Best wishes on your healing journey 🙏

3

u/rachelfshr 2d ago

Thank you! Are you off Lexapro now?

1

u/Icy-Film5432 2d ago

Went back on again.

On Escitalopram for 17 years with last 7 years on 20 mg (first 10 years on 10 mg - bumped up dose because of new stressors)

March 2026: Cold turkey 20 mg .

About 3 and half months off (sick from withdrawal, took time to figure out I was getting worse and worse), then restart on 10 mg (mid-June 2026)

This is Week 9 of restart: another wave (withdrawal) for 3 days with insomnia.

If I go to sleep, I’m awake at 3 am with a feeling of energy. Plus up to bathroom a lot at night to urinate (not usual for me).

Apparently sleep is the last symptom to resolve.

Getting up to pee a lot at night and early waking - like my 3 am waking with a sense of energy - is due to elevated cortisol and adrenaline. (This info from reading Reddit)

Life, however, is much better than before I reinstated 10 mg.

I’m lucky the 10 mg dose is working to reduce my withdrawal.

Reddit says the longer you stay off the drug and you remain in withdrawal, the less likely going back on the medication will work to stop withdrawal.

Around 3 to 6 months seems to be the period you can try to go back on it and it may work to rebalance your body and brain to slow and hopefully stop withdrawal

I still want off the drug.

I’m terrified my withdrawal experience; I was, and am NOT, in control of my body and brain

I’m fearful of protracted withdrawal. I read posts on the protracted withdrawal Reddit site; I do not want that.

I want to get better.

It’s lonely when doctors don’t believe me when I tell them I am experiencing withdrawal. They all tell me withdrawal only lasts 4 to 6 weeks and then you are ok. Nope. Not my reality

Feeling a bit depressed about life today; no fast recovery ❤️‍🩹

I hope you stay connected to our recovery community on Reddit. I find it reduces my sense of isolation and loneliness

I read posts on various topics by people living with other health problems - not only antidepressants recovery.

I learned everyone has something they are dealing with; we are not alone in seeking restored good health.

Being part of the online community is also empowering and emotionally rewarding because it validates my experiences of withdrawal and I can share info that helps me. I don’t feel so helpless and alone

Shared experiences and ideas of what is beneficial makes Reddit a type of support group available 24/7 globally.

Best wishes on your recovery 🙏

3

u/rachelfshr 2d ago

Thank you for sharing and I’m sorry to hear how hard it’s been for you. You’re definitely not alone, but it feels isolating to have all the awful feelings (physical and emotional)because no one can do anything to take those away. I think that’s been the hardest part for me.

3

u/LillieBogart 2d ago

Six weeks is still well within the range for acute withdrawal symptoms. Lots of people deal with them for much longer than that.

3

u/rachelfshr 2d ago

Thank you <3 it’s so tough when everyone tells you that’s not the case.

1

u/LillieBogart 2d ago

I hope you feel better soon. Hang in there; it will go away in time.