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Old 03-28-2014, 01:41 PM
floridaman floridaman is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 22
10 yr Member
floridaman floridaman is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 22
10 yr Member
Default Lexapro withdrawal - be warned.

Finally seem to have turned the corner in the pcs battle after almost six months. Debilitating dazed/foggy episodes no more. Dizzy and nausea gone. Only very infrequent mild nasal headaches.
Now I have another problem.

In month four of my recovery the anxiety started even though I knew it could happen and had tried to avoid it. Hard not to worry when your head is damaged. I started taking anxiety drugs because I felt it was interfering with the pcs recovery. Was given lexapro by neurologist even though I objected. Seemed to be a depression med primarily with a secondary use being anxiety.
Was also taking zanax given to me by my primary.

Zanax helped, lexapro did nothing for me.
They bumped me up from 10 to 20 mg lexapro. Still did not notice a difference.
Neuro referred me to psychiatrist to resolve drug issue and he stopped the lexapro, and indicated as I had suspected that it was for depression only. Weaned off lexapro, every 7th day decreasing by 25%.

On day 3 after stopping lexapro completely and ever since have had very disturbing incidents where my head seems not right. It appears to be related to my pulse, originating in the lower neck region and radiating into my head in the form of a strange sensation and finally reverberating out my hears as a clicking/squeaking noise. Never had this before.

Very annoyed I'm having these issues from a drug I should not have been given in the first place.
Am also now quite worried about these withdrawal issues and wonder if they could trigger a pcs relapse.
I'm considering starting to take the anxiety meds again until click and clack leave my head.
BTW, the psychiatrist took away the lexapro and also replaced the zanax with hydroxyzine claiming it was not addictive as zanax can be.

Here's some info on ssri (i.e. lexapro) withdrawal. Scary.
http://www.cchrflorida.org/blog/ssri...-long-lasting/
As antidepressants seem to be what doctors throw at pcs patients by default I thought everyone should be aware of the very serious ramifications of taking these drugs.
Wish I had never taken this drug and would only recommend it as a final and desperate last resort.

Anyone else gone through this. Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks everybody and wishing you all wellness.
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