What causes the "brain zaps"? These symptoms are scaring me so much. Please help? Thank you
Lexapro withdrawal is horrible... how long will it last?
Question posted by emilia1981 on 24 Nov 2010
Last updated on 20 July 2019
This question has also been asked and answered here: Lexapro withdrawal symptoms?
23 Answers Page 2
I weaned off lexapro for over 2 months and like other people had stated I was feeling really good, energized and motivated, until recently. I had been off it completely for about 10 days or so and since then I haven't felt like myself. I have been flat in mood, lethargic, itriatable and not sleeping well. Been getting headaches, dizziness, nausea and a hot head often. Some interesting things I've noticed since quiting the drug are that I have lost a few kgs and I'm back to my usual weight which is good. My pulse is faster 15bpm, probably also good as it was sitting in the high 40's during rest.
I really don't want to have to go back on medication but feeling like this is horrible... hoping it wears off soon!
I am literally in the same situation. Any updates?
Hmm... it does get a little easier. I went to the chemist and started taking a vitamin B complex and fish oil which I feel helped a lot. I also wonder if my immune system is terrible because of all these changes, I seem to pick up all the cold and flus going around. How are you going now?
Have you been off Lexapro for years now? Sorry just realizing the date of your post! And great I just started taking vitamin b so hopefully that will help. That stinks about the lowered immune system. I definitely don't feel like myself. Physically still feeling like I have the flu(achy, tired, occasionally nauseous) but feels like it's slowly getting better, not worse. So that's encouraging! Mentally I'm having crazy mood swings. Random fits of crying(I don't cry often) and feeling very down in the dumps at times. Hoping this is just part of the process and I'll be back to normal soon. Did you notice only long term side effects after being off this medicine? Or mainly lowered immune system? Thanks for your reply! It's so helpful to talk with people that have already gone through this, since my dr doesn't seem to have any answers for me when it comes to what to expect.
No quitting Lexapro is only recent for me too, the dates on this website must be playing up. I have been off it for about 3 weeks or so now. Its been a rollercoaster and like you I have been having really bad days and crying a lot. I'm really sensitive and irritable, everything makes me cry atm. Ironic though as one of the main reasons I wanted to quit Lexapro was because I couldn't cry. I felt if I was able to cry perhaps that would be better for my mental health.
Wow!! Same. I've been crying at everything haha. I don't normally cry. Mood swings all over the place. The only hope for me is that it seems to slowly be getting better, not worse. Hope you feel better soon too! Are your symptoms mainly emotional right now? I felt like I had more intense physical side effect last week and this week more emotional.
How much vitamin B and Fish Oil? What do these two do for you? I have been taking lexapro and coming off is horrible.
How much vitamin B and Fish Oil? What do these two do for you? I have been taking lexapro and coming off is horrible.
I took 1x vit b complex and I think 1000mcg of fish oil a day. I feel it helped however it could had been a placebo effect.
I noticed you posted /commented recently (April 2018). How is your progress after going off Lexapro in July 17.? There are so many comments of people saying they have withdrawal symptoms after years of being off the drug that I'm wondering whether to pursue my withdrawal from it. I've had all the mentioned symptoms for 3 weeks after tapering off 10mg over 6-8 weeks. Your posts had given me some hope there is 'light at the end of the tunnel'. I do realise all of these experiences are individual as our bodies react differently to drugs. Thanks
Hey, yeah I think the first month or two were the hardest. I don't really remember how hard it was now looking back at it and I don't think I've had any long term withdrawals. I do get headaches often but I think that's just from stress. Also, I have been slowly and consistently losing weight since I quit lexapro probably as I'm not craving comfort food so often. Not complaining at all but I will have to do something about that if it doesn't stop soon.
Also also its worth noting that I have more energy these days. I used to sleep 10+ hours a day and still be tired. Now I'm waking up often with no alarm after 8 hours and feeling good :-) Can barely sleep in anymore lol. Good luck with it. Let me know how you go :-)
I thought once I was into my second month of withdrawal, it would ease up. I don't have insurance right now and the company I just left had crappy insurance. so now I am in a catch 22 situation. I don't want to go back on Lexapro and go through this hell again. that is exactly what will happen. no I can't. I just want to know when this hell is supposed to be over so that I can get on with my life.
I am almost going on my third month off and still don't feel normal I actually feel worse. I only took lexapro for about 8 months at 20 mg and then weaned off for like 2 months .
How long do brain zaps last? I am having them during the day seems like continually since I stopped lexapro about 4 weeks ago? I feel like I am going crazy? If I keep busy they don't seem as bad. Is there any thing I cannot do? Please help!
For me it took at least a year for the worst of the brain zaps to subside. It has been about 3 1/2 years since I stopped taking Lexapro. I still get faint brain zaps sometimes.
I'm still glad I stopped that stuff. I would never go back on it.
Has it gotten ANY better?! I feel like I am going to rip my hair out if the brain zaps do not stop. The doctor changed me from Lexapro to Wellbutrin because of the sexual side effects I was experiencing. He told me to take Lexapro two more days and then start the Wellbutrin and come off Lexapro. I finally took a 1/4 of Lexapro this morning and if it doesn't stop the zaps, I will take another 1/4 because this is honestly driving me insane. I just want to know how long this lasts. I've only been on 10mg of Lexapro for 1 year but coming off of it is making me sick.
This is so scary! I've been off for two weeks and can't imagine feeling this way for years... any updates? Has anything helped? I don't want to be on any SSRI meds ever again. Trying natural remedies. Hope you all are feeling better!
I have been off lexapro for 3 ?weeks. At first I felt the euphoric high of getting my energy back. I truly felt better than I ever could remember. This lasted for the entire weaning period(10mg every day, 5 mg every day for 1week, 5mg every other day for 1week) and for the following week.
I am still not convinced that this is lexapro withdrawal but all my blood tests are normal, my lungs are clear, and my body shows no signs of fighting anything so this really is the last option.
First I ended my lexapro while fighting bronchitis, after antibiotics and prednisone my cough and congestion didn't really go away, then I was off again on again sick with sinus congestion. two days ago I lost my ability to catch my breath, a trip to the ER told me nothing was physically wrong. I have been dizzy and fatigued and completely non funtional. Serious migraine like headaches in addition to sinus headaches. Sudafed has done little to relieve the pressure.
Benadryl has done little to help me sleep.
I hesitate to say this is all withdawal since I felt so great for three weeks after stopping then bam this hits me out of nowhere. Perhaps my vitamin and exercise craze I was on just before starting to wean helped. 3,000 mg fish oil to help brain function, 50 mg b-complex taken 1-2 times a day to help with mood swings and stress, plus a multi-vitamin. I've also adopted the body flushing technique of drinking a glass of water as soon as I wake before doing anything else. I've also been avoiding fried foods (triggers for my ADD). Read any book on food and mood the more recent the publication the better. Changing my mindset on diet has helped me a great deal.
Now to get over this breathing and fatigue... My doc said just start taking Lexapro again. Really? So, your advice to someone in withdrawal is to try the drug again and all will be ok? sure hope he doesn't council addicts regularly!
Honestly what helps me with withdrawal symptoms is marijuana, since you have bronchitis I’d recommend trying edibles instead of smoking it.
Everything you just said you feel is what I'm going through. My sinuses and headaches are kickin by my ass along with dizziness, nausea, and brain zaps. I didn't connect the sinus issues I've been having until I read your comment. I'm in hell from the lexapro withdrawals. I'm still on Wellbutrin. I was going to wean off it next. Now I'm terrified to do so
Hey Emilia 1981.. dont sweat it..its ok.. believe me when I tell you .. your zaps are normal.. and no matter what anyone else says to you..it takes quite a while to get off this garbage... I have been completely off of it now for about 25 days..and still having symtoms... hang in there...
Any updates? Do you remember about how long it took for you to feel better?
Oh My God... I have been on 20Mg of Lexa-hell for about 5-6 years. Its been about 1 year since i moved out from my wife (ex-wife now) and due to Costs, can no longer afford to take 2 Medications. (Lexapro, Prevacid). Cant stop the Prevacid cause i have GERD... gastroesophageal reflux disease
.. So decided since im away from the person that was the reason i was on the lexapro, i could stop.. Ok So its been about one, one and a half weeks since ive quit taking the lexapro.. This is hell.. Dizzy all the time, especially when trying to walk.. Getting Bursts from my Chest to my Head to my fingertips. Hard to explain what the bursts feel like.. Kinda like when you get a rush for being embarrassed.. Feels like someone placed my head in a paint shaker and turned on for about 5 seconds.. How long is this going to last???
I gradually reduced from 20mg Lexapro to 5 mg without withdrawals. Now have dropped from 5 -0 with similar withdrawal symptoms, I assume, for 3 days now. Go figure ... hope it ends soon.
Now to GERD. I've stopped taking Rabeprazol and am managing the condition through a diet to restore gut health. Was extremely worried about taking this drug forever. It's designed as a short term fix, according to the blurbs, and inhibits uptake of magnesium and calcium. Not great when you have osteoporosis. So after about 4 years ( yeah, slow, I know) some quick googling took me to an exercise to drop the hernia, and to a variety of diet recommendations. Taking Probiotic tablets has been hugely beneficial, as well as consuming celery and other greens, sauerkraut , apple cider vinegar. Can still drink coffee and also eat chocolate in small amounts, so life is still worth living. Amazing how easy it is to give up a food if you know it's going to cause immediate pain!
This is the first time I've seen anyone put how I feel into words. I quit Lexapro 11 years ago and still feel exactly what you've described. The sensation is no longer constant but it is everyday. Miserable
Yes, the brain zaps are par for the coarse. I have been getting off this trash for about 1 1/2 months now. I was on 20mg for 7 years. Needless to say, the withdrawals are quite a handful to deal with. But, dont be afraid, .. from what I gather all this is normal for this precious doctor prescribed poison. Take care
It is hard because now I am in the process of looking for a job. I am using the time to ride out the nasty withdrawals especially the nausea, headaches and everything else. I have tried to reach the dr. to no avail and then to get a letter in the mail saying I am not a patient there anymore. (no great loss) I fired that health group before they cut me loose. now I am left holding the bag. They just played games with my medications.
I stopped taking lexapro in March, and here it is now August, and I am still having brain zaps? How much longer will they last. I hate them! Help!
All I can do now is to ride them out, hope and pray for the best. I lost confidence and trust in the medical establishment. I have been using this stuff you rub behind the ears for dizziness it's called Vertigo less and taking 1/2 tab Bonito motion sickness tabs when the nausea gets too bad. I hate feeling fuzzy like this . but it's better than losing my breakfast.
Withdrawal from any drug should be done under medical supervision.
Heart and blood pressure should be taken into consideration.
Depending on the dose you are currently taking... withdrawing should take no less than 6 weeks.
Before withdrawing starts be informed.
Weighing in and body measuring is a must.
Keeping a diary and making entries thrice a day is advisable.
What do I want to acheive by withdrawing from my medication?
Whats happening to me?
How do I feel through out the day?
Who can I confide and trust in... My Diary and Doctor.
I have been on Antidepressants... 3 different kinds over 15 years.
I am now in my 4th week of withdrawal from lexapro 20mg... a long way to go I feel.
I can not answer at this stage how long the symptons will last.
I have not been able to put terminology to most of the symptoms I feel.
.This site, filled with Q&A has helped. That I may be able to identify with some of these. ... yes I do have feelings of ( trippy) zapping out... this lasts for a split second... maybe like falling or fainting... nothing life threatening has happens so I choose not to be frightened.
I moved. foward one hour at a time and now it is one day at a time
I have certainly put on weight, especially around the midriff... more shakey than usual and a little tight chested at times.
I have had no sexual desire for ten years,constiputation, memory loss, being unsure of myself, weight gain to name a few are the side affects I have had since taking Anti depressants.
As with reckless legs I had suffered this for some years of and on... since giving up alcohol this has not happened.
I do not drink coffee of tea unless it is de-caf. nor do I drink any form of softdrink.
The only way to help myself through this is to join the gym and eat more healthy than usual... replace the drug with a more positive activity... getting my body fit again after 8 years is my main mind set.
I would never had moved foward to a more positive and healthy life if it had not been for my third Doctor... yes it took me three goes to find the doctor that was prepared to work with me amd find out what was wrong and how to get well. This Doctor refered me to a Clinical Psychologist who uses CBT... for two years I stuck with the Therapy and worked hard to find wellness. I am very proud of who I am and I deserve what I have acheived.
Who knows how long it will take for me to go through the withdrawals. I feel it will be different for all of us and how I will feel at the end of this is anyones guess... my diary will reveal all... I feel one morning I will wake up and say to myself... What was that all about.
We can all learn from each other.
Thank you all for helping me to understand a little more about withdrawals.
M.
Oh my word, ... oh yes... the first thing Im going to do, is run to the Son of Bitch that made money off of getting me addicted to this trash. And I mean "any" doctor. They are working hand in hand with the morticians, and making money up the Bum while doing it. WAKE UP!!!
your going to feel like that for a week,did u abruptly stop?i would go see a dr.
Oh yeah .. go see a doctor!! Wake up people... The Doctors are the ones doing this !!! Think about it... they can no loose... the get you on the trash..and then you have to go see them to get off of it... (Which is always discouraged by them) ... give me a break.. people are like sheep , being led around by their noses...
I have three family members who are physicians and I too am in the health care field. Go to your pharmacist to learn about the drugs you are taking not physicians. Physicians only receive a few hours of pharmacology education. They get their education from the Pharm Reps who you see sitting in their offices waiting to see them. Pretty scary but true.
I was told by my Dr to "just stop taking it". He told me to do it, and against my better judgment I did, and now I am regretting it...
To the person who said that physicians only receive a couple of hours of pharmacology classes I'm am a medical student and we studied pharmacology over a year.also doctors prescribe medicine not pharmacists
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Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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