Discontinuing Celexa/Lexapro?!
Question: Does anybody have any experience or advice about d/cing Celexa (or Lexapro?) I was taking 40mg of Celexa and I didn't get a refill. I was thinking aout stopping it, so I just did. It is four days out and I feel fine.
Can I expect any bumps farther down the road?
PS I am still taking Seroquel as needed for sleep and anxiety. Any advice on that?
Answers: Does anybody have any experience or advice about d/cing Celexa (or Lexapro?) I was taking 40mg of Celexa and I didn't get a refill. I was thinking aout stopping it, so I just did. It is four days out and I feel fine.
Can I expect any bumps farther down the road?
PS I am still taking Seroquel as needed for sleep and anxiety. Any advice on that?
The half-life of Celexa is 35 hours, and the typical onset of withdrawal is seen on Day 3-6.
So, far from being over withdrawal - you are actually just entering the period where you might expect to experience the beginning of Celexa withdrawal.
I've had first-hand experience of a 40mg-0mg drop - undertaken in ignorance - it took a while, but it reduced me to wreckage. So, for your own safety, do understand the nature of what you are doing, and see your doctor to get monitored as soon as is humanly possible. You may fortunate and experience no symptoms (some people do), but the likelihood is that you will have some form of withdrawal be it mild/moderate/severe over the coming weeks and months.
For your information, I include links to Glenmullen's antidepressant withdrawal checklist; and David Healy's document which likewise gives solid information on the various symptoms you should be aware of.
You will have some sideeffects soon. Your supposed to stop medication like that slowing. Like 1/2 pill to 1/4 pill.
i stopped my lexapro a few years ago. i didn't really have any major bumps. i have gone through a few down periods but i've always managed to pull myself back up. i think everyone may be different though. you'll just have to wait and see how you feel. i'm sure that continuing to take you're seroquel will help though because with you're anxiety in control, it may help your depression. you'll know if you feel that you should go back on it. best wishes!
I have been treated for over 16 years and am currently on Lexapro and it works well. However I used to take others and a few times I quit with out letting anyone know or help me and the results were awful. I would be very careful about quiting with out the advice of a good psychiatrist.
Whoa there.
That was fast.
At least tell your doctor what you did.
You need to be on the watch for the following symptoms for at least the next 10 days...may experience a combination thereof...
(a) dizziness or light headedness
(b) nausea and/or vomiting
(c) headaches
(d) lethargy
(e) anxiety and/or agitation
(f) tingling (paresthesias), numbness or "electric" shock-like sensations in the head or limbs
(g) tremors
(h) sweating
(i)insomnia
(j) irritability
(k) vertigo (dizziness)
(l) diarrhea
(m) Significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
I doubt you will have any trouble quitting this drug, I didn't. I tried both Celexa and Lexapro with no luck and quit with no problem. I too have issues with anxiety...perhaps you could tell me more about this Seroquel....