My psychiatrist prescribed me lexapro for anxiety. I'm on about 20mg. I've been taking it for about a year or so. I felt I needed it the entire time. About 2 months ago I told her I wanted to get off because my dream was to be off prescriptions for good. I hate being dependant on any single thing. She told me to stay on them. I took it into my own hands(this is where the problem begins) and stopped taking it. For about 2 weeks I went through withdrawal symptoms but after that its been fine. I've been off lexapro for about 2 months now and I'm feeling happier than ever. Everything seems to have turned around. On Tuesday I have to tell my psychiatrist that I stopped taking lexapro against her order. I don't know what to expect. I couldn't sleep last night because I'm scared that she might not give me refills to my other prescriptions(which I DO NEED) How should I tell her? I have no clue what to do... Any advice? ANY?? Please help!
Relax, she can't FORCE you to take anything! As long as your still taking the other meds you need and you obviously feel fine, then she has no room to bitch. Worst case scenario is that she refuses to treat you anymore because of your unwillingness to comply with her diagnosis. And if thats the case, then you're better off finding another Psychiatrist who is more willing to listen to your needs. Period. I took lexapro for about 6 months. I took myself off because of the side effects. I don't blame you a bit for dropping it. The long term effects are not worth it! Good job! Let us know how it goes! Blessings, Bee
I was on a Lexapro as well, I told my psychiatrist I wanted to go off them, ( while i was in the middle of a mental breakdown), and he didnt care at all, so I would say your wont either
The appointment could not have gone better. Seriously... she didn't say one thing. She just kind of nodded her head and kept talking. I could not believe it! I was thinking about for so long and I finally got it done. I was sooo happy! It did kind of freak me out because my psychiatrist started talking about sex. I told her I took a vow of abstinence and she kind of thought it was stupid. She said that its better to experience it with your wife-to-... I'll finish this later. I got to go
its against laws for stoping meds entirely. no matter the excuse. unless there was a reason to ween off for a new med. if this kind of stuff continues id look for a new doc. i kinda now what your goin through, ive been from psych med to psych med fro most of my life. if ya need to talk, contact me.
Lexapro gave me the WORST withdrawals of anything I've ever been on, hydrocodone included. I had a seizure, spit on my roommate in a fit of rage, tried to cut my wrists (I've never been suicidal before or since), and heard a weird "whoosh" in my head when I moved my eyes. And that was with careful tapering. Glad you managed to get off it okay, but abruptly stopping meds like that can cause serious physical side effects, so next time, taper. As for worrying about what your doc will think, just be honest. It's not uncommon for psych meds to cause side effects or not work, and they aren't really meant for long-term use anyway, so he/she should understand. Plus, Lexapro is not cheap. If not, get another doctor ASAP.
