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How To Withdraw Lexapro Slowly Without Any Side Effects?

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Posted on Mon, 2 Jun 2014
Question: Can you please tell me how can i stop lexapro i try stoping many time cold XXXXXXX it only last for 2 weeks then i get bad sideffect for withdraw i start back on it 2 days ago. its 20 mg. the medicine is very helpful but im sfraid long term it might give me strok or cancer.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Seek an addiction medicine specialist

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking!
I can understand the trouble of withdrawal effects of anxiolytics and sedative hypnotics and antidepressants you have been using and it is really a bad thing to stop them abruptly as they lead to withdrawal symptoms.
I want you to know that Sedative-hypnotic withdrawal is treated with substituting drugs that have a long duration of action, either a benzodiazepine or phenobarbital, in a maintenance dose for a few days followed by a gradually decreasing dose over 2-3 weeks.Which you can easily get a refill about from ER once you show them the previous prescriptions, it will treated according to addiction medicines criteria and you will be tapered down to lower doses which will help.Dont be scared, With drawl of these meds start from day 2 and remain till day 10. All the anxiolytics and sedatives are eventually more harmful than fruitful and there are better new natural therapies which helps the issues you have, we will discuss them one by one.
You should slowly discontinue the medicine with alternate day dosages for a week or two then twice a week for a week or two and then once a week. thus slowly tapering the dose would help. Abrupt with drawl leads to withdrawal symptoms which are very drastic.
Try some diet and lifestyle modifications
Develop regular sleep habits; this means keeping a regular sleep and wake time, sleeping as much as needed to feel refreshed the following day, but not spending more time in bed than needed
Avoid staying in bed in the morning to catch up on sleep
Avoid daytime naps; if a nap is necessary, keep it short (less than 1 hour) and avoid napping after 3 pm
Keep a regular daytime schedule; regular times for meals, medications, chores, and other activities helps keep the inner body clock running smoothly
Do not read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bed
Avoid caffeine after lunch; avoid alcohol within 6 hours of bedtime; avoid nicotine before bedtime
Do not go to bed hungry, but do not eat a big meal near bedtime either
Avoid sleeping pills, particularly over-the-counter remedies
Slow down and unwind before bed (beginning at least 30 minutes before bedtime (a light snack may be helpful); create a bedtime ritual such as getting ready for bed, wearing night clothes, listening to relaxing music, or reading a magazine, newspaper, or book
Avoid watching TV in the bedroom or sleeping on the sofa and then going to bed later in the night
Avoid stimulating activities prior to bedtime (eg, vigorous exercise, discussing or reviewing finances, or discussing stressful issues with a spouse or partner or ruminating about them with oneself)
Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature
Exercise daily; this is best performed in the late afternoon or early evening (but not later than 6-7 pm)
Do not force yourself to sleep; if you are unable to fall asleep within 15-30 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until sleepy (eg, read a book in a dimly lit room, watch a non-stimulating TV program); avoid watching the clock or worrying about the perceived consequences of not getting enough sleep
Cognitive behavioural therapies help the issue too.it includes
Sleep hygiene education
Cognitive therapy
Relaxation therapy
Stimulus-control therapy
Sleep-restriction therapy
Try Acupressure too, it works like charm on insomnia issues.
Avoid caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening, since the stimulant activity of adenosine antagonism can promote hyperarousal
Avoid alcohol in the evening, since this can worsen sleep-disordered breathing leading to frequent arousals; furthermore, while alcohol promotes sleep early in the night, it leads to more sleep disruption later in the evening
Avoid large meals near bedtime, particularly with gastroesophageal reflux disease or delayed gastric emptying.
Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening (at least 6 hours before bedtime) can promote sleep. However, vigorous physical activity in the late evening (< 6 hours before bedtime) can worsen insomnia.

To Combat depression following maneuvers helps.
Behavior therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Family therapy
Group psychotherapy
Interpersonal psychotherapy
Interpersonal therapy
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Psychodynamic psychotherapy
Supportive psychotherapy
Transcranial Magnetic stimulation is good and works like charm.
vagal nerve stimulation is proved effective too.
Electroconvulsive therapy is good too.

Get an addiction medicine specialist and let them help you with it. It will be maximum of 10 days of trouble and you will be these medicines free. It just needs some help by an expert. Don't worry, you decided right. Stopping these meds is good but not because of the reason of stroke and cancer you think.
Get to an addiction medicine specialist and let them help you. Follow my tips for lifestyle modifications and you will never ever need an anxiety and depression aid ever.
I hoe it helps. Dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
S Khan
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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How To Withdraw Lexapro Slowly Without Any Side Effects?

Brief Answer: Seek an addiction medicine specialist Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking! I can understand the trouble of withdrawal effects of anxiolytics and sedative hypnotics and antidepressants you have been using and it is really a bad thing to stop them abruptly as they lead to withdrawal symptoms. I want you to know that Sedative-hypnotic withdrawal is treated with substituting drugs that have a long duration of action, either a benzodiazepine or phenobarbital, in a maintenance dose for a few days followed by a gradually decreasing dose over 2-3 weeks.Which you can easily get a refill about from ER once you show them the previous prescriptions, it will treated according to addiction medicines criteria and you will be tapered down to lower doses which will help.Dont be scared, With drawl of these meds start from day 2 and remain till day 10. All the anxiolytics and sedatives are eventually more harmful than fruitful and there are better new natural therapies which helps the issues you have, we will discuss them one by one. You should slowly discontinue the medicine with alternate day dosages for a week or two then twice a week for a week or two and then once a week. thus slowly tapering the dose would help. Abrupt with drawl leads to withdrawal symptoms which are very drastic. Try some diet and lifestyle modifications Develop regular sleep habits; this means keeping a regular sleep and wake time, sleeping as much as needed to feel refreshed the following day, but not spending more time in bed than needed Avoid staying in bed in the morning to catch up on sleep Avoid daytime naps; if a nap is necessary, keep it short (less than 1 hour) and avoid napping after 3 pm Keep a regular daytime schedule; regular times for meals, medications, chores, and other activities helps keep the inner body clock running smoothly Do not read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bed Avoid caffeine after lunch; avoid alcohol within 6 hours of bedtime; avoid nicotine before bedtime Do not go to bed hungry, but do not eat a big meal near bedtime either Avoid sleeping pills, particularly over-the-counter remedies Slow down and unwind before bed (beginning at least 30 minutes before bedtime (a light snack may be helpful); create a bedtime ritual such as getting ready for bed, wearing night clothes, listening to relaxing music, or reading a magazine, newspaper, or book Avoid watching TV in the bedroom or sleeping on the sofa and then going to bed later in the night Avoid stimulating activities prior to bedtime (eg, vigorous exercise, discussing or reviewing finances, or discussing stressful issues with a spouse or partner or ruminating about them with oneself) Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature Exercise daily; this is best performed in the late afternoon or early evening (but not later than 6-7 pm) Do not force yourself to sleep; if you are unable to fall asleep within 15-30 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until sleepy (eg, read a book in a dimly lit room, watch a non-stimulating TV program); avoid watching the clock or worrying about the perceived consequences of not getting enough sleep Cognitive behavioural therapies help the issue too.it includes Sleep hygiene education Cognitive therapy Relaxation therapy Stimulus-control therapy Sleep-restriction therapy Try Acupressure too, it works like charm on insomnia issues. Avoid caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon or evening, since the stimulant activity of adenosine antagonism can promote hyperarousal Avoid alcohol in the evening, since this can worsen sleep-disordered breathing leading to frequent arousals; furthermore, while alcohol promotes sleep early in the night, it leads to more sleep disruption later in the evening Avoid large meals near bedtime, particularly with gastroesophageal reflux disease or delayed gastric emptying. Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening (at least 6 hours before bedtime) can promote sleep. However, vigorous physical activity in the late evening (< 6 hours before bedtime) can worsen insomnia. To Combat depression following maneuvers helps. Behavior therapy Cognitive-behavioral therapy Family therapy Group psychotherapy Interpersonal psychotherapy Interpersonal therapy Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Psychodynamic psychotherapy Supportive psychotherapy Transcranial Magnetic stimulation is good and works like charm. vagal nerve stimulation is proved effective too. Electroconvulsive therapy is good too. Get an addiction medicine specialist and let them help you with it. It will be maximum of 10 days of trouble and you will be these medicines free. It just needs some help by an expert. Don't worry, you decided right. Stopping these meds is good but not because of the reason of stroke and cancer you think. Get to an addiction medicine specialist and let them help you. Follow my tips for lifestyle modifications and you will never ever need an anxiety and depression aid ever. I hoe it helps. Dont forget to close the discussion please. Regards S Khan