Does anyone know how long you have to be on lexapro before you can get off.  I have been on it for like 7?
829248
If you want to try to get off of it, you need to make sure of 2 things. \n1. you weren't suicidal/homicidal when you were put on it.\n2. you taper off of it.  You can't stop it suddenly or you can have some serious side effects (serotonin syndrome). Basically you can feel dizzy and have a severe headache.  Some people will get sudden increases in blood pressure. \nBut if you taper off of it over a week or two (as directed by your doctor) then you should be fine.
1014281
NO YOU DON'T!!!!!  You've done well (two years/months i take it, not minutes?!Lol)  I stopped for almost a year but started again, so don't even think bout having one!!  Do something else to take your mind off it!  Good luck!
494370
I was taking 30 mgs. daily, and my doctor took me off of it too abruptly - just over a two week period, and I had been taking it for over a year.  It took me about a month to feel like myself again.  My side effects included dizziness, waves of shock like electricity in my head (the worst.)  It helped me to go to a search engine under "Celexa Withdrawl Symptoms" and see that a lot of other people felt like I did.  You'll be ok again.
800772
I had been on Effexor for quite a long time - and it's not that hard to get off.  It's only hard if you aren't well enough to come off it.  It works well and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.  It does take 6-8 weeks to have any effect though.
730517
Registered Nurse here; Lexapro anti-depressant, the onset is faster than with most anti-depressants, approximately 2 weeks to began feeling the real benefits and relief of symptoms.  Advair, you should notice improvement with initial dose.  I also hope you began to feel better soon.  Also, If I may, I suggest that your next physician's visit you make a list of your questions and concerns for your physician is your very best resource person.\nThanks for the opportunity to address your question.
903288
it all depends on how long you have been taking Benzo, and whether or not you are addicted. If you were taking benzo for a long time, and you have only recently stopped taking them, you will need at least 30 days.
515513
about 3 to 4 weeks. I had depression, for years.  I'm on 100 mg daily. It felt like weight lifted off my shoulders, and things will take CARE OF THEMSELVES for a change!!! Start enjoying your time, life is very short. My doc said to get an "I don't give a damn attitude" it worked. It will be ok!!!!!!!!!
234644
I've been taking lexapro for a year now and it fares well with me. Everyone is different and every medicine may not do someone the same as someone else. At first when I started it made me feel calmer and more relaxed. I was in traffic that day and normally I have road rage, but I didn't I sat there just as if I was at home. The lexapro works great for me. Much better than the wellbutrin or the paxil. Just pay attention to the side affects cause it does make you drowsy sometimes. I've gotten use to it.
381533
i'm taking it now. i was on two others before this but they did not help me. Lexapro is the easiest on my stomach but i have trouble sleeping with it so i'm taking something else to help me sleep until it kicks in fully. talk to your doctor about it. the web is fine to read but i like talking to real people about it to see how it can affect you.
1087488
It is wonderful, I have been on it since January and it has completely turned me around. My boss asked me the other day if he was stressing me out and I said " no you can't because I have lexapro" and he laughed
739420
I took it for a short time....for depression. I had headaches, and gained weight.  Also, when I stopped taking it...my hearing kept going in and out.  I kept hearing this zzip..zzzip...I could actually feel a strange vibration going thru my head...and that's when I figured out it was my hearing....fading in and out.  Really weird.  And they say it is not habit forming....but, then they say "well, you can't just stop taking it..you have to be weaned off of it."  If that's not an addiction....then explain that one to me!! I ended up just going to a counselor and now I am doing great....I just had to have someone not involved with my life to help me figure things out.
967796
Please allow your doctor to take you off this drug.  Professionals have a way of "weaning" you off of the drug instead of stopping it all at once and suffering from harmful side effects.  See your doctor please.
568858
about a year ago i was up to taking 300 mg a day of effexor. I slowly worked my way off halving doses each day until i didn't take anymore....took about 3 days. It was tough those first couple weeks....it does seem that it gets worse before it gets better. But i tell ya, compared to the withdrawal from paxil it wasn't as bad. You'll get through it....and if you feel like you can't talk to your doctor.
752356
I love Prozac!  I can not live without out. I was told to stay on Prozac for nine months as well. This drug works good, well before the ninth month, with me anyway. I guess that is when you will get the complete effect of it.  The only thing I did not and do not like (the one that sticks out in my mind the most that is) is the lack of sex drive.  That is a bummer.  I have been on it now for 15yrs.  I tried to ween myself off a couple of times with my Doctors awareness but I would start to go down hill after a month or so. So back on it and feeling good again. Guess the other side effects were not worth remembering or just were not that bad to be burnt in my mind. Good luck.
23638
You should never abrubtly stop taking paxil.  You should be weaned off slowly.
818445
My 18-yr. old son was given Lexapro, and it caused him to be so confused and delusional that we had to admit him to a psych hospital for 4 days.  He's been dignosed as bi-polar, and that may be why the Lexapro affected him so badly, it's contra-indicated for bi-polar disorder.  Scary stuff, and I've since heard from others that they've had bad experiences with the drug too.  As for your son's vision going black, the same thing happens to me if I stand up too suddenly, and it is related to blood pressure - mine has always been very low.
237302
Q: What will happen if I drink alcohol while taking LEXAPRO?\n\nA: Studies show that LEXAPRO does not increase the cognitive and motor effects brought on by alcohol. However, alcohol may deepen depression. Therefore, the use of alcohol with patients taking LEXAPRO is not recommended.\n\n~*~\n\nRemember, alcohol is a depressent.  I would HIGHLY recommend not taking it.  My mom drinks alcohol and takes her anti-depressants, but the alcohol cancels out the lexapro.  Don't do it man...