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How long before ssri withdrawals kick in?

Posted , 5 users are following.

sheldon50270
sheldon50270

I was on 10mg lexapro for about a year then 3 months ago dropped to 5mg then 4 days ago stopped completely because of the extremely vivid dreams/nightmares affecting my sleep and work. I havnt noticed any withdrawal symptoms. Did I get lucky or does it take awhile?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • iris46
    iris46 sheldon50270

    Posted

    You could possibly get withdrawal symptoms soon, but if you do take some more of your med......your body could start missing the chemical soon.  You should actually reduce gradually.  Good luck
  • elizabeth2244
    elizabeth2244 sheldon50270

    Posted

    Hi sheldon i am on an antidepressant. The vivid dreams may be part of the withdrawl symptom because that can happen 

    You may have increased anxieties later but just watch out for the anxieties. 

    Some people may experience more depression so be on the watch for that. 

    If you are only having vivid dreams right now and nothing else thats good but you may have anxieties and depression come back so just be careful and report to your doctor if you notice any changes 

    Good luck with being off the medication 

    Elizabeth

  • KMRC
    KMRC sheldon50270

    Posted

    You were on a low dose to start with and going down to 5mg before stopping was a good move.  If, and you may not, you have any type of withdrawal symptoms, take 1/2 a 5 mg every other day, then every third day and then stop.  We should always slowly get off any meds to avoid unwanted side effects.  Why are you getting off the Lexapro?  And why were you treated with it?  These may have a lot of information about how your body reacts to not having it.  Best wishes.
    • sheldon50270
      sheldon50270 KMRC

      Posted

      Was on it for generalized anxiety but the vivid dreams and nightmares are making it not worth treating the anxiety in my opinion, I figure if I have an interview or meeting I can always take a .5 mg Xanax and be better off than dealing with waking up every night from a nightmare.
    • KMRC
      KMRC sheldon50270

      Posted

      I used to have terrible nightmares until I ran across a book about lucid dreaming.  It changed my life because within a very short time I was able to get my hands in my dreams (letting my dream state know I was consciously interacting with my dreams!) and from there, I could change anything.  Now I fly in my dreams and do things I would never do outside the realm of my brain...I have taught my nieces and nephews how to lucid dream from a young age and all of them are pros, now.  We keep journals of our dreams and share them with each other.  If you are dreaming vividly, you are a perfect candidate for lucid dreaming.  It sure beats fighting monsters and meanies.
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