newtothis: Only 3 days of lexapro, still nauseated 12 days later?

[newtothis]

Hi folks,

 

After many years on struggling with anxiety, I decided to try an ssri. My doc prescribed 10mg of Lexapro. It caused intense nausea, jaw clenching, and ringing/buzzing in my ears. On the fourth day, I just couldn't take it again. Now, 12 days after my last dose, I am still nauseated and I have an intense case of vertigo.

 

My doctor says my nausea must be caused by something else because the lexapro should be out of my system by now. This of course has totally freaked me out. It's possible this bad case of vertigo was set off by the lexapro (inner ear problems are a common side effect) and that's what's causing the prolonged nausea. But my anxiety is coming up with all kinds of other scarier causes. 

 

My question is -- has anyone ever been on an ssri for just a few days and experienced side effects for weeks after?

 

Thanks!

[LexAnger]

I'm sorry for what happened to you from taking Lexapro for only three day! It sound to me you had a reaction to the meds. Yes, we have people experiencing symptoms from very short period of taking these type of meds. It's surely from the meds nothing else.

 

The mods here will provide more comprehensive info and guidance.

I hope you can recover sooner giving the brief period of taking the poison. I'm glad you stopped and found this forum immediately. It can be life saving not to exauate

[newtothis]

Thank you! That does make me feel a little less worried. I was thinking of trying a different drug after these side effects wore off but, after reading a lot of posts here, that's not happening. I'm glad this forum exists!

[LexAnger]

I really hope you can find other alternatives for your anxiety, these drugs are very dangerous and can ruin your life in a way you will never be able to imagine.

[scallywag]

newtothis -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)
 
You are definitely not alone in having unexpectedly longer recovery from a brief exposure to an SSRI medication such as Lexapro. The best way to deal with the symptoms, especially since you had such a strong reaction to the medication, is to wait them out.
 
You would be well advised to ask questions  of any doctor who gives you a prescription in the future. Since you've had such a strong negative reaction to Lexapro after 3 days exposure, it's likely that similar medications may cause the same result. Many SSRI and SNRI medications are marketed to treat other conditions, e.g. Prozac is rebranded as "Sarafem" for premenstrual disorder, Cymbalta is used to treat pain. Be prepared to tell doctors that you had a negative reaction to Lexapro (escitalopram) and that you don't want to risk taking another SSRI and probably not an SNRI.
 
Although these links discuss about the recovery/restoration process after longer use of a psychiatric medication, the principles apply to your situation:
One theory of anti-depressant withdrawal syndrome.
How your brain responds to psychiatric drugs - aka "Brain remodeling".
Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants.
 

Here's a topic that provides links to discussion topics we have on common withdrawal symptoms:

Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems.

 

I hope you'll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation. I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but am glad that you found us.

[RachelE]

I had a 5 pound cat named Tiger. (Female.) We moved and had her drugged over the course of 48 hours to keep her calm. Big mistake! Not only did Tiger worry more than ever--maybe because her brain was being messed with--but she was very ill for two weeks once we arrived.

 

She kept throwing up, staggering, yowling, and had her third eyelid up (a sign of sickness for cats.) We took her to the vet and he said she was still hung over.

 

If it can take a small cat 2 weeks after 2 days of drugging, why is it impossible for you to still be suffering from your drugging? Doctors almost never admit their drugs are at fault. Either through ignorance or maybe a fear of a lawsuit.