Lexapro and hot flashes

I just HAVE to add my story here!! I was on Lexapro 20mg for 2yrs. All was pretty well. It somewhat controlled my anxiety & panic attacks (I have GAD) and it helped stabilize my moods (I am Bipolar), BUT I DIDN'T like that it made it to where I couldn't cry when I wanted to but yet cried at inappropriate times! I basically came to a stand-still with the lexapro and it KILLED my sex drive, so bad that my relationship was at risk (well, thats what I think, cuz no man is happy with NO sex!!) So, I SLOWLY came off them over a month, and even though it was very slowly, the WITHDRAWAL from this drug is just a horrible experience that I hope none of you that are taking now, will ever have to go through what I did!! I seriously thought at one point I was going to die!! I was severely sick for one week-- nausea, vomiting, the runs, hot flashes, cold flashes, the shakes, internal tremors, severe migraines, dizziness when I sat up or stood up, and I got bad electrical zap feelings in my hands & brain (which, even one month & 3 weeks later, I am still having!!) But to you all still on them, I also had weight gain on them, head rushes, dizziness, headaches, internal tremors, and I didn't like that it made me generally dumb!!! Since coming off, I still have the "duhhh" moments, getting less & less, thank goodness, now if only these darn "Zaps" would go away. But yeah, the side effects of this & the withdrawals are HORRIBLE!!! I will never take this again!! So much for newer drugs eh!!

Since being on Lexapro, I have no feelings of anxiety. In fact, I have no feelings at all. I am numb to everything it seems and I have little to no emotion - ever. In addition to being a zombie, I am hungry all of the time and I have no energy to do anything, but rest on the couch. I have been taking Lexapro for about 3-4 years and have gained about 30 pounds. Now that is depressing. I am slowly weaning myself off the drug now. I took 1 pill every other day for a month and now I am taking 1/2 every other day until my prescription is gone. I'm experiencing some additional side effects now. I am having mini panic attacks where my heart will race for about 5-10 minutes, restless legs where I need to keep moving them when I am trying to rest, hot flashes where I will sweat profusely, I'm very irritated at the smallest of occurrences and the most strange side effect that I have not heard of previously is breast soreness - very painful. If anyone else is experiencing the same, please write about it, I would really like to know if this is common, how long it will last and if there is something else (natural) that I can take to help with weaning off Lexapro. Please help!!

I have been on Lexapro for a few years now but just until recently have I experienced these side effects that I thought was something serious. But after reading all these comments I feel reassured that its caused from the Lexapro.Head rushes that make me dizzy, and making me sick to my stomach(causing major anxiety) . Another term I have read it head zaps, also true. Hot flashes one time while at work and Im only 30 years old. Major hunger all the time. I rally think my coworkers think Im crazy but not knowing what is making you feel crazy will cause you to panic. My husband has always told me that antidepressants were bad but haven't really notices until now. Im going to try and wein myself off of Lexapro and replace it with exercise. Has anyone else tried to do this?

Steer clear of this drug unless you want to blow up like a hot air balloon! I started taking this in October and by December had gained 15 pounds. Also, I had dizzy spells and hot flashes. Life is soooo much better since coming off of this drug.

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