In regards to Prozac and Lexapro

[Moretti]

Hello,

I'd like to know if anyone here has taken Prozac or Lexapro and then got off of them cold turkey. Did it mess up your brain chemistry after a long period of time being off of them?

I was taking Prozac for a long time years ago and then I was switched over to Lexapro because it was supposively a healthier drug to take than Prozac with less side effects. I chose to stop taking Lexapro completely because it was just not working for me and I also have a problem taking the anti depressant pills. I don't like taking pills. If its not a vitamin forget it.

Its been over seven years since I've taken any anti depressants and I still struggle with anxiety. It has been so difficult to keep it under control. I exercise a lot and eat healthy these days and it has helped, but every now and then at least a few times a week I'll get these anxiety attacks and I need to do pushups immediately or something strenous like lifting weights to keep me from going bananas. The one thing I do from time to time is smoke some pot for medicinal purposes only. It calms me down and I'm able to sleep at night. I don't smoke it everyday just on those nights when I need something other than a chemically man made drug.

Another thing I'd like to share with you is that since I took those medications I'm not the same person since I've been off of them. Meaning, my thought processes are not the same as they use to be. I'm not as sharp, I'm lacking the ability to communicate properly with people. I'm very anti social, I'm unfocused, and not in the now type of feeling. I tend to look from the outside in a lot.

Has anyone felt any changes in their mentality when getting off of these drugs? Perhaps I'm experiencing something completely different and that's why I'm asking the questions here.

I did some searching online about it, but there are so many different answers. That's why I decided to ask here. This is common ground for me and so I hope to get some answers or your personal experience with these drugs.

Thank you for your time and take care

[trekkinthrulife]

I was orginally on lexapro and looking back I am fairly certain that is what led to my suicide attempt. I was switch to prozac. I have never really had any side affects, I do notice a differnce when I don't take it for a few days. I become more emotional, as in I'm not in control of my emotions. Prozac being on or off has never affected my personality or thought process, but it does help me have a clearer prespective on things. It makes it easier for me to step back and asses a situation.

I'm not sure if that was any help....

[Moretti]

It helps in a sense. I'm trying to differentiate what is causing my anxiety and why I cannot control the action before its too late. I get this unexplainable urge and feel out of control for about ten minutes and then I'm ok after a while on my own. I dislike feeling like that when something doesn't go right. Its not because its not going my way. Its just something isn't right with the balance of things. Sounds weird I know. I thought exercise and eating right would kill the anxiety issues, but apparently its still lingering about in my life. I really don't want to go back on Prozac or any other medication.

Thanks

[roiben]

I think what you are describing sounds like a relapse of your symptoms, rather than a side effect of having stopped the medication.

The anxiety, and changes in focus and attention are symptomatic of anxiety and depression amongst other things. I think it is worth considering that you may well have the symptoms that originally led to you starting the Prozac and Lexapro. The fact that you stopped taking them fairly cold turkey will have increased the likely-hood of a relapse, but having taken them in the past won't be the main cause.

As you are not keen on medication, it may be worth looking into counselling or therapy for your anxiety, to see if this will help you develop coping mechanisms to put into place to help you deal with any anxiety, and to delve into why certain things may affect you more than others. Speaking to your GP should enable a referral to be made for this.

Roiben x