what happens if i stop taking an antidepressant?

Question

i took my last lexapro on wed. and called in a refil to my doctor that same day expecting to get it refilled the next day...the next day i called the pharmacy and it wasnt there. Ok, no big deal i'll try calling later. No refil thurs. so i called the doctor friday and let them know that i was out and i was going to be out for the weekend so that they would make it a priority.....no refil was called in fri. either. Not even a return phone call from my doctor..nurse or anything. So, now i havent taken it in 4 days and i am having sensations through my body that is freaking me out. I am thinking i will be able to get some mon. but who knows. What, if anything will happen if i dont get some more for about 2 days. today is sunday morning and i feel terriable it will be all day today and probably late mon. afternoon before i can get some more!! Will these sensations get worse? what else can happen? I am worried and believe me the dr. office will have me to deal with mon. morning!!!!

Answer 1

It sounds to me as if your psychiatrist needs a wake up call.

It is irresponsible to leave someone on Lexapro hanging like they did to you.
You can quote me if you wish.
I doubt you will have severe symptoms in only four or five days, they should be tolerable but definitely a distraction.

A friend of mine was taking Lexapro and had some bad side effects, I hope you are tolerating it well. When he was weaning off it to switch to a different type he had a terrible time. Loss of balance, fearful of things that didn't used to bother him, weird dreams, started showing obsessive behavior. Thank God he got something better to help stabilize him. In the meantime, mutual friend suggested he take flax seed oil. It has something in it the brain needs. It helped him a lot until the new med took effect. He still takes the flaxseed oil! I recently learned it is rich in several of the Omegas we need.

Please set an alarm and call the doctors office first thing in the morning. And let them know they dropped the ball. They should take situations like this more seriously. In fairness to the doctor, it might be the nurse who didn't see it through, but it could be the doctor who didn't make the call after the nurse told him about your predicament. I suggest the phone call because I can't estimate how you will feel in the morning, but I would be tempted to show up at the docs office as soon as they open and rant just to scare the hell out of them. I would do it just because the next person they neglect might be a real basket case and do something to get hurt or hurt someone else.

In the future, may I suggest you call the doctors office a week ahead of time?

I wish you like with this it can really be trying.

Answer 2

You should explain this to the pharmacist, where they should be able to provide you with at least a weeks worth immediately (this has happened to me in a case where a prescription wasn't processed on time). Since lexapro is the most selected antidepressant prescribed by Dr's, there should be more than enough on hand to give you at least 5 10mg tabs.

It sounds to me like you need to be more assertive in getting your meds. I would have gave them hell at the pharmacy, not taking your meds can be dangerous.

As per the "sensations" you are experiencing, here's a brief description of the withdrawl symptoms you're experiencing.

Brain shivers, also known as "the electric brain thing", "battery head", "brain zaps", "Blips", "Effexor shocks" or "brain spasms", are a rare but notorious withdrawal symptom of certain antidepressants. Paresthesia and "electric shock sensations" are clinical terms used to describe this symptom. It is most commonly associated with venlafaxine (Effexor) and Lexapro, but has been reported with other antidepressants as well (paroxetine, bupropion, and sertraline). Wyeth's original pamphlet for venlafaxine did not mention it, and many medical professionals are still unaware of the possible occurrence.

The effect appears to be almost unique to those antidepressant chemicals that have an extremely short half-life in the body; that is, they are quick to disappear completely. This attribute of abruptness leaves the brain a relatively short time to adapt to a major neurochemical change when you stop taking the medication, and the symptoms may be caused by the brain's readjustment. There is no evidence that the shivers present any danger to the patient experiencing them.

"Brain shivers" are said to defy description for whoever has not experienced them, but the most common themes are of a sudden "jolt", likened to an electric shock, apparently occurring or originating in the brain itself, with associated disorientation for a few seconds. It is sometimes accompanied by brief tinnitus. Immediately following this shock is a light-headedness which may last for up to ten seconds. Some have suggested the experience resembles a "funny bone" except that it shoots through the entire body, starting from the head. It may be initiated by sudden eye movement, and is often perceived as unpleasant. The effect may be similar to drunkenness without any cognitive loss. Driving with brain shivers is not advised. The sensation can be described for many as the feeling of a flashbulb going off inside the head or brain, coupled with a sudden sensation of pressure within the ears which is similar to the feeling of trying to relieve inner-ear pressure.

As withdrawal time increases, so does the frequency of the shocks, before they wane completely. At their peak, "brain shivers" have been associated with severe headaches. They may last for a period of several weeks after the last dose, but usually resolve completely within a month. However, the effect may only last a few days. There is anecdotal evidence that Omega 3 can be very helpful during this time.

Answer 3

That has happened to me before too. It can be pretty shocking to your body. Are you having "brain zaps?" That's what I called them anyway. It felt like my brain was being electrocuted for a second and then it goes away. If you go for too much longer it can be dangerous but once I got my medication again I was fine. It just sucks in the meantime. You should be fine but if you start having suicidal thoughts or anything like that tell someone immediately. Also you might want to change doctors. Doctors should always provide you with an emergency number with someone on call during the weekend. Especially psychiatrists.

Answer 4

your body is adjusting. What is beginning to happen is you are getting depressed. The seratonin in your bain is getting low. this is what causes depression. make an appointment to see your doctor tomorrow. if nothing is available tell the secretary you put in a request for a refill on your prescription last wednesday and it still hasnt been filled and monday will be your 5th or 6th day without your meds and you are feeling very depressed. the secretary should be able to get your prescription filled right away. be firm. stand your ground and dont give up until you suceed.

Answer 5

Overcome your Depression Without Medication

Answer 6

CAUTION!!!! NEVER stop an anti-depressant cold turkey! I know you didn't, but your doctors and pharmacy should know that if you run out and don't wain yourself off of an anti-depressant slowly, that there are serious health risk! I would sue the crap out of them! You could go into shock. It depends on your dosage and what kind of meds. Doctors are freakn' stupid!

Answer 7

ease up its not like heroin! takes about a week for all of it to clear from your system, but you will prob have mood effects within 3-4 days. just be aware of that and dont get any bright ideas.

Answer 8

You will go though a week of hell of withdrawll and then you will fine and wonder why you took antidepressants in the first place.

Answer 9

COULD HAVE WITHDRWALS , SHOULD WEAN YOURSELF OFF OF THE THEM