how long does it take to get Lexapro/antidepressants out of your system?

[Joyous]

I have been on some form of antidepressant since Z was 10 months...so 8 or so years. I have decided to try without them and use herbs/vitamins excercise instead. My fingers are also crossed that it will help me lose weight as I was skinny as a rail before antidepressants. I was on 10 mg of Lexapro...and over the last month and a half have decreased just a bit till the last couple weeks I haven't taken any. In the afternoon my head feels funny. Kindof like a headache...kindof wishy....a bit dizzy like. It's hard to describe. Could this be the med still in my system? For what it is worth I haven't had any depression issues and very rarily anxiety issues. (I am going to keep the xanax sp? but only need it a few times a month)

Any idears?

[TwoQTs]

Still the meds. It can take a good 6-mos to leave your system, then you can still get occasional side fx for a year or more after. The side fx can be brutal & you can develop a rebound depression which is withdrawal & why many ppl go back on before that 6-mos is up.

Hang in there.. the first 6-mos is the worst. I went off Effexor after being on AD for years & years & even 3 years later sometimes get a numb upper lip (one of the annoying withdrawal things I had).

[Joyous]

Thank you so much K! WOWSERS. That's a long time!! I AM glad to know why my head feels so wonky....but gosh that stuff can't be good for your brain. (neither can depression though)

[Joyous]

Answers.com - How long does it take to lose weight gained while on Lexapro after you stop taking the medication

Oh and I wish I had seen comments like this before. At the time I did need med....but honestly I think I should have gotten off of it years ago. Like some of these comments my dr said it doesn't cause weight gain I have gained 60 pounds over the last 8 years and honestly do not eat that much and walk 4 miles 5 times a week.

[katiesmom]

I've got the same exact issues with lexapro and weight gain. I've gained 20lbs. I'm afraid to go off of it so I cut my 10mg pill in half. I'm not sure but I think it may be helping. I have only been doing this for 2 weeks and have not gotten on a scale yet. Reading that other stuff has me totally stressed out. Omg I'm very glad dd was only on it for a very short time. She also gained weight on it. I cut hers in half for a while then she stopped taking it all together. She was not on it very long so hopefully she won't feel any of those scary withdrawal effects. But I think she's slimming down already.

[Lori]

Oh yeah, I gained 20lbs on Lexapro. Back up to the biggest I have ever been (since the time I was 136lbs)...I am 130lbs now.

I have tried to go off of it...but, I crash...so, I must stay on it. Even when I don't take it for a few days I get the "zaps" and headaches and dizzy. Hate it...but, I can't afford to get depressed again.

Lori

[Lori]

Answers.com - How long does it take to lose weight gained while on Lexapro after you stop taking the medication

Oh and I wish I had seen comments like this before. At the time I did need med....but honestly I think I should have gotten off of it years ago. Like some of these comments my dr said it doesn't cause weight gain I have gained 60 pounds over the last 8 years and honestly do not eat that much and walk 4 miles 5 times a week.

Joy - how old are you? I sware - when I turned 35, it was all downhill from there. I did get down to 110lbs...but, I was starving myself from depression. The lexapro packed back on the weight. But, even though I don't eat nearly what I use too...I continue to gain and gain and gain.

[Joyous]

Oh yeah, I gained 20lbs on Lexapro. Back up to the biggest I have ever been (since the time I was 136lbs)...I am 130lbs now.

I have tried to go off of it...but, I crash...so, I must stay on it. Even when I don't take it for a few days I get the "zaps" and headaches and dizzy. Hate it...but, I can't afford to get depressed again.

Lori

Woman how tall are you?? I sure won't be putting what my highest weight is.

[Joyous]

Joy - how old are you? I sware - when I turned 35, it was all downhill from there. I did get down to 110lbs...but, I was starving myself from depression. The lexapro packed back on the weight. But, even though I don't eat nearly what I use too...I continue to gain and gain and gain.

*gulp* 40. Geesh at 110 I would be skeletel. At 130 I was too skinny. I'm 5'9"

[virga]

*gulp* 40. Geesh at 110 I would be skeletel. At 130 I was too skinny. I'm 5'9"

I'm only just over 5'6" and I was a rail at 130. I would be horrifying at 110.

I don't have any advice for you with Lexapro, but wanted to share that I'm off coffee as of the past week and feel a similar woozy, almost headache in the afternoon/evening. It stinks!

As far as weight, I don't know if it would help, but I started taking a probiotic and aloe vera gel simply for digestive health and it has really helped to keep my weight stasis.