Lexapro can be/is used in the treatment of dizzy spells associated with inner ear diseases.
About 3 years ago I was experiencing horrible, constant dizzy spells that were debilitating. My rheumatoid arthritis doc referred me to an ear specialist to see if maybe I had something going on with my ears. After tests were performed, the ear specialist determined that I have Endolymphatic Hydrops (similar to Meniere's Disease). She also said the dizzy spells (vertigo) was associated with Migraine headaches. Testing also confirmed that I had fluid in my ear.
For treatment of this, my doctor started me on Aldactone (a Diuretic) for the fluid in my ears, Valium (for dizzy spells, she said that she liked Valium as opposed to Xanax. She felt that Xanax was an easier drug to get addicted to and harder to get off of after long term use.). She also prescribed me Lexapro for the dizzy spells. She said that SSRIs can be used for dizzy spells (vertigo) associated with inner ear problems and Migraines. I too was concerned when she prescribed the Lexapro b/c I wasn't depressed or had anxiety other than the anxiety that the dizzy spells were causing. I thought she was prescribing it to me b/c she thought I was crazy or something!! She said, "No, you are not crazy, you have inner ear problems/migraines!"
I trusted her and took all of her prescriptions as described. It worked!!! The Valium did help with the dizzy spells and about a month after starting the Lexapro as well, I was no longer having any dizzy spells at all. I haven't had a dizzy spell in 3 years now. As Dr. Junig stated above, the Lexapro does take a few weeks to work. For me it was a month. Give it a try, Lexapro def. worked for me.
If you are still skeptical, get a second opinion from a ear specialist or ENT.
Hope my post could help some.
Jessica :)
I've read about a similar condition called 'land sickness'. This happens to some people following a lengthy boat ride or cruise. They still feel like they are moving on the boat, even after they have gotten off. It can last for hours or months. I researched this after experiencing it myself. Definitely not pleasant. Dr's aren't sure what causes the brains to fail to re-adjust to being motionless in some people. That being said, there's no real treatment, other than some are given Valium. This medicine seems to lessen the feeling of rocking, rolling, vertigo, etc in these people. This is a similar medication to Xanax, so perhaps that's why it was prescribed to you for this condition. Both conditions are mal-functions of the inner ear, your balance center. I would get a second opinion from an ear/nose/throat specialist. Stopping the Xanax quickly is dangerous, like the Dr said in his post. Plus, Lexapro will not help your balance issue. Good luck.
Are you certain about the names of the medications? I have never heard of Xanax given for that indication. Xanax, or 'alprazolam', works at the same receptor in the brain as alcohol does; 0.5 mg three times per day would be quite sedating. If you are correct, though, you can't argue with success!
Xanax is given for short-term anxiety treatment. It causes tolerance iand is addictive. The treatment of choice for long-term anxiety disorders is an SSRI like 'lexapro'. Perhaps your doc thought your symptoms were related to anxiety, and that is why Xanax was tried.
That said, xanax and lexapro wre completely different medications. Lexapro is a safe medication, but it won't work-- at all-- for at least a few weeks. If you symptoms are related to anxiety, maybe it will help. BUT.. you cannot stop that much xanax abruptly; you will need to slowly taper it. Most people do that by changing to a long acting medication like clonazepam and tapering down slowly. You doctor should be helping you with that.