withdrawal symptom?

[mandah83]

After being on Lexapro 10mg for bout 6-7 years?  i just recently went off of it the beginning of feb (2009)..  i had 8 pills left so my doctor told me to go every other day..  couple weeks after that's when i got the tingly sensation in my left arm, off balance, and was having problems with my vision.. i hadn't been to an eye doctor in a few years so i thought that's probably what it was.. hearing about everyone on here.. is that a withdrawal symptom of lexapro??  i freaked out at work like 4 times today and was crying and got panicky because i dont' know what to think... i dont' think i could ever have anything go wrong with my eye sight.. i tried the eye dr though and have a new pair of glasses, but it's hard to tell, to me it feels like i have the wrong prescription.. if it is a symptom will it pass?  i just feel like i'm in a daze and my eyes dont' know what to focus on..  it's very scary for me.. so if anyone can calm me down i would really appreciate it..  till then i'll probably panic some more.. i'm trying to keep calm though

[Paxiled]

Sounds like withdrawal to me.  Listen to Mandah; taper more slowly.  Your freaking out and crying are classic withdrawal symptoms.  The protocol is, taper as slowly as you need.  If it gets real bad, the psychiatrist should put you back on the last dosage of the medication at which you had no withdrawal and taper more slowly.  Most of these drugs even have liquid versions for people who need to taper very slowly.  Don't do what I did, when a quack psychiatrist ignored my symptoms and I had no idea what was happening.  It's been hell.  Be firm and advocate for yourself, and if you psychiatrist isn't showing proper concern find one quickly who will.

[cj29]

Did your doctor prescribe you any more for a slower taper?  In my opinion, you need to go back to him/her or find another one that will listen and insist on a slower taper.   Withdrawal can really be minimized if done over a period of time.  When I came off of Zoloft after a year or so, I actually went on a taper that lasted a little over a month which helped tremendously.  The withdrawals will go away, but can be reduced with a tapering schedule by your doctor....let me know how it goes!!