I have been on Lexapro since June 2008 for Anxiety and Depression. Due to stressful situation, and chronic pain (cervical disc problems, headaches). I was put on 10 mg. In Sept. I was put on Cymbalta 30mg as well. Before lexapro from March to June I was on a low dose of Prozac.
Anyhow my doctor had me do 5mg for a month and two weeks ago he said just to stop it, and upped my cymbalta to 60 mg. This past week or so I've been experiencing bad tension headaches, more stiffness and tension in my neck and upper back. I feel a little anxiety so I take a klonopin .25mg.
However now I am getting headaches, and itchy scalp with nerves feelings and previously when I had a headache Tylenol 3 worked good, now it doesn't work good long enough. So three days ago I tried another medicine Midrin that is for tension/migraine headaches that you can take four caps a day. It seemed to help, not as good as Tylenol three but I can take it every four hours so that is the benefit.
Emotionally I feel great when my headache is gone or tolerable, but when I can't shake it it can be upsetting. So my emotions so far haven't suffered much, but I'm afraid they might.
I see my neuro this wed, see if he can give me trigger points or something, if not I'll have to get a hold of my psych doc and see what he thinks.
These headache symptoms are the reason I went on this medication aside from being severely depressed and anxiety.
Is this normal to have headaches for awhile?
Any thoughts?
According to an MRI in 2008 I had 2mm and 3mm herniations at C5/C6 and C6/ C7. Both having mild to slight central stenosis. Disc desiccation without protrusion at T1-2.
On my Xray from 2008 it said: Very minimal hypertrophic uncovertebral joints at C5-C6. Minimal osteophyte formations and foraminal impingement at C5/C6.
Talk to the doctor that prescribed the medication to you as soon as possible. Some people are more sensitive than others with dosage changes and need more of a taper to lessen side effects. You could be feeling effects of stopping the lexapro or increasing the cymbalta or possibly both. Your doctor should be able to help you. You could also call a pharmacist. Sometimes they know more about side effects than the doctors. In the meantime, try not to panic. Lots of side effects go away once your body adjusts to the medication.
Good luck, I hope you are feeling better soon.
Jessica, Age 32. Pain began in left hip, 6/08-misdiagnosed as joint
degeneration. Spread throughout leg and foot by 7/08, sent to Ortho.
MRI 8/08, broadbased herniation of L5/S1, bulge at L4/5, cause unknown.
Tried combo of rest, NSAIDS & narcotics, sent for 3 ESIs 9/08, 10/08, 11/08.
Orthopedist ran out of options, sent me to Neurosurgeon 1/09.
Left Laminotomy & Microdiscectomy at L5/S1 1/28/09, pain free for 3 weeks.
Pain returned in full force 2/15/2009. Tried rest & steroid pack, no help.
Repeat MRI 3/1/09, no reherniation, 3rd MRI 3/12/2009, no nerve impingement. Bed rest & ibuprofen for 8 weeks, no help. More steroids, new NSAID, will started Neurontin on 4/30/09. Will follow up w/neuro on 5/29.
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Edited by moderator paulgla
with Lexapro withdrawal, but something similar. I did have headaches and increased joint pain and stiffness. From what I've heard, these are some common effects when weaning from meds.
Hi BP-Jen,
I don't know anything about this withdrawal, but I just wanted to wish you GOOD LUCK!! I also wanted to ask you if you have ever discussed topomax with your drs for the headaches and nerve pain? I don't know if they would rec. it in your case, but it might be worth asking about. I hope that you are feeling better SOON!! - thinking of you-
hugs,
glo