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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Twitches In Shoulders And Elbow Post Lexapro Withdrawal?

I suffer from anxiety... usually health. I was on Lexapro for 1 year and have tapered off of 10mg over 1.5 months. This weekend I started to have that jittery feeling. I experienced body zaps and jolts from the moment I started Lexapro but they eventually slowed down to a few times a day. Finger, shoulder, elbow twitches here and there. I was thinking they would be gone by now...so now that they are not it is causing me anxiety. Was fearing they were permanent. thanks Rob
Thu, 5 Feb 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

The symptoms like twitching sensation in elbow, body zaps and jolts etc can occur due to withdrawal or due to anxiety itself. You were taking the doses of 10 mg Escitalopram and the anxiety was under control and then gradually tapered over about 1.5 months. Now you have developed these symptoms. As the symptoms have not developed immediately so most likely these symptoms are not due to withdrawal. So most probably these symptoms are due to anxiety only.

I would advise you to visit your psychiatrist again for proper treatment of anxiety again. If you don't want to take medicine again then you can go for Behaviour Therapy and relaxation exercise. Relaxation exercises like Yoga, Breathing Exercises, Progressive Muscle Relaxation exercises etc are equally efficacious to medicines.

If no improvement occurs with psychological methods then there is need for medicines. As you have responded to escitalopram previously so the drug can be added again to your prescription. Consult your doctor for prescription. The problem can be controlled with proper treatment and its not permanent.

Thanks, take care
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What Causes Twitches In Shoulders And Elbow Post Lexapro Withdrawal?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM The symptoms like twitching sensation in elbow, body zaps and jolts etc can occur due to withdrawal or due to anxiety itself. You were taking the doses of 10 mg Escitalopram and the anxiety was under control and then gradually tapered over about 1.5 months. Now you have developed these symptoms. As the symptoms have not developed immediately so most likely these symptoms are not due to withdrawal. So most probably these symptoms are due to anxiety only. I would advise you to visit your psychiatrist again for proper treatment of anxiety again. If you don t want to take medicine again then you can go for Behaviour Therapy and relaxation exercise. Relaxation exercises like Yoga, Breathing Exercises, Progressive Muscle Relaxation exercises etc are equally efficacious to medicines. If no improvement occurs with psychological methods then there is need for medicines. As you have responded to escitalopram previously so the drug can be added again to your prescription. Consult your doctor for prescription. The problem can be controlled with proper treatment and its not permanent. Thanks, take care