Lorin Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 (edited) Question for the amazing managers here I would like to taper according to Dr. Peter Berggin's plan only!!! I suffer from severe side effects with Lexapro and can not make a very slow taper The recommendation you brought in Peter's forums here is to taper 10% every week in case I took a med for 1 year What does he say by chance that I took a 10-year medication? is there answer for that in his book? http://breggin.com/a-guide-for-prescribers-therapists-patients-and-their-families/ Thank you Edited May 9, 2017 by scallywag tags 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted April 11, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 11, 2017 Hi Lorin and welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. SA (Surviving Antidepressants) recommends a taper of no more than 10% of the previous dose followed by a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug. You say that you are experiencing side effects from Lexapro. What dose are you taking? What side effects are you getting? Some members find that as their dose gets lower their side effects lessen. You may be able to reduce a bit quicker than 10% to start with and then slow down and reduce by 10%. Please create a drug signature Create Your Signature. Please include details for the last 12-18 months of all drugs, dates, doses and discontinuations & reinstatements. If you can't remember dates, please write it as "early March" or "mid-August". Please provide a summary of any drugs prior to that which can just be listed with start and stop years. Please include all prescription, non-prescription drugs and supplements you are currently taking. Phone Instructions: Withdrawal History Signature. Please also remember to update it with date and dose whenever make a change so that it remains current. Thank you. Here are some links to information on this website: Before you begin tapering what you need to know Why taper by 10% of my dosage? Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram) These helped me to understand SA's recommendations: Brain Remodelling Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery This is your own Introduction topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress. If you click "Follow" top right you will be notified when someone responds. * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 HeyI asked a specific questionI will ask for a specific answer to my questionThanks 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted April 11, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 11, 2017 Hello Lorin, I don't really know the details of Peter Breggin's approach. As Chessie tried to explain we here recommend tapering based on the best experience of peers accummulated over many years. In order to be able to answer any of your questions we will need the minimum of information that Chessie indicated. We are all volunteers here going through our own withdrawals and trying to support each other the best way we can. Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2 2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013) Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg. 2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days afterreinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours 28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr 2015 1 mg, 25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64 Xanax 9 month hold 24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26 Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 i now takink 5 mg of lexapro and suffer from hard stomach problems because of the lexaproi cant diagest food at alland i want to keep taper by the method of dr peteri need to know what he recomend by his book in case i taked for years adits very important for me this waythanx 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted April 11, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 11, 2017 Hi Lorin, We have a topic here which discusses Peter Breggin's taper method and there is a link to Chapter 8 from his book Your Drug May Be Your Problem: How to Stop Taking Psychiatric Drugs Please note that SA's recommendation is to reduce by 10% of the previous dose (not the original dose) and to hold for about 4 weeks (not 7 to 10 days) after a reduction. dr-peter-breggins-10-taper-method I hope this answers your question. Please ask questions here in your own Introduction topic. * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted April 11, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 11, 2017 When did the symptoms you describe start? What was your starting dose and how fast did you come from that dose to 5 mg? If you reduced from the higher dose which you were taking for 10 years, what you call side effects might be symptoms of reducing too fast. In order to be able to say what it was we would need to know a bit more about your drug history. Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2 2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013) Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg. 2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days afterreinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours 28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr 2015 1 mg, 25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64 Xanax 9 month hold 24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26 Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 12, 2017 Author Share Posted April 12, 2017 all start from the beginingi start from 20 mg you can see my taper in my signature 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted April 12, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 12, 2017 Thank you for crating the signature with your drug history. Does it mean that you have been on 5 mg of Lexapro since 3/2016 without any changes and any other drugs? Could you describe what you call side effects? What kind of symptoms are those? In response to your message about your posts that you say have been deleted they have actually been moved. We are trying to keep this forum organised so that people can find their way around. It takes a bit of time to learn where things are when you first join. It's like tidying a house: we just put things were they long if we find them out of place. Yesterday you created 2 topics. One was in the Success area with just: "please Responded thank you". We have hidden another with the same title in the same area with just: "thank you". The Success story section is as its name suggests a section where people post their success stories after they have successfully withdrawn from medication. We move any other messages or questions that don't belong to that category. The second of the 2 original topics was probably in the Tapering forum so it was moved to the Intro forum where all the members have one thread in which they talk about their particular situation and ask all sorts of questions related to their situation. This is the right place to post your questions. I hope that this makes sense and that you will soon learn to navigate around and get used to the way we organised this 'house'. Bubble Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2 2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013) Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg. 2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days afterreinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours 28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr 2015 1 mg, 25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64 Xanax 9 month hold 24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26 Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 12, 2017 Author Share Posted April 12, 2017 i am in 5 mg since 3/17 i cant digest food at all because lexaproall the day in the bathroombecause of that i have to taper more then 10% 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
AliG Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 Lorin . You may want to go back and read some of the links provided. There is a reason that we recommend the 10 % taper method - 10 % of the previous dose ( not the original dose ) and hold for about 4 weeks. While Dr Breggin has done some outstanding work there are some basic differences regarding tapering between him and SA. While I'm sure you have your own mindset right now, we also have a wealth of experience to draw on and have found that this method works in the long run for the majority. Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 13, 2017 Author Share Posted April 13, 2017 thanx 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 Welcome Lorin Wow a member in Israel. Its wonderful to have you join sorry it has to be under these circumstances. How 'slow' would you like 'slow' to be then? Sadly we have all had to come to a new realization of what slow means. And your current taper is faster than what is recommended here. Why not consider taking a long hold now and spend time getting informed with the links here at sa. You might like to read this link about slow and this one Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram) Did you realize that wdl symptoms can be delayed sometimes for months. Many people have not been informed of this and so several months later when wdl hits people run back to the doctor to seek answers and are often hurried out of the doctors office with a new prescription for a new drug pushed into their hands. The process is then repeated a year or two later. So glad you have found sa it would be worth your while to check out member and moderator Brassmonkeys taper plan. It will be very insightful. He is also a success story. Shalom nz11 Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 13, 2017 Author Share Posted April 13, 2017 Trying to wean through the cutting of the pill and fails to be precise I have a weight of jewelry and small parts but it does not recognize the weight of the pill What to do? 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 13, 2017 Author Share Posted April 13, 2017 I suffer from severe gastrointestinal problems following medication and therefore want to withdraw "fast" Do you mean that withdrawal symptoms can start after six months or a year? If so please explain How do I find the story of Brassmonkeys And why do you recommend his story? Thanks 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 13, 2017 Author Share Posted April 13, 2017 nz11 is this his story?http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3458-brassmonkey-talking-about-myself/page-1 its seems very slow ilook for faster little 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted April 13, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 13, 2017 Search Results Using a digital scale to measure doses - Surviving Antidepressants This link offers instructions. I have been using the Gemini 20 scale mentioned in the link and getting precise measurements in cutting my Lexapro tablet. I don't know if it's available in Israel; I bought mine on Amazon. Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of Aug 26: 4.0mg Taper is 95% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase, L-Glutamine, milk thistle, choline I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. It is information based on my own experience as well as that of other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted April 13, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 13, 2017 Hi Lorin, welcome to SA. Yes that is Brassmonkey's story. He is tapering very gradually with smaller cuts. Often when there are side effects they lessen as the dose lowers but going too fast adds withdrawal to the side effects. How are you feeling now? Why taper 10% http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/ Here is the section with success stories. They are people who have recovered from C/T or from too fast tapers, also those who have tapered slowly and reached the end of their taper. There are some who have tapered faster than we recommend but they are mostly people who have not taken the drugs for very long. There are no guarantees because everyone is different. Most of the people here found us after they suffer withdrawal, or want to start tapering. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/28-success-stories-recovery-from-withdrawal/ **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted April 13, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 13, 2017 Hi Lorin, I've merged the new Intro topic you made with the first one you made. Each member has only 1 Intro topic where they can ask questions and journal their progress. This keeps your questions, the answers and your history in one place. * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Oops sorry cc i fell for the (school boy error) trap of not checking if the poster had another intro. Lorin you seem to like Breggin...i do to. He is number one on my heroes list. I think Breggin's 2013 book you noted in your post #1 is imo a great book. I learned a lot from reading it. However one must work very hard to find anything in the book about tapering. It is almost silent in this area which makes one think the book is wrongly titled. the word tapering doesnt even appear in the books index. imo Breggin appears to be revising his tapering views. In his 2007 book he talks about 10 steps of 10%. That is very different from what is rec at sa. No disrespect to Breggin but i think in time his views have/are moving towards those espoused by sa and prior online places....in that its 10% of the previous dose per (4 weeks )month next reduction if and only if stable. In his 2013 book 'Psychiatric drug withdrawal' he does mention tapering on pg 195-196 he says [underlining mine] this: ..."[start] with a small dose reduction that hopefully will be endured without much discomfort. This can be viewed as a 'test reduction' aimed at finding the patient's comfort level. The size of the first dose reduction, and subsequent ones, will vary from drug to drug, from person to person, and from time to time with the same person. However it is often possible to talk with patients about their past experiences with lower doses, and to arrive at what seems like a safe and comfortable dose reduction. In my experience, it is often in the range of 10% – 15% of the most recent dose. If nothing untoward occurs after the first reduction, it is often a good idea to wait a few weeks and then reduce the dose again, depending on how the patient is feeling. Once the process has begun, in the absence of a grave necessity for stopping the drug as quickly as possible, the patient's response to each drug reduction ends up determining the length of the withdraw." imo it appears that (the pharma myth destroying battleship) Breggin has shifted in his view, not (the lighthouse) sa. His views are now very similar to sa's, ok Breggin says 10-15 % of the 'most recent dose' [ooh that appears to be a change but it is not clear for ongoing reductions is it], sa is going for 10% (of the previous dose ) which has shown to be better for some. Beggin says wait a few weeks before dropping again, sa says wait for four and see how you are going. Breggin says the patients response to each reduction is priority and this is what sa says. snap! Many here have to taper at less than 10%. Breggin also talks about "making very small dose reductions" and "using fluid preparations" or " removing pellets from a capsule". I think from memory BM has tapered at about an average (from memory) of 6% per month. BM has thought up a great ingenious tapering method and its proving it to be a winner. The world authority Healy is referring people to sa for withdrawal help. So that tells you something. "Absent an emergency that requires rapid withdrawal, there are no formulae for how long it takes to withdrawal safely, comfortably, and effectively from a psychiatric drug. In the Person- centred approach, the patient's experience will determine the time it takes to complete the withdrawal. It all depends on how the patient responds from dose reduction to dose reduction. Therefore it cannot be determined in advance how long a drug withdrawal will take. Breggin 2013. "Hurried withdrawals are often associated with the prescription of other psychiatric drugs to replace those from which the patient is being withdrawn" Breggin 2013 "It is now recognised that withdrawal reactions from the new and often more stimulating antidepressants present serious hazards." Breggin 2013 I suffer from severe gastrointestinal problems following medication and therefore want to withdraw "fast" gastrointestinal problems are a withdrawal symptom and perhaps a sign that you are tapering too fast Do you have any other symptoms...like crying spells say Please read this link from Glenmullens wdl checklist Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist 10 year exposure is significant and unless you taper safely allowing the moderators here to walk you through a safe taper you will may face what Breggin terms "many roadblocks and hardships." But it doesnt have to be this way. nz11 Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 hi nz11 my gastri simptoms are from hell ans start from taking the drug not from withdrwallcan you answer please my question i ask you? thanx 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 What does he say by chance that I took a 10-year medication? can you answer please my question i ask you? Is this the question you refer to? I assume you are asking 'what does Breggin say about how to taper for someone who has been on the drug for 10 year'? I thought i had answered this ...refer quotes above.. He doesnt give a (10 year) term specific tapering formula... "Although exact lengths of time cannot be predicted if the patient has been on the drug for a lengthy period, perhaps a year or more, then a successful withdrawal will probably take considerably longer than most prescribers believe." pg 195 There is no tapering formula specific to a term of 'x' years exposure. People who have only been on the drug for two months say will no doubt have an easy and shorter taper time than someone who has been on for 10 years, with switches and failed taper attempts. The best one that is giving people the best chance to get off is the method at sa of 10% of previous dose per 4 week interval. So for someone who was on 20mg then to get to 0.5 mg you will need to be tapering for 2.8 years. hi nz11 my gastri simptoms are from hell ans start from taking the drug not from withdrwall Start from taking what drug ? zoloft or lexapro. If they started from taking lexapro how do you know that they arent a result of a too fast taper off zoloft? look who am i to question you on your need to get of this drug for medical reasons at a much faster pace than is considered safe by many here. If your doctor has decided that it is an emergency and that you have to taper faster then sobeit. However you should be discussing this with your doctor and following his expertise and plan and support that he will provide in whatever form that takes. He will be providing support right? Or maybe you should be doing this in a hospital environment. Why are you asking these questions here? Did you ask your doctor for Breggins taper plan ?what did he say? Does your doctor know your current tapering plan ?...did he decide for medical reasons that you have to taper fast? or this just something you have decided without a doctor consultation? did he give you a taper plan or is it all your idea? nz11 Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 hi nz 11 in israel dr dont know about 10% taper plan son i cant get help and support from them1.i asked you if you know sucsses story of medium taper here i will be happy to see 2.I suffer from severe gastrointestinal problems following medication and therefore want to withdraw "fast" Do you mean that withdrawal symptoms can start after six months or a year? If so please explain thanx 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Thanks Lorin for clarifying your question. You mean i spent 3 hours yesterday reading Breggin for you and for no reason? ugh!! No worries i like reading Breggin anyways. Okay .... 1. I was in McDonalds once and the person in front of me asked the cashier 'How big is the small?' So i ask you how big is the 'medium'? Answer that for me then. 2. So you are saying you have not been diagnosed as a person who needs to taper fast for medical reasons then? Okaaay... Well let me gently say that if you think your current (undiagnosed) gastri symptoms are from hell then when it comes to the outcomes of a fast taper after 10 years use you may be forced to do some serious recomputing (said in a very gentle non-urgent calm female voice) on the definition of hell because as they say in show biz ...you aint seen nothin yet. 3. Yes wdl symptoms can start after several months and yes i do believe it could be a year also. It could even be 7 mnths say. Its explained better than i ever could in the 'brain remodelling link from cc above. Are you reading these links that are being given to you? They are very informative you know. You tapered zoloft over what appears to be a 16 week period but if you follow sa advice you may have taken taken 3.5 years to get to 1mg that is by the way what i would call 'medium' . It looks to me like you put up with wdl for 7 months and then went back to the doctor only to leave with a new addictive chemical to cover the wdl off the first one. Its hard to believe that doctors are totally clueless about these drugs but it does appear to be that way. So where will you go for advice ? Well if you wanted to learn skydiving you might ask people who have done it and landed safely right? Their voice would trump all other know-it all voices of nonskydivers right. So you have come to the right place then. You could consider finding a new doctor ...maybe ask Joseph Ben-Sheetrit he is currently doing a study at a university in Jerusalem i believe maybe he can point you in the directin of a doctor who is competent. Then again you could always listen to sa. As i said to the person in front of me at McDonalds that day...'take a risk'! nz11 Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Lorin Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 Hi dear Do not be angry with me please You're funny with your comments Even so, it's hard for me to speak English because I do not speak English. Please try to understand me Because of this communication problems 1.i didnt understand what you say here "Well let me gently say that if you think your current (undiagnosed) gastri symptoms are from hell then when it comes to the outcomes of a fast taper after 10 years use you may be forced to do some serious recomputing (said in a very gentle non-urgent calm female voice) on the definition of hell because as they say in show biz ...you aint seen nothin yet." 2.how you know Joseph Ben-Sheetrit?? its interesting, do you have his phone? 3.you say that 3.5 years taper of zoloft will be medium taper??? thanx 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Apologies i didnt know if you were an English speaker or not but assumed you were. It must be very difficult if this is your second language. You are doing very well. Sorry i wasnt more direct. i should have been more clearer. 1. I'm simply saying that if you start to suffer full blown withdrawal from this drug then the suffering may be very difficult and go on for many months and may be unlike anything you have experienced before. In other words ssri is not easy to cope with. 2. I will give you Ben's details 3. Asking 'how big is a medium' is the wrong question to ask...its not about small, medium or large its all about a 'harm reduction' approach. Its difficult to imagine the harm that can occur by (a too fast) withdrawal until you have experienced it. I hope this is clearer. I do hope you stay with sa and keep updating your journey here. nz11 Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus manymoretodays Posted April 18, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 18, 2017 Hi Lorin. Found your introduction page(card). Sorry for any confusion caused. Best, mmt Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks. Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988. In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm. Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time). 5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014) 12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs. My last psycho med ever! Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to 2016 Dec 16, medication free!! Longer signature post here, with current supplements. Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016. And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed. Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24. Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜 None of my posts are intended as medical advice. Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider. My success story: Blue skies ahead, clear sailing Link to comment
Lorin Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 (edited) Hi Lorin! I have been using Dr. Breggin's taper method since last summer. Things have been going well. I am now down to 25mg of celexa from 60mg. I tried to deviate from his method and go a little faster, but with disasterous results. I have been sticking with the 10% method and I even go more than a month for each stepdown depending on how I feel. I think it is a good method for me and SLOW and steady wins the race! Good luck! hiiiii can we talk in privete? Edited May 9, 2017 by scallywag moved from Breggin's 10% taper topic 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
rubyreddress Posted May 9, 2017 Share Posted May 9, 2017 (edited) yes. let me know when. If you can it may help more people if we don't talk in private but if you really need to it is no problem. I have sent you some messages.Thanks Lorin and take care! Edited May 9, 2017 by scallywag moved from Breggin's 10% taper topic 1997 tried zoloft quit after 10 days paxil for 2 weeks 1998 prozac for 2 months 1998 welbutrin for 2 weeks 1998 celexa 20 mg. a day for 2 years 2000 celexa 40 mg. a day for 3 years 2015 celexa 60 mg until august 2016 Titrated down to 50mg. august 12 2016 Titrated down to 45 mg. september 12 2016. October 2016 to 2017 Titrated over the last 10 months to August 2017, currently 17mg celexa. carbamazapine 400 mg. started july 2016 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Skeeter Posted May 11, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 11, 2017 Lorin, My best friend lives in Israel! I just noticed you are there. I have asked them to translate Hebrew into English so your messages can get to us so we can read them. VERY IMPORTANT: Can you read my messages by putting it into a Hebrew to English Translator? I have written you a message and will sent it if you can do that.It will make it much easier on my friend that way. My friends son would translate, but I need to hear a reply from them, he is in school and very busy, and you would send short messages in Hebrew on the thread, and I will send it to him, but not yet. I need his permission first. Do you have diarrhea, gas, constipation, vomiting? Thank you, Skeeter Current meds: Lexapro 20mg, Valium 6.25mg Current status: September 2018 forced to go down to 10mg of Valium/Diazepam from around 15mg, with the plan to have me totally of in 2 more months. I was not given a chance to give input at tapering at this speed, please go much, much slower. Luckily I found a new doctor, but was thrown off course by my rapid taper, as of 2/19 am down to 6.25mg, and am stable. Will update with dates of taper ASAP. Read my history here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/12819-skeeters-journey/ I am NOT a doctor. My opinions are just that- MY opinions, based on my personal experiences and research, but your experience and reactions may differ greatly, we are all different! I maintain that a doctor educated in withdrawal is the best place to get info or to get the "go ahead" before changing your medications in any way! Link to comment
Lorin Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 91/5000 מציג תרגום של היי סליחה שאני לא מבינה אותך כראוי אני יכולה לתרגם מעברית לאנגלית ומאנגלית לעברית בעזרת גוגלבמקום זאת תרגם מ- הי סליחה שאני לא מבינה אותך כראוי אני יכולה לתרגם מעברית לאנגלית ומאנגלית לעברית בעזרת גוגל HeySorry I do not understand you properlyI can translate from Hebrew to English and from English to Hebrew with Google Lorin, My best friend lives in Israel! I just noticed you are there. I have asked them to translate Hebrew into English so your messages can get to us so we can read them. VERY IMPORTANT: Can you read my messages by putting it into a Hebrew to English Translator? I have written you a message and will sent it if you can do that.It will make it much easier on my friend that way. My friends son would translate, but I need to hear a reply from them, he is in school and very busy, and you would send short messages in Hebrew on the thread, and I will send it to him, but not yet. I need his permission first. Do you have diarrhea, gas, constipation, vomiting? Thank you, Skeeter 91/5000 מציג תרגום של היי סליחה שאני לא מבינה אותך כראוי אני יכולה לתרגם מעברית לאנגלית ומאנגלית לעברית בעזרת גוגלבמקום זאת תרגם מ- הי סליחה שאני לא מבינה אותך כראוי אני יכולה לתרגם מעברית לאנגלית ומאנגלית לעברית בעזרת גוגל HeySorry I do not understand you properlyI can translate from Hebrew to English and from English to Hebrew with Google 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Skeeter Posted May 12, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 12, 2017 Lorin, My friend will help translate, short answers and short questions, please. What stomach problems do you have? Do you have diarrhea? Do you have Gas? Do you have constipation? Do you vomit after taking pill? Do you have nausea? What else is wrong when you take the pill? Do you take Lexapro, or does the bottle say only "escitalopram"? Escitalopram is the generic. You have government healthcare, why do you not see doctor for your stomach problems? I might know what the problem is, if you are on the generic, it can give severe stomach problems. I had the same problem, I was very sick and lost weight. If you understand, reply in Hebrew. Thank you, Skeeter Current meds: Lexapro 20mg, Valium 6.25mg Current status: September 2018 forced to go down to 10mg of Valium/Diazepam from around 15mg, with the plan to have me totally of in 2 more months. I was not given a chance to give input at tapering at this speed, please go much, much slower. Luckily I found a new doctor, but was thrown off course by my rapid taper, as of 2/19 am down to 6.25mg, and am stable. Will update with dates of taper ASAP. Read my history here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/12819-skeeters-journey/ I am NOT a doctor. My opinions are just that- MY opinions, based on my personal experiences and research, but your experience and reactions may differ greatly, we are all different! I maintain that a doctor educated in withdrawal is the best place to get info or to get the "go ahead" before changing your medications in any way! Link to comment
Lorin Posted May 13, 2017 Author Share Posted May 13, 2017 i dont n Lorin, My friend will help translate, short answers and short questions, please. What stomach problems do you have?Do you have diarrhea?Do you have Gas?Do you have constipation?Do you vomit after taking pill?Do you have nausea?What else is wrong when you take the pill? Do you take Lexapro, or does the bottle say only "escitalopram"? Escitalopram is the generic. You have government healthcare, why do you not see doctor for your stomach problems? I might know what the problem is, if you are on the generic, it can give severe stomach problems. I had the same problem, I was very sick and lost weight. If you understand, reply in Hebrew. Thank you,Skeeter i dont need help with translate1.i take lexapro 2.it make me hard to poop hard to free gas so i always loating and go to the bw 15 times a dayand somtimes i get diarrhea and somtimes constipatiom the main problem is i cant do free and hoe poop and gas so its stuck in my bowel and the cause diarrhea 3. i have ibs but the lexapro cause the ibs 10x worse 4. did you took lexapro?what it does to your stomach??? 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Skeeter Posted May 13, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 13, 2017 Lorin, If you do not understand anything in this message, tell me know and my friend will translate, because this is very important. Please do not stop taking the medicine until we are done talking! Do you take brand name Lexapro made by Teva or do you take a generic made by a different company? On your pill bottle label it will say "Lexapro" if it is brand name, if not, it may say "escitalopram" for the generic, or will have another name, as different countries have different names. I do know Israel has a couple of different names. I need the exact name on the bottle , as well as the manufacturer it is very important that I know this about the name. If it has a different name on the bottle, let me know. If it is escitalopram, does the bottle also say "Aurobindo Pharmacies" on the bottle as well? The company Teva (in Israel) does not have lactose in the coating, and that might be very important. If you come off of this medicine as fast as you have been, you have a huge chance of being sick, laying in your bed for 2 or more years, possibly. This is why we are so worried about you. There is no pill or medicine to fix this to make you better if you continue to come off Lexapro too fast! Lexapro is 2-4 times stronger than other antidepressants. You must not come off more than 10% of the previous month's dose to help make sure you will not become very sick for years, possibly. No doctor can help you feel better if you come off too fast. You have to slow down to avoid this, in my opinion, from personal experience and experience of those on this site! If you think Lexapro makes you feel 10 times worse, coming off too quickly can make you feel 20 times worse, possibly for years, maybe! We have seen it happen. One person here is 7 years off of Lexapro and is still very sick. Please do not stop taking until we are done talking. Yes, the problems you have are the exact issues I had. it also felt like my abdomen had snakes inside, I felt so sick, and felt like I was going to vomit. My stomach was huge with gas, and it hurt! I came of antidepressants and switched a benzo too fast, and it took me 18 months to start feeling better. Thank you! Skeeter Current meds: Lexapro 20mg, Valium 6.25mg Current status: September 2018 forced to go down to 10mg of Valium/Diazepam from around 15mg, with the plan to have me totally of in 2 more months. I was not given a chance to give input at tapering at this speed, please go much, much slower. Luckily I found a new doctor, but was thrown off course by my rapid taper, as of 2/19 am down to 6.25mg, and am stable. Will update with dates of taper ASAP. Read my history here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/12819-skeeters-journey/ I am NOT a doctor. My opinions are just that- MY opinions, based on my personal experiences and research, but your experience and reactions may differ greatly, we are all different! I maintain that a doctor educated in withdrawal is the best place to get info or to get the "go ahead" before changing your medications in any way! Link to comment
Lorin Posted May 13, 2017 Author Share Posted May 13, 2017 hi thank for your carebut i dont like your message You are too aggressive and bossy I can not continue to suffer with my digestive system So far I've lowered 30% a month and got along well in the last six months If it was dangerous then I would feel what you were saying So do not put me into paranoia please I do not like this method of intimidation Good Day 2007-2015- zoloft 100 mg 5-8/2015 taper zoloft 12.5 mg every 2 weeks 3/2016 -11/16 lexapro 20 mg taper lexapro every month by 30% 11/4/17-lexapro 3.5 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Skeeter Posted May 13, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 13, 2017 Lorin, I apologize, I was not trying to be bossy, My real, kind, soft words will be coming via personal translator to explain everything, and explain a way to help you. I am doing research now to help you while she is translating, I have had problems with the translators not taking extra words that soften my meaning, so that is why I use her, so my real words will come to you. Skeeter Current meds: Lexapro 20mg, Valium 6.25mg Current status: September 2018 forced to go down to 10mg of Valium/Diazepam from around 15mg, with the plan to have me totally of in 2 more months. I was not given a chance to give input at tapering at this speed, please go much, much slower. Luckily I found a new doctor, but was thrown off course by my rapid taper, as of 2/19 am down to 6.25mg, and am stable. Will update with dates of taper ASAP. Read my history here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/12819-skeeters-journey/ I am NOT a doctor. My opinions are just that- MY opinions, based on my personal experiences and research, but your experience and reactions may differ greatly, we are all different! I maintain that a doctor educated in withdrawal is the best place to get info or to get the "go ahead" before changing your medications in any way! Link to comment
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