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Tayfaye: Doing the best I can, but I don't think I know what is "best" for me


Tayfaye122

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Posted

I've never actually be part of a forum until now, so I'm not entirely sure of the proper way to introduce myself. I, like most of you, have come for help, the kind that my doctor, family, and friends can't seem to provide me with. I'm in severe withdrawal from Lexapro and I don't know what to do. I thought I was taking all the right steps. I exercise daily, I meditate once or twice every day, and I eat as healthy a diet as they come, according to science (Whole Food Plant-Based diet). I thought I was going to kick this thing naturally, but I'm still experiencing severe anxiety, almost worse than it ever was before I went on Lexapro. I'm wondering if I should try reinstatement? I have all my antidepressant use and withdrawal on my profile but I will include it here as well:

 

Started 10mg of Lexapro (Escitalopram) in May, 2018 for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Increased dosage to 20mg beginning of June, 2018
Increased dosage to 30mg end of June, 2018
Stayed on 30mg until 2nd week of October, 2018 (for a total of 3.5 months)
Tapered according to doctor's instructions to 20 mg for two weeks, then down to 10mg for two weeks, then nothing. Overall I tapered from 30mg to nothing in one month. My last dose was taken November 8th, 2018.
I have been experiencing withdrawal symptoms starting with the first week of tapering (mostly just "brain zaps") with a significant increase in symptoms a few days after the last dosage. I experienced a total of 14 symptoms: Brain zaps, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, flu-like symptoms, cold sweats, brain fog, anxiety, depression (never had depression before), emotionally unstable (crying constantly) diarrhea, vivid dreams, night sweats, and possibly a few more I can't remember. I have been meditating and exercising daily and consuming a whole food plant-based diet. I don't drink alcohol or smoke. But none of this seems to matter. The brain zaps are still happening, the flu-like symptoms are less severe but still present themselves from time to time (mostly in the form of nausea). My anxiety, however, that is through the roof. Even with my meditation. I am also feeling depressed and very emotional. Two very new feelings for me. I have read the posts on reinstatement and I am wondering if this is the route I should choose?

 

I am very grateful to have found this forum and I look forward to connecting with others that are having or have had similar experiences to my own.

 

With love,

T

Lexapro (Escitalopram), 2018

      May 16th - June 7th: 10mg

      June 8th - June 27th: 20mg

      June 28th - October 10th: 30mg

      October 11th - October 24th: 20mg

      October 25th - November 7th: 10mg

      November 8th - December 13th: Taking no meds

      December 14th - December 25th: Reinstated 1.25mg (pill form, 5mg cut into four segments)

      December 26th - January 25th: 1mg/ml liquid form

      January 26th - February 25th: .9ml

      February 26th - March 25th: .8ml

      March 26th - Present: .7ml

  • ChessieCat changed the title to Tayfaye: Doing the best I can, but I don't think I know what is "best" for me
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Hello, Tayfaye122, and welcome to SA.  You tapered very fast from a high dose of Lexapro.  What you are experiencing now is withdrawal.  Reinstatement is certainly an option.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.
 
 
To help you understand the symptoms you are experiencing, here is some information on withdrawal.   
 
 
 

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  
 
 
At this time, reinstatement of a very small dose of the original drug is the only known way to help alleviate withdrawal syndrome.  The only other alternative is to try and wait out the symptoms and manage as best you can until your central nervous system returns to homeostasis.  Unfortunately no one can give you an exact timeline as to when you will start feeling better and while some do recover relatively easily, for others it can take many months or longer.  
 
Reinstatement isn't a guarantee of diminished symptoms for everyone but it's the best tactic available.  You're still in the time period where reinstatement predictably works, up to 3 months after last dose.  We usually suggest a much smaller reinstatement dose than your last dose.  These drugs are strong, and when reinstating it is better to start with a small amount and increase if symptoms remain unbearable. Your system has become sensitized and If you take too much it may be too much for your brain and can cause you become unstable.  Sometimes it can be hard to regain stability after this happens.  Please read:   
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic
 
 It takes about 4 days for a dose change to get to get to full state in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.
 
I am going to bring your situation to the attention of the other moderators and ask them their advice regarding how much Lexapro to reinstate.  It will be, as I've said, a very small dose.  Please do not reinstate until you've heard from us.
 
Here is information about how to make nonstandard doses of Lexapro.
 
Gridley

   

 


 

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 Oct 15: 3.2mg

Taper is 96% 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.

  • Administrator
Posted

Welcome, Taye.

 

Yes, you are experiencing withdrawal syndrome. If I were you, I'd immediately reinstate 1mg to start. This may be enough to reduce the symptoms. You'd taper off by miniscule amounts later.

 

Lexapro comes in a liquid form by prescription. Gridley has provided the relevant informational links. Please let us know how you're doing.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Posted

Thank you so much Gridley and Altostrata, this information is all so helpful, and I also appreciate such a fast response! So I wasn't able to speak with my doctor directly because he wasn't in today but I was able to get a prescription for 5mg of Escitalopram. I was hoping I could just cut this into four segments to create a 1.25mg dosage. However, I did read all the information on the importance of exact dosage which is why the liquid form is the best way to do it. I'd definitely like some advice on whether I should take the 1.25mg until my appointment with my doctor on Tuesday or if I should just wait until then and ask for a liquid prescription. I was feeling the pressure of initiating reinstatement as fast as possible which is why I agreed to the 5mg prescription. Thanks again for all your help!

Lexapro (Escitalopram), 2018

      May 16th - June 7th: 10mg

      June 8th - June 27th: 20mg

      June 28th - October 10th: 30mg

      October 11th - October 24th: 20mg

      October 25th - November 7th: 10mg

      November 8th - December 13th: Taking no meds

      December 14th - December 25th: Reinstated 1.25mg (pill form, 5mg cut into four segments)

      December 26th - January 25th: 1mg/ml liquid form

      January 26th - February 25th: .9ml

      February 26th - March 25th: .8ml

      March 26th - Present: .7ml

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

It is possible to make your own liquid from a tablet:

 

On 5/27/2011 at 12:16 PM, Altostrata said:

o-it-yourself liquid
People report that they can make their own liquid from Lexapro tablets and water.

It is soluble in water, see http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01175 -- stability (shelf-life of dilution) is unknown.

See How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

It is better to reinstate as soon as possible.

 

You can dissolve a 5mg tablet in 50mL of liquid.  Each 10mL of liquid will equal 1mg dose so to get 1.25mg dose you would take 12.5mL of liquid.  If you don't have a syringe to measure it, you could use a medicine cup or spoon or cooking measuring spoons until you can get a syringe.

* 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

  • Administrator
Posted

You can start out with a quarter of a tablet for now. Be sure to ask your doctor for a prescription for the liquid, it will be easier to measure accurately.

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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