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

[Tayfaye122]

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

[Gridley]

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.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

To help you understand the symptoms you are experiencing, here is some information on withdrawal.   

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

 The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

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.  

 

Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants

 

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.

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

 

Gridley

   

 

 

[Altostrata]

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.

[Tayfaye122]

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!

[ChessieCat]

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.

[Altostrata]

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.