Victor3: going off Lexapro

[Victor3]

Thank you so much Chessiecat for your time and detailed explanation. I now feel more confident about tapering now. The brass monkey method of micro tapering will be very helpful in my case. 
I haven’t missed any dose since I started tapering 10 days back. Currently I was cutting the pills, but it’s not exact so I have ordered that jewelry weighing scale. And I will make I take pills at the same time everyday. 
regarding symptoms, it’s very minor. Some weird dreams and minor brain zaps, headaches and waking up at midnight Have ordered magnesium glycinate for now. 
Current stress is manageable. 
doing one step at a time. I will keep posted my progress. 
thank you again. 

[ChessieCat]

32 minutes ago, Victor3 said:

Have ordered magnesium glycinate for now. 

 

Only try a small amount to see how you react to it.  Also, do not start taking it at the same time as you make your next reduction.  I would separate them by at least 1 week.

 

33 minutes ago, Victor3 said:

Thank you so much Chessiecat for your time and detailed explanation. I now feel more confident about tapering now.

 

You are welcome.

 

33 minutes ago, Victor3 said:

regarding symptoms, it’s very minor. Some weird dreams and minor brain zaps, headaches and waking up at midnight

 

Obviously we want to try and keep the symptoms to a minimum.  It's a bit concerning that you are noticing brain zaps.  If they don't disappear by the 2 week mark, if it was me I would be extending the hold to 6 weeks.  And thinking about it, because you are not taking a consistent dose, I think it would be worth holding for 4 weeks AFTER you start weighing your dose.  The reason I am suggesting this is because if you reduce again before you are stable (and we cannot always tell if the brain has finished adapting to the new lower dose even after 4 weeks) then you might bring on worse withdrawal symptoms and then it might end up taking longer whilst you hold on the dose (of have to updose) until you stabiise.

 

During my taper there were times when I held on a dose for longer, once was 3 months (tablet 50mg) and another was 7 weeks when I had plenty of compounded capsules of 20mg.  It gave my brain a chance to catch up if it needed to.

 

The waking up at midnight might just be due to you being a bit worried.  However it might also be a withdrawal symptom and if you reduce again too soon it might make it worse and that would not be good.  Keep a note of it for yourself now that you are less concerned.

[Victor3]

Thank you.

I have ordered 120mg magnesium glycinate pills. I will try half of it I think to see how it works. 
On the next night after starting the taper, I had one stronger brain zap. I felt like my head just moved from left to right very fast while asleep. But it slowly became smoother the rest of the days. I will make sure I get stable enough for the next taper. 
yes. I always get worried about things and overthink stuff, specially while communicating with people. I think about what I said and how I said and all and if I used the right words to explain something that the topic is about. 
My psychiatrist says it’s chemical imbalance and my body needs this ssri which now I know is a false statement. And he is not willing to help me in tapering. 
this community here is very helpful. 

[ChessieCat]

36 minutes ago, Victor3 said:

I have ordered 120mg magnesium glycinate pills. I will try half of it I think to see how it works. 

 

If you are taking it for its calming effect it is better to take small doses throughout the day.  And if you are taking a calcium supplement they need to be taken 2 hours apart otherwise the calcium cancels out the calming effect of the magnesium.

 

See:

 

Magnesium

 

36 minutes ago, Victor3 said:

yes. I always get worried about things and overthink stuff

 

I think the Brassmonkey taper might be a better option for you.

 

36 minutes ago, Victor3 said:

My psychiatrist says it’s chemical imbalance and my body needs this ssri which now I know is a false statement.

 

I was told the same thing by a counsellor (non prescriber) and that was only in 2012.  The theory was debunked many decades ago.  And I am off!!!  after 25+ years of taking an AD.

 

It is important to learn non drug techniques.  Life throws us, and I mean everybody, curve balls.  Antidepressants do not fix the situation, just numb us to the issue/s.

 

36 minutes ago, Victor3 said:

And he is not willing to help me in tapering. 

 

We have SA members whose doctors don't know they are tapering.  All you need is a doctor who will prescribe the drug for the duration of your taper.  Except in some instances where a special prescription is needed, eg smaller tablet size, prescription liquid, prescription for tablets to be compounded.

 

And any doctor can prescribe, it doesn't have to be a psychiatrist.

 

how-to-talk-to-a-doctor-about-tapering-and-withdrawal-what-to-expect

 

 

Edited January 26, 2022 by ChessieCat

[Victor3]

Got it. Will try lower doses of magnesium throughout the day. 
yes. Brass monkey taper method would be better. Can I just measure the powder and take it directly with water? Or do I need to order veggie capsules for it?

I agree. There are so many non drug techniques to calm the nervous system down. Will have to practice some of it as time goes by. 
Currently I can get 20mg lexapro only which is fine I think. 

[ChessieCat]

5 hours ago, Victor3 said:

Can I just measure the powder and take it directly with water? Or do I need to order veggie capsules for it?

 

@Frogie Are you able to answer this question please?  Thank you.

[Frogie]

If it were me I would order the veggie caps. They are pretty inexpensive and would be much easier.

[Victor3]

thank you Frogie. Will get the capsules. 
Feeling more stable day by day. 

[Victor3]

Hello again. I just saw another video where you can just weigh the required amount of tablet by cutting or filing it. So no need to powder the tablet. Can this be done for lexapro? Or is the active ingredient in the tablet is not distributed uniformly inside the pill which can cause inconsistent dose every time?

[ChessieCat]

You need to find the method that works for you.  And just because you do one method now, doesn't mean that you cannot change the method later.

 

Brassmonkey found it easier/better to make a stockpile of powder, crushing a batch of tablets at one time.

 

From what I have seen other members' post is that the tablets sometimes weigh different amounts so making a stockpile of powder from say 10 tablets helps to reduce the impact of this because you weigh the tablets before you crush them and then calculate the mgai.

 

The topic about weighing has lots of information about this.  I suggest they you start reading from the beginning of it and gradually work your way through it.  If you are looking a particular theme, you can use the search function and enter the word, eg mgai, and then click on This Topic. 

[Victor3]

Thank you chessiecat. 
I will try out what fits best for and go through weighing topic on the site. 
And I also went through your website. Very useful information in there. 
thank you again for helping people like me in this community. 
 

[Victor3]

In 2 weeks I will have to start going back to office 3 times a week. Working from home was so nice. I get anxiety specially talking to people face to face. I kind of overthink about stuff before and while talking and so sometimes I lack proper attention. And then more thinking afterwards. But I guess I have to face that fear and get confident talking with people. 
I tend to judge myself and compare with others. Sometimes I feel I don’t have my own personality any more. 

[ChessieCat]

I was off work for almost 1 year (2020) due to lock down and then it was extended when I hurt my back.  Returning to work after that long an absence was hard to do.  I've recently returned to work (6 months off) a second time after another lock down.

 

I had to do a lot of self talk.  And also understand what I was feeling and how my body was reacting.

 

And make sure that you BREATHE!  When I am stressed I "shallow breathe" and that makes things even worse.

 

The first hurdle was actually getting from the car to the office.  The first time I was okay until I drove in the gate and then I started to feel nausea, but I knew it was stomach acid from the stress (and I think I had an antacid).  I told myself that I only had to get through this once.  I actually felt like sitting in the car and having a good cry but I knew that if I gave into it I would have ended up going back home and not even go into the office.  So I pushed through, with self talk.  I kept telling myself that the staff were supportive and would understand.  Part way through the morning I did feel a bit overwhelmed.  It didn't help that my computer had been changed so I had trouble finding the programs etc, but I understood what was happening.  Basically my first day back was just doing basic things as part of the readjustment.  Day 2 was much easier.

 

This time around the acid stomach started before I left home so I had an antacid tablet.  About 1/2 way through the morning in the office I felt like having a good cry but managed to only have a few tears, telling myself that it was understandable to feel like it and that I would be okay and I had done it before, just keep plodding.

 

It might help to remind yourself that there are others in the office who have had to go through the same transition of going back into the office to work.  You might find it helps to actually voice your discomfort to some other staff, perhaps asking them how they felt/feel.  It can give you more confidence when you know that others went/are going through the same thing, and they most probably are not having to cope with issues that you are having but it is still tough for them.

 

I find this diagram helpful.  From https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/anxiety-self-help/

 

[Victor3]

Thank you chessiecat. 
My self talk situation is very similar to yours. I have been doing some affirmations and trying to be positive when office work becomes stressful, specially thinking in my mind that my coworkers like me and they like my work. But before when my situation was bad, I used to go in my car and cry. Sometimes had to go restroom to take a break. 
everytime I get stressed, I say to myself that I am getting stronger because of this stress. But sometimes I can’t just tolerate with people who get angry and keep finding faults. I end up leaving the office by giving some excuse. 
 

another anxiety is about how and what people say or think about me. Sometimes I feel I am weird and forgetful and get very conscious about my behavior. Also fear of hurting someone’s feelings unintentionally during conversation makes me anxious. 
 

Good advice on breathing. Sometimes I just forget to breath during urgent office work. I will remind myself to bereathe deeper. 
 

the adrenaline diagram is really helpful to know what exactly happens inside the body. All these bodily problems happen to me all the time as I get easily stressed   
Relaxing and going with the flow all day is very necessary and I am getting there day by day. 

[ChessieCat]

I'm glad to read that you are trying to use non drug coping techniques.

 

Please visit the page where that diagram was copied from:

 

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/anxiety-self-help/

[Heath]

victor3 , just stopping by to say hello ! I relate to a lot of things you dealing with, many of us do. 
 

no rush to get off this lexapro unless it’s a medical emergency! Just take it slow and steady.  Listen to you body and take care of yourself. 
 

Iam attaching a handy taper calculator. It helps me plan ahead and make adjustments as needed. 
 

http://www.taperoff.co/

[Victor3]

Thank you Heath for stopping by. I appreciate your support in this community. It’s nice to connect with people here. 

this time I will make sure I go really slow and steady. I see that you have done a good progress with lexapro taper. 
I try to relax and go easy as much as possible and not stress and overthink. But sometimes it’s tough in some situations. 
do you take powder/tablet form or liquid form of lexapro? 
just saw that online taper calculator. It’s really convenient to use. 
thank you again. 

[Heath]

My progress is slow. I have to work, family, Bills etc you know the routine. Iam holding for a good while now due to symptoms. I have been doing about 6% every 6 weeks with brass monkey slide. I wished I could get off faster but like you I’ve learned my lesson too! About 4 times!  Learn all you can about this poison. It will benefit you as you taper. 
 

I use liquid. I got my dr to write script for liquid. He new I was having a few side effects from lexapro and needed to lower dose. And I explained to him I had to go slowly down to lower dose. He doesn’t believe in wd. I was really nervous that day asking him for liquid but glad I did. It makes it easier. 

[Heath]

Also

I ve had those overthinking, worry type anxiety feelings. After looking back I had those feelings during either withdrawing too fast or dr putting me on too high dose ssri all at once. During these times self help really helps. 

I try and

acknowledge - what it is and is it true, is it fact. 
then
I accept - what it is. Can I do anything about it? If so do it. If nothing I can do just

float- let feeling float on by. It’s like listening to radio while working you hear song but you are really not listening to words and such. just let it float on by. 
 

It’s getting easier as time goes on. I still struggle with floating part. And unfortunately the only way to get practice is when we are in that dark place. 

[Victor3]

I understand. Better to go slow and be stable. 
I will try to get liquid form but my doctor might not prescribe that. He doesn’t want me to taper. 
this non-drug techiniqes and self talk really helps. I have to practice more often. I have become more aware and conscious of what I do and feel during the day. 
I have to start going back to office now 3 times a week which will be little stressful I think specially communicating with the coworkers. 

[Victor3]

I find myself distracted into negative thinking mostly during the weekends when there is some free time. I actually have bunch of stuff to do weekends but not that urgent. Do anyone here think that planning the whole day the night before helps with staying focused and positive or if you can provide any other suggestion?

I don’t have any friends and that makes it more difficult to have a good social life and do some fun over the weekend. 
I would also like to share my private life here. (Makes me anxious now)

I am married but my wife is not interested in having sex. She is supportive in other ways though. We tried to have sex before but I couldn’t maintain my erection long enough and ejaculate too quickly. I want to have sex again and keep trying. Don’t know what to do now. Sometimes I have strong urge to meet other women and have close relationship but I know it’s not right and makes me more stressed. Because of this lexapro and other ssris in the past, I never had enjoyable and satisfactory sex. 
Any suggestions please?

[Heath]

1 hour ago, Victor3 said:

 

I find myself distracted into negative thinking mostly during the weekends when there is some free time. I actually have bunch of stuff to do weekends but not that urgent. Do anyone here think that planning the whole day the night before helps with staying focused and positive or if you can provide any other suggestion?

I don’t have any friends and that makes it more difficult to have a good social life and do some fun over the weekend. 

 

This has happened to me. Yes when you plan to do something night before especially with other people you are less likely to lay around in doom and gloom. Make sure window blinds are open at sun up. I have heat up to get it hot in house to prevent me from snuggling up in a blanket and just laying there. 
 

There are many things to do. I love to work so getting busy keeps that negative stuff away. I remember times crying full of anxiety and worry and I went outside working I couldn’t think but I just went through the motions and anxiety lifted some. Excercise. Join a club. Try and Meet new friends. Visit family members and help them do something. Helping people is probably the best for me. I’m bad about not asking for help on my projects so I usually just go help someone on theirs. It creates them feel good chemicals. There has been many times I just lay there didn’t want to go and my wife pushed me a long and afterwards I felt great.  If you can’t lead a task rt now that’s ok , then help do a task. Plant a garden. Churches always need help. Our church has a group of guys that do construction /repairs and do many projects.  It helped me being in mens group at church. Being around good friends and family has always helped me in withdrawals.  Me and my wife used to play cards with different people every weekend. I know it’s hard sometimes to push yourself to do things. I been there. If you don’t feel like doing anything that’s ok. I have a hard time with that one. It can cause me guilt. I’m working on that too. 
 

The best thing to do about the lexapro sexual problem is ignore it . The more you think and worry about it will prolong healing and cause more anxiety. It will get back to normal. It’s only temporary.

That’s great you’re wife is supportive of you! Focus on those areas. I mean there are so many that don’t have even that. 

Thoughts, urges, hobbies and passions change,  come and go more so during withdrawals and even as a side effect. I have done some physically risky things on the job while on these drugs. I never would have even thought of doing before ssris. No matter what drs say these drugs do change you! But it’s only temporary.
So if the thought doesn’t seem rt change it and move on. 

[Victor3]

Thank you heath for the response. Really appreciate it. I wake up late with much effort so opening up the blinds will be good idea and my windows face east as well. 
work is going good and I like it too. Thank god.
There are some local clubs here that I had joined before Covid. I will check if they are meeting again in person. I had joined gym multiple times in past but was never consistent in going. I now go hiking with my wife mostly on weekends. 
My wife doesn’t like meeting new people and I usually like meeting new people. And I don’t like to go by myself to some social event or something. 
I sometimes do feel of helping others too but don’t know what kind of help I can do that is not stressful to me. 
we have good support from my parents and some relatives. That really helps. 
I agree with ignoring the sexual problem for now and take it easy day by day. Things are definitely improving slowly. 
 

today I feel much better. Thank you again for sharing your experience and giving feedback. 

 

[Victor3]

Hello everyone. It’s been a while since my last update. But I check in here quite often to get other information that I need. It’s really helpful. I have been doing better and better as time goes by. I am currently on 8mg lexapro and feel stable most of the time. Salmon oil capsules (cold pressed only) working good for me. Also started b12 liquid drops couple of months back and this particular vegan liquid drops worked really well for me as compared to other solid tablets of b12 that I had tried. 
Luckily I am able to handle my job fairly well. I am at junior level and not planning to take any managing responsibilities yet. Because when it comes to managing projects and communicating with clients and consultants, I get stressed and out of balance. I always try to go with the flow and be neutral but sometimes I get stuck in repetitive thought process depending on some communication situations. 
I might plan to get liquid form once I pass 5mg lexapro. Still long way to go. 
thanks all again. Stay relaxed!!!

[Altostrata]

Good to hear, @Victor3 What have your reductions been since the last one you've listed for March 14, 2022?

[Victor3]

Great to hear from you Altostrata. I have been doing 10% reductions of the last dose every 4 weeks. I weigh the tablet on a jewelry scale by cutting it. 

[Heath]

@Victor3Great to hear from you also ! Sounds like symptoms are improving for you👍. 

[Victor3]

Thanks Heath. Long time…

yes having good improvement and stability. Hope you doing good too. 

[Victor3]

Hello everyone. I am doing really good on my lexapro taper. I am now planning for my future tapering. Does anyone know what would be the lowest dose to taper to at the end before stopping it all for good? Is 0.1 mg good enough?

[Victor3]

Hello everyone. I am posting here as no one may be read my post on my page.
I am doing really good on my lexapro taper. I am now planning for my future tapering to see if my current quantities of pills will be sufficient for my future tapering. Or I might need another doctor for more prescriptions. Does anyone know what would be the lowest dose to taper to at the end before stopping it all for good? Is 0.1 mg good enough?

[Victor3]

Never mind. I think I found the answer. 

[Heath]

Hello @Victor3 I see a lot of people getting off in hundredths of a mg area.  0.01
Everyone is different. 
 

brass monkey said this

It is best to go as low as possible before jumping off.  It makes the taper frustratingly long, but it sure beats having reinstate, stabilize and retaper.  According to the charts the range from 5mg to 0mg is the place where most of the changes take place.  A very small change in dose makes for a very large reaction in the CNS.  Many people I know, myself included have really noticed this.  It is generally recommended that people go to 0.5mg and if possible even lower before taking the plunge.

Edited May 7, 2018 by Altostrata 
obsolete link

here’s the link to when to jump

 

 

Sounds like you are doing well!

 

Please be careful as you get lower. Especially around 5 mg. Listen to you body. Start taking some month long breaks somewhere above 5 mg and just listen and watch. I see members here slow way down at 5 mg. 
 

I got in trouble at 5.2 mg due to some external stresses. Wd was building up somewhere in my taper between 9 and 5.2mg. I wished I would have paid more attention to myself. 
 

 

[Victor3]

Thank you heath. Really appreciate your response. I am about to reach 5 mg soon so have to be really careful. 
I do notice that I have become sensitive to external environment including some food items, communication stress, cold weather. So trying to get as much rest as possible and taking it easy. Work stress is luckily manageable. 
I might need to find another doctor for more prescriptions as mine will expire end of next year. 
I understand sometimes external stress is unavoidable and have to face it in some way. But it always gets better with time. 
take care 

[Heath]

@Victor3

update your signature when you can . 
 

try and get good sleep and keep a good bedtime schedule. I’ve been hiking in woods after work and taking some cold showers and good sleep to help with the sensitivity to external stress. They do help! Well I try to. 

[manymoretodays]

Hi Victor3,

I got your last post moved from tapering back here to your topic, as it is the best place for it.

And thank you Heath.  Good answer(s)

 

I'd just add definitely less than 1 mg in dose, and even lower, for sure.

Some have gone with end dose of 1/40 of the starting dose or multiply your starting dose by .025.

I'm seeing a start dose of 20 mg Lexapro(escitalopram) and so that comes out to be 0.5 mg.

I'd go even lower.....

 

And yes, at 5 mg now, I would not exceed tapering by more than 10% every 4 weeks, and possibly do less than 10%, or a microtaper........depending, on how you are doing with each taper.

The Brassmonkey Slide method of microtapering(start at the first post please, if the link doesn't land you there, and you'll see other topics too in the first post regarding microtapering or by less than 10% each month)

 

Great to read above, that you have been doing "great".  Good.  Yay.

 

To update/edit your signature, and get some more dates and doses in with your escitalopram, here's the short cut:
AccountSettings/signature/update edits

make sure you hit SAVE, at the bottom when you are done

 

Good job, on getting to know your symptoms pattern in regard to your tapers.  And congrats......on almost being to 5 mg.

The snail wins here, don't hurry in other words........

 

And best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[Victor3]

Thank you @Heathand @manymoretodays for your inputs. Have a good idea now about how low I need to go on my lexapro taper. Will have to watch out for any withdrawals that sometimes come in a subtle way. Will update the signature soon and keep in touch.