Stamper Posted April 18, 2020 Posted April 18, 2020 Hi. Am new to this site, found it bc I am struggling with tapering. I went too fast, have had symptoms a number of times and each time increased my dosage a bit. This last time it did not relieve the symptoms. Am I screwed? I have been in escitalopram for 5+ years. Started tapering in March 25. Went down to 20 right away, then 10 within a week or so. Then started skipping days. Brain zaps, diarrhea, nausea, mouth pain, headaches. Each time I got the zaps I would take a 10 mg. (In other words, not skip a day). I had not yet found this site. Yesterday I had a headache that would not stop, some brain zaps. Took a 10 mg, am still nauseated, headache, dizzy-ish the next day. Found this site, horrified by what I have read ... took another 10 mg and am hoping like hell I have not done any long term damage. advice? What can I do ?
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted April 18, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Posted April 18, 2020 Welcome to SA, Stamper. You have not blown it. We all make mistakes. You are suffering from withdrawal from tapering too fast and skipping doses. The damage is not permanent but it will take some time for you to stabilize. The symptoms you describe are typical withdrawal symptoms. They will fade in time. What is withdrawal syndrome. Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list. What your brain needs now is stability and no further changes. I recommend that you take 10mg every day at the same time of day. You will need to stay on this for several months, at least six months, until you stabilize. Never skip doses. This is very upsetting to your system, it changes the amount of the drug in your blood and it makes withdrawal worse. When the time comes for you to taper--and this will not be for several months--we recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks. Again, this is for the future, not now. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here. 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.
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