Jump to content

amc2020: introduction and looking for advice


amc2020

Recommended Posts

Hi there-

 

Looking for reinstatement advice. 

 

After having a panic attack in mid-March 2020, I was prescribed klonopin for acute episodes, along with Lexapro to take on an ongoing basis.  Before the panic attack, I was having symptoms of general anxiety (difficulty relaxing, circular thoughts, insomnia, etc), though I never felt depressed.  I did not heavily research these drugs before taking them. 

 

The klonopin was effective in calming me down and allowing for sleep, and in late March 2020, I began taking a very low dose of the 10mg Lexapro that I was prescribed- about 2.5mg for a week, up to 5mg for 5 weeks or so. At first, I felt great-- I could sleep, my thoughts were logical and clear, and I was able to remain positive despite being in NYC during the height of the pandemic (and working an incredibly stressful job).  In early June 2020, I increased the dosage to the full 10mg pill. By late June, my brain was hazy, I had rapidly gained about five pounds, I was extremely tired, and I was having a difficult time orgasming and decreased sexual thoughts- though I still had some libido, lubrication, arousal, etc. 

 

I consulted with my doctor and decided to come off the Lexapro, and though she said to decrease the dose over 2-3 weeks, I did not think too much of it.  I dropped down to 5mg for a week and felt improvements in my sexual desires/sensitivity.  The week after I dropped to 2.5mg, and then stopped altogether.  For about a week or two, I felt the withdrawal- I felt anxious, depressed, and agitated, but attributed it to coming off the drug. 

 

August 2020 until about 14 days ago, I felt incredibly flat- no strong emotions, along with severe sexual dysfunction (numb clitoris, inability to orgasm, no libido, no lubrication, no sexual thoughts, etc). Upon reading this and other forums, I have concluded that I must have PSSD. I decided to reinstate with my doctor's guidance; I started at 2.5mg 14 days ago. The first two days I felt an increase in my libido and emotional functioning, but that initial bubble has since stopped though I have continued to take the low dose. 

 

I'm looking for advice if I should continue at this dose, increase to 5mg, or try to slowly taper back down?

 

This has been incredibly distressing so appreciate any guidance (and hopeful stories!).

 

Many thanks.

Lexapro, 5mg to 10mg March 2020- July 2020

Lexapro reinstatement, 2.5mg October 2020

Link to comment
  • ChessieCat changed the title to amc2020: introduction and looking for advice
  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome to SA, amc2020.

 

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.  This signature will appear beneath all your posts and is very helpful to the staff.  A list format is best.  Use this link and press "save."

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

You are experiencing withdrawal caused by your extremely fast taper of Lexapro.  PSSD is one symptom of withdrawal.  You will heal but it can be a very slow process, the length of which is impossible to predict.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

How are you feeling now with the 2.5mg dose?  I know the initial bubble has passed but is the 2.5mg generally causing no problems?

 

I would not increase to 5mg.  Your system is very sensitized and too much of the drug could overwhelm it.  I would hold at 2.5mg for several months to let your system stabilize.  At that point--but definitely not now-- you can begin a slow taper down to zero.  We recommend tapering by no more than  10% of your current dose every four weeks.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

For future reference, the following link is specifically about tapering Lexapro, including how to get the nonstandard doses you'll need for your taper.  When you're ready to taper, SA recommends you switch to liquid Lexapro, which will be an easy and accurate method to get your doses.

 

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

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 complete your drug signature, 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 Sept 25: 3.6mg

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

So appreciated!  

 

I have not had any adverse effects from the 2.5mg dose, except perhaps that my emotions are more muted. That said, I have been sleeping better and feel generally more calm. I am disappointed that the so-called bubble did not remain, and I wonder if those feelings will return when I stabilize? 

 

Thank you for the reply.  This site and the frequent assurances that this too shall pass, with some time, have been enormously comforting during what is an extremely troubling experience. 

 

P.S. I thought I saved the signature, but alas, as I see this post published it's not there.  Will ensure it is for future reference. 

Lexapro, 5mg to 10mg March 2020- July 2020

Lexapro reinstatement, 2.5mg October 2020

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

That's good that the 2.5mg reinstatement isn't causing any problems, that you're sleeping better and that you're feeling calm.   As I said, I'd hold there for several months before you start to taper.

 

For sure, this too shall pass. 

 

You'll need to do your signature on a computer rather than a phone.  If you used a phone, that's likely the problem.

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 Sept 25: 3.6mg

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

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy