Krissyb: 3rd attempt at getting off antidepressants

[Lucy1983]

@KrisseybI am doing ok considering high pollen count here. Yep I have serious seasonal allergies and Granbury is surrounded by Junipers:(

Doing well with WD though. I am so glad I made the decision to stop the drugs. I wish you lots of luck on your taper. Remember everyone at SA

is here to help! 

[Krisseyb]

@Lucy1983 Thank you! And sorry about the bad allergies!

 

I guess this is where I am supposed to post this. I am about to start my taper, so I want to be able to look back at my journey and see changes..... These are symptoms that have started since I've been on meds.....not issues before meds:

-Anxiety

-Depression (pretty much only when I get on steroids-need to avoid them at all costs!!!)

-Sleep issues

-Morning cortisol spikes

-Intrusive thoughts

-Fear-of sleep, people dying, car accidents

-What if's

-Night Sweats

-Under arms itching

-Brain fog, trouble concentrating

-Trouble coming up with words

-No emotion

-Making it day by day, rather than truly enjoying each day

-Easily angered/fly off the deep end easily

-Afraid to be home by myself

-Nightmares

-Loud noises that terrify me

-Ringing in the ears

 

Oh, and I did end up having colonoscopy. Things went really well! No polyps!! Even had a CT scan. Things looked good. Emma broke her ankle, had two stomach bugs, and we took her to Cooks Hospital, to the ER. All of this during the month of December...and I handled it all REALLY well!!! Oh, and Linda (friend of mine w/Liver cancer) has moved here....so I've started helping to take care of her. Ready to start reducing meds. Bring it on!!! 

[Krisseyb]

Checking in for my monthly check-in. (Or at least it's monthly right now)

I started my taper at the very end of 12/2020. I am currently about to hold for 2 weeks. I'm at 9.04mg of Escitalopram (Lexapro). I have discovered that writing in a dry-erase marker on my mirror in my bathroom each week, helps me to keep up with my dosage. I do not write down my daily symptoms...not having any major ones....yet!!! I'm nervous that after the 2 months of decreasing though.  Because in the past-that's when it would hit. Hoping this time my brain is slowly healing...enough to not see major changes.

I am still going to EMDR about once a month....that has helped a TON!!!

I did really good about meditating daily until Thanksgiving/Christmas. Have started back up daily.

Up until this point, I haven't seen any major changes....except this week, I have started waking up pretty early on my own and can't go back to sleep. Mostly between 4-5....it's not ideal....but I am still able to function on the amount of sleep I am getting. Things could be way worse!!

I have decided at the end of my 2 week hold to do something little to treat myself.....(basically every 6 weeks)

I need small victories...because this is a marathon-not a sprint.

Sooooooo thankful for this site and all the mods and supporters!!!! 

💖

[Heath]

Hello @Krisseyb!!! Glad you are feeling good !!! Great ideas mark dosage on mirror and the celebrations ! I will be starting brass monkey slide in a month or so also. Had a little wave in October been holding at 9 ml. Hang in there and keep going! 

[Kingfisher86]

@Krisseyb Doing such a great job of taking care of yourself💫

[Krisseyb]

@HeathThank you! Looks like you and I are at about the same place....we can be here for eachother to cheer eachother on. You and I WILL both have a success story someday.....hopefully around the same time. 😊

 

@Kingfisher86Thank you so much for the encouragement!!! It's crazy how I feel like we are all "friends" although none of us really know eachother. We all share a bond that no one else can understand. Thank you for your encouraging words! 😊

How are you doing....life after drugs?!?!?!?

[Krisseyb]

Tinnitus-New sound added to my current tinnitus since tapering. Anyone else?

 

Four years ago during one of my attempts of getting off my AD, I started having tinnitus. It literally threw me into a nervous breakdown. I didn't know what was going on....anyways-fast forward 4 years, I have learned to live with the constant ringing in my ears. 

I started tapering about a month ago. This week I noticed a whistle from time to time when I talk. I have discovered when someone talks (or I do) in a little bit of a higher tone, I hear this annoying whistle in my right ear.

Honestly I am totally okay with it....(because there are others struggling in this world with way worse)... I can....once again....learn to live with it.

It just makes me sad, because when my younger one gets excited her pitch goes way up. And then it sounds like someone is whistling loudly in my ear. And honestly it kindof hurts. I'm really hoping I will get used to it soon....because I want to hear her cute little voice and enjoy it! 

I'm not turning back....so I guess I will have to live with it....I'm still going to keep moving forward with my taper. Just wondering if anyone else experienced this??? It's so weird!!!! 🤪

 

Edited April 12, 2022 by ChessieCat
added intro topic title before merging with existing topic

[Krisseyb]

Monthly check-in. Currently at 8.59 ML. Taper seems to be going  pretty well so far. Occasionally I will come on this website, but I have found (for me) I tend to think of the "what-if's" when I see what other people are going through. So unfortunately I don't get on here much...although I know the support is here if I need (and I'm very thankful for that!)

This is the end of the 2 month mark (where before on CT, I would literally be going crazy and entering Hell from withdrawal) So it looks like 2 month mark might be okay after all. I have printed off a schedule and have it in my bathroom drawer. I have emma write on my mirror the start of the week and my amount. I love it, because it's in her cute little handwriting...so every time I look at it, I think of her. 💖

 

Current symptoms:

• Sometimes literally CANNOT concentrate on what I'm doing. Or if someone is showing me something...it's like I literally cannot understand/remember what they are telling me. So frustrating!!!
• Can't remember small things. I remember talking to someone and asked them a question...but what how did they answer? Honestly can't remember. Once again so frustrating!
• Sometimes lower self-esteem....lower confidence. Never an issue before. One day might not be good, but the next will be just fine.
• No scary dreams since switching to liquid Lexapro, so that's nice.
• Feel like I have no emotions. Not happy, not sad...just blah. Just here.
• Not much anxiety-EMDR has been a blessing for me! Still going once a month. Friend (Kim) is now going also. So I have someone to confide that in.
• Sleep good for the most part. Still wake up often at 4am. Most of the time can eventually go back to sleep for a little while. 
• Not bad intrusive thoughts.
• Hard time coming up with the words I need to say sometimes. 
• Still having a little health issues, seeing a specialist soon-and it bothers me sometimes, but emotionally very manageable.

For the most part-seems to be going really well so far. I'm 4% done! Woohoo! 

[Heath]

On 2/26/2021 at 10:19 AM, Krisseyb said:

• Sometimes literally CANNOT concentrate on what I'm doing. Or if someone is showing me something...it's like I literally cannot understand/remember what they are telling me. So frustrating!!!
• Can't remember small things. I remember talking to someone and asked them a question...but what how did they answer? Honestly can't remember. Once again so frustrating!

 

On 2/26/2021 at 10:19 AM, Krisseyb said:

Hard time coming up with the words I need to say sometimes. 

@Krisseyb I have the exact same symptoms. I also had these as side effects with paxil years ago. Not as bad some days. Stress and multitasking makes it worse. Its aggravating ! Sometimes I go get something and forget what I was going to get! It deffinetly affects work ! Glad you are doing good ! 

[tryingtosurvive330]

Krisseyb, I saw that you have been doing EMDR and that it’s helping you. I started it in January too and I feel like it’s more productive than talk therapy because it seems like she’s actually trying to solve and find roots to my problems. But I still am not really grasping the actual EMDR part. I guess I don’t know if I’m supposed to feel better or what. Sometimes I start crying because I will start thinking about something and sometimes I just go through thoughts and she says “see where it takes you.” It’s almost like I’m daydreaming or imagining how I will feel or going through a catalogue of thoughts that I have but don’t really bring up until I’m forced to think in silence. Like segues in a story and at the end she will say “so what came up for you?”

 

What’s your experience? I mean, is there a “right” way? Should I be feeling something specific or lack of?

[Krisseyb]

On 3/6/2021 at 10:42 PM, tryingtosurvive330 said:

What’s your experience? I mean, is there a “right” way? Should I be feeling something specific or lack of?

@tryingtosurvive330 Sorry it's taken me so long to respond. We were on "Spring Break" last week and we went skiing.
I don't think there is a "right way." I absolutely LOVE my therapist and I wish you could go to her (not that yours isn't good...but I know how my EMDR is done with her)

Honestly...there is one particular session that made all the difference in the world for me. We were talking about how my stomach gets in a knot when my anxiety hits. She literally said...let's focus on it. She gave me the "tappers" (things in my hands) and I literally told her about that feeling I get in my stomach. Basically it worked its way around my body, and then I replace it with something (I can't remember what)....maybe that the feeling is okay and that it will not hurt me? or something like that...

But, anyways....I literally NEVER get anxious anymore. Before I would have anxiety and would get sick to my stomach and not eat, lose weight...etc.... but NEVER anymore. And it was all because we focused on that pit in my stomach. For me, that was at about my 3 month mark. My therapist says it takes (on average) about 6 months to see a difference.

Did I "feel anything?" No....not really. But other than that one particular session (focusing on the pit in my stomach) I have slowly seen a difference. Now, looking back at last July when I started....I see a HUGE difference...but during the first several months I didn't really see a change.

When I do a session, basically we focus on a "target." She puts the tappers in my hands and all the crazy feelings come up. She lets me kindof work through it (processing) the feeling of it. Many times I cry, because I am a cryer. haha!

Then, as it starts processing...that horrible feeling just starts to decrease then eventually go away. So literally....it's the "feeling" that starts out strong....then goes away.

Then, using the tappers, she has me replace it with something positive. Like....I'm  not hurt, I can handle this. Or...look around at all the blessings, Krissey..stop living my life in fear.

I have noticed when certain thoughts come up in my head (like the last one I literally learned I live my life in fear) when I think of things that "scare" me....it automatically is replaced with....it's okay....look at all the blessings right here. I'm okay and things are okay. It's crazy!!!! Crazy how EMDR works.

I would say....don't give up. And I hope this message didn't discourage you. I really think in a few more months....you can look back and see how you slowly started changing. Also, if you have anxiety and get feelings somewhere in your body when you have anxiety.....use one session and work on that.

It's hard to really explain things by typing rather than just talking...but I hope this kindof helps!!!!

Let me know if I can help in any way! 🙂

kb

[tryingtosurvive330]

@Krisseyb thanks for the response, I really appreciate it. So nice that you went skiing and I hope you enjoyed yourself. I myself have not been able to find anything that brings me joy. 
 

You therapist sounds very different from mine, due to safety restrictions all my appointments so far have been online 😕. But we mainly have done the rapid eye movement back and forth and I can never tell what’s supposed to be happening then (that’s always when she says “what comes up for you now”). Sometimes she’ll have me tap on my colllarbone as like a grounding technique. I hope you’re right that I will feel better in a few months. 

hope you don’t mind me asking but how did you feel when going back up to 5mg lexapro? Is there a reason you went all they way back to 10mg? I feel so bad and desperate right now that I want to go back up on lexapro or something else even though I’m so scared of the damage it will do. I’m also afraid because lexapro 10mg made me sleep all the time and isolated me from friends and family. I had no motivation to do anything but work and now it’s gone the opposite at work where I can’t function or do anything. 

 

[Krisseyb]

21 hours ago, tryingtosurvive330 said:

due to safety restrictions all my appointments so far have been online 😕

@tryingtosurvive330 I'm so sorry!!! Is it like that in area all around you? Or do you think you could go to someone else in person if you decide to? You know what.....I think my lady does virtual sessions if you think it would help??? I'm telling you....she is WONDERFUL!!! I feel like she truly cares and wants to help her patients. She is one of the first in Texas to do EMDR. She told me she had to go to Denver to get certified because it was still so new. I would be happy to share her info if you think it would help? But, I'm like you....sometimes I'm like...I don't know what I should be feeling. I feel like some sessions are more intense than others. But overall, I think I'm much better for going.

 

 

21 hours ago, tryingtosurvive330 said:

how did you feel when going back up to 5mg lexapro

Gosh....honestly I don't know. I didn't have enough room to put in my signature...but when I switched back to Lexapro, around Dec '19, Jan '20....I had pretty much CT'd. That is about the 4th, maybe 5th time I've tried in my lifetime...and finally realized I have major issues when I do that. Like I've seen other people put it....I went to "hell" for a couple months....until I was able to get AD back in my system. So when I got back on 5mg....I was literally trying to survive. Then my dr upped my dose to 10. Once again...I was just trying to survive...so honestly....I didn't see a difference except that he recommended upping my dose. He was a psychiatrist...so I trusted him. Ugh!!!! If only I knew then what I knew now.

 

 

 

21 hours ago, tryingtosurvive330 said:

’m so scared of the damage it will do.

As far as the damage....gosh...I have no idea. I have had great luck w/the mods helping when I need it. I'm gonna tag them and let's see what they say @brassmonkey @Shep @Altostrata @Gridley

I will tell you this though.....I have noticed with me...I don't see major changes until 2 months after a big cut (like when I CT'd...many times.....not knowing what was going on) It looks to me like maybe reinstating at 5 would be a good start....but honestly the mods will be better at guiding you. I'm just thinking from my own experience.  It looks like your reduction was from June to December of last year right? From what I've read on here....that's way too fast.

Are you familiar with the Brass Monkey Slide? That's what I'm doing...basically it's 10% a month reduction, but then split into 4 weeks...so 2.5% a week, then after 4 weeks holding for two weeks to let the brain heal. 

 

 

21 hours ago, tryingtosurvive330 said:

now it’s gone the opposite at work where I can’t function or do anything. 

Been here....what feels like many times...but really probably 4 or 5 times for a period of months. I totally can relate!!!! It WILL get better I promise!!!! Hang in there!!! For me (not trying to push anything on you) but I learned a lot about myself and what was important (and got way closer to God) during those times of "hell" for me......I rely on Him so much more and feel like a better person for what I have gone through. Not that I am done by any means....

But I know what I'm like on the meds. I'm willing to endure a few years of "crud" to get back to my normal self.

 

[tryingtosurvive330]

@Krisseyb Thanks so much for your kind response and suggestions. I honestly would love to try your therapist but the thought of starting over with someone feels daunting to me right now. I have so much baggage, traumas, works stress, family woes, being single. But knowing that might be an option could be helpful.

 

I also tagged a couple of the mods on my own thread for assistance with my dose. Hopefully they get back to me.

11 minutes ago, Krisseyb said:

I will tell you this though.....I have noticed with me...I don't see major changes until 2 months after a big cut (like when I CT'd...many times.....not knowing what was going on) It looks to me like maybe reinstating at 5 would be a good start....but honestly the mods will be better at guiding you. I'm just thinking from my own experience.  It looks like your reduction was from June to December of last year right? From what I've read on here....that's way too fast.

Yes, the same thing happened to me. I went basically June- November and Dec/Jan was like everything hit me like a truck and I fell off a cliff. I was also on sertraline prior to Lexapro and I kind of feel like lexapro worked faster, but zoloft worked better because lexapro made me gain an insane amount of weight and made me sleep through weekends. I'm so confused and scared. I'm familiar with the brassmonkey slide and I think it would work for me if I were feeling ok in the first place, but right now I think my dose is so low that I feel horrible. I'm getting suicidal thoughts again. I didn't grow up in a religious family and so I never had any kind of spiritual relationship or think about God, was never taught but I wish I did, I wish I could so I could feel like i can turn to something. I feel so alone.

 

It sounds like you are doing well so I really do appreciate you taking the time to listen and respond to me. I don't want to bring you or anyone else down. I just feel i don't have many I can turn to.

[Krisseyb]

  

On 3/16/2021 at 11:04 AM, tryingtosurvive330 said:

the thought of starting over with someone feels daunting to me right now.

@tryingtosurvive330I get it.....but in my mind...I usually feel better when I have a backup, or 2nd option....so just let me know if at some point you do decide to use her.

 

On 3/16/2021 at 11:04 AM, tryingtosurvive330 said:

hit me like a truck and I fell off a cliff.

Yep!!! I TOTALLY understand!!! Exactly how I felt about 2 months after getting off meds. But, I refer to it as being in hell. Just trying to survive day to day. Did the mods get back with you about your dosage?

 

 

On 3/16/2021 at 11:04 AM, tryingtosurvive330 said:

wish I could so I could feel like i can turn to something. I feel so alone.

I have literally printed and put on my laptop my favorite verse....I look at it often (and during those really low times...will tell myself over and over again in my head)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified. The Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave nor forsake you. It's crazy how just telling myself that over and over again....how much it helps!!! Please don't ever feel like you are alone. Gosh!!! Look at all the people on this website!!! People from all over the world in the exact same position now, or at one time. I PROMISE it will get better!!!!  I once had someone tell me on one of the previous comments....just do what you can. Day to day. Do what has to be done. 

If you feel like it, get out and go for a walk. 

I'm telling you....for me...going through "hell" a few times has really taught me to appreciate the small things in life. I took for granted the little things, and now I realize how precious life is!!! You WILL get better. Hang in there!!! And I'm here anytime you just need someone to talk to. That's what we are all here for!!!!

 

 

On a side note.... @Gridley this might say it somewhere...but I see that you did the BMS for Lexapro. Did you do a hold after the 4 reductions? I have been doing the BMS w/2 week hold for almost 3 months. Really the only symptom I have so far is sleep...sometimes. Wake up in middle of night and can't go back to sleep. Did you do a hold or not? I'm thinking of maybe doing 2.5 each week and not holding.  Or possible doing 3% reductions weekly (for total of 12% a month) with a two week hold. What are your recommendations?
Looks like your taper was less than 4 years. I'm hoping to keep mine around 4.  
 

[tryingtosurvive330]

26 minutes ago, Krisseyb said:

. But, I refer to it as being in hell. Just trying to survive day to day. Did the mods get back with you about your dosage?

I feel like I’m in pure hell, too. 
 

no, no one got back to me about dosage on my thread. I talked to a psychiatrist that was recommended on SA and he had very good things to say about this site but he said I need to give my brain back what I took away, so I should try 5mg and if it doesn’t work, go back up to 10mg and work from there. I felt so devastated to think I need to go back on. I took 2.5mg the first day because I was scared, then 5mg yesterday and today. The suicidal feelings are terrifying and I had such disturbing dreams last night. The fact that I saw you went up to 5mg gives me a little comfort. Sometimes the stuff on here scares me a lot with everyone talking about kindling and the disasters that could happen if we go up to fast. But I’m seriously so desperate. 
 

im trying to remind myself to do what I can, day by day. I cried hysterically to my boss yesterday and now I’m not working today and tomorrow. Everything in me is high alert, high terror, pure agony. 

[Gridley]

2 hours ago, Krisseyb said:

Did you do a hold after the 4 reductions? I have been doing the BMS w/2 week hold for almost 3 months. Really the only symptom I have so far is sleep...sometimes. Wake up in middle of night and can't go back to sleep. Did you do a hold or not? I'm thinking of maybe doing 2.5 each week and not holding.  Or possible doing 3% reductions weekly (for total of 12% a month) with a two week hold. What are your recommendations?
Looks like your taper was less than 4 years. I'm hoping to keep mine around 4.  

If your only symptom now is sleep issues, it sounds like you're doing well.  Waking up in the middle the night and not being able to go back to sleep is very common.

 

I did the standard 2.5% of current dose per week for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week hold and it worked well for me.  The hold is very important to allow your system to acclimate to the lower dose.  What you're proposing is a variation of the standard 10% every 4 weeks taper.  That's fine if you want to do it that way, but the BMS is gentler.

 

Regarding the 12% a month taper, it's more than we recommend.  You might be able to "get away with it," but why take chances?   I'd stay with what you're doing, the standard BMS with the 2-week hold.  You're doing well with that method, and I wouldn't alter anything.

 

Regarding timeline, it took me not quite 4 years to taper off 20mg Lexapro and it was a pretty smooth taper.  There were a few times I held longer than 2 weeks due to symptoms ramping up, and I wanted to let my system catch up.  An easy way to calculate how long the taper will take is with the BMS, you go down by 1/2 every 9 months, so in 9 months you'll be at 4.9mg, etc.   With the regular 10% every 4 weeks taper, you drop by 1/2 every six months.  

[Krisseyb]

On 3/18/2021 at 11:35 AM, tryingtosurvive330 said:

so I should try 5mg and if it doesn’t work, go back up to 10mg and work from there. I felt so devastated to think I need to go back on.

@tryingtosurvive330 I know!!! But, the thing is...get back on (whatever mg you need to) then taper slowly and safely!!! I agree w/your dr. I would try 5mg for a couple weeks and see how that does. If you don't feel better, I'd go maybe to 7.5. Not trying to scare you or make you feel worse....but just get stable and somewhat get your life back, then you can take it from there. Literally I would just focus on today. Not tomorrow. Not yesterday. 

 

On 3/18/2021 at 11:35 AM, tryingtosurvive330 said:

Sometimes the stuff on here scares me a lot with everyone talking about kindling and the disasters that could happen if we go up to fast

There are some terms I don't know what they mean...but for me...it's better I don't know. I am at a better place now, but no way could I look at "what could happen to me because other people are going through it" during my worst times. I still have to remind myself that my situation is just that. It's mine. I could be totally different than someone else getting off lexapro. Just keep reminding yourself that. Just because it happened to someone else doesn't mean it will happen to you or me. Look at the success stories. When I start getting worried...I go on over there and take a look. That gives me tremendous hope!!!!

Here's the way I look at it now (not so much during my few times in hell).....in my position at school how can I help these kiddos that have mental issues/anxiety/depression...or whatever. Since going through all this I am a totally different teacher and person. Now I am way more compassionate and want to help kids that are struggling. You will also be able to help those around you because of your experiences!!!!

[Krisseyb]

On 3/18/2021 at 1:37 PM, Gridley said:

Regarding timeline, it took me not quite 4 years to taper off 20mg Lexapro and it was a pretty smooth taper.  There were a few times I held longer than 2 weeks

@Gridley Thank you so much for responding!!! I appreciate it more than you know!!! Okay....so I printed my taper plan several weeks back. It looks like I will be doing it for close to 7 years. I don't see how you did the BMS w/2 week hold, held extra sometimes...and still did it in less than 4 years?

 

I'm not by any means wanting to wish the next 4 (or 7 years) away and rush through them....however I do have an ulterior motive. People on here always talk about "no feelings" and now I get it. That's me. I didn't realize it before....but that's exactly how I feel. No emotion what so ever. My girls are 8 and 10. I would love nothing more than to be "totally myself" before they graduate and leave the house. I love my time with them....but I had my heart set on 4 years and being myself again....getting to totally enjoy them before they got too cool for mom. 

 

Yes, things are going pretty good...and my taper is pretty smooth...but if I can speed things a tad bit quicker I know I will be thankful. If this makes any sense at all? My summer break is coming up soon. If I don't do the 12% (3%each week for 4 weeks) and 2 week hold....you think the standard 10%drop  will be too much for me? I know it's hard to really know that though, huh? Summer would be a good time for me to test it out....

 

Thanks for your expertise!!! I'm so thankful for you guys and for this site!!! 

[Krisseyb]

On 3/18/2021 at 11:35 AM, tryingtosurvive330 said:

had such disturbing dreams last night.

@tryingtosurvive330 I meant to tell you in my previous message...I had HORRIBLE dreams...would wake up scared to death when I was on the pill form. For some odd reason (but I'm very thankful) when I switched to liquid.....I don't have those bad dreams anymore. Might want to eventually switch to liquid if you can....it will give you a more accurate dosage as you start tapering anyways. And could make those dreams stop too?

[Gridley]

24 minutes ago, Krisseyb said:

It looks like I will be doing it for close to 7 years. I don't see how you did the BMS w/2 week hold, held extra sometimes...and still did it in less than 4 years?

If you are currently at 8.19mg Lexapro, here is my calculation using the go-down-by-half every 9 months math:

In 9 months you'll be at around 4.1mg.  9 more months = around 2mg.  9 more months you'll be down to 1mg.  9 more months you'll be down to 0.5mg.  So that's 3 years to get to 0.5.  Still too high to jump but getting down there.  I used the scale, which at a certain point ceases to be accurate so toward the end I was unavoidably cutting by more than 10%, eyeballing rather than weighing, which sped up the taper.  A little uncomfortable from time to time at the end but if you've been tapering slowly up to the this point, you should be fine.  If you're using the liquid this won't be an issue for you.

 

I like to recommend getting down into the 0.00s before jumping to zero.  I wanted to get down to 0.01 before jumping but the amount of powder was so small by that point that I couldn't be sure I was getting consistent doses, which is why I jumped at 0.025.

 

24 minutes ago, Krisseyb said:

If I don't do the 12% (3%each week for 4 weeks) and 2 week hold....you think the standard 10%drop  will be too much for me? I know it's hard to really know that though, huh? Summer would be a good time for me to test it out....

As you said, it's impossible to know whether the standard 10% taper will be too much. Many do fine with it.  As I said, the BMS is gentler.   I understand the problem of scheduling.  Both methods work fine.  The 10% method is certainly quicker.  With it, as I said, you drop by half every 6 months (instead of every 9 months with the BMS).  In any case, get down as low as you can before jumping to zero--well into the 0.00s.

Edited March 19, 2021 by Gridley

[Krisseyb]

@Gridley thanks for the reply. Your math is spot on. After looking at my paper and following your numbers, it shows I should take 4 years to

get off .5mg. Don’t think I will do that.... will worry about that when I get there.

I think I will keep w the BMS, two week hold. It’s working good for me!!! Thanks again!

[Krisseyb]

Here I am for my monthly check in. Things are going well. In the last month...very few symptoms but that could be because one week was Spring Break (so no work) then two weeks of hold-time. So it's been a fairly easy month.

Sleep is going pretty well. Still have the occasional wake up in middle of night and can't go back to sleep. (although I do STILL obsess about sleep....whether I will get enough or not....hoping this decreases as my dose decreases)

Brain fog and being able to concentrate/remember things haven't been too bad. Hoping it will stay like this...because I could possibly be changing jobs! 

One thing I do notice....sometimes I am really confident and can handle anything, then other times I feel something I've never felt. Like....I still picking apart things about myself.

Overall things going well, just truckin along!!!! 

[ViolinStudent]

On 8/9/2011 at 8:11 PM, squirrel said:

I never had Tinnitus till I stopped paroxetine had it 24/7 ever since.

Me too! I reduced from 10mg per day to 10mg per two days according to my doctor’s instruction which is obviously too fast (I wasn’t on this forum at that time so I knew nothing).

 

It is very annoying, I don’t know if this or panic attacks are more annoying. 😭

[Krisseyb]

Okay....so it's been over 3 months since I have checked in. Oops!!! Life is going really good!! BMS is the PERFECT taper for me!!!! Very little symptoms....from time to time something random will burn or tingle (fingers, toes) but only for a short time. Anxiety is very minimal....but I still don't like being by myself. Still fearful of that...although I'm not by myself often. But the thought of it still scares me. I do believe it's the medicine that has that affect on me, because I've never been scared to be by myself. Hoping it goes away as my dosage eventually goes away. 

But I am VERY happy to say...that I'm pretty much down about 40%! When I think about that....it makes me so happy and hopeful!!! 

Changing jobs when school starts back up in August...but I'm not worrying about it until it gets here.
Happy Thursday! 
 

[Hanna72]

@Krisseyb

Fantastic news. Thank you for sharing. 
Well done 👍 

[Heath]

@Krisseyb that’s great!! Glad you are feeling well! I totally agree BMS is the only way to go if you want life to be as close to normal! As in being alone when withdrawal symptoms are high I didn’t really have a fear but it felt more like a sadness when I was alone. It is the meds and will go away. 👍

[Krisseyb]

Checking in.
So mid-late August family (including me) got COVID. Symptoms varied greatly.....lasted about 2-3 weeks...but we are all good! One thing I did notice (as I was still tapering) is that my sleep was messed up when I would taper. So I held for about 2 months and have started tapering again this week. Hasn't been long enough to notice a difference yet...but hopefully it will stay good!

Other than that....things are going really well. Anxiety is very little!!!

[Heath]

Hello @Krisseyb! 
Glad y’all are ok after having the covid!

You made good decision holding that taper during that time. Listening to our body during this time. We are getting better at picking up on these signs. 
Hang in there 💪

[Krisseyb]

@Heath thanks! I was thinking about you when I held. I remembered you had held for a while. And you and I are close to the same amount. So I thought, okay…If you did it and it went well, then I should try too! 
So you helped me! Thank you! 
Hope you’re doing well also! 
Kb 

[Heath]

@Krisseyb How’s it going !