Mascasa: Oral Lexapro taper

[Mascasa]

@getofflex When did you add the GABA? If you don't mind what brand and how much do you take? I hear it is supposed to help in the tapering. I came off the fish oil supplements

. I was a rare bird that it caused more depression. But would be interested in how the GABA effects or helps the lows during tapering.

No interference with the SSRI?

 

[getofflex]

Probably 8 or 9 years ago, because of a book about natural remedies for depression.  I take NOW brand, the dose is 750 mg. I don't know if there was any interference with the SSRI. Here is a link about GABA:  

 

GABA Supplements

 

Edited October 3, 2021 by getofflex

[Mascasa]

@getofflex I see you are taking 750 mg of GABA and the NOW brand. I will look into it. I had to drop the fish oils. Seemed to cause the opposite effect for me... made things worse. Having a bit of a low weekend this weekend. Dropped to 9.9 today. Will put that in my signature. Might be easier to just do 10mg. But anyway just wanting to try adding GABA ( low dose at first). What time in the PM do you take it.

[Mascasa]

@getofflex I went to order the NOW brand and several reviews said not to take it for depression, it could make things worse. Thoughts?

[getofflex]

16 hours ago, Mascasa said:

I went to order the NOW brand and several reviews said not to take it for depression, it could make things worse. Thoughts?

I don't know about this. It didn't worsen my depression.  Everyone's system is different.  Plus the reviews are just one person's opinion.  Best to just try a small dose at first for a while, and see how it affects you, if you want to try this. 

Edited October 4, 2021 by getofflex

[Mascasa]

@getofflex Thank you for responding. Curious about dizziness being a symptom of wd? Dropped to 9.9 yesterday. So dizzy.

[getofflex]

Yes.
 

You can do a google search “survivingantidepressants.org dizziness”  Or use our site search above.

Edited October 4, 2021 by getofflex

[Mascasa]

I just researched the site. Yep can cause dizziness. 
curious with the slow taper what is the experiences if those who finished it. Did they have significant wd after they were done?@getofflex

[Heath]

@Mascasa  I have had dizziness and brain fog with lexapro. Especially in allergy season. Started 2019 first allergy season with lexapro. I kept going to allergy dr with no relief. Also I have had dry eyes, dry mouth and dry sinuses which ramp up in taper and in allergy season. Never had with any other ssris.  Dizziness ramps up when I tapper or in allergy season. Dizziness is becoming less and less the lower dose I go but dry burning sinuses are still rough. 

[Deruyter]

On 7/6/2021 at 4:11 AM, Mascasa said:

Hi,

I am tapering off Lexapro after being in it for 20 months. Using the oral solution. Glad to find out if anyone else uses it or used it. Also, appreciated readying about supplements here. Definitely need to give the nervous system a break.

Hi Mascasa,

 

I tapered off 20mg lexapro over two months time. 20-15-10-5-2,5-1,75-0mg

Kr.

[Mascasa]

@HeathHi there,

Boy this last taper on Sunday has been a doozy. I am at 9.9.  My mood is so low.  I definitely will need to stabilize on this for awhile. Dizziness and just so low.  Have you found that the lower you go it does get a bit better? 

This is so hard.

[Mascasa]

@getofflex @Altostrata

@Heath

Okay so this is a really bad low right now. Sitting here and crying. I did have a steroid injection several weeks ago that I can have emotional reactions too. But I am thinking that I might not have been as ready as I thought for this last taper. I am doing the brass monkey taper. So I am at 9.9. What are your thoughts on what I need to do taper wise? I can go back to 10.2 OR round to 10 and hang there until I stabilize.

UGH>

 

[Heath]

@Mascasa I m sorry you are in a rough spot rt know. I have been there a few times. 
Actually I have been told It gets a little harder in low doses so we may have to go slower when dose is low. What I meant was the side effects I was having seems to get better the lower I go. 

I would suggest holding for several months. You may even have to reinstate a little then hold for several months. You were on 20 mg in may of this year now you are at 10 mg. That is quite a big drop. Almost 20% per month. For tapering these drugs symptoms may not pop up for weeks after a cut. That’s why we are fine and then all of a sudden we are real bad. 
 

everybody is different . Our lives and responsibilities are different. For me if I was having the symptoms you describe I would be holding for 4-6 months. 
 

Moderators will guide you on reinstatement. 
 

I know it’s rough. Be kind to yourself. Practice self care!  Hang on!

[Mascasa]

@Heath Thank you. Boy this has been a rough one tonight. 

Yep I remember the best being at 12.8. But this taper has been a golly whopper. I also have to wonder about the steroids. That really tanked me the last time I had one too. 

So thinking something has to give. I work in education and today I was barely hanging on without crying.

Hope I hear from someone that will guide me. Looks like you held for awhile from July 24th to October 2nd?

[Altostrata]

You might go back to 10mg and stay there for a good while.

 

The steroid injection is a confounding factor. Your body may need to settle down from that, too.

[Mascasa]

I think that is good advice.

[Mascasa]

4 hours ago, Deruyter said:

Hi Mascasa,

 

I tapered off 20mg lexapro over two months time. 20-15-10-5-2,5-1,75-0mg

Kr.

 

[Mascasa]

@Deruyter over two months? Wow! How did you handle the withdrawal symptoms?

[Heath]

32 minutes ago, Mascasa said:

Looks like you held for awhile from July 24th to October 2nd?

yes I had a few withdrawals that I didn’t like.  I wanted to let everything settle a little. But I did hit a tough wave in October 2020 and held for 6 months. Yep I know about going to work and trying to keep it together!  💪

[Mascasa]

@Altostrata I have a quick question for you regarding the 10 mg. Would it ever be feasible to go back to the pill form at 10mg and hang there for a while to stabilize?  Then start the taper again with the oral? Just curious.

@Heath Thank you for being a support. I will have to stay put for awhile. I did taper really quickly from 20 to 12 before I was on this site. Thought I did great going down. Then hit the 12 and had a bit of wake up cal.

 

[Heath]

@Mascasa  why do you want to go back to pill form ?

 

Consider these before changing

you will have to gradually transfer from one to the other over a months time. 
Changing may disrupt you already fragile nervous system

when you get ready to taper you will have to transfer over to liquid again. 
 

If it was me I would stay on liquid, same dose and hold for several months. 
 

do not put yourself down or dwell on hitting a wave! Often we do this which can be depressing and make things worse. I been there. I’m getting better at labeling it as a learning experience to get better at listening to my body. It teaches me to be able to see a possibility of a wave developing before the wave. These waves happens to the best cautious tapers.  

[Foxclover6]

I wish I tapered. =/

[Foxclover6]

I cry so often,  I feel very overwhelmed,  had a panic attack yesterday, its just hard. I haven't slept well lately, have alot of not great things happening in my life.  Worst part about all of it is the impending doom, feeling that things are not going to be ok and I am sick.  It's just so defeating.

[Altostrata]

Yes, @Mascasa, why not continue with the liquid?

[Mascasa]

Hi @Heath @Altostrata I am going to continue with the liquid. It's just so easy with the pill and cutting it 1/2 and getting it from the pharmacy. Especially if I am going to hang onto the 10 for awhile. But I am going to stick with what I have been doing. 

[Mascasa]

@HeathWell been hanging at 10 mg for the last few weeks. Have had both waves and some windows. Strange the anxiety isn't the prevalent factor, it appears the lows are the hardest. I always wonder if the medicine has brought on the lows or makes things worse. How do you cope with the lows?  How are things with your taper? 

[Heath]

@Mascasa that’s great you’re already having a few good windows!  
 

the lows are just as bad as the anxiety. Basically What helps me is being around positive friends and family !
 Cutting firewood with a friend. Going to gym. Board game, movie, wrapping gifts, putting new shingles on roof, organize garage, go visit someone, hiking, help someone, play ping pong, build something, fix something, or make something. Do something or go where you feel loved and encouragement.  Get out of comfort zone just a little. Most of the time when I am in low place somebody has to make me get up and do something.  There has been times when it’s just me and I have to make myself get moving. Doesn’t always work. It does work with continued efforts. You feel much better afterwards. 
 

I been dropping for 3 weeks . WD symptoms are starting to show their self.   Muscles tensing in legs, but, arms, neck, and back. Irritable and not talking.  

[Mascasa]

@HeathHow is the tapering going? @Altostrata I saw an ortho surgeon who is trying to help me with my back and hip issues. She recommended Turmeric. It does have the black pepper. I looked at the threads on this here. @Altostrata overall have you heard of it effecting tapering? I did a drug interaction and saw no interactions with Lexapro. Thank you.

[Altostrata]

I doubt turmeric or black pepper would have any withdrawal-related effects.

[Heath]

@MascasaI am About to start again after a 3 week hold. It’s going ok . Slow and steady. 
 

I have low back pain too. Was recommended surgery by one dr 20 years ago but haven’t done it . I take turmeric some. I need to take it more instead of Celebrex. A friend of mine uses turmeric only for his pain. There are a few documents saying that it is as good as anti inflammatories. I’ve tried some that didn’t work so good. I use Terry’s brand. My friend swears by qunol brand. You just have to research and try different ones. Sounds like you have a good dr if she recommended turmeric! 
How are you doing ? 

[Mascasa]

@Heath Hi there,

Well I am hanging in there. Well still doing that slow taper. Currently now at 9.2. I had a terrible low this weekend. But it was attributed to a chronic pain called costochronditis. It has really come on strong in the last few months. Makes me sad because it hurts so much. I am trying 100 mg of gabapentin at lunch to ease the pain. But that isn't going to be long lived. I am seeing an osteopath in a few weeks near Monterey, CA. I hear that they understand it and can help. 

As far as taper will be interesting to do the next drop which is 8.9 then 8.7 where I will be holding for a few weeks.  I will be honest there a few times when I think just put me on something else. But I will keep holding on and getting off of it. I so hope this long taper will eliminate all the yucky withdrawals that can happen when the med has stopped. How are you doing with your taper?

[Mascasa]

@Altostrata I was researching the site for info on curcumin. I have had success with it helping me for chronic pain in the past. I am dealing with costochronditis. It is so painful. Seems my nerves are on overdrive since this taper. 

I am currently at 8.7 Lexapro (oral) in my taper. Would you think it would be okay to add that to my supplements? Thank you.

[ChessieCat]

1 hour ago, Mascasa said:

I was researching the site for info on curcumin

 

There are many existing topics on SA.  You can either use the site search function or use an internet search engine and add site:survivingantidepressants.org to the search term.

 

There is a topic about curcumin.

 

SA suggests when trying anything new to only start with a small amount and to only make one change at a time.  So you would NOT make a reduction in your drug at the same time as starting a new supplement.

 

the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable

[Mascasa]

@ChessieCatThank you so much. I did take one today and did a reduction. So I won't do that again. I am glad you reminded me of that.

Congratulations on your finally being off Pristiq!

[Mascasa]

@ChessieCat I just went to the link and read the info. So if I was to add curcumin into my supplements what would be a recommendation? I plan on holding here at this drop for 3 weeks or until stable.

[ChessieCat]

Sorry but I don't know what dose you would take.