lexasemipro: tapered off Lexapro too quickly, now reinstating

[lexasemipro]

I was on 10mg lexapro for 22 months. At the time, it saved my life. I was feeling much better in general and tapered off on my own over the course of a month and I have been been completely off for about 10 days. 

 

The withdrawal symptoms mostly just feel like my depression and I'm having a hard time focusing. Last week it was just the brain fog, but this week its been the depression. It's nothing crazy but I definitely acknowledge that I tapered off too fast. 

 

Today, I took 10mg again to begin reinstating with the plan of trying to taper off again in a couple months.

 

Am I on the right track? Should I reduce my reinstatement to 5mg? Did I break my brain?

[lexasemipro]

I have an appt with my psych scheduled for jan 13th

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.

 

3 hours ago, lexasemipro said:

Today, I took 10mg again to begin reinstating with the plan of trying to taper off again in a couple months.

 

Am I on the right track? Should I reduce my reinstatement to 5mg? Did I break my brain?

 

You are reinstating too high.  You run the risk of kindling your nervous system by doing this.  I would suggest you immediately reduce your reinstatement to 1 mg. Lexapro.  If you tolerate the 1 mg well, you can always increase the dose gradually.  Be sure you take it each and every day, at the same time of the day.  Here is information about reinstatement:  

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

No, you did not break your brain.  It will eventually readjust in time to the reinstatement dose.  Once you stabilize on the reinstatement dose, you can slowly and carefully taper off the rest of it. 

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.   This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper so slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

What is Happening in Your Brain

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we generally taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the taper becomes exponentially smaller.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Tips for Tapering Lexapro

 

 

Also, as we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart.  We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through.  Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities.  It takes time, but healing can and will happen. 

[getofflex]

Here is a link that has articles that talk about kindling: 

 

Kindling and Nervous System Hypersensitivity