Jump to content

JohnDoh: Seeking advice - new to all of this


JohnDoh123

Recommended Posts

Hi all,

 

I’ll try to keep this as short as I can;

 

I started taking escitalopram (10 mg) in March of 2021 for post concussion anxiety. I took it for only 4 months then began feeling better and felt that my concussion symptoms had resolved. I decided I no longer needed the drug so began tapering. 
 

I cut down to 5 mg in July, then down to 2.5 after 8 weeks. Down to 2 mg after 6 more weeks then down to 1.66 after 3 more weeks. 
 

All along I did experience WD but it was generally tolerable and would mostly subside before I initiated the next decrease. I’ve had dizziness, fatigue and a few bouts of high anxiety which only lasted 3 days or so. 
 

After 6 weeks at 1.66 I’ve had quite a lot of dizziness, lightheadedness, anxiety and now some insomnia. 
 

obviously, after reading more about this on this site, I suppose I am going too fast (even though I went way slower than my Dr recommend) 

 

I guess I have 2 questions;

 

1. Should I just hold at 1.66 now that it’s been over 6 weeks and hope that things settle back out, or consider increasing slightly?

 

2. How does one accurately divide pills? I currently crush them up and simply divide it into as equal “lines” as I can, then scrape it into a capsule. I bought a scale on Amazon but it doesn’t seem to work reliably for such small weights. Is there a link to discussion on this? 
 

thanks for your time. 

Started 10mg escitalopram 15 March 2021

reduced to 5mg 15 July 2021

reduced to 2.5mg 15 September 2021

reduced to 2mg 25 October 2021

reduced to 1.66 15 November 2021

Had mild to moderate WD at each decrease, but it typically didn’t last too long and I always felt “ready” for next reduction. 6 weeks (26 Dec 21) after getting to 1.66 and WD is worse than any other point. 

 

Link to comment
  • Frogie changed the title to JohnDoh: Seeking advice: new to all of this
  • Moderator

Hi @JohnDoh123

 

Welcome to SA. I'm sorry you are going through what you are, but glad you found us. 

 

This is your page to ask questions, comment, and meet members that are going through the same thing, or have gone through what you are going through. We ask that each member only have one page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

Can you please create a signature page so we can see all your medications for the last 18-24 months (even thought you haven't been on that long).

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

Lexapro is a very strong antidepressant. That is the one that I was on 20+ years. It is hard to taper off of, but you can do it. I had a moderator tell me not to mess with it because it was like pulling a tiger's tail. And boy were they correct. I think you have done an extremely fast taper, as we don't suggest anything faster than 10% a month.

 

I'm going to give you some links to read on this.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

At this point, I would suggest an updose to 2 mg. Then hold for quite a while. 

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

What to Expect in Reinstatement (James Heaney article)

 

Most of the members on here use the Gemini 20 scale. You can buy it from Amazon. I used it for part of my taper and it worked really well. Here's some information on using a scale to measure your dose. You might want to purchase some "00" gel capsules on Amazon to put the powder in. 

 

 

 

Using a digital scale to measure doses

 

After you get stable again, you will want to go slow. But we can talk about that later.

 

Please let us know what questions you may have after reading all that I've given you. 

 

 

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper. Last dose June 24, 2024

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment

@FrogieThank you so much for the response, advice and resources. I really appreciate it. 

Started 10mg escitalopram 15 March 2021

reduced to 5mg 15 July 2021

reduced to 2.5mg 15 September 2021

reduced to 2mg 25 October 2021

reduced to 1.66 15 November 2021

Had mild to moderate WD at each decrease, but it typically didn’t last too long and I always felt “ready” for next reduction. 6 weeks (26 Dec 21) after getting to 1.66 and WD is worse than any other point. 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator

@JohnDoh123

 

You're very welcome.

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper. Last dose June 24, 2024

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment
  • Mentor

Welcome to the site JohnDoh123!  So glad you were here.  You have come to the right place! The advice wisdom and support cannot be beat. I  could not have survived without this group helping me along the way. I just finished a 2 year taper off Lexapro, and have been 10 months off now.  Frogie is right Lexapro is a tiger.   But you will be able to taper off and stabilize and heal.  You are in good hands!

  1. .025 Xanax 3 x daily  Start date 10-13-2013 through 8-13-2014.  Started tapering 6-2014 to 8-2014.  Some small discomfort. 25 mg Zoloft - Start date 5-1-2014.  50mg. 6-2014.  through 7-14-2014 .  Started tapering  7-14-2014, stopped tapering 10-2014.  I did 1/4 of the dose a month.  small discomfort.  These next 3 were prescribed when I made some seriously bad choices with my thyroid medication.  Was in ER twice for possible heart attack.  INTENSE anxiety, panic, fear.   Lost 30 pounds in 2 weeks.  Thyroid levels bounced to extremes for 8 months. Dr. prescribed Zoloft 50mg  9-2105.  After 2 doses had a bad reaction passed out in my bedroom. Also prescribed Xanax .025  at the same time. 3 times daily, 4 if needed.  Was only on it about 2 weeks.  Was not working.  Trip ER they gave me an Ativan IV and it worked and lasted.  switched to Ativan. 9-24-2016. 1.5 mg Ativan - .5 mg  three x daily -start date 9/24/16.  Attempted taper start 12-16-2016. Was shaving Pills and alternating tapering AM, PM and midday dose weekly.  Buspar .5mg  -2.5mg. am and 2. 5mg. pm start date 9-26-2016 .  Lexapro .10mg  start date  - 10-26-2016. Found SA and began 10/14/2017 tapering .001 by weight of pill  every 4 days Held longer if there were was WD.    Was very sensitive to Ativan. 3-15-2018 Off midday dose - 7-16-2018 Off PM dose - OFF ATIVAN! 11-17-2018 10 mg. Lexapro. PM - 5 mg start date 10/11/2016 increased to 10 mg 2/2/17. 1-1-2019 Began tapering Lexapro.  .001 gm every 4 days.  Held longer if there was WD.  Last doses some I held a month.  OFF LEXAPRO! 2-21 2021 5 mg. Buspar  divided into two, 2.5 mg doses AM and PM- Start date 9/26/2016 Cold turkey on Dr. direction, AM and Pm  doses.  Reinstated  9-22-16. Began Buspar taper 1-29-23, .001 mg by weight of pills.  N.P. Desiccated Thyroid.  1-2023 Labs okay but not where I feel best. 60 mg. daily now but adding 15 mg. more  twice weekly for a few months then check.  Bioidentical hormones. Bi-est/Prog cream, 1/4 tsp.  1 time daily

My intro: Moonpie:. Need help and supporting tapering off of Ativan

My benzo thread: Moonpie: Need help Ativan weight tapering

Link to comment
  • ChessieCat changed the title to JohnDoh: Seeking advice - new to all of this

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