Skyy88 Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 Hi all, this is my first post here. I have been taking antidepressants since 2011, for about 11 years. In 2011, I started on Lexapro first (15mg) followed by Fluoxetine (20mg). I took this for a few years. About 5-6 years ago, I decided that I wanted to reduce my dosage and reduced my Lexapro to 10mg. I then took this combination (Lexapro 10mg, Fluoxetine 10mg) for a a 3-4 years. During this period, I was rather irregular in taking my medicine (would miss doses here and there, for a few days maximum). In the past 2-3 years, I decided to try to get off the medicines, and began skipping doses when I felt I did not need them - but usually not more than a few days maximum. I also switched to eating mainly lexapro 10mg. In the past 1-2 years, I noticed that my fatigue, which I had always had for years, was becoming worse. I underwent a sleep study and found out I had sleep apnea, and am treating it with my cpap. However, I am still fatigued and my brain cannot think properly. I vaguely recall stopping my dose for about 1-3 weeks here and there during the past year, but I cant remember. I then realized that my symptoms might have been due to my antidepressants. I recently restarted my fluoxetine at a 10mg dose 2 days ago, and have been feeling a little dizzy. Should i continue with this? p.s. for my drug signature, im not really sure what to put since my dates and doses are all over the place, could someone advise me on what to do Thank you all very much! 2011 - 2020 Lexapro (15mg) and Fluoxetine (20mg) 2011-2019 - Lexapro (10mg) and Fluoxetine (20mg), with periods of CT in between 2019 - 2021 - Lexapro - 10mg, with periods of CT in between 2022 Early Jan - Lexapro (10mg) and Fluoxetine (20mg) 2022 Mid Jan - Nil 2022 Feb - Fluoxetine 10mg Link to comment
Skyy88 Posted February 6, 2022 Author Share Posted February 6, 2022 My symptoms are quite nonspecific, but namely are brain fog, fatigue, dizziness and lightheadedness, which is what caused me to think it was sleep apnea over the past year. In the past 2 days of taking 10mg fluoxetine, I have been feeling noticeably dizzier, but my fatigue was already making it hard for me to work before that anyway. 2011 - 2020 Lexapro (15mg) and Fluoxetine (20mg) 2011-2019 - Lexapro (10mg) and Fluoxetine (20mg), with periods of CT in between 2019 - 2021 - Lexapro - 10mg, with periods of CT in between 2022 Early Jan - Lexapro (10mg) and Fluoxetine (20mg) 2022 Mid Jan - Nil 2022 Feb - Fluoxetine 10mg Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 6, 2022 Moderator Share Posted February 6, 2022 (edited) Dear @Skyy88, welcome to SA. We are a forum to help people come off of their psychiatric medicines in the safest way possible without experiencing withdrawal effects. We do not advise on what medicines to take, that is for you and your doctors to decide. We do, however, know that skipping doses can hurt you in the long term as it sensitizes your nervous system and can cause withdrawal symptoms. NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER - Tapering - Surviving Antidepressants If you do decide to come off of your drugs at some point, please read these posts and try to do it in such a way as to not hurt your nervous system. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? - Tapering - Surviving Antidepressants Why taper? SERT transporter occupancy studies show importance of gradual change in plasma concentration - Tapering - Surviving Antidepressants It is possible that you are suffering from withdrawal effects if you skip your doses but we can't be sure. If you are, then this is what you can expect. The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants What is happening in your brain? - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants How psychiatric drugs remodel your brain - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants Hope you feel better soon, OMW Edited February 6, 2022 by Onmyway "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
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