Tiramisu: help with withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro

[Tiramisu]

I was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder over 15 years ago. As best I can recall, I was prescribed 450 mg bupropion and 20 mg Escitalopram and maybe 40 mg of Lamictal. I went off them suddenly about 8 years ago and had terrible withdrawal symptoms. A new doctor put me on a lower dosage of bupropion, about 200 mg and kept me at 20 mg Escitalopram. I became dissatisfied and found a new doctor who suggested Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which gave me some relief from my depression. A new doctor prescribed 150 mg bupropion, 20 mg Escitalopram, 4.5 mg pramipexol and a 4th I can't recall. I had been on this cocktail mix for at least 2 years. Earlier this year I began tapering, taking the medications once a week, then stopped altogether in about June. In July I began experiencing sudden vomiting spells out of the blue, lasting a full day, then going back to normal. I experienced one episode every 1 to 2 weeks for 6 episodes. Then 6 days ago I started trembling with anxiety every morning. It dissipates by the evening but I am non-functional for the entire day. My psychiatrist insists I am not going through withdrawal but is telling me to go back on a low dose of Escitalopram. I don't want to do it but need my life back. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Frogie]

@Tiramisu

 

Welcome to SA. We are a volunteer ran site helping people taper off psychiatric medications or have tapered off and are now healing.

 

This is your introduction page where you will receive information, ask questions and meet other members. We ask that you only have one introduction page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

 

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It looks as though you tapered your medications really quickly. We don't suggest more than 10% a month and some go much slower than that.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

Tips for tapering off buproprion (Wellbutrin, SR, XR, XL)

 

NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER

 

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications:

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

You could try to reinstate 1 mg of the Lexapro and see if that helps. It takes 7-10 days for it to reach stability in your bloodstream and brain. Then you would hold for quite a while before beginning a slow taper off of it.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Here are some other links that you will find useful.

 

Withdrawal Normal Description

 

What to Do for Nausea, Queasiness

 

Digestive Problems

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

 

Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist

 

 

We don't suggest supplements on here as they can be stimulating to the central nervous system (CNS) except 2. If you would like to try one, try a small amount and wait a few days before introducing the other.

 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

 

After you have read the links provided please reach out with any questions you may have.