Jami: in Lexapro WD

[Jami]

I’m in wd after 15 years of lexipro. I tapered down to 2.5 mlg from 20. have chills akathesia sweats , bunring , etc . Amy advice 

[Jami]

Topic title:  Help

 

If I’m in wd from lexirpo . Have akathesia. Crawling out of my skin . I’m off 6 weeks now . But reinstated on diff ssri 3 diff times this month . 5 days on each . Didn’t work . I’m 2 weeks ofF all Ssri . Should I reinstate the lex ? I have akarhesia and crawling out my skin . Insomnia , burning . Muscles . Nerves , anxiety . ? Need help . 

 

Edited October 8, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[bubble]

Dear Jami,

 

I'm sorry you are struggling so much. I hope a mod will be able to help you soon.

What would help them is if you could provide a list of drugs you took and when with special emphasis on those you took after you quit Lexapro and their doses.

 

You will make it! This is just temporary.

[bubble]

Here is some initial info that can help. Hope it's not too much reading.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  Please be sure to include the final dose you took of Lexapro before you stopped and the date of that final dose.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

As you've realized, you're experiencing withdrawal from a too-fast taper of Lexapro.  The symptoms you describe are typical withdrawal symptoms.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

When we take psychiatric medications like Lexapro, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Reinstatement of a very small dose of the original drug is the only known way to help alleviate withdrawal syndrome.  The only other alternative is to try and wait out the symptoms and manage as best you can until your central nervous system returns to homeostasis.  Unfortunately no one can give you an exact timeline as to when you will start feeling better and while some do recover relatively easily, for others it can take many months or longer.  

 

Reinstatement isn't a guarantee of diminished symptoms for everyone but it's the best tactic available.  You're still in the time period where reinstatement predictably works, up to 3 months after last dose.  We usually suggest a much smaller reinstatement dose than your last dose.  These drugs are strong,  your system has become sensitized and If you take too much it may be too much for your brain and can cause you become unstable.  Then, once you've stabilized on the reinstated dosage, which can take several months,  you can begin a 10% per month taper down to zero.  

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Please read:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

Are you interested in trying reinstatement of a very small dose of Lexapro?  If so, the mods can suggest a dose to reinstate after you've completed your drug signature with the final dose you took. Please do not reinstate without letting us suggest a dosage.

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

•  

[bubble]

This member was in a similar situation so you can check how it went for them

 

[manymoretodays]

Hi there @JamiJami and welcome aboard,

hi there bubble too 💜

On 10/8/2022 at 12:12 PM, Jami said:

If I’m in wd from lexirpo . Have akathesia. Crawling out of my skin . I’m off 6 weeks now . But reinstated on diff ssri 3 diff times this month . 5 days on each . Didn’t work . I’m 2 weeks ofF all Ssri . Should I reinstate the lex ? I have akarhesia and crawling out my skin . Insomnia , burning . Muscles . Nerves , anxiety . ? Need help . 

 

Was it Lexapro you came off of 2 weeks ago?  And if so what was your last dose?

 

Have you taken any other drugs in the last 2 weeks?

 

Do you have any Lexapro(escitalopram) or Celexa(citalopram) available now?

 

I'm just going to add on in the Lexapro tapering topic to what Bubble's has already given you.  As it can be helpful to look at with attention towards how you would get a small(non-standard) dose to try for a reinstatement.

Tips for tapering Lexapro(escitalopram)

 

If it was me, and I was just 2 weeks out from Lexapro(escitalopram) I might go ahead and try a reinstatement dose now of just 0.5 mg.  And then I'd continue with that low dose for the next 4-7 days while looking for improvement of any kind with any of my symptoms.  If I felt worse, notably worse, with the reinstatement I would stop it.

If not......I would take the 0.5 mg religiously every day at the same time.

 

Tell us a little bit more of your symptoms if you can.  Are you having any periods of relief of symptoms and if so, what does help?  Are you pacing?  Just describe if you will.

And more about:  Akathisia vs restlessness, anxiety, agitation (click on the underlined passages to get to the link(s), and then go to the first post in any topic to start reading)

Many have gotten some relief from weighted blankets and I do see those cheap now at Wallmart in the U.S.

Magnesium may also help calm(that link is in Bubble's post).  I use(d) the Epsom Salt form of magnesium in a tub of warm water and find that very calming when needed.  I've also used Magnesium citrate in water.......I just mix capsule contents in a liter jug of water and then sip it throughout the day.  Early on, in my own WD, that also helped immensely.  I remember feeling like a "bobble head" but calmer. 

Do just use one form of magnesium though, so you don't over-do it.  That would not be recommended.

 

Okay sweetie.  Hope to hear from you soon.  It sounds so tough right now.  Rooting for you!

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays(mmt)

Edited October 10, 2022 by manymoretodays
reduced reinstatement dose suggested, notification added and added what I would do in regards to reinstatement