sandnit Posted January 8 Author Share Posted January 8 Just venting on here a little bit. Today felt like a wave within a wave if you know what I mean.... I can manage my daily things but everything is so much harder. I pray this wave is done with me soon because I'm done with the wave lol. Anyway I will soldier on. 1 In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
sandnit Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 Update: Pfffff this wave is relentless. There is still no sign of it letting up. I feel like an anxious mindless zombie. @Onmyway, this wave has been with me for more than 2 months now with a better day/ moments here and there. Could it be something else like an adverse reaction to the meds? Poop out etc etc ? Or is this just the wave trying to feed me anxious thoughts? In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Doctorsrcrap Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 I dint know if you could try a mini drop like 2% and see if there is any improvement. I'm not sure. Maybe on my way will know . 2015- Jan 2021 20mg Citalapram Jan 2021- April 2021 Sertraline (CT) June 2021 - Fluoxetine & Trazadone Oct 2021- Trazadone to Quitiapin Oct 2021 to June 2022 switches Duloxetine then paroxatine then Venlafaxine. June 2022- venlafaxine for 5 or 6 weeks at 37.5 twice daily. Upped for one week to 75mg twice daily but caused panic attacks. Dropped back down to 37.5 twice daily. Panic attacks stopped. 1 week- 62.5mg 1 week- 50mg 1 week- 37.5mg 1 week - 25mg ANTIDEPRESSANT FREE SINCE JULY 22ND 2022!! 18/05/23 - 01-06/23 doxycycline for a rat bite Taken propranalol since 2015. 80mg. 21/11/22 76mg. 28/11/22 72mg. 05/12/22 68mg. 19/12/22 64mg. 27/12/22 60mg. 02/01/23 56mg. 09/01/23 50mg. 16/01/23 47mg. 23/01/23 44mg. 29/01/23 40mg. 05/02/23 38mg. 12/02/23 35mg. 19/02/23 32mg. 25/02/23 27mg. 04/03/23 25mg. 11/03/23 22mg. 17/03/23 19mg. 24/03/23 20mg. 05/04/23 18mg. 11/04/23 16mg. 17/04/23 14mg. 27/04/23 20mg. 19/06/23 19mg. 25/06/23 20mg. 04/08/23 18mg. 11/08/23 17mg. 16/08/23 16mg. 25/08/23 15mg. 01/09/23 14mg. 08/09/23 13mg. 15/08/23 12mg. 22/09/23 11mg. 29/09/23 10mg. 19/11/23 9mg. 26/11/23 8mg. 03/12/23 7mg. 10/12/23 6mg. 17/12/23 5mg. 24/12/23 4mg. 31/01/23 3mg. 07/01/24 2mg. 13/01/24 1mg. 19/01/24 0mg. DONE! Link to comment
Tom37 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Your in a wave…they last for as long as they want too. When we feel bad we want to do something to make us feel better when patience and doing nothing is the best option. A wave will make you second guess everything. If you taper now while your nervous system is not stable you run the risk of getting worse. Self care is what is needed. 3 20mg Lexapro 2007 10mg Lexapro 2012 Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3. Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction. Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October. Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018 Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov. Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018 Link to comment
Mentor Happy2Heal Posted January 10 Mentor Share Posted January 10 On 12/23/2023 at 1:41 PM, sandnit said: Sleep seems to be getting even better slowly. So actually really positive all in all. I went back over some recent posts and I think that what may be happening is that maybe you're expecting a big change in how you feel in order to declare that you are in a window, but that may not be how this works In my experience, a window was just a lessening of symptoms, to a degree where you felt some relief but still had lots of other stuff going on. when you have sleep getting better or have a day when maybe half of it is more tolerable than before, or you have a few good hours- to me, those ARE the windows windows to me, are like sun coming in to show you that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel... to give you hope along the way you will likely have symptoms on a regular basis until your brain has done all the work it needs to do to be recovered and back to it's normal state pre-drugs anyway if you've had improvements, regardless of how long they lasted, those are windows IMHO maybe others will disagree in fact I'm interested to know if I have it wrong hang in there it may be good to stay off the forum for a bit when you are feeling impatient for things to improve, because that may be keeping you so focused on symptoms you are unable to relax and just go with the flow it is often when we are busy doing other things, distracting ourselves if need be, that the symptoms slip away or ease up and it is a surprise to notice the difference but you know what they say- a watched pot never boils! try to find some things to occupy your time if you can ok? 2 PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME PRIVATE MESSAGES, thank you. pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until Sept, then acute WD hit!! reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106 Tapered off to zero by Oct. 2017 Doing very well. Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content PRESENT DAYS: Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs Link to comment
sandnit Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 @Tom37 and @Happy2Heal, thanks for your replies! Yes, i hear you. Acceptance and patience is needed. I'll try to stop watching the pot. I really appreciate the reminder!! In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted January 11 Moderator Share Posted January 11 I agree with @Happy2Heal. You say the wave breaks here and there - use those moments to see how things will feel eventually, to get some hope. Is there any other reason you suspect you might have an adverse drug reaction? Omw "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
sandnit Posted January 11 Author Share Posted January 11 8 minutes ago, Onmyway said: Is there any other reason you suspect you might have an adverse drug reaction? @Onmyway,thanks for the reply. Not really, it's just last days i'm feeling really apathic with brain fog etc. and with this chemical feeling of anxiety it is so hard to function. Also just the length of this wave compared to the previous waves and the shifting symptoms during this wave had me worried and it made me think the drug was doing it and not WD ......... In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted January 11 Moderator Share Posted January 11 Hi @sandnit, then best to just wait for it to get better. I'd recommend Claire Weekes books and videos on YouTube to manage. Omw "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
sandnit Posted January 11 Author Share Posted January 11 @Onmyway, yes I agree. Thank you for the information! 1 In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
sandnit Posted February 7 Author Share Posted February 7 Hi all, the long wave I was in settled down even though I was sick with influenza for more than a week a couple of weeks ago. Last 2 weeks I was feeling pretty good although still very tired from the Influenza, I also have a sore throat still. Last Saturday a toothache started coming up. During the day it got worse and worse. On Monday I went to the dentist and I had to have a root canal treatment using a local anaesthetic. The dentist told me the tooth was pretty infected. The pain is better now although I still feel a different pain but this normally takes a while to settle down. But the last few days I feel like I'm going backwards into a wave again. Could the tooth infection, local anaesthetic or painkillers ( I had 2 ibuprofen and I'm still taking paracetamol) induce a wave ?? Also I have ordered the tapering strips I'm going to use for my taper. Because this is a different brand I'm first going to stay at 5mg to get used to the new brand. Would a month of getting used to the new brand be enough?? In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 7 Moderator Share Posted February 7 Hi @sandnit I have never had issues with local dental anesthetic or paracetamol or NSAIDs in WD and I don't think have seen others have those either. Do the tapering strips use a 10% gradation? I remember that the Dutch tapering strips had much bigger jumps. OMW "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
sandnit Posted February 7 Author Share Posted February 7 1 minute ago, Onmyway said: Do the tapering strips use a 10% gradation? I remember that the Dutch tapering strips had much bigger jumps. OMW @Onmyway, thank you for your answer!! Yes first they recommended to taper down from 5mg to 0mg in 6 months. I told them I wanted to taper the 5mg to 0mg hyperbolic over more than two years which is the same as 10% per month. In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 7 Moderator Share Posted February 7 2 hours ago, sandnit said: @Onmyway, thank you for your answer!! Yes first they recommended to taper down from 5mg to 0mg in 6 months. I told them I wanted to taper the 5mg to 0mg hyperbolic over more than two years which is the same as 10% per month. Good call @sandnit. So will you do monthly strips in that case, cutting by 10%? Or will you do a large jump and hold for longer. I am not sure if they are able to individualize. "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
sandnit Posted February 7 Author Share Posted February 7 11 minutes ago, Onmyway said: So will you do monthly strips in that case, cutting by 10%? Or will you do a large jump and hold for longer. I am not sure if they are able to individualize. @Onmyway, i will receive monthly strips. The strips gradually reduce the daily dose over a period of 28 days resulting in a 10% reduction compared to the dose 28 days before. So a hyperbolic reduction as advised on this site. It is also possible to hold and stabilize if necessary. In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 7 Moderator Share Posted February 7 22 minutes ago, sandnit said: @Onmyway, i will receive monthly strips. The strips gradually reduce the daily dose over a period of 28 days resulting in a 10% reduction compared to the dose 28 days before. So a hyperbolic reduction as advised on this site. It is also possible to hold and stabilize if necessary. I see, so every day will be a tiny bit lower dose. That sounds good. One thing we generally worry about this is that because it is so slow you may not realize when you have hit a bad patch. The effects register after a week with me, for example. So you need to be extra vigilant. I would suggest keeping symptom journals. I would also advise taking a week long break after the first 2 weeks just as a check in with yourself about how your body is reacting. Good job. This is a great plan. "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
sandnit Posted February 7 Author Share Posted February 7 @Onmyway, thanks so much for the advise. I'll be extra vigilant and careful! In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
sandnit Posted February 9 Author Share Posted February 9 @Onmyway, one more questions. As the strips are a different brand of escitalopram are there any things to look out for? Do i just switch for one day to the next or do i do some kind of transition? In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 9 Moderator Share Posted February 9 This may cause problems but if you want the strips it's something that you'll have to do. The issue is that different formulations may have different absorption rates or bioavailability. They don't differ by a lot under the law but we're very sensitive so for us it may be significant. Normally, when people are moving from one formulation to the other we suggest that they cross taper - I. E. one week 75%old and 25%new, then 50%old,50%new and finally 25%old,75%new and then 100%new. Given your taper step downs are daily, I don't know how you could do this. Omw "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
sandnit Posted February 9 Author Share Posted February 9 @Onmyway, thank you for your quick reply. Well on my request the first 28 days i will receive a strip that stays at 5mg to get used to the new brand. How would do people make, for instance, the ratio 75%old and 25%new, by cutting the pills? I tried cutting these pills but these 5mg pills are so small and uncuttable with a pill cutter. They never have a clean break in the middle. I do not have a scale that is that precise because i always wanted to use the strips. Any suggestions? In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 9 Moderator Share Posted February 9 That sounds like a good solution. You can find more information on cross tapering in the Tapering forum. It also has threads on how to measure using scales a where to get scales if you need. "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
sandnit Posted February 12 Author Share Posted February 12 Update; yes I'm definitely back in a wave. I guess the influenza, tooth infection and root canal treatment and bad sleep (kids kept me up lately because they where sick a lot as well) etc. pushed me back into a wave. It feels like the infection in my tooth in not fully gone as well so i will probably need another treatment...... Since taking this drug i have had much more dental problems ........ coincidence or could this be related to the drug? I'm terrified and pray that this wave isn't as long as the last wave which lasted for two months. I hope it is like the waves before that and takes 2 to 3 weeks ....... Anyway i will use this to hone my skills to ride the wave instead of fighting it In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
sandnit Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 @Onmyway, Since i started this drug i have never been really stable for a long time. Neither when updosing or on a certain amount of the drug. It never helped me in any way. On the contrary i had and still have a lot of side effects and WD symptoms. I have a feeling as long as I take the drug it will always be this windows and waves pattern. Therefor I really want to start my taper to get of this drug. I have been holding for a long time now. I had some stable months last year but lately it has been more waves than windows. Last wave lasted 2 months !! Followed by a 2 week long window. Before that the waves where 2-3 weeks long. Unfortunately since a week im back in a wave due to influenza, tooth infection and root canal treatment and bad sleep (kids kept me up lately because they where sick a lot as well) etc. My question is would it be ok to start the cross taper and after that start tapering? Do people keep tapering when in a wave? In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 14 Moderator Share Posted February 14 Hi @sandnit having ADR and withdrawal is the hardest. I'd suggest soldiering on then. But note that lowering the dose can be followed by a short honeymoon period. For me it's about one week long. Omw "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
sandnit Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 @Onmyway, I'll be using the tapering strips so every day will be a tiny reduction. Not sure if I'll get the honeymoon haha In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 15 Moderator Share Posted February 15 When I've done the tiny reductions I've gotten a crash after a while. See if you can take a week's break at the end of 3 weeks of tapering. But most importantly, track your own symptoms and find your own pattern. There are some patterns we observe but we're all different in the end. Pls keep us updated and good luck. First month was holding on the new formulation, right? "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
sandnit Posted February 15 Author Share Posted February 15 @Onmyway, yes first month is holding on 5mg. A week's break is hard with these strips. The strips come in 28 day strips. So when you need to stabilise it's minimum 28 days. At the moment the wave is hitting me hard pppffff. So I think I'll hold of changing anything for a little while. Hopefully it is a short wave. While tapering how would you know if it is a wave or WD symptoms from tapering? Or does it matter? Thanks for you help! I appreciate it so much. In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 15 Moderator Share Posted February 15 Hi @sandnit, a wave is a symptom of tapering. Both of these basically indicate that your nervous system is not happy. If you never destabilize the system and come off really really slowly most likely you won't get any waves. Have you seen this post? "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
sandnit Posted February 15 Author Share Posted February 15 @Onmyway, thanks! Right, so the waves i'm I'm going thru lately are probably still from my way to fast taper (was not even a taper) from 20mg to 5mg. Or maybe my system not liking the drug....... Or both maybe. So hopefully tapering really slow won't upset my nervous system anymore and hopefully my body likes lowering the dose I have seen the post some time ago. But it good to see it again as a reminder. AGain. Thank you so much!? 1 In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
sandnit Posted February 16 Author Share Posted February 16 Update, This wave feels different from the last wave again but hard in its own way! This weird head pressure i had the last waves is not that bad.... at least not yet. But the chemical feeling of anxiety/ feeling of doom feels worse and so persistent. This is the worst symptom and so hard to accept. But i'm trying to just let it be there. One thing i noticed is that sometimes i have this wave of sadness coming over me. Almost like i need to cry but i can't (the drug made me lose the ability to cry). This is new. Last waves i felt like an anxious numb zombie. Could this be a good thing? Maybe my feelings are returning a little bit? Maybe another part of the brain is healing .... who knows. In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
sandnit Posted February 19 Author Share Posted February 19 Yesterday was one of my worst days ever it feels like. Today it feels the same:( I'm so anxious all day and also have a lot of intrusive and unsettling thoughts that are not my own for sure!! I hate them! My sleep has diminished to a few hours a night. The intrusive and unsettling thoughts i also had after dose reductions in the past. I also must mention that some symptoms like the head pressure feeling, dizziness have reduced compared to the last wave. @Onmyway, is it maybe possible due to being sick with influenza, the drug was not absorbed properly for a while (i also had extreme diarrhea)? Or is it just a wave i'm going trough? Either way ....... pppppfff it is hell at the moment and i pray for some relief! In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 19 Moderator Share Posted February 19 No way to know @sandnit. Just hang in there and try to get through it. "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
sandnit Posted February 19 Author Share Posted February 19 @Onmyway, yeah I guess there is no way to know. In the end it does not matter. Thanks for your reply. This to shall pass!!! 1 In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
sandnit Posted April 5 Author Share Posted April 5 Hi all, update. I did the crossover to the new brand over a week and kept 5mg for 4 weeks. I felt pretty good during this time. On the 31st of march I started the first tapering strip (5mg to 4,5mg over 28 days). Of course (Murphy's law) I caught a stomach bug on the first of April arrrg. The mayor symptoms lasted one day but I looks like it pushed me into a wave. I'll keep on tapering for now as the steps are so small (I'm now on 4,9mg) and hope this wave goes away soon. But it is so frustrating this happens on the second day of tapering. I guess there is nothing I can do but accept the situation. I wish you all good healing!! In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
sandnit Posted April 21 Author Share Posted April 21 Hi all, pfff i'm still in the wave. I thought i was climbing out of it about a week ago. I had a better couple of days but then things started ramping up again. And the last couple of days are truly terrible again. Muphys law continues. In the last couple of weeks I had two dentists appointments. One for filling a cavity. And one for finishing a root canal. Both without anesthetic but the last appointment was 2 hours of much pain. Also yesterday I had an accident with my battery drill. I drilled myself in a finger which also was a bit of a shock, it Bled and hurt allot. But I didn't need anesthetic to clean the wound luckily. @Onmyway Could it be all of of this worsened and prolonging the wave? I have also been tapering slowly using tapering strips. I'm now at 4,5mg using taperingstrips. Not sure if the tapering is worsening everything? ARrrgg not sure what to do.... Order a stabilisation strips for one month 4,5mg or go ahead with tapering..... I'm so insecure. i could use some advise and words of encouragement...... Why is this so hard ....ppfff. In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold turkey -> waves and windows pattern i now know Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022 From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022 From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022 From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. During this period I thought I also caught a stomach bug but after reading up here I think this was also WD symptoms) From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022 Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024. 31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips. Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted April 21 Moderator Share Posted April 21 (edited) @sandnitplease stop tapering. This is your body saying you're lowering your dose faster than it can adjust. You may wish to go more slowly than the Tapering strips allow. I'd take a month's break at this point and be open to a couple of more months of a break given the extra demands on your body. This will get better. Everybody heals. Just slow and steady. And remember to be extra compassionate to yourself during these times. This is very hard. Your body and mind are doing their best. This will get better. Omw PS I don't believe in Murphy's law. It's a way for us to keep focusing on the negative and keeps us pessimistic and hopeless. There's plenty of reasons to be hopeful. And I'm saying that through a wave. Edited April 21 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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