KateC: in need of tapering help

[KateC]

Hi all,

 

I started 10mg Lexapro in July 2015 due to anxiety/depression while in college. I never intended to remain on it this long, but here we are in 2022.
I have been on 10mg this whole time. I was recommended to increase to 20mg a few years ago as I was dealing with some extra anxiety due to life events, but I refused to increase my dosage.
Starting last year in 2021, I tried to start tapering off. I didn't really have a schedule, I just reduced my dosage to 5mg and hoped after a few months I could stop completely. I had no idea the hold this drug had on me. I immediately had intense mood swings.
A few months ago I tried to start tapering off slower than I had before. I started with this schedule:

 

started tapering a few months ago by slowly reducing to taking 5mg daily per week.

Example: Take 5mg 1/week for 2 weeks then take 5mg 2/week for 2 weeks.. continuing until taking 5mg 7/week

I am currently taking 5mg 5/week and 10mg the other 2 days of the week

 

weekly schedule when I started tapering a few months ago:
Day 1: 10mg
Day 2: 10mg
Day 3: 10mg
Day 4: 10mg
Day 5: 10mg
Day 6: 10mg
Day 7: 5mg

Then every 2 weeks I would substitute an additional 10mg day for a 5mg day.
Now I am doing:
Day 1: 10mg
Day 2: 5mg
Day 3: 5mg
Day 4: 5mg
Day 5: 5mg
Day 6: 10mg
Day 7: 5mg

I was hoping to make it to 5mg every day of the week but I started experiencing physical symptoms - heart palpitations, flu-like symptoms, feelings of depression and hopelessness.

I need help. No doctors will help me taper successfully. Please help.

 

Edited November 18, 2022 by ChessieCat
unbolded some text

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @KateC

 

Please stop changing your dosing for the time being. How do you feel now on your tapering schedule?

 

We have seen such irregular tapering schedules to generate withdrawal symptoms. We recommend a gradual taper. See

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?
 

 

NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER 

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

Lexapro comes in a prescription liquid that enables gradual tapering.