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thereishope33: First Post. Day 1 after 16 month taper off abilify.


thereishope33

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Hi, ive known about this site for awhile. But this is my first post.

A breif history about myself.

 

I struggled with opiate addiction and drug/alcohol addiction in my late teens and early twenties. When I got sober, I started to get panic attacks. And was put onto paxil.

 

Ive been alcohol and drug free for almost 11 years (aside from antidepressants, ect)

 

After 7 years of working, it pooped out. And i was left with symptoms that I had never had previously. There is a detailed breakdown in my signature, regarding my dosages, and taper.

 

Upon my recent drops, mainly once I got under 1.25 mg, I expierenced strange withdrawl symptoms. Feelings of dissociation, occasional waves of anxiety. But these generally reside after a few weeks. 

Previously, Ive only had one migraine in my life before my taper.

Interestingly, ive began to have frequent confusional migraines following a drop. It starts with pain behind one of my eyes, coupled with an inability to see out of one eye. Or, distorted vision. This transitions into extreme sensitivity to light and sound. And, not always, but most times, a pounding headache. Also, familiar names and people, I sometimes do not recognize during this period. This period lasts about 4 hours.

 

I know this is all from my abilify taper.

 

The reason I am writing now, is because today is day 1, on 0mg abilify.

I take Viva Naturals Omega 3 fish oil (1400mg EPA | 480mg DHA)

and Pure Encapsulations Magnesium Citrate 150mg

I occasionally take L-Theanine 200mg for anxiety, unsure if it helps or not.

 

If the panic returns with a vengeance, i do have .25mg xanax I can take. But I have not needed to take it, and borderline refrain from doing so.

 

Most of my original symptoms are gone. And I feel that my diet of 0 processed foods, heavy protein//fat from animal products, limited carbs, usually under 150grams a day, and only 40mg of caffeine in the morning have cured my original panic disorder.

 

I am 6'0, 172 lbs, I excercise extensively every day. 

 

Any advice, suggestions for possible supplementation, or what to expect from jumping off of abilify at .08mg would be appreciated.

 

Thank you, and I pray that God continues to bless. 

 

Edited by Gridley

got sober off illicit drugs in 2012. 
2011- Paxil 20mg

2018- Paxil 40 mg following poopout

2019- Paxil 40mg Abilify 2mg

2020 May- Paxil 40mg Abilify 5mg

2020 July- Paxil 40mg Abilify 6mg

2020 November- Paxil 40mg Abilify 7.5

2020 Devember- Cold Switch to Lexapro 20mg Abilify 7.5 7/21 - Started Tapering: 4mg 7/16/21- 3mg 7/31- 2mg 11/04- 1.5 mg 3/13/22- 1.4mg 4/01- 1.35 mg 4/19- 1.30 5/12- 1.25mg 7/1- .9mg 8/10-.7mg 8/25- .6mg 9/11- .6mg 9/24- .5mg 10/9- .4mg 10/21- .3mg 11/20- .2mg 12/4- .1mg 1/13/23-.09mg 1/27-.08mg 3/09/2023 - 0mg 

Lexapro Taper - 10mg 8/16/21- 7.5mg 9/11/2022- 5mg 11/10/2023- 4.6mg 11/24- 4.1mg 12/08- 3.8mg

10/01/23- Finasteride stopped CT

Supplements: Viva Naturals Fish Oil 2000mg x2 Daily // Magnesium Threonate at night // vitamin B2 400mg (suppose to help migraines)

6/01/2023 - started ketogenic diet

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome to SA, thereishope33.  Thanks for completing your signature.  Could you clarify in your signature how you got off the Paxil?  Was there a cold switch or cross switch to Lexapro?

 

You're doing a lot of things right, and it seems like you have a good handle on the situation.  It's great that your symptoms have mostly gone.  

 

As to what to expect after jumping to zero, you might still have some symptoms crop up.  Withdrawal doesn't end at zero.   .08mg is pretty low.  If you can go lower before jumping to zero, I would.  There's no hard and fast rule about when to jump; it varies with the drug and individual.  Basically you should get as low as you possibly can. 

 

For future reference in case you want to taper Lexapro, we recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks.  We recommend a percentage taper rather than a straight linear taper (e.g., the same 1mg each reduction), as the percentage taper is easier on your nervous system because the amount you're dropping gets less and less with each reduction.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

This link is specifically about tapering Lexapro, including how to get the nonstandard doses needed for a 10% taper.


Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

If you taper Lexapro, I'd wait until you were off the Abilify and then wait a few months longer to let things settle.

 

Here's some information about withdrawal.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

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 the magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil) you're already taking.  Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

This is your introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community.  I hope you’ll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of Oct 15: 3.2mg

Taper is 96% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase, L-Glutamine, milk thistle, choline


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. It is information based on my own experience as well as that of other members who have survived these drugs.

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  • Gridley changed the title to thereishope33: First Post. Day 1 after 16 month taper off abilify.

Thanks so much for responding.

 

I have been debating on when to jump off, and last night I committed. I poured the liquid abilify down the drain, so it doesnt seem like turning back is an option now.

 

I will follow the 10% guide, once I readjust to the absence of abilify, and then apply that rule to the lexapro taper.

I track my micro and macro nutrients through an app, and because of my diet, I noticed I wasnt getting as much Omega 3, or Magnesium as i should. I started supplementing with those I believe on January 4th.

 

So that is a funny coincidence. 

got sober off illicit drugs in 2012. 
2011- Paxil 20mg

2018- Paxil 40 mg following poopout

2019- Paxil 40mg Abilify 2mg

2020 May- Paxil 40mg Abilify 5mg

2020 July- Paxil 40mg Abilify 6mg

2020 November- Paxil 40mg Abilify 7.5

2020 Devember- Cold Switch to Lexapro 20mg Abilify 7.5 7/21 - Started Tapering: 4mg 7/16/21- 3mg 7/31- 2mg 11/04- 1.5 mg 3/13/22- 1.4mg 4/01- 1.35 mg 4/19- 1.30 5/12- 1.25mg 7/1- .9mg 8/10-.7mg 8/25- .6mg 9/11- .6mg 9/24- .5mg 10/9- .4mg 10/21- .3mg 11/20- .2mg 12/4- .1mg 1/13/23-.09mg 1/27-.08mg 3/09/2023 - 0mg 

Lexapro Taper - 10mg 8/16/21- 7.5mg 9/11/2022- 5mg 11/10/2023- 4.6mg 11/24- 4.1mg 12/08- 3.8mg

10/01/23- Finasteride stopped CT

Supplements: Viva Naturals Fish Oil 2000mg x2 Daily // Magnesium Threonate at night // vitamin B2 400mg (suppose to help migraines)

6/01/2023 - started ketogenic diet

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Just a little update here.

I was anticipating a worse withdrawl. The initial day, I was flat, a little irratable, and lower energy.

That night I didnt sleep that well.

 

But the last 5 days, following day 1, have been pretty normal. A slight sensitivity to light at times, and a single pronounced wave of anxiety that lasted a few seconds. 

Also, on day 4 I expierenced a slight dissasociation. That day, to note, I had double the amount of caffeine. Not sure if that played a part.

Overall, feeling good. My workouts are still strong, and able to focus at work.

 

Thank you jesus!

got sober off illicit drugs in 2012. 
2011- Paxil 20mg

2018- Paxil 40 mg following poopout

2019- Paxil 40mg Abilify 2mg

2020 May- Paxil 40mg Abilify 5mg

2020 July- Paxil 40mg Abilify 6mg

2020 November- Paxil 40mg Abilify 7.5

2020 Devember- Cold Switch to Lexapro 20mg Abilify 7.5 7/21 - Started Tapering: 4mg 7/16/21- 3mg 7/31- 2mg 11/04- 1.5 mg 3/13/22- 1.4mg 4/01- 1.35 mg 4/19- 1.30 5/12- 1.25mg 7/1- .9mg 8/10-.7mg 8/25- .6mg 9/11- .6mg 9/24- .5mg 10/9- .4mg 10/21- .3mg 11/20- .2mg 12/4- .1mg 1/13/23-.09mg 1/27-.08mg 3/09/2023 - 0mg 

Lexapro Taper - 10mg 8/16/21- 7.5mg 9/11/2022- 5mg 11/10/2023- 4.6mg 11/24- 4.1mg 12/08- 3.8mg

10/01/23- Finasteride stopped CT

Supplements: Viva Naturals Fish Oil 2000mg x2 Daily // Magnesium Threonate at night // vitamin B2 400mg (suppose to help migraines)

6/01/2023 - started ketogenic diet

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  • 1 month later...

Hey guys and girls. It has been almost 2 months. I guess a month and a half now. I am expieriencing dissosociation, for the better part of the last 5 days. I usually get waves of impending doom, anehdonia, and waves of anxiety throughout the day. I am feeling very defeated.

I was using Hims .30 topical Finesteride//Minoxidil spray, so my hair doesnt fall out. I started to do every other day on the spray, and then stopped for 4-5 days. That is when these withdrawl affects started to happen. Im unsure if it is withdrawl from the abilify, or if it is tied to the finesteride.

I did reintroduced .25 tablet finesteride. 

 

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

Also, I did start taking 200mg L-Theanine. Ill update that in my signature.

got sober off illicit drugs in 2012. 
2011- Paxil 20mg

2018- Paxil 40 mg following poopout

2019- Paxil 40mg Abilify 2mg

2020 May- Paxil 40mg Abilify 5mg

2020 July- Paxil 40mg Abilify 6mg

2020 November- Paxil 40mg Abilify 7.5

2020 Devember- Cold Switch to Lexapro 20mg Abilify 7.5 7/21 - Started Tapering: 4mg 7/16/21- 3mg 7/31- 2mg 11/04- 1.5 mg 3/13/22- 1.4mg 4/01- 1.35 mg 4/19- 1.30 5/12- 1.25mg 7/1- .9mg 8/10-.7mg 8/25- .6mg 9/11- .6mg 9/24- .5mg 10/9- .4mg 10/21- .3mg 11/20- .2mg 12/4- .1mg 1/13/23-.09mg 1/27-.08mg 3/09/2023 - 0mg 

Lexapro Taper - 10mg 8/16/21- 7.5mg 9/11/2022- 5mg 11/10/2023- 4.6mg 11/24- 4.1mg 12/08- 3.8mg

10/01/23- Finasteride stopped CT

Supplements: Viva Naturals Fish Oil 2000mg x2 Daily // Magnesium Threonate at night // vitamin B2 400mg (suppose to help migraines)

6/01/2023 - started ketogenic diet

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  • 3 weeks later...

About 2 months ago I jumped off of my abilify taper at .08 mg. In hindsight I should have waited to drop at a lower dose. 

March 9th was the last day of abilify. I had bad symptoms from day 14-24 following discontinuation of abilify. 
Around April 21-28 symptoms returned. The initial ones were dissasociation. I had bad dissasociation for 3 days, then followed by waves of impending doom for 3-4 days. They waned in intensity, with the first few hours after waking being the worst. Historically, the panic attacks I have had in the past were far worse. But these were not fun regardless. After 4 days, I told my supportive girlfriend that I don’t know if I can continue on like this.
 

I think God heard me, and relieved me of the doom the following day.

 

I had 8 or 9 good days following that. Almost every day there was a small wave at one point, usually in the afternoon, but it was manageable and i prayed it would go away, and it did.  
 

May 6th, I switched from pill form 5mg lexapro, to liquid lexapro, 5ml. 
 

I started feeling slight waves of dissociation, and irritablility for a few days. And a lack of ability to focus at work. Due to my expierence this far, I felt like something was coming. There seems to be small warning signs prior to intense symptoms. 
 

May 11th, i wokeup, and my brain was on red alert. I read somewhere on here about almost three layers of thought. Background gibberish, fragmented thoughts, and then regular thoughts. All these were taking place simultaneously and was incredibly overwhelming. I went and surfed, because there was no way of being productive at work. (Self employed) 

Since then, every hour is a new chapter. I expierenced suicidal thoughts earlier tonight, but now feel somewhat fine.

 

I guess my current symptoms on this bout following the change to liquid are, dissasociation, suicidal thoughts (which is new), extreme depression, fatigue, hot/cold flashes, anehdonia. And an inability to focus.

 

This morning I ordered a 5ml syringe, because I was doing 5ml with a 1ml syringe, and I would lose count although I was trying with everything in me to not lose count. 
 

I don’t know what to do anymore, and I just pray that tomorrow will be better. 
 

I did start taking black seed oil 2 days ago, in the morning. And it seems to calm me, but I don’t know for sure. 

got sober off illicit drugs in 2012. 
2011- Paxil 20mg

2018- Paxil 40 mg following poopout

2019- Paxil 40mg Abilify 2mg

2020 May- Paxil 40mg Abilify 5mg

2020 July- Paxil 40mg Abilify 6mg

2020 November- Paxil 40mg Abilify 7.5

2020 Devember- Cold Switch to Lexapro 20mg Abilify 7.5 7/21 - Started Tapering: 4mg 7/16/21- 3mg 7/31- 2mg 11/04- 1.5 mg 3/13/22- 1.4mg 4/01- 1.35 mg 4/19- 1.30 5/12- 1.25mg 7/1- .9mg 8/10-.7mg 8/25- .6mg 9/11- .6mg 9/24- .5mg 10/9- .4mg 10/21- .3mg 11/20- .2mg 12/4- .1mg 1/13/23-.09mg 1/27-.08mg 3/09/2023 - 0mg 

Lexapro Taper - 10mg 8/16/21- 7.5mg 9/11/2022- 5mg 11/10/2023- 4.6mg 11/24- 4.1mg 12/08- 3.8mg

10/01/23- Finasteride stopped CT

Supplements: Viva Naturals Fish Oil 2000mg x2 Daily // Magnesium Threonate at night // vitamin B2 400mg (suppose to help migraines)

6/01/2023 - started ketogenic diet

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  • 3 weeks later...

Just touching base here, and looking for a recommendation from a moderator or someone with expeirence. 

The windows and waves metaphor is ringing very true for me. 5 decent days, 5 marginal days. There is a consistency in the up and down, and my sleep has also been affected within the last week. Throughout my whole taper off abilify, i slept fairly soundly. 

I guess my question is should I wait until I feel better most of the time, with a few hickup days in a month before I start tapering off of the lexapro?

 

Reading alot of other peoples withdrawl stories, I dont have it that bad. But, im definitely not great either. It makes planning anything very difficult, because sometimes when the designated time or day to do the planned activity, family gathering, ect. I am in a "waves period," and cannot go. 

got sober off illicit drugs in 2012. 
2011- Paxil 20mg

2018- Paxil 40 mg following poopout

2019- Paxil 40mg Abilify 2mg

2020 May- Paxil 40mg Abilify 5mg

2020 July- Paxil 40mg Abilify 6mg

2020 November- Paxil 40mg Abilify 7.5

2020 Devember- Cold Switch to Lexapro 20mg Abilify 7.5 7/21 - Started Tapering: 4mg 7/16/21- 3mg 7/31- 2mg 11/04- 1.5 mg 3/13/22- 1.4mg 4/01- 1.35 mg 4/19- 1.30 5/12- 1.25mg 7/1- .9mg 8/10-.7mg 8/25- .6mg 9/11- .6mg 9/24- .5mg 10/9- .4mg 10/21- .3mg 11/20- .2mg 12/4- .1mg 1/13/23-.09mg 1/27-.08mg 3/09/2023 - 0mg 

Lexapro Taper - 10mg 8/16/21- 7.5mg 9/11/2022- 5mg 11/10/2023- 4.6mg 11/24- 4.1mg 12/08- 3.8mg

10/01/23- Finasteride stopped CT

Supplements: Viva Naturals Fish Oil 2000mg x2 Daily // Magnesium Threonate at night // vitamin B2 400mg (suppose to help migraines)

6/01/2023 - started ketogenic diet

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  • 1 month later...

Hey, not a mod here, just someone with some experience of tapering Abilify with mixed success. Just to note I don't have experience with antidepressants on top, as I keep refusing my doc's prescription to take one. Sounds like you might want to wait (if possible a few weeks or even months) with the Lexapro taper, to stabilise after stopping the Abilify.

 

I've been tapering Abilify between 5 mg and 0.75 mg in the past 4 years (a total of 7 years on the drug), spending most of the time around 2 mg. When I get around 1 mg or lower, I often get (sometimes pretty quickly) suicide ideation, which I've learned to ignore and just note as a symptom, rather than getting hooked into. I had such idea only once as a teenager (but very mild), but the serious ones started appearing 3 months after my first attempt to CT Abilify and was triggered probably by the benzodiazepine I took for 3-4 days back then. Keep in mind that Abilify is partially a serotonine agonist, which makes it act as a mild antidepressant on top of its main stronger antipsychotic effect. So to my naive reading, it makes sense that losing the antidepressant effect, your mind will turn (back) to a more depressed state. And this is roughly what I experience when reducing the dosage. So I wouldn't recommend reducing your main antidepressant just yet.

 

And totally commiserate about the inability to plan and stick to existing plans when the "waves" come. It sucks hard especially during the summer! It's a hard fight and invaluable to have a supportive person next to you! (I get seriously angry at myself when I blaming my man for some issue, which later turns out to be just my skewed and depressed view on an event. And this ping-pong of blaming and feeling sorry about it is just horrible, but I'm super thankful for his support through it..)

In the end of 2015, got into a few days of psychosis and got an outpatient appointment with a psychiatrist, a diagnosis of schizo-affective disorder and a 2 month treatment with Risperidone. At the current point in time, my doctor is not convinced anymore in the diagnosis, rather points out depression and anxiety as my main condition, but I'm still taking Abilify as prevention therapy.

  • 2016 - 7.5 mg Abilify; 2017 - 2018 - 2 mg; April 2019 - May 2020 - 5 mg; June - December 2020 - 4.5 - 2.3 mg (-10% / month)

-> early 2021 - upped a little bit because of a depressive episode and insomnia

  • March 2021 to Jan 2022 - down to 0.7 mg

-> Feb 2023 - another depression+insomnia episode, so up again; added vit. B3, melatonin, L-tryptophan and split the Abilify dose in two

  • May 2022 to Nov 2022 - 2 mg down to 0.75 mg

-> middle of January 2023 - insomnia kicked in, some derealizations too; so up to:

  • Jan-April - 1 mg Abilify up to 1.5 mg; added Quetiapin 6 mg for a month, then down to 0 mg
  • 2024: dropped gradually Abilify to 0.5 mg and further down to 0.3 mg

Current: 0 mg Abilify since 8th of July 🥳 Holding the situation with aminoacids (tyrosine, tryptophan), Omega-3, Gingko biloba, occasional magnesium, calming herbs and CBD. Getting agitated, 2-3 nights of reduced sleep or depressed at certain phases of my period, overall improved mood and motivation is coming back. Appetite has reduced dramatically, weight is also slowly going down and energy levels - up. I can sweat again!

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 7/10/2023 at 4:19 AM, Nocturna said:

Hey, not a mod here, just someone with some experience of tapering Abilify with mixed success. Just to note I don't have experience with antidepressants on top, as I keep refusing my doc's prescription to take one. Sounds like you might want to wait (if possible a few weeks or even months) with the Lexapro taper, to stabilise after stopping the Abilify.

 

I've been tapering Abilify between 5 mg and 0.75 mg in the past 4 years (a total of 7 years on the drug), spending most of the time around 2 mg. When I get around 1 mg or lower, I often get (sometimes pretty quickly) suicide ideation, which I've learned to ignore and just note as a symptom, rather than getting hooked into. I had such idea only once as a teenager (but very mild), but the serious ones started appearing 3 months after my first attempt to CT Abilify and was triggered probably by the benzodiazepine I took for 3-4 days back then. Keep in mind that Abilify is partially a serotonine agonist, which makes it act as a mild antidepressant on top of its main stronger antipsychotic effect. So to my naive reading, it makes sense that losing the antidepressant effect, your mind will turn (back) to a more depressed state. And this is roughly what I experience when reducing the dosage. So I wouldn't recommend reducing your main antidepressant just yet.

 

And totally commiserate about the inability to plan and stick to existing plans when the "waves" come. It sucks hard especially during the summer! It's a hard fight and invaluable to have a supportive person next to you! (I get seriously angry at myself when I blaming my man for some issue, which later turns out to be just my skewed and depressed view on an event. And this ping-pong of blaming and feeling sorry about it is just horrible, but I'm super thankful for his support through it..)


thank you for responding. My expierence regarding the time frame of 3 months is exactly the same.

I wrote a little update on my “notes” on my phone this morning. I haven’t been active on here because, I have been doing so much better for the last almost 2 months. But I will share what I wrote this morning because it explains breifly about the changes I have made that have given me my life back.

 

“little update here. After getting kicked out of keto a few times because my protein intake was to high, things are going great. Within a few days of doing keto symptoms alleviated.

My energy is great, I’ve taken maybe 2 naps in the last month, whereas before I napped 5-6 days a week. My anxiety, seems to have vanished. Depression as well. 0 suicidal thoughts. I wake up in the morning, energized, and excited. It was a bit of a challenge transitioning from a lower carb diet, to extremely restricted carb diet. But this has been the biggest game changer of my journey this far. So grateful.”

 

there is significant evidence, and research being done on the ketogenic diet and it’s benefit for people going through withdrawl of a variety of different drugs, for non withdrawl related mental conditions, metabolic conditions. Just to give you a brief run down, I was eating very clean for the last year before starting keto. And it gave me great success, which is how I was able to taper off of abilify. But I hit a wall, and I knew about the potential benefits of keto, so I ran an experiment on myself to see if it would help me. It has been an answer to prayer, and the greatest gift. Sleep, focus, vocabulary I use has gotten more diverse, ambition, mood, no anxiety, no depression, far more resilient to stressful situations, these are all some of the benefits I have experienced in the last month and a half. I have been in the gym throughout the last 5 years. I did see a drop in strength, especially for the first month. It is coming back, but I am not where I was strength wise. But the mental benefits outweigh being as strong as I was 10 fold. I have lost 10lbs, unintentionally, but once again I do not care. 
 

so grateful, it is a nuanced diet, and there is so much to learn when starting. There were several points where I wanted to give up but I stuck with it. If anyone is serious there are doctors//nutritionist that can help guide through the process of switching diets to keto for therapeutic benefits. I’ll try to post the link later.

 

That’s all for now, there is hope!

 

p.s- waiting for a total of 3 months on keto to start working on the 5mg of lexapro. 

got sober off illicit drugs in 2012. 
2011- Paxil 20mg

2018- Paxil 40 mg following poopout

2019- Paxil 40mg Abilify 2mg

2020 May- Paxil 40mg Abilify 5mg

2020 July- Paxil 40mg Abilify 6mg

2020 November- Paxil 40mg Abilify 7.5

2020 Devember- Cold Switch to Lexapro 20mg Abilify 7.5 7/21 - Started Tapering: 4mg 7/16/21- 3mg 7/31- 2mg 11/04- 1.5 mg 3/13/22- 1.4mg 4/01- 1.35 mg 4/19- 1.30 5/12- 1.25mg 7/1- .9mg 8/10-.7mg 8/25- .6mg 9/11- .6mg 9/24- .5mg 10/9- .4mg 10/21- .3mg 11/20- .2mg 12/4- .1mg 1/13/23-.09mg 1/27-.08mg 3/09/2023 - 0mg 

Lexapro Taper - 10mg 8/16/21- 7.5mg 9/11/2022- 5mg 11/10/2023- 4.6mg 11/24- 4.1mg 12/08- 3.8mg

10/01/23- Finasteride stopped CT

Supplements: Viva Naturals Fish Oil 2000mg x2 Daily // Magnesium Threonate at night // vitamin B2 400mg (suppose to help migraines)

6/01/2023 - started ketogenic diet

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  • 4 months later...

Not sure if anyone reads this, but I’ll make a post and describe the current situation. Overall I’m doing good on the lexapro taper. I’ve been doing 10% reductions following a 2 week hold. The first few drops from 5, to where I’m at now which is 3.8 went smoothly with no noticeable side effects.

currently I can identify some things that may be withdrawl from my last drop which was 1 week ago. 
My head feels pressurized. My thoughts are not as well organized as normal, the quickness and recalling names is slowed. 
I was also expierencing migraines, 2-3 times a week over the last 1.5 months. 90% of the time it seemed to be linked to caffeine intake. I get an aura, and sometimes a headache follows other times it is just the aura.

i went to a neurologist and he suggested I supplement with vitamin b2, 400mg daily. Which I started to do and did not get migraines anymore for about a month. Until today, the aura returned and I’m in bed now with a 4/10 headache.

 

feeling a bit frustrated, and defeated but I know God is good and he will see me through it. I looked up what long term ssri use depletes, sure enough it was vitamins b2 and coq10. 

got sober off illicit drugs in 2012. 
2011- Paxil 20mg

2018- Paxil 40 mg following poopout

2019- Paxil 40mg Abilify 2mg

2020 May- Paxil 40mg Abilify 5mg

2020 July- Paxil 40mg Abilify 6mg

2020 November- Paxil 40mg Abilify 7.5

2020 Devember- Cold Switch to Lexapro 20mg Abilify 7.5 7/21 - Started Tapering: 4mg 7/16/21- 3mg 7/31- 2mg 11/04- 1.5 mg 3/13/22- 1.4mg 4/01- 1.35 mg 4/19- 1.30 5/12- 1.25mg 7/1- .9mg 8/10-.7mg 8/25- .6mg 9/11- .6mg 9/24- .5mg 10/9- .4mg 10/21- .3mg 11/20- .2mg 12/4- .1mg 1/13/23-.09mg 1/27-.08mg 3/09/2023 - 0mg 

Lexapro Taper - 10mg 8/16/21- 7.5mg 9/11/2022- 5mg 11/10/2023- 4.6mg 11/24- 4.1mg 12/08- 3.8mg

10/01/23- Finasteride stopped CT

Supplements: Viva Naturals Fish Oil 2000mg x2 Daily // Magnesium Threonate at night // vitamin B2 400mg (suppose to help migraines)

6/01/2023 - started ketogenic diet

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Hey, being down to 3.8 is a great success imo! Unfortunately headaches can be awful and 2-3 times a week sounds like torture.. :( I do get a lot of headaches when reducing Abilify (not above 2 mg) and I just use pain killers.. checking in with a neurologist sounds like a good idea indeed, I haven't thought of B2 at all.

 

And thanks for the encouragement about the keto diet! One should not try it without a doctor's advice, right?

In the end of 2015, got into a few days of psychosis and got an outpatient appointment with a psychiatrist, a diagnosis of schizo-affective disorder and a 2 month treatment with Risperidone. At the current point in time, my doctor is not convinced anymore in the diagnosis, rather points out depression and anxiety as my main condition, but I'm still taking Abilify as prevention therapy.

  • 2016 - 7.5 mg Abilify; 2017 - 2018 - 2 mg; April 2019 - May 2020 - 5 mg; June - December 2020 - 4.5 - 2.3 mg (-10% / month)

-> early 2021 - upped a little bit because of a depressive episode and insomnia

  • March 2021 to Jan 2022 - down to 0.7 mg

-> Feb 2023 - another depression+insomnia episode, so up again; added vit. B3, melatonin, L-tryptophan and split the Abilify dose in two

  • May 2022 to Nov 2022 - 2 mg down to 0.75 mg

-> middle of January 2023 - insomnia kicked in, some derealizations too; so up to:

  • Jan-April - 1 mg Abilify up to 1.5 mg; added Quetiapin 6 mg for a month, then down to 0 mg
  • 2024: dropped gradually Abilify to 0.5 mg and further down to 0.3 mg

Current: 0 mg Abilify since 8th of July 🥳 Holding the situation with aminoacids (tyrosine, tryptophan), Omega-3, Gingko biloba, occasional magnesium, calming herbs and CBD. Getting agitated, 2-3 nights of reduced sleep or depressed at certain phases of my period, overall improved mood and motivation is coming back. Appetite has reduced dramatically, weight is also slowly going down and energy levels - up. I can sweat again!

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8 hours ago, Nocturna said:

Hey, being down to 3.8 is a great success imo! Unfortunately headaches can be awful and 2-3 times a week sounds like torture.. :( I do get a lot of headaches when reducing Abilify (not above 2 mg) and I just use pain killers.. checking in with a neurologist sounds like a good idea indeed, I haven't thought of B2 at all.

 

And thanks for the encouragement about the keto diet! One should not try it without a doctor's advice, right?

 

I started getting the migraines when I was going below 2mg of abilify as well. That’s when they started.

 

i had a few months of no migraines after the abilify taper ended, around the time I started keto. But they are back for sure.

 

thank you for the encouragement, I went back up to 4.2 mg of lexapro this morning, and the side effects slowly diminished throughout the day except for the dissosociation and the headache. Praying that will be better tomorrow. I plan on holding here until after the holidays.

 

regarding the keto diet, I did not do it under the supervision of a dr. I watched alot of YouTube videos, took a lot of notes, and learned throughout the last 6 months. My doctor does know what I’m doing, and I do get routine lab work. But the diet is outside his wheelhouse. 
there are doctors that specialize in using the diet to treat withdrawal symptoms, and the underlying conditions. I’ve found the metabolic mind (on YouTube) to be helpful, and dr. Chris Palmer to be helpful. 

got sober off illicit drugs in 2012. 
2011- Paxil 20mg

2018- Paxil 40 mg following poopout

2019- Paxil 40mg Abilify 2mg

2020 May- Paxil 40mg Abilify 5mg

2020 July- Paxil 40mg Abilify 6mg

2020 November- Paxil 40mg Abilify 7.5

2020 Devember- Cold Switch to Lexapro 20mg Abilify 7.5 7/21 - Started Tapering: 4mg 7/16/21- 3mg 7/31- 2mg 11/04- 1.5 mg 3/13/22- 1.4mg 4/01- 1.35 mg 4/19- 1.30 5/12- 1.25mg 7/1- .9mg 8/10-.7mg 8/25- .6mg 9/11- .6mg 9/24- .5mg 10/9- .4mg 10/21- .3mg 11/20- .2mg 12/4- .1mg 1/13/23-.09mg 1/27-.08mg 3/09/2023 - 0mg 

Lexapro Taper - 10mg 8/16/21- 7.5mg 9/11/2022- 5mg 11/10/2023- 4.6mg 11/24- 4.1mg 12/08- 3.8mg

10/01/23- Finasteride stopped CT

Supplements: Viva Naturals Fish Oil 2000mg x2 Daily // Magnesium Threonate at night // vitamin B2 400mg (suppose to help migraines)

6/01/2023 - started ketogenic diet

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  • 1 month later...

Hi @thereishope33, so interesting to read and hear about the keto diet being helpful. Any updates on that? Have you been able to keep up with it even throughout waves? I'm also tapering Lexapro (currently at 3mg) and I know I desperately need to have a healthier diet. Hope you've been doing well!

2017 Oct sertraline | Nov switched to escitalopram 10mg | 2018 Apr escitalopram fast taper (4-8 weeks) to zero/off

2018 Nov restarted escitalopram, increased to 20mg | 2020 Jan escitalopram fast taper (2-3 months) to zero/off

2020 Aug 27 restarted escitalopram 10mg tablet, came across SA.org

2021 Feb 27 complete switch to liquid 9.8mg | Mar 7 decreased to 9.5mg | Mar 14 decreased to 9.3mg | Mar 21 decreased to 9.0mg | Apr 11 decreased to 8.8mg | Apr 18 decreased to 8.6mg | May 9 decreased to 8.3mg | May 16 decreased to 8.1mg | Jun 6 increased to 9.0mg | July 18 decreased to 8.6mg | Aug 15 decreased to 8.2mg | Sept 19 decreased to 8.0mg | Oct 21 decreased to 7.6mg | Nov 18 decreased to 7.2mg | Dec 16 decreased to 6.9mg

2022 Feb 27 decreased to 6.8mg | Mar 31 decreased to 6.4mg | Jul 5 decreased to 6.1mg | Jul 23 decreased to 5.8mg | Aug 10 increased to 6.0mg | Nov 24 decreased to 5.4mg | Dec 31 decreased to 4.8mg

2023 Feb 1 decreased to 4.4mg | May 17 decreased to 4mg | Jul 6 decreased to 3.8mg | Jul 19 decreased to 3.6 | Aug 11 decreased to 3.2mg | Sept 9 decreased to 3.0mg | Sept 22 decreased to 2.7mg | Oct 24 increased to 2.775mg | Nov 12 decreased to 2.7mg | Dec 20 increased to 3.0mg

 

I hold for longer periods of time when life gets stressful, usually work related.

 

Supplements: currently none

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50 minutes ago, purple said:

Hi @thereishope33, so interesting to read and hear about the keto diet being helpful. Any updates on that? Have you been able to keep up with it even throughout waves? I'm also tapering Lexapro (currently at 3mg) and I know I desperately need to have a healthier diet. Hope you've been doing well!

Hi! Yes, it’s been a life saver. 
The biggest game changer so far in my 4 year journey of tapering. I would research it. Metabolic mind on YouTube. Dr. Chris Palmer, these are avenues I used to learn more about it. 
But it’s been a learning expierence since June 23. But I have not had 1 cheat meal since then. That being said I have had processed keto items, and if I eat to much of those I have bad anxiety. It’s bizarre, but there is a direct link to metabolic health along with mental health. There are professionals that are using the ketogenic diet to get people off medication, and they may be able to help you. 
i did it myself until recently I hired a nutritionist to help me fine tune things

got sober off illicit drugs in 2012. 
2011- Paxil 20mg

2018- Paxil 40 mg following poopout

2019- Paxil 40mg Abilify 2mg

2020 May- Paxil 40mg Abilify 5mg

2020 July- Paxil 40mg Abilify 6mg

2020 November- Paxil 40mg Abilify 7.5

2020 Devember- Cold Switch to Lexapro 20mg Abilify 7.5 7/21 - Started Tapering: 4mg 7/16/21- 3mg 7/31- 2mg 11/04- 1.5 mg 3/13/22- 1.4mg 4/01- 1.35 mg 4/19- 1.30 5/12- 1.25mg 7/1- .9mg 8/10-.7mg 8/25- .6mg 9/11- .6mg 9/24- .5mg 10/9- .4mg 10/21- .3mg 11/20- .2mg 12/4- .1mg 1/13/23-.09mg 1/27-.08mg 3/09/2023 - 0mg 

Lexapro Taper - 10mg 8/16/21- 7.5mg 9/11/2022- 5mg 11/10/2023- 4.6mg 11/24- 4.1mg 12/08- 3.8mg

10/01/23- Finasteride stopped CT

Supplements: Viva Naturals Fish Oil 2000mg x2 Daily // Magnesium Threonate at night // vitamin B2 400mg (suppose to help migraines)

6/01/2023 - started ketogenic diet

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Thank you for the insightful reply! I've had a bias favoring the whole food plant based lifestyle (even though I haven't stuck to it) since a close friend is so keen on it but of course, he's him and I'm me. Everyone's bodies is so different. That kind of makes sense that processed keto items may cause ill effects as processed foods in general seem to be poor for our gut brain health. I've actually been craving red meat for at least a week and thought it was interesting my body was feeling that way.

2017 Oct sertraline | Nov switched to escitalopram 10mg | 2018 Apr escitalopram fast taper (4-8 weeks) to zero/off

2018 Nov restarted escitalopram, increased to 20mg | 2020 Jan escitalopram fast taper (2-3 months) to zero/off

2020 Aug 27 restarted escitalopram 10mg tablet, came across SA.org

2021 Feb 27 complete switch to liquid 9.8mg | Mar 7 decreased to 9.5mg | Mar 14 decreased to 9.3mg | Mar 21 decreased to 9.0mg | Apr 11 decreased to 8.8mg | Apr 18 decreased to 8.6mg | May 9 decreased to 8.3mg | May 16 decreased to 8.1mg | Jun 6 increased to 9.0mg | July 18 decreased to 8.6mg | Aug 15 decreased to 8.2mg | Sept 19 decreased to 8.0mg | Oct 21 decreased to 7.6mg | Nov 18 decreased to 7.2mg | Dec 16 decreased to 6.9mg

2022 Feb 27 decreased to 6.8mg | Mar 31 decreased to 6.4mg | Jul 5 decreased to 6.1mg | Jul 23 decreased to 5.8mg | Aug 10 increased to 6.0mg | Nov 24 decreased to 5.4mg | Dec 31 decreased to 4.8mg

2023 Feb 1 decreased to 4.4mg | May 17 decreased to 4mg | Jul 6 decreased to 3.8mg | Jul 19 decreased to 3.6 | Aug 11 decreased to 3.2mg | Sept 9 decreased to 3.0mg | Sept 22 decreased to 2.7mg | Oct 24 increased to 2.775mg | Nov 12 decreased to 2.7mg | Dec 20 increased to 3.0mg

 

I hold for longer periods of time when life gets stressful, usually work related.

 

Supplements: currently none

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