Solidify: lexapro taper

[Solidify]

I have been on Lexapro going on seven weeks. I took it for a nervous system out of balance. The med gave me horrible side effects. If I want to start a taper, I need to go the 10% decrease?

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  After only 4 weeks, the brain becomes dependent on psychiatric drugs.  Lexapro is an especially powerful SSRI drug, being 2x - 4x more powerful than other SSRI's.  Barring a severe adverse effect or allergic reaction, we suggest that you do the 10% harm reduction taper.  The good thing is, you might be able to do it a little faster, but be very careful about this.  The link on tapering by 10% will explain how to determine if you can taper faster.  

 

What specifically are the horrible side effects? 

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  Please read the link below for instructions.  

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we generally taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the reduction becomes exponentially smaller.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Tips for Tapering Lexapro

 

 

 

 

[Solidify]

Thank you for your reply!

I took the med for panic initially. I was fine, then stress caused me to go into panic. I had a month long panic. The med calmed the panic in a matter of three days. Then I felt good but felt like maybe I was over medicating myself. I tried to stop the meds after two weeks. After three days i felt like my feelings closed and I had only a knot in my chest. I started the meds again.
Then side effects came: I became almost bed ridden. Very tired and my motivation was shot. There was some weird feeling at different parts of my brain, like a small burn/burst, and brain fog and loss of focus. Feeling like swimming in mumbled thoughts in my head. A horrible depression grew out of it and I was crying from how horrible I felt. This has dissipated after 1-2 weeks but feelings still closed, no motivation, can’t really do anything productive, feels futile to go forward. What stayed is also inability to be still, perhaps not akathisia, but because of the anxiety and loss of feelings I just can’t accept.
Perhaps it’s like the panic state I was in before but with less panic and more depression. 
 

Is it a good idea to take benzo as needed to try to cope with symptoms?

 

[getofflex]

I assume 5.15 is referring to the date of May 15?  

 

Please add the dates that you stopped and started the meds.  We need detailed and specific information to give you the proper advice.  

 

Thank you for explaining your symptoms more completely.  It sounds like you got an adverse effect from reinstating to the 5 mg Lexapro, and that these symptoms have decreased.  I'm somewhat concerned about your inability to be still.  I will confer with the other staff, and see what would be best. 

 

8 hours ago, Solidify said:

Is it a good idea to take benzo as needed to try to cope with symptoms?

 

It would be preferable to learn and use non drug coping techniques to help with your symptoms.  Benzos are very addictive, and then you would have another drug to taper.  

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

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

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

[Altostrata]

@Solidify 

 

10 hours ago, Solidify said:

I took the med for panic initially. I was fine, then stress caused me to go into panic. I had a month long panic. The med calmed the panic in a matter of three days. Then I felt good but felt like maybe I was over medicating myself. I tried to stop the meds after two weeks. After three days i felt like my feelings closed and I had only a knot in my chest. I started the meds again.

 

Please explain the above with dates. When did you start escitalopram? What was the dosage?

 

While you were taking it, before you tried to go off altogether, were there any times where you skipped a dose or took it off-schedule?

 

Why did you feel you were overmedicating yourself?

 

How did you go off escitalopram? You were taking it only 2 weeks at that time?

 

When did you start taking 5mg?

[Solidify]

Thank you for your replies!

I checked the dates thoroughly. I started with 2,5 mg on 15th of may.  May 15-17 2,5 mg. Somewhat calming effect. 18-23 5 mg somewhat increased anxiety and some depression. 23-25 7,5 mg anxiety during day, good feeling during evenings. May 26-28 5 mg anxiety and good feeling continues. May 29 4 mg, may 30 3 mg, may 31 2 mg, June 1 1 mg jump off.

 

I was reluctant to be on meds and felt like the meds were “pulling out my good hormones” too aggressively, flooding me whereas that wasn’t needed. All I wanted was for the panic to calm down, I didn’t have depression. I decided I will calm myself naturally and get off the meds. Became hypersensitive and panic worse off than before. Became bedridden as sounds and light and any activity exacerbated the panic.  
 

Started meds again june 4. The only positive this time was that it calmed the panic in about 7 days. June 4 1 mg, june 5 2 mg, june 6 3 mg june 7 4 june 8-> current 5 mg. July 4 one day of 7,5mg.  

 

I am taking every pill between 9 am to 12 pm. One day that I can’t remember the date in the second week I took only half a pill late at night.  

 

I went to the er one day as I couldn’t take how I was feeling. They gave me hydroyxine to take as needed. For this I don’t have the dates but it was in the second week back on. I took half for one day, didn’t feel anything. Two days a couple days apart I took whole pill of hydroxyzine and slept through evening and night. Woke up more confused and never took again.

 

I haven’t taken any of the benzos I was prescribed.

 

I am in contact with my doctor weekly. He has been pushing me to up the dosage, saying that the effects I’m feeling is my underlying condition not being remedied enough with the 5 mg dosage. I’ve repeatedly told him that it feels wrong and haven’t upped my dosage. However, he managed to convince me this week and yesterday I took 7,5 mg. All the symptoms/side effects became intensified yet again, so it is indeed the meds that is the cause. I’m going back to my dosage of 5 mg.  

 

Day before yesterday I had a window where I didn’t have any nightmares in the morning and could genuinely relax for a few minutes in bed.  
 

I will take notes of my symptoms throughout the day today and I can post that tomorrow. 

[Solidify]

I also can add that when starting again, on the day I took 2 mg, I felt like myself all evening, night and morning until an hour after I took the dose of 3 mg, whereas the confusion and loss of focus came back.

[Solidify]

I also would like to ask about my most worrying symptom that I had the first week when starting again. During many days in different small areas in my brain I felt some sudden pain/burning at times, by which followed more loss of focus, and confusion and nausea.

[Altostrata]

Not everyone gets along well with SSRIs such as Lexapro. Quite often, people find them activating -- they cause anxiety rather than calm it.

 

It sounds like you are very sensitive to Lexapro, which is a strong drug even at low doses. More is not necessarily better with these drugs. You are okay, maybe, with 2mg or 2.5mg but more than that, you feel the adverse effects.

 

If I were you, I'd stop trying to increase Lexapro. Suggest you stabilize for some months on 2mg, let your nervous system settle down, then taper off by tiny amounts later. See 

 

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

 

Hypersensitivity and Kindling

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

[Solidify]

Thank you for your reply!

 

I would love to decrease my dosage to 2 mg as it is making me feel so horrible. Is it safe for me to drop right away from 5 to 2 mg after being on the drug for about 7 weeks? 

[Altostrata]

How long have you been taking 5mg?

[Solidify]

Since starting again June 8 is when I reached 5 mg and have stayed there since. It will be four weeks.

[Altostrata]

Were there not days that you took 2mg and 3mg? How long did you take less than 5mg?

[Solidify]

I started 15th of may at 2,5mg, increased to 5mg after three days. Stayed on 5mg until may 28 (with the exception of three days on 7,5mg) so approx 2 weeks on 5mg before tapering off by 1mg a day.
May 29 - June 1 taper off, decreasing by 1mg a day. June 4-7 taper on increasing by 1mg a day. June 8-> current 5mg, so approx four weeks back on at 5mg.

 

I hope this makes sense.

[Altostrata]

If I were you, I'd decrease 5mg by 0.5mg, see how that goes. Please let us know how you're doing. 

[Solidify]

I’ll do that. Thank you.

[getofflex]

15 hours ago, Solidify said:

I checked the dates thoroughly. I started with 2,5 mg on 15th of may.  May 15-17 2,5 mg. Somewhat calming effect. 18-23 5 mg somewhat increased anxiety and some depression. 23-25 7,5 mg anxiety during day, good feeling during evenings. May 26-28 5 mg anxiety and good feeling continues. May 29 4 mg, may 30 3 mg, may 31 2 mg, June 1 1 mg jump off.

 

I was reluctant to be on meds and felt like the meds were “pulling out my good hormones” too aggressively, flooding me whereas that wasn’t needed. All I wanted was for the panic to calm down, I didn’t have depression. I decided I will calm myself naturally and get off the meds. Became hypersensitive and panic worse off than before. Became bedridden as sounds and light and any activity exacerbated the panic.  
 

Started meds again june 4. The only positive this time was that it calmed the panic in about 7 days. June 4 1 mg, june 5 2 mg, june 6 3 mg june 7 4 june 8-> current 5 mg. July 4 one day of 7,5mg.  

It would be helpful if you could please condense this information and put it in your signature box.  Just drug name, dates, and dosages of each drug dosage change.  Thank you.  

 

15 hours ago, Solidify said:

I am taking every pill between 9 am to 12 pm

It would probably help you if you try to take your tablet at the same time of day each day, say between 9 and 10 am.  Stability and consistency are very helpful when our nervous systems are destabilized.  

Edited July 5, 2023 by getofflex

[Solidify]

Thank you, I’ll do that.

[Solidify]

I reduced with 0,5mg today, now on 4,5mg.

How long should I hold if I’m trying to get down to 2,5mg or even 2? And as I’m already feeling very bad from the meds and adverse effects, what to look out for?

[getofflex]

Hold for as long as you need to.  Hold until your nervous system stabilizes, and be stable for a couple of weeks before reducing your drug again.  Rushing a taper will not help you get off the drug sooner, it is more likely to cause problems and actually take longer to get off.  We suggest a minimum of 4-6 weeks, but longer if necessary.  

 

Stability

 

It might be a good idea to keep a daily journal of your symptoms, the times you take your drugs and supplements, and other activities during the day.  Adverse effects are likely to occur in the several hours after you take you drugs.  

 

Recording Drug Schedule and Symptoms to Track Patterns and Progress

 

 

[getofflex]

I don't remember if I've told you this, but it is very important to stop changing the dose of the Lexapro frequently.  This is likely to further confuse and destabilize your nervous system.  Barring a severe adverse reaction, staying on the 4.5 mg dose consistently, each and every day, is very important.  Please read 

 

Considerations About Stability - Stop Jumping Around

 

 

Edited July 6, 2023 by getofflex

[Solidify]

Thank you for your reply!  
 

I would almost be willing to take the risk because I have arranged and am now in a place where I can keep to a very steady routine, for however long, and have no stress other than that I cannot work ofcourse.  

 

I am already feeling so bad, and I’d rather take the waves now to be rid of the mostpart of the the adverse effects that are battering me with extreme depression between 12-18 every day. (I don’t know how to hold on/go on with this) As I decreased with the 0,5mg, I must say it lessened the adverse effect and yesterday was a little easier than every day before that.

As I have “only” taken the med for less than two months, could it be possible to decrease more let’s say every couple of days til I get down to at least 4mg and hold on that then for the coming time? I feel maybe the benefit of reducing the adverse effects would be outweighing the risk of withdrawal, considering the “short” time I’ve been on the med.

However I don’t know about these meds. How does it sound?

[Solidify]

I have also been keeping track of my mood, it’s something I’ve “always” been doing. The several days before yesterday depression has been 10, whereas yesterday an 8. To be able to cope, I feel it would be really relieving to lessen the dose and adverse effects.

[getofflex]

Personally, if it were me, I would not rush the taper.  I would find non drug ways of dealing with the depression.  We here have dealt with the fallout of people with too fast tapers.  It takes many months to years to recover from this, and many times involves severe suffering.  It's just not worth it.  We only suggest fast tapers when people are getting organ damage (liver, kidney), or severe allergic reaction to the drug, which you don't seem to be having.  Please carefully read: 

 

Cold Turkey and Too Fast Tapers

 

I'm glad to hear that your adverse effects are lessening.  Please work on non drug ways to deal with your depression.  One simple thing that works for me, is taking a walk outside every day.  There are many other things that can help.  Developing a strong spiritual life is another very helpful thing.  

 

This link contains search results for "depression" in the forum.  

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/search/?&q=depression&type=forums_topic&nodes=14,8&search_and_or=and&search_in=titles

 

There are also many free videos on YouTube that can give ideas to help for depression.  Some channels Therapy in a Nutshell, Katie Morton, Julia Kristina, and Psych2Go are a few.  

 

You might consider talking your feelings out with a therapist who will not push drugs.  Finally, learning CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) can be very helpful.  A good book on amazon for this is "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by David Burns 

 

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

The adverse effect should lessen as you reduce the dose.

 

On 7/6/2023 at 4:18 PM, Solidify said:

I reduced with 0,5mg today, now on 4,5mg.

How long should I hold if I’m trying to get down to 2,5mg or even 2? And as I’m already feeling very bad from the meds and adverse effects, what to look out for?

 

Did you feel any change after you made this reduction? This is what we need to know. It will take a week for the reduction to fully take effect.

[Solidify]

Thank you.

 

I’m holding and I’ll note my symptoms day by day. 
 

[Solidify]

Getofflex if I may ask, what is the tapering process like? While tapering for years, are you able to feel happiness, contentment at that time too, mixed in with the bad, or is it a dragged out pain? Are you able to feel “ok” during that time? Feel free to sugar coat it. 

[Solidify]

Also I would want to ask, now as I’m doing everything to for my nervous system to heal and relax, as I find balance (which will take Time), when I start to taper, will that upset the balance again each time? For years?

[Solidify]

Another question, do adverse reactions eventually level out, and the meds can start working like they’re intended to? Or is it once you get an adverse reaction it will be like this until tapered off?

[getofflex]

6 hours ago, Solidify said:

Another question, do adverse reactions eventually level out, and the meds can start working like they’re intended to? Or is it once you get an adverse reaction it will be like this until tapered off?

I don't know, but I suspect the latter.  

[Altostrata]

8 hours ago, Solidify said:

Another question, do adverse reactions eventually level out, and the meds can start working like they’re intended to? Or is it once you get an adverse reaction it will be like this until tapered off?

 

When you say "like they're intended to", what do you mean?

[Solidify]

I’m not sure, maybe I phrased that wrong. Just meant if the adverse effects will change or I will keep having adverse effects to the meds until tapered off. The first time I took the meds before I stopped, they calmed my nervous system, I started feeling clear and better. When I started again the complete opposite. Maybe I meant if they can start to calm my nervous system again, instead of aggravating it with depression and confusion, since I’m gonna be on them until tapered off.

[getofflex]

4 hours ago, Solidify said:

if the adverse effects will change or I will keep having adverse effects to the meds until tapered off.

What we generally see is that as people taper off the drug, the adverse effects lessens with each reduction.  Is your goal to get off the Lexapro? 

[Solidify]

That sounds promising. My goal is definitely to get off lexapro. I feel like it has given me not much but misery, and I am afraid that the healing that is taking place with time and the work I’m doing will be cancelled out as I’m tapering, upsetting my nervous system again and again

[getofflex]

If you taper gradually, and carefully, that should minimize or eliminate any upset to your nervous system. Not only that, but your adverse reactions will decrease. 

Edited July 10, 2023 by getofflex

[Solidify]

I have an underlying condition of panic. My hope is that by the time I get off lex, the panic has already calmed aswell.