Hello20: coming off escitalopram

[Hello20]

On the 31st of March I stopped taking escitalopram after I had reduced from 20 mg to 10 mg for 2 weeks prior. All hell broke loose for me with anhedonia, anxiety, depression and the rest that goes with coming off antidepressant cold turkey. I am also suffering from erectile dysfunction and pray that it will come back some day soon. I also take asenapine for PTSD and schizophrenia, which i dont think i have. I'm sorry, but I can't think of anything else to say so I'm going to end it there.

[manymoretodays]

Hi Hello20, and this looks good.  Thanks for starting an Introduction topic AND doing a signature!  You are awesome.

 

Are you back on 10 mg of escitalopram now then, since 3 weeks after the 31st of March?  Never mind, I see you went off and then on to fluoxetine, and then off of that June 22nd.

How did your symptoms change after the reinstatements?

 

More on WD(withdrawal) and symptoms, as well as patterns of healing:

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Dr.Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

I don't know how much you've read around here to date, and so I will just give you this topic now too.  You are in a good time frame to try a reinstatement now.

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

And I see the asenapine too, the brand name for that one in the States is Saphris, and we do have a topic on it.

Tips for tapering off asenapine(Saphris)

 

The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

And I'll stop there now.

 

This is your introduction/journal page where you have now introduced yourself to the community, you can ask questions here regarding your tapering, or reinstatements,  give updates, and just keep a record of your journey.

 

Let us know how we can help.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays(mmt)

Edited July 20, 2023 by manymoretodays
took out a piece

[Hello20]

@Altostrata sorry if this is not the right place for this but i couldnt find a reply section. i was reading you story on REM sleep and cortisol spikes from 2011 and noticed you saying you wake at 2:30 in the morning and wondering if you still wake at that time? If not how long has it taken your body to reset back to be able to sleep past that point?

[Altostrata]

http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/49-about-altostrata-withdrawal-syndrome-since-2004/

[Hello20]

Has anyone else felt like time was running out while in withdrawals and that every task you do has to be completed in a hurry? It's something I went through early in withdrawals but don't have it so much any more.

[Emonda]

Hi @Hello20

I've moved your new post back here. Please post anything relating to yourself here.

 

Have you seen this list of potential WD symptoms? Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) I'm glad to read the issue you raised has improved with time. That is often the case with time and patience.

[Hello20]

21 minutes ago, Emonda said:

Hi @Hello20

I've moved your new post back here. Please post anything relating to yourself here.

 

Have you seen this list of potential WD symptoms? Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) I'm glad to read the issue you raised has improved with time. That is often the case with time and patience.

Can I ask what issue you are talking about?

[Emonda]

1 hour ago, Hello20 said:

Can I ask what issue you are talking about?

 

You mentioned this:

 

On 6/8/2024 at 9:12 AM, Hello20 said:

felt like time was running out while in withdrawals and that every task you do has to be completed in a hurry?

 

Then you said this...

 

On 6/8/2024 at 9:12 AM, Hello20 said:

don't have it so much any more.

 

I took this to mean this issue is improving for you. Have I misunderstood?

[Hello20]

@Emonda

Yeah it is improving.

[Hello20]

@Altostrata

Hi, im tapering saphris and im a bit confused as to how to do that with the scales.

Currently i just cut the wafer in half but to decrease lower than that do i weigh it and then just take off 10% off that weight?

Your information on this is greatly appreciated.

[Catwoman73]

Hi @Hello20- Alto is no longer actively involved in the day to day operations of this site, so I'm happy to help you out.  

 

So you are currently cutting a sublingual tablet in half?  Are you doing ok on that dose?  You feel stable and ready to proceed with further tapering?  Did you do a 10% taper to get to this point, or did you jump from a full tablet to half?  If so, how long ago?  Are you currently taking any other meds, and are those doses stable?

 

I just want to be able to give you the appropriate guidance, so a bit more info would be super helpful.  If you could update me here and in your drug signature by clicking the following link, that would be great.  I just want to be clear on the timeline, and what you are currently taking.  Thanks!

 

Your drug signature

[Emonda]

Hi @Hello20

I understand you have some questions about tapering. Please post your questions here, and we will try our best to assist.

 

Please answer the questions from Catwoman73 to help us out.

 

Emonda

[Hello20]

@Catwoman73

I'm on Saphris and was on 10mg and was told to cut my dose by 2.5 mg every month and got down to 2.5mg when i got what i think are either symptoms or withdrawal and the main one was insomnia so I reinstated to 7.5mg. I didn't sleep the 1st night but did the second night and slept for 3 nights. Last night I didn't sleep at all and worried I might have kindled. I sort of feel tired tonight but don't know if I'll sleep. Your help with if I've kindled would be appreciated.

[Emonda]

I believe Catwoman73 is away for the week.

 

We all struggle with insomnia, unfortunately. I find Melatonin for sleep a little helpful.

 

34 minutes ago, Hello20 said:

I'm on Saphris and was on 10mg and was told to cut my dose by 2.5 mg every month and got down to 2.5mg when i got what i think are either symptoms or withdrawal

 

Sounds like you tapered way too quickly. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? The reductions should get smaller and smaller each month, for example: 10mg, 9mg, 8.1mg, 7.3mg etc. This process involves a degree of trial and error, as there is no way of predicting how an individual will respond. Importantly, if you develop unpleasant side effects from tapering, halt the taper, give yourself time to settle, and once stable, taper more slowly and by smaller amounts moving forward. The experience of others suggests that the lower you go in dose, the slower you need to go with tapering.

 

Jumping around in your dose is not a good idea.

 

35 minutes ago, Hello20 said:

worried I might have kindled

This is a good link to read: Kindling

So the moderators can best help you, please complete your drug signature by following these instructions. Adding a signature ensures your drug history appears at the bottom of every post, making it more efficient for those trying to assist. This link should go directly to your own signature: Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

[Hello20]

@edmonda

Hi, does hypersensitivity settle down? 

As described above I went from 10mg of saphris down to 2.5mg by 2.5 mg every month and when I got to 2.5mg I got insomnia so I went back up to 7.5mg and managed to sleep for a bit but now haven't had much sleep. Will this settle down? Is this an adverse reaction? Or is it withdrawals running concurrently with the medication?

[Catwoman73]

On 7/14/2024 at 4:08 PM, Hello20 said:

@edmonda

Hi, does hypersensitivity settle down? 

As described above I went from 10mg of saphris down to 2.5mg by 2.5 mg every month and when I got to 2.5mg I got insomnia so I went back up to 7.5mg and managed to sleep for a bit but now haven't had much sleep. Will this settle down? Is this an adverse reaction? Or is it withdrawals running concurrently with the medication?

It sounds like you need to just hold steady, @Hello20.  What you are experiencing seems like windows and waves- you are definitely going to have periods where you symptoms aren't so bad, and periods where they are worse.  This is a normal part of the healing process. Continuing to increase and decrease your dose will certainly further destabilize you.  If you hold your dose right where it is, and start a symptom journal, tracking your symptoms every day and rating them on a scale of 1-10, you will be able to see the pattern of windows and waves emerging.  Read more here:

 

Windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

Insomnia is a very common symptom around here, and we do have a couple of threads on things that can help.  It does take a great deal of patience and practice, but the techniques described here can be helpful if you implement them regularly.

 

Tips to help sleep: so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

 Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration

 Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 Melatonin for sleep

 Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

Do note- it is best to introduce supplements slowly, if you decide to go that route.  Start at a low dose, and increase over time.  Many of us do become hypersensitive to medications, supplements, and even foods during withdrawal.  I, for one, can't take magnesium at all- it actually makes my sleep worse.  I learned that lesson the hard way!

 

Wishing you peace, Hello20- this is a tough journey.  Keep us updated on how you're doing!

[Hello20]

@Catwoman73Is it possible to have withdrawals while still on the medication though? I get irrational feelings and am self concious sometimes. I go through anxiety aswell. Is it possible to have these symptoms even after reinstating partial dose?

[Catwoman73]

5 hours ago, Hello20 said:

@Catwoman73Is it possible to have withdrawals while still on the medication though? I get irrational feelings and am self concious sometimes. I go through anxiety aswell. Is it possible to have these symptoms even after reinstating partial dose?

It is absolutely possible!  I think most of us here have these symptoms, despite still being on our meds.  In fact, it's possible to even have these symptoms when you haven't even tried to taper- it's a phenomenon we lovingly call 'pooping out.'  It's when the drug just stops working, and you suddenly feel like you're in withdrawal, even though nothing has changed.  

 

Reinstatement is not a guarantee.  It works for some, and not for others.  It makes some people worse.  For those that it works for, it might work right away, or they may have to wait many months, and updose several times before finding relief.  We are all different.  You will find stability if you just hold steady.  Stability, in my mind, occurs when many of your withdrawal symptoms either disappear, or dramatically reduce, to the point where you can live your life more normally, in spite of your symptoms.  It can take many months to get to that point.  This is a journey that will test your patience, that's for sure!  But you can do it- please be sure to read about and practice the non-drug coping mechanisms I previously provided links to.  You may find some of your own as well.  Stability will come with time, and you may as well be practicing these coping mechanisms along the way.  I swear to you that once you make a habit of it, these techniques do make a big difference. 

[Hello20]

Partial reinstate fixed major problems but new problems seem to be arising. Is that kindling or hypersensitive? I've been told by 2 other people that I should be slowly decreasing the med to find equilibrium. When I reinstated I was perfect for 3-4 days and then  got insomnia again for a about 1 or 2 days and now I can sleep again but I feel like I'm getting some issues that I can't explain if the reinstatement was too high.

Do you think I should decrease slowly or just stay steady inlight of the new information?

[Hello20]

Also the issues I was getting when I lowered I think might have been dopamine sensitivety and not withdrawals but I can't be sure. So if I got dopamine sensitivety and then reinstated because it wasn't withdrawals would that have kindled me? Do you stay on the higher medication if I've been kindled?

[Hello20]

Hi,

I was tapering down saphris at the advice of my psychiatrist (stupid me) at 2.5mg per a month from 10mg and got down to 2.5mg and got insomnia so reinstated to 7.5mg. It has been nearly a month and have started to get withdrawal symptoms of I think delusions momentarily popping into my head when someone says something in regards to their health. My insomnia has come back to sleeping 4 hours since last night and I have random anxiety come and go. Has anyone else dealt with this? I done a fast taper (effectively CT'D) escitalopram in 2023 and some what recovered from that except for early morning waking which I still get.

[Hello20]

@Catwoman73

Hi, I've started to experience insomnia again for the past 2 nights. Should I updose or continue to stay where I'm at? I'm currently at 7.5mg. I had a panadol last night and a valium because of insomnia and today I'm feeling energised, what's going on? Can you please delete my post above to please. 

[Catwoman73]

9 hours ago, Hello20 said:

@Catwoman73

Hi, I've started to experience insomnia again for the past 2 nights. Should I updose or continue to stay where I'm at? I'm currently at 7.5mg. I had a panadol last night and a valium because of insomnia and today I'm feeling energised, what's going on? Can you please delete my post above to please. 

 

This just sounds like a wave.  Having windows and waves is a normal part of the healing process.  This is a good sign, so you are best to hold.  I provided this link in a previous post, but here it is again for your review:

 

Windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

We strongly recommend against taking psychiatric medications to deal with the withdrawal effects of psychiatric medications.  Taking valium can be very unpredictable when in withdrawal.  It may help you in the short term, but it can also create a situation where you have another drug to taper from down the road, thereby prolonging your withdrawal journey.  So it will only harm you in the long term.  

[Hello20]

@Catwoman73

What do I do about the insomnia if it doesn't improve and it's a permanent wave? I understand totally about the valium and only took it that one night. I'm starting to feel mentally fragile and am second guessing if what im sometimes seeing is real. Example is i thought i heard my dog throwing up on the carpet this morning when i was lying in bed but when i got up there was nothing on the carpet. Its possible he could just have been dry reaching but i wonder if i was just imaging it. Makes me second guess myself and wonder if it was real or it's my mind playing tricks on me in withdrawals.

[Hello20]

@Shep

HI please read my above posts and tell me what i should do. Ive had 2 nights of no sleep at all. I understood you are well versed in antipsychotic withdrawals. Please help me.

[Emonda]

Shep is no longer on this site.

 

3 hours ago, Hello20 said:

Ive had 2 nights of no sleep at all.

 

We all experience this to varying degrees; it's not nice, I know.

 

When I find myself awake in bed at night, every night, I have peaceful music playing quietly in the background to stop my mind racing.

 

Some find melatonin helpful.

[Hello20]

@Shep

I was sleeping up until a few nights ago and then all of a sudden no sleep. It's been a month since I updosed from tapering at psychiatrist recommendations. I got down to 2.5mg from 10mg and started to experience what I think was psycosis from dopamine sensitivety so I updosed to 7.5mg. I experienced some SI and some neurophathy. I'm worried I've either kindled or hit poop out. I do feel rather energised. What do you think?

[Hello20]

@Emonda

I was sleeping up until a few nights ago and then all of a sudden no sleep. It's been a month since I updosed from tapering at psychiatrist recommendations. I got down to 2.5mg from 10mg and started to experience what I think was psycosis from dopamine sensitivety so I updosed to 7.5mg. I experienced some SI and some neurophathy. I'm worried I've either kindled or hit poop out. I do feel rather energised. What do you think?

[Hello20]

PS I haven't had any sleep in 2 nights. I feel energised in the chest which makes me wonder if I've kindled myself. Please get back to me.

[Catwoman73]

Hi @Hello20- unfortunately, insomnia is part of the game.  It's extremely unpleasant, I know.  I suspect you are not kindled-  just in a bad wave.  You had a previous wave that included insomnia, correct?  Waves do come to an end, so you just have to hang in there.  Are you keeping a symptom journal?  This can be very helpful in keeping track of your windows and waves, and to remind you that waves do end.  Are you practicing the non-drug methods of dealing with insomnia that I linked to you in a previous post?  Have you tried adding a low dose of magnesium or melatonin, as previously recommended?  It's all a bit experiment, unfortunately- we need to figure out what works best for us individually to deal with symptoms as they pop up. 

[Hello20]

@Catwoman73

I've gone 2 days with no sleep and I feel energised like I won't sleep tonight. The energised feeling sometimes comes after ive taken the tablets. Are you sure the energised feelings aren't kindling or poop out?

[Hello20]

@Catwoman73

Shouldn't I be back to normal sleep as I updosed? I had sleep for a whole month and then the insomnia started. Why did insomnia start after a month? I don't feel like this is a wave.

[Emonda]

When increasing your dose, it is best to do it slowly, then sit back and observe how you respond.

 

We all struggle with sleep. When you make changes, your sleep may deteriorate for a period of time. I know mine certainly does every time I reduce my dose.

[Hello20]

@Emonda

Does your insomnia stop you from sleeping the whole night like zero sleep? I had 4 hours of sleep the might before but last night i had zero sleep, i think it might have been because i had a coffee. I'll cut coffee out and see what happens.

[Emonda]

I seem to sleep for a few hours at a time: 10pm-12am and 2am-4am. If I'm lucky, I have a brief 3rd stint. If I get up at 4am, it's an ugly day!

 

Yet, when I look at my watch that somehow records my sleep, it tells me I apparently sleep better than I think I do. I tell my wife my watch tells lies!

 

I just play very quite relaxing music in the background all night and accept the situation. I had to remove e-mails from my phone, to remove the temptation to read them in the middle of the night.

 

As to coffee / caffeine: I don't touch it after 10am.

[Hello20]

@Catwoman73

My insomnia seems to be getting worse, last night i only slept about 2 hours. should I updose?

On 7/19/2024 at 1:01 PM, Catwoman73 said: