JayP80 Posted March 7 Posted March 7 I hope you are well. I am on Escitalopram 10mg reduced overnight from 20mg. After being on this specific medication for 7 months and having been on Citalopram from the age of 22. Meaning I have been on an SSRI for 22 years. Last year after my breakdown in April (I’m actually thinking it might have been my medication stopping working that caused all this) I was put on Venlafaxine immediately without any tapering off citalopram for 2 weeks (Actually wanted to commit suicide due to that drugs side effects) I was then put on Sertraline without any tapering off Venlafaxine. That caused incredibly unpleasant side effects. In August without tapering again I was put on Escitalopram 10mg then two months later upped to 20mg to “give it a go” by psychiatrists. Not one of these medications have worked and have made me worse. Come more recently I suggested I wanted to wean off Escitalopram because I felt constantly in fight or flight. That was about a month ago. I was then prescribed buspirone 5mg x 3 a day and had my Escitalopram reduced to 10mg overnight, no tapering. A week into that regime I stopped Buspirone of my own accord and am currently on just the 10mg of Escitalopram that hadn’t been working in the first place. I actually think I’ve been withdrawing from all the antidepressants since April in some peculiar way. Since I first started antidepressants in 2002 I haven’t once had a doctor review my medication, not once have they asked me about coming off, the only time things changed is to up my medication or “give another” on a go. Today I have chronic muscle twitches, that don’t stop. My mind is clearer bizarrely and less brain fog but my physical symptoms are another matter, I’m aching considerably, I wake up shaking in the morning, and the cold makes my body shiver uncontrollably. The muscle twitches in my legs are 24 hours a day every minute. I try to go to the gym but it’s hard as my calves cramp. I have contacted a nutritionist as I’ve had dozens of blood tests thinking something must be out of sync, deficient. I’m on a good diet plan of protein and high fibre. And supplements. I currently don't know where to turn or what to do, as I am now on 10mg Escitalopram only, I don't know whether to go up gradually to try and resolve these physical constant muscle spasms/twitches even though the medication itself offered me no relief from anxiety/depression etc and actually made me 100 times worse, or to taper down. Either way I'm stuck. My body is a mess, that was once absolutely fine, it's now all over the place. Something that’s keeping me going is knowing someone is highlighting the daily struggle of these drugs and the complete disregard for the patients that are prescribed them. I hope this email reaches you all in good health. Citalopram 10-30 from 2002 - June 2023 Stopped working, then upped to 40mg for about a week. Start of July 2023 Stopped Citalopram abruptly by doctor. 6th Of July 2023 put on Venlafaxine 37.5mg and given Lorazepam 1mg tablets to calm side effects taken when needed. Stopped Venlafaxine 37.5 after two weeks. Terrible side effects (suicidal). 28th July 2023 put on Sertraline from 25mg to 50mg tablets. Terrible side effects. 1st of August 2023 taken off of Sertraline abruptly by doctor. 1st August 2023 put on Escitalopram 10mg. Makes me feel worse. 20th of October 2023 Escitalopram increased to 20mg. Makes me feel worse. 31st of January 2024 Escitalopram decreased to 10mg overnight. 31st of January 2024 Buspirone 5mg x 3 daily added to 10mg Escitalopram. 20th of February 2024 stopped Buspirone due to side effects. 20th of February just on Escitalopram 10mg. Side effects are horrendous.
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted March 10 Moderator Emeritus Posted March 10 Hello, and welcome to SA. We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs. I think what the doctors did to you regarding your drugs was terrible - the direct switches with no gradual bridging, putting you on a drug carousel, increasing doses when you were already having the side effects, etc. Unfortunately, many doctors are notorious for doing this sort of thing. We will try to help you sort this out. 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 only give us drug names, dosages, and dates, as best you can remember. Just provide a very brief summary of the information you gave us in your intro post in a list format. 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 This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization 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 You asked about supplements. 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 On 3/7/2024 at 4:13 AM, JayP80 said: I currently don't know where to turn or what to do, as I am now on 10mg Escitalopram only, I don't know whether to go up gradually to try and resolve these physical constant muscle spasms/twitches even though the medication itself offered me no relief from anxiety/depression etc and actually made me 100 times worse, or to taper down. Either way I'm stuck It is quite likely that your symptoms are being caused by all of the drug changes and switches, not to mention the adverse reactions you have had to these drugs. Your nervous system is probably confused and destabilized by all of this. The best thing to do at this point, is to stop making any drug changes/switches, and stick with your 10 mg of Lexapro for a while. This should allow your nervous system to stabilize. Then, once you are stable, you can do a very slow and cautious taper of the Lexapro. That's the way out of this mess. If you watched the video in the second link I gave you, it will help you understand why your brain has become destabilized. It is very important to avoid alcohol, and any other mind altering substances. Don't skip or miss any doses, and take it at the same time each day. Try to avoid excess stress and drama, and do things that calm and soothe you. Eat a clean healthy diet, do gentle exercise (walks outside are great), and get plenty of fluids. The way to have healing is time and natural self care. The bad news is it takes a lot of time, but the good news is that there is healing eventually. Hang in there. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly
JayP80 Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 @getofflexThank you so much for your reply and words of encouragement. I have just tried to do my Signature but it's not seeming to save. Can someone advise? I'm sticking to 10mg Escitalopram to stabilize but i'm not sure what stabilized feels like as I currently have tremors all over, vibrations, slight brain zaps and constant muscle spasms and cramps in my calves, and when I exercise they get worse after. Also sporadic spasms over body, and pain in body all over. Thank you again. Citalopram 10-30 from 2002 - June 2023 Stopped working, then upped to 40mg for about a week. Start of July 2023 Stopped Citalopram abruptly by doctor. 6th Of July 2023 put on Venlafaxine 37.5mg and given Lorazepam 1mg tablets to calm side effects taken when needed. Stopped Venlafaxine 37.5 after two weeks. Terrible side effects (suicidal). 28th July 2023 put on Sertraline from 25mg to 50mg tablets. Terrible side effects. 1st of August 2023 taken off of Sertraline abruptly by doctor. 1st August 2023 put on Escitalopram 10mg. Makes me feel worse. 20th of October 2023 Escitalopram increased to 20mg. Makes me feel worse. 31st of January 2024 Escitalopram decreased to 10mg overnight. 31st of January 2024 Buspirone 5mg x 3 daily added to 10mg Escitalopram. 20th of February 2024 stopped Buspirone due to side effects. 20th of February just on Escitalopram 10mg. Side effects are horrendous.
OffPills Posted March 11 Posted March 11 Hi @JayP80, What terrible symptoms you describe! I also have been on citalopram for a long time, and when reading your signature, I’m thinking that your symptoms can easily still be the withdrawal from stopping citalopram last year. In my case a lot of wd symptoms started months after stopping citalopram. I hope you’ll start to feel better soon. stay strong!
JayP80 Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 @OffPills Thank you for your response. It’s hard to distinguish what I’m withdrawing from. My only saving grace is I’m only 10mg Escitalopram now so hopefully the other drugs are out of my system and this one is the last. Have to hopefully stabilise on this before moving down. It’s so hard. But have to imagine life getting better. I physically hate my doctors and health care I’ve had but the anger won’t help. It’ll make it worse. Just got to recognise the good moments when they appear. All the best OffPills. I hope you succeed. Here if you ever need to chat. Citalopram 10-30 from 2002 - June 2023 Stopped working, then upped to 40mg for about a week. Start of July 2023 Stopped Citalopram abruptly by doctor. 6th Of July 2023 put on Venlafaxine 37.5mg and given Lorazepam 1mg tablets to calm side effects taken when needed. Stopped Venlafaxine 37.5 after two weeks. Terrible side effects (suicidal). 28th July 2023 put on Sertraline from 25mg to 50mg tablets. Terrible side effects. 1st of August 2023 taken off of Sertraline abruptly by doctor. 1st August 2023 put on Escitalopram 10mg. Makes me feel worse. 20th of October 2023 Escitalopram increased to 20mg. Makes me feel worse. 31st of January 2024 Escitalopram decreased to 10mg overnight. 31st of January 2024 Buspirone 5mg x 3 daily added to 10mg Escitalopram. 20th of February 2024 stopped Buspirone due to side effects. 20th of February just on Escitalopram 10mg. Side effects are horrendous.
OffPills Posted March 11 Posted March 11 You’re welcome @JayP80! What I forgot to mention is that I think it was wise to stop the Buspirone, not only because of the side effects, but you were put on a cocktail of meds, not good in my opinion. Your doctor decreasing the dose of escitalopram from 20 to 10mg overnight was also a big jump. Let’s hope you will stabilize and feel better soon. And thank you for your kind words!
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted March 11 Moderator Emeritus Posted March 11 4 hours ago, JayP80 said: so hopefully the other drugs are out of my system With psych drugs, the issue isn't just getting the drugs out of our system. It's that the brain needs to readjust as we taper off drugs, which takes much longer than just getting the drugs out of our system. Please carefully read this link: How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain I do see your signature, so it looks like it's been saved. Thank you. 4 hours ago, OffPills said: decreasing the dose of escitalopram from 20 to 10mg overnight was also a big jump. This will probably not be a big issue. This is because even at only 10 milligrams of Lexapro, just about all of your serotonin receptors are affected. The large reductions become more of an issue when we go under 10 mg. 9 hours ago, JayP80 said: i'm not sure what stabilized feels like as I currently have tremors all over, vibrations, slight brain zaps and constant muscle spasms and cramps in my calves, and when I exercise they get worse after. Also sporadic spasms over body, and pain in body all over. You are not stabilized now based on these symptoms. Stability is when we are not having major ups and downs, or major symptoms. We may still feel bad, but it's bearable, and somewhat the same day to day. This link explains it more: Stability 9 hours ago, JayP80 said: when I exercise they get worse after. In that case, I would back off the exercise - intense exercise can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms. I also have exercise intolerance, so I mainly go for walks outside. Someday, you should be able to exercise more intensely. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly
Farm24 Posted March 12 Posted March 12 22 hours ago, JayP80 said: @OffPills Thank you for your response. It’s hard to distinguish what I’m withdrawing from. My only saving grace is I’m only 10mg Escitalopram now so hopefully the other drugs are out of my system and this one is the last. Have to hopefully stabilise on this before moving down. It’s so hard. But have to imagine life getting better. I physically hate my doctors and health care I’ve had but the anger won’t help. It’ll make it worse. Just got to recognise the good moments when they appear. All the best OffPills. I hope you succeed. Here if you ever need to chat. Are your muscle contractions only in your calves? Sertaline- tried 50 mg beginning of June 2023. Caused hyperreflexia. So stopped after one dose. Tried several smaller doses that month. Had burning and twitching so just stopped. Lexapro June of 2023' 2.5 mg for two weeks July of 2023 5 mg for two weeks July of 2023 7.5 mg for 2 weeks August to mid September 10 mg Mid September reduced to 7.5 October to October 15 reduced to 5 October 15 to October 30 reduced to 2.5 October 30-off
OffPills Posted March 13 Posted March 13 On 3/12/2024 at 12:11 AM, getofflex said: This will probably not be a big issue. This is because even at only 10 milligrams of Lexapro, just about all of your serotonin receptors are affected. The large reductions become more of an issue when we go under 10 mg. Could be, but this is not my experience after 20 years of SSRI’s. Tapering when above 10mg is hard and can have serious wd symptoms. It does seem to get more difficult to taper further after 10mg yes, because of the ‘receptor occupancy’, but stating that its ‘probably not an issue’ to taper with big steps like 50% is bad advise, and contradicting to the 10% taper.
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted March 14 Moderator Emeritus Posted March 14 On 3/13/2024 at 3:20 AM, OffPills said: because of the ‘receptor occupancy’, but stating that its ‘probably not an issue’ to taper with big steps like 50% is bad advise, and contradicting to the 10% taper. I didn't say that that is was OK to taper with big steps like 50%. I'm not advising that people do this. What I said was, in his particular case, since he had already reduced from 20 mg to 10 mg, as advised by his doctor, that it is that it was probably not a big issue for him. He has already indicated that he had adverse reactions to all the antidepressants. When one has an ADR, we generally advise that they avoid the very high doses. Twenty mg. of Lexapro is a high dose. And, I said "probably", so this is my guess. I appreciate the fact that your experience is different. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly
Farm24 Posted March 16 Posted March 16 On 3/7/2024 at 5:13 AM, JayP80 said: I hope you are well. I am on Escitalopram 10mg reduced overnight from 20mg. After being on this specific medication for 7 months and having been on Citalopram from the age of 22. Meaning I have been on an SSRI for 22 years. Last year after my breakdown in April (I’m actually thinking it might have been my medication stopping working that caused all this) I was put on Venlafaxine immediately without any tapering off citalopram for 2 weeks (Actually wanted to commit suicide due to that drugs side effects) I was then put on Sertraline without any tapering off Venlafaxine. That caused incredibly unpleasant side effects. In August without tapering again I was put on Escitalopram 10mg then two months later upped to 20mg to “give it a go” by psychiatrists. Not one of these medications have worked and have made me worse. Come more recently I suggested I wanted to wean off Escitalopram because I felt constantly in fight or flight. That was about a month ago. I was then prescribed buspirone 5mg x 3 a day and had my Escitalopram reduced to 10mg overnight, no tapering. A week into that regime I stopped Buspirone of my own accord and am currently on just the 10mg of Escitalopram that hadn’t been working in the first place. I actually think I’ve been withdrawing from all the antidepressants since April in some peculiar way. Since I first started antidepressants in 2002 I haven’t once had a doctor review my medication, not once have they asked me about coming off, the only time things changed is to up my medication or “give another” on a go. Today I have chronic muscle twitches, that don’t stop. My mind is clearer bizarrely and less brain fog but my physical symptoms are another matter, I’m aching considerably, I wake up shaking in the morning, and the cold makes my body shiver uncontrollably. The muscle twitches in my legs are 24 hours a day every minute. I try to go to the gym but it’s hard as my calves cramp. I have contacted a nutritionist as I’ve had dozens of blood tests thinking something must be out of sync, deficient. I’m on a good diet plan of protein and high fibre. And supplements. I currently don't know where to turn or what to do, as I am now on 10mg Escitalopram only, I don't know whether to go up gradually to try and resolve these physical constant muscle spasms/twitches even though the medication itself offered me no relief from anxiety/depression etc and actually made me 100 times worse, or to taper down. Either way I'm stuck. My body is a mess, that was once absolutely fine, it's now all over the place. Something that’s keeping me going is knowing someone is highlighting the daily struggle of these drugs and the complete disregard for the patients that are prescribed them. I hope this email reaches you all in good health. How are you doing now? Sertaline- tried 50 mg beginning of June 2023. Caused hyperreflexia. So stopped after one dose. Tried several smaller doses that month. Had burning and twitching so just stopped. Lexapro June of 2023' 2.5 mg for two weeks July of 2023 5 mg for two weeks July of 2023 7.5 mg for 2 weeks August to mid September 10 mg Mid September reduced to 7.5 October to October 15 reduced to 5 October 15 to October 30 reduced to 2.5 October 30-off
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