Stephiewellness: Lexapro struggles for last 10 months

[Stephiewellness]

Hi there,

 

this is my first time posting here and I’ve currently been experiencing what feels like hell for the last 10 months. I have anxiety and ocd that has flared tremendously post partum. I had terrible symptoms going from 5mg to 10mg about ten months ago and now I’m trying to figure out what to do next. My last update is that I went down to 8mg about 6 days ago from 9mg and I have been a mess the last couple days. Withdrawn, physical symptoms, constant panic and crying. I don’t know what to do but I just want to feel better.

[Stephiewellness]

Hi there,

 

im really struggling with what to do. My dose has been changed so many times over the last 9 months and I just want to do the right thing. The latest issue is I went from 10 to 9 and had a great couple weeks. I got through the withdrawal and then went to 8 after four weeks. This time it’s been awful. Crying, physical symptoms and panic. I reinstated 8.5mg after 5 days and then 2 days later 9mg. I’ve been on 9mg for two days. Should I stay here? Stay at 8.5? I’m so confused and scared. Any guidance would help.

Edited December 10, 2024 by Emonda
Name to title

[Emonda]

Welcome @Stephiewellness

 

7 hours ago, Stephiewellness said:

My dose has been changed so many times over the last 9 months and I just want to do the right thing

 

That's what I thought when I looked at the changes in your signature. Stability is key.

 

8 hours ago, Stephiewellness said:

Should I stay here?

 

I'd be sitting tight, making no change to your meds, and allow yourself time to recover. If you try to taper whilst unstable, you'll likely make things worse.

 

Once stable (we are talking many months down the track), if you decide to taper, slow is the way to go. 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.

 

That said, 10% in one hit is too much for many, including me.

 

Some people find tapering by smaller weekly amounts more tolerable. You can read more about this approach here: The Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-tapering

 

8 hours ago, Stephiewellness said:

This time it’s been awful. Crying, physical symptoms and panic.

 

Those that taper too quickly often develop very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. What you describe above sounds like WD symptoms. This WD symptom checklist is a helpful summary of what many experience:

https://media.invisioncic.com/r138344/pages_media/1491703620_WDchecklist.pdf?_cb=1733760981

Have you changed the manufacturer of your AD? Have you changed from tablet to liquid? Do you take your dose every day and the same time? Do you drink alcohol or use other drugs? All of these variables can cause you problems.

Some general info:

Emotional Spirals

Non-drug coping strategies

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

Magnesium

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

Sing out with any questions.

 

Warmly, Emonda

[Stephiewellness]

@Emonda thank you for your reply. Is it normal to feel these depressive symptoms after going back up a few days ago to 9mg even if it was just 5 days on 8mg? I have been in a terrible place today and the last time this happened was over the summer when my dose went up and down like this. I’m scared it won’t end.

[Yesyes123]

On 12/12/2024 at 3:40 PM, Stephiewellness said:

Is it normal to feel these depressive symptoms after going back up a few days ago to 9mg even if it was just 5 days on 8mg? I have been in a terrible place today and the last time this happened was over the summer when my dose went up and down like this. I’m scared it won’t end.

 

These are very normal antidepressant withdrawal symptoms. They will pass as your system heals from this and goes back to stability. The way to stability can be long and a tough journey but it is not permanent, eventually you will be healed.

 

How are you making the 9mg Lexapro?  Is it liquid? Switching forms or even brands can cause waves of symptoms

[Stephiewellness]

@Yesyes123 I started using the liquid when I first went to 9 from the pills. I’ve been on 9 for about 5 or 6 days and still having terrible panic attacks daily. My psychiatrist told me to alternate 8 and 9 everyday for two weeks or go back to 10. Im so confused and just want to stabilize.

[Yesyes123]

3 hours ago, Stephiewellness said:

 I started using the liquid when I first went to 9 from the pills. I’ve been on 9 for about 5 or 6 days and still having terrible panic attacks daily. My psychiatrist told me to alternate 8 and 9 everyday for two weeks or go back to 10. Im so confused and just want to stabilize.

Alternating or skipping doses is never a good idea. Your system likes stability and previsibility.

 

Read: Never skip doses

 

It seems you have been on 9mg Lexapro for a while - in your position I would hold the dose, form and brand until stable.

 

It can take a while to stabilize but if you stay on the same dose you will feel relief in time.