revX24: Recovery - 3 months lexapro (escitalopram)

[revX24]

Link to Introduction Thread: Revx24 Introduction Thread

 

 

Hello everyone,

After a toxic relationship that lasted three years, coupled with phone harassment, I developed anxiety, social phobia, and depression.

I spent 8–9 months in psychotherapy, but unfortunately, it didn’t seem to help me recover fully. I realized later that it might not have worked for me because I wasn’t provided with practical, actionable advice during my lowest moments—such as changing my phone number, maintaining healthy eating habits, or focusing on sleep. As a result, my mental health worsened, leading to deeper anxiety and depression.

Eventually, I consulted a doctor who prescribed 20mg of paroxetine. Unfortunately, I had a bad reaction to it. My doctor then switched me to 5mg of escitalopram, believing that the paroxetine dose might have been too high. However, after three months on escitalopram, I stopped it cold turkey while hospitalized, thinking it was okay as my doctor reassured me it was a low dose. But the withdrawal symptoms were much more intense than expected: flu-like symptoms, headaches, blurry vision, cognitive and physical issues, dizziness, tinnitus, weight loss, brain fog, brain zaps—the list goes on.

For about a year, it felt like I was trapped in a dark place. But now, 15–16 months after stopping, I can finally see the light again. I feel 80–90% like my pre-medication self, and I continue to notice gradual improvements.

This journey has had a big impact on my life—I lost two jobs along the way. However, I’m optimistic because I know I can find another job when I’m ready. For now, I view work as something to occupy my mind rather than as a source of stress, which has been helpful during my recovery.

Here’s what has helped me heal:

Staying away from stress and toxic people.

Avoiding alcohol, sugar, caffeine, drugs, and unnecessary medications.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Engaging in calm physical activities like walking.

I’ve come to believe in the body’s natural ability to heal itself when given the right environment and tools. Recovery takes time, but it is possible. I’ve learned to focus on progress, not perfection, and to take each day as it comes.

To anyone reading this who might be struggling: don’t give up! There is real hope for healing, even when it feels far away. Trust in your resilience and give yourself the care and patience you need. ❤️

Edited December 22, 2024 by getofflex

[getofflex]

Congratulations on successfully getting of psychiatric drugs!  Your story will provide deep inspiration and encouragement to many people on here!  I'm so very happy to hear that you got off of these toxic drugs.  

[revX24]

20 hours ago, getofflex said:

Congratulations on successfully getting of psychiatric drugs!  Your story will provide deep inspiration and encouragement to many people on here!  I'm so very happy to hear that you got off of these toxic drugs.  

Thanks for ur support , i hope that it will be finish soon and ill be 100% pre med ... hope the same for u too ❤️

[jon1]

On 12/21/2024 at 10:42 PM, revX24 said:

My doctor then switched me to 5mg of escitalopram, believing that the paroxetine dose might have been too high. However, after three months on escitalopram, I stopped it cold turkey while hospitalized, thinking it was okay as my doctor reassured me it was a low dose.

This makes me do angry. My doctor said the same thing. It was only a ‘light’ antidepressant because it’s such a small dose, and it would take a few weeks to taper off.

 

Of course the reality is Lexapro is prescribed in a smaller dose than other SSRIs because it’s much more concentrated, and 1mg of Escitalopram is much more powerful than 1mg of most other SSRIs.

 

So tapering 1mg of Lexapro can be the equivalent on 5mg of the alternatives. Unfortunately a lot of doctors don’t understand this.

 

Happy to hear you’re well on the way to recovery though!

[revX24]

18 hours ago, jon1 said:

This makes me do angry. My doctor said the same thing. It was only a ‘light’ antidepressant because it’s such a small dose, and it would take a few weeks to taper off.

 

Of course the reality is Lexapro is prescribed in a smaller dose than other SSRIs because it’s much more concentrated, and 1mg of Escitalopram is much more powerful than 1mg of most other SSRIs.

 

So tapering 1mg of Lexapro can be the equivalent on 5mg of the alternatives. Unfortunately a lot of doctors don’t understand this.

 

Happy to hear you’re well on the way to recovery though!

i feel the same , so angry , but ill try to go to the justice for this with a laywer , later when ill be 100% healed.

Yeah i see ,the doctors know nothing , i hope the doctors who prescribe this , they will try it one day ... ,  and thanks bro i hope u will be ok soon ❤️

[revX24]

4/01/25 :

-really low cognitif issues ( memory ,thinking and concentration)

-really low headeach

-tolerate more foods

-yesterday i drink a long cofee without great problems

-still have low sensitive ear( right ) , little bit blicked sometimes on the day

-low muscle tremor and fingers sometimes

-low dizzinies,  tinnitus and brain zaps.

 

so strange , my symptoms changes manytimes in the same day 😆

 

[thenextguy]

On 1/4/2025 at 4:11 AM, revX24 said:

4/01/25 :

-really low cognitif issues ( memory ,thinking and concentration)

-really low headeach

-tolerate more foods

-yesterday i drink a long cofee without great problems

-still have low sensitive ear( right ) , little bit blicked sometimes on the day

-low muscle tremor and fingers sometimes

-low dizzinies,  tinnitus and brain zaps.

 

so strange , my symptoms changes manytimes in the same day 😆

 

 

I'm a bit puzzled why this thread is in the Success Stories! It sounds like you're making progress though, so good for that!

[revX24]

7 hours ago, thenextguy said:

 

I'm a bit puzzled why this thread is in the Success Stories! It sounds like you're making progress though, so good for that!

heey , yeah  , i saw some stories like this in this topic , thats why i wrote it here and admin accepted . i wrote to give you and me some hopes and to show that things can really progress and may be one day,  why not  the full recovery that i feel not far i think .

🥰