Ssriwarrior Posted August 11, 2015 Author Share Posted August 11, 2015 Hey all, So I feel that I have stabilized in terms of mood and sleep from a very gradual reinstatement back to 7.5 (from 2.5). I still struggle with food sensitivities, bloating, and no menstration. So I'm not magically healed, but I'm able to function socially and not plotting my suicide on a daily basis. The suicidality was what prompted the reinstatement...it was like extreme suicidal thoughts where I had extremely vivid imagery of how to do, obsessively researched the "best" way to do it, had access to a gun and had even picked a location. Not long after reinstating (maybe a month) and those thoughts started to seem completely absurd. I attribute a lot of my improvement to sleeping...I still have nights where I wake up...but I'm able to tolerate certain supplements again and Ashwaghanda has been very healing in helping me fall asleep and with the early morning cortisol rush. It pains me to admit that reinstatment helped. And I'm very fearful of when I will start to slowly taper again, I still feel traumatized by the WD experience. BUT I learned a tremendous amount and consider this on the job training for me to use this suffering to help others. I'm now shifting gears professionally and working to start offering therapy and coaching services across the U.S. for people considering tapering, in WD, and specifically working with parents who have medicated their children or are thinking of it. I'm determined to use my darkness to help others with theirs. I think it would be cooler if I could say I WD completely myself and hopefully one day I will. Thanks for all your support. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
LoveandLight Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 Sounds great and I'm very glad reinstatement worked for you..how different you sound.. 2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare! On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect. Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan. Nightmare that could have been avoided! Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 12, 2015 Administrator Share Posted August 12, 2015 I am sure you will eventually taper off escilatopram. There's a huge need for people to help children go off psychiatric drugs. Please be aware if someone has been on one of these drugs for many years, very slow tapering may be required with, possibly, long holds to allow the nervous system to adjust. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 Thanks Alto! I realize now in hindsight that my taper was too fast. I made a lot of mistakes, but I also learned a tremendous amount too. I will still keep going with my taper and even though it is not much, I'm still proud to take 2.5mg less than I used too. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 Just dropping by to update. I intend to start on my taper again once I can resolve the bloating GI discomfort. I hope that my gut is not permanently damaged, and some days when the bloating is bad it feels like it is more than protracted withdrawal, but rather permanent damage. Other than the daily bloating despite continuing to eat very clean and avoiding dairy, gluten, soy, sugar, etc, my main protracted withdrawal symptoms are crackling in my ear everytime I swallow and my menstrual cycle, while it has returned is very unpredictable and short in duration and not the same cycle I used to have prior to taper and WD. Overall my mood is back to "normal" but I definitely have periods of anxiety and depression if stress levels get too high and/or I hit sleep deprivation. There is part of me that fears if I go through all the hard work to do a slow taper again, I will then be stuck with years and years and years of protracted withdrawal and so it keeps me in this fear cycle of just staying on 7.5 for the rest of my life. I think my particular protracted withdrawal symptoms has to do with a bacteria imbalance. The bad bacteria outweigh the good and I am trying to figure out how WD could have prompted that. For now, I am continuing to experiment with different probiotic strains and fermented foods that I can tolerate. I just recently did a test to have my micro biome sequenced, so hopefully that will uncover some of the secrets of my bacteria. To all those fighting the good fight of a slow taper, I commend you. This is true torture and I am going to use the rest of the time I have on this planet figuring out options and solutions for folks to come off psychiatric drugs safely.... HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted October 10, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 10, 2016 Hello ssriwarrior, how are you doing? Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2 2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013) Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg. 2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days afterreinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours 28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr 2015 1 mg, 25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64 Xanax 9 month hold 24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26 Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted June 13, 2017 Author Share Posted June 13, 2017 Hey there, Pardon my slowness in updating. If I am truly honest, logging into SA brings back feelings akin to PTSD. That taper experience was truly terrifying. Anyways, 18 months after my taper down to 2.5mg the bloating officially resolved. I attribute it to supplementing with progesterone cream, which has helped to regulate my cycle I was having so much trouble with in acute withdrawal. My ears still crackle and my sleep is still fragile, but I am ready to begin my taper again. Yikes! I'm still a little scared. I think because my nervous system is still sensitive (3 years post taper attempt) I am going to need to taper anywhere between 1 to 5% each cut. I think a micro taper is the only way off...and it has taken me awhile to admit that! I am talking to my drug dealer (aka prescriber) tomorrow about getting a liquid compounded and will start the slowness of slow tapers. My question to you all is how long do you hold at each micro cut? Wait until nervous system feels stabilized however long that make take? Thank you in advance. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted June 13, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 13, 2017 Glad to hear from you! I remember you well... And I agree it was a terrifying story but you are here and you are doing it. I also started tapering Lexapro and noticed that even 5 % per month is too much for me. I reduced to 2 % per month. Still hard. Reducing to less. It's painfully slow but I'm reducing it. Now I'm trying 1 %, 2 week hold for the total of 2 % per month. Maybe I'll have to hold even longer. Start slow listen to your body. Yes, until symptoms resolve and I have been feeling relatively well for awhile (withdrawal normal as Brassmonkey calls it). This thread might help: Good luck and keep us posted! Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2 2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013) Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg. 2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days afterreinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours 28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr 2015 1 mg, 25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64 Xanax 9 month hold 24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26 Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted June 14, 2017 Author Share Posted June 14, 2017 Thank you Bubble. I appreciate your feedback and will keep y'all posted on the slow taper journey. I'm starting to reframe it and say I'd rather taper for 5 to 10 years than be on it for the rest of my life. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted September 4, 2017 Author Share Posted September 4, 2017 You guys, I am STILL working through the fear of my next steps on my taper. I have the liquid form of Lexapro, only the compounding pharmacy could only make the generic into a liquid???? Anyone doing a lexapro taper encounter this? I have extreme hesitations on trying the generic, as I had a "relapse" (aka as WD due to not getting the brand name of the poison) and perhaps I need to listen to my intuition. My plan is to do a 5% cut each time, and perhaps start for a month with the generic at my current dose 7.5 to see if i can tolerate the generic. But psychologically, I am still SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO scared to taper. Even though I'm doing a super slow taper, I'm so afraid of going back to that insomnia suicidial place and right now my career has taken off and I am so busy with work, I really can't afford to spiral out into the abyss. I also don't want to harm my daughter's psychological development by having another WD episode. I can't discern if I should honor the fear and wait a bit longer to start the slow taper and/or somehow find a way to get the brand lexapro in liquid. I feel trapped and scared. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
mona11 Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 I would pay attention to my intuition and wait. There is no rush to do anything. If you feel fine, just enjoy your life. When you start the process you need to be calm and sure of what you are doing. This is my opinion. I went through 7 months of withdrawing hell from Paxil, and when I got myself stable (with 15 mg of Lexapro), I waited 1 year to start my process. And I'm doing it very slowly. Started on October 2016 (15 mg Lexapro) and it's 09/04/2017 and I'm taking 10.65 mg. Isn't it slow? That's the way I'm doing it. And even doing this slow, I still feel bad at least one day per week. It's not anything that debilitates me, but I feel the difference 4 days after my 0.1 mg dropping. I don't do liquid though. I bought that very expensive balance and I dry cut my 10 mg pills. My pills come always from the same manufacture, because I always make sure the pharmacy sends me the same one. I always prepare my doses in the morning and always for 1 week. I don't go down with my dose every week, but I never went down more then 0.1 mg per week. Very slow, I know. By now I feel confident, but if at any time I think that things are not going well, I will just stop and take a break until I'm stable again. I hear everybody saying that we should try and be stable as much as we can. I take this advise very seriously. I just wish I had found this website before I decide to quit my Paxil in 2014. OMG, I don't even like to remember what I went through. I'm forever grateful that I found this website and I learned so much here. Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted September 6, 2017 Author Share Posted September 6, 2017 @mona11 thank you for your reply. It is helpful to hear and I am always preaching about listening to intuition. Can you share where you got the balance scale? I tried one with my last taper and didn't have good luck, but would be curious to know about the one you use if it is helpful. thanks. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
mona11 Posted September 6, 2017 Share Posted September 6, 2017 I got it from Amazon. It was something around $1300, but I like it very much. It works for me. It's a Radwag AS 60/220. I remember reading about those scales in this website. Somebody was using it or maybe one similar to this one and recommended. Always trust your feelings Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted February 21, 2018 Author Share Posted February 21, 2018 Back for an update. I started my taper (again) from 7.5mg on 12/05/17 and as of today, I'm currently at 6.75. So far so good, although I have noticed a weird detox like reaction when I get my periods now. Super headachy and body aches and think I have the flu and then it passes in a day. I've noticed it around to when I menstruate, so I am wondering if my slow taper is throwing my hormones off again. Just wanting to keep notes HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted June 5, 2018 Author Share Posted June 5, 2018 An update. I have tapered from 7.5 now to 6.5, with a recent re-instatement back to 6.75. I feel that I mucked things up by already needing to reinstate. Sad to report that my hormones are officially all jacked up even with a micro taper and doing all the things (sleep, diet, therapy, etc). The bloating has even returned during my ovulation and PMS times, so basically every 2 weeks. I'm so demoralized and sad. I can't believe that even with a micro taper, I'm already having so many issues. My goal was just to taper from 7.5 down to 5 and then hold at 5 maybe for like 5 years. I honestly don't think I can go off all the way, given the experience I had when I got to 2.5mg of Lexapro. Since I was exposed to an SSRI as a child, at the age of 8, I am beginning to think my brain wired around these chemicals and may never be free from them. After reading so many threads of people doing a slow taper, and still suffering tremendously, I am at this point where stability feels safer. Yet it is THE most demoralizing thing to think that I just need to wave my white flag and surrender and accept I will take this SSRI for the rest of my life. I've always had this hope in the back of my mind that I could teach others how to do it, but I'm beginning to think it is impossible. Even if I were to taper all the way off, my sense is that I would be disabled for the rest of my life. And as a mother, I just can't do that to my child. So I'm at the point of just considering going all the way back to 7.5 and calling it quits on even a micro taper. I hate this. It feels like giving up. But I also want to be available for my daughter, and know that I can't be if I am in a state of protected withdrawal. And then that makes me just one more life long customer to big Pharma. So sad and conflicted and disgusted. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
JLex1981 Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 I'm with you SSRI Warrior... If I can stabilize on 5MG I will be happy... I don't know how some people can continue their tapers when they feel so awful. I had no withdrawals before I switched to Liquid... went from the 5MG pill to 4ML in liquid and went through bad withdrawals. Have been trying to stabilize back on the 5MG pill for a month now... It's been going better but the last couple of days have been tough. John. John Zoloft 2001-2003 forget MG's taken, tapered slowly (so I thought) to 0MG in 2003 Withdrawal led me to go on Lexapro 2003 Lexapro 15MG (15 years) 2003-2018 Tapered to 5MG over the last year and 1/2 From 01-2017 thru 04-2018 in 2MG tapers roughly a month each some 2 months or more to stabilize 5MG Pill to 4ML/MG Liquid Solution on 03/26/18 04-26-2018 re-upped to 4.4 ML due to withdrawal symptoms 05-06-2018 re-upped to 4.8ML due to withdrawal symptoms 05-07-2018 went to 5MG pill Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted June 5, 2018 Author Share Posted June 5, 2018 Thanks for the commradery John. It’s comforting to know there are others on this journey with me cause I’m real life no one can relate and I feel like a total freak and failure. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
LexAnger Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Hi warrior, I feel your decision wise and could be life saving. I wish you the best luck! Hugs Lex Drug free Sep. 23 2017 2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks. 2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg 2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain 2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain; 2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain 2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg, 2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on 2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks. 2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR 2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg，8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg， 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg 2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg, Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus manymoretodays Posted June 6, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 6, 2018 (edited) Hi Ssriwarrior, On 2/20/2018 at 8:02 PM, Ssriwarrior said: Back for an update. I started my taper (again) from 7.5mg on 12/05/17 and as of today, I'm currently at 6.75. So far so good, although I have noticed a weird detox like reaction when I get my periods now. Super headachy and body aches and think I have the flu and then it passes in a day. I've noticed it around to when I menstruate, so I am wondering if my slow taper is throwing my hormones off again. Personally I think that being on the SSRI's as well as W/D can and do throw the hormonal balance off. Are you timing your tapers at all around your menstrual cycles? I think with Lexapro/escitalopram you may not notice W/D symptoms after tapering for a week up to two weeks. Just a thought. As the super headachy, body aches, and flu symptoms sure sound like W/D symptoms. 14 hours ago, Ssriwarrior said: An update. I have tapered from 7.5 now to 6.5, with a recent re-instatement back to 6.75. I feel that I mucked things up by already needing to reinstate. No, you haven't mucked up beyond repair. Give the re-instatement a week or two and see if you feel more back to baseline W/D. 14 hours ago, Ssriwarrior said: My goal was just to taper from 7.5 down to 5 and then hold at 5 maybe for like 5 years. I honestly don't think I can go off all the way, given the experience I had when I got to 2.5mg of Lexapro. Since I was exposed to an SSRI as a child, at the age of 8, I am beginning to think my brain wired around these chemicals and may never be free from them I was able to maintain on 5mg escitalopram for quite a few years. However I really mucked up by going straight to liquid without a crossover. And then going all the way down to 3 mg. I wasn't here at surviving yet and had read a little bit elsewhere on getting off psychoactive drugs.........but that was a disaster for me. I'm medication free now after about 30 years and 30 medications. So.........if I can do it........so can you. In good time. Last time you got to 2.5 mg after a pretty bold 40-50% taper. You are not going to do it that way again. Post traumatic stress thinking about it and ruminating on it. It's not going to happen like that again. Okay? You've got time. If you just continue going very slowly with microtapers and long holds when you need them you'll get there. Are you doing the brassmonkeyslide method or some variation of that. http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/17671-the-brassmonkey-slide-method-of-micro-tapering/ And are you using any omega 3's or magnesium? Have you tried any dietary changes for the bloating? Love, peace, healing/inrecovery, and growth, manymoretodays..........just the good ones though, eh? Edited June 6, 2018 by manymoretodays elaboration, of course Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks. Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988. In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm. Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time). 5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014) 12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs. My last psycho med ever! Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to 2016 Dec 16, medication free!! Longer signature post here, with current supplements. Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016. And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed. Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022. Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜 None of my posts are intended as medical advice. Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider. My success story: Blue skies ahead, clear sailing Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted June 7, 2018 Author Share Posted June 7, 2018 @manymoretodays THANK YOU so much for your feedback. It really is helpful to hear about your experience. Can you tell me more about "I really mucked up by going straight to liquid without a crossover" It is interesting your question about timing my tapers around menstruating. I need to factor that in. During all this micro taper, I find my body not wanting to eat meat. I am leaning more towards a plant based diet and so have dropped the fish oil omega 3. do you know of a plant based omega 3? Is hemp seed sufficient? thanks again. your response was so helpful and comforting. I feel that I'm unearthing some PTSD from my first taper as my fear is SO BIG and it spirals me out into thinking I should just go all the way back to 7.5 and never try and taper again. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
JLex1981 Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 @manymoretodays I am also very interested in below... I think I did the same thing... Crossed over to liquid from 5MG tablet to 4ML/MG liquid.... hit a withdrawal hell... insomnia, depression, akathisia... the whole nine... been a month back on 5MG pill and feel better... albeit with the occasional wave (just had a 3 day one). "I really mucked up by going straight to liquid without a crossover" John Zoloft 2001-2003 forget MG's taken, tapered slowly (so I thought) to 0MG in 2003 Withdrawal led me to go on Lexapro 2003 Lexapro 15MG (15 years) 2003-2018 Tapered to 5MG over the last year and 1/2 From 01-2017 thru 04-2018 in 2MG tapers roughly a month each some 2 months or more to stabilize 5MG Pill to 4ML/MG Liquid Solution on 03/26/18 04-26-2018 re-upped to 4.4 ML due to withdrawal symptoms 05-06-2018 re-upped to 4.8ML due to withdrawal symptoms 05-07-2018 went to 5MG pill Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted June 7, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 7, 2018 (edited) JLex, if you try it again, we recommend a gradual crossover from tablet to liquid: 1/4 liquid, 3/4 tablet for 3 days 1/2 liquid, 1/2 tablet for 3 days 3/4 liquid, 1/4 tablet for 3 days all liquid thereafter Ssriwarrior, I've read good reports on both hemp-based omegas and fish-based. If the fish-based is working for you, you could continue using it and go plant-based for the rest of your diet. Just see what feels rights for you. Be careful not to go overboard with diet changes; your body does need protein. Edited June 11, 2018 by manymoretodays correction to crossover formula Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
JLex1981 Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 Thanks Gridley ! I think it spooked me too much to try liquid again. John. John Zoloft 2001-2003 forget MG's taken, tapered slowly (so I thought) to 0MG in 2003 Withdrawal led me to go on Lexapro 2003 Lexapro 15MG (15 years) 2003-2018 Tapered to 5MG over the last year and 1/2 From 01-2017 thru 04-2018 in 2MG tapers roughly a month each some 2 months or more to stabilize 5MG Pill to 4ML/MG Liquid Solution on 03/26/18 04-26-2018 re-upped to 4.4 ML due to withdrawal symptoms 05-06-2018 re-upped to 4.8ML due to withdrawal symptoms 05-07-2018 went to 5MG pill Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus manymoretodays Posted June 11, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 11, 2018 Ssriwarrior and JLex1981, I recapped "my story" over on JLex1981's introduction for you. I also did a minor correction to dear Gridley's crossover formula ^ The take home, and reason I do what I do here at surviving..........is.......so........ that other's might avoid what I went through by "doing it my way". So read it with that in mind. None the less.......very grateful to be now post zero...... on all my psychoactive medications. The last one was Trileptal/oxcarbazepine finished after tapering in December of 2016. Time, patience, education around the issue, coping skills, and faith.........that's my motto. Oh and people. On the ground........on the web.........I am truly blessed to have found. Best to all, mmt Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks. Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988. In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm. Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time). 5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014) 12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs. My last psycho med ever! Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to 2016 Dec 16, medication free!! Longer signature post here, with current supplements. Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016. And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed. Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022. Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜 None of my posts are intended as medical advice. Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider. My success story: Blue skies ahead, clear sailing Link to comment
Junglechicken Posted June 11, 2018 Share Posted June 11, 2018 On 1 February 2016 at 3:22 AM, Ssriwarrior said: Just dropping by to update. I intend to start on my taper again once I can resolve the bloating GI discomfort. I hope that my gut is not permanently damaged, and some days when the bloating is bad it feels like it is more than protracted withdrawal, but rather permanent damage. Other than the daily bloating despite continuing to eat very clean and avoiding dairy, gluten, soy, sugar, etc, my main protracted withdrawal symptoms are crackling in my ear everytime I swallow and my menstrual cycle, while it has returned is very unpredictable and short in duration and not the same cycle I used to have prior to taper and WD. Overall my mood is back to "normal" but I definitely have periods of anxiety and depression if stress levels get too high and/or I hit sleep deprivation. There is part of me that fears if I go through all the hard work to do a slow taper again, I will then be stuck with years and years and years of protracted withdrawal and so it keeps me in this fear cycle of just staying on 7.5 for the rest of my life. I think my particular protracted withdrawal symptoms has to do with a bacteria imbalance. The bad bacteria outweigh the good and I am trying to figure out how WD could have prompted that. For now, I am continuing to experiment with different probiotic strains and fermented foods that I can tolerate. I just recently did a test to have my micro biome sequenced, so hopefully that will uncover some of the secrets of my bacteria. To all those fighting the good fight of a slow taper, I commend you. This is true torture and I am going to use the rest of the time I have on this planet figuring out options and solutions for folks to come off psychiatric drugs safely.... Hi SSRIWarrior, Have you managed to resolve the dysbiosis in your gut? JC Dose History: 19 Feb 2014 - Escitalopram 10mg daily June 2015 - Started taper, 5mg every other day July 2015 - 5mg every 2 days August 2015 - 5mg every 3 days September 2015 - 5mg every 4 days Sept 14th - Completed tapering, but at 7 weeks "drug free" I suffered serious WD symptoms as a consequence of "incorrect" tapering. Nov 25 2015 - Re-instated Cipralex @ 2.5mg daily. WD symptoms faded. Held at this dose and experienced "windows and waves". 12 Oct 2017 Reduced dose to 1.25mg. 13 Mar 2018 Reduced dose to 0.625mg (approx.). 16 April 2018 0mg. Windows and waves triggered by stress (IBS/reflux, headaches, sinus issues) Aug 2019 Mirena coil fitted 6 Jan 2020 MAJOR Wave hit 19 months following last dose (protracted WD). Symptoms listed below Mar 2020 Mirena coil removal. Therapy: Nov 15th 2016 Re-started therapy Jan 19th 2017 Started CBT Dec 2017 Started listening to Hypnotherapy CD (self-esteem). Nov 2019 Started couples therapy. Supplements: "Bioglan" Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora 10 billion CFU, live Bacteria, Probiotic, suitable for Vegetarians, with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum. "Pukka" Vitalise a unique blend of 30 energising botanicals. Diet: 16 April 2018 Detox cleanse / anti-candida for 90 days. Jan 2020 Started "small plate" diet (i.e child size portions). Exercise: Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, Elliptical/upper body workout, walking. Medical Test Results: 4 Jan 2017 Homeopathic Treatment starts 24 Feb 2017 Started weight loss program 24 Mar 2017 Naturopathic Treatment + anti-Candida diet started due to suspected Candida Related Complex (CRC). DETOXED for 7 weeks to "re-set" gut. April 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Comprehensive Stool Analysis NEGATIVE; Full Blood Count (Normal) / Blood Cholesterol: 5.6 (Borderline) / Blood Sugar (Normal) / 28 Jun 2017 FSH 8.2 / 14 Nov 2017 FSH 17.7 Dec 2017 Blood Cholesterol: 3.9 (Normal) / Kidney Function (Normal) / Blood Sugar (Normal). December 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Food panel allergy (bloodwork) analysis - a few "VERY LOW/VL" allergens; Mar 2018 "Genova Diagnostics" SIBO urine analysis: High Level of Yeast/fungal markers found in small intestine but NO SIBO. April 2018 Thyroid (Normal) / Full Blood Count (Normal) / FSH (Normal). 16 April 2018 Started anti-Candida diet - 3 month protocol. 25 March 2020 All test results "Normal". CRP" 5 mg/L (normal range to 0-5 mg/L). Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms, anxiety, anhedonia, sinus headaches right-side (severe), IBS issues/reflux (severe)**, tinnitus, fatigue, inner tremor, nausea, chills/hot flushes, pounding heart, muscular issues including stiff left hip flexor, intense anger, PSSD (ongoing). **Histhamine intolerance (suspected). Major Life Events: Re-located to UK from Canada: Jan 2016 My father died: 5:05pm, Monday 5 Feb 2018 Last Lexapro dose: 16 April 2018 (its now been over a year since I quit ADs) Moved house: Friday 23rd February 2018 "Divorced" toxic Mother: Monday 26 March 2018 Starting working again: 19 November 2018 Diagnosed with: 5th August 2021 PTSD/C-PTSD Diagnosed with: March 2022 Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful bladder syndrome Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted June 11, 2018 Author Share Posted June 11, 2018 On 6/7/2018 at 11:23 AM, Gridley said: JLex, if you try it again, we recommend a gradual crossover from tablet to liquid: 1/4 liquid, 3/4 tablet for 3 days 1/2 liquid, 1/2 tablet for 3 days 3/4 liquid, 1/4 tablet for 3 days all liquid thereafter Ssriwarrior, I've read good reports on both hemp-based omegas and fish-based. If the fish-based is working for you, you could continue using it and go plant-based for the rest of your diet. Just see what feels rights for you. Be careful not to go overboard with diet changes; your body does need protein. Thank you so much @Gridley. This is so helpful and now I'm wondering if more meat protein would help, despite the acidity thing. It's a rabbit hole! HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted June 11, 2018 Author Share Posted June 11, 2018 43 minutes ago, Junglechicken said: Hi SSRIWarrior, Have you managed to resolve the dysbiosis in your gut? JC @Junglechicken I still don't know that it is gut dysbiosis that is causing the bloating. I eat so clean, no sugar and my past taper I did all the cleansing and herbs, etc for candida and continue to take a probiotic that I really think the bloating is more due to hormone imbalance that leads to water retention. I really wish I knew! I am starting homeopathy today. I would love to hear about your experiences with homeopathy and WD if you have time or can direct me to a thread. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
Junglechicken Posted June 11, 2018 Share Posted June 11, 2018 33 minutes ago, Ssriwarrior said: @Junglechicken I still don't know that it is gut dysbiosis that is causing the bloating. I eat so clean, no sugar and my past taper I did all the cleansing and herbs, etc for candida and continue to take a probiotic that I really think the bloating is more due to hormone imbalance that leads to water retention. I really wish I knew! I am starting homeopathy today. I would love to hear about your experiences with homeopathy and WD if you have time or can direct me to a thread. Hmm, did you have any stool analysis done to test for dysbiosis? There is also a urine test you can do to see if there is SIBO. Homeopathy didn't work for me.....Naturopathy (on the other hand) has been a life saver. I think WD and hormonal changes (peri-meno) and stress have caused my gut issues. They are still not resolved, and I should probably have an endoscopy done to make sure everything is ok. Im back to my bad habits diet-wise, so will have to eat well again like you are. I struggle with highly restrictive diets which aren't sustainable. Just don't have the will for that level of restriction on a long-term basis. Dose History: 19 Feb 2014 - Escitalopram 10mg daily June 2015 - Started taper, 5mg every other day July 2015 - 5mg every 2 days August 2015 - 5mg every 3 days September 2015 - 5mg every 4 days Sept 14th - Completed tapering, but at 7 weeks "drug free" I suffered serious WD symptoms as a consequence of "incorrect" tapering. Nov 25 2015 - Re-instated Cipralex @ 2.5mg daily. WD symptoms faded. Held at this dose and experienced "windows and waves". 12 Oct 2017 Reduced dose to 1.25mg. 13 Mar 2018 Reduced dose to 0.625mg (approx.). 16 April 2018 0mg. Windows and waves triggered by stress (IBS/reflux, headaches, sinus issues) Aug 2019 Mirena coil fitted 6 Jan 2020 MAJOR Wave hit 19 months following last dose (protracted WD). Symptoms listed below Mar 2020 Mirena coil removal. Therapy: Nov 15th 2016 Re-started therapy Jan 19th 2017 Started CBT Dec 2017 Started listening to Hypnotherapy CD (self-esteem). Nov 2019 Started couples therapy. Supplements: "Bioglan" Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora 10 billion CFU, live Bacteria, Probiotic, suitable for Vegetarians, with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum. "Pukka" Vitalise a unique blend of 30 energising botanicals. Diet: 16 April 2018 Detox cleanse / anti-candida for 90 days. Jan 2020 Started "small plate" diet (i.e child size portions). Exercise: Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, Elliptical/upper body workout, walking. Medical Test Results: 4 Jan 2017 Homeopathic Treatment starts 24 Feb 2017 Started weight loss program 24 Mar 2017 Naturopathic Treatment + anti-Candida diet started due to suspected Candida Related Complex (CRC). DETOXED for 7 weeks to "re-set" gut. April 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Comprehensive Stool Analysis NEGATIVE; Full Blood Count (Normal) / Blood Cholesterol: 5.6 (Borderline) / Blood Sugar (Normal) / 28 Jun 2017 FSH 8.2 / 14 Nov 2017 FSH 17.7 Dec 2017 Blood Cholesterol: 3.9 (Normal) / Kidney Function (Normal) / Blood Sugar (Normal). December 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Food panel allergy (bloodwork) analysis - a few "VERY LOW/VL" allergens; Mar 2018 "Genova Diagnostics" SIBO urine analysis: High Level of Yeast/fungal markers found in small intestine but NO SIBO. April 2018 Thyroid (Normal) / Full Blood Count (Normal) / FSH (Normal). 16 April 2018 Started anti-Candida diet - 3 month protocol. 25 March 2020 All test results "Normal". CRP" 5 mg/L (normal range to 0-5 mg/L). Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms, anxiety, anhedonia, sinus headaches right-side (severe), IBS issues/reflux (severe)**, tinnitus, fatigue, inner tremor, nausea, chills/hot flushes, pounding heart, muscular issues including stiff left hip flexor, intense anger, PSSD (ongoing). **Histhamine intolerance (suspected). Major Life Events: Re-located to UK from Canada: Jan 2016 My father died: 5:05pm, Monday 5 Feb 2018 Last Lexapro dose: 16 April 2018 (its now been over a year since I quit ADs) Moved house: Friday 23rd February 2018 "Divorced" toxic Mother: Monday 26 March 2018 Starting working again: 19 November 2018 Diagnosed with: 5th August 2021 PTSD/C-PTSD Diagnosed with: March 2022 Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful bladder syndrome Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted June 11, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 11, 2018 41 minutes ago, Ssriwarrior said: I am starting homeopathy today. I would love to hear about your experiences with homeopathy and WD if you have time or can direct me to a thread. To find existing topics on the site you can use the site search or a search engine and include survivingantidepressants.org in the search string. * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted June 15, 2018 Author Share Posted June 15, 2018 I started my first homeopathy remedy on Tuesday night. Today is Friday morning, and I am feeling SO much better. Maybe it is placebo. Maybe the bioidentical hormones I tried are out of my system. Maybe the updose is kicking in and stabilized? I just feel stable emotionally, a sense of peace that I can continue the taper, and more hope. It's bizarre, and I'm trying to just enjoy it. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Songbird Posted June 16, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 16, 2018 Just enjoy it! If something works, I don't care if it is placebo or not. Here is the topic: Homeopathy 2001–2002 paroxetine 2003 citalopram 2004-2008 paroxetine (various failed tapers) 2008 paroxetine slow taper down to 2016 Aug off paroxetine2016 citalopram May 20mg Oct 15mg … slow taper down2018 citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg 6 Jul 4.1mg 17 Aug 4.0mg 18 Nov 3.8mg 2019 15 Mar 3.6mg 21 May 3.4mg 26 Dec 3.2mg 2020 19 Feb 3.0mg 19 Jul 2.9mg 16 Sep 2.8mg 25 Oct 2.7mg 23 Oct 2.6mg 24 Dec 2.5mg 2021 29 Aug 2.4mg 15 Nov 2.3mg Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 things have been very up and down with the homeopathy. I've tried 2 other remedies since the original one stopped working (or I got triggered by Trump's family separation policy) and I've had really bad detox reactions to the other 2 remedies. Thinking of just going back to 7.5 and stopping this struggle. I feel so defeated and like giving up trying. I'm trapped. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
Ssriwarrior Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 I'm back. Things have settled tremendously since I stopped the bioidentical hormones and the homeopathy. By now, I should know there is no magic bullet for withdrawal. I've been stabilizing at 7.0mg and debating on trying to continue with the liquid taper. My goal is to get down to 5mg, but at this rate, 2 more mg will likely take me til retirement! At this point, I have lost all hope of getting off it completely, but my new goal is to get down to 5 mg and stop the taper. Some days, even that seems impossible. HISTORY: Lexapro 10mg (current and for approximately 7 years; Prozac 20mg for 5 years and Zoloft 50mg for 5 years) Lexapro (too fast taper) 9mg 09/13; 8mg 10/13; 7mg 12/13; 6mg 02/14; 5mg 04/14; 4mg 06/14 2.5mg 08/29/14 2.25 mg 12/04/14; Re-instatement - 2.5mg 12/17/14; 03/01/15 3.0 mg; 04/01/15 - 5mg; 05/01/15 6mg; 5/15/15 6.5mg 6/01/15 7.5mg 2nd attempt at micro taper: starting dose is 7.5mg using liquid compounded rx: 12/16/17 - 7mg; 02/05/18 - 6.75mg 04/06/18 - 6.5ml 05/31/18 re-instate back to 6.75mg Link to comment
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