Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted August 11, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 11, 2022 aligning-taper-with-menstruation-menstrual-cycle-periods * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft;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
LucyLou Posted August 11, 2022 Author Share Posted August 11, 2022 Thanks @ChessieCat! This looks interesting. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted August 13, 2022 Author Share Posted August 13, 2022 @Altostrata, yes I’m tapering escitalopram but am stuck at just over 5 mg. I’m super sensitive to the drug (even before tapering if I ever forgot just one dose I’d feel it). I tapered down to 5 mg a few years ago and it was too fast and I had a horrible year — on the verge of tears most days, crying, anxious, angry — and I didn’t feel better until I updosed to 5.3 mg and held. Since then I’ve only dropped a tiny bit a few times. I want to continue to taper, but don’t expect to be off escitalopram for years. I’m a middle school teacher and it’s super important for me to be calm and in a good place to respond and not react to students, so I haven’t tapered much during school year. But the drop last fall/winter worked out. Don’t know if a small taper would be a good idea right now or not. I’d probably try 5.22 mg because it’s smallest increment that’s easy to measure. 1 Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 13, 2022 Administrator Share Posted August 13, 2022 That is very sensitive. Please let us know how you're doing. 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
LucyLou Posted February 24, 2023 Author Share Posted February 24, 2023 So I have been having stress headaches or maybe even mild migraines. It feels like the headaches that went pretty much away when I started tapering escitalopram. I have held for a long time at 5.24 mg and I think this may be a sign to drop my dose. I’m thinking of waiting until I get my period because I am affected by hormones and emotionally feel my best right after I get my period. It might be a longer wait, however, because I’m in perimenopause and have long and unpredictable cycles. So, I will have to see. Wondering if I should just drop to 5.22 mg, and if that goes okay, try another drop to get to 5 mg. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted April 8, 2023 Author Share Posted April 8, 2023 Dropping escitalopram from 5.24 mg to 5.22 mg tonight. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted April 9, 2023 Author Share Posted April 9, 2023 Yesterday, 4/8/23, I was very sad, but I think it was situational, not related to .02 mg drop. I went for a jog to get some cardio, which helped a lot. This morning, I’m a bit nauseous and not sure if it’s related or not to tiny drop. My hope is that the drop is so small it won’t affect me at all. have a job interview 4/26, so I hope if there are are effects, they’ll be gone by then. I decided to drop right now because I felt I’ve waited so long and just ready. Have held with lower Wellbutrin, and it’s hard to articulate, but I have a bogged down feeling I’ve had before dropping in the past successfully. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted April 9, 2023 Author Share Posted April 9, 2023 Test post Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted April 10, 2023 Author Share Posted April 10, 2023 Added back in magnesium glycinate. Not sure when I stopped or why. Likely ran out and then forgot. Was re-reading some of my posts and saw the magnesium mentioned, so added back in. Hopefully it will help with anxiety like it did before. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted April 10, 2023 Author Share Posted April 10, 2023 I think I might be having short waves of sadness due to drop even though the reduction is very small. But they seem to pass and *maybe* I have less anxiety? H add been feeling more anxious and angry before I reduced escitalopram, which was part of what prompted me to reduce dose. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted April 13, 2023 Author Share Posted April 13, 2023 Lots of anxiety today but maybe because my routine is different and stuff with work (job interview and teacher burnout) and husband’s health. Wonder if related to small med drop. Hope not. Dropping dose is really scary for me. ☹️ Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted April 14, 2023 Author Share Posted April 14, 2023 Anxiety passed once I was in the swing of work today. Now I’m exhausted. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted April 17, 2023 Author Share Posted April 17, 2023 So far, I think drop is going fine. Fingers crossed. Likely no withdrawal effects to come? Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted April 22, 2023 Author Share Posted April 22, 2023 Not sure if it’s withdrawal or situational. Starting Wednesday night have had lots of anger and rage. Have lots of fear about possible changes at words nd I don’t do fear/anxiety well, so maybe not related. Had been angry and even eyeful before drop so 🤷🏼♀️. but Wednesday night cats ate onions in salsa, and the vet phone line recommended I bring so I did but I felt furious and banged around and screamed in car. They were fine and vet at clinic didn’t think they had enough—so whew but anger out of line. Then Thursday felt angry all day at work and crying on the way home talking to my husband and he couldn’t understand me and thought I was angry with him. I did many things to chill like sauna, bath, walk. Things seemed calm nd good and then right before bed brought up money anxiety to husband and that turned into an awful fight and I totally raged out of control😞. Wanted to document here so I have the record. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted July 6, 2023 Author Share Posted July 6, 2023 Summer and I have been feeling sad and anxious. Still able to do stuff and go on walks daily and kickboxing 2x/week to help mood and meditate for a short time 7min maybe 3x/week (should do daily). had applied for a job and interviewed back in April. Started out summer with a second round for that job that required tasks (data analysis and video of teaching a model lesson without students.) I felt stressed and anxious. Ended up with job offer I didn’t take because pay was too low and likely was more work. But I was picked, had many people give great recs for me and yet when it was done I just felt sad and tired. Haven’t been able to really get into a good summer groove and am a downer for my husband and son. And worry about my son too much which doesn’t help him. Wonder if it’s the .02 escitalopram drop. Hopefully will pass. A few years ago, I Dropped too fast (for me, I am super sensitive) and had a horrible year. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted August 1, 2023 Author Share Posted August 1, 2023 Have been working on mindfulness throughout the day and recommitting to morning meditation. Read Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer and employing some of those techniques. Planned out test of summer. Staring to feel better. Need to stay the course on what’s helping. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted August 4, 2023 Author Share Posted August 4, 2023 All summer crying and anxious. And before that, too, since April drop. Almost daily. I don’t think this last drop worked. Too much even though so little. Taking 5.24 mg instead of 5.22 mg of escitalopram tonight. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
LucyLou Posted August 5, 2023 Author Share Posted August 5, 2023 Way less anxiety yesterday and no crying. Current: 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (was 450 mg 2005 to 12/18/2021); 5.22 mg Escitalopram Escitalopram taper: 20 mg (2002? to 4/2016). Spring to Fall 2016: smooth taper to 8 mg. Winter 2016-l7: 7.8 mg Spring 2017: 6 mg. Fall 2017: 5.6 mg. Spring 2018: 5.2 mg. Fall 2018-Winter 2019: 5 mg, too big of a drop. 2/2019: 5.3 mg. 6/2020: 5.28 mg. 7/11/21: 5.26 mg. 11/21/21: 5.24 mg. 3/29/22: 5.22 mg. 4/10/22: 5.24 mg. 4/11/22: 5.23 mg. 5/8/22: 5.24 mg; April 7, 2023: 5.22 mg; 8/3/23: 5.24 mg Link to comment
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