Onederland: Lexapro taper

[Onederland]

Hi Y'all,

I have been taking an SSRI since 1993 ????. I was prescribed Prozac for Panic D/O. I am now committed to ending my addiction to this poison. Knowing there are many others that are going through the same process is very comforting. I am grateful for this forum and everyone's contributions.

With trepidation and hope.

Edited August 5, 2016 by scallywag
tags added

[ChessieCat]

Hi Onederland and welcome to SA,

 

It's good that you have found SA.  There is a wealth of information here on the site.

 

The first thing we ask every member to do is Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature.  Please include ALL drugs, dates, doses and how you increased/decreased.  Details of the last year, and a summary of prior to that, helps us to make suggestions based on your individual situation.  Please update your signature whenever you make a change so your history remains current and can be seen at a glance.

 

SA recommends a 10% taper with a holding period of 4-6 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.

 

Please have a read of the following links and then you can ask questions here in your Intro/Update topic.  Click "Follow" top right to receive notification when someone posts.  You can also use your topic to journal your progress.

 

Introduction to AD Withdrawal Syndrome
 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

The following helped me to understand why SA recommends tapering slowly.  I have also found that I remember them when I start to want to taper faster and with tapering patience is very important, as it listening your body and throwing out the calendar.

 

Brain Remodelling (Rhi's Description of Brain Healing)

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Antidepressants aren't addictive in a physically addictive way.  The brain adapts to getting the drug and because it changes physiologically we need to reverse the process.  By doing a slow taper we aim to keep withdrawal symptoms minimised so we can live as normally as possible.

[scallywag]

Onderland, are you still taking Gabitril for sleep?

[downtongirl]

Hello Onderland I am in NC too...just looking at your signature and it looks like you take cbd oil...what does this help with.

[Fox]

I too am in NC and in Procaz WD.....good to see close neighbors

[Onederland]

Hi lovely people,

I am a total newbie to all of this and am currently trying to learn as much as possible about how to taper off of Lexapro efficiently. I had gone from 15mg of Lex down to 12.5mg last Sunday thinking that was a minimal drop. Then I started reading the posts on this site and quickly figured out that might be too big a decrease given the recommended 10% monthly decrease. I was doing pretty well up until Wendesday night with minimal symptoms. I laid in bed tossing and turning, never actually falling asleep. It was like I was in this bizarre half sleep half awake mode. My body was tired but my head was not. So last night I was dog tired and got into bed at 10P thinking I would be asleep right away.

 

After 20 minutes I started to fear that I was going to have a repeat of the night before. My body was so so heavy and tired but my head was in this weird, "trippy" state that would not allow for sleep to come. I tried meditating, doing mindful belly breathing, witnessing my thoughts etc. - none of which helped. So I broke a 1mg Lorazapam in half, and when nothing changed I took the other half. And thankfully I fell asleep.

 

However now I am feeling like an epic failure for caving in and taking the benzo. I guess I'm looking to find out if occasionally taking a benzo is a really bad idea while I'm getting off the Lex. Or what people do when this happens.

Edited August 5, 2016 by scallywag
paragraph breaks added

[scallywag]

Onederland, I've moved your post to your introduction topic so that more people will see your question. Please post questions about your situation here so that all your history is in one place.

 

 

You are not a failure for taking lorazepam.  As you probably know, a benzo isn't a real answer. People can quickly become dependent on a benzo, in as little as 10 days. 

 

There are a number of great ideas in this topic that might help you:

 

Tips to help sleep

[Onederland]

Onderland, are you still taking Gabitril for sleep?

Hi Scallywag,

 

I am still taking the Gabitril. Initially I thought it would be no problem to quit it all together, but after one night of attempting that, it was clear that was a bad idea. So I am back on it. I think I will shelve the Gabitril taper until I'm off the Lex. My major w/d symptoms coming off the Lex so far seem to be sleep related.

 

PS - is there any way to follow this thread? I seem to have great difficulty finding it when I log back on.

[Onederland]

Hello Onderland I am in NC too...just looking at your signature and it looks like you take cbd oil...what does this help with.

Hi Downtowngirl,

 

I have been reading about the many healing properties of Cannaboids. I am taking the CBD oil for two reasons - one to help with the anxiety and two to help with minimizing seizures. When I had the sleep study done in 1997, the MD's said that I was having seizure like episodes in my sleep multiple times a night. They also said I was grinding my teeth super hard too and that could have caused the seizure like appearance. In retrospect I wonder if these symptoms were related to taking the Prozac. My memory is so shot at this point I can't remember if I was having these symptoms pre-Prozac. I'm hoping my memory returns when I'm off this crap.

 

Nice to know there are fellow NC people on here. We just moved here and are really liking it.

[Onederland]

I too am in NC and in Procaz WD.....good to see close neighbors

Likewise

[AliG]

Onederland.  To follow this thread click on the " Follow this topic" - top right corner of page. Also , you can bookmark it.

 

Were you prescribed Gabritil for sleep? It is an off- label use, it's mainly used as an anti - convulsant. You mentioned seizures - was it sleep apnea or perhaps something else? 

You are on some supplements that can often be too stimulating in withdrawal. B Complex can often be a problem.

 

Many of us have trouble with sleep . These links may help :

Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have withdrawal insomnia

Sleep problems - that awful withdrawal insomnia

Guided Meditations, Calming Videos, Sleep Hypnosis

 

Ali

[downtongirl]

So glad you are enjoying NC!  I am a born and bred TAR HEEL!  Do you feel the cbd oil really helps with anxiety?

[Onederland]

Onederland.  To follow this thread click on the " Follow this topic" - top right corner of page. Also , you can bookmark it.

 

Were you prescribed Gabritil for sleep? It is an off- label use, it's mainly used as an anti - convulsant. You mentioned seizures - was it sleep apnea or perhaps something else? 

You are on some supplements that can often be too stimulating in withdrawal. B Complex can often be a problem.

 

Many of us have trouble with sleep . These links may help :

Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have withdrawal insomnia

Sleep problems - that awful withdrawal insomnia

Guided Meditations, Calming Videos, Sleep Hypnosis

 

Ali

Hi Ali,

 

I was prescribed Gabitril for sleep. I had been on a serious cocktail prior to the Gabitril (4mg Ativan & 10mg Flexeril). The psychiatrist who prescribed the Gabitril thought I was having mini seizures in my sleep and felt that the Gabitril was a better sleep aid than the other concoction. I will keep an eye on the B-Complex as a possible stimulant re sleep.

 

Thanks for the tips.

[Onederland]

So glad you are enjoying NC!  I am a born and bred TAR HEEL!  Do you feel the cbd oil really helps with anxiety?

I do think the CBD oil helps. It's subtle but I think it helps to minimize the anxiety. It's super expensive though. Love it here in NC, I'll probably love it even more once I'm off all of these damn meds.

[PatriciaVP]

Hi Onederland,

 

I tapered Lexapro way too fast at first on the advice of a clueless doctor. I felt fine at first. It took a good 4-5 months before I felt the full impact of his stupidity. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Agitation, depression, suicidal thoughts. I felt like I wanted to come right out of my skin. It was awful and lasted for several weeks.

 

Fortunately, I was able to ride it out. I didn't dare tell my doctor. Didn't want to hear "It's the return of your illness" BS.

 

Just wanted to let you know. You've taken some pretty steep drops recently. Hopefully it won't effect you like it did me, but if it does, know that you can get through it.

[Onederland]

Hi Onederland,

I tapered Lexapro way too fast at first on the advice of a clueless doctor. I felt fine at first. It took a good 4-5 months before I felt the full impact of his stupidity. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Agitation, depression, suicidal thoughts. I felt like I wanted to come right out of my skin. It was awful and lasted for several weeks.

Fortunately, I was able to ride it out. I didn't dare tell my doctor. Didn't want to hear "It's the return of your illness" BS.

Just wanted to let you know. You've taken some pretty steep drops recently. Hopefully it won't effect you like it did me, but if it does, know that you can get through it.

Hi Patricia,

 

Thanks for sharing your experience. Can you expand on how the taper went awry? What you would have done differently? It looks like your drop from 15mg to 10mg is where the decrease triggered withdrawal symptoms. I have been at 12.5 mg for about 8 days and have been pretty good. I was considering going to a 12.5/10 split (alternating days) starting tomorrow. Perhaps that is too quick. I just want to be off this crap.

 

It's amazing to have acces to a forum like this to be able to discuss the intracacies with people who truly "get it!"

 

Warm Regards.

[ChessieCat]

Hi Onederland,

 

"I have been at 12.5 mg for about 8 days and have been pretty good.  I was considering going to a 12.5/10 split (alternating days) starting tomorrow."

 

SA recommends a 4-6 week hold after a dose drop to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.

 

It is also recommended by SA that you DO NOT alternate doses.  It is important that you take the same dose every day at a similar time.

 

I can understand your frustration and wanting to get off the drug.  Many members feel the same way but by trying to go faster you will most probably only end up tripping yourself up and suffering down the track AND it may end up taking longer.

[Onederland]

Hi Onederland,

 

"I have been at 12.5 mg for about 8 days and have been pretty good.  I was considering going to a 12.5/10 split (alternating days) starting tomorrow."

 

SA recommends a 4-6 week hold after a dose drop to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.

 

It is also recommended by SA that you DO NOT alternate doses.  It is important that you take the same dose every day at a similar time.

 

I can understand your frustration and wanting to get off the drug.  Many members feel the same way but by trying to go faster you will most probably only end up tripping yourself up and suffering down the track AND it may end up taking longer.

Thanks for the excellent suggestions. I will hold tight for at least another week or more. I so want to learn from other people's experiences and avoid the pitfalls, like feeling eager to reduce too quickly. Called my Psychiatrist today to ask for the Lexapro liquid for more accurate titration and he was unaware that it came in liquid formula. Sort of surprised me. He also gave me the whole spiel about "you might not be able to get off the medication if your symptoms return." Thank God I was armed with lots of great information from here and books I have read, otherwise he may have talked me out of it. So scary how much these docs seem to encourage staying on the drugs for life.

[PatriciaVP]

I think I went way too fast in the beginning, but it didn't really hit me until I was holding at ten mg. I had made the larger drops in Sept and Oct of last year, but didn't have serious problems until the end of Jan.

[AliG]

Hi One.  Please read this link  : Post 2 specifically.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/300-important-topics-in-the-tapering-forum-and-faq/

 

As CC said - do not alternate doses. It is destabilizing.

Ali

[Onederland]

Hey everyone,

 

This Saturday will mark 4 months of being off Lexapro - I had been on an SRI for 23 years for GAD. It's been a hell of a 4 months to say the least. I went through a crying stage, where anything and nothing would trigger sobbing. Then I went into an anger/rage stage where I felt like I had anger oozing out of every pore in my body, and now I am in this anxious/panic state. I wake up totally anxious and remain that way for most of the day and have the occasional panic attack just for shits and giggles. And I've developed a twitch in my left eye which is very noticeable. What next?! I'm really trying not to go down Benzo lane but the panic attacks are unbearable at times. No wonder most people can't get off this crap! Does anyone know if/when things will even out? I'm exhausted!

Edited January 26, 2017 by scallywag
moved from Lexapro tips topic

[scallywag]

Onederland I've moved your post/question to your introduction topic so that all your information, questions and answers are in one place.

 

I wish there was a helpful answer but the truth is that the time it takes for symptoms to weaken or disappear entirely seems to vary widely. There are no clear predictive factors that we can use to say, "well I took this dose for "x" months, so my withdrawal symptoms will stop after "y" months."

 

Edited to add: You stopped Lexapro in October? How did you stop it:

• cold turkey? If so how many mg was your last dose in October 2016?
• fast taper? If so, what were the steps you took down from the 12.5 mg you were taking in August?

[Onederland]

Hi Scallywag, 

 

I tapered  the Lexapro over time, but probably quicker than I should have.  

July 31 - 15 mg

Aug 12 - 12 mg

Aug 17 - 10mg

Aug 28 - 8mg

Sept 5 - 5mg

sept 13 - 4mg

sept 20 - 3mg

sept 26 - 1mg

Oct 8 - 0

 

I'm using this program called DARE which has helped but I'm in survival mode with the anxiety daily.  I've developed some stomach problems, and am have great difficulty eating, vomiting and losing weight like there's no tomorrow.  Feeling a little scared.

 

I have been reading that Buspar is really helpful for GAD/Panic.  Of course the last thing I want to do is go back on meds, but I heard this one wasn't quite as bad side effect wise.  I'm not sure I can white knuckle this for much longer.  I feel like the original panic and anxiety I suffered from has come back with a vengeance  .

[Junglechicken]

Hi Scallywag, 

 

I tapered  the Lexapro over time, but probably quicker than I should have.  

July 31 - 15 mg

Aug 12 - 12 mg

Aug 17 - 10mg

Aug 28 - 8mg

Sept 5 - 5mg

sept 13 - 4mg

sept 20 - 3mg

sept 26 - 1mg

Oct 8 - 0

 

I'm using this program called DARE which has helped but I'm in survival mode with the anxiety daily.  I've developed some stomach problems, and am have great difficulty eating, vomiting and losing weight like there's no tomorrow.  Feeling a little scared.

 

I have been reading that Buspar is really helpful for GAD/Panic.  Of course the last thing I want to do is go back on meds, but I heard this one wasn't quite as bad side effect wise.  I'm not sure I can white knuckle this for much longer.  I feel like the original panic and anxiety I suffered from has come back with a vengeance  .

This is a similar timeframe to my disastrous Lexapro taper just over a year ago.

 

Those drops are pretty big, and I'm not surprised you have developed GI issues as a consequence.

 

Reinstatement of Lexapro at a very low dose should stabilize you - Mod's?

[scallywag]

Generally we suggest reinstating with the medication that you most recently tapered to calm withdrawal symptoms.

 

You've been off Lexapro since October 8, 4 ½ months ago.  What do you think about reinstating a VERY SMALL dose of Lexapro?

[Onederland]

 

Hi Scallywag,  I tapered  the Lexapro over time, but probably quicker than I should have.  July 31 - 15 mgAug 12 - 12 mgAug 17 - 10mgAug 28 - 8mgSept 5 - 5mgsept 13 - 4mgsept 20 - 3mgsept 26 - 1mgOct 8 - 0 I'm using this program called DARE which has helped but I'm in survival mode with the anxiety daily.  I've developed some stomach problems, and am have great difficulty eating, vomiting and losing weight like there's no tomorrow.  Feeling a little scared. I have been reading that Buspar is really helpful for GAD/Panic.  Of course the last thing I want to do is go back on meds, but I heard this one wasn't quite as bad side effect wise.  I'm not sure I can white knuckle this for much longer.  I feel like the original panic and anxiety I suffered from has come back with a vengeance  .

This is a similar timeframe to my disastrous Lexapro taper just over a year ago.Those drops are pretty big, and I'm not surprised you have developed GI issues as a consequence.Reinstatement of Lexapro at a very low dose should stabilize you - Mod's?

Hi Junglechicken,

 

What happened when you did your Lexapro taper? The first few months of being completely off consisted of serious rage, and hair trigger reactions. It was awful. Did you develop GI issues too? I have lost so much weight, I am getting a bit scared. Just the thought of food makes me want to run screaming. Are you on a low dose of Lex now too?

 

Thanks for your reply. It really helps normalize things, and takes the fear down a couple of notches.

[Onederland]

Generally we suggest reinstating with the medication that you most recently tapered to calm withdrawal symptoms.

 

You've been off Lexapro since October 8, 4 ½ months ago.  What do you think about reinstating a VERY SMALL dose of Lexapro?

Thanks so much for your reply. How many mgs would you recommend returning to? And for how long do you think it's best to stay on it? I'm not thrilled about going back on after the hell I've been through tapering off, but if it takes the panic and anxiety down a few notches and I don't have to start a totally new drug than it's definitely worth it. I'm so surprised that 4.5 months after stopping that I am going through this. I so thought the worst would be over after the first few months.

[scallywag]

Please read this topic: About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

 

Reinstatement does not work for everyone -- some notice no improvement, some experience a negative reaction. You have to give it at least two weeks before saying there's been no improvement. If you have a negative reaction, you'll know fairly quickly.

 

Please don't reinstate just yet. I'd like to check with other moderators about your situation. I have a lingering question about whether it makes sense to reinstate Lexapro -- it's such a powerful drug -- rather than something else.

[scallywag]

Okay, after bit of conferring ... IF you want to try reinstatement, our best guess at a starting dose is 0.5 mg. Remember that

• it's best to take the dose at the same time every day, or as close as possible to the same time
• you have to be patient -- at least 10 days before you might see improvement
• reinstatement doesn't work for everyone, and
• it's a good idea to keep notes about your symptoms on paper because it's easy to forget.

Please keep notes on paper of your symptoms and the times of your dose(s). This post has a useful format for a daily log:
Take notes of doses and symptoms.

 

Let us know what you choose and, of course, how you're doing.

[Onederland]

Thanks so much Scallywag! I really appreciate you taking the time to look into this. I will definitely contemplate this option. I am so surprised that afte 4.5 months I am getting withdrawal symptoms. I guess I didn't fully understand the magnitude of how intense and long this process is. There's a part of me that is relieved the panic is part of the withdrawal, as that means it hopefully will pass at some point. Thank you again for your support. It is a life saver.

[Onederland]

Hey friends,

 

I am in need of some support. I decided not to reinstate the low dose of Lexapro as Scallywag suggested, which was probably a bad decision. I just couldn't get myself to take even a small dose of it. So here I am nearly 7 months post my last dose of Lex and I am feeling worse and worse. I have horrible insomnia and have sadly turned to benzo's once in a while to get me through the night occasionally. I know that's probably the worst thing I could do. If I don't sleep I end up with horrendous anxiety and panic the next day. I am starting to feel depressed and hopeless. I find it nearly impossible to eat, and have lost a serious amount of weight. I really thought that I would be feeling so much better/normal at this point but it is the opposite. It pains me to even say this, but i am considering going back on some sort of SSRI for the anxiety and sleep problems. I have turned into Debbie Downer and am hating myself for being this way. I constantly apologize to my husband for being such an emotional mess, and am feeling like a serious drain. I have zero desire/motivation to do anything as I have hardly an energy. I hate the way I feel and I am scared.

[ChessieCat]

If you are thinking about going back on an SSRI, you might want to consider Scally's suggestion of reinstating a very tiny amount of Lexapro, because if what you are experiencing is the withdrawal symptoms from coming off that too quickly, then that is drug that the brain is possibly needing some of.  It may be worth trying that before thinking about going on a different AD.

[Onederland]

Hey survivor friends,

 

Well here I am nearly 10 months off Lexapro.  The anxiety has calmed down a bit. No more panic attacks, thank God!  Although I know this is taboo, I did start taking 1mg of Clonopin at bed in May to help with sleep - the insomnia was killing me.  I am now experiencing horrible moodiness.  I feel depressed quite a bit.  Could also be circumstantial as I am dealing with some heavy duty family stuff.  But before the heavy duty family stuff I was feeling super moody too.  Doc prescribed me Lamictal and after the hell I went through coming off the Lexapro I am reticent to take it.  I just can't handle living like this anymore.  I am constantly feeling like I want to end it all.  Feeling joy happens so infrequently.  Could the moodiness still be withdrawals?  I am soooo tempted to try the Lamictal.  

 

Your thoughts, and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

[scallywag]

Please add your klonopin dose and the date you started it to your signature.  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

Lamictal is a medication that will need to be tapered.  What dose has your doctor prescribed?

Tips for tapering off Lamictal (lamotrigine)

[Onederland]

Hi scallywag,

 

I added the Klonopin to my signature.  I am taking 1mg at Bed time for insomnia.  Nothing else worked.  I take it with Kirkland's Sleep Aid.  

 

I started the Lamictal 2 days ago and am taking 25mg.  I think my doctor plans on getting me up to 100mg.  

 

Thanks so much,

Onederland

[Madeleine]

Maybe the moodiness.could also be due to klonopin as benzodiazepines can cause depression in some people. It's important to limit your stress so I'm sorry to hear your are facing family issues. If there's a way to limit that for now that might also help w sleep