ZachsDad: Lexapro taper in 2017

[ZachsDad]

Hello, I am very confused.

I want to start a Lexapro taper in Feb. The reason I am waiting till then is I need to mentally prepare myself. I read the horror stories on other sites - scary. I also just stopped smoking marijuana and want to clear from that for 3 to 4 months.

I will be doing the liquid 10% taper with syringe but I am totally confused about the reductions. Is There a tapering schedule for each month, as I have a math phobia ( one of my issues) and I can't figure the mg split. yes 10 % from 10 mg is 9 mg, but then it gets tricky for me. Like 10 % of 9 mg is 900 mil. How do I measure that

Would love some help on point in site direction????

I also ordered Mood Cure for suggestions

[ravijaua]

Can you tell us how long you have been on Lexapro and what dose?

[ZachsDad]

I have been on Lexapro - generic. 10 mg for 5 years

 

Thanks

[ChessieCat]

Hi ZachsDad and welcome to SA,

 

It's really good that you have found this site now and are able to prepare for a taper doing the research and gaining the knowledge you need.

 

It will be helpful if you would Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature.  Please include details for the last 12-18 months of  all drugs, dates, doses and discontinuations & reinstatements.  If you can't remember dates, please write it as "early March" or "mid-August".  Please provide a summary of any drugs prior to that which can just be listed with start and stop years.  Pleae remember to update whenever you make a change so it remains current and can be seen at a glance.  Thank you.

 

Please check out the following links and then ask any questions you may have.

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

 

These helped me to understand SA's recommendations of a 10% taper of the previous dose with a holding period of 3-4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug:

 

Brain Remodelling aka Rhi's Description of Brain Healing

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

These may also provide some helpful tips:

 

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

 

 

This is you own Intro/Update topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.

[ZachsDad]

Thanks for the quick reply. I will do what you suggested .So glad I found the group. Very nervous about this,

[ChessieCat]

It's understandable to be a bit overwhelmed when you first become a member here.  There is so much information to get your head around and wanting to do it "right".

 

You are on the right track finding this site before you started (many members, including myself, ended up here after getting into problems with fast tapering or cold turkey), and hopefully, once you get started, tapering will fade into the background and won't impact your life too much and you will be able to get off the drug with as little discomfort as possible.  The harm reduction method doesn't mean you will be totally symptom free but it will hopefully keep withdrawal symptoms to a minimum and bearable.  Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization.  The main thing is to be patient, listen to your body and throw out the calendar.  It is better to go slowly than to go too quickly, get into trouble because of the fast speed and then trying to get stable again.  You brain has adapted to getting the drug and tapering slowly will allow it to adapt as you taper.  Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

 

It's also helpful to learn non-drug techniques for coping during and after tapering.  This is something you could be doing in the lead up to commencing your taper:

 

1. Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms
2. Acceptance
3. Acceptance and Mindfulness
4. Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System
5. "Change the channel" -- dealing with cognitive symptoms
6. Change cognitive framing - Redirect - Another Way
7. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression
8. Cognitive Behavior Therapy lessons

And of course you will have the support of members and mods here.

[ZachsDad]

Thanks, I do aerobic elliptical, transcendental meditation, prayer, and light yoga and acpuncture, so that I know is positive. Gonna use these next months to prepare

 

 

Started Lexapro 10 mg in October 2014 after being on Celexa 20 mg on October 2013

[nz11]

.

I will be doing the liquid 10% taper with syringe but I am totally confused about the reductions. Is There a tapering schedule for each month, as I have a math phobia ( one of my issues) and I can't figure the mg split.

It would be worth your while to read the lexapro taper tips link

 

in it it says

Using the liquid form is the best way to control the amount of each decrease. The US formulation provides 5 mg per 5 mL (amounting to 1mg of the medication in a milliliter of the liquid, or 1mg:1mL).

 

If this is too much to manage then it might be worth looking into a compounding pharmacy to make the required liquid dose for you.

[scallywag]

ZachsDad -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA) (brought to you by "me too")
 
Good for you for thinking so far ahead and for doing your research now to prepare for your taper. We put together a topic of things to think about just for people like you:
Before you begin tapering -- what you need to know
 
Each "new" dose is calculated by multiplying the "old" dose by 0.9 or 90%. Here are your first few 10% dose reductions
 
10 mg to 9 mg
9 mg to 8.1 mg
8.1 mg to 7.2 mg
7.2 mg to 6.3 mg

[ZachsDad]

Yes, I don't want to start the taper in the bleak midwinter, so I will ready myself. I did figure out the calculations. And I will enmesh myself in the literature and site forums Peace

[ZachsDad]

I have stopped my Statin Medicine as they were contributing to so much of my anxiety. just stopped 5 days ago and improving. Will give my body a rest and for neurotransmitters to relax before the Lexapro taper,

The Crestor 5mg I was taken lowered my cholesteol to the point that it also lessened the efficacy of the Lexapro making me anxious, burning skin feeling, sweaty palm, hoarse and headaches. Statins are also toxic!

[scallywag]

Thanks for letting us know that you have improved after stopping Crestor. 

 

Would you complete a signature with your Lexapro information and the Crestor details?

Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature.