KayMarie: Tapering Geodon

[KayMarie]

Hi everyone. I'm new to this site but have been reading posts for a couple of months now. I am currently taking Geodon 80mg and Lexapro 10mg and trying to get off of all meds. Brief history... was pretty much normal all of my life then the past year have been hospitalized 4 times and spent the past 8 months on and off different antipsychotics/antidepressants. 

 

Ive only been taking Geodon 80mg for two weeks but previous to that I was taking Abilify for a month, and prior to that I was on 10mg Zyprexa for a month. 

 

Given my brief history, can someone please help me to taper off of the Geodon and Lexapro and tell me what withdrawals I can expect? And how long they will last? After researching on the internet I am so scared. Currently I am stable and just want off before I am on even longer and fear worse withdrawals. Thanks so much. 

[ChessieCat]

Hi KayMarie and welcome to SA,

 

I'm really pleased that you have found SA before you have started tapering.

 

Q:  What was the reason for you started a psychiatric drug in the first place?

 

Q:  What was the reason for you going off the previous drugs?

 

Please complete your drug signature following these instructions.  Thank you.  This will allow us to easily see your history at a glance whenever you post.

 

 A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature - ALL drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly?

• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 

• Any drugs prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years.
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago)
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016.
• Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

Generally SA recommends a slow taper of no more than 10% of the previous dose with a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  The idea of doing a slow taper is to keep withdrawal symptoms to a minimum.  We advise people to throw out the calendar and listen to their body.  If you aren't feeling stable after 4 weeks after making a reduction in your dose, you hold for a bit longer.

 

I'll provide you with some links to check out.

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?
 

Tips for tapering off ziprasidone (Geodon, Zeldox)

 

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

 

Some of the other mods are more knowledgeable about the drugs you have taken and are taking.  I'll let them know that you need some assistance.

 

This is your own Introduction topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.

[AliG]

Hi Kay. Welcome to SA. I'm very sorry for all that you have been through but I'm glad that you found us. We can certainly help you taper off your current medications. It's great that you are feeling stable at the moment and I can understand your need to be off quickly , given that it has been a fairly short exposure.

 

Would you please summarize your drug history so that we can see your situation at a glance whenever you post. If you could also answer the questions ^ it would be helpful  as the more information that we have then the more we can hopefully help.

 

You will find a lot of friendly support and encouragement here. Please post any questions or concerns that you may have after reading through the links above.

[Marsha]

Hi Kay. Welcome to SA from me also. I was on Geodon too. The moderators here are very experienced. Let them help you with your concerns. I am so glad you found us.  Hoping for the best outcome for you.