Momz: reinstate after Lexapro?

[momz]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm so thankful to have found this site; it helps immensely to learn that I'm not alone.

 

I've struggled with depression and anxiety since my late teens and have been on and off SSRIs since then. I was most recently put on Lexapro 20 mg in July 2015 for post-partum depression; I was then put on Buspar 15 mg (2x/day) in July 2017 for anxiety/panic.

 

Early this year, I decided I wanted to taper off the Lexapro. My psychiatrist prescribed the following taper schedule:

15 mg for 2 weeks

10 mg for 2 weeks

5 mg for 2 weeks

stop Lexapro 

 

I began experiencing withdrawal one week into taking 5 mg. Heavy anxiety (particularly in the mornings, which is typical for me), depression symptoms, lack of appetite, etc. etc. I have a phone call with my doctor this morning and am wondering if reinstating to 10 mg may be a good idea. I welcome all opinions.

[Gridley]

Hello, mom, and welcome to SA.

 

The tapering schedule your psychiatrist gave you was far too fast.  At Surviving Antidepressants, it is recommended that a person taper by no more than 10% of their current dose with at least a four week hold in-between decreases.  The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.  Some people may have to taper at a more conservative rate as they are sensitive to even the smallest drops.
  
Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

The withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing are typical of a too-fast taper.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants

 

Please be aware that sometime withdrawal symptoms don't appear immediately after a too-fast taper.

Delayed onset of withdrawal symptoms

 

Reinstatement of a small dose of your drug is the only know way to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Please read

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

As I understand it, you've been on 5 mg for a week.  During that time your brain has made some adaptations to the lower dosage.  For that reason, going all the way back up to 10mg may be too much for your brain to handle and you won't be able to stabilize.  I would suggest a reinstatement to 7 mg and see if that brings some relief.   Please Keep Notes on Paper so we can see if reinstatement is working. 

 

You will need to give it at least a week on the new dose.  It takes about 4 days for a dose change to get to full state in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.  T

Please remember that these drugs are strong.  These may seem like very small amounts, but it may be all that your brain needs. Lexapro (as I well know) is a particularly strong anti-depressant.  If the 7mg dose helps but isn't enough, increase.

 

After you have stabilized (which may take several months), you can begin a safe 10% taper as described in the link above.  

 

This link gives you instructions on how to make non-standard doses.

 

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

 

Unfortunately psychiatrists have little or no knowledge about tapering and withdrawal. These links should be helpful when talking to your doctor.

 

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

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

This is your Introduction thread where you can post your questions and updates.

 

Edited March 29, 2018 by ChessieCat
removed white space