Suze5: Tapering speed bump

[Suze5]

Hi,

I think I've read through the relevant tapering topics.  Here's what happened.  I've been tapering Lexapro since 8/2017. I got down to .35ml and it seemed to stop working. Eventually ( I called the pharmaceutical company about shelf life and I realized in December I had exposed the liquid to below freezing temps for 24 hours. I had taken the "less potent" Lexapro for 5 weeks.  I had withdrawal symptoms ( not as bad as when I tapered off more quickly in 2011)  I got a new bottle of Lexapro and am still at .35ml for 2 weeks.  I am having anxiety and maybe a total of 4 hours sleep in multiple blocks.per night It was a little worse on the old bottle but I dont understand what's going on? Last night I took .45 ml and will try that for a while.

 

After reading all the tapering topics I'm afraid that even if I went back up (eventually) it wouldn't work.  I've been using various otc supplements to try to sleep but the adrenaline at night can't be overcome.  I didnt take the Lexapro for anxiety (depression). My counselor says maybe I have anxiety now. I dont want to hear that. Also not in my favor I've been on this drug for 12 years (20 mg since 2011).

Thanks for the help and just being there.

[SkyBlue]

On 6/26/2018 at 1:04 PM, Suze5 said:

 

 

Hi Suze and welcome to SA.

 

Yes, definitely sounds like withdrawal. 

 

Can you create a "signature" that will tell your drug history, for the past 2 years especially, and include the most recent changes? 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/12364-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

I'm glad you've done some reading around the site. Have you taken a look at: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/53-tips-to-help-sleep-so-many-of-us-have-that-awful-withdrawal-insomnia/

 

Can you say more about the Lexapro "stopping working" at 3.5ml? Maybe that's when withdrawal really started to kick in. What symptoms did you have at that time? 

 

Going back up in dosage is called up-dosing. We usually tell people to hold after going up a tiny amount in dose. Having tapered recently, your system is likely going to be very sensitive to changes. Please read at least the first page of this topic: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

 

I don't want to overwhelm you with too much information, so I'll leave it at that for now. 

 

Even if you've been on 12 years, there is definitely hope for coming off and healing. I would say the anxiety  (tell us more about that too) is directly related to the Lexapro withdrawal--especially if you didn't have strong anxiety before.

 

Edited June 27, 2018 by SkyBlue
format

[Suze5]

Thank you so much Sky Blue!  I updated my signature. I accidentally when from .35 to .25 after 5 days. The next night I went back up to .35ml. That seemed to be when it started.  It got progressively worse over the course of weeks ( maintaining .35).  I had brain zaps, severe anxiety, insomnia, gastrointestinal problems,dizziness,headache , memory problems, and concentration problems.  

 

It seemed to be barely working and I feel like the bottle exposed to below freezing (in my car on a road trip) started a downward spiral.

[Suze5]

I hope someone replies. I am only getting 2 hours sleep per night. I also have severe anxiety now, but the sleep dep is unbearable. It's been 5 days since I raised the Escitalopram to .45ml from .35 ml.  I dont know what to do?  I'm  desperate enough in thinking on going all the way back up.  You guys are it for me. I dont have a support system and am lost on what to do and where to turn. No pity party just need some advice and hope, thanks.