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Tom37: Lexapro taper


Tom37

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 7/19/2020 at 6:36 AM, Tom37 said:

I’m very reluctant to take anything stronger due to wd so wondering has anyone taken codiene or anything stronger and been ok?

 

I'm recovering from a bulging disc in my lower back and had to have a cortisone injection.  I took 3 days of an anti inflammatory but had to stop because it caused a stomach upset.

 

Because of the pain I've been taking paracodeine during the day and Mersyndol (paracodeine + antihistamine) at night for sleep.  I've been taking this for at least 2 weeks now, possibly 3.  I've only just reduced the Mersyndol to 1 a night and I'm not taking as many paracodeine now.  I'm also seeing the physio, doing hydro and just started some exercises at home.  I had also made a reduction of Pristiq a few days before hurting my back and decided not to updose.  I may hold for a bit longer before making my next reduction.  But I'll wait and see how I am when it comes to that time.

 

I was in so much pain, which was mainly from cramped muscles due to 2.5 weeks of inactivity, that the physio couldn't even complete the assessment.  I had already been taking Mersyndol at night but he wanted me on pain killers during the day to reduce the pain which was making things worse because I couldn't relax.

 

It's difficult to know if what I've been taking has caused any withdrawal issues because I was ve been feeling very sorry for myself with the pain for about 3 weeks.  But over the last few days I have started to improve.

 

A caution about codeine.  It causes constipation.  I was taking 1 senna tablet at night but when I was taking 2 Mersyndol I should have taken 2 senna tablets.  I was also eating easy meals because I was on crutches so wasn't getting my usual fibre, but a few days ago I started adding bran to my porridge and also eating a few dates during the afternoon.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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@Tom37,

Hope this wave clears soon for you. I sometimes find that, when I know it's safe to relax eg because a holiday has begun, it's almost as if my nervous system has permission to shake a bit. Hopefully, you will still get some enjoyable days from your holiday.

January 2008 to April 2015 Citalopram 20mg to 5mg, reducing in 50 per cent leaps. Jumped off at 5mg

March 2016 used MDMA triggered setback

April 2016 Citalopram 10mg October 2016 cut to 5mg, May 2017 cut to 2.5mg

May 2018 used MDMA triggered setback

June 2018 Citalopram 2.5mg up to 10mg, then back to 5mg

July/ August 2018 7.5mg, then 10mg

June 2019 updosed to 20mg Citalopram

August 2019 cold switch to Venlafaxine 75mg XR

Supplements; 1100mg fish oil daily; also 100mg Magnesium Glycinate. Tried Vagifem 10mcg from mid May 2021 to mid June 2021; caused depression, so stopped.

 

 

 

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Thanks @ChessieCat

 

Sorry to here your struggling with nerve pain from a disc issue. My issue seems to be two strained muscles around shoulder blade and as they heal the nerve pain will lessen.....hopefully but I always tend to catastrophise and think it won’t get better. The pain is only in my left arm and shoulder blade but when it’s bad it’s a nightmare. 

 

Thanks @sunnysideup69. Wave not too bad so far especially compared to the last one but definitely not required with injury im dealing with. Enjoy feeling good.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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Another rubbish night of no sleep. Just seem to go into these waves and they kill my sleep. Again very restless so couldn’t keep still and just not feeling well. Not as bad as last wave but still same end result. So sick and tired of this happening. Another day to battle through even though nothing on as off work for the week.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

Link to comment

Noting......in addition to the above I have weird random thoughts and images out of nowhere along with random memories. The memories don’t bother me and make sense as that part of the brain must be healing. But it’s the weird random images of people or things when I close my eyes or try to sleep which is totally weird. Can be from someone/thing from years ago or just recent but completely irrelevant to me and would never think of it normally. Feels like you lose control of your thoughts. Feeling bit shaky again and just not well this morning which is part of the restlessness feeling. Just so different to how I was feeling only 3 days ago where I was feeling great and even had thoughts I was done with all this. I do wonder if hurting myself could have thrown me back into a wave.
 

Throw in the wave never ending thoughts and it’s a great time.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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  • Moderator Emeritus
5 hours ago, Tom37 said:

in addition to the above I have weird random thoughts and images out of nowhere along with random memories. The memories don’t bother me and make sense as that part of the brain must be healing. But it’s the weird random images of people or things when I close my eyes or try to sleep which is totally weird. Can be from someone/thing from years ago or just recent but completely irrelevant to me and would never think of it normally. Feels like you lose control of your thoughts.

 

I've had periods of this happening all through my taper.  It can be the strangest thing which has no relation to anything that I've been doing.  And my first thought is where on earth did that come from.  It's a bit like a secretary going to the filing cabinet to get out all the client files she needs for the day's work and grabbing an extra one or a wrong one.

 

6 hours ago, Tom37 said:

I do wonder if hurting myself could have thrown me back into a wave.

 

Quite possibly.  The brain may be diverting its attention, or some of it, away from adapting to your tapering and is busy healing the injury.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Anyway a tough day today. Done buggar  all other than stretches and lying on the couch as shoulder blade sore with on and of pain down the arm and been feeling constantly shaky and unwell with this wave. I do always catastrophise during waves and this time even more sore as I am really scared that this injury and more so the pain won’t get better. Then I start thinking about how will I work, how will I sleep etc. If I wasn’t in wd I wouldn’t be half as bad but sometimes I barely hang on during a wave so add the two together and feels like a monumental challenge. 
 

Hopefully feel better wd wise tomorrow.

 

 

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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Managed to get some sleep about 4 or so hours. To start with my mind just didn’t want to sleep and woke up in a weird state after about 30 mins. Then had a couple of two hours which felt normal. Still feel little bit shaky which makes me feel bit nervous  as it’s kinda our I feel when nervous about something even though I’m not and mentally not quite right but hopefully means wave is past it’s peak but who knows.

 

Shoulder pain was there last night but more annoying and makes me sleep on my back when all want to do is lie on my side. Physio again today and only 10 day’s of what could be a few months of dealing with it but hopefully does get slowly better. At least it’s not severe pain like over the weekend.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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  • Moderator Emeritus
5 hours ago, Tom37 said:

Shoulder pain was there last night but more annoying and makes me sleep on my back when all want to do is lie on my side.

 

I found that when I fell asleep on my back when I was unable to sleep on my side recently I kept waking myself up because I would get a dry throat.

 

You could try putting something under your upper torso with a higher/extra head pillow so that you have more room for your shoulder.  I had to try a few different things and did find something that worked for a few nights and enabled me to get a bit more sleep.  There was one time that I had throw a heap of things (pillows, doona, blanket) on the bed (not deliberately) and I had had such a bad night and was so exhausted that I just laid over the heap and did manage to sleep for a bit.

 

And yes, anticipatory anxiety plays into it because of previous experience/s you automatically think that it is going to happen again.  I also found that I was a bit "scared" of going to bed because of this and I found that leaving the hall light on (a low wattage old fashioned light bulb) was comforting when I woke up.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment

Thanks @ChessieCat.

 

I just hope it gets better as all doom and gloom about it at the moment. Was doing so good wd wise and then this comes along. When it’s something serious always think I’ll be the 1 percent where it never gets better and when in a wave even worse. Usually find it easier to deal with once recovery starts and feel like I’m out of the woods with it yet it’s only been a week and a half with this and won’t be for weeks till I know if will get better as a 6 to 8 week recovery if goes normal.

 

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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  • Moderator Emeritus
17 minutes ago, Tom37 said:

it’s only been a week and a half with this

 

When things aren't good it always seems longer than it is.  It's because we are hyper-focused on it.  It's normal.  I've been able to use my non drug coping techniques to help me through what I'm experiencing with my back.  At times it didn't seem to make much different but I think on the whole it has definitely helped me to get through it and I think even at the worst times I have mentally dealt with it better than if I hadn't had those skills.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Sending healing energy to you, Tom. You will improve. 

2016 - Zoloft 50 mg for klonopin w/d

Approx. Nov 2017 - successful taper of klonopin; Approx. Jan. 2018 - rapid taper Zoloft over 2 wks - no w/d symptoms; May 2018 - Reinstate 50 mg Zoloft per doctor; Aug 2018 - Rapid taper Zoloft over 3-4 weeks - no w/d symptoms for 1 mo.; Late Oct 2018 - pdoc rx'd 5mg lexapro -took for 1 wk; Early Nov 2018 - Reinstate 25 mg Zoloft; updose to 37.5 on Nov 28, 2018; Nov 30 2018 - returned to 25mg Zoloft upon mod. advice; Dec 9 - Dec10 2018 - 12.5mg zoloft liquid+12.5mg zoloft pill; Dec 11 2018 - 25mg zoloft all liquid; Feb 14 2019 - updosed to 26.25 mg liquid; Mar 6 2019 - updosed to 26.88 mg liquid - new symptoms; Mar 13 2019 - back down to 26.25 mg per mod suggestion

Dose Changes: Dec 2 2019 - 5% to 25mg; Jan 14 2020 - 10% to 22.5 (increase in sxs all month); Mar 10-15? 2020,  accidental updose to 25mg; Mar 22 2020 - back down to 22.5mg; Apr 12 2020 - 2.5% to 21.94mg; Apr 19 2020 - 2.5% to 21.375mg (symptom increase); May 17 2020 - 2.5% to 20.625mg; May 24 2020 - 2.5% to 20.1mg - Jun 14 2020 - noticed uptick in symptoms settled 2 days later - July 10 2020 - onset of wave

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Thanks @ChessieCat and @Dejavu.

 

Noting....Bet of a better day wave wise but still not feeling too good. Bit shaky like I’m nervous or really cold or just not feeling too well. Such a change from how I was feeling. Did manage a 30 min walk this morning. Still struggling with catastrophic thoughts about the neck and how I’ll be in the 1 percent that it doesn’t get better. One moment I’ll be positive about it all and then the next the total opposite. Hate it. Concern is more about handling it along with the wd process as that is hard enough on its own. Hopefully once wave ends will make injury easier to deal with. 
 

Had physio today and there is small improvement happening especially with range of movement and less shoulder/blade pain. Can now lie on my sides without shoulder pain but still feel it in arms in those positions.

 

Hopefully better wd day tomorrow and this wave can end so back to feeling good.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

Link to comment

It'll get better @Tom37...you wait and see. Hope the WDs wear off soon, too.

January 2008 to April 2015 Citalopram 20mg to 5mg, reducing in 50 per cent leaps. Jumped off at 5mg

March 2016 used MDMA triggered setback

April 2016 Citalopram 10mg October 2016 cut to 5mg, May 2017 cut to 2.5mg

May 2018 used MDMA triggered setback

June 2018 Citalopram 2.5mg up to 10mg, then back to 5mg

July/ August 2018 7.5mg, then 10mg

June 2019 updosed to 20mg Citalopram

August 2019 cold switch to Venlafaxine 75mg XR

Supplements; 1100mg fish oil daily; also 100mg Magnesium Glycinate. Tried Vagifem 10mcg from mid May 2021 to mid June 2021; caused depression, so stopped.

 

 

 

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Better night with the injury and pain and could lie on both sides without too much issue. Compared to Sunday when couldn’t even lie on my back it is progress I guess. If the arm pain starts easing during the day that’s the breakthrough I need to give me hope.

 

Didn’t sleep much though just a couple of hours. For some reason just don’t seem sleepy even though not sleeping much. Then when I wake I wonder if actually been asleep as don’t get that been asleep feeling from it. Normally out of a wave or definitely pre wd I’d be struggling to keep my eyes open after poor or no sleep. I don’t lie there actually stressing about not sleeping as I know it will happen when I need it. Still have the shaky/nervous feeling as main symptom along with some restlessness and just not feeling too good.

 

Do have thoughts of what is the point in carrying on going through this especially with injury and compared to how well I was going. Usually a few days of feeling better puts me in a better place but that seems a while off at the moment. At least still of work but back on Monday which is admittedly got me wondering how will I cope.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

Link to comment

Just adding also have this horrible fear feeling about things and even people. It comes and goes but can be intense. Scares me but must be from this wave. Praying it is otherwise it’s me creating it but I don’t remember having fear like this pre wd but maybe the injury has triggered it. Makes me feel at times like want to cry too. Tough day ahead. 

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

Link to comment
2 hours ago, Tom37 said:

Just adding also have this horrible fear feeling about things and even people. It comes and goes but can be intense. Scares me but must be from this wave. Praying it is otherwise it’s me creating it but I don’t remember having fear like this pre wd but maybe the injury has triggered it. Makes me feel at times like want to cry too. Tough day ahead. 

Yes @Tom37 I get the same intense feeling!

Better today, but yesterday had it all day Horrible 
feeling! Chest gets tight, fear and anxiety just want to run and hide! 

 

1997 regular Effexor  150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on  panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone 

was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer 

did a fast taper getting panic attacks 
2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an 

reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor  Venlafaxine

2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 

 

 

 

 

 

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@Lynnardgirl those thoughts are horrible. It’s like a switch is flipped when they come on for me. I don’t seem to get the normal physical anxiety symptoms when they come maybe it’s because I’m already shaking away a bit as that’s the hallmark symptom of this wave.
 

Think I’m finding It especially hard at the moment as the difference between feeling good and bad is significant now compared to any other time and find that really hard. You think that you just may have made it to the other side so the come down is hard. 

 

Hopefully you have support at home to help you through this. 

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
6 hours ago, Tom37 said:

Didn’t sleep much though just a couple of hours. For some reason just don’t seem sleepy even though not sleeping much.

 

Part of it could be that you aren't as active and using your brain as much at the moment.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment

@ChessieCat think it’s just the wave as usually sleep better when on holiday and away from work stress. Usually when the wave ends the tiredness hits and then start sleeping better. 
 

Anyway today was bit of a rubbish day. Felt horrible this morning with the shaking feeling and emotionally all over the place and this sense of fear/panic as been coming and going throughout. Went for a half hour walk but don’t enjoy it feeling like this but made sure I did something. Neck issue has been as it has been last few days and just hoping for a breakthrough with the arm pain but think that will be a few weeks away if it happens at all. Read that 90 percent of people get significantly better in 6 weeks so hoping I’m one of them but still leaves 10 percent that don’t which is no doubt what I will fall into. The fear of not knowing is the worst of it. Fighting on 1 front is hard enough let alone 2.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
1 hour ago, Tom37 said:

Read that 90 percent of people get significantly better in 6 weeks so hoping I’m one of them but still leaves 10 percent that don’t which is no doubt what I will fall into.

 

This is catastrophic thinking.  You do not know with no doubt that you will fall into the 10 percent bracket.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment

@ChessieCat I agree absolutely is. I’m just being honest with what I’m going through. Being in a wave doesn’t help with my thinking but doing my best to challenge those thoughts.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

There is a short video here related to Unhelpful Thinking Habits.

 

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/factopinion.htm

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment
15 hours ago, Tom37 said:

@Lynnardgirl those thoughts are horrible. It’s like a switch is flipped when they come on for me. I don’t seem to get the normal physical anxiety symptoms when they come maybe it’s because I’m already shaking away a bit as that’s the hallmark symptom of this wave.
 

Think I’m finding It especially hard at the moment as the difference between feeling good and bad is significant now compared to any other time and find that really hard. You think that you just may have made it to the other side so the come down is hard. 

 

Hopefully you have support at home to help you through this. 

It’s weird I will be fine then bam this horrible feeling comes over me! Sometimes early morning I will awake then all of a sudden my whole body turns , fast heart beat and horrible anxiety, fear and just sick feeling. It’s like a horrible nightmare that never ends! 
I might start tapering need to get of the 

poison !

 

I say prayers for you and know you will heal!

God bless you my friend 

 

1997 regular Effexor  150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on  panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone 

was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer 

did a fast taper getting panic attacks 
2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an 

reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor  Venlafaxine

2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 

 

 

 

 

 

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Better sleep last night at 4 to 5 hours. Took ages to get to sleep as was having horrible thoughts about everything. Still in this wave so I’m hoping it’s just because of that but who knows.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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That's great, @Tom37- hoping the upward trajectory continues for you :) 

January 2008 to April 2015 Citalopram 20mg to 5mg, reducing in 50 per cent leaps. Jumped off at 5mg

March 2016 used MDMA triggered setback

April 2016 Citalopram 10mg October 2016 cut to 5mg, May 2017 cut to 2.5mg

May 2018 used MDMA triggered setback

June 2018 Citalopram 2.5mg up to 10mg, then back to 5mg

July/ August 2018 7.5mg, then 10mg

June 2019 updosed to 20mg Citalopram

August 2019 cold switch to Venlafaxine 75mg XR

Supplements; 1100mg fish oil daily; also 100mg Magnesium Glycinate. Tried Vagifem 10mcg from mid May 2021 to mid June 2021; caused depression, so stopped.

 

 

 

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So today has been a better day which was well needed. Had physio this morning and neck movement is improving but more importantly arm pain has started to reduce. The worst part of it was burning pain in my forearm which has significantly reduced all day so fingers crossed that continues. Also better neck movement so fingers crossed that continues.

 

On the wd front I may be coming out of this wave but we shall see. Have been feeling a bit better today and so far the shaking feeling has pretty much gone and have bit of an appetite back so hopefully that continues.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Great report! I've noticed a pattern with you. When your sleep starts to improve, it's usually a sign things are on an upward trajectory for you. Keep going!

2016 - Zoloft 50 mg for klonopin w/d

Approx. Nov 2017 - successful taper of klonopin; Approx. Jan. 2018 - rapid taper Zoloft over 2 wks - no w/d symptoms; May 2018 - Reinstate 50 mg Zoloft per doctor; Aug 2018 - Rapid taper Zoloft over 3-4 weeks - no w/d symptoms for 1 mo.; Late Oct 2018 - pdoc rx'd 5mg lexapro -took for 1 wk; Early Nov 2018 - Reinstate 25 mg Zoloft; updose to 37.5 on Nov 28, 2018; Nov 30 2018 - returned to 25mg Zoloft upon mod. advice; Dec 9 - Dec10 2018 - 12.5mg zoloft liquid+12.5mg zoloft pill; Dec 11 2018 - 25mg zoloft all liquid; Feb 14 2019 - updosed to 26.25 mg liquid; Mar 6 2019 - updosed to 26.88 mg liquid - new symptoms; Mar 13 2019 - back down to 26.25 mg per mod suggestion

Dose Changes: Dec 2 2019 - 5% to 25mg; Jan 14 2020 - 10% to 22.5 (increase in sxs all month); Mar 10-15? 2020,  accidental updose to 25mg; Mar 22 2020 - back down to 22.5mg; Apr 12 2020 - 2.5% to 21.94mg; Apr 19 2020 - 2.5% to 21.375mg (symptom increase); May 17 2020 - 2.5% to 20.625mg; May 24 2020 - 2.5% to 20.1mg - Jun 14 2020 - noticed uptick in symptoms settled 2 days later - July 10 2020 - onset of wave

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Yeah I think the insomnia is part of the symptoms of the waves a lot of the time and when that passes seems I’m through the worst of it. Other times the symptoms stop me from sleeping especially the restlessness. 
 

Managed another 5 or so hours last night but did wake a few times. Was able to sleep on my sides without any arm pain which is an improvement.
 

No crazy horrible intrusive thoughts while trying to sleep  which should mean definitely on other side of wave but will see how we go. 

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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That’s another wave to tick off the list Tom. I don’t know whether this helps but I I’ll share it anyway just in case it does.

For this to be beneficial there has to be an initial belief that everyone heals eventually. With this in mind I imagine that I have a set number of waves that I am going to go through on this journey. No one knows what that number will be or how long it will take but there is a set number. Everyone who has healed had a set number of waves,  too many to count but a set number non the less. So after each wave I try to visualise that I’m now one wave down and one step closer to healing. A midwife recommended this technique to me. She said to welcome each contraction rather than fear it. Each contraction will be one step toward welcoming your  beautiful baby into the world 🧡.I’m not very good at welcoming waves yet but after one I always see it as a step closer to healing. 

Take care Tom, you can do this and now you’re one step closer 🙏

Lexapro Fast Track/ Cold Turkey

Last dose end Dec 2018 

Tapered 1/2 a daily dose a week (20mg) for  14 weeks, last dose was a 20 mg pill!!  

 3.5 times slower than Psychiatrist recommended, I felt proud of myself!! Little did I know!!!!Got too scared to reinstate because I’d left it too long.

On ADs for 20 years (Prozac approx 10 years/ Pristiq approx 3 years/ Citalipram approx 2 years/. Lexapro a approx  5 years/. Last two years 40mgs Lexapro day.

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Thanks @Katy398 I understand about the ticking off of waves but it is hard to keep positive when it seems never ending. Seems harder the better you feel to then lurch backwards again. 
 

Anyway, felt pretty much the same as yesterday wd wise so wave is coming to an end. Just have bit of a weird head which kinda feels like I’m a little drugged or something. It’s minor and outside of that and odd bit of fear still lingering would feel great otherwise. Have been wondering if the head is feeling like it is as have been taking approx 1000mg of ibuprofen each day for my neck which is mainly for the anti inflammatory effects. Don’t won’t to have to take a steroid so felt this was the best first option. Only taken ibuprofen once before in wd and happened to have a wave the same night i took it so no idea if it could effect me like that. Will take it another week then that should be it. Probably just wd being wd and it will pass.

 

Neck issue been ok today but means I can’t do much but did get out for a 45 min walk and bit of a drive. Still battle the thoughts of it not healing any further and being like this forever even though it’s not even been two weeks yet. So frustrating that I think like that especially as have seen improvement.

 

Hopefully tomorrow another decent day. 

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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Another 4 to 5 hours sleep. Last couple of nights been waking thinking it’s middle of night but only been asleep an hour which is not normal for me so hopefully that stops. Always go back to sleep but then wake around 4am and hard to go back with shoulder or arm usually sore after sleeping. Not unbearable pain but enough to be a nuisance plus makes me then think about it ever getting better etc. 

 

Just can’t wait to wake up the morning and have no stress about how I’m going to be. To not even have to think about wd and everything that comes with it. To know that today and tomorrow and so on your going to be ‘ok’. 

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 7/19/2020 at 3:20 PM, Tom37 said:

And looks like into another wave I go. Started feeling shaky yesterday afternoon which I put down to the pain I was in but then last night I had that horrible restless feeling were couldn’t lie in same place for more than a few minutes. Also weird thoughts and random memories started coming out. No sleep either due to pain and how restless I was. Still feeling shaky and restless this morning and feel like I just need to be moving. 

Hey Tom, I just want to reassure you.  I felt very similar to what you are describing above in the past.  I, too, have been tapering off Lexapro.  I am currently on a long hold.  It truly does get better.  I, too, had the sleepless nights where I could not help but constantly toss and turn.  Please hang in there.  Someday you will feel so much better.  I also had the weird and random thoughts and memories.  I still do, just not as overpowering and compelling.   In time you will feel better, it requires a great deal of patience and just putting one foot in from of the other.  I'm praying for you. 

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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And another sleepless night. Think it’s more about my return to work today with this injury wondering how I will cope etc and what if I can’t and loads of other thoughts around that.  Wd wise feeling ok but I seem to get these nights now when I just struggle to sleep.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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Went into work and did what had to be done. Was feeling quite sore so it was difficult but got through it. Had physio this afternoon and feeling better after that. Just need to reduce this inflammation from the injury and that should reduce arm pain.

 

Wasnt actually feeling that good wd wise for most of the day. Felt quite shivery and just not right this morning and quite emotional all day. Normally I don’t get this emotional and wasnt the last three or so days so I’m guessing it’s wd and not me as. Usually get grumpy instead. Pretty tired after first day back on no sleep so hopefully a better night ahead.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

Link to comment

Better night with about 6 hours sleep. Actually feel asleep on the couch which is very unlike me. Feel bit shivery this morning which creates bit of a nervous feeling but always feel better after sleep. Will see how the day goes emotionally but think still similar to yesterday. Maybe going through a period of emotional symptoms which feel more intense because of injury.

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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