Tom37: Lexapro taper

[Johni]

Hello @Tom37. our story is very similar. what dose of lexaprot are you currently taking? what are the symptoms. I wish endurance

[Cheeky]

Hey Tom, 

How are you ?

[Tom37]

So yesterday was a pretty rough day. The shaking and other symptoms where probably at their worst. Luckily it settle enough by bed time so was able to get 5 or so hours sleep. I have felt better today as the shaking seems to have stopped. Im hoping other symptoms will ease and then go away over the next few days as this wave hopefully comes to an end but who knows what will happen. I just hope today isn’t my new normal as still a long way from how I have been feeling for so long.

[Tom37]

Today was very similar to yesterday in how I felt and same symptoms. Had another 5 hours sleep which is fine. Emotionally today was probably a bit harder. Everything just seems amplified and stuff I wouldn’t even care about I suddenly do. Plus it switches so quickly I can be ‘normal’ one moment then emotional the next. Totally not like I am normally.
 

Hopefully it eases but have a feeling I’m in a slump and will be for a while. Totally over this by now but can you do.

[Cheeky]

51 minutes ago, Tom37 said:

Today was very similar to yesterday in how I felt and same symptoms. Had another 5 hours sleep which is fine. Emotionally today was probably a bit harder. Everything just seems amplified and stuff I wouldn’t even care about I suddenly do. Plus it switches so quickly I can be ‘normal’ one moment then emotional the next. Totally not like I am normally.
 

Hopefully it eases but have a feeling I’m in a slump and will be for a while. Totally over this by now but can you do.

I know this feeling to well , wanting to get back to baseline. You’ve come far down on your medication so it’s not smooth sailing the whole time. I find my drops can catch up to me after awhile even though I’ve been holding.

[MrBamse]

Hi Tom, justed wanted to say hi and sorry this happened to you.

 

Good that you're getting some better sleep the last days. I can relate to the feeling of having a wave after such a long period of feeling good. In christmas I had a wave after being very well for 4 months. It eventually resolved and yours will too!

[Tom37]

Thanks all.

 

Another very similar day although emotionally probably better so will take that. If this annoying nervousness/slight shakiness would go then would feel pretty good. These type of symptoms I always find the worst. So no real change for me today.

 

 

[Tom37]

Update.

 

So I continue to struggle along in this wave. It doesn’t even feel like a wave but more like a permanent setback so I’m more concerned than normal. Going on 2.5 weeks and that’s a long time for me given how my waves have always gone. I can only hope that to have a longer than normal wave after feeling so good is normal and does not mean I’ve gone backwards.

 

One if the hardest symptoms is the lack of concentration. Making work very difficult. I even struggle to watch tv. My mind just drifts of into it’s own world. Also know I’m very sensitive emotionally so I’m trying to be careful about how I express myself as it’s not the real me. 
 

Physically it’s this inner shaky feeling or nervousness along with on off nausea and a feeling of just being unwell. Also have limited appetite so have lost a decent amount of weight. I am sleeping which is a bonus but not as good as normal.

 

All in all I feel a million miles from where I was and can only hope it improves soon.

 

thanks

 

 

 

 

[Cheeky]

1 hour ago, Tom37 said:

Update.

 

So I continue to struggle along in this wave. It doesn’t even feel like a wave but more like a permanent setback so I’m more concerned than normal. Going on 2.5 weeks and that’s a long time for me given how my waves have always gone. I can only hope that to have a longer than normal wave after feeling so good is normal and does not mean I’ve gone backwards.

 

One if the hardest symptoms is the lack of concentration. Making work very difficult. I even struggle to watch tv. My mind just drifts of into it’s own world. Also know I’m very sensitive emotionally so I’m trying to be careful about how I express myself as it’s not the real me. 
 

Physically it’s this inner shaky feeling or nervousness along with on off nausea and a feeling of just being unwell. Also have limited appetite so have lost a decent amount of weight. I am sleeping which is a bonus but not as good as normal.

 

All in all I feel a million miles from where I was and can only hope it improves soon.

 

thanks

 

 

 

 

Tom the same thing has happened to me, two and a half weeks feeling the same. My tapering hasn't been that bad and this has  been a tough one even though I only tapered 5 months ago. I think it can be a accumulation of all previous tapers. Hang in there

[Johni]

Hello @Tom37. How are you feeling now? broke change in your symptoms? what dose are you currently taking? I hope you feel better. I will send you strength

[Tom37]

Hello,

 

Still in this wave. Symptoms are pretty much the same with minor changes. Some days a bit better and others a bit worse. Three weeks now so my longest in a very long time. Don’t think it’s going to clear up anytime soon either. 
 

Just been working and basic daily stuff. Yesterday just did bit of work then pretty much on couch all day. Some days I just can’t be bothered pushing through it just gets to me and then I start to think what is the point in carrying on living like this. Do I want this to be my life. I definitely don’t and will not be living like this long term as you don’t have a life you just struggle. 
 

Hopefully feel better over the next few weeks but I’m over it.

[Tom37]

Wave still going strong. Just over three weeks now which is very long for me. Felt horrible last night and hardly any sleep because of it. Seriously never expected to be kicked so hard like this after feeling soooo much better. Knew I wasn’t back to normal but certainly didn’t expect such a hard and long wave to hit. Feels like being in year 1 all over again. Neuro emotions are going strong and physically it’s this inner shaky sick type feeling going through me. Along with weird heartburn, no appetite and I’m sensitive to touch and sound although those are minor compared to the others. My body seems to over react if I get touched without knowing it was about to happen.

 

If I knew it had an end date it would be fine but having no idea if or when it will end is so hard. 
 

If anyone has been hit like this after feeling so much better would be great to hear. Hoping it’s ‘normal’ in withdrawal.

I did have a laser treatment done on my back but I felt fine for ten days after until this wave hit so don’t think it was because of that.

[Cheeky]

On 7/25/2021 at 6:28 AM, Tom37 said:

Hello,

 

Still in this wave. Symptoms are pretty much the same with minor changes. Some days a bit better and others a bit worse. Three weeks now so my longest in a very long time. Don’t think it’s going to clear up anytime soon either. 
 

Just been working and basic daily stuff. Yesterday just did bit of work then pretty much on couch all day. Some days I just can’t be bothered pushing through it just gets to me and then I start to think what is the point in carrying on living like this. Do I want this to be my life. I definitely don’t and will not be living like this long term as you don’t have a life you just struggle. 
 

Hopefully feel better over the next few weeks but I’m 

[Cheeky]

4 minutes ago, Tom37 said:

Wave still going strong. Just over three weeks now which is very long for me. Felt horrible last night and hardly any sleep because of it. Seriously never expected to be kicked so hard like this after feeling soooo much better. Knew I wasn’t back to normal but certainly didn’t expect such a hard and long wave to hit. Feels like being in year 1 all over again. Neuro emotions are going strong and physically it’s this inner shaky sick type feeling going through me. Along with weird heartburn, no appetite and I’m sensitive to touch and sound although those are minor compared to the others. My body seems to over react if I get touched without knowing it was about to happen.

 

If I knew it had an end date it would be fine but having no idea if or when it will end is so hard. 
 

If anyone has been hit like this after feeling so much better would be great to hear. Hoping it’s ‘normal’ in withdrawal.

I did have a laser treatment done on my back but I felt fine for ten days after until this wave hit so don’t think it was because of that.

Tom I have been going through the same thing for four weeks and I don’t understand either. It may be a delayed withdrawal from all the previous drops. 
I hope you get advise because, I would like to see what they say to you . It’s so disheartening when this happens and it reminds me if my time when I crashed in 2015.  If only we could get stable then it would be a relief. Tag the moderators and they will see this message 

[Tom37]

Not to bothered about the moderators more interested to hear from other members who have experienced this happening. I know recovery is so up and down it’s just hard when the big lurch back happens as it feels permanent especially as lasting longer than before. Does make me feel like doing ‘something’ with dose but that would just create more havoc.

 

Just have to carry on I guess.

[Cheeky]

5 minutes ago, Tom37 said:

Not to bothered about the moderators more interested to hear from other members who have experienced this happening. I know recovery is so up and down it’s just hard when the big lurch back happens as it feels permanent especially as lasting longer than before. Does make me feel like doing ‘something’ with dose but that would just create more havoc.

 

Just have to carry on I guess.

That’s what I’m doing but it’s so hard to know  what’s going on. We can only tide this out, I don’t want to do anything to my doses especially go up 

[Johni]

Hello @Tom37. are you still taking the 4mg dose? endurance

[Tom37]

It’s always been 3.8mg pill weight so not sure exact drug mg….probably closer to 3mg.

[Johni]

@Tom37I am currently taking 3.8mg of escitalopram. so the situation is very similar. May I ask what are your symptoms right now?

[Tom37]

Read my posts. Says everything.

[Johni]

read back, our situation is very similar. up to 4-4.2 mg there was no major problem. she has been feeling depressed ever since and doesn’t want to quit.

[Tom37]

Looks like this wave may be coming to an end. Mentally feel pretty much back to normal and the horrible shaking inside is almost gone and managed to feel significantly better in bed last night. Appetite is better. Hopefully in a few days I will be done with it but you never know.

 

Thanks

[Cheeky]

23 minutes ago, Tom37 said:

Looks like this wave may be coming to an end. Mentally feel pretty much back to normal and the horrible shaking inside is almost gone and managed to feel significantly better in bed last night. Appetite is better. Hopefully in a few days I will be done with it but you never know.

 

Thanks

That’s s o good to hear, I hope I follow suit.

[Tom37]

So still in this wave which is now a month old. It has changed and eased but still in it as still not feeling too good. One main symptom which is too hard to explain but it just leaves you feeling unwell. Sleeping ok which is good and mentally I seem to be ok but I’m sure still affected by it. 
 

Very frustrated that have fallen backwards like this but try to remind myself that all previous healing hasn’t gone away and that these symptoms mean healing is still happening. Not much I can do other than try to live life with these symptoms until the ease. One thing about wd for me is that symptoms always go it’s just a question of how long it will take. Had so many physical ones it’s ridiculous.

 

Thanks

[sunnysideup69]

Hey @Tom37,

Been catching up on your thread again. Good to see you again, although sorry you're in a wave. Similar here at the moment. Frustrating that they can come so far out from feeling well, seems you have a solid few months of feeling better under your belt, which is great!

You hit your crash in 2018, didn't you...same as me? I'm sure this is temporary. I think I read previously that bad news triggered this current wave. Our nervous systems are so sensitive because of psych drugs, adverse life circumstances can send us reeling. This wave will come to an end like all the others and you'll feel good again.

Sending good wishes your way.

[Tom37]

Thanks @sunnysideup69

 

yeah I’m sure I’ll improve again at some point. One thing about wd is it never seems to stay the same for very long. Something always changing. 
 

Yip was feeling a lot better for about 6 months. Not quite normal but life wasn’t a struggle like it was and wasn’t get the big waves so was hoping not long to go but I guess if I need to go through a set back to get better then so be it. Seems to be quite common to have them after doing so well.

 

hope your doing well.

[jozeff]

Wishing you all the best Tom!

I'm sorry  to hear that you are struggling so much. Have been following your topic for quite some time.

If we only knew what did set you back. Sometimes I feel horrible for 2 weeks suddenly but have no idea why.

 

Hope you will see a window very soon!!

 

Cheers

 

 

Jozeff

[Marta]

@Tom37 I came across your story.

Everyone of us is different of course, but I have many similarities with you at least we feel less alone. Briefly I've been on escitalopram for almost a decade. Last 5yrs I tried to taper slowly after a fast taper hell. I had during this time the taper few episode of what i am experiencing now in WD. 

It's very disappointing because the real hell started 13 months off the med....i really didn't expect it. They synthoms are exactly like the episodes during the taper.

 

The problem is that I am 8+weeks in it and apart from sleeping i don't feel any improvement. Completely stuck. Appetite is gone, emotions gone, anxiety peaks, depression, intimate side gone, body aches,my face skin is a mess.

 

What I want to stress is that i feel this is not a normal wave too. I feel really stuck here. I don't have any of the few hours windows relief. Zero. 

 

There is no choice than waiting. In the meantime i hope you can get better. 

Cheers

[Camille]

Hello @Marta, I'm living through the same ordeal right now. I can't eat at all and if i do eat, I go to the toilet immediately and I can't absorb anything. I feel "fire through my veins", like my body is in a constant state of panic, although my mind is completely disconnected from it. I started my taper in September 2020 and until a few weeks ago, the only symptom I had was anhedonia, dry mouth/eyes and some visual symptoms, and suddenly the "panic mode" hit last week. I'm at 3,125mg right now. I hope this isn't gonna last too long.

[Tom37]

Thanks @jozeff…..updating….wave still going strong. One symptom seems to be slowing easing while others are still the same but they vary in intensity and today is a higher intensity day. Mentally just more sensitive that normal. No fear or anxiety which is good. Do have some neuro emotions going on but not too bad and when I do feel better they ease so able to say they are due to wd. 
 

Eating has been a struggle and have lost 10kg in about 6 weeks but trying to maintain any weight.
 

6 weeks into it now and hopefully it starts to ease soon.

[sunnysideup69]

This is a deep healing wave, I reckon, @Tom37. Brain is recalibrating. Hope the work is done soon, so you can go back to optimum living.

[Tom37]

Thanks @sunnysideup69

 

Wave still going as it has been with some days better than others. Just so hard to accept that I can feel like I am after feeling so much better for some time. I had just started to get a bit of my life back and then this comes and takes it all away again. While I was feeling a lot better I was not feeling ‘back to normal’ so I’m guessing it’s not surprising to sink back down again.

 

Just hope it eases up soon and I can feel like I was or better but then again maybe this is it for me.

[RachelSusan]

@Tom37

Hi Tom,

 

I came by to give you my support.  I too have gone through what you are going through. That would be feeling good and then having a wave come out of nowhere. It can be most disheartening, at least it was for me.  But I always pulled out of it and you will too.

 

Warm wishes, Rachel

[sunnysideup69]

On 8/16/2021 at 10:37 PM, Tom37 said:

 maybe this is it for me.

I really don't think so. There's more healing to come, it's just a much longer process than any of us would choose. 

External stressors can really rock the boat for a while, I know this from last year. It'll level out again, Tom.

[Tom37]

Update….this wave if it is a wave carries on. Almost two months now and it’s the longest wave I’ve ever had so who knows what is happening.

 

Currently in a wave within the wave if that makes any sense. All symptoms  intensified so last couple of days not been fun. No sleep last night as just felt too bad to get any which is typical for me when feeling bad. As I’m so use to it one night isn’t too bad but hopefully get something tonight.

 

Just so frustrated about these last 8 weeks. Had 6 months of feeling a lot better. Don’t get me wrong I wasn’t feeling normal but I had no problem functioning and life was starting to look a lot better. I’m just hoping that when this turns I will feel even better than before. But I do have times where I wonder if I can keep doing this if it isn’t going to get better. Have lost just on 12kg now in 8 weeks as just not got the appetite I normally have. Just focusing on eating healthy when I do.

 

I’m in New Zealand and we are in full lockdown due to covid so have to work from home which has been great  feeling like I do. 

[Marta]

@Tom37 i totally feel you...one tastes the sweetness of "normal" life for few months and it's crazy how much bad one can feel again.... I asked myself is this big delay in waves after feeling good not for few days but for several months many experience is much common with lexapro in particular. Anyway i suffer same too, after months of OK ... all my sympathy.