Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted June 11, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 11, 2019 Just be prepared that you might feel some increase in symptoms over the next few days or so. Please let us know how you go. * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft;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
mdwstrx Posted June 11, 2019 Author Share Posted June 11, 2019 Will do Chessie. I decided to take half of my normal dose this morning. Will take half later around 5 ish. 🙏 Thanks again. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted June 12, 2019 Author Share Posted June 12, 2019 Hello. Checking in. Despite late dosing on Monday, I've felt surprisingly good yesterday and today (so far). 🙂 Praying that the symptoms from last cut 19 days ago are fading and that I can consider another taper at some point. Thoughts from the mods on when and how much are welcome . 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted June 12, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 12, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, mdwstrx said: Thoughts from the mods on when and how much are welcome . I'd wait a week or two more and see how you feel. Are you still doing the Brassmonkey slide Could you update your signature to reflect your current dose and date you dropped 19 days ago? Was the dose you dropped from 5.5g? It's good to keep your signature updated every time you drop so you have a record of your progress. Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. Edited June 12, 2019 by Gridley Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted June 12, 2019 Author Share Posted June 12, 2019 Hi Gridley. Ok , will wait at least a week and check back. Yes, still doing BM slide. Current signature is correct. Last drop was to 5.5. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted June 12, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 12, 2019 2 hours ago, mdwstrx said: Despite late dosing on Monday, I've felt surprisingly good yesterday and today (so far). This is good to hear, mdwstrx, but we don't want to "put the cart before the horse." Let's see where things shake out for you since it can be several days delay before an issue arises. I'm hoping it won't in this case but better safe than sorry. 2 hours ago, mdwstrx said: Praying that the symptoms from last cut 19 days ago are fading and that I can consider another taper at some point. Yes, that would be the goal, but it is WAY too soon after this little "dosing mishap" to even think about another cut. If you were to stay like you are for another week to 10 days (I'm on the same page as Gridley here) then we can talk about your next cut. It's NEVER worthwhile to put yourself at risk just to cut a few days off of a multi-year taper. It seems urgent in the short term but taken in context another week for safety is always wise. 2 hours ago, mdwstrx said: Thoughts from the mods on when and how much are welcome . So, if you were to stabilize as we hope you are, when you do cut, perhaps 2-3 weeks from now, I'd take your most recent slide approach and reduce it by a slight amount to hopefully avoid the recent symptoms you have suffered. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted June 12, 2019 Author Share Posted June 12, 2019 Hi Andy. I assure you I'm in no hurry to feel bad again. Hoping things continue to improve on this hold. Will check back in later before considering another cut if not before. Many thanks to you both! Much appreciated. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted June 18, 2019 Author Share Posted June 18, 2019 Checking in after almost a week from last update. It's been different. Some days are better than others. Having some light insomnia. Biggest problems is a persuasive feeling of being on the edge of my seat, as if I need something to settle my nervous system; distraction helps. on a 1 to 5 scale it averages a 2.5 to 3. Also feeling some despair and depression it seems. Not happy about empty nest and living alone but I have a ton of things to be grateful for other than that. I'm also considering downsizing so the issues around that loom larger than they should. I am trying to re-frame. Also talking with a counselor and reading what self helps I can to lift the mood. I exercise frequently but haven't been eating the best (not horrible though). I am continuing to hold for another week at least to see if this doesn't clear up a bit. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 14 hours ago, mdwstrx said: Biggest problems is a persuasive feeling of being on the edge of my seat, as if I need something to settle my nervous system; distraction helps. Pervasive... autocorrect. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Almost a month since my last cut. Today I feel like my mood is a pendulum. It swings from feeling ok to feeling unsettled, to grouchy, to impatient, to fearful, to sad, to lonely and back to maybe I'm ok, to grateful to looking at the future and then repeat. Hot flushing is occurring many times a day, especially at night. Cognitively I'm missing some cues. I am definitively not normal me. I don't know what to do. Hold at 5.5 mg. I certainly don't feel stable to cut. If I hold, will this improve? 1 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted June 20, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 20, 2019 26 minutes ago, mdwstrx said: I don't know what to do. Hold at 5.5 mg. I certainly don't feel stable to cut. If I hold, will this improve? From what you describe, this is definitely not the time to cut. I suggest that you continue to hold. A month is not really that long a time to stabilize. Unfortunately, sometimes it can take months. Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Thanks Gridley, for your reply. I agree it's not time to cut. This is not the same as the first Nov. crash. While there are some physical symptoms like the hot flushing and some insomnia, the more troubling aspect is the mood thing. And it changes throughout the day oddly enough. Not huge swings but just little unsettled feelings. I teared up at a dinner with my son last night uncharacteristically. Today, I actually walked away from a sport game today in between games because I was irritated. I am certain a Dr. would say, "well of course, you're depressed. You need to increase the dosage." I'm definitely working with tools to combat these neuro emotions. Just hope they settle down before I alienate too many people or have to hibernate to avoid doing so. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted June 20, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 20, 2019 5 minutes ago, mdwstrx said: I'm definitely working with tools to combat these neuro emotions. Just hope they settle down before I alienate too many people or have to hibernate to avoid doing so. It's so good you recognize what these neuroemotions are. That's half the battle. If you have to hibernate for a while, that's okay too. Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 I needed someone to tell me it's ok. You just did. Thanks Gridley. 💜 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Tom37 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 Definitely hold MD. I always find the emotional symptoms the hardest as so easy to believe it’s ‘you’ when with physical symptoms it’s so clear it’s just wd. Just be prepared that it can take awhile to stablise even though it wasn’t a bad crash. Nothing we can to other than wait it out and carry on as best we can. Trust me it will settle down. The longer the emotional symptoms persist the better you will get at coping with them so don’t worry about them affecting your life too much. Just look after yourself and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be the normal you when your clearly not! 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
mdwstrx Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 Hey Tom. What a kind and insightful post! You're so right about the emotional symptoms. It makes me believe it's 'me' and I think, how did I ever successfully cope before. And I did very well, mostly when I look back. Everything you said, I needed to hear. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❣️ How are you doing? I haven't seen an update lately. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
JackieDecides Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 1 hour ago, mdwstrx said: Hey Tom. What a kind and insightful post! you are right, that was an excellent post! Mswstrx, I hope things stabilize for you soon. 🤗 Currently taking Ramapril (blood pressure) 5 mg twice a day Omeprazole 10 mg AM and 20 mg PM (the taper has gone nowhere after the first cut) Famotidine once a day (and I still needs tums sometimes) magnesium 200 mg at night as of yesterday 2 fish oil capsules "EPA-DHA 1000" off Lexapro as of 5/2018 - last dose had been 5 mg every other day for a couple years highest dose had been 20 mg at which point I was diagnosed with Bipolar II, which went away when I cut the lexapro down to 15 mg. I spent years on Paxil before Lexapro (can't remember dose), briefly on Effexor and Abilify and others I have forgotten. in fact, when I was diagnoses with BPII I was put on all kinds of things which made me feel so bad I stopped them cold turkey within maybe 3 or 4 weeks, thank goodness. since then I've known these pills were terrible and I weaned down the Lexapro with zero help or support over I'm not sure how many years. Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 Thank you Jackie. Popping over to your page to reply. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Carmie Posted June 21, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 21, 2019 Hi MD, Sorry you’re neuro emotions have been giving you such trouble. They’re fun, aren’t they? Not! Glad to hear you’re going to hold a bit longer. I’ve been making about 4% drops, but it takes me around six or so weeks to stabilise again. I think it took me longer last time. The best thing we can do, as you know, is just continue to listen to our bodies. I hope that window comes along for you soon, Sending hugs🤗 Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg✔️ 2020➡️From 5.60 to 4.80✔️ 2021➡️From 4.60 to 4.0✔️ 2022➡️From 3.95 to 3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️ 2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor. Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted June 24, 2019 Author Share Posted June 24, 2019 Hello mods. Checking in. It's been a month since my last cut. The depressive mood is a bit worse. I have a counselor appointment tomorrow but I know she will say that I should consider updosing with the escitalopram. I imagine the Dr. would suggest same. I'm doing many self help things but I am struggling. Interesting, a year ago in August (before my Nov. crash) I had tapered to 5 mg. and held for a month. I then reduced to 2.5 mg. and held for two and a half months before stopping. During the combined 3.5 months at those doses, my notes reveal some similar symptoms. Just not as prevalent. I'm concerned about getting past this point. Obviously I have to continue to hold but how long do I go with this low mood? I'm not doing much because when around others, I tend to be pretty mopey or worse, irritable. Oddly enough, I find I get waves of depressed feelings that make me tear up but I'm unable to cry. Seems to be a hold over from the crash. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Tom37 Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Hi Md, Sorry your still not back to baseline after your last drop. Glad you are holding as reducing any further could easily make it worse. I’m sure it will settle down but as you know we can’t say when. i remember during my tapering I would have emotional symptoms that would last for weeks after a drop but would always settle. For me it was nearly always irritability and at times it was terrible, quite ridiculous how irritable I use to get over the smallest things. Hopefully a few more weeks and things will settle down. 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
mdwstrx Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 Thanks Tom. Your posts always cheer me up as they are usually right on spot! It helps knowing others know what you're going through. (sadly) Today, the sun was shining, I played some sports, saw my counselor and was feeling much better. Is this a variation of waves I wonder? They seem intense but shorter and more emotional/mental than physical. I'm learning better coping skills which helps. The meditation is very helpful I believe. Plus observing thoughts and emotions instead of driving them is a tremendous help. I guess before, I felt compelled to manage them. I'm learning it's best to accept them and then refocus on other things. I have an excellent counselor. She is still versed though in the medical model of treatment, holding to the chemical imbalance approach. I need to find something on here to take her to show her it's been challenged. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted June 26, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 26, 2019 5 hours ago, mdwstrx said: I need to find something on here to take her to show her it's been challenged. There are some links here: again-chemical-imbalance-is-a-myth-stop-the-lies-please * 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
mdwstrx Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 Thanks Chessie!! I'll look through them. 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted July 5, 2019 Author Share Posted July 5, 2019 Hello mods, Checking in. Things seem to be improving a bit. Continue to hold or try a small cut? 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted July 5, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 5, 2019 Hold The more you hold, the more stable you will get and it will be easier to taper. Holding is not a waste of time. It's an investment in future. Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2 2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013) Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg. 2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days afterreinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours 28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr 2015 1 mg, 25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64 Xanax 9 month hold 24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26 Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. Link to comment
Tom37 Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 Hold and hold Md....get yourself symptom free and make sure you have been that way for a while. Drops catch up on you. Even though your feeling better your nervous system is only just settling down and can be easily aggravated. Even by stress let along a drop. If if I was you I would give it a good month or two before considering it...but that’s just me. Time is your best friend in this situation. 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 apace41 Posted July 5, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 5, 2019 Bubble and Tom are giving very good advice here, mdwstrx. There is very little benefit to pushing forward before you are fully stabilized when you have been showing signs of stabilization. My suggestion would be to give it at least 2-3 weeks from here and we can reassess next steps. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted July 5, 2019 Author Share Posted July 5, 2019 That's why I am on this site; to get very good advice! Holding for another couple of weeks then to reassess. I'm trying to learn what wd normal is. Thanks very much Bubble, Tom and Andy! ...It seems obvious to hold perhaps but I'm also very afraid to stay on this drug now that I know what it can do. So walking a fine line with moderator help and it's very, very appreciated! 1 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Moderator Frogie Posted July 5, 2019 Moderator Share Posted July 5, 2019 On 6/24/2019 at 4:15 PM, mdwstrx said: Hello mods. Checking in. It's been a month since my last cut. The depressive mood is a bit worse. I have a counselor appointment tomorrow but I know she will say that I should consider updosing with the escitalopram. I imagine the Dr. would suggest same. I'm doing many self help things but I am struggling. Interesting, a year ago in August (before my Nov. crash) I had tapered to 5 mg. and held for a month. I then reduced to 2.5 mg. and held for two and a half months before stopping. During the combined 3.5 months at those doses, my notes reveal some similar symptoms. Just not as prevalent. I'm concerned about getting past this point. Obviously I have to continue to hold but how long do I go with this low mood? I'm not doing much because when around others, I tend to be pretty mopey or worse, irritable. Oddly enough, I find I get waves of depressed feelings that make me tear up but I'm unable to cry. Seems to be a hold over from the crash. Hi mdwstrx: I’m just giving you my “2 cents worth”. When I was tapering Lexapro, I went too fast a few times and paid the price. I finally listened to Apace41 (Andy), updosed a couple of times and held a few times I didn’t want to, but he knew what he was doing and it went smoother. If I were you, I would hold. You’ve been on it this long, what’s another couple of weeks without problems? I hope you do what’s right for you. Just wanted to give you my opinion. Take care, Frogie xx 1 PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist. Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form) ---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil. Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper. 19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020) I am not a medical professional. The suggestions I make are based on personal experience. Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted July 5, 2019 Author Share Posted July 5, 2019 Frogie, your 2 cents worth (and more) is especially relevant and appreciated given that you've successfully come off after a long time on ADs as well. Thanks for weighing in and being so supportive! I am holding for at least another couple of weeks. Hope you are doing well on your tapering. It seems you are doing really great 3 months out from stopping Lexapro, which is awesome and so encouraging for us! I had to laugh when you said you don't miss it! That must be the understatement of the year!!! 😂 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Moderator Frogie Posted July 5, 2019 Moderator Share Posted July 5, 2019 2 minutes ago, mdwstrx said: Frogie, your 2 cents worth (and more) is especially relevant and appreciated given that you've successfully come off after a long time on ADs as well. Thanks for weighing in and being so supportive! I am holding for at least another couple of weeks. Hope you are doing well on your tapering. It seems you are doing really great 3 months out from stopping Lexapro, which is awesome and so encouraging for us! I had to laugh when you said you don't miss it! That must be the understatement of the year!!! 😂 I’m glad I could give you a little advise. But I trust Andy 100%. I could have never made it without him and all the other mods. I made A LOT of mistakes. You have to listen to your body though. I’m only giving you my opinion. Listen to the mods. They are so experienced with all of this. Thanks, I am doing well for coming off 3 months ago and going through a lot of stressful situations. I’m doing well on my Xanax taper so far. But I’m listening to the mods on that from the start. I’m glad I could give you a little chuckle about not missing it🤣 You will make it! I did. Take care, Frogie xx PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist. Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form) ---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil. Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper. 19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020) I am not a medical professional. The suggestions I make are based on personal experience. Link to comment
Iowan Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 @mdwstrx, I took the time today to read through your entire story. I know I've said it before over on my story, but again, I completely empathize with your situation, where your Dr. advised you go to zero from 2.5 mg of Lexapro. And after you'd been doing SO WELL slowly tapering down from your original dose. We're taught from an early age to trust in our Dr's, but they don't know squat about AD WD, or AD's in general. Most of us shouldn't have been prescribed them in the first place, and none of us should have remained on them for long term, (17ish years myself). SA has become my sole resource for advice and support when it comes to managing my AD WD. THIS is where the experts are. Now I only go to my Dr. if I absolutely need to. My last shrink was a true quack and my Naturopathic Dr., although I liked her, had me wasting a ton of $$$ on supplements that weren't doing anything for my AD WD. That, and she's the one who suggested I cut my original dosage of Lexapro from 10 mgai to 5 mgai roughly one year ago today. Ugh!!! But, that's all behind me now. And it sounds like much of the bad advice and learning curve is behind you now too. Slow and steady wins this one. Slow and steady. I'm experiencing most of the symptoms that you've described, but they're getting better week after week and month after month. The BM slide taper method is working extremely well for me, and when you get to the point where you begin tapering again, I have no doubt it will work well for you too. You take good physical care of yourself, and you're diligent with keeping detailed analysis of what you're experiencing daily. Since this is a process that involves both your brain and your body, I believe both of these things are key to your success. They are to mine. Insomnia, despair, anxiety, pain, restlessness, etc. ALL SUCK! I've learned more about them in this past year than I ever thought I could. All of us experiencing AD WD go through this in our own personal ways. All similar to one another, but unique to ourselves. So, we can all comfort each other, even though our stories are all different. I'll echo what everyone else before me already has. I recommend you hold until you stabilize, or at least feel comfortable enough to begin your taper again, and then stick to 2%-3% weekly tapers, and hold if/when ever you run into any trouble. Tomorrow (7/7/19), I taper from 43 mgpw / 2.774 mgai to 42 mgpw / 2.710 mgai. I am suffering regular, but manageable, AD WD symptoms as I progress through my taper, BUT... I'm at a much lower dosage today than I was on 3/17/19 when I tapered from 77.5 mgpw / 5 mgai to 50 mgpw / 3.226 mgai, and suffered one of my worst, and last week long suicidal waves. SLOW and STEADY!!! Whenever I find myself getting sucked into obsessing over the fact that I've woken up again at 3:30 AM, or that I'm feeling blue in the AM, (mornings are still the worst, by far), I force myself to remember where I've been in my worst waves. (Vomiting, zero appetite, bawling and begging for mercy on my hands and knees, little or no sleep, pacing, obsessing about ways to end the torture, etc.) It's in those moments that I realize that I am winning this battle and that I've come SO FAR already!!! I try to keep my eye on the prize and recognize my wins when they come. This gives me the fire in my belly to continue pushing through the pain. We're all pulling for you! Keep at it mdwstrx, and God bless! 1 1999: Paxil ?? mgai (Paroxetine Hydrochloride) - stopped cold turkey 2001-03: Celexa ?? mgai (Citalopram Hydrobromide) - switched to Lexapro 2003-August 2015: Lexapro 20 mgai (Escitalopram Oxalate) - rapid 5 mgai increment taper down to 0 mgai December 2015 - January 2016: Short hospital stay for unknown acute AD WD due to rapid taper January 2016-February 21, 2016: Prozac ?? mgai (Fluoxetine Hcl) and Wellbutrin ?? mgai (Bupropion Hcl) - switched to Lexapro February 21, 2016-July 22, 2018: Lexapro 10 mgai - rapid 5 mgai increment taper down to 5 mgai July 22, 2018-March 17, 2019: Lexapro 5 mgai - endured horrible waves due to rapid taper March 17, 2019-April 7, 2019: Lexapro 3.226 mgai - endured horrible wave due to rapid taper April 7, 2019-April 28, 2019: Lexapro 3.548 mgai - updosed to level out April 28, 2019: Implemented Brass Monkey Slide taper method (2.5% weekly reduction) - IT’S WORKING!!! September 2, 2020: Lexapro 0.000 mgai / 0 mgpw / 100% Taper COMPLETE! Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted July 7, 2019 Author Share Posted July 7, 2019 Hi Iowan. Wow. Thanks for taking the time to read through my intro and for your thoughts! It means so much when others share their experiences and weigh in. It sounds like you’ve also been through very difficult times. But hoping they are behind you now! It’s so sad that we all thought these drugs were helping us. I’m so encouraged that you’re having success with the brass monkey slide. 2.71 mgai is awesome and you seem to be trucking along. Sorry though that you’re still having wd even though manageable. Praying it get easier for you at each cut. I agree with the strategy to hold. I’m still having some wd symptoms so I’m not going to stress over it. When things settle down I’ll resume the bm slide. Until then, hoping that things continue to improve. I really appreciate your support. Thanks and blessings to you. 💜 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
mdwstrx Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 Hello. Well it's been a month and a half since my last taper to 5.5 mg escitalopram. Things have settled but not sure I'm at wd normal. Remaining issues are waking in each morning (after a good night's sleep) to an uncomfortable cortisol-induced (assumed) hot flash. This is followed by morning neuro fear on a level 1.5 on a 1-5 point scale - 5 being the worst. The flushing also occurs during the day. The depression and unsettled feelings have reduced a lot. Is it wd normal or is it a window? Who knows. If I pay close attention, my system feels fragile; as if other wd related symptoms could return if I blink. I've also been suffering a bit of an earache but doubt that's related. Providing the update in order to reassess when it may be time to try a small drop. For now, plan to hold another week or two but anxious to resume the countdown to get off this poison. Hope others are progressing on their journey and praying that healing comes quickly for us all. 1 1997 Prozac ?mg 1991 Sertraline ?mg 2002 Escitalopram 10 mg 2018 2.5 mg - stopped by Dr./Reinstated, up-dosed to 7.5 mg 04/19 Began BM slide @7.5 mg CURRENT 0.34 mg 🌼 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted July 15, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 15, 2019 10 hours ago, mdwstrx said: uncomfortable cortisol-induced (assumed) hot flash I get this every now and then and have also assumed that it cortisol-induced. I can wake up feeling fine and cool and then bam I'm sweating. * 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
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