Jump to content
SurvivingAntidepressants.org is temporarily closed to new registrations until 1 April ×

withhopeinmyheart: crash and reinstating after escitalopram quick taper


withhopeinmyheart

Recommended Posts

12 hours ago, withhopeinmyheart said:

Dear @India and @JackieDecides and everybody else, 

 

it's hard. I think WD normal is constantly improving. I try to focus on that. 

 

But I stopped living, I lost all trust, I have trouble coping and I'm the one who yells for help the loudest over at the German forums. 

You might've thrown me out of here if I did that here. 

 

Yes I have family and yes I talk to my therapist on the phone. But I need the reassurance of those who know, who understand. 

 

I'm so sorry if I'm too much work, really! I used to be a giving person but now not anymore. 

 

This uncertainty of this process scares me so much. 

 

I keep reading pug's success story and I ask him questions which he so kindly answers. 

 

I'm not doing good. But it's getting better. I just over and over need the guarantee that everybody can leave this behind one day. 

 

 

Dear @withhopeinmyheart I remember this terror. Nothing could appease it. Not trees, not walks, not my mother’s hugs, not meditations, nothing could soothe it. I have to admit that even now I have dark evenings and nothing will appease the depression and depression about my loss of abilities, to read, to write, to feel something in my body and soul. That awful terror is gone though, I get anxiety but relative to what it was , it’s different.

i am so angry for all us. This terror, this marginalisation. For every hour you go through, that is heroic. It may not be “positive” but this protracted withdrawal has ruined and decimated my life. I am so isolated. Even from myself. However, there are improvements. Things do now comfort me whereas when they didn’t I contemplated suicide on a daily basis. Paradoxically , having had to fight so hard to live has left me less inclined to feel I would actually do it though I am more depressed than I have ever been in my entire life. No one outside of this understands the level of hell that is experienced. My friend told me I was weak today. Anyway. Keep fighting. We have to believe we will find a way back.

 

1999:  Paroxetine (20mg). Age 16. 2007-2008: Fluoxetine (Prozac) for 1.5 years (age 25) Citalopram 20mg 2002-2005, 2009: Escitalopram (20mg), 2 weeks, (age 26) (adverse  reaction)/*Valium 5mg/Temazepam 10mg 2010: Mirtazipine (Remeron)( do not remember dosage) 2010, 5 months.                     2010-2017: Citalopram (20mg) (age 27 to 34) 2016: i.1st Sept- 31st Oct Citalopram 10mg , ii.1st November 2017-30th November 2017, Citalopram 5mg iii.1st December 2017- 4th February 2018, Citalopram 0mg, iv.5th February 2018- March 2018 Citalopram 5mg (10mg every other day) 28th February- tried titration of 5mg ( some adverse effects)

2018: 1st March 2018- 1st June Citalopram 10 mg (tablet form) /started titration 8mg , then 7 mg.2018: June 15th- 10th July Citalopram 10 mg pill every other day 2018: 10th July - 13th Sept Citalopram- 0mg  (CBD oil first month of 0mg, passiflora on and off) 2018 13th Sept Citalopram  2mg ,  approx 16th Sept 4mg , approx 25th Sept 6mg held.  2019: 11 Feb 19: 7mg (instant bad rxn) 12 Feb 19 6mg held 1 May 19 5.4mg held 5 Oct 19 5.36mg 22 Oct 19 5.29mg 30 Oct 19 5.23mg 4/NOV/19 5.18mg 12 Nov 19 5.08mg 20 Nov 19 4.77mg 7 May 22 2.31mg 17/09/2023 0.8mg

(Herbal/Supplements since 1st September: Omega Fish Oil 1200mg, 663mg of EPA- 2 tablets a day, magnesium and magnesium bath salts)

I did not die, and yet I lost life’s breath
- Dante
Link to comment
On 3/31/2019 at 5:32 AM, withhopeinmyheart said:

I'm not doing good.

 

I'm so sorry it's this bad. but things never stay the same, so this will change. ❤️

 

what kind of things do you do to distract yourself from feeling bad?

 

when other reading was too hard, I liked to re-read Children's books that I loved decades ago. 

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

 Thank you @India and @JackieDecides

 

Distraction is still hard but got better. 

I can read a bit in the late evenings. 

TV. Still playing games on the phone. 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment

it's very good you can read! 🙂

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
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Hope, 

 

That’s wonderful news that you’re able to slowly tolerate a small amount of other distractions. That’s progress. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

Link to comment

Thank you so much! 

 

I'm trying hard to be proud of myself. Because yesterday I had my blood drawn which was long overdue for my thyroid. 

This meant hubby and I took a cab and had to maneuver around crowded streets.

 

I've never been a good passenger so we had to stop twice because I had to vomit quite a bit. 

 

Then the blood drawn... I'm usually scared of needles but this was the easiest thing yesterday. I laid there a while longer and then we had to decide how to get home. 

Taxi... Just the thought made me almost sick again. 

 

So guess what? We went home by metro. First time in ages. 

 

I've been exhausted since and hardly left the bed. 

 

I try to be good to myself, to pet my shoulder, that I made it. 

 

But I'm so sad. Being out there just showed me how different and bad everything still is. I'm detached from everything and nothing around me can really get to me. 

 

Also, I had an intrusive thought at the beginning of the cab ride. That I wanted to throw myself out of it. But I managed to quickly make fun of that thought by instead thinking something silly that rhymes with the original thought. 

 

Well, that was my adventure... 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment

Thank you, Mary! 

 

Got my blood results over the phone. I'm a little surprised that everything's fine. 

Thyroid, vitamins, everything good. 

 

I now started folate again. So far it doesn't seem to do anything bad. 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Withhope, I just read through your thread. I'm glad there's a German forum that exists for people to converse and support each other in German. I often wonder how people get along if they don't know English and can't find this site. Most members here are from English-speaking countries with the occasional non-English speaker but I wonder about those in Spanish-speaking countries or in Asia who may not have support in their language. 

 

I have also had symptoms increase during menstruation as you had described. And I also reinstated and found much stability after 8 months. Have you found that any higher dose reinstatements are not good for you? I'm glad you can read books and do simple activities. I have found benefit from EMDR therapy for processing the more traumatic experiences and thoughts associated with withdrawal. EFT sounds like another similar technique.

 

Hoping for better and brighter days for you.

Apr 2018: Began 10 mg Amitriptyline (for headaches & insomnia from concussion).

Jul - Aug 2018: Fast taper to 5 mg and then 2.5 mg (too fast, hellish withdrawal at 2.5 mg). Sept 2018: Reinstated 10 mg (many symptoms improved). Oct 2018 - Apr 2019: Updosed & stabilized on 11 mg (2 waves at 3 and 5 months post-withdrawal). Apr 2019 - Apr 2020: Tapered 0.5-0.25 mg per month using compounded pills: 11 mg —> 6 mg. (2 waves at 12 and 16 months post-withdrawal.) Apr 2020 - present: Switched to a liquid taper at rate of 0.1 mg per month. Currently: 1.1 mg. No more waves. 

 

Supplements: Omega-3 fish oil, Vit B12, coenzyme Q10, Hawthorn extract (for tachycardia) Tools for insomnia/waves (as needed): Epsom salt foot soaks, 0.5 mg Melatonin, quality time, waves WILL PASS. Lifestyle: Eat real foods, mostly plants; sunlight, walking, yoga; symptom tracking on adapted Glenmullen chart.

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Hi @composter

 

Thank you for writing. 

 

I updosed in late November from 0,35 mg to 0,6 mg. It was unimaginable hell I had to fight for my life... 

 

I'm scared... It's close to eight months now. Nothing is normal or stable.... 

 

I can barely leave the house due to weakness, anxiety and traumatic memories. 

I'm not at a point where I could get help... Not even watch a therapeutic video or being able to follow that... 

 

I'm unable to be positive, though I want to be... I feel hopeless. 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment
On 18/4/2019 at 21:14, composter said:

Hola Withhope, acabo de leer tu hilo. Me alegro de que exista un foro en alemán para que las personas conversen y se apoyen en alemán. A menudo me pregunto cómo se llevan las personas si no saben inglés y no pueden encontrar este sitio. La mayoría de los miembros aquí son de países de habla inglesa con personas que no hablan inglés ocasionalmente, pero me pregunto acerca de aquellos en países de habla hispana o en Asia que pueden no tener apoyo en su idioma. 

 

También he tenido un aumento de los síntomas durante la menstruación, tal como lo describiste. Y también reinstalé y encontré mucha estabilidad después de 8 meses. ¿Ha encontrado que algún restablecimiento de dosis más altas no es bueno para usted? Me alegra que puedas leer libros y hacer actividades simples. He encontrado beneficios de la terapia EMDR para procesar las experiencias más traumáticas y los pensamientos asociados con la abstinencia. EFT suena como otra técnica similar.

 

Esperando días mejores y más brillantes para ti.

I'm from Spain, i dont speak English but I traduce all of the information. Is the best option. Greetings 

Mayo 2018: Venlafaxina 150 mg y toma 64mg Diciembre 2018: Venlafaxina xr 56mg 

Diciembre de 2018: Venlafaxina xr 58mg Enero de 2019: Venlafaxina xr 56mg

Febrero 2019: Venlafaxina xr 37,5 mg + 40 perlas Mayo 2019: Venlafaxina xr 37,5 mg + 7 perlas Mayo 2019: Venlafaxina xr 37,5mg

Octubre 2019: venlafaxina xr 18mg aprox.

Enero 2020: 50 perlas Febrero 2020: 40 perlasMarzo 2020: 30 perlas 

Abril 2020: 35 perlas (en crisis)

Agosto 2020: 25 perlas, 23 perlas Noviembre: 03/11/2020 26 perlas 05/11/2030 22 perlas, 22/11/2020 24 perlas.Diciembre: 40 perlas (5 días) , vuelvo a 30 perlas.

Link to comment

I don't think I can survive this. The trauma goes deep I'm haunted by it all. Cannot leave the house to get help, can't focus, can't hope... Life seems so incredibly meaningless... What's the point... 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm so so sorry. The pain, especially the emotional pain, of all this goes so deep.

 

What is your support system like?

 

Mods, do you think a higher reinstatement is warranted for Withhope to find stability?

Apr 2018: Began 10 mg Amitriptyline (for headaches & insomnia from concussion).

Jul - Aug 2018: Fast taper to 5 mg and then 2.5 mg (too fast, hellish withdrawal at 2.5 mg). Sept 2018: Reinstated 10 mg (many symptoms improved). Oct 2018 - Apr 2019: Updosed & stabilized on 11 mg (2 waves at 3 and 5 months post-withdrawal). Apr 2019 - Apr 2020: Tapered 0.5-0.25 mg per month using compounded pills: 11 mg —> 6 mg. (2 waves at 12 and 16 months post-withdrawal.) Apr 2020 - present: Switched to a liquid taper at rate of 0.1 mg per month. Currently: 1.1 mg. No more waves. 

 

Supplements: Omega-3 fish oil, Vit B12, coenzyme Q10, Hawthorn extract (for tachycardia) Tools for insomnia/waves (as needed): Epsom salt foot soaks, 0.5 mg Melatonin, quality time, waves WILL PASS. Lifestyle: Eat real foods, mostly plants; sunlight, walking, yoga; symptom tracking on adapted Glenmullen chart.

Link to comment

Dear composter, 

 

I have a wonderful support system. Husband and understanding family. Even an acknowledging doctor. 

Does nothing when it gets that bad... 

 

Cannot updose. I react extremely to dose changes. It almost killed me in late November. 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi withhopeinmyheart,

 

And I am so sorry that the intensity of your symptoms have just not let up.

 

On 5/26/2019 at 5:31 AM, withhopeinmyheart said:

Cannot updose. I react extremely to dose changes. It almost killed me in late November.

What happened in November of 2018 with your updose?

And were you doing okay at all in October of 2018?

 

Are you using a liquid Lexapro/escitalopram presently?

And what is the strength in milligrams per millileter(or drops(gtts))?

 

Any other changes recently?  Supplements tried, etc.?

 

I am very glad to read that your blood work, and I assume thyroid lab results, were all okay.

 

Is there anything that feels is helpful for you right now........that you ARE able to focus and concentrate on a bit. 

How's your diet and eating? 

Are you able to get outside a bit each day and do some gentle exercise like walking? 

What does a day presently look like for you, in other words?

 

Would you give us a brief summary of what a day looks like?

Keeping notes on paper

^ this link may help with that

Then after noting a day on paper, go ahead and share that with us here.

Keep it simple when you post it on your introduction page, right here.

Note the time on the left, and then to the right of the time, note your drug(s) and supplements taken by name and the dosage. 

Also include on the right side of the time notation, any symptoms, and even rate them(a one to ten scale often works well), as well as sleep, and activities.

 

This might help us, to figure out, what might help you the most right now. 

So.....give it your best effort.

 

Meantime......are you able to read much, here or anywhere?

You might find something in our Finding Meaning forum that helps or interests you.

Also Symptoms and Self Care is packed with all sorts of information.

Stick with the top pinned topics for now in those sections, just to look for things that might help.......possibly starting new practices that may help lead to healing from WD, on a daily basis.  Sometimes it's as simple as writing, or prayer, or daily mediation........or finding some distractions that you can participate and enjoy.  And then, if/when comfortable doing so......sometimes beginning to comment on, and getting involved in discussions here, or supporting other members can really help too.

 

I too, had a heck of time, after a rapid taper off Lexapro/escitalopram.  It did get better for me though.  Much, much better.  I think it can for you as well.

 

Hugs.

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

manymoretodays(mmt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by manymoretodays
puncuation, spacing

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

Link to comment

Dear @manymoretodays

 

thank you for taking the time. 

 

It's already evening here so I will start detailed notes tomorrow. 

 

I'm making my own liquid Escitalopram, 1 10mg tablet in 200 ml water, then take 10 ml. I take it every day at 11 am. 

 

Well, when it all started I was advised to reinstate 0,25 mg. About four weeks later 0,35 mg. Then late November 0,5 but I got desperate and updosed to 0,6.

 

It got me vomiting, rage, worsened the akathisia. Pulse lying down 160 and more over long periods of time. Restless, weird suicidality that I felt physically. Couldn't be left alone for weeks. Nerves burning, severe, severe agoraphobia. Couldn't even look out of the window because everything looked too wide, too wrong. It wasn't the world I knew. This was all after the updose. 

 

As I said, will start the detailed notes tomorrow but just gonna tell you more now. 

 

My husband cooks, he's a chef. I noticed no sensitivities to any foods. Our meals can include anything from not so healthy homemade pizza to really healthy like salad and chicken. Or veggie soup. 

 

I take fish oil capsules before bed. 

 

The worst feeling for me is the terror, the strange feeling of being detached from the world and that I will never feel safe again. I lost all of that natural trust. 

 

Plus massively traumatized by everything that happened in withdrawal. I have memories coming back of things I tried and how horrible it felt. 

 

I haven't been for a walk in about six or eight weeks. 

I know it sounds so weird but I'm frozen in terror. Physically. Like I even have difficulty going into another room. I'm just glued to the couch. 

 

I read a lot in all the support groups but have trouble focusing on longer texts and understanding what it's saying. 

 

I spend all day on the couch. Sometimes a moment on the balcony. The TV is on even if its just for background noise. I distract with phone games, no matter how silly. I tried to give support to others but often feel too weak and overwhelmed. 

 

I have this intrusive thought going on that I can only heal if I'm able to do what others do. 

 

Like meditation, exercise, listening to people like Claire Weekes or Evkhardt tolle.  I tried so much but it all felt like it fired back at me. Like adverse reactions to things that are supposed to help. 

 

I'm not able to do anything. Everything is full of fear and without interest. I don't feel safe in the world. At all. 

 

I seem to have a bit of relief late in the evening. So often I am in bed at 2 or 3 am. Then have very bad sleep with nightmares and wake up a lot and it takes very long to fall asleep. 

 

As I'm really weak physically I stay in bed till around 1:30 pm then get up, try some toilet routine, then on the couch, some bread for breakfast... 

 

And it's the same every day. 

The fear is always there. It's mostly not panicky. Like it doesn't feel hectic.. I really feel stuck and frozen. I try to breathe calmly. 

 

Sometimes I get up to move a little, like circling my legs, move arms and neck. 

 

I drink around 2 liters a day. Mostly apple juice thinned with water or pure water. 

 

Some days I go see my grandma who lives next door and we play dice. 

 

But it's always, always with fear. 

 

I feel lost, I am not able to remember what it felt like when it was good. Almost as if it has always been this hell. 

 

I am unable to enjoy anything. And weirdly the thought of trying something new terrifies me so much. That's not typically me. 

 

I don't recognize the world and fear I'm going crazy. I'm on another hellish planet. 

 

I lost every and all connection to anything that could ground me... 

 

I try and do some visualization like healing light surrounding us and I pray for us all. 

 

But overall it feels like I can never come back. 

 

Thank you for reading! 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment

Oh and you asked about October. 

No. I was completely gone. Ripped out of life. 

No distraction, no reality, no music, TV, reading. Just surviving. 

 

I DO have improvements but I haven't been able to notice windows or waves lately. The improvements are hard to explain and don't seem to change the situation much. Which leaves me desperate that maybe I'm doomed to stay like this no matter what improvement there is. 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment
  • Mentor

WithHope,

 

I am so sorry you are suffering so intensely. People have got better after withdrawal from escitalopram, so you definitely have reasons for optimism! I’m sorry it’s taking a long time, but that unfortunately seems to be a common experience.

 

sending you warmest wishes,

 

Rich

 = medication taken now

2007 quetiapine to March 2019 200mg

2019 quetiapine March to present 225mg 

2007 citalopram to present 40mg 
2018 March Abilify 5mg  
2019 Abilify February rapid taper over 3 weeks from 5mg to off

2019 March Clonazepam as required, taken very occasionally, then taken 0.5mg for 2 days 28th and 29th March, now phased out

2019 1st April reinstated Abilify 0.5mg / day 

2018 to 2020 Liquid B12 2g twice daily (diagnosed B12 deficiency) 

2020 July reduced quetiapine to 200mg

2022 October began taper of Abilify
 

Link to comment
1 hour ago, withhopeinmyheart said:

I DO have improvements but I haven't been able to notice windows or waves lately. The improvements are hard to explain and don't seem to change the situation much. Which leaves me desperate that maybe I'm doomed to stay like this no matter what improvement there is. 

 

Withhope, I've had much the same experience. I’d had six months of steadily worsening symptoms and then, in February, I got stuck in a wave that went on and on with no relief that I could recognise. When I made my first post here I was getting really frightened and desperate, not feeling able to leave the house unless I absolutely had to buy food, unable to work or do anything more than the absolute essentials to stay alive, and feeling like I was never going to get any relief.

 

The moderators and a couple of other members were able to reassure me that what I was experiencing was, actually, pretty typical for someone in my situation - I’d tapered off Citalopram far too quickly - and that I should, eventually, feel some improvement.

 

Then, a week ago, I had a four day window. It wasn’t a case of returning to anything close to normal, but my out of control emotions calmed down to the point that I was able to go out and enjoy the sunshine. It gave me hope.

 

I’m back in another wave now: meals out of the freezer, sat in a chair all day, feeling very down and frightened about the future. But at least I know it’s not going to be like this all the time.

 

The Windows and Waves topic has posts from a lot of people who cycle between the two states in a matter of weeks or days, but it seems some of us may have much longer waves that can leave us feeling like we’re stuck in the depths for good. But the windows do, eventually, happen.

 

One day you’ll wake up and find a window has arrived. I hope it comes soon.

1999 - 2001: Paroxetine 20mg, 2003: Venlafaxine 75mg, 2003 - 2014: Escitalopram 20mg

1999 - December 2017: Lansoprazole 15mg

2014 - December 2017: Citalopram 20mg

December 2017: Mirtazapine 30mg, stopped after 4 days due to immediate bad reaction, Zopiclone 3.75mg, stopped after 2 days due to immediate bad reaction

January 2018 - April 2018: Citalopram liquid, tapering, final dose 0.1mg

December 2018 onwards: Vitamin C 1000mg

October 2021: Loratadine 10mg for 6 days (23/10 to 28/10)

Long term (for asthma): Salbutamol and Salmeterol inhalers, Salmeterol stopped March 2021 due to migraine headaches

Occasional use for headaches: Paracetamol 40mg or Ibuprofen 40mg

4th December 2021: Eustachian tube infection: Amoxicillin 500mg 3 per day for 5 days, Dexamethasone & Neomycin ear spray 3 per day for 1 week, Beclometasone nasal spray 2 per day for 2 weeks.

Link to comment
  • Mentor

Great post Alanc

 = medication taken now

2007 quetiapine to March 2019 200mg

2019 quetiapine March to present 225mg 

2007 citalopram to present 40mg 
2018 March Abilify 5mg  
2019 Abilify February rapid taper over 3 weeks from 5mg to off

2019 March Clonazepam as required, taken very occasionally, then taken 0.5mg for 2 days 28th and 29th March, now phased out

2019 1st April reinstated Abilify 0.5mg / day 

2018 to 2020 Liquid B12 2g twice daily (diagnosed B12 deficiency) 

2020 July reduced quetiapine to 200mg

2022 October began taper of Abilify
 

Link to comment

Thank you so much @RichT and @AlanC! Thank you, thank you! 

 

It might be hard to understand, I don't know... 

 

But there is this tiny improvement. At least noticeable when looking back. But this gives me fear like, there are improvements, shouldn't I be able to do something? I'm so scared of being stuck... 

 

In the beginning I noticed windows and waves. A wave was levels below hell, a window was hell. 

 

But now I don't have that anymore. I notice progress but am still frozen. Feel so traumatized... 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment

Withhope, I see a lot of similarities between what’s happened to both of us and I wonder if it’s correct to think of what happened on the way down as windows and waves. The pattern was the same, but the trend was downwards instead of upwards: the symptoms would get bad, then there’d be some respite - but it wouldn’t be a return to feeling normal - then everything would get worse, followed by some relief - although not as much as the previous time - until we got stuck in what seemed to be a never ending wave.

 

The fact you can see some improvements, even if they’re not enough for you to feel like you’re coming out of the wave, is very hopeful. I saw the same, but was feeling so unrelentingly horrible that it didn’t mean much at the time. But now I think it most likely marks the point where the overall trend has changed from down to up. So I don’t think you’re stuck in the wave any more than I was, it’s more that the symptoms as a whole are still so bad that they hide the improvements, and because of that you don’t feel able to do anything. But as you continue to improve it will become noticable.

1999 - 2001: Paroxetine 20mg, 2003: Venlafaxine 75mg, 2003 - 2014: Escitalopram 20mg

1999 - December 2017: Lansoprazole 15mg

2014 - December 2017: Citalopram 20mg

December 2017: Mirtazapine 30mg, stopped after 4 days due to immediate bad reaction, Zopiclone 3.75mg, stopped after 2 days due to immediate bad reaction

January 2018 - April 2018: Citalopram liquid, tapering, final dose 0.1mg

December 2018 onwards: Vitamin C 1000mg

October 2021: Loratadine 10mg for 6 days (23/10 to 28/10)

Long term (for asthma): Salbutamol and Salmeterol inhalers, Salmeterol stopped March 2021 due to migraine headaches

Occasional use for headaches: Paracetamol 40mg or Ibuprofen 40mg

4th December 2021: Eustachian tube infection: Amoxicillin 500mg 3 per day for 5 days, Dexamethasone & Neomycin ear spray 3 per day for 1 week, Beclometasone nasal spray 2 per day for 2 weeks.

Link to comment

Gosh, thank you, especially for the second part! Thank you, I'm crying. I want to hope but even that is hard. You're right, I hope, the symptoms hide the improvement. I hope so! 

 

My fear is that I'm stuck in real trauma from all this, that will stay long after withdrawal syndrome and THAT'S the reason I can't do anything. 

 

I hope you are the one who's right and not my too convincing brain. 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment

Here's my day. Please let me know if I should do it differently or if something's missing. 

 

 

0:17 extreme misophonia 10/10
Brain burns like acid 2/10
Heart palpitations 7/10
General anxiety 7/10
Taking 4 fish oil capsules 

 

0:55 almost forgot thyroid hormone. L-Thyroxin 50 mcg 

 

1:00 am flashback memories of horrible withdrawal moments. Trying to distract with games on the phone (with bluelight filter) 

 

3:15 am weird rushes of undescribable sensations

Anxiety 4/10

Tired enough to hopefully sleep 

Derealization 7/10 

Woke up countless times with racing  heart

 

11:00 am husband wakes me for Escitalopram 0.5 mg 

Keep sleeping after

 

1:00 pm Awake with anxiety and despair 8/10

Feeling absolutely hopeless 

Moving to the couch, drink water, TV on 

Brain burns like acid 3/10

Dreading the day

Frozen in silent terror 10/10 

Crying 

 

1:35 pm eating two slices of toast with cheese

 

2:35 pm physical anxiety in my stomach  

 

2:45 pm having a piece of chocolate  

 

3:30 pm many random things trigger horrible memories 
Slight headache 2/10
Hopeless crying 
Derealization 3/10

 

4:50 pm short visit at grandma's. Trying to be calm. Ate blueberries with vanilla sauce

 

5:30 pm eating homemade pizza 

 

6:45 pm L-Thyroxin 50 mcg

 

7:15 eating a banana 

 

8:55 Anxiety 8/10 

 

9:20 pm another bad crying spell. Then fed the cats, now glued to the couch. 

The paralyzed with fear feeling 10/10 

Anxiety in my stomach 9/10

Brain burns like acid 6 /10

 

9:40 pm taking blend of magnesium taurate and glycinate. 

 

10:45 pm dizzy and exhausted. 

Derealization 6/10

Snacking on some pretzel sticks

 

11:35 headache 4/10

 

0:10 am misophonia 10/10  

 

0:50 am 4 fish oil capsules 

 

2 am feeling completely empty and detached. 

Brushing teeth and off to bed

 

 

Some symptoms are constant and I wouldn't know how to rate them. Like feeling completely ripped out of life. And the being paralyzed with fear. It's a huge "I can't"... 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Hello, withhope.

 

What do you mean by misophonia?

 

Did you always take thyroid hormone at night?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

Hi Alto, 

 

misophonia is when you can't stand certain sounds like eating sounds. Chewing, swallowing. Or in my case, even the cats grooming. Got extreme during withdrawal. 

 

It kind of moved there over time that I take it at night. 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment

I feel like the only one who stopped so completely. I truly do nothing because of all the fear and agoraphobia and meaninglessness and disinterest... 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
2 minutes ago, withhopeinmyheart said:

I feel like the only one who stopped so completely.

 

You're not the only one. It's normal in WD.   I've cut way down on my activities for the same reasons you listed.  It'll get better.

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 Feb. 22: 7.6mg

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, 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

Thank you Gridley! My brain wants to say "but", to tell you why it's surely different for me. 

 

But I try not to. I'm already scared enough to be a burden for everyone... 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
13 minutes ago, withhopeinmyheart said:

I'm already scared enough to be a burden for everyone... 

 

withhopeinmyheart, you are not a burden.

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 Feb. 22: 7.6mg

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, 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

Thank you! 

Crying again... 

 

I'd love to be more helpful for others but currently can't... 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment

@withhopeinmyheart

Just wanted to send you many good wishes....been following you; myself not fighting the escitalopram fight, rather the citalopram one. 

Hoping you have a window very soon, one which feels good rather than just respite from symptoms.

It's coming for you.

Best wishes,

Ruth.

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.

 

 

 

Link to comment

Thank you so much, Ruth! 

 

May 29

 

11 am 0.5 mg Escitalopram 
Then continue sleeping 

 

12:40 pm up and crying. Racing heart. 
Anxiety 8/10
Extremely tired and exhausted 

 

1:10 pm on the couch, having slice of bread with tea sausage 

 

3:30 pm reading and writing in support groups. Looking for similarities. Crying  

 

4:30 pm having pasta with tomato sauce  

 

6:30 pm top of skull burning 4/10

Feeling desperate and lost

Paralyzed with fear constantly 10/10 

 

7:25 pm L-Thyroxin 50 mcg

 

7:45 slice of bread and an apple 

 

11:40 pm 4 fish oil capsules 

Completely disconnected, desperate

Derealization 8/10 

 

1:45 am bathroom and bed. 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment

Do you think my taper was actually so fast it equals a cold turkey? Maybe that's why it's so extremely bad... 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment

It was pure survival. Life or death, every second. Nothing was good or normal. Perception.... The world wasn't the world I had lived in before the crash. Nothing, nothing, nothing feels safe. I'm prisoner in a nightmare. 

I feel much pressure in me to work on that trauma. But I can't. Because I'm paralyzed with fear. So much so that I can't do a thing. 

And then I feel I'm the one to blame that it's that bad because I can't help myself one bit. 

 

How am I supposed to live with this...? How did others make it through...? Like pug. I grasp on to pug's success story. How is he not traumatized anymore..? 

This is unimaginable to me. To make it through and be happy again. 

 

I don't even recognize the world anymore. Everything is unsafe... 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

Link to comment

Withhope, please don’t blame yourself. It’s not you, it’s the effect of the escitalopram. And you can see the truth in this from the fact that the Royal College of Psychiatrists here in the UK have, finally, recognised the problems SSRI’s can cause.

 

 

So while it’s cold comfort for those of us who have to deal with the process of stopping these drugs, it’s good that the reality is receiving some official recognition.

 

I haven’t been posting for a couple of days because I’m in another wave and have been feeling horrible. I’m so sorry to see that everything is continuing to be terribly bad for you, but try to hold on to the thought that what’s happening is a direct consequence of having been prescribed the escitalopram. And you couldn’t have known in advance that this was even possible because the official line has always been that SSRI’s don’t cause dependence.

1999 - 2001: Paroxetine 20mg, 2003: Venlafaxine 75mg, 2003 - 2014: Escitalopram 20mg

1999 - December 2017: Lansoprazole 15mg

2014 - December 2017: Citalopram 20mg

December 2017: Mirtazapine 30mg, stopped after 4 days due to immediate bad reaction, Zopiclone 3.75mg, stopped after 2 days due to immediate bad reaction

January 2018 - April 2018: Citalopram liquid, tapering, final dose 0.1mg

December 2018 onwards: Vitamin C 1000mg

October 2021: Loratadine 10mg for 6 days (23/10 to 28/10)

Long term (for asthma): Salbutamol and Salmeterol inhalers, Salmeterol stopped March 2021 due to migraine headaches

Occasional use for headaches: Paracetamol 40mg or Ibuprofen 40mg

4th December 2021: Eustachian tube infection: Amoxicillin 500mg 3 per day for 5 days, Dexamethasone & Neomycin ear spray 3 per day for 1 week, Beclometasone nasal spray 2 per day for 2 weeks.

Link to comment
On 4/2/2019 at 1:34 PM, withhopeinmyheart said:

 Thank you @India and @JackieDecides

 

Distraction is still hard but got better. 

I can read a bit in the late evenings. 

TV. Still playing games on the phone. 

Hi.You can read my thread, i’m in EXACTLY same situation as you.Exactly every symptom you have, I have.I’m bedbound most of the day, but I had a window a month ago, lasted 3 weeks, bearable symptoms and guess what.I wasn’t even thinking about withdrawal.I’m 5 months off tomorrow, right now i’m worse than ever, can’t even reach the toilet, but I’ve seen improvements and there will be more.Keep faith, things really get better.

Lorazepam -2 weeks-1 week 3 mg.4 days 2mg, 3 days 1mg. 13-27 November 2018

Lexapro -2 months-6 weeks of 10mg, 2 weeks of 5mg 27 November 2018-27 January 2019

Link to comment

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy