Suzanbe Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 I just finished a 16 month taper off of a benzo on Oct 9th after taking as directed for almost 30 years. Now I need to taper off of Lexapro (I’ve been taking an SSRI for equally as long). How long should I wait in between tapers? I want to do this slow and cautious. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted November 1, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 1, 2019 Welcome to SA, Suzanbe. Congratulations on finishing your benzo taper. I would wait at least 3 months before starting your SSRI taper. At that point, see how stable you're feeling. If you're not feeling reasonably stable, I would wait a bit longer. We recommend tapering no faster than 10% of current dose every four weeks. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/ This link is specifically about tapering Lexapro. Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram) To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly. Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here. 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
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