Ashleyann20 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Hello I am glad I stumbled on this forum. I have started to withdraw from 20 mg of Lexapro after 10 years. My dr. has me doing a fairly fast withdraw. 15 mg for 7 days, 10 mg for 7 days, 5 mg for 7 days. It is the 2nd day and I am surviving . lol I feel like I have the flu but that could be the start of withdrawal symptoms. I look forward to reading more of other folks experience. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted February 27, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 27, 2020 Welcome to SA, Ashleyann20. You are tapering way too fast. Doctors invariably taper their patients too fast, putting them at risk of long-lasting and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. We recommend tapering no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks. That would mean your first decrease would be from 20mg to 18mg. This link explains why we recommend the 10% taper: Why taper by 10% of my dosage? This link is specifically about tapering Lexapro, including how to get the nonstandard doses you'll need for the 10% taper. Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram) Withdrawal is definitely something you want to avoid. What is withdrawal syndrome Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur. Since you've only been at 15mg for one day, my recommendation is that you go back up to 20mg, hold there for one week to stabilize (without withdrawal symptoms), and then begin the 10% taper. If after one week, you're not feeling stable, hold longer until you do feel stable before tapering. 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
Mentor mstimc Posted February 27, 2020 Mentor Share Posted February 27, 2020 Hi Ashley I don’t have much to add to Gridley’s introduction, except to assure you that you are wise to seek help here. More than 10 years ago I joined a similar tapering support group and found it was an invaluable source of information and help as tapered and dealt with withdrawal. Welcome! Tim C Started Paxil for GAD in 1999 Unsuccessful taper attempt in 2006 Paxilprogress helped with a successful taper completed in 2009 Using therapy and CBT to manage my anxiety Link to comment
Ashleyann20 Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 Thank you so much for all the advice. I believe I need to talk to the dr. Link to comment
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