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Mascasa: Oral Lexapro taper


Mascasa

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Tapering using oral Lexapro. Would like to connect with others who have had success with it.

Edited by arbor

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • arbor changed the title to Mascasa: Oral Lexapro taper

Hi,

I am tapering off Lexapro after being in it for 20 months. Using the oral solution. Glad to find out if anyone else uses it or used it. Also, appreciated readying about supplements here. Definitely need to give the nervous system a break.

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello Mascasa,

Welcome to SA.

 

To be able to give you the best information, we ask members to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements.  Just drugs, dates and dosages in a list format.    This site can explain further:   

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

It sounds like you already have experience with tapering off Lexapro.  Here's a site that addresses this:   
Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the site.  This is your Introduction site where you can ask questions and connect with other members.   When you have a question or comment about a specific symptom, supplement or treatment, please search to see if we already have a related topic. We usually do.  Then you can benefit from previously collected information and add to the discussion.  This keeps the site organized with all available knowledge in one thread, easily accessible through searches.

 

The search function on this site doesn't work very well.  The best way to search this site for specific information  is to use your favorite search engine. Type in survivingantidepressants.org then the symptom, treatment, supplement or information you wish to search for.

If after searching, you can't find what you're looking for, please start a new topic.

 

I'm glad you've joined us. 

Arbor

 

 

Zoloft: 1995 - 2015

Prozac: 2015 - 2018 (tapered from 40mg x day on July 31 to 30mg on August 31 to 20mg on September 31 to 10mg October 31 to 0mg on  December 15, 2018

Gabapentin: 2016 to 2019  (tapered from 300mg x day to 150mg on August 31, 2019 to 75mg on September 15 to 50mg on September 31 to 25ishmg on October 15 to 0mg on December 1, 2019

Enalapril: 2010 - 2019

Lipitor: 2017 -2017

Metformin: 2000 - 2020

Liothyronine: 2007 - 2019

Levothyroxine: 2000 - 2022

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Thank you. I think I filled out everything. If not, please let me know. I did check out the link mentioned for Lexapro and tapering. 

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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Hi,

 

Please do not taper any further from now on until you feel stable. 2 mg lexapro  every 2 weeks us pretty fast. Why hurry so much. You tapered 40% in 7 weeks   that's a lot.

 

 

Take it slow and let us know how you are doing.

 

Good luck!

 

Jozeff

Sep- 2016 - Okt 2017 citalopram some months 15 mg some months 20 mg

Nov 2017- Apr 2018 citalopram 25 mg

Apr 2018 -  Jun 2018 citalopram 3 month TAPER too fast  from 25mg to 16.5 mg (0.1 mg per day decrease, felt horrible and crashed)

Jun 2018 - Aug13th 2018 citalopram trying to stabilize at 16.5 mg for 5 wks

- August 14th 2018 - April 29th 2019  citalopram 18 mg (1.5 mg updose).

 

2019 apr 27 : START taper citalopram @ 18 mg: 29Jun 16.4 mg / 19aug 15.4 mg / 25aug 15.2 mg / 30sep 14.0 mg / 4dec 13.1 mg

2020  03Jan 12.75 mg / 28Jan 12.29 mg / 18Feb 11.83 mg, 25Feb 11.68 mg hold.. / 7May 11.33 mg hold...., 4Aug 10.98 mg / 5Dec 10.0 mg 4 month hold...

2021 30mar 9.8 mg / 06apr 9.5 mg /  13apr 9.4 mg / 14may 8,5 mg / 04jun 8,0 mg / 11jun 7.75 mg, 02jul 7.35 mg /  09jul 7.2 mg hold 3 weeks during holiday /31jul 7 mg/ 8aug 6.8 mg / 15aug 6.63mg / 22aug 6.5mg / 1sep 6.3 mg / 8sep 6.15 mg / 15sep 6.0 mg / 22sep 5.9 mg / 29sep 5.8 mg / 04 oct 5.65 mg / 10oct 5.55 mg / 17oct 5.45 mg / 24oct 5.35mg / 30oct 5.25 mg hold 3 wks / 22nov 5.15 mg / 01dec 5.1mg / 12dec 5.0mg / 20dec 4.85mg / 30dec 4.70mg

2022   08jan 4.5 mg / 16jan 4.4 mg / 23jan 4.3 mg / 27jan 4.2 mg / 18feb 4.1 mg / 25feb 4.0 mg / 04mar 3.9 mg / 11mar 3.75 mg / 18Mar 3.65 mg / 09apr 3.55 mg / 16apr 3.45 mg / 23apr 3.35 mg / 01may 3.25 mg / 8may 3.15 mg / 17may 3.10 mg / 28 may 3.0 mg / 7jun 2.94 mg / 18 Jun 2.88 mg / 27 jun 2.84 mg / 05 jul 2.80 mg / 16 jul 2.75 mg / 23 jul 2.70 mg / 01aug 2.65 mg / 09aug 2.60 mg hold 5wks / 18sep 2.55 mg / 25sep 2.5 mg /02oct 2.45 mg / 10oct 2.40 mg / 19oct 2.35 mg / 27oct 2.30 mg / 05nov 2.27 mg / 14nov 2.25 mg / 22nov 2.20 mg / 29nov 2.10mg / 09dec 2.05 mg / 15dec 2.0 mg 

2023  hold 2.0 mg for 5 months / 05may 1.95 mg / 14may 1.90 mg / 24may 1.87 mg / 02jun 1.85 mg / 17jun 1.82 mg / 27jun 1.79 mg / 07jul 1.75 mg / 31jul 1.72 mg / 12aug 1.69mg / 27aug 1.67 mg / 04sep 1.65 mg / 09sep 1.63 mg / 22sep 1.61 mg / 27sep 1.60 mg / 12oct 1.58 mg / 18oct 1.56 mg / 31oct 1.54 mg / 06nov 1.52 mg / 18nov 1.50 mg / 04dec 1.48 mg / 11dec 1.46 mg / 22dec 1.45 mg / 28dec 1.44 mg

2024 01jan 1.43 mg / 06jan 1.42 mg/ 10jan 1.40 mg hold /

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Thank you. Yes I agree. Going to hang out here at 12 mg.

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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A couple of questions about stabilizing. The drop to 12 mg has proved to be a little tough. Crying... etc. I have been on 12 mg since June 24th. So really not much time. The taper down would have been from 14 @10% a 1.4 drop would be 12.6. Should I go back to that level or stay on the 12 mg I have been on? Also, when you do the .6 using the syringe is a bit tricky. Any suggestions?

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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@jozeff @arbor Should I go back to 14mg or ?? My 10 % drop would have been 12.6. 13mg? Just knowing 12mg has been a bit more work. Thanks.

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi @Mascasa--I'm sorry you're feeling these withdrawal symptoms.  They're so challenging.  How is your sleep?  What other symptoms are you noticing?  Here is a site for self care as you're going through this:

 

symptoms and self care

 

Many people find it's a good idea to rate your symptoms daily to help you keep track of how you are doing. Withdrawal symptoms can distort our memory and make it difficult to accurately recall how we felt days and weeks ago. Here are some tips on how do do this:  

 

Rate symptoms daily to track patterns and progress

 

Keep notes on paper

 

Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist      

 

It's important to stay with a fixed dose so that you don't disturb your system more.  Before you make a decision to change your dose, I suggest reading and moderating your progress.  Symptoms often change unexpectedly.

There are times of feeling OK mixed in with times of feeling bad.  This is called windows and waves.

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

All my best to you.  Again, I wish you weren't having to go through this,

Arbor

 

 

 

Zoloft: 1995 - 2015

Prozac: 2015 - 2018 (tapered from 40mg x day on July 31 to 30mg on August 31 to 20mg on September 31 to 10mg October 31 to 0mg on  December 15, 2018

Gabapentin: 2016 to 2019  (tapered from 300mg x day to 150mg on August 31, 2019 to 75mg on September 15 to 50mg on September 31 to 25ishmg on October 15 to 0mg on December 1, 2019

Enalapril: 2010 - 2019

Lipitor: 2017 -2017

Metformin: 2000 - 2020

Liothyronine: 2007 - 2019

Levothyroxine: 2000 - 2022

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@arbor thank you for the response. A bit of background. The Lexapro was upped slowly during 2019 until on 20mg. So been on 20 since November 2919. Lexapro hasn’t really been the end all be all for me. I took it for GAD induced by retirement, health, and situations.I still experienced anxiety and the lows. Have been working with an expert on anxiety in a weekly basis. That has helped. Sleep isn’t bad. Mostly symptoms are feeling the heaviness of lows and some anxiety which I have some skills to work in it. 
my question is do I continue the 12 or up back to another mg? Thank you.

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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@arbor

i just read some of the suggested topics. Definitely will keep a log. Also the spirals make a lot of sense. 
I read in your notes to just keep on the same dose right now and let things settle down? Is that correct?

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi @Mascasa

That you can sleep at all is an excellent sign and will lead to healing.  I wouldn't mess with your situation by increasing your dose.  If it were me, I would choose to continue holding while you further stabilize, and then consider further, very slow tapering.  I encourage you to be in contact with others on the site for their insights.

Best wishes,

Arbor

Zoloft: 1995 - 2015

Prozac: 2015 - 2018 (tapered from 40mg x day on July 31 to 30mg on August 31 to 20mg on September 31 to 10mg October 31 to 0mg on  December 15, 2018

Gabapentin: 2016 to 2019  (tapered from 300mg x day to 150mg on August 31, 2019 to 75mg on September 15 to 50mg on September 31 to 25ishmg on October 15 to 0mg on December 1, 2019

Enalapril: 2010 - 2019

Lipitor: 2017 -2017

Metformin: 2000 - 2020

Liothyronine: 2007 - 2019

Levothyroxine: 2000 - 2022

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@arborThank you so much. I will stay at the 12 mg. 

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • manymoretodays changed the title to Mascaso: Tapering Lexapro
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Mascasa, and welcome.

And thank you for getting the signature done.  To do updates, and/or further edits you can get back there using this link:

Accountsettings/signature

And keep in mind, that the limit is 12 lines, including spaces, so you may have to condense further at some point, and then don't forget to hit Save, after any edits/updates there.

 

I'm seeing that you are presently HOLDING at 12 mg, and that is a great idea.  As you have reduced fairly rapidly to this point.

 

I'll give you some more general information below too, as far as tapering and WD(withdrawal) goes:

 

Here at Surviving Antidepressants, it is recommended that a person taper by no more than 10% of their current dose with at least a four week hold in-between decreases.  The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.  Sometimes, at the higher dosages, a more rapid reduction is okay........pending how you are doing with it.  For example if you are having WD(withdrawal) symptoms, that is certainly a sign to slow down.  More about that here:
 
And some lists you can download, as far as some of the WD symptoms that might occur, or may have already begun:
Take a look, and let us know, which, if any have occurred thus far.
 
And here's the specific topic on tapering Lexapro.  And in the U.S.
It sounds like you have already managed with liquid and syringes, for dosing?  What is the concentration of your liquid?  And then how much do you draw up in an oral syringe to dose with, in mL's?
Good to dose at the same time every day as well.  When do you take your Lexapro?
 
More about what happens, when coming off any psychiatric drug:
 
And hoping that with a judicious, and well planning harm reduction approach to tapering, you may not have to deal with some of the above.  So do tell us, how you are doing so far, and if any WD symptoms have started.
 

 

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.  The CNS likes stability. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process, symptoms may occur.
 
Here's our topics on the Magnesium and Omega 3's.  Just make sure that you space out your Calcium supplement from the Magnesium glycinate you note in your signature.  Otherwise the calming effect of the Magnesium gets blocked.

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 
This is your introduction/journal page where you have now introduced yourself to the community, you can ask questions here regarding your tapering, give updates, and just keep a record of your journey.  To find other Lexapro taperers, if you just plug in Lexapro into the top right search box you'll find other members presently tapering Lexapro too.  Many have used the liquid, like you are doing.
 
Welcome again.  Good to have you.
 
Love, peace, healing, and growth,
manymoretodays(mmt)
 
Edited by manymoretodays
left a sentence hanging, so finished it

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

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

@Mascasa

Hi there.

This is your main Introduction topic now, started on Monday.

I just merged in another you had started on the 5th, early morning, and responded to it above.

  

On 7/5/2021 at 7:08 PM, Mascasa said:

Tapering using oral Lexapro. Would like to connect with others who have had success with it.

 

 

 

Just post here.  Don't start new Introductions.  We like to keep members to just one Introduction topic.

 

I'll leave my response, as it may have a few additional links that you might wish to look at some day.  I forgot to check if you already had an Introduction.

Looks like you've had some good input too, already.

 

This topic is your Introduction topic.  Each member just gets one.  Post here for now.  Thank you.

 

Welcome aboard.

mmt

 

 

Edited by manymoretodays

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

 

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@manymoretodaysThank you for your response. The symptoms I have had thus far are: headaches, some sweating ( but we are hot here in California), crying spells, some anxiety, and a bit of nervousness when talking. Per the withdrawal symptom list.

The concentration of the liquid Lexapro is or what is on the bottle: Escitalopram Oxalate 5mg/5mI  Camber is the manufacturer. It has 240 ML in the bottle. I put it into a little cup the pharmacist gives me for the 10 and then the dropper for the extra 2. I take it the same time every day at 7:00 in the morning. Sometimes I can be a bit behind that time. I follow with Activia for my tummy.

Thank you for the reminder about the magnesium. I used to take it with my calcium. Now I am waiting two hours. I have taken 2 magnesium in the pm before bed. I switched it to 1 at lunch and 1 at bedtime. I believe they are 100 mg. In addition, I have been taking Omega 3. Just switched brand to Nordic Natural Ultimate Omega 1280 mg. That is where I get a bit confused on how much to take.

 

 

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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@manymoretodays When you get time can you check the post I wrote about how I am taking the liquid and the supplements. Thank you.

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • Mentor

@Mascasa

Welcome to the forum.  Unfortunately it means you are in WD, tapering or both.  You will find just about everything you need here.  Lots of support and material on information on, well anything you need to get you through this journey.  Go to  the forms and look around..  Symptoms and self-care has just about anything you need, from wondering about weird symptoms you are having to much needed coping skill learned from members and past on.  I really found the information on how the drugs affect your brain and your whole body.  It is also a good place to look at and connect with other members by reading there into. page.

 

Post often and reach out for support.  Support from people who know what you are going through will make it feel less lonely.  It also helps other members to feel like they can help someone else out.  We all need to feel support and encouragement.

Always remember you are a unique and special person and nothing will ever be able to take that away.

Taper good and slow and you will be writing your success story before you know it

I'm here if you need anything

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/

1995? Prozac,  tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz

 Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015  Kindled   Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify  Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016  ended back on   Prozac and Lamictal 200mg

5/2020  thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg  Prozac  down to 3mg.  Crashed  12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct  1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct  2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg.  Became hypo manic 2/1  6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25  25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg.  2/24  100mg   4/9  75mg   4/21 37.5 

2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr  3/3 100mg  3/17  150mg  side effects ct   4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg  4/14  7.5mg  4/30 10mg  5/10  7.5mg 

2021/ 5/16  5mg Lexapro   37.5 Lamictal   25mg trazadone,   xanax  .0625mg  3x a day   

Lexapro  Taper> Sept/01/2021  4.90mg>  Sept/25  4.75mg>   Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg    Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid  4.2mg  (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg>  2/24  3.8mg  slow taper to  Aug/12/2022 2.04mg  2023> 2mg,  1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg

Lamictal  taper  4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22-   0

 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg  July 2023   0

Xanax  0.0625 3 x a day,  2023>  0.042 3x a day

Supplements  Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC 

Link to comment

@Greatful Thank you. I am so looking for support with this. I work with an author who is expert in anxiety on a weekly basis. He is great. But definitely find the drop to 12 mg to be a bit of a struggle right now. I guess my body hasn't stabilized on it yet. I am almost 3 weeks on the 12mg. Felt minimal going from 20 to 14. Now ... sigh... I so want to be able to write my story one day.

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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1 hour ago, Mascasa said:

@Greatful Thank you. I am so looking for support with this. I work with an author who is expert in anxiety on a weekly basis. He is great. But definitely find the drop to 12 mg to be a bit of a struggle right now. I guess my body hasn't stabilized on it yet. I am almost 3 weeks on the 12mg. Felt minimal going from 20 to 14. Now ... sigh... I so want to be able to write my story one day.

@Gratefulwould appreciate support with this. Finding it hard.

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • Mentor

@Mascasa  Sometimes  I have to remind myself that I have to get through today..  Don't look to far ahead.  That just makes it sound impossible to do the  journey

Have you had a chance to look around the site?  I found that it helped me when I learned about the drugs changing your brain and what it has to do to go back to normal.  The doc. kept talking about the half life.  Like once that was out things should be fine.  So then Mr. Doc  why do  they tell you have to wait 4 to 8 weeks to get the full benefit of the drug. Oh yea,  the side effects should diminish in x amount of time.  Ugh

 

Click  on the title and read this.  I found it so fascinating and reassuring.  It is about a benzo WD, but Altrostrata equates it to any drug that mess with your brain.   I had some strange things happening to me when I stopped my Seroquel cold turkey and started lex a little over a week later.  I was almost started hallucinating  I worried the birds out side might be trying to tell me something, and the wind outside would make me think I might here a man voice talking to me.  Sometimes I would get the horrible feeling that I should be afraid.  I would look around and nothing would be there.  That has slow diminished.  These meds are potent.  It is sad to say my brain had me paranoid to go outside for awhile.  I thought I was going to go crazy.  The symptoms and Self-help really helped me see that anything can happen in WD and that I was having WD withdrawal symptoms.  Boy did I read a lot of thread about symptoms.

 

Let me know what you think of the story

Take Care

Big hug🤗 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/

1995? Prozac,  tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz

 Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015  Kindled   Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify  Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016  ended back on   Prozac and Lamictal 200mg

5/2020  thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg  Prozac  down to 3mg.  Crashed  12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct  1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct  2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg.  Became hypo manic 2/1  6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25  25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg.  2/24  100mg   4/9  75mg   4/21 37.5 

2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr  3/3 100mg  3/17  150mg  side effects ct   4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg  4/14  7.5mg  4/30 10mg  5/10  7.5mg 

2021/ 5/16  5mg Lexapro   37.5 Lamictal   25mg trazadone,   xanax  .0625mg  3x a day   

Lexapro  Taper> Sept/01/2021  4.90mg>  Sept/25  4.75mg>   Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg    Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid  4.2mg  (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg>  2/24  3.8mg  slow taper to  Aug/12/2022 2.04mg  2023> 2mg,  1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg

Lamictal  taper  4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22-   0

 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg  July 2023   0

Xanax  0.0625 3 x a day,  2023>  0.042 3x a day

Supplements  Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 7/7/2021 at 2:24 PM, Mascasa said:

@manymoretodaysThank you for your response. The symptoms I have had thus far are: headaches, some sweating ( but we are hot here in California), crying spells, some anxiety, and a bit of nervousness when talking. Per the withdrawal symptom list.

The concentration of the liquid Lexapro is or what is on the bottle: Escitalopram Oxalate 5mg/5mI  Camber is the manufacturer. It has 240 ML in the bottle. I put it into a little cup the pharmacist gives me for the 10 and then the dropper for the extra 2. I take it the same time every day at 7:00 in the morning. Sometimes I can be a bit behind that time. I follow with Activia for my tummy.

Thank you for the reminder about the magnesium. I used to take it with my calcium. Now I am waiting two hours. I have taken 2 magnesium in the pm before bed. I switched it to 1 at lunch and 1 at bedtime. I believe they are 100 mg. In addition, I have been taking Omega 3. Just switched brand to Nordic Natural Ultimate Omega 1280 mg. That is where I get a bit confused on how much to take.

 

 

 

Hi Mascasa,

And yes, likely those are WD symptoms.  Yes, we are in a heatwave here as well.  The sweating, headaches, the crying spells, increased anxiety and nerves in general.......WD.   

When did symptoms begin, in relation to your last taper?  I see it was about 3 weeks ago.

And were you getting WD symptoms prior to that last taper?

 

You may find things improving in the next week or two.  Do keep some records, as suggested above.  Notes, or a calendar, or even a daily symptom checklist.  I would not updose just yet, if it was me.  Let's see if things improve.  I'd also vote for HOLDing at the very least for a couple of months now, before resuming your taper.


One of the things you might do now, is shore up, or improve on your measuring doses accuracy.  It's good you've got the Camber, with the 1 mg per 1 mL concentration.  What you might, or what I'd want to do, would be to start using oral syringes for accuracy.  Those droppers can be a little sketchy, if you ask me.  And you can still use the measuring cup to draw up in a syringe(s) what you need, if the oral syringe doesn't adapt or fit into your bottle.

And it's good you've been using the same technique all along.......you've been consistent in how you measure.

 

So what you might do, is continue measuring how you are now,  until you can get some oral syringes.  No pressure, no hurry, but I think eventually measuring out your dose, using oral syringes will be really good.  You're going to be at this tapering for awhile. 

You are going to want a 10 mL oral syringe, or even a 5 mL would do,  and then good to get stocked up with a 1 mL syringe as well.

Using an oral syringe

Where to get oral syringes

 

Which type of magnesium are you using?  And then how much in mg's in each tablet?  It often works good if you can dilute it in a nice big liter bottle of water too, and sip on it for awhile.  Good you've upped your usage to twice a day.

Does it help?  Especially as far as helping you feel more relaxed?

And here is the link to the long topic we have on it:

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

And ugh, you'll have to scroll through those 16 pages, as it appears that not all of the links in the first post, go directly to the posts indicated.  There is still a lot of information, just in the first post there though.  So I hope that helps.

I've never had a problem with Magnesium, doing anything but relaxing me.    I've used Epsom Salts in the bath, Mag citrate, and currently use Mag glycinate, a lovely powder that dissolves in a liter of water, and has a little citrus flavor added.  Best calmer around, or relaxer I think.  I think that not only is it good for our nervous systems, but for our hearts as well.

 

And then the Omega 3's topic:  King of supplements:  Omega-3 fatty acids(fish oil)

Check the label of the Nordic Naturals, and see how many capsules give the 1280 mg.  And you want to just base your dose on the EPA and DHA content.  You'll see more in the first couple of posts in topic.  And then, the links do work in that first post, to save you scrolling time.

 

And it sounds like you are understanding more now, about what a 10% taper looks like, as you calculated an updose, above.  So here's an easy access to one of the fundamentals here:  Why taper by 10% of my dosage

 

And oops, so sorry, I've given you those links already.  Darn it!  I'll be back around soon.  You're doing great, getting started, and making friends too.

 

You are getting some great support and suggests above too. 

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

I haven't written my story yet Mascasa.  I do need to do that.  4 and 1/2 years off!  So don't worry too much about that right now.  Referring to one of your posts above.

 

 

 

 

Edited by manymoretodays

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

 

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@manymoretodays Thank you for the responses.

The drop from 20 to 14 had nothing but a headache. I was pretty much okay.  I hung out a bit longer at the 14 mg because I had to get a spine procedure and didn't want to change anything prior to that procedure. I deal with a few health issues at the same time.

The drop to 12mg came about June 24th. Felt things about 1- 1 /2 week after that drop.

There are a few windows the last few days. But it is still a bit hard. But being on Lexapro for me didn't make my days 100% better either.

I use a syringe and a pharmacist measuring cup. I misspoke when I said a dropper. It's hard to see the numbers on the cup. So I used the syringe today and pulled up the 12 mg. Have to color the outside of the cup somehow. 

The Omega 3 has 650 EPA and 450 mg DPA with other omega 3 180 mg. So 1100 of the combo. Two softgels. For ultimate support use two softgels 2x a day with food. I usually take 2 soft gels at lunch and 2 at dinner?

Magnesium is from Metagenics. I take 1 100 mg at lunch and 1 at dinner. There is a Harvard psychiatrist who did a study on Omega 3 and depression. He found it did indeed help. I can't remember his name at the moment. I hate the lows that come with this. 

I will note the symptoms.

Thank you for the support. This is hard...

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Mascasa,

I know, it's very hard.  I hear you.

  

On 7/6/2021 at 4:56 PM, Mascasa said:

I am currently at 12mg. But thinking I got there too quickly. Started at 20mg 7 weeks ago. Certainly feeling things the last week and 1/2. Do I go back to 14 and stay there or try and hang I. There for awhile until things settle down? My 10% drop would be 12.6.

 

So you are 7 to 8 weeks out now.  If you'd like, you could try a small updose now.  That 12.6 mg dose is good too, for an updose.  Better than going all the way up to 14 mg right now.

Do some NOTES.

It may be that during or after 4- 7 days, you start to feel improved.  Sounds like even a slight improvement might be helpful right now.

And I do, think, if it was I, I would at least want to try this.  And then you might find further stabilization in the weeks, and even months to come.  Which would be super, prior to commencing with any further tapering.

 

Your measuring sounds good so far.  Even with a 10 mL syringe you should be able to see the .2 mL increments. 

Good to get more syringes though soon, and include a couple of the 1 mL size.  You'll need them as time goes by.

 

Here's our topic on:  About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

Which you'll find also applies to updosing.  Scroll on down to read:  How long should you give reinstatement?

 

Yes, the Omega's are great!  And I'm glad you are tolerating them.  So each 2 capsules gives you 1100 total Omega 3, and you take that amount with food twice, you are up to 2200 mg per day now.  Just HOLD at that for now.  Later if you want you could add an additional one capsule, at each meal, or go ahead with dosing 2 capsules 3 times per day. 

Unfortunately, they are not going to help with immediate reversal of any WD that has set in, but will ultimately help long term with healing and brain balancing.

I don't like the lows either, or depressed feelings.  It does get better though.

 

I'm not familiar with that brand of Magnesium, but it sounds good.   Single ingredient?  And what type of Magnesium is it?  How do you feel after you take it.  One often gets a more immediate effect from the Magnesium, more so than with the Omega's. 

 

And okay, let me know what you think on trying an updose.  And hang in there.  Go gentle with yourself now.......lot's of loving self care and kindness.

 

Best,

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by manymoretodays

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

 

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Hello Mascasa, I come here following the message you sent on my own thread. I pass by to wish you good luck with your tapering, I do not have any advice to give myself but I hope you find information and guidance on this forum.

Keep track of your symptoms, although this can be a depressing thing to do "on the moment", when relief shows up you'll look back and see that things are improving and stabilising, little by little. Keep it up, I'm sending you all the strength I can!

Better days are ahead. If you read this and are still struggling - hang in there. It'll be worth it. My success story: I recovered from Escitalopram withdrawal.

Aug 2017 - May 2018 -> Escitalopram 10 mg. 

Nov 2018 - Jan 2021 -> Escitalopram 10 mg. Feb 2021 - 5 mg.  Feb-March 2021 - 5 mg, one day out of two.

Since March 13th, 2021 -> Escitalopram 0 mg. Withdrawal appeared 1 week after last dose.

Profile image: Edward Robert Hughes' "Night"

 

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@manymoretodaysI am continuing the 12 mg until I feel things are stable then will continue the 10% drop which would be 10.8 I believe. The measuring does get tricky when pulling in the syringe. 
my magnesium is glycinate. I have used the same brand for months.

I added an anti inflammatory to assist with the foot pain I have. Only tried it once last night . Suppose to use it a few days. trying to keep everything else in a consistent schedule.
 

 

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Mascasa,

23 hours ago, Mascasa said:

@manymoretodaysI am continuing the 12 mg until I feel things are stable then will continue the 10% drop which would be 10.8 I believe. The measuring does get tricky when pulling in the syringe. 
my magnesium is glycinate. I have used the same brand for months.

I added an anti inflammatory to assist with the foot pain I have. Only tried it once last night . Suppose to use it a few days. trying to keep everything else in a consistent schedule.
 

 

 

And that's okay, if you are fully, irretrievably decided on not trying an updose.  Just thought I'd mention it, as it's only been just over 3 weeks since you made that last drop from 14 mg to 12 mg, so the time frame is right.  And you don't seem to be overly reactive, or at risk of some degree of the dreaded serotonin syndrome.  I know, you state it has not really helped, in general, but I don't see a lot of adverse effects from it mentioned. 

I just thought I'd mention it, as it is really the only way known, at present, to reverse or mitigate some of the acute withdrawal syndrome you are experiencing now.

Use Drugs.com to check out anything prior to trying.  Of course Drugs.com does not take into account WD.  Just know that WD can make one so much more sensitive to just about any substance.

And then, if I'm wanting to find what we have on site, about just about anything.......I'll use google and just type in survivingantidepressants.org and then the topic/subject of interest, which usually nets a fair amount of topics here. 

 

You may be able to tolerate a bit more Magnesium glycinate.  Just be sure to take in plenty of water with it, and space it out throughout your day.  I've added a powdered form of it to a whole liter of water, and then sipped it.......taking the dose over several hours.  Very calming.  If yours is capsule form you can dump the capsule contents into a large water bottle and try that, if you'd like.  It doesn't always completely dissolve, but if in a large water container with a lid, one can always shake it up before sipping/drinking to keep it adequatedly suspended in the water.

 

One way to calculate tapering drops, based on present or current dosage is:

12mg X .90 = 10.8 mg     This gives you the dose needed when doing a 10% taper

To go less, for example a 5% taper, you would just change the decimal number like so:

12 X .95 = 11.4 mg

Or for just a 2.5 % drop:

12 X .975 = 11.7 mg

 

You might even consider a micro taper, either of the brassmonkey variety, or just less of a percentage than 10% or 5%.

The slowness of slow tapers(micro-taper)

Micro-taper instead of 10% or 5 %

The BrassMonkey Slide Method of Microtapering

# 1 and # 5 ^

 

You'll want to be looking for a good WD stable now, which you may already be into and then sit with it.  Again, I think a couple of months might be good before testing the waters of further tapering.

 

Topics on Stabilizing/stability while tapering:

Are We There Yet? How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take?

Stabilizing-what does that mean

3 KI's, simple, slow, stable

 

You are doing great Mascasa.  Just keep at it bit by bit.   Hope the foot pain/inflammation resolves quickly.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

Edited by manymoretodays

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

@manymoretodays Thank you for helping me. I am still at 12 mg and going to hold there for a while. 

As far as the Lexapro. Some things when at the full dose over the last 18 months: at the beginning vomiting, anxiety, headaches, brain zaps. As I went up I experienced ringing in the ears and continued anxiety. Then eventually if not anxiety, then lows.  So all in all maybe helped a smidge but not like others who are taking it in my friend circle. Those are some of the things I have experienced.

A side note: I wasn't very reluctant to take it. Took everything in me to do it. But reached a breaking point.

The medication for my foot issue ( 2 years running) is capsule Volaren or Diclofenec (sp?). Suppose to take 75 mg at a meal. I have only taken 2 of those currently. 

My magnesium is in pill form. I guess it would dissolve? If not, there is the CALM magnesium powder I could add to water. I could crush up my pill and put it in a water bottle. Would this be in addition to the 200 mg I am already taking?

Thank you for hanging in there with me. 

I am going to check out the stabilization thread you sent.

Can you clarify for me the sentence below:

 

On 7/13/2021 at 9:08 AM, manymoretodays said:

And you don't seem to be overly reactive, or at risk of some degree of the dreaded serotonin syndrome. 

 

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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Considering the 5% reduction. Holding at 12 mg and have some off days. This will be week 4 next week on 12 mg. So would I drop to the 5 % after next week?

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • Mentor

@Mascasa   Sounds like you are doing pretty good.  Are you thinking of dropping again next week?  Are you having any symptoms?  I wish I felt strong enough to try a small drop.  

I'm glad you are doing so well.  It is a encouragement for me to keep plugging along🤪 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/

1995? Prozac,  tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz

 Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015  Kindled   Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify  Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016  ended back on   Prozac and Lamictal 200mg

5/2020  thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg  Prozac  down to 3mg.  Crashed  12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct  1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct  2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg.  Became hypo manic 2/1  6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25  25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg.  2/24  100mg   4/9  75mg   4/21 37.5 

2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr  3/3 100mg  3/17  150mg  side effects ct   4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg  4/14  7.5mg  4/30 10mg  5/10  7.5mg 

2021/ 5/16  5mg Lexapro   37.5 Lamictal   25mg trazadone,   xanax  .0625mg  3x a day   

Lexapro  Taper> Sept/01/2021  4.90mg>  Sept/25  4.75mg>   Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg    Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid  4.2mg  (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg>  2/24  3.8mg  slow taper to  Aug/12/2022 2.04mg  2023> 2mg,  1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg

Lamictal  taper  4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22-   0

 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg  July 2023   0

Xanax  0.0625 3 x a day,  2023>  0.042 3x a day

Supplements  Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC 

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@Grateful well... it’s been interesting. I have done best as one could be. Today things are all over the place. So I went out and worked in the yard. When I get my head too much in it all then I have things. I am going to revisit some of the techniques I have been learning. Meditation more consistently and trying to just accept where I am. The thing I find no fun is when I dip or have a low feeling. The AD never helped with that might even made it worse? Thank you for checking in. How are you?

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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  • Mentor

@Mascasa  If you mean depression as a dip, I have that to.  It hasn't been as bad as at the beginning but it does hang on.  

I started meditating sometime in April, May.   I am not always real good at letting my thoughts go but I at least feel like I am resting my body.  I do think it is helping,  I feel like I am more aware of my thoughts and how to let them go.  I try to walk 6 days a week.  That accepting is a hard one.  Not so hard when you are in a window, but hit a wave for a few days................

 

Onward we plod.  See the light at the end of the tunnel............

Enjoy your evening😊

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/

1995? Prozac,  tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz

 Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015  Kindled   Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify  Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016  ended back on   Prozac and Lamictal 200mg

5/2020  thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg  Prozac  down to 3mg.  Crashed  12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct  1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct  2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg.  Became hypo manic 2/1  6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25  25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg.  2/24  100mg   4/9  75mg   4/21 37.5 

2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr  3/3 100mg  3/17  150mg  side effects ct   4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg  4/14  7.5mg  4/30 10mg  5/10  7.5mg 

2021/ 5/16  5mg Lexapro   37.5 Lamictal   25mg trazadone,   xanax  .0625mg  3x a day   

Lexapro  Taper> Sept/01/2021  4.90mg>  Sept/25  4.75mg>   Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg    Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid  4.2mg  (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg>  2/24  3.8mg  slow taper to  Aug/12/2022 2.04mg  2023> 2mg,  1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg

Lamictal  taper  4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22-   0

 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg  July 2023   0

Xanax  0.0625 3 x a day,  2023>  0.042 3x a day

Supplements  Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC 

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Thoughts? My manufacturer for my Oral lexapro was changed with this dose. I I can certainly taste the difference and I think I feel the difference. I called the pharmacist and he shared that is what they send. It said he would try and get the one I have been tapering off of originally. Two questions: I have enough of the original lexapro to do a 10 mg pill and 2 ml of the original oral. OR wait for awhile until the pharmacist can try and get the original? He said he can compound it and it would be consistent if I wanted to do that from now on. More expensive he said. But if it gives me consistency that would be the benefit. Thank you.

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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If anyone/moderator could chime in for me on this question. The pharmacy switched my manufacturer. It didn't sit well with me. So I wiggled out from the original manufacturer enough for today. Maybe tomorrow. Pharmacist says can't guarantee getting the original one. Pharmacist can make it for me and then he will be the holder of the prescription.

OR ???? Please any suggestions would be great.

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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1 hour ago, Mascasa said:

If anyone/moderator could chime in for me on this question. The pharmacy switched my manufacturer. It didn't sit well with me. So I wiggled out from the original manufacturer enough for today. Maybe tomorrow. Pharmacist says can't guarantee getting the original one. Pharmacist can make it for me and then he will be the holder of the prescription.

OR ???? Please any suggestions would be great.

Can you try other pharmacies? Not every pharmacy Carrie's the same manufacturer, call around to see what manufacturer each one carries.

 

It can be inconvenient, but save you potential additional tapering troubles.

40 yo Male. Started Paxil about 15 years ago. 10 mg (pill weight .125 - .129 g). 5 yrs wanted less side effects, doctor took me off Paxil over couple week period and put me on Wellbutrin. Not good. Went back on Paxil. Relieved my symptoms, but didn't work as well and more side effects. Severe reaction between Paxil and Zomig Summer of 2012. Head was affected during warmer days (cloudiness, confusion, pressure). Began 10% withdrawal 10/24/12.

Withdrawel helped many symptoms, but also added side effects: nausea, dizziness, tiredness. Hyper-anxiety started January 2014.

Went through a 2 year period of de-realization (2016-2018).  Rarely any windows.  
Current dose: 0.00 as of 4/10/21.  Made a lot of progress in my withdrawal symptoms the last 2 years of my taper.  I think doing a liquid taper helped stabilize things on the lower doses.  A lot of my symptoms have reduced significantly.  Hoping for even more improvement now that I am off.
My thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8909-rusty1-paxil-withdrawal-help-and-advice-welcome/#entry150222

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi,

Need support to keep going with taper. Lows are really strong . Taking my supplements, etc. 

Sept.2019 to present Lexapro August 2019 1 week on Ativan.

May 10th 2021 began taper of 20 mg of Lexapro.  July 5, 2021 at 12 mg. Been there two weeks. Going to stay here awhile

7/6 12 mg of Lexapro7/7 12 mg of Lexapro.  11.7 on August 8th using 2.5% Sept 6th @ 10.8 9/20 10.2 11/11/21 9.411/21 8.7 will hold for 3 weeks.12/1 to present 9 mg.*I will find the other dates from 12/1/2021.Dates I could find: 6/3/22 6.7, 7/2/33 6.3,  7/16 5.9, 8/6/22 5.6.  9/3/2022 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop, 9/30/2022 @5 5% drop, 10/302022 @ 4.8 held for a week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9_3 5.6 to 5.3 5% drop.eml

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