Mascasa: Oral Lexapro taper

[Mascasa]

@getofflex Big dip the last few days with the lows. Not fun at all. 

Holding at 12 mg since July 5th. Been using the oral lexapro. Couple of questions. I might try the Brass taper method of dropping 2.5% each week and then holding. I haven't tried it with the oral. Or the next 10% would be 10.8 I believe. 

1. Okay to switch to the Brass taper method now? I think it might be a bit easier on me with the wd, plus feel a bit more proactive.

2. Seems to be a issue getting the oral lately. If I can't get it can I switch back to the tablet to taper?

Thank you in advance for help with this. Really need it.

 

[Greatful]

@Mascasa  

2 hours ago, Mascasa said:

Lows are really strong

The lows or depression are a struggle for me too.  Are you still at 12mg?  

You could be feeling the affects of a fast taper. 

Post more of what's going on.  Are you getting sleep etc. 

I have felt better when I let all the misery out, then it's on paper not in my head and it  helps to  feel heard.  Then other members can encourage you and themselves by helping someone out.  We are united in this journey.  

You will get through this wave, just a bump in the road.

One foot in front of the other.  One day will follow the next.

 

 

[Mascasa]

@GratefulI am still holding at 12mg. 

Sleep is still okay. Still eating. Dealing with some health issues. But have been for awhile. 

 

[Mascasa]

@Altostrata@Grateful

My new pharmacy (insurance) can't get the same brand/manufacturer of the oral lexapro I have been tapering with since May. Found that out when I went to pick it up tonight. When I put in the script the pharmacist assured me that was their preferred  brand and could get it. I am trying to reach out to the old pharmacy to see if I can get another bottle out of pocket. Worked on that tonight.

My questions are:

1. If I can't get the oral same manufacturer how do I continue the taper? I have enough liquid for maybe two more days. I do have 20 mg tablets that are scored and I could cut them down.

2. This has been such a problem to get the same manufacturer for the liquid. I tried a different manufacturer and it didn't work out as well.

So if I can't get the liquid do I just roll to the tablet form? I would have to explore how to do that. I would be going to 10.8 next.

Thank you.

[Altostrata]

You can take part of your dose in the old liquid and part in the new liquid for 4 days (or as long as you have the old liquid), then take your entire dose in the new liquid. We have seen this makes the transition easier for people.

[Heath]

@Mascasa I’m a little late in here- welcome to SA! I read through your posts and I want to encourage you as I am tapering lexapro also with liquid! 

I use the liquid 1 to 1 also. I use the brass monkey slide which is a lot gentler. I tried 10% every 4-5 weeks didn’t work for me. I also use http://www.taperoff.co/ calculator which is easy and works great. I kept getting numbers mixed up and getting confused and off. I also use 2 syringes a 1 to 10 ml and a 0 to 1 ml to get the correct dose. Example I would get my 7 ml in the 1 to 10 syringe and my 0.3 in my 0 to 1 ml syringe. 

I also got a different brand lexapro because my pharmacy couldn’t get it anymore so I went to different one. Been a few weeks and no problems as of yet but like you say it taste different. 
 

when I would taper to fast or become unstable for what ever reason I would usually hold 3 to 6 months so I would feel real good for tapering. Take it real slow with this stuff . I have decided that I had rather Take my time and tough out the minor side effects and small withdrawals than not be able to function much. I’m still learning! 
 

learn all you can on here about these ssris! There is tons of info here and none at drs office! 

slow steady and stable

hang in there

[Mascasa]

@HeathThank you so much for responding to my post. Sounds like we are exactly doing the same thing. I am using two syringes also. Then put it in a small dose cup. 

I also tapered a bit too quickly as you read. So am going slower.

I am hopeful the original pharmacy can continue to get the oral brand Camber. That is what I have been on all along. What brand are you using?

I will check out that taper calculator.

What if any side effects have you had?

Thank you for the support.  Mind keeping in contact?

 

 

[Heath]

@Mascasa I don’t know the brand. 
 

for me ssris cause these to me in withdrawal or side effects while on them - dry sinuses, dry mouth, dry eyes, sensitive ears, upset stomach, heartburn, forgetfulness, can’t think, don’t talk, brain fog, dizziness, muscle drawing up, neck pain, back pain, Can’t sleep, dreams, anxiety, worry, sensitive, emotional , lose weight and gain weight. 

now these come and go, they are worse the higher the dose I have been on or the bigger drop in taper. 

 

at current thanks to SA I have the following minimal side effects and withdrawals- dry sinuses, dry mouth, dry eyes, sensitive ears, upset stomach, heartburn, forgetfulness, can’t think, don’t talk, Can’t sleep, sensitive, emotional . These are very minimal with brass monkey slide and holding when life gets stressful. 
the side effects are getting less each year as dose gets lower. 
 

I have learned the hard way about tapering. I just didn’t know! Until I found SA . And one thing I know for sure is hold several months to get good and stable before tapering.  I know everyone is different but if you hold for 3-6 months after being unstable or a crash you have a smoother taper and more normal life. Same dose every day same time. Keep life as stable as possible. 

[Heath]

Forgot one sweating in bed

[Mascasa]

@Heath How is the tapering going? I am now at 10.8 and going to hold for the recommended 3 weeks before the next drop. But can't say the last week has been easy. Find things pop back up. But I am also dealing with health issues. Just need a nudge to keep going. Lately just want to be finished. But know have to do things slowly.

[Mascasa]

@getofflex or Anyone? My next drop will be 10.53. How do I do the .53? I am using the oral solution. 

[Heath]

Hello @Mascasa. I’m doing ok. Thanks for asking! I’m holding for a little while maybe another month. You can see my signature where I’m at. I taped from April to July and changed brands in August.

 

Have been through a few withdrawals. Hit a little wave since august 18 . Irritable tensed up, muscles tensing and releasing, angry, not talking.  The worst thing that happened is cramped stomach pain that after 2 weeks is finally getting better. My wife said it was ibs. Which I believe is from withdrawals now and maybe brand change.  I had some emotional spiraling also .  I finally caught the emotional spiraling and started practicing relaxing and letting it go. The withdrawals were very minimal except for the stomach pain. 
if I have to change brands again I will do a gradual change over👍
 

I love the brass monkey slide. I think I’m going to go just a tad bit slower. Being family provider I just have to go slower. It takes a long time to figure out what taper rate fits you. 
 

I did find out the lexapro brand I was on was camber but had switch to another. I will tell you what it is when I get home. 
 

you have to use a 1 ml syringe to get your .53ml. Use a 10 ml syringe for the 10 ml. 

I deal with health issues too like low back pain and stress. Just try and use all the self help tools and relax. 
things pop up just hold stop taper! I know you want off as we all do but to be stable in mental health has become a priority for me through all this. If we go to fast we have to hold for several months before taper again. So going slow and holding is actually faster! 
 

it sounds like you are doing well on your taper! Most likely after your 3 week hold those small withdrawals you have had will fade. 
 

[getofflex]

2 hours ago, Heath said:

 

you have to use a 1 ml syringe to get your .53ml. Use a 10 ml syringe for the 10 ml. 

Good advice.  You can buy these on Amazon. They measure to the hundredth of a milliliter.   

[Mascasa]

@HeathThanks for the response.  Looks like you are holding at 7 ml. I have both syringes. I use one for the 10 and the other for the .? Lately been easy to do the 10.8. But after the hold will go to 10.53. Not sure how to get the .53? Can you just round to 10.5?

I have back pain too. Back surgery in 1992. It failed. Not wanting another one. So am trying different things ( blocks, RFA, etc.). I had a pretty big window like I mentioned. The drop to 10.8 has given me more issues. But during this drop I have had more stress ( workplace- in education and with COVID no fun, health, etc.). So that doesn't help. Also, unknown if my feet issues are related to my back problem. But they might also be coming from the Lexapro use. UCSF thinks when I am off, the restless legs might stop. Are you off the Prozac? Or bridged over to Lexapro from the Prozac?

Is Prilosec helping you? I deal with issues related to stomach too.

[Mascasa]

@getofflex Thanks for the response. I have a 1 ml syringe. How to get the .53 for the next drop of 10.53? Can you round to 10.5?

[Heath]

I think below 10 ml you round up @getofflex?

[Heath]

So yes I believe you can round down to 10.5 because you are still above 10. Ask getofflex about a rule of thumb for rounding doses for tapering I can’t remember 

[Heath]

@Mascasa I hate to hear that about the back surgery I am sorry you had to go through that. I had hurt my back with a new family a new 15 ounce premature daughter, and many other family and life stresses being the provider for my family. 1 dr ready to fuse with screws and 4 drs advising nonono surgery. The pain, anxiety, worry loop set in. That’s when the Paxil and Celebrex started. 
 

But yes withdrawals do cause physical pain especially old injuries or joint inflammation. Especially my old neck and back injuries. It is very hard to differentiate between withdrawals and actually something going on. I really struggle with this because the withdrawals bring on anxiety which brings on emotional spiraling. Next thing you know you are sitting in the drs office preparing for surgery or more drugs with another new diagnosis 🙄. I’m getting better at catching this work in process but withdrawals do cause this. 
 

for one thing if you are in education you don’t get paid enough! Thank you for what you do for our children! I have family members that are teachers and we were just talking about covid and new procedures it’s awfully full of stress. 
 

how long have you had the restless legs? I have read that withdrawals cause this too. My leg and arm muscles tense and release when I’m having withdrawals. 
 

When I was in Paxil withdrawals my dr run me through different brand ssris. I didn’t know much about withdrawals and he still doesn’t. I am only on lexapro. Prozac gave me horrible heartburn so we had to get off of that. 
 

i did start Prilosec I think around 2017 off and on. I’m in a pickle to protect stomach from Celebrex thus Prilosec. I am currently tapering Prilosec and changing diet . Trying to get off of it. 
there is a topic here SA on digestion and ppis. Learn how to heal digestion system without drugs. Also the is an interaction with Prilosec and lexapro so I wouldn’t try it. You can check it here https://rxisk.org/tools/drug-interaction-checker/

 

if you want to find a topic on here go to google type in search the topic you want then survivingantidressants.org. 

[Mascasa]

@HeathIf you can avoid back surgery would be best. Especially fusion. If I am reading that correctly. You have been advised different things sounds like. Yep, sounds like the loop I found myself in. Long story. But now I am trying to find my way back.

No I am not going to use Prilosec. I was on Omeperazole for awhile. Saw it interacts with Lexapro also. Found that out the hard way.

As far as restless legs, I had it horribly when I first went on the Lexapro. Then things settled down. If I had to look at a calendar it probably concurs with when I started tapering. It's no fun. I am under the Sleep Disorders Clinic at UCSF. She is well aware of how SSRI's cause or aggravate restless legs. Thus, another reason to try and get off. I do take something at night if the legs don't settle down Lately every night.

Thank you for acknowledging the teaching. I retired after 37 years and came back within a year. It wasn't for me. In fact, caused a bit of a problem. So I am back at a school and helping with the learning loss we have experienced with the pandemic.

 

[Heath]

What kind of symptoms did you have with Prilosec and lexapro?

I have not had any yet that I know of. 
 

Yes those side effects With me they flare up a little when I taper down. 
 

my son was a senior when covid hit and let me tell you trying to get help and advice.  It was very stressful on them. And parents and teachers! Even his first year in college doing online isn’t working. And if they do online this year I don’t know what we are gonna do. I can tell easily him and my daughter getting behind because of online last semester. Teachers and children can’t put in 100% effort with dangers of covid and all the procedures and rules changing
 

[getofflex]

18 hours ago, Mascasa said:

 

@getofflex Thanks for the response. I have a 1 ml syringe. How to get the .53 for the next drop of 10.53? Can you round to 10.5?

 

With a 1 mL syringe you should be able to measure 0.53. It goes to hundreds of a milliliter.  If you cannot see the tiny lines then I would do 10.6 instead of 10.5.

 

if you’re talking about rounding to measure a dose reduction I would always round up so that you’re reducing by a slightly smaller dose which is gentler on your system.

Edited September 7, 2021 by getofflex

[Mascasa]

@getofflexThat makes sense. I can round up. I will look for the syringe that has the milliliters. I have a side question for you. My pharmacy seems to have issues getting the manufacturer correct. So they sent back the one that just came in and have the one I need coming in on Thursday. That is cutting is close for me with what I have left. I did ask them to fill two bottles so I don't run into this again. My question is if it doesn't come in and I am out of oral can I cut a 20mg tablet ( it is scored) and shave off the .8? 

Also, would it be a possibility if this continues to happen to go to tablet form when I get close to 10 and hang there for awhile?

I know that was two questions. This drop has been a bit more challenging due to all the things work, etc. I have had to deal with. Thanks.

[Mascasa]

@getofflexOh my gosh I just saw the 1 milliliter syringe on Amazon. I haven't been doing the 10. 8 correctly. I have done a 0.5 and adding three lines after that. That isn't 0.8. Is there a way to share the picture of my syringe? I ordered the one from Amazon just now. I think I can send it here. I am going to try.

[Mascasa]

@getofflex I just looked at my syringe. It might be okay. I go from the 0.5 and add to the 3 lines past it for the .8. Is that correct?

[Heath]

@Mascasa  that is correct. The lines on that syringe are .1 ml each. 👍

oh the brand name lexapro I use now is amneal from Walgreens. 

[Mascasa]

Anyone ever had a steroid injection for back or piriformis and find it brought on depression or low mood? This is the 2nd time it has happened. Had great windows for weeks. Had an injection of depo medrol and wow the lows are back.

 

[Heath]

I have not. But I did have an increase in physical pain one time due to pain medication at ER for kidney stone while I was on these SSRIS. Morning after that I had planter fasciitis pain flair up bad.  A few days later it was gone🤷‍♂️. Drs couldn’t explain. 

if you had this happen once before while on lexapro or tapering or wd . I would write that one down ! I would say it could definitely happen because our Nervous system is very sensitive and has been changed by this poison. 

there is a thread here on SA see below. 

I ve read people going through withdrawals or tapering ssris the steroids can cause a wave with the nervous system. And as you have seen once before it gets better with time.

 

Were you able to get your liquid prescription filled ? 
 

hope you feel better soon!

 

[Mascasa]

@Heath Thanks for the quick response. Yep, was thinking it wouldn't happen this time. I had a different steroid and in the piriformis muscle. But it was depo medrol and it can cause depression. I have had such great windows for several weeks. So hoping this just is mild. Yes, I did get the refill. I am planning on calling this week to be sure they get it in time. I need to update my signature. Now at 10.5 Lexapro for this week. Start of a 4 week 2 week hold cycle.

How's things with you?

[Heath]

That’s good about the prescription! Liquid makes it much easier.  I ran into same thing you did on getting it. During the process I learned they can refill it at 3 weeks. So I am gonna try and stay ahead of the system. 

I hit a little wave on august 18 , 2 weeks after tapering and then a brand change. Most likely brand change had little to no cause in this. I also had to take antibiotics in March or April. 
Had bad stomach pain, itchy face, cracked tongue, on August 18. Had to leave work. My wife said it was a case of ibs. Also had during that time jaw tensed, back and but muscles tensing, anxious, dreams, waking early, laying in bed tensed and irritated. My experience is withdrawals don’t hit hard until later sometimes days or weeks .  The anxious thoughts lead me into a little spiral obsessing over the stomach pain. Then I finally caught it and accepted as withdrawals. Cokes and the good old American food makes stomach much worse. Drinking water and trying to eat better. Gradually Stopped Prilosec 2 days ago now taking a little Pepcid. And taking probiotics.  Pretty sure it’s withdrawals with stomach had problems before with these drugs, but not as bad as last month. I am going to hold a couple more weeks maybe since I have stopped Prilosec. Only make one change at a time. 

[Heath]

Oh You will like the brass monkey slide! 

[Mascasa]

@Heath Read that post about the steroids. I did find in my searching online several reviews that people got depression, anxiety, etc. after just one injection. I did tell my doctor about it. We chat via tele medicine on Tuesday I can't do it again. I had such great windows and now I am really low. It happened within a week of steroid injection. I want it out of my system. So many things happened at the onset or during the use of lexapro. I have developed restless legs and being treated for that. Plus Coscochronditis which now seems to be every day. I try to keep it calm with CBD cream. But if I forget... it hurts. So I will be so curious when I am off lexapro if things settle down. Been a long journey to get to the halfway point right now.  I know people say this, but I just want it done. But I will continue the slow taper.  Just tired of it...

 

[Mascasa]

I am wondering if the oral solution of the lexapro is causing me upper abdominal pain or gi issues? I have been on it since Mother's Day 2021 tapering off using the Brass Monkey slide. But since I have been around the 10 mark ( since Sept.) I have had the worse tummy or gi pain. I am pursuing gi doctors and maybe a rheumatologist. But wondering if the pill form could help settle things? I wouldn't even know how to go back to the pill after being on the liquid for the last few months. Any advice?

[getofflex]

12 hours ago, Mascasa said:

I am wondering if the oral solution of the lexapro is causing me upper abdominal pain or gi issues?

Don't know for sure, but I doubt it.  I would wait and see what the doctors say.  If it were me, I wouldn't let them put me on any more psych meds, or change my Lexapro dose though.  Anxiety can cause this issue.  Do you have anxiety? 

[Heath]

I second everything getofflex said ! I don’t think oral will cause stomach trouble but we know for a fact withdrawal will. Even side effects of these meds will cause stomach problems!  Be cautious on any decision about lexapro between you and dr. ! 
there is a link on here about withdrawals and stomach under symptoms and self care. 

[Mascasa]

@Heath @getofflex Thank you both. I am not planning on taking any more meds. I want to taper off this one. I will stick with the oral solution.

also @getofflex I noticed your signature you are taking GABA. Is that helping as you taper down? I came off the fish oil. I have heard that you can take that or trytophan to ease some of the symptoms. But have to be careful to due serotonin syndrome. Thoughts?

[getofflex]

13 hours ago, Mascasa said:

also @getofflex I noticed your signature you are taking GABA. Is that helping as you taper down?

I've been on the GABA many years, so not sure if it's helping or not.  I tried tapering it 6 months ago, but other stuff was going on, so I stopped trying to taper it.  I suspect it isn't doing much anymore.  

 

I'm glad you not planning on taking any more meds.  Neither am I.