Conner: help

[Heath]

@Conner

CC is taking a break. 
 

I think I know what you’re talking about but can’t find it. 
 

maybe look in here
 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forum/11-relationships-and-social-life/

[Greatful]

@Conner  Here is a link to Baylissa Frederick's advice on caregivers  https://mccare.org/caregiving/

I know this is hard on the people that love us and they can only watch us go through this and try to understand. 

 

[Altostrata]

@Conner see the topics in the Relationships and Social Life forum

[manymoretodays]

This one is great, top of the list there:

Helping family understand

 

Is it getting close.  Your wedding date?  Your wife to be is very lucky.

And okay to HOLD during major life events, but also consider tapering through tolerance too, if that is what is going on.  Your not doing great, and the drug sure doesn't help......but it's no worse day to day.  If that's the case.....might as well taper, right? 

You've seen brassmonkey's story haven't you?

Very sage:  Tao of the Brassmonkey

 

Don't be a stranger.  Always good to see you posting and updates.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[Thorin]

On 1/13/2023 at 11:09 AM, Conner said:

Thanks for the reply! @Heath. Yeah I’m fully functional and working. I’m taking omegas and magnesium daily along with quite a few others recommended by Dr Julia Britz. I know it’s not recommended but I gave it a shot. I’m definitely moving a lot, walking, running, hitting weights etc. I still don’t feel good doing it but just gonna keep going because it’s all I can do 

Hi, how did you go with Dr Britz. I’m considering making an appointment

[Conner]

On 1/30/2023 at 3:58 PM, manymoretodays said:

This one is great, top of the list there:

Helping family understand

 

Is it getting close.  Your wedding date?  Your wife to be is very lucky.

And okay to HOLD during major life events, but also consider tapering through tolerance too, if that is what is going on.  Your not doing great, and the drug sure doesn't help......but it's no worse day to day.  If that's the case.....might as well taper, right? 

You've seen brassmonkey's story haven't you?

Very sage:  Tao of the Brassmonkey

 

Don't be a stranger.  Always good to see you posting and updates.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Thanks for the kind words! March 25th. I’ve been holding since Nov 21st at 9ML. I just don’t feel good on this stuff. Low moods, rocking and swaying sensation in my head where I feel like I am on a boat, not a lot of emotions. Just feel weird. The list goes on. I’ve considered making a small drop but it’s hard to do it this close to our wedding. It will be a big wedding too. 

[manymoretodays]

I vote for getting you through the wedding next month and making no changes.

How do you feel about that?

 

On 2/6/2023 at 8:27 AM, Conner said:

Low moods, rocking and swaying sensation in my head where I feel like I am on a boat, not a lot of emotions. Just feel weird. The list goes on. I’ve considered making a small drop but it’s hard to do it this close to our wedding. It will be a big wedding too. 

 

You're going to be fine.  You are.  Okay to do long HOLDS under the circumstances, seriously.  I think so.

 

I'm so happy for you!!!

[Conner]

Thank you! @manymoretodays. I also caught Covid in early November. It was rough! I am still holding at 9ML 👍

[Carmie]

Great to hear that you’ll be holding @Conner

 

Definitely good idea to not make any changes before your wedding. Not long until your wedding now, I’m very happy for you. Have a great time💛

[Heath]

@Conner

How are you doing? I hope well!

 I know you are busy getting ready for the wedding day. Remember to stop and take care of yourself during this time. 
👍

[Greatful]

@Conner Stopping by to see how you are doing?  Congrats on the wedding

[Conner]

Hey guys/gals,

 

Sorry I have not responded. Life has been super busy. I’m doing okay. I dropped to 8.8 last Tuesday. Every drop I feel like I’m in this weird fog, kinda zombie like. It may be stress but can lexapro make your heart bpm go up? I know my resting heart rate has increased recently. I have an Oura ring so it tracks everything. I hope everyone is healing! 

[Conner]

Do these meds raise resting bpm? I’m normally low 60s. Been in the 70s and low-mid 80s lately and my sleep it drops to 57-62. I’m usually in the 40s. This has worries me for a month 

[Aveju]

Yes! That is an issue I have with each cut and it always makes me anxious.

I also monitor my HRV and it’s gets super low after a taper.  Like you, my normal resting heart rate is pretty low and it can go into the high 70s/80s.  During a really bad time it was in the 90s.  It went away after about a week. 

[Heath]

Good to hear from you Conner. I was at dr office last week and anxiety was high and she said my bpm was high. So I agree bpm can raise after a drop. 

[Conner]

@Heath sending prayers for you and a speedy recovery. I just dropped to 8.6ML this morning 

[Heath]

On 5/15/2023 at 10:25 AM, Conner said:

@Heath sending prayers for you and a speedy recovery. I just dropped to 8.6ML this morning 

Thanks Conner! Prayers for you too brother 

[Conner]

Question for anyone or the mods. I’m wanting to drop but often question it with my craziness these past almost two years with the dizziness/off balance/rocking swaying/Boatiness etc. I’m pretty sure it’s bc of the meds bc it was never like this before all the up and down meds and then a merry go round of meds. Would it be better to hold until this goes away? Or just keep making .2ML drops once a month? Still rocking and rolling living my normal life. I have okay days, bad days and better days but that weird off balance/Boatiness stays with me 24/7. I stay consistent with work, exercising, bike riding, heavy weights, decent nutrition, sleep etc. Just wondering if I should hold until this system goes away. Thanks 

[manymoretodays]

Hi Conner,

15 hours ago, Conner said:

I’m pretty sure it’s bc of the meds bc it was never like this before all the up and down meds and then a merry go round of meds. Would it be better to hold until this goes away? Or just keep making .2ML drops once a month?

Yes, definitely.  I agree that it is because of the meds/drugs that your dysregulation began.  And it continues, like these darn things do sometimes, while tapering really carefully as you are doing.

 

And the 0.2 mL drops are each 0.2 mg? 

So you are at 8.6 mg now? 

Catch me up please.  Is it all liquid now, or 5 mg tablet + 3.6 mg liquid for your Lexapro?

Get the mg in your signature too.  Unforunately liquids come in different concentrations, and so reporting the volume in mL never tells us much.

 

 

2 topics I can refer you to, in case you have not seen them:

Dizziness, vertigo, light-headed -ness, rocking and swaying motions  aka the floaty, boaty stuff.  I saw on page 3 there, that a benzo taperer said at benzo buddies they generally just continue tapering through that symptom. 

And then in case you haven't seen this one, please do, and scroll down to the highlighted section on the vestibular system:  What's happening in your brain?  The dysregulation really is the same too, or I subscribe to that, be it benzo withdrawal or AD, SSRI withdrawal.

 

It can take a long time to re-regulate that's all I know.  But if it's just the one symptom, staying the same all the time......I would keep on tapering.  While remaining entirely hopeful that the darn floaty boaty is healing, and repairing even now.  As long as you don't push it with tapering too fast......it will heal.

 

That you are doing, and continue doing all that you do even with the floaty boaty- ness is great.  You're not getting any other WD symptoms I assume and this all bodes well.

 

Does Dr. Britz give any input into this stuff that is helpful for you?  You could ask?  Why wouldn't you ask her?  Ask what she thinks on you tapering further while still having vestibular symptoms.  Maybe you already have.

 

And fearing I was too hard on another member who used the same naturopath.......I will give you this:

Important topics about tests, supplements, treatments, and diets

and totally encourage you to explore the topics there, as well as do your research on every single supplement and combination supplement, as well as how many have gotten and stayed well enough and gotten off their last medication with this doctor, etc, etc.

 

Do tell us what additions you've added as well in the name of supplements.  I did see the magnesium that you take.  What else are you taking now?  And just go careful, cautious doing your research as you go.  I'd sure hate to see you trying to replace Lexapro with a supplement that is a serotonin precursor or something, and not even knowing that was what you were doing.  That's all I'm saying. 

As moderators, we are not the enemy......your enemy........or even Dr. Britz's enemy.  We just need to know everything you are adding in or substracting as you go along.  I mean I want to know.  And appreciate honesty.  And I don't even know how much back and forth and support you get or pay for with Dr. Britz.  I expect there would have to be some.

 

Good for you, for getting other opinions, while still tapering really slowly.

In all honesty Conner, if it was me, yes, I would continue to taper.  I might even adapt my taper to doing it by a % drop versus a fixed drop of 0.2 mg(I think) every month.  You're still pretty close to 2.5% of a taper from each previous dose, doing just 0.2 mg each time, at least until you get to 8.2 mg(I just did the math for a couple of tapers).

If it was me, and nothing was really changing after each taper I might even do more frequent drops of 2.5%.  And then leaving an extra 2 weeks of recovery/renewal/restoration of receptor status after cumulatively I had reached a full 10% taper.

 

Others may feel different, and definitely I hope they chime in with their experiences too or thoughts.

 

So proud of you Connor and that you are doing so well(in terms of all you do, as I know it's not easy and you are dealing with symptoms).

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

 

 

Edited June 18, 2023 by manymoretodays

[Conner]

1 hour ago, manymoretodays said:

Hi Conner,

Yes, definitely.  I agree that it is because of the meds/drugs that your dysregulation began.  And it continues, like these darn things do sometimes, while tapering really carefully as you are doing.

 

And the 0.2 mL drops are each 0.2 mg? 

So you are at 8.6 mg now? 

Catch me up please.  Is it all liquid now, or 5 mg tablet + 3.6 mg liquid for your Lexapro?

Get the mg in your signature too.  Unforunately liquids come in different concentrations, and so reporting the volume in mL never tells us much.

 

 

2 topics I can refer you to, in case you have not seen them:

Dizziness, vertigo, light-headed -ness, rocking and swaying motions  aka the floaty, boaty stuff.  I saw on page 3 there, that a benzo taperer said at benzo buddies they generally just continue tapering through that symptom. 

And then in case you haven't seen this one, please do, and scroll down to the highlighted section on the vestibular system:  What's happening in your brain?  The dysregulation really is the same too, or I subscribe to that, be it benzo withdrawal or AD, SSRI withdrawal.

 

It can take a long time to re-regulate that's all I know.  But if it's just the one symptom, staying the same all the time......I would keep on tapering.  While remaining entirely hopeful that the darn floaty boaty is healing, and repairing even now.  As long as you don't push it with tapering too fast......it will heal.

 

That you are doing, and continue doing all that you do even with the floaty boaty- ness is great.  You're not getting any other WD symptoms I assume and this all bodes well.

 

Does Dr. Britz give any input into this stuff that is helpful for you?  You could ask?  Why wouldn't you ask her?  Ask what she thinks on you tapering further while still having vestibular symptoms.  Maybe you already have.

 

And fearing I was too hard on another member who used the same naturopath.......I will give you this:

Important topics about tests, supplements, treatments, and diets

and totally encourage you to explore the topics there, as well as do your research on every single supplement and combination supplement, as well as how many have gotten and stayed well enough and gotten off their last medication with this doctor, etc, etc.

 

Do tell us what additions you've added as well in the name of supplements.  I did see the magnesium that you take.  What else are you taking now?  And just go careful, cautious doing your research as you go.  I'd sure hate to see you trying to replace Lexapro with a supplement that is a serotonin precursor or something, and not even knowing that was what you were doing.  That's all I'm saying. 

As moderators, we are not the enemy......your enemy........or even Dr. Britz's enemy.  We just need to know everything you are adding in or substracting as you go along.  I mean I want to know.  And appreciate honesty.  And I don't even know how much back and forth and support you get or pay for with Dr. Britz.  I expect there would have to be some.

 

Good for you, for getting other opinions, while still tapering really slowly.

In all honesty Conner, if it was me, yes, I would continue to taper.  I might even adapt my taper to doing it by a % drop versus a fixed drop of 0.2 mg(I think) every month.  You're still pretty close to 2.5% of a taper from each previous dose, doing just 0.2 mg each time, at least until you get to 8.2 mg(I just did the math for a couple of tapers).

If it was me, and nothing was really changing after each taper I might even do more frequent drops of 2.5%.  And then leaving an extra 2 weeks of recovery/renewal/restoration of receptor status after cumulatively I had reached a full 10% taper.

 

Others may feel different, and definitely I hope they chime in with their experiences too or thoughts.

 

So proud of you Connor and that you are doing so well(in terms of all you do, as I know it's not easy and you are dealing with symptoms).

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

 

 

@manymoretodays Thanks for getting back to me. I just corrected my signature. I am at 8.6MG all liquid. Dropping .2MG a month currently bc it’s just easier that way at the moment. I may make a drop tomorrow. That’ll be 32 days. I stopped using Dr Britz back in November of 2022. Nothing against her. She is super helpful and has helped a lot of people. I was taking a ton of supplements and spending way too much money on everything. Also I stopped my taper bc I wanted to hold with getting married in March of 2023. I felt like it helped some but the amount of supplements made me worry. I will update my signature more but I am current taking in the following 

 

-Biotics research / Biomega- 1000. One capsule contains 1.4g of omega - 3 fatty acids, 570mg of EPA and 430Mg of DHA. I take one in the morning or at lunch and one at dinner time. Should I be taking more of these? I do eat a good bit of canned mackerel, salmon and oysters during the week. 
 

- Pure encapsulation magnesium glycinate 400mg - 500mg daily. I already it out from morning to dinner 

 

-Biotics research Niacin. 100mg daily 

 

-Now brand vitamin D. I take 4,000 IU a day

 

My main complaint is that rocking/boaty/floaty symptom. I sure hope it heals over time. It’s a lot better than it was a year ago but some days I question it with how it can get. If I’m busy and on the go it definitely increases. Other symptoms below that are there but not severe like they use to. Of course this wax and wanes

 

-depression

-anxiety

-fear

-something is wrong with my brain 

-low mood and no emotions 

-zombie like 

-AM cortisol spikes and dread 

-mild derealization

-angry/short tempered 

-gut/stomach feeling with looking or thinking of anything

 

i use to get a lot of headaches. I don’t remember the last time I had one so that is good. So you’re saying more frequent drops of 2.5%? Maybe every week or two weeks? Kinda like a brass monkey taper? I appreciate you again! 

 

[Conner]

I meant to add restless leg syndrome as well. Just made a drop to 8.4MG and now time for the gym to sweat this crap out 

[manymoretodays]

Okay, and thanks for filling in where you are at with the naturopath Dr. now, and that the Lexapro is all liquid, and oooh.....getting the mg in instead of mL.  Yayay!

 

Omega 3's look spot on, 3,000 mg total EPA + DHA, divided into 3 doses.  You can up those too.  I'll just refer you to that link, you'll find it easy from the main link I gave you above on supplements and things, in the indexed list of topics.

 

How long with the Niacin?  And go ahead and share your experience with that if you would in the topic:

Vitamin B3(niacin, niacinamide) after reading through what others have had to say about it.

 

D3-  you can check that topic as well, and see what others have said.  I often just stay with 2,000 IU in the sunnier months when I get more natural sunlight.  Sometimes I'll double that in the winter months.  Just know it can be stimulating, and where you experience a fair amount of anxious fearful thoughts sometimes.....you might experiment with less or none in the summer.

 

Sounds good to me, with the magnesium. 

 

Again though......hopefully you were able to add just one new and observe when you started these.  If not, you could perhaps do trials off of one at a time, and then on again when you are making no other changes and get a good idea of what helps and what might no longer help.  Or not......if it's not broken, don't fix it.

 

I'm reading improvements over the long haul.  This is great Connor.  And then the usual Windows and Waves pattern of stabilization and healing.  Promising.

 

Okay, and restless legs too sometimes. 

Here's the topic that includes:  Restess legs  and also:

Non-drug treatments for restless legs  and look at the magnesium topic again too.  You might benefit from a magnesium paste, or even Epsom salt soaks.  Just do only use one type of magnesium at a time.  Too much of anything is never good.  Just don't go overboard.

 

23 hours ago, Conner said:

So you’re saying more frequent drops of 2.5%? Maybe every week or two weeks? Kinda like a brass monkey taper? I appreciate you again! 

 

Heh, heh......yup, exactly what I was thinking. 

To figure what is a 2.5 % taper off any dose, and easy way to calculate that is:

dose in mg X .975 = your new dosage

 

Let us know how 8.4 mg is going.  Oh man......you are off to the gym!!!  I only dream of that lately.  I like to go swim and sauna.  Yoga there sometimes.  Lately though I'm more sedentary......soon to change!

 

Keep up the good work.  I'm just waiting until you announce your first baby is on the way......LOL.  You've got plenty of time.....I just love newborns so very much.  I'm not pressuring.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Edited June 19, 2023 by manymoretodays
another link to topic added

[Conner]

1 hour ago, manymoretodays said:

Okay, and thanks for filling in where you are at with the naturopath Dr. now, and that the Lexapro is all liquid, and oooh.....getting the mg in instead of mL.  Yayay!

 

Omega 3's look spot on, 3,000 mg total EPA + DHA, divided into 3 doses.  You can up those too.  I'll just refer you to that link, you'll find it easy from the main link I gave you above on supplements and things, in the indexed list of topics.

 

How long with the Niacin?  And go ahead and share your experience with that if you would in the topic:

Vitamin B3(niacin, niacinamide) after reading through what others have had to say about it.

 

D3-  you can check that topic as well, and see what others have said.  I often just stay with 2,000 IU in the sunnier months when I get more natural sunlight.  Sometimes I'll double that in the winter months.  Just know it can be stimulating, and where you experience a fair amount of anxious fearful thoughts sometimes.....you might experiment with less or none in the summer.

 

Sounds good to me, with the magnesium. 

 

Again though......hopefully you were able to add just one new and observe when you started these.  If not, you could perhaps do trials off of one at a time, and then on again when you are making no other changes and get a good idea of what helps and what might no longer help.  Or not......if it's not broken, don't fix it.

 

I'm reading improvements over the long haul.  This is great Connor.  And then the usual Windows and Waves pattern of stabilization and healing.  Promising.

 

Okay, and restless legs too sometimes. 

Here's the topic that includes:  Restess legs  and also:

Non-drug treatments for restless legs  and look at the magnesium topic again too.  You might benefit from a magnesium paste, or even Epsom salt soaks.  Just do only use one type of magnesium at a time.  Too much of anything is never good.  Just don't go overboard.

 

 

Heh, heh......yup, exactly what I was thinking. 

To figure what is a 2.5 % taper off any dose, and easy way to calculate that is:

dose in mg X .975 = your new dosage

 

Let us know how 8.4 mg is going.  Oh man......you are off to the gym!!!  I only dream of that lately.  I like to go swim and sauna.  Yoga there sometimes.  Lately though I'm more sedentary......soon to change!

 

Keep up the good work.  I'm just waiting until you announce your first baby is on the way......LOL.  You've got plenty of time.....I just love newborns so very much.  I'm not pressuring.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Thanks again for the reply! We were talking about waiting a year but of course withdrawal 😫. So if I drop 2.5% a week from 8.4mg 

 

First week - 8.4MG

second week - 8.19MG

Third week - 7.98MG

Fourth week - 7.78MG

 

Hold two weeks and start again? How do I get to those unique dosages with a 10ML syringe? That’s all I have. Brassmonkey taper seems a little fast for me but I’ll definitely see how I feel. I’m worried about it amping up RLS which I know it’s the drugs 

[manymoretodays]

On 6/19/2023 at 3:17 PM, Conner said:

So if I drop 2.5% a week from 8.4mg 

 

First week - 8.4MG

second week - 8.19MG

Third week - 7.98MG

Fourth week - 7.78MG

 

Hold two weeks and start again? How do I get to those unique dosages with a 10ML syringe? That’s all I have. Brassmonkey taper seems a little fast for me but I’ll definitely see how I feel. I’m worried about it amping up RLS which I know it’s the drugs 

 

I think it would be worth it to get some more syringes going forward.  A variety of sizes even.  A 1 mL syringe would allow for greater accuracy when a dose is not right on the .2mL/mg mark.  You could get some 5 mL syringes and 1 mL syringes for future tapering usage.

Using and oral syringe and other tapering techniques

 

You can also further dilute with water each dose prior to drawing it up so that it is less concentrated, but easier to measure.

How to calculate dilutions and dosages? Spreadsheets and calcultors

 

Just so you know, there are options.  You currently are working with 1 mg in 1 mL concentration, but may wish to alter that later as you are nearing or at 5 mg total dosage. 

 

With dosages too, it is always best to round up the calculations, if you have too.  For example 8.19 mg could be rounded to 8.2 mg.  Currently the same as the mL volume.  That way you won't risk tapering by more than 2.5%. 

 

For right now.  See how the next 2 weeks go, with your most recent 2.5% taper.  If you have minimal WD to none, and are back to baseline symptoms in 2 weeks.......you might try the next 2.5% taper from present 8.4 mg.  We'll get an idea as far as how you do with 2.5% drops this month that way.  It may go well, or you may decide nope.......I'm just going to do 2.5% each month.

 

Happy, healthy tapering Connor.......you ARE doing it and making adjustments as needed.  Yay.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[Conner]

I will see how this taper goes. Almost 4 days in. Definitely feel like a space cadet, zombie like every drop then it goes to a lower version of it. Definitely feel the rocking/Boatiness more after a drop. I guess this stuff affects the vestibulars. I truly don’t believe it’s another underlying issue. I’m 36/M, healthy, active, and was in the best shape of my life prior to all these med changes. These low moods are not fair either! @manymoretodays

[Conner]

Why are my ears popping and feel like they are full? 

[Conner]

Looking like possibly staying at 2.5% taper a month. Been a rough drop mentally. Just in a daze, ears popping, little tinnitus, ear feels full. Restless leg as well but that stays with me most nights and more manageable. Fear but milder.  I’m scared to drop more unfortunately. The rocking and swaying is always there too. I’m functioning normally, living life. I remember I used to be so hopeless but thankful that has gone away. I see a future. People probably think I am “normal” but damn they have no idea of this poison coming out of me. Life just feels weird. Idk how else to explain it coming off the drugs.  It’s not great and not good, hazy. I’ve been hitting the sauna this week. Hasn’t really done much good but maybe it will in the long run. I’m glad I have an extremely supportive wife. What’s crazy is I just hit my biggest sales month in over a year and going through withdrawal! Get got this 

 

@manymoretodays

[manymoretodays]

Give me the 2 week report, when it's been two weeks on the new dose.  I want to see and hear then.  We are at 11 days now, I believe.  Where did June go?  Happy 4th of July!

 

And yes, vestibular functions are apparently nervous system related.  That floaty boaty.  Darn it.

 

If popping or any pain in ears persists, go in and have the doctor look with a otoscope.  Swimmers ear is a thing if you are swimming a lot this summer.   Usually remedied with drops in the affected ear.  And then of course adults do get inner ear infections too.  Sometimes of a bacterial nature.  So if prolonged or different from what you are used to.....never hurts to get checked out.

 

That is a plus...... extremely supportive wife now......I'm so happy for you.  Love and happiness is healing too, very much so.

 

Maybe a bit of Depersonalization/Derealization.....that feeling weird.  A lot of us get that, and it is a WD thing.  Okay to feel off, oddly, every now and then......don't fear it.  Hopefully you have very feeling normal days too......that helps.  Consider if you were a woman getting PMS or distress, or something........we learn to deal with it, do things routinely and generally carry on.  I hope it's not persistent, that makes it tougher I know.......go read how Shep got by while having it, the DP/DR and find groovy distractions while you go through it.  Audio's you can listen to.  Things that help you find meaning to it even.  Okay.....I'm rambling.

 

Good, good.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

And oh, congrats on your sales month!  Well deserved.  You work hard.  And I think I know you are not peddling pharmaceuticals......LOL, don't disclose if you are.  I'm vulnerable too......heh, heh.....

Edited June 30, 2023 by manymoretodays

[Conner]

Update. Day 17 of last drop. I feel okay during the day (when I say okay it’s not great of course but functional and moving along, stay busy.  Still have vestibular but I live my normal life. Work, walks, gym, sauna etc). Nighttime is the worst. I’m hazy after dinner/feel super weird/depressed/self doubt/broke brain. It’s almost automatic at night. Maybe my brain is just tired from a long day. Not sure. I have never been the same since I jumped back on the hellish ride of lexapro. What would be a guideline to do a fast taper if all this is adverse reactions? Do I just stick to slow tapers or come off this stuff faster and truly heal getting off of it? I believe I had an adverse reaction coming back on this stuff in Nov of 2021 after reinstating. I did go through a merry go round of drugs prior too. @manymoretodays

 

Doctors in general are clueless so I don’t even bother anymore about my story. I just do the best I can and roll on 

[manymoretodays]

On 7/6/2023 at 9:58 AM, Conner said:

What would be a guideline to do a fast taper if all this is adverse reactions? Do I just stick to slow tapers or come off this stuff faster and truly heal getting off of it? I believe I had an adverse reaction coming back on this stuff in Nov of 2021 after reinstating. I did go through a merry go round of drugs prior too.

 

Hi Conner,

Alright.  So today we or you are at 3 weeks since 8.4 mg.

Huge improvements?? 

I don't think faster is going to go better.  Hard to know, but I'd hate to see you thrown into worse symptoms.

 

I'm thinking.......if you feel at all improved by now, you might do tapers of 2.5% every 3 weeks.  Which would get you down by 1/2 of the present dose in about 9 months time I believe. 

How Long? The Bottom Line.

Nope, I'm off.  With a 5% taper every 6 weeks, you'd be down to 6.8 mg by week 24.  And that would be just tapering 2.5% which does seem to correlate with 0.2 mg, every 3 weeks.  It's a modification of the brassmonkey slide.  Wow.....use your math and check too, or double check me.......as...... I think it comes out the same as if you did 2.5% every 4 weeks.

 

And then, I have seen members split their Lexapro dose too.  Just something to think about now.  If you metabolize really fast.....it's possible that might make a difference.  That maybe you wouldn't feel that bottoming out- ness in the evenings.  Idk know.  Lexapro has a long enough half life, that it is not one that is usually split.  Alto explains half- life here.  

You should have a regular steady state, if you take it always at the same time.  It resets after each taper, as to the new dose.  Usually in about 4 to 7 days.

 

And so, like I said I don't know if that is the answer right now for you, to do something like that.

 

I think I lean towards you just continuing to taper, and if tolerated, getting to doing 5% total, every 6 weeks.  That IS a bit of a speed up on what you have been doing.  As far as I can tell.  Again, check my math.....it may not be.  Usually you go 4 weeks with a 2.5% drop, and you might try going 3 weeks......it's got to be a bit faster. 

 

And....... I do think you've done the right thing holding during events like your wedding, and other joyous events.......as well as anything less joyous..... but that could be known to be an additional stressor.

And you remain so very functional.  I don't want to throw that off......no matter how long it takes.

 

Good good chance that you ARE very much healing from the" hellish ride" of late 2021, early 2022.  Even though you still have some stubborn symptoms.

 

Thoughts?

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[Conner]

Thanks for staying in touch with me @manymoretodays. Been having some morning dread and restless leg at night pretty consistent. I think that’s just going to hang out until I am off this stuff. Who knows. I wax and wane but night time is the worst. I feel like a zombie/spaced out and 50% dead. Is there anything that helps that? Zero emotions and sex drive is at a minimum. Im also constantly short tempered for no reason. I kinda just feel like an @sshole a lot. I may drop again in the AM. I am just ready to get off this mess like everyone else. These dang meds! 

[manymoretodays]

You are doing all the right things I think. 

Know that the real you still exists and will return.

Keep us updated with what you decide on further tapering.

 

Hopefully some days ARE better.  Keep a journal going.  Hop around and encourage and support here if you feel up to that.  That can sometimes take one outside of their own symptoms, if even for a short period......it's worth it.

 

Hugs Conner.....and healing thoughts......

[Conner]

Thanks @manymoretodays. This has been a very rough drop. Morning dread has been intense and lingering through the day. My brain also feels like it’s mildly on fire. I have no choice but to hold I suppose. I guess my brain is adjusting still but my motivation at work hasn’t been good at all. Dopamine? 

[Conner]

Brain is constantly feels like it wants to spin but it’s not spinning like vertigo but it’s not vertigo. Such a nuisance! @Altostrata @manymoretodays. I want to speed this taper up but I just don’t know 

[Altostrata]

@Conner please do not taper while you have withdrawal symptoms from the prior reduction.

 

What symptoms do you have now that you did not have prior to the reduction you made in mid-June?

 

On 4/23/2023 at 5:53 PM, Conner said:

Hey guys/gals,

 

Sorry I have not responded. Life has been super busy. I’m doing okay. I dropped to 8.8 last Tuesday. Every drop I feel like I’m in this weird fog, kinda zombie like. It may be stress but can lexapro make your heart bpm go up? I know my resting heart rate has increased recently. I have an Oura ring so it tracks everything. I hope everyone is healing! 

 

You reported these withdrawal symptoms after your reduction in April. Did they go away before your next reduction? How long did it take for them to go away?

[Conner]

35 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

@Conner please do not taper while you have withdrawal symptoms from the prior reduction.

 

What symptoms do you have now that you did not have prior to the reduction you made in mid-June?

 

 

You reported these withdrawal symptoms after your reduction in April. Did they go away before your next reduction? How long did it take for them to go away?

 

35 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

@Conner please do not taper while you have withdrawal symptoms from the prior reduction.

 

What symptoms do you have now that you did not have prior to the reduction you made in mid-June?

 

 

You reported these withdrawal symptoms after your reduction in April. Did they go away before your next reduction? How long did it take for them to go away?

Thanks for the quick response @Altostrata . My resting bpm returned to normal around May 13th or so.  I dropped again on the 15th. 
 

I guess everything is just more intense and stronger than the last drops. Zombie like, depression, non spinning vertigo feeling, emotionless, short tempered, morning dread, bad thoughts (that waxes/wanes) 
 

My new symptoms are head pressure/brain feels like it’s mildly on fire along with being restless waking up in the middle of the night. My sleep is good though