JohnDoh: Seeking advice - new to all of this

[JohnDoh123]

Hi all,

 

I’ll try to keep this as short as I can;

 

I started taking escitalopram (10 mg) in March of 2021 for post concussion anxiety. I took it for only 4 months then began feeling better and felt that my concussion symptoms had resolved. I decided I no longer needed the drug so began tapering. 
 

I cut down to 5 mg in July, then down to 2.5 after 8 weeks. Down to 2 mg after 6 more weeks then down to 1.66 after 3 more weeks. 
 

All along I did experience WD but it was generally tolerable and would mostly subside before I initiated the next decrease. I’ve had dizziness, fatigue and a few bouts of high anxiety which only lasted 3 days or so. 
 

After 6 weeks at 1.66 I’ve had quite a lot of dizziness, lightheadedness, anxiety and now some insomnia. 
 

obviously, after reading more about this on this site, I suppose I am going too fast (even though I went way slower than my Dr recommend) 

 

I guess I have 2 questions;

 

1. Should I just hold at 1.66 now that it’s been over 6 weeks and hope that things settle back out, or consider increasing slightly?

 

2. How does one accurately divide pills? I currently crush them up and simply divide it into as equal “lines” as I can, then scrape it into a capsule. I bought a scale on Amazon but it doesn’t seem to work reliably for such small weights. Is there a link to discussion on this? 
 

thanks for your time. 

[Frogie]

Hi @JohnDoh123

 

Welcome to SA. I'm sorry you are going through what you are, but glad you found us. 

 

This is your page to ask questions, comment, and meet members that are going through the same thing, or have gone through what you are going through. We ask that each member only have one page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

Can you please create a signature page so we can see all your medications for the last 18-24 months (even thought you haven't been on that long).

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

Lexapro is a very strong antidepressant. That is the one that I was on 20+ years. It is hard to taper off of, but you can do it. I had a moderator tell me not to mess with it because it was like pulling a tiger's tail. And boy were they correct. I think you have done an extremely fast taper, as we don't suggest anything faster than 10% a month.

 

I'm going to give you some links to read on this.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

At this point, I would suggest an updose to 2 mg. Then hold for quite a while. 

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

What to Expect in Reinstatement (James Heaney article)

 

Most of the members on here use the Gemini 20 scale. You can buy it from Amazon. I used it for part of my taper and it worked really well. Here's some information on using a scale to measure your dose. You might want to purchase some "00" gel capsules on Amazon to put the powder in. 

 

 

 

Using a digital scale to measure doses

 

After you get stable again, you will want to go slow. But we can talk about that later.

 

Please let us know what questions you may have after reading all that I've given you. 

 

 

[JohnDoh123]

@FrogieThank you so much for the response, advice and resources. I really appreciate it. 

[Frogie]

@JohnDoh123

 

You're very welcome.

[Moonpie]

Welcome to the site JohnDoh123!  So glad you were here.  You have come to the right place! The advice wisdom and support cannot be beat. I  could not have survived without this group helping me along the way. I just finished a 2 year taper off Lexapro, and have been 10 months off now.  Frogie is right Lexapro is a tiger.   But you will be able to taper off and stabilize and heal.  You are in good hands!