WannaBbetterfireman: Need experienced guidance for Lexapro taper gone wrong

[WannaBbetterfireman]

I’ve spent 18 months on 10mg Lexapro following rough a divorce. I experienced slight sexual sides while on 10mg but tolerated them. I found nothing but I gnorant doctors with bogus taper plans so far. So, I did moderate research to create my own taper plan. I decreased by 25% every other day in 14 day intervals (ex. 10mg day 1, 7.5mg day 2 for 14 days. Then 7.5 everyday for 14 days. Then 7.5/.5 alternating. I got to .5 every day and almost immediately started experiencing extreme emotional blunting, zero sex drive, brain fog, low concentration, anxiety, and some minor sleep disturbance. That was 7 days ago and I have to stop the “bleeding”. I’m terrified of permanent damage.

 

Please help. I’m 34yo, have 5 children, in a loving and passionate relationship, full time firefighter, and own a couple businesses. There’s a lot of people that look to me for love and guidance. I cannot loose myself. In a panic, I’ve reinstated 7.5mg(yesterday) but have no plan or reliable guidance. I would pay any amount of money in the world for suggestions. I’m relentlessly trying to find a Dr. who’s well educated. However, it may be too late to avoid permanent or long lasting damage by the time I get a consult. Again, please help. I will be eternally grateful!!

 

Edited February 20, 2022 by ChessieCat
Resized font added spacing

[Frogie]

@WannaBbetterfireman

 

Welcome to SA. We are a volunteer run site with member such as you tapering off medications.

 

This is your introduction page, where you will receive information, you can ask questions, and meet members going through what you are. We ask that each member only have one page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

First, can you please create a signature. Then we know all the medications you were on. Thanks.

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

I can tell you without a doubt, you tapered way too fast. Lexapro is very hard to taper off of. It took me 4 years to taper off of 10 mg.

 

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER

 

Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction PSSD

 

Fear, terror, panic, and anxiety

 

At this point, I would hold for a long time to stabilize once again. Once you have stabilized, we don't recommend anymore than tapering 10% a month. A lot of other members even find that too fast.

 

Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

After you read these links, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.

 

 

[WannaBbetterfireman]

Thank you for promptly responding. Ive read the suggested articles and feel much more educated. I’ve reinstated my previous taper amount of 7.5/5mg alternating every other day. I’m aware my alternating dose taper plan was ill advised but it I didn’t know what else to do other than return to the last tolerable foothold. I’m feeling better but not completely symptom free. I could use a little help correcting my plan at this point. What can I do to stabilize and or improve my dosing schedule? Should I go back to 7.5 everyday? Drop my 7.5 days by 10%? Split the difference and dose 6.25 everyday? I realize that my self concocted plan is a little unique and I haven’t been able to find any testimony resembling mine. Thoughts?

[Frogie]

@WannaBbetterfireman

 

Could you reinstate at 5 mg every day or were the symptoms way too much? Skipping days is not something you w t to do because the Lexapro will not stay steady in your bloodstream.

 

If 5 mg is not eough, then I would do the 6.25. But make sure you’re taking it everyday.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions I can answer for you.

[WannaBbetterfireman]

Ya. The 5mg everyday is when I started feeling intolerable withdrawal. I’ve never skipped a dose but I alternate daily between 5mg and 7.5. I’ll have to get liquid to go to 6.25. Not sure how long it’ll take but I’ll get to work on it now. 

[WannaBbetterfireman]

Update. I finally got my hands on liquid escitalopram and started the 6.25 everyday protocol 4 days ago. It’s been pretty rough. I’m struggling to concentrate and have some depression symptoms as well as low sex drive. Is it wiser to reinstate higher or continue for longer? Also, are there any supplements that have proven to help like pycnogenol or psilocybin microdosing?