Inacutewd: acute WD with constant palpitations

March 22, 2022

Hello to anyone reading this,

I was on cipralex 10-15mg for about 11 yrs. Last summer it felt like it completely stopped working and i was in full-on WD. Suddenly i was in constant panic mode which focused on my hypochondria. The family dr told me to up it to 20mg. I did feel a little better after about a month. The constant panic attacks stopped but i also noticed a few troublesome side effects that i did not have at 15mg like inability to orgasm, no desire, tremors, muscle jerks. My hypochondria was still strong on 20mg. I decided to go back down to 15mg in January after about 6 mths. I tapered to 17.5 mg and then to 15. I had some pretty mild withdrawal symptoms at first. Then, after a couple of weeks it hit me like a tonn of bricks. Extreme fear, heart palpitations lasting all day (in waves), balance problems, insomnia etc. There was days when i feel better but today for example was a day of constant palpitations. It has been 2.5 mths since i started cutting down. I'm not even at 10mg (where i don't mind stating i guess for a while). I just want to see a light at the end of this wd tunnel.

Any advice for the constant palpitations aside from meditation, exercise and staying calm?

Thanks for reading.

In Despair.

March 22, 2022

@Inacutewd

Welcome to SA. We are a volunteer ran site with member such as yourself going off or have gone off antipschotics such as yourself.

This is your introduction page where you receive information, ask questions and meet other members such as yourself. We ask that each member only have one introduction page so we can keep all your information on one place.

First, can you please create a signature. Thank you.

Instructions: Withdrawal History Signature

Cipralex is a very strong antidepressant. And by the looks of your introduction, you tapered down too fast and that is what is causing your symptoms. Here on SA we don't suggest more than 10% a month when you taper.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

The slowness of slow tapers

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

Brain Remodelling

We don't suggest supplements on here other that 2 as they can be stimulating to the CNS (central nervous system). If you wish to try one, try one in a small amount, wait a few days before introducing the other.

Magnesium

Omega-3 Fish Oil

Here are some links you may find helpful on some of your symptoms.

Fear, terror, panic, and anxiety

Anhedonia, apathy, demotivation, emotional numbness

Health anxiety, hypochondria, and obsession with symptoms

At this point, it would be best for you to hold at your current dose and not try to taper any further. You need to stabilize before tapering again.

If you have any questions after reading these links please do not hesitate to reach out to us. You've come to the right place.

Edited March 22, 2022 by Frogie