Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted September 3, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 3, 2016 Hi, LexAdvice. That's a 10% drop from 5 mg, which sounds reasonable. Did you go from the pill form to liquid? Some people find that can rev up symptoms until the CNS has time to adjust to the change in formula, so please keep track of your symptoms. Are you still on 5 mg Seroquel? How is your sleep now? Sending healing vibes your way. I hope your Lexapro taper goes well. Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted September 3, 2016 Author Share Posted September 3, 2016 Hi, Shep, thanks for checking in! Yes, I switched to liquid escitalopram - so for I haven't noticed any symptoms but I'll obviously keep an eye on how I feel. I recently dropped to 4 mg seroquel (thank goodness for good compounding pharmacies) and so far I am doing fine. As someone plagued by sleeping problems I'm always superstitious about saying I'm doing well, but the past few weeks have been wonderful in terms of sleep. Shortly after posting about an enforced sleep/wake schedule, I instituted one - 12 am to 8 am even on weekends etc, and I have to say that so far it's been helping IMMENSELY. I naturally get sleepy around my bedtime and I feel refreshed when I wake up in the morning. I'm scared to write this down, but fingers crossed that it continues to work for me! I'll check in again soon. Thanks again for saying hello and hoping you're doing well, too - going to check your thread now! 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted September 3, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 3, 2016 LexA, please do not taper more than one drug at a time. I would recommend holding your Seroquel steady until you are well off the Lexapro, since it's helping with sleep. Give your CNS time to adjust to the Lexapro change. I'm glad things are going well for you. I hope that trend continues. Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted May 30, 2017 Author Share Posted May 30, 2017 Hi everyone! I've been holding off posting an update because I'm superstitious and don't want to jinx anything, but just wanted to let commenters know that I'm doing much better. I gradually tapered my compounded seroquel down from 5 mg, to 4 mg the next month, etc and jumped at 1 mg. I'm now off it altogether. I've been tapering liquid escitalopram by 10% every 3 weeks, and am now down to .9 mg. I don't have withdrawal symptoms from either of the drugs as far as I can tell. Will be dropping to .8 mg soon and plan to jump after 3 weeks at .5 mg. Thanks everyone for your invaluable support and advice! Cheers, LexAdvice 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
miT Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Great to hear! Almost there, don’t rush the final steps. Took my first SSRI sipralexa/lexapro/escitalopram in 2007 for depression. In 2010 the doctor switched me to paroxetine/seroxat/paxil for anxiety. My paroxetine story from then on: 2010-15 from 10mg up to 20mg jan 2016 30mg may 2016 0mg cold turkey (don't!) dec 2016 symptoms: anxiety, tremor (could barely stand) jan 2017 reinstated at 7.5mg to taper in steps of 10% ... Dose changes from may 2017 to now: 5.0/4.7/4.4/4.0/3.7/3.5/3.3/3.1mg Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted May 30, 2017 Author Share Posted May 30, 2017 Thanks miT, I certainly won't!! 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
TikkiTikki Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Hey LexAdvice, That's great! It's so great to read about a successful taper. Keep it up. Celexa (Citalopram) 40mg - 60mg - 40mg for 7 years Tapered (over 3 months) drug-free Aug–Nov 2013 CRASH 40mg Dec 2013 – Jan 2017 (7 weeks reinstatement hell then relief) 2017: 20mg 30 Jan 18mg 19 April 16mg 6 May 14mg 20 May 12mg 10 Jun 10mg 7 July 9mg 7 Aug 8mg 16 Oct 7.5mg 27 Nov 2018: 7mg 8 Jan 6.5mg 12 Feb 6mg 17 Mar 5.2mg 14 Apr 5mg 28 Apr 4.8mg 4 Jun 4.6mg 23 Jun 4.4mg 24 Jul 4.2mg 13 Aug 4mg 20 Aug 3.8mg 1 Sep 3.6mg 28 Sep 3.4mg 14 Oct 3.2mg 11 Nov 3mg 5 Dec 5mg 26 Dec 10mg 28 Dec Added Valdoxan 25mg 12 Dec 2018 stopped 24 Jan 2019 Wellbutrin 150mg 25 Jan Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted June 10, 2017 Author Share Posted June 10, 2017 Hi, I wanted to update this thread to ask about fatigue in taper/WD. As you can see in my sig I've been doing a very slow, careful taper with almost no side effects (thank goodness!) but since I dropped to .9 mg (liquid) I've noticed some pretty intense fatigue even though I'm (thankfully) sleeping well with regular hours. I haven't noticed any particular patterns, I don't get the fatigue every day, but when I do it's pretty bad. Just want to confirm that this is a common WD/taper symptom? Particularly interested in hearing from Lexapro users. I also feel like my immune system has been weaker in general over these past couple of months and that I come down with colds, etc. much more easily than I used to. Is this also a WD/taper symptom? Thanks! 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted June 10, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 10, 2017 I am in the beginning of my Lexapro taper (going very slow, 20 mg to 13.5 at present) but yes, I have considerable fatigue. Not a lot of energy for projects. It's fairly constant, though I have a some window days with more energy. I would say it's a fairly standard Lexapro WD symptom. I wish you the best and that's great you're down to .9! Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of Feb. 22: 7.6mg Taper is 90% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted June 11, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 11, 2017 Lex, your signature says that you decreased to 0.9 mg on June 1 and then 9 days later on June 10, you decreased to 0.8 mg. You're now making decreases > 10% and making them more frequently than monthly. The pace of your taper may have caused the onset of fatigue. Some people find that they have to slow down a great deal as doses get below 1 mg. This seems to happen with a few specific drugs, escitalopram (Lexapro) being one of them. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted June 11, 2017 Author Share Posted June 11, 2017 Hi Scallywag, thanks! I didn't drop to .9 on June 1, that was just when I provided an update on where I was in my taper. I've been dropping .1 mg every 3 weeks at this point but maybe I should stretch it to a month? 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted June 11, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 11, 2017 I suggest holding at your current dose for 6-8 weeks to see if more time is needed for your CNS to catch up with the dose decreases. The fatigue may be an indication that you're on the edge of going too fast. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted June 11, 2017 Author Share Posted June 11, 2017 Thanks scallywag, I'll plan on holding longer between my cuts, being this tired is no fun! 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted June 12, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 12, 2017 Ok, glad you agree -- hold the doses until the fatigue lifts. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
grandmaD Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Hi Lex, sorry to hear about the fatigue, but I am surprised you have not experienced this already?? I have had it so long now, I have actually learnt to adjust and glad it doesn't "hurt" like most other symptoms! I agree with Ali that fast tapers, while you might cope with them at the time, seem to have a way of culminating (not sure of the right word - like they add up somehow) and then, when you least expect it they bite you in the backside real hard and it takes a lot longer to recover. I understand you have quite a dilemna, because while it says not to taper any faster than 4 weeks, I don't know how else you would handle it when you have a reaction to the meds as you do! I pray for some wisdom for you my dear friend to get a balance! I just posted this elsewhere, it might help you understand a bit more: https://beyondmeds.com/2012/01/03/adrenalvswithdrawal/ 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 Hello all, I'm back again - I've been having a relatively smooth taper and I'm almost off the stuff, currently taking only .15 mg of liquid (wow, can that be right? I fill up to 1.5 of a 1 mL syringe). I don't have any idea if this could be related to my taper, but about 3 days ago I started experiencing full-body itch that I can't seem to trace to anything. It is worst on my feet (top and bottom), buttocks and genital area (sorry), and my scalp/bottom of neck. My most recent cut was 10/23 from .2 to .15. If anyone could weigh in on body itch related to SSRI taper I'd be appreciative, this is driving me absolutely insane. Oh - needless to say I plan to hold my dose for a while - I was planning on jumping tomorrow, but I guess I won't be doing that now. Thanks in advance for any insight! 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted October 30, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 30, 2017 Here's a topic: intense-itching * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted December 11, 2017 Author Share Posted December 11, 2017 Hi, I posted this issue in the symptoms forum but didn't get a response, could a moderator please respond? Hello all, I'm currently off Lexapro after a slow taper, took my last minuscule dose on November 16 and didn't experience any W/D symptoms along the way. Now, though, I am currently dealing with all-over body itching that worst on my feet, on my scalp and in my armpits, accompanied by a roving "creepy crawly" feeling all over my skin. It is worst at night, and definitely exacerbated by anxiety, which I have a lot of at night because I have a history of insomnia (which is how I landed on psych drugs in the first place). The itching came out of nowhere around Halloween when I was still on Lexapro. I am not totally sure that what I am dealing with is WD related, since it's not like the itching started after I took my last dose - it was there towards the end of my taper. I'm wondering, for people on who have dealt with skin issues, if they cropped up during the taper (especially at the end?) or ONLY once the medication was stopped? The reason I am confused is because I moved to a new country (Mexico) on Sept. 1 so thinking that these issues could also be a parasite or allergy to something local - but leaning towards histamine imbalance caused by W/D (I also have bloodshot eyes - very unlike me - and occasional short-lived rashes). I am concerned because I am taking Claritin to relieve the itch (plan to soon taper it using the liquid) but still feeling the symptoms. Please weigh in. Thanks! 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
grandmaD Posted December 12, 2017 Share Posted December 12, 2017 On 10/30/2017 at 1:43 PM, ChessieCat said: Here's a topic: intense-itching Have you ruled out that it is a mite like scabies? 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
LexAnger Posted December 12, 2017 Share Posted December 12, 2017 Hi lexadvice, I can assure you it's from lexapro, either from the drug or withdrawal of it. I have been having it at the very low dose as well as after zero and it's still with me. How are you doing otherwise? Do you have any other symptoms? lex Drug free Sep. 23 2017 2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks. 2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg 2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain 2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain; 2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain 2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg, 2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on 2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks. 2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR 2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg 2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg, Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted December 12, 2017 Author Share Posted December 12, 2017 Hi @LexAnger, thanks for your response! You also have intense all-over body itching and crawly skin? Mine is barely manageable and keeps me from sleeping. I am fine otherwise. No W/D symptoms and I never had any, which is why it would seem strange to have this one so powerfully. How do you manage the itch? I am trying not to take medications but I caved and saw an allergist yesterday and started a stronger Rx antihistamine. Let me know, thanks! 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted December 12, 2017 Author Share Posted December 12, 2017 Hi @LexAnger tried to DM you but you can't receive DMs. Here's what I wrote: I wanted to ask you a few more questions about the itching you're experiencing. where do you feel it? How does it feel? Is it (or has it even been) intense enough for you to not be able to sleep because of it? How, if it all, have you treated it? At what point in your taper did you notice it and how did you know it was attributable to Lex? How long have you been off Lex and how does the itching feel now, is the same, better, or worse? If better, when did you notice a change for the better? Have you changed your diets or supplements at all? As I said in my thread, for me the itch is all over my body but worst in my feet, scalp, legs, thighs, armpits and genitals. I say "in" because the itch feels like it is coming from inside my body, actually it often feels like something or things are worming around inside my body. A creepy crawly sensation. Because I moved to another country at the time this itching started, and my diet and water and environment changed totally, it's hard for me to attribute it to the Lex. I tapered slowly and never had any other W/D symptoms. I was only on Lex for about 2.5 years. I have tried to go without treating this but it's unbearable. I'm taking an antihistamine called bilastine (it's new and not available in the US) and following a low-histamine diet. As detailed as you can make your response the better, thanks so much! Best, L 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
LexAnger Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 My itch thankfully was just occational feeling exactly as you described very intolerable like you feel very agitated and restless. It is allover me. I never treated it just waiting it to leave like all other symptoms. I think I started having it when I reduced to very low doses like round 0.13 mg lexapro. I know it is from drug as it comes and goes like all other symptom without treatment and they are obviously nerve issue. Actually I think it's a form of parethesia and I have many other symptoms of parethesia. I feel you don't have to have all symptoms to believe you are having withdrawal. It's a blessing you don't have any other WD sxs! there are million things in our body that are controlled by the neuro transmitter and everyone can be affected differently so it's hard to compare and fit to each other's cases. do you find antihistamine helps? Oh you can see from my signature that I stopped on step. 23 this year. Drug free Sep. 23 2017 2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks. 2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg 2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain 2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain; 2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain 2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg, 2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on 2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks. 2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR 2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg 2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg, Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 @LexAnger we stopped around the same time! I stopped my dose on November 16. Congrats to you. For me itch has been relentless and unbearable interrupting my sleep so I had to seek treatment. I am currently on a new antihistamine that does seem to be helping, the idea would be slowly go off that after a while but very slow tapering won't be possible because they're tablets that only break in half. I figure as a back up plan if the itching is still present after this treatment I can buy liquid Benadryl to allow me to have some kind of relief at night (I don't really care about it during the day but I absolutely can't stand it at night) and then taper that using syringes over the course of weeks or months. I am sick of using and tapering Rx medications. But I am telling myself that no matter how bad an antihistamine is it can't possibly be as harmful as Lexapro and I'll get off it in due time. This is the antihistamine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4397738/ I am also closely following a low histamine diet. Fun for New Year's Eve, no wine or champagne! (sarcasm) 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
bheb Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 LexAdvice, I also get this kind of "itch." I have akathisia so it's kind of a precursor to that for me. Feels like my bones are itchy or that I need to scratch from the inside, not the surface of the skin. I'm glad the benadryl is helping. Aug-Dec 2015 Prozac 20mg / Dec 2015-Feb 2016 Prozac 15mg / Feb 2016-May2016 Prozac 20mg May 2016-June 2016 15mg June 2016-August 2016 10mg October 2016-January 2017 15mg, alternating agitation/akathisia sets in --> cold turkey January 2017 Clonazepam .5mg February 2017 Clonazepam 1mg (for a week) then .5mg morning and .25mg evening for about a month. Came down to .25mg morning and evening. May 1, 2017 Clonazepam .25mg morning and .125mg evening. // May 20, 2017 Clonazepam .25mg morning and .0625 evening (.3125 total). early June .28125 // early mid june .25mg // mid june .21875 // late june .1875 // early july .15625 // early mid july .125 mid july .09375mg // late july .0625 //early August 2017 down to .03125mg once a day, hopped off in mid August reinstated at .0625mg late August // Oct 16 - updose to .07mg and switch to oral Rosemont solution Nov 17 2017 reinstate Prozac .5mg // Nov 21 2017 prozac 1.6mg // Dec 18 2017 3mg prozac / fast taper off the reinstatement -- probably completely off early Oct 2018 June 2019 begin tapering off .07mg Clonazepam, Finish taper December 2019 Link to comment
LexAdvice Posted December 24, 2017 Author Share Posted December 24, 2017 Hi all, I just discovered the food sensitivity thread which makes a LOT of sense to me considering what I am going through one month out from stopping Lexapro - I react to many foods (makes my skin itch and my eyes burn) but luckily have had some success with a highly restricted low-histamine diet. However, I am a food writer and food is basically my life; I'm frankly scared by how little I can eat. Can anyone comment on this if they are in the same boat and, hopefully, that it gets better over time as the body heals? Thanks! 6/2015: 10 mg Lexapro generic + 100 mg Seroquel following episode of severe insomnia. 12/15 - 2/16: self-tapered Lexapro (no Dr. supervision) too rapidly: 3 weeks at 7.5 mg, 3 weeks at 5 mg, 3 weeks at 2.5 mg then off. NO W/D SYMPTOMS. 3/16 (about two weeks after final dose): bad insomnia again. Tried to hold out. Failed. 5/1/16: Saw psych. He said relapse and put me back on 5 mg Lex + 50 mg Seroquel to be reduced as Lexapro takes effect. I now believe it was only W/D. Dr. wanted me to updose, but after finding this site I decided to stabilize at 5 mg and start tapering at a later date. Supplements: Magnesium citrate, fish oil, probiotics (from food not from pills) Month of 7/16: Tapered off Seroquel: 1 week 20 mg, 1 week 15 mg, 1 week 10 mg, 1 week 5 mg. No problems sleeping throughout this process. Stopped Seroquel several days ago (7/21?) and sleep has been mostly good, some bad. Reinstated 5 mg Seroquel 7/25 and stabilized my sleep. 9/1/16: Started tapering generic escitalopram liquid: 4.5 mg 6/1/17: No longer taking seroquel for sleep. Escitalopram liquid down to .9 mg 6/10/17: .8 mg Link to comment
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