jprez562: Escitalopram tough journey

[jprez562]

Today has been a good day up untill i had a hour of a wave?? i was at a costco as i was agitated and felt annoyed even with my own wife for no apparent reason. It doesn't make sense to me because she is the only person can comfort me and get me through rough times. Didn't make sense to me. I ten started feeling a small bout of depression which subsided after my wife encouraged me, and i watched a video i found on here about the healing process of our brain while getting off AD.

 

Seems like i am having more ups than downs, but still a struggle. 

 

I contacted Dr. Shipko whom is recommended on SA. he called me after i emailed him. He stated that he is not sure he can do anything for me, however i told him i still want to meet with him. The reason is because my current Psychiatrist would've set me up to fail as she wanted me to stop at 2.5 mg and called me weird because i was tapering and making my liquid from the 5mg pills.

 

He scheduled me for next week. lets see how that goes, i however have a appointment with my current psychiatrist on thursday. Lets see what she says about what i have been going through. she will most likely tell me " what do you want to do? go back on lexapro?" 

 

Jprez

[Altostrata]

On 9/30/2017 at 0:21 PM, jprez562 said:

JKun,

 

i have never ever had these symptoms before using lexapro. Can it be I developed it or just part of WD?

 

jprez, the stress of reducing Lexapro can bring up intrusive thoughts. You are doing the right thing in seeking training to manage these thoughts.

 

It sounds like you are having good windows. It might be a good idea for you to hold on tapering for a couple of months and pick it up again, using our 10% method, when you feel you can manage these symptoms.

[jprez562]

UPDATE:

 

Yesterday and today have been the best two days i have had. A few automatic negative thoughts try tro get into my head but i was able to shake them off. I see a Therapist on monday.

 

Today i went to see my regular Pdoc. She said to stop playing wiht my dose. I told her i am not playing wiht my dose! i only up dosed slightly once. She said she recommends me to go up to 1 mg even though  that's too low for anyone to have an effect from lexapro. 

 

I told her why did we not taper down the wellbutrin first. She says typically does taper that one first. i told her i want to stay at my current dose for a while and maybe ill start tapering off wellbutrin. I need her for now for my meds. I see a Dr. Shipko next week and one more NP in about two weeks who has high reviews. want to see who has my understanding and empathy.

 

 

[jprez562]

Update.

 

Hello SA friends- havent checked in a while. so here is a quick update.

 

Seen Dr. Shipko. He is very knowledgeable and i like him. There is one thing he mentioned that i thought i share was that if he was treating me, he would have made me jump off the lexapro at 2.5 mg as my regular pdoc would have as well. He also gave me his opinion based on his experience that it doesn't matter what medication i would come off first. Wellbutrin or Lexapro. He said wellbutrin is legal meth lol. I asked him how would you recommend getting off of this med. He said same way you would get off meth..LOL. i mentioned to him i was a old meth addict many moons ago..

 

So currently i am still holding at my current dose as my signature states. I have been having more windows then waves. for example last sunday i felt slightly depressed. then i had 6 days feeling good then sunday and monday ( today) i have been having depression come and go throughout the day.  I feel like i am finally stabilizing and them boom depression hits or some intrusive thoughts. i must admit that the intrusive thoughts have almost gone away. Thank God because those bother me the most. 

 

On saturday i think i missed a dose of wellbutrin, so i didn't want to risk taking double if i did take it, then in mind mind i start thinking maybe the wellbutrin helps my depression, so since i missed my dose that will make my mood change... when i entertain thoughts like that i believe i make myself worry and get depressed.

 

I am still wrestling with the decision to whether hold lexapro and start weaning wellbutrin. Or get off lexapro then wait and then get off wellbutrin.

 

Dr. Shipko recommended i stay on the wellbutrin until i am completely off the lexapro. any advise from the mods or anyone would be appreciated.  

 

regards,

 

jprez

 

[jprez562]

Feeling depressed lately. Not sure what to do... should i reinstate or hold longer. My moods are up and down lately. Not sure if i am stabilizing or withdrawing from such a low dose? The weather gets me down lately. Plus when i travel away from home for business i get down and feel lonely. any one have advise ?

 

 

[ChessieCat]

If your signature is correct, it is only about 7 weeks since you updosed to 0.7mg.  You are experiencing improvement which is good, but I think it would be best to hold for longer.  I don't think you need to increase your dose.

 

Withdrawal Normal Description

 

Stabilising - What Does That Mean?

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization
 

On 31/10/2017 at 11:22 AM, jprez562 said:

he would have made me jump off the lexapro at 2.5 mg as my regular pdoc would have as well

 

You obviously know better

 

When to end the taper and jump to zero?
 

[JS11]

Hi JPrez562,

Just wanted to say hello. I am on Escitalopram as well.  Was actually off for a brief period before finding this site but then was told by medical professionals that my symptoms, which I now know were withdrawal, were a recurrence of depression and anxiety, so I reinstated and all hell broke loose.  But that lead me here, so a silver lining.  

I have had 2 panic attacks in my life and they are a nightmare.  I am so sorry you are plagued by these.

I have tried the prescription liquid Lexapro/Escitalopram but it led to instant anxiety from the moment I ingested it.  

My current dose is far from accurate as I measure with a scale but I am reluctant to make my own liquid.  I am looking at how you and others  are doing with this form but still not so sure.  

Anyhow, I hope you get some relief soon.

take care,

JS11

[jprez562]

On November 7, 2017 at 8:29 PM, JS11 said:

  I am looking at how you and others  are doing with this form but still not so sure.  

Anyhow, I hope you get some relief soon.

 Hi JS11,

 

thanks is for dropping a line. I am doing well on the liquid form I made myself. I ordered 1ml syringes from Amazon and I use that to take my dose. I learned here on SA on how to make it the liquid form. See the YouTube video on here. Once you start mixing it on way do it the same every time. I tried to change the ratio, big mistake. Had a panic attack within minutes.

 

hopw this helps.

 

jprez 

[JS11]

Thank you jprez.  Not ready to go there yet.  So sorry for your nasty reaction.  Very scary stuff. 

take care and a

Happy Thanksgiving.

JS11

[jprez562]

Update:

 

I have been up and down. I had more improvements. I have downloaded a app on my phone called stigma. This app lets you input a journal and is a mood tracker. You can see a graph to see your moods. I see I have improved since last month. I have had more "felling okay" and "good" days then the bad. What is lingering is mild depression very few days, sometimes two days in a row. I could go like three days or two with good days. Then boom ! a depressed day. I haven't changed my dose, I am holding to see if I improve before deciding what's next.

 

i am still wondering what I should do with the welbutrin. 

 

Once i I get better on this dose, should I keep tapering Lexapro  and leave welbutrin alone?

 

should I taper welbutrin  once I stabilize more on this low dose of lexapro ?

 

 

Thanks 

 

jprez562

 

[jprez562]

Update:

 

i had a period with 7 days of feeling good. Then slight depression and anxiety. Yesterday I woke up feeling sick like if I have a cold. Stuffy nose, dizzy, lightheaded  and fatigued. Now I hear a faint ringing in my left ear. Like when the TV is on but on mute. Some muscle twitching here and there. Not sure if I am getting sick or its part of wothdrawl. I have not changed my dose at all.

 

This sucks.

 

jprez

[jprez562]

Bump on my question.

 

still wondering what I should do with the welbutrin. 

 

Once i I get more stable on this dose, should I keep tapering Lexapro and leave welbutrin alone?

 

should I taper welbutrin once I stabilize more on this low dose of lexapro ?

[jprez562]

I got this ringing in my left ear that started on Monday and has came and went but hasn't stopped for last 2 hours.... I read this could be a symptom of withdrawing. It has been 3 months since I updosed .01 mg. it has been a roller coaster. 

 

Jprez

[AliG]

Hi Jprez. It sounds like you are experiencing the usual ~ windows and waves pattern of recovery. The ringing ears( tinnitus) is often a withdrawal symptom that will hopefully, not last long although it can go on for a while but usually/often fades out gradually, after a period of time. It can differ widely.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1736-tinnitus-what-does-all-that-noise-mean/

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

We usually don't advise tapering more than one drug at a time, so perhaps continuing to taper Lexapro to 0 with an appropriate interval in between, before tapering Wellbutrin, could be a plan worth considering, as it's simpler and easier in the long run.

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

It could be helpful to watch this video again, as it shows quite simply what happens during this lengthy process, which is often easy to forget ~ especially, when right in the midst of it.

Healing from antidepressants. Patterns of recovery/

Ali   

Edited December 17, 2017 by AliG

[jprez562]

16 hours ago, AliG said:

The ringing ears( tinnitus) is often a withdrawal symptom that will hopefully, not last long although it can go on for a while but usually/often fades out gradually, after a period of time. It can differ widely.

 

Thank You Ali for replying. I was concerned i wasn't getting a hit from any one my past few times. I do appreciate you giving me your opinion on my question about the welbutrin. I will stay on this course and one day get to zero on lexapro, i'll wait and then taper welbutrin. Wish my Pdoc would of known to taper me off welbutrin first. 

 

Regarding the tinnitus, I have also experienced some head and sinus pressure and dizziness lately with some minor phlegm. I am hoping it was a head cold or infection i can kick. When i yawn i hear some popping in my left ear. I have researched on some techniques to drown out the ringing and other techniques. I will see a ENT doctor to rule out any thing else.

 

i have also attached some screen shots of a app i use to track my mood which provides you with a graph. I also use the app for journal entry. As you can see there was improvement from october to november but has leveled off this month. I have also added a a daily screen shot of this week. 

 

i am hoping to stabilize more before i continue my taper, its mostly depression that i get now. I thought i was stabilizing with a long window i had last week but this week was like BAM! dizziness, ringing, head pressure, lightheaded. I tend to worry not knowing if it is WD or just getting a cold or a URI. I hope i was just getting a cold and WD.

 

Thanks 

jprez

 

 

 

 

[jprez562]

Hello all hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I just wanted to provide a update.

 

This past week has been a struggle. Depression has reemerged, Intrusive thoughts have sprung up again. Ever since i had unwanted thoughts of cutting myself with any sharp object months ago, seems like i have traumatized myself and i see a knife or anything i challenge myself that a knife if for cutting onions etc..  It is frustrating when these thoughts appear.

 

Tinnitus subsided last week for about 4 days but has returned last 3 days. Went to see a ENT and i have a hearing test and sinus CT scan. Im hoping CT shows something that can be treated with meds because this adds to my frustration.

 

Updosing has crossed my several times. maybe to 1mg or 2 mg.  I am wondering if i am at a point of no return with the lexapro at my current dose.

 

This depression sucks.  

[jprez562]

Been really thinking about updosing.

Pdoc says I should increase my dose. She says I'm crazy for taking low dose of Lexapro but says it's my life so I am in charge. But she insists on updosing. 

 

I been feeling dizzy, nausea, tinnitus. I felt really bad yesterday because I got cars sick while on a business trip. tinnitus got louder and ears feel full after flight.

 

Today I woke up shaky and on edge. Seems like anxiety. 

 

Has as any one updose on Lexapro with success ? 

 

[mona11]

I'm not a moderator, but I believe you went down too fast in 2017. If you look at your doses, you were taking 7.5 mg in November 2016. It's now January 2018 and your are taking 0.7 mg after updosing in September. If you were doing 10% per every 6 weeks, which is the reccomendation (i'm doing it much much slower than that), you should be taking by now 2.9 mg. I can't tell you that if you up dose you are going to feel better. A moderator can check if I did the math right, but maybe, you could try 1 mg for two weeks. What do you think? I would not go straight to a high dose because it can make things even worse. Your body needs time to handle ups and downs. That is just my opinion, you should check with a moderator, but I believe you are going to be better if you don't up dose too much.  

[jprez562]

40 minutes ago, mona11 said:

you could try 1 mg for two weeks. What do you think

 That's what my Pdoc suggested too! Even though she believes it's still too low. 

 

I am wondering if I should updose right up to 1 mg or gradually of a week or two ?

 

I hope a moderator can chime in too.

 

Thanks Mona

[mona11]

I believe a moderator will be here soon. It's so hard to decide, isn't it? i didn't have to up dose yet, but i believe I would also want a moderator's help.

I would maybe do 0.8 mg for one week and see how it gets. And then 0.1 mg every week until I get better. I would stop up dosing if things got worse. And I also would not go higher than 2.5 mg in your case. Because as I said, you should be taking around 2.9 mg by now. If you go up 0.1 mg per week, I believe that you will reach a nice spot before you get to 2.5 mg. If you are going up 0.1 mg per week and you see that you are feeling better, but not as good as you wish, maybe you should wait 2 weeks to try and go another 0.1 mg higher.

I hope you understand what I mean.  But as I said, this is what I would try and do. I'm hoping that a moderator will be here with you soon.  

[jprez562]

7 minutes ago, mona11 said:

I believe a moderator will be here soon. It's so hard to decide, isn't it? i didn't have to up dose yet, but i believe I would also want a moderator's help.

I would maybe do 0.8 mg for one week and see how it gets. And then 0.1 mg every week until I get better. I would stop up dosing if things got worse. And I also would not go higher than 2.5 mg in your case. Because as I said, you should be taking around 2.9 mg by now. If you go up 0.1 mg per week, I believe that you will reach a nice spot before you get to 2.5 mg. If you are going up 0.1 mg per week and you see that you are feeling better, but not as good as you wish, maybe you should wait 2 weeks to try and go another 0.1 mg higher.

I hope you understand what I mean.  But as I said, this is what I would try and do. I'm hoping that a moderator will be here with you soon.  

 

Yes I understand. You correct it's so hard to decide. Lexapro was a life saver ones it kicked in and side effects when away,  but to get off of it's no walk in the park either. 

 

Thank you Mona ! God Bless you.

[jprez562]

I was just given a different manufacturer for my Bupropion 300 mg XL. I was taking a pill from a manufacturer named Lupin and now the new pill is from Actavis. I have seen i taken this manufacturer before but the pill is different. They always been round and this new pill is o blong. Changes insurance and was forced to use Express scripts ( mail order )

 

Will a different manufactures pill make me have negative effects?

 

 

[jprez562]

So after months of holding dose I reduced about 3% of lexapro. That was about two and a half weeks ago. I was doing ok.

 

this Monday I started taking Bupropion 300 XL from a different manufacturer. I am having head aches, some Incrased anxiety, and depression. At times I feel spaced out. Then times I feel good. 

 

So confusing. Not sure if it's the taper or manufacturer switch. 

 

Any my one have any thoughts ?

 

 

Thanks