ScaredDad: Lexapro Reinstatement Help

[LostInCanada]

1 hour ago, ScaredDad said:

some pros who deal with this daily

Who did you find? 

1 hour ago, ScaredDad said:

began dialing in dose today.

Are you staying at 1 mg?

[ScaredDad]

1 hour ago, LostInCanada said:

Who did you find? 

Are you staying at 1 mg?

Dr Josef Witt-Doerring and I moved up a little and don’t know where I will stop but we will see! Super nervous but happy to have a coach and Dr

[Tweed9674]

3 minutes ago, ScaredDad said:

Dr Josef Witt-Doerring and I moved up a little and don’t know where I will stop but we will see! Super nervous but happy to have a coach and Dr

That's great!

 

He acknowledge that protracted syndrom from depressant discontinuation is a thing. He's one of the very few.

If anyone wonder who Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring is... https://www.youtube.com/@taperclinic
 

He interviewed Altostrata about a year ago. Very interesting stuff.

 

@ScaredDad How much do you take now?

[Catwoman73]

34 minutes ago, ScaredDad said:

Dr Josef Witt-Doerring and I moved up a little and don’t know where I will stop but we will see! Super nervous but happy to have a coach and Dr

Oh that's amazing!  I watch his videos voraciously on YouTube.  I watched the interview with Altostrata that Tweed was talking about just the other day.  

 

I'm so happy you have someone knowledgable in your corner that can walk you through this.  Keep us posted!

[LostInCanada]

49 minutes ago, ScaredDad said:

happy to have a coach and Dr

Good to hear. Every little bit  helps. 👍💯

[ScaredDad]

@Tweed9674

@Catwoman73ill update my signature.
 

luckily he operates in the state I am in. Well that and the fact that my support system around me is helping me with doing this. 
 

I will 1000% keep everyone posted each step.

[Catwoman73]

I sincerely hope your silence today is a good sign that you are getting some rest, and feeling a bit better!  

 

Thinking of you! 

[ScaredDad]

@Catwoman73im just doing so so bad 

[Catwoman73]

1 minute ago, ScaredDad said:

@Catwoman73im just doing so so bad 

Oh no... I'm so sorry to hear.  I hope Dr. Josef is able to give you some good support and guidance.  Don't feel like you have to answer me if you're not up to it.  Just update when you can.  Hang in there- we're all here cheering you on!

[LostInCanada]

@ScaredDaddid you increase your dosage? How often are you taking the Klonopin? or have you still stopped?

[ScaredDad]

@LostInCanadaim on 2.5 and I haven’t taken that since about the 21st.

[LostInCanada]

@ScaredDad I really encourage you not to go higher. It can take months to fully stabilize. Because you took Klonopin for some time even though it was irregular, it could be causing some of the issues as well. Time and patience is your friend. 🙏👍

[ScaredDad]

49 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

@ScaredDad I really encourage you not to go higher. It can take months to fully stabilize. Because you took Klonopin for some time even though it was irregular, it could be causing some of the issues as well. Time and patience is your friend. 🙏👍

I for sure am not. I just have to know in theory, if this reinstatement fails and I have to withdrawal I will survive? I have kids.. I’m so scared

[LostInCanada]

@ScaredDad my reinstatement took months for me to stabilize. Fairly quickly the SI and dp/dr faded but the nausea, dizziness, balance, cognitive issues took longer. Still after 1.5 years they still flare up in waves but now I am much more functional. Giving your body a consistent dose to work with is important for sure. 

Have some things gotten better with reinstatement? If so then you are on the right track. It will take some time after cold turkey and reinstatement to find your withdrawal normal.

[ScaredDad]

@LostInCanadato be honest yes some things have improved. I at least don’t have a heart pounding at 125bpm. I’ll figure it out. There is a diabolical voice in my head saying time to ride the withdrawal but I know that’s dumb!so in theory as long as you keep dose the same your body “should” stabilize?

[LostInCanada]

1 hour ago, ScaredDad said:

in theory as long as you keep dose the same your body “should” stabilize?

Yes but getting the right dose can aid in stabilizing. That is why starting off low and slowly increasing if necessary is recommended. Jumping around with doses makes stabilizing difficult.

1 hour ago, ScaredDad said:

don’t have a heart pounding at 125bpm.

Since taking 2.5mg? or did it get better with 1mg? No SI on 1 mg correct?

[Emonda]

2 hours ago, ScaredDad said:

if this reinstatement fails

 

Time and much patience.

 

It's best to be patient with reinstatement and subsequent up-dosing. Give your body time to adjust.

 

If you do updose, after waiting a suitable period of time, it's best to make small increases, to see how you respond.  

 

Keep us all updated with your progress. 

 

Wishing you well

[LostInCanada]

@ScaredDad the following shows how long it takes just to get a steady amount of drug in your system:

 

d. The elimination half-life of escitalopram is about 27-33 hours and is consistent with once-daily administration. Steady-state concentrations are achieved within 7-10 days of administration.

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › ...

 

 

 

[ScaredDad]

4 hours ago, LostInCanada said:

Yes but getting the right dose can aid in stabilizing. That is why starting off low and slowly increasing if necessary is recommended. Jumping around with doses makes stabilizing difficult.

Since taking 2.5mg? or did it get better with 1mg? No SI on 1 mg correct?

I suppose it got better with 1mg but 2.5mg seems like it may be too much.

[ScaredDad]

Update for everyone. Took the 2.5mg again this time with actual liquid prescription so we will see how it goes. I am trying to be calmer and more patient. My entire history with this drug has been based on emotional movements in dose so I’m trying to be more methodical.

 

thanks for the support everyone! One thing I left out in all my anger lately is that I DID sleep for 3.5 uninterrupted hours last night which I haven’t done in 2 weeks. So there may be something to that.

[LostInCanada]

21 minutes ago, ScaredDad said:

My entire history with this drug has been based on emotional movements in dose so I’m trying to be more methodical.

It is very important to not have knee jerk reactions. As posted, it can take up to 10 days for the drug to level out in the body. At that point the body finally knows what it is dealing with and can start on the road to stabilization. How long that takes is very individual.

[Catwoman73]

45 minutes ago, ScaredDad said:

My entire history with this drug has been based on emotional movements in dose so I’m trying to be more methodical.

 

thanks for the support everyone! One thing I left out in all my anger lately is that I DID sleep for 3.5 uninterrupted hours last night which I haven’t done in 2 weeks. So there may be something to that.

My Jedi mind trick with symptoms is to almost pretend I'm not in my own body, and look at my symptoms as though I'm observing one of my former patients.  I often develop some weird symptom, and I'll say to myself, 'Hmmm, isn't that interesting?!'  or 'I wonder why I'm feeling like this?'  I'm not saying it's easy, but like any skill, if you keep flexing those muscles, it does become easier over time.  If you're able to be a bit clinical about it, it may help prevent you making those emotional decisions. 

 

And I'm so glad you got a bit of sleep!  I know how good that feels, when you've been deprived for so long.  Here's hoping for another good night!

[ScaredDad]

Hey everyone. Ups and downs are still present. I felt terrible through 10 yesterday but was in a window from 11 basically until I went to bed when I was overcome with chemical anxiety. Still get like insane dizzy especially when leaving the house to go to the store like the stimulus is just a lot. Feeling ok this morning but still had to get back in bed to rest since I didn’t sleep really.

 

its day 4 on 2.5mg and 14 days total back on lexapro. To be fair I wasted 5 of those days at 10mg getting spun out of control. So the real counter to me is when I started 1mg, which would mean I’ve been back for a week. I think this is progress? Still just scared I permanently ruined myself. Also, I plan on waiting to stabilize and then spending like 6 months minimum at that dose to heal.

 

thoughts? Thanks in advance team you all are the foundation of my recovery.

 

also, what is everyone’s take on a probiotic? My gut was destroyed by this, and while it’s slowly turning back on, I feel like I need to add a little life to it. For the record, I am still on zero supplements. Just food, water, and lexapro. 

[ScaredDad]

I promise I’m not trying to blow everyone up but I just went to the grocery store with my wife and daughter and just had such a hard time. Like the whole time I was there I was like I have to get out here and go lay down. Please tell me someone else has been here before. I have NEVER been like this 

[LotusRising]

2 hours ago, ScaredDad said:

also, what is everyone’s take on a probiotic?

You could try getting probiotics from food sources first like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha (watch the sugar) or miso. If probiotic foods are new to you, I would start slow, 2-3x/wk and stop if they cause an increase in GI symptoms.

[LotusRising]

@ScaredDad

 

1 minute ago, ScaredDad said:

I promise I’m not trying to blow everyone up but I just went to the grocery store with my wife and daughter and just had such a hard time. Like the whole time I was there I was like I have to get out here and go lay down. Please tell me someone else has been here before. I have NEVER been like this

Not uncommon at all. WD has a way of heightening responses to every day situations - sounds, lights, tastes etc. It's as though our nerves are completely exposed. If you're feeling like it's to much, just do baby steps. It will get better with time and exposure.

[ScaredDad]

15 minutes ago, LotusRising said:

@ScaredDad

 

Not uncommon at all. WD has a way of heightening responses to every day situations - sounds, lights, tastes etc. It's as though our nerves are completely exposed. If you're feeling like it's to much, just do baby steps. It will get better with time and exposure.

Thanks for the response! I’m just so concerned I’ll never get better. I take it the constant urination is a WD symptom too? Maybe from cortisol? I urinate every 20 minutes it seems.

 

what is interesting is my wife keeps saying wow your starting to do better but I convince myself I’m not. Is that part of these waves where you’re convinced you haven’t made progress? It bizarre. Last night I was laying around thinking about how nice it is to be over this. Then boom.

[LostInCanada]

2 hours ago, ScaredDad said:

I plan on waiting to stabilize and then spending like 6 months minimum at that dose to heal.

I believe this is a good plan. It took me easily this long. 

17 minutes ago, ScaredDad said:

went to the grocery store with my wife and daughter and just had such a hard time. Like the whole time I was there I was like I have to get out here

Been there as well. Fortunately we have a grocery store within walking distance of our home. Sometimes I would head out just to turn around after a few steps. I think what helped me was having a daily walk even if it was only a block. I never pressured myself if I just wasn't up to it. But tried to always step outside to make the decision whether to go on or not. It will get better.

20 minutes ago, LotusRising said:

start slow, 2-3x/wk

Great suggestions from LotusRising 

[LostInCanada]

Really good read and it applies to SSRIs 

 

 

[LostInCanada]

10 minutes ago, ScaredDad said:

I take it the constant urination is a WD symptom too?

Yes. SSRIs (lexapro is one of the worst) stimulates the production of ADH which is a hormone that inhibits urination. Naturally we produce more of this hormone at night. 

On SSRIs our bodies have adapted to needing the drug to stimulate the production. Now that we significantly reduce the SSRI our bodies have to figure out how to make it naturally again. Therefore we pee alot while the body works on this. 

These drugs affect everything.

[ScaredDad]

2 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

Yes. SSRIs (lexapro is one of the worst) stimulates the production of ADH which is a hormone that inhibits urination. Naturally we produce more of this hormone at night. 

On SSRIs our bodies have adapted to needing the drug to stimulate the production. Now that we significantly reduce the SSRI our bodies have to figure out how to make it naturally again. Therefore we pee alot while the body works on this. 

These drugs affect everything.

Truly unreal! Your knowledge and words in both these responses is greatly appreciated!

[Catwoman73]

1 hour ago, ScaredDad said:

I promise I’m not trying to blow everyone up but I just went to the grocery store with my wife and daughter and just had such a hard time. Like the whole time I was there I was like I have to get out here and go lay down. Please tell me someone else has been here before. I have NEVER been like this 

OMG, this is me more often than not!!!  Just last weekend I posted about crying in the grocery store.  Too many lights, too many sounds, too much to think about.  It's overwhelming.  I've found that it helps to go at times when it's less busy, like later in the evening.  Good for you for getting through it- I know it's not easy.

 

And I pee a lot too... yet another thing that interrupts sleep.  I thought I was just getting old, but LostinCanada's reply is extremely helpful!

 

In any case, thanks for updating.  I think of you often.

[LostInCanada]

@ScaredDad @Catwoman73 this journey is not for the faint of heart. We will get through this with each other. ❤️

[Tweed9674]

5 hours ago, ScaredDad said:

its day 4 on 2.5mg and 14 days total back on lexapro. To be fair I wasted 5 of those days at 10mg getting spun out of control. So the real counter to me is when I started 1mg, which would mean I’ve been back for a week. I think this is progress? Still just scared I permanently ruined myself. Also, I plan on waiting to stabilize and then spending like 6 months minimum at that dose to heal.

 

You did not permanently ruined yourself. You will heal. The hardest part is to accept that there is no shortcut, no miracle cure. Time, stability and coping mechanisms are our best friend. I think this is true... reinstatement or not.

 

2 hours ago, ScaredDad said:

I promise I’m not trying to blow everyone up but I just went to the grocery store with my wife and daughter and just had such a hard time. Like the whole time I was there I was like I have to get out here and go lay down. Please tell me someone else has been here before. I have NEVER been like this 

 

Oh yeah. I do get this a lot too. In time like these, I try to remind myself that   i'm not in danger. I take deep breaths and I try to focus on what I have left to do instead of what is going to happen if I lose it in the middle of wherever I am.

 

I was also urinating A LOT when I reinstated at 5mg. It got way better after I dropped to 1mg in my case. Did it got worse after to upped to 2.5?

[ScaredDad]

7 minutes ago, Tweed9674 said:

 

 

I was also urinating A LOT when I reinstated at 5mg. It got way better after I dropped to 1mg in my case. Did it got worse after to upped to 2.5?

I just honestly don’t remember. I’ve been o so up and down. I had a much better day yesterday but today I’m once again questioning everything! What’s weird is I was out yesterday and got the liquid so I took 1mg at 7 and 1.5 liquid script at 10. Then proceeded to have a great day. Could that be it? Idk what to do

 

[ScaredDad]

@Tweed9674one new thing creeping in is tinnitus