zach1201: Started on Escitalopram 18 years ago and now polydrugged

March 5Mar 5

55 minutes ago, zach1201 said:

@Catbird

Today makes a week of an increase of .1mg of escitalopram. I haven’t noticed any significant difference. A bit more activated is about it. The activation is getting a little better (meaning less of it) as the week has gone on.

@zach1201 The slight decrease in activation is positive. My experience up-dosing before a 3.5 month hold was immediate activation. I had a lot of new symptoms after this as I'd been tapering too fast. It took about 2.5 months before they disappeared. I gave it a month before I resumed the taper at a much slower pace.

I hope you find a baseline of relative stability from which you can plan the next moves. Take care 🤗

Link to SA Profile: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/32414-catbird-introduction-a-long-and-winding-road/

1996 Commenced on Sertraline 50 - 100mg. Many ADs trialled -Fluoxetine 20 mg, Paroxetine 20mg, Venlafaxine 75mg, Escitalopram 10 - 20mg, Vortioxetine 20mg, Bupropion 150mg. 2019 Recommenced Escitalopram 2022 Mirtazapine 30mg - Rapid taper. Amitriptyline 20mg

CURRENT MEDICATIONS: Escitalopram taper from ~ 10mg commenced 2024, Amitriptyline 20mg at night, Diazepam 7.5mg total per day, Baclofen 10mg morning, 10mg lunch and 20mg night, Polaramine 2mg at night, Ketamine troche 25mg per day (Ceased early September 2025), Valsartan 160mg evening, HRT (Oestrogen 25mcg/day)

ESCITALOPRAM TAPER: 5 April 2025 - started holding at 1.516mg. Escitalopram taper resumed July 2025; End Aug 1.364; End Sept 1.228; End Oct 1.145; End Nov 1.1 Early Dec 1.11; End Dec 1.082; 2026 End Jan 1.047; Feb 6 1.030; Feb 20 1.014; April 10 1.012; May 3 1.014;

Supplements: Mg++ glycinate, Omega 3s, Curcumin. Vit D3/K2 spray, Vitamin B12 spray, chelated zinc.

March 5Mar 5

12 hours ago, zach1201 said:

Been a rough go of it as of late. Really foggy in my brain and fatigued a lot. Taking naps when I can get them. A bit more anxiety. Symptoms worse in the morning and a little better as day goes on. This sucks. I just want to feel better.

So sorry to read. Things will get better. Hope the up dosing helps. Keep us up to speed with this. Chippy

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

March 6Mar 6

Author

Yesterday was a bit better. Had a bit more energy and thinking was a little more clear.

Today is back to feeling crummy.

Mornings are so rough.

Cloudy thinking and fatigue along with some down mood.

I did an outro peer support group today. I didn’t talk and mostly listened. A lot of people dealing with similar stuff I’m going through.

Escitalopram:

2008-2023: 20mg; 02/2023-04/2023: 30mg; 04/2023-04/2024: 40mg; 04/2024-07/2024: decreased by 5mg per month; withdrawal at 25mg; 07/2024-11/2024: 40mg; 11/2024: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 10mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 25mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 02/2025: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 5mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 12.5mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 03/25/25 - 38.75mg; 4/6/25 - 37.5mg; 4/22/25 - 36.35mg; 5/7/25 - 35mg; 5/23/25 - 33.75mg; 6/7/25 experienced withdrawal 35mg; 6/18/25 - reinstated 40mg; 08/2025- weaned off 40mg over 2 weeks while inpatient; last dose was 8/12/25; 09/17/25 - reinstated 0.4mg; 9/19/25 - 0.8mg; 09/25/25- 1.0mg; 10/1/25-2/24/26 - 1.1mg; 2/25/26 -1.2mg

Trazadone:

02/2023 - 50mg; 11/2024-current: 100mg

Sertraline:

08/02/25 - 12.5mg; 8/5 - 25mg; 8/7 - 50mg; 8/9 - 75mg; 8/12 - 100mg; 8/23 - 125mg; 8/29 - 150mg; 9/8 - 175mg; 9/16 - current 200mg

Gabapentin: 08/2025-current 100mg TID

Propranolol: 08/2025-current: 20mg at bedtime

Risperidone:

09/10/25: 0.5mg; 10/08/25: switched to liquid 0.5mg; 10/13/25 - 0.45mg; 11/7/25 - 0.44mg; 11/15/25-current 0.43mg

Buspar:

11/2024-08/2025: 10mg BID; 8/1 - 7.5mg; 8/3 - 5mg; 8/5 - 2.5mg; 8/7 - 0mg

March 7Mar 7

6 hours ago, zach1201 said:

Yesterday was a bit better. Had a bit more energy and thinking was a little more clear.

Today is back to feeling crummy.

Mornings are so rough.

Cloudy thinking and fatigue along with some down mood.

I did an outro peer support group today. I didn’t talk and mostly listened. A lot of people dealing with similar stuff I’m going through.

Hey @zach1201 did you find the group helpful and can anybody join .

On Paxil since 1995. Seroquel added 2014 after withdrawal crash. History of too-fast tapers/reinstatements.

21 April 2025 taper two drugs at once

Paxil 4% Seroquel 3.5% per month

that ended up being too much and changed to one drug at a time

13 Jul 2025: 4% Paxil cut

29 Jul 2025: 5% Paxil cut

6 Aug 2025: began hold

Oct 2025: changed from liquid to powder and accidentally took 10x Seroquel dose for 2 weeks by mistake

23 Oct 2025: returned to liquid with accidental 4.7% Seroquel cut

Holding both drugs to stablize

Holding at Paxil 8.25 mg / Seroquel 6.5

Paxil taper

22/4 8.23 29/4 8.20 5/5 8.15 13/5 8.05 3/6 8 11/6 7.95

March 7Mar 7

6 hours ago, zach1201 said:

Yesterday was a bit better. Had a bit more energy and thinking was a little more clear.

Today is back to feeling crummy.

Mornings are so rough.

Cloudy thinking and fatigue along with some down mood.

I did an outro peer support group today. I didn’t talk and mostly listened. A lot of people dealing with similar stuff I’m going through.

Sorry you’re not feeling as good as the day before. So common. Ride those waves! Glad you found the support group helpful.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

March 7Mar 7

7 hours ago, zach1201 said:

Yesterday was a bit better. Had a bit more energy and thinking was a little more clear.

Today is back to feeling crummy.

Mornings are so rough.

Cloudy thinking and fatigue along with some down mood.

I did an outro peer support group today. I didn’t talk and mostly listened. A lot of people dealing with similar stuff I’m going through.

So glad you've had at least one better day @zach1201. It seems good you're getting support from Outro 🤗

Link to SA Profile: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/32414-catbird-introduction-a-long-and-winding-road/

1996 Commenced on Sertraline 50 - 100mg. Many ADs trialled -Fluoxetine 20 mg, Paroxetine 20mg, Venlafaxine 75mg, Escitalopram 10 - 20mg, Vortioxetine 20mg, Bupropion 150mg. 2019 Recommenced Escitalopram 2022 Mirtazapine 30mg - Rapid taper. Amitriptyline 20mg

CURRENT MEDICATIONS: Escitalopram taper from ~ 10mg commenced 2024, Amitriptyline 20mg at night, Diazepam 7.5mg total per day, Baclofen 10mg morning, 10mg lunch and 20mg night, Polaramine 2mg at night, Ketamine troche 25mg per day (Ceased early September 2025), Valsartan 160mg evening, HRT (Oestrogen 25mcg/day)

ESCITALOPRAM TAPER: 5 April 2025 - started holding at 1.516mg. Escitalopram taper resumed July 2025; End Aug 1.364; End Sept 1.228; End Oct 1.145; End Nov 1.1 Early Dec 1.11; End Dec 1.082; 2026 End Jan 1.047; Feb 6 1.030; Feb 20 1.014; April 10 1.012; May 3 1.014;

Supplements: Mg++ glycinate, Omega 3s, Curcumin. Vit D3/K2 spray, Vitamin B12 spray, chelated zinc.

March 7Mar 7

Author

9 hours ago, cheeky said:

Hey @zach1201 did you find the group helpful and can anybody join .

@cheeky

It’s available to those that are enrolled in Outro. The lady that leads them does her own groups at a cost.

https://www.heartcorecollective.com

Escitalopram:

2008-2023: 20mg; 02/2023-04/2023: 30mg; 04/2023-04/2024: 40mg; 04/2024-07/2024: decreased by 5mg per month; withdrawal at 25mg; 07/2024-11/2024: 40mg; 11/2024: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 10mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 25mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 02/2025: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 5mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 12.5mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 03/25/25 - 38.75mg; 4/6/25 - 37.5mg; 4/22/25 - 36.35mg; 5/7/25 - 35mg; 5/23/25 - 33.75mg; 6/7/25 experienced withdrawal 35mg; 6/18/25 - reinstated 40mg; 08/2025- weaned off 40mg over 2 weeks while inpatient; last dose was 8/12/25; 09/17/25 - reinstated 0.4mg; 9/19/25 - 0.8mg; 09/25/25- 1.0mg; 10/1/25-2/24/26 - 1.1mg; 2/25/26 -1.2mg

Trazadone:

02/2023 - 50mg; 11/2024-current: 100mg

Sertraline:

08/02/25 - 12.5mg; 8/5 - 25mg; 8/7 - 50mg; 8/9 - 75mg; 8/12 - 100mg; 8/23 - 125mg; 8/29 - 150mg; 9/8 - 175mg; 9/16 - current 200mg

Gabapentin: 08/2025-current 100mg TID

Propranolol: 08/2025-current: 20mg at bedtime

Risperidone:

09/10/25: 0.5mg; 10/08/25: switched to liquid 0.5mg; 10/13/25 - 0.45mg; 11/7/25 - 0.44mg; 11/15/25-current 0.43mg

Buspar:

11/2024-08/2025: 10mg BID; 8/1 - 7.5mg; 8/3 - 5mg; 8/5 - 2.5mg; 8/7 - 0mg

March 7Mar 7

@zach1201 @cheeky

Have you are these groups

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/266-virtual-peer-support-groups/?do=getNewComment

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/200mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

March 7Mar 7

16 hours ago, cheeky said:

Hey @zach1201 did you find the group helpful and can anybody join .

@cheeky Angie Peacock runs online groups

Link to SA Profile: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/32414-catbird-introduction-a-long-and-winding-road/

1996 Commenced on Sertraline 50 - 100mg. Many ADs trialled -Fluoxetine 20 mg, Paroxetine 20mg, Venlafaxine 75mg, Escitalopram 10 - 20mg, Vortioxetine 20mg, Bupropion 150mg. 2019 Recommenced Escitalopram 2022 Mirtazapine 30mg - Rapid taper. Amitriptyline 20mg

CURRENT MEDICATIONS: Escitalopram taper from ~ 10mg commenced 2024, Amitriptyline 20mg at night, Diazepam 7.5mg total per day, Baclofen 10mg morning, 10mg lunch and 20mg night, Polaramine 2mg at night, Ketamine troche 25mg per day (Ceased early September 2025), Valsartan 160mg evening, HRT (Oestrogen 25mcg/day)

ESCITALOPRAM TAPER: 5 April 2025 - started holding at 1.516mg. Escitalopram taper resumed July 2025; End Aug 1.364; End Sept 1.228; End Oct 1.145; End Nov 1.1 Early Dec 1.11; End Dec 1.082; 2026 End Jan 1.047; Feb 6 1.030; Feb 20 1.014; April 10 1.012; May 3 1.014;

Supplements: Mg++ glycinate, Omega 3s, Curcumin. Vit D3/K2 spray, Vitamin B12 spray, chelated zinc.

March 8Mar 8

Author

Not the greatest today. Think I am sick but hard to tell with withdrawal symptoms (my kids and wife are sick so I assume that’s what I’m feeling). Complete lack of energy, overtired, a lot of brain fog. It started yesterday afternoon and has continued into today. I feel hopeless. That nothing is improving and I continue to feel this way without improvement.

Escitalopram:

2008-2023: 20mg; 02/2023-04/2023: 30mg; 04/2023-04/2024: 40mg; 04/2024-07/2024: decreased by 5mg per month; withdrawal at 25mg; 07/2024-11/2024: 40mg; 11/2024: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 10mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 25mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 02/2025: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 5mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 12.5mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 03/25/25 - 38.75mg; 4/6/25 - 37.5mg; 4/22/25 - 36.35mg; 5/7/25 - 35mg; 5/23/25 - 33.75mg; 6/7/25 experienced withdrawal 35mg; 6/18/25 - reinstated 40mg; 08/2025- weaned off 40mg over 2 weeks while inpatient; last dose was 8/12/25; 09/17/25 - reinstated 0.4mg; 9/19/25 - 0.8mg; 09/25/25- 1.0mg; 10/1/25-2/24/26 - 1.1mg; 2/25/26 -1.2mg

Trazadone:

02/2023 - 50mg; 11/2024-current: 100mg

Sertraline:

08/02/25 - 12.5mg; 8/5 - 25mg; 8/7 - 50mg; 8/9 - 75mg; 8/12 - 100mg; 8/23 - 125mg; 8/29 - 150mg; 9/8 - 175mg; 9/16 - current 200mg

Gabapentin: 08/2025-current 100mg TID

Propranolol: 08/2025-current: 20mg at bedtime

Risperidone:

09/10/25: 0.5mg; 10/08/25: switched to liquid 0.5mg; 10/13/25 - 0.45mg; 11/7/25 - 0.44mg; 11/15/25-current 0.43mg

Buspar:

11/2024-08/2025: 10mg BID; 8/1 - 7.5mg; 8/3 - 5mg; 8/5 - 2.5mg; 8/7 - 0mg

March 9Mar 9

9 hours ago, zach1201 said:

Not the greatest today. Think I am sick but hard to tell with withdrawal symptoms (my kids and wife are sick so I assume that’s what I’m feeling). Complete lack of energy, overtired, a lot of brain fog. It started yesterday afternoon and has continued into today. I feel hopeless. That nothing is improving and I continue to feel this way without improvement.

I’m sorry @zach1201 perhaps you e picked up what your wife and kids have got and it’s making it all worse.

Everyone improves in time and you will too. Long road this but I know you’ve got this.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

March 9Mar 9

On 3/8/2026 at 1:34 AM, zach1201 said:

@cheeky

It’s available to those that are enrolled in Outro. The lady that leads them does her own groups at a cost.

https://www.heartcorecollective.com

Do you know her name ?

On Paxil since 1995. Seroquel added 2014 after withdrawal crash. History of too-fast tapers/reinstatements.

21 April 2025 taper two drugs at once

Paxil 4% Seroquel 3.5% per month

that ended up being too much and changed to one drug at a time

13 Jul 2025: 4% Paxil cut

29 Jul 2025: 5% Paxil cut

6 Aug 2025: began hold

Oct 2025: changed from liquid to powder and accidentally took 10x Seroquel dose for 2 weeks by mistake

23 Oct 2025: returned to liquid with accidental 4.7% Seroquel cut

Holding both drugs to stablize

Holding at Paxil 8.25 mg / Seroquel 6.5

Paxil taper

22/4 8.23 29/4 8.20 5/5 8.15 13/5 8.05 3/6 8 11/6 7.95

March 9Mar 9

Author

4 hours ago, cheeky said:

Do you know her name ?

@cheeky

Angie Peacock

Escitalopram:

2008-2023: 20mg; 02/2023-04/2023: 30mg; 04/2023-04/2024: 40mg; 04/2024-07/2024: decreased by 5mg per month; withdrawal at 25mg; 07/2024-11/2024: 40mg; 11/2024: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 10mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 25mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 02/2025: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 5mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 12.5mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 03/25/25 - 38.75mg; 4/6/25 - 37.5mg; 4/22/25 - 36.35mg; 5/7/25 - 35mg; 5/23/25 - 33.75mg; 6/7/25 experienced withdrawal 35mg; 6/18/25 - reinstated 40mg; 08/2025- weaned off 40mg over 2 weeks while inpatient; last dose was 8/12/25; 09/17/25 - reinstated 0.4mg; 9/19/25 - 0.8mg; 09/25/25- 1.0mg; 10/1/25-2/24/26 - 1.1mg; 2/25/26 -1.2mg

Trazadone:

02/2023 - 50mg; 11/2024-current: 100mg

Sertraline:

08/02/25 - 12.5mg; 8/5 - 25mg; 8/7 - 50mg; 8/9 - 75mg; 8/12 - 100mg; 8/23 - 125mg; 8/29 - 150mg; 9/8 - 175mg; 9/16 - current 200mg

Gabapentin: 08/2025-current 100mg TID

Propranolol: 08/2025-current: 20mg at bedtime

Risperidone:

09/10/25: 0.5mg; 10/08/25: switched to liquid 0.5mg; 10/13/25 - 0.45mg; 11/7/25 - 0.44mg; 11/15/25-current 0.43mg

Buspar:

11/2024-08/2025: 10mg BID; 8/1 - 7.5mg; 8/3 - 5mg; 8/5 - 2.5mg; 8/7 - 0mg

March 9Mar 9

On 3/8/2026 at 8:41 AM, Catbird said:

@cheeky Angie Peacock runs online groups

Thank you , I love and thinks she great

On Paxil since 1995. Seroquel added 2014 after withdrawal crash. History of too-fast tapers/reinstatements.

21 April 2025 taper two drugs at once

Paxil 4% Seroquel 3.5% per month

that ended up being too much and changed to one drug at a time

13 Jul 2025: 4% Paxil cut

29 Jul 2025: 5% Paxil cut

6 Aug 2025: began hold

Oct 2025: changed from liquid to powder and accidentally took 10x Seroquel dose for 2 weeks by mistake

23 Oct 2025: returned to liquid with accidental 4.7% Seroquel cut

Holding both drugs to stablize

Holding at Paxil 8.25 mg / Seroquel 6.5

Paxil taper

22/4 8.23 29/4 8.20 5/5 8.15 13/5 8.05 3/6 8 11/6 7.95

1

March 10Mar 10

Author

A bit better day today. Probably was sick over the weekend. So weird how my body can’t “recognize” that I’m sick anymore.

Escitalopram:

2008-2023: 20mg; 02/2023-04/2023: 30mg; 04/2023-04/2024: 40mg; 04/2024-07/2024: decreased by 5mg per month; withdrawal at 25mg; 07/2024-11/2024: 40mg; 11/2024: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 10mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 25mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 02/2025: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 5mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 12.5mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 03/25/25 - 38.75mg; 4/6/25 - 37.5mg; 4/22/25 - 36.35mg; 5/7/25 - 35mg; 5/23/25 - 33.75mg; 6/7/25 experienced withdrawal 35mg; 6/18/25 - reinstated 40mg; 08/2025- weaned off 40mg over 2 weeks while inpatient; last dose was 8/12/25; 09/17/25 - reinstated 0.4mg; 9/19/25 - 0.8mg; 09/25/25- 1.0mg; 10/1/25-2/24/26 - 1.1mg; 2/25/26 -1.2mg

Trazadone:

02/2023 - 50mg; 11/2024-current: 100mg

Sertraline:

08/02/25 - 12.5mg; 8/5 - 25mg; 8/7 - 50mg; 8/9 - 75mg; 8/12 - 100mg; 8/23 - 125mg; 8/29 - 150mg; 9/8 - 175mg; 9/16 - current 200mg

Gabapentin: 08/2025-current 100mg TID

Propranolol: 08/2025-current: 20mg at bedtime

Risperidone:

09/10/25: 0.5mg; 10/08/25: switched to liquid 0.5mg; 10/13/25 - 0.45mg; 11/7/25 - 0.44mg; 11/15/25-current 0.43mg

Buspar:

11/2024-08/2025: 10mg BID; 8/1 - 7.5mg; 8/3 - 5mg; 8/5 - 2.5mg; 8/7 - 0mg

3

March 10Mar 10

21 hours ago, zach1201 said:

bit better day today. Probably was sick over the weekend. So weird how my body can’t “recognize” that I’m sick anymore.

That's good to hear hopfully it will get better and better

On Paxil since 1995. Seroquel added 2014 after withdrawal crash. History of too-fast tapers/reinstatements.

21 April 2025 taper two drugs at once

Paxil 4% Seroquel 3.5% per month

that ended up being too much and changed to one drug at a time

13 Jul 2025: 4% Paxil cut

29 Jul 2025: 5% Paxil cut

6 Aug 2025: began hold

Oct 2025: changed from liquid to powder and accidentally took 10x Seroquel dose for 2 weeks by mistake

23 Oct 2025: returned to liquid with accidental 4.7% Seroquel cut

Holding both drugs to stablize

Holding at Paxil 8.25 mg / Seroquel 6.5

Paxil taper

22/4 8.23 29/4 8.20 5/5 8.15 13/5 8.05 3/6 8 11/6 7.95

March 12Mar 12

Author

Sick (again). At least this time I know I’m sick because I have typical sick symptoms. Runny nose, congestion, etc. Kind of weird but I’m happy that I can recognize my overall feeling like garbage as being sick rather than guessing if it’s sickness or withdrawal (of course underlying withdrawal is playing into how I’m feeling).

Escitalopram:

2008-2023: 20mg; 02/2023-04/2023: 30mg; 04/2023-04/2024: 40mg; 04/2024-07/2024: decreased by 5mg per month; withdrawal at 25mg; 07/2024-11/2024: 40mg; 11/2024: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 10mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 25mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 02/2025: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 5mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 12.5mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 03/25/25 - 38.75mg; 4/6/25 - 37.5mg; 4/22/25 - 36.35mg; 5/7/25 - 35mg; 5/23/25 - 33.75mg; 6/7/25 experienced withdrawal 35mg; 6/18/25 - reinstated 40mg; 08/2025- weaned off 40mg over 2 weeks while inpatient; last dose was 8/12/25; 09/17/25 - reinstated 0.4mg; 9/19/25 - 0.8mg; 09/25/25- 1.0mg; 10/1/25-2/24/26 - 1.1mg; 2/25/26 -1.2mg

Trazadone:

02/2023 - 50mg; 11/2024-current: 100mg

Sertraline:

08/02/25 - 12.5mg; 8/5 - 25mg; 8/7 - 50mg; 8/9 - 75mg; 8/12 - 100mg; 8/23 - 125mg; 8/29 - 150mg; 9/8 - 175mg; 9/16 - current 200mg

Gabapentin: 08/2025-current 100mg TID

Propranolol: 08/2025-current: 20mg at bedtime

Risperidone:

09/10/25: 0.5mg; 10/08/25: switched to liquid 0.5mg; 10/13/25 - 0.45mg; 11/7/25 - 0.44mg; 11/15/25-current 0.43mg

Buspar:

11/2024-08/2025: 10mg BID; 8/1 - 7.5mg; 8/3 - 5mg; 8/5 - 2.5mg; 8/7 - 0mg

March 12Mar 12

8 hours ago, zach1201 said:

Sick (again). At least this time I know I’m sick because I have typical sick symptoms. Runny nose, congestion, etc. Kind of weird but I’m happy that I can recognize my overall feeling like garbage as being sick rather than guessing if it’s sickness or withdrawal (of course underlying withdrawal is playing into how I’m feeling).

Being sick will 100% make you feel worse . I hope you get better soon Zac

On Paxil since 1995. Seroquel added 2014 after withdrawal crash. History of too-fast tapers/reinstatements.

21 April 2025 taper two drugs at once

Paxil 4% Seroquel 3.5% per month

that ended up being too much and changed to one drug at a time

13 Jul 2025: 4% Paxil cut

29 Jul 2025: 5% Paxil cut

6 Aug 2025: began hold

Oct 2025: changed from liquid to powder and accidentally took 10x Seroquel dose for 2 weeks by mistake

23 Oct 2025: returned to liquid with accidental 4.7% Seroquel cut

Holding both drugs to stablize

Holding at Paxil 8.25 mg / Seroquel 6.5

Paxil taper

22/4 8.23 29/4 8.20 5/5 8.15 13/5 8.05 3/6 8 11/6 7.95

March 13Mar 13

Author

Still dealing with some sickness but it’s letting up. Yesterday afternoon and today were better from withdrawal. Cognitive clouding let up a bit for the first time in a long while. Feels nice to have some improvement on that front.

Escitalopram:

2008-2023: 20mg; 02/2023-04/2023: 30mg; 04/2023-04/2024: 40mg; 04/2024-07/2024: decreased by 5mg per month; withdrawal at 25mg; 07/2024-11/2024: 40mg; 11/2024: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 10mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 25mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 02/2025: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 5mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 12.5mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 03/25/25 - 38.75mg; 4/6/25 - 37.5mg; 4/22/25 - 36.35mg; 5/7/25 - 35mg; 5/23/25 - 33.75mg; 6/7/25 experienced withdrawal 35mg; 6/18/25 - reinstated 40mg; 08/2025- weaned off 40mg over 2 weeks while inpatient; last dose was 8/12/25; 09/17/25 - reinstated 0.4mg; 9/19/25 - 0.8mg; 09/25/25- 1.0mg; 10/1/25-2/24/26 - 1.1mg; 2/25/26 -1.2mg

Trazadone:

02/2023 - 50mg; 11/2024-current: 100mg

Sertraline:

08/02/25 - 12.5mg; 8/5 - 25mg; 8/7 - 50mg; 8/9 - 75mg; 8/12 - 100mg; 8/23 - 125mg; 8/29 - 150mg; 9/8 - 175mg; 9/16 - current 200mg

Gabapentin: 08/2025-current 100mg TID

Propranolol: 08/2025-current: 20mg at bedtime

Risperidone:

09/10/25: 0.5mg; 10/08/25: switched to liquid 0.5mg; 10/13/25 - 0.45mg; 11/7/25 - 0.44mg; 11/15/25-current 0.43mg

Buspar:

11/2024-08/2025: 10mg BID; 8/1 - 7.5mg; 8/3 - 5mg; 8/5 - 2.5mg; 8/7 - 0mg

1

March 15Mar 15

Author

Yesterday was decent in the morning. In the afternoon, the cognitive symptoms worsened. Feeling back to baseline crummy. Maybe it was a window for about a day and a half from the cognitive symptoms. I’m worn over all of this.

Escitalopram:

2008-2023: 20mg; 02/2023-04/2023: 30mg; 04/2023-04/2024: 40mg; 04/2024-07/2024: decreased by 5mg per month; withdrawal at 25mg; 07/2024-11/2024: 40mg; 11/2024: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 10mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 25mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 02/2025: Cross-taper by reducing escitalopram by 5mg per week & uptitrating sertraline 12.5mg; withdrawal in 2 weeks; stopped sertraline & went back to escitalopram 40mg; 03/25/25 - 38.75mg; 4/6/25 - 37.5mg; 4/22/25 - 36.35mg; 5/7/25 - 35mg; 5/23/25 - 33.75mg; 6/7/25 experienced withdrawal 35mg; 6/18/25 - reinstated 40mg; 08/2025- weaned off 40mg over 2 weeks while inpatient; last dose was 8/12/25; 09/17/25 - reinstated 0.4mg; 9/19/25 - 0.8mg; 09/25/25- 1.0mg; 10/1/25-2/24/26 - 1.1mg; 2/25/26 -1.2mg

Trazadone:

02/2023 - 50mg; 11/2024-current: 100mg

Sertraline:

08/02/25 - 12.5mg; 8/5 - 25mg; 8/7 - 50mg; 8/9 - 75mg; 8/12 - 100mg; 8/23 - 125mg; 8/29 - 150mg; 9/8 - 175mg; 9/16 - current 200mg

Gabapentin: 08/2025-current 100mg TID

Propranolol: 08/2025-current: 20mg at bedtime

Risperidone:

09/10/25: 0.5mg; 10/08/25: switched to liquid 0.5mg; 10/13/25 - 0.45mg; 11/7/25 - 0.44mg; 11/15/25-current 0.43mg

Buspar:

11/2024-08/2025: 10mg BID; 8/1 - 7.5mg; 8/3 - 5mg; 8/5 - 2.5mg; 8/7 - 0mg

zach1201: Started on Escitalopram 18 years ago and now polydrugged

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