5 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Struggling, trying not to think to deeply about the why's and just trying to accept it. ❤️🙏

I’m sorry to hear that @LostinCanada hope you recover very soon ❤️

5 hours ago, Catbird said:

Hi @Johan1233 i just came across one of your posts and noticed you too are tapering Escitalopram. I can’t tell what your current dosage is. I’m on 1.010mg and only able to change by micrograms at the moment. So far in 2026 I’ve only been able to drop by about 20mcg but recently it’s been only 2mcg and I’ve had to updose and I’m now going to hold for several months to let things settle. Wondering how things are going for you?

Hey @Catbird thank you for your message! Good to see you’ve had some successful tapers, that’s really fantastic. I’m still on 1.5mg at present, just trying to stabilize fully then I will start my taper

4 hours ago, Jack said:

What medication/supplements are you taking as of right now? The up and down shift of your symptoms and overall self is a good sign, means you’re experiencing waves and windows.

As someone who had been experiencing akathisia again very late into protracted withdrawal I figured out it was my blood pressure medication causing it, since stopping the akathisia and side effects pertaining to it have gone away. For some of us, adding something we deem as a low risk drug can cause things within our brains and nervous systems to spike. HBP medication works on certain receptors, and akathisia usually comes from down regulated receptors. I’ve had akathisia bouts just from taking things like magnesium glycerinate, and melatonin. I’m close to 3 years into withdrawal.

Your symptoms pertaining to a supposed B12 deficiency are probably just withdrawal related/nervous system dysregulation. Try not to fall into the trap of going down rabbit holes for the sake of it because it’s easy to dwell on an alarming symptom coming from something more serious than it actually is. I’ve done this all throughout my withdrawal, and I’ve had well over 100+ symptoms, I still live with about 30+ that show up on a daily basis. I too have wondered B12 injections, supplementation but my levels seem fine on any bloodwork I’ve had and even if you’re on the low end, it doesn’t mean that’s where your symptoms are definitely coming from. If your doctor isn’t worried, I don’t think you should be as well. If you need the injections however then I’d weigh up whether the possible spike in symptoms and dysregulation are worth it to stabilise your level.

One thing I always continue telling myself is that; if a symptom seems way too mysterious, way too bizarre to be happening and everything you look up about it points to rare, complex diseases or neurological conditions or illnesses, then rest assured it’s 95% most likely coming from your nervous system being sensitive, dysregulated due to withdrawal, that’s it. The rabbit holes, the spiralling only further stress one out, and keeps the nervous system locked into fight-or-flight and healing is going to take longer when a nervous system still feels unsafe, and every symptom is classified as danger.

Things are going to take time, healing will occur, recovery will happen but how long is anyone’s guess. Stay patient, and any and all medications should be discontinued as soon as possible, I’m a firm believer everyone should be off all of it, if there’s even just one dodgy supplement or medication that’s still in the loop, get rid of it. A natural and normal baseline is the best for the brain and nervous system to recalibrate and return to homeostasis.

Thank you for the reply @Jack and I’m glad you found the root cause of the Aka. I just take magnesium glycinate which I have taken for the past 2 years so I’m unsure whether this could be the culprit?? My symptoms have just been building these last few days and feels really odd, not like anything I’ve experienced in WD. My mind just keeps assuming I’m going into tolerence😞

On 3/26/2026 at 11:35 AM, Johan1233 said:

I feel so stupid.. I read about permanent nerve damage related to low vitamin b12 and I think I panicked. I suspect it is low due to my omeprazole. Thanks @LostinCanada I guess I’ll just have to ride it out like you say 

You got this. B-9 and up are harder for the body to turn from inactive to active forms and they require a specific pathway to work. Generally we only have one of these that functions and if it is disrupted or broken or etc then your body either wont uptake b-12 (deficiency) or if you slam a lot of b-12 in there you’ll get a stress reaction from your body trying to detoxify a buildup of something it can’t turn into the active forms.

In future if you notice you’re low on b-12 or other b vitamins a much gentler path is to source some methylcobalamin and/or adenosylcobalamin which are the already converted bioavailable forms of b-12. As an added bonus the adeno is used heavily by mitochondria to provide energy (helpful in reducing the stress state of the body)

But start low and slow with them as you’re effectively bypassing the rate limiting step in absorption so a little goes a long way!

38 minutes ago, Talltreescoldseas said:

You got this. B-9 and up are harder for the body to turn from inactive to active forms and they require a specific pathway to work. Generally we only have one of these that functions and if it is disrupted or broken or etc then your body either wont uptake b-12 (deficiency) or if you slam a lot of b-12 in there you’ll get a stress reaction from your body trying to detoxify a buildup of something it can’t turn into the active forms.

In future if you notice you’re low on b-12 or other b vitamins a much gentler path is to source some methylcobalamin and/or adenosylcobalamin which are the already converted bioavailable forms of b-12. As an added bonus the adeno is used heavily by mitochondria to provide energy (helpful in reducing the stress state of the body)

But start low and slow with them as you’re effectively bypassing the rate limiting step in absorption so a little goes a long way!

It's also useful to see if you have the MTHFR gene. Methylation is required for folate (B9). The gene test is expensive though if you get homocysteine level done it's a proxy measure for whether the gene is present or not. Might need to look it up but I believe low homocysteine is better.

1 hour ago, Johan1233 said:

Hey @Catbird thank you for your message! Good to see you’ve had some successful tapers, that’s really fantastic. I’m still on 1.5mg at present, just trying to stabilize fully then I will start my taper

I felt so much better after a 3.5 month hold at ~1.5mg @Johan1233 though the holding period was very difficult due to all the cumulative WD symptoms played out. Hope it all goes well for you. I'm following you now so will watch with interest. Take care 🤗

On 3/26/2026 at 5:54 PM, Johan1233 said:

Hey @LostinCanada@Chippy. Just a situation update. I’ve been gradually feeing better these last few weeks and the last 5 days have been a good 6-7/10. I did a b12 test earlier this week as I was having typical symptoms(tingling feet and hands, brain fog and fatigue. The test came back low, well below the reference range so I booked a b12 injection yesterday evening. 3 hours after the injection I started feeling weird and I didn’t sleep much last night as symptoms were too much. These last few hours symptoms have been awful. Panic, anxiety, fear, dpd, crying. Have any of you had this before and when I can expect symptoms to settle? I believe  b12 peaks 24-48 hours after injection. Thank you both 

Im very sorry to read @Johan1233 unfortunately it can just take time for the body to settle down. Your windows and waves pattern is a good sign indeed. I always say, more symptoms=more healing.

I very much doubt you are in tolerance to the drug. Are your symptoms showing up strongly a short time after taking your dose?

With the Magnesium, perhaps that dose is a bit high. You could creep it down a bit and see if it helps. I wouldn't stop it or half it, gotta be gental with your nervous system! The general advice is to start low and creep up. Im guessing you are are just taking a full tablet and have been from the start?

29 minutes ago, Talltreescoldseas said:

You got this. B-9 and up are harder for the body to turn from inactive to active forms and they require a specific pathway to work. Generally we only have one of these that functions and if it is disrupted or broken or etc then your body either wont uptake b-12 (deficiency) or if you slam a lot of b-12 in there you’ll get a stress reaction from your body trying to detoxify a buildup of something it can’t turn into the active forms.

In future if you notice you’re low on b-12 or other b vitamins a much gentler path is to source some methylcobalamin and/or adenosylcobalamin which are the already converted bioavailable forms of b-12. As an added bonus the adeno is used heavily by mitochondria to provide energy (helpful in reducing the stress state of the body)

But start low and slow with them as you’re effectively bypassing the rate limiting step in absorption so a little goes a long way!

Thank you @Talltreescoldseas for your comment. I’ve bought some Methylcobalamin drops, they’re 3,000mcg per ml I believe. I intend to use an insulin syringe and start at 100th of that dose. But scared to start though!

7 hours ago, Chippy said:

Im very sorry to read @Johan1233 unfortunately it can just take time for the body to settle down. Your windows and waves pattern is a good sign indeed. I always say, more symptoms=more healing.

I very much doubt you are in tolerance to the drug. Are your symptoms showing up strongly a short time after taking your dose?

With the Magnesium, perhaps that dose is a bit high. You could creep it down a bit and see if it helps. I wouldn't stop it or half it, gotta be gental with your nervous system! The general advice is to start low and creep up. Im guessing you are are just taking a full tablet and have been from the start?

Hey @Chippy , thank you for the message. No, symptoms don’t peak after my dosage, it’s just random. I take my omeprazole in the morning and lex at night, so effectively spilt dosing which I’ve been doing this whole time.

I’ve been trying to re-trace my steps prior to this wave and I may or may not have an answer. As far as intercourse is concerned, I’m aware that it has an effect on the central nervous system. On Saturday night me and my wife had what I would call intense intercourse, more than usual. The following Sunday morning my wave hit then built. Is there any merit in this do you think?

8 minutes ago, Johan1233 said:

Hey @Chippy , thank you for the message. No, symptoms don’t peak after my dosage, it’s just random. I take my omeprazole in the morning and lex at night, so effectively spilt dosing which I’ve been doing this whole time.

That’s good to hear. I’d put tolerance out of your mind if it were me.

8 minutes ago, Johan1233 said:

I’ve been trying to re-trace my steps prior to this wave and I may or may not have an answer. As far as intercourse is concerned, I’m aware that it has an effect on the central nervous system. On Saturday night me and my wife had what I would call intense intercourse, more than usual. The following Sunday morning my wave hit then built. Is there any merit in this do you think?

I have heard of people saying they have felt that this kind of activity has made things worse. Im not 100% sure tbh. Got to be one of the most natural things in the world to do. But sure chemicals are being released in your brain so I guess anything is possible. I’d not let this get in the way of having a good relationship with your wife personally.

I’m more suspicious of your b12 injection than anything.

I’d be very careful about supplements, especially when you’re not stable/feeling a bit wavy.

21 minutes ago, Johan1233 said:

On Saturday night me and my wife had what I would call intense intercourse, more than usual. The following Sunday morning my wave hit then built. Is there any merit in this do you think?

There definitely is...there is a topic on it on SA...I will try to find it. We know intense exercise can affect us and adrenaline and hormones are involved so...

Found it

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/20771-could-orgasm-bring-on-worse-withdrawal-symptoms/?do=findComment&comment=431409

2 hours ago, Chippy said:

That’s good to hear. I’d put tolerance out of your mind if it were me.

I have heard of people saying they have felt that this kind of activity has made things worse. Im not 100% sure tbh. Got to be one of the most natural things in the world to do. But sure chemicals are being released in your brain so I guess anything is possible. I’d not let this get in the way of having a good relationship with your wife personally.

I’m more suspicious of your b12 injection than anything.

I’d be very careful about supplements, especially when you’re not stable/feeling a bit wavy.

Thanks @chippy that has put my mind at rest and I am feeling better this afternoon. Even managed to play with the kids before bedtime which was nice

2 hours ago, Chippy said:

That’s good to hear. I’d put tolerance out of your mind if it were me.

I have heard of people saying they have felt that this kind of activity has made things worse. Im not 100% sure tbh. Got to be one of the most natural things in the world to do. But sure chemicals are being released in your brain so I guess anything is possible. I’d not let this get in the way of having a good relationship with your wife personally.

I’m more suspicious of your b12 injection than anything.

I’d be very careful about supplements, especially when you’re not stable/feeling a bit wavy.

Thanks @Chippy that has put my mind at rest some what. And I am feeling better this afternoon which is nice. Even managed to play with the kids before bedtime.

It’s something I’ve always wondered, and I would say normally it hasn’t effected me too much, but like I said it was more intense than usual so potentially.

Absolutely a possibility, it’s something I regret to this day and won’t be doing again in a hurry!!

12 hours ago, Johan1233 said:

Thanks @Chippy that has put my mind at rest some what. And I am feeling better this afternoon which is nice. Even managed to play with the kids before bedtime

Pleasure Johan, and Im pleased to see this, hoover up every moment with them! Prescious years!

12 hours ago, Johan1233 said:

It’s something I’ve always wondered, and I would say normally it hasn’t effected me too much, but like I said it was more intense than usual so potentially.

Yeah, Ive not had any issues in that department, so that is why Im unsure, but I have heard of others react, perhaps in a wave and make things worse, and of course if things were a bit more adventurous than usual it could have been too much exercise and people certainly react to that! 😆

12 hours ago, Johan1233 said:

Absolutely a possibility, it’s something I regret to this day and won’t be doing again in a hurry!!

No, Id genuinely watch the urge to 'try' things, I think people get hurt doing so. Give your body what it needs through food. My thoughts.

Hi @LostinCanada. So I’m not sure if this is an issue or not regarding my omeprazole. I’ve been using the the same brand for the last 5 months and it seems they’ve changed the branding and the bead size, colour and quantity inside the capsule. I’m hoping it’s going to react the same but at the same time I don’t think there’s much I can do.

1 minute ago, Johan1233 said:

Hi @LostinCanada. So I’m not sure if this is an issue or not regarding my omeprazole. I’ve been using the the same brand for the last 5 months and it seems they’ve changed the branding and the bead size, colour and quantity inside the capsule. I’m hoping it’s going to react the same but at the same time I don’t think there’s much I can do.

It may matter just because we know that it really affects absorption of lexapro.

If the new brand is a bit more potent or less potent, there could be an effect.

The only options are phoning around to other pharmacies to see if you can get the old brand or riding it out till you stabilize.

5 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

It may matter just because we know that it really affects absorption of lexapro.

If the new brand is a bit more potent or less potent, there could be an effect.

The only options are phoning around to other pharmacies to see if you can get the old brand or riding it out till you stabilize.

I know what you’re saying, I faced this issue last year. I was thinking of phoning around but if they are fazing out the old omeprazole then I’m just delaying the inevitable. I have 6 weeks left of the old omeprazole so I might just use that till the end so I’m more stable when I switch

12 minutes ago, Johan1233 said:

have 6 weeks left of the old omeprazole so I might just use that till the end so I’m more stable when I switch

Could you use those with the new...maybe one day a new one, 6 days old, 2 days the new one, 5 days the old , etc....then at least there will be some softening of the transition. Just a thought.

1 hour ago, LostinCanada said:

Could you use those with the new...maybe one day a new one, 6 days old, 2 days the new one, 5 days the old , etc....then at least there will be some softening of the transition. Just a thought.

That sounds like a good idea. Thanks @LostinCanada

Hi @LostinCanada @Chippy . I don’t know if either know or know where I can find out some information on liquid lexapro(ciprilex) context- I work away some weekends on events. Normally arriving 12 lunchtime then finishing 12 midnight. I normally take my medication @7:30pm. It involves a syringe and precise measring(obviously). My question is: how long, once mixed, will it remain ‘good’. It’s obviously not ideal making up my dose in my van while working. So ideally I would mix the liquid into a container at home then ingest while at work. Thanks a lot

29 minutes ago, Johan1233 said:

Hi @LostinCanada @Chippy . I don’t know if either know or know where I can find out some information on liquid lexapro(ciprilex) context- I work away some weekends on events. Normally arriving 12 lunchtime then finishing 12 midnight. I normally take my medication @7:30pm. It involves a syringe and precise measring(obviously). My question is: how long, once mixed, will it remain ‘good’. It’s obviously not ideal making up my dose in my van while working. So ideally I would mix the liquid into a container at home then ingest while at work. Thanks a lot

Is this a diy liquid or a diluted manufactured liquid?

Assuming this is diy liquid I would suggest putting it in a small cool bag/picnic bag with an ice pack or two. It won’t freeze it just keep it cool.

30 minutes ago, Johan1233 said:

Hi @LostinCanada @Chippy . I don’t know if either know or know where I can find out some information on liquid lexapro(ciprilex) context- I work away some weekends on events. Normally arriving 12 lunchtime then finishing 12 midnight. I normally take my medication @7:30pm. It involves a syringe and precise measring(obviously). My question is: how long, once mixed, will it remain ‘good’. It’s obviously not ideal making up my dose in my van while working. So ideally I would mix the liquid into a container at home then ingest while at work. Thanks a lot

I've never seen an AD that could be made into liquid, that wasn't stable for less than 24 hours. Just make sure you put it in a little cooler. You don't want it to freeze or get hot.

Greetings, speaking from experience because I had tons of gastro issues alongside withdrawal, sometimes withdrawal takes its time to show it's teeth. Like you think you're over it and stable, but not really. My withdrawal got worse slowly as months went by despite feeling better after quitting. Hoping to turn the corner where it starts to get better again. By month 4 I had a very strong physical wave, and by month 7 it was both physical and mental. But in my case I quit cold turkey instead of tapering, so everybody experiences it differently.

And also, very important. I had a horrible reaction with PPI combined with lexapro. Omeprazole gave me insomnia and anxiety at night. Googling I found that it increases blood levels of lexapro by inhibiting some liver enzymes. In some cases it can increase it up to double the dose you're taking. Also had a similar story with Lansoprazole. It's similar to omeprazole but also increases the lexapro blood levels up to 20%. It's not much, but for a sensitized nervous system, you do feel it. In my case I felt better, but sometimes could hear my thoughts? It was weird so I asked to try a different thing.

I solved the issues by switching to pantoprazole, although it wasn't strong enough. So I eventually ended with rabeprazole 20mg, which my body agreed as it's processed in the kidneys rather than the liver. I'm now taking 10mg as stomach symptoms lowered in intensity and can expand my diet a bit. I mostly suffer from dyspepsia stuff like reflux, bloating, hiccups, abdominal pains, unlimited burping episodes... I had an h pylori infection that jumpstarted it all, despite erradication some symptoms remain alongside chronic gastritis. I hope I can eventually heal, discontinue it too, and leave all the bad experience behind me.

Edited May 19May 19 by ALonelySoul12

2 minutes ago, ALonelySoul12 said:

solved the issues by switching to pantoprazole, although it wasn't strong enough. So I eventually ended with rabeprazole 20mg, which my body agreed as it's processed in the kidneys rather than liver.

@ALonelySoul12 Please look into DGL, aloe vera and marshmallow root to deal with reflux, etc. All PPIs must be tapered and can be bridged using the above. This link discusses it:

Source: VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairsal https://share.google/5LeMazWaMydQOghXm

36 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

@ALonelySoul12 Please look into DGL, aloe vera and marshmallow root to deal with reflux, etc. All PPIs must be tapered and can be bridged using the above. This link discusses it:

Source: VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairsal https://share.google/5LeMazWaMydQOghXm

Thanks for the link, but sadly it ain't easy. In my case I also have gastritis, combined with withdrawal I'm super sensitive, so whenever I tried to stop and try some alternative I would get bad burn. Sad they don't make smaller doses, but I'm already at the minimum dose of my current ppi. I'd rather not start trying other things like h2 blockers or other ppis until withdrawal improves, but so far no dice.

2 minutes ago, ALonelySoul12 said:

whenever I tried to stop and try some alternative I would get bad burn.

It's because stopping a PPI causes rebound reflux...that is why it too has to be tapered and while slowly tapering adding something like DGL, marshmallow root, etc works to increase mucus to coat the lining of the esophagus, stomach, etc.