Sandnit: Tapering journey escitalopram

June 15Jun 15

Author

Thank you @Chippy !

You're right. I think constantly wondering if and when I will stabilise is probably adding extra stress. I like the idea of setting a date and just trying to live my life and take each day as it comes until then. Ill try my best.

Deep down I know i will stabilise again, just like i did before. I just wish I knew when. 😊🌿❤️

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

2

June 15Jun 15

Just now, Sandnit said:
Deep down I know i will stabilise again, just like i did before. I just wish I knew when. 😊🌿❤️

Exactly, its trying to surrender control I think. There is nothing more you can do. When you accept that I think you crack it.

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.

1

June 15Jun 15

Author

Thank you @Chippy ,

Sorry for my ignorance.....When you say "when you accept that I think you crack it", you probably don't mean that the symptoms themselves will disappear, but that by surrendering the need to control the process and the timeline, carrying the wave becomes easier untill more stable again?

Edited June 15Jun 15 by Sandnit

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

June 15Jun 15

53 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
Thank you @Chippy ,
Sorry for my ignorance.....When you say "when you accept that I think you crack it", you probably don't mean that the symptoms themselves will disappear, but that by surrendering the need to control the process and the timeline, carrying the wave becomes easier untill more stable again?

Exactly it just eases the suffering not resolves wd! If only it was that easy!

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.

1

June 17Jun 17

Author

Update: still struggling, especially in the mornings. This wave is taking its time, but I know better days and stability will come eventually. Until then... soldiering on.

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

June 17Jun 17

So sorry you're still struggling, long unpredictable road but respect for the fighting spirit @Sandnit we keep hold onto hope for long balanced place, it will come xx

Edited June 17Jun 17 by Fullhealing

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

2

June 17Jun 17

1 hour ago, Sandnit said:
Update: still struggling, especially in the mornings. This wave is taking its time, but I know better days and stability will come eventually. Until then... soldiering on.

Sorry things are still tough for you. Nice long hold is doing you a world of good. Its laying the foundation for a successful taper!

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.

3

June 17Jun 17

Author

Thank you both @Chippy and @Fullhealing !!
I think this long hold is teaching me a lot, even though it has been a difficult period. Once everything settles down again and I feel stable, I will probably take some extra time before continuing my taper. There is no rush anymore.

Early last year I also had a long hold and a difficult period, and eventually I reached a beautiful stable phase again. That experience is proof that my body can return to this state and gives me hope that stability will return this time as well, although WD brain often tries to sabotage that hope. .

Right now I am just hoping this wave won't take too much longer. I'm longing for some easier times.

Until then... soldiering on. 🌿❤️

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

2

June 17Jun 17

1 hour ago, Sandnit said:
Thank you both @Chippy and @Fullhealing !!
I think this long hold is teaching me a lot, even though it has been a difficult period. Once everything settles down again and I feel stable, I will probably take some extra time before continuing my taper. There is no rush anymore.

Early last year I also had a long hold and a difficult period, and eventually I reached a beautiful stable phase again. That experience is proof that my body can return to this state and gives me hope that stability will return this time as well, although WD brain often tries to sabotage that hope. .

Right now I am just hoping this wave won't take too much longer. I'm longing for some easier times.

Until then... soldiering on. 🌿❤️

Good that you had that experience and know that with enough waiting time things even out, I'm not that lucky and haven't had a period that I can say worthy since the beginning but looking back I gave a maximum of 2 months until the next cut regardless of where I was in terms of symptoms that might explain why I'm at where I'm at but no self blame here as we learn as we go.

Hope today is kind to you and again, admire your positive attitude! xx

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

2

June 17Jun 17

Author

@Fullhealing We all learn as we go and none of us knew these things in the beginning.

I do feel grateful that I have experienced stable periods before. They remind me that my body can find balance again with enough time and patience.

Wishing you some easier days too, they will come !! Im the meantime we soldier on.

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

1

June 18Jun 18

22 hours ago, Sandnit said:
Thank you both @Chippy and @Fullhealing !!
I think this long hold is teaching me a lot, even though it has been a difficult period. Once everything settles down again and I feel stable, I will probably take some extra time before continuing my taper. There is no rush anymore.

What a wonderful mind set, WD as painful as it is, certainly teaches us skills that once we are healed will be like a super power, if they are not already!

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.

1

June 19Jun 19

Author

Update: yesterday and this morning are still awful.... Never expected such a brutal wave after such a long hold.... But i guess my body needed to catch up. Hard to stay positive

Still better days are coming!! One day closer again.....

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

June 19Jun 19

26 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
Still better days are coming!! One day closer again.....

100% thats the mindset. :)

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.

1

June 19Jun 19

2 hours ago, Sandnit said:
Update: yesterday and this morning are still awful.... Never expected such a brutal wave after such a long hold.... But i guess my body needed to catch up. Hard to stay positive

You got this @Sandnit. Minute by minute if needed. We’re fighting through this together.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

Current regimen:

Cymbalta - 90 mg/day

Seroquel - 12.5 mg/day

*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026

History:

Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to present

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025

Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper off

Zoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)

Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026

Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present

1

June 19Jun 19

Author

Thanks @Chippy and @SarahMc , today is even worse....sky high anxiety... without and reason.... I don't understand..... but i guess it is part of what my body needs to do to get to a better place.... Man this is hard....

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

June 19Jun 19

Anxiety is the absolute worst @Sandnit, I’m so sorry. But you can and will get through the day and hopefully tomorrow will be just a little bit better. Sending strength your way.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

Current regimen:

Cymbalta - 90 mg/day

Seroquel - 12.5 mg/day

*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026

History:

Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to present

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025

Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper off

Zoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)

Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026

Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present

1

June 20Jun 20

19 hours ago, Sandnit said:
but i guess it is part of what my body needs to do to get to a better place.... Man this is hard....

It is hard, but you have 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.

1

June 22Jun 22

Author

The last two days have been so confusing. The afternoon and evening two days ago were actually reasonably good and I even had some small enjoyable moments. I slept fairly well that night, so I expected things to continue improving.

Instead, anxiety suddenly increased again yesterday and by the afternoon I was almost in panic territory. Last night was poor again and I woke up very early with intense anxiety. Muscles are twitching everywhere in my body. It was one of the worst days i experienced in a long time.

It feels so random and I'm i doing something wrong? My mind also keeps wondering if this could be some kind of poop-out....

Has anyone experienced something similar?

I think holding is still the way to go right?

Sorry for rambling...im just scared right now

Edited June 22Jun 22 by Sandnit

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

June 22Jun 22

2 hours ago, Sandnit said:
The last two days have been so confusing. The afternoon and evening two days ago were actually reasonably good and I even had some small enjoyable moments. I slept fairly well that night, so I expected things to continue improving.
Instead, anxiety suddenly increased again yesterday and by the afternoon I was almost in panic territory. Last night was poor again and I woke up very early with intense anxiety. Muscles are twitching everywhere in my body. It was one of the worst days i experienced in a long time.
It feels so random and I'm i doing something wrong? My mind also keeps wondering if this could be some kind of poop-out....
Has anyone experienced something similar?
I think holding is still the way to go right?
Sorry for rambling...im just scared right now

Sorry you are having a hard day even though you slept well. WD can so unpredictable.

I would not worry about poop out, I think many are concerned by it and most don't have it. It is more common in Benzos and for people on ADs a long time at a high dose to suddenly get symptoms out of the blue caused by a tolerance issue.

Nice long hold is your friend imo.

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.

June 22Jun 22

Author

Thanks @Chippy . I actually looked back through my own SA thread and noticed that I've worried about poop-out during previous waves as well. At those times I was convinced something had fundamentally changed, but eventually I found better days again and even reached long stable periods.

It really shows how WD makes me think "this time is different".

And I guess even if this would somehow turn out to be a tolerance issue, making changes now wouldn't be wise right? So holding still makes the most sense...

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

June 22Jun 22

2 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
I actually looked back through my own SA thread and noticed that I've worried about poop-out during previous waves as well. At those times I was convinced something had fundamentally changed, but eventually I found better days again and even reached long stable periods.

Exactly, super common!

2 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
It really shows how WD makes me think "this time is different".

So true!

2 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
And I guess even if this would somehow turn out to be a tolerance issue, making changes now wouldn't be wise right? So holding still makes the most sense...

Tolerance poop is dealt with by tapering through it. You don't have it imo so not something to worry about.

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.

1

June 22Jun 22

Author

@Chippy , Sorry, one more question.

Am I right in thinking that the intensity of symptoms doesn't necessarily say anything about how much longer the wave will last?

Right now these last couple of days have been some of the hardest I've experienced in a long time, and my WD brain immediately translates that into: "if it's this bad, it must mean I still have a very long wave ahead of me."

From experience I know that's not always true, but it's hard to remember that when you're in the middle of it.

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

June 22Jun 22

Hey @Sandnit — I’m sure Chippy will add to this, and of course he has much more experience than me. But I can say that, at least for me, the intensity of my symptoms on any given day seems to have no bearing on how long those symptoms will last. It’s completely random. Friday and Saturday were two of my worst days in quite a while, then yesterday was a nice bright window. Today is a little bit worse again but nothing compared to Fri/Sat. So just hang in there, that window is coming 😊

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

Current regimen:

Cymbalta - 90 mg/day

Seroquel - 12.5 mg/day

*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026

History:

Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to present

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025

Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper off

Zoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)

Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026

Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present

2

June 22Jun 22

Author

Thank you @SarahMc !

It's so hard not to assume that a very intense day means a very long wave ahead. Complete randomness sometimes.

Some days it even fluctuates throughout the day. Sometimes things can get much worse within hours and then ease off again later, which makes it all feel very unpredictable.

And I'm really happy to hear you had such a nice bright window yesterday. Many more are coming your way. ❤️

In 2016 Paroxetine 20mg for 4 months then stopped more or less cold Started 10mg Escitalopram 4 Mar 2022

From 10 to 20mg on 19 Apr 2022

From 20 to 15mg on 23 Jun 2022

From 15mg to 7,5mg on 5 Sept 2022 (I was supposed to drop from 15mg to 12,5mg but I accidentally used 5mg and half of 5mg pills instead of 10mg and half of 5mg pills, when I found out 2 weeks later I decided to keep to 7,5mg since most of the WD symptoms subsided by then, I now regret this. From 7,5mg to 5mg on 23 Sept 2022

Started Cross tapering Escitalopram 5mg to tapering strip brand from 26th of feb 2024 over one week and stabilised on 5mg untill 31 March 2024.

31 March 2024 started taper using tapering strips.

Escitalopram 04/20/24 - 4,5mg (hold because of WD symptoms raming up), 07/03/25 - 4,3mg, 07/28/25 - 4,2mg, 09/15/25 - 4,0mg, 10/13/25 - 3,8mg, 11/23/25 - 3,6mg (after illness big wave, so hold)

1

June 22Jun 22

14 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
It's so hard not to assume that a very intense day means a very long wave ahead. Complete randomness sometimes.
Some days it even fluctuates throughout the day. Sometimes things can get much worse within hours and then ease off again later, which makes it all feel very unpredictable.

I know — every day, and sometimes every hour, is completely unpredictable for me too. Incredibly frustrating, but all signs of the body working towards equilibrium.

17 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
And I'm really happy to hear you had such a nice bright window yesterday. Many more are coming your way. ❤️

Thank you, I’m looking forward to them 💜

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

Current regimen:

Cymbalta - 90 mg/day

Seroquel - 12.5 mg/day

*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026

History:

Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to present

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025

Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper off

Zoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)

Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026

Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present

2

Sandnit: Tapering journey escitalopram

Featured Replies

Top Posters In This Topic

Most Popular Posts

Beehive

Sandnit

Sandnit

Create an account or sign in to comment

Top Posters In This Topic

Most Popular Posts

Beehive

Sandnit

Sandnit

Account

Navigation

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)

Chrome (Desktop)

Safari (iOS 16.4+)

Safari (macOS)

Edge (Android)

Edge (Desktop)

Firefox (Android)

Firefox (Desktop)