Sandnit: Tapering journey escitalopram

July 14Jul 14

14 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
@SarahMc , thanks for your reply! I find that with this feeling also comes the inability to feel happy or excited about anything.... I think i had this before in past waves ..... Well it is better than the chemical anxiety feeling.... So i wont complain and overall i think the baseline is creeping up.... So not bad ! Sending you healing!!

I have the same @Sandnit, my most consistent symptoms are brain fog and anhedonia (inability to feel positive emotions). In little windows the brain fog lessens and I can feel sparks of joy, interest, excitement. So I know it’ll come back for me, and it will for you too.

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

3

July 14Jul 14

Author

Thanks, @SarahMc !!. That's exactly how it feels. The brain fog and lack of positive emotions are the hardest part right now. But I've had a few good windows recently where I could actually feel like myself again. Yes it will come back for us.... Thanks 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)

1

July 15Jul 15

Author

Damnnn.....This morning anxiety and muscle twitches are much more noticeable again after several better days. .....I was really hoping stability was around the corner. Trying to remind myself this is part of the non-linear proces. But is is hard to accept this morning pfffff...... But the better days where real and they are not gone.... More will return!

Edited July 15Jul 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)

July 15Jul 15

32 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
Damnnn.....This morning anxiety and muscle twitches are much more noticeable again after several better days. .....I was really hoping stability was around the corner. Trying to remind myself this is part of the non-linear proces. But is is hard to accept this morning pfffff...... But the better days where real and they are not gone.... More will return!

So sorry @Sandnit this chemical anxiety that hits is terrible, I feel you there.

You are doing an amazing job of pushing back the waves and not letting them sweep you away, keep going, significant and long-term stability will come, slowly over time.

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.

1

July 15Jul 15

46 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
Trying to remind myself this is part of the non-linear proces. But is is hard to accept this morning pfffff...... But the better days where real and they are not gone.... More will return!

you got it mate! You are getting there, just not a straight line this journey!

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

July 15Jul 15

Author

@Chippy @FullhealingThanks, guys!! I honestly didn't expect it to hit this hard after several better days, as my baseline really seemed to be creeping up. I don't know... I just feel so weird today. It's different from before... different feeling of anxiety mixed with anhedonia, weird head feelings and a strange inner restlessness. But yes... just part of the non-linear process. Better days will come 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)

2

July 15Jul 15

53 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
@Chippy @FullhealingThanks, guys!! I honestly didn't expect it to hit this hard after several better days, as my baseline really seemed to be creeping up. I don't know... I just feel so weird today. It's different from before... different feeling of anxiety mixed with anhedonia, weird head feelings and a strange inner restlessness. But yes... just part of the non-linear process. Better days will come again

You got this @Sandnit. I feel like we are on this stabilization journey together. I’m back in a bit of a wave myself after feeling like I hit a better baseline for a couple weeks. It doesn’t mean our progress is lost! Stability 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

1

July 15Jul 15

Author

Thanks, @SarahMc sorry to hear you are back in a wave ....yeah it looks like we're experiencing something so similar. Your right our better days were real, and they'll come back. Stability will come !

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

July 16Jul 16

Author

This morning is brutal ..... Back to square one feeling is present again. But the better days last week where real and will come back..... But pfff this process is so cruel..... Sorry for rambling....

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)

July 16Jul 16

9 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
This morning is brutal ..... Back to square one feeling is present again. But the better days last week where real and will come back..... But pfff this process is so cruel..... Sorry for rambling....

Don't ever apologize, this is exactly the place to let off steam, moreover it's great that you are documenting regularly, that way you can see the process properly.

So very sorry about the brutal morning, another chemical burst that shakes the system but it will pass.

Stay strong @Sandnit you got it!!

Edited July 16Jul 16 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

July 16Jul 16

1 hour ago, Sandnit said:
This morning is brutal ..... Back to square one feeling is present again. But the better days last week where real and will come back..... But pfff this process is so cruel..... Sorry for rambling....

Sorry you are back in the trenches mate. What a journey this is! You'll get there. Hold the line! 🛡️

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

July 16Jul 16

Author

@Chippy @Fullhealing , thanks for your replies! It helpes me a lot. All part of the process right?

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

July 16Jul 16

3 hours ago, Sandnit said:
This morning is brutal ..... Back to square one feeling is present again. But the better days last week where real and will come back..... But pfff this process is so cruel..... Sorry for rambling....

Sorry @Sandnit. I woke up in a bad state this morning too with that overwhelming feeling of unease and despair. Let’s fight through the day together. Definitely part of the process, the progress you made shows what your body can do.

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
2

July 16Jul 16

Author

Thanks, @SarahMc I'm so sorry you're having a rough day too. We'll get through this together. You're right, the progress and the good days show what our nervous systems are capable of. Better days will come again. Although i feel they are far away at the moment, i just feel really weird and uneasy . Bleehhh. Wishing you a calmer afternoon.

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

July 16Jul 16

56 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
Although i feel they are far away at the moment, i just feel really weird and uneasy . Bleehhh. Wishing you a calmer afternoon.

Just keep telling yourself that this will pass, even if you can’t really believe it today. One day soon you will.

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

3

July 16Jul 16

Author

@SarahMc ....yes....it will pass for sure! Thanks!

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

July 16Jul 16

3 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
@SarahMc ....yes....it will pass for sure! Thanks!

It will definitely, we know that it's just sucks being in the midst.

You both coping amazing @Sandnit @SarahMc hope this nasty wave leaves quickly 🩵

Edited July 16Jul 16 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.

3

July 17Jul 17

Author

Update: Rough night because of thunderstorms and hail. Yesterday late afternoon things changed for the better and yesterday evening I was actually feeling pretty good...... Good sign??. This morning the unease returned, and it's quite intense again now.

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)

July 17Jul 17

Author

Really really tough day today....such a contrast to yesterday evening.....pfffff this sucks...just wondering if i did something wrong....

Edited July 17Jul 17 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)

1

July 17Jul 17

1 hour ago, Sandnit said:
Really really tough day today....such a contrast to yesterday evening.....pfffff this sucks...just wondering if i did something wrong....

You didn’t do anything wrong @Sandnit, it’s just those horrible, unpredictable ups and downs. Stay in the fight, just one foot in front of the other until this calms down.

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

July 17Jul 17

Author

@SarahMc , thank you! I just did not expect this after the better days i had... And today is just relentless. But..... Better days always come back........ I hope you are doing better

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)

July 17Jul 17

46 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
I just did not expect this after the better days i had... And today is just relentless. But..... Better days always come back........ I hope you are doing better

I know it's hard, but try not to add to your distress with anxiety about why you're back in a wave after better days. Your body knows what to do. Distract and get through the day, you will be ok.

Thanks, I'm a bit better today. Back to what seems to be my new baseline. Would love a real window one of these days -- hopefully in time it will come!

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

July 17Jul 17

Author

Thanks @SarahMc stop asking "why" and just let it be. That's definitely the hardest part for me. You are right.... every better day just happened.... i didnt do that but the body did...so it will move back to better days again. Today The last hour it finally seems to be easing a little, very slowly. A real window will come for us both !! Thanks again, your a real help!

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

July 17Jul 17

20 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
The last hour it finally seems to be easing a little, very slowly. A real window will come for us both !!

Glad it's easing a bit, any relief is positive!

20 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
Thanks again, your a real help!

Anytime bud 😊

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

July 17Jul 17

Author

13 minutes ago, SarahMc said:
Glad it's easing a bit, any relief is positive!

@SarahMc , sadly the relief was short lived.... But it was there and it does not matter because better days will come... Not fighting 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)

1

Sandnit: Tapering journey escitalopram

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