Sandnit: Tapering journey escitalopram

August 8Aug 8

Hi @Sandnit so pleased to hear that you are better!

Regarding supplements, from my experience, nothing so far including the ones recommended here have worked, some made things worse so if there is no proven deficiency I personally think it is better to let the system work cleanly although I know how tempting it is to try new things out of desperation..

As for stomach issues, very common unfortunately, Im in an almost constant state of irritation and have not found anything effective for it, some recommend certain diets that I personally don't really support except for eating healthy in general with exceptions here and there for the soul (;

In any case, this is another symptom like the rest and the less you get excited about it so are the flames.

Keep coping great my friend, I hope this blessed relief lasts long 🤍

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

August 8Aug 8

@Sandnit , as others have previously mentioned, and myself included, as far as supplements go I did not take any, I tried some at first but just reacted badly. So I stayed away from the. Like the old saying goes , " take in what the earth provides ", so anything natural and not processed is an excellent choice.

Dec 23 Citalopram 15mg

13 March 24 13.5mg

27 March 24 10mg

12 March 24 7.5mg

20 March 24 6mg

10 Aug 24 5mg

24 Aug 24 4mg

2 Sept 24 3.5mg

11 Sept 24 3mg

19 Sept 24 2.5mg

26 Sept 24 2mg

5 Oct 24 1.5mg

12 Oct 24 1mg

17 Oct 24 Jumped off.

August 9Aug 9

17 hours ago, Sandnit said:
@Fullhealing @Chippy @SarahMc ,Small update. After a really difficult morning, things suddenly became noticeably calmer around early afternoon and I’ve actually been feeling pretty good for the last few hours. Really grateful for this relief ❤️
One thing I noticed, which also happened during a previous window, is that my stomach/gut suddenly became quite active and a little sore at the same time. Almost feels like my gut is waking up again when my system settles down a bit.
Not trying to analyse or predict anything from it though. Just enjoying these better hours while they’re here. Thank you for your support

Great news mate! Windows are a good sign of healing happening. Gut and brain are so interelated.

Good move, just let the good and bad float past, noticing but not reacting or second guessing. It is all part of the process. Enjoy and remember those better moments.

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

August 9Aug 9

Author

@SarahMc @Chippy @Fullhealing @Bernadette , the better feeling didn’t last for the rest of the day, but the evening was still fairly okay and I slept until around 6:30 this morning. This morning the unease is back again but I didn’t expect everything to disappear like flipping a light switch.

I’m really grateful for those hours yesterday. It was a good reminder that even in this long wave, that better feeling is still there and can come back.

Also, thanks everyone for your thoughts about supplements. The general advice seems to be to keep things simple and let the body do its thing. My previous waves passed without supplements too, so I’m going to leave that alone and keep 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)

4

August 12Aug 12

Author

A little update from the last few days.

Things are still very up and down. I’ve had several clear windows and better periods recently, including a really good afternoon and evening yesterday where I felt much more like myself again.

Today is a much more difficult day again, more anxiety/restlessness, some spikes, anhedonia, little appetite and some GI symptoms and muscles twitching away. Even with the windows it is hard to hold perspective on a day like this but I know healing is happening and better and more stable time 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

August 12Aug 12

@Sandnit this is wonderful news, your having more windows more frequently . The system is definitely trying is best to fix itself, hang on to those moments because they will get longer and more vibrant, and the joy truly showing through to brighter tomorrow's. Never dought your resilience, because you are stronger, and this WD will be but a bad dream. You are an amazing young man, so very Happy for you.

Dec 23 Citalopram 15mg

13 March 24 13.5mg

27 March 24 10mg

12 March 24 7.5mg

20 March 24 6mg

10 Aug 24 5mg

24 Aug 24 4mg

2 Sept 24 3.5mg

11 Sept 24 3mg

19 Sept 24 2.5mg

26 Sept 24 2mg

5 Oct 24 1.5mg

12 Oct 24 1mg

17 Oct 24 Jumped off.

August 13Aug 13

Author

Thank you so much, @Bernadette i really appreciate your words. On days like this, when I wake up early and the symptoms feel very strong again, I find it so difficult to see that I’m actually moving in the right direction. The good windows can suddenly feel very far away, even though I know I’ve had them recently.

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)

August 13Aug 13

Author

This morning is brutal again. Man what a ride..... Hoping and praying for some longer periods of relief!!

Sending you all good healing.

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)

August 13Aug 13

59 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
This morning is brutal again. Man what a ride..... Hoping and praying for some longer periods of relief!!
Sending you all good healing.

Sorry to hear hear mate, what a ride indeed. Given enough time this will level out for you I am sure.

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

August 13Aug 13

4 hours ago, Sandnit said:
This morning is brutal again. Man what a ride..... Hoping and praying for some longer periods of relief!!
Sending you all good healing.

Sorry to hear @Sandnit. I’m back in a long wave myself. Thinking of you and sending strength & resilience your way. You’ll make it through.

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

August 13Aug 13

Author

@SarahMc , sorry to hear!!! Sending all good things back to you..... We will make it through!!

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

August 13Aug 13

Morning here from Wisconsin @Sandnit , sorry for the rough mornings, there were days I endured those lovely cortisol morning's and said to myself, "Well here we go, were in for a bumpy ride " well I'm getting kinda sick of this the cortisol morning's can go any time now, it's not funny any more. This is me talking to God when I wake up😊 we sometimes have some intense conversations, but he does listen. You know what, I was just thinking of someone, " So 1 day when I'm 100% healed, I figure I'm gonna call into to work healthy, and just take the day off for myself, after alll, why waste it on work, I've given enough of myself to them, and after all this and going through WD I deserve it. 🤣🤣 stay strong my friend, the days are bright and prayers to a wonderful window. Hugs xxx Bernadette

Dec 23 Citalopram 15mg

13 March 24 13.5mg

27 March 24 10mg

12 March 24 7.5mg

20 March 24 6mg

10 Aug 24 5mg

24 Aug 24 4mg

2 Sept 24 3.5mg

11 Sept 24 3mg

19 Sept 24 2.5mg

26 Sept 24 2mg

5 Oct 24 1.5mg

12 Oct 24 1mg

17 Oct 24 Jumped off.

1

August 13Aug 13

Author

Thank you so much, @Bernadette Unfortunately, for me it doesn’t always stay with the mornings. Some days it can linger well into the afternoon or even most of the day, like today. That can make it really hard to keep perspective, especially after having some really nice windows recently.

I did have two short moments today where that nice, positive feeling suddenly came through again, which was really lovely and reminds me that things are still shifting, even on a rough day like this.

Hopefully those little moments will gradually turn into longer and more consistent windows.

And I love your plan to call in healthy one day 🤣 After all of this, you absolutely deserve that day!

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
1

August 13Aug 13

Yes, we all deserve a healthy call in day, just to celebrate what we have gone through. This does not get to beat us, it does not get to define us for we are strong, and we will all persevere to a glorious morning with the sky as bright as the morning sun. God bless my friend.

Dec 23 Citalopram 15mg

13 March 24 13.5mg

27 March 24 10mg

12 March 24 7.5mg

20 March 24 6mg

10 Aug 24 5mg

24 Aug 24 4mg

2 Sept 24 3.5mg

11 Sept 24 3mg

19 Sept 24 2.5mg

26 Sept 24 2mg

5 Oct 24 1.5mg

12 Oct 24 1mg

17 Oct 24 Jumped off.

2

August 14Aug 14

Author

Another really rough morning today. Lots of inner restlessness/ and that awful “lost” feeling, and it’s hard to imagine better moments will come again ppppffff

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)

August 14Aug 14

19 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
Another really rough morning today. Lots of inner restlessness/ and that awful “lost” feeling, and it’s hard to imagine better moments will come again ppppffff

Try to remember the lack of ability to imagine better moments is a symptom in itself and will also lift in its own time. Ignore any and all negative thoughts. Distract. You will feel better again :)

2016 - Sertraline 50mg

2016 - Sertraline 100mg.

I didnt know better and rarely took it consistently.

June 2024 - went down to 75mg

2025 - Down to 50mg

2026 - down to 25mg

April 2026 - hit by withdrawal and kindling

Reinstated April 2026 - 25mg

May 27th 2026 - Upped to 50mg

1

August 14Aug 14

2 hours ago, Sandnit said:
Another really rough morning today. Lots of inner restlessness/ and that awful “lost” feeling, and it’s hard to imagine better moments will come again ppppffff

I'm there with you @Sandnit, we will get through it 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

August 15Aug 15

21 hours ago, Sandnit said:
Another really rough morning today. Lots of inner restlessness/ and that awful “lost” feeling, and it’s hard to imagine better moments will come again ppppffff

Sorry to read @Sandnit there will be better days, I know it's hard see it on the bad ones, bad one for me today. Was so optimistic yesterday lol tomorrow is another day

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

August 15Aug 15

Author

4 hours ago, Chippy said:
Sorry to read @Sandnit there will be better days, I know it's hard see it on the bad ones, bad one for me today. Was so optimistic yesterday lol tomorrow is another day

@Chippy , sorry to read about your bad day...... In sure hope some better moments will come soon .... This phase is so 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)

1

August 16Aug 16

21 hours ago, Sandnit said:
@Chippy , sorry to read about your bad day...... In sure hope some better moments will come soon .... This phase is so hard.

Thank you mate, quite a bit better today, yesterday was very hard. It is hard to see the other side in those moments, even though I know it is there.

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.

August 16Aug 16

Author

1 minute ago, Chippy said:
quite a bit better today

@Chippy , good to hear mate!!

In my case still feeling bad..... Sometimes really small windows..... All part of the process right... ? Better days will follow eventually

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)

August 16Aug 16

17 minutes ago, Sandnit said:
All part of the process right... ? Better days will follow eventually

100% mate!

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

August 18Aug 18

Author

Update: last Sunday afternoon and evening in had a nice window..... Yesterday and today are awful again. I guess my body is still working hard on there and cannot reach a more stable state yet..... I hope it will level out a bit.

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)

August 18Aug 18

6 hours ago, Sandnit said:
Update: last Sunday afternoon and evening in had a nice window..... Yesterday and today are awful again. I guess my body is still working hard on there and cannot reach a more stable state yet..... I hope it will level out a bit.

You’ll get there @Sandnit, every day is a day closer to stability.

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

August 19Aug 19

Hey @Sandnit Glad your evening windows were back, sorry about yesterday, hope today is kinder to you my friend.

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.

Sandnit: Tapering journey escitalopram

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