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Sandnit: Tapering journey escitalopram

Sandnit
Sandnit
in Introductions & Ongoing Recoveries

Featured Replies

  • Author

@Chippy Thanks for stopping by mate..... Still allot of constant unease type of anxiety... especially in the morning......

I was just thinking..... A small updose is way to late right? 8 months on this dose already.... Better to ride it out?

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)

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  • Beehive
    Beehive

    @Sandnit Please don't be so hard on yourself ,my goodness it's hard for anyone to accept what we are going through .Yes when I'm ok accepting comes easy but when in a nasty wave all bets are off ,you

  • Sandnit
    Sandnit

    @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 u

  • Sandnit
    Sandnit

    @Fullhealing @Beehive , Thanks both, I really appreciate your replies. It helps to be reminded that this is part of the process and that I’m not alone in this. I’ll try to go a bit easier on myself an

24 minutes ago, Sandnit said:

@Chippy Thanks for stopping by mate..... Still allot of constant unease type of anxiety... especially in the morning......

I was just thinking..... A small updose is way to late right? 8 months on this dose already.... Better to ride it out?

Pleasure, and I am sorry to hear this.

I think as your symptoms are activation in variety I would be concerned increasing the dose would amp that further for you mate.

If you ever consider doing this, make sure it is tiny, 2.5% or less of your current dose.

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.

  • Author
7 minutes ago, Chippy said:

Pleasure, and I am sorry to hear this.

I think as your symptoms are activation in variety I would be concerned increasing the dose would amp that further for you mate.

@Chippy , thanks ! Clear, I don't want to take the risk of amping it up even further. So I will stay the course.... Also I have windows now and then.... these are good signs right? In the end my body knows what to do and I'm time it will level out 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)

1 minute ago, Sandnit said:

Also I have windows now and then....

This is the big thing, if you are having windows I think risking it would be silly.

1 minute ago, Sandnit said:

these are good signs right? In the end my body knows what to do and I'm time it will level out right?

They are great signs and yes trusting the body is key. It is WAY smarter than we are!

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.

    •
    • Like 2
    3 hours ago, Sandnit said:

    @Chippy Thanks for stopping by mate..... Still allot of constant unease type of anxiety... especially in the morning......

    I was just thinking..... A small updose is way to late right? 8 months on this dose already.... Better to ride it out?

    Hey @Sandnit I'm sorry to hear it's still going tough, unfortunately we know there is no other way but to go through the rough fluctuations, only time my friend, keep fighting, you are doing so well.

    Regarding updose, if it is not very extreme and continues without any relief I would leave it only as an option but your choice of course.

    Hope the rest of the day gets better for you.

    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.

    • Author
    16 minutes ago, Fullhealing said:

    I'm sorry to hear it's still going tough, unfortunately we know there is no other way but to go through the rough fluctuations, only time my friend, keep fighting, you are doing so well.

    Regarding updose, if it is not very extreme and continues without any relief I would leave it only as an option but your choice of course.

    Hope the rest of the day gets better for you.

    @Fullhealing , Thanks so much for stopping by too!! I will not updose... do have some relief here and there, I normally sleep about 6 hours and last Sunday in had a nice window .... So yes, I will get through this and time will bring more relief! Again thanks so much!!

    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 hour ago, Sandnit said:

    @Fullhealing , Thanks so much for stopping by too!! I will not updose... do have some relief here and there, I normally sleep about 6 hours and last Sunday in had a nice window .... So yes, I will get through this and time will bring more relief! Again thanks so much!!

    I admire you mindset and strength @Sandnit amazing!

    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.

    •
    • Like 1
    • Author

    Update: yesterday was a bit better. Today is hard but the intensity of the unease seems less .... Also muscle twitches seem to be lessening....Good signs 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 hours ago, Sandnit said:

    Update: yesterday was a bit better. Today is hard but the intensity of the unease seems less .... Also muscle twitches seem to be lessening....Good signs right?

    @Sandnit I think the fact that things are constantly changing around for you is a good sign, your body is clearly fighting hard for that stability. You'll get there 😊.

    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

     

    •
    • Like 1
    • Author
    39 minutes ago, SarahMc said:

    I think the fact that things are constantly changing around for you is a good sign, your body is clearly fighting hard for that stability. You'll get there 😊.

    @SarahMc Thanks for stopping by..... Yeah it is really a big rollercoaster at the moment.... This morning i even had some better moments but this afternoon it is awful again..... Hard not to wonder what i did wrong but I think it didn't do something wrong..... Just the process i think

    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 hour ago, Sandnit said:

    @SarahMc Thanks for stopping by..... Yeah it is really a big rollercoaster at the moment.... This morning i even had some better moments but this afternoon it is awful again..... Hard not to wonder what i did wrong but I think it didn't do something wrong..... Just the process i think

    @Sandnit you didn't do anything wrong. I think when we're in a stubborn wave we all try to figure out what we did to cause it. I've been doing that a lot myself lately. But most of the time we didn't do anything -- as terrible as it may be it's just what our bodies need to do to heal.

    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

     

    •
    • Like 1
    • Author

    @SarahMc , Yes you are right.... All part of the healing process..... We will get through... Sending you lots of 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)

    • Like 1
    7 hours ago, Sandnit said:

    Update: yesterday was a bit better. Today is hard but the intensity of the unease seems less .... Also muscle twitches seem to be lessening....Good signs right?

    Waves and windows my friend, the system continues to heal continuously, just keep enduring as you do so well, it will get much better!

    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.

    •
    • Like 2
    • Author

    Last 2 days and today are without Windows and almost constant feeling of unease/ anxiety..... It is really so hard at the moment.... Hoping and praying for some relief soon.

    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)

    43 minutes ago, Sandnit said:

    Last 2 days and today are without Windows and almost constant feeling of unease/ anxiety..... It is really so hard at the moment.... Hoping and praying for some relief soon.

    I as you.. I'm sorry it's super tough but healing is happening, it will pass.

    Hang in there, you're doing great.

    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.

    • Author
    1 minute ago, Fullhealing said:

    I as you.. I'm sorry it's super tough but healing is happening, it will pass.

    Hang in there, you're doing great.

    @Fullhealing , sorry too hear!! But yes it is all healing and better days will come for us. Thank you for stopping by my friend!

    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)

    • Like 1
    21 hours ago, Sandnit said:

    Last 2 days and today are without Windows and almost constant feeling of unease/ anxiety..... It is really so hard at the moment.... Hoping and praying for some relief soon.

    Hope this improves for you soon, mate, can be a bit of a journey this! You've got it though. Better days coming.

    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.

    •
    • Like 1
    • Author

    @Chippy , yesterday was a better day.... The chemical anxiety was not gone but I had a baseline sort of feeling of ease underneath thing that normally triggered stuff didn't bother me that much.... Don't know how to describe it really. Unfortunately that seems gone today but I guess these are good signs..?

    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 hour ago, Sandnit said:

    @Chippy , yesterday was a better day.... The chemical anxiety was not gone but I had a baseline sort of feeling of ease underneath thing that normally triggered stuff didn't bother me that much.... Don't know how to describe it really. Unfortunately that seems gone today but I guess these are good signs..?

    This is great news mate! So happy to read :) I think all very good signs, wish this was linear.....

    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.

    • Author

    @Chippy , Thanks mate..... It sure is not lineair.... Today is really awful again..... So cruel.......pffff

    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 hours ago, Sandnit said:

    @Chippy , Thanks mate..... It sure is not lineair.... Today is really awful again..... So cruel.......pffff

    You got this @Sandnit, this wave sure is a tough one but better days are 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

     

    •
    • Like 1
    • Author
    4 minutes ago, SarahMc said:

    You got this @Sandnit, this wave sure is a tough one but better days are coming 💜

    @SarahMc , Thank you so much.... im hopeful and thankful for the better day yesterday..... In hope more is coming!

    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)

    • Like 1
    20 hours ago, Sandnit said:

    @Chippy , Thanks mate..... It sure is not lineair.... Today is really awful again..... So cruel.......pffff

    I am sorry to hear, the process is so up and down, very wavy myself atm, frustrating..... We will all get there in the end, acceptance is key! :)

    Hope today is better for you

    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.

    •
    • Like 1
    • Author
    4 hours ago, Chippy said:

    am sorry to hear, the process is so up and down, very wavy myself atm, frustrating..... We will all get there in the end, acceptance is key! :)

    Hope today is better for you

    @Chippy , sorry to hear it is wavy for you atm.....

    Unfortunately it is not better today.

    I'm trying to accep but it is a really hard phase atm..... It feels like I'm paying the price for the better day.... But I didn't do anything out of the ordinary.... Or just the process?

    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)

    58 minutes ago, Sandnit said:

    I'm trying to accep but it is a really hard phase atm..... It feels like I'm paying the price for the better day.... But I didn't do anything out of the ordinary.... Or just the process?

    Just the process @Sandnit, try not to search too hard for a reason today is worse -- unless there is something really obvious, I think most of the time it is just random, the bad day was going to happen no matter what. You're not doing anything wrong, this is just a really rough patch. But the flip side is all you have to do is hold on and those better days 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

     

    •
    • Like 1

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