8/12

Diagnosis/Medications/History:

Around age 10 I was diagnosed with “depression/anxiety.” I was medicated with Fluvoxamine to “restore my chemical imbalance.”

Somewhere near the age of 20 I tried to get off the Fluvoxamine cold turkey. I fell into withdrawal (akathisia, headaches, GI problems, mood problems). I was told this was my depression, and so I was put on Escitalopram (Esc) 10mg.

Some years later I asked the prescribing Dr how to get off. I was told to take half dose for two weeks and stop. I obviously fell into withdrawals again, eventually ended up reinstating Esc 10mg. This destabilization lasted 3 to 4 months. During that time, I found online communities like this one and SA.

Last summer (2025) I was able to cut Esc 10mg down to 7.5mg and then to 5mg over roughly 3 weeks. I’m aware that this is pretty fast, and I did get some extremely unpleasant, but not debilitating, symptoms. I stabilized and held for about a year at 5mg.

Most Recent Dose Cut:

On June 12 of 2026, I cut Esc 5mg down to 2.5mg. I realize this was too fast. First 4 weeks were basically symptom free. Week 5 presented unpleasant, but manageable anxiety. Week 6 was a more debilitating anxiety/emotions. Week 7 was slightly more manageable, yet very unpleasant, anxiety/emotions. Week 8 my emotions calmed down but I was completely exhausted and had to sleep most of the days.

Current Conditions:

Week 9 is when physical symptoms began on top of the low energy: unbearable headaches upon standing, stomach clenching and excruciating pain, unable to eat, being woken up in the middle of the night with stomach pains. Today I had to call out of work because of this. My skin has also become a pale yellow color, and my eyes are dark and puffy.

I strongly considered throwing in the towel and starting back on 5mg tomorrow, but worry that won’t help because I’m already 9 weeks out… I went to the doctor today who drew blood out of concern from my yellowish appearance.

Final thoughts:

Would reinstatement help or would it just be another adjustment for my nervous system, thus prolonging my suffering? Does anybody have advice on these stomach cramps? They are completely debilitating and have contributed to a loss of almost 15lbs.

I am struggling.

Welcome to the forum!

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are tapering and/or experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications and withdrawl syndrome. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. We simply offer support and opinions which you could use as talking points with a medical provider knowledgeable in withdrawing off psychiatric medications.

 

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I'm so sorry to read about the tough time you've had recently you will find plenty of support here for sure.

9 hours ago, EscTap said:

Around age 10 I was diagnosed with “depression/anxiety.” I was medicated with Fluvoxamine to “restore my chemical imbalance.”

It always breaks my heart when I read these stories, it's so much worse when those stories are of Children being medicated. The power of the 'Chemical Imbalance' is unreasonable, I remember having this exact conversation with my Dad a few years ago and parroting this exact phrase. Where did I hear it?! Madness, it has just quietly imbedded itself into our culture. This needs to change.

9 hours ago, EscTap said:

Somewhere near the age of 20 I tried to get off the Fluvoxamine cold turkey. I fell into withdrawal (akathisia, headaches, GI problems, mood problems). I was told this was my depression, and so I was put on Escitalopram (Esc) 10mg.

This would have been an awful shock to your system and it is so common for this to be misdiagnosed as relapse when in reality you were clearly in WD.

9 hours ago, EscTap said:

Some years later I asked the prescribing Dr how to get off. I was told to take half dose for two weeks and stop. I obviously fell into withdrawals again, eventually ended up reinstating Esc 10mg. This destabilization lasted 3 to 4 months. During that time, I found online communities like this one and SA.

I am glad you found the community. We suggest a much lower RI dose but it is good you stablised. Reinstating an Antidepressant

 

9 hours ago, EscTap said:

Last summer (2025) I was able to cut Esc 10mg down to 7.5mg and then to 5mg over roughly 3 weeks. I’m aware that this is pretty fast, and I did get some extremely unpleasant, but not debilitating, symptoms. I stabilized and held for about a year at 5mg.

Yes unfortunately this was much too fast a taper. Lexapro is a potent drug and as with all ADs we recommend either a body led hyperbolic taper or a max of 10% of your last dose. Tapering Information

9 hours ago, EscTap said:

On June 12 of 2026, I cut Esc 5mg down to 2.5mg. I realize this was too fast. First 4 weeks were basically symptom free. Week 5 presented unpleasant, but manageable anxiety. Week 6 was a more debilitating anxiety/emotions. Week 7 was slightly more manageable, yet very unpleasant, anxiety/emotions. Week 8 my emotions calmed down but I was completely exhausted and had to sleep most of the days.

Unfortunately WD can be delayed in onset or can worsen some time out. Windows and waves are common feature sadly. The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

9 hours ago, EscTap said:

Week 9 is when physical symptoms began on top of the low energy: unbearable headaches upon standing, stomach clenching and excruciating pain, unable to eat, being woken up in the middle of the night with stomach pains. Today I had to call out of work because of this. My skin has also become a pale yellow color, and my eyes are dark and puffy.

I strongly considered throwing in the towel and starting back on 5mg tomorrow, but worry that won’t help because I’m already 9 weeks out… I went to the doctor today who drew blood out of concern from my yellowish appearance.

9 hours ago, EscTap said:

Would reinstatement help or would it just be another adjustment for my nervous system, thus prolonging my suffering?

This is very much up to you. If it you wanted to try an updose then my advice would be to keep it to no more than 2.5-5% of you current dose. I would perhaps go for 2.6mg (+4%). Being that your symptoms are not necessarily a sign of over activation currently, I would say you are lower risk for updosing. Like RI, updosing can help but it can make you worse. Trying a small increase mitigates this risk. If it doesn't significantly worsen you I would hold that dose for 7-14 and the reassess.

Receptor occupancy wise 2.5mg has ~44% and 5mg ~58%, so 2.6mg isn't a huge increase from that perspective.

Alternatively holding and waiting for your body to stablise is the other option.

It is very important to make sure you are taking a consistent dose each day. Have read, cutting a pill half is not accurate enough, let us know if you need further advice on this: Preparing Doses for Tapering - Weighing & DIY Liquids

As I said you have to choose, if it was me, I would be tempted to try the small increase, however I cannot make this choice for you.

9 hours ago, EscTap said:

Does anybody have advice on these stomach cramps? They are completely debilitating and have contributed to a loss of almost 15lbs.

I don't specifically, others may be able to chime in with suggestions. Unfortunately most WD symptoms have to be left to resolve themselves. Main thing is to makes sure you can consume enough food and water to sustain yourself until things are better.

A big part of coping in WD is learning coping skills. Have a good look through our section on this:

Symptoms-Coping-Strategies

 

Acceptance is key - Why does acceptance feel impossible?

In the mean time this is what I would do if I were you:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind!

 

You are very welcome here and I hope you find the site supportive.