7 hours ago, Rekonum said:

think the Josef Witt Doerring guy is full of shi.. his clinic costs an entire salary for a year and I’ve heard people didn’t even get help.. if this is what I’m going through how am I gonna get through this when all the psychiatrists that preach it sell themselves out for money as well

He does not have first hand experience like Mark Horowitz. Even Mark Horowitz was a member of SA ...it is where he learned his foundation regarding these drugs and tapering. Most of us come from SA and carry that knowledge along with experience for free...no ulterior motive... just so thankful we were helped and are now paying it forward. This site doesn't even accept donations despite running costs. Also this forum provides individual support and care.

Thanks @Chippy and @Luke ❤️🙏

Edited October 7Oct 7 by LostinCanada

2 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Most of us come from SA and carry that knowledge along with experience for free...no ulterior motive... just so thankful we were helped and are now paying it forward. This site doesn't even accept donations despite running costs.

I sometimes point this out when members start trying to compare what they're hearing here with "withdrawal specialists" attempting to charge them hundreds or thousands of pounds/dollars/euros/whatever.

I usually feel a bit weird doing so as I don't want to toot our own horn too much, but I do feel like it's quite an important point that the advice here is all entirely impartial and we're not gaining anything by doing any of this- we simply believe in trying to prevent harm being done to others.

@Rekonum Those Effexor side effects aren't going to go away, trust me. Why stay on it? If I were your psychiatrist, the minute I heard ED I would tell you to stop. That's not a minor side effect and it never improves with time. You should trust yourself and the experience of your body here, not wait for a doctor's permission to tell you what makes sense to do.

On 9/21/2026 at 7:28 PM, Rekonum said:

@Chippy

Why stay on the drug if it’s harming me.. even if it gets worse if I taper rapidly from here, wouldn’t it at least remove the drug and give the body time to heal quicker than if I stay where I’m at?

If I’m off the drug at least I can’t really blame it for my issues a year from now

This may be just my personal experience, but I never, ever, ever recommend tapering off too fast

@Chippy @Sminismoni @LostinCanada

My doctor represcribed me Lexapro 5mg to drop the Effexor

Should I wash today and just take klonopin and start the lexapro tomorrow

Also since I’m on klonopin, would it be better to just take the 5mg lexapro and stabilize there since I have the klonopin to lower activation? Don’t seem to have too many issues with the effexor “activation” at 37.5mg so was thinking 5mg lex will probably be okay considering I wasn’t on the klonopin first time I reinstated lexapro.. thoughts?

Just want something more therapeutic eventually

2 minutes ago, Rekonum said:

@Chippy @Sminismoni @LostinCanada

My doctor represcribed me Lexapro 5mg to drop the Effexor

Should I wash today and just take klonopin and start the lexapro tomorrow

Also since I’m on klonopin, would it be better to just take the 5mg lexapro and stabilize there since I have the klonopin to lower activation? Don’t seem to have too many issues with the effexor “activation” at 37.5mg so was thinking 5mg lex will probably be okay considering I wasn’t on the klonopin first time I reinstated lexapro.. thoughts?

Just want something more therapeutic eventually

If it were me I would just RI 0.5mg and hold that dose for 7 days (hold the benzo), if you tolerate it you could increase from there should you decide to. Based on your reaction to lexapro last time I wouldn't jump straight up to 5mg. Max I would consider would be 1mg.

You can use the information in this link to make up the low dose as a liquid. Did you buy those syringes I mentioned? Needle less 10ml and 1ml. If you want more help making the dose just ask.

Preparing Doses for Tapering - Weighing & DIY Liquids

9 minutes ago, Chippy said:

If it were me I would just RI 0.5mg and hold that dose for 7 days (hold the benzo), if you tolerate it you could increase from there should you decide to. Based on your reaction to lexapro last time I wouldn't jump straight up to 5mg. Max I would consider would be 1mg.

You can use the information in this link to make up the low dose as a liquid. Did you buy those syringes I mentioned? Needle less 10ml and 1ml. If you want more help making the dose just ask.

Preparing Doses for Tapering - Weighing & DIY Liquids

@Rekonum I agree with @Chippy

It is easier to increase a dose then to drop once it has over activated you. You have added effexor and now stopped it which adds to CNS stress. Low and slow is the best here.

I think making your own liquid is the best way to go. You can be accurate and do the small adjustments.

These instructions are from SA :

Do-it-yourself liquid

People report that they can make their own liquid from Lexapro tablets and water.

It is sparingly soluble in water, see http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01175 -- stability (shelf-life of dilution) is unknown.

Escitalopram oxalate occurs as a fine, white to slightly-yellow powder and is freely soluble in methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), soluble in isotonic saline solution, sparingly soluble in water and ethanol, slightly soluble in ethyl acetate, and insoluble in heptane. According to RxList,com.

Your best bet would be to use a homemade isotonic(normal saline) saline solution (9% salt in water) which is made by dissolving 9 grams(1.8 tsp) of table salt in 1000mL of water. Preparing a Saline Solution The NS(normal saline) should be good for up to a month to draw from.

Draw out or extract the amount of NS(normal saline) for your desired dilution, add to a separate, mixing vessel, preferably amber colored, and with a lid, then add in your escitalopram tablet or powdered tablet until it's dissolved. Keep protected from light in the refrigerator, and best to remix a batch of your Lexapro(dissolved) at least every week.

@Chippy @LostinCanada

i think Doc’s plan is to go 5 to 10 to 20 slowly

Then once I’m stable he will taper me off klonopin slowly supposedly

Edited October 8Oct 8 by Rekonum

@Chippy @LostinCanada

Take into account effexor at 37.5 which I’ve been on for almost 2 weeks now has 40% serotonin occupancy in brain where 5mg lexapro is roughly 60%

not a huge jump but 1mg of lexapro would be what

11 minutes ago, Rekonum said:

1mg of lexapro would be what

Approximately 25% . Please recognize that there is more in okay than SERT. Plus your CNS is not stable at present.

20 minutes ago, Rekonum said:

Doc’s plan is to go 5 to 10 to 20 slowly

Let your body be your guide ...not some paperwork on a drs desk.

57 minutes ago, Rekonum said:

@Chippy @LostinCanada

i think Doc’s plan is to go 5 to 10 to 20 slowly

Then once I’m stable he will taper me off klonopin slowly supposedly

How have the drugs doctors have insisted would be fine worked out so far?

@Luke

Klonopin good

Lexapro bad but I only gave it 3 1/2 weeks at 10mg

There are more drugs than just two in your history. It's been less than two months and we're on 17 pages of trying to deal with the fallout of doctors' advice so it's pretty clear they haven't quite managed to make everything wonderful.

If you'd prefer to follow their tapering and reinstatement plans, by all means go ahead and that's your choice, but it's getting to the point where we're putting in a lot of effort to try to support you and share what has gone well and what has gone badly for others who have been harmed and you never want to hear it.

You've repeatedly expressed that you don't like the advice given here, your doctor "thinks we're all full of ****" in your own words, yet keep ignoring what's said here and getting in more of a bad state and then asking for more help.

What are we supposed to do for you? We're just people who got really harmed trying to warn others about what harmed us. We're 17 pages in 8 weeks into giving you those warnings over and over again and you not liking them.

39 minutes ago, Luke said:

How have the drugs doctors have insisted would be fine worked out so far?

Honestly I was going to say the same. Educate yourself. These drugs were never meant for long term use. Are you aware they use these drugs to chemically castrate sex offenders?

Whatever your reasons were to seek out this treatment, there are numerous safe, non drug methods available. The difference is they take work and time.

Read the FDA drug pamphlet for escitalopram please

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/021365s041lbl.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiI7I_0kauXAxXQGDQIHXtTMLYQy_kOegoIAggACAAIBhAC&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw3QvG1EaZgd1wmoPvnLFPRK&ust=1791573605701000

Truthfully no matter the AD, they all read the same.

Edited October 8Oct 8 by LostinCanada

@Rekonum , I am wishing you all the best for your journey, which seems to me to be a dangerous one. I can absolutely understand that you are torn between different informations and different kinds of expertise. It is really hard not to follow the temptations of the medical system that promises healing while introducing more and more medication.

May I add my point of view to the discussion?

First of all: Great information, @LostinCanada . It is really important that we ground our discussions on good information, and the kind you just recommended belongs to it.

I believe that the experiences we can read about in this forum and in the former surviving antidepressants forum also provide very valuable information. It is tons of lived experience with no money interests involved.

To the issue of asking for advice and not following it, that you brought up, @Luke : the problem that you have with it as somebody who runs a huge forum is very understandable. I just wanted to add that so many people who are reading in this forum struggle with the same questions as @Rekonum and are torn between doctors advice, and the advice of this forum.

For me, it is very interesting to read about @Rekonum s journey. Especially since he is not following the guidelines of the forum. We can all learn from his experiences. So I am very thankful if you keep telling us, how you are doing., @Rekonum .

I really hope that you will do well!

If you won’t, it could be a learning experience for you and maybe for many others.

11 hours ago, Nemina said:

To the issue of asking for advice and not following it, that you brought up, @Luke : the problem that you have with it as somebody who runs a huge forum is very understandable. I just wanted to add that so many people who are reading in this forum struggle with the same questions as @Rekonum and are torn between doctors advice, and the advice of this forum.

Sure.

Yet if someone comes here saying they're thinking they're dying and are bedridden and in and out of emergency rooms after messing round with these drugs, we give them 17 pages of support and help, and then we get criticised for giving any information at all about these drugs because it can "trigger health anxiety", that is not fair.

You're missing the fact that we got criticised for providing any support and advice at all after being asked to repeatedly.

Everyone is free to make their own health decisions and consider as much or as little as the information given here. Everyone is free to criticise this forum. The people who run this forum are free to respond to criticism.

“You're missing the fact that we got criticised for providing any support and advice at all after being asked to repeatedly.”

On 10/10/2026 at 9:53 AM, Luke said:

On 10/10/2026 at 9:53 AM, Luke said:

Yes, @Luke , I missed that. I am sorry.

On 10/10/2026 at 9:53 AM, Luke said:

The people who run this forum are free to respond to criticism.

Of course, that is absolutely right.

I did not want to criticize your response. I just wanted to say that the experience of @Rekonum will be valuable information on this forum, for people to read now and in the future.

I am so thankful for the hard work you and chippy and all the moderators are putting into this forum. I am sure that this is very time-consuming. ❤️

Edited October 11Oct 11 by Nemina

@Nemina I understand your point. I think it is easy for us to be critical and frustrated of those who don't follow our advice (although I am quite clear our advice is only our thoughts and not medical advice). I always try to remember that whilst they may remain repeatedly curious about coming here and asking advice, finally making the switch to realising that the medical profession dont understand the harms these drugs can cause, takes some time. For me it took a while to fully come around and I flipped between reading SA and still leaning on my doctors for support . I know for @Luke it did not and he was immediately aware of what had happened to him. We still fully support @Rekonum and are here for him when he needs.

@Rekonum how are you doing? How has your reinstatement of lexapro been?

@LostinCanada

Taking the 5th dose today.. I think the Klonopin is the only thing helping because I’ve had increased anxiety last couple days with it at 10mg even with the klonopin.. but holding it out for stabilization eventually.. doctor says once stable there will be a long taper off klonopin like 6 months

1 minute ago, Rekonum said:

@LostinCanada

Taking the 5th dose today.. I think the Klonopin is the only thing helping because I’ve had increased anxiety last couple days with it at 10mg even with the klonopin.. but holding it out for stabilization eventually.. doctor says once stable there will be a long taper off klonopin like 6 months

10 mg is a really high reinstatement that can cause kindling which is basically a reaction. It is always your choice but we recommended a much lower dose to prevent activation.

6 months is not a long taper. Let your body set the pace.

@LostinCanada

Yeah chest tightness becoming more persistent again after reinstatement even with the klonopin twice a day… just took 6th dose of lexapro 10mg tonight

49 minutes ago, Rekonum said:

Yeah chest tightness becoming more persistent again after reinstatement even with the klonopin twice a day

Dear @Rekonum

It is considered safer to reinstate at a low dose and see how you go.

Dr Horowitz talks about no more than 5% of the original dose.

10mg * 5% = 0.5mg. I note Chippy suggested 0.5mg.

If the small dose is tolerated (doesn't lead to chest tightness, for example), you slowly increase from there, perhaps after 7-10 days, reassess and repeat etc.

@AlmostOff

Will I stabilize at 10mg eventually and also I’ve been on it for 6 doses now so that just complicates it even more.. I’m still dealing with chest tightness sometimes but I haven’t had an ER visit in 2 and 1/2 weeks which is a huge plus for me (I’m giving those props to the klonopin dosage increase for sure).. I do think chest tightness is worse on lexapro than effexor.. but effexor caused severe constipation and GI distress

I don’t really know what to do.. my parents want me to try to stick it out for at least 8 weeks because I never gave lexapro but 3 weeks on 10mg before and even then I was playing with dosages

What’s the suggestion here

Edited Wednesday at 08:19 PM3 days by Rekonum

I stupidly stuck at 10mg for 9 weeks when I knew it was far too strong from week 1. The intense activation never went. Now I'm stuck dealing with withdrawal moving back to 5mg and maybe some residual activation.