@Steve1 I would agree with @Lighty at holding at 5mg and would not increase the dose. Your CNS got a bit destabilize but will settle down, what your currently experiencing is the window/waves pattern. You need to understand dropping from 10mg to 5mg is huge and escitalopram is double the strength of citalopram so yes things did get disrupted. I see it's only been 8 weeks since your drop so this is early and your CNS just needs more time to settle down. I know when I got to a lower dose that my Doc switched me to a liquid form, this was accurate for me. Do they make a liquid form of escitalopram?

2 minutes ago, Bernadette said:

Do they make a liquid form of escitalopram?

they do, tho you can also taper with dry cutting (using a scale), and at this point he needs to stabilize so it's not something to worry about too much now.

10 minutes ago, Lighty said:

they do, tho you can also taper with dry cutting (using a scale), and at this point he needs to stabilize so it's not something to worry about too much now.

@Lighty my apologies, I wasn't suggesting he switch and I absolutely agree with you that he hold a 5mg as to let his system stabilize.

I suppose my concern is @Bernadette @Lighty that I seem to be in a permanant wave for the last few weeks without any windows

@Steve1 there is not really a time frame on when a wave lifts, its jus our CNS trying to settle during a drop in dose, we try not to compare on here when a person gets relief as for everyone's systems heal at a different rate, but you will heal and the waves will become less intense and the windows will be more noticeable. Just time, patience and acceptance. You will get there. Hugs my friend xxx

@Steve1 I know we're in different circumstances, but if it helps I would describe the first two and a half months or so of my own hold as a pretty much constant wave, with better days and worse days here and there but no real noticeable improvement. I got a very brief dirty window of about 4 days after that, and then plunged back into a wave for another couple of months. It's only in the last 6 weeks or so that I've noticed real concrete improvements. So you're certainly not alone, and not having noticeable windows by this point does not mean you're on the wrong track or that you can't stabilize here.

Sending some love @Steve1 we are all here for you mate what ever you decide. Im with Lighty, holding would be my suggestion at this point.

Thanks all I'm still holding at 5mg as in the back of my mind I'm concerned about increased activation if I do up dose. Would just love to see some marginal improvement soon

59 minutes ago, Steve1 said:

Would just love to see some marginal improvement soon

I wish it for you Steve

Got Drs appointment on Thursday. Any advice on what to tell him?

Should imagine he will say come off escitalopram

Edited October 6Oct 6 by Steve1

2 hours ago, Steve1 said:

Got Drs appointment on Thursday. Any advice on what to tell him?

Should imagine he will say come off escitalopram

A lot of folks here will just say what their doctors want to hear so they can keep getting their drugs. I'm one of them -- ever since I figured out what was going on, I've just been telling my psychiatrist that the drugs help so I can keep getting my prescription to continue my hold.

If I remember correctly, you need a sick note as well. If I were you, I would try to strike the right balance between saying that you are not well enough to work yet, but you think the escitalopram is making a positive difference.

I see that you're in the UK. Have you tried to get a referral to the deprescribing clinic? I've heard the waitlist is long, but if you could get in then you'd have to play less of these silly games.

Edited October 6Oct 6 by SarahMc

Thanks @SarahMc he just smiles at me when I mention side affects (activation/withdrawal). He thinks neither can possibly last more than 4 weeks.

33 minutes ago, Steve1 said:

Thanks @SarahMc he just smiles at me when I mention side affects (activation/withdrawal). He thinks neither can possibly last more than 4 weeks.

You’re not alone Steve, I’ve seen that same condescending smile from my psychiatrist when I tried to bring this all up. He told me it was all just my anxiety. That’s why I stopped talking to him about it entirely, so that I could keep getting the drugs and not worry about being cut off or switched to different drugs or something like that. The lengths we have to go to just to keep ourselves safe are truly absurd.

Hey @Steve1 Sorry mate I think Sarah is right, you have to strike the balance that serves you best. We should not have to jump through these hoops but many have to, gotta work the system in your favour.

Thanks @Chippy @SarahMc not looking forward to the appointment.

He thinks symptons are all in my head. Now 8 weeks 3 days on 5mg. Still showing no signs of settling

@Steve1 Hope the appointment goes at least ok for you.

Still so confused if what I am experiencing is predominantly activation or withdrawal.

My symptons seem to change slightly every few days

31 minutes ago, Steve1 said:

Still so confused if what I am experiencing is predominantly activation or withdrawal.

My symptons seem to change slightly every few days

Are you still functioning pretty well?

Hi @Finni off work. Worried I will never get back to work.

I force myself to do stuff but very limited

15 minutes ago, Steve1 said:

Hi @Finni off work. Worried I will never get back to work.

I force myself to do stuff but very limited

I’m asking because I was way more functional before I tried to keep tapering before my cns was ready.

After I made it down to 15 mg I should’ve just held.

I was able to go be at my own place some of the time, make simple meals, laugh, converse with others, enjoy rides on golf cart and in the car…

Edited October 7Oct 7 by Finni

I'm guessing you are unable to work @Finni

10 minutes ago, Steve1 said:

I'm guessing you are unable to work @Finni

Correct

Feel so down tonight. Can't believe I'm still feeling so rubbish despite holding nearly 9 weeks on 5mg.

I still think there is an element of activation in conjunction with the withdrawal.

1 hour ago, Steve1 said:

Feel so down tonight. Can't believe I'm still feeling so rubbish despite holding nearly 9 weeks on 5mg.

I still think there is an element of activation in conjunction with the withdrawal.

I’m so sorry 🫂

Can you maybe try to think in increments of 12 weeks?

I wish I would’ve done that.

Reevaluate at 12 weeks, not that that’s going to be any magic point, but just know that this is the chunk of time that you need to let pass.

Do you think the tide will turn after 12 weeks?

Every week I feel like next week will show some improvements, but it seems to be getting worse