Been on for 3 years for anxiety and panic attacks. Symptoms have returned and doc said to wean off and go on something else. Terrible side effects, sick, dizzy, depressed, anxious and panicky. How long will this last and can I go on something else.
Anonymous Weaning off escitalopram?
- Posted:
- 21 Nov 2011 by Anonymous
- Topics:
- depression, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, escitalopram, side effect
Details:
Responses (3)
pledge21 Nov 2011
Hi ai1996. Not knowing your dose, its hard for me to suggest how to taper. Escitalopram certainly warrants a taper. I'm going to guess and say 30mg. You'll do best a cutting back say 5mg per every two weeks. If you feel that you can do it faster, then cut back 5mg a week. If you might, hit comment and enter the amount that you're currently taking. Best wishes,
LaurieShay21 Nov 2011
As Pledge has said, reducing by 5mgs every two weeks is fast enough so to avoid the symptoms you are having. Once you are on a low enough dose, you can start the next antidepressant. Your doctor is the best to advise what and when to begin. Although I may take the liberty of recommending Zoloft (sertraline).
Best wishes,
Laurie
Anonymous 21 Nov 2011
Thankyou for your comments, didn't realise I would feel so awful. Can't understand after 3 years why they started to have the opposite effect.
Thankyou
1 Jan 2012
I have been on Escitalopram for about 5 years, a 10mg daily doseage. (although some periods of 20mg).
I recently began the withdrawal, down to 5mg per day for two weeks, then stopped totally
I stopped about 2 weeks ago, but I am still getting the lightheaded feeling that comes with withdrawal (same as happened a year ago when I tried).
My doctor is on holiday, and I suppose I will wait, only 4 days to go, but I thought I would share this.
I was taking this for depression, but it seems it is easily cured. I came off the tablets for 6 weeks when my wife went on an extended holiday, and now I am off them permanently following our separation. But I want this lightheaded feeling to go away, or at least know how long it will take. Other than that I am feeling great.
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Hi, thanku for your reply. On 20mg a day, doc suggested to take 20mg one day then 10mg the next, have been doing this for the last 5 weeks felt ok week 1 and 2 but feel awful now. See doc next week and wonder if she can put me straight onto something else. Thankyou.
Hi again ai1996. Thanks for your comment. I honestly now seeing how your taper is, that its not the way that I'd be doing it. Thats why you're still feeling much as you are. Having said, your doctor is a doctor, and well, I'm not. Hopefully you'll begin to get some relief and soon. A replacement med might be paxil, or prozac, or zoloft. All are ssri and very close to doing the same job except the side effects differ from one to another,
Thankyou for replying. Have managed to get a phone appointment for tomorrow with the doctor, so hopefully will sort it out as I don't want to feel like this with christmas coming up.
Thankyou
Hi al1996, I just wanted to tell you that I am on a taper too. I have the same symptoms, and also am painfully away that Christmas is coming up--and I want to feel better for the Christmas season! I am already staying home from my family's trip to NYC--It does hurt to stay home, but I don't feel up to going! I hope your talk with your doctor goes well. I know you can do this. You may just need to patiently taper like me! Marie
Marie, thankyou so much for replying, at least I know I am not the only one going through this. Hope you keep well and get better soon. al1996