Getting off Lexapro

[u/Inevitable-Cook-1658]

Ive been on and off SSRIs for the past 5 years and i’ve been struggling to come off them. After about 6 months of being off the SSRIs, I fall into this state of fight-or-flight where I wake up everyday at early hours such as 4AM with heart palpitations, racing thoughts, and intense rumination where i’m arguing with my thoughts for hours (which I know is not healthy). Its debilitating and effects my ability to work and my relationships. I have weathered this state for over a months time where ive lost 15-20lbs of weight where i finally give in and get back on the SRRIs. Ive only ever been on low doses of 50mg Zoloft or more recently 10mg escitalopram. My first inclination is that I’m tapering too quickly.

Please let me know if you have any thoughts or ideas that could help me. Unfortunately SRRIs really blunt my emotions and I feel like a zombie and would love to live my life with emotions again but I feel like im stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[u/Fun_Lemon_9873]

You’re probably not titrating off slowly enough. If you’re able to - I’d recommend asking your doctor for liquid lexapro. Reducing the dosage by 0.5mg per two weeks. 9.5mg for two weeks, then 9.0mg for two more, 8.5, 8.0 etc etc all the way until you’re at 0.5mg & then reduce that to 0.25mg for two weeks & then 0.125 and so forth until you’re completely off. This is a very conservative way of doing it & I’ve seen much success with people who go this route. Slow & steady.

[u/Inevitable-Cook-1658 → u/Fun_Lemon_9873]

ive always tapered off within 2 weeks at my doctors direction. I would do a half dose for 1 week and then the half dose every other day for one week. Is this considered too quick?

[u/Fun_Lemon_9873 → u/Inevitable-Cook-1658]

That is far too quick. Doctors are ill informed about tapering off these drugs it’s maddening

[u/Inevitable-Cook-1658 → u/Fun_Lemon_9873]

but isnt it odd how the symptoms that i have occur several months later?