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S

Tapering: Lexapro

planning

2 posts

Manchester, UK

Hi, I'm Scottie75

May 3, 2026ยทยท
Started citalopram 20mg in 2006, told need to be on for life!!! Was pharmacist taper over 11 months, Linear taper, jumped off at 2.5mg end of September 2024. Xmas eve, boom!!!!! Kept telling everyone something in head, agitation like never ever experienced in life, nope everyone says a relapse, struggles for 5 weeks taken 0.25mg of clonazepam every 2 days, kept asking people of shoudl take theses, told no problem, easy to come off!!! agitation got worse, commenced escitalopram 20mg last week of January, rapid increase of clonazepam to 1.25mg for 3.5 weeks then paych did rapid taper from 1.25 to 0.5mg over 18 days, so unwell!!! Now tapering clonazepam, likely complete around September, nothing like being polydrugged and told you are relapsing, no informed consent. Feeing isolated and scared looking for and to give support to others

Lexapro โ€” 10mg โ€” 3 months previously on citalopram 20mg 19 years โ€” planning taper | Klonopin โ€” 0.g โ€” 4 months โ€” actively tapering | without clinician

4 Replies

Catina
โญ
Catina4mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Hi @Scottie75, and welcome! I'm really glad you're here. You've certainly been through quite a lot. It's a common thing for people to be told that they need these drugs for life - like a diabetic needs insulin. Your nervous system has definitely been through a lot. You're right, there is no true informed consent in psychiatry, and people are not warned about any of this. Most of us learn the hard way that many doctors are essentially clueless when it comes to safe deprescribing and withdrawal. Please know you're not alone. Many members have been in your same shoes. We're all here to help and support you. Are you planning on holding your dose for awhile until things stabilize a bit? It might be a good idea. What symptoms are you having at the moment? Rest assured that you will heal from all of this; it just takes time. The fact you're here and are getting the proper knowledge is a step in the right direction. Let us know how we can best help you! Hang in there.... Catina ๐Ÿ’œ

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

โ€œYour brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.โ€

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

S
Scottie754mo ago
WelcomerLexapro ยท planning
Thanks for the warm welcome, I am currently tapering the clonazepam, symptoms are mild mostly, chemical feeiling in upper body at times , burning skin at times, tremor, particularly mornings and have had since started clonazepam. Bruxism at times. Met with M Horowitz a couple of weeks ago, recommenced tapering around last week of March, now down to 0.3mg, will look to taper escitalopram once finished clonazepam taper as was only using for 7 weeks so want that one done first. Just a horrible scary time, having to do 2 tapers, so angry with everyone but know it is not unique to me!!!!

Lexapro โ€” 10mg โ€” 3 months previously on citalopram 20mg 19 years โ€” planning taper | Klonopin โ€” 0.g โ€” 4 months โ€” actively tapering | without clinician

Based
โญ
BasedStaff4mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Hey Scottie! Thanks for joining us. Happy you found yourself a clinician! Seems like youre on the right path. Looking forward to hearing back from you. Share your experience with others please!

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

Catina
โญ
Catina4mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"Met with M Horowitz a couple of weeks ago, recommenced tapering around last week of March, now down to 0.3mg, will look to taper escitalopram once finished clonazepam taper as was only using for 7 weeks so want that one done first." โ€” @Scottie75
That's great you were able to consult with him. I consulted with him a couple years ago via Zoom. I'm glad your symptoms are manageable. If they do get worse, then you can always slow things down if you need to.
"Just a horrible scary time, having to do 2 tapers, so angry with everyone but know it is not unique to me!!!!" โ€” @Scottie75
It's natural to be angry, but you'll get through this! Concentrate on providing a healing environment for yourself. We have lots of self-care tips on the site.

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

โ€œYour brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.โ€

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

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