Escitalopram - Tappering off

[swat77]

Afternoon guys,

Looking for some advice please!

Long story short Iv been taking escitalopram for about 5yrs (these where the only meds that helped me) for panic/anxiety disorder!

Over the past few years my life has become excellent and back to normal

I recently went to see my Doctor for my yearly check up and we both agreed that it's time to tapper off, Iv only ever been on 10mg however over the past 8 weeks Iv been taking 5mg and have to say Iv had no side effects, although the doc advised me to come off them over 4 weeks I stayed on them whilst I dropped from 10 - 5mg

The advise I seek is how would anyone out the recommend I come off the 5mg?

Any advise would be great.........Thanks!!

[MrAndy]

the safest way to come off any med is 10% per month or as slowly as possible,it stops the chances of relapse and withdrawal symptoms

[swat77]

Update!!

Evening folks, well I'm down to 2.5mg as of two weeks ago, yet today I've had a few jitters I'm hoping this is just side effects of reducing my dose!!

Anyone had similar?

Thanks in Advance

Swat77

[pulisa]

I stayed on 2.5mg for about 3 weeks and then stopped. I didn't have any obvious side effects from the withdrawal so I hope it's the same for you.

[swat77]

Thanks pulisa,

So far so good!

[swat77]

UPDATE!!!

Well folks iv been off all Meds for 5weeks now and so far so good, the only problem at the moment is my mood swings, I can go from happy to sad in minutes!!

Anyone else experienced theses symptoms?

[MikeyT]

Yes, I have been off now for 3 weeks.

Sometimes good days, sometimes the edgy anxiousness days which seems to be for no apparent reason.

I know it doesn't make much difference regarding age and sex etc, but being a 51 year old male etc.... The Jess Glynne new single was on the radio this afternoon, 'Take me Home', it has a line about mending her broken soul.
I was close to blubbing, not good at work!!! Not the first time I have heard the song either.

So I would say yes in answer to your question.
I do go swimming quite regularly (3-4 times a week) and I have found that has helped quite a lot. I even have some guns...