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View Full Version : Escitalopram withdrawal - how long


matrix123
15-01-20, 16:00
I've started Escitalopram 7 years ago and was for some years on 20mg. I tried two times before to get off it reducing slowly and it was not that bad, but after a few months had to start it again. This time it's a little more than 6 months that I got off and been feeling pretty bad for some days. Has anyone had experience with withdrawal symptoms so long after getting of it?

Any suggestion is appreciated.
panic_down_under
15-01-20, 21:34
IThis time it's a little more than 6 months that I got off and been feeling pretty bad for some days. Has anyone had experience with withdrawal symptoms so long after getting of it?

What are the symptoms?
matrix123
16-01-20, 07:40
Mostly feeling down, no energy


What are the symptoms?
matrix123
16-01-20, 07:49
In the past, I've used Xanax to help and I'm thinking to use it a few days. Do you think it's OK or it's better to try and go through it without it? Thanks
panic_down_under
16-01-20, 08:25
Mostly feeling down, no energy

Sounds more like depression than withdrawal. Has depression been an issue in the past?


In the past, I've used Xanax to help and I'm thinking to use it a few days. Do you think it's OK or it's better to try and go through it without it?

For anxiety, or for the "feeling down, no energy"?
matrix123
16-01-20, 08:33
That's true...it's been a mix of anxiety and depression. Xanax has helped with both



Sounds more like depression than withdrawal. Has depression been an issue in the past?



For anxiety, or for the "feeling down, no energy"?
panic_down_under
16-01-20, 21:39
That's true...it's been a mix of anxiety and depression.

Maybe your best option would be to remain on escitalopram permanently.


Xanax has helped with both

Benzodiazepines are effective anti anxiety meds in the short term and may relieve anxiety triggered depression, but in the longer term there is *evidence for them triggering atrophy of the hippocampal regions of the brain which seems to be the underlying physical cause of both anxiety and depression. Antidepressants work by (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC60045/) countering this atrophy.


* Boldrini M (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4374628/), 2014; Nochi R (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23963779), 2013; Sun Y (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23639432), 2013; Song J (https://www.kurzweilai.net/how-the-brains-stem-cells-find-out-when-to-make-new-neurons/comment-page-1#comment-96481), 2012; Wu X (http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(09)00106-1/abstract), 2009; Stefovska VG (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18991352), 2008.
Geoff78
29-01-20, 19:07
This is very close to how I’m feeling right now. I was on escitalipram for 6 years at 20. Tried to come off before and struggled. This time I reduced slowly as the tablets helped my depression but I generally felt a bit crap on them to see how I felt. I’ve been off them for 2 months now but feeling very up and down. Feelings of doom and lots of thinking about my immortality still. Feeling low and not enjoying life. No actual reason to feel this way as life is very good. Not sure if this is withdrawal or depression so really interesting to read this thead.
matrix123
29-01-20, 20:50
Thank you for the suggestion...will try to stay out of both and if not possible get back to escitalopram.


Maybe your best option would be to remain on escitalopram permanently.



Benzodiazepines are effective anti anxiety meds in the short term and may relieve anxiety triggered depression, but in the longer term there is *evidence for them triggering atrophy of the hippocampal regions of the brain which seems to be the underlying physical cause of both anxiety and depression. Antidepressants work by (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC60045/) countering this atrophy.

* Boldrini M (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4374628/), 2014; Nochi R (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23963779), 2013; Sun Y (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23639432), 2013; Song J (https://www.kurzweilai.net/how-the-brains-stem-cells-find-out-when-to-make-new-neurons/comment-page-1#comment-96481), 2012; Wu X (http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(09)00106-1/abstract), 2009; Stefovska VG (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18991352), 2008.