As of today, I will not be taking my AD anymore. If things go bad, I still have some left over that I can start re-taking.
I have been tapering off both Cipralex and Olanzapine for many months. There are many reasons why I’m stopping both. I know i’m taking a risk, but for me personally, I think the pros will outweigh the negatives.
Wish me luck, please!
29 hours of no Escitalopram. Just woke up from a nap. Feeling fine, for now at least lol.
Did you taper your dose of Cipralex ?
You’re gonna get horrible brain zaps if you just drop it (speaking from experience)
Yes I did, very slowly over many months.
No antipsychotic either? Good luck. Neuroleptics can wreak havoc on the body and the brains natural neurochemistry.
Yes i’m eventually stopping my Olanzapine too. Though that wont be for another 1 to 4 months. Not sure when.
Too many negative side effects of these meds.
Thanks!
Wish you luck, though I hope you’re doing this with your psychiatrist.
Good luck but you’re playing with fire here. I hope you are at least consulting pdoc. Most people with sz are not successful at tapering off antipsychotic.
But, people have to learn this themselves usually. I had to try reducing medication below minimum dose myself before i learned my lesson. I went over a year and worked my way down to half the minimum dose before I went psychotic and it took 3 months to get stable again.
Seriously, good luck, but its not likely to end well.
Thanks man. We’ll see how it goes. If I stay on these meds i’m going to have a heart attack before I turn 40.
Wishing you the best of luck. Please take care!!
Thank you! 
1515
According to google, it takes approx 6.1 days for Escitalopram to be fully out of your system
Shiiiit lol.
I have an elderly relative who takes Escitalopram 10mg. They’d be a complete depressive and bitter and cranky mess without it !
I’ve been taking 2.5 mg a day for the last 2 weeks. I didn’t notice a difference from taking 10 or 5 mg a day. I think i’ll be fine.
If not, I still have some left over and I will go get a new prescription for it also.
I don’t know if you’re in the U.S. but if you are there’s always KarXT when it comes out. It’s completely void of the traditional side effects that come with AP’s. No weight gain, no heart stuff, no raised prolactin. Antipsychotics are also part of the Medicare part D protected drug class which means it will almost certainly be covered when it comes out. The drug is also expected to launch late this year so this is something you could try relatively soon. I get what you’re saying though. Antipsychotics do horrible things to people. Personally I would never risk a relapse by completely going off them. Too much suffering for me and the people around me. But again, I get why you wanna try. KarXT gets a ton of hype on here. I think too much but there two scenarios where it really might be the godsend people are hoping for. 1 if antipsychotics are destroying your physical health 2 if you have med induced negative/cognitive symptoms. Just something to consider. The suffering that comes with a relapse is no joke.
It’s been about 52 hours since my last dose of Escitalopram.
I just had some anxiety while waking up from a quick nap… but now that i’m awake, the anxiety has passed. Strange.
Won’t be surprised if I start having “brain zaps” within the next 24 to 48 hours.
I wish you the best of luck!
Thank you Nirvana!
Just had another nap… this time no anxiety waking up
But 2 naps in one day seems like a little too much.
It’s almost been 100 hours since my last Escitalopram dose.
No brain zaps!
Increased libido
Crying easier
Falling asleep easier, but having nightmares.
Depression and anxiety are about the same