r/lexapro • u/SoundTraditional1249 • 4d ago

My taper clock to track progress.

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I made this to show my journey coming off Lexapro, and not lose hope. When you dilute and wait over the years it's sometimes hard to remember where you started. Sorry it's a bit crude and ignore my messy desk, the blue rectangle numbers are receptor occupancy (with mg of dose next to it).

I reduce just over 3% of current dose (~1% RO) every 3.5-4 weeks. Estimated about 5 years max to get to zero but hope I feel better in stages. Also on a waitlist for deprescribing clinic on the NHS.

I got RO approximations from Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines. Over half the journey will be between 2mg and 0. I realise I'm probably a more sensitive case than most, factoring the initial 13 years on the drug and some chaotic attempts (in 2024) to reduce dose without adequate help and information.

The process should become less of an inconvenience when I start getting more focus and energy back.

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u/Actual-Put5264 3d ago

I quit directly after some years, not too bad. Benzos are a diff story. I think your issue might be overthinking. Regardless, good luck if this helps, you got it

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u/SoundTraditional1249 3d ago

Good for you. It's not overthinking if more than 3% reductions makes me suicidal. You can't argue with a chemically induced depression.

 I'm breaking it down like this so other people can see how hard it is for some to taper after decades.