Coming off escitalopram

[Bestcatmum]

My life and mental health has settled enormously. The crisis is over so I thought I'd come off escitalopram after three years of being on it. Started it when my husband left, I lost my job and my home and had to relocate 300 miles away. I was also diagnosed with complex PTSD but my life is very happy now and settled.
I know when I've run out before I've had "brain zaps" a very nasty side effect of withdrawal and have felt sick and dizzy.
This time I've been off it for a week and so far so good, very slight dizziness and nil else. No brain zaps so that is great - I was expecting the worse.
Its done its job but now its time to live again and I found escitalopram made me feel a bit dead.
It was fantastic when I had a breakdown and stopped all of the anxiety but now its done its job and I'm ready to do without.
Here's hoping it goes ok 😀

Hi bestcatmum love your username. That's great that life is on the up, you've had a rough time. I'm on Escitalopram too (bereavement, work stress etc) and it's helped me cope really well. I had it increased from 10mg to 15mg a while back but I am hoping to come off it at some point this year. How did you come off it? Was it reduced over time or cold turkey. I'm actually quiet scared about the coming off it, after hearing some people's stories of it.

And I know exactly what you mean about feeling a bit 'dead' with it, I feel like I can be a bit non reactive, especially since I've had the dose increase.

I really think I should have come it gradually, as it is I'm on week 2 and I'm having brain zaps, nausea and dizziness and I've been having really bad dreams about the past.
However, I shall get through this. Apparently SSRI's taken long term can contribute to causing dementia so I think its time.