Hello, Mr. Cat
I started to get concerned when you didn't respond to my last email. So I looked at your profile and saw your recent posts - including one of you helping someone else. Thats a good sign to me...
I do not have personal experience with this tapering off, but I have seen my wife go cold-turkey off of Paxil many years ago - scary.
So I googled "how to taper" and the first result in the suggestion box was for lexapro. Lol. Looks like you aren't alone.
According to the first page (ehow), if you are taking 10mg per day, it recommends to simply cut your pills in half. If you are taking 20mg per day, it recommends cutting them into quarters.
If you wanted to be REALLY cautious, I'd cut your 10 into quarters anyways. Reduce your dose by 25% and maintain that for a week. Then do another 25% reduction the next week. Within one month you would be clear.
Consider keeping the last quarter dose for two weeks, just to stretch it out. In fact you could stretch it even further by taking a quarter dose every OTHER day at that point. Get the picture?
Or you could be brave and just do a straight 50% cut now.
Either way, it is recommended that you tell the doctor you are doing this. A simple phone call to the doctor's office would suffice. The doctor may strongly recommend against this, to which you should respond that an overwhelming response by other former MDMA users have told you to quit at ALL costs. The top neurologists that deal with MDMA will agree with this advice - suggest that your doctor check with one.
It might be a decent idea to ask for a SMALL temporary dose of klonopin just in case you have a major freak out. I would not keep more than two or three doses around, because using a benzodiazapene just TWO days in a row will make you freak out even harder on day three. Benzos are dangerous especially if used regularly, but they work miracles for one-time emergency use.
If you want another option, I would try an opiate. Vicodin is the shit. Tramadol is very nice, gentle, but long lasting. Stay away from the heavier hitters like oxy or morphine. Vicodin (hydrocodone) is the best of all. Although regular use will still lead to addiction/withdrawal it will NOT be nearly as fast or extreme as a benzo. I have found opiates to be a very reliable friend during this difficult time.
Beer is also a great option. Just don't mix with the above-mentioned.
Can I make a suggestion on beer?
I am a bit of a beer snob and I like to spoil myself.
Look up 'trappist beer' on wiki.
Go to a good liquor store with a large import section.
Look for either Chimay Ale or Maresdous Trippel.
These beers are incredible. You will notice they have 8-10% alcohol in them. This is important so you don't freak out as much about the price.
The real point is these beers are given an extra dose of brewers yeast in the bottle! The trippel is likely given a higher dose. Yes, this extra yeast is responsible for the higher alcohol content. It is also responsible for a INCREDIBLE flavor that you will NOT expect. You will never think of beer the same way again, I promise.
These are made in Belgium by monks in an abbey. They use the finest ingredients and recipes that have been refined and protected for centuries. There are many belgium ales that claim to be from an abbey - but Chimay and Maresdous are the real deal. The Trippel is my favorite of all time. It comes in a 4-pack for $14. Well worth it my friend!
Many would say I am giving you iffy advice by substituting other substances here. Fuck that. Coming off SSRIs can be scary for NORMAL people. So my opinion is to give yourself options, buddy. Expect to freak out, especially in the beginning. If having a backup plan makes you feel even a LITTLE better, you will be much more likely to go through with it. That is the most important thing right now - to take the leap.
Who knows? Maybe it won't be so bad. You might be surprised to find that the tapering works well and you aren't so lost after its all over with. Maybe your recovery has continued, just at a slower pace.
I know one thing for sure....your 'equipment' will function much better if you go through with this. And your brain will complete its re-wiring at a much faster pace.
Consider me - I beat you on dosage AND I had a highly toxic reaction that could have killed me! Bursting liver and intestines....remember?
Well, here I am less than five months later and I can tell you I am no longer lost and afraid. I have a feeling by the time I am at 6-7 months, I will be done with this shit. I will be ME again.
Just remember the damn piracetam. It has been my salvation, and it can be yours too. It would likely help you taper off as well! Spend the 20 bucks! Buy the life-saving piracetam. It will help your brain use its OWN neurotransmitters more effectively rather than substituting an external source.
Good luck, Cat.
