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JensenWinchester Advice on tapering 10mg of paxil


JensenWinchester

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Posted

Hi, I have been on about 10MG of paxil for around a year now for anxiety and mild depression and I want to get completely off it due to weight issues and elevated liver enzymes. I went to the doctor 2 days ago for advice on tapering and they suggested that I should just go "cold turkey" because I'm on such a "low" dose however I'm not sure if this is a good idea as I herd paxil has pretty crazy withdrawal symptoms. For Now I have broken the 10mg of paxil in half and been taking 5mg for the last 3 days (no withdrawals yet) and I plan to do continue to take the 5mg for another 4 days and then i'll take 2.5 mg for 7 days and then go off it completely. Is this a good idea? thanks

Been on 10 MG of Paxil for 1 year for Social anxiety/mild depression.

 

Went cold turkey at the 14th of the 11th 2015. 

  • Moderator
Posted

Hi Jensen--  welcome to the group, I think you found us just in time.  You heard right Paxil can have some very bad WD symptoms is tapered off of in the wrong manner.  Your doctor appears to be pretty typical in that he hasn't any idea of how these drugs work.  A CT from 10 mgs can put you in serious WD for a really long time.  A big problem with gettig off of these drugs is that the symptoms can be delayed for several months before they hit you hard.  Many people report feeling great for several weeks after stopping or making a big drop, and then get blindsided with the symptoms.

 

The last 10mgs, or in your case where you are starting from, are the hardest, as they have the greatest effect on the CNS (central nervous system) and have to be handles very carefully and slowly.  I would suggest going back to your full dose, giving it several weeks to stabilize and then starting a slow 10% a month taper.  Here is some good reading on the subject;

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

What is withdrawal syndrome? 

 

Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

 

Thankfully your drug history isn't long or complicated (it's really to your advantage) but if you would please fill out a signature block it would really help us keep track of what is happening;

 

 

Please put your withdrawal history in your signature

 

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

Posted

Hi Jensen--  welcome to the group, I think you found us just in time.  You heard right Paxil can have some very bad WD symptoms is tapered off of in the wrong manner.  Your doctor appears to be pretty typical in that he hasn't any idea of how these drugs work.  A CT from 10 mgs can put you in serious WD for a really long time.  A big problem with gettig off of these drugs is that the symptoms can be delayed for several months before they hit you hard.  Many people report feeling great for several weeks after stopping or making a big drop, and then get blindsided with the symptoms.

 

The last 10mgs, or in your case where you are starting from, are the hardest, as they have the greatest effect on the CNS (central nervous system) and have to be handles very carefully and slowly.  I would suggest going back to your full dose, giving it several weeks to stabilize and then starting a slow 10% a month taper.  Here is some good reading on the subject;

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

What is withdrawal syndrome? 

 

Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

 

Thankfully your drug history isn't long or complicated (it's really to your advantage) but if you would please fill out a signature block it would really help us keep track of what is happening;

 

 

Please put your withdrawal history in your signature

 

 

Thanks for the response.I made a 2nd thread for updates.

Been on 10 MG of Paxil for 1 year for Social anxiety/mild depression.

 

Went cold turkey at the 14th of the 11th 2015. 

Posted

Hey guys. I have been on 10mg of Paxil for abit over a year for Social anxiety & mild depression. 3 days ago I went completely cold turkey. 

 

On this thread will give daily updates on my withdrawal symptoms. 

 

 

9/11/2015 - Completely cold turkey from Paxil

 

10/11/2015 - No withdrawal symptoms yet however did have a "surge" of happiness a day after going cold turkey it lasted for a few hours. 

 

11/11/2015 - Day 2 - Been having some slight dizziness/lightheadness when I move my head and eyes to fast. Very Vivid nightmares (I can literally feel/smell/hear in my dreams and remember every detail when I wake up) Been having some slight nausea, however it go's away after a few hours. Ginger tea helps alot with the nausea. No anxiety or depression yet.

 

 

 

 

Supplements/Herbs I'm on -

 

Astaxanthin 12 mg - Most potent antioxidant it's 6000 times stronger then Vitamin C it also has the ability to cross the blood-brainer barrier, I really feel like this supplement is helping alot with my withdrawals

 

Vitamin D3 - 5000 IU - Low levels of vitamin D are associated with an increase in depression which is why I take this supplement. Ever since taking Vitamin D I feel alot better with my depression. 

 

Krill Oil 1000 MG - Omega 3 acids in Krill/Fish oil have proven to relieve depression in studies which is why I take this supplement daily

 

Green Tea  - Green tea has the ability to cross the blood brainer barrier and has a "calming effect".

 

Ginger Tea - Great for nausea caused from withdrawals. 

Been on 10 MG of Paxil for 1 year for Social anxiety/mild depression.

 

Went cold turkey at the 14th of the 11th 2015. 

Posted

Oh boy, be prepared for a possible wild horrible ride. I was on 10 mg. And went through hell to get off but i was on it for 11 years. You might want to rethink. Ir you could be one of the "lucky" ones. It took me 2-3 months after fast tapers before I got hit with withdrawal.

Paxil start September 2003 due to Fluoroquinolone adverse reaction that I wish doc. knew what it was. 10mg. most of the time with a few short runs of 20mg. FAST tapered 3 times and finally hit poop out or a reaction to nsaid's in Nov.2013. Started a 10% taper Jan. 2014 and have been ok until Sept 14 and went through a short hell. Now plodding through and looking for the light with unrelenting insomnia and pain, fog, loss of interests....<p>12/20/14 - .8mg.

1/01/15 - .75 mg.

1/15/15 - .42 mg. better sleep now, hope it continues...

2/11-15 - .25 mg. doing really good!! 2 weeks feel 85% of old me!

3/17/15 .14 mg. Knee pain bad!

4/07/15 .05 mg. this is so small now that I am estimating and just licking it off palm small as a "." 

4/13/15 NOTHING !!!! Took my last little micro dose on 4/12/15. 

Posted

Hey Jensen—

 

I went cold turkey off Effexor 225mg/day and felt the wooziness, shakiness and nausea almost immediately.  Been a week off and still having trouble sleeping, all kinds of mood swings, the lot.

 

I started taking a b12 complex, a multi vitamin and a 1200mg omega three on about day three of withdrawal and it's really helped with the wooziness.  Still get extreme dizzy spells, even while sitting or standing still, but less frequent.

 

Hang in there.

Fall 2013: Celexa, Risperdal and Xanax (don't remember dosage)

Spring 2014: Switched to Fetzima, Prozac, Remeron and Ambien (again don't remember dosage)

Winter 2015: Switched to Effexor 150mg, Abilify 30mg and Temazepam 30 mg, Deplin 15mg

Spring 2015: Effexor up to 225mg, Abilify down to 20mg, Temazepam 30mg, Deplin 15mg

 

There was also klonopin somewhere along the way in there, but I don't recall when or how much.

 

3 November 2015: Failed to go off Effexor cold turkey (went down to 75mg), Abilify 20mg, Temazepam 30mg

6 December 2015: prescribed trazodone 50 and Wellbutrin 150mg, did not take and went off Effexor again

 

"You have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance."

—Ken Kesey 

Posted

Did the doc advise a CT ?

Be aware that  the onset of crying spells and psychological distress is classic withdrawal symptoms.

I was the same as DLB i did this in 2003 it took about 3 months and then presented back to doc. to get answers sadly i was pushed back on.

I also did some very silly impulsive things in this time ...like sell the house. ahhhhh. What the heck was i not thinking!

Be on your guard for out of character reckless actions.

Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen

We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. 

URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting  for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing.

http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651   

Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos.

Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you

Recovering paxil addict

None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. 

This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! 

  "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped."  Dr Mosher. Me too! 

Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015

I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015

Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017

 

 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Hi Jensen,

 

Welcome to SA.

 

This is a list of Withdrawal Symptoms that you might like to have available to assess your situation.

 

The idea of tapering is that you reduce your dose by a small amount to enable your brain to adjust to the new dose WITHOUT SUFFERING extreme withdrawal.

 

I don't know how much of the information you have read on this site so here is a list of helpful topics:

 

Why Taper?

Why Taper by 10%

Reinstatement

Tips for Tapering Paxil

 

I recently dropped my Pristiq from 100 mg to 50 mg and had trouble coping.  With the suggestions from members and information here, I reinstated (up to 75 mg) after 2 weeks and felt better within a few hours.

 

Any questions you have can be asked here on your Intro/Update topic.

 

Best wishes,

 

CC

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Posted

Hey Jensen—

 

I went cold turkey off Effexor 225mg/day and felt the wooziness, shakiness and nausea almost immediately.  Been a week off and still having trouble sleeping, all kinds of mood swings, the lot.

 

I started taking a b12 complex, a multi vitamin and a 1200mg omega three on about day three of withdrawal and it's really helped with the wooziness.  Still get extreme dizzy spells, even while sitting or standing still, but less frequent.

 

Hang in there.

 

Thanks Austin and yeah, omega seems to be working really well. I'm also still experiencing dizzy spells when I move my eyes/head around. Get well soon :)

 

 

Did the doc advise a CT ?

Be aware that  the onset of crying spells and psychological distress is classic withdrawal symptoms.

I was the same as DLB i did this in 2003 it took about 3 months and then presented back to doc. to get answers sadly i was pushed back on.

I also did some very silly impulsive things in this time ...like sell the house. ahhhhh. What the heck was i not thinking!

Be on your guard for out of character reckless actions.

 

Yes doctor to me to quit CT because 10 mg if such a low dose according to them.

 

 

Hi Jensen,

 

Welcome to SA.

 

This is a list of Withdrawal Symptoms that you might like to have available to assess your situation.

 

The idea of tapering is that you reduce your dose by a small amount to enable your brain to adjust to the new dose WITHOUT SUFFERING extreme withdrawal.

 

I don't know how much of the information you have read on this site so here is a list of helpful topics:

 

Why Taper?

Why Taper by 10%

Reinstatement

Tips for Tapering Paxil

 

I recently dropped my Pristiq from 100 mg to 50 mg and had trouble coping.  With the suggestions from members and information here, I reinstated (up to 75 mg) after 2 weeks and felt better within a few hours.

 

Any questions you have can be asked here on your Intro/Update topic.

 

Best wishes,

 

CC

 

Thanks for the links :) If my withdrawals get unbearable I'll most likely go back on Paxil and taper my self off this time. Until then going to try and hang in there.  

Been on 10 MG of Paxil for 1 year for Social anxiety/mild depression.

 

Went cold turkey at the 14th of the 11th 2015. 

Posted

12/11/2015 - Feeling mildly depressed however it's not to severe. Also still having frequent dizzy spells. Nausea seems to be gone for now. Will note any more symptoms if I get anymore today.  

Been on 10 MG of Paxil for 1 year for Social anxiety/mild depression.

 

Went cold turkey at the 14th of the 11th 2015. 

  • Administrator
Posted

Welcome, Jensen.

 

Please plan to stay at 5mg for a good while, a month or more, then consider a 10% per month taper. Paxil can be a very difficult drug to quit.

 

Dizziness is a very common withdrawal symptom.

 

You can use search in the Intro forum to see the experiences of others who tried to go off Paxil quickly.

 

I merged your new topic with this one. There's only one Intro topic per member, so you can keep your progress notes all in one place. Please put your updates in this, your Intro topic.

 

Daily updates are not necessary, only when there are important changes.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Hi Jensen,

 

(Altostrata must have posted just as I was about to Post as I had an issue, but I've decided to post it anyway.)

 

Yes doctor to me to quit CT because 10 mg if such a low dose according to them.

 

Unfortunately, as I've discovered from this site and people's experiences with most of the medical fraternity, very few of them seem to understand the withdrawal syndrome of many of the medications they prescribe for depression/anxiety etc.  Some of the members who have tapered very slowly and carefully are now on extremely low doses of their medication and are having difficulty tapering by even a small % and their doctors think that the amount they are on is not worth taking because it is so low.

 

If you do decide to reinstate, I suggest you read and understand the Reinstate topic that I gave you the link to.  And ask questions on this thread if you have any.

 

(It's been 2 months since you went CT.  Edit:  Just realised your dates are Aussie dates, not US.)

 

This is an except from Reinstatement.  Underlining is mine:

 

What is known about reinstatement

from my reading and from patient experience as posted on online support sites:

  • According to medical knowledge, reinstatement is the only way to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
  • Reinstatement is best done immediately upon appearance of withdrawal symptoms. The more time that passes, the less likely it is to work.
  • The length of this window of opportunity varies according to the individual. Sometimes people can reinstate successfully months after quitting. Others cannot.
  • Some find a partial dose will relieve withdrawal symptoms. If, for example, you were taking 20mg Paxil and quit rapidly only a few days ago, 5mg or 10mg may be enough. Others find they need a higher dose.
  • Start low to see what you need. You can always increase if necessary. If you've been off the drug for a month or more, many people can find relief from antidepressant withdrawal symptoms by reinstating as little as 1mg-5mg.

I'm not trying to convince you reinstate, just present you with the information so you can make an informed decision.

 

CC

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Posted

Welcome, Jensen.

 

Please plan to stay at 5mg for a good while, a month or more, then consider a 10% per month taper. Paxil can be a very difficult drug to quit.

 

Dizziness is a very common withdrawal symptom.

 

You can use search in the Intro forum to see the experiences of others who tried to go off Paxil quickly.

 

I merged your new topic with this one. There's only one Intro topic per member, so you can keep your progress notes all in one place. Please put your updates in this, your Intro topic.

 

Daily updates are not necessary, only when there are important changes.

 

Thank you for the info :)

 

Hi Jensen,

 

(Altostrata must have posted just as I was about to Post as I had an issue, but I've decided to post it anyway.)

 

Yes doctor to me to quit CT because 10 mg if such a low dose according to them.

 

Unfortunately, as I've discovered from this site and people's experiences with most of the medical fraternity, very few of them seem to understand the withdrawal syndrome of many of the medications they prescribe for depression/anxiety etc.  Some of the members who have tapered very slowly and carefully are now on extremely low doses of their medication and are having difficulty tapering by even a small % and their doctors think that the amount they are on is not worth taking because it is so low.

 

If you do decide to reinstate, I suggest you read and understand the Reinstate topic that I gave you the link to.  And ask questions on this thread if you have any.

 

(It's been 2 months since you went CT.  Edit:  Just realised your dates are Aussie dates, not US.)

 

This is an except from Reinstatement.  Underlining is mine:

 

What is known about reinstatement

from my reading and from patient experience as posted on online support sites:

  • According to medical knowledge, reinstatement is the only way to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
  • Reinstatement is best done immediately upon appearance of withdrawal symptoms. The more time that passes, the less likely it is to work.
  • The length of this window of opportunity varies according to the individual. Sometimes people can reinstate successfully months after quitting. Others cannot.
  • Some find a partial dose will relieve withdrawal symptoms. If, for example, you were taking 20mg Paxil and quit rapidly only a few days ago, 5mg or 10mg may be enough. Others find they need a higher dose.
  • Start low to see what you need. You can always increase if necessary. If you've been off the drug for a month or more, many people can find relief from antidepressant withdrawal symptoms by reinstating as little as 1mg-5mg.

I'm not trying to convince you reinstate, just present you with the information so you can make an informed decision.

 

CC

 

Yes, I think Im going to get a new doctor. The doctor who told me to quit cold turkey didnt even know what "Paxil" was when I told her I wanted to taper of it... She had to google it. I do feel kind of silly for going cold turkey but I was just following doctors orders anyway Ill try and survive the withdrawals but if they get bad Ill get back on paxil and taper of slowly thank you for the info reading the links now  :)

Been on 10 MG of Paxil for 1 year for Social anxiety/mild depression.

 

Went cold turkey at the 14th of the 11th 2015. 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Hi again Jensen,

 

I've just found a Topic that I thought might help if you are the "macho" kind wanting to tough it out (no offense meant just aware that men - and young men at that - can be a bit "bull-headed" at times!!!).  I only read the very first post but it just seemed so appropriate being from another male contributor (and posted in 2011):

 

six-mistakes-ive-made-in-withdrawal/

 

(BTW did you get my PM?)

 

CC

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Posted

Yes doctor to me to quit CT because 10 mg if such a low dose according to them.

Wow, I just cant understand why on earth these people are doing this.

 

Yeah i was told the same 75mg of effexor is a small dose not being given a taoer schedule is a minor issue.

 

Just love those aussi dates ....they are talking our lingo!! Go dd/mm/yy

Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen

We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. 

URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting  for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing.

http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651   

Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos.

Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you

Recovering paxil addict

None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. 

This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! 

  "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped."  Dr Mosher. Me too! 

Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015

I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015

Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017

 

 

Posted

Hey guys its 13th of november here in Australia. Just had the most horrible vivid dream in my life. The dream started out of my having difficulties breathing, and I stopped breathing and I felt my heart stop in the dream like I was actually dying... Then after I went to the hospital in the dream and had "open heart surgery" while I was still awake in the dream. Absolutely horrible dream. I really hope they go away.   

Been on 10 MG of Paxil for 1 year for Social anxiety/mild depression.

 

Went cold turkey at the 14th of the 11th 2015. 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Hey Jensen, it sounds like you're gonna do what you're gonna do, in spite of the wise advice here.

 

That is your choice.  And maybe, just maybe, you will be one of the lucky ones who walks away with no pain, no suffering.  But if you look around this site, it is chockers full of people who "wanted to get it over with" and "CT'd or fast tapered on my Doctors advice" and ran into grave trouble.  Everyone wants to believe that it won't happen to them.  

 

Are you sure you want to take those kinds of risks with your brain, your life?  The reason we recommend tapers is to put you in charge of your symptoms.  If you go into full blown paxil withdrawal, are you prepared to take a year or three off of work?  Eat a bland diet, no coffee, no alcohol? Lose motivation, sexual function, energy? Have headaches, insomnia, brain zaps, sensitivities to light and sound and smell?  Wear a sleep mask?  Avoid wheat and dairy?  Wrestle with emotional symptoms that make no sense at all - and yet relentlessly come after you?  I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just recounting some of the possible changes that  may have to take place if you go into full blown withdrawal.

 

Additionally, I'm confused.  You said you were on 5 mg.  Then on Nov 9, you announced a CT from Paxil.  Which is it?  Please include dates in your signature:  when you dropped to 5 mg, when you went CT - so that we can reference your symptoms from every post without re-reading everything.

 

It's your choices, your life.  We're here to support you - though - we are not in favor of CT of any sort (unless there are damaging side effects from a drug that stop upon discontinuation.)

 

And yes, the nightmares are a symptom, a warning.  How many symptoms are you going to accumulate before you reinstate?  Where do you draw the line? The longer you wait, the less likely a reinstatement will work.  Please, climb back up the cliff, and rappell down slowly, gradually.  Control your descent with an abseiling taper.  You are in free fall right now, and it might take as long as 6-8 months before you hit the bottom and realize that you have crashed, and try and repair the damage (Paxil is famous for delayed withdrawal reactions).  A taper is to prevent that damage.

 

Have you read any of the lovely links that Chessie sent?  especially the http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/919-six-mistakes-ive-made-in-withdrawal/  

 

Also, feel free to check in to: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6284-australia-members-please-check-in-here/ to see about SA Aussies here in Australia, and topical information for here.

 

Welcome to SA!

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

Posted

please go back on now and taper the right way...you don't want to go thru the hell I've been in for 18 mos....what I'd give to do it over again if I had the chance...this is nothing to play around with...you're playing with fire! good luck. ds

went on Prozac 1994-99,60mg.poopout ct  back on 2001-2002,prozac weekly 2002,not working,Effexor 75 mg.?2003-mar.2004 gaining weight 8wk. taper,wellbutrin 150 mg.mar. -may 2004 ctmedfree til july 2005 back to Prozac gaining weight again,back on wellbutrin jan.2006150-300 mg.bad constipation.also was taking aygestin(hormone)perimenopausal irregular bleeding.back on Prozac around sept,?2006,hysterectomy jan30.2007(adenomyosis)off&on Prozac til 2009,citalopram about 1 mo, April 2010 no effect,Effexor again may -mar, 2011.ct,Prozac aug,-dec, 2011 &sept-nov 2012,paroxetine oct,23 2013-may 4 2014 20 mgs.tapered 6 wks.-failed RI in Oct.2014-in protracted WD.started 10 mgs. Fluoxetine May 25 2021 .Stopped fluoxetine May 2022 at 5 mgs.

Posted

Hey Jensen, it sounds like you're gonna do what you're gonna do, in spite of the wise advice here.

 

That is your choice.  And maybe, just maybe, you will be one of the lucky ones who walks away with no pain, no suffering.  But if you look around this site, it is chockers full of people who "wanted to get it over with" and "CT'd or fast tapered on my Doctors advice" and ran into grave trouble.  Everyone wants to believe that it won't happen to them.  

 

Are you sure you want to take those kinds of risks with your brain, your life?  The reason we recommend tapers is to put you in charge of your symptoms.  If you go into full blown paxil withdrawal, are you prepared to take a year or three off of work?  Eat a bland diet, no coffee, no alcohol? Lose motivation, sexual function, energy? Have headaches, insomnia, brain zaps, sensitivities to light and sound and smell?  Wear a sleep mask?  Avoid wheat and dairy?  Wrestle with emotional symptoms that make no sense at all - and yet relentlessly come after you?  I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just recounting some of the possible changes that  may have to take place if you go into full blown withdrawal.

 

Additionally, I'm confused.  You said you were on 5 mg.  Then on Nov 9, you announced a CT from Paxil.  Which is it?  Please include dates in your signature:  when you dropped to 5 mg, when you went CT - so that we can reference your symptoms from every post without re-reading everything.

 

It's your choices, your life.  We're here to support you - though - we are not in favor of CT of any sort (unless there are damaging side effects from a drug that stop upon discontinuation.)

 

And yes, the nightmares are a symptom, a warning.  How many symptoms are you going to accumulate before you reinstate?  Where do you draw the line? The longer you wait, the less likely a reinstatement will work.  Please, climb back up the cliff, and rappell down slowly, gradually.  Control your descent with an abseiling taper.  You are in free fall right now, and it might take as long as 6-8 months before you hit the bottom and realize that you have crashed, and try and repair the damage (Paxil is famous for delayed withdrawal reactions).  A taper is to prevent that damage.

 

Have you read any of the lovely links that Chessie sent?  especially the http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/919-six-mistakes-ive-made-in-withdrawal/  

 

Also, feel free to check in to: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6284-australia-members-please-check-in-here/ to see about SA Aussies here in Australia, and topical information for here.

 

Welcome to SA!

 

 

Hi Jan thanks for getting back to me.

 

And yes sorry Ill include the 5mg in my signature 

 

I was only on 5mg of paxil for 3 days before I went cold turkey at the 11th of this month. 

 

Honestly, I'm not feeling that bad. I do still get the occasional "head zaps" however they're certainly getting weaker and weaker everyday and my appetite is sort of down hill but I have no problem eating a big meal and keeping it down. I also had no crazy scary vivid nightmares last night and overall my vivid dreams are sort of fading away. Additionally I got 0% sexual dysfunction now which is great, I really didn't think I would recover so fast with the sexual problems but I did and I'm so happy about that! :)

 

I got no depression and anxiety either. In fact their's moments I'm actually very happy. I do get some what "emotional" more easily when I see something sad but It's good to feel strong emotions again. 

 

But as you just said the withdrawals could be delayed and this scares me a hell of alot. I really feel like I'm getting better each and everyday and it would suck if I get bad withdrawals months from now out of no where.

 

I just got no idea what to do... I'm not sure if I should go back on paxil or continue to recover. I just feel like I have recovered to much to go back on paxil and start over again :( 

 

Additionally I got my genes tested on the site '23andme" they basically tell you your genes for $100 through a saliva test. Interesting enough I have a gene called " rs2032583(T;T)" And the information on that gene states this -

 

" You're 7x less likely to respond to certain antidepressants. This version of a blood brain barrier protein blocks many common antidepressants from entering the brain, including: amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and venlafaxine (Effexor). That makes those antidepressants 7 times less effective."

 

Additionally I also have 2 other genes that both make antidepressants 7x less like to respond... so combine them together I'm apparently 21x less effective on antidepressants due to my blood brainer barrier protein blocking most of them of the antidepressants reaching my brain. 

 

rs4148740(T;T)

 

 

rs7787082(G;G)

 

(feel free to click the genes in blue its a link it will take you to a site showing the information on the gene).

 

 

 

I'm no Genetic expert but maybe this is why I'm not having such crazy withdrawals at the moment? because my blood brain barrier is making paxil 21x  less effective? I'm not sure but I feel like this is true as Paxil never really helped me with social anxiety at all which is basically 1 of the reasons I went cold turkey on paxil in the first place, I feel like they aren't helping me as much. 

Been on 10 MG of Paxil for 1 year for Social anxiety/mild depression.

 

Went cold turkey at the 14th of the 11th 2015. 

Posted

Wow that was a great post by Jancarol that is how it was for me for sure.

 

JW as for all that gene blah blah i dont know so much.

 

'7 times less likely to respond' ...gee how on earth do they figure this ..?

Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen

We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. 

URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting  for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing.

http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651   

Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos.

Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you

Recovering paxil addict

None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. 

This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! 

  "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped."  Dr Mosher. Me too! 

Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015

I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015

Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017

 

 

Posted

Wow that was a great post by Jancarol that is how it was for me for sure.

 

JW as for all that gene blah blah i dont know so much.

 

'7 times less likely to respond' ...gee how on earth do they figure this ..?

 

I got no idea. It's interesting though. I'm going to do more research on the genes to find out more. 

Been on 10 MG of Paxil for 1 year for Social anxiety/mild depression.

 

Went cold turkey at the 14th of the 11th 2015. 

Posted

Hey guys it's the 16th here and my brain zaps are basically 95% gone. My vivid dreams are clearing. I still got some nausea but it's not that bad. I also had some pretty blurry vision today but it only last 2 hours. Other then that feel good. Sexual dysfunction symptoms are 100% gone.

 

I hope to see 99% better in another 7 days.

 

It;s day 7 since I went cold turkey from 10mg of paxil (1 year).

Been on 10 MG of Paxil for 1 year for Social anxiety/mild depression.

 

Went cold turkey at the 14th of the 11th 2015. 

  • 1 month later...
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Hey JW - it's been over a month since you posted last.

 

I'm hoping that means that you've gone on with your life and forgotten about withdrawal symptoms - if this is so, please drop by and let us know!

 

I hope you see the sun today.

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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