MindyH: Introduction

[MindyH]

Hi, my name is Mindy and I'm new to this forum. I've been on 40 mg of Paroxetine (generic paxil) for approximately two years and Alprazolam (generic zanax) for over 20 years. I would like to wean myself off of the Alprazolam and paxil. I've ran out of my paroxetine before and omg the withdrawal symptoms after just one day are a nightmare. I hope to gain advice and support here. Thank you. 

 

Mindy 

 

(By the way I am a 45 year old female)

Edited January 7, 2018 by scallywag
update title with member's username

[Gridley]

Hello, MindyH and welcome to SurvivingAntidepressants.  This is a great forum and you will find the moderators and members very supportive.

 

We ask all of our members to fill out a signature so that all of your information can be read at a glance.  This helps moderators determine you current situation and we would ask that you follow the instructions at the link below.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

 •    Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.
 •    A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
 •    Any drugs prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years.
 •    Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago)
 •    Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016.

 

At Surviving Antidepressants, it is recommended that a person taper by no more than 10% of their current dose with at least a four week hold in-between decreases.  The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.  Some people may have to taper at a more conservative rate as they are sensitive to even the smallest drops.
  

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

You wrote that you want to wean yourself off Xanax and Paxil.  We recommend only tapering one drug at a time.  Generally, we recommend that you taper the antidepressant Paxil first, as the Xanax can help buffer your withdrawal.  The following link will explain further.

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

To get you started, and familiarized with the protocols followed by SA, I am linking a few topics so that you have a better understanding of what is recommended here. 

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

[MindyH]

Thank you! I'll work on getting this done.