Bkelaine

[Bkelaine]

I have been on and off paroxetine the last 15 years.. my latest taper has taken 2 years to get from 20mgs daily to 10mgs per day currently. So I am plodding along.. with determination and a grateful attitude.. at 10 mg per day, having been through the horrors of tapering very slowly. And I get Bell’s palsy.. my doctor prescribed a steroid (prednisone) for 5 days to reduce inflammation.. I had never taken a steroid before and did not know what they did- except my doctor said they reduce inflammation.....and I feel like someone has literally flicked a switch in my brain and all the brain fog, fatigue and anhedonia disappears...overnight I feel like myself, my old self, my good self and I am overjoyed. I look up steroids online for treatment options for depression.. and I find the majority of people feel awful taking a steroid.. they are NEVER used as an antidepressant and you cannot take long term due to severe side effects. I go back to my MD/gp and she says my positive experience of the steroid warrants further investigation. I have been with my dr for 25 years, she is fantastic and tbh I would not be here today without her. So I go to an endocrinologist on her referral. He thinks it was mania I was suffering (overjoyed!) while on the steroid as they have unbelievable mood effect. But still I am Awaiting test results. Has anyone else had a similar experience? 

[ChessieCat]

Hi Bkelaine and welcome to SA,

 

We ask all members to create a drug signature.  Please update it whenever you make a change.  Please keep it nice and simple.  We only need details for the last 2 years.  Date, drug and dose only, no symptoms or diagnoses.  The other years can just be an overview.  

 

This is the preferred format which is helpful for the mods.  Thank you.

 

A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature - ALL drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 2 years particularly?

• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 

• Any drugs prior to 2 years 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.
• Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

There are many existing topics and discussions on this site.  You can use the site search function on the main page of the site at the top right, or use a search engine and include survivingantidepressants.org in your search string.

 

This is your own Intro topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.  We suggest that members visit each others Intro topics so that can support and encourage each other.

[Bkelaine]

Hi chessiecat, thanks for the reply and welcome. I have updated my signature- hope it’s ok 👌 

[ChessieCat]

I'm going to give you lots of links to check out.  Please don't feel overwhelmed, just work your way through them one at a time as you feel able.

 

SA recommends tapering by no more than 10% of the previous dose followed by a hold at that dose for about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  This is because psychiatric drugs create a physiological dependence, not physical like caffeine or nicotine.

 

Patience is needed to get off these drugs.  We suggest throwing out the calendar and listening to your body and your symptoms.  If after 4 weeks you don't feel stable, are unwell or life circumstances are a bit more stressful than usual (for example the Christmas period, winter time, or job change) it is better to stay at that dose for a bit longer until things settle down.

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

 

Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

 

On 5/27/2011 at 10:52 AM, Altostrata said:

aka Aropax, Paroxat, Deroxat, Rexetin, Sereupin, Seroxat, Xetanor

 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

Keep Notes on Paper

 

Rate Symptoms Daily to Check Patterns and Progress

Tapering Calculator - Online

 

The only supplements which SA recommends are Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil.  Try a small amount one at a time to see how you react.  It is best to make only 1 change at a time.  It is also better not to start taking a complex vitamin because if you experience issues you will not know what exactly is causing it.  B vitamins can be stimulating especially B6.  hypersensitive-to-b-vitamin-or-b-vitamin-complex  If trying anything new, start with a small amount to see how you react and build up to the recommended amount.  

 

Even with a careful and slow taper you will most likely experience times of discomfort. SA encourages members to learn and use Non-drug techniques to cope