Sottana: Paxil withdrawal - questions and concerns

[CloudyToday]

Hi @Sottana, I'm also tapering paxil. I reinstated 10mg, when I got to 5.4mg I started having GI issues, nausea, getting full quickly, belching.

Did you experience also same gut problems?

 

I think the 5 to 6 mg range is the most difficult so when you get there please go slower. 

Take care.

[Sottana]

Has anyone found they have become less tolerant to their fish oil supplement over time? 

[Sottana]

Do we think some people are beyond healing? Like the damage is too great. I feel so done 

[wantrelief]

2 hours ago, Adili13 said:

Do we think some people are beyond healing? Like the damage is too great. I feel so done 

I understand your question and have the same worry. In fact it seems to be a symptom in itself, that we are broken and won't heal. I don't believe anyone is beyond healing, you are not beyond healing.  We are, unfortunately, still in the middle of this mess so we can't feel it but it doesn't mean we aren't healing right now in this very moment. I can't believe how long this takes for some of us but it will happen, Adili. I am so sorry for how much you are having to endure to get there but I do believe your strength, courage, and perseverance will pay off. You are going to be okay, my friend.....we've just got to keep going. I am rooting for you, as always.

[modelarz71]

On 6/30/2023 at 8:31 AM, CloudyToday said:

Cześć@Sottana, Jestem również zwężający się paxil. Przywróciłem 10mg, kiedy doszedłem do 5,4mg zacząłem mieć problemy żołądkowo-jelitowe, nudności, szybkie napełnianie, bekanie.

Czy wy też mieliście takie same problemy z jelitami?

 

Myślę, że zakres od 5 do 6 mg jest najtrudniejszy, więc kiedy już tam dotrzesz, zwolnij. 

Dbać o siebie.

Unfortunately, I also have the same with the intestines, belching fast filling and overflowing inside. It started with escitalopram discontinuation. Is it IBS or reflux or is it worth getting a gastroscopy? Do you think reinstall may help with inestines?
 

[arbor]

Dear @Sottana--I truly can relate to what you're describing.  If it's any help, I notice that the feelings shift and waves eventually improve enough to keep going.  Overall, the symptoms have improved though it has been taking a huge amount of time.  I'm glad you're here.   Sending you hugs,  Arbor 💜

[direstraits]

23 hours ago, Adili13 said:

Do we think some people are beyond healing? Like the damage is too great. I feel so done 

 

 

I've often felt the same way...nine years is a long time to live like this... hard to believe it will ever end. I'm so done too.

[Sottana]

@wantrelief @arbor thanks guys, I really appreciate your encouragement and kind words. It’s little things like that that really keep me going. I’m so grateful for your efforts to give hope. Thank you 🙏 

[Sottana]

@modelarz71 I’m sorry I’m not sure, friend. 

[Sottana]

@direstraits I’m sorry this journey has been so incredibly long for you 

[arbor]

Dear @Sottana  I'm just checking in to see how you're doing.  And sending you hugs on this rocky journey.  So glad you're there.

Arbor

[Sottana]

@arborthanks for your words, my friend. I appreciate them. Was there a specific point in time of your drug that you felt like maybe things were improving? Or was it just only felt in hindsight? 

[arbor]

Hi @Sottana-- I hope my answer can be helpful.  

On 8/22/2023 at 10:31 AM, Sottana said:

Was there a specific point in time of your drug that you felt like maybe things were improving?

If you mean drug as in while I was still taking it, my experience was that the drug was both causing terrible problems which the doctors didn't recognize as problems with Zoloft and then Prozac, and they had pooped out.  As soon as I was off the drugs many of the problems went away.  However, I had as good as CT'ed and then had w/d to deal with.  

 

On 8/22/2023 at 10:31 AM, Sottana said:

maybe things were improving? Or was it just only felt in hindsight? 

I felt little relief from acute symptoms through my first year.  The worst wave I experienced was during my second year  I followed the usual pattern of waves and windows, however it wasn't until my third 1/2 years that any appreciable windows occurred.  Whenever I was in a window I thought I was making progress.  While in waves, I was unsure whether I would ever heal.  My fridge is plastered with quotes from the Success Stories.  I read them everyday!

 

I'm now at 57 months.  With hindsight I can see that I'm much better even though I'm in and out of anhedonia which I didn't notice as much when the other symptoms were so strong.  About 2 months ago my psoriasis cleared.  I mention this as an example of something improving.  My patience is better, but I'm very careful about the company I keep.

 

My experience is different from yours in that I CT'ed.   Still, the symptoms of w/d are excruciating for both of us.  One of the hardest things for me has been resisting the discouragement that comes up.  I've often said to myself, "I'm so done with this!" to quote you!  Buddhist practice has helped me a lot in learning to step away from my thoughts whether they're normal or caused by neuro-emotions.  My desperation has made me a better student than I might've been otherwise--

To get back to your question, I did feel a turning point at the time when I reached the 4 year plus a few months point.  Keeping in mind that this was that much time completely off psychotropic meds following CT.

 

Ideally, people may wish to reach a reliable stability before cutting dosage further.  I'm not sure if that can always happen.  For some people tapering even minutely may imitate a very, very slow CT.  Alto or Shep would be better assessors, however.  I don't have the experience with proper tapering first hand.  I tend to believe that my own healing is based on reclaiming my neurological health free of drugs.   It has been brutal, and now it is better, even consistently better.  The lingering occupancy of the drugs in the lipid rafts (if I understand the studies and the studies are honest) can last a long time after quitting the drug.  As it wears off in my system, and as my system reclaims its more native environment, in my mind, I can "picture" the recovery I'm feeling.  I realize this is just a speculation.

 

Please forgive me for going on so long, Adili.  We're all in the same boat, suffering from these drugs and finding our way to getting off them.  Without the support here, I don't know that I could have made it this far.

Purple badge of courage to you 💜

Arbor

[Sottana]

I’m wondering if anyone has had good results with acupuncture while being extremely sensitized? I’m trying to look into things to relieve my extreme head pressure and electrical over-activity feeling in my forehead 🙏

[Hanna72]

My dear friend @Sottana

Just wanted to drop by with some good wishes sent your way💕

I don’t know unfortunately how acupuncture affects sensitive nervous system. 
I see you have been holding for some time now, and I think that’s a very wise decision you made there. I have decided to also hold for how ever long I need to, if I ever feel that my nervous systems is getting shaky. Going to fast has always been my downfall.

Oh and I found the perfect quote for you;

 

« It’s often the small steps,

not the giant leaps,

that bring about 

the most lasting changes « 

 

Be well my friend 💕

[Longroadhome]

Hi there @Sottana

 

Happy New Year. I hope this year is better for you. 
 

I’ve just popped in for a couple of days to give an update. 
no signs of improvement yet but I’m hanging in there, focusing on healing.

 

How are you ? You’ve held your taper for a good while. How’s it going 

 

 

[Sottana]

@Hanna72 @Longroadhome

 

That's a good quote. I'm just trying to keep going, day by day. I don't spend too much time on here or any forums anymore. Just hoping and praying for healing like everyone else. I hope you guys find tons of healing this year. All the best ❤️

 

[Sottana]

Thanks to SA for approving my name change. 

 

What the hell do people that have both severe chemical sensitivities and akathisia do? I’m too agitated/can’t focus enough to do any of the programs to treat the extreme sensitivities. I feel like my world is getting smaller and smaller. This journey genuinely feels so damn brutal pretty much 24/7. I’ve heard some people say the chemical sensitivities can go with healing and little effort made by the individual, but something tells me mine aren’t going to just magically go. Just feeling so stuck and defeated

[Sebas]

On 2/2/2024 at 6:03 PM, Sottana said:

I’ve heard some people say the chemical sensitivities can go with healing and little effort made by the individual, but something tells me mine aren’t going to just magically go

@Sottana just to let you know i've had these extreme sensitivities regarding food and chemicals and all the time (4 years) it turns out I had been in poop out/tolerance. It had built up and then one day i was really in poop out, then the sensitivities lowered somewhat. Bye Sebas

[Sottana]

@Sebas mine started for me in poop out as well. We have that in common. I’m happy yours have improved some 

[Safran]

Reading your condition, I see that we are in a very similar situation. I am totally non-functional because of my symptoms. I don't know what this is, but two months ago my condition worsened a lot and I don't know what to do. .We are reducing the same medicine, so that's why I'm writing.How much medication are you on now and do you still go down even though you are not stable? Thank you.

[Sebas]

@Safran had a VQL (very quick look) at your situation. Short summary: The bloodpressure and/or migraine medicins that your doctor has given you (since last months) are ramping up paxil WD. So unless life threatening get rid of them, then stabilise and continue tapering like you were doing before. 

[Safran]

28 minutes ago, Sebas said:

@Safran had a VQL (very quick look) at your situation. Short summary: The bloodpressure and/or migraine medicins that your doctor has given you (since last months) are ramping up paxil WD. So unless life threatening get rid of them, then stabilise and continue tapering like you were doing before. 

@Sebas, thank you very much for the warning, and I don't drink them because I found that they are not good when you are in wd, only that afterwards the problem is blood pressure. My condition is very complicated and difficult to stabilize.I hope you are doing well.

[Sottana]

@Safran I have been off paroxetine for a while now. The reaction I was having to the drug was so extreme and violent that I was ultimately led with no choice but to come off of it. I have been drug free for 16 months and experience a level or torture every day that I can not put into words even if i tried. For those of us that are truly paradoxical to a drug, there is not much that can be done. At a certain point the reaction is so violent and horrific that you can be left with no choice but to come off. I truly hope you are not in this position and are able to continue tapering. Cold turkey after many years is hell on earth. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. 

[Safran]

18 hours ago, Sottana said:

@Safran I have been off paroxetine for a while now. The reaction I was having to the drug was so extreme and violent that I was ultimately led with no choice but to come off of it. I have been drug free for 16 months and experience a level or torture every day that I can not put into words even if i tried. For those of us that are truly paradoxical to a drug, there is not much that can be done. At a certain point the reaction is so violent and horrific that you can be left with no choice but to come off. I truly hope you are not in this position and are able to continue tapering. Cold turkey after many years is hell on earth. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. 

 I sympathize with you because I see you are in a big struggle like me. Thank you for your reply.

[Dahlia50]

@safran This is terribly tough. Tapered down too fast and also had a reaction. Sometimes I don't understand what kind of situation Im into and how to survive this severe WD. Since I have taken zoloft for so long, there is no quick fix. Have some relatives in Sweden so just wanted to say hello. 🙏