Administrator Altostrata Posted March 9, 2019 Administrator Share Posted March 9, 2019 Please put your questions here in your Introductions topic. 2 hours ago, Longroadhome said: I have put myself up to 4.25ml equivalent to 8.5mg. This was 11 days ago . I’m not feeling any steadier however I am managing . I have 3 questions 1. Can I wait it out on this dose and will I eventually stabilise ? 1. I hit poop out in August of last year hence the taper . Will I still be healing while I’m waiting to stabilise despite poop out ? 3. When can I continue my taper? Have you felt any benefit from the updose to 8.5mg? Have any symptoms reduced? You will not want to taper again until your nervous system settles down. Don't worry about poop-out, your nervous system will continue to move towards normal if you treat it gently. 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. Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 Thank you for your reply. No I can’t say I have felt any benefit at the moment and new symptoms seem to come on and off like muscle twitching and spasms, numbness in toes and an indigestion type pain that also comes on and off . Are these all known withdrawal symptoms? i don’t want to up my dose again any suggestions? Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 I have been keeping a daily symptom diary how many days shall I post ? Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 Posting last three days: friday 8th March 6:30am awake (sleep disrupted during night ) 7:10am got up 4.25ml seroxat 50mg pregabalin 8am work tense nervous but maneagable scary on yr own going through WD 1:40pm left work met daughter anxious and depressed feeling flat 5:10pm gym always makes me feel I’m doing something to help myself 7:40pm walked dog makes me feel a little more able to cope with anxiety and depressiv symptoms 8:30pm dinner / magnesium and omega tablets skin on arms and legs crawling feeling (get this often) tinnitus too 10pm bed forgot to take progabalin 50mg (have cut back from 3x pregabalin 50mg per day to 2 x 50mg per day one morning one evening for the last 6 weeks) saturday 9th March 6:30 am woke up (sleep disrupted during night) 7:50am got up 4.25ml seroxat and 50mg pregabalin neck feels numb and odd skin on arms and legs crawling 9:30am gym coping with symptoms headache threatening, skin crawling flat feeling 11:30am brunch / magnesium and omega 3 Feel tense palpitations and anxiety but I’m managing as out and about with friends 5pm walking dog symptoms msneagable 7:30pm out for meal felt calmer even with symptoms of anxiety present and skin crawling and threatened headache all calmed a little didnt take pregabalin as had glass of wine 11pm bed sunday 10th March woke up all through the night on and off 7:10am got up 4.25ml seroxat 50mg pregabalin 9am gym anxiety present fast heart rate tremor burning skin and numb big toe! ( new symptom on and off for last week) also indigestion pain that lasts few minutes has been happening the last week too along with muscle tics 10:30am brunch anxiety particularly bad today and depression fast beating heart sweating etc tremors but I’m carrying on with my day shopping 2:30pm walking dog anxiety still present My day today so far hope this has been helpful Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 On 3/10/2019 at 2:51 PM, Longroadhome said: Posting last three days: friday 8th March 6:30am awake (sleep disrupted during night ) 7:10am got up 4.25ml seroxat 50mg pregabalin 8am work tense nervous but maneagable scary on yr own going through WD 1:40pm left work met daughter anxious and depressed feeling flat 5:10pm gym always makes me feel I’m doing something to help myself 7:40pm walked dog makes me feel a little more able to cope with anxiety and depressiv symptoms 8:30pm dinner / magnesium and omega tablets skin on arms and legs crawling feeling (get this often) tinnitus too 10pm bed forgot to take progabalin 50mg (have cut back from 3x pregabalin 50mg per day to 2 x 50mg per day one morning one evening for the last 6 weeks) saturday 9th March 6:30 am woke up (sleep disrupted during night) 7:50am got up 4.25ml seroxat and 50mg pregabalin neck feels numb and odd skin on arms and legs crawling 9:30am gym coping with symptoms headache threatening, skin crawling flat feeling 11:30am brunch / magnesium and omega 3 Feel tense palpitations and anxiety but I’m managing as out and about with friends 5pm walking dog symptoms msneagable 7:30pm out for meal felt calmer even with symptoms of anxiety present and skin crawling and threatened headache all calmed a little didnt take pregabalin as had glass of wine 11pm bed sunday 10th March woke up all through the night on and off 7:10am got up 4.25ml seroxat 50mg pregabalin 9am gym anxiety present fast heart rate tremor burning skin and numb big toe! ( new symptom on and off for last week) also indigestion pain that lasts few minutes has been happening the last week too along with muscle tics 10:30am brunch anxiety particularly bad today and depression fast beating heart sweating etc tremors but I’m carrying on with my day shopping 2:30pm walking dog anxiety still present My day today so far hope this has been helpful Altostrata can you please look at my three day symptom recording and tell me what I need to do having updosed and not feeling any relief from symptoms . Don’t want to increase again can I wait it out ? Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 12, 2019 Administrator Share Posted March 12, 2019 Yes, withdrawal symptoms commonly come and go, move around, and transmute into other kinds of symptoms. They can be very odd. On 3/10/2019 at 7:51 AM, Longroadhome said: forgot to take progabalin 50mg (have cut back from 3x pregabalin 50mg per day to 2 x 50mg per day one morning one evening for the last 6 weeks) Did you notice any difference in your symptom pattern since you reduced from 3x pregabalin 50mg per day to 2 x 50mg per day? Skipping a pregabalin dose on Friday may have caused odd symptoms on Saturday and Sunday. How often do you have skin crawling and palpitations? How have your symptoms changed over the last month? How's your sleep? 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. Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 Thank you for your reply It’s been nine weeks since I decreased my seroxat to 7.5mg and just over 2 weeks since increasing it to 8.5mg. Withdrawal still the same no better. Can’t say whether reducing pregabalin may have made symptoms a little worse can’t tell as it has all coincided . Should I increase pregabalin back to three tablets a day stick at my dose of 8.5mg seroxat and see how I go? Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 9 hours ago, Altostrata said: Yes, withdrawal symptoms commonly come and go, move around, and transmute into other kinds of symptoms. They can be very odd. Did you notice any difference in your symptom pattern since you reduced from 3x pregabalin 50mg per day to 2 x 50mg per day? Skipping a pregabalin dose on Friday may have caused odd symptoms on Saturday and Sunday. How often do you have skin crawling and palpitations? How have your symptoms changed over the last month? How's your sleep? Sleep not good intermittent throughout the night but I’m coping I say skin crawling but sometimes it feels hot and this seems to be a symptom that sticks with me on and off all the time . anxiety not good so palpitations when I’m feeling particularly anxious so could be two or three times daily . Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 Were you on seroxat / Paxil and how was your withdrawal altostrata ? did my calculations last night and it’s going to take me 4 years 5months to completely come off Paxil decreasing by 10% every month from 8.5mg does this sound right to you ? Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted March 13, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 13, 2019 6 minutes ago, Longroadhome said: Were you on seroxat / Paxil and how was your withdrawal altostrata ? * 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 Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 Thank you for your reply 🤤 Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 13, 2019 Administrator Share Posted March 13, 2019 I need answers to these questions, point being: How did the gabapentin reduction affect you? 19 hours ago, Altostrata said: .... Did you notice any difference in your symptom pattern since you reduced from 3x pregabalin 50mg per day to 2 x 50mg per day? Skipping a pregabalin dose on Friday may have caused odd symptoms on Saturday and Sunday. How often do you have skin crawling and palpitations? How have your symptoms changed over the last month? How's your sleep? 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. Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 I’d only been on it since November and reduced beginning of Feb . Also for the first month the Dr put me on 25mg x 3 times daily. So was only taking 50mg x3 for 8 weeks . I don’t feel the reduction has affected me . I feel it was the quick taper down to 7.5mg from 20mg of seroxat that has brought about increased symptoms. Having said that I spoke with my Dr Monday and she said 2x50mg of pregabalin daily is not a therapeutic dose and to put it back up to 3x 50mg daily and if I still have the symptoms then I can always decrease it down again knowing it hasn’t been caused by the reduction of pregabalin. Sleep not good I’m waking up a couple of hours after dropping off then on and off the rest of the night . Skin crawling with me every day most of the day . Palpitations 2/3 times a day. Anxiety /depression constant. Symptoms over the last month have increased in intensity . Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted March 13, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 13, 2019 I have just realised that you and another member longestroadhome with a very similar name both have very similar automated green L avatars. Because you both have a similar name and also green, it would be helpful if one, or both of you, change your avatar so the mods and members don't get confused. Click on the drop down arrow next to your name (top right). Click on Profile. You will see your avatar at the top of the page. Just beneath the avatar there is a picture icon. Click on the icon. * 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 Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 Hi all so glad I found this site ! Wanted to ask a few questions as I taper down. I originally tapered too fast down to my GP from 20mg to 7.5mg from November 18 to Feb 19. On the advice of moderators on this site I went back up by 1mg to 8.5mg on 26th Feb . 2wks 4days ago and think I’m starting to feel a little easier . Well at least the last couple of days !!! Anyway to get onto my questions : 1. In November 2018 I was given pregabalin to help with coming off Paxil. That was when I was doing fast taper . Now I’m going to do slooooow taper brass monkey style all the way home . I don’t want to be taking the pregabalin as otherwise I will be taking it for a long time to come . So do you think I could start to come off slowly . I’ve slready decreased 6 weeks ago from 50mg 3xdaily to 50mg 2xdaily ? 2. Is it really going to take me 4yrs 5 months to come off the Paxil completely from here from 8.5mg . Just done my calculations at 10% per month reduction . My maths has never been good could I possibly be wrong ?? 3. When do you advice I should start to decrease again? Thsnk you for your help 🤗 Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
DeterminedAnna Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Hi Longroadhome, I'm just saying hello because it looks like we have both got decades of Paxil behind us. And we're both currently at a similar dosage. And I too have recently updosed, and believe the updose has started to properly ease withdrawal symptoms in the last few days. It's great you discovered this site and quickly realised your taper was way too fast. So a pat on the back to you, you've probably dodged a bullet. I did a quick (9 month) taper from 40mg to 0mg in 2013 and crashed badly after reaching 0 (in hindsight there were warning signs all throughout that taper). I reinstated 20mg Paxil by end of 2013 and stabilised within a few months. But the experience was so bad I didn't have the courage to try reducing my dose again until I started my latest taper last February, 2018. I can't answer your questions regarding Pregablin. I'm sure somebody else can though. You really are in good hands here. Regarding your projected plan and its length, you probably need to list a breakdown of doses so the moderators can review properly. But, what I'd say is this: the more longer and slower, the better. And I say this having tried to stop Paxil three times in my life now. Please keep in mind that the goal is to 'get off Paxil', NOT 'get off Paxil quickly'. ... Actually the real goal is to get off Paxil while maintaining your health and life. Slow, gentle tapering is the only way this can be achieved in my opinion. Don't look at the time it takes to come off, just look at the end aim. (And yes, I can truly empathise with wanting to get off Paxil quickly... if you read my intro thread you'll see I have my own urgency because I want to start a family and at 39, time is running out for me. But.. I'd rather get off Paxil over a long time with less suffering, than a quick time with hellish suffering and much more chance of having to backtrack). Hugs to you, Anna LATEST SITUATION *GSK-BRANDED LIQUID SEROXAT* CURRENTLY HOLDING AT 4.84MG LIQUID SEROXAT (PAROXETINE) DAILY, FOLLOWING 5% TAPER SINCE JUNE 2020 AS FOLLOWS: 1 APR 21: UPDOSE TO (AND HOLDING SINCE) 4.84MG PER DAY, AS 4MG LUNCHTIME, 0.84MG EVENING PREVIOUS TAPERING SINCE JUNE 2020: 13 Mar 21 (CRASHED 19 MAR 21) 4.72mg per day, as 4mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 13 Feb 21: 4.96mg per day, as 4.24mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 16 Jan 21: 5.2mg per day, as 4.48mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 19 Dec 20: 5.48mg per day, as 4.76mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 21 Nov 20: 5.76mg per day, as 5.04mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 24 Oct 20: 6.04mg per day, as 5.32mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 26 Sept 20: 6.36mg per day, as 5.64mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 29 Aug 20: 6.68mg per day, as 5.96mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 1 Aug 20: 7mg per day, as 6.28mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening (bereavement, didn't reduce) | 4 Jul 20: 7mg per day, as 6.28mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 6 Jun 20: 7.36mg per day, as 6.64mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening *OTHER MEDS/SUPPLEMENTS* Since my March 2021 crash (above), I have very occasionally taken a benzo, and increased some of my supplements. Please see this document. ———————————————————————————————— PREVIOUSLY From 12 May 19 to 5 Jun 20 inclusive: 7.72mg per day, as 7mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening. Split my doses in May 2019 as I suspect half-life is more of a factor at lower doses. Further history here. Link to comment
DeterminedAnna Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 PS. My intro thread: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/19556-determinedanna-long-time-seroxat-paxil-paroxetine-user/ LATEST SITUATION *GSK-BRANDED LIQUID SEROXAT* CURRENTLY HOLDING AT 4.84MG LIQUID SEROXAT (PAROXETINE) DAILY, FOLLOWING 5% TAPER SINCE JUNE 2020 AS FOLLOWS: 1 APR 21: UPDOSE TO (AND HOLDING SINCE) 4.84MG PER DAY, AS 4MG LUNCHTIME, 0.84MG EVENING PREVIOUS TAPERING SINCE JUNE 2020: 13 Mar 21 (CRASHED 19 MAR 21) 4.72mg per day, as 4mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 13 Feb 21: 4.96mg per day, as 4.24mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 16 Jan 21: 5.2mg per day, as 4.48mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 19 Dec 20: 5.48mg per day, as 4.76mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 21 Nov 20: 5.76mg per day, as 5.04mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 24 Oct 20: 6.04mg per day, as 5.32mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 26 Sept 20: 6.36mg per day, as 5.64mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 29 Aug 20: 6.68mg per day, as 5.96mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 1 Aug 20: 7mg per day, as 6.28mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening (bereavement, didn't reduce) | 4 Jul 20: 7mg per day, as 6.28mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 6 Jun 20: 7.36mg per day, as 6.64mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening *OTHER MEDS/SUPPLEMENTS* Since my March 2021 crash (above), I have very occasionally taken a benzo, and increased some of my supplements. Please see this document. ———————————————————————————————— PREVIOUSLY From 12 May 19 to 5 Jun 20 inclusive: 7.72mg per day, as 7mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening. Split my doses in May 2019 as I suspect half-life is more of a factor at lower doses. Further history here. Link to comment
DeterminedAnna Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 PPS. A great analogy from @ChessieCat about time and getting to our desired destination: "Use the image of waiting in a queue, the line gradually gets shorter. When you are in a queue you can't make it move any quicker than it does. You have no control over it. All you can do is wait in the line. How you wait is what is going to make a difference. You can either be impatient and start getting irritable and think bad things and complain to the other people who might start swearing at you which makes you feel worse or you can try to be patient and calm and try and think of nice things and look at the things around you. It's going to take the same amount of time for you to get to the head of the queue but you can either make the experience of waiting pleasant or unpleasant." LATEST SITUATION *GSK-BRANDED LIQUID SEROXAT* CURRENTLY HOLDING AT 4.84MG LIQUID SEROXAT (PAROXETINE) DAILY, FOLLOWING 5% TAPER SINCE JUNE 2020 AS FOLLOWS: 1 APR 21: UPDOSE TO (AND HOLDING SINCE) 4.84MG PER DAY, AS 4MG LUNCHTIME, 0.84MG EVENING PREVIOUS TAPERING SINCE JUNE 2020: 13 Mar 21 (CRASHED 19 MAR 21) 4.72mg per day, as 4mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 13 Feb 21: 4.96mg per day, as 4.24mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 16 Jan 21: 5.2mg per day, as 4.48mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 19 Dec 20: 5.48mg per day, as 4.76mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 21 Nov 20: 5.76mg per day, as 5.04mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 24 Oct 20: 6.04mg per day, as 5.32mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 26 Sept 20: 6.36mg per day, as 5.64mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 29 Aug 20: 6.68mg per day, as 5.96mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 1 Aug 20: 7mg per day, as 6.28mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening (bereavement, didn't reduce) | 4 Jul 20: 7mg per day, as 6.28mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 6 Jun 20: 7.36mg per day, as 6.64mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening *OTHER MEDS/SUPPLEMENTS* Since my March 2021 crash (above), I have very occasionally taken a benzo, and increased some of my supplements. Please see this document. ———————————————————————————————— PREVIOUSLY From 12 May 19 to 5 Jun 20 inclusive: 7.72mg per day, as 7mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening. Split my doses in May 2019 as I suspect half-life is more of a factor at lower doses. Further history here. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted March 15, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 15, 2019 On 3/10/2019 at 6:29 AM, Altostrata said: Please put your questions here in your Introductions topic. I've merged the new Intro topic you created with your original intro topic. SA works differently to many other forums. Each member has only 1 Introduction topic where they can ask questions about their own situation and journal their progress. This keeps the history in one place and also becomes a case study which can be viewed by any medical professionals visiting SA. Please do not create any more introduction topics, but continue to post in this topic. * 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted March 15, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 15, 2019 4 hours ago, Longroadhome said: 2. Is it really going to take me 4yrs 5 months to come off the Paxil completely from here from 8.5mg . Just done my calculations at 10% per month reduction . My maths has never been good could I possibly be wrong ?? Comparison starting on 1 April 2019: BrassMonkey Slide 2.5% (10%/month) with additional hold: June 2023 = 0.48mg 10% reduction every 4 weeks: May 2021 = 0.49mg 4 hours ago, Longroadhome said: 3. When do you advice I should start to decrease again? 5 hours ago, Longroadhome said: I originally tapered too fast down to my GP from 20mg to 7.5mg from November 18 to Feb 19. On the advice of moderators on this site I went back up by 1mg to 8.5mg on 26th Feb . 2wks 4days ago and think I’m starting to feel a little easier . Well at least the last couple of days !!! It may be best to hold on 8.5mg until at least the end of April to give yourself a good foundation before commencing to taper. Depending on what you do with the Pregabalin. 5 hours ago, Longroadhome said: 1. In November 2018 I was given pregabalin to help with coming off Paxil. That was when I was doing fast taper . Now I’m going to do slooooow taper brass monkey style all the way home . I don’t want to be taking the pregabalin as otherwise I will be taking it for a long time to come . So do you think I could start to come off slowly . I’ve slready decreased 6 weeks ago from 50mg 3xdaily to 50mg 2xdaily ? I will ask the other mods for their thoughts about Pregabalin. * 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 Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 15, 2019 Administrator Share Posted March 15, 2019 On 3/13/2019 at 1:15 PM, Longroadhome said: I’d only been on it since November and reduced beginning of Feb . Also for the first month the Dr put me on 25mg x 3 times daily. So was only taking 50mg x3 for 8 weeks . I don’t feel the reduction has affected me . I feel it was the quick taper down to 7.5mg from 20mg of seroxat that has brought about increased symptoms. Having said that I spoke with my Dr Monday and she said 2x50mg of pregabalin daily is not a therapeutic dose and to put it back up to 3x 50mg daily and if I still have the symptoms then I can always decrease it down again knowing it hasn’t been caused by the reduction of pregabalin. Sleep not good I’m waking up a couple of hours after dropping off then on and off the rest of the night . Skin crawling with me every day most of the day . Palpitations 2/3 times a day. Anxiety /depression constant. Symptoms over the last month have increased in intensity . Since you decreased pregabalin from 150mg per day to 100mg per day about a month ago, your symptoms have increased in intensity. What makes you think the pregabalin reduction is not involved? You had been taking 7.5mg paroxetine consistently since January, increasing to 8.5mg on Feb. 26. is that correct? At the same time each day, no skipped doses? 5 hours ago, Longroadhome said: On the advice of moderators on this site I went back up by 1mg to 8.5mg on 26th Feb . 2wks 4days ago and think I’m starting to feel a little easier . Well at least the last couple of days !!! This is inconsistent with what you said 2 days ago: "Symptoms over the last month have increased in intensity." Are you feeling better or worse since increasing to 8.5mg paroxetine? How long has your sleep been fragmented? Has it gotten better or worse since the increase in paroxetine to 8.5mg? Do not go up and down in any of your drug dosing. Any time you change the dosage of anything, it can take weeks before you know the result. Skipped doses can throw another spanner into the works. Please keep daily notes on paper with times of day for when you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms. You can post them in this topic with a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom, drug and dosage) on the right. Post your notes here in your Intro topic. "Therapeutic dosage" is irrelevant and your doctor is wrong besides. Whatever works, works. 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. Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 Thank you for your reply altostrata . Yesterday and today have been slightly better and I think this has been partly down to my attitude towards my symptoms . I’m starting to feel acceptance of how I am feeling therefore my anxiety feels a little less intense. And had two better nights sleep. It’s the anxiety that throws me into a panic so apologies for misleading info. Just assume that my Paxil was to blame for symptoms getting more intense as I had just altered my dose to 7.5mg and reduced my pregabalin about a week later but as you say it could be the pregabalin reduction. Yes you are correct about the dosage 7.5mg consistently since January increasing to 8.5mg February 26th at the same time each day no missed doses. Always take both medicine at the same time every day Paxil when I first get up with 50mg pregabalin and then another 50mg pregabalin before I go to bed. Never miss my Paxil dose but sometimes miss pregabalin dose on the night time if I’m going out. Maybe once a week at most. I really don’t want to be taking the pregabalin which was prescribed to me to alleviate symptoms in my fast taper at the time in November 2019. I don’t want to be taking it for the next few years while I taper off Paxil . I will post notes in the intro topic going forward as requested . Thank you Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 15, 2019 Administrator Share Posted March 15, 2019 Thanks. Have you found pregabalin makes you sleepy? 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. Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 Yes maybe a little at certain points in the day. Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 15, 2019 Administrator Share Posted March 15, 2019 Those daily notes will help a lot. 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. Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 2 hours ago, ChessieCat said: Comparison starting on 1 April 2019: BrassMonkey Slide 2.5% (10%/month) with additional hold: June 2023 = 0.48mg 10% reduction every 4 weeks: May 2021 = 0.49mg It may be best to hold on 8.5mg until at least the end of April to give yourself a good foundation before commencing to taper. Depending on what you do with the Pregabalin. I will ask the other mods for their thoughts about Pregabalin. Thank you for your reply and support ChessieCat. Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 2 hours ago, ChessieCat said: I've merged the new Intro topic you created with your original intro topic. SA works differently to many other forums. Each member has only 1 Introduction topic where they can ask questions about their own situation and journal their progress. This keeps the history in one place and also becomes a case study which can be viewed by any medical professionals visiting SA. Please do not create any more introduction topics, but continue to post in this topic. Will do thank you Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 5 hours ago, DeterminedAnna said: Hi Longroadhome, I'm just saying hello because it looks like we have both got decades of Paxil behind us. And we're both currently at a similar dosage. And I too have recently updosed, and believe the updose has started to properly ease withdrawal symptoms in the last few days. It's great you discovered this site and quickly realised your taper was way too fast. So a pat on the back to you, you've probably dodged a bullet. I did a quick (9 month) taper from 40mg to 0mg in 2013 and crashed badly after reaching 0 (in hindsight there were warning signs all throughout that taper). I reinstated 20mg Paxil by end of 2013 and stabilised within a few months. But the experience was so bad I didn't have the courage to try reducing my dose again until I started my latest taper last February, 2018. I can't answer your questions regarding Pregablin. I'm sure somebody else can though. You really are in good hands here. Regarding your projected plan and its length, you probably need to list a breakdown of doses so the moderators can review properly. But, what I'd say is this: the more longer and slower, the better. And I say this having tried to stop Paxil three times in my life now. Please keep in mind that the goal is to 'get off Paxil', NOT 'get off Paxil quickly'. ... Actually the real goal is to get off Paxil while maintaining your health and life. Slow, gentle tapering is the only way this can be achieved in my opinion. Don't look at the time it takes to come off, just look at the end aim. (And yes, I can truly empathise with wanting to get off Paxil quickly... if you read my intro thread you'll see I have my own urgency because I want to start a family and at 39, time is running out for me. But.. I'd rather get off Paxil over a long time with less suffering, than a quick time with hellish suffering and much more chance of having to backtrack). Hugs to you, Anna Hello Anna thank you so much for your reply so sorry to hear you’re going through Paxil wd its so awful isn’t it . I didn’t have a problem with it until I hit poop out last August . How I wished I’d found this site and tapered before hitting tolerance . Reading your thread you seem to be getting there it’s the lower doses where you have to tread careful and be extra cautious with the tapering regime . How are you doing now and what dose are you on ? You are right about not looking at the length of time it takes to wd. It will take as long as it takes and no short cuts . I’m sure you will get your wish and have a baby of your own one day soon. My daughter is expecting her first child and my first grandchild in July which is very exciting. Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 13 hours ago, DeterminedAnna said: PPS. A great analogy from @ChessieCat about time and getting to our desired destination: "Use the image of waiting in a queue, the line gradually gets shorter. When you are in a queue you can't make it move any quicker than it does. You have no control over it. All you can do is wait in the line. How you wait is what is going to make a difference. You can either be impatient and start getting irritable and think bad things and complain to the other people who might start swearing at you which makes you feel worse or you can try to be patient and calm and try and think of nice things and look at the things around you. It's going to take the same amount of time for you to get to the head of the queue but you can either make the experience of waiting pleasant or unpleasant." I like this analogy it just seems hard to do at times Anna you mentioned in your previous post about the syringes you have where did you get the one with under 1ml measures from ? Thank you Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
DeterminedAnna Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 (edited) Hi Longroadhome, Thank you for replying. You are very right about being more careful at the lower doses. If you look at this thread, it offers some theories why... The original paper, I think, is here: https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/appi.ajp.161.5.826 Essentially, as I understand it, from a certain dose upwards there's barely any more effect on serotonin transporter (the thing that carries the serotonin around our nerves). So for example, for paroxetine – the graph with orange dots – between 20mg and 60mg (a big jump in dose size) the occupancy of the transporter only increases from about 80% to 90%. However, going downwards, there's much bigger jumps between occupancy of the serotonin transporter – so for example, at 10mg, there's between 65% and 68% occupancy, but jump down to 5mg, and there's about 45% occupancy. The lower the dose, the bigger the jump down in the occupancy of the serotonin transporter. I'm sure someone with much more knowledge can correct me on this, but occupying the serotonin transporter is one of the ways SSRIs 'work'. Effectively, by doing this, they allow serotonin levels to build up in certain spaces in the nerves and brains (synapses), which over time leads to an elevated level of serotonin. But by doing this, the brain and nervous system says 'hold on a minute, there's too much serotonin here' and so it turns off or destroys the serotonin receptors to prevent them from receiving excess serotonin. It does this because our bodies are always trying to achieve balance, called homeostatis. I've massively simplified this, and serotonin does not work in isolation. So if serotonin is too high, other chemicals too can be too high or low, which relate to other bodily processes. Interestingly, none of the medical professionals I've ever seen will outwardly acknowledge SSRI withdrawal problems. I suspect they don't want to, because it would for them amount to admitting they got it wrong. But there was one line a psychiatrist once said to me, almost like he had a moral duty, which stayed with me: 'be careful as you get to the lower doses'. He said that to me in 2013, in my last appointment with him before I relocated. It was as if he thought 'I'm never going to see Anna again after today, so I can afford to lower my professional guard'. So yes, as you reach the lower doses – perhaps below 10mg for Seroxat (Paxil or paroxetine) – the reductions often need to be smaller as a percentage of the last dose. When I restart my taper, I'm going to reduce by 5% of the last dose, not the previous 10% reduction I was doing to get down from 20mg to 5.96mg. And on that point – and because you asked – I got to 5.96mg in late December, but it prompted strong withdrawal symptoms. I stayed at 5.96mg until the middle of February, but the symptoms got unbearable, with no signs of improvement. So by end of February, I'd updosed to 7mg. That's about a 17% increase from 5.96mg. I may not have needed to go up by such an amount, but I got desperate. In the past few days, having updosed to 7mg on 25 February (I tapered up to this dose from 13 February, going from 6.16mg to 6.8mg between 14 and 24 February), I have been feeling decidedly better. The constant, low-level anxiety, panic attacks, intrusive, obsessive thoughts and crying spells have abated, and my sleep and daily diarrhoea have settled down. My latest, since December 2018, experience of withdrawal symptoms and subsequent updose has taught me a few things: Non-drug coping techniques are essential. Search this site for 'non-drug coping techniques'. I discovered Michael Sealey on YouTube. The hypnosis for sleep tracks are excellent. I can survive on less than eight hours' sleep a night. Eight hours might be championed in the media as being optimum (and as a result I'm conditioned to think that way), but my body is more resilient than I imagine, even if it's a horrible experience. Thoughts aren't reality. Playing around with supplements and other OTC or prescription drugs is only going to confuse matters. Keep it simple, slow, steady is the best way – there is a thread on here about these three 'S's, but I can't find it. It's good. Eating small and often, with nutrient-rich, low sugar foods is good for me. Cutting out caffeine reduced the jitters. Drinking loads of water is especially important with diarrhoea and probably prevented dehydration headaches. If, when I resume my taper, I notice those distinct withdrawal symptoms emerging, then they'll probably do so within days of reducing my dose. If they emerge, I should return to the previous dose sooner rather than later. There's no guarantee that updosing works, but in my case, it seems to have. Based on my latest episode, a 10% updose might be sufficient for me in the future if my symptoms become unbearable. Listen to the veterans on this site. Hope this helps. As you can see from my thread, I'm on 7mg (as 3.5ml) Seroxat daily, and will be staying there for some months. Also, I got my 1ml oral syringes from here – they're broken into 0.02ml increments. I order them in bulk, so code PMC3078 is what I used: https://www.medisupplies.co.uk/Syringes-Needles/Syringes/BD-Oral-Syringes (I also have 10ml syringes from the same place – code PMC3084). I know the queuing analogy seems hard, but it's the truth. It's fact. It doesn't have to be easy for it to be true. Another hug to you, Longroadhome. WE CAN DO THIS! PS. My parents tell me that being a grandparent is wonderful. I'm sure it will be for you too. Edited March 16, 2019 by DeterminedAnna More accuracy and clarity, extra detail LATEST SITUATION *GSK-BRANDED LIQUID SEROXAT* CURRENTLY HOLDING AT 4.84MG LIQUID SEROXAT (PAROXETINE) DAILY, FOLLOWING 5% TAPER SINCE JUNE 2020 AS FOLLOWS: 1 APR 21: UPDOSE TO (AND HOLDING SINCE) 4.84MG PER DAY, AS 4MG LUNCHTIME, 0.84MG EVENING PREVIOUS TAPERING SINCE JUNE 2020: 13 Mar 21 (CRASHED 19 MAR 21) 4.72mg per day, as 4mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 13 Feb 21: 4.96mg per day, as 4.24mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 16 Jan 21: 5.2mg per day, as 4.48mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 19 Dec 20: 5.48mg per day, as 4.76mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 21 Nov 20: 5.76mg per day, as 5.04mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 24 Oct 20: 6.04mg per day, as 5.32mg lunchtime, 0.72mg evening | 26 Sept 20: 6.36mg per day, as 5.64mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 29 Aug 20: 6.68mg per day, as 5.96mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 1 Aug 20: 7mg per day, as 6.28mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening (bereavement, didn't reduce) | 4 Jul 20: 7mg per day, as 6.28mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening | 6 Jun 20: 7.36mg per day, as 6.64mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening *OTHER MEDS/SUPPLEMENTS* Since my March 2021 crash (above), I have very occasionally taken a benzo, and increased some of my supplements. Please see this document. ———————————————————————————————— PREVIOUSLY From 12 May 19 to 5 Jun 20 inclusive: 7.72mg per day, as 7mg lunchtime; 0.72mg evening. Split my doses in May 2019 as I suspect half-life is more of a factor at lower doses. Further history here. Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 Hi Anna I know the site I’ve been on it and yes you are right it binds to more receptors on lower doses once you get down and think that’s why I hit severe symptoms when I reduced from 10mg to 7.5mg. Also when I came to increase I found that I’d actually been taking 7mg. a mistake on my part due to incorrect measurement so that shook me even more . Ive ordered the syringes today so thank you for that information. You are right with the survival list: supplements and caffeine and good food choices and analogy the whole lot !! It’s so kind of you to send me all the info Anna double hugs for you we will do this !!! We are on one of the hardest ADs to come off so it’s no wonder we are getting such unpleasant symptoms . This site has given us a wealth of information and is where our strength to go the distance will come from going forward. Ps what supplements do you take I’ve been taking magnesium and omega 3 but max strength so could be aggravating my symptoms. Pss. I’ve waited so long to be a grandparent. daughter always career minded and my son also. The best things in life are worth waiting for Anna and one day your parents will be blessed with another grandchild. Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 Tuesday 12/03/19 awake on and off from 2am 6:30am got up Paxil 8.5mg pregabalin 50mg 7.30am work high level anxiety low mood 9:30am breakfast anxiety still high concentration poor 2:30pm home and walked dog . Slightly elevated mood when walking my dog Georgie 5:30pm anxiety spiking because of low mood 7:30pm dinner magnesium tab and omega 3 50mg pregabalin 10:30pm bed no headache today However hot / crawly skin and dry eyes have been my “companions”since poop out Is dry eyes a withdrawal symptom that anyone else has ? Wednesday 24/03/19 Woke up on and off all night 6:30am got up 8.5mg Paxil 50mg pregabalin (predictive text now..!!) 7:45am work flat feeling but not too bad 9am breakfast low level anxiety 1:45pm lunch magnesium tablet and omega 3 3:10pm walked dog depression maneagable 6pm gym slight headache but very tired 7:20pm dinner headache omega 3 tab 9:30pm bed pregabalin 50mg this was not a bad day for me thursday 14/03/19 good sleep 💤 6:30am woke up 50mg pregabalin 8.5 Paxil low level anxiety slightly elevated mood so rolled with it 8:30am work. flat but very manageable low level anxiety 1pm costa coffee jitters (note to self : order de caff) always have decaf at work and home but forget to order at costa 3pm walked dog low level anxiety and depression was there but I didn’t let it frighten me so it didn’t escalate 7:30pm family for dinner . Anxiety crept up a bit but I distracted myself and it subsided 8:30pm watched film felt ok 10:30pm pregabalin 50mg bed This was a better day for me . Don’t get me wrong symptoms were there but a tiny spark of courage and a slightly elevated mood has definitely helped me cope better the last couple of days. Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted March 16, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 16, 2019 6 minutes ago, Longroadhome said: Is dry eyes a withdrawal symptom that anyone else has ? Dry eyes are a common antidepressant withdrawal symptom. Vision symptoms: floaters, snow, blurred/dimmed vision, twitching, dry ... Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of Oct 15: 3.2mg Taper is 96% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase, L-Glutamine, milk thistle, choline I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. It is information based on my own experience as well as that of other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 Friday 15:3:19 6:30am woke up good sleep 😴 7:45am work low level anxiety flat feeling but manageable 9am breakfast burning arms medium anxiety level dry eyes 👀 the usual stuff 1pm lunch medium level anxiety but bringing this on myself because of the weekend ahead and coping on my own 3pm walked Georgie 5pm gym good session 2 hours mood ok 7pm dinner forgot to take pregabalin 8pm daughter round mood ok (mine not hers..) 11pm bed 🛌 Im writing this Saturday and today is an ok day too Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Longroadhome Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 7 minutes ago, Gridley said: Dry eyes are a common antidepressant withdrawal symptom. Vision symptoms: floaters, snow, blurred/dimmed vision, twitching, dry ... Thank you for info Gridley Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈 Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg, Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg 🎈 December 25th 2022 drug free these dates are approximate Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 16, 2019 Administrator Share Posted March 16, 2019 Please be sure to include when you take your drugs and their dosages in your daily notes. You did take your morning Paxil and pregabalin on Friday? Forgetting those evening pregabalin doses may be causing your problems. Taking drugs inconsistently can trigger withdrawal symptoms and other upsets. It appears you may be sensitive to caffeine, which has effects for many hours. If I were you, I'd taper off it. To see the effect of your morning drugs, you'd have to take Paxil apart from pregabalin. Why are you taking a morning dose of pregabalin? 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. Link to comment
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