Longroadhome: think I may be tapering Seroxat / Paxil too fast

[Longroadhome]

@ChessieCat

hi there I wonder if you could help? 
I have just picked up my pregabalin from the chemist and they have given me a different brand name. I was on lyrica and now I’ve been given pregabalin Ascend . Both 25mg hard capsules and assured by pharmacist there is no difference . 
however I know a change of brand can make a big difference . So would it be best to change slowly over a period of two weeks and how best to do this ? 

Or should I return to doctor for another prescription ? 
thank you 

[Carmie]

Hi Longroadhome, 

 

Thank you for your kind words on my thread. How are you doing? How’s your tapering going? Did you end up changing the pregabalin to a different brand?

 

I hope you have a happy day☀️

[Longroadhome]

3 hours ago, Carmie said:

Hi Longroadhome, 

 

Thank you for your kind words on my thread. How are you doing? How’s your tapering going? Did you end up changing the pregabalin to a different brand?

 

I hope you have a happy day☀️

Hi Carmie

Thank you for asking.

I am continuing my taper of Paxil at 10% reduction Brass Monkey style. It’s not easy as I’m never free of symptoms but determined to get off the meds. 
I’m  still on Lyrica (Pregabalin) and holding at 14mg until I finish the Paxil taper. 
I know it’s not easy for you with your health and steady taper off medication but you seem very strong and resilient. 
I wish you well and pray that your health will improve. 
 

[Carmie]

On 10/28/2021 at 2:00 PM, Longroadhome said:

Hi Carmie

Thank you for asking.

I am continuing my taper of Paxil at 10% reduction Brass Monkey style. It’s not easy as I’m never free of symptoms but determined to get off the meds. 
I’m  still on Lyrica (Pregabalin) and holding at 14mg until I finish the Paxil taper. 
I know it’s not easy for you with your health and steady taper off medication but you seem very strong and resilient. 
I wish you well and pray that your health will improve. 
 

Good on you for continuing the brassmonkey slide Longroadhome ,

 

Well done getting down to 2.2mg of Paxil. You’re doing great! My body won’t let me taper as quick as you, but even at the rate I’m tapering I still go through windows and waves. One can’t escape it when going through WDs. 
 

Thank you for your kind words, I hope you’re coping okay today🧡

[Longroadhome]

42 minutes ago, Carmie said:

Good on you for continuing the brassmonkey slide Longroadhome ,

 

Well done getting down to 2.2mg of Paxil. You’re doing great! My body won’t let me taper as quick as you, but even at the rate I’m tapering I still go through windows and waves. One can’t escape it when going through WDs. 
 

Thank you for your kind words, I hope you’re coping okay today🧡

Thanks Cam 

Coping is a good word lol!!! 
I agree once in WD symptoms are there no matter how we taper. 
I hope a new day brings you some respite 🤞
take care. 

[Longroadhome]

Time for a long overdue update ; 

 

just to say at the moment im

in Cyprus . It should have been USA but we have put that back until Feb next year due to COVID restrictions at the time where we were unsure of how to proceed. It seemed easier to defer the trip as we were not losing any money by doing this.

i am now at 2.2mg of Paxil and as I have got lower the symptoms seem more intense. I have never had windows throughout this journey, only that some days in between the suffering, symptoms though still very much there, may become a little more tolerable for short periods. 
 

I have lots of symptoms but the floaty boat/dizzy/ off balance is my worst . It’s been 15 months since this started and it’s 24/7. It seems more prevalent with people tapering from

Benzos than ADs so maybe I’m an exception to the rule..    

Ive got to a point where I feel symptoms will dog me the rest of the way down and there’s nothing I can do until I’m off and they settle so I have to carry on with my journey do the best I can and accept my situation. 
 

I continue to work for a few hours each morning at the daycare setting. This is really hard some days because of WD. I use my “tools” to help get through the hard days. 

I have built up a tool box of coping  methods as follows; 

Distraction. This is sometimes hard but really works. When I have felt particularly anxious I focus on different things. This might be cooking from scratch for the family, taking my toddler granddaughter to the park, looking after my baby granddaughter where I don’t get a minute to think about me!! Watching my fav programme/series on TV, walking and paying attention to nature in my environment Etc 

when I feel particularly anxious in any situation I take slow deep breaths and look for things in the environment I can count. This might be something silly like how many people are wearing black trainers or how many women  are wearing their hair up. I’ve done this at the hospital and it has helped me stay calm. 
 

success stories. I have a whole batch of my favs and these are my go to tools on a regular basis. 
 

A good friend who I talk with every week about WD and how I am coping. She is very wise and completely understands WD. 
 

Making sure I am productive each day as much as I can be as idleness feeds into my symptoms as I tend to ruminate . I don’t run around desperately seeking things to do it’s just about breaking my day up here and there. 
a typical example would be work on the morning, meeting my daughter for  coffee and a little light shopping before preparing dinner.  

if I’m in work and feeling anxious I carry “support” notes in my handbag for me to read. 
“WD is temporary and the symptoms will all go as I heal”

”How I am feeling is normal and it is ok to feel this way. It will pass” 

I repeat these over several times paying attention to the words. 
 

And there are days when anxiety and floaty boat etc  intense feelings just won’t let me use any tools and during these times I try my very best to accept and get through the day as best I can. 

 

My family. I love them all dearly and feel blessed every day. My husband, my daughter and son in law, my son and daughter in law and my two granddaughters  age 4 months and  2 years old. They keep me focused.  
 

one day in the near future I will take my last dose of Paxil and then Pregabalin. 
 

Yes without doubt this is the most difficult thing I have ever done and I hope at the end of it I feel well and happy and can continue on with the rest of my life x 

 

 

 

 

[Longroadhome]

Forgot to say my best tool ever and that’s my dog Georgie she’s a Staffie cross and my best friend. How could I forget you Georgie?? 
to sit and stroke her during difficult days is very therapeutic as well as taking her for walks. She’s a wonderful companion and has helped me so far on this journey back to health xxx  
 

[direstraits]

I have the floaty boat feeling too... it's  so distressing isn't it?

Do you have vision problems too?

Yes, animals are such a comfort... I have two cats.😸

[Longroadhome]

Hi there @direstraits

i have blurry vision on and off as well as dry sore eyes . 
how long have you had the floaty boat symptom and is it 24/7?

[Longroadhome]

Just now, Longroadhome said:

Hi there @direstraits

i have blurry vision on and off as well as dry sore eyes . 
how long have you had the floaty boat symptom and is it 24/7?

Are you completely off all medicines ? 

[direstraits]

I guess it's been a while... really can't remember exactly when it started.sometimes worse than other times.

I went back on Prozac in May... really didn't want to but I was getting unbearable symptoms.I hate these drugs.

[Longroadhome]

Has it helped your symptoms going back on  Prozac? 

[Longroadhome]

44 minutes ago, Longroadhome said:

Has it helped your symptoms going back on  Prozac? 

So sorry you have had to return to ADs. Have you been completely drug free for 7 years or did you ever take rescue doses in-between of anything? 
the reason I ask is you seemed to be gradually improving over the years compared to your posts the first few years. 

[Longroadhome]

Over the years I have been able to take Paxil on and off with no WD problems what so ever and years in between coming off and going back on . Taken for  anxiety and depression. 
id only ever take it for around 6 months during those periods. 
It was from

my mid forties that the doctor recommended I keep taking it for menopause as she said I had a chemical imbalance . 
 Only now when I look back over the years I wonder about all the symptoms I used to get and  think it could have been connected to Paxil. 
Aches and pains in muscles  with many gym exercise injuries that really shouldn’t have occurred. The injuries happened many times when taking part in classes. I’ve since read this happened to other people on Paxil.

Trouble with my bladder and it feeling full and uncomfortable where countless tests came back normal only for it  to disappear. It would return  on and off over the years coinciding with Paxil usage now I look back. 
PGAD a few times over the years that would just come on and last a few months before going away. This one was awful and extremely uncomfortable as well as embarrassing as a visit to the doctor just left him dumbfounded.  
IBS whenever I was on Paxil. Extremely uncomfortable and persistent since regular use of Paxil. 
Tinnitus. 
Pain in the pelvic region . Many tests nothing found but ended up

having ovaries  out (I had already had a hysterectomy years before due to endometriosis)  as specialist said I had a cyst on one that could be causing it. But still had the pain after surgery for a number of months before it disappeared.  
Underactive thyroid for a number of years while on Paxil that seems to have resolved now I have tapered to a low dose. I no

longer take medication for this and blood results are normal. 
High cholesterol even though it’s not in the family and I’m very fit and eat healthy. It will be interesting to see if this returns to normal levels once I am off the medication and recovered. 

 

 

[Erell]

Hello @Longroadhome,

 

I can relate so much to your experience.

I don't say that these molecules are responsible of everything, that wouldn't be true. And I can only invite people to make tests if they have health issues, in case in could be something else.

 

But yes, they do seem to impact so many systems in our bodies !

 

From the moment I was put on Paxil, I started to have a stiff neck and spent so much money with osteopaths, only for short results.

This stiff neck disappeared as soon as I went below 10 mg and never came back.

 

So I don't think we can put everything on drugs, but I definitely look at my previous health issues with new eyes now !

 

I see that you're now down to 2.2mg : I hope things are going relatively well and that you're having a nice time in Cyprus.

I know you're dealing with a lot, but I keep the hope that we will soon reach our goals ❤

[direstraits]

I never took anything all those years.

I thought I was getting better at times but these episodes of inner torture were getting unbearable... there was no depression.

It has helped me but I still have vision problems, burning skin, balance issues.

I just hope I'm not permanently damaged.

[Longroadhome]

Thank you @Erell

As you say we can’t put all health problems down to ADs but now I’ve researched this drug ( wish I’d done this years ago instead  of just taking them blindly) there are so many symptoms I’ve had over the years and since commencing tapering that are all on a huge list of side effects and WD symptoms that can’t be ignored .  
my son is on Effexor and over a two year period he has been treated for severe tinnitus in both ears and now one ear has gone very high pitched. It comes under a list of side effects for this medication but he will not taper off.
I’m  managing my tapering and fingers crossed this continues. I hope to be completely off by the end of next year . Thank you for asking. 
toke care and keep going.  There is no other way than to continue no matter what x

Keep believing keep the faith and NEVER give up

[Longroadhome]

51 minutes ago, direstraits said:

I never took anything all those years.

I thought I was getting better at times but these episodes of inner torture were getting unbearable... there was no depression.

It has helped me but I still have vision problems, burning skin, balance issues.

I just hope I'm not permanently damaged.

You are not permanently damaged .some people do take much longer to heal but NOBODY is permanently damaged forever. 
I really believe this to be true . 
is it Akathisia your inner torture ? 

[direstraits]

I always wondered if it was akathisia... just a horrible feeling, like a rage... I would scream in despair...at least I don't have that anymore.

[direstraits]

6 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

You are not permanently damaged .some people do take much longer to heal but NOBODY is permanently damaged forever. 
I really believe this to be true . 
is it Akathisia your inner torture ? 

And thanks for the encouraging words ❤️

[Carmie]

Hi Longroadhome, 

 

Just popping in to send you some hugs🤗. How are you doing? 🧡

[Erell]

Hello @Longroadhome, 

 

Thank you for all these precious messages of support that you offer us. I wish that this new year will bring you the serenity so much deserved.

 

"To be honest with you, I don't know what to say to make you feel better, but I do want you to know you are not alone, and what you are going through is not unusual. I do know that no matter how intense and scary this is, the time will come when you'll begin to see improvements and you will realise that healing was taking place all along. I do know that if ever you feel overwhelmed and like giving up, all you need to do is tap into that reserve of strenght deep within you, and just like all the times before, it will anchor you. I hope you know that the time will come when you will look back with a sense of humble pride in yourself for persevering and making it to recovery. You will pick up the pieces and move on with a quiet confidence, because in your heart of hearts you will know that after everything you have been through, nothing in life will ever again faze you." (Baylissa)

[Hanna72]

Dear @Longroadhome

I just had to come in here to give you a big hug 🤗 

Thank you for all the  support you have given me.

I hope you are doing well and wish you all the best.

Thank you💝

[Carmie]

Hi @Longroadhome

 

Just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you. Hope you’re doing okay🧡

[Longroadhome]

I need to clear my head. On Monday this week I got a phone call from my friend out the blue  to tell me her son had passed away. He was just 27 years old. We don’t know the cause and have to wait for a post mortem.
I’m shocked and devastated for my friend and her husband. 
He passed away early hours of the morning. Paramedics spent 40 minutes trying to revive him. 
He was there only child and still lived at home. 
 

[Carmie]

On 1/15/2022 at 6:39 PM, Longroadhome said:

I need to clear my head. On Monday this week I got a phone call from my friend out the blue  to tell me her son had passed away. He was just 27 years old. We don’t know the cause and have to wait for a post mortem.
I’m shocked and devastated for my friend and her husband. 
He passed away early hours of the morning. Paramedics spent 40 minutes trying to revive him. 
He was there only child and still lived at home. 
 

That’s devastating Longroadhome, 

 

I’m so sorry to hear that, how heartbreaking.
 

Sending you all big hugs🤗🤗🤗

[Erell]

I'm so sorry @Longroadhome for this sad news. How are you doing ?
I know this kind of news can be really hard to process while already going through WD 🙏
If you don't feel able to participate to a ceremony, I found that being able to find my own ceremony, something concrete to say goodbye to the person, like a walk in the forest, a bouquet of plants, talking to a tree, anything that you feel able to and is simpe for you, allows the spirit and the body to integrate the news. 

Sending you my thoughts and support 🌼

[Longroadhome]

Thank you @Carmie, @Thelongestroadhomeand @Erell

 

So sad for my friend and her husband. So difficult at the moment to be in their company because I’m frightened of saying the wrong thing.
I also feel guilty that I have my son and daughter. And grandchildren. 
 

There’s  also something else. About four/ five months ago their son CT off (about 5 weeks tapering )  very large amounts of an antidepressant and a Benzo. 
I felt angry that he appeared to have gotten away with no WD symptoms, while I was tapering  slowly and have so many. I feel guilty now for these feelings.
 
 

[Carmie]

On 1/23/2022 at 8:25 AM, Longroadhome said:

Thank you @Carmie, @Thelongestroadhomeand @Erell

 

So sad for my friend and her husband. So difficult at the moment to be in their company because I’m frightened of saying the wrong thing.
I also feel guilty that I have my son and daughter. And grandchildren. 
 

There’s  also something else. About four/ five months ago their son CT off (about 5 weeks tapering )  very large amounts of an antidepressant and a Benzo. 
I felt angry that he appeared to have gotten away with no WD symptoms, while I was tapering  slowly and have so many. I feel guilty now for these feelings.
 
 

Hi Longroadhome, 

 

Thank you so much for dropping over to my thread. I’m so very sorry that you’re going through the pain of your friend’s son’s death. I’m sure that your friend continues to appreciate very much the comfort that you give her. 
 

Funny how our feelings are all over the place. Yes, I can see how you could be annoyed with someone having no withdrawals even though hardly tapered. There’s no need for guilt, though easier said than done, I guess. We suffer so much with withdrawals. Did they end up finding out what he died of in the post mortem?

 

Take care and I hope you have a good day🧡

 

[Longroadhome]

@ChessieCat

hi there 

wonder if you can help me. I can’t get my usual supply of liquid seroxat (Paxil) Chemist can’t get supply in . 
can you please tell me my best alternative. Would it be seroxat in  tablet form  that I can mix with water . Or generic liquid  Paroxetine? 
thank you 

[Sottana]

@Longroadhomedid you figure out this problem? 

[Longroadhome]

3 hours ago, Adili13 said:

@Longroadhomedid you figure out this problem? 

Trying private chemist,  will know tomorrow if they can get it for me. Apparently could be something to do with the licence. Anyway this has happened before and I do have enough for short term.  Fingers crossed 🤞 

[Sottana]

@Longroadhomekeeping my fingers and toes crossed for you, my friend ❤️

[Longroadhome]

3 hours ago, Adili13 said:

@Longroadhomekeeping my fingers and toes crossed for you, my friend ❤️

Thank you Adili 

how are you ? 

[Sottana]

@Longroadhome I’m still struggling a lot here. I feel very stuck. How are you other than the stress of this issue??

[Longroadhome]

@Sottana

im coping. Symptoms are especially intense at the lower doses for me. my 24/7 floaty boat dizziness is very intense along with anxiety, Akathesia, tinnitus, joint and muscle pain,   and many other symptoms. All have increased .

I just stay focused on tapering to “0”. It’s what keeps me going. 
Im now “micro tapering”. I’m reducing every day by the tiniest teeny weeny amount. It’s like coming down a slide as opposed to stairs . I’m so sensitive to med changes that even the brass monkey slide was getting too intense for me.  
It will have been four years of tapering at the end of this  year when I finish. 
I think some healing takes place while tapering but complete healing takes place once off the med. And time.