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

[mstimc]

8 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

It’s so scary having something so wrong with you, that you can neither communicate to others, or go to anyone for help with. 
It’s an isolating illness that only one in the know can understand. 

So true, Longroadhome.  Even my wife, as supportive as she was during WD, couldn't fully understand what we experience. But she tried and that was enough.  But you--none of us--are alone.  We've all been through it and are here to help one another.  The morning dread will fade for you as it did for me.  It will take time but it will happen!

[Longroadhome]

Hi all

 

Hope the NewYear has been kind to you so far. 

Just to let you know I’m signing off here for a while. New year, new beginnings. 
As I start this year med free I want to give myself some space from SA as I’ve been on here most days since Feb 2019. Now I’ve finished my taper it’s time to let go a little.

 

I will be back from time to time to give updates for those that follow behind, as well as friends I have made along the way. 
 

a little update before I go:

I’m now 3+ months Paxil free and 3 weeks free of Pregabalin.

Symptoms are intense, but I’m coping. I’m not going to list them but for those interested,  please read back on my thread. 

 

For now, Take care. 
 
 

[Hanna72]

Dear @Longroadhome

52 minutes ago, Longroadhome said:

Just to let you know I’m signing off here for a while. New year, new beginnings. 

Sounds good my friend. 
I will be watching out for your updates when ever you decide to come back.

Enjoy your new freedom from the drugs and be well💕

[Carmie]

Hi longroadhome, 

 

I know you won’t be around much now you’re off your meds but I just wanted to say thanks for coming over to my thread. 
 

Wishing you all the best on your road to recovery💛
 

 

[Conner]

Did your boat/dizzy/ off balance go away? @Longroadhome

[Carmie]

Dear @Longroadhome, how have you been doing since getting off your meds at the end of last year? If you ever pop onto this site again, I’d love to hear how you’re doing. 
 

Sending hugs🤗💛

[Longroadhome]

Hello to all on this journey. May 2024 be good to you. 
Happy New Year 🥳 

I haven’t been on here for a year, since just after tapering off Lyrica. I’ve now been drug free for a whole year. It’s not been easy, far from it, but I’m learning to cope while my recovery continues.  
 

Thought I’d  come back to give a quick update to help those that follow behind. 
I’d  like to say things are getting easier, as it took 4 years slow taper and now 1 year completely clean to get where I am today, but symptoms still remain unpleasant for the most part. 
 

I’m still not fortunate to have windows, it’s  mainly waves within waves, some days better than others. However I am fortunate in that I can work, have some kind of a social life, go on holidays and active enough to look after and be apart of my much loved grandchildren’s lives. I’m grateful for this. 

The symptoms I have are; 

Dizzy floaty boat, continuous pain in hips and back, pain on and off in all joints and muscles,  tinnitus, dry eyes, blurred vision, tachycardia, anxiety, depression, hair loss and poor condition, food intolerance, stomach issues, incontinent, PGAD, tremors, buzzing feeling in body, pins and needles in lower legs, jelly legs, dermatitis, visual disturbances, anhedonia, brain fog/cognitive impairment, derealisation, sleep issues, nasal drip and throat/voice problems, obsessive thinking, agitation, very emotional.

Some of these are constant and others come and go. 

 

Yes, it’s a scary road, but I feel success comes from each step we take along the way, to get to recovery, and not just when we get there.
I was many years on Paxil and 4 years on Pregabalin (Lyrica), I am grateful that my first year free of meds has allowed me to remain active. 

i eat healthy, lots of fresh fruit and veg, no alcohol, decaf coffee. I take vitamin D as I was found deficient. I do not smoke. Exercise intensifies my symptoms, however I do try to walk everyday. My lovely dog Georgie, has been my constant companion through this. Georgie, I love you. 
 

I’ll not be hanging around, probably just for a couple of days to say hello to some of you. But I will return again next year to give another update. 
 

I hope this has been useful. 
 

I have just 3 words to say to anyone reading this. 
 

Keep going. Distract. 
 

 

 

 

[mstimc]

Thank you for the update, @Longroadhome. Yes, it can be a struggle, especially around the holidays, but you posted a hopeful and inspiring message. Sometimes it seems the easiest thing to do is go back on the meds and numb ourselves, but we know that's not a real answer.  Looking back on my experience, I can now see even the worst times weren't as bad as I thought, and I had many "mini-windows" during the dark times.  It sounds you're experiencing the same--hang onto those moments. More importantly, look at where you are compared to a year ago--you are more confident, healthier and more resilient.  You are recovering!

[Longroadhome]

5 minutes ago, mstimc said:

Thank you for the update, @Longroadhome. Yes, it can be a struggle, especially around the holidays, but you posted a hopeful and inspiring message. Sometimes it seems the easiest thing to do is go back on the meds and numb ourselves, but we know that's not a real answer.  Looking back on my experience, I can now see even the worst times weren't as bad as I thought, and I had many "mini-windows" during the dark times.  It sounds you're experiencing the same--hang onto those moments. More importantly, look at where you are compared to a year ago--you are more confident, healthier and more resilient.  You are recovering!

Thank you mstimc

Happy New Year to you 

[gentlehermione]

Dear @Longroadhome

 

Thanks for your update. Good to hear you are coping in the face of ongoing adversity.

 

 We’ll get there yet 🥰

[Longroadhome]

10 hours ago, gentlehermione said:

Dear @Longroadhome

 

Thanks for your update. Good to hear you are coping in the face of ongoing adversity.

 

 We’ll get there yet 🥰

Thank you!! 
how are you now? 

[Memphisto]

Thank you very much for the update @Longroadhome I read your introduction a while ago and can identify with many of your symptoms. I still have a long way to go before I'm free of all medications, but it's going slowly and I have the feeling that my recovery is progressing along the way.

 

Looking back, would you say that you were better off in 2023 than in 2022? 

 

I wish you all the best for the new year and, above all, much progress in your recovery. 

[Longroadhome]

Hi there @Memphisto

From the start of my taper I’ve always been plagued with symptoms. Towards the end of the taper, symptoms intensified. And from being free of drugs, symptoms are just as intense. Pain in hips and back, in particular has intensified over the course of last year. I never had any of the symptoms I’ve mentioned, before WD.
However, despite no improvements yet, I’m so glad to have reached a year off. 
Last year is behind me, and a new year lies ahead. I’m heading in the right direction. 

Good luck to you. Just keep going. never give up. 

[Longroadhome]

1 minute ago, Longroadhome said:

Hi there @Memphisto

From the start of my taper I’ve always been plagued with symptoms. Towards the end of the taper, symptoms intensified. And from being free of drugs, symptoms are just as intense. Pain in hips and back, in particular has intensified over the course of last year. I never had any of the symptoms I’ve mentioned, before WD.
However, despite no improvements yet, I’m so glad to have reached a year off. 
Last year is behind me, and a new year lies ahead. I’m heading in the right direction. 

Good luck to you. Just keep going. never give up. 

And Memp, thank you for your good wishes. Wishing you a successful year with your taper. No matter what, it’s truly worth it. 

[gentlehermione]

18 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

Thank you!! 
how are you now? 

Hi @Longroadhome

 

Still plodding along, thanks. I‘m just over 6 years out from my CT and have just resurfaced after an unexpected 10 week wave 😵‍💫 Life is full of surprises - especially in withdrawal!

 

 

[Longroadhome]

On 1/3/2024 at 1:47 PM, gentlehermione said:

Hi @Longroadhome

 

Still plodding along, thanks. I‘m just over 6 years out from my CT and have just resurfaced after an unexpected 10 week wave 😵‍💫 Life is full of surprises - especially in withdrawal!

 

 

You’ll get there and one day soon there will be no more waves. 
I think you’re very brave. 
Good luck to you. I hope this year marks the end of WD for you and health and happiness for many years going forward. 

[Longroadhome]

On 5/23/2023 at 4:07 AM, Conner said:

Did your boat/dizzy/ off balance go away? @Longroadhome

Hi @Conner

i still have the dizzy floaty boat. It’s been with me 3 years last August, and is constant. no windows up to now. 
As you can see, I also have many other symptoms so I’m hoping this goes away along with the others, when the time is right. 
With this symptom it’s best to try and distract as taking your mind off it lessens it somehow. Whereas if you pay attention and focus, it becomes more debilitating. Anxiety definitely heightens it.  Also try not to panic if you have days where it’s overwhelming. As long as you have kept everything stable it will diminish back to its usual. 
I had many tests at the beginning, ENT, Neurologist etc and everything normal . 
it’s just like Mal de Debarquement symptoms. It’s very common on the Benzo site. 
 

Good luck to you 
 

 

[Longroadhome]

Time to say goodbye again. I will return for another update either at the end of this year, or before if positive changes start to happen. 
Good luck to everyone. New Year, new possibilities. 

[gentlehermione]

16 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

You’ll get there and one day soon there will be no more waves. 
I think you’re very brave. 
Good luck to you. I hope this year marks the end of WD for you and health and happiness for many years going forward. 

@Longroadhome

 

Thank you 🥰 

 

Sending you healing vibes. Take care.