Jump to content

Mawmaw: I need advice


Mawmaw

Recommended Posts

Posted (edited)

I have been on various doses of Paxil for 30 years.  I was great using as little as 10mg for many years.  I’m now going thru menopause and this summer has been hell.  In June I went from 40mg of regular Paxil to 75mg of the CR.  In early August my physiatrist lowered it to 50mg CR.  Since then, I’m having episodes of anxiety and depression.  I went to my GP yesterday and she wants to taper me off Paxil altogether and start Zoloft.  I’ve been reading these horror stories and am scared and lonely.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Oh..forgot to mention Gyno started me on Hormones last week too.

Edited by Mawmaw
Misspelled
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Welcome to SA, Mawmaw.

 

We are a site for tapering off drugs and helping with withdrawal and getting members off the drug merry-go-round.   We don't recommend specific drugs; that would be between you and your psychiatrist.  If you want to stay on drugs, that too would be between you and your psychiatrist.  That said, you certainly should have a large say in the matter; it's your body.  If you want to taper, we will be happy to help you.

 

Why does your psychiatrist want to switch you to Zoloft?  Unless a member is having an adverse reaction to a drug, we generally recommend tapering off the drug you're currently taking.  There are several reasons for this.  Doctors know nothing about tapering or extended withdrawal (they don't even believe it exists), so very likely your doctor will try to wean you off Paxil too fast, putting you in risk of some very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.  Also, there will be start-up symptoms with the Zoloft and furthermore it might not agree with you.

 

Your doctor has been playing around with your doses, from 40mg to 75mg and then down to 50 over a short period of time.  This is destabilizing to your nervous system.  The drop from 75mg to 50 was far too fast, causing the typical withdrawal symptoms of anxiety and depression. We recommend tapering no more than 10% of current dose every four weeks.  The drop from from 75mg to 50 is a 33% drop.

 

 http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

If you want to taper off the Paxil, I would suggest you hold at your current dose for a few months until you stabilize, then begin a 10% taper.  This link is specifically about tapering Paxil.

 

Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

 

So that you'll have a better understanding of what you're experiencing, here is some basic information on psychiatric drug withdrawal.

 

 
 

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  
 
These explain it really well:

 

 

   On 8/30/2011 at 2:28 PM,  Rhiannon said: 
When we stop taking the drug, we have a brain that has designed itself so that it works in the presence of the drug; now it can't work properly without the drug because it's designed itself so that the drug is part of its chemistry and structure. It's like a plant that has grown on a trellis; you can't just yank out the trellis and expect the plant to be okay. When the drug is removed, the remodeling process has to take place in reverse. SO--it's not a matter of just getting the drug out of your system and moving on. If it were that simple, none of us would be here. It's a matter of, as I describe it, having to grow a new brain. I believe this growing-a-new-brain happens throughout the taper process if the taper is slow enough. (If it's too fast, then there's not a lot of time for actually rebalancing things, and basically the brain is just pedaling fast trying to keep us alive.) It also continues to happen, probably for longer than the symptoms actually last, throughout the time of recovery after we are completely off the drug, which is why recovery takes so long.

If you decide you want to taper, you'll need to have the cooperation of your psychiatrist for your supply of the drug.  Keep in mind that any M.D. can prescribe antidepressants.  The following link gives tip on how to talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal.

 

 
This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions, post updates and connect with other members.  Please let us know how you're doing and what you decide to do.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

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.

  • ChessieCat changed the title to Mawmaw: I need advice
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted (edited)

Topic title:  Direct switch from Paxil to lexapro

 

Any insights on Dr. wanting to do a direct switch from 40mg of Paxil to 10mg of Lexapro?  Dr. Says I shouldn’t experience bad withdraw.  I’m terrified.  The plan is to stop Paxil today and start lexapro tomorrow.

 

Edited by ChessieCat
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted (edited)

2 Intro topics merged - each member has only 1 Intro topic where they can ask questions and journal their progress.  This keeps a member's history in one place.

 

 

Before doing this please wait for the advice of the moderators.  I have let them know that you need assistance.

 

Edited by ChessieCat

* 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

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted (edited)

Hello Mawmaw

 

I hope you have not switched the meds today.

Do you still have Paxil available?

Continue to take it at 50mgs until we can assess your present situation.

On 8/29/2019 at 6:34 PM, Mawmaw said:

Since then, I’m having episodes of anxiety and depression.

Has this got worse or better since 29 Aug?

Are you experiencing physical symptoms?

dr-joseph-glenmullens-withdrawal-symptom-checklist/

On 8/29/2019 at 7:18 PM, Gridley said:

Why does your psychiatrist want to switch you to Zoloft?

What reason are you being given for the switch?

If you do not know you should ask.

On 8/29/2019 at 7:18 PM, Gridley said:

Your doctor has been playing around with your doses, from 40mg to 75mg and then down to 50 over a short period of time.  This is destabilizing to your nervous system.  The drop from 75mg to 50 was far too fast, causing the typical withdrawal symptoms of anxiety and depression. We recommend tapering no more than 10% of current dose every four weeks.  The drop from from 75mg to 50 is a 33% drop.

The above means you are experiencing withdrawal which means no further changes until we can get you on the road to stabilisation.

If you have not read the links Gridley gave you then please do so.

It is important you know what is happening because neither doctors nor psychs can explain because they do not know themselves.

On 8/29/2019 at 6:34 PM, Mawmaw said:

Gyno started me on Hormones last week too.

 

Please advise name of drug and dose so I can speak ask a specialist mod about this.

When we receive the requested info. we can advise you further.

 

 

Sassenach


 

Edited by Sassenach
quotes

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

  • Administrator
Posted

Welcome, Mawmaw.

 

22 hours ago, Mawmaw said:

Topic title:  Direct switch from Paxil to lexapro

 

Any insights on Dr. wanting to do a direct switch from 40mg of Paxil to 10mg of Lexapro?  Dr. Says I shouldn’t experience bad withdraw.  I’m terrified.  The plan is to stop Paxil today and start lexapro tomorrow.

 

 

Offhand, this seems a terrible idea. What is the purpose for this switch?

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.

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Hi Mawmaw.

 

How are you feeling today?

Is it your intention to quit antidepressants?

 

Sassenach

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy