MrMiyagi: 20+ years Effexor XR

[MrMiyagi]

Two and a half years of no driving, severe weakness, neuropathy, migraines, cognitive decline and living life looking out of a window laying in bed. I have a gut feeling I have to go through some more hell to get out of this misery but my choices are limited and all medical testing has come back fine.

[ChessieCat]

5 hours ago, MrMiyagi said:

Tomorrow I start my switch to liquid Paxil and I'm nervous to say the least. It has now been a little over 4 weeks since my 20% drop and my brain is still feeling it. I have had some windows in the third week but it followed a crash this week. Keeping my fingers crossed 🤞🏼. I need to get out of this bed and live life 

 

I think you should wait longer to change to liquid Paxil if you have enough of your tablets to do this.

 

Reasons:

 

Changing from tablet to liquid is an event change that the body has to adapt; it needs to be treated the same as a dose reduction

 

You have only recently had Covid; even though you might feel okay your body is possibly still recovering from fighting the virus

 

You made a 20% reduction only 4-5 weeks ago;  the hold for a 10% is 4 weeks

 

You state above that you had a "crash" this week which means that you are not stable at this time; see the following:

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

Stability

 

WDnormal

 

And Brassmonkey talks more about it here:

 

tao-of-the-brassmonkey

[MrMiyagi]

Hi ChessieCat I really wanted to wait but my psychiatrist has called in the Paxil Solution for the second time and I no longer have any tablets. I think she has gotten a bit annoyed unfortunately 😑.

[ChessieCat]

Okay.  The Paxil solution only needs to be taken once a day, but the take up by the body might be quicker with the liquid. 

 

You might consider starting with split dosing, eg taking a second dose 1-2 hours after the first dose and if you want to, take a third dose 1-2 hours later.  If you are currently taking your Paxil in the morning I would not be taking the Paxil any later than lunch time otherwise it might affect your sleep.  If you split the dose up you won't be taking as much in one go and it might be gentler on your system. 

 

After one week you could then change to 2 doses then after one more week change to 1 dose.

 

Please note, that at any time you feel a worsening you would hold on that dosing schedule, unless you find that your sleep is being affected.

[MrMiyagi]

I just seen this a bit late and I took the full dose this AM I will most likely split it up as you suggested starting tomorrow as it sounds like it could be gentler on my system.  This orange stuff is nasty 🤢 

 

Hopeing for a smooth transition 🤞🏼 🙏🏼 

Thank you ChessieCat 

[MrMiyagi]

Wave and windows pattern are apparent now on day 5. I become discouraged with not understanding this neuro muscular issue that disables me. Doctors dont seem to find anything that could be responsible for this increase in left sided muscle paralysis from scapular to hip. I belive if I wasn't physically disabled I would be able to manage all of this so much easier. I have had days my legs become paralyzed in the past I'm guessing from either lyme or the rapid effexor taper 2.5 years ago. I worry somthing is missed because I seem to be diffrent than others with these physical problem. I miss my son now 5 years old I hope to make up for so much lost time one day. In the meen time I'm not making anymore changes for a few months until I can see if this improves or not 🤦🏻‍♂️.

 

Latest neurologist visit just diagnosed me with chronic ridiculopathy and spasms in lower lumbar. They offered me more Gabapentine and tizanadine again. I have had emg studies in the past that concluded some ridiculopathy post spinal fusion but nothing that would cause this much disability. 

 

Scheduled with orthopedic next week to ask if titanium hardware sensitivity could be a cause of this or somthing systemic. 

 

Just me Journaling...

 

 

 

[MrMiyagi]

Binge watching Jordan Peterson on YouTube until I came across a lecture of him endorsing SSRI's and even being on two himself 🤦🏻‍♂️ apparently its so great he will take them fir life FFS. The best but unfortunate thing that can happen is for famous people to feel this 🙌🏼.  It's all old news but I'm behind the times 

[MrMiyagi]

Past 3 days I have been in a window but I'm still bracing for a crash as I remember my history with effexor cross taper I destabilized at month 6.  The reason I hold hope it will not happen this time is Paxil I have been on for only 1.5 years. 🤞🏼

[MrMiyagi]

Should i worry about all the tiny bubbles effecting accuracy in my liquid Paxil taper.

[ChessieCat]

5 hours ago, MrMiyagi said:

I'm still bracing for a crash as I remember my history with effexor cross taper I destabilized at month 6. 

 

It is understandable to feel some fear when we have experienced something before.  It's called "anticipatory fear".  However, just because it happened before does not mean it will again.

 

5 hours ago, MrMiyagi said:

Should i worry about all the tiny bubbles effecting accuracy in my liquid Paxil taper.

 

My suggestion would be to make your dose and leave it sit so that the bubbles subside.  Then just before measuring your dose give the liquid a gentle stir and try not to create bubbles.

 

[MrMiyagi]

Twitching muscles, neck spasm, dp/dr, anger neuro emotions, loose stool. I been trying to sleep it off the past two days im mostly bed ridden a long time now so its ok but I'm hoping it subsides and i adjust to the changes I made to quickly.

 

just one week into switching to liquid paxil

 

It's been 6 weeks since dropping 25% not 20% 🤦🏻‍♂️

 

Fear of permanent injury since I've had the experience of developing left side weakness and dystonia after my Effexor withdrawl. I have ptsd from the parkonsinism experience 😔 I may look into talk therapy 

[MrMiyagi]

Scheduled up my first psychologists appointment I belive I could gain some benefit from it during withdrawl. I can also burden my faimly less since I have basically become this illness.

[MrMiyagi]

I think I lucked out and adjusted rather quickly to the Paxil Liquid switch 🥳. Two more weeks before I make any additional changes but I'm hopeful. 

[Erell]

On 5/30/2022 at 4:06 PM, MrMiyagi said:

I think I lucked out and adjusted rather quickly to the Paxil Liquid switch 🥳. Two more weeks before I make any additional changes but I'm hopeful. 

 

Great news ! Thank you for letting us know !

(Can I confess that I really liked the taste of this orange liquid? 😂)

 

Take care ❤️ 

[MrMiyagi]

9 hours ago, Erell said:

 

Great news ! Thank you for letting us know !

(Can I confess that I really liked the taste of this orange liquid? 😂)

 

Take care ❤️ 

😆 I can't take the orange tast and thank you for joining me on this journey 🤗 

[MrMiyagi]

Just thinking of my past history with Effexor and I remember I CT Effexor xr 150 in 2003 for a year. I was doing great for 4 months my energy was back I was weight training etc. By 6 months I crashed and had burning nerve pain in my legs and pots dysautonomia with major depression my vision was also so bad that year I couldn't be in a vehicle. I remember going through this for a little over a year until my GP just thought to reinstate effexor i did in 2004 and was able to recover from that mess.

 

I'll have to update my signature 

[MrMiyagi]

I lay in bed most of the day and don't understand why I'm avoiding physical activity. I meen I have pain,weakness,neuropathy,twitching but is it more of a ptsd from my original insult with effexor I hope to see if I get some benefit from cbt I will keep you all posted.

 

Keep fighting everyone💪🏼 

[MrMiyagi]

On 6/1/2022 at 3:26 AM, Erell said:

 

Great news ! Thank you for letting us know !

(Can I confess that I really liked the taste of this orange liquid? 😂)

 

Take care ❤️ 

Hi Erell,

Would you mind me asking why you chose to do a Prozac bridge if you were able to obtain the Paxil oral suspension ?

 

Thank you, 

[MrMiyagi]

On 11/3/2020 at 5:41 PM, Altostrata said:

MrM, given all the problems paroxetine causes, I would never suggest it as a substitute for anything or if you have any other options whatsoever.

 

I don't understand why you're here on Paxil when the last time we talked about a week ago, you were taking Zoloft (since July). It would have been possible to reduce the Zoloft dosage and therefore reduce any adverse effects -- which you did not report, therefore that was not determined here.

 

You're asking after having switched to Paxil for 10 days, if you should switch back to Zoloft? I suppose if you feel better on Paxil, you should stay on Paxil.

 

I would not advise making changes for quite a while, let your nervous system settle down. We don't fine-tune drug cocktails here. If you like your current cocktail, please confer with your doctors about adjustments.

 

 

At the time this question was asked I was completely incoherent with increasing deteriation and suicidal thoughts. My physical and cognitive symptoms were ongoing for one year with only worsening I thought I would not make it and I'm not sure I would have with out additional intervention unfortunately. I understand we originally thought the zoloft was causing an adverse reaction and it very well could have been given my symptom history. I unfortunately couldn't take the torment and admitted my self for help. I belive the addition of Gabapentine and paxil quickly brought some relife fortunately, but not enough to continue daily function. Any improvement I gained was so needed at this time in my journey. I understand you work for free to help us the best you can and it can become so frustrating when it seems it falls a deaf ear. I want you to know how much I appreciated your time Alto thank you and my apologies for any wasted time vested 

[MrMiyagi]

Peripheral neuropathy? or parathesisa? and has any one had MSM-Methylsulfonylmethane supplements make it worse ?

[MrMiyagi]

So between my reduction and added supplements I just exasperated my POTS Dysautonomia so that must be a cause of the increased neuropathy/parathesisa. Ordered some compression socks to hopefully help.

 

Debating the Fish oil and coq10 still 🤔

 

 

[MrMiyagi]

Past week I have had extream burning in my legs and increased blood pooling I'm guessing is from pots. This is one of the most uncomfortable experience 😔 

[MrMiyagi]

@Altostrata@ChessieCat shortly after taking my Paxil Liquid I develop painful parathesisa in legs and itchiness that last until later in the day it seems to start within 20min after dosing Paxil Liquid 

 

I'm wondering if I should go back to pill form to see if it resolves this issue or if it's just a delayed withdrawl response.

 

 

[MrMiyagi]

I have not split my dose up as of yet I take the full 6.66ml in the morning. 

 

Perhaps it's to much at once and the parathesisa is a side effect rather than a withdrawl effect or at least a cause for increase in severity 

 

When I look up the definition of parathesisa it says usually not painful I must be the unusual case.

[Altostrata]

9 hours ago, MrMiyagi said:

@Altostrata@ChessieCat shortly after taking my Paxil Liquid I develop painful parathesisa in legs and itchiness that last until later in the day it seems to start within 20min after dosing Paxil Liquid 

....

 

When did this symptom start? Did this also occur when you started Paxil liquid in May? Are you using the same bottle of Paxil liquid? What is the expiration date on the bottle?

 

You decreased Paxil on June 1. Did you feel any effects from the decrease?

[MrMiyagi]

Symptoms started june 1st with the increase in parathesisa and pots only legs are effected from kness down(stinging, tingling, burning, blotchy red) also increase in genital anesthesia 

 

The liquid is renewed each month and is a diffrent brand from my original tablet brand. I belive it expires after one year 

 

Yes I did feel my normal withdrawl reaction wile decreasing on June 1st with an increasing in symptoms by june 7th when I was taking a few supplements that also agrevated them.. (nac,ala,msm) I last took them on june 7th.

 

I notice symptoms are worse immediately after I take the Paxil and slowly lessen in wave through out the day.

 

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

22 minutes ago, MrMiyagi said:

Symptoms started june 1st with the increase in parathesisa and pots only legs are effected from kness down(stinging, tingling, burning, blotchy red) also increase in genital anesthesia 

 

This sounds like a withdrawal reaction from the reduction on June 1.

 

The symptoms you get after a dose sound like an adverse reaction to that formulation, particularly the itching, which indicates an allergic reaction. You might not be able to take that brand of liquid. I would confer with your pharmacist.

[MrMiyagi]

I will call the pharmacist today thank you for your time Alto. 

[MrMiyagi]

It's the only brand they carry around here unfortunately so I may have to go back to tablets.

 

I will wait for the scale to arrive and use the same tablets I was on prior to the switch. 

 

Sound like a good choice ?

 

[Altostrata]

You can make a liquid from the tablets. I don't know what you'd want the scale for.

[MrMiyagi]

Just now, Altostrata said:

You can make a liquid from the tablets. I don't know what you'd want the scale for.

Ok I did not research that yet 😅 

My dose would be 13.33mg

[Altostrata]

You could take a 10mg tablet with 3.33mg in liquid, taper from the liquid when you feel stable.

[MrMiyagi]

Thank you again Alto 

[MrMiyagi]

Day 3 of switching back to Paxil tablet 10mg and 1.66ml suspension and my burning parathesisa and pots has improved alot 👌 its so sad that psychiatrist can't recognize these reactions 

[MrMiyagi]

So I had a good week after the switch but the burning pricking pain from my knees down returned. I am thinking it is more of a withdrawl reaction at this point and it's painful enough to keep me in bed. I also noticed increase raynaud's symptoms with skin discoloration in the same area. I did leave a message for my neurologist to test for sfn with a biopsy just to see if it could be a cause ? 

 

There is also my pots dysautonomia and lyme dissease that could be contributing factor. But I remember in the past in 2003 after CT Effexor I did experience the same symptom.

 

 

[MrMiyagi]

I see parathesisa listed as a withdrawl side effect but it says usually painless. 🤔  my burning, pricking, numbing, sensations are painful so not sure. 

Or

In some cases, paresthesia is a sign of healing. Patients with nerve damage resulting from illness or injury can experience intense symptoms as the nerves regenerate.

 

🤷🏻‍♂️