Bryan: Paxil withdrawal

[Colonial]

I think 40 mgs of Paxil is too much for the first week while you still have so much excess Prozac in your system and can cause an adverse effect..

I think 10 to 20mgs is enough to stabilize you and going back to 40 mgs remains excessive and possibly problematic.

I think if you eventually want to do a proper taper off the drug, it's smarter to reinstate on the lowest dose possible.

 

As previously stated, 10mgs of Paxil locks down about 80% of your receptors.

After being off it cold turkey this long your brain has already begun to make adaptations from being without it and 10mgs is sufficient to gain stabilization.

 

No one can tell you how long it will be either way, but too much med can be just as much trouble as not enough.

All that being said, I would reinstate 10-15 mgs as the safest route.

Edited September 10, 2021 by Colonial

[Bryan]

Thank you I must of missed the 10 mgs locks down 80 percent of your receptors but makes sense not to go so high to 40mgs of the Paxil. I’m gonna speak to my doctor and maybe talk some sense into him but you know how they are they don’t take criticism well and they think there the no all be all doctors. I hope it stabilizes out soon rather than later but will see. I even told him the symptoms I’m having and there all symptoms of Paxil withdrawal. Shaky hands sleep issues eating issues sweating chills I mean what more can I tell him for him to get it. Thanks Bryan

[Colonial]

I'm just concerned about an adverse reaction going forward this week.

You still have about 55mgs of prozac in you and now you've added 40mgs of Paxil

 

"Serotonin syndrome can occur when you increase the dose of certain medications or add a new drug to your regimen."

 

 "The half-life of fluoxetine is about four to six days. That means it will take between four and six days after fully stopping the prescription for it to reduce its effectiveness by 50 percent. Fluoxetine stays in the body for 25 days after you stop taking it."

 

And in all seriousness, I suggest you consider a change of doctors moving forward.

It will be more likely to get a doctor to help you in a productive fashion with a taper or stabilization issues.

Doctors tend not to admit their mistakes for reputation and insurance issues and how he will dose you going forward will reflect that.

 

I understand wanting to be on the same page, but you have the right to decide your own medication decisions and any doctor who would agree to reinstate you on 40mgs of Paxil with so much prozac in your system for the next 2 weeks is not a doctor I would personally keep.

 

Good luck

 

 

 

[Surviving82]

55 minutes ago, Bryan said:

Thank you I must of missed the 10 mgs locks down 80 percent of your receptors but makes sense not to go so high to 40mgs of the Paxil. I’m gonna speak to my doctor and maybe talk some sense into him but you know how they are they don’t take criticism well and they think there the no all be all doctors. I hope it stabilizes out soon rather than later but will see. I even told him the symptoms I’m having and there all symptoms of Paxil withdrawal. Shaky hands sleep issues eating issues sweating chills I mean what more can I tell him for him to get it. Thanks Bryan

Hi Bryan, im not an expert, just a fellow sufferer. But it does seem like Paxil WD. As others have said, these drugs are not 100% identical. Plus Paxil has a very short half life and prozac has a very long half life, so Paxil is out of your body fast while prozac still hasn't had a proper time to build up. It boggles my mind why psychiatrist didn't switch you gradually, say 10mg by 10mg substitute a week (which is still pretty fast but better than CT). I am sorry I don't know what would be best to do now, but I agree that it is important to not take both drugs in high doses. Meanwhile if you need something to control the jitters, have you tried beta blocker? Some people have good results with it. And for sleep melatonin works well for many of us. Sorry you feel this way and I hope that you fell better soon! 

[Colonial]

Melatonin can go either way when destabilized and produce negative effects in higher dosages.

You may wish to try magnesium in smaller amounts after your stabilization.

One change at a time is best.

[Bryan]

Ok thank you the sweating and adrenaline are the worst part

[Bryan]

Hey thanks I take bystolic which I think is a beta blocker. Yeah I even read that Paxil leaves so fast and Prozac takes awhile how do we know this and not doctors that’s the crazy part ha. I’m gonna try the melatonin and see what happens. But def from Paxil this I was totally fine before this dam switch. Hopefully will stabilize soon

[Bryan]

Second thought just saw melatonin can be bad

[Surviving82]

8 minutes ago, Bryan said:

Second thought just saw melatonin can be bad

@Bryan, why don't you try 1mg if you can't sleep? I cant take too much either but 1mg does the trick. Valerian root also helps me to calm down, I take 1 capsule. 

[Bryan]

That’s a good idea how long u been going through this? We’re u cold Turkey also?

[Colonial]

This website only recommends magnesium and omega 3's, starting ONE at a time and  in very small dosages since a person destabilized can have a paradoxical reaction to them even if normally they would be well tolerated.

 

Since you seem to be having the normal cortisol reactions and since you have reinstated, hopefully you will begin to even out sooner or later.

 

If you are taking another medications, such as a beta blocker, that needs to be in your signature.

Good advice on helping you stabilize requires knowing all medications.

 

Again, we do not advise other over the counter meds or most herbal remedies.

While they may help one member, they can make another worse depending on a host of issues, including what drugs you are taking.

Please do not add other "suggested" remedies before receiving input from a moderator, as drug interactions differ from drug class to herbal supplement.

Other members mean well, but these other products can do more harm than good.

 

 

 

 

[Surviving82]

9 minutes ago, Bryan said:

That’s a good idea how long u been going through this? We’re u cold Turkey also?

@Bryan, I did not cold turkey but i did a very fast taper which essentially was like cold turkey.. I've been suffering with this since April. I also have cortisol surges and adrenalin and jitters and whatnot.. they have eases up a bit over time. I have recently reinstated a tiny bit of Lexapro to see if that would help. We will see. Fingers crossed you feel better soon! 

 

Regarding melatonin and other supplements, i agree with asking a moderator. They know better. What I said is jjst for information, I know how hard and distressing it is to not sleep. So if you suffer with insomnia and non medicarion measures do not help, know that there are options. If you ask a psych he would probably throw meds at you like benzos or trazodone, so if you need to go that route I personally suggest trying melatonin first. All the best!!!!

[Bryan]

Hey thanks no problem I know everyone here wants to help each other and get better.  Hope u also get better fast surviving82. Wish u the best

[Altostrata]

5 hours ago, Bryan said:

Ok thank you the sweating and adrenaline are the worst part

 

@Bryan, Colonial is correct, these are the symptoms of too much serotonergic, from the overlap of the Prozac and new round of Paxil. I would reduce to 20mg Paxil.

 

It is also possible that since you had this bad withdrawal reaction, which may have sensitized your nervous system, your former 40mg Paxil is too strong for you.

[Bryan]

Hey thanks yeah gonna talk to my doctor on Monday. Sounds like a maybe 40 is to much now. Just can’t believe how he just stopped me with the Paxil knowing short half life and prozacs long. These are doctors scary 

[Altostrata]

If I were you, I would phone to get a prescription from your doctor this weekend, or go to urgent care and get a temporary prescription for 20mg Paxil. You can tell them you're experiencing too much stimulation from 40mg Paxil.

[Bryan]

Hey waiting for doctor to call back. Let me ask you though I started having these symptoms of the adrenaline sleep lack of appetite when I stopped the Paxil. This stuff is so confusing. I shouldn’t have made any changes cause I was fine now I’m a ball of adrenaline. Today is day 3 40mgs of Paxil no 60mgs of Prozac. Let me know what you think thanks

[Colonial]

What is your actual question?

1 symptom can come for different reasons at different times.

They could have been, as Alto as been saying, from TOO MUCH PROZAC added when you took the Paxil out.

Deciphering withdrawal from too much medication symptoms is not always easy.

 

You still have a good amount of Prozac left in you, maybe 47 mgs and now you've put 3 days of 40mgs Paxil on top as well.

It can be an adverse reaction to reinstating too much Paxil, and or serotonin toxicity or a little of both.

 

Did you already take 40mgs of Paxil yet again today?

I would stop doing this during the first 10 days you are coming off the Prozac.

As little as 5mgs would have been enough to begin getting you out of withdrawal safely.

 

Are you taking immediate release pills?

If so you can cut them in quarters.

It's not exact but it is safer than continuing to take 40mgs.

 

Edited September 11, 2021 by Colonial

[Colonial]

21 hours ago, Bryan said:

I take bystolic which I think is a beta blocker.

 

21 hours ago, Colonial said:

If you are taking another medications, such as a beta blocker, that needs to be in your signature.

Good advice on helping you stabilize requires knowing all medications.

 

Also, we asked for you to update your signature with your full drug regime.

Times and drug amounts for each prescription you are taking.

Bystolic has interaction warning with both Prozac and Paxil, so if you have excessive amounts of both it can be related.

Until we have that information, we are just speculating as to why you are having the problems you are.

 

Moderate

FLUoxetine  nebivolol

Applies to: Prozac (fluoxetine), Bystolic (nebivolol)

Using nebivolol together with FLUoxetine may increase the effects of nebivolol. Contact your doctor if you experience uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions). If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use both medications. 

 

Thanks, have a good day.

 

Edited September 11, 2021 by Colonial

[Bryan]

Hey ok I will update Alittle later I take regular Paxil. Yeah I took the Paxil this morning. I was just saying all these symptoms started after I stopped the Paxil cold and started Prozac so I’m guessing it’s from the cold Turkey from Paxil? Let me know thanks

[Colonial]

I would warn against wanting to assume it's any one specific thing.

The problem is you started the high Prozac right as you went off the Paxil.

Both of these medications interact with the blood pressure medication

 

It could be anything from

1. just Paxil WD

2. Reaction to too much Prozac.

3. The shock of a too quick bridge off one med and on to another.

4. Too much of Both of these together now that you've reinstated 40mgs of Paxil

4. How both of these issues interacted with your other med.

 

Also, I have already mentioned the reason a symptoms starts is not always the reason a symptom remains.

It can also remain for reinstating at too high a level.

 

I realize your goal is to get rid of the symptoms, but if your set on assuming it's any one thing, You may make an improper decision medicating going forth.

 

Also, you have a habit of not answering the questions we ask you.

We cannot give you proper advice without these answers.

 

 

1 hour ago, Colonial said:

Are you taking immediate release pills?

 

Please let us know.

If you are , you can help avoid any further damage by lowering your Paxil dose.

5-10mgs is all you need to start getting out of WD.

 

I realize you may very well have every intention of doing whatever the doctor tells you, and that it your right.

We are not here to tell you what to do.

If you wish to continue to dose yourself at high dosages of both Prozac and Paxil as you already did this morning even with the warnings against it,  I don't know about how much help we can be going forward. Your asking for advice but then going against what we know are proven facts about these sorts or prozac bridges and WD.

 

I do realize this has all happened rather fast.

But I get the impression Your going to do whatever the doctor says, even though, as you say, He doesn't know what He's talking about very much. 

The particular symptoms your worried about can be more complex that one thing, and with the blood pressure medication involved, continuing to take 40mgs of paxil while you still have so much Prozac in your system is very risky.

 

I hope you don't end up paying a higher price than you already have in an adverse reaction.

Unfortunately, I don't know what else to offer you at this point other than to encourage you to stop taking so much Paxil everyday this first 10 days.

I'm not sure there's much else we can offer as a website as long as your continuing to over medicate at risky levels.

 

Anyway, beautiful day! Hope your able to get some sunshine!

 

 

[Altostrata]

Don't overthink it. This is my suggestion:

 

17 hours ago, Altostrata said:

If I were you, I would phone to get a prescription from your doctor this weekend, or go to urgent care and get a temporary prescription for 20mg Paxil. You can tell them you're experiencing too much stimulation from 40mg Paxil.

 

[Bryan]

Hey your totally right I was focusing on only 1 thing but you brought up a good point it can be a host of things. I’m lowering the Paxil tomm to I think 20 for now and then raise later. I take the immediate release ones. I have to add the bystolic 5mgs in my signature. I’ve been on the Paxil for awhile with the bystolic but could be the Prozac also your right. Or could be to much I get it. Tomm going down to 20mgs like you suggested. Hopefully I will level out soon cause this stinks ha. Yeah h to have a great day I just got back from the park with my daughter. Love doing things like that

[Bryan]

Hey thank you yeah he’s calling it in tonight gonna start 20mgs tomm your right also I overthink things to much

[Altostrata]

You're welcome!

[Bryan]

Hey so I was thinking on how right you were about don’t focus on it’s one thing. I now see it could be from the high dose right off the bat of Prozac or the Paxil. Mostly now the adrenaline is in my ankles and Alittle through my body but doesn’t seem as bad. Today is day 6 back on the Paxil. I went down to 20mgs of Paxil for a this week see what happens. I was taking the bystolic same time I was taking the Paxil for 2 months with no problem so maybe it was the Prozac it interacted with. I  hope my body goes back to normal soon. I was totally fine until this doctor changed my meds around. Even I know Paxil exists the body so fast and Prozac takes awhile to build up so how did he take me off the Paxil cold Turkey idk

[Colonial]

 

1 hour ago, Bryan said:

Today is day 6 back on the Paxil. I went down to 20mgs of Paxil for a this week see what happens. I was

 

Please list the actual dates in your signature.

It's starting to take quite a bit of time to continue to scroll back and look for dates in the thread

Please remember to add the beta blocker AND any other over the counter supplement you take as well.

 

 

On 9/11/2021 at 1:57 PM, Colonial said:

 

Also, we asked for you to update your signature with your full drug regime.

Times and drug amounts for each prescription you are taking.

Bystolic has interaction warning with both Prozac and Paxil, so if you have excessive amounts of both it can be related.

 

Hope you start to feel better soon!

It may take a few months as you did drop the Paxil in half, which by itself needs time to stabilize.

It is more than likely that will be all you need going forward, since it wasn't a med providing much support it seems.

 

 

 

 

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Thanks, have a great week!

 

 

 

[Bryan]

Hey I’m Alittle slow as you see how do I get to my signature page so I can edit? Let me know thanks

[Colonial]

The links were provided on page one of your thread.

[Bryan]

I just talked to the doctor he wanted to see how I was with the drop of 40 to 20mgs. I said do you think it could be the bystolic it interacts with both. Also I said could it be to much stimulation from high dose of either med? He says stop reading the internet. 

[Colonial]

It's obvious your going to need a new doctor going forward.

These meds take time to show effects, good or bad.

Their not like Tylenol were the effects are immediate an only last a short time.

 

You can also tell your doctor everything your asking about can be found in peer reviewed journals.

Dropping down to 20mgs isn't going to be an immediate cure all.

It's going to take time to recover from what happened.

40mgs is an excessive dose to begin with, and as you had cold turkeyed for weeks your now sensitized from that alone, plus the Prozac added in.

 

You haven't yet made clear what your intentions are with these meds.

I know You said the switch was to "treat" some particular condition that the Paxil was not helping too much with.

That being said, if you eventually want to go off it, its going to take a few months to stabilize first before tapering.

 

 

 

[Colonial]

Hoping your doing a little better today, friend...

 

[Bryan]

Hey thanks for checking in. I was gonna actually post today. I think I’m starting to stabilize out. The anxiety that ran through my body is gone. Surprise after so many days back on Paxil. Doctor says no way it’s withdrawal and the scary thing is he is a psychiatrist. I said I know my body and definitely is withdrawal. These doctors are unreal. He switched me to Prozac cause he thought it would better treat my impulsivity. Never again will I stop something cold Turkey. I’m not a doctor and even I know how fast Paxil leaves the body and how long it takes prozac to build up. It’s unreal and they have no accountability great world right ha

[Colonial]

9 hours ago, Bryan said:

These doctors are unreal. He switched me to Prozac cause he thought it would better treat my impulsivity.

 

There is a sort of irony to that, in a sad sort of way.

Treat impulsivity by changing drugs Cold Turkey.

That's the most impulsive thing one could do.

 

Yes, it takes at least 4 days back on the Paxil to begin to even out and the Prozac continuing to leave your system will only help if any part of your symptoms was drug to drug interaction or too high a dose. I think the good news is at this point, your hopefully past any issue of danger now that the Paxil is down to 20mgs for 4 days now and 11 days off the Prozac. Hopefully your down to around only 20mgs of that left in your system.

 

I'm still shocked in 2021 a psychiatrist still had you on 40mgs of Paxil.

Even my general doctors assistant knew 5 years ago there's no benefit above 20--25mgs, only possible side effects.

 

How long did you have the impulsivity issue?

It is a known side effect of Paxil and other anti depressants.

 

2009 started 40mgs of Paxil.                              

July 2021 started 5 mgs of bystolic    

 

Is it only something that came in the past 12 years since you have been on the Paxil?

Or since July?

 

Sometimes drugs interact and cause issues, that's why its good to know everything your taking.

Let's see if the impulsivity goes away with the lower Paxil dose

 

 

 

Edited September 16, 2021 by Colonial

[Bryan]

Hey thanks yeah feeling better and better but yes doctors are clueless. I e had impulsivity since I was a teenager and working on it. I would of never known that 40mgs does nothing but thank you for the update. I will continue to check in but so mad at doctors

[Bryan]

Supplements

 

Hey I haven’t posted in awhile but I have a question. I’ve been on Paul 40 for 15 years 100mgs of lamictal for 3 years and 300mgs of Wellbutrin for 5 years. I started taking garlic extract and fish oil and noticed I’ve been having anxiety lately. Could those supplements interact with my medications? That was the only change I’ve made thanks

 

Edited October 24, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic