ipano: Is drug duration a factor when it comes to WD?

[ipano]

Is duration of taking the drug a factor when it comes to WD difficulty, symptoms and duration ?

 

Hi,

 

I am taking Seroxat  since October 2020. Took 10 mg for some period, then went up to 15 mg this September for 2 months, and then started tapering down.

 

I started to take Seroxat because I had terrible insomnia, that lastet a year and it did helped me with my sleeping problem. But I dont feel well. And I developed serious sinus problems up to the point I am sick all the time and I must get off of it.

 

I actually tried to stop Seroxat twice in this period, but I see now I did it to quickly and crushed.

 

I am wondering do I need to follow the same long tapering protocol, since I didnt take the drug for a very long time and I didnt take a very high dose?

 

Is there anyone with similar experience ?

 

I am on 9 mg now. So far so good. I still have sinusitis but I am doing fine. Sleeping good.

 

Thank you 

 

Edited December 25, 2021 by ChessieCat
added topic title before reducing original / added spacing

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.

On 12/25/2021 at 2:34 PM, ipano said:

Is duration of taking the drug a factor when it comes to WD difficulty, symptoms and duration ?

 

Yes, it can be.  But if you follow our protocol for tapering, which I will go into, you should be OK.  

 

On 12/25/2021 at 2:34 PM, ipano said:

I started to take Seroxat because I had terrible insomnia, that lastet a year and it did helped me with my sleeping problem. But I dont feel well.

I'm glad it helped you with your sleeping problem.  When you say "I don't feel well", was this when you were still on the 15 mg Seroxat, or after you started tapering?  What exactly were your symptoms at this time?  

 

Can you please give us specific information about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Use this format:

 

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Etcetera

 

Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.   This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

What is Happening in Your Brain

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we generally taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the taper becomes exponentially smaller.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

A gentler method of tapering is micro tapering.  You may want to consider this, since you had a difficult time tapering in the past. 

 

BrassMonkey Slide Method of Micro Tapering

 

Tips for Tapering Seroxat/paroxetine

 

 

Also, as we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Take your time to go through it, and feel free to ask questions.  Please let us know how you are doing.  

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2021 by getofflex

[ipano]

Hi,

 

In tapering process how one is to decide when is right moment to taper down a dose ?

WD symptoms are hanging on, even after more than 6 weeks, so is difficult to tell when we fully ¨stabilize¨ on the last little decrease. 

 

I am tapering down Seroxat, currently on 9 mg from 15.

 

I am doing well, my coping strategy is lot of cardio outside ( skiing, ice skating, cycling), 1-2 h/day and 2x meditation/ yoga nidra a day. That helps me with sleep and anxiety, I am almost feeling normal. My mood is exceptionally good. 

 

[getofflex]

Previous post moved to your intro topic to keep your history all in one place.  Please post questions and discussion about your situation in this one thread, to avoid confusion and duplication of efforts.  Thank you.  

 

We suggest that you listen to your body, and don't do another reduction until you really feel ready to do it.  It may be that you did too big of a reduction, and your system needs a lot of time to adjust to the new dose.  When you read the links I posted above, you will see why this is so.  This thread talks a little about what we mean by stability.  

 

Stability

 

There were times when I waited a good 2 to 5 months between reductions, and this helped me very much in my taper.  I believe it's better to do this, than to taper too fast, then have to updose.