PaxilPaul: 34 years young, recovering addict wants to get off Paxil

[PaxilPaul]

Hello, 

 

I am 34 years old, male, and from the Minneapolis MN area. I have been happily married for 7 years. I am a recovering drug addict and have been clean for 13 years and a member of Narcotics Anonymous. I am currently taking Paxil Cr 25mg, Wellbutrin 100mg and Hydroxyzine 50mg for sleep. 
 

I was first put on Paxil when I was 15 years old while in addiction treatment. It completely changed my life. Within the first few weeks, my social anxiety was so much better, along with my depression and general anxiety. It felt like I was finally a normal person and could relate to people. I had tried several other medications and none worked and some made my mental illnesses worse. 
 

From 2003-2008(age 15-20) I had intermittent sobriety, with all substantial periods being on Paxil. During this time I was in countless rehabs, many different high schools, on and off prescription psych meds, multiple stays in juvenile detention and threatened with homelessness. 

 

In 2008 I got clean again, I didn’t want to take Paxil and relapsed on drugs within 6 months. I then got back on Paxil and have stayed clean from all drugs, and yes alcohol is a drug, to this day, 13 years. 
 

in 2015 I decided to get off Paxil, and did so cold turkey. I had terrible physical withdrawals for the first month and then after a month felt like I was cured from mental illness. I had zero social anxiety or depression and was on no medication. At the 6 month mark **** hit the fan. All my mental illness came back and was worse than ever. So I knew I had to get back on Paxil. I called my pharmacist, and I still had a prescription, and asked him how I should get back on my Paxil. He said to just get back on it so I did. 
 

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, oh how they did. My body and brain severely rejected the Paxil, most likely due to the trauma I endured going off cold turkey. Within a span of 2 months I tried several different SSRI’s and SNRI’s and my body wouldn’t accept any medication. These 2 months were the worst period of my entire life, even in active addiction. I was suicidal, severely agoraphobic, isolated, mental anguish, isolated etc. etc. etc. 

 

During my second psychiatric hospitalization (psych ward), they slowly tapered me back on Paxil, through my own suggestion and research. Things slowly got better and I went through an outpatient program. Miraculously I stayed clean throughout this ordeal, which I directly attribute to my support system in NA as well as my parents. 

 

I have been on Paxil CR 25mg and a low dose of Wellbutrin 100mg ever since. I also take 50mg of hydroxyzine daily for sleep.  My life and mental health now, is light years better than my mental breakdown and active addiction but I feel it’s not sustainable. I have been experiencing chronic fatigue, really terrible sleep problems which is largely due to my sleep apnea. I’m waiting on my c-pap currently, but I have a very strong inclination that Paxil is playing a big role in my sleep issues as well. Also emotional numbness, weight gain and countless other side effects. All I really want to do now is sleep and eat and have very low motivation for day to day obligations let alone hobbies.  I want to reiterate that my mental health currently is one thousand percent better than in active addiction and my mental breakdown, but I feel like Paxil is starting to poop out and really need to weigh my options to continue to treat my mental illness. 
 

Basically I’m looking for anyones experience  with getting off Paxil, particularly someone with addiction issues. Thank you for reading. 
 

-Paul

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  First off, I want to congratulate you for being clean and sober!  This is a major accomplishment.  I, too, have been sober for many years.  It's really good that you came here before you started your Paxil taper.  We can help with that.  I was on Paxil myself prior to being put on Lexapro years ago.  

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature 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 important 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, but if you taper very slowly and cautiously, you should be able to minimize the withdrawal symptoms.  

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Here is some information about poop-out:  

 

Tolerance/Poop Out/Tachyphylaxis

 

 

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 reduction becomes exponentially smaller.  In your case, I would suggest an even gentler method called micro tapering.  I suggest this, because you have been on and off Paxil several times in the past, and it appears your system may be sensitized from the past drug changes.  

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

The Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro Tapering

 

Tips for Tapering Off Paxil

 

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

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

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

 

Please take your time to read through all the information I've given you - I know there is a lot. Feel free to ask any questions.  

Edited June 11, 2022 by getofflex

[PaxilPaul]

Thank you for your reply and service. I will read through all the literature and update my account.