26oldMe: Paxil 2 months

[26oldMe]

hello im 2 months at paxil 20 mg (first week was 10mg) i want to taper , can someone tell me what i should do and how to do to make it less symtoms for myself? (I used it for GAD) im not

sure or its okay to make this topic here but im really need help on this question (it my first drug)

[26oldMe]

hello, im using paxil for 5 weeks, first i start 10 mg , after week up to 20 mg, i want to know in details how i should

taper safely in this situation because i dont use it so long , after 5 weeks with paxil i already want to start itapering

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I think it's wonderful that you came in here for help before you started tapering!   You have come to the right place.  

 

Can you please tell us what date you started the Paxil, and what date you increased from 10 mg to 20 mg?  Thank you.  Please see the link below for instructions:

 

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.  Hopefully you will have minimal to no symptoms, if you taper very slowly.

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

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 reduction becomes exponentially smaller.  Doing a proper taper will take you a lot longer than 2 months, the length of time you've been on it, but please don't rush a taper, especially of Paxil, which can be a difficult drug to get off of.  Rushing a taper can destabilize your nervous system, and this can take months to years to recover from.  

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Tips for Tapering Paxil

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms, which will hopefully be minimal with a proper taper: 

 

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 keep in touch, and let us know how things are going.  

[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.