Kelly9: Slave to Paxil and Aderall

[Kelly9]

Well, not so sure how to begin, but here it goes.   I’m 51 year old professional woman.  23 years ago, I gave birth to a son, who didn’t survive beyond 6 hours.  I started to have panic attacks .  I did not want medication, because I planned on trying to have another child.  Two years later my youngest son was born.  For the first 2 years of his life , he was constantly sick, I have two older children as well.   When I say constant , I mean constant .  His eyes always had dark circles , constant breathing issues ( premature). I slept About 2 hours a night for years , and had no help.  By time he was 2 , the anxiety was crippling.  The doctor prescribed me , Paxil.  It was a miracle drug for me !  I felt Like superwoman.  I was also on aderall since a teen. Fast forward 8 years , I decided I didnt want to be on Paxil anymore.  Just stopped.  Within 4 days I had multiple seizures and was rushed to the hospital. At the hospital , my speech started to slur and the left side of my face droop.  They asked if I was taking illegal drugs.  They tested, obviously clear beside the prescribed aderall.   When I told them I had gone off Paxil and haven’t felt well, they actually chuckled and said, Paxil wouldn’t cause this sort of extreme withdrawal.  I was released two days later, and went home, opened the Paxil and swallowed .  I felt like a junkie. I just knew I couldnt feel this horrible anymore .  The shooting shocks in my head, spinning, sick and shaky.  Couldn’t even get my words out correctly .   A few years later , I did it slow, and couldn’t get passed 12 mg.  Anything below 12 , and I was almost incapacitated.  Non-functioning.    So back to 20mg. Been here since .  I’m reading so much about Paxil increasing dementia and Alzheimer. It’s time.  I’m just worried I’m going to get to 12mg and it’s gonna start again.   Now the newest issue , aderall since I’m a teen ! Well today I’m told it’s on back order and can’t find it anywhere.  Now I’m panicking , and have about 6 left.  I live In a new state , alone . My family is up north .  I’m a national sales Director and do work remotely for the most part, but I am petrified that I’m going to spiral.  I cant get through a task without it , I’m all over the place .  It’s time , time for me to take my life back, but I’m afraid .    

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  My heart breaks for you losing your son, and then having a sick son 2 years later, with no one to help you.  My oldest son was born with a rare condition at birth, and I understand how difficult it is having a sick child for years.  WE can definitely help you get off of Paxil, and if you wish, Adderall.  The secret is to go extremely slowly, especially at the lower doses.  

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements 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 specific dates, include the day (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day), drug names, and dosages of each medication decrease or increase. Here is an example: 

 

March 12, ’22: Lexapro 5 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 50 mg

March 29, ’22: Lexapro 4 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 50 mg

April 17, ’22:  Lexapro 3.8 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 50 mg

May 19, ’22:  Lexapro 3.8 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 25 mg

 

 

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

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your 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: 

 

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.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

The other option is to micro taper, which is even gentler.  In light of your previous issues, you may want to consider this method.  I would suggest using the commercial liquid for tapering - that is the easiest and least error prone, in my opinion. 

 

Brass Monkey Slide Method of Microtapering

 

Tips for Tapering Paxil

 

 

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

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

I would suggest you try and find Adderall over the internet, and do it ASAP. Express Scripts is a well known and reliable company:

 

 https://www.express-scripts.com 

 

Good luck, and let us know how you are doing. 

 

Edited February 9, 2023 by getofflex

[getofflex]

Here is a link to an FDA article about the Adderall shortage: 

 

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-announces-shortage-adderall