Maysun2 Posted August 30, 2023 Posted August 30, 2023 (edited) Hi everyone. I am from the Netherlands and trying (for 6th time or so) to withdraw from Paxil. I have been taking mostly 20 mg/day since age 14 and am 36 now. My last attempt was last year. I tapered to 0 in about 4 months, and as usual all is fine until getting to about 1-2 mg and then everything after that becomes problematic. I don't mind the brain zaps so much or derealisation/foggy feeling but the irritability, mood swings and feeling more down/hopeless/seeing things in a negative light makes me start again everytime. I now tried again, even faster then before (but from a daily dose of 10 mg as starting point) and after 5 mg I use liquid because I can't seem to cut the tablets in an 'even' way. I think I went from 10 mg to +/- 0.1 mg in 1.5 month or so. There is a difference in that respect that I decided to take a whole year off work to devote myself to becoming as healthy as possible (with well being as a focus) so I have plenty of time to deal with negative emotions as they arise. However, it is quite challenging to find a good balance and the feelings have certainly become again troubling. Also I can't seem to further dose from 0.1 mg (which is 1 ml)...My syringe does not allow that. I am considering moving back to 0.5 mg and then taper down according to the microdoses schedule I found on this forum. BIG QUESTION though and unfortunately I do not see how to reply to a topic (no reply button present or anything) --> What syringe or other material can I use to further microdose these tiny bits of ml? I have diluted my liquid Paxil (Seroxat brand name), I now have 2 mg every 3 ml which I think would be 0.67 mg every 1 ml. Starting at 0.5 mg would be 0.75 ml of the liquid. However how can I dose this right? Edited September 4, 2023 by Karma Edit name reference On Paxil (paroxetine in the Netherlands) since I was 14. Several unsuccesful attempts at withdrawal, lasting from a few weeks to a few years one time. I don't remember when and for how long, most attempts were like 10 years ago. Tried about a year ago, went from 10 mg to 0 in half a year (?) in steps of 10-5, 5-4, 4-3, 3-2.5 something like that. After about 1-2 mg became harder. Few weeks at 0 and WD symptoms got too bad so back on 10 mg. Current attempt from 10 mg about 1.5 months ago to about 0.1-0.2 mg. Don't know exactly how many steps, probably again 10-5 for a week, 5-4 for a week 4-3 in smaller steps for some weeks...? Down to 0.1-0.2 mg too many WD symptoms especially low mood and mood swings (don't mind the brainzaps much neither the feeling as if in a movie). Reinstalled to 1 mg daily at 2-9-2023, to 5 mg at 18-9-2023 and unfortunately yes to 20 mg at 13-3-2024.
Maysun2 Posted September 1, 2023 Author Posted September 1, 2023 Yesterday or the day before I wrote an extensive intro in this forum but I can't see it posted and can't find any in my activity. Alsof I can't reply to most topics in other forums. Where did my topic go? Main question for now is: I was at 0.1 mg of Paxil (paroxetine), weaning off from 10 mg in 2 months, all went fine down to 1 mg, after that too many symptoms. At how many mg can I best up my dose to let things stabilize? And how soon am I supposed to notice the difference? Also: how can I dose liquid Paxil below 0.1 mg? I have found the Excel table which is excellent but my oral syringe pretty much stops at 0.1 mg. I have already thinned 2 times from 2 mg/1 ml to 2 mg/3 ml. On Paxil (paroxetine in the Netherlands) since I was 14. Several unsuccesful attempts at withdrawal, lasting from a few weeks to a few years one time. I don't remember when and for how long, most attempts were like 10 years ago. Tried about a year ago, went from 10 mg to 0 in half a year (?) in steps of 10-5, 5-4, 4-3, 3-2.5 something like that. After about 1-2 mg became harder. Few weeks at 0 and WD symptoms got too bad so back on 10 mg. Current attempt from 10 mg about 1.5 months ago to about 0.1-0.2 mg. Don't know exactly how many steps, probably again 10-5 for a week, 5-4 for a week 4-3 in smaller steps for some weeks...? Down to 0.1-0.2 mg too many WD symptoms especially low mood and mood swings (don't mind the brainzaps much neither the feeling as if in a movie). Reinstalled to 1 mg daily at 2-9-2023, to 5 mg at 18-9-2023 and unfortunately yes to 20 mg at 13-3-2024.
Moderator Go2zero Posted September 1, 2023 Moderator Posted September 1, 2023 Hello @Maysun2, Welcome to this support site. Good that you came to this website. There is a lot of knowledge to be found and shared here. Also the members can support each other here. This is a peer support site. The moderators are unpaid volunteers. Most of them still are tapering their meds. We get a lot new members here every week, so it is normal that we cannot react right away. With the search engine in this site, you should be able to find answers yourself to at least 90% of your questions. So please do so as much as possible. Can you please make your signature more detailed. Please state each time when you tapered, together with the dose at those moments. I understand that you made several attempts to taper paroxetine. You may know that paroxetine is one of the SSRI's that is most difficult to taper. Please read this info: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/405-tips-for-tapering-off-paxil-paroxetine/ I also read that you do not mind about lots of withdrawal symptoms. That may sound very powerful, but you should know that healing from withdrawal takes much much longer if one tapers too quick. It is much better to taper with as little as possible symptoms. It may seem to last longer, but in the end this is the best, fastest en safest way. Please read this: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/23081-are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take/?do=findComment&comment=492497 https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/ You have come a far way, now you have reached 0,5mg. You did a great job. Given the symptoms you mention I would suggest you take a break before you will taper further. Just to stabilise, before going further. https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/ In the chart below you can see how strong 0,5mg still is. It still blocks around 18% of the serotonin receptors. % of 1 pill(20 mg) Dosage in mg Paxil / Paroxetine/ Seroxat % blockage serotonin receptor (SERT) 100 20 78 50 10 72 25 5 62 12,5 2,5 48 10 2 44 7,5 1,5 37 5 1 29 4 0,8 25 3 0,6 20 2 0,4 14,5 1,5 0,3 11 1 0,2 8 0,5 0,1 4 0,25 0,05 2 0,1 0,02 0,9 0,05 0,01 0,5 Here is more information how you can dilute liquid paroxetine https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/12422-questions-and-answers-about-liquid-medications-use-by-date-expiry/ 12 hours ago, Maysun2 said: Main question for now is: I was at 0.1 mg of Paxil (paroxetine), weaning off from 10 mg in 2 months, all went fine down to 1 mg, after that too many symptoms. At how many mg can I best up my dose to let things stabilize? And how soon am I supposed to notice the difference? Please update your signature first with the right dates and dosages. Then we may come up with an advice what dose might be best. We can also advise you then about how to dilute the liquid. For micro dosing after dilution it is best to buy 1ml oral syringes (they can be bought at most pharmacies in Holland) 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,4mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30,0 , May 29,1, 28,2, July 23,7, Aug 22,6, 21,4, Dec 21,0, 20,5, 20,0 Jan 2025 19,6 mg Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.
Moderator Go2zero Posted September 2, 2023 Moderator Posted September 2, 2023 Hello @Maysun2, Thank you for updating your signature. That gives us much more info in this way. You have tapered much too fast. As you can read in the links in my last post, we advise to taper not faster than 10% per month, measured over the last taken dosage. The fact that you are having several withdrawal symptoms is very normal after tapering this fast. I recommend a longer period for stabilising. We cannot tell how long this will need to be. Everybody reacts different to withdrawal. It is important that you will hold until all symptoms are gone or at least on a low level and the total situation more or less stable. This may take months or even longer. But it is very important to do so. If you would taper further now, there is a very big chance (if not certain) that you make symptoms worse again. And then healing is much more difficult and will last longer as well. If I were you, I would go back to a dose of 1mg, given your extreme fast tapering. You should know that extreme symptoms often come 2-4 months after stopping. You have tapered to an extreme low dose in 1 1/2 month only. So you should really be careful now. 1 mg seems a good dose to stabilise. Give this time. See how this works out for you and what symptoms do. Make a daily report for yourself how you feel and what symptoms you have. This can be very helpful to look back and to find patterns in your process. We will also ask for this info now and then, because this gives a good insight how and where you are in your process of tapering. Hopefully 1 mg will be enough to stabilise. See how things go in the coming 2 weeks and let us know here. Sometimes a little updose may be needed to find stability. (But we always advise to keep it as low as possible). Please know, that lots of people need years to get off paroxetine. So do not try to rush this. The slower and careful you do this, the faster you will be away from it. And the less the chance that you would want/need to start it again. Also know, that you can contact other members now and also react in their threads. 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,4mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30,0 , May 29,1, 28,2, July 23,7, Aug 22,6, 21,4, Dec 21,0, 20,5, 20,0 Jan 2025 19,6 mg Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.
Maysun2 Posted September 2, 2023 Author Posted September 2, 2023 9 hours ago, Go2zero said: Thanks a lot, I also came to the same conclusion, better to reinstall to 1 mg, stabilize and go from there. Since today I started as such. On Paxil (paroxetine in the Netherlands) since I was 14. Several unsuccesful attempts at withdrawal, lasting from a few weeks to a few years one time. I don't remember when and for how long, most attempts were like 10 years ago. Tried about a year ago, went from 10 mg to 0 in half a year (?) in steps of 10-5, 5-4, 4-3, 3-2.5 something like that. After about 1-2 mg became harder. Few weeks at 0 and WD symptoms got too bad so back on 10 mg. Current attempt from 10 mg about 1.5 months ago to about 0.1-0.2 mg. Don't know exactly how many steps, probably again 10-5 for a week, 5-4 for a week 4-3 in smaller steps for some weeks...? Down to 0.1-0.2 mg too many WD symptoms especially low mood and mood swings (don't mind the brainzaps much neither the feeling as if in a movie). Reinstalled to 1 mg daily at 2-9-2023, to 5 mg at 18-9-2023 and unfortunately yes to 20 mg at 13-3-2024.
Moderator Go2zero Posted September 2, 2023 Moderator Posted September 2, 2023 3 hours ago, Maysun2 said: Thanks a lot, I also came to the same conclusion, better to reinstall to 1 mg, stabilize and go from there. Since today I started as such. Ok, good thing! Keep us informed how you are doing. When you are stable enough we can advise you about how to dilute your liquid paroxetine. 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,4mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30,0 , May 29,1, 28,2, July 23,7, Aug 22,6, 21,4, Dec 21,0, 20,5, 20,0 Jan 2025 19,6 mg Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.
Maysun2 Posted September 13, 2023 Author Posted September 13, 2023 I am not sure if 1 mg is enough or how long before I should decide it is stable enough. I have less brainzaps and maybe a bit less 'moodswings' but today I have a very bad day. Very down and upset and such. But I also feel as taking less AD results in more access to the nice emotions too. So I have hours of feeling very joyful and at peace or being touched but after that I can feel hopeless. I am not sure what to do. On Paxil (paroxetine in the Netherlands) since I was 14. Several unsuccesful attempts at withdrawal, lasting from a few weeks to a few years one time. I don't remember when and for how long, most attempts were like 10 years ago. Tried about a year ago, went from 10 mg to 0 in half a year (?) in steps of 10-5, 5-4, 4-3, 3-2.5 something like that. After about 1-2 mg became harder. Few weeks at 0 and WD symptoms got too bad so back on 10 mg. Current attempt from 10 mg about 1.5 months ago to about 0.1-0.2 mg. Don't know exactly how many steps, probably again 10-5 for a week, 5-4 for a week 4-3 in smaller steps for some weeks...? Down to 0.1-0.2 mg too many WD symptoms especially low mood and mood swings (don't mind the brainzaps much neither the feeling as if in a movie). Reinstalled to 1 mg daily at 2-9-2023, to 5 mg at 18-9-2023 and unfortunately yes to 20 mg at 13-3-2024.
Moderator Go2zero Posted September 13, 2023 Moderator Posted September 13, 2023 3 hours ago, Maysun2 said: I am not sure if 1 mg is enough or how long before I should decide it is stable enough. I have less brainzaps and maybe a bit less 'moodswings' but today I have a very bad day. Very down and upset and such. But I also feel as taking less AD results in more access to the nice emotions too. So I have hours of feeling very joyful and at peace or being touched but after that I can feel hopeless. I am not sure what to do. Reinstatement does not mean that you suddenly feel stable and OK again. Healing from withdrawal symptoms takes time. Often much time. As soon as we notice moments that we feel a bit better (as short as they may be) this is a sign of healing. If I were you I would give it more time (it is only 10 days after reinstatement). and see how things develop. It is normal that symptoms come and go. And often new symptoms come. Personally I have a list of at least 25 symptoms that I experience(d). But over time they last shorter in time and get less strong. This is also a sign of healing. 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,4mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30,0 , May 29,1, 28,2, July 23,7, Aug 22,6, 21,4, Dec 21,0, 20,5, 20,0 Jan 2025 19,6 mg Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.
Maysun2 Posted October 2, 2023 Author Posted October 2, 2023 Well, since a week or 2.5 I am at 5 mg again. The brain zaps are gone. However I feel very down and hopeless and have a lot of anxiety. In general is it best to increase dosage slowly and check for a couple of weeks or just to move up to the regular dose of for instance 20 mg? On Paxil (paroxetine in the Netherlands) since I was 14. Several unsuccesful attempts at withdrawal, lasting from a few weeks to a few years one time. I don't remember when and for how long, most attempts were like 10 years ago. Tried about a year ago, went from 10 mg to 0 in half a year (?) in steps of 10-5, 5-4, 4-3, 3-2.5 something like that. After about 1-2 mg became harder. Few weeks at 0 and WD symptoms got too bad so back on 10 mg. Current attempt from 10 mg about 1.5 months ago to about 0.1-0.2 mg. Don't know exactly how many steps, probably again 10-5 for a week, 5-4 for a week 4-3 in smaller steps for some weeks...? Down to 0.1-0.2 mg too many WD symptoms especially low mood and mood swings (don't mind the brainzaps much neither the feeling as if in a movie). Reinstalled to 1 mg daily at 2-9-2023, to 5 mg at 18-9-2023 and unfortunately yes to 20 mg at 13-3-2024.
Moderator Go2zero Posted October 2, 2023 Moderator Posted October 2, 2023 10 hours ago, Maysun2 said: Well, since a week or 2.5 I am at 5 mg again. The brain zaps are gone. However I feel very down and hopeless and have a lot of anxiety. In general is it best to increase dosage slowly and check for a couple of weeks or just to move up to the regular dose of for instance 20 mg? Hello @Maysun2, What is you plan. Do you want to get away from this medication or do you want to stay on it? If you want to get off the paroxetine, you should be very careful. The more you go up and down in dosage, the more the risk of kindling. Paroxetine is not a drug to play around with. I sent you the chart earlier (see above) with the percentages serotonin receptor blockage. You can see there how powerful these drugs are at low dosages. Please read this: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/6632-the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable/ I you want to get off this drug, I would not go more up in dosage if I were you. Stabilisation is the magic word! You went down from 10 mg to 0,1mg in 2 months. This was much too fast probably, resulting in withdrawal symptoms. The more you go up and down the more your nervous system will be triggered. Please let us know if you want to get off the drug, or if you want to stay on it. If you want to get off paroxetine, we can advise you how to taper. Could you please update your signature? 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,4mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30,0 , May 29,1, 28,2, July 23,7, Aug 22,6, 21,4, Dec 21,0, 20,5, 20,0 Jan 2025 19,6 mg Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.
LostInCanada Posted October 2, 2023 Posted October 2, 2023 @Maysun2 welcome to SA. I too am on paxil/paroxetine/seroxat. When I reinstated after cold turkey, it took easily 6 months to stabilize. This means no dosage changes. Your body is struggling to adapt to the drug dosage and each time you change it, you destabilize the process. Especially with paxil, every system in the body is affected so the body has to work very hard to adapt and equalize. Going up in dose will not help. More is not better. Your body has become dependent and needs to learn how to function differently with each drug change. This takes alot of time. Be patient, it is the only way to stabilize. Listen to go2zero your moderator. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience. 👍 1 I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on this site. 2016-twice weekly for a couple months-oxazepam 10 mg sleep/ 2020-22-once a week 3.75-7.5 mg Zopiclone for sleep/20 yr+ Paroxetine/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ August 24-29 2022 10mg Prozac/2022.11.28-2022.12.04- 5mg Paroxetine/Dec 5&6/22 10mg Paroxetine/ Dec 8&9/22 10mg Prozac/ 2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01 5mg Paroxetine TAPER 23.07.02-58mgpw/4.9mgai/ 23.07.21-4.8mg/23.07.28-4.73mg/23.08.04-4.65mg /21.09.23-4.58 mg/27.10.23-4.56 mg/5.12.23-4.54 mg/2.1.24-4.52 mg/9.1.24-4.51 mg/17.1.24-4.49 mg/26.1.24-4.47mg/6.2.24-4.46mg/ 19.2.24-4.44mg /4.4.24-4.43mg/28.4.24-4.4 mg/5.5.24-4.39 mg/19.5.24-4.36 mg/2.7.24-4.34 mg/9.7.24-4.32mg/31.7.24-4.3 mg/ 1.10.24 -4.29mg/27.11.24-4.25 mg/5.12.24-4.22mg/5.1.25-4.17mg/ 8am-probiotics/9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/ 1000mg Vitamin D/5pm-75 mg DGL/200mg calcium citrate/0.25 mcg melatonin nightly "... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15
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