Trytorelax: Need help/advice

[Trytorelax]

Hello all. I hope I filled put my signature correctly.  Anyways I've be trying the 10% taper and have been at 10mg of Paxil for at least 4 months. Unfortunately I broke my rib a couple of weeks ago and the ER gave me Ribaxon a muscle relaxer. Now I'm have pretty severe withdrawal with my most worrying symptom being no appetite.  I'm struggling to eat a banana everyday, but that's even hard. It's been 4 days since my symptoms.  I've already updosed to 12.5mg. Should I stay here? Is severe loss of appetite usual in withdrawal? Thanks for the help.

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  From what you say, it sounds as if the Robaxon caused you to go into a wave of withdrawal symptoms.  We generally don't suggest that you increase your dose of Paxil because of this, especially since you were doing fine on the 10 mg Paxil for the past six months.  If it were me, I would drop back down to 10 mg Paxil.  Hold at this dose for a while, and allow your nervous system to stabilize.  Increasing your Paxil dose puts you at risk of confusing your brain further, and causing more symptoms.  

 

What happened when you were doing the brassmonkey slide method?  

 

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

 

My suggestion to you would be to avoid any more Robaxon if you can. Learn non drug ways of coping with symptoms.  Our nervous systems are very sensitive when we have been trying to taper off psych meds, and can react to other drugs, antibiotics, and even supplements.  The best way to heal is to allow our nervous systems to heal naturally with time.  

 

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

 

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

Edited November 24, 2023 by getofflex

[Trytorelax]

Thanks for responding.  Yes, as soon as I started having symptoms I stopped taking it. My symptoms have reduced a little since yesterday,  hopefully this means I'm stabilizing again. The Brass Monkey slide tapper has been working well up until last week. I just thought since I was a 10mg for so long, I had stabilized. Is the severe lost of appetite normal during withdrawal? Am I still to expect withdrawal symptoms everytime I reduce a dose? 

[getofflex]

3 hours ago, Trytorelax said:

My symptoms have reduced a little since yesterday,  hopefully this means I'm stabilizing again.

I'm glad to hear that.  I'm also glad to hear the brassmonkey slide method was working for you.  

 

3 hours ago, Trytorelax said:

Is the severe lost of appetite normal during withdrawal?

Yes, this is a common withdrawal symptom. Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

3 hours ago, Trytorelax said:

Am I still to expect withdrawal symptoms everytime I reduce a dose? 

 

Not necessarily.  If you do a long hold period, and wait until you are completely stabilized before you resume your taper again, you should have minimal symptoms.  I would suggest holding for several months, even up to 5 or 6 months, before you resume tapering.  I did that during my taper, and tapering became significantly easier after that.  

 

 

Edited November 24, 2023 by getofflex

[Trytorelax]

Okay, thank you so much. I'm really hoping to stabilize.  It's just very disheartening because I was tapering and holding so slowly and to have something destabilize me was really nerve racking. I do think it was the robaxin, but it could have been the new B vitamins I started as well. I stopped the vitamins immediately btw. I honestly can function with the anxiety, having 3 small kids doesn't help, but I really need to be able to eat at least enough to have energy for the day. Any tips on if/how you deal with the lack of appetite?

[getofflex]

49 minutes ago, Trytorelax said:

to have something destabilize me was really nerve racking. I do think it was the robaxin, but it could have been the new B vitamins I started as well. I stopped the vitamins immediately btw.

It's a good thing you stopped the B vitamins.  They can be activating for many people.  

 

50 minutes ago, Trytorelax said:

Any tips on if/how you deal with the lack of appetite?

Here are our topics on this. 

 

Loss of Appetite

 

Weight Gain, Weight Loss, Appetite Changes, Hunger

 

Yes, it can be very disheartening when you work so hard for something, and it is sabotaged by something like this.  I suspect the Robaxin, as that affects the nervous system.  Hang in there, and try as much natural self care as you can.  Do whatever calms down your nervous system.  Let us know how you are doing. 

[Trytorelax]

Thanks getofflex. I wasn't feeling that great the first half of the day. Especially right after I took my 12.5 paxil at 4pm. However,  by 7pm I started to feel good. I even was able to eat some fruit as well. I don't want to push it though. I'm thankful for the little window for as long as it lasts. 

[Trytorelax]

Can anyone give advice on how long you should wait before updosing. I don't know if I can stabilize at my current dose of 12.5mg. 

[Trytorelax]

My symptoms list for the record. Hope it's okay to post here.

 

-Severe loss of appetite.  Down 8lbs. Eating about 500 calories a day.

-stomach issues, gastritis 

-Fatigue

-Morning Cortisol spikes

-Shortness of breath when doing trivial tasks.

-Constant Anxiety, similar to a vasovagal response.

 

 

[Emonda]

14 hours ago, Trytorelax said:

Can anyone give advice on how long you should wait before updosing

 

I'd be holding your new dose for some weeks, preferably a month. It takes time for your body to adjust.

 

Why not set a line in the sand to reassess how you feel three weeks after your increase to 12.5mg?

 

Emonda

[Trytorelax]

Had a little more energy today, had to force myself out of bed because I was moving my house.  I've been have really bad cortisol spikes that last all day. Sometimes I get a few hours relief at the end of the day right before bed. The it starts again in the middle of the night. Also has a burning sensation in my chest. Anyone else experience this in withdrawal? Thanks for helping guys.

 

 

[Emonda]

1 hour ago, Trytorelax said:

Had a little more energy today,

 

You've got to celebrate the positives on this journey, @Trytorelax 👍

 

1 hour ago, Trytorelax said:

Anyone else experience this in withdrawal?

 

Have you seen this list of potential WD symptoms? Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

I find it helpful to refer to this from time to time to reassure myself it's the pills/tapering causing me a little grief.

 

Let's see how you're feeling down the road a little. I believe you will see improvement when you reflect back this time next month. I keep a mood diary to help with this process...you might like to do similar to help you reflect.

 

Emonda 

[Trytorelax]

Thanks Emonda. Does anyone happen to know if my 40mg pantoprazole could interfere with my peroxitine taper in any way? I looked up the drug interactions, and couldn't find anything.  However,  I was wonder if the pantoprazole could be interfering with the absorbsion of the paxil in the gut? Anyone have experience in this area? Has anyone used their PPI medication throughout an SSRI taper? Thanks!

[Trytorelax]

Just an update, most of my symptoms have abated but I seem to have also developed a constant urge to urinate.  It's manageable so far,  but very annoying.  Anyone else have experience with this?

[getofflex]

Please do a site search to find information about your symptoms, and others who have experienced them. 

 

How to Do a Site Search on SA

[getofflex]

On 12/5/2023 at 6:03 PM, Trytorelax said:

Does anyone happen to know if my 40mg pantoprazole could interfere with my peroxitine taper in any way?

No, I don't think so.  

[Trytorelax]

I was wondering if anyone could provide me with a list of things that could mess up a taper? It's seems most people say alchohol,  nicotine,  caffeine,  muscle relaxers,  ect. I would appreciate anything else you guys think one should avoid during a taper. Thanks!

[getofflex]

toxic people and drama

intense exercise (although some find this helpful, but it activated my CNS) 

CBD, kratom, THC, etc, and other mood altering things

high stress, if avoidable

staying outside on a hot day for too long

junk food, processed food, sugary foods, high salt, etc.  

excessive stimulation (large crowds for long times, too much noise, intense light, etc). 

frequent dose changes, varying dose, imprecise dosing, missing doses, taking meds off schedule

sudden schedule changes

 

[Trytorelax]

Thanks @getofflex I have never and will never use any THC/CBD products, as my job doesn't allow. I guess I'm one of the few that finds strenuous exercise helpful,  but that's also part of my job.  I wouldn't have guessed sugary foods, but I guess I have to cut back on that. Because I definitely enjoy ice cream almost daily. 😋 Although,  that makes so much sense because both of my withdrawl crashes started with stomach issues. That's very interesting.  Thanks again. 

[getofflex]

Since you mentioned stomach issues, I will also mention the low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet.  This is for people with IBS, which I sometimes get when I'm stressed out.  I went on this diet before my older son and his girlfriend came to visit, and it make a big improvement in my GI issues.  Here is a link about it.  

 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fodmap-diet-what-you-need-to-know#:~:text=FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides,Diarrhea

 

You can even get apps that have a listing of low and high FODMAP foods.  I think this diet can even help if you don't have full blown IBS, but have trouble with flatulence, bloating, indigestion, etc.  Perhaps if you eat foods that are easier on your GI system, you can reduce the WD crashes.  

Edited December 19, 2023 by getofflex

[Trytorelax]

@getofflexWow, I haven't heard of low Fodmap before. I'll certainly try it. Thanks!