clairehair Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Hi Just looking for some support and advice. Have been on this med for three years..now wanna get off it. I was taking ten mg up until the last few days..have taken it down to three quarters of a tablet and have been feeling jittery and nervous. Is this normal? I'm worried my original illness is still there and this was just a band aid...or have I done too much too soon? Thanks to anyone who replies. Am desperate to get off meds after many years of it. I know its not the answer long term. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted April 9, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 9, 2015 Welcome clairehair, I moved your post from the tapering section to our intro/update forum. You can use this thread as your ongoing journal to track progress, write about symptoms, ask questions and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want. It sounds like you have been tapering too fast. We suggest reducing by no more than 10% of the current dose every 4 weeks, this reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms arising. Here are our tips for tapering off paroxetine: http://survivinganti...xil-paroxetine/ How long ago did you cut your dose? Petunia. I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
clairehair Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Welcome clairehair, I moved your post from the tapering section to our intro/update forum. You can use this thread as your ongoing journal to track progress, write about symptoms, ask questions and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want. It sounds like you have been tapering too fast. We suggest reducing by no more than 10% of the current dose every 4 weeks, this reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms arising. Here are our tips for tapering off paroxetine: http://survivinganti...xil-paroxetine/ How long ago did you cut your dose? Petunia. Link to comment
clairehair Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Hi Thanks so much for replying. From memory (its bad today) four or five days ago, and ive cut them into quarters so am taking 3/4, effectively having gone down by 25%. Having seen a calculation on here of the 10% reduction i went to speak with my pharmacist to buy a pill cutter, he looked at me blankly, (i do live on a "2nd" world island) and told me to go back to my gp. Am now wondering what to do next...will read the info you have posted..am finding i am ok in the mornings but by about 14:00 the heart racing and jitters start. Not pleasant...ive tried reading up on why this is but its a bit over my head to be honest. Thanks. Link to comment
clairehair Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Also...a question...my short term memory over the last three years is TERRIBLE, and embaresing at times (work) .. could this medication be the reason for this? Thanks again! Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted April 9, 2015 Administrator Share Posted April 9, 2015 Welcome, clair. Yes, some people find antidepressants make them foggy. Please read http://survivinganti...xil-paroxetine/ for instructions about how to make a liquid from your tablet for easy tapering. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Prestorb Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Hi Clairehair and welcome! At your small dose, you may want to consider ordering a pharmaceutical scale online. I think lots of folks here have used the Gemini 20 with good success. You will need it at the lower doses. You will find lots of helpful info here, but take your time, it's a bit of a learning curve! Take care! 2005-2009, Lexapro 10 - 20 mg, CT WD w/severe depression and anxiety: 2010-2015, Paxil, 30 - 40 mg, tapered off at 10 mg/week, moderate anxiety and depression: 2010-2015, Clonozapam 0.25 mg, as needed for anxiety and sleep: 1/10/2015, Zoloft 25 mg, tried to increase to 50 and 75, but nausea and dizziness: 2/13/2015, Paxil 5 mg, added back after 2 weeks at zero to reduce WD: 2/28/2015, Paxil 10 mg, increased from 5 mg to reduce WD, HOLDING: 3/04/2015, Zoloft discontinued (reduced to ~12.5 mg on 2/19, ~6.25 mg on 2/26, then zero): 4/26/2015, Paxil starting 10% taper (no scale so was inadvertently at 20% taper, yikes!): 4/30/2015, Paxil 10 mg, reinstated (WD disappeared between August 2015 and May 2016) 5/02/2016, Started 10% taper, reinstated to 10 mg on 5/11/16: 4/29/2017, Last dose of Paxil (working with holistic psychiatrist, lots of supplements to aid WD): Primary symptoms: apathy, demotivation, anhedonia, fatigue, stress intolerance, moderate social anxiety 7/1/2018 Finally feeling like myself again, success!!! Praise God! Even with the stress of relocating recently, I am feeling pretty good most of the time now. Granted, I eat healthy, I exercise, I don't drink caffeine or alcohol and I try hard find a healthy balance of quiet and social times. Hang in there and keep the faith, you can do it too! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Songbird Posted April 16, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 16, 2015 If you cannot get liquid paroxetine where you are and don't have access to a compounding pharmacy, I recommend getting a scale - you need one that weighs down to 0.001mg. You can find them online, where they are often advertised as "jeweller's scales". You can create the doses you need for your taper by cutting, filing or crushing the tablets, whichever method you find easiest - if you go for crushing, you'll need some empty capsules to put the powder in. 2001–2002 paroxetine 2003 citalopram 2004-2008 paroxetine (various failed tapers) 2008 paroxetine slow taper down to 2016 Aug off paroxetine2016 citalopram May 20mg Oct 15mg … slow taper down2018 citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg 6 Jul 4.1mg 17 Aug 4.0mg 18 Nov 3.8mg 2019 15 Mar 3.6mg 21 May 3.4mg 26 Dec 3.2mg 2020 19 Feb 3.0mg 19 Jul 2.9mg 16 Sep 2.8mg 25 Oct 2.7mg 23 Oct 2.6mg 24 Dec 2.5mg 2021 29 Aug 2.4mg 15 Nov 2.3mg Link to comment
clairehair Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 ive been feeling extra low for a couple of months and been taking 10mg...the dr told me before i can take 15mg but been trying to keep a low dose..the last two days ive upped it to 15mg...now my heart is pounding even more and i feel trembling in my hands and body..is this normal? dont have a drs appointment but am thinking of making one to see him overall...if in the meatime anyone can help i would be grateful. thank you. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted September 13, 2015 Administrator Share Posted September 13, 2015 Welcome, claire. I moved your post here. Please put "what should I do?" posts in your Intro topic. If I were you, I'd immediately go back down to 10mg. 15mg sounds like it's too much for you. Please follow this topic or bookmark it so you can see how people respond to your posts. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
clairehair Posted September 19, 2015 Author Share Posted September 19, 2015 Hi, My doctor has changed me from paroxetine to Fluoxetine, and said as its the same group of medication I should have no ill effects, but I feel like I am more up and down than usual, with waves of wanting to cry, and deep anxiety that comes and goes. Is this normal? I was taking 10mg and am now taking 10mg, I would see my Dr to check with him but he´s on holiday!! Thanks..any support really appreciated, I am at work (working with general public) and its bloody hard! Thanks xxx Link to comment
Nomoreheadmeds Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Hi 'clairehair' why did he switch you to another ssri ? Sertraline 100mg amytrip 60mg diazepam 4mg (and when needed) since late 90's.Reduced all meds over 6 wks (too short) last doses 13 wks ago.Still having withdrawals.I would have done it differently 5th august 2015 reinstated 5mg amytripiline.increased to 10mg amtrip 9th sept 2015. Link to comment
clairehair Posted September 19, 2015 Author Share Posted September 19, 2015 Hi, Ive been on them for two years, and the last four months or so ive started feeling bad again, my anxiety levels have been high, simple tasks are difficult and i´m not finding it even harder to be around people and socialise. I´m exahausted (my job is demanding working with the general public) but I know its not this, as when I´m funcioning ok I dont feel this bad... I know the signs of when I´m not right, so told him about it. He said that the meds may not be having effect anymore and suggested I try another one. Before going to see him i´d been previously told i could up the paroxetine by 5mg, so i did this for 3 days and felt worse. Its anxiety mainly, but also tearfulness. I can hardly eat and have no desire for food. im eating because I have to. Link to comment
Nomoreheadmeds Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Sounds like your having a tough time.Have you posted on the introductions forum ? http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/3-introductions-and-updates/ Sertraline 100mg amytrip 60mg diazepam 4mg (and when needed) since late 90's.Reduced all meds over 6 wks (too short) last doses 13 wks ago.Still having withdrawals.I would have done it differently 5th august 2015 reinstated 5mg amytripiline.increased to 10mg amtrip 9th sept 2015. Link to comment
clairehair Posted September 19, 2015 Author Share Posted September 19, 2015 no...im not sure how to use this site...and it doesnt help that my partner is unsupportive and flippantly says to t "come off the meds as its screwing me up" and "its always something...if its not pmt its anxiety" ...just what you need to hear! ****..i hardly asked for this. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted September 19, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 19, 2015 Hi clairehair, I'm sorry you are not feeling well. The previous topic you started was moved to an introduction thread and you have some responses there. Here is the link: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8699-clairehair-coming-off-paroxetine/ Please bookmark or follow it, that way you will be able to find it again easily. Introduction threads are the best place to ask questions and get advice about your own situation. I will move this topic to your intro thread when I know you have found it. It would be great if you would put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature. Doing this helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts. Here are instructions for how to do it: http://survivinganti...your-signature/ I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted September 19, 2015 Administrator Share Posted September 19, 2015 claire, I merged your topics. This is the place for those "what should I do?" questions. It sounds like you have withdrawal symptoms from Paxil. How did your doctor make the change from Paxil to Prozac? When did this happen? This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
clairehair Posted September 20, 2015 Author Share Posted September 20, 2015 i was taking 10mg of paxil. on wednesday i saw the dr and he said to switch from that to the fluxotine taking 10mg. i did this from thursday. he said as they were the same group of medications there would be no side effects. Link to comment
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