Hazel: struggling with Paxil to Prozac bridge

[Hazel]

25 minutes ago, Songbird said:

Hazel, what I have found is that when my system is relatively stable (only mild withdrawal symptoms) I am not sensitive to supplements and have very few problems with taking anything.  When my system is very destabilized it seems the risk of adverse reactions is much higher.  It makes sense when you think about it.  When your system is very out of balance, anything new that you add could upset the balance even more - the system is in an abnormal state, so it may not react to supplements in the normal way.  At one point in my taper I had a bad reaction to a cup of tea!  But I can drink tea without problems now.  So when in a bad wave, it's important to be very careful, be very gentle with your system.  When I was in a bad state, I gave up caffeine, alcohol, watching the news or any dramatic or suspenseful TV programs, and only read light-hearted books.

Thanks Songbird, 

that’s good to keep in mind.  I think I will stay away from any added substances at this point.  I just thought I’d be okay since it didn’t cause a problem before, but obviously not.

[Rosetta]

Hugs, Hazel.  Sorry about your reaction.  I hope it passes quickly. -R

[Hazel]

I am really not doing well.  I feel bad for posting negative updates all of the time, but I am very scared right now and just in need of support.  

@Altostrata I started having some involuntary muscle twitches a couple of weeks ago in the early morning when I’d wake with anxiety.  I didn’t mention it becaus it would go away and I was fine for the rest of the day.  This morning it was more intense, but so was my anxiety, so is it the anxiety causing it?  I’m sure I’m feeling so bad from taking the hydroxyzine Wednesday, but it could this be a bad reaction to increasing the paroxetine as well?

My husband wants me to go to the doctor, but I told him I won’t.  Not sure if I can make it to work today, but I might try.  This is getting so hard to keep going.  I feel like my life is ruined.

Sorry again for all the negativity.  I hope to post a positive update soon!

[Rabe]

Hi Hazel,

As with Songbird I wanted you to know when stressed by life events (surgery, medications, childbirth, emotional stress, physical stress etc etc it seems), my system would become so sensitive and I historically would just become unable to eat what I did, sometimes had to stop medications I was on or take them out of dyed capsules i.e, I could not physically do what I had, I had to rest more, my diet became what I tolerated, I reacted to vitamins, perfume, just about everything until in time things would regroup.  And that was just with 'normal life' much less what we are going through now which only in hindsight, with the help of SA, that I see it was the Clonazepam increase to 6mg, the reaction to the wafers twice, the Serotonin like reaction to the Lexapro, the reaction to the Viibrydt, the reaction to the Amiloride, the rapid tapers....all brought me to where I am and so many odd things with the mind and body.  After the Lexapro I now can see that my nervous system had totally collapsed and I had surges of cortisol and well just SO many odd feelings as I lay there unable to move at all. Compared to that I am much better and so grateful.  I understood none to it then and no doctor had ANY clue either...this site has helped me understand....what a blessing!  Wish I had found it before tapering or tapering more and before starting the Viibryd etc.  I am sorry you are going through a rough time Hazel.  I personally believe, from what I have experienced, that your system will settle back down and that you will feel better again.  I read the post about how the more reactions to things we have the more sensitive our system becomes...I copied and pasted it because I didn't know that but in hindsight realized it...at the time I was not connecting the dots...I was going to copy it here for you but I cannot find it right now. If and when I do I will do that for you.  I have so much copied and pasted I need to do something to help me find things in my library!!!

 

[Hazel]

Thanks so much @Rabe for your response.  I do believe my system is very sensitized right now.  I plan to just keep holding at 8.5 mg split doses for as long as it takes to feel better.  I won’t add anything at this point for fear it will only make things much worse.  I do believe things will settle and I’ll feel better again.  I just hope it happens sooner rather than later😉

I really appreciate your support Rabe.  You are always very encouraging and I can really use that right now.

I hope things are going well for you?

[Rabe]

Recently I baked some zucchini bread because it felt like it would be good...reacted terribly.  Ginger tea sent me down a rabbit hole,  tums..think cause of dye, tried Prevacid and that is completely off list now...use to take it for years.  At one point I was reacting to the Clonazepam! 😬

 THAT scared me a lot...I was in the ER wheezing and coughing after the Klonopin wafers.  

It can be so frightening and so confusing can't it?  But time and, for me, back to basics:  no changes, same diet, keep it simple....it will fix itself...our bodies know how to heal.

[Altostrata]

4 hours ago, Hazel said:

This morning it was more intense, but so was my anxiety, so is it the anxiety causing it?

 

This sounds like a wave. How long do the twitches last? What part of your body twitches?

 

If taking hydroxyzine worries you, don't take it. I don't believe it will hurt you, worst that can happen is it will stop working and keep you awake for a night.

 

Hazel, has health anxiety always been a problem for you?

[Hazel]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

 

This sounds like a wave. How long do the twitches last? What part of your body twitches?

 

If taking hydroxyzine worries you, don't take it. I don't believe it will hurt you, worst that can happen is it will stop working and keep you awake for a night.

 

Hazel, has health anxiety always been a problem for you?

The twitches last for 20 minutes or so and then pass.  It’s my shoulders-it’s like I’m shrugging while lying in bed.

I definitely feel I had a bad reaction to the hydroxyzine this last time.  It’s always been fine when I took it in the past and this time was the opposite.  I took it during the day and my anxiety went through the roof. I will definitely stay away from it from now on.

I’ve never had health anxiety before.  I was always more laid back and easygoing.  I just get scared when things get worse in withdrawal.  It feels like it will never end.

[Altostrata]

Do you hunch over the computer a lot? If so, try stretching your arms above your head and stretching out your shoulders.

 

Withdrawal makes our muscles more sensitive to stress. Are you taking magnesium?

 

Well, sounds like you need to put the hydroxyzine away for a while. Other than that, how are you feeling?

 

Read "Is it always going to be like this?"

[Hazel]

4 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Do you hunch over the computer a lot? If so, try stretching your arms above your head and stretching out your shoulders.

 

Withdrawal makes our muscles more sensitive to stress. Are you taking magnesium?

 

Well, sounds like you need to put the hydroxyzine away for a while. Other than that, how are you feeling?

 

Read "Is it always going to be like this?"

I probably do use bad posture at the computer.  I noticed today my neck is tight and sore.  I do take magnesium 250mg twice a day.

Today was really tough.  I had very high anxiety this morning and it only got a little better during the day.  I finally got some relief around 4:30 this afternoon and am feeling okay right now.  I’ve had higher anxiety since taking the hydroxyzine, so am hoping things settle down in the next day or so.

[wantrelief]

Hi Hazel - I wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and am sorry you've been dealing with high anxiety.  It would make sense that it has increased as a reaction to hydroxyzine so hopefully you will be feeing better very soon!

[Hazel]

20 minutes ago, wantrelief said:

Hi Hazel - I wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and am sorry you've been dealing with high anxiety.  It would make sense that it has increased as a reaction to hydroxyzine so hopefully you will be feeing better very soon!

Thanks so much wantrelief-I am hoping so too!

[Rosetta]

Hugs. honey. I hope you sleep well. -R

[Rabe]

I hope that things settle down soon too Hazel!♥️

[Carmie]

14 hours ago, Hazel said:

I am really not doing well.  I feel bad for posting negative updates all of the time, but I am very scared right now and just in need of support.  

@Altostrata I started having some involuntary muscle twitches a couple of weeks ago in the early morning when I’d wake with anxiety.  I didn’t mention it becaus it would go away and I was fine for the rest of the day.  This morning it was more intense, but so was my anxiety, so is it the anxiety causing it?  I’m sure I’m feeling so bad from taking the hydroxyzine Wednesday, but it could this be a bad reaction to increasing the paroxetine as well?

My husband wants me to go to the doctor, but I told him I won’t.  Not sure if I can make it to work today, but I might try.  This is getting so hard to keep going.  I feel like my life is ruined.

Sorry again for all the negativity.  I hope to post a positive update soon!

 

Hi Hazel, 

 

I’m sorry you’re going through such a hard time. 

 

Keep posting positive n negative happenings in your life. It’s the reality of this journey. There’s no way to sugar coat it, but even when we’re in despair we always know that eventually windows will hit, so that gives us hope. You’re life isn’t ruined, it’s delayed in patches for a little while going through withdrawals. 

 

Some time in the future you will look back here on your thread at all the struggling you went through n realise you’ve finally made it. 

 

Going to the doctor for help with withdrawals never sounds like a good idea to me, they don’t know what they’re doing as regards withdrawals. They could make them worse. I don’t trust doctors at all now.

 

Sending you big, big hugs🤗🤗🤗🤗

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Songbird]

Hazel, when I get anxiety I find my ab muscles get very tight and it is very difficult to relax them.  I've been rubbing a bit of magnesium cream on my tummy and this seems to help.  If you can tolerate magnesium okay, you might like to try rubbing a bit of magnesium cream on whichever muscles are giving you problems, e.g. neck and shoulder muscles, starting with a very small amount at first to see how your body reacts.

[Hazel]

13 hours ago, Carmie said:

 

Hi Hazel, 

 

I’m sorry you’re going through such a hard time. 

 

Keep posting positive n negative happenings in your life. It’s the reality of this journey. There’s no way to sugar coat it, but even when we’re in despair we always know that eventually windows will hit, so that gives us hope. You’re life isn’t ruined, it’s delayed in patches for a little while going through withdrawals. 

 

Some time in the future you will look back here on your thread at all the struggling you went through n realise you’ve finally made it. 

 

Going to the doctor for help with withdrawals never sounds like a good idea to me, they don’t know what they’re doing as regards withdrawals. They could make them worse. I don’t trust doctors at all now.

 

Sending you big, big hugs🤗🤗🤗🤗

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for the encouraging words Carmie.  

Sending you hugs right back🤗🤗🤗🤗

[Hazel]

11 hours ago, Songbird said:

Hazel, when I get anxiety I find my ab muscles get very tight and it is very difficult to relax them.  I've been rubbing a bit of magnesium cream on my tummy and this seems to help.  If you can tolerate magnesium okay, you might like to try rubbing a bit of magnesium cream on whichever muscles are giving you problems, e.g. neck and shoulder muscles, starting with a very small amount at first to see how your body reacts.

Thanks Songbird.  I haven’t tried magnesium cream before, but I take epsom salt baths and magnesium tablets and am fine with those, so I might give the cream a try.

[Rabe]

Thinking about you Hazel.  I also find that gentle stretching of my muscles sometimes helps them to settle down...and/or heat.  Thinking about you!

 

[Carmie]

5 hours ago, Hazel said:

Thanks so much for the encouraging words Carmie.  

Sending you hugs right back🤗🤗🤗🤗

 

Thanks for the hugs Hazel, 

 

Yes, give the magnesium oil a go, like Songbird mentioned. It’s really easy to apply. I bought one ages ago at some Markets. You can also make your own with Epsom salts I saw on this site. I can’t remember where though. You could google Surviving antidepressants and magnesium oil though. 

 

Take care💚

 

 

[Hazel]

Could use some advice please.  I am not doing well at all.  The anxiety has been high and almost constant since Wednesday when I took the hydroxyzine.  I get small breaks here and there, but today has been horrible.  I am feeling desperate for relief.  I’ve gone for walks, take magnesium, epsom salt baths, meditation, try accepting, but nothing helps for more than a few minutes.  I feel like I am worse than ever before.  I am thinking I will probably take some time off of work as there is no way I can get through the day at work like this.  

Could this still be from the hydroxyzine?  I thought I’d start feeling better by now, but seem to be getting worse every day.

I just don’t know what to do anymore and could use some advice on going forward.  Is it possible the increase has gone bad for me?  Could I be in tolerance or is this just a horrible wave??

[Rosetta]

Hi Hazel, I'm in the same boat today.  

 

I keep repeating the same phrase in my head: It's not real (anxiety.). And it's not.  It's your brain sending out a faulty signal (or maybe receiving a signal) from the body that there is a danger.  Does that help?  A little.  There is no threat.  I know that.  I'm trying to remember it from moment to moment.

 

Another thought I have is: this will go away.  It will.  It's going to ease, and it will probably ease in just a few hours or less.  

 

I wish there were something I could do to fix it once and for all for both of us!!

 

Rosetta

 

 

[Rabe]

Hi Hazel...I believe it can be the hydroxyzine still only because of the times I have eaten something and reacted, used an ointment and reacted, took a med and reacted...stopping that food, ointment or med didn't immediately stop the reaction for me.  The anxiety and all sorts of symptoms continued for varying lengths...and my mind is foggy...but 2 to 3 weeks or so?  That was my experience...my brain was revved up again and I had to give it time to reset.   

 

Today has been a rough day...I woke again feeling so odd...cant describe it...and don't know what it is.  I wasn't going to drive and be with family but did and as hard as it was I am so grateful to have gone... was better than staying here and being totally miserable.

 

The other thing I find for myself is that with my mind the way it is if I am worried about something, afraid of something, thinking something could happen...my mind takes it all and runs with it and it just spirals downward so so quickly!!  Like Rosetta I have to keep fighting back and telling myself and my mind that this is not real though it sure feels that way.  Im not real good at it but sometimes it does work.

 

Thinking about you SO much...wanting the anxiety and all to dissipate for you soon Hazel!!!! 💜 

[Hazel]

Thanks so much @Rosetta and @Rabe for responding.  I also have to keep reminding myself this is withdrawal-not me.  But it’s hard to believe when the anxiety gets so high.  Sorry to hear the two of you are having a hard time of it as well.  Thinking of you both and praying tomorrow will be a better day for all of us.

[Carmie]

Hi Hazel, 

 

Im sorry you’re feeling worse than ever. It’s hard to pinpoint why sometimes, as withdrawals are all over the place. One minute we’re doing not so bad, then the next we’re barely functional. It’s up, down, up, down,. 

 

I hope you pick up a little soon. Just remember, windows always eventually come. It’s not always easy being positive in waves because when we’re in distress we can think it’s never going to end, but a window always eventually opens.

 

Hope you pick up a little soon💚

[Hazel]

I am not doing well again today.  Decided to take the next few days off of work.  I am supposed to be going to a training out of town leaving Wednesday night and returning Friday night and am hoping I will be able to go.  

The anxiety is so intense today.  @Altostrata do you have any suggestions at this point?  I just seem to be feeling worse and worse every day.

I did have a bit of a relief in symptoms last night starting at 6:00 pm.  Fell asleep okay , but up at 1:30am with high anxiety and have felt awful since.  

I am getting scared since there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

[Altostrata]

23 hours ago, Hazel said:

Sorry to hear you are having a hard time Rosetta.  I am not doing well either and have even been thinking about calling my doctor.  I just so badly need relief from this anxiety.    I broke down crying in front of my girls today and felt so bad about it after.  It can just get so hard to put on a happy face and pretend everything is just fine.  I just wanted to let you know I am here for you and wishing you well.  This is just so incredibly unfair that we have to suffer for so long.  

 

How about adding another 0.5mg Paxil to the evening dose?

Edited June 18, 2018 by Altostrata
updated

[Hazel]

6 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

How about moving another 0.5mg Paxil from the morning to the evening dose?

I am willing to try anything at this point.  Could this be the bad reaction to hydroxyzine that is causing this bad wave?

[Hazel]

Just now, Hazel said:

I am willing to try anything at this point.  Could this be the bad reaction to hydroxyzine that is causing this bad wave?

Should I add or move the .5 mg dose to the evening?  When I tried going up to 9mg a couple of weeks ago I felt worse.  I’m afraid adding anything will make me worse at this point.

[Altostrata]

Just now, Hazel said:

Should I add or move the .5 mg dose to the evening?  When I tried going up to 9mg a couple of weeks ago I felt worse.  I’m afraid adding anything will make me worse at this point.

 

Yes, I understand, that's why my feeling is we should move slowly. Since you're having this anxiety during the day, my guess is adding 0.5mg to the evening dose is the way to go, to reduce those waves during the day -- Paxil's half-life is about 23 hours.

[Hazel]

Just now, Altostrata said:

 

Yes, I understand, that's why my feeling is we should move slowly. Since you're having this anxiety during the day, my guess is adding 0.5mg to the evening dose is the way to go, to reduce those waves during the day -- Paxil's half-life is about 23 hours.

I trust your judgment.  If you think it will help, I will add .5 mg starting tonight.

[Hazel]

Update for Tuesday:

Increased dose to 9mg total as of Monday night.

Fell asleep fine Monday night around 10:30.  Up at 2:30 with high anxiety, took 1000mg vitamin C and fell back to sleep.  Up again around 4:00 took 250 mg magnesium and fell back to sleep.  Up again around 6:00 with high anxiety and took another 1000mg vitamin C and dozed off and on.  

7:55 out of bed, anxiety 6-7

8:00 ate a piece of string cheese

8:30 6.5 mg paroxetine anxiety 3-4

9:30 breakfast 

11:30 snack, feeling better 

12:30 anxiety comes and goes, about a 3

1:00 walk, anxiety started high, but went down as I was walking from a 5-6 to a 2

2:30 bath with epsom salts feeling pretty good, 0-1

4:30 dinner, anxiety 1-2

7:00 daughter’s soccer game, anxiety minimal

9:45 2.5 mg paroxetine 

10:00 bed

[Hazel]

Update for Wednesday:

Fell asleep fine Tuesday night.  Up around 2-took 1000mg vitamin C, fell back to sleep, up again a couple of hours later, took 250mg magnesium, up again a couple of hours later, took 1000mg vitamin C.  Anxiety was pretty high each time, but was able to calm down.

7:15 out of bed-anxiety 2-3

8:00 anxiety 2-3

8:30 6.5 mg paroxetine anxiety 2-3

9-12 shopping, anxiety comes and goes between 1-3

12:00 lunch

2:00 anxiety 2

5:30 daughter’s soccer game-high anxiety

*feeling anxious about going out of town for 2 days for a work training

6:30 leave for 2.5 hour drive for training, eating sunflower seeds on the way

9:00 arrive at hotel, still feeling anxious 

9:30 shower

9:45 2.5 mg paroxetine, feeling a little better now that I am settled in my room.

10:00 got to bed-took 6mg melatonin and 1000 mg Seriphos.  Fell asleep okay until about 4:30am.  Took another Seriphos and 1000 mg vitamin C.  Fell back to sleep.

 

 

[Carmie]

Hi Hazel, 

 

It’s so nice to see your anxiety hasn’t been too bad, that must be a relief for you. A two to three is pretty good. 

 

Keep on enjoying those epsom baths of yours. I’m a shower girl. Maybe one of these days I’ll try an epsom bath. I see a lot of people find them beneficial. 

 

Are you finding the vitamin C good? A lot of people can’t tolerate supplements. It’s good if you’re tolerating it. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hazel]

Hi @Carmie,

the anxiety is better than it was for sure.  I just wish it would go away for good (or at least for a day or 2).  

I do think the epsom salt baths help.  The vitamin C seems to help when I wake in the early morning with anxiety.  I read on hear that it helps with cortisol and it seems to be true.

Hope you are doing well.  Sending hugs to you too!🤗

[wantrelief]

Hi Hazel - It is good to hear that the anxiety is better now than it was.  I am hoping you continue to feel better!