Peonies: Hello everyone!

[Altostrata]

Sorry to hear you're in the hospital, Peonies. Try to relax, don't worry, and get well soon!

[Peonies]

Ah, just as I say that I am getting better symptom wise I get a bit worse. Turns out I did not take my medication last night. i was just so tiered, I slept all day. I just took it again. but it means I skipped a dose, around two hours ago I started having throbbing sensations deep inside my private parts, very slight but still, they aggravate me.

 

I think it is a mixture of both Being nervous, as well as skipping my dose. I was nervous all day that the sensations would come back, as well as the fact my OCD had a flare up. I had a couple sexual intrusive thought that sent my mind spinning and that is when the sensations also started. 

 

It has been so hard lately. I hope I stabilize soon. 

[Peonies]

On 11/29/2017 at 1:36 PM, Altostrata said:

Sorry to hear you're in the hospital, Peonies. Try to relax, don't worry, and get well soon!

 

Thank you so much Alto! So far my treatment is making me feel much better. At least I am not asleep almost 24/7. I feel like i have a bit more energy. I can also eat now which is great! Before I could barely keep anything down, so i was on a IV drip. 

I hope to recover soon!

My OCD s better today, but my PGAD symptoms are still acting up slightly.  guess that is what I get for missing a dose. 

[Altostrata]

Good to hear you're feeling better. Do not, ever, skip doses of Paxil.

[Peonies]

Hi everyone! I have been doing okay lately. Um. After skipping a dose I had a slight flare up of the physical sensation of PGAD, then it was pretty much gone yesterday, and today is back. 

What I have noticed is that when I become stressed in general it seems to flare up. 
It also flares up when I become stressed about it coming back. 

 

I have also noticed that I follow a pattern of: I drop a dose, I have an increase in symptoms. I stabilize for more than a week, and my symptoms go down to being barely even noticeable. 
Skipping doses seems to also have the same effect as when I drop. 

My question is, that since my symptoms came back and I was stabilizing is this a bad sign? Or did they come back because I missed a dose. Even one dose? 

 

Can I still stabilize again? I feel like every single time I miss a dose I am screwing myself over more. 
 

If I also may admit, I have been obsessing about PGAD as a whole lately. Religiously reading the site over and over, even though it does not seem to be updated. 
This is a quote from: http://www.psas.nl/en/doktoren.asp#behandelingen

"The condition is in most cases, and to some extend, progressive. In the beguinning (approx. the first 6 months) symptom free periods lasting from a few days to a few weeks are reported. In the phase following there are no symptom free periods anymore..."

This has got me very scared because January will be around 6 months of after I began having this issue. I am so scared it will get worse

[Peonies]

Hi everyone. Doing okay. No intense amount of sensations, however, I do notice my libido is up. I am just about to turn 20, so I am not sure if a female that age should naturally have a higher libido...but it is a bit off-putting and scary. 

[Peonies]

Hi everyone just a small update, I decided to drop down to 21mg of Paxil again. I was on 21 when I first began tapering but because of side effects, I went back to 24mg for a month and a week now. Yesterday was my first 21mg dose. 

Goodness, I never thought the physical symptoms would show up as quickly as they did. My doctor was not lying when he told me that the Paxil I am taking has a very short life. Maybe next time I meet with him it would be good to switch over †o extended release ones so that the drops are not as harsh? Or that if I miss a pill it is not so detrimental. Sometimes I am just so bad at remembering to take the pills. 

My symptoms started in the middle of work, I felt congested in the upper part of my private parts, like a slightly pulsating congestion, with arousal. I guess that would be PGAD. I wonder when will it go away. I am kind of used to living with it but sometimes, saying "this too shall pass" is not enough. 

I wonder if when I get to 0mg and onwards there will be no more problems. I hope so. 

[bubble]

You really, really, really shouldn't be reducing any time soon. Think in terms of months.

 

These are not side effects. These are withdrawal symptoms. Hold your dose and read through the links that were posted for you to inform yourself better.

 

I would go back to 24 mg because if withdrawal symptoms start so soon after the cut it means they will only get more brutal and you were in some really bad place not a long time ago.

[bubble]

On 03/12/2017 at 10:55 PM, Peonies said:

On 03/12/2017 at 10:55 PM, Peonies said:

I feel like every single time I miss a dose I am screwing myself over more. 
 

Your feeling is very right: you are hurting yourself by skipping doses. It is very serious. Why would you do that?

 

[Peonies]

Bubble, Hi I understand, I will increase the dose again then, though I am not sure when I should drop again then? My last dose miss was not intentional, I was just very ill and slept the entire day which meant I skipped my dose.

 

Also if anyone could offer some advice as to when to take my dosage, I have work at odd hours sometimes which means I am working at times that I have to take my dosage, i do not want to bring the pill cutter and crusher to work, but if I have to, and must measure my doses discreetly in the bathroom or such, I shall do it. 

I feel scared for the most part right now, that come after January my physical symptoms of PGAD will ramp up and become constant as the website stated. 
 

[cathyfrench]

Hi Peonies,

 

Sorry I haven't given a lot of news. I wanted to be sure that I am really better to share my PGAD Journey with all of you.  I am not 100 per cent sure yet but I found my PGAD isn't as violent as before (less arousal and engorgement but I still have a painfull and overactive bladder ). I am starting to hope that we can beat it. I am now 8 months off Sertraline but still on Xanax and zopiclone. I also met a great specialist in France, a sexologist and for the first time I heard a doctor recognizing that SSRIs can cause PGAD and he thinks soon, specialists will know how to cure it. I really advise you to be very carefull with your doses, don't skip them, go very slow with your tappering !

 

Things that have helped me : Change of diet (I am following the IC diet),  Pelvic Floor physiotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, bath with epson salt and meeting 2 good specialists who knows PGAD (in my case a sexologist and a pudendal nerve specialist)

 

Take good care and keep hope

 

Cathy

[Skeeter]

Peonies,

Can you cut and crush your pill and measure it before work?  Most drugstores sell little keychain topped vials that are made of metal with a screw top (and a rubber o-ring to prevent spillage) to keep a single premeasured dose in, or you can buy a small plastic snap top container (also available from almost any pharmacy/drugstore) and take it with you.  I think this might be easier that taking all of your equipment to work (however you certainly can, it is up to you). Using a baggie is not ideal if you are crushing the pill, as the dust can adhere to the inside of the bag. If you do not wish to purchase anything, you can fold your dose in a small square of tin foil, and put it in your pocket.  Easy!

 

I hope you have found this helpful!

Skeeter

[Peonies]

On 12/9/2017 at 5:30 AM, cathyfrench said:

Hi Peonies,

 

Sorry I haven't given a lot of news. I wanted to be sure that I am really better to share my PGAD Journey with all of you.  I am not 100 per cent sure yet but I found my PGAD isn't as violent as before (less arousal and engorgement but I still have a painfull and overactive bladder ). I am starting to hope that we can beat it. I am now 8 months off Sertraline but still on Xanax and zopiclone. I also met a great specialist in France, a sexologist and for the first time I heard a doctor recognizing that SSRIs can cause PGAD and he thinks soon, specialists will know how to cure it. I really advise you to be very carefull with your doses, don't skip them, go very slow with your tappering !

 

Things that have helped me : Change of diet (I am following the IC diet),  Pelvic Floor physiotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, bath with epson salt and meeting 2 good specialists who knows PGAD (in my case a sexologist and a pudendal nerve specialist)

 

Take good care and keep hope

 

Cathy

Cathy, I am absolutely overjoyed by the fact that in some ways you are getting better. I too, feel that my PGAD symptoms have definitely weaned over time. I hope that specialists do learn how to cure it. I hope that for us who got PGAD as a side effect from SSRI usage, it is not a permanent state of being. Thank you so much for the advise on the dosages. 

I a bit hesitant to meet up wth a physiologist, or a nerve specialist. But maybe I will give it a try. 
 

I will keep the hope Cathy, even if it is hard some days. My best wishes to you.

 

[Peonies]

On 12/9/2017 at 5:55 PM, Skeeter said:

Peonies,

Can you cut and crush your pill and measure it before work?  Most drugstores sell little keychain topped vials that are made of metal with a screw top (and a rubber o-ring to prevent spillage) to keep a single premeasured dose in, or you can buy a small plastic snap top container (also available from almost any pharmacy/drugstore) and take it with you.  I think this might be easier that taking all of your equipment to work (however you certainly can, it is up to you). Using a baggie is not ideal if you are crushing the pill, as the dust can adhere to the inside of the bag. If you do not wish to purchase anything, you can fold your dose in a small square of tin foil, and put it in your pocket.  Easy!

 

I hope you have found this helpful!

Skeeter

Skeeter, 

Thank you so much for taking time our of your day to reply, I really appreciate it. I loved your advise, I was going to go out and buy a metal vial keychain but fortunately my family doctor gave me one of his that he had.(This doctor s actually amazing, He actually was upset that I was on ADs. He said "those things cause more trouble than they fix." He is being very supportive.)  I plan to use it tomorrow at work!  

Thank you so much again. 
 

[Peonies]

An Update:

Lately I have been doing better. I find that I have been a bit more open to intimacy lately which at first did frighten me, as I thought it was PGAD symptoms pestering me again, but now I see it as more normal arousal. I try to welcome it in and not be afraid, I find it helps. 
Some days are certainly harder than others. I find that nervousness and panic seems to make my symptoms spike. My OCD has been here and there as well. Some days are better than others. I have no pain, but it is more the arousal sensation. It is an odd one, sometimes I really do think it is all in my head. Sometimes I do think it is in my head. 
It is hard road dealing with somatization and withdrawal. It is so hard to tell when it really is my head. 
Nevertheless I carry on.

My depression has been a bit better as well. I think going to work and socializing, and seeing new faces does help. My birthday is coming up very soon. I hope all goes well. 

Best wishes for everyone. 

[Altostrata]

Thanks for these updates, Peonies. Hang in there.

[Peonies]

Journal Entry No.8

 

     It has been quite some time before I have made a proper journal entry, I do apologize for that, a lot has been going on in my life as of late. I am going to make a new years resolution to try and type one every other day this coming 2018. 

     In my personal life things are looking so much better. I found that the job I acquired is one that I enjoy quite a lot. I actually look forward to going to work, instead of dreading it like so many other previous times. I still after months have not really gotten around to cleaning my room like I would like, I really, really want to get that done before the new year. I am also starting a spring semester at college. I am excited and scared, I hope I do well in my studies. Also my birthday is this coming Tuesday, I do not know what to think of that.

     As for my symptoms things have been very up and down with no clear pattern as of now. Every day I have physical symptoms but they come and go thought the day. Sometimes I feel as if nothing is wrong , other times I feel the slight whisper of the PGAD, or the shivers and cold sweats. Do not feel bad for me though friends, I do find that although I have some sort of symptoms each day, They are but merely whispers of what they used to be, I find that the only time they truly flare up is when I stand there focusing on them, purposefully trying to make it worse. I also feel that is part of my mental symptoms. My OCD flares up and I feel the need to sit there or stand there testing my body to see if my symptoms increase or decrease. I sit there trying to climax, or trying to have the PGAD symptoms, or the shakes or the cold sweats that haunt me. It is a terrible cycle that I am putting myself though. 
     On the bright side I am starting to return to some normality in regards to my sex life, although that still frightens me. I fear one wrong move or time could be the last straw, and  will permanently be stuck with PGAD, or shivers or the horrendous headaches I get afterwards. 
 

    Nevertheless I continue to carry on. Although no pattern seems present at the moment I try to make the best of it. I keep hope that as I have improved in regards to intensity of symptoms, one day they will be gone for good, although that might take some time. 

 

[Altostrata]

Peonies, waves of symptoms appearing randomly is typical of withdrawal syndrome. In that respect, your recovery is going normally, with very gradual fading of symptoms and sometimes frustrating setbacks.

 

Sounds like you are in a better frame of mind now, good for you.

[Skeeter]

Peonies,

I am so happy that you found a vial for free  from your doc!  I am so pleased for you- it does make the whole dosing issue when taking a partial dose so much easier on the go!  I do hope you enjoy your job, and I envy the fact that you get as much juice as you want!  As a college student, having access to good nutrition is a wonderful ting, even when you have good food at home,  I lived at Bruegger's Bagels whilst in school, and my first job (from 15-19 years old)  was a Subway, and it is certainly a healthier option to eat at than other fast food, though I made some really ODD combinations that I would never now DARE ask anyone else to make for me, but I craved them when working there...lol!!

 

SO pleased that my idea was helpful to you!  When you taper, do so slowly and carefully, as everyone is different, and goes a different speeds.  It is not a race in any way, thinking it is will only cause you to be more symptomatic and less functional in most cases.  Listen to your body, if you need to wait extra time before tapering the next time, do it, your body will thank you!

 

Best of luck to you!

Skeeter

[Peonies]

On 12/15/2017 at 8:40 PM, Skeeter said:

Peonies,

I am so happy that you found a vial for free  from your doc!  I am so pleased for you- it does make the whole dosing issue when taking a partial dose so much easier on the go!  I do hope you enjoy your job, and I envy the fact that you get as much juice as you want!  As a college student, having access to good nutrition is a wonderful ting, even when you have good food at home,  I lived at Bruegger's Bagels whilst in school, and my first job (from 15-19 years old)  was a Subway, and it is certainly a healthier option to eat at than other fast food, though I made some really ODD combinations that I would never now DARE ask anyone else to make for me, but I craved them when working there...lol!!

 

SO pleased that my idea was helpful to you!  When you taper, do so slowly and carefully, as everyone is different, and goes a different speeds.  It is not a race in any way, thinking it is will only cause you to be more symptomatic and less functional in most cases.  Listen to your body, if you need to wait extra time before tapering the next time, do it, your body will thank you!

 

Best of luck to you!

Skeeter

Skeeter, your positive attitude really does cheer me up! Thank you so much for your support and encouragement though these tough times, I cannot thank you enough, it really does bring a smile to my face. Lol! I completely understand you when you talk about the odd food combinations, I make some pretty odd smoothies as well when the days at the juice shop get slow! One especially odd one I had was Kale, Mango juice, fresh mangoes and peaches, and believe it or not, a small scoop of peanut butter! It was great, and it gave me the protein I needed ha!

And of course, lately my symptoms although they happen once a day here and there, they are really not what they were, which I am thankful for. I feel like I really am doing so much better lately. Thank you so much!

Best of luck to you as well Skeeter!

 

[Peonies]

On 12/15/2017 at 6:04 PM, Altostrata said:

Peonies, waves of symptoms appearing randomly is typical of withdrawal syndrome. In that respect, your recovery is going normally, with very gradual fading of symptoms and sometimes frustrating setbacks.

 

Sounds like you are in a better frame of mind now, good for you.

Alto, I a so honored that you have taken time out of your day to read and reply to my posts lately. I know how busy you must be, so thank you for stopping by so many times, it really really does make me so much more hopeful wen you and others help and explain things to me. 

Thank you for explaining the random symptoms for me, right now that is what seems to be happening to me. I have times in the day where I will get a sudden spike of PGAD, or the flu like trembling and body aches. Although they are dreadful, I find they pass easy, and they are not as intense as they used to be when I was in a higher dose. I also find that taking a nap when I am having these "attacks" pretty much gets rid of them. 

Thank you again Alto, for your wise words, all the best to you!

[Peonies]

Journal Entry No.9

 

There is not much to talk about today. Today was a very bad day for me emotionally. My physical symptoms were at bay but I definitely relapsed in regards to my OCD. It started when I was looking at a social media app, looking at what my friends and people I follow were up to. I saw the story of a guy at the gym, shirtless.  I could not recognize him and I was so confused as to why I had added him. I don't really use the app so it was possible I added him a long time ago and forgot him. But my brain did not go to that. Immediately I  became paranoid that I had sent this guy explicit photos or texts, therefore cheating on my boyfriend. I began to panic. I could not remember doing such things, I could barely recognize the guy, but in my head it had happened somehow and I could not remember it. I spent nearly the whole day crying and searching for who this guy was. Apparently he's a semi-popular guy from the Tumblr app, and I think i followed him at some point perhaps. But even having this grasp of who this guy was, I still wonder and wonder, why I even added him in the first place, did we even talk? This again, flares up the OCD. Its a bottomless pit of worry and doubts. An incessant beast that asks for more and more. 

I feel at loss, I feel alone. Today the 19th is my birthday and while I was once so happy now I am filled again with the dread that took so much away from me 6 months ago. 

It's difficult to cope right now.   

 

[Altostrata]

Peonies, are you seeing a psychotherapist or other counselor regularly?

 

You know, of course, that these fears are groundless. Why do you have them? Do you feel you need to be punished for something? This is the sort of thing that needs to be discussed with a therapist, perhaps someone who can also coach you in cognitive behavior training (CBT).

[Peonies]

On 12/20/2017 at 12:21 AM, Altostrata said:

Peonies, are you seeing a psychotherapist or other counselor regularly?

 

You know, of course, that these fears are groundless. Why do you have them? Do you feel you need to be punished for something? This is the sort of thing that needs to be discussed with a therapist, perhaps someone who can also coach you in cognitive behavior training (CBT).

 

Hi Alto, thank you again for your care and interest in my story. I do have a CBT psychologist, I see them weekly. They are pretty supportive however because my OCD just very recently (in the past 8 months) got suddenly severe, it is sometimes hard for me to deal with it. 

 

[Altostrata]

Have you discussed learning how to meditate with your CBT therapist? That's another technique you might find helpful.

[Peonies]

Hi everyone. Im sorry if I cannt get back to anyoen at the moment. My pharmacy screwed up big time. They forgot my refill then they gave me the wrong medication. All in all. I have not had paxil in my system for 5 days. I was able to account for 4 days when this first happened, but then I ran out of medication. I am so sorry if I am not making any sense. 

I started having palpitations in my chest and I began passing out every 30 minutes. I can feel my heart beating inside me loudly and my head pulses with it too. I ccan barely get up or think too well. I keep passing out. I had an orgasm in my sleep which really apnicked me. I went to the ER yesterday and they noticed other than the palpitations I had nothing else significant going on. It was chhalked up to dehydration. My head is still pounding, my heart hurts and I can barely walk without passing out,
 

I hoope this goes away soon I feel liek everything has gone really bad,

Im so sorry for the spelling Im so dizzy and I know Im not typing well. 

I hope everyojn is having a happy holidy. 

 

[Altostrata]

You need to get an emergency refill of Paxil from either the emergency room or your pharmacy, if it's open. You need to tell them you are having severe withdrawal symptoms because of the drug refill error.

[Peonies]

Hi everyone. 

Please do excuse me for not having posted for almost a month. It has been, quite a ride for me these past few days.
I had missed another week of medication due to another mess up with the pharmacy and my doctor's office. It turns out the receptionists were not on top of what was needed to be done and a lot of patients suffered because of it. Fortunately they terminated some of them and the problem seems to be solved, at least it seems like it.

I have not taken my medication for a few days now, but am on to see my doctor tomorrow so we can get all the refills and medication situation straightened out. Im also switching my pharmacy.
 

a few weeks back I lowered the dose, and was doing well for a while, however eventually the "old me" started coming back and I began to be destructive with myself and others again. I talked to my mother and doctor about this, it was hard for me to have to deal with so many intrusive thoughts, and OCD behaviors coming back.

What we came upon was an agreement that yes, I do need medication to help me out with the load of my OCD and Depression, but I need a medication that is light enough to not make me have crazy side effects and not too light that it does nothing. Tomorrow I talk to him about this. 

I also decided to get rid of my psychologist. She was helping me a lot in the past and I have made gigantic strides in  my anxiety and depression but honestly she pushed the medication way too hard. My doctor decided to start transitioning me to Effexor so I could finish my taper off Paxil and then be on a very low dose of Effexor (10 mg ). To see how that would work... however my psychologist was constantly telling me how that was too low of a dose and that I should be in the 100-150mg range, which is insane for me.  She also wanted me to be on ADD medication and another medication for my insomnia and another antidepressant supplement for my depression. No thank you.

I think for now my goal is to get off Paxil and transition into that low dose of effexor and see how that works.

 

 

[Altostrata]

I'm sorry your prescription was messed up, Peonies.

 

As you know, it's not good for your taper to skip doses. This brings on withdrawal syndrome, possibly aggression, OCD, etc. As your doctor has been so unreliable, it looks like you will need to take charge of making sure your prescription is properly refilled.

 

How are you feeling now?

[Peonies]

21 hours ago, Altostrata said:

I'm sorry your prescription was messed up, Peonies.

 

As you know, it's not good for your taper to skip doses. This brings on withdrawal syndrome, possibly aggression, OCD, etc. As your doctor has been so unreliable, it looks like you will need to take charge of making sure your prescription is properly refilled.

 

How are you feeling now?

 

Thanks Alto, yeah I do realize that the withdrawal could make things also worse, but on another side, even before I started medication when I was young and before therapy or anything I had pretty serious issues, maybe not as many as the "mental health experts" like to say I had but I was a pretty "not right" kid. I was suicidal constantly, disinterested, and with OCD intrusive thoughts and compulsions like no tomorrow. It was difficult for me to leave my house or go anywhere really. Especially since then my OCD was about germs, and getting cancer.

I talked to my doctor today and we were able to have a candid talk, He said he does support any patient in whichever route they choose wether with or without medication, but he does worry that going straight up 0 medication could hurt me. He agreed I definitely need to get off Paxil as it is too strong and too crazy. But he does want me to remain on something mild so that at least Im not suicidal and I have less intrusive thoughts. 

Before I was on medication my intrusive thoughts were much like today. almost every second there was a new one. I could not deal with that. Now with the medication I have always had the number of intrusions go down to a manageable level where my therapy and coping mechanisms can then help. If there is one thing medication always also helped with was it got rid of my suicidal thinking. Its only when I taper or skip doses is when I see it again. 

So right now he is helping me get off Paxil on a extended and long withdrawal like you guys here suggest, and he also put me on 10mg Effexor so that I have a bit of a support there for me.

Its hard for me to admit that I am sick. I see so many people on here and out in the world that just get diagnosed for the label or just because they had a slight occurrence of depression or anxiety, In a way I was kind of hoping that I would be there too, that my OCD was just a label that was stamped on me. But in reality I do have this illness and Ive always had it. That is hard to say. I look at my memories and I see how just screwed up everything has always been for me. 

I just hope I can heal. I hope I find a place where it's okay for once. Alto, I cannot thank you enough for just being here for me and messaging  me back on here. Its a strange journey this is. 

  

[Altostrata]

Is your doctor a psychiatrist? Why did he choose Effexor? Prozac would be a far better choice, especially in overlap with Paxil.

 

18 hours ago, Peonies said:

even before I started medication when I was young and before therapy or anything I had pretty serious issues, maybe not as many as the "mental health experts" like to say I had but I was a pretty "not right" kid. I was suicidal constantly, disinterested, and with OCD intrusive thoughts and compulsions like no tomorrow. It was difficult for me to leave my house or go anywhere really. Especially since then my OCD was about germs, and getting cancer.

 

You realize the brain you had 10 or 20 years ago is not the one you have now? You may have outgrown some of those symptoms, you can learn non-drug therapies for the others.

[Peonies]

36 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Is your doctor a psychiatrist? Why did he choose Effexor? Prozac would be a far better choice, especially in overlap with Paxil.

 

 

You realize the brain you had 10 or 20 years ago is not the one you have now? You may have outgrown some of those symptoms, you can learn non-drug therapies for the others.

 

Hey Alto, I hope you are having a great day! Thank you for your responses. Yes, my doctor is a psychiatrist, the only reason we did not try prozac is that for whatever reason prozac makes me insanely nauseous. Whether I take a lower dose, higher dose. in the morning or afternoon, with or without a meal it always has made me incredibly sick. We have tried it a couple of different times in my treatment seeing if it would maybe work without the nausea but every time it makes me incredibly ill. 

 

Yes, you are also right, I hope as I go down on the Paxil I also learn to cope. Maybe after treatment I will be okay to not take medications and handle it on my own. For right now I want to get rid of this Paxil. 

[AliG]

Hi Peonies.

On 1/12/2018 at 7:00 AM, Peonies said:

She also wanted me to be on ADD medication and another medication for my insomnia and another antidepressant supplement for my depression. No thank you

 

I'm glad you turned down the medications .The doctors just want to medicate every emotion and/ or health issue.

 

Non - drug therapies is the way to go .

 

Ali

[Altostrata]

19 hours ago, Peonies said:

he does worry that going straight up 0 medication could hurt me. He agreed I definitely need to get off Paxil as it is too strong and too crazy. But he does want me to remain on something mild so that at least Im not suicidal and I have less intrusive thoughts.

 

What does he mean, going straight to zero? Are you following our 10% per month taper? It's hardly going straight to zero.

 

Your skipping doses alone could cause all kinds of symptoms, including waves of anxiety and what you're calling OCD. You might well be making your own problems by taking Paxil inconsistently.

 

I hope this addition of 10mg Effexor (how are you taking this?) works for you. When you do get off Paxil, if you want to go off Effexor, you will need to taper that, too.

 

By the way, there are other SSRIs, such as Celexa, one might reasonably use as a bridge off Paxil. Effexor, not so much.

[Peonies]

13 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

What does he mean, going straight to zero? Are you following our 10% per month taper? It's hardly going straight to zero.

 

Your skipping doses alone could cause all kinds of symptoms, including waves of anxiety and what you're calling OCD. You might well be making your own problems by taking Paxil inconsistently.

 

I hope this addition of 10mg Effexor (how are you taking this?) works for you. When you do get off Paxil, if you want to go off Effexor, you will need to taper that, too.

 

By the way, there are other SSRIs, such as Celexa, one might reasonably use as a bridge off Paxil. Effexor, not so much.

 

Sorry if that was not clear. My doctor and I are following the 10% decrease, but what he worries about is that when after the 10% tapers over a long time when Im finally at a miniscule dose or at 0 Paxil. He's worried about just leaving me at no medication at all due to my past history. 

 

Im taking the Effexor in liquid for right now. 10 mg daily in the morning. 

 

I think I've had my OCD all my life, Ive never not had it. I started showing signs of it since I was a toddler, I think my waves are just the intrusive thoughts and need to compulse and do rituals increasing, But Ive never had a day where the need or thoughts were not there. 

Also, great insight I'll give my Doc a call in the morning and ask him about Celexa! Thank you so much! 

 

[Altostrata]

You're welcome.

 

Please see if you can find a therapist who can coach you in using non-drug techniques, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, for your OCD. You needn't assume you will need to be on psychiatric drugs for the rest of your life.