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WackoSirJacko: Paroxetine can be messy


WackoSirJacko

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OK, stabilized on 37.5mg for couple of weeks now. I even had a heavy weekend on the booze which wasn't clever but I could handle the depression afterwards for a few days. I call that training. You need to dip into the lows and feel them to keep your management techniques on point I say. Down to 35mg today. Let's see how this goes. FIngers crossed.

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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Just saw this in BrassMonkey's intro and wanted to copy it here for your own reference:

 

10 minutes ago, WackoSirJacko said:

This morning I needed to read this. The thought of suffering for 2 years and more dragged me down and gave me massive anxiety over the weekend. Last night I came to the same conclusion and decided I'm going to lessn, not increase my drop downs. I'm in this for the long haul so take my time. I'm going to go 1mg a month, right down to 9mg if I can, if it gets tougher above that I may go 0.5mg. This is going to take years and I can either concentrate on it and suffer or try to make it as easy as possible and try to forget about it. Re. beers, I'm gonna be more careful, the upshot is I feel I'm living normally and enjoying life, but going too hard on them does create problems for sure.

 

Thanks for being there and helping us, you have no idea how important you are to us, you and the other mods are basically saving lives.

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Thanks Chessie

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Ok bit of help. Since my 2.5mg drop to 35 4 weeks ago I had the normal depression and anxiety but also a few emotions showing through which made my brain feel alive again. Too alive. Lots of activity, not all bad. Think it’s affected my sleep because I don’t feel so sedated, but the poor quality sleep is making me tired.

one new symptom is brain pressure, and almost a tingle feeling in parts of my brain. It moves around from love to lobe. It’s almost like there’s too much information being absorbed. I’m more alert and cognitively I can be sharp. But also exhausted from just too much brain activity. 

Anyone got experience of this coming and going? Is it a common symptom I have to get used to and accept as par for the course?

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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OK I'm getting brain pressure which started 4 weeks ago on my last drop from 37.5mg to 35mg Paroxetine. It's gone from separate areas of the brain to now a dull pressure all over. No massive anxiety or depression at the moment but this feeling is really disconcerting. My sleep hasn't been good the past 2 weeks either. Like my brain has been stimulated too much.

 

Anyone had this whilst tapering? Does it come and go? It was initially now and then but it kicked in yesterday and hasn't left.

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement

Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg

Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg

Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg

Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg

8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg

 

It may be your doses changes at the end of last year are catching up with you.  I suggest that you do a nice long hold 2-3 months and allow your brain to catch up before making another reduction.

 

23 hours ago, WackoSirJacko said:

Anyone got experience of this coming and going? Is it a common symptom I have to get used to and accept as par for the course?

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Stabilising After a Reduction - What Does That Mean?

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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1 minute ago, ChessieCat said:

Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement

Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg

Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg

Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg

Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg

8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg

 

It may be your doses changes at the end of last year are catching up with you.  I suggest that you do a nice long hold 2-3 months and allow your brain to catch up before making another reduction.

 

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Stabilising After a Reduction - What Does That Mean?

Yeh, I think I agree. Thanks for the reply. X

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hey WSJ.

How are you ?

1995 started Paxil 20mg slowly increasing to 50mg until 2014

-2014 I decided to tapper myself not knowing how too and crashed , DR added 50mg Seraquel

-2015 tried tapering again and crashed

 

Started Tapering Both drugs at the same time 6% per month doing daily micro-taper 

Guided by Mark Horowitz

24/09/23  14.47mg Seroquel.  16.19mg Paxil 

27/11/23.  12.13mg. Seroquel.   13.85mg Paxil

 

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On 21/03/2018 at 9:54 PM, Cheeky said:

Hey WSJ.

How are you ?

 

Hey Cheeky,

 

Sorry for late reply. Yeh I'm ok as can be I suppose. Balanced out on 35 and ready for another drop. When I balance I get so exhausted. It's like the drug has chance to take over again after all the adrenaline dies down, and the body needs to adjust to not having all that nervous energy. I guess that's what depression is, or part of it. How are you?

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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It’s good to hear your doing better. I myself have been haveing good days with

a little aniexty and other days with more. 

Im going to hold out for a while as I have a lot of stres at home and work. I’m happy your doing great 

1995 started Paxil 20mg slowly increasing to 50mg until 2014

-2014 I decided to tapper myself not knowing how too and crashed , DR added 50mg Seraquel

-2015 tried tapering again and crashed

 

Started Tapering Both drugs at the same time 6% per month doing daily micro-taper 

Guided by Mark Horowitz

24/09/23  14.47mg Seroquel.  16.19mg Paxil 

27/11/23.  12.13mg. Seroquel.   13.85mg Paxil

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hey SWJ.

How you going ?

1995 started Paxil 20mg slowly increasing to 50mg until 2014

-2014 I decided to tapper myself not knowing how too and crashed , DR added 50mg Seraquel

-2015 tried tapering again and crashed

 

Started Tapering Both drugs at the same time 6% per month doing daily micro-taper 

Guided by Mark Horowitz

24/09/23  14.47mg Seroquel.  16.19mg Paxil 

27/11/23.  12.13mg. Seroquel.   13.85mg Paxil

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 10/04/2018 at 2:55 AM, Cheeky said:

Hey SWJ.

How you going ?

 

Sorry for late reply,

 

Yeh, I'm doing ok, drop from 35 to 32.5 was hardly noticable. But had gastroenteritis the past fortnight which was horrendous. Best diet ever though for summer.

 

How are you?

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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13 hours ago, WackoSirJacko said:

 

Sorry for late reply,

 

Yeh, I'm doing ok, drop from 35 to 32.5 was hardly noticable. But had gastroenteritis the past fortnight which was horrendous. Best diet ever though for summer.

 

How are you?

That’s good to hear, I will have to drop but I’m a bit scared to. I’m going to give my brain s break for  awhile.

1995 started Paxil 20mg slowly increasing to 50mg until 2014

-2014 I decided to tapper myself not knowing how too and crashed , DR added 50mg Seraquel

-2015 tried tapering again and crashed

 

Started Tapering Both drugs at the same time 6% per month doing daily micro-taper 

Guided by Mark Horowitz

24/09/23  14.47mg Seroquel.  16.19mg Paxil 

27/11/23.  12.13mg. Seroquel.   13.85mg Paxil

 

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On 19/04/2018 at 11:12 PM, Cheeky said:

That’s good to hear, I will have to drop but I’m a bit scared to. I’m going to give my brain s break for  awhile.

Biggest thing for me at the moment is fatigue and exhaustion. I could literally sleep 16 hours a day. 

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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12 hours ago, WackoSirJacko said:

Biggest thing for me at the moment is fatigue and exhaustion. I could literally sleep 16 hours a day. 

If that’s the biggest problem then your doing okay. If I had that only when in a wave I could handle that. 

1995 started Paxil 20mg slowly increasing to 50mg until 2014

-2014 I decided to tapper myself not knowing how too and crashed , DR added 50mg Seraquel

-2015 tried tapering again and crashed

 

Started Tapering Both drugs at the same time 6% per month doing daily micro-taper 

Guided by Mark Horowitz

24/09/23  14.47mg Seroquel.  16.19mg Paxil 

27/11/23.  12.13mg. Seroquel.   13.85mg Paxil

 

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On 4/25/2018 at 3:04 AM, Cheeky said:

If that’s the biggest problem then your doing okay. If I had that only when in a wave I could handle that. 

Oh believe me, I've had more than fatigue before now. I think the worst symptom is always the one you are currently dealing with haha

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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True,

Any symptom which stays and disable functioning most time of the day is worst in time frame.

 

I have anger, rumination,tensed head.. all contributing to each other. This is worst for me as it takes all my day.

 

Other symptoms: memory recall, indigestion etc etc etc.. 

08/13 - 01/14
Olanzapine, petril MD (Clonazepam ), Dicorate ER (divalproex). Soza 10 (Zolpidem)

02/14 - 05/14
Flunil ​20mg , Divaa OD 250 mg(divalproex), Amisulpride 50mg (1-0-2), zolfresh 5 mg , Quetiapine
05/14 - 08/14 Venlafaxine 75 xr ( 1-0-1), zapiz 0.25
10/14 Zaptra 12.5mg , Oxetol xr 150mg (0-0-1)
11/14 - 08/15
Paris CR 25 (paroxetine) , Oxetol xr 600 mg (0-0-1), nitrest 5mg , Quetiapine for a month.
09/15-11 Venlafaxine XR 75 ( 1-0-1), Mirtazipine 15, Respiredal 0.5, Lamitor 25, zillion 10.
12/15-02/16 Off Meds (C.T)

03/16-Mid April Sertraline, Aripropazole, Quetiapine, Etizolam.

After that : CT and on OTC supplements (Roadback), now on Ayurveda
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4 minutes ago, bhasski said:

True,

Any symptom which stays and disable functioning most time of the day is worst in time frame.

 

I have anger, rumination,tensed head.. all contributing to each other. This is worst for me as it takes all my day.

 

Other symptoms: memory recall, indigestion etc etc etc.. 

Fatigue has dissipated some for now. I’m actually 3 weeks into giving up smoking, which is tough on anyone. I’ve found out cigarettes have (other than nicotine) some chemicals with MAOI properties. So basically they are an antidepressant. 

Thatll be why I’m depressed at the moment then.

 

onwards and upwards

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

UPDATE

 

After 6 weeks of giving up smoking (at a stable level on 32.5mg) the depression started lifting. It's just the same as a fairly hefty paroxetine drop really. You lose the effectiveness of the drug and your brain slowly replaces it. It was harder than an average drop though, really difficult for a while but I'm glad I pushed through it. 

 

After 6 weeks I felt ok enough to go for another taper drop of paroxetine down from 32.5mg to 30mg. Pretty usual pattern so far, first week feel great, then when it hits I get depression, now after 2 weeks I've got a confused, dizzy, anxious head with light depression. Slight windows are coming in slowly though.

 

From 45 to 30 - that's a bit of a landmark, I'd celebrate if I didn't feel so 5h*t

 

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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35 minutes ago, WackoSirJacko said:

UPDATE

 

After 6 weeks of giving up smoking (at a stable level on 32.5mg) the depression started lifting. It's just the same as a fairly hefty paroxetine drop really. You lose the effectiveness of the drug and your brain slowly replaces it. It was harder than an average drop though, really difficult for a while but I'm glad I pushed through it. 

 

After 6 weeks I felt ok enough to go for another taper drop of paroxetine down from 32.5mg to 30mg. Pretty usual pattern so far, first week feel great, then when it hits I get depression, now after 2 weeks I've got a confused, dizzy, anxious head with light depression. Slight windows are coming in slowly though.

 

From 45 to 30 - that's a bit of a landmark, I'd celebrate if I didn't feel so 5h*t

 

Big congrats to you! No more smoking and down to 30mgs! Still holding for me and waiting to join you in a taper, hopefully soon!

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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  • Moderator

Excellent progress SirJacko.  You've removed a full third of your drug load, well done.  Congratulations also on making it six week tobacco free.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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20 hours ago, DaveB said:

Big congrats to you! No more smoking and down to 30mgs! Still holding for me and waiting to join you in a taper, hopefully soon!

 

11 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

Excellent progress SirJacko.  You've removed a full third of your drug load, well done.  Congratulations also on making it six week tobacco free.

 

Thanks Guys, appreciate it

 

Smoking was dragging me down big time, heavy breathing etc etc, getting rid of that makes the rest easier.

 

Get there DaveB, you can do it!

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

OK, 30mg wasn't hard, but wasn't easy either. Not much anxiety but some negative thinking and light depression. Onwards and upwards though.

 

Done to 27.5mg as of yesterday

 

I've got a theory, everytime I take a drop I seem to feel good for the first few days or so. This leads me to believe there's a benefit to the reuptake of serotonin, not just the level being held in the brain. As the reduction allows some to be taken back into the brain the mood improves, when you are left with a lower level and the brain has to react by regenerating the ability to produce more, that's the few weeks of symptoms. Anyway, could be something in it.

 

 

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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  • 1 month later...

I'VE CRASHED

 

Hopefully it's not that bad a crash and I'll recover quick. Since my last drop to 25mg things were a bit harder and took longer to clear up, then came back. Then this weekend I was stupid. I went out drinking (I've been fine drinking so far). I take 20mg in the morning and then 5mg at night. I forgot to take my 5mg Friday night and got drunk. Then I slept all day Saturday and went out and had a few beers again. I think I was running away from it rather than facing it and calming down and chilling. I forgot to take my 5mg again Saturday night.

 

Unsurprisingly, I crashed last night, Monday. Panic attack and surge of adrenaline. Terrible sleep.

 

So, first thing I did when I felt the surge panic - I went for a run. I recognised I have been putting myself under lots of pressure, thinking about changing my job to get more money. Worried about progressing in life instead of relaxing and accepting my soul needs to heal from this tapering.

 

Hopefully I can pull myself back together and steady out on 25mg again. Words of encouragement are welcome please.

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
3 hours ago, WackoSirJacko said:

I'VE CRASHED

 

Hopefully it's not that bad a crash and I'll recover quick. Since my last drop to 25mg things were a bit harder and took longer to clear up, then came back. Then this weekend I was stupid. I went out drinking (I've been fine drinking so far). I take 20mg in the morning and then 5mg at night. I forgot to take my 5mg Friday night and got drunk. Then I slept all day Saturday and went out and had a few beers again. I think I was running away from it rather than facing it and calming down and chilling. I forgot to take my 5mg again Saturday night.

 

Unsurprisingly, I crashed last night, Monday. Panic attack and surge of adrenaline. Terrible sleep.

 

So, first thing I did when I felt the surge panic - I went for a run. I recognised I have been putting myself under lots of pressure, thinking about changing my job to get more money. Worried about progressing in life instead of relaxing and accepting my soul needs to heal from this tapering.

 

Hopefully I can pull myself back together and steady out on 25mg again. Words of encouragement are welcome please.

 

Hi WackoSirJacko, 

 

This process can certainly take it’s toll on our emotional health, I see the stress of it has made you drink. As you no doubt know, drinking can make our symptoms worse. Not only that, in your case it made you forget your meds a couple of nights in a row. 

 

I’m so sorry that happened but just go back to taking your evening meds n you will eventually stabilise again. Please stay off the alcohol too. I know sometimes you may feel a little better with a drink or two but then afterwards it can make your symptoms much worse. 

 

Don’t overdo the jogging or other strenuous things either as they ramp up your CNS n can also make your symptoms much worse. All these things we have to think about in this process called tapering.

 

While your in a wave find some things to distract yourself that don’t take too much physical energy. Just take a minute at a time. You will eventually hit a window again. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

 

 

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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I have a cider most evenings or a glass or two of wine...how has this been shown to affect Paxil taper?

im waking up with anxiety for last week and it is there all day. Depressed feelings too. I’m wondering if having any alcohol is making tapering much harder.

thanks in advance!

 

1994 began Paxil 20. Jan2018-began taper @ 2.5 mg every 6 wks. 10mg Paxil on May 12/2018

May 2019 - 9.75 mg Paxil; July 12/19 9.5 mg

July 20/19 -9.75 mg

Aug  12/19 10 mg Paxil 10 mg Prozac, “Prozac bridge” ;Vit D 1000iu 6 per day, magnesium bis-glycinate 200mgx3, Omega 3 600mg x3, gaba 600mgx2, Inositol powder

Meditation, tapping, breathing and grounding, yoga, art, counselling 

Aug 21 dropped Prozac; increase Paxil to 15mg

March 8/2021. Reinstated to 20 mg Paxil

July 2021 added .75 mg Wellbutrin

 

 

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  • Moderator

Hi Blandell-- as you can see from SirJacko's experience alcohol can be a very big problem while tapering. We recommend not drinking at all while tapering.  Many people have tried it and get away with it for a while then one night/morning bam the hangover from H.  Small amounts while tapering can make you feel bad and increase symptoms as you are finding out.  Have a big night out and you'll be paying for it for weeks.  Things do eventually settle out after an alcohol crash but ti can take a frustratingly long time and the self recrimination can really get in the way of recovery. 

 

The bad thing about drinking while taking paxil is that the drug actually increases alcohol craving making you want more and more every night.  It also cuts the sensation of the alcohol so you don't feel as drunk, until you pass out. It also decreases one's self control so taking the next drink is even easier.  Depending on how much one is drinking an extended taper of the alcohol may be called for to safely stop. Tapering alcohol while on paxil is very hard to do because of the self control factor I mentioned.  If the amount is fairly small then just stopping is the best course of action.

 

It's going to take several week or more for SirJacko to recover from this, but it will happen.  He'll be able to get back on track and taper again.  However, he will now more than likely be very sensitive to alcohol and the next time could be even worse.  He is handling the situation nicely though which really counts. 

 

SirJacko, sorry for talking about you in the third party, that's just the way the post wrote itself, I answered your  PM.

 

Brassmonkey

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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13 hours ago, Blandell said:

I have a cider most evenings or a glass or two of wine...how has this been shown to affect Paxil taper?

im waking up with anxiety for last week and it is there all day. Depressed feelings too. I’m wondering if having any alcohol is making tapering much harder.

thanks in advance!

Ha, yes

 

Although, I do think there's a benefit to moderation, but not every night. Having a couple of pints once a week got me out of my whole and into a social situation. 

My crash was coming for about a month I reckon, the build up felt the same. It's definitely from tapering, which stressed me, which made me feel negative, which put me on a path of Pleasure seeking. So looking for new job, being dissatisfied, drinking more, and that was a vicious circle down.

There is no doubt in what Brass monkey says, alcohol hits all our neurotransmitters and we get the pleasure quick but are left with a big deficit the next day. So if you are going to have a pint, know there is a pay off.

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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20 hours ago, Carmie said:

 

Hi WackoSirJacko, 

 

This process can certainly take it’s toll on our emotional health, I see the stress of it has made you drink. As you no doubt know, drinking can make our symptoms worse. Not only that, in your case it made you forget your meds a couple of nights in a row. 

 

I’m so sorry that happened but just go back to taking your evening meds n you will eventually stabilise again. Please stay off the alcohol too. I know sometimes you may feel a little better with a drink or two but then afterwards it can make your symptoms much worse. 

 

Don’t overdo the jogging or other strenuous things either as they ramp up your CNS n can also make your symptoms much worse. All these things we have to think about in this process called tapering.

 

While your in a wave find some things to distract yourself that don’t take too much physical energy. Just take a minute at a time. You will eventually hit a window again. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much Carmie.

Bit better sleep last night. Few days off work. Hopefully I'll drag myself back quickly. X

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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13 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

Hi Blandell-- as you can see from SirJacko's experience alcohol can be a very big problem while tapering. We recommend not drinking at all while tapering.  Many people have tried it and get away with it for a while then one night/morning bam the hangover from H.  Small amounts while tapering can make you feel bad and increase symptoms as you are finding out.  Have a big night out and you'll be paying for it for weeks.  Things do eventually settle out after an alcohol crash but ti can take a frustratingly long time and the self recrimination can really get in the way of recovery. 

 

The bad thing about drinking while taking paxil is that the drug actually increases alcohol craving making you want more and more every night.  It also cuts the sensation of the alcohol so you don't feel as drunk, until you pass out. It also decreases one's self control so taking the next drink is even easier.  Depending on how much one is drinking an extended taper of the alcohol may be called for to safely stop. Tapering alcohol while on paxil is very hard to do because of the self control factor I mentioned.  If the amount is fairly small then just stopping is the best course of action.

 

It's going to take several week or more for SirJacko to recover from this, but it will happen.  He'll be able to get back on track and taper again.  However, he will now more than likely be very sensitive to alcohol and the next time could be even worse.  He is handling the situation nicely though which really counts. 

 

SirJacko, sorry for talking about you in the third party, that's just the way the post wrote itself, I answered your  PM.

 

Brassmonkey

Thanks Brass,

As ever your wisdom on this journey is much appreciated. When will I learn to recognise when these crashes come. They have been doing the same thing to me for 20 years and I still don't see them coming, but after its obvious.

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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Thanks wackojacko!

 

1994 began Paxil 20. Jan2018-began taper @ 2.5 mg every 6 wks. 10mg Paxil on May 12/2018

May 2019 - 9.75 mg Paxil; July 12/19 9.5 mg

July 20/19 -9.75 mg

Aug  12/19 10 mg Paxil 10 mg Prozac, “Prozac bridge” ;Vit D 1000iu 6 per day, magnesium bis-glycinate 200mgx3, Omega 3 600mg x3, gaba 600mgx2, Inositol powder

Meditation, tapping, breathing and grounding, yoga, art, counselling 

Aug 21 dropped Prozac; increase Paxil to 15mg

March 8/2021. Reinstated to 20 mg Paxil

July 2021 added .75 mg Wellbutrin

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 8/22/2018 at 6:22 PM, WackoSirJacko said:

Thanks so much Carmie.

Bit better sleep last night. Few days off work. Hopefully I'll drag myself back quickly. X

 

 

Hi WackoJacko, 

 

Glad you got some better sleep. How are u doing now?

 

Sending hugs🤗

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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On 8/27/2018 at 4:43 AM, Carmie said:

 

 

Hi WackoJacko, 

 

Glad you got some better sleep. How are u doing now?

 

Sending hugs🤗

I'm kinda ok, I'm just stuck in high anxiety that wears off in the evening now. Did you go through bouts like this?

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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Just an update for myself to look back on really.

 

I crashed Monday 20th August. Massive anxiety. Had a few days off that were already booked. Started smoking again Thursday unfortunately, but this kick started my brain at least. Was in deep anxious nothingness and pretty despaired but slowly, day by day it's gotten better. DJ'ed and drank on the Friday which actually didn't do me much harm. When really anxious the alcohol is just respite for a bit when desperate. Glimmers of emotion and hope come occasionally then go, then come back. Things started to improve when back at work. 

 

Morning anxiety continues through the day and dissipates at night, but not fully. As the days go on the anxiety dissipates a little earlier. My mind is looking for reasons and trying to latch onto the fear of it becoming Winter. This is my brain lying! There is a mood shift as the Summer ends and SAD has a little to do with it but this is just negative thinking and my brain trying to place the anxiety to something. This happened because your last drop at the end of July was a a hard one and you let yourself spiral down. Accept it next time, accept Autumn and slow down. Then when you lift out you will enjoy the dark nights, the fires, maybe even Christmas.

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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On 8/28/2018 at 7:23 PM, WackoSirJacko said:

I'm kinda ok, I'm just stuck in high anxiety that wears off in the evening now. Did you go through bouts like this?

 

Hi WackoJacko, 

 

Yes, I certainly have had high bouts of anxiety at times. Most of the time it hasn’t been like a normal anxiety. I’ve heard people describe it as chemical anxiety n that’s what it feels like. 

 

I know that alcohol may have given u a bit of respite but it then has a knock on effect that makes our symptoms worse.

 

A lot of people get SAD in winter. I’m not one of them, I love all seasons. I love snuggling up in front of the heater in winter n I love hearing the rain. I also love the summer n going to the beach.

 

I hope your anxiety has died down a little.

 

Sending hugs🤗

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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On 9/2/2018 at 12:21 AM, Carmie said:

 

Hi WackoJacko, 

 

Yes, I certainly have had high bouts of anxiety at times. Most of the time it hasn’t been like a normal anxiety. I’ve heard people describe it as chemical anxiety n that’s what it feels like. 

 

I know that alcohol may have given u a bit of respite but it then has a knock on effect that makes our symptoms worse.

 

A lot of people get SAD in winter. I’m not one of them, I love all seasons. I love snuggling up in front of the heater in winter n I love hearing the rain. I also love the summer n going to the beach.

 

I hope your anxiety has died down a little.

 

Sending hugs🤗

It has indeed, thankyou

 

Anxiety is actually relatively easy to get rid of if you have the right mindset. Accept, don't believe the negative thoughts and just ride it through with no expectations of it to go. Then it calms down over a few days I find. Although I do get SAD a bit, my paranoia about it was fuelled by the crash making it a far bigger issue than it actually is. I've done some CBT on what's good about Winter and I'm almost looking forward to it now.

1995 aged 18 Started 20mg Seroxat and 50mg Half Inderal Beta Blocker for anxiety / 1996 stopped beta blockers / 1997 stopped Seroxat

1999 Started Seroxat 20mg again / 2000-2016 mainly stayed on Seroxat with some drops to 15 and 10mg / Sep-Nov 2016 tapered from 20mg to 10mg / Nov 16 Major crash and massive hike from 10mg to 40mg / Dec 16 - Jun 17 struggled with insomnia and bouts of depression (not had serious depression previously) / Jun 17 Increased to 45mg Seroxat with little improvement / Mid Oct 17 lowered to 40mg, Nov 1st 17 lowered to 35mg / Mid Nov 17 back up to 40mg / Jan 2018 down to 37.5mg / 8th Feb 2018 down to 35mg / 20th Mar 2018 down to 32.5mg / April gave up cigarettes (tough) / 14th May 2018 down to 30mg / 27th June 2018 down to 27.5mg / 24th July down to 25mg / 20th August Crashed

 

Dropping 2.5mg every 4-6 weeks provided have been level for at least 2 weeks of that. After 4-6 days from drop I feel moderate increase in depression and anxiety with mood swings of up and down, sometimes excited to point of mania. Subsides over 7-21 days to base level. 

 

DO CBT, ONLY WAY OF ACCEPTING SYMPTOMS WITHOUT GOING NUTS AND LETTING IT SPIRAL. I can even handle consequences of having a few drinks.

 

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