Sottana: Paxil withdrawal - questions and concerns

[Sottana]

Is there anyone on the forum that knows about super low testosterone? I just god my bloodwork back and this was the main thing they found in my bloodwork. 

[manymoretodays]

And I don't know for sure Sottana, but my understanding is that hormone levels flucuate a lot during the day.  Meaning that one level or another, might not even give a very good picture.  I think that testosterone therapy is one of those latest "fads" too. 

More though, in regards to your question in the topic.  Just click the arrow on the upper right and you'll see Alto's post, and then you can scroll through the whole topic too.

[Sottana]

That’s interesting, manymore. I was pleased to see my b12 in range, though, I’ve heard, serum levels don’t give an accurate description. 
 

As far as the testosterone goes, I’m not taking any supplements or new stuff for a while after my bad reaction. I just wanted to see if there was any validity or interest in this issue on the forum. It’ll be something to revisit at a later date. Thanks for the help. 

[Longroadhome]

19 hours ago, Adili13 said:

Is there anyone on the forum that knows about super low testosterone? I just god my bloodwork back and this was the main thing they found in my bloodwork. 

Hi Adili 

there’s a surprise NOT

WD affects all hormones so there’s really no surprise there 

im sure once healing is underway this will improve

its amazing how these drugs change our system and screw it up completely 

skin 

hair

muscle

nerves

hormones

sight

hearing

bones 

mast cells

mood swings

anxiety issues

depression issues  

etc etc etc  

no stone left unturned !  Everything unbalanced

just take one day at a time each day that passes is a day further down the road towards the finish line 

accept what’s happening keep busy soldier on 

well both reach the finish line Adili  we’ve already come a long way 

one day we will be helping others through their WD 

push on my friend 

take care 

LRH

 

 

[Sottana]

@Longroadhome

 

im sure it’s a combination of the WD and the side effects of the drug. My sex drive has been pretty depleted for a while now, so it isn’t really all that surprising. It’s only surprising bc I’m so young. Hopefully as the drug-burden is lowered and my WD symptoms get better my testosterone can increase again. Atm, it’s like 220 and the range is like 260-900, or something. Just another thing kinda off in my body lol. Big surprise. 

[Cocopuffz17]

17 minutes ago, Adili13 said:

@Longroadhome

 

im sure it’s a combination of the WD and the side effects of the drug. My sex drive has been pretty depleted for a while now, so it isn’t really all that surprising. It’s only surprising bc I’m so young. Hopefully as the drug-burden is lowered and my WD symptoms get better my testosterone can increase again. Atm, it’s like 220 and the range is like 260-900, or something. Just another thing kinda off in my body lol. Big surprise. 

Mine as well. My libido hit rock bottom. I had a strong libido for the previous 10 years and it literally disappeared with coming off this medication. It is slowly but surely creeping back! 

[Sottana]

That’s great to hear, @Cocopuffz17. So happy youve started to see progress in that symptom. 

[sunnysideup69]

Hey @Sottana, just dropping by to say hi, my friend, and see how you are doing?

[Sottana]

@sunnysideup69 hey good friend. I’m having a bit of a rough time, to be totally honest. Probably a function of everything that’s going on/just WD kicking my behind, but feeling very destabilized and discouraged lately. How about you, my friend??

[sunnysideup69]

12 hours ago, Adili13 said:

@sunnysideup69 hey good friend. I’m having a bit of a rough time, to be totally honest. Probably a function of everything that’s going on/just WD kicking my behind, but feeling very destabilized and discouraged lately. How about you, my friend??

 

Likewise Adili, feeling quite destabilised at the moment, but I think it's understandable. I think we can kind of expect to be a bit destabilized, and anything good on top of that is a bonus. WD is hard enough on its own and we are living through turbulent times, also.

Remember, all of this is temporary and we will be okay again.

[Sottana]

It is pretty expected @sunnysideup69. We will get there though, every day is one day closer to stabilization, good friend!! Hope you’re having an ok day. The weather is nicer here today than yesterday, always a blessing. 

[Sottana]

Anyone else have a supplement like magnesium go south on them? I was taking 100 mg for over a year with absolutely no problems at all. About a week ago, I attempted to up my dose from 100 to 200 mg, then 300 mg. It seems this overdose of magnesium has made it so now even my smaller dose, or even a dose smaller than that makes me incredibly tried and gives me like a weird headache. I’m obviously very sensitized and everything affects me, I just never thought this could happen with even magnesium. It’s discouraging bc I imagined it helping me. Maybe if I titrate and start at like 25 mg I’ll get used to this effects? Any advice is more than welcome.

[manymoretodays]

Hi Sottana,

No problems for me with magnesium, as yet.  I can tolerate 250 mg mixed in water, and taken in sips throughout the day, when needed.  I rarely use it orally anymore.  I prefer an Epsom Salt bath, a couple of times a week.

 

Are you splitting the total dose throughout the day?  Rather than taking the 300 mg all at once?  When I first tried it, I felt like a "bobble head doll", which at the time was a relief really from the other symptoms of WD I was having.  And now, it is just relaxing for me.

 

Yes, I think you could scale way back on it, and see how you do.

And then, take a look at the topic again here:  Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

In the first post there is the link to another member's bad reaction.  You can see if that sounds like yours at all.

 

Anything else that you have changed or added recently?

 

Best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[Sottana]

@manymoretodays I’ve decided to stop the magnesium again. Seems taking it orally just makes me incredibly tired and drowsy and also creates other strange symptoms. 
 

ive been holding for close to 5 months without much relief. Right now, I’m debating between holding longer/like an entire year, to see how symptoms improve, or doing a Prozac crossover. What do you think would be the better route? Or anyone that sees this. 

[Cocopuffz17]

6 hours ago, Adili13 said:

@manymoretodays I’ve decided to stop the magnesium again. Seems taking it orally just makes me incredibly tired and drowsy and also creates other strange symptoms. 
 

ive been holding for close to 5 months without much relief. Right now, I’m debating between holding longer/like an entire year, to see how symptoms improve, or doing a Prozac crossover. What do you think would be the better route? Or anyone that sees this. 

 

Interesting with the magnesium. How did you come to this conclusion? I have been taking mine for along time...over a year. I would very curious to stop and see if it would have beneficial effects. 

 

It is unfortunate you are not having any relief. I hope it comes in your near future. 

 

Everyday that passes is one day closer to being healed! 

[Sottana]

@Cocopuffz17 just based on how I felt after I took it, after the increase in dosage. Like I said, just some weird symptoms. I’ve reverted to taking a spray and not taking it orally, as many ppl have suggested this might be easier on the system. 
 

as far as stabilizing goes, I’m definitely getting discouraged. I guess all I can do is continue to be patient and hope for the best. 

[Cocopuffz17]

Thanks, I have been on it since before I started tapering. I think I’ll reduce it and see what I feel like. Thanks for info.

 

Yea, it is very challenging. It will get better though. You will stabilize and get better. 
 

Everyday that passes is one day closer to being healed! 

[Longroadhome]

11 hours ago, Adili13 said:

@manymoretodays I’ve decided to stop the magnesium again. Seems taking it orally just makes me incredibly tired and drowsy and also creates other strange symptoms. 
 

ive been holding for close to 5 months without much relief. Right now, I’m debating between holding longer/like an entire year, to see how symptoms improve, or doing a Prozac crossover. What do you think would be the better route? Or anyone that sees this. 

Hi Adili

i would not advice to do the crossover. 
As you were in poop out to start you may find the crossover debilitating regarding your symptoms. I don’t know why this is but people like you and I that started this journey in poop out do not tend to do well bridging. I could be wrong but stories I have read lead me to believe this. 
 

its such a tricky one to decide. To hold to taper etc etc 

and it compounds the issue because we had symptoms to start with as our body was rejecting the medication and starting to work around it. 
For me I have decided to carry On tapering. I am experiencing  symptoms as I go down  but so far manageable. I am doing the brass monkey taper 2.5% reduction each week of the present dose for 4 weeks then a two week hold. 
 

I hope this helps. 
 

take care my friend 

LRH

[Sottana]

@LongroadhomeLRH, it is so tricky. Yeah, crossover seems like a bad idea, I guess. I suppose I’m willing to give the hold a little more time before I jump back into the taper. That’s great that your symptoms have been manageable, though. I’m sure in a few months or so if I still see no progress at all, I’ll just have to start back on with tapering. 

 

@Cocopuffz17 let me know how that goes! And thanks for always sending such encouraging words!! 

[manymoretodays]

On 3/26/2020 at 1:39 PM, Adili13 said:

ive been holding for close to 5 months without much relief. Right now, I’m debating between holding longer/like an entire year, to see how symptoms improve, or doing a Prozac crossover. What do you think would be the better route? Or anyone that sees this. 

 

Hi Sottana,

So ditched the magnesium completely then?  Sounds sound.  What were the other strange symptoms with the magnesium?

 

And what are your current WD symptoms like?  Versus symptoms of side effects or adverse effects of Paxil, if you can tell?

 

Did you have a long history with the medications/drugs prior to 2018?  Just wondering.  And I'm not really sure if you would benefit from a Bridge or Crossover to Prozac.

Here's the topic for your perusal:  The Prozac switch or "bridging" with Prozac

And yes, good long HOLDS can be good, as well as microtapers.  With the brassmonkey slide, you would still be doing the equivalent of 10% every 6 weeks.  You might also consider just doing some tapering, but at less than that even.

 

Okay, all from me, thus far, and I'll try and take a look further at your Introduction, here, when I get a chance to.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

[Sottana]

Hey @manymoretodays I’ve been on ssris since 2008, have tried a few different ones, landed on Paxil a few years ago. 
 

my main symptoms are neuro waves and neuro anxiety and akathisia. Both pop up every day and make me pretty miserable. The waves happen 1-2 a day and the aka happens every day at some point for a couple hours or so. 

[Sottana]

@manymoretodays magnesium seemed to be increasingly like weird skin sensations all across my body. Tingling and mild burning. 

Also, drowsiness and headaches 

[Sottana]

Akathisia killing me today. 

[PerAsperaAdAstra]

Sorry to hear about your current symptoms Sottana. Cannot begin to understand how akithisia must be a source of tremendous suffering.

 

What kind of magnesium have you been using? Just plain' ol' citrate? Perhaps a different form might have a different outcome?

But seemingly your sxs indicate a sensitive system. I can recall that something like coconut oil could throw me in panic when I CT'd. It must be easy for several OTC supplements to have an adverse effect on you with the destabilized system.

[Sottana]

@PerAsperaAdAstra I’ve stopped all supplements other than the fish oil Bc I’m so sensitized at the moment and am reacting to everything.

 

yes, the akathisia has really got me down. 

[Longroadhome]

@Sottana

What does a typical day for you consist of.

I mean what time do you get up have breakfast . what is your routine after breakfast and throughout the day ?

are you leaving the house and socialising and getting some form of  exercise each day ? 
 

if your system is sensitised don’t take supplements instead incorporate a really healthy diet with regular meal times; examples only ; breakfast: porridge with a small handful of chopped nuts and seeds. Or blueberries and banana. Lunch:  gluten free bread with chicken and salad and an apple. Dinner: salmon cooked with a drizzle of honey on a bed of spinach , asparagus tips, roasted carrots brushed with olive oil and mashed potato and sweet potato mixed. Inbetween meal times you could have small  snacks of fruit Or raw veg such as carrot sticks with humous or celery. 
you don’t have to have supplements if your body reacts to them. 
 

also if you are not working at the moment you need to make sure the days ahead are busy for you and you know what you are doing . Use a diary for this so that at the end of each day you have written down in your diary what you will be doing the folllowing day. And STICK to it. Also include in the diary a positive message for the day such as: “Every day may not be good but there’s something good in every day”. And Adili focus on that something good, hold it, feel it, mean it. 
 

thinking of you

stay strong

stay positive

keep going

 

LRH  

 

[manymoretodays]

Hi Sottana,

Weighted blankets and bed tents for restlessness, akathisia, insomnia, and anxiety

^ may help with some of the aka and restlessness

 

And yes, give a try at some notes

And perhaps try some therapeutic Journaling

 

More on:  Akathesia vs. restlessness, anxiety, agitation

What is yours like?  If you can describe it?

 

On 3/27/2020 at 1:50 PM, Adili13 said:

@manymoretodays magnesium seemed to be increasingly like weird skin sensations all across my body. Tingling and mild burning. 

Also, drowsiness and headaches 

Paresthesia:Pins and Needles, Numbness, Tingling, Burning Sensations aka Neuropathy

 

Any change in this since you have been off the magnesium?

 

Oh Sottana, best and fingers crossed for a nice Window to come your way soon,

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

[Sottana]

@Longroadhome my sleep schedule has been incredibly messed up due to the akathisia. It takes me a verrrry long time to fall asleep, and then I wake up super late. My diet actually isn’t too bad, I slip up on occasion, but I really try hard to eat well. No processed foods or refined sugars, try to limit gluten and dairy, etc. I was hanging out with friends at least once a week, but that’s stopped due to the global situation. I go for a walk every day, I play some guitar, I study Italian a bit and I read. Those are like the four accomplishments I strive to achieve every day, tgough, sometimes even that is too much for me. I have a journal monitoring symptoms, but you’re right, I should try to inject some more positivity into my journaling. 

[Sottana]

@manymoretodays the akathisia is an inner tension anxiety/energy that just fills like its ripping inside my skull. Unbelievably uncomfortable. It comes in waves but can last for hours. I have a weighted blanket. the pins and needles seem to slowly be getting better since I stopped the magnesium. Yes, I do take some notes on my symptoms every day. 

Thanks for the replies to both of you. I appreciate you both. @Longroadhome and @manymoretodays

[Longroadhome]

1 hour ago, Adili13 said:

@Longroadhome my sleep schedule has been incredibly messed up due to the akathisia. It takes me a verrrry long time to fall asleep, and then I wake up super late. My diet actually isn’t too bad, I slip up on occasion, but I really try hard to eat well. No processed foods or refined sugars, try to limit gluten and dairy, etc. I was hanging out with friends at least once a week, but that’s stopped due to the global situation. I go for a walk every day, I play some guitar, I study Italian a bit and I read. Those are like the four accomplishments I strive to achieve every day, tgough, sometimes even that is too much for me. I have a journal monitoring symptoms, but you’re right, I should try to inject some more positivity into my journaling. 

Adili

I too had a journal for symptoms but I stopped it a few months ago because I found I was too focused on my symptoms constantly  and it depressed me. 
I may start one up again if I feel it will help now I am tapering. I’ll wait and see. 
Although it’s hard because of the current situation to socialise you can do this online as there are many social groups to tap into that have been set up because of the current situation and people being isolated . We have an online “Houseparty ” 
Site that I have joined where I can talk to friends as well as make new ones. It’s really good ! Do you have something like this ? 
sounds like you know what your doing with your diet ! Great 👍 

going for a walk each day is very therapeutic being among nature is a great way to take our mind off ourself and concentrate on things around us . It’s good that we can still do this each day (virus situation).you could incorporate taking a neighbours dog for a walk ( if you like dogs that is!! And obviously when virus situation improves ) or your own if you have one ! So it  gives you a purpose 

playing the guitar is a great way to relax. do you write your own music ?  as well as learning a new language.  Are there groups online for different  language Interaction ? 
 

each day start with a positive thought

 

here is one for tomorrow :

 

“Start each day with a new hope

leave bad memories behind 

and have faith for a better tomorrow”

 

get up tomorrow with hope in your heart for a better day

leave the bad memory of how you felt yesterday behind you

and have faith that tomorrow will be better 

 

thinking of you 

LRH 

 

 

 

 

[Sottana]

Thanks @Longroadhome you’ve got some very hopeful and positive words, as always. I actually talk to my great friend that I met on here every day. We discuss many many things that have nothing to do with WD and have developed a great relationship. I can’t believe I forgot to mention this. As far as like being lonely, I don’t feel very isolated with her help, still texting friends, and still staying in touch with family. I’d always like to have more friends to chat with, but I’m very fortunate to have what I have. 
 

I definitely think obsessively monitoring symptoms is a problem for me, though, it can feel almost impossible not to with the akathisia. I’ll have to try and and see all this through a more positive lens as my perspective and attitude have been kind of getting worse over the last month or two. Thanks again, good friend! I will try to start each day with a new hope, as you’ve said. 

[Sottana]

Does akathisia seem to fade for people if they just hold long enough? It’s been really bad for me lately and brining me to unbelievably low places. Please, positive comments only. 

[Longroadhome]

Hi Adili

YES it definitely does . I’ve had it as a symptom and just like all the others it does fade and go. When this will happen for you I can’t say but it will. 
 

what happens with me is the symptom when it comes on and is  new will be very  intense. Over time it gradually becomes less intense. Then I’ll have times where it isn’t there at all. And it fades and fades and fades until if it is there it isn’t a problem anymore. 
this will happen for you too

keep going

LRH   

[Sottana]

Thank you my friend, I appreciate you. How’s your taper going? Tolerating it well?

[Longroadhome]

You’re welcome 😉

I’m managing the symptoms while tapering. 
they are scary at time’s but I haven’t been without symptoms even while holding so it’s no different for me. 
however I did think they would get worse now I am tapering but so far this hasn’t been so. In fact they seem more manageable and I was wondering how this could be?

having spoke with Brass he said sometimes while in poop out and holding the drug can start to win the battle again and that is why we continue to go through WD  while holding for those of us in poop out. 
interesting 🤔 

take care my friend 

LRH 
 

[Sottana]

Very interesting, I’ve heard about this as well. I wonder it about myself all the time. Is this WD, it is this tolerance? It’s interesting but also so tormenting. Hopefully one day we figure out the mystery haha. I’m happy your symptoms have been manageable and even better as you lower though. That’s awesome, LRH.