Longroadhome: think I may be tapering Seroxat / Paxil too fast

[Longroadhome]

2 minutes ago, Sassenach said:

How the hell would I know, only a junior ( ancient ) mod.

No wonder, 2 showers a day, once a month enough for anybody, Phawwwww what' that smell😎

I should be serious. I am sorry you are having it rough but you asked the right person.

Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Lots of hugs, if you can bear them.

 

Sass

Now you know why I don’t ask you !!! 😂

[Sassenach]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOh You are awful, remember him granny😈

[Sassenach]

Behave yourself the boss is watching.

[Altostrata]

1 hour ago, Longroadhome said:

8am     Seroxat 8.4mg feeling anxious (tense, edgy, fast heart etc)

 

Do you feel tense, edgy, fast heart etc. before or after you take Seroxat?

 

1 hour ago, Longroadhome said:

7pm.      Showered this is when itchy skin is really bad.  It started on my arm three weeks ago now all over

 

You are allergic to something. Did you start putting something on your skin 3 weeks ago? Sunscreen? Lotion? New soap? New laundry detergent?

[Longroadhome]

17 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

Do you feel tense, edgy, fast heart etc. before or after you take Seroxat?

 

 

You are allergic to something. Did you start putting something on your skin 3 weeks ago? Sunscreen? Lotion? New soap? New laundry detergent?

Hello Altostrata thank you for your reply I really appreciate your input. 

Nervous feelings  come on and off throughout the day usually calming down of an evening. So in answer to your question I can feel this way before taking seroxat and after. 

I haven’t changed anything I put on or near my skin. Lotion soap or detergent . They are all the same things I have always used.  all are for sensitive skin. 

I researched Pregabalin and found itchy skin can be a side effect of tapering . Not a common side effect but a side effect all the same?

the reason I said I itch when showering is that’s when I’m touching my skin to clean myself. Even when I’m not showering  if I scratch my skin anywhere it will immediately start an itch/scratch cycle. It’s really weird. 

Regarding  the pregabalin. If you were me would you updose  by 10% or remain on the 25mg and wait for symptoms to settle ?  

am I ok to taper my seroxat using the brass monkey sliding scale that I have started . It’s so gentle that even though I have these symptoms (not connected as I only started the tapering Monday ) I don’t feel I will be upsetting my system unnecessarily . I really appreciate your advice on this one ? 

 

Thank you with all my heart for this site x

LRH 

[Longroadhome]

17 hours ago, Sassenach said:

OOOOOOOOOOOOOh You are awful, remember him granny😈

I do remember him 

“but I like you “ 😊

[Sassenach]

Ditto

[Altostrata]

On 7/23/2019 at 10:09 AM, Longroadhome said:

@Altostrata  I hope you will be able to help me with a question I have.

i decreased pregabalin I was taking from 3x25mg daily  to 1x25mg daily from April to July 2019, going down 25mg each month.  I was only on 2x50mg from November 2018 to January 2019 and from January 3x25mg until April.  I have been on 25mg for 4 weeks and I think I'm either getting symptoms from cutting my dose or it is no longer masking my Seroxat wd symptoms.

i am currently on 8.1mg seroxat having tapered too fast holding until yesterday from Feb this year.  Yesterday I commenced the brass monkey sliding taper.

i do not wish to go back up on the pregabalin but would contemplate increasing the 25mg tablet by 10% as you advice if this would quell the symptoms i am having .

these being increased anxiety and depression, very itchy skin, burning skin and increased tinnitus and vertigo as well as bad stomach cramps.  All either came on or increased just after the last drop of pregabalin exactly 4 weeks ago.

i know that you are going to say I tapered too fast but I was not taking this medication consistently and was only put on it in November 2018 to help with wd from seroxat.

will the symptoms fade if I remain consistent with the medication as it is or do you think a 10% increase would help?

 

here is a two day symptom pattern for you to see:

 

18/07/19

6am     woke up slept quite well woke on and off. 7 hrs. Cortisol spike on waking for approx 10 mins. Vertigo on rising

8am     Seroxat 8.4mg feeling anxious (tense, edgy, fast heart etc)

9am      Work.  feel very anxious and depressed.  Stomach cramps 

9.15am breakfast 100mg magnesium

10am     25mg pregabalin

1pm.     Costa coffee decaf  light headed and anxious and depressed. Lunch 100mg magnesium

4pm       visit to solicitor      Anxious

4:45pm.  Home feeling calmer. Stomach cramps and itchy skin

5:15pm  walked Georgie my dog. Calm

7pm.       Partners house. Dinner. 100mg magnesium. Calm but stomach cramps

 

 

 

19/07/19

 

6am   Woke up.  Good sleep 😴 Cortisol spike lasted about 7-10mins.  Vertigo on rising

7am.   Showered feeling flat

8am.   8.4mg seroxat

9am.   Work.  Breakfast.  100mg magnesium.   Anxiety symptoms as above. Depression and ruminating thoughts 

10am. 25mg pregabalin

11am.   Hospital visit with partner.  Felt quite calm. Stomach cramps

1pm.    Met friend for coffee and lunch .  Feeling anxious.  100mg magnesium

5pm.    Walked Georgie .  Feeling calm

6:15pm. At daughters house.  Feeling nervous and horrible feelings of tingly skin

7pm.      Showered this is when itchy skin is really bad.  It started on my arm three weeks ago now all over

8pm.     At partners house.  Dinner.  100 mg magnesium .  Feeling calmer. Stomach cramps

10pm.   Bed

 

 Thank you for your continued support

LRH

 

 

 

 

Do you get stomach cramps after taking magnesium? I would take only half a tablet at a time, see if this stops.

 

How often do you drink coffee each day? Caffeine can aggravate sensations of anxiety in a sensitized nervous system.

 

Does the itchy skin intensify in the late afternoon? Is it unusually warm where you live?

[Longroadhome]

Hello and thank you for reply. 

I have been taking magnesium for months but stomach cramps have only occurred since I decreased pregabalin four weeks ago. However I will try the half tablet going forward . 

I do drink lots of coffee around 6 cups a day but always decaf. 

I also drink decaf tea. 

 

Yes the itchy skin does get worse of an afternoon. And yes it is very warm here st the moment which is unusual . However the weather was not warm when I started to itch 3 weeks ago . 

Thank you 

LRH

[Altostrata]

If I were you, I'd gradually cut back on coffee. Even decaffeinated, it contains a little caffeine, which can build up over a day.

 

To see if the itching is pregabalin withdrawal -- or breakthrough from your single daily 25mg dose wearing off in the afternoon -- you might take 5mg at 5 p.m. and see if this affects the itching symptom pattern. This topic explains how to take a small dose Tips for tapering off Neurontin (gabapentin)

 

Please keep daily notes and post them here while you try this.

 

 

[Sassenach]

I can see you peeping😎

[Longroadhome]

2 minutes ago, Sassenach said:

I can see you peeping😎

Hello there you yes I’m looking what people are posting 

all very interesting and relevant !!!’ 

How are you today ? 

Just off to Paul’s x 

[Sassenach]

Knackered, been crazy on here since weekend.

Better now though.

Best to paul and the girls, oh and you of course

 

Sass

[Longroadhome]

Thank you Sas x

 

How’s today been any better?

does it get stressful when people land on the site so distressed?

Better day for me today as yesterday was probably my worst yet . Keep treading the boards ...!! 

I have been painting the nursery this week ready for another open day next Saturday

. 

What are you up to this weekend Sas ? 

 

We haven’t heard from Anna for a while wonder how she is ? 

Going out tomorrow night with Paul and friends singer on at local pub should be a good night 

enjoy your weekend Sas massive hug 🤗 x 

[Sassenach]

Back to you🤗

[Longroadhome]

How do you communicate with a fish ?

Drop it a line 

 

Why are fish 🎣 so smart ?

because they swim in schools 

 

What does the Pope eat during lent ?

Holy mackerel 

 

What did one Hillbilly say to another ?

I got a new fly rod and reel for my wife 

best deal I ever made ...!! 

😊👍

Edited July 31, 2019 by ChessieCat
removed quote

[Sassenach]

Thank you made me laugh great timing.

Try and enjoy tonight.

Really sorry you are not great, catch up over weekend🤞

You are still specialllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

[Longroadhome]

Hi Sas 

how are you bet the site it keeping you busy !! 

I have done a foolish thing 

basically I was feeling ok a few weeks ago so in my infinite wisdom decided to come down on the pregabalin 

long story short started getting overload of lovely new symptoms and Sunday just thought to hell with it 

Threw meds up in the air and said  

“I’m not taking any”

Yesterday  on my third day of no medication  decided that was massive error and  so took my usual doses (so basically two days without any) 

today I’m shaking all over and muscles twitching all over . 

Is this normal or have I screwed up and un stabilised myself ? Should I have taken less meds yesterday ? 

Who would be best to take my question to 

shall I try brass monkey ? 

[Longroadhome]

@brassmonkey

hi Brass hope you are well and happy from your posts it looks that way .

Wondering  if you can help me please! 

Basically ive screwed up 

after a fast taper of Paxil I have held from Feb this year at 8.4mg

was also on small amount of pregabalin from November 2019 2018 (see drug sig) to manage side effects of wd from Paxil . 

Started to feel ok and in my infinite wisdom decided to come down on the pregabalin. I was on 3x25mg per day and as from March this year came down to 1x25mg by June. Lots of symptoms surfaced . Decided to wait it out but they kept on coming . Was it the too fast tapering of pregabalin or the side effect showing from Paxil withdrawal now I had tapered the pregabalin do you think  ? 

This Sunday just gone  I had a total melt down  and decided to cold turkey off both the Paxil and the pregabalin. (Can’t believe I even thought about doing this !!!) 

So very foolishly I didn’t take either

8.4mg Paxil or  1x25mg pregabalin from Sunday to Tuesday afternoon when I finally came back to my senses ! 

I took my usual dose of both Tuesday afternoon  . This morning I woke up with tremors in my body and muscle twitching all over and extreme agitation . 

I have taken another usual dose this morning . 

My question

what’s happening ? Have I destabilised myself ? what should I do now and should I have taken just half my normal amount ?

 

Also As I felt ok on 2x25mg of pregabalin should I go back up to this dosage ? I have been on 1x25mg for 6weeks? 

 

It was a very foolish thing to do an extreme reaction to what I felt was an extreme situation at the time . I’d had enough and had come to the end of my tether.   

 

I value your expert opinion and hope you can guide me in the right direction 

 

thank you so much it means the world to be able to speak with an expert on Paxil and withdrawal. 

LRH 

 

Edited July 31, 2019 by ChessieCat
made year correction

[Longroadhome]

@brassmonkey

ps. Today  I am also getting involuntary muscle movement 

 

Edited July 31, 2019 by ChessieCat
removed quote

[brassmonkey]

Hi LRH--  Oh the things that the frustration of WD leads us to do.  I'm so sorry to hear that you are having such a frustratingly tough time with things.  Getting off of these drugs is no mean feat. It can be a very long, frustrating and sometimes painful process, but we have to take our time about it or things can get much worse. I won't chastise you about it because I totally understand, and I'm pretty sure you understand the situation.

 

Yes, you have destabilized things. The good thing is you restarted the drugs very quickly, so that has reduced the chances of an adverse reaction.  However, you have given your system a very great shock and it's going to take some time to get over it. The symptoms that have sprung up are pretty common for this sort of thing and there will probably be more of them over the next several weeks.  Don't let them scare you. They will subside as you stabilize.  Combining this with the very fast taper you did earlier means that it is going to take quite a while to stabilize though.  So you don't want to be making any changes for several months.

 

How did you decrease the pregabalin?  Being an antiseizure drug it is not good to make abrupt changes with it.  I need to talk to the other mods first, but we may want to increase you dose.  Please wait until we get back to you on that. 

 

Brassmonkey

[Longroadhome]

3 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

Hi LRH--  Oh the things that the frustration of WD leads us to do.  I'm so sorry to hear that you are having such a frustratingly tough time with things.  Getting off of these drugs is no mean feat. It can be a very long, frustrating and sometimes painful process, but we have to take our time about it or things can get much worse. I won't chastise you about it because I totally understand, and I'm pretty sure you understand the situation.

 

Yes, you have destabilized things. The good thing is you restarted the drugs very quickly, so that has reduced the chances of an adverse reaction.  However, you have given your system a very great shock and it's going to take some time to get over it. The symptoms that have sprung up are pretty common for this sort of thing and there will probably be more of them over the next several weeks.  Don't let them scare you. They will subside as you stabilize.  Combining this with the very fast taper you did earlier means that it is going to take quite a while to stabilize though.  So you don't want to be making any changes for several months.

 

How did you decrease the pregabalin?  Being an antiseizure drug it is not good to make abrupt changes with it.  I need to talk to the other mods first, but we may want to increase you dose.  Please wait until we get back to you on that. 

 

Brassmonkey

Hello Brass thank you so much for the time you have taken replying to me . 

 

In answer to your question in April I decreased by 25mg taking the midday tablet off, bringing me down to 2x25mg one in the morning and one at night.  

 Then in June I decreased a 25mg tablet again,  reducing to just a morning dose of 1x25mg. It was about 10 days after this that I had lots of new symptoms start to appear. 

So basically a reduction of 75% over 4 months approx. 

Such a stupid thing to do I know . 

Im now taking :

8.2mg paxil 8:30am each day 

1x25mg pregabalin 10am each day

 

ps I started original reduction of Paxil due to poop out and have never been without symptoms on this journey will this always be so? 

 

thank you Brass x

[Longroadhome]

On 7/26/2019 at 6:37 PM, Sassenach said:

Thank you made me laugh great timing.

Try and enjoy tonight.

Really sorry you are not great, catch up over weekend🤞

You are still specialllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Sas

how are you ? 

Your mate LRH x 

[Longroadhome]

On 7/31/2019 at 11:12 PM, Longroadhome said:

Hello Brass thank you so much for the time you have taken replying to me . 

 

In answer to your question in April I decreased by 25mg taking the midday tablet off, bringing me down to 2x25mg one in the morning and one at night.  

 Then in June I decreased a 25mg tablet again,  reducing to just a morning dose of 1x25mg. It was about 10 days after this that I had lots of new symptoms start to appear. 

So basically a reduction of 75% over 4 months approx. 

Such a stupid thing to do I know . 

Im now taking :

8.2mg paxil 8:30am each day 

1x25mg pregabalin 10am each day

 

ps I started original reduction of Paxil due to poop out and have never been without symptoms on this journey will this always be so? 

 

thank you Brass x

Hello Brass 

any answer on my pregabalin whether I should updose to

2x25mg a day ? 

Thank you so much for your time 

LRH

[Sassenach]

Oh LRH

 

Sorry not been around for a few days.

I would make some smart ass comment but not appropriate at moment.

This would be easier if I was talking any other member but you are more than that.

As a mod I should ask whether Paul and your family are aware of what has happened?

On 7/26/2019 at 6:26 PM, Longroadhome said:

Better day for me today as yesterday was probably my worst yet

I cannot believe I did not get the importance if this from someone who is always "OK"

Brass knows far more than me but you were only off for a few days so it will settle down.

In the meantime you have got an uninvited babysitter, and not for Amilie.

The problem with being our own boss is, we always think we know best.

Can you update your signature with recent events please.

You will bounce back.🤗

 

Sassenach🤗

[Longroadhome]

1 hour ago, Sassenach said:

Oh LRH

 

Sorry not been around for a few days.

I would make some smart ass comment but not appropriate at moment.

This would be easier if I was talking any other member but you are more than that.

As a mod I should ask whether Paul and your family are aware of what has happened?

I cannot believe I did not get the importance if this from someone who is always "OK"

Brass knows far more than me but you were only off for a few days so it will settle down.

In the meantime you have got an uninvited babysitter, and not for Amilie.

The problem with being our own boss is, we always think we know best.

Can you update your signature with recent events please.

You will bounce back.🤗

 

Sassenach🤗

Hi Sas 

yes they are aware of my stupid moment ... they thought I was mad but Sas it’s sooooooooo frustrating one tiny step forward caused me to think I could decrease pregabalin tooooooo quickly hence one step forward 8 steps back . If nothing else I’ve learnt my lesson 

i have up dosed  the pregabalin today to 2x 25mg one in the morning And one in the afternoon . My Paxil dose remains the same st 8.2mg. I’ll chsnge my signature yes . 

Today hasn’t  been bad. 

But how about you Sas how you doing ? 

Its so not like you to not be around on the site so im

guessing you have been in a wave 🌊 maybe quite a bad one ? 

Really not impressed with the baby sitter !!!! She has multiple personalities is disrespectful and let’s me know she’s around !! 

Big hug Sas 

LRH

[Sassenach]

Typical woman, ask a question, don't wait for answer, do as you please.😇

Multiple personalities, disrespectful, you bragging again?

I can be as stubborn as you🐫 ( didn't have a mule )

On 7/26/2019 at 6:26 PM, Longroadhome said:

does it get stressful when people land on the site so distressed?

Yes, that's why I needed a little time off.

Think I have learnt, can't fix everything but sorry meant I was not here for you.

Not that you would have taken any notice.

I hope everyone else is well and they are not panicing about Granma.

 

🤗

 

Sass

[Longroadhome]

2 minutes ago, Sassenach said:

Typical woman, ask a question, don't wait for answer, do as you please.😇

Multiple personalities, disrespectful, you bragging again?

I can be as stubborn as you🐫 ( didn't have a mule )

Yes, that's why I needed a little time off.

Think I have learnt, can't fix everything but sorry meant I was not here for you.

Not that you would have taken any notice.

I hope everyone else is well and they are not panicing about Granma.

 

🤗

 

Sass

You know me well Sas  

no one panicking because I never act any different though I have confessed to ct. but they don’t understand this wd . My sister is a senior nurse and she hasn’t a clue . However she has done lots more research because of me and now understands much more 

her pharmasist also rang me and talked me through my situation regarding my meds 

she was very helpful x

[Longroadhome]

@brassmonkey

hello Brass 

hope you are enjoying the weekend.  our weather here in Birmingham England is very mixed with cloud today . Some days last week were  glorious but it never lasts. 

 

The last two days I have taken the following meds:

8.2mg Paxil 

2x25mg pregabalin 

having updosed the pregabalin from

1x25mg in the morning. 

 

Lots of new symptoms at present and changing every hour but im

coping . 

Thank you 😊  

[Longroadhome]

@brassmonkey

 

ps. Are you Southern California based and if so  is Albert Hammond song correct 

it never rains there  how nice 

 

 

[Longroadhome]

@DeterminedAnna

 

anna thinking of you hope your getting your fair share of windows xx 

[brassmonkey]

Actually we do get rain from time to time.  Every winter we get some, year before last we got 5 inches, last year we got 19. For many of the 40 years I've lived here we have been in "drought" conditions and have had water rationing. Which is a real pain because everything dries out and we have horrible wildfires.  In another month or so they will get really bad because of all the brush that grew from the rain over the winter will be really dry.  Unless you're right on the coast it's a desert, very hot and very dry and you wish for a cloud to come by just to give a little relief from the scorching sun.

[Altostrata]

On 7/24/2019 at 11:42 AM, Altostrata said:

If I were you, I'd gradually cut back on coffee. Even decaffeinated, it contains a little caffeine, which can build up over a day.

 

To see if the itching is pregabalin withdrawal -- or breakthrough from your single daily 25mg dose wearing off in the afternoon -- you might take 5mg at 5 p.m. and see if this affects the itching symptom pattern. This topic explains how to take a small dose Tips for tapering off Neurontin (gabapentin)

 

Please keep daily notes and post them here while you try this.

 

 

 

Longestroadhome, did you read this? If so, why did you decide not to follow this suggestion?

 

We need those daily notes with times of day you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms before and after.

 

Without those notes, we cannot answer your questions in an informed way.

[Longroadhome]

7 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

Longestroadhome, did you read this? If so, why did you decide not to follow this suggestion?

 

We need those daily notes with times of day you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms before and after.

 

Without those notes, we cannot answer your questions in an informed way.

I’m so sorry I didn’t realise I would receive a penalty point for this . I’ve had so much going on please read my posts on thread to brass monkey . 

I’m very  sorry 

[ChessieCat]

22 minutes ago, Longroadhome said:

please read my posts on thread to brass monkey . 

 

Alto is a very busy person.  She has specifically requested daily symptoms notes.  She would not be requesting them unless it was necessary.

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

daily notes and symptoms:  

Saturday 3rd August 

6am awake fast heartbeat tingly skin 

7am got up had de caff coffee

8.30am 8.5mg Paxil muscle tension muscle tics 

8.30am breakfast de caf tea

9am work anxious but no cause love my job 

10am 25mg pregabalin 

1pm met partner for coffee ( I had water) dizzy head

2.30pm walked dog felt calmer 

4pm home anxious but kept busy

4.30pm 25mg pregabalin 

7pm partners house had dinner felt calmer  had a de caf coffee 

9pm watched movie calmer

10.30pm bed 

 

Apart from 3 de caf drinks I had plain water

 

Friday 2nd August 

5:30am awake ruminating thoughts 

7am up and showered tingly skin muscle tension de caf coffee 

8:30am 8.2mg Paxil

9am work / breakfast felt anxious but manageable 

10am 25mg pregabalin 

1pm met partner had de caf tea felt anxious 

3pm walked dog calmer 

4pm back to work anxious but kept busy 

4.30pm 25 mg pregabalin 

6pm dinner calmer

8pm partners de caf coffee calmer 

10am bed 

 

 Please accept my apologies for not replying earlier I do understand how busy you are and appreciate your support . 

I will update my drug signature today as I have updosed the pregabalin

 

LRH