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

[Altostrata]

13 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

do you think it would be ok to move the Paxil from 8:30am  to 10am leaving a gap of 3 hours between pregabalin and paxil doses of a morning? 

 

Yes, but you'll have to move Paxil gradually, by maybe a half-hour a day.

 

13 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

From my double dose error I feel worse taking these two drugs. There is no relief. 
it feels like my body is rejecting them hence the very intense symptoms. Can this happen ? 

 

I can't interpret your past symptom pattern. What I'd like to see now is that you take your drugs on a regular schedule.

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

Thank you for  your reply much appreciated.  
 

 I believe I have put myself into severe WD and I’m going to have to bear the brunt and wait it out.  

 

I most definitely will  be taking my meds on a regular schedule 
 

I’ll keep posting then Alt I presume ? 
 

have a good weekend 

 

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

September  25th 
 

3:45am.       Woke up to full body tremors. dozed

                      Until 6:50am

7am.            12.5mg pregabalin 

7:10am.       Walked dog. Feel like I’m going to fit

                     Strange tingly symptoms throughout 

                     my body. Anxiety uncomfortably high

                     Can’t touch skin or tummy muscles very         
                     Sensitive. Want to scream to release

                      tension 
8:30am.      4.8mg Paxil 

 

this feeling lasted throughout the day to varying degrees at times verging on unbearable 
 

9am.             Work/breakfast 

12noon.       Visited colleagues house . Anxiety

                      Uncomfortable With symptoms as 

                      Above 

1:30pm.       Back at work /lunch Symptoms as 

                      Above  very uncomfortable 

6pm.             Finished work . Shopping and home
                      Symptoms a little less intense  

7pm              made dinner . Symptoms less 
                      12.5mg pregabalin 

8pm.             Watching tv symptoms less 

11pm.           Bed 

 
 

really don’t know what’s going on is it now an adverse reaction to taking the meds or severe wd? 

These symptoms started off mild 8 weeks ago 

they are getting more severe each week . New symptoms joining them again starting off mild then each day a little more intense.   

 
 

       

 

[Hanna72]

Dear @Longroadhome

I am so sorry to hear that you have to endure all of this. I know how it feels to be stuck and when one symptom decreases another one can appear. It’s like an endless circle. I find a lot of similarities with your history. All kinds of symptoms appeared over the years for me also, and to imagine it was due to that one tiny pill as you said is at times scary.

You have a lot of determination and strength, and you have realised what has been causing this all along. That’s huge and will drive you to want to make your health a priority. Even when I feel I am not making any progress, I always remind myself that my body is on my side and I have to trust it.

I am always rooting for you and I strongly believe that you will come out of this battle a winner.

Stay strong my friend and hang in there 💖
 

[Longroadhome]

Thank you @Hanna72

i appreciate very much xx 

[Altostrata]

Do you feel better or worse after you take pregabalin? How long have you been taking your drugs on this schedule?

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

at the moment it’s hard to tell if pregabalin is making me feel worse because my symptoms are swinging in and out throughout the day 

I’ve just changed the pregabalin schedule over the last week 

maybe I’ll get a better idea once I change the Paxil dose taking them three hours apart 

[Longroadhome]

Feel I need to note some things for the record this week . Symptoms I don’t mention but that I feel are down to Paxil. 

Since last September after taking two courses of antibiotics I developed hives . This turned into chronic idiopathic urticaria . It’s been a year now and from the beginning when the hives were unbearable they are now much better . I don’t take antihistamines for  them though I had to at the beginning  . They show up when I am hot or wearing something a little tight Etc It is related to the immune system and I never suffered with them before. I have been tapering and in WD  for about 18 Months. 

Since  9 months ago I have suffered with three ruptured discs In my back  . Two in my lower back and one at the top. I have had a bad back periodically over the years but only ever in the one area. And never causing much of a problem. I have had an MRI each time a rupture has occurred Just to identify the problem . I honestly believe this is related to Paxil and WD. 
 

Since the beginning of tapering I have suffered with hair breakage and recently hair loss to the point of having to wear a wig for my sons wedding in January this year. I am coming to the stage  of having to make the decision to have it cut short. I’ve never had a problem with my hair before WD. 
 

while in tolerance and before starting my taper I developed tinnitus 24/7.  This has never gone away and recently it can change to pulsating tinnitus .

 

while I understand not everything can be attributed to WD/Paxil I firmly believe the problems I have listed are. 

[Sottana]

So sorry you’re struggling a lot LRH. I’ve been having a tough time, too. We will prevail though and beat this beast. I’m thinking of you! Message me any time, friend. You were always there for me!! 

[sunnysideup69]

@Longroadhome, I'm sorry WD has taken this turn. I know how it feels to be trying to figure out what has caused what etc. Whatever is at the root of this worse patch, I know you will get through it. You are incredibly strong and have come a long way already.

Sending hugs and good wishes,

Ruth xx

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

September 26th 

2:30am.            Woke up severe floaty boat

                           Unbalanced feeling even though

                           Lying down and still

                           Dozed on and off 
7am.                  Awake and Up. 12.5mg Pregabalin 

8:30am.             4.8mg Paxil. not hungry for

                           Breakfast feel a little sick 

9:30am.             Walking dog with friend anxiety

                            Uncomfortably high unbalanced

                            feel like I could fall over. This feeling

                             Is worse when I am stationary 
10:45am.           While on walk I suddenly come 

                            Over with extreme agitation 

                             Of wanting to scream. 

                            Muscles in body very tingly.

                           Tummy And neck muscles

                            Contract 

                            Lasted about 15 minutes

12:45.                 Home. Came over extremely cold 

                            Couldn’t get warm . Nothing to do

                           With weather just couldn’t warm
                            Up

                            Despite  layers. Lasted about 
                            2 hours 

3:40pm.              Feeling of  agitation came on  not    
                             extreme just uncomfortable 
As I  have a bad back at the moment I spent most of the day on the couch watching tv to rest it
have not eaten all day as I feel nauseous  
 

7pm.                  12.5mg pregabalin 

7:15pm.             Dinner . Managed to eat felt 

                            Hungry

                           Came over very unsteady and 

                           Unbalanced lay down though this

                           Doesn’t help 

8pm.                  Feeling a little better. Fell asleep 

10.20pm.          Bed 

                            

 

  

Over the past two months when I look back I realise how restricted my activities have become due to intensified symptoms of late . No gym (have one at home). No shopping. Only shopping for food when needed on the day. Very quick in and out. Spending time with friends and family is very uncomfortable because of feeling off balance. It’s my worst symptom and is with me 24/7. 
I am retired and own  my own business . I go into work when the manager is on annual leave . Hence last week . I have no choice even though I found it unbearable at times because of my symptoms. 
I force myself to do things at the moment like walking the dog and going to my sisters or daughters house because I don’t want to let this beat me . 

 

 

 

          

 

3:4

[Erell]

I'm sorry to read you're struggling, sending you some hugs.

Hope you might find some strenght with this Baylissa's text : 

 

You are stronger than you know. The fact that you are still holding on means that there is something deep within you - let's call it your human will and determination - that will see you through to recovery. If you are doubting your ability to cope, just remember how much you have already had to deal with. You may think you have no more strength to keep you going, but know that the strength always comes. No matter how intense things are or how weary or drained you may be feeling, trust that you will find ways to manage, to overcome, and to nurture yourself while you are healing.
 
Because of this innate courage and strength, you persevere. So many people tend to give up and go back on the drug or try new ones. It takes immeasurable strength and perseverance to get through withdrawal. You are doing it. You are heroic. No matter how scared you are, how uncertain, how vulnerable you feel, you always keep going.
 
This is what you must continue to do. Don't lose hope. Don't give up. No matter how long you have been holding on, the day will come when your healing will finally be completed. You must continue until this time arrives. Yes, one day, just when the timing is right for you, the symptoms will all abate, never to return. You will know that you are healed and you will be able to exhale and to put this experience behind you.
 
Remember, you are stronger than you realize. Keep going. You will make it. 
 

[Longroadhome]

@sunnysideup69

 

 

 

@Erell

@Sottana

@Hanna72

 

thsnk you so much for your messages guys it means so much

I’m seeing a positive in what is happening and that is I’m able to cope . Had this been at the beginning of my journey this would not have been so. Somehow I’ve gathered strength along the way and I’m so grateful for that xx 
 

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

September 27th 

 

2:45am.      Awake body trembles doze on and off

7am.            Awake and get up. 12.5mg pregabalin

                     Off balance tingly skin

8:30am.      4.8mg Paxil no breakfast not hungry 

9:30am.      Walk dog with friend very off balance

11.30am.   Sons house felt a little better symptoms 

                    Above more manageable 
1pm.           Daughters house. Skin feels tingly cant

                    Touch it All over body

                     Came on very strong from 3pm onwards  

this awful feeling carries on throughout the day And evening varying intensity. When this came on the unbalance feeling lowered in intensity  
 

6:30pm.    Walked dog with daughter tingly skin 

                   Unbearable . dinner 

7pm.           12.5mg pregabalin  

7:40pm.     Home watching tv . Tingly skin 

                    Unbearable 

10am.         Bed 

 

I feel my body no longer tolerates Paxil and is reacting to it 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sottana]

@Longroadhome do you ever feel that maybe you’re more just destabilized from withdrawal and less so your body rejecting Paxil? I could be wrong, but I feel you’ve felt this way a long time and I just wonder if you ever consider that maybe it’s actually destabilization more than like tolerance. Hugs to you, friend

[Longroadhome]

@Sottana

 

yes it does occur to me 

it’s just it’s so very intense at the moment . I know I am probably at fault but it does feel that putting Paxil in my body is causing a reaction also but your probably right as it occurred after double dosing and tapering 

thank you Adili

its good to have another point of view x

[Longroadhome]

2 hours ago, Adili13 said:

@Longroadhome do you ever feel that maybe you’re more just destabilized from withdrawal and less so your body rejecting Paxil? I could be wrong, but I feel you’ve felt this way a long time and I just wonder if you ever consider that maybe it’s actually destabilization more than like tolerance. Hugs to you, friend

Adili how are you 

do you feel better than when you first landed on the site ? 
you say you’re  going through a rough patch why do you think that is ? 
 

 

[Sottana]

@Longroadhome so hard to tell. I’ve never really felt stable or good since reducing. Might feel worse bc I’ve been reducing again 

[Altostrata]

How do you feel after you take pregabalin, compared to how you feel before you take it?

 

What times do you eat your meals every day? Do you usually skip breakfast?

 

You can expect waves of symptoms, you reduced 2 drugs too fast. Please update your signature.

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

To answer your questions:

 

pregabalin; I do Not really know how I feel before and after as my symptoms are so up and down so I will monitor closely this coming week . Having said that since altering the times of pregabalin the floaty most unbalanced feeling seems to have increased . I will also monitor more closely this week. Last night I missed my evening dose of pregabalin . Because of altering the time and being out I completely overlooked. This morning I woke up to room spinning vertigo. If I’m in wd from pregabalin (recent symptoms)  that missed dosed would have made a difference . I took usual dose this morning at usual time of 7am Looking back through my notes I notice the dizzy spells and vertigo have always come on when altering pregabalin medication . All of this upset started two months ago with vertigo that did coincide with pregabalin reduction then the other symptoms came on. could it be the pregabalin  that has caused the problem do you think ? 

i do usually have breakfast but recently I have felt sick of a morning . I will go back to trying to eat something even though it’s hard to. 
 

lunch is always around 1pm unless something crops up. 
dinner anytime between 5pm and 7pm . 
 

when you say waves of symptoms do you mean waves of intensity or changing of symptoms ? 
 

I did taper two drugs but not fast . I was doing the 6 week brass monkey taper for Paxil . And on the 2 week hold I was decreasing  the pregabalin . 

Thank  you for your support through this Alto 
 

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

Having just looked at my tapering schedule you are right about the pregabalin decrease . I did taper twice in July and  decreased by more than 10%.
I didn’t do this with the Paxil I stuck to brass monkey slide. 
 

my signature is correct . I haven’t altered my doses . 
 

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

28th September 

 

12:30am.       Woke up but got back off to sleep

3:15am.         Woke up to tingling in body dozed     

                        Thereafter 

7am.              12.5mg pregabalin 

7am.              Walked dog anxiety high stiff neck 

                       Muscles, off balance 

8:30am.        4.8mg Paxil 

9am.             Work . Couldn’t manage breakfast felt 

                       Sick.  Off Balance but tingling in 

                       Muscles gone 

managed the morning at work with fluctuations in balance and looping anxious  thoughts 
 

12:30pm.     Met daughter . Had lunch.  Neck spasm

                      Intense but manageable 

1:30pm.       In Town shopping . Neck muscles 

                      Uncomfortable spasms 

2:30pm.       Home.  Off balance this has been 

                      Intense so far today 

3:30pm.       Prepared and cooked dinner 

5pm.             Dinner. Neck spasms are less

6:30pm.       Walked dog with daughter neck spasms

                      Low. Off balance manageable 

forgot to take pregabalin dose 

7pm.            Watch tv . Anxiety and neck muscle 

                      Spasms low, Off balance Manageable. 
10pm.          Bed

 

[Altostrata]

12 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

Last night I missed my evening dose of pregabalin .

 

Every time you make a mistake like this, it throws your symptom pattern off. You can't do anything but go back to your drug schedule and let the symptoms settle down.

 

I cannot solve the problem of your taking your drugs irregularly.

 

Over 20 pages, I have asked you repeatedly whether you feel better or worse after taking a drug. Yes, it's about time you paid attention to this. Help me out and post the information I need without my having to ask for it yet again.

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

 

29th September 

 

4:40am.           Woke up to room spinning vertigo

                         Each time I rolled over in bed along

                         With this the off balance was 

                         Intense  
                         While lying down. No sleep

                         Thereafter 
missed my dose of pregabalin the night before 

7am.               12.5mg pregabalin

                        Extreme spasms in neck muscles

                        Swallowing difficult also causing 

                        Pain from sinus passages front and

                        Back of head

8:15am.         4.8mg Paxil . Breakfast 

8:20am.         Walked dog neck muscles rigid

10:30am       Home. Neck spasms are giving pain in 

                       Head

12 midday.   Met daughter for lunch . Tingly skin all 

                       All over. And funny tummy like being

                       On fairground ride Anxiety high 

1pm.              Shopping symptoms as above 

2pm.              Home . Symptoms as above continue 

                       Severity differs 

4pm.               Cooked dinner . Symptoms a little 

                        Easier as above 

5:30pm.         Dinner. Off balance symptoms taken 

                        Over from tingly skin 

6:30.               Walked dog with daughter off balance

                        Severe    Tingly skin On and off 

7pm.              12.5mg pregabalin 
7:30pm         watching tv . Symptoms manageable 

10:30pm.      Bed 

  
because of missed dose of pregabalin symptoms felt worse before first dose at 7am. They did not ease after Dose  they felt worse. 
after evening dose Symptoms were more manageable. 

 

 

 

                        
   

[Altostrata]

That's right, when you miss doses, you may suffer more and worse symptoms. Every time you do this, it re-starts the recovery process. You could feel terrible forever by not taking your drugs on a regular schedule.

 

It may be a good idea not to miss doses. If you continue to do this, it's a waste of time for you to post here.

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata
 

I have very rarely missed doses  through forgetfulness . In fact I don’t think I ever have before . 
I have never changed drugs. 

I held my Paxil dose for one year until Feb 2020. 

yes I admit I wanted to get off pregabalin and have not gone about it as I should have and yes I’m probably paying the price .  And it’s extremely upsetting. With respect I value and have asked for your support but not to be ridiculed. 

 

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

30th September 

 

12:30am            Woke up anxious but managed 

                            Light sleep thereafter 

7am.                  12.5mg pregabalin 

7:10am.             Walked dog extreme agitation 

                           Very high anxiety feeling of 

                           Wanting to scream out

8:30am.            4.8mg Paxil . Breakfast

at home until 12:30 agitated and off balance extreme at times 

1pm.                 Friends house agitation peaked

                          On and off between high anxiety 

                         no lunch today no appetite 

3:30pm.           Popped into work . Symptoms

                          As above decrease

4pm.                Solicitors symptoms low

5:30pm.            Home symptoms low

6:50pm.           12.5mg Pregabalin

7pm.                 Sisters house . Dinner symptoms

                          Low

11pm.              Bed

 

today I felt worse after taking morning dose of pregabalin. Extreme agitation. 
 

My symptoms had become more manageable in the afternoon and the evening dose of pregabalin did not effect this . Low symptoms remained all evening . 
  
 

 

 

 

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

can I please ask the thinking behind taking the pregabalin 12 hours apart when it’s half life is extremely short at 6.3 hours ? 
 

[Hanna72]

Hi @Longroadhome

I was just wondering about your question to Alto regarding why she wants you to take pregabalin 12 hours apart with its short life of 6.3. Could it be she is looking at the whole 24 hours in a day, and having the drug split into 12 hours, so you won’t feel a to big of a gap since the half life is 6.3 hours. 
Just my thoughts 

My thoughts are with you💖

[Longroadhome]

Hi @Hanna72

 

yes you could be right I’ll wait and see what She says . 
had a better day yesterday but not today 

How are you and how are your symptoms ? 
 

[Altostrata]

Your topic contains at least 6 incidents of drug accidents.

 

Do you know why you're taking pregabalin? Your pregabalin schedule has always been arbitrary. Your taking the doses 12 hours apart allows us to see what it's doing.

 

Do you find your symptom pattern gets better or worse after you take pregabalin in the morning? Please continue to post daily notes.

 

 

[Longroadhome]

@Altostrata

 

1st October 

 

4:40am.         Woke up but got back off to sleep 

                        Easily. symptoms low 

7am.              12.5mg Pregabalin

7:10am.        Walked dog anxious and off balance

                       But manageable

                       Then agitation started to rise

8am.             Getting ready for work Off balance and 

                       agitation  getting more severe
8:30am.        Breakfast . 4.8mg Paxil 

9am.             Work agitation severe. Concentrated 

                       Slow   Breathing Helped 

10:10am.     In work agitation decreasing 

11am.           Agitation gone off balance and 

                      Anxiety low/moderate 

12:30.           Met daughter and granddaughter for 
                       Lunch symptoms as above low/mod

3:30pm.        Took granddaughter to play barn 

                      Symptoms of Anxiety and dep low/mod

5pm.              Food shopping feeling calm

5:20pm.         Home cooking dinner feel calm 

                       Symptoms of Anxiety low off balance  
                       Low/moderate fluctuating 

6:30pm.        Dinner symptoms as above 

7pm.             12.5mg pregabalin 

7:15pm.        Watching tv Anxiety low off balance 

                       Fluctuating from low to moderate 

10am           Bed 

 

Symptoms were low today before taking pregabalin 

after taking pregabalin the agitation started to increase . And increase until it was severe . I coped by concentrating on slow deep breathing . It really helped . The agitation wore  off and did not return all day. Before and after the evening dose of pregabalin my symptoms remained low to moderate . 
 

 

. 
 

         

 

[Hanna72]

51 minutes ago, Longroadhome said:

How are you and how are your symptoms ? 

Thank you for asking. I have had rough few days. Rocking back and forward through windows and waves. My symptoms are, high anxiety, brain fog, lack of focus, 

bad memory, cognitive issues, and depersonalisation. 
Just found out I have IBS, which can be because of constant anxiety. So it’s fluid diet for me for the next days 😅

Just taking it easy now and avoiding all stressful triggers.

 

 

[Longroadhome]

Thank you for reply @Altostrata

 

Yes I would think there is 6 incidents with the two recent ones of a double dose in June and then a missed dose this week. 
 

Regarding why I take the pregabalin: 
it was given to me to help to ease  the withdrawal from Paxil when I started to decrease and was getting symptoms.  I thought it helped at the beginning then before I knew it I couldn’t just stop I had to taper . 
 On the advice of the doctor I originally took this medicine twice a day morning and evening . As I recall I took pregabalin and Paxil dose around 8am each morning and then the evening dose of Paxil at 4pm. 
At some point it was you who suggested Separating the times of Paxil and Pregabalin  . So I then continued to take Paxil at 8am and the Pregabalin  at 10am. So neither schedules were from random choice . 
I haven’t altered the time I take Paxil yet as I was a bit worried of doing it at the same time as the pregabalin . I will start to alter as of next week . 
 

I find my symptom pattern gets worse after my morning dose of pregabalin . 
 

Thank  you Alto have a good weekend 

[Longroadhome]

18 minutes ago, Hanna72 said:

Thank you for asking. I have had rough few days. Rocking back and forward through windows and waves. My symptoms are, high anxiety, brain fog, lack of focus, 

bad memory, cognitive issues, and depersonalisation. 
Just found out I have IBS, which can be because of constant anxiety. So it’s fluid diet for me for the next days 😅

Just taking it easy now and avoiding all stressful triggers.

 

 

It’s still early days Hanna so symptoms will be rocky but you’re  doing fantastic I’m very proud of you . 
i have had IBS for years but the weird thing is it appears to have gotten a lot better since lowering my dose of Paxil coincidence.. I don’t know 

I found cutting out wheat 🌾 using gluten “free from” food really  helped. 
Try and relax as much as you can it’s hard to avoid stressful triggers going through WD !!! Everything is a trigger happy situation !!! 
take care Hanna 🙃
 

[Hanna72]

Thank you sweetie, and for the tips.

Hugs💖