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Erell: struggling with paroxetine


Erell

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Hi @Erell

Want you to  know I’m thinking of you and hoping you have as peaceful a  time as possible with your family at Christmas. 
I hope 2022 brings you positive healing. 
You have a heart of gold and so lovely to others even in your hour of need,  that I pray you turn a corner soon x take care 

Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈

 

Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg,  Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg  🎈

 

December 25th 2022 drug free 

 

these dates are approximate 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
15 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

Hi @Erell

Want you to  know I’m thinking of you and hoping you have as peaceful a  time as possible with your family at Christmas. 
I hope 2022 brings you positive healing. 
You have a heart of gold and so lovely to others even in your hour of need,  that I pray you turn a corner soon x take care 

 

What a lovely message and attention, you're a very kind soul, thank you ! I see you spreading messages of hope and support on this forum and thank you for being part of this community. I hope very much that 2022 will bring you the rest and peace you deserve ❤️ 

 

December is hard, I feel like I'm living in a constant big adrenaline rush and the strong derealization doesn't help me try to stay grounded.

But I'm lucky: Christmas is not an important event in my family, so I don't have this extra stress to deal with 🙏

 

You have already given me a great gift: you were the one who first told me about Baylissa's website, and I thank you for that, her special way of normalizing what we are going through, and her absolute faith in our ability to heal really helps me to hold on.

 

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Erell keep holding on!  You are one of the gentlest, yet strongest, people I've ever known in my 60 years of life.  I pray for you a lot, and I'm confident that this WD will someday be a thing of the past for you.  Some of us take longer than others.  Alto took a long time to heal.  But heal she did!  And you will too!  

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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  • Mentor

@Erell

Thank you Erell for admitting your struggles and pain to us .  I tend to hold it in  and worry if I share my pain people will think I am being to negative.  This is real, scary and hurts so much that we need the support and acceptance from others.  It's okay to let people know we need help and kind/comforting words. By  the  expression of your journey it has given me some hope in a odd way.  It has reminded me that I am not alone we are all walking this journey together. See even in your pain you have given hope to many of us  here on SA, I am sure.

 

You are caring and compassionate person and also have amazing strength❤️

My heart goes out to you❤️

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/

1995? Prozac,  tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz

 Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015  Kindled   Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify  Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016  ended back on   Prozac and Lamictal 200mg

5/2020  thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg  Prozac  down to 3mg.  Crashed  12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct  1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct  2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg.  Became hypo manic 2/1  6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25  25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg.  2/24  100mg   4/9  75mg   4/21 37.5 

2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr  3/3 100mg  3/17  150mg  side effects ct   4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg  4/14  7.5mg  4/30 10mg  5/10  7.5mg 

2021/ 5/16  5mg Lexapro   37.5 Lamictal   25mg trazadone,   xanax  .0625mg  3x a day   

Lexapro  Taper> Sept/01/2021  4.90mg>  Sept/25  4.75mg>   Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg    Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid  4.2mg  (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg>  2/24  3.8mg  slow taper to  Aug/12/2022 2.04mg  2023> 2mg,  1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg

Lamictal  taper  4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22-   0

 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg  July 2023   0

Xanax  0.0625 3 x a day,  2023>  0.042 3x a day

Supplements  Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC 

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  • Mentor

Erell, I may be back on the US side of the Atlantic, but I can still send you positive thoughts and prayers.  You are stronger than your fears.  I know it can be exhausting mentally, spiritually and physically to go through this day after day, but each day in one closer to total healing.  Experiences like this teach us just how strong we are.  Just getting up and going about your daily business is a testament to your resilience.  You will make it through the darkness and into the light. 

Tim C

Started Paxil for GAD in 1999

Unsuccessful taper attempt in 2006

Paxilprogress helped with a successful taper completed in 2009

Using therapy and CBT to manage my anxiety

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  • Mentor

Dear @Erell

Wanted to drop by and give you a big hug 💝

I hope and pray that some relief will come your way, and that new year will be better than what you have had to endure🙏
 

 


1999-2020  20 mg Paxil

Bridged with Fluoxetine to help me get off Paxil.

2022 Fluoxetine 15 mg 12/12 14mg 27/12  13mg jan 12mg feb 11mg mars 10mg, 9 mg 8,5 mg 7.6mg 7.0 mg 6,3 mg 5,6 mg 5,0 mg 4,5 mg 4,0 mg 3.6mg 3,2 mg 2,9 mg 2,6 mg 2,3 mg 2,0 mg

 


I am not a medical professional nor is this a medical advice. I only talk from my own experience.

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@Erell

hello I could not read all your posts, I am abstinent from paroxetine. I started from 20 mg the Skull increased in June 2020 all right until September 2021 when it now reached 1.5 mg All the withdrawal symptoms have started now I feel terrible ... Extreme tiredness insomnia to which is added anxiety anger tachycardia ... Did you resist? When did you increase to 10 then were you better off? How are you doing now? I'm too sick…

 2013-2014 paroxetina 10 mg non costante (alcuni mesi l'ho usata altri l'ho interrotta)

2015-2019 paroxetina 20 mg con diversi tentativi falliti di diminuire (troppo velocemente)

Giugno 2020 paroxetina a 15 mg a lenta insorgenza (circa 10%) Luglio 2020 12 mg - Agosto 2020 10 mg - Settembre 2020 8 mg - Ottobre 2020 7 mg - Novembre 2020 6 mg - Dicembre 2020 5 mg - Gennaio 2021 4,5 mg - Febbraio 2021 4 mg - marzo 2021 3,5 mg - 

Aprile 2021 - Giugno 2021 a 3 mg di paroxetina + 15 gocce di clonazepam (5 ogni 8 ore) per aiutare i sintomi di astinenza

Luglio 2021 2,5 mg - Agosto 2021 2 mg -

Settembre 2021 - Gennaio 2022 gravi sintomi di astinenza 1,5 mg di paroxetina + 15 gocce di clonazepam (5 ogni 8 ore) per aiutare i sintomi di astinenza 

 

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@aurorax

hello after almost 2 years of slow downshifting of paroxetine I am now at 1.5 mg and all the withdrawal symptoms have exploded .. I can't take it anymore .. you didn't have any symptoms during the downshift! do you have any suggestions? Help? I can not stand it anymore

 2013-2014 paroxetina 10 mg non costante (alcuni mesi l'ho usata altri l'ho interrotta)

2015-2019 paroxetina 20 mg con diversi tentativi falliti di diminuire (troppo velocemente)

Giugno 2020 paroxetina a 15 mg a lenta insorgenza (circa 10%) Luglio 2020 12 mg - Agosto 2020 10 mg - Settembre 2020 8 mg - Ottobre 2020 7 mg - Novembre 2020 6 mg - Dicembre 2020 5 mg - Gennaio 2021 4,5 mg - Febbraio 2021 4 mg - marzo 2021 3,5 mg - 

Aprile 2021 - Giugno 2021 a 3 mg di paroxetina + 15 gocce di clonazepam (5 ogni 8 ore) per aiutare i sintomi di astinenza

Luglio 2021 2,5 mg - Agosto 2021 2 mg -

Settembre 2021 - Gennaio 2022 gravi sintomi di astinenza 1,5 mg di paroxetina + 15 gocce di clonazepam (5 ogni 8 ore) per aiutare i sintomi di astinenza 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Dear all, 
I was sure I had replied, I remember very well how touched I was at Christmas by your generous support, but it seems I just read and savored your words.

So I wanted to thank you! ❤️ 
I hate the idea that some of you are struggling, but I have to admit that it is comforting to know that I'm not alone.
 

It's still hard on my side, and I haven't touched my dose since last November. I would like to be able to taper in a more stable state than the one I have known for 20 months now.
It wasn't a comfortable position to be in to make ridiculous drops.
I don't know if it's possible for my body to stabilize on prozac after this failed switch, but I know many people have taken two-three years to start getting better after a CT paxil, so I'm hoping to see some progress soon, and be able to drop prozac again with a little more stability.
My long term dream is still to taper, but right now I'm exhausted and have no stamina left to deal with the effects of the drops.

 

Ok, this is not a very cheerful update, so I was thinking of a gift I could give you... and I found one!

I don't know what you'll think... I think it's amazing, but my family seems to think it's pretty lame 😂
I recently discovered that there was a whole world, a community, around "cabride", i.e. youtube videos of train journeys... and I love it! Here is one of my favorite, between Switzerland and Italy :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw9qiV7XlFs
But wait, that's not all: there are also this kind of LIVE videos! Honestly, don't you think it's amazing???
I mean, here we are, in withdrawal but able to travel around the world !

 

So dear friends, in case you're as nerdy as I am, I'm offering you a live trip to Norway 😃 :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiPodoQGcRY

 


Have fun, and take care ! ❤️

 

-----------------------------------------

@dream
 

I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner.
I'm sorry to hear that you are going through a difficult time, please be assured that you are not alone.
From your signature, it looks like you may be experiencing the effects of large drops (50% from 3mg to 1.5mg).
I saw on your thread that Frogie offered you some suggestions: I hope the new clonazepam schedule helps.
In any case, don't hesitate to read the Success Stories: they remind us that symptoms tend to fade with time and that our nervous systems have tremendous healing abilities. I send you all my support !

 

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Erell, 

 

Thought I’d come over your neck of the woods and give you a hug🤗.

 

I love trains, I’ll check out the YouTube videos you mentioned.

 

Take care🧡

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Dear, dear @Erell--Thank you for sending me on a delightful journey which I took in my kitchen, delighting in the turns and fabulous vistas.  Such thoughtfulness on your part.  You're right, w/d is confining (often relentlessly), yet you so often find ways to connect across all kinds of distances.  I send you big hugs.  May you soon feel better 🙏💗!

Arbor

Zoloft: 1995 - 2015

Prozac: 2015 - 2018 (tapered from 40mg x day on July 31 to 30mg on August 31 to 20mg on September 31 to 10mg October 31 to 0mg on  December 15, 2018

Gabapentin: 2016 to 2019  (tapered from 300mg x day to 150mg on August 31, 2019 to 75mg on September 15 to 50mg on September 31 to 25ishmg on October 15 to 0mg on December 1, 2019

Enalapril: 2010 - 2019

Lipitor: 2017 -2017

Metformin: 2000 - 2020

Liothyronine: 2007 - 2019

Levothyroxine: 2000 - 2022

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Today I hang on to the stories about how some had their worst wave just before they stabilized.

 

After reviewing what I had eaten drunk, the dates of my meds, my dose that didn't change, my negative COVID test, ..., after finding that there was nothing I could identify to explain my sudden aggravation, I have no choice but to accept the onset of new symptoms and their intensity over the past few days, and try not to panic.

 

I have to admit that I'm struggling a bit to stay calm in the face of the storm, these last days feels like a very bad trip, and the appearance of new symptoms on top of those I already live with, feeds my already strong doom-neuroemotions.
I have so weird sensations this week.

Some say that from the worst waves come the brighter peace, and if you have any inspiring quotes on these sudden crazy spikes after many months, I will be pleased to read them.

 

May you all soon feel better 🧡

Edited by Erell

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • Moderator Emeritus
39 minutes ago, Erell said:

Some say that from the worst waves come the brighter peace, and if you have any inspiring quotes on these sudden crazy spikes after many months, I will be pleased to read them.

 

I think there's truth to this. I really do. Many of us come out of brutal waves into much brighter windows. 

 

 

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Dear @Erell if it's any consolation, you are not alone. I, too, find myself in a massive wave and really have no idea what could have triggered it (if anything?)!

I remember reading in one of Baylissa's books how she experienced an intense wave before finally healing.

 

"On doit persévérer contre vents et marées à espérer le bonheur, à croire à notre réussite."  Marcelle Auclair

 

Loosely translated - We must persevere against all odds to hope for happiness, to believe in our success.

 

Wishing you perseverance and acceptance 🥰

Effexor XR 75mg 1997-2012 

Effexor XR 37.5mg 2012-2017 (tapered off over six months - finished taper July 2017)

SCA Aug 12th, 2017

Cymbalta 30mg Aug 2017 - Nov 2017 (CT Nov. 17th for medical reasons)

Metoprolol 50mg Aug 2017 - Feb 2019 tapered down to 25mg June 2019 then tapered down to zero. Off Metoprolol as of Jan 2020        

Amiodarone (anti-arrhythmic med) 200mg Nov 2017- May 2018

Supplements: Omega 3, vitamin D3, magnesium

What helps me: Manual lymphatic drainage massage, acupressure, meditation, homeopathy (my psychiatrist is also a certified homeopath), a healthy diet when possible organic, yoga, walking my dogs every day and gardening.

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5 hours ago, Erell said:

Today I hang on to the stories about how some had their worst wave just before they stabilized.

 

After reviewing what I had eaten drunk, the dates of my meds, my dose that didn't change, my negative COVID test, ..., after finding that there was nothing I could identify to explain my sudden aggravation, I have no choice but to accept the onset of new symptoms and their intensity over the past few days, and try not to panic.

 

I have to admit that I'm struggling a bit to stay calm in the face of the storm, these last days feels like a very bad trip, and the appearance of new symptoms on top of those I already live with, feeds my already strong doom-neuroemotions.
I have so weird sensations this week.

Some say that from the worst waves come the brighter peace, and if you have any inspiring quotes on these sudden crazy spikes after many months, I will be pleased to read them.

 

May you all soon feel better 🧡

Hi Erell 

what new symptoms are you having and all are they constant or in waves throughout the day ? 

Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈

 

Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg,  Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg  🎈

 

December 25th 2022 drug free 

 

these dates are approximate 

 

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  • Mentor
6 hours ago, Erell said:

Some say that from the worst waves come the brighter peace, and if you have any inspiring quotes on these sudden crazy spikes after many months, I will be pleased to read them.

Mon ami Erell,

 

This was definitely the case with me.  On the old website, I saw others who seemed to be making more progress than I was, and I was starting to think I'd never fully recover.  Then I noticed some situations and thoughts no longer made me as anxious as they once did.  Small improvements to be sure, but progress nonetheless.  It took time and it wasn't a straight path to recovery, but it did come, almost imperceptibly at first.  Please know I am sending you positive thoughts every day!

Tim C

Started Paxil for GAD in 1999

Unsuccessful taper attempt in 2006

Paxilprogress helped with a successful taper completed in 2009

Using therapy and CBT to manage my anxiety

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Hi Erell,

 

When CNS had become oversensitive, lots of (hidden) ingredients and e-numbers can cause sudden waves because they interact with drug absorption. For example herbs, stimulants, particular e-numbers, supplements, sugar, fat, etcetera. But also dopamine, adrenaline, endorphine, caffeine, chocolate and lots of other things. Try to analyse what may have been a trigger for you. Perhaps something new you tried. And then delete it from your diet. 

 

👋🌻🌷,

Sebas

  • 45 years old male
  • job in spatial planning
  • into sports, animals and nature
  • Started using 20 mg Paroxetine (Paxil) in 2004 for stressrelated anxiety/depression
  • Attempted several times to stop, starting a few years after 2004
  • Found out in 2015 about paxil withdrawal symptoms and the 5-10% taper guideline
  • Started using liquid paxil in 2015/2016
  • 2018 --> 11.2 mg of paxil
  • 2019-2023 developed severe food- and other sensitivities (anti imflammatory, anti oxidant, food colourings, oils, herbs, chemicals etc.)
  • 12/2023 Poop-out/tolerance, introducing brassmonkey slide method 0.1mg/week
  • 26/1/2024 10 mg (journey halfway).
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  • Moderator Emeritus
22 hours ago, Shep said:

 

I think there's truth to this. I really do. Many of us come out of brutal waves into much brighter windows. 

Thank you shep 🙏 I know it's been a long road for you, and appreciate the wisdom you share with us on SA 🧡

 

16 hours ago, mstimc said:

It took time and it wasn't a straight path to recovery, but it did come, almost imperceptibly at first.  Please know I am sending you positive thoughts every day!

Thank you mstimc, you're a huge inspiration in this community 🧡

I appreciate the fact that you mention imperceptible progress. Sometimes I think I'm making progress so subtle that I don't even notice it. And then, suddenly, everything seems to start all over again and I'm not sure of anything anymore.

Thank you for your positive thoughts, I need to comme send you some positive thoughts on your thread too !

 

17 hours ago, gentlehermione said:

Dear @Erell if it's any consolation, you are not alone. I, too, find myself in a massive wave and really have no idea what could have triggered it (if anything?)!

I remember reading in one of Baylissa's books how she experienced an intense wave before finally healing.

I'm sorry gentlehermione to read that you're going through this too 🧡

I know that the month of December has allowed you to enjoy more peace and rest, and I am crossing my fingers that this recent storm will soon be synonymous of a new baseline for you. 

I too definitely remember reading somewhere that some people experience one of their most intense wave before a sustainable improvement.
When my body seems to fall back into chaos, I try to welcome it with open arms and thank my body for all its efforts. But it's true that as time goes by, we get more and more tired and in dire need of a real break.

 

And about the fact that you have no idea... I completely understand! :) I always play a little detective when my condition seems to suddenly deteriorate, convinced that there must be a reason and that I can therefore do something to improve. But each time I don't see anything identifiable clearly, and here we are again, facing this notion of acceptance and trust in the process. 

 

Thank you for supporting me in this journey !

 

17 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

Hi Erell 

what new symptoms are you having and all are they constant or in waves throughout the day ? 

Hello longroadhome 🌼
Well... I would say both ;) 

For some time I have had new sensations, such as blocked ears, intense dizziness, tingling all over my skin, ... They can last all day, or come in waves throughout the day.
Or I have "old intensities" that come back, like my cortisol spikes that were lighter for a while but wake me up in terror again.

As @Sebas said, I tried to analyze my routine to see if anything stood out. But I think in the end we are dealing with the typical ebb and flow of withdrawal.

 

It's just that the more time passes, the harder it can be to remember that all these symptoms and difficulties are signals of a body trying to get back into balance.

 

And it is as if, over the months, my nervous system invited me to discover the whole range of possible symptoms, without respite.
 

I don't know how to describe this feeling that, rather than getting better, my body keeps showing me every possible symptom and every conceivable variation of it.

Like OCD, which I discovered since my prozac bridge. New themes keep popping up, as if my brain was going through all the intrusive thoughts and impulses that could exist, and just when I feel like I'm making progress in trying to live with it, new surprises come along and destabilize me.

 

I know there is no time frame in these situations, but I am very hopeful that as I get closer to two years I may start to get some relief.

 

It is all very well to read that this process takes time and that it is not linear, but to live it is a completely different story!

Thank you all for your generous support during my journey, your words really help me to continue to thank my body despite everything 🧡🙏
 

 

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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@Erell

I’ve read so much over the last few years concerning ADs and WD. And even though I feel more knowledgeable it doesn’t really help,  as each one of us goes through our own unique recovery process.  
You say you play detective when symptoms increase  trying to find what has set it off. I look to see if there is any obvious cause and then resign myself to the fact it’s just happening I don’t know why and I can’t stop it, so I find the only way of dealing with such debilitating symptoms ( and yes I have new ones too as well as intensification of long term ones) is to be a kind of bystander. I read this somewhere from a Benzo survivor and it really helps me.
she wrote; 
‘I became an impartial
observer to the fiery inferno occurring in
my body, ignoring symptoms that would
send normal people straight to the
emergency room. It's a strange state of
affairs to be trapped in a body with every
system imploding and feel no sense of
alarm, but this is what was required for me
to survive’. 
She survived a long time like this while tapering and after. She is now well into the healing phase of recovery . 
 

I hope this gives you hope. 

Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈

 

Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg,  Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg  🎈

 

December 25th 2022 drug free 

 

these dates are approximate 

 

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@Erell

Regarding your dizziness. Paxil is used amongst other things to treat vertigo… so it stands to reason problems with dizziness and balance may occur when coming off this medication .   
it also affects our histamine receptors so the dizziness, tingly skin and blocked ears could be because your body is trying to re regulate this. 
i also have the blocked ears and vertigo . 

Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈

 

Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg,  Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg  🎈

 

December 25th 2022 drug free 

 

these dates are approximate 

 

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4 hours ago, Erell said:

It is all very well to read that this process takes time and that it is not linear, but to live it is a completely different story!

 

@Erell I, along with the majority (if not all!) of the members of this forum, would agree with you wholeheartedly. WD really does push our patience to the limit.

 

Thank you for your words of encouragement on my thread, reminding me once again that this mother of all challenges we are experiencing is only temporary. Here's to better days - may they arrive sooner than later!

 

Tiens bon! 🥰

Effexor XR 75mg 1997-2012 

Effexor XR 37.5mg 2012-2017 (tapered off over six months - finished taper July 2017)

SCA Aug 12th, 2017

Cymbalta 30mg Aug 2017 - Nov 2017 (CT Nov. 17th for medical reasons)

Metoprolol 50mg Aug 2017 - Feb 2019 tapered down to 25mg June 2019 then tapered down to zero. Off Metoprolol as of Jan 2020        

Amiodarone (anti-arrhythmic med) 200mg Nov 2017- May 2018

Supplements: Omega 3, vitamin D3, magnesium

What helps me: Manual lymphatic drainage massage, acupressure, meditation, homeopathy (my psychiatrist is also a certified homeopath), a healthy diet when possible organic, yoga, walking my dogs every day and gardening.

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1 hour ago, Longroadhome said:

 

‘I became an impartial
observer to the fiery inferno occurring in
my body, ignoring symptoms that would
send normal people straight to the
emergency room. It's a strange state of
affairs to be trapped in a body with every
system imploding and feel no sense of
alarm, but this is what was required for me
to survive’. 

 

@Longroadhome Thank you! This so aptly describes being in WD...

 

Wishing you well and sending you healing vibes 🥰

Effexor XR 75mg 1997-2012 

Effexor XR 37.5mg 2012-2017 (tapered off over six months - finished taper July 2017)

SCA Aug 12th, 2017

Cymbalta 30mg Aug 2017 - Nov 2017 (CT Nov. 17th for medical reasons)

Metoprolol 50mg Aug 2017 - Feb 2019 tapered down to 25mg June 2019 then tapered down to zero. Off Metoprolol as of Jan 2020        

Amiodarone (anti-arrhythmic med) 200mg Nov 2017- May 2018

Supplements: Omega 3, vitamin D3, magnesium

What helps me: Manual lymphatic drainage massage, acupressure, meditation, homeopathy (my psychiatrist is also a certified homeopath), a healthy diet when possible organic, yoga, walking my dogs every day and gardening.

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 1/21/2022 at 4:32 AM, Erell said:

I have to admit that I'm struggling a bit to stay calm in the face of the storm, these last days feels like a very bad trip, and the appearance of new symptoms on top of those I already live with, feeds my already strong doom-neuroemotions.

@Erell my sweet friend, my heart goes out to you.  I have tears in my eyes, knowing that this horrible drug is making your life so difficult.  I'm praying for you now, and will continue to do so.  And yes, Paxil is a bugger bear!  I'm very sorry that the bridge from Paxil to Prozac failed.  Just remember, that eventually, you will recover!  

 

Altostrata recovered from Paxil, and it took her years, so you too will recover.  I so wish there was something I could do to help you in a practical way.  I hate that this is happening to such a sweet and caring, compassionate person as you.  Keep on hanging in there!  When you are done with this challenge, you are going to be one strong woman!    

Edited by getofflex

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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@ErellOh Erell, I am so so sorry to read that you are having such a horrendous time. I really hope you have gotten some relief since you last wrote. 

 

You are in my heart and thoughts.   Hang in there, brave friend.  You really are going to be okay.

 

Much much love,
WR

 

 

-1/06 - 3/07 Cymbalta. Fast taper (essentially CT); withdrawal symptoms after 4 mos (didn't realize was WD)

-10/07: 100 mg Zoloft; 1 mg Klonopin - tapered off Klonopin after 4 mos. Several unsuccessful slow tapers of Zoloft; went up and down in dose a lot

-Spring 2013 back on 1 mg Klonopin to counter WD symptoms; switched over 5-6 mos from Zoloft to 35 mg citalopram
-Two attempts at slow tapering citalopram, always increased dose due to WD; also increased Klonopin to 1.25 mg in 2014, then to 1.5 mg in 2015

-8/17-9/17: After holding one year at 20 mg, feeling withdrawal symptoms due to stress - slowly increased to 25 mg. No change in symptoms after 6 months (? tolerance ?)  - decided to start citalopram taper February 2018 (still on Klonopin 1.5 mg).

Supplements: fish oil; magnesium; vitamin D3; curcumin

Citalopram taper:  2/2018 - 12/2019: 25 mg - 11.03 mg I 2020: 10.89 mg - 7.9 mg I 2021: 7.8 mg - 5.26 mg I 2022: 5.2 mg - 3.36 mg I 2023: 3.3 mg - 1.47 mg 2024: 1/5/24: 1.44 mg; 1/19/24: 1.40 mg; 1/26/24: 1.37 mg; 2/2/24: 1.34 mg; 2/9/24: 1.31 mg; 2/23/24: 1.28 mg; 3/1/24: 1.25 mg; 3/8/24: 1.22 mg; 3/15/24: 1.19 mg

 

 

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On 1/21/2022 at 12:32 PM, Erell said:

Today I hang on to the stories about how some had their worst wave just before they stabilized.

 

After reviewing what I had eaten drunk, the dates of my meds, my dose that didn't change, my negative COVID test, ..., after finding that there was nothing I could identify to explain my sudden aggravation, I have no choice but to accept the onset of new symptoms and their intensity over the past few days, and try not to panic.

 

I have to admit that I'm struggling a bit to stay calm in the face of the storm, these last days feels like a very bad trip, and the appearance of new symptoms on top of those I already live with, feeds my already strong doom-neuroemotions.
I have so weird sensations this week.

Some say that from the worst waves come the brighter peace, and if you have any inspiring quotes on these sudden crazy spikes after many months, I will be pleased to read them.

 

May you all soon feel better 🧡

Hi erell,

I hope you are fine now and got some relief.

Actually and like you say, it is the same for me concerning feeling new symptomts. 

Firstly when I stopped having the drugs, I remember that I had symptomts that are less hindering than those after 2 years from stopping the drugs, what!!!.

I know that iam getting better but the suffer gets worse too. I feel like both improvement and suffer are in a race, once I improve, the suffer get worse during waves and become very very disabling.

I wanted to write this for you too.

I think it is normal as a general rule.

Just try to ignore as much as you can. This will end as alot of hard moments have done.

 

i wasn't on a certain drug all the period. i took many drugs many times and for no very long period but to simplify.

--fluvoxamine maleate100 mg + amisulpride 200mg------started july 2012 and total taper in february 2015 ( 9 months without drugs then)

--sertraline 100mg -------started november 2015 and total taper (withoud reduction slowly) in november 2016( 4 months withoud drugs then).

--sertraline 100mg + quetiabine 25mg ( started in mars 2016 and for 7 months) then fluvoxamine maleate 100mg again for another 7months and after that a something like to use every drug for 14 days and for about 1.5 years.

--my last drug was trintellix 10 mg ( used it in 12/2018and total taper in 4/2019).

symptomts i have now ( bad concentration and problems in short and long memory+ bad depersonalization).

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  • Mentor

@Erell

My heart goes out to you.  To be in pain for so long  it would bring anyone to their knees.

 

Hang in there my dear......❤️

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/

1995? Prozac,  tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz

 Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015  Kindled   Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify  Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016  ended back on   Prozac and Lamictal 200mg

5/2020  thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg  Prozac  down to 3mg.  Crashed  12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct  1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct  2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg.  Became hypo manic 2/1  6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25  25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg.  2/24  100mg   4/9  75mg   4/21 37.5 

2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr  3/3 100mg  3/17  150mg  side effects ct   4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg  4/14  7.5mg  4/30 10mg  5/10  7.5mg 

2021/ 5/16  5mg Lexapro   37.5 Lamictal   25mg trazadone,   xanax  .0625mg  3x a day   

Lexapro  Taper> Sept/01/2021  4.90mg>  Sept/25  4.75mg>   Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg    Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid  4.2mg  (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg>  2/24  3.8mg  slow taper to  Aug/12/2022 2.04mg  2023> 2mg,  1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg

Lamictal  taper  4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22-   0

 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg  July 2023   0

Xanax  0.0625 3 x a day,  2023>  0.042 3x a day

Supplements  Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC 

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@Erell

have you signed up to the daily affirmations on the Baylissa site? 
If you haven’t then do so as you get daily “dose” prescription statements that you carry through your day. 
They are helpful and help to keep you focused on recovery. 
Keep going x

Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈

 

Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg,  Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg  🎈

 

December 25th 2022 drug free 

 

these dates are approximate 

 

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Dear Elaine,

Good morning. Here is your 'daily dose' statement for today:

 
"I am healing, I am safe, and this will pass."
 
     75e6c62a-3b51-4e67-9076-90f7b16750d8.jpg

Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈

 

Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg,  Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg  🎈

 

December 25th 2022 drug free 

 

these dates are approximate 

 

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Erell, I’m thinking of you and hoping you are getting some relief at times.  -Rosetta

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Dear @ErellI send you healing wishes.🙏

Zoloft: 1995 - 2015

Prozac: 2015 - 2018 (tapered from 40mg x day on July 31 to 30mg on August 31 to 20mg on September 31 to 10mg October 31 to 0mg on  December 15, 2018

Gabapentin: 2016 to 2019  (tapered from 300mg x day to 150mg on August 31, 2019 to 75mg on September 15 to 50mg on September 31 to 25ishmg on October 15 to 0mg on December 1, 2019

Enalapril: 2010 - 2019

Lipitor: 2017 -2017

Metformin: 2000 - 2020

Liothyronine: 2007 - 2019

Levothyroxine: 2000 - 2022

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello, 
Thank you for your support and your sweet words dear friends.
I don't really know what to say because I have nothing new to announce and the days are very hard, I feel like I have no respite and I live in a kind of visceral cold terror that is very disabling and for no reason.
I just try to stay patient and I hang on to the success stories.
Thanks for being here, I hope the days are sweeter on your side 🧡🌼 

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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1 hour ago, Erell said:

I just try to stay patient and I hang on to the success stories.

 

Dear @Erell the success stories have been my salvation during the darkest moments of my withdrawal. I know how hard it is to be patient with this ongoing process and just how overwhelming all these symptoms can be! 

 

You will get there. We're all rooting for you!

 

Sending you warmth, light and healing vibes 🥰

Effexor XR 75mg 1997-2012 

Effexor XR 37.5mg 2012-2017 (tapered off over six months - finished taper July 2017)

SCA Aug 12th, 2017

Cymbalta 30mg Aug 2017 - Nov 2017 (CT Nov. 17th for medical reasons)

Metoprolol 50mg Aug 2017 - Feb 2019 tapered down to 25mg June 2019 then tapered down to zero. Off Metoprolol as of Jan 2020        

Amiodarone (anti-arrhythmic med) 200mg Nov 2017- May 2018

Supplements: Omega 3, vitamin D3, magnesium

What helps me: Manual lymphatic drainage massage, acupressure, meditation, homeopathy (my psychiatrist is also a certified homeopath), a healthy diet when possible organic, yoga, walking my dogs every day and gardening.

Link to comment

Hanging on will be worth it.  It will all be worth it.  Even when I feel symptoms now I can appreciate how far I have come and be grateful for the improvement.  You will have a full life someday free of that terror.  I was not able to fully believe that during deep, dark waves, but now my moments of normal grade fear are quite brief.  There is no terror, and there is true happiness during much of the day.  Cortisol spikes in the night interfere with my sleep, but the fear part is over very quickly, and it’s very rare that I wake up with it in the morning.  You will heal.  All my love, dear Erell.  I hope you get a break soon. -Rosetta

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

Link to comment

Thinking of you Erell. 
maybe stability is taking a while because you were already sensitive to dose changes  prior to the bridge, and this derailed you. 
 

im hoping the two year mark will see some easing of the symptoms for you . 
 

it’s all guesswork as we all react so differently.
 

Nov 2018 Pregabalin 2x50 mg a day to help with Paxil WD. Aug 2019 2 x 25mg a day, April 2020 45mg, May 40mg, June 35mg, July 30mg, end July 25mg, Aug 24mg, June 2021 14mg, Jan 2022 14mg (2x7mg a day), Oct 10mg, Nov 5mg, December 25th 2022 0mg 🎈

 

Oct 2004 - Oct 2018 Paxil 20 mg, Nov 15mg, Dec 10mg,  Feb 2019 7.5mg crashed, Feb 8.5mg, Nov 8mg, March 2020 7.2mg, April 6.5mg, May 5.9mg, June 5.4mg, July 4.8mg, Dec 4.5mg, Jan 2021 4mg, Feb 3.6mg, March 3.2mg, April 2.9mg, Aug 2.7mg, Sept 2.4mg, Oct 2.2mg, Nov 2mg, Dec 1.8mg, Feb 2022 1.6mg, March 1.4mg, April 1.2mg, May 1.0mg, June 0.8mg, July 0.6mg, Aug 0.4mg, Sep 0.2mg, October 6th 2022 0mg  🎈

 

December 25th 2022 drug free 

 

these dates are approximate 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
8 hours ago, Erell said:

I live in a kind of visceral cold terror that is very disabling and for no reason.

I'm really truly sorry for this.  I so wish there was something I could do. Please let me know if there is.  😔

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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18 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

maybe stability is taking a while because you were already sensitive to dose changes  prior to the bridge, and this derailed you. 

That's definitely the case. I've veen holding for approx 2 years and didn't even bridge. Le temps est de notre côté.

  • 45 years old male
  • job in spatial planning
  • into sports, animals and nature
  • Started using 20 mg Paroxetine (Paxil) in 2004 for stressrelated anxiety/depression
  • Attempted several times to stop, starting a few years after 2004
  • Found out in 2015 about paxil withdrawal symptoms and the 5-10% taper guideline
  • Started using liquid paxil in 2015/2016
  • 2018 --> 11.2 mg of paxil
  • 2019-2023 developed severe food- and other sensitivities (anti imflammatory, anti oxidant, food colourings, oils, herbs, chemicals etc.)
  • 12/2023 Poop-out/tolerance, introducing brassmonkey slide method 0.1mg/week
  • 26/1/2024 10 mg (journey halfway).
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