Summers: Paroxetine withdrawal

[Summers]

I've been taking 20mg of paroxetine for more years than I can remember...I would like to taper off and would like to make a list of supplements that will help with serotonin production. The only supplement on my list are B complex vitamins.

 

Has anyone tried 'Genius Joy - Serotonin Mood Booster'?

 

I plan on reducing 10% every month or 6 weeks depending on how I feel. Exercising and eating well.

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions? 

 

The main reason I want to go off of the drug is the relationship of pharmaceuticals to dementia.  Any thoughts on that topic?

 

Thank you for any information. I feel like I'm about to climb a mountain.

 

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Summers.  I'm glad you found your way here.

 

We don't recommend Serotonin boosters such as SAMe, a major ingredient in Genius Joy.   We have had several members who had withdrawal difficulties going off SAM-e after regular use, and other adverse effects.  SAMe and other supplements that act on serotonin, including St. John's   Wort (which requires tapering), are not recommended for people with withdrawal syndrome. They tend to be stimulating in a way that most of us  do not need.  

SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) - Surviving Antidepressants

Regarding the B-Complex, in withdrawal it can also be overstimulating.

 

Hypersensitive to B Vitamin or B-Complex  

 

Your plan to reduce by 10% every 4-to-6 weeks is a good one.

 

 http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

This link is specifically about tapering Paroxetine.

 

Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  Again, welcome.

 

[Summers]

Thanks Gridley for the excellant information!

 

Questions: Do you suggest going on a similiar drug to help offset withdrawal? If so, which one? 

I read some members are taking multiple doses a day...is this necessary with paroxetine that I only take once a day?

 

First month I'm putting a 20 mg tablet in 20 ml of water and after it dissolves, measure out 19 ml of the solution and drink once a day for 30 days.  (20 x .90 = 19)

Second month, measure out 17.1 and drink for 30 days (19 x .90 = 17.1)

Third month, measure out 15.93  (17.1 x .90 = 15.93)

 

Is this correct? Thanks!

[Gridley]

20 minutes ago, Summers said:

 

Questions: Do you suggest going on a similiar drug to help offset withdrawal? If so, which one? 

 

We are a site for going off psychiatric drugs.  As such, we do not make suggestions about adding other drugs.  That would be in the realm of your psychiatrist, if you feel that is would be beneficial.  From our point of view, time, not a new drug, is the cure.

 

Regarding your calculations, I am not good at that.  I suggest you re-post your numbers on your original Introductions sitem and ask for guidance. Don't start a new topic-- one topic per member.

 

Once a day is the norm for paroxetine.

Edited November 17, 2019 by Gridley

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Summers.

 

Please read Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)  (thanks, @Gridley).

 

Paroxetine comes in a prescription liquid, which would make your measuring easier.

 

We usually do not suggest bridging with another drug to go off unless absolutely necessary, as a switch sometimes does not go well. You may be able to taper paroxetine directly. Please let us know how you're doing.

[Cocopuffz17]

I highly suggest changing your nutrition. I was on the exact same drug you are wanting to taper off of. You can increase the production of serotonin in your body by changing your nutrition. Over 80% of the serotonin in the body is found in your gut. 

[Erell]

Hello Summer

 

How glad I am for you that you discover SA before tappering!

This is a Lucky opportunity To do things the right way !

 

That is why I strongly recommend you To take the time To read some topics : it Will help you To understand the process. Here a some important and relevant topics :

- the brassmonkey's slide méthod of tappering

- the waves and Windows pattern 

- and all the main topics as "Rule of the three K ".

 

Good day!

 

 

[Summers]

I have tapered for six weeks now and am doing fairly well but have some symptoms...don't sleep as well, more anxious, brain is running off the mouth...do I stay at the same amount of taper until all symptoms subside?...I thought of going another two weeks on the first taper and see how I feel then...is there any hope that a person could feel normal before taking the next taper? Thanks!

[Erell]

Hi Summers

 

Could you please fill in your signature ? It would help us to see quickly and easily what you've done.

 

 

On 11/17/2019 at 11:56 PM, Summers said:

 

First month I'm putting a 20 mg tablet in 20 ml of water and after it dissolves, measure out 19 ml of the solution and drink once a day for 30 days.  (20 x .90 = 19)

Second month, measure out 17.1 and drink for 30 days (19 x .90 = 17.1)

Third month, measure out 15.93  (17.1 x .90 = 15.93)

So where are you now ? at 19mg ?

 

It is also possible that 10% is a too large decrease at once for your CNS, have you taken a look to : 

 

Best wishes ❤️

[Rhiannon]

Summers, it is generally possible to taper slowly enough that you can get to feeling pretty good between cuts, or even have minimal symptoms at all. That usually means adjusting how fast you taper. I would say that if you are noticing some withdrawal symptoms now, and you'd like them to settle down, you may want to stay at your current dose a little longer before cutting it again.

 

There's no one hard and fast rule, people are different. But overall I think probably if you started your taper feeling okay, generally if you take it slow enough you can taper without disabling or severely disruptive symptoms most of the time, if you go slowly enough and take occasional breaks. Listen to your body, it's the expert.

[Heath]

Welcome to SA Summers. You are at the right place for tapering off these meds. I also tool Paxil 20 for many years but didn’t know about these withdrawals and ended up on something else. Didn’t know ! and drs kept putting me on something else. Correctly adjusting dose and time is highly important to this process as is excercise and nutrition and being social. Withdrawals effects will creep up on you if you go faster than 10% a month. I agree with @Rhiannon I like to feel stabilized before dropping again. If I feel some anger or anxiety or emotional etc I will not reduce dose.  Listen to your body! The moderators here will guide you to correctly taper down on Paxil with as minimal side effects as possible!

[Summers]

Haven't posted for a while but am doing pretty good...especially since I started taking lithium orotate 10-15 mg...it really calms my mind and body...I'm trying to be smart about it and am looking for any negatives to low-dose lithium...Does anyone have any experience/research with this amount that you think could cause harm? Thanks!