CyclistN: introduction

[CyclistN]

Hi, I'm new here. My withdrawal from Paroxetine started early December 2019, after a Dr decided to transition me from Paroxetine to Citalopram. I had been on Paroxetine for 20 years. 

 

About 4 years ago, when I was on 50mg of Paroxetine, I decided to reduce to 10mg. I was sick of the dry mouth, numb fury feeling and being depressed. I did it on my own and it took me about 6 months and I did feel sort of better.

The Dr who decided Citalopram would be better, so prescribed a 2 week transition. Week 1, Citalopram 10mg with Paroxetine 10mg. Week 2, just Citalopram 10mg. Three days later I had my first life panic attack along with severe symptoms of tingling numbing headaches, aches all over, in quenchable thirst, excessive urination, unable to walk, short on breath. I was admitted to hospital where a Psychiatrist told me I had discontinuation syndrome from Paroxetine. Restarted me on 10mg Paroxetine, felt better in a couple of hours. Also recommended a 4 week taper of Paroxetine to be prepared by a compounding pharmacy. 

A few days later, after being transferred to a half way like house, another Psychiatrist recommended a 5 day taper reducing Paroxetine to 5mg and increasing Citalopram to 20mg to "take the edge off." 

I was discharged the second day without Paroxetine. On the same day I could feel the above symptoms gradually returning and by lunchtime I could barely walk again. I ended up at Emergency Dept again, where a Dr restarted 10mg Paroxetine and discharged me with a script for 7 days worth of Paroxetine. I was told that I had a "psychological addiction" and "I need to take more responsibility for myself."

The next day I got another script for a 4 week taper from a compounding pharmacy. I got to the third week for 5mg when the dizzy tingling numbing headaches started. 

That was almost a month ago. Now I have been measuring 5mg with some expensive scales from crushed Paroxetine tablets. It is amazing how little of the tablets are the actual Paroxetine. I still get the tingling numbing headaches and I suspect this is going to take a long time. Sometimes, like now I feel like giving up. I want to get off both Paroxetine and Citalopram. 

Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, CyclistN.  

 

You've been given some very bad advice by your psychiatrists.  This site exists because doctors are unaware of the greater safety of gradual dosage reduction, usually advise tapers that are too fast, do not sufficiently recognize withdrawal syndrome, and do not know what to do if it occurs.  That the psychiatrist told you that "you need to take responsibility for yourself" after you've been given contradictory and uninformed advice by him and his colleagues, advice that put you in the hospital a number of times, boggles the mind.

 

We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of current dose every four weeks.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

The 10% per month reduction method is recommended by

• Peter Breggin in Your Drug May Be Your Problem (1999, 2007)
• The Icarus Project Harm Reduction Guide To Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs
• MIND-UK's Coping With Coming Off Psych Drugs Guide
• NHS Advice: Benzodiazepine and z-drug withdrawal - Management
• Gianna Kali's Withdrawal 101 on BeyondMeds.com
• and many peer support groups -- people who know what withdrawal symptoms are like

You are now suffering from withdrawal from the Paroxetine.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

If I understand you correctly, you are now on 5mg Paroxetine, after having tapered for a month from 10mg.  Is that correct?

How much Paroxetine do you have left?  Can you get more?

 

I'm going to bring your situation to the attention of the administrators and other moderators.  I suggest you hold where are at 5mg, without tapering further, until we can sort out your situation.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here. 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Cyclist.

 

Any doctor can prescribe these drugs. Are you mandated to see a psychiatrist?

 

Paroxetine can be very difficult to go off. To what extent has reinstatement of 5mg relieved your withdrawal symptoms?

 

If I were you, I would consider a switch to fluoxetine (Prozac), which comes in a liquid form (as does paroxetine). I would do this by adding 5mg Prozac for 4 days, then drop the paroxetine. See The Prozac switch or "bridging" with Prozac

[CyclistN]

Thanks Altostrata, I have read about the use of Fluoxetine (Prozac), long half life,  as a means of assisting ceasing Paroxetine, short half life. 

I did not mention it before, this was the one of the reasons of using Citalopram, long half life. Yesterday, I accidentally missed my Citalopram 10mg and spent the day wondering why my lethargy and dizzy numbing headaches had intensified. I think it's because of the missed dose. Now I'm worried that I'm on 2 SSRI drugs nightmares. 

I'm currently a little reluctant to go on 3 SSRIs. 

I'm just sick of the whole antidepressant merry go round. I haven't even been able to deal with the actual personal issues that started all this prescribing mess. 20 years!

 

[CyclistN]

Hi all, just to clarify. I tried a 4 week taper, Paroxetine, ie: 

Week 1 - 10mg,

Week 2 - 7.5mg,

Week 3 - 5mg, 

Week 4 - 2.5mg.

I got to week 3, 5mg Paroxetine, a few days in and I was getting bad dizziness and tingling numbing headaches, especially around my forehead. That was almost a month ago. Also chest pains, usually dull pains, sometimes sharp. 

I have not reduced the Paroxetine from 5mg in almost 1 month. The dizzyness and tingling numbing headaches are still present, not as intense. The chest pains have significantly eased. 

So currently, my medications are:

Paroxetine 5mg, AM

Citalopram 10mg, AM

Quetiapine 50mg, PM (not previously mentioned).

Many thanks,

CyclistN.

[Altostrata]

Now I'm confused. I thought you were on paroxetine only. What times o'clock are you taking those drugs? How long have you been taking each of them?

 

Please put ALL your drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php
and copy and paste the results or a link to them in this topic.

 

To help us out, follow these instructions Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this.

[CyclistN]

I'll have another go at it.

 

1999 - Paroxetine, gradually increased to 50mg daily. 30mg - with breakfast, 20mg before going to bed, taken with Quetiapine.

 

1999 - Quetiapine, 50mg taken before going to bed, with Paroxetine.

 

2015 - Paroxetine, self tapered down to 10mg over 6 months.

 

2019 - November 28, started 2 week transition from Paroxetine. Week 1, Paroxetine 10mg, Citalopram 10mg.

 

2019 - December 4, Week 2, Citalopram 10mg, Paroxetine ceased.

 

2019 - December 6, admitted to hospital.

 

2019 - December 7, reintroduced Paroxetine 10mg, still taking Citalopram 10mg.

 

2019, December 12, Paroxetine reduced to 5mg, Citalopram increased to 20mg.

 

2019, December 17, Paroxetine ceased, Citalopram 20mg, continued.

 

2019, December 18, back to Emergency Dept., Paroxetine 10mg reintroduced. Given a script for 7 days. Citalopram self reduced to 10mg.

 

2019, December 19, still on Citalopram 10mg, requested and got a script for a 4 week taper of Paroxetine liquid, 

Week 1 - 10mg - Dec 26 to Jan 1,

Week 2 - 7.5mg - Jan 2 to Jan 8,

Week 3 - 5mg - Jan 9 to 10, 2 days in, bad symptoms returned.

Week 4 - 2.5mg - not started due to symptoms.

 

2020, February 8, current daily medications:

- Paroxetine 5mg, taken with breakfast,

- Citalopram 10mg, taken with breakfast,

- Quetiapine 50, taken before bed.

 

Sorry for not making this clear before, hope this helps?

Many thanks,

CyclistN.

 

 

 

 

 

[CyclistN]

Hi all,

Hope is ok to update what has been happening?

Yesterday I was talking to my mental health nurse when I mentioned the chest pain I've been getting for about a month.

The nurse recommended that I go to my local Dr next day if the pain was still there. 

So I followed her advice and had an ECG done which was cleared by my Dr. I asked the Dr. about the potential dangerous effects of medications of Citalopram and Quetiapine on the cardio system. She said my "QT" factor is "within safe limits." I assume that's a good thing? 

I still get daily dizzy tingling numbing headaches, especially around my forehead. Sometimes my fingers and toes feel tingling as well.

I'm still on daily doses of:

Paroxetine - 5mg

Citalopram - 10mg

Quetiapine - 50mg

Many thanks,

CyclistN

[CyclistN]

Hi there,

 

About February 18, I noticed that my symptoms were reducing. I began to do things that I haven't been able to do for a long time. 

The 25% taper of Paroxetine, was too much. In hindsight, it would have been better to try a 10% taper as previously suggested by Gridley. It took about 7 weeks to go from 7.5mg to 5mg.

I am feeling so good that I made a "Live A Little List." Sort of celebration of reaching a milestone. For a long time I thought that 20 years on Paroxetine may have caused permanent damage to my brain? The tingling-numbing headaches were there all the time. Now I'm not sure? 

I have been meditating a lot which I have benefitted from greatly. Even during the 7, it helped. 

I saw the Psychiatrist who originally prescribed my Paroxetine 20 years ago. He was very kind and apologised to me on behalf of his profession, for what I have been put through. He has certainly appeared to have changed his approach to these drugs. He is happy that I stay on: Paroxetine - 5mg, Citalopram - 10mg, Quetiapine - 50mg.

I feel afraid of going to a lower dose of Paroxetine, because of the withdrawal. I want to get through my list first. Maybe a 10% taper will be better?

Many thanks to all who are involved with this site. You are all Champions.

To all who are suffering withdrawal, to say that we are brave, is very much an understatement!

[CyclistN]

Hi,

It recently came to my attention that Quetiapine can have bad withdrawal as well.

Today I'm feeling depressed and frustrated at the prospect of trying to get off not just Paroxetine, but, Citalopram and Quetiapine. Paroxetine is hard enough.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Many thanks,

CyclistN.

 

 

 

[CyclistN]

Hi All,

Sorry I have not contributed for a while.

 

On April the 1st I decided to try a 5% taper of current dose of Paroxetine. That is, going from 5mg to 4.75mg. The first week I did notice some mild symptoms like the ones where I tried a 25% taper. Some numbing dizzyness, sharp pins and needles especially around my forehead. Some chest pain and lethargy.

 

I have focused on doing 3 things that I found really helpful. 1. daily meditation, 2. frequent exercise and 3. eating healthy...most of the time!

 

I have truly fallen in love with meditation. I feel like it as assisted me in changing my perspective of myself, others and the world. I feel so much more peaceful, compassionate and forgiving. Most of the time, I can feel that we are all on the journey of life, which can, at times, be painful. Maybe, a lot of what people do and say, is to, in some way, to compensate for that pain? I don't know for sure?

 

I love my bike rides and feeling a sense of freedom and physical strength. I love seeing people and saying hello. One week I rode 210kms, about 130miles. 

 

I try and eat at least one salad a day with my favourite vegetables. I really savour the taste with the pepper and herbs I mix in. 

 

On March 6th this year, I got a tattoo on my left forearm, "La personne la plus courageuse que ja connaisse..." Translated from French to English, "The bravest person I know..." I got it just to remind me of where I have been and where I want to be.

 

Thank you all for reading, I wish you all well. Our journeys are not easy in getting of these drugs. It takes courage.

 

 

[CyclistN]

Hi, 

This is message is way overdue. On June 1, this year, I tried a taper of 5%, going from 4.75mg of Paroxetine to 4.51mg. By the afternoon of June 2, I noticed withdrawal symptoms returning. Tingling pins and needles headaches, dizzyness, lethargy. By that evening I could barely walk. I called a few friends and my cousin to talk to. I really didn't want to be alone. I'm so grateful to them for being there for me. 

On June 3, I called my Psychiatrist who suggested that I tried a taper of 0.2mg instead of the 5%. So I went out with my cousin that afternoon. While I still felt really sick, I was glad to get out of the house. 

So June 4, I increased from 4.51mg to 4.55mg. I was sceptical if such a small difference would make a difference? Still spent most of the day in bed. 

June 5, was feeling a bit better. Did a Zoom meeting with a mental health consumer group and said that I was on a taper. Nice to spend time with other people on Zoom. Late afternoon had a phone consult with my local Doctor, who was rather surprised by what had happened to me. Sometimes I express anger over the apparent ignorance of the medical fraternity. Sorry to my local Doctor. By June 7, I was pretty well back to where I was prior to the June 1 taper, except for about June 28, where I had dizzyness and dull headaches.

 

On July 11, I had dull headaches and dizzyness again. Eventually it slowly diminished by July 17.

From about July 18 to August 8, I was feeling really good. Did a lot of things that I like to do.

 

August 9, I started a new taper from 4.55mg to 4.35mg. The afternoon of August 11, the withdrawal started again with the tingling pins and needles especially around my forehead. Add to that dizzyness. So I spent the rest of that day and August 12 in bed. I had moments of severe dizzyness and mild dull headaches most days up to August 14. Sometimes it can be embarrassing, like I'm at the supermarket and I've got to kneel down until to dizzyness passes.

August 15 until now, the dizzyness has subsided, the headaches are still there in a mild form.

My meditation practice has helped me so much. Thank you to the YouTube channels of Lisa A Romano, Tara Brach and Jack Kornfeild. Everyday I endeavour to be grateful for things. Even to be grateful for this breath of the air that we all share. To be able to be alive and walk on this mere speck of a planet in the incomprehensible vastness of this universe. Thank you to all of you who are reading this and for the opportunity to share on this remarkable forum. My wish is that we can all be together in our strength and courage. 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

[ChessieCat]

Hi Cyclist

 

Thanks for updating us on how you are doing.

 

Please update your drug signature whenever you make a change so that it remains current - thanks:

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

[CyclistN]

Hi,

Just finished the Zoom function from the Medicating Normal film and the panel Q&A. I was crying several times as I've never seen anyone else with similar experiences to mine

Thank you so much for this, it was worth staying awake from 2:30 to 5:00am. 

It was so nice to you Alto Strata and listen to you. You have helped me so much, I will always feel indebted to you and your team.

Thank you.😘

[CyclistN]

Hi, 

On 17/08/20, just after lunch, I had severe lethargy. I had to lay down and slept really heavily for about 3 hours. This just doesn't happen usually.

 

Today, I realised that what I call "tingling pins and needles headaches", could possibly be what others call "brain zaps"?

 

Looking back, when I was on a 25% taper, yeah, not a good idea! I noticed that for a few weeks, after my brain and body had adjusted to the lower dose, I was feeling quite euphoric for several weeks. Then my mood went the other way for at least a week. Meditation and exercise really helped me at this time. This was about between later February and by the second week of March, I was on top of things. 

 

The current 0.2mg taper is working much better than the taper of the above and the June 1 attempt at a 5% taper. I suspect that as my taper gets smaller, I might need to go to a 0.1mg taper. To get professional scales that go down to smaller increments, cost about 10 times more than my current scales. That's in South Australia. 

 

I noticed today, 25/08/20, I was getting dizzy riding my bike, when I stopped for traffic lights, this has never happened to me before. 

 

Thank you for letting me post here. I wish everyone well and a speedy - safe taper.

CyclistN.

[CyclistN]

Hi, 

Yesterday, 27/08/20, I went for a bike ride and the dizzyness had subsided. On my way home I stopped off at my cousin's place noticed a substantial dizzy spell. I hope they eventually go away.

Many thanks,

CyclistN.

[CyclistN]

Hi,

Forgot to mention that in June I took all the Lorazepam that was issued to me last December, 2020, to my local pharmacy for it to be disposed of. The facility I was in said I needed the Lorazepam 3 times a day, because "I was an anxious type of a person." They thought this as I had a panic attack about 6 hours after they had dropped my Paroxetine from 10mg to 5mg. Looking back, my body and brain was possibly in shock of the reduction. This occurred on 12/12/20. This is following the panic attack I had on 06/12/20, 3 days after the Paroxetine was ceased from 10mg to 0mg. I had been started on Citalopram 10mg on 28/11/20. 

I have never had a panic attack before or after this. I sort of feel sad that I had to go through this. I am proud of myself that I didn't use any of the Lorazepam after I got home.

Anyway, it's a beautiful day here and I am grateful that I have complete control of my tapering. I am grateful for this forum for giving me the information I needed to get on a much more healthy and a more happy path.

 

CyclistN

[CyclistN]

Hi All,

 

It's been one year, 24th September, 2019, since I sort help for "life problems" that had haunted me for most of my life. Looking back over the past year, I feel that I have made more progress than any other time of my 52 years on Earth. I have learnt so much, not just through when times were good, but, also when times were not so good. For example, if the Psychiatrists who unintentionally caused me harm had not done so, then I would never started the path of learning about Paroxetine discontinuation syndrome/withdrawal and how to problem solve it. I would never have found this wonderful forum. I could go on and on about the good things that have happened since this trauma...and others.

I feel so grateful for this life that I have, that right now I have this precious breath from the air that we all share. I am so grateful for Alto Strata and others who keep this forum going. I feel so grateful to all who are members of this forum. While we all have and possibly are suffering, it has brought us here. Knowing this, we are not alone, we are together on this journey of tapering. I wish all a safe and healthy taper.

Thank you all so much!

CyclistN.

[CyclistN]

Hi,

 

On October 9th, I started an new taper of Paroxetine, going from 4.35mg to 4.2mg. A drop of 0.15mg. So far, so good. Yesterday I did feel a bit of nausea and have had some research ringing in my ears. A few dizzy spells with a slight pins and needles/brain zaps. Nothing I can't handle. 

Yesterday, I was determined to go for a bike ride and clocked up 63 kms/39 miles. It was such a beautiful day here. Needless to say, I slept very well. 

 

Many thanks,

CyclistN.

[CyclistN]

Hi All,

 

I feel a bit angry today. I was speaking to my Mum who told me she was given a prescription for Zoloft/Sertraline. This is the same Doctor who knows Mum had a 30 plus year struggle with Fluoxetine and it took her 6 months to taper of it. She did it on her own! There were was no risk/benefit assessment done with the newest with the Zoloft/Sertraline prescription. 

 

I guess it's a situation that is not unique. I think I need to meditate! 

 

Many thanks,

CyclistN.

[CyclistN]

Hi,

 

On the 9th December 2020, I started a new Paroxetine taper of 4mg, down from 4.2mg I started on 9th October 2020.

 

I think it's going ok. I do however feel rather lethargic today. I'm not sure if it's the new taper or I just need more sleep? 

 

On the 6th December of this year, was the first anniversary of my first significant Paroxetine withdrawal event that lead to my very first panic attack. I guess I have done well since then, just the fact I'm done to 4mg where I had been on 10mg for 3-4 years and about 16 years on 50mg. 

 

I don't think I would have come this far without the help of this forum, so thank you very much for helping me. I will always be grateful.

 

Cheers,

CyclistN

 

 

[CyclistN]

Hi,

Yesterday, 13/02/21, I started a new taper of Paroxetine, going from 4mg to 3.8mg. Which is about a 5% reduction.

Right now, I'm sort of thinking it was too much. I feel really flat with headaches, mostly around my forehead. The pins and needles/brain zaps fairly mild, especially where they were just over a year ago. 

I guess I don't want to think about tapering slower. I would gladly welcome any suggestions other than riding this taper out.

 

Many thanks,

CyclistN

 

[ChessieCat]

None of us want to taper slower than we are, but the aim is to get off as comfortably as possible.  And we will get there even if it takes longer than we would like it to.  Any reduction is heading towards being off.

 

Paroxetine is known as a hard drug to get off.

 

Regardless of the AD, many members have found that they need to go slower the lower the dose gets.  Also some members seem to have difficulty getting past certain doses, but there isn't any rhyme or reason as to the drug and/or dose.

 

If it were me I'd be updosing straight away.  You could try going to 3.85mg first to see if that helps.  If after a few more days things have not improved at all then you could go to 3.9mg.

 

It takes about 4 days for a dose change to get to full level in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.

[CyclistN]

Thank you Chessie at. I'll see how thing go.

[CyclistN]

Hi,

Today I feel better than yesterday. There are some pins and needles/brain zaps present, but, it has subsided somewhat. Still a bit of headaches, especially around my forehead.

Last night I did feel dizzy sometimes.

I think I will stick to 3.8mg...at this stage.

Many thanks,

CyclistN

[CyclistN]

Hi,

About mid April, 2021, I started a new Paroxetine taper from 3.8mg to 3.7mg. To be more accurate, from 3.87mg to 3.78mg. I experienced some dizziness and headaches. I think it's going ok. 

On June 12 of 2021, I started a Paroxetine taper of 3.7mg. I have some headaches and dizziness, generally, I think it's ok.

Towards the end of April, I experienced a real droopy, weakness in my right arm, along with dizziness. I called an ambulance. At hospital, I had a CT scan which was clear. The Drs seemed to think that I "might" be having micro strokes, however, there was some doubt as these episodes last about 10mins. 

I ended up having a MRI done on my head which indicated some blood vessel damage. They think it's due to having Type 1 Diabetes for 46 years. Although, they are not certain. 

Makes me wonder if it could be related to my journey with Paroxetine? I don't know?

I guess I'm just grateful that I can still do things and that I'm alive. 

Many thanks,

CyclistN.

[CyclistN]

Hi Everyone,

On August 1, 2021, I tapered my Paroxetine from 3.7mg to 3.61mg.

There was some frequent dizziness, headaches and lethargy. Today, August 13th, I'm feeling really lethargic.

Generally speaking, it's not too bad. I'm doing ok.

Late last month, I saw my local Dr and asked if smaller doses of SSRIs and SNRIs were on the PBS (in Australia this is a federal government funded scheme, to reduce the cost of prescription medication), would be helpful for Drs getting patients off these drugs? To cut the story short, my Dr really didn't answer my question and just talked a lot. My Dr said that "staggering" is effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms. I also asked my Dr how many patients get off them. It's about 25%. Then my Dr talked how beneficial either Cymbalta and Effexor are because they are newer than Paroxetine, because drug companies have to "prove" that their drugs are better than current drugs. I was thinking, THERE IS NO WAY I'M GOING ON AN SNRI!" I made another appointment to tell my Dr that I wanted to end our relationship. My Dr was pretty professional about it. 

So now I'm looking for a Dr who can at least acknowledge the significant withdrawal from these drugs. I think it's like looking for a unicorn!

Anyway, today the birds are singing and I'm alive. For this I can be grateful.

I wish all of you who in withdrawal, a speedy recovery, good health and a peaceful mind.

Many thanks,

CyclistN.

[CyclistN]

Hi,

On October 1, I tapered Paroxetine from 3.61mg to 3.53mg. It's actually working really well so far.

Ciao,

CyclistN 

[CyclistN]

Terminology of withdrawal and dependence

 

I think I just got kicked off another support group for using the word "addiction," in relation to getting off these drugs. Their claim is that there is no scientific evidence that SSRIs are addictive. Which could be true?

Unbelievable! Maybe this is for the best, not the site for me. Was trying to use my story to help others. Nevermind!

 

Edited October 10, 2021 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

Different people interpret words differently.

 

With psychiatric drugs the dependency that we experience is a physiological dependency this is because the brain adapts to the drug we take and when we take the drug away the brain has to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  Generally there is no craving associated with reducing psychiatric drugs but we can experience withdrawal symptoms which is because the brain is trying to adapt.  With physical dependency of a drug you get a craving for the drug once the effect of it wears off.

[CyclistN]

Thanks for explaining this.🙂

When the Drs and psychiatrists tried getting me off Paroxetine 2 times towards the end of 2019, when I couldn't walk, my brain was all pins and needles, I was dizzy, I had nausea, aching from head to toe. I had 2 panic attacks, never had one before or after. I craved for Paroxetine. This what I experienced. Call it whatever you want. 🙂

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, CyclistN said:

I couldn't walk, my brain was all pins and needles, I was dizzy, I had nausea, aching from head to toe.

 

Two weeks after I reduced my 100mg Pristiq to 50mg I was not able to type.  I had been getting extremely brain fog up until then.  It took all my concentration to walk.  SA suggested increasing my dose, which I did and about 4 HOURS later I was able to type again.  Being a professional typist I had a benchmark and new it was the drug.  I held on that dose for two months and made a 10% reduction and got very bad pain in my ears so I updose by a small amount and again after only a few hours the pain went.

 

The brain "pins and needles" are probably what is call "brain zaps".  Whenever I missed a dose or two when I was taking 100mg, if I was lying down with my eyes closed and moved my eyeballs I would get them.  Made me feel sick in the stomach when it happened.

 

Check out the list of withdrawal symptoms:

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

[CyclistN]

Thanks ChessieCat,

Sorry this is happened to you and all those who have struggles with these drugs. 

I guess on the other site, which I actually removed myself from, they did say I would be removed if I used the word addiction, I think that I was afraid of not being believed. Which caused me so much pain when it happened almost 2 years ago.

Hope I use the right words here on this site. Seems a lot safer and understanding here.

 

Thank you for the link, I'll have a looksey at it.

Thank you so much to the whole SA team, you have helped me build I life that I thought for so long would not be possible.🥰.

Many thanks again,

CyclistN 

[CyclistN]

Hi ChessieCat and all,

I've been thinking, there are sites out there, including social media, who it would appear to have the agenda of "sugar and spice, and SSRIs are nice!" 

I am assuming that because of the minimal amount of research on SSRIs and other psych drugs, people who administer these sites can take a position that matches their own agenda. Therefore, will block any information that is attempted to be put up contary to their agenda. Also, to put up highlighted qoates from unreferenced sources and block any one in asking for a source or any questioning of the topic.

Any attempt to question their motivations as to why they take a position on anything, is met with hostility and blaming the person who states that their experience is contary to their position. Even to prevent a person discussing what a Dr or Psychiatrist has stated...is quickly renounced and devalued.

All the above happened to me. I think that the tragedy is that the vulnerable people who are suffering and are reaching out to these sites and platforms are quite possibly given advice, recommendations, suggestions, that is not necessarily good for them. 

I removed myself from the group site and feel somewhat better.

I just think this is really sad.

Many thanks,

CyclistN 

[CyclistN]

Hi,

I haven't been here for a while to update my progress.

In October, 2021, I calculated that if I taper at the rate I was, it would take about 7 years to get off Paroxetine. So I thought that I would try tapering every month instead of every 2 months.

On November 1, I tapered from 3.53mg to 3.48mg. At the time, for all of November, things were going great and my plan was working.

December 1 came around, so I went from 3.53mg to 3.36mg and things were great and going well.

Then on December 4, I started to feel really flat, a large lack of energy. I haven't been doing much since then and just feel like sleeping. I have had an increase in dizziness as well. 

It's apparent now that I have a choice of going back to 3.53mg or ride this out on 3.36mg. I'm not really fond of either!

I think I will try and see the 3.36mg dose through. It's been almost two years now of tapering. I'm not sure my expectations of everything going smoothly is helpful. 

On a positive note, I recently tried a new method of crushing Paroxetine tablets. Instead of using a stone shaped bowl and hand held device....sorry I don't remember the name of it, I tried a pepper grinder. The outcome is a much better consistency grain size and is easier to weigh doses. Don't know if anyone else has tried it, I would recommend it. One thing I could have done better, is to buy a brand new pepper grinder. I do get some minute doses pepper with the Paroxetine!😄

Wishing everyone well on their journeys.

Ciao,

CyclistN 

 

 

[ChessieCat]

21 minutes ago, CyclistN said:

Instead of using a stone shaped bowl and hand held device....sorry I don't remember the name of it

 

Mortar and pestle.

 

21 minutes ago, CyclistN said:

It's apparent now that I have a choice of going back to 3.53mg or ride this out on 3.36mg. I'm not really fond of either!

 

Q:  Did you miss any doses of any of your drugs?

 

Q:  Or take / stop any other drug or supplement?

 

You could do a "part way" increase, for example going to 3.45mg which is just a smidge over half way.  I rounded it up from 3.445mg.

 

25 minutes ago, CyclistN said:

So I thought that I would try tapering every month instead of every 2 months.

 

We have SA members who find that the lower their dose gets the slower they need to go, reducing less and/or holding longer.

 

Q:  Did you make the same percentage reduction as you would have done for a 2 month hold.

 

It is important to listen to your body/symptoms and taper according to them.  And remember that any reducton, however small, is heading towards the goal of being off the drug.  It's not a race to see how fast we can get there, it's about doing it with minimal discomfort.  It took me 6 years to get off 100mg Pristiq, which was about 4 years longer than I would have liked it to have taken.  But I got off it successfully and with very few issues.

 

Quote

Citalopram - November 28, 2019 - ongoing. 10mg at breakfast.

 

The above is from your drug signature. 

 

Q:  Are you still taking this?