Trev90: paroxetine self taper feeling awful

[Trev90]

Trev90

 

I have been on 40mg of Paxil for a year and a half. Went on that when I first went to detox for meth addiction. I’m a year and half clean. Everyone is depressed when they first get off drugs. So an antidepressant seemed right at the time. I was only 30 mg when I left treatment and my doctor increased it to 40 mg when I got out because I decided to go off Remeron because it made me too groggy. When I’m not at work I am sleeping. I sleep all weekend and end up feeling guilty about it and feel like I’m not living life to the fullest and missing out on things. It’s also caused me to gain weight which isn’t too much of a deal being the weight looks good on me. But the tiredness all the time and constantly needing a nap got to be too much. So I started cutting my 40s in half about two weeks ago. Took 20mg for 5 nights then took 10mg for three nights then discontinued. It’s been about a week since I took the last dose and I have had terrible vivid nightmares every night I’ve been off of it. I am miserable. I feel super anxious, my skin is oily and I’ve had brain zaps terrible. This is how I felt when I would withdraw from meth but worse. I can’t go through another night like I’ve been doing so I had to take a 20mg tonight to try and get back on it. I wasn’t aware that it was this hard to come off this drug. I want to just get back up to my normal 40mg dose until I can see a doctor and not feel like this anymore. Will I have to be on this medication forever ? How long would I feel like this if I decided to continue on withdrawing ? It’s a scary thought. I’m 29 years old and don’t want to be on an antidepressant. I really feel like I could be happy and mentally stable without an antidepressant but now I feel trapped. Any help would be appreciated. I don’t know what to do from here. I hope I haven’t damaged myself by putting myself through the withdraw for the couple days I’ve been without it. I could possibly deal with it if I was confident this wouldn’t last long. 

Edited May 22, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Trev90.

 

I've brought your situation to the attention of the administrators and other moderators.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Trev.

 

If I were you, I might try 5mg Paxil immediately to reinstate, as a stopgap for a few days. We've seen a low dose is often enough to stop withdrawal symptoms. You'd take it every day at the same time each day. Let us know what happens.

 

After that, I might get a prescription for liquid Prozac. Paxil can be very difficult to taper off. I would cross-taper to 5mg Prozac instead, stabilize for some months, then very gradually taper off. For background, see The Prozac switch or "bridging" with Prozac

 

 

[Trev90]

I really messed up. After being off Paxil completely for about a week, I reinstated with the 40mg tablets. This was a bad idea. I have had restless legs, grinding my teeth, and I almost feel high but it’s a dirty high if that makes any sense.  I bit my tongue in my sleep which woke me up in terrible pain. I also have been confused about where I’m at when I wake up or what I’m doing at work.   I have however been able to sleep without the terrible night-long nightmares.   I feel so dumb for not being more educated on this drug and just thinking I would be able to come off it so freely. 

 

My doctor’s nurse called me back today and suggested that I take 20mg and she called me in a rx for that. I’m going to get it tomorrow and take half of the 40mg tonight. I have an appointment to see my doctor next week. That’s why I’m trying to get some ideas about what I want to do. I like to Prozac idea. Do you mean cross-taper as stopping Paxil all together and starting Prozac or take them both at the same time? Like 5mg Paxil and 5mg Prozac? Also, why the liquid? I really appreciate you getting back to me. I will read the article you suggested . 

[Altostrata]

I would call them back and ask for liquid Prozac so you can titrate up. Taking a small amount is much easier with the liquid.

 

We often see that reinstating at a high dose causes a bad reaction, that's why we recommend a very low dose. Since you had this bad reaction, I might start with 0.5mg Prozac -- 1/2 milligram.

 

In the meantime, hang in for a few days to let the Paxil wear off. I would not take anything else, you have too much Paxil in you now.

 

I would not engage them in a long discussion about withdrawal, very few doctors know anything about it.

[Altostrata]

Trev, were you able to get liquid Prozac?

[Trev90]

Hey, sorry for the long delay.  No, I did not get the liquid Prozac.  I have been taking the 20mg Paxil that my doctor called in for me.  I had an in person visit scheduled with her but the day before I got a phone call stating she resigned.  So now I'm waiting to be called for reassignment of a doctor.  I am feeling better than I was being off of the Paxil.  My teeth are clenched a lot now.  I just gave my doctor's office a call to reschedule my doctor appointment.  I will be asking for liquid Prozac.  What would you recommend I take when I switch.  I mean what dosage.  Do you think the withdrawal effects will be less severe with Prozac?  Thanks for reaching out.  I really appreciate you. 

[Erell]

How are you doing Trev ?

[Trev90]

I’m doing okay. Just finding out that my constant uncontrollable mouth movements are probably a result of being on Paxil for the 18 months I’ve been on it. Will this go away once I finally get off Paxil? I thought it may have been from methamphetamine use in my past. Anyway, I’m calling my doctor’s office on Monday to get liquid Prozac like you suggested before. I’m ready to start this process with everyone’s help. Is there a certain amount that I ask for? Do I just say liquid Prozac? Would a benzo be helpful in combating the withdrawal effects from Paxil? I’m in recovery from methamphetamine but I feel like I could take the benzo short term and be okay. Thank you all. 
 

Trev

[Trev90]

Forgot to mention I’m now on Paxil 20mg for the past two months. Down from 40mg. 

[ChessieCat]

It is not generally a good idea to add a benzo to the mix.

 

I will ask the other mods for their assistance.

[Erell]

12 hours ago, Trev90 said:

Forgot to mention I’m now on Paxil 20mg for the past two months. Down from 40mg. 

 

Since you dropped to 20mg, how do you feel ? how did your symptoms evolve?

 

12 hours ago, Trev90 said:

 Anyway, I’m calling my doctor’s office on Monday to get liquid Prozac like you suggested before. I’m ready to start this process with everyone’s help. Is there a certain amount that I ask for? Do I just say liquid Prozac? 

 

have you read this topic ?  https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/19373-the-prozac-switch-or-bridging-with-prozac/

 

here is the advice Altostrata gave you : 

 

On 5/23/2020 at 2:57 AM, Altostrata said:

Since you had this bad reaction, I might start with 0.5mg Prozac -- 1/2 milligram.

 

Take care 

[Altostrata]

Trev, how did your symptoms change when you reduced from 40mg to 20mg?

 

On 5/22/2020 at 5:57 PM, Altostrata said:

Since you had this bad reaction, I might start with 0.5mg Prozac -- 1/2 milligram.

 

This was from when Trev went off Paxil completely. Now that Trev went from 40mg to 20mg, if Trev is having withdrawal symptoms, it might be better to supplement the Paxil with perhaps 5mg Prozac, in the first stage of a gradual crossover from Paxil to Prozac.

 

 

[Trev90]

After being off completely for a week, I reinstated with 40mg. The next day and from there on out I have only taken 20mg. My withdrawal symptoms went away. Makes me wonder if I could go down even further of a dose? I have 20mg tablets. Think I could handle taking half for a 10mg dose? 

[Altostrata]

I don't know. I wouldn't play around with Paxil dosage. If 20mg seems to be working, stick with it.

 

With your history, I would be very, very careful going off Paxil.

[Trev90]

But my goal is to be off of it completely and never take any psychiatric drug again. I am so upset at how this isn’t covered when doctors put you on this. Is your suggestion for doing this to cross taper to Prozac? Thanks for your help, btw.