Cocopuffz - 11 years on paroxetine. It's nothing but a bad memory now. I am now free!!

[woody1981]

Hi Coco,

I’m a new member and I am currently writing my introduction and med signature, I’m also a tradesman like yourself but down in Australia. Im getting hammered with tinnitus at the moment like you did. Did yours come and go? Like it’s ok some days and then I wake up the next and I feel awful and the tinnitus spikes with the wd symptoms..... I never had tinnitus before starting Paxil and Then lexapro 9 odd years ago. It developed while coming off the meds. Just curious about the pattern you encountered as I have not had any days for the last 12 months where it fully disappeared. Just days where it doesn’t bother me as much and seems to hide away in the background unless I’m in a really quiet room that is. I also find the days that I’m not feeling well with fatigue, depression, intrusive thoughts etc correlates with the ears being louder. Any insight or experience your willing to share would be greatly appreciated. 

[Cocopuffz17]

On 9/18/2020 at 10:44 PM, woody1981 said:

Hi Coco,

I’m a new member and I am currently writing my introduction and med signature, I’m also a tradesman like yourself but down in Australia. Im getting hammered with tinnitus at the moment like you did. Did yours come and go? Like it’s ok some days and then I wake up the next and I feel awful and the tinnitus spikes with the wd symptoms..... I never had tinnitus before starting Paxil and Then lexapro 9 odd years ago. It developed while coming off the meds. Just curious about the pattern you encountered as I have not had any days for the last 12 months where it fully disappeared. Just days where it doesn’t bother me as much and seems to hide away in the background unless I’m in a really quiet room that is. I also find the days that I’m not feeling well with fatigue, depression, intrusive thoughts etc correlates with the ears being louder. Any insight or experience your willing to share would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Hey, it will get better! I used to get crushed by it every single day. I would have to listen to music nonstop to drown it out. I still slightly get it at night(right before I fall asleep) and in the mornings(right after I wake up). It is around 95% better than it was at its worst. I was just like you as I never experienced it before in my life until I came off of paxil. I definitely noticed elevated levels of tinnitus when I was feeling worse...especially with headaches. 

[woody1981]

8 hours ago, Cocopuffz17 said:

 

Hey, it will get better! I used to get crushed by it every single day. I would have to listen to music nonstop to drown it out. I still slightly get it at night(right before I fall asleep) and in the mornings(right after I wake up). It is around 95% better than it was at its worst. I was just like you as I never experienced it before in my life until I came off of paxil. I definitely noticed elevated levels of tinnitus when I was feeling worse...especially with headaches. 

Thanks heaps for getting back to me, I really appreciate it (today sucked, ears screaming, thoughts and mega depressed but it’s not going to last forever, been here and beaten it before) 
 

It’s such an intrusive symptom because there’s no treatment and nothing you can do to try and control it. 

 

I’m taking solace in your story, success and positive attitude. I will just have to stay positive and let it do it’s thing while my body and brain heals. 
 

thanks mate 👍🏼

[Cocopuffz17]

On 9/21/2020 at 2:38 AM, woody1981 said:

Thanks heaps for getting back to me, I really appreciate it (today sucked, ears screaming, thoughts and mega depressed but it’s not going to last forever, been here and beaten it before) 
 

It’s such an intrusive symptom because there’s no treatment and nothing you can do to try and control it. 

 

I’m taking solace in your story, success and positive attitude. I will just have to stay positive and let it do it’s thing while my body and brain heals. 
 

thanks mate 👍🏼

 

You are welcome! That is unfortunate, but it will get better over time! 

 

Absolutely it just wears you down! 

 

The body is amazing, I found nutrition critical in healing from this drug. It gave me the best results out of everything I tried to get medication free. 

 

Have a good day! Remember everyday that passes is one day closer to being healed  

[Artistic]

Congratulations you are amazing man! Enjoy your life to the fullest! I'm very interested in this book about nutrition you mentioned, but what about weight? Muscle mass? How do you get protein? My biggest concern is weight loss, I'm afraid I can't go down much more after Paxil withdrawal and now benzo also. I lost a lot! Congrats one more time, this is amazing. And for your hair also, terrific! 

[Cocopuffz17]

8 hours ago, Artistic said:

Congratulations you are amazing man! Enjoy your life to the fullest! I'm very interested in this book about nutrition you mentioned, but what about weight? Muscle mass? How do you get protein? My biggest concern is weight loss, I'm afraid I can't go down much more after Paxil withdrawal and now benzo also. I lost a lot! Congrats one more time, this is amazing. And for your hair also, terrific! 

 

Thanks, I really appreciate it! I lost a decent amount of weight when I first started following The Plant Paradox. I gained it all back once I started learning how to adjust to my new way of eating. I may even have more muscle now that I have way more energy to workout! Ya, that is a tricky one with not wanting to lose more weight. I essentially replaced protein with fat. I eat a ton of olive oil/coconut oil. Ya, it feels odd to get a haircut now after not having to for so long

[Driksdog]

Hi coco! 

At first thanx for sharing ur story and concratulation to ur "rebirth". 

I wanted to know for how long u got sexual issues? I think it's one of the horriblest things of all. Also not to feel love yes and other emotions. 

Greetings

[Cocopuffz17]

On 11/10/2020 at 6:14 AM, Driksdog said:

Hi coco! 

At first thanx for sharing ur story and concratulation to ur "rebirth". 

I wanted to know for how long u got sexual issues? I think it's one of the horriblest things of all. Also not to feel love yes and other emotions. 

Greetings

Hey Driks! 
Thank you! It’s been a wild ride.

 

I would say for almost 2 years. I had no sex drive after having a healthy sex drive my whole life. Yes, the loss of emotions is extremely tough. They will come back! I am still getting more and more connected with emotions the farther I get away from my last dose. 
 

Have a great day! 

[christianjw12]

2 hours ago, Cocopuffz17 said:

Hey Driks! 
Thank you! It’s been a wild ride.

 

I would say for almost 2 years. I had no sex drive after having a healthy sex drive my whole life. Yes, the loss of emotions is extremely tough. They will come back! I am still getting more and more connected with emotions the farther I get away from my last dose. 
 

Have a great day! 

 

Hey @Cocopuffz17, if you could measure your progress, how much would you say you're recovered now ?

[Cocopuffz17]

2 hours ago, christianjw12 said:

 

Hey @Cocopuffz17, if you could measure your progress, how much would you say you're recovered now ?

Hey, I’d say around 90%. I still get headaches/tinnitus daily. They only last for minutes in the early morning and before bed unlike the worst parts of withdrawal when it was 24/7/365. I am no longer crushed with crushing fatigue. My energy levels are way better. I get some weird visual disturbances still, but they are short lived and a slight inconvenience. Month over month I notice more and more improvements. I still follow my nutrition lifestyle and notice a spike in symptoms when I do not it reminds me to get back on track. A year ago when I ate poorly I would have a spike for a week or two, now I get it for a day or two at best. Another improvement! 
 

I never thought I would be able be this well after how awful I felt for over a year. I just kept pushing through and listened to the people who had been through it and said it would get better.... and it did! 
 

Have a great day! 

[Sarita]

What an amazing story, thank you for sharing!! How long did your insomnia last. I have suffered from chronic insomnia after getting off meds cold turkey and was curious as to how long your insomnia lasted?

[christianjw12]

5 hours ago, Sarita said:

What an amazing story, thank you for sharing!! How long did your insomnia last. I have suffered from chronic insomnia after getting off meds cold turkey and was curious as to how long your insomnia lasted?

@Sarita, to cope with insomnia, you need acceptance. Insomnia is a common withdrawal symptom ! But don't try to control your sleep by worrying or taking drugs again it will only worsen your symptoms. A good sleeper does nothing to summon sleep. It's a 100% natural process.

[Longroadhome]

You’re an inspiration @Cocopuffz17

 

its great to hear you are still seeing improvements. 
as a fellow Paxil user I’m really proud of you and what you have achieved !! 
you are a warrior !! 

[Sarita]

I thank you! I was put back on Doxepin for the insomnia and have been getting good sleep since June. I will begin tapering in January using the 10% method and will not freak out. I am just so scared that I will go crazy with no sleep and get pumped up with other drugs that I don’t need. I appreciate your advise, thank you !!

[Istm]

23 hours ago, Cocopuffz17 said:

 

I would say for almost 2 years. I had no sex drive after having a healthy sex drive my whole life.

Hi @Cocopuffz17 ! I was wondering, did you also had dysfunction side effects or just no sex drive? 

[sunnysideup69]

On 11/11/2020 at 11:04 PM, Cocopuffz17 said:

Hey, I’d say around 90%. I still get headaches/tinnitus daily. They only last for minutes in the early morning and before bed unlike the worst parts of withdrawal when it was 24/7/365. I am no longer crushed with crushing fatigue. My energy levels are way better. I get some weird visual disturbances still, but they are short lived and a slight inconvenience. Month over month I notice more and more improvements. I still follow my nutrition lifestyle and notice a spike in symptoms when I do not it reminds me to get back on track. A year ago when I ate poorly I would have a spike for a week or two, now I get it for a day or two at best. Another improvement! 
 

I never thought I would be able be this well after how awful I felt for over a year. I just kept pushing through and listened to the people who had been through it and said it would get better.... and it did! 
 

Have a great day! 

 

You are super inspirational ❤️ Thank you.

[Cocopuffz17]

On 11/11/2020 at 8:16 PM, Sarita said:

What an amazing story, thank you for sharing!! How long did your insomnia last. I have suffered from chronic insomnia after getting off meds cold turkey and was curious as to how long your insomnia lasted?

My insomnia didn't seem to last very long. I also used melotonin to go to sleep as well. I reasoned that I would rather have the side effects, if any from using too much melotonin rather than get less sleep. 

 

On 11/12/2020 at 5:06 AM, Longroadhome said:

You’re an inspiration @Cocopuffz17

 

its great to hear you are still seeing improvements. 
as a fellow Paxil user I’m really proud of you and what you have achieved !! 
you are a warrior !! 

Thanks! I never thought I would get here, but I did. I continually read that people get through it and it does get better. I can assure you it does!!  

 

On 11/12/2020 at 10:52 AM, Istm said:

Hi @Cocopuffz17 ! I was wondering, did you also had dysfunction side effects or just no sex drive? 

I did not notice any other side effects. Everything seems to be pretty much back to normal on the sexual front. 

 

On 11/13/2020 at 5:33 AM, sunnysideup69 said:

 

You are super inspirational ❤️ Thank you.

You are welcome! You will get through it! Have a good week!

[Istm]

Hi coco! I read in your thread that you also developed an autoimmune condition due to Paxil and I’m now on the same boat... I’m pretty sure I have drug induced Hashimoto’s (I thought WD couldn’t get worse) this makes me extremely sad but I just wanted to ask you how you dealt with both? Thanks a lot 

[Cocopuffz17]

8 hours ago, Istm said:

Hi coco! I read in your thread that you also developed an autoimmune condition due to Paxil and I’m now on the same boat... I’m pretty sure I have drug induced Hashimoto’s (I thought WD couldn’t get worse) this makes me extremely sad but I just wanted to ask you how you dealt with both? Thanks a lot 

 

Hello! That is unfortunate  You will get through it though! I found reasons for why my body would be doing these things and changed those variables. I changed my nutrition which helped greatly. The main thing that drove me to get through it was reading people getting through withdrawals and saying it was possible and the same with my autoimmune condition. All the best in 2021! 

[Erell]

Hello dear @Cocopuffz17, how are you doing these days?

Hugs!

[Cocopuffz17]

On 1/10/2021 at 3:57 AM, Erell said:

Hello dear @Cocopuffz17, how are you doing these days?

Hugs!

Hey! Well I just hit 23 months post zero. Things are way better. I did let me nutrition slide over Christmas. I drank liquor, had some edibles and ate a bunch of food that is not allowed on the nutrition lifestyle I follow. Needless to say it hammered me into a wave for 2 weeks. This was no where near what I have experienced in the past. My tinnitus increased a lot, headaches came back and became a bit depressed. BUT things are good again. I have got back on track with my nutrition and am working out once again! Overall I am doing really well. Every month I feel slightly better and have more energy. I cannot wait for summer though! Get that sunshine!!!  

 

I hope all is going well with you! Have a great week! 

[Leila]

Dear @Cocopuffz17! Your story is an inspiration for me! All of you survivors are my heroes and heroines!☺️

I'm happy to hear that you feel better month by month. I'm 12 months and start notice (from some months) that changing my diet brought me in (a little bit) better place. If I can, I want to ask you (according with your last post) if you notice that, when you follow strictly your diet, you are able to minimize your waves or sometimes some bad waves still occur... Maybe it will be also for me a good solution to stay better!

All of my appreciation and affect to you!

Continue to update about you journey!💪

[Cocopuffz17]

On 1/14/2021 at 6:30 AM, Leila said:

Dear @Cocopuffz17! Your story is an inspiration for me! All of you survivors are my heroes and heroines!☺️

I'm happy to hear that you feel better month by month. I'm 12 months and start notice (from some months) that changing my diet brought me in (a little bit) better place. If I can, I want to ask you (according with your last post) if you notice that, when you follow strictly your diet, you are able to minimize your waves or sometimes some bad waves still occur... Maybe it will be also for me a good solution to stay better!

All of my appreciation and affect to you!

Continue to update about you journey!💪

Thanks  Absolutely I am able to minimize my waves by zeroing in on my nutrition. I have done it far too many times for it to be a coincidence. Every time I get back on good nutrition the waves get lesser and lesser. I would highly recommend it! 

Absolutely I will   

[mva96]

Hey coco, i was just wondering when you felt the waves were getting weaker or less intense?

[Cocopuffz17]

On 1/15/2021 at 2:59 PM, mva96 said:

Hey coco, i was just wondering when you felt the waves were getting weaker or less intense?

Hey, around the 8-10 month mark. I was finally starting see noticeable improvement and I would say that is the timeframe where it flipped to more good days than bad days. 

[mva96]

@Cocopuffz17thats awesome, i admire your attitude as well, seems like you see it as a challenge to be overcome! did you find you still had big waves hit out of nowhere? 

[Cocopuffz17]

16 hours ago, mva96 said:

@Cocopuffz17thats awesome, i admire your attitude as well, seems like you see it as a challenge to be overcome! did you find you still had big waves hit out of nowhere? 

Thanks!! A change in mindset has helped me a lot. It was needed or I would of not have been able to handle the hardest days. Yes, going through withdrawal showed me that anything can be overcome and a positive mindset helps greatly. I had somedays that just crushed me. I would miss work because of these days and sleep for another 4-6 hours. It happens.... I did not beat myself up over these. I just needed to let my body do its thing. 

[mva96]

Awesome, thanks coco, and congrats again on your success with both the nutrition and the WD!