kathy1988: Paxil and Pristiq withdrawal - please help

[kathy1988]

Hi there,

 

I have just come off Paxil after about 5.5 years due to anxiety and panic attacks... the withdrawal was really hard. Brain zaps, anxiety, my brain feeling like it was bleeding, terrible headaches, vision issues, sleep problems exc. It was so terrible that my doctor put me on Pristiq to manage my Panic attacks (50 mg). I was on it for about two weeks and I had my first suicidal thought in my life!! I was terrified, instantly panicked and my doctor took me off the medication right away and quite quickly (about 2.5 weeks ago with the tapering only for a week). Since then, I have had nothing but terrible thoughts. Violent thoughts, thoughts about hurting people, or people hurting other people... I am literally looking at people and thinking if the worst thing that could happen. Particularity my loved ones. I have never ever had thoughts like this and I am so scared that I will feel like this forever.... I am of course seeing a Psychologist who is helping me manage the thoughts, but she did say she was unsure if medication bringing on such sudden terrible thoughts (like in the last two weeks!) Am I stuck like this? Have I completely screwed up my brain? I am soo terrified beyond measure. Is this common for anyone? I am currently waiting to see a psychiatrist and taking 0.25 mg of clonazepam daily to manage my anxiety as my family doctor does not want to put me on more medication. Any help would be so appreciated.

 

Kathy

 

[Shep]

Hi, Kathy.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. 

 

On 10/6/2020 at 4:51 AM, kathy1988 said:

I have just come off Paxil after about 5.5 years due to anxiety and panic attacks... the withdrawal was really hard. Brain zaps, anxiety, my brain feeling like it was bleeding, terrible headaches, vision issues, sleep problems exc. It was so terrible that my doctor put me on Pristiq to manage my Panic attacks (50 mg). I was on it for about two weeks and I had my first suicidal thought in my life!! I was terrified, instantly panicked and my doctor took me off the medication right away and quite quickly (about 2.5 weeks ago with the tapering only for a week). Since then, I have had nothing but terrible thoughts. Violent thoughts, thoughts about hurting people, or people hurting other people..

 

It sounds like Pristiq was definitely not a good drug for you, so I'm glad you were only on it for a short time, not long enough to become dependent on it.

 

If you scroll down to page 32 of this FDA document, you'll see that suicidal and violent thoughts are listed.

 

FDA - Pristiq

 

These symptoms can be quite frightening, but it is the drug and the symptoms will fade in time. Try to do as much self-care as you can. 

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

How long have you been off Paxil? You may be able to reinstate. As you give us more information, we can guide you in a reinstatement. Here is some information:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Tips for tapering off paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat)

 

On 10/6/2020 at 4:51 AM, kathy1988 said:

I am currently waiting to see a psychiatrist and taking 0.25 mg of clonazepam daily to manage my anxiety as my family doctor does not want to put me on more medication.

 

How long have you been taking clonazepam?

 

Please add a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

As you provide more information, we can better guide you in reinstating and provide other information, as well. 

[Lucy1983]

Hi Kathy. Pristiq WD was the worst with the intrusive thoughts. While taking it I was have body soreness so my dr  told me to just quit taking it.  The intrusive thoughts were so bad I still refer to them as "the horribles" . I wish I had known back then that they were caused by the pristiq CT, that they would eventually end (they did end) and that I was not crazy.  I hope you can find some comfort in that knowledge. 

[kathy1988]

On 10/7/2020 at 4:47 AM, Shep said:

Hi, Kathy.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. 

 

 

It sounds like Pristiq was definitely not a good drug for you, so I'm glad you were only on it for a short time, not long enough to become dependent on it.

 

If you scroll down to page 32 of this FDA document, you'll see that suicidal and violent thoughts are listed.

 

FDA - Pristiq

 

These symptoms can be quite frightening, but it is the drug and the symptoms will fade in time. Try to do as much self-care as you can. 

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

How long have you been off Paxil? You may be able to reinstate. As you give us more information, we can guide you in a reinstatement. Here is some information:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Tips for tapering off paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat)

 

 

How long have you been taking clonazepam?

 

Please add a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

As you provide more information, we can better guide you in reinstating and provide other information, as well. 

Thank you sooo much for your reply. My apologies, your notification went to my junk mail so I didn't know you had responded.

 

Thank you so much for all if the information. I have been off Paxil for 2.5 months now.. do you think I should reinstate? I have had clonazepam for 6 years, but mostly in my purse for emergencies, so I did only take .25 mg twice a month at the most if I was experiencing panic. Now taking it daily until I speak to a psychiatrist which has been the last 3 weeks. 
 

My terrible thoughts have yet to fade, but I am truly hoping they go away soon. I am feeling very helpless, and cannot live this way. I am so scared. 
 

Thank you again for taking the time for me. Kathy

[kathy1988]

On 10/7/2020 at 10:28 AM, Lucy1983 said:

Hi Kathy. Pristiq WD was the worst with the intrusive thoughts. While taking it I was have body soreness so my dr  told me to just quit taking it.  The intrusive thoughts were so bad I still refer to them as "the horribles" . I wish I had known back then that they were caused by the pristiq CT, that they would eventually end (they did end) and that I was not crazy.  I hope you can find some comfort in that knowledge. 

Thank you so much your reply! I appreciate it so much. I am just terrified, and cry everyday because my thoughts are so awful. If I read about something terrible, I think I am going to be that person. I have terrible violent visions, and am so stressed and sad all the time. How long did it take for yours to go away? 
 

Thank you again for taking the time for me. Kathy.

[brassmonkey]

Hi Kathy-- I'm sorry to hear that you are having such bad WDs. Paxil is a very hard one to get off of and will play all sorts of games with your thoughts. Been there, done that, and am doing quite well now. I referred to it as "the Darkness" and was surprised at all the strange things my mind came up with, but it does get better.

 

One thing you didn't mention was how you tapered off of the paxil. It sounds like it was very fast, but some details would be helpful.

 

It is possible that a reinstatement of some sort will be helpful, but we will have to sort through the various drugs that you have or are taking to try and figure it out. I would suggest not reinstating with the paxil if possible. It is just too hard and unpredictable to work with. If a reinstatement is called for then prozac will probably be the best one to use.

 

@Shep I'm a bit concerned about the daily use of the clonazepam for the past three weeks, what are your ideas?

[kathy1988]

2 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

Hi Kathy-- I'm sorry to hear that you are having such bad WDs. Paxil is a very hard one to get off of and will play all sorts of games with your thoughts. Been there, done that, and am doing quite well now. I referred to it as "the Darkness" and was surprised at all the strange things my mind came up with, but it does get better.

 

One thing you didn't mention was how you tapered off of the paxil. It sounds like it was very fast, but some details would be helpful.

 

It is possible that a reinstatement of some sort will be helpful, but we will have to sort through the various drugs that you have or are taking to try and figure it out. I would suggest not reinstating with the paxil if possible. It is just too hard and unpredictable to work with. If a reinstatement is called for then prozac will probably be the best one to use.

 

@Shep I'm a bit concerned about the daily use of the clonazepam for the past three weeks, what are your ideas?

Thank so much for your reply! I tapered off paxil over almost 3.5 months under the close eye of my GP (I was on 30 mg then tapered to 20, 15 and then 10) ... it was tough... it felt like my brain was going to explode. After about 2 weeks of being off paxil, my panic was starting to come back so we started another drug (Pristiq). The bad thoughts didn't start until  I started taking Pristiq (50mg) and I was on it for about 2 weeks.... my first suicidal thought, and now worse thoughts then ever. I have been off everything for about 3 weeks now other then .25 mgs of clonazepam twice daily for my panic attacks. My GP does not want to put me on another medication until I speak with a Psychiatrist and in Canada, it can take months. I luckily got an appointment with one next week which I am thrilled about. So hopefully it works! I have been on Effexor, Cipralex, zoloft and then Paxil which was the only one that worked so well for me.... Crossing my fingers as I feel I am losing myself day by day.

[Colonial]

 

Hi Kathy!

 

Your panic was from the Paxil WD, Which led to the Pristiq prescription which means you were already heading straight into a nasty round of WD from the Paxil.

While it's true Pristiq can lead to very bad thoughts it's hard to know if you would not have had them anyway as the Paxil withdrawal progressed.

 

Do you feel that ANY of the symptoms that came on only AFTER the Pristiq started have started to diminish since you stopped that med?

Or have they continued at about the same level as since they started?

 

Many of us have had horrid dark thinking patterns from the Paxil, so it's hard to know if they were the Pristiq or the eventual progression of the Paxil WD.

Does that make sense? I know it's hard to think right now. 

 

Once you can do your drug signature so the moderators know exactly when you took all 3 meds along with a symptom chart of when they started and or improved since then it will be easier for them to formulate a good plan. I'll be thinking of you! 💖

 

[brassmonkey]

Thank you Kathy, the detail is really helpful. Do you have any of the paxil left over?

[kathy1988]

Yes I do! 

[kathy1988]

1 hour ago, brassmonkey said:

Thank you Kathy, the detail is really helpful. Do you have any of the paxil left over?

 

2 hours ago, Colonial said:

 

Hi Kathy!

 

Your panic was from the Paxil WD, Which led to the Pristiq prescription which means you were already heading straight into a nasty round of WD from the Paxil.

While it's true Pristiq can lead to very bad thoughts it's hard to know if you would not have had them anyway as the Paxil withdrawal progressed.

 

Do you feel that ANY of the symptoms that came on only AFTER the Pristiq started have started to diminish since you stopped that med?

Or have they continued at about the same level as since they started?

 

Many of us have had horrid dark thinking patterns from the Paxil, so it's hard to know if they were the Pristiq or the eventual progression of the Paxil WD.

Does that make sense? I know it's hard to think right now. 

 

Once you can do your drug signature so the moderators know exactly when you took all 3 meds along with a symptom chart of when they started and or improved since then it will be easier for them to formulate a good plan. I'll be thinking of you! 💖

 

Thank you for your reply! I think I did my Signature right... hopefully it helps. Since I have come off Pristiq, the thoughts have been getting a little better but are still there. Its like I have thought up every terrible thing, and visualized it, and think I am going to act on it... It is so distressing. I am not sure from which drug it is from; but when I fully came off the Paxil, it was only physical symptoms. Not mental. I just want it all to go away.... How long did it take for you??? Appreciate your kind words and thoughts! 💗

[Colonial]

5 minutes ago, kathy1988 said:

I am not sure from which drug it is from; but when I fully came off the Paxil, it was only physical symptoms. Not mental. I just want it all to go away.... How long did it take for you??? Appreciate your kind words and thoughts! 💗

 

My situation was complicated by doing 2 drugs at once, but when I stopped that and alternated withdrawals I was able to see different responses to the 2 drugs.  Like you my Paxil WD started mostly physical with the brain zaps but eventually I did have alot of dissociation and cognitive issues and trouble thinking.  Luckily I didn't go completely off but just cross tapered too fast.

 

Considering how fast you were tapering, I'm surprised your anxiety even waited until you were completely off to come back! It looks like it started about 4 months after you began.  My symptoms were in ONE WEEK of changing half of my dose from pill to liquid which I had trouble adjusting to! But once I got this sorted out I was much better in 6 months, I just had to taper slow and easy after that.

 

I had a lot of strange thoughts too with impulses to do them, even though they were silly.

One's like:  "Take your boots and put them in the freezer".  Just completely nonsensical stuff.  But because there's almost like, an "impulse" to do it, it's worrisome because the part of your brain that reflects on the validity of the thought and makes a judgement as to whether you should actually DO what the thought and impulse is telling you to do seems to have gone on hiatus, and I actually found myself with the freezer door open before I realized what I was doing. So there was a 7 second delay between the time I got the impulse to put the boots in the freezer until the time I actually realized I was doing it and, no, we don't do that.  I was like:  " I am tapering TOO FAST..."

 

The question is whether you truly feel unable to control the "impulse" to do a thought in the amount of time it takes you to "Realize" its something you don't so.

I don't know what thoughts your having, if their just everything is awful, but if your having thoughts of self harm or harming others with an "impulse" behind them that's different.

 

Because the nature of the thoughts being so random and nonsensical, mine could go from silly to dangerous, like I'd be driving and get a thought of: " drive your car head on into the car coming head on,  and it had that strong impulse behind it.  Now, that' no longer funny.  Because in 7 seconds before I realize that's a bad  idea, I could have done it.

 

So I don't want to frighten you, but I dont know what you mean by:  "Its like I have thought up every terrible thing, and visualized it, and think I am going to act on it.." but if you truly feel out of control of your actions by an impulse that comes with the dark thoughts you might want to think about getting back on "some" Paxil", as much as I hate to say it.

Perhaps, as Brass-monkey says Prozac might be better, but I don't know, He can advise you if you truly feel afraid that you might be out of control of thoughts or impulses.

 

The worst of the thoughts were over in a month or 2  for me.

BUT, DON'T let them tell you you've come down with some strange new diagnosis, its the withdrawal, no doubt.

 

[kathy1988]

35 minutes ago, Colonial said:

 

My situation was complicated by doing 2 drugs at once, but when I stopped that and alternated withdrawals I was able to see different responses to the 2 drugs.  Like you my Paxil WD started mostly physical with the brain zaps but eventually I did have alot of dissociation and cognitive issues and trouble thinking.  Luckily I didn't go completely off but just cross tapered too fast.

 

Considering how fast you were tapering, I'm surprised your anxiety even waited until you were completely off to come back! It looks like it started about 4 months after you began.  My symptoms were in ONE WEEK of changing half of my dose from pill to liquid which I had trouble adjusting to! But once I got this sorted out I was much better in 6 months, I just had to taper slow and easy after that.

 

I had a lot of strange thoughts too with impulses to do them, even though they were silly.

One's like:  "Take your boots and put them in the freezer".  Just completely nonsensical stuff.  But because there's almost like, an "impulse" to do it, it's worrisome because the part of your brain that reflects on the validity of the thought and makes a judgement as to whether you should actually DO what the thought and impulse is telling you to do seems to have gone on hiatus, and I actually found myself with the freezer door open before I realized what I was doing. So there was a 7 second delay between the time I got the impulse to put the boots in the freezer until the time I actually realized I was doing it and, no, we don't do that.  I was like:  " I am tapering TOO FAST..."

 

The question is whether you truly feel unable to control the "impulse" to do a thought in the amount of time it takes you to "Realize" its something you don't so.

I don't know what thoughts your having, if their just everything is awful, but if your having thoughts of self harm or harming others with an "impulse" behind them that's different.

 

Because the nature of the thoughts being so random and nonsensical, mine could go from silly to dangerous, like I'd be driving and get a thought of: " drive your car head on into the car coming head on,  and it had that strong impulse behind it.  Now, that' no longer funny.  Because in 7 seconds before I realize that's a bad  idea, I could have done it.

 

So I don't want to frighten you, but I dont know what you mean by:  "Its like I have thought up every terrible thing, and visualized it, and think I am going to act on it.." but if you truly feel out of control of your actions by an impulse that comes with the dark thoughts you might want to think about getting back on "some" Paxil", as much as I hate to say it.

Perhaps, as Brass-monkey says Prozac might be better, but I don't know, He can advise you if you truly feel afraid that you might be out of control of thoughts or impulses.

 

The worst of the thoughts were over in a month or 2  for me.

BUT, DON'T let them tell you you've come down with some strange new diagnosis, its the withdrawal, no doubt.

 

Thank you for sharing :)... that sounds like quite the journey you went though!

 

My thoughts are the fear of hurting someone I love... my dog, my boyfriend or my parents. I read some things about examples about intrusive thoughts, then I start to have them. Like it is triggered by what I read. I read about people with thoughts about  becoming a pedophile,  and then I started having those thoughts... like Omg what if I became that? Or a murderer? Like WHAT???! In my mind, I know I would never act on a thought like that...... but the fact that I am having such terrible thoughts makes me feel like I am a monster and may one day hurt someone. I have NEVER thought these things.... for example.. I was walking the other day and I saw a man with his baby... and my thought went to “omg what if he is hurting his baby at home?” Usually I would think “wow what a gorgeous family” and instead my brain goes to the negative. I am just so disgusted with my thoughts, I cant live like this. Just feeling totally helpless. I feel even so awkward sharing my thoughts here....

[Colonial]

Ok, that's not as bad as where I was, thank God.

Your "Conscience", or the "Reflective" part of the brain that still knows right from wrong AND bothers to inform you of that fact is still working, that's good.

The fact that you feel bad about the thoughts shows your still in control of your actions in the sense you still consciously know NOT to do something.

 

In that case, the best thing to do, is just IGNORE them.  It's sounds hard, but the more you reflect on them, the more you accidentally create a "feed back" loop that accidentally trains your brain to keep having them, just like anything else you might worry about, a test at school, your boyfriend, etc.  Of course, it's hard, because your worried as why your having ridiculous thoughts to begin with, but the less attention you give them, not only will they go away quicker but they won't come back as often. They sound "adrenaline based"  It takes training and staying calm but I have every confidence you can do it! 💖

Edited October 14, 2020 by Colonial

[kathy1988]

1 minute ago, Colonial said:

Ok, that's not as bad as where I was, thank God.

Your "Conscience", or the "Reflective" part of the brain that still knows right from wrong AND bothers to inform you of that fact is still working, that's good.

The fact that you feel bad about the thoughts shows your still in control of your actions in the sense you still consciously know NOT to do something.

 

In that case, the best thing to do, is just IGNORE them.  It's sounds hard, but the more you reflect on them, the more you accidentally create a "feed back" loop that accidentally trains your brain to keep having them, just like anything else you might worry about, a test at school, your boyfriend, etc.  Of course, it's hard, because your worried as why your having ridiculous thoughts to begin with, but the less attention you give them, not only will they go away quicker but they won't come back as often.  It takes training and staying calm but I have every confidence you can do it! 💖

Thank you sooo much. I am working with a psychologist and doing CBT which is helping... just frustrating. I break down and cry at least once a day... amazing the effect these drugs can have.

 

again, I appreciate your support so much 💗

[Colonial]

Your very welcome. I'll check back in on you again soon.

And the next time your having a bad set of thoughts just think about your other Paxil friends trying to cram their boots into the freezer and laugh them off.  😎

Have a good night.  💖

[Shep]

Kathy, what drugs are you taking? How often are you taking clonazepam? Some of your symptoms may be benzo rebound or interdose withdrawal symptoms. 

 

Please set up a signature. That way we'll have a clear view of your drug history and your current drugs. For more, see:

 

Please summarize your withdrawal history in your signature

[kathy1988]

5 hours ago, Shep said:

Kathy, what drugs are you taking? How often are you taking clonazepam? Some of your symptoms may be benzo rebound or interdose withdrawal symptoms. 

 

Please set up a signature. That way we'll have a clear view of your drug history and your current drugs. For more, see:

 

Please summarize your withdrawal history in your signature

Hi Shep,  Sorry I thought I did that.., will fill out my signature today. I am taking .25mg of clonazepam twice per day to help with my panic attacks.

[brassmonkey]

What strength are the paxil tablets that you have?

When is your next appointment, you mentioned "next week"?

Do you have any prozac available, or do you think you can get a prescription at your next appointment?

Be prepared as they will try to prescribe another drug and possibly two or three to try and "help" with the symptoms you are feeling. Don't let them make you think that it is your "original conditions" coming back. Your doctor meant well with the taper instructions he gave you, but it was way too fast. Which caused WD symptoms to start up, which they tried to cover with the pristiq. Which caused an adverse reaction.

 

Colonial is giving some great advise for dealing with the dark thoughts. 

[Heath]

Kathy welcome ! I agree With these guys the reason you were prescribed pristiq is because of Paxil withdrawals. That’s all most drs  know. Been there! And like brass monkey said try to get you signature on here with all meds and dates. That way the moderators can help you decide what best. And you will know what to say to drs when / if they decide to prescribe more when you go for visit. And most likely they will. Trust the moderators here that’s what they do! Hang in there !

[kathy1988]

On 10/14/2020 at 3:43 AM, Shep said:

Kathy, what drugs are you taking? How often are you taking clonazepam? Some of your symptoms may be benzo rebound or interdose withdrawal symptoms. 

 

Please set up a signature. That way we'll have a clear view of your drug history and your current drugs. For more, see:

 

Please summarize your withdrawal history in your signature

HI Shep, 

 

I have filled out my Signature correctly and provided all of my details as I remember. My thoughts are horrible today..... so intrusive. I have good and bad days.... just so frustrating. Do you know how long this takes to go away? I am afraid of getting another diagnosis from a Psychiatrist as OCD when I have just started to have these thoughts like 3.5-4 weeks ago... They are getting better as I practice CBT... but I still cry everyday. I long for the days of not thinking like this, being with my friends... having some wine? Simple.... will this ever go away? sorry - having a hopeless moment here. Thanks for all of your support.  

[kathy1988]

On 10/14/2020 at 12:53 PM, Heath said:

Kathy welcome ! I agree With these guys the reason you were prescribed pristiq is because of Paxil withdrawals. That’s all most drs  know. Been there! And like brass monkey said try to get you signature on here with all meds and dates. That way the moderators can help you decide what best. And you will know what to say to drs when / if they decide to prescribe more when you go for visit. And most likely they will. Trust the moderators here that’s what they do! Hang in there !

Thank you so much Heath! - did you have any of these crazy symptoms? I feel crazy. Thank you!!

[kathy1988]

Hi

On 10/14/2020 at 11:39 AM, brassmonkey said:

What strength are the paxil tablets that you have?

When is your next appointment, you mentioned "next week"?

Do you have any prozac available, or do you think you can get a prescription at your next appointment?

Be prepared as they will try to prescribe another drug and possibly two or three to try and "help" with the symptoms you are feeling. Don't let them make you think that it is your "original conditions" coming back. Your doctor meant well with the taper instructions he gave you, but it was way too fast. Which caused WD symptoms to start up, which they tried to cover with the pristiq. Which caused an adverse reaction.

 

Colonial is giving some great advise for dealing with the dark thoughts. 

Hi Brassmonkey, 

Sorry for the delay - I have 20mg tablets at the moment in my cupboard. My appointment with a Psychiatrist is coming on Monday. No Prozac unfortunately... I am SO terrified to go on another drug because of what happened with the Pristiq.... everything just got so much worse. Thank you for your help

[Heath]

@kathy1988  yes I did have those symptoms. Each time I withdraw too fast.  I had no clue they were withdrawals.And symptoms creep up over weeks months and you don’t notice. I tried to come off Paxil too fast 2 times and drs Change me too another ssri  and that’s why I am here on lexapro today . I kept withdrawing the wrong way and I Kept having withdrawals andI kept going back to dr And dr kept prescribing different ssri. It’s a cycle. That’s all they know. But now  SA has Helped me and opened my eyes to knowledge!

Listen to moderators here they know what to do! They should be with you shortly on what to do Concentrate on getting nervous system stable. This will pass 

[Heath]

@kathy1988 practice to relax and engage in positive activities 

[brassmonkey]

Hi Kathy-- working together via a chat board can be a slow process from both sides. Luckily we don't want to make any fast moves while stabilizing/tapering.

We will have to see what you Dr says on monday. If you have an option don't get a new drug unless it is prozac, if not go for the paxil, and get the liquid  form of either if possible.

 

Our object in the short term is to get you stabilized and reduce the symptoms you are dealing with. A small reinstatement is the best way to do this. SA's procedure typically is to switch a person off of paxil and onto prozac using a technique called the "prozac bridge". For this we decrease the paxil over several weeks while increasing the prozac. In theory the prozac covers up the WD symptoms of the paxil and then is much easier to taper. In practice it works well about half of the time. Because you are not taking any paxil right now we could just reinstate a small dose of prozac.

 

You've been through five of the major ADs and had bad reactions to all but one. My thinking is that we should stick with the one that we know you can tolerate, that being the paxil. Making your own liquid preparation and using that to stabilize and taper would be fairly easy. Better yet would be if your doctor would prescribe the liquid form. Either way you will need an ongoing prescription so we can have the medication to work with. This is a long slow process, but it does work and you will be feeling better.

 

[Shep]

Quote

2015 - Oct 2020  Clonazepam - (0.25 mg twice per day) Temporary to manage my panic and anxiety until I see a psychiatrist on Monday October 19th, 2020 to see if I can get another medication. I use this for emergencies as well when I am on a stable medication. 

 

Kathy, I copied this from your signature. Why are you interested in switching drugs?

 

Does the nighttime clonazepam dose help with sleep? 

[kathy1988]

Hi Shep,

 

I wanted to switch drugs because Paxil has been hard on my body with weight gain eXc. The clonazepam helps me sleep... helps me manage throughout the day as well to not have a panic attack when my intrusive thoughts kick in. They are bad again today... but I am on my second day of Prozac (10mg) and in the second week my psychiatrist has asked me to increase to 20mg. I am so hoping this goes away soon! I am starting to feel like a monster with these thoughts I am having. just awful.

 

Thanks again for your help,

 

Kathy

[kathy1988]

On 10/17/2020 at 11:20 AM, brassmonkey said:

Hi Kathy-- working together via a chat board can be a slow process from both sides. Luckily we don't want to make any fast moves while stabilizing/tapering.

We will have to see what you Dr says on monday. If you have an option don't get a new drug unless it is prozac, if not go for the paxil, and get the liquid  form of either if possible.

 

Our object in the short term is to get you stabilized and reduce the symptoms you are dealing with. A small reinstatement is the best way to do this. SA's procedure typically is to switch a person off of paxil and onto prozac using a technique called the "prozac bridge". For this we decrease the paxil over several weeks while increasing the prozac. In theory the prozac covers up the WD symptoms of the paxil and then is much easier to taper. In practice it works well about half of the time. Because you are not taking any paxil right now we could just reinstate a small dose of prozac.

 

You've been through five of the major ADs and had bad reactions to all but one. My thinking is that we should stick with the one that we know you can tolerate, that being the paxil. Making your own liquid preparation and using that to stabilize and taper would be fairly easy. Better yet would be if your doctor would prescribe the liquid form. Either way you will need an ongoing prescription so we can have the medication to work with. This is a long slow process, but it does work and you will be feeling better.

 

Hi! They put me on Prozac which is great.. I have started with 10mg (to increase to 20mg in the second week) my thoughts are awful and getting worse... hoping I can kick this soon! Thank you again for all of your time.

 

Kathy

[Colonial]

Hi Kathy! 🙂

 

Please take note of any different or new symptoms or issues that arise since your started the Prozac.

Hopefully you won't have an adverse reaction like the other meds but you have had them before.

 

Have a great week! 💖

[ChessieCat]

3 hours ago, kathy1988 said:

They put me on Prozac which is great.. I have started with 10mg (to increase to 20mg in the second week)

 

You might want to consider staying on the 10mg for longer than 2 weeks.  Prozac has a very long half life and it can take a while for it to reach full level in the body and for the brain to register it.  It might be worth waiting for at least 3 weeks before thinking about increasing.  Also if you do increase you might consider only increasing to 15mg and again wait for at least 3 weeks before thinking of increasing.

 

The best thing is to try and find the lowest effective dose.  Most medical professionals think in terms of standard doses and/or therapeutic doses which are arbitrary doses/terms which the pharmaceutical companies have created.

[Shep]

12 hours ago, kathy1988 said:

Hi Shep,

 

I wanted to switch drugs because Paxil has been hard on my body with weight gain eXc. The clonazepam helps me sleep... helps me manage throughout the day as well to not have a panic attack when my intrusive thoughts kick in. They are bad again today... but I am on my second day of Prozac (10mg) and in the second week my psychiatrist has asked me to increase to 20mg. I am so hoping this goes away soon! I am starting to feel like a monster with these thoughts I am having. just awful.

 

Thanks again for your help,

 

Kathy

 

Thanks for your explanation, Kathy. Because your signature mentions switching to a different medication in your Clonazepam line, I thought you meant you wished to switch to a different benzo, but I see you're dealing with the Prozac bridge. Hang in there. It can take a bit of time to stabilize. And remember those thoughts are not who you are. They're just thoughts. You didn't invite them, but you don't need to engage with them, either. Just let them pass by with curiosity, nothing more. 

[kathy1988]

On 10/20/2020 at 7:54 PM, ChessieCat said:

 

You might want to consider staying on the 10mg for longer than 2 weeks.  Prozac has a very long half life and it can take a while for it to reach full level in the body and for the brain to register it.  It might be worth waiting for at least 3 weeks before thinking about increasing.  Also if you do increase you might consider only increasing to 15mg and again wait for at least 3 weeks before thinking of increasing.

 

The best thing is to try and find the lowest effective dose.  Most medical professionals think in terms of standard doses and/or therapeutic doses which are arbitrary doses/terms which the pharmaceutical companies have created.

Thank you so much. I will do that! Really appreciate all of your help.

 

Kathy

[kathy1988]

On 10/21/2020 at 4:59 AM, Shep said:

 

Thanks for your explanation, Kathy. Because your signature mentions switching to a different medication in your Clonazepam line, I thought you meant you wished to switch to a different benzo, but I see you're dealing with the Prozac bridge. Hang in there. It can take a bit of time to stabilize. And remember those thoughts are not who you are. They're just thoughts. You didn't invite them, but you don't need to engage with them, either. Just let them pass by with curiosity, nothing more. 

Thank you Shep. I have been on the medication so far for a week. My thoughts are getting worse, but I am dealing with them. Just feel like I am crazy. I have all if these sudden urges to yell out horrible things at people, I am screaming at myself in my head. Also, googling isn't helping me. Some guy said that he ended up in a wheelchair because of Paxil? And that he has no control over his brain. I don't know why I look up these things... I guess for reassurance I am not nuts. I just want my life back.... another helpless day. I am exercising lots, keeping my mind busy, but as soon as I sit down, I am drowning.

[keogh08]

Hi Kathy

 

I had these thoughts too after an adverse reaction to citalopram 13 months ago, every horrible thought you could I imagine I think I had! 

 

And to think my original problem was mild anxiety before I took SSRI's!

 

It gets better and they start to fade, I truly feel for you now, because this along with halloucinations was my scariest symptom ever. Especially as I had a 1 year old at the time. 

 

At one point I was so scared of my thoughts I slept downstairs and barricaded the door in because I was so afraid of myself. 

 

Dont get me wrong, I now still have some irrational thoughts but these have changed from being crazy thoughts to nonsense thoughts which I can dismiss quite easily and they dont cause me torment. 

 

Hang in there, it gets easier.

 

I'd say my thoughts started to get better between 6-8 months. 

[Colonial]

Sept 2020 Pristiq (50mg) - First suicidal thoughts, intrusive thoughts of hurting others, myself exc... rapid taper over one week

 

What were the dates in Sept that you tapered off in 1 week?

 

It's only the only week of October, it's completely understandable your still having them.

The worst of mine were a good full 2 months and that was just from too fast a taper, I didn't go off.

Hopefully the new med will help but it does take a few weeks to a month for some people, hang in there.

You've gotten this far with everything being ok, You can do it! 💖