Gingersdoitbetter: Tapering Paroxetine acted 18 years of use

[Gingersdoitbetter]

Hey Everyone! I’m new here,  I’m a 35 year old female, tapering Paroxetine and I’m struggling . I feel lack of support from my docs. I have a 2 year old son and want another baby and want it to be soon as I’m not getting any younger. Some days are great but some days are so awful, And I find it hard to be the mom I need to be. I was on 30mg my entire pregnancy with my son but was trying to get off for the next pregnancy. I’m to the point where I’m ok with being on meds during this pregnancy but I just don’t know where to go from here. Not sure what my next step should be. 

Edited May 10, 2021 by Gingersdoitbetter
Said the same thing twice

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a peer owned and run forum of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm glad that you found us.  I'm sorry you are going through this.  It must be difficult to care for a young child when you feel bad.  The vast majority of advice for tapering out there is way too fast, and so many end up with painful withdrawal symptoms.  

 

First of all, can you please give us specific information about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.  

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we taper by 10% of the current dose, so that the taper becomes exponentially smaller.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

Tips for Tapering Paxil/paroxetine

 

Also, as we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

On 5/10/2021 at 3:29 PM, Gingersdoitbetter said:

Some days are great but some days are so awful

When we recover, there are times of feeling OK mixed in with times of feeling bad.  This is called windows and waves.

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

 

Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart.  We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through.  Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities.  It takes time, but healing can and will happen. 

[Gingersdoitbetter]

I’m currently on Sertraline 50mg which I started about 4 weeks ago after tapering Paroxetine too fast, , reinstating and then trying to taper slowly. I got down to 8mg and was stable, not great but stable , then was switched to Sertraline 25mg then 50mg as I want to fall pregnant in the fall. (50mg because Doc believed I was relapsing at first but now believes me that it could be withdrawl) I’m having horrible symtoms so my psychiatrist just prescribed 10mg of Paroxetine to add in for a few weeks to see if it helps with the withdrawl and we can go from there. I don’t know what to do, I’m now on more medication than I was and feeling worse than ever. Wondering what my next step should be. I currently have halted my pregnancy plans until this gets figured out. All drug info in my signature please help 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @Gingersdoitbetter

 

How do you feel on 50mg sertraline? Did it help at all? Was it better than 25mg? How have your symptoms changed in the last 2 weeks?

[Gingersdoitbetter]

Thank you for responding,

I don’t feel the sertraline has helped at all at 25mg or 50mg. My symptoms have seemed to stay the same (majority are mental, rage, extreme anxiety, despair). I have picked up the Paxil prescription , but have not tried taking it yet.