QueenVictoria: Paxil hell and Almost titrated off liquid zoloft. Feeling ok. Will I crash and burn after Im off?

[QueenVictoria]

Ive been on low dose Paxil for 15 years and I am jumping out of my skin. I need to taper and get off it. Im terrified with the rapid heart and anxiety Im feeling. I almost passed out before. Its not agreeing with me and its making me jumpy to the point of taking .5 Ativan. I need to find fellow members that have experienced similar issues.

Edited August 3, 2021 by Go2zero

[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 very sorry to hear that you are experiencing these issues.  Have you started tapering yet?  When did these symptoms start?  

 

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

 

 

 

Also, as we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. This is extremely important. 

 

Considerations About Stability Stop Jumping Around

 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

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. 

Edited May 14, 2021 by getofflex

[QueenVictoria]

After being on head meds for 30+ years Im almost titrated off but Im terrified that Ill be out of control without being on meds. Is this the case of what happens when you've had a slow steady withdrawal? Its taken months and Im closing in on the finish line. Ive been hoping that my brain chemistry is adjusting well, as I am not experiencing withdrawal. I take SSRI's for anxiety and mild depression or that's what it was 30+ years ago.  Its been SO many years on either Paxil or Zoloft Im scared that Im going to hit a wall after. I dont know what to expect. Can anyone give me a heads up of what happened to them after they finally got off "head" meds? I really need the feedback. 5 days to go off liquid zoloft. I also titrated off Paxil while adding the zoloft. The zoloft at 50mg has made my stomach very sick and now titrating zoloft. Ill be clean this coming weekend and terrified. Ive become very dependent thinking these SSRI's are good, but frankly I think its all a psychological security blanket. At any rate I love to hear some success stories after getting off these drugs. Anything you can share either good or bad Id like to hear so Im prepared. Thanks everyone!

[Mia1]

How are you doing?

[Go2zero]

Hi Queen Victoria,

 

I moved your new post to Introductions and updates and I merged it with your older posts. Please only post in this thread, so that we have all your information together.

 

Before we can answer your questions in detail, please give us more information first. 

 

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.  

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18343-please-summarize-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Do I understand that you are taking 20 mg Zoloft right now? And is it you plan to jump to zero from this level of 20 mg?

 

If my assumption would be right with the 20mg and jumping to zero from there, this may be asking for trouble. Since 20 mg is definitely a too high doses to stop.

 

Are you still taking Paxil as well? And if so, how much. Please be specific in your signature about ALL changes you made last 2 years. So all changes in meds, dosages and dates of changes and tapering.

 

Please explain exactly. With that information we can advise further. 

Edited August 3, 2021 by Go2zero

[Mia1]

So I’m thinking maybe the fear is coming from the emotional dependence on the drug, the fear you will be out of control without it or won’t be able to cope. When we take these drugs to “fix” something inside we’re giving our power away. I honestly think it’s normal you would feel this way.

 

I would be mindful of this, practice good self care and non drug coping skills. I do believe as you come to see that you can handle challenges you will keep building your confidence so that this will no longer be an issue for you. It’s very similar to breaking a bad habit. You’ doing a great job!!

[Altostrata]

On 7/31/2021 at 9:11 PM, QueenVictoria said:

I am not experiencing withdrawal.

 

Great news! What has been your tapering method so far? How's your sleep?

 

On 7/31/2021 at 9:11 PM, QueenVictoria said:

Ill be clean this coming weekend and terrified.

 

20mg Zoloft is still too high to simply quit.  In fact, you might want to pause here for a bit before taking the last steps in tapering.

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

[getofflex]

On 7/31/2021 at 11:11 PM, QueenVictoria said:

5 days to go off liquid zoloft. I also titrated off Paxil while adding the zoloft. The zoloft at 50mg has made my stomach very sick and now titrating zoloft

I'm confused by these statements.  It would help it you could give us a list of each drug, and the date or approximate date and mg amount of each dose reduction.  Are you saying you did a cross taper from Paxil to Zoloft, or you are tapering both drugs?  

 

I agree with what Altostrata said above, we do not suggest you jump off the Zoloft or any drug, until we see more detail about your tapering, especially over the past 18 - 24 months.