IvetaK: Tapering 8 mg paroxetine

[IvetaK]

Hello, I am on paroxetine (8 mg) 5 weeks, but want to cut off it as fast as possible because of its difficult withdrawal process. Which way of tapering could be the best in my case? I have a big issue with my sleep,  so ocassionally I use Zopiclone, Zolpidem, Olanzapine to combat insomnia.

[Go2zero]

Hi IvetaK,

 

Welcome to this support site. Before we can answer your questions, please give us more information first. Good that you came here. There is a lot of knowledge to be found and shared here. Also the members can support each other here.

 

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/

 

I understand that you would like to taper fast. As you say stopping Paxil can be a difficult process. To be clear and honest, it is one of the most difficult antidepressants to stop for most people. We all react different on tapering and stopping. You could be lucky that it is not too difficult. But lots of the members here need longer time.

 

Most often fast tapering means more and heavier withdrawal symptoms of even withdrawal syndrome. Therefore we advice not to taper more than 10% per month. Some can go faster, some must go much slower. Best start with 10% and see what that does.

 

Here is information which is very useful

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/22958-never-skip-doses-to-taper/

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/23081-are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take/?tab=comments#comment-492493

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/6632-the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable/?tab=comments#comment-525233

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/405-tips-for-tapering-off-paxil-paroxetine/

 

You should also be aware that (heavy) insomnia is one of the most common withdrawal symptoms when tapering antidepressants. So an extra reason to taper very carefully and slow in your case.

 

[IvetaK]

Thank you for the answer. As I see your signature you also was on Paxil only for a few months. How about stopping it?I am only more than a month on Paroxetine and the dose is especially tiny (8mg), so maybe I can taper more than 10% in a month?It sounds quite strange that I have been using medicine (less than  a recommended therapheutic dose) only for one month, and now I have to taper it down during the next eight months of my life.

[Go2zero]

Since you are only 5 weeks on Paxil you might try to stop it faster. I agree that this is worthwhile trying. Often we are used to such a drug after 1 month. So 5 weeks is a bit critical period to see what may happen.

 

You write in your signature that you have used hypnotics and antidepressants during March and April 2021. Please specify which meds (all of them) and in what dosages and for how long (per med). This is important to know, since the more meds we have been taking and stopping the more sensitized the nervous system may have become.

 

If I were you I would try to taper faster but be careful as well. Paxil is a very heavy SSRI and is known for its problems to stop it. It will be a matter of try and (hopefully not) error. We all react different. Some can stop easily whereas others suffer for a long time...

 

Better not stop it in one time (cold turkey). But I can imagine you want to stop fast since there still is a chance you are in time... 

 

Do not think that 8 mg is a light non therapeutical dosage! The blockage of the serotonin receptors (SERT) at 8 mg is around 70%, whereas a standard dose does around 78%. These drugs are extremely potent!

 

To give you an idea about the SERT of Paxil see this table:

 

 

% of 1 pill(20 mg)	Dosage in mg Paxil / Paroxetine/ Seroxat	% blockage serotonin receptor (SERT)
100	20	78
50	10	72
25	5	62
12,5	2,5	48
10	2	44
7,5	1,5	37
5	1	29
4	0,8	25
3	0,6	20
2	0,4	14,5
1,5	0,3	11
1	0,2	8
0,5	0,1	4
0,25	0,05	2
0,1	0,02	0,9
0,05	0,01	0,5

 

 

In my case I used Paxil (almost 30 years ago) for a few months. It was the first SSRI I ever took.  I stopped without tapering. I had quite heavy withdrawal for several weeks/months (not sure anymore). My psychiatrist said that this was not possible. It was all illusion he said.... Yeh, sure.....

[IvetaK]

Thank you Go2zero for the answer and actual information you have sent to me. It so nice  to have such a genuine support! I think I will try to cut off this antidepressant from the hell in faster way than a tapering protocol recommends. 

And one more question: I see you are using Lavender oil when feeling anxiety. Is it something special about brand, amount of drops when speaking about this oil?

 

 

[Go2zero]

20 minutes ago, IvetaK said:

And one more question: I see you are using Lavender oil when feeling anxiety. Is it something special about brand, amount of drops when speaking about this oil?

I use it when I am suffering from anxiety, cortisol spikes and/or stress. All related to withdrawal. I have very good result with it. Take only ORGANIC and 100% pure essential lavender oil. I put 2 drops in a glass of water and drink it. It gives relief within 30 minutes in my case. When I do not get (enough) relief after half an hour, I take 1 or 2 drops extra in a glass of water. I do not buy a specific brand. I used several. Only important thing is that it is ORGANIC and 100% pure (so without chemical ingredients).

 

Good luck with faster tapering the Paxil!

[IvetaK]

Thank you Go2zero for your time. I wish you the best as well!

[Miko789]

H,

 

paroxetne needs to taper slowly,  over months 10% reduction slowly,

 

The blockage of the serotonin receptors (SERT) at 8 mg is around 40% acording to table

Good luck with tapering the paroxetine

[IvetaK]

Hi, Miko789, as I see the blockage of the serotonin receptors (SERT) at 8 mg is around 70%, not 40%!

 

 

% of 1 pill(20 mg)	Dosage in mg Paxil / Paroxetine/ Seroxat	% blockage serotonin receptor (SERT)
100	20	78
50	10	72
25	5	62
12,5	2,5	48
10	2	44
7,5	1,5	37
5	1	29
4	0,8	25
3	0,6	20
2	0,4	14,5
1,5	0,3	11
1	0,2	8
0,5	0,1	4
0,25	0,05	2
0,1	0,02	0,9
0,05	0,01	0,5

 

 

[IvetaK]

Olanzapine taking every 5-7 days

 

Hello everyone,

 

I need an advice. I was taking 5 mg Olanzapine every 5-7 days for three months to help my insomnia. 15 tablets overall. Now I would like to stop it. Should I tapper it?Or it is ok just stop it?

 

Edited October 30, 2021 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

I moved you new topic to your Introduction topic.  Here is the best place to ask questions about your own situation and journal your progress.  It keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat yourself.

 

Q:  So you have been taking it on "as needed" / PRN basis?

 

Due to the way you have only been taking the olanzapine intermittently I think it would be okay to just stop it.  However, there is no guarantee that there will be no issues.  Because of the way you have been taking it there really isn't a method that would allow you to taper it, unless you find that you stop taking it and then feel that you need it then you might try taking a small dose.

 

tips-for-tapering-off-zyprexa-olanzapine

 

And it would be a good idea to learn and use non drug coping techniques.

 

Sleep problems - that awful withdrawal insomnia

[IvetaK]

Hello, I am free from paroxetine since 8th of October, 2021. Sometimes, especially during more stressed circumstances, I am starting to feel like my head is hot, not something painful though. Is this could be still an issue of withdrawal or post withdrawal or something different? 

[IvetaK]

Heat in head

 

Hello, I am free from paroxetine since 8th of October, 2021. Sometimes, especially during more stressed circumstances or lack of sleep, I am starting to feel like my head is hot, not something painful though. Is this could be still an issue of withdrawal or post withdrawal or something different? 

 

Edited January 28, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic/resized font

[ChessieCat]

8 hours ago, IvetaK said:

I am starting to feel like my head is hot

 

I found this topic:

 

symptoms-burning-brain

 

And this topic:

 

body-temperature-dysregulation-heat-cold-temperature-change-intolerance

 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

 

Since August 4, 2021 Every third day Zopiclone 3.75, Olanzapine 5 mg, Zolpidem 3.75 mg for insomnia in a row.

 

Q:  Are you taking Olanzapine every day OR every third day?

 

This taper refers to tapering, but it is also relevant to regular dosing:

 

NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER

 

From the above topic:

 

On 6/5/2020 at 9:36 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Skipping doses causes the level of the drug in your bloodstream to go up and down, even with long-acting drugs such as fluoxetine. This puts stress on your nervous system, potentially causing withdrawal symptoms. It's like playing ping-pong with your brain.

 

[IvetaK]

Thank you very much.