Junior Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Hi all. Another refugee from PP. It's good to see so many other PP survivors here - going C/T from PP is hard - here. I was on Aropax (Paxil) for about 7 months from July 1997- Feb 1998. Was put back on it in July 1998 and stayed on it until it began to poop out in early 2009. Tried switching to Lexapro which made me suicidal, then tried Cymbalta which made me constipated and disrupted my sleep. Went back on Paxil in August to try to settle my sleep, stabilised on 40mg, my previous dose, and having found PP began the slow process of tapering. Crashed in the middle of 2013 and went c/t from the last 13mg as I couldn't stabilise. Switched to 20mg Citalopram in an effort to attenuate the w/d. Still on it but hoping to come off in about a year's time. I am lucky in that I have the support of a naturopath who actually understands w/d. Pity she won't give me shares in her practice though Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
DLB Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Hi junior!! Paxil start September 2003 due to Fluoroquinolone adverse reaction that I wish doc. knew what it was. 10mg. most of the time with a few short runs of 20mg. FAST tapered 3 times and finally hit poop out or a reaction to nsaid's in Nov.2013. Started a 10% taper Jan. 2014 and have been ok until Sept 14 and went through a short hell. Now plodding through and looking for the light with unrelenting insomnia and pain, fog, loss of interests....<p>12/20/14 - .8mg. 1/01/15 - .75 mg. 1/15/15 - .42 mg. better sleep now, hope it continues... 2/11-15 - .25 mg. doing really good!! 2 weeks feel 85% of old me! 3/17/15 .14 mg. Knee pain bad! 4/07/15 .05 mg. this is so small now that I am estimating and just licking it off palm small as a "." 4/13/15 NOTHING !!!! Took my last little micro dose on 4/12/15. Link to comment
compsports Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Welcome Junior. You may or may not know but I was palm on the other site. Too bad your naturopath can't be cloned. Unfortunately, I haven't had good experiences with them but am so glad you have. Best of luck with your withdrawal. CS Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010 Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006 Finished taper on June 10, 2010 Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016 Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia Link to comment
mustangwoman Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Hi Junior! zoloft 2004-08 tapered too fast(2 weeks) Luvox 5/08 100 mg 07/10 40mg via small reductions, 08/10 39mg, 09/10 38mg, 10/10 37mg, 11/10 36mg,2/11 35mg, 5/11 34mg, 8/11 33mg, 11/11 32mg, 01/12 31mg, 03/12 30mg, 4/12 29mg, 5/12 28 mg, 8/12 27 mg, 11/12 26 mg, 1/13 25 mg, 3/13 24 mg, 4/13 23 mg,6/13 22 mg, 7/13 21 mg, 8/13 20mg, 10/13 19 mg, 11/13 18 mg, 12/13 17 mg, 1/14 16 mg, 3/14 13 mg, 9/14 10.9 mg, 1/15 10 mg, 3/15 9 mg, 5/15 8 mg. 11/15 7.12 mg. 4/16 5 mg, 6/16 4.5 mg, 9/16 4.2 mg, 1/17 3.48 mg, 2/17 3.2 mg, 4/17 2.2 mg, 5/17 2.0 mg, 6/17 1.74 mg, 7/17 1.58 mg, 9/17 1.27 mg, 11/17 1.0 mg, 1/18 0.79 mg Link to comment
Rachelina Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Hi Junior, I was hoping you would turn up here! Trying to get off Paxil since 2007. Was tapering by 0.1 mg every 4-5 weeks. Had awful crash in November 2015 at .5 mg; updosed gradually to 2 mg. Doing better and tapering again, much slower this time. 2016: Dropped from 2 mg to 1.62 mg. 2017: 1.62 mg to 1.2 mg. 2018: 1.2 mg to .76 mg. 2019: .76 mg to .56 mg. 2020: .56 mg to .33 mg. 2021: .33 mg to .13 mg. 2022: .13 mg to .03 mg. 6/12/23 .002 mg. OFF PAXIL 9/4/23 Started Klonopin in November 2015 to deal with crash. 1/10/16 started milk titration taper from .5 mg. Finished taper 12/6/17. Still take Klonopin for agoraphobia 2 - 3 times a week. Link to comment
mattage Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 HI Junior! CT at 10mg. After 3 months RI at 5mg. Taper at 10% per month down to 1mg. Taper the last milligram a little too quickly. After ceasing meds, hit WD. Currently 2 months 3 weeks drug free. Hit protracted withdrawal 3.5 months after coming off Paxil (after 17 years use). I tried to reinstate just 0.5mg of Paxil but my body would no longer accept it. Tried a number of different drugs during a hospital spell. I eventually found one that eased my symptoms a bit. Currently, 10 months (15/05/16) off Paxil in the middle of a bad wave. I'm taking 150mg Clomipramine. Link to comment
Greg70 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Welcome to the group, Junior. Many of us are concerned about Steely. Have you heard from her? I miss her sharp wit. First panic attack 2/94. On Prozac for 6 months with no relief. Then switched to imipramine for 6 months. Started on 30mg Paxil in 12/97 for panic attacks and anxiety. Worked fine until 2/13. Dose increased to 40mg and anxiety and panic got worse. Started tapering from 40mg in 11/13. Currently at 10.9mg and feeling better. Intermittent Xanax use throughout. Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted December 18, 2014 Moderator Share Posted December 18, 2014 So Juniors Joint is going to change addresses? Good to see ya girl. 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Junior Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 Hi all and thanks for the welcome. I emailed Steeley yesterday but haven't heard back yet. Will let you know when I do. Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Songbird Posted December 19, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 19, 2014 Hi Junior, good to have you here as well. 2001–2002 paroxetine 2003 citalopram 2004-2008 paroxetine (various failed tapers) 2008 paroxetine slow taper down to 2016 Aug off paroxetine2016 citalopram May 20mg Oct 15mg … slow taper down2018 citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg 6 Jul 4.1mg 17 Aug 4.0mg 18 Nov 3.8mg 2019 15 Mar 3.6mg 21 May 3.4mg 26 Dec 3.2mg 2020 19 Feb 3.0mg 19 Jul 2.9mg 16 Sep 2.8mg 25 Oct 2.7mg 23 Oct 2.6mg 24 Dec 2.5mg 2021 29 Aug 2.4mg 15 Nov 2.3mg Link to comment
Junior Posted December 19, 2014 Author Share Posted December 19, 2014 Wow what a warm welcome. Thanks everyone Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Ever Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 WOOT WOOT! Hope we hear from Steeley Put on Prothiaden for severe depression in 1989. Recovered. Prescribed Paxil for another bout of depression around 2000. Have been trying to taper ever since but always crash about 2 months after getting to zero. Because of the crashes, for years I thought that there was something wrong with me. Then found that the crashes were simply withdrawal. Now following a maximum of a 10% reduction every month or so and ready to slow down any time I feel any symptoms whatsoever. Feeling good:). 7th Jan 15 - 3.6mg 28th Jan 15 - 3.2mg Link to comment
nz11 Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Greetings junior Wow all the whose who of pp are here ... I don't feel quiet so homesick now! Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Ever Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I feel the same Mark. Was lost, but feeling much better now I have all of you back in my life. Except Steeley. Fingers crossed. Put on Prothiaden for severe depression in 1989. Recovered. Prescribed Paxil for another bout of depression around 2000. Have been trying to taper ever since but always crash about 2 months after getting to zero. Because of the crashes, for years I thought that there was something wrong with me. Then found that the crashes were simply withdrawal. Now following a maximum of a 10% reduction every month or so and ready to slow down any time I feel any symptoms whatsoever. Feeling good:). 7th Jan 15 - 3.6mg 28th Jan 15 - 3.2mg Link to comment
Junior Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Heard from Steeley yesterday. She was unaware of this site but I've encouraged her to join. Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Junior Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Now - my latest NP update. I saw her on Thurday (18 Dec) rT3 results were in; down from 553 in mid-2013 to 419 now; back in the normal range which is 170-450 but on the higher side. NP has said previously that the optimal range for me is @235-250. Reported my realisation that too much physical activity sends my CNS into hyperdrive and that I need to be careful. This appears to fit with therT3 and low pituitary scenario. NP commented about this being a problem in general due to the increase in adrenaline and that many people think they will sleep well when in fact the sleeps tends not to be restful. Mentioned that I still have nights where I’ll wake and feel that my CNS is on high alert. It is not as bad as in the past but still hard to settle. Neurocalm seems to work best. We agreed that it is probably a surge of serotonin given that my bowel activity increases, my asthma flares up (we know that is related to an excess of serotonin), and my sleep is affected. Discussed the AllergE Deb prescribed at the last appointment. It has 2 herbs that act as an anti-histamine in the now and 2 others that work to settle the T2 (mast) cells. The latter can take several weeks, even months. The nasal spray we tried didn’t work. Now taking Telfast. I noted that earlier this year high humidity seemed to trigger asthma. Now high winds seem to make my sinuses worse. There has been a shift. We decided that since the Neurocalm is helping for calming my CNS and therefore my sleep that it would be a good idea to switch from Inkephalin (which has herbs that help to increase both dopamine and serotonin) to Neuro-enhance. It can do what Inkephalin does but also adds an extra layer akin to what the Neurocalm provides. I reported that how I feel that, in general, I am turning the corner. I’m getting more nights of ‘enough’ sleep – 5- 5 ½ hours is enough, though not ideal. Current Regime AM Thyrobalance – 1 Femarin – 1 Astress – 1 Neuro-enhance – 1 Thryo-HPA- Forte – 1 AllergE – 1 Thybalance Spray – 3 sprays under the tongue Cipramil – 20mg HRT Telfast, as needed (one daily) Chewable Calcium with D PM Thyrobalance – 1 Femarin – 1 Astress – 1 Neuro-enhance – 1 Thryo-HPA- Forte – 1 AllergE – 1 Thybalance Spray – 3 sprays under the tongue Before bed Valerian Forte – 2 Melatonin – 3mg Imovane – 7.5mg Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Junior Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 I am hoping to taper the Imovane in a few months' time. Also hoping to start tapering the Cipramil / citalopram about this time next year. Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Junior Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Oh and Palm - thank you. I wish I could refer you ALL to my NP. She is a real gem. AND she is literally just 4 doors up the road! Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Micromonster Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Hi junior, and the rest of the gang, I had only been at pp for 7 months but felt like I knew you all so well! paroxatine.30mg-98-14 (16years)/15mg March 14/15mg may 2014 every two days on docs advice, went nuts so went up to 10mg. Took 2months to stabilise.10mg July 2014-sept 2014 (6.9mg)tried WD at 10% every two weeks. went nuts, nearly left husband, cats and country.10mg sept-December 14/9mg Dec-Jan 15/8.5mg Jan-Feb 15/8mg Feb-March 15/7.5mg march 15/7mg march-present. By October, off meds and on ivf. 3 failed ivf and end of 11yr relationship.10mg/July 16- July 17/5mg Jan 18- july 18 0mg july- present. Really struggling Link to comment
Micromonster Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Hi junior, and the rest of the gang, I had only been at pp for 7 months but felt like I knew you all so well! paroxatine.30mg-98-14 (16years)/15mg March 14/15mg may 2014 every two days on docs advice, went nuts so went up to 10mg. Took 2months to stabilise.10mg July 2014-sept 2014 (6.9mg)tried WD at 10% every two weeks. went nuts, nearly left husband, cats and country.10mg sept-December 14/9mg Dec-Jan 15/8.5mg Jan-Feb 15/8mg Feb-March 15/7.5mg march 15/7mg march-present. By October, off meds and on ivf. 3 failed ivf and end of 11yr relationship.10mg/July 16- July 17/5mg Jan 18- july 18 0mg july- present. Really struggling Link to comment
Junior Posted December 25, 2014 Author Share Posted December 25, 2014 Of all nights to have a crap night, it was last night - Xmas Eve going into Xmas Day. Slept for an hour. Was awake from 12.30pm to @6.30am. Wonderful. Eventually managed another 2 or so hours. I might have dozed off a couple of times between 12.30am and 2am but .. blah.. Just blah.... We were travelling from where we live on the outskirts of Melbourne to my sister's place way over on the OTHER side of Melbourne - part way to a regional town known as Ballarat. The plan was to allow 1.5 hours to get there and I was going to drive over, with hubby to do the return trip. Well I couldn't drive, could I? The worst night I've had in 2 weeks. Sigh. I guess the good thing is that it hasn't been that bad for 2 weeks. I hate w/d Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Ever Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 Put on Prothiaden for severe depression in 1989. Recovered. Prescribed Paxil for another bout of depression around 2000. Have been trying to taper ever since but always crash about 2 months after getting to zero. Because of the crashes, for years I thought that there was something wrong with me. Then found that the crashes were simply withdrawal. Now following a maximum of a 10% reduction every month or so and ready to slow down any time I feel any symptoms whatsoever. Feeling good:). 7th Jan 15 - 3.6mg 28th Jan 15 - 3.2mg Link to comment
Junior Posted December 26, 2014 Author Share Posted December 26, 2014 What a crappy time to have a wave. Xmas! Slept a little better last night - drifting in and out of sleep for about 4 hours. Then I felt hot and just assumed it was another hot / humid night. Wrong. It was cold. I was having a hot flush! I've learned that I wake @4am when I do and don't get back to sleep. This was no different. And my cat kept having bouts of loud meowing which was REALLY annoying. Then she slept under the covers with me from @9.30am to 11am. I think she has a spell over me. She looks at me and I melt Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Junior Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 So the wave is over but now I'm waking at 4-4.30am every night. Seems my thyroid issue is getting worse. I can get back to sleep with the aid of Neurocalm and my daily dose of Citalopram - which I'm taking at about 5am - and manage another couple of hours. With Jason on his summer holiday from 'work' it's manageable. My NP altered my regime back in early October to counter this and it can take 12 weeks to kick in so I'm hopeful that I will be doing better in a couple of weeks. Markca posted a great piece in his journal yesterday, listing all the possible side effects of Paxil use. A 'rare' one is hypothyroidism (thanks GSK - NOT) and an 'infrequent' one is asthma. I now find myself wondering if I will always have a thyroid problem. Certainly hope not! Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Junior Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 After some vitriolic attacks elsewhere on this forum, I'm not sure I want to stay. I had wanted to keep in touch with those I considered my PP family but I'm reconsidering that now. It might be time to move on .... Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Wildflower0214 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 What???! No! We want you to stay! You are welcome here! 2005-Zoloft bad reaction.....2006-Lexepro......2012-Upped Lexepro.......2013-Upped Lexepro......2/2014- Attempted Taper Lexepro...2/2014- Updosed Lexepro.......3/2014-Ativan.....5/2014- CT switch from Lexpro to Effexor..... 5/2014-7/2014-Tapered Ativan from 1mg to .25mg.....6/2014-Bad reaction to Effexor........7/2014- Rapid taper Effexor every other day......7/5/2014- Off Effexor.......7/2014-12/2014 - Ativan .25mg.......12/25/2014 -Taper Ativan by 4% due to paradoxical reaction .24mg...11/18/2015-Taper Ativan 1% CURRENTLY ON: .2376mg Ativan taken in 6 .0396mg doses. Link to comment
Tkcring Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Don't leave junior. I'm new here too. Please stay. You're not alone???? Took zoloft for 8 weeks. Tapered off, but not very well. Highest dose was 50mg for 4 weeks, then 25mg for three, then tapered too fast. I am 7 weeks being off completely, but seriously crippling insomnia. I can deal with every single other symptom but the insomnia is slowly killing me. I am on magnesium and occasional holy basil. That seems to help. I feel like I am going crazy. I am a photographer and hygienist and need my energy my two kids and my work. Also took Tylenol PM for 20 years. Have been off of that completely for 4 months. I am sure that is part of the problem, for I understand that histamine is also a neurotransmitter. What have I done to myself :/ Link to comment
Frustrated Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Oh no that is sad. I hope you reconsider. I remember you from pp and it is nice to see you here. 2002-put on amitryptiline for fibromyalgia. 10mg.2004-stopped abruptly. Didn't think it helped.2006 approx.-put on Paxil for mild anxiety 20 mg.2007 upped to 40 mg. not sure why.2011- tapered from 40 to 10. went nuts and went back to 20mg2014- tapered from 20mg to 0 from April to The end of June.current meds- Metformin(type 2 diabetic) and low dose aspirin.Take multi vitamin and vit b12, vit. D and magnesium. 5 months off Paxil. Still suffering.recently added 1.2mg of Paxil to alleviate withdrawals.(Nov 30)Dropped to .9mg because having symptoms from reinstatement.(dec 23)<p>taper to .76mg-.8mg (Feb 3) approx. weight .010 to about .008-.009 on scale..6mg (march 19th.) .5mg(April 19th).4mg(April 27th).2 (June 27th) 0mg. done taper at beginning of August. Link to comment
Tkcring Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Just when I had 4 windows in a row i am now riding a wave. Dang waves. I'm so sleepy. All I want is sleep. It does fascinate me however, how ssri WD messes with the sleep center. It really is intriguing to me. I've studied and read so much online. Then I panic that that alone will be my demise because I'm obsessed with it! Whew. I've had such terrible bags under my eyes from no sleep that I did something so weird. Yes, I admitting I rubbed hemorrhoid cream under my eyes to soak up the fluid. I had a meeting with a client and didn't want to appear like I had just risen from the dead???? Took zoloft for 8 weeks. Tapered off, but not very well. Highest dose was 50mg for 4 weeks, then 25mg for three, then tapered too fast. I am 7 weeks being off completely, but seriously crippling insomnia. I can deal with every single other symptom but the insomnia is slowly killing me. I am on magnesium and occasional holy basil. That seems to help. I feel like I am going crazy. I am a photographer and hygienist and need my energy my two kids and my work. Also took Tylenol PM for 20 years. Have been off of that completely for 4 months. I am sure that is part of the problem, for I understand that histamine is also a neurotransmitter. What have I done to myself :/ Link to comment
Ever Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I don't want you to leave. I don't want to leave either.... Put on Prothiaden for severe depression in 1989. Recovered. Prescribed Paxil for another bout of depression around 2000. Have been trying to taper ever since but always crash about 2 months after getting to zero. Because of the crashes, for years I thought that there was something wrong with me. Then found that the crashes were simply withdrawal. Now following a maximum of a 10% reduction every month or so and ready to slow down any time I feel any symptoms whatsoever. Feeling good:). 7th Jan 15 - 3.6mg 28th Jan 15 - 3.2mg Link to comment
Junior Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Thank you for your support folks. Nice to know that so many care. Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Frustrated Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Ever and junior, you both need to stay put. Please don't let others' negativity affect you. You both offer alot of support to alot of people and I personally value both of you. Ever, you have spoken on my thread several times. Please try to ignore the negative comments because we don't all agree. 2002-put on amitryptiline for fibromyalgia. 10mg.2004-stopped abruptly. Didn't think it helped.2006 approx.-put on Paxil for mild anxiety 20 mg.2007 upped to 40 mg. not sure why.2011- tapered from 40 to 10. went nuts and went back to 20mg2014- tapered from 20mg to 0 from April to The end of June.current meds- Metformin(type 2 diabetic) and low dose aspirin.Take multi vitamin and vit b12, vit. D and magnesium. 5 months off Paxil. Still suffering.recently added 1.2mg of Paxil to alleviate withdrawals.(Nov 30)Dropped to .9mg because having symptoms from reinstatement.(dec 23)<p>taper to .76mg-.8mg (Feb 3) approx. weight .010 to about .008-.009 on scale..6mg (march 19th.) .5mg(April 19th).4mg(April 27th).2 (June 27th) 0mg. done taper at beginning of August. Link to comment
Ever Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Thankyou so much Frustrated. Really appreciate it. I'm in tears at the moment. Alto has mentioned that she would like discussion of this to be on that one thread and not to permeate SA. I can understand that and agree, so I'm not going to say any more here. But thankyou, thankyou so much. Gosh I'm miserable - didn't need this... Put on Prothiaden for severe depression in 1989. Recovered. Prescribed Paxil for another bout of depression around 2000. Have been trying to taper ever since but always crash about 2 months after getting to zero. Because of the crashes, for years I thought that there was something wrong with me. Then found that the crashes were simply withdrawal. Now following a maximum of a 10% reduction every month or so and ready to slow down any time I feel any symptoms whatsoever. Feeling good:). 7th Jan 15 - 3.6mg 28th Jan 15 - 3.2mg Link to comment
Junior Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Moving on - first day without Telfast yesterday and I slept better last night. I was amazed to find that a side-effect of anti-histamine is insomnia. As if I haven't had enough of that in the past 18 months! Sheesh! Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
Wildflower0214 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Glad you slept better. I have struggled with insomnia. HATE! Is not a strong enough word. 2005-Zoloft bad reaction.....2006-Lexepro......2012-Upped Lexepro.......2013-Upped Lexepro......2/2014- Attempted Taper Lexepro...2/2014- Updosed Lexepro.......3/2014-Ativan.....5/2014- CT switch from Lexpro to Effexor..... 5/2014-7/2014-Tapered Ativan from 1mg to .25mg.....6/2014-Bad reaction to Effexor........7/2014- Rapid taper Effexor every other day......7/5/2014- Off Effexor.......7/2014-12/2014 - Ativan .25mg.......12/25/2014 -Taper Ativan by 4% due to paradoxical reaction .24mg...11/18/2015-Taper Ativan 1% CURRENTLY ON: .2376mg Ativan taken in 6 .0396mg doses. Link to comment
Junior Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Thanks. It's awful isn't it? I crashed during my Paxil taper and revealed a - I believe w/d induced - thyroid issue that is not recognised by mainstream medicine. Funny about that, eh? It took 3 months for the herbal remedies to begin to take effect and during that stretch I was doing well if I got more than 4 hours sleep per night. Uggh. Sorry you've had to suffer this horrid form of torture as well. Personal history of GAD and 4 melancholic depressive episodes - two treated with Amityptline Family history of Bipolar Disorder - goes back at least 3 generations Adult son with autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II Put on Aropax / Paxil in July 1997 for anther episode. Decision to stay on it - worst decision of my life. Began to poop out in late 2008. Switched to Lexapro March 2009. Made me suicidal. Tried Cymbalta for 19 days. Horrible w/d. Found PP and RI'd Aropax at about the same time - August 2009. Began slow taper in 2010. Crashed in 13-11mg range in mid 2013. Switched to Citalopram 21 Oct 2013 in an attempt to stabilise. There are things that are known, and things that are unknown; in between are doors - Anonymous https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/longing-for-life/id958423649 My book about my unsuccessful journey through IVF Link to comment
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