dreamspirit Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 I'm sorry your still not feeling just a little bit better :-( I use to take inhalers.. I had Advair or however you spell it and my rescue one. I was 23-24 when I was diagnosed with allergy induced asthma.. just woke up one day and felt like I couldn't breathe. . Thought I was getting a chest cold or something. Went to my doctor and she gave me a couple different inhalers but they didn't seem to work and she didn't know what else to do so I had her refer me to a allergy/nose/throat specialist.. He fixed me right up.. had allergy testing done and I'm allergic to all kinds of things plus foods.. started getting allergy shots and he gave me different inhalers and a Singular.. Did the shots for 3 years and got better. It's been several years now and I have never had to use a inhaler again..Thank goodness! But I have been there like you.. Seems we all struggle with something or another in life.. Relax and Take it easy this weekend and tomorrow is another day and may just be better than the last :-) Been on Paxil since 96”-97”, 40mg tried 3 times to get off and didn’t work, started a very slow taper Jan 2016, have only dropped down by 3 mg.. on 37mg currently.. have very delayed withdrawals. Last drop was in July 2017.. still have waves and windows. Magnesium 200mg, foilc acid 1 mg, vitamin d3 5000iu, Blood pressure meds-Verapamil & Irbesartan... Smoke cbd flower once in awhile. Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted October 17, 2015 Author Share Posted October 17, 2015 Hi Dreamspirit, I've been allergy tested and and not allergic to anything, but have always had asthma. Hope you are feeling better. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus JanCarol Posted October 18, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 18, 2015 We have a thread for discussing thyroid issues here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1593-thyroid-symptoms-hypothyroid-hashimotos/ "Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again. My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices. A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia. CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013. Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine). Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 - Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years on Lithium). Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made. The tedious thread (my intro): JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium The happy thread (my success story): JanCarol - Undiagnosed Off all bipolar drugs My own blog: https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/ I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016! Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted October 18, 2015 Author Share Posted October 18, 2015 Thank you JanCarol Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 I am desperate for relief. Had been spending a lot of time in the toilet once I increased my magnesium so I did not take the extra last night. I took the trazodone that I've been on forever and the melatonin and slept less than 2 hours. I took the second dose of melatonin as I had been doing after waking and that did not work. I think I had a very light sleep around 630 am. But am exhausted. Nothing is working and I don't want to resort to Xanax. Also my worries are increasing daily with every day that passes and the severe WD symptoms continue. My heart continues to pound on my chest every time I awake, and at regular intervals throughout the day. My husband is so overwhelmed and now he may need to get insurance for both of us since I don't know when I will be able to go back to work. I am on disability that is contingent on each doctors visits. I have one on Thursday and one on Friday. God had I know this would happen I would have stayed on Paxil or tapered completely differently. When will this torture end? Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 My husband was very upset yesterday and initially had a hard time understanding why I can't just use my will and strength to conquer the symptoms. He is gone from 5 am to 6 or 7 pm. I am in hell. Sorry to be so blunt. Later in the day, he was crying saying he would do anything for me. See, this time of transition in his life was to be a time for me to support him not the other way around. I went to a grocery store yesterday with him and could not think straight. My head is thick, the slightest stress causes panic, my vision is sometimes blurred, and I have symptoms of both withdrawal and hyperactivity. My nervous system is shot. I have trouble reading and watching tv as this seems as too much stimulation. I have ahedonia and don't feel connected to anything except this pain. I am wondering if I will ever get better. I am trying to follow Brassmonkey's advice to hold steady on the new dose (15) for a month to let the brain adjust. This is day 14 with no improvement. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
AliG Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Sorry for what you're going through. I can't add much more after JanCarol's thorough assessment & advice, except to say that I can sympathize with the insomnia & the racing heart . I'm also going through it , and it's rough. Hang in there. I find Taurine helps, but failing that, deep breathing is the only other thing , I can suggest. I hope it improves, soon. Hugs, Ali. Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 Thank you, Ali! I appreciate your thoughts. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
direstraits Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Hi QP, Ican identify with a lot of your symptoms...the same feeling at the grocery store..it's hell...actually I don't remember the last time I was at the store..my husband goes...paxil is an awful drug...and I've been off it for over 17 mos. just wanted to say you're in my thoughts and hoping things turn around soon for you.. hugs,ds went on Prozac 1994-99,60mg.poopout ct back on 2001-2002,prozac weekly 2002,not working,Effexor 75 mg.?2003-mar.2004 gaining weight 8wk. taper,wellbutrin 150 mg.mar. -may 2004 ctmedfree til july 2005 back to Prozac gaining weight again,back on wellbutrin jan.2006150-300 mg.bad constipation.also was taking aygestin(hormone)perimenopausal irregular bleeding.back on Prozac around sept,?2006,hysterectomy jan30.2007(adenomyosis)off&on Prozac til 2009,citalopram about 1 mo, April 2010 no effect,Effexor again may -mar, 2011.ct,Prozac aug,-dec, 2011 &sept-nov 2012,paroxetine oct,23 2013-may 4 2014 20 mgs.tapered 6 wks.-failed RI in Oct.2014-in protracted WD.started 10 mgs. Fluoxetine May 25 2021 .Stopped fluoxetine May 2022 at 5 mgs. Link to comment
dreamspirit Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it may seem hard to get to it but you can do it and just keep working towards it and you'll find the positive side of things. ***Hugs*** :-) Been on Paxil since 96”-97”, 40mg tried 3 times to get off and didn’t work, started a very slow taper Jan 2016, have only dropped down by 3 mg.. on 37mg currently.. have very delayed withdrawals. Last drop was in July 2017.. still have waves and windows. Magnesium 200mg, foilc acid 1 mg, vitamin d3 5000iu, Blood pressure meds-Verapamil & Irbesartan... Smoke cbd flower once in awhile. Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 Hi DS, are you able to work? I am desperate. I appreciate you posting in my thread. I want to think positive but no sleep in weeks and panic etc, and the external factors (insurance, job, new marriage) weigh too much. I want to go back to who I was even on Paxil-I was stable for years and now I feel that I loosing my mind. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 Thank you dreamspitirt-you always have words of encouragement. I wish you the same. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
dreamspirit Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 No, I don't work. I stay home to take care of my 12 year son who has a cognitive disability.. he also does public schooling at home.. My husband goes to work everyday to take care of us and I'm very blessed that he does that. I'm finally pretty stabilized after reinstating. It took 4 months.. I still have some lightheadedness but I'm sure that will go away in time.. I do still plan on tapering but it won't be for quite a while yet.. my brain needs stabilization for awhile.. when I do start it I will be going super slow. It will take me years but that's ok.. I can't handle the withdrawls.. Still not sleeping, huh? You get no sleep what so ever? Been on Paxil since 96”-97”, 40mg tried 3 times to get off and didn’t work, started a very slow taper Jan 2016, have only dropped down by 3 mg.. on 37mg currently.. have very delayed withdrawals. Last drop was in July 2017.. still have waves and windows. Magnesium 200mg, foilc acid 1 mg, vitamin d3 5000iu, Blood pressure meds-Verapamil & Irbesartan... Smoke cbd flower once in awhile. Link to comment
dreamspirit Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 And I had the same with the blurry vision, any type of stress would stress me out and cause anxiety/panic. Wouldn't watch too much tv and really still don't much. I still like my curtains shut most of the time.. I stay away from Facebook as there is always too much drama. I just try to stay away from stress as much as possible. Been on Paxil since 96”-97”, 40mg tried 3 times to get off and didn’t work, started a very slow taper Jan 2016, have only dropped down by 3 mg.. on 37mg currently.. have very delayed withdrawals. Last drop was in July 2017.. still have waves and windows. Magnesium 200mg, foilc acid 1 mg, vitamin d3 5000iu, Blood pressure meds-Verapamil & Irbesartan... Smoke cbd flower once in awhile. Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 Hi dreamspirit, you are a good mom. Thankfully your husband can take care of you and your son. Don't know if mine can. When you say it took you 4 months to stabilize, what do you mean? Did you have the insomnia? I really can't sleep. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
dreamspirit Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I reinstated back up to my original dose on July 7.. it took a good 6 weeks just to start feeling better.. then I was fine for a few weeks and then I had a stressful situation happen and that set me off and I got withdrawls again. Which lasted awhile.. It's been 15 weeks now since I reinstated and I'm just now starting to feel better again.. so almost 4 months total of ups and downs.. Yes, I had some insomnia but I don't think I had it as bad as you have it. :-( Been on Paxil since 96”-97”, 40mg tried 3 times to get off and didn’t work, started a very slow taper Jan 2016, have only dropped down by 3 mg.. on 37mg currently.. have very delayed withdrawals. Last drop was in July 2017.. still have waves and windows. Magnesium 200mg, foilc acid 1 mg, vitamin d3 5000iu, Blood pressure meds-Verapamil & Irbesartan... Smoke cbd flower once in awhile. Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Thank you dreamspirit I'm still struggling and at home Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
Cheeky Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 Hey quitpaxil2015, I have been reading through your post and feel the mental torture you must be going through . You have to remember that your brain is just trying to find its was to stabilize . You will stabilize even though you probably think it might not happen . I was on Paxil for 20 years and was taken of CT. For three months trying other ssri's I thought I would never be myself again. I went back on Paxil and it took around 6 weeks to feel good again. You will get better, just take every day as it comes . We are all here to support you . Next time please go slow , the slower the better 1995 started Paxil 20mg slowly increasing to 50mg 2014 I decided to tapper myself not knowing how too and crashed , DR added 50mg of Seroquel Through the years made many mistakes tapering Started Tapering Both drugs at the same time 7.5% per month Paxil 9% Seroquel doing daily micro-taper Guided by Mark Horowitz 31/3/24 Paxil 10.31mg 31/3/24 Seroquel 9.9mg Link to comment
Prestorb Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Hi QP, I am so sorry that you are suffering so much right now. And this is such a difficult thing for family members too, it's really impossible to understand if you have had the misfortune of suffering through it. I wanted to re-post something that I had posted a while back as encouragement to you: "To many of you, I know it's hard to even fathom feeling "good" when you are in the depth of WD and just trying to get through every day. But hang in there, keep the faith in your body's ability to heal and survive - we are are indeed "marvelously made" and time is the great healer. Be kind and gentle with yourself as you journey through the hell of WD, there is a light at the end of your tunnel! :)" Hang in there QP, this process usually takes a LOT longer than we could ever imagine, but you will get there eventually. 2005-2009, Lexapro 10 - 20 mg, CT WD w/severe depression and anxiety: 2010-2015, Paxil, 30 - 40 mg, tapered off at 10 mg/week, moderate anxiety and depression: 2010-2015, Clonozapam 0.25 mg, as needed for anxiety and sleep: 1/10/2015, Zoloft 25 mg, tried to increase to 50 and 75, but nausea and dizziness: 2/13/2015, Paxil 5 mg, added back after 2 weeks at zero to reduce WD: 2/28/2015, Paxil 10 mg, increased from 5 mg to reduce WD, HOLDING: 3/04/2015, Zoloft discontinued (reduced to ~12.5 mg on 2/19, ~6.25 mg on 2/26, then zero): 4/26/2015, Paxil starting 10% taper (no scale so was inadvertently at 20% taper, yikes!): 4/30/2015, Paxil 10 mg, reinstated (WD disappeared between August 2015 and May 2016) 5/02/2016, Started 10% taper, reinstated to 10 mg on 5/11/16: 4/29/2017, Last dose of Paxil (working with holistic psychiatrist, lots of supplements to aid WD): Primary symptoms: apathy, demotivation, anhedonia, fatigue, stress intolerance, moderate social anxiety 7/1/2018 Finally feeling like myself again, success!!! Praise God! Even with the stress of relocating recently, I am feeling pretty good most of the time now. Granted, I eat healthy, I exercise, I don't drink caffeine or alcohol and I try hard find a healthy balance of quiet and social times. Hang in there and keep the faith, you can do it too! Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 Words cannot describe what I'm going through. On 10/28, my husband called my psychiatrist and coerced me into checking into a psych hospital. The psychiatrist threatened to commit me if I did not sign in. I spent 12 days in hell. Refused their meds except the Paxil 15 mg and the trazodone I was already on. The unbelievable thing is that my husband picked me up today and proceeded to tell me that he signed a one year lease on an apt. He does not believe my problems were related to WD and also believed the psychiatrist who does not really believe in WD. My husband said I brought these problems on myself by tapering off Paxil and says I coerced him into "supporting" me in getting off Paxil. He is leaving me the day I got discharged from being locked up for 12 days! He says this has been too hard on him and that I did not do anything to get better. Since I am on disability, I am not sure how I'll make ends meet. I am completely at his mercy at this time. And now I have a hospital bill I can't pay as well. The house is in my name and I stand to lose my credit. So I am very much worse off than when I went into the psych facility. Obviously, I gained nothing from the hospitalization since I was not delusional or hallucinating, and the problem was Paxil WD. I believe I also had an imbalance with my thyroid medication and so am going to the endocrinologist tomorrow. I am on a lower dose of synthroid. The unbelievable part is that my whole life has crumbled and I am more hopeless than I've ever been. I've lost my life as I know it-I am going to try and go back to work because that is the only way I will be able to keep my insurance and home. I feel I cannot trust my husband who has left me in my greatest time of need.l and acts like a victim. I have apologized over and over as I know that this is hard on those who love us, but all he has done is assign blame and complain about every spat we ever had. He acts as if it was him who suffered through withdrawal and other problems. I feel abandoned and like life is just not worth living anymore. I am terrified of losing everything I have ever worked for. I also feel that I am in a no win and abusive situation at home. While in the hospital my husband started to say that he does not believe what i say and no longer believes in Paxil WD. I am going through hell. I don't have anyone to turn to. I continue to have tinnitus and problems sleeping. I feel completely alone. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
AliG Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 Hi QuitPaxil, I'm not sure what to say . I am so very sorry that this has happened to you. No one deserves, this. Can I just say, how very strong you are , to have gone into a psych hospital and refused the medications. That is a feat in itself. I haven't been there, but I have read a few stories about it. I think you were very brave to go through that for 12 days, and come out the other side, intact and not medicated. I'm so sorry that your husband was not supportive of your goal to come off the drugs. Maybe, he can be educated, in time. At least, you were, and knew to refuse any extra medication. You are not alone. You have a community here to help you through this. I know that it probably seems hopeless, right now, but you are strong , and will get through this, as you did in the hospital. There is light there. You might not see it now, but it's there. You will make it through this. Hugs, Ali. Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
dreamspirit Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 I'm so sorry.. that's alot of stress and having a husband that is not supportive is really hard.. I can't imagine.. stay strong! We are here for you! Hugs!! Been on Paxil since 96”-97”, 40mg tried 3 times to get off and didn’t work, started a very slow taper Jan 2016, have only dropped down by 3 mg.. on 37mg currently.. have very delayed withdrawals. Last drop was in July 2017.. still have waves and windows. Magnesium 200mg, foilc acid 1 mg, vitamin d3 5000iu, Blood pressure meds-Verapamil & Irbesartan... Smoke cbd flower once in awhile. Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Dear Ali and Dreamspirit, thank you for your kind words. I am hurt beyond belief. My husband is convinced that I am bipolar (even the psychiatrist said this was not so), and that I am like his bipolar abusive stepmother. So he is basically punishing me for his childhood troubles. I admit some bizarre behavior when I quit sleeping for 6 weeks as a result of Paxil WD and hyperthyroidism, but I had no bipolar behavior. I was suicidal as I saw no way out of feeling terrible and several panic attacks a day, also no more than 2 to 3 hrs sleep for 6 weeks. The lack of sleep combined with ending up hyperthyroid due to a 15 lbs weight loss (and high dose of synthroid), is what I think made me the worse. The palpitations kept me awake at night and I became almost catatonic. He is now saying that he does not believe in Paxil WD...Today he told me that he thinks I started the taper off Paxil to "test" him-as in test his commitment to me-what a narcissist jerk! So, I would put myself through hell including a psych hospitalization, jeopardize my health, job, livelihood, house, and everything I hold dear for some silly game with him?! He is the one who is crazy!! He is also blaming me for every time we had a spat and, worse of all, he says that he has no romantic feelings towards me anymore because he does not trust me any longer. When I ask what I've ever lied about, he now says that I probably had a psych problem before and I am not even aware that I am lying. This is a no win argument for me-what can I say? I feel that I am being punished for his abusive childhood. This is the amazing thing: he has absolutely no compassion for what I've been through with this taper. Also, he is convinced that the ECT I was given in the hospital "saved my life." I think not. I refused the antipsychotic Latuda but took 3 ECT since the doctor was convinced this would help and would not let me go if I was not compliant. I don't think my marriage will survive. I don't think he will ever trust me that this will not recur (I'm still on 15 mg of Paxil). More importantly, I don't know how I can trust anyone who leaves me at my greatest time of need for nurturing, and who is so full of accusations that are frankly insulting. He is making this solely about him! I am actually the most injured party! Thank you for letting me vent! When will people, the general public, become aware of the severity of the WD that can occur with these drugs?? On another note, as far as symptoms, I still have terrible tinnitus and insomnia. The situation at home is not helping this even though my husband says he wants me to get better?! The endocrinologist wrote a script for vistaril - I wonder if anyone has had success with using this for sleep. The psychiatrist prescribed Lunesta but this is highly addictive and I am weary of taking it. Anyone has experience with this? Trazodone and melatonin are not cutting it... Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
Rachelina Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I'm so sorry your husband does not believe in you. I can't even imagine how hard that must be. It sounds like he's projecting all his own issues onto you and has zero ability to feel compassion. I think you must be the strongest woman alive to have made it this far, and I wish you further strength to keep going through this incredibly difficult time. You will get through it! 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
quitpaxil2015 Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Thank you, Rachelina! It is true that I've made mistakes and can be controlling but he is attributing everything that ever happened to us on me. He has called me so many names: mentally ill, lazy (I've always taken care of myself and am not lazy at all), and he said he has wasted a year of his life. His rage is so intense, there is nothing I can say or do to make it better. Don't know how to survive all this. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
Rachelina Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 It seems like you need to get away from him. Your nervous system is super sensitive right now and it does not need aggression and name-calling, it needs soothing and nurturing. I have a TON of problems with my husband but at least when I am suffering like I am now (I have descended into hell these past few weeks) he can hold me and try to say comforting things, and remind me that I felt like this before and came out of it. You deserve to have that too. You need to hear that you are strong and have a beautiful spirit and you are going to make it through this. Is there anyone you can reach out to that can just be there for you like that? What can you do to help soothe and nurture yourself? Lately I have been writing down thoughts that comfort me like "My spirit is strong. My inner healing mechanisms are working now to heal me. I've been through this before and it's always passed. I can do this." Can you do something like this to soothe yourself? 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
quitpaxil2015 Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 He moved out to the apt and I feel so very broken. I am still on disability, have a huge bill from the psych hospital, and now have to go back to work to maintain my insurance and to be able to keep my mortgage and not be homeless. My job is awful on a good day, so after having been away for 1 and 1/2 months, I cannot imagine the mess I will be handed back from my very difficult boss. I am not ready to go back but don't have a choice. Also I don't want others to know about the separation especially since we are still newlyweds (married since March). My life has fallen around me before but never this completely. My health is crap too. I can try to self soothe but I am so very broken that I feel like a deer in headlights-unable to move. Trying to put one foot in front of the other. I don't think I've ever experienced such despair. The Paxil WD has ruined my life and I'm still on 15 mg. I had everything: a new marriage, hope for the future and now it is all gone. Nothing is helping. I feel like a shell of what I once was. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
AliG Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 Hi QP, I'm so sorry for what you are going through. It sounds really tough and I can empathize with you. I think it could help to be honest, with those closest to you. I know that you are uncomfortable revealing what is going on , but it might help you to have that support in your life , right now. Your call, though. Also , I just wanted to say to be careful with the " catastrophic" self talk. I'm only speaking from experience, so there is no judgement . I just know how disastrous certain words can be. Words like " broken" , " homeless" , " despair", " ruined " etc. If you can change those words , to something that " empowers" you , ( rather than disempowers ) then it could have a positive " ripple" effect in your life and actions. The words you habitually choose , also effect how you communicate with yourself and therefore what you experience. You can instantaneously change how you think , how you feel and how you live, by changing the words you consistently use to describe the emotions of your life. Use, what you have learned here, to help get you through this. Meditation, exercise etc. Ali Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 Thank you, Ali. This is of course very good advice. I am trying but don't know how to feel better. I am going through the motions for now. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted November 15, 2015 Administrator Share Posted November 15, 2015 QP, that is a very distressing turn of events. You might want to start a topic in the Relationships forum about it. But you may be better off living apart from your husband for a while, so you can concentrate on taking care of yourself. Is your house big enough to share? You might take a roommate for a time, to help pay the bills. Choose this person carefully. Nursing students, medical students, and medical interns can be good, they're away a lot of the time. Does your tinnitus occur in a daily pattern? When do you take trazodone and Paxil? This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 Alto, thank you for your message. I really appreciate your advice. The tinnitus is nonstop. My thyroid level (I do not have a thyroid) got messed up when I lost 15 lbs in response to Paxil WD insomnia, ahedonia, diarrhea, nausea, etc. I am in a lower dose and doing better as I've been able to sleep a little more than 6 hours for the past two nights. They wanted me to take Xanax, lunesta and/or vistaril (not to mention the antipsychotic). I don't believe that more meds are the answer so I've stuck with Trazodone at night and melatonin. I take the Paxil 15 mg in the morning along with valsartan (for BP), synthroid, liothyronine. I also take prescription CALCITRIOL 2 tabs twice a day with chelated calcium and mag twice daily w meals. I also take Symbicort and Singulair for my severe asthma (keeps me off the steroids). I have a complicated medical history of no thyroid, no parathyroid, severe asthma, high BP. I never expected my husband to abandon me and to make this Paxil taper an issue for him. Granted, we both suffered through this withdrawal, I am the ultimate injured party. He said he feels betrayed by me for tapering Paxil. He is also dissecting every spat we ever had and pointing out how they are evidence of my "mental illness/manipulative behavior). He says mentally ill people should not mess with their medications. I was/am only on Paxil because I can't get off it due to WD!! He said the people of this forum are biased and I should stay away from it. Well, this is the only place where I've gotten good advice and was told what to expect!! He insists I am mentally ill, a liar (since I don't think I am), and even removed his valuable items from our house because he does not trust me since I am crazy (his words). When I protest or say these things are not true, he retorts with some dead end statement such as "well that is what I believe and you are trying to manipulate me by trying to tell me what to believe and denying my feelings." Sounds crazy as I type this...as my close friend said, he sounds mentally unstable. You are right that it may be better to be apart for a while-frankly I don't know how I can come back from the things he says and attributes to me!! To say that I tried to taper off Paxil to make this happen and "test" his commitment to me is the ultimate narcissistic insult!! So I would put everything in jeopardy for that? Including putting myself at peril?? That is such crazy talk!! If I had done this, I would have gone CT off Paxil, not tried to taper slowly as per The Antidepressabt Solution. I am suffering more than I ever have - I am terrified of my future and my health! So true that I need to concentrate on myself. I need to get back to work on 23rd in order to keep my insurance and my house/car payments. I hope I am stable enough to do so. I will see the endocrinologist this week (took blood work on Friday), and the stupid psychiatrist as well (I need him to release me back to work). I had three ECT treatments and all I got from them was a massive headache!! I realize I need to change the tape in my head that keeps playing bad stuff and telling me to end it all. I am striving to live minute by minute. A friend just sent me a grocery gift card and so there are people who care. I just need to concentrate on blessings no matter how small. Any other advice, Alto? Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted November 15, 2015 Administrator Share Posted November 15, 2015 You're going to need to process this change in relationship with your husband. Please start a topic in the Relationships forum, so we can focus on your tapering problems here. Perhaps it might be a good idea for you to hold on all your drugs for a bit until you can get over the initial shock of this change. What are you taking now? Did we do this before: put ALL the drugs you take in the Drug Interactions Checker http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html and copy and paste the results in this topic. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 Thank you Alto. Yes we checked the interactions. I was told not to taper the Trazodone until after Paxil even though it is a serotonin agonist. I will start a topic in the relationship forum. I do intent to hold all meds until I stabilize. The only thing is that the synthroid may still be too high. They are testing my thyroid panel and I will get results on Tuesday. They are also testing my ionized calcium since the ECT treatments caused a lot of cramping afterwards. I really really appreciate you and the other people of this forum. I would probably have done myself in if not for you all! Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
Purplestars22 Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 Quitpaxil2015 sorry that you are going through this. You are going to get through this like you did in the hospitalization. Take time to change the channel and soothe your NS. I relate to your symptoms and know how hard and challenging this can be. I have felt that I was loosing it and could not move forward. I just try to take moment by moment or day by day and keep pushing through. Keep posting in the forum to get the feedback that you need. We are all in this together and one day we will surpass this hurdle. My best wishes to you, ps22 Celexa 20mg 2008-2012 for Social Anxiety Failed attempt to stop reinstated 1 year taper skipping doses Celexa free 12/2013 1/2014-5/2014 took 5 htp every other day Failed Reinstatement 5mg of Celexa on 12/2014 for 5 days only Link to comment
quitpaxil2015 Posted November 16, 2015 Author Share Posted November 16, 2015 Dear Purple, thank you for your reply. Words cannot express how important the type of support is - you have been through this and know first hand how crazy the symptoms can get. In my case, I exhibited some pretty bizarre behavior after the insomnia of 6 weeks. Compound that with the thyroid hormone dysfunction and it was a recipe for disaster. The psych hospital was awful. I could not relate to anyone because my problem were bizarre withdrawal symptoms. I was misdiagnosed and no one knew what to do so ECT was attempted. Of course, they tried to give me all kinds of psychiatric meds but I knew better than to take them. I think what really helped (ironically) was the sleep I got from the diprivan (anesthetic they use to out you to sleep during ECT). Once I started sleeping, I started to feel better. Now, on the lower dose of synthroid I am sleeping almost 6 to 7 hours. I just hope I can get my life back. My marriage as well, even though it will be hard to put Humpty Dumpty back together since my husband does not understand what I went through and seems to think he is the ultimate injured party in this. He also shared that I was in a psych hospital with several people in his circle and this is devastating since the general public will not understand my plight. I expected him to share with his family but not with those we both know. I am very ashamed of the whole situation and would have liked to have kept it private. I feel kind of betrayed. Going back to work next week will be tough but I've got to get myself and my life back. Username: quitpaxil2015 - Started antidepressants sometime in 1990. Misdiagnosed with Bipolar, but later with thyroid disease in1998 (8 years of being on several different psychiatric meds with several psychiatric hospitalizations). Total thyroidectomy in 1999. At the time, was on 85 mg of Paxil. In 2001, tried to get off Paxil and had car crash due to vertigo and w/d symptoms. Given more psychiatric meds including Prozac and Trazodone to treat SEVERE w/d from Paxil - which is the only reason I still take Paxil. Tried to taper off Paxil again in 2004 - from 25 mg to 20 mg (5 mg cuts) - had to go back on 25 mg on the 10th day of the taper due to inability to function (dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, crying spells, depersonalization, etc). Currently on Paxil 25 mg and Trazodone 100 mg. Trying to quit Paxil in 2015. April 22, 2015 - Paxil 22.5 mg. May 13, 2015 Paxil 20 mg. June 3, 2015 - Paxil 17.5 mg. June 24, 2015 - Paxil 15 mg. Don't remember - 12.5 mg. August 5, 2015 - Paxil 10 mg. September 16, 2015 - 7.5 mg (considering going back up - severe anxiety/panic) September 28, 2015 - back up to 10 mg. October 6, 2015 - back up to 15 mg. Link to comment
starcontrol2 Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Hi quitpaxil2015, I just want to say that I am very sorry for what is happening to you. 10/2012 - Lexapro 10mg 2013/2014 - Started experiencing visual disturbances, like visual processing was slow, feeling drunk all the time 9/2014 - Lexapro 5mg, didn't notice any withdrawal, drunk feeling went away 2015 - Drunk feeling came back 5/2015 - Lexapro 2.5mg - 1.25mg - insomnia started 6/2015 - Lexapro 0.625mg 7/2015 - Severe symptoms started, in desperation on advice of pdoc restarted 5mg Lexapro - total disaster 8/2015 - Lexapro 5mg, disoriented, sleepless zombie 9/2015 - Very reluctantly started transitioning to Zoloft as of 10/10/2105 - no lexapro, 37.5mg Zoloft 12/14/2015 - 35mg zoloft, 1/16/2016 - 34mg Link to comment
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