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dreamspirit: my journey - it sucks


dreamspirit

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Hi, My name is Tracey..I'm 40 years old.. Live in Michigan with my husband and sons (22 & 12) I've been on Paroxtine (Paxil) for 19 years at 40 mg.. My doctor started me on this after I had a weird virus in my early twenties to where it felt like I wanted to faint every min. and was very dizzy.. and was giving me really bad panic attacks..
I was sick for a few months like that.. Couldn't and wouldn't leave my house unless it was to go to the doctor or to get blood work done.
Would lay on the couch with the curtains shut and didn't feel like talking to anyone.. I would always try to sleep because that is the only time I felt normal...
Anyway, I was sent to a ear,nose and throat specialist and he said he just thought I had some type of virus which that must of been what it was because it did finally go away after a few months.
 

Fast forward, a few years.... A one point I decided to get my Paroxtine at Walmart instead of Walgreens and that was a big mistake...

They use a different manufacturer than Walgreens and within a few months I went into full blown withdraw... I had no idea what was going on with me at that time.. I had even went to the ER a couple of times because of it. I had uncontrollable crying, dizzy, constant anxiety/panic attacks, Felt like I couldn't breathe, dry heaving... It was terrible! and that went on for awhile until I started doing some research online and knew it was from switching to a different manufacturer... I then got my med at Walgreens again and within a couple of weeks I felt so much better but I was sick all summer and wouldn't leave my house at all.. Whenever I get these attacks of panic I won't leave my house for awhile. Till I feel better.. I was better for a few years again (which the occasional panic attack here and there) till I decided I wanted to start to wean off ... So in Jan 2014 I started to take 1mg drops every 4-6 weeks. I had no withdraw symptoms until (Now) July 2015... Got down to 30mg. I had started getting small anxiety attacks out in public and when that happens to me it turns it into a cycle for awhile.. I start having a few more at home and won't go anywhere. I've been on my couch since July 5 going through withdraws.. I thought I would try to convert over to Prozac and that would help my withdraw symptoms and I took 10mg of Prozac one time and it made me feel nervous, anxiety, sedated and felt like I had tons of pressure on my chest so I stopped it.... I can't handle these withdraw symptoms so I reinstated back to my 40mg of Paroxtine :-( .. It's been 4 days back on my full dose and I'm still having withdraw symptoms and start up symptoms. I know it could take a couple of weeks to re stablize again.
I have made a appt with a Pysc as they will know more than my doctor which is a nurse practitioner but I can't get in till Oct.. Maybe I need to taper by 1/2 mg instead and wait longer than 4-6 weeks between tapers?? I don't know.. but I hate this drug!! I wish my doctor never put me on this years ago but that was the newer drug out then and they push the newer drugs.. I'm wondering if I will need to add a mood stabilizer to help me get through this?? 

Well, That's my story for now.... Would love to hear any opinions or from anyone else that is going through this ...
Thank you!

  

 

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. 

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Here is my taper schedule that I did.....

 

I was weighing my pills and a 40mg pill weighs 500g so to take 1mg drops I minus that number by 12.5... 

 

Jan 18 2014- started taking 1mg drop at 39mg..... 487

feb 23 2014- Started taking 1mg drop at 38mg.....475

March 30 2014-Started taking 1mg drop at 37mg....462

May 4 2014- Started taking 1mg drop at 36mg......450

June 7 2014-Started taking 1mg drop at 35mg ...... 437

Aug 17 2014-Started taking 1mg drop at 34mg....424

Oct 6 2014- Started taking 1mg drop at 33mg....411

Nov 11 2014-Started taking 1mg drop at 32mg....398

Dec 23 2014-Started taking 1mg drop at 31mg ......387

Jan 24 2015-Started taking 1mg drop at 30mg ......374

March 12 2015-Started taking 1mg drop at 29mg.....361

June 5 2015-Started taking 30mg again....374... Upped it

July 6 2015-Started taking 10mg of Prozac--FAIL- Way too stimulating.. Felt sedated, tired and felt like I had chest pressure

July 7 2015-Reinstated my original dose of 40mg- Couldn't stand the withdrawls :-(

 

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. 

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  • Administrator

Welcome, dreamspirit.
 
I am sorry you had these setbacks. Paxil can be very difficult to quit.
 
For the time being, rather than switch to Prozac, I would see if you can stabilize on Paxil.
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

When you are feeling better, you might consider your options:
 
Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)
 
Micro-taper instead of 10% or 5% decreases

The Prozac switch or "bridging" with Prozac
 
Given that you tried a gradual taper from Paxil, switching to Prozac is not unreasonable. Look for a doctor who knows how to do this -- the drugs should be overlapped for about 5 days (cross-taper) before reducing the 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.

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As far as supplements I'm taking ......This type of Magnesium ....

http://www.drugstore.com/natural-vitality-natural-calm-magnesium-powder-organic-orange-flavor/qxp221316

 

Krill Oil 

Vitamin D3

Multivitamin 

 

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. 

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Thanks Alto! I appreciate you responding! Yup, I need to stabilize again on the Paxil for awhile. That's why I reinstated my full dose.. I thought I did my taper slow enough but apparently maybe I will need to do even small tapers or maybe taper 1 mg and not taper again for a few months instead of the 4-6 weeks thing.
I have Klonopin to take if needed but I try not to take it and when I do that it I only take 1/4 of a pill.. I also have Hydroxyzine to take too.. My doctor said that one is safe to take and is not addicting... So I have been taking that when needed..

 

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. 

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  • Administrator

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.

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I learned from some guy off of Paxilprogress.. I can't remember his name tho. He was on there for a long time and well known..

 

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. 

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  • Administrator

Well, respect. You know what you're doing.

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.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi dreamspirit. I am sorry to read of your struggle, but Glad you found us! You've already gotten the one of the most knowledgable opinions on this site, so if Alto says you seem to know what you're doing, then you must be on the right track. Alto also gave you some great links.

 

From here on out, you can use this thread as your sort of journal: posting updates and questions regarding your experience, etc. if I could ask you to do one thing: could you create a signature like this: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

It helps as a quick reference for people and moderators who come to your thread as well as when you post in other people's thread.

 

Your intro title states the truth. This journey can really suck, but speaking from experience, following the guidance offered here along with the support offered can make it suck a lot less! :-)

 

Welcome!

1988-2012: Prozac @ 60mg (with a few stops and starts)

Fall 2012: Returned to 40mg after discontinuing and horrid withdrawal 

Fall 2013: 40mg Fluoxetine, added 150mg Wellbutrin to treat fatigue 

Winter 2014: Attempting to taper both (too fast)

April 2014: 9mg Fluoxetine + 37.5 Wellbutrin 

Summer 2014: 8 mg Fluoxetine + 0 Wellbutrin (way too fast a drop)

Late summer/Early Fall 2014: Debilitating Withdrawal symptoms 

Fall 2014 - Wellbutrin successfully kicked to the curb but…

Oct- Dec 2014: Panicked reinstatement of Fluoxetine ->30mg - held for 5yrs

Jan 2021: taper to 20mg Fluoxetine  then tapering by 1mg every 2-3 months

Fall 2022 - held at 10mg->December 2022: 9mg->Feb 2023: 8mg ->March 2023: brassmonkey slide begins: 7.8mg -> 7.6 -> 7.4->2 week hold (April)->7.2->7mg->6.8->2 week hold->6.6-> 1-month hold ->(June)-6.5->4-week hold-> (July)-6.4 (discontinued brassmonkey slide and slowed taper)-> (Aug)-6.2->(Sept)-6.0->(Oct)-5.9->(Nov)-5.8->(Dec)-5.7->wave!->(Jan)-5.8->(Feb)-6mg and holding.

 

My 2014 withdrawal experience: https://rxisk.org/antidepressant-withdrawal-a-prozac-story/

 

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Starting to feel a little better but not fully yet.. Still planning on trying to taper again but I'm going to wait until after I see the Phys in Oct. That gives me time to stabilize more.

 

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. 

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  • 1 month later...

I've been on paxil 40mg for 19 years. I started a taper Jan 2014 doing 1mg drops every 4-6 weeks. I didn't have many withdrawl symptoms except for dizziness off and on. I got down to 30mgs. 6 weeks ago is when I crashed and I had to reinstate back up to 40mg.

So I've been on 40mgs now for almost 6 weeks. This friday will be 6 weeks..

It took a couple of weeks to feel better.. today tho I started having feelings of withdrawl again.. tiredness, adrenaline surges, head feels heavy, lightheadedness.

Is this just a wave from my withdrawl that will pass? I know it could take quite a few months to totally stabilize..

Once I do stabilize 100% for awhile I will taper again but planning on going much much slower. Like 1mg drop every 4-6 months. Or even 0.5 mg drop.

Just wondering if this wave of symptoms is most likely from my withdrawl? Also my monthly is due within a week and I'm sure that don't help matters..

Thank you!

 

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. 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Dreamspirit... I merged the last post with your intro topic as it relates to your personal journey and you will get more responses there.  If you are having difficulty keeping track of your intro thread, please link to it from your sig line as I have done.  Thanks

As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule.

 

Requip - 3/16 ZERO  Total time on 25 years.

 

Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.

BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10)  Total time on 25 years.

 

Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section.  "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin

 

 

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Ok, thank you

 

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. 

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  • Administrator

It may be a wave. A lot of women feel worse withdrawal symptoms at times in their monthly cycles.

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.

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Ok, thank you Alto for replying.. I did take 1/4 pill of Klonopin and feel better..

Your right it's probably a wave or something to do with the monthly coming up..

 

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. 

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*moved from another member's intro topic

 

I'm back up to my original dose of 40mg after getting down to 30 and crashing. So weird that I started my taper in jan 2014 and didn't get really any withdrawl symptoms until July 2015 and crashed.. why is that?
It's been 6 weeks since I reinstated. I feel a lot better but not quite 100% yet.. getting there though... once I get stabilized for quite awhile I will start a taper again but I'm going to go extra slow this time... I don't care if it takes me 10 years to get off. I can't handle the withdrawls... I plan on doing 1mg drop every 4-6 months.. instead of every 4-6 weeks like I did before and see how my body reacts.

Edited by Petunia
added note

 

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. 

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi dreamspirit,

I moved the above post from another member's intro topic because it relates to your personal situation, this kind of post belongs on your intro/update topic so we can keep all your information together in one place.

 

.. I did take 1/4 pill of Klonopin and feel better..
 

 

How often do you take Klonopin? This could be causing an increase of symptoms.

 

Please would you add information about your Klonopin use to your signature.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

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I only take Klonopin when needed which is rarely and when I do take it it's 1/4 of a pill of the lowest dose. 
It's been 9 weeks since I reinstated back to my 40mg of Paxil. Been feeling pretty good except for today. I think I'm going through another wave.

How long should I wait until I start to taper again? 

 

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. 

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  • Administrator

What are your symptoms? I would wait for the wave to be over, then reassess.

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.

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I feel better today. Not sure what that was but I had a adrenaline surge yesterday and it kinda freaked me out. I also had a headache and a little bit of toilet problems but I also went through a stressful weekend with my son's wedding seeing my ex and his family that I haven't seen in years.

 

Not sure if I should wait a while longer before I start tapering again.. I just went through withdrawl 9 weeks ago and it took a good 6 weeks after reinstating to feel better. I reinstated July 7. 

 

I'm also wondering why I didn't feel any withdrawl symptoms the whole time I was tapering for over a year until 9 weeks ago when I crashed? Is that protracted withdrawl?

 

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. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

No one replied to my last questions.. but I have a new one..

 

I've had a problem the last few days.. as you can read above is that I reinstated my paxil back up to 40mg on July 7 after crashing.

 

It took a good 6 weeks to start to feel better. I've been fine lately but a few days ago I had a stressful situation and it gave me a small anxiety attack and since then it almost feels like it triggered some withdrawl back.

 

Is that possible? I know it can take months to fully restablize.. thoughts??

 

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. 

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Oh and I also just started a antibiotic (Amoxicillin) for sinus infection. Could a antibiotic cause something like that?

 

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. 

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I know I've read on here about people being adversely affected by ABs....hope this helps.

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.

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Hi dire, thanks for your reply.. yeah, I thought I read something that the antibiotics can cause problems too but not sure where..

 

I was just reading your story..

 

I guess we are all a family in here going through the same things..

 

Hopefully someone will give me their thoughts on the post above the antibiotic question.. pretty please :-)

 

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. 

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  • Moderator

Amoxicillin usually doesn't cause trouble, it's cipro you have to watch out for.  It's probably a good idea to take some probiotic during and after the Amoxicillin jus to keep things working right.

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

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I've had a problem the last few days.. as you can read above is that I reinstated my paxil back up to 40mg on July 7 after crashing.

 

It took a good 6 weeks to start to feel better. I've been fine lately but a few days ago I had a stressful situation and it gave me a small anxiety attack and since then it almost feels like it triggered some withdrawl back.

 

Is that possible? I know it can take months to fully restablize.. thoughts??

 

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. 

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Anyone??

 

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. 

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I have surely heard of stress (especially intense) reigniting the CNS.  The people that I know who have had a revisit of w/d symptoms all recovered in time.  Seems like once oversensitized, our systems can overreact to so many things.  I'm sorry that you are having some increase -- I know how distressing that can be.  Hoping  you'll pull out of this soon.

 

(Just as a side note, I had a horrible reaction to penicillin while in a very bad upregulation.  I've certainly heard of others who react badly to all kinds of a'b's.  Again, sensitized systems can react badly to all sorts of things...)

1971-81  Valium 5mg c/t PAWS     1992- through now Zoloft 25mg    2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off

2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS    2013 O/D Val 230mg    2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg

3/15/16  Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering  Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper

3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 -    Decreasing incrementally.  DISCONTINUED

10/9/16  Doxepin 48.9  Zoloft 24.3  Clonidine  01.10  Continuing micro taper on Doxepin.

11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg  Zoloft 24.3mg  Clonidine 1.30mg

5/4/17  Doxepin 45mg  Zoloft 24mg  Clonidine 1.20mg   Micro taper of Doxepin  , Clonidine

01/13/19  Doxepin 45mg   Zoloft 21mg   Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19

12/21/21  Doxepin 20 mg ?  Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml

12/2121   Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. )

26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0-

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

How long can it take to restablize after a reinstatement?

It's been 12 weeks since I reinstated since my crash.. I feel better but I have bouts of what it feels like bits of withdrawl off and on..

How long should I wait until I start another taper? Should I wait awhile yet?

Is it normal to feel bits and pieces of withdrawl yet?

 

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. 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi DS, You are experiencing what we call windows and waves , which is part of the healing process. When I reinstated it was around 7 or 8 months before I was stable enough to restart tapering. Hang in there and it will pass, wait it out until you are stable then restart the taper with a tiny 5% cut to see how it goes. It will take time but it is well worth waiting so that you can get off safely and with minimal symptoms.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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Thank you, Mama P.. I figured it would take me months to fully restablize.

This past taper which I started Jan 2014 and did 1mg drops every 4-6 weeks, I didn't really have any withdrawl symptoms until I crashed a little over 12 weeks ago. So I figured that since it takes me awhile to feel withdrawl symptoms that if I reinstate back up to my original dose that it would take me awhile to get back on track.

 

It will take me years to get off the way I plan on doing it.. I plan on doing 1mg drops every 4-6 months instead of every 4-6 weeks because I can't function or handle the withdrawls.

 

Since I've been on it for 19 years it will take me awhile to get off safely. I'm not in a hurry.

 

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. 

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DS,

I just wanted to lend support from one Michigander to another!

I'm in Lake Orion. You?

You will do fine!

Go Blue!

April 2014 remeron 45mg.

June 2014 abilify 2.5 remeron wasn't working so abilify was then added

September 2014 woke up with anxiety x 100!!!!

Pdoc then took me from 45 to 7.5 within a month and took abilify from 2.5 to 0

Currently

Remeron 7.5

Vitamin d 5,000 iu taking for about 3 years

October 2014 added fish oil/omega 3 1000 mg per day

Levothyroxitine 100 10 years or so

Dec 2014 started tapering 10% every 10 days-no problems.

August 2015 down to 0.1 mg

Woke up with severe anxiety-sleep issues-racing thoughts-depression. 9/9/15 up dose 1 mg.

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Hi Tgirl, I'm in Allegan.. :-)

 

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

I'm not familiar with that??

April 2014 remeron 45mg.

June 2014 abilify 2.5 remeron wasn't working so abilify was then added

September 2014 woke up with anxiety x 100!!!!

Pdoc then took me from 45 to 7.5 within a month and took abilify from 2.5 to 0

Currently

Remeron 7.5

Vitamin d 5,000 iu taking for about 3 years

October 2014 added fish oil/omega 3 1000 mg per day

Levothyroxitine 100 10 years or so

Dec 2014 started tapering 10% every 10 days-no problems.

August 2015 down to 0.1 mg

Woke up with severe anxiety-sleep issues-racing thoughts-depression. 9/9/15 up dose 1 mg.

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It's about 40 mins from grand rapids & Holland..

 

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. 

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Nice area! Keep in touch!

I think you will be fine.

Tgirl

April 2014 remeron 45mg.

June 2014 abilify 2.5 remeron wasn't working so abilify was then added

September 2014 woke up with anxiety x 100!!!!

Pdoc then took me from 45 to 7.5 within a month and took abilify from 2.5 to 0

Currently

Remeron 7.5

Vitamin d 5,000 iu taking for about 3 years

October 2014 added fish oil/omega 3 1000 mg per day

Levothyroxitine 100 10 years or so

Dec 2014 started tapering 10% every 10 days-no problems.

August 2015 down to 0.1 mg

Woke up with severe anxiety-sleep issues-racing thoughts-depression. 9/9/15 up dose 1 mg.

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