Does half life determine when the worst of w/d side effects will hit?

[lilypink]

Hi all,
Me again with yet another question which is probably so elementary to al you 'old-timers'

But; does the half-life determine when the worst of the side effects will kick in after a drop? I'm on TCA dothiepin which I believe has a half life of about 50hrs - so not mighty quick or very slow. I am now 3 days into my proper GR w/d, and whilst I do feel rather odd in many ways am not (yet) experiencing major issues and am wondering if I am getting away with it - or if I will hit a brick wall in a week?

Does anyone know, or is it a question of half-life plus an individuals ability to detox via the liver which makes the difference?

Sorry for the dumb question

BW
Lilypink

[Kitsyl]

I used to find 3 days was D day when it came to being without the drug (ie if I ran out).

When I first started my taper w/d hit around the 3rd week after a drop.

Good luck!

[lilypink]

Hi Kitsy,
That's interesting given that I understand Paxil has a much shorter half life; looks as though I'm yet to hit the worst of it likely as not :-(

Do people get daily fluctuations? I seem to hit a time at about midday when I do feel noticeably worse.

Lilypink

[Fleet86]

Hi LilyPink,

I'm not very experienced but my guess is that the half-life will effect when you might experience a touch of withdrawal symptoms.

For me on Paxil (with a half-life just short of 24 hours for me) I get withdrawal symptoms the first day of my withdrawal dose - ie if I cut by 1mg tomorrow morning (dose usually taken at 8.00 am ) I seem to feel it about 2 hours after my body expects it's next full dose, so about 10.00 am it realises something is wrong. However I think some of the drug hangs about in my system (where I don't know!) and the next day would feel a bit more uncomfortable etc.

I am absolutely no expert, but my guess is that on a drug with a 50 hours half-life you might not start to feel the drop until 2+1/2 or maybe 3 days later.

However the REALLY good news is that some people really don't suffer too badly from withdrawal Lily and lets hope that you are one of those lucky people. There seems to be no real way of identifying who will/or will not suffer bad or scarcely any symptoms. I think it's all about how our different bodies metabolize the drugs. I am hoping that you are one of the fortunate ones and have my fingers crossed. More experienced members will give you advice soon (6/7 hours time difference between UK and US) so thought I would have a go!

Take care,

nicci x

[Kitsyl]

Remember, everyone's different, LilyPink. Once I hit around 9 - 8mgs, the w/d was far less severe. It was when I was on the higher dosage that I felt the heebees coming on around week 3.

I hope things go well for you:-)

[Fleet86]

Hi Kitsyl,

Sorry LilyPink, not trying to thread-steal but Kitsyl may I just ask you how you got your doses so accurate - I notice it from your signature. Did you find a compounding pharamacist by any chance? I only ask since I'm allergic to Paxil liquid and find chipping my tablets very hit and miss.

Thanks,

Nicci

[Kitsyl]

Originally Posted by Nicci

Hi Kitsyl,

Sorry LilyPink, not trying to thread-steal but Kitsyl may I just ask you how you got your doses so accurate - I notice it from your signature. Did you find a compounding pharamacist by any chance? I only ask since I'm allergic to Paxil liquid and find chipping my tablets very hit and miss.

Thanks,

Nicci

Nicci, I use the liquid and measure with a small syringe.

I can imagine that tapering with tabs is very, very difficult and would feel inclined to see a compounding pharmacist if your allergic to the liquid.

[Fleet86]

Originally Posted by Kitsyl

Nicci, I use the liquid and measure with a small syringe.

I can imagine that tapering with tabs is very, very difficult and would feel inclined to see a compounding pharmacist if your allergic to the liquid.

Oh I see. I wish I could take the liquid but yes, I will see if I can locate a compounding pharmacist over here. Chipping the tablets is a nightmare.

Thanks Kitsyl.

[lilypink]

Thanks to Nicci and Kitsyl for these replies - it does help alot to know of others experiences. I also find it very interesting that you found it got easier as you got lower Kitsy, as most seem to say the opposite.
As you both say; we are all different and I may a lucky one but I'm something of a pessemistic optimist; expect the worst and be very happy when it's not as bad as I thought ;-)
Very grateful for your input
Lilypink x

[LCrawford67]

Lily, I think it depends on how little the cuts are at the lower doses. I'm below 10 mgs and doing fine. But, I'm really sticking to that 10% rule.

Also, I'm with Kitsyl on the whole 3 day thing. If I make it past the first 5 days, I'm good. And, I can assure you, I wait for the other shoe to drop on day 3 and 4.

[lilypink]

Originally Posted by LCrawford67

Lily, I think it depends on how little the cuts are at the lower doses. I'm below 10 mgs and doing fine. But, I'm really sticking to that 10% rule.

Also, I'm with Kitsyl on the whole 3 day thing. If I make it past the first 5 days, I'm good. And, I can assure you, I wait for the other shoe to drop on day 3 and 4.

Ahh - very interesting indeed. I dropped last Friday evening so I'm now almost through a full 4 days.. just another one to see what happens (always supposing I don't hit the wall at 2 weeks !!)
I have started with a very tiny cut; it's difficult to be specific as I'm emptying a tiny amount from a very tiny capsule each evening - a measured amount which is probably smaller than a tenth, but it is having an effect - but not mega (yet ). I have found that today whilst I felt stranger on waking I didn't feel so sick or quite so dizzy, but I have felt more tired with a headache. It'll be interesting to see with further cuts down the line whether this forms as pattern.. it seems it has with you and the others.
Do you find that once the worst of the side effects have settled then that's pretty much it until the the next cut?
BW
Lilypink

[Kitsyl]

***I also find it very interesting that you found it got easier as you got lower Kitsy, as most seem to say the opposite.***


Yes, it's strange the way we all react to w/d. There was a time in the beginning that I didn't think I would make it at all. These days I can't believe how well and full of energy I feel:-)

You'll get there LilyPink!

[lilypink]

Thanks Kitsyl :-)

Great to know it can be such a positive experience.
Lilypink

[LCrawford67]

Originally Posted by lilypink

Ahh - very interesting indeed. I dropped last Friday evening so I'm now almost through a full 4 days.. just another one to see what happens (always supposing I don't hit the wall at 2 weeks !!)
I have started with a very tiny cut; it's difficult to be specific as I'm emptying a tiny amount from a very tiny capsule each evening - a measured amount which is probably smaller than a tenth, but it is having an effect - but not mega (yet ). I have found that today whilst I felt stranger on waking I didn't feel so sick or quite so dizzy, but I have felt more tired with a headache. It'll be interesting to see with further cuts down the line whether this forms as pattern.. it seems it has with you and the others.
Do you find that once the worst of the side effects have settled then that's pretty much it until the the next cut?
BW
Lilypink

I sometimes get a headache after I've dropped. Now, I'm dealing with indegestion and a "tight" feeling in my chest. Very common. But, the symptoms will be very mild, compared to what you would go through dropping too fast.

Fatigue is very common during this process and I had that at the beginning. There were a couple of times I was just sitting at the computer and couldn't even keep my head up. But, that passed.

[lilypink]

Originally Posted by LCrawford67

I sometimes get a headache after I've dropped. Now, I'm dealing with indegestion and a "tight" feeling in my chest. Very common. But, the symptoms will be very mild, compared to what you would go through dropping too fast.

Fatigue is very common during this process and I had that at the beginning. There were a couple of times I was just sitting at the computer and couldn't even keep my head up. But, that passed.

Even though all of this is not pleasant, it's good to know that this is what is to be expected. I'm an hour away from my next cap, and don't feel so bad at all, but I know that within an hour of taking it I will feel grottier. It augurs well though I think that this is happening - I do hope so anyway..if I were feeling really rough as though my body was desperate for it's next 'fix' I think I would be more alarmed at my dependence on it

[Casey1231]

Originally Posted by Kitsyl

***I also find it very interesting that you found it got easier as you got lower Kitsy, as most seem to say the opposite.***


Yes, it's strange the way we all react to w/d. There was a time in the beginning that I didn't think I would make it at all. These days I can't believe how well and full of energy I feel:-)

You'll get there LilyPink!

Kitsyl,

Do you mind my asking how long were you on paxil, and what were you originally prescribed it for? I'm having a really hard time dropping below 10mg.