Newbie reports back at 2 months...

hoppy · 12-09-2010, 05:05 PM

Well, month two is done. Going from 2.5mgs to a tiny 1.25mg (or so, still cutting by hand!) for the last month was OK! Were there any side effects? Maybe. I noticed some momentary dizziness when I moved my head fast, but I've felt that before. Some moodiness, but hard to really say that it's because of weaning.

I try not to monitor myself tooooo closely and keeping a focused positive attitude really works for me. Knowing how to instantly correct negative thought patterns, turning them into a positive direction, is one the very best coping skills I've learned in life. It truly re-programs my responses to many of my (former) anxiety triggers.

Now in month 3, I am just taking 1.25mg every other day, although I am not really sure I need to any longer. I remain cautious of stopping too soon, and am respectful of other's experiences that ended poorly after a quick weaning process.

At this point, I am up for suggestions!

scotty · 12-09-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoppy

Well, month two is done. Going from 2.5mgs to a tiny 1.25mg (or so, still cutting by hand!) for the last month was OK! Were there any side effects? Maybe. I noticed some momentary dizziness when I moved my head fast, but I've felt that before. Some moodiness, but hard to really say that it's because of weaning.

I try not to monitor myself tooooo closely and keeping a focused positive attitude really works for me. Knowing how to instantly correct negative thought patterns, turning them into a positive direction, is one the very best coping skills I've learned in life. It truly re-programs my responses to many of my (former) anxiety triggers.

Now in month 3, I am just taking 1.25mg every other day, although I am not really sure I need to any longer. I remain cautious of stopping too soon, and am respectful of other's experiences that ended poorly after a quick weaning process.

At this point, I am up for suggestions!

At 1.25 mg, just ditch it. Every other day dosing on such a low dose isn't doing anything.

hoppy · 12-10-2010, 07:00 AM

Really? I am just starting the second week of 1.25mg every other day. Maybe I'll just stop this weekend.

Again, I am cautious about this final step in the weaning process.

To anyone reading this that might be on their own journey off of Paxil, there are two things that I consider key to my current success moving through this process:

- Maintaining a 100% positive attitude (mentioned this already!)
- Magnesium

I know that Mg has been discussed on this forum, so it's nothing new to most of you. I also realize that I might be in a group of people that was not only mg deficient, but who respond strongly when repleting mg - so my experience may not be universal to everyone.

I now believe that my former struggle with anxiety (since teen years) was a mix of some tough, early life experiences (common to anxiety sufferers) and mg deficiency. Since starting a mg regimen this past July, I can say that my anxiety, and associated tendency for negative ruminations, has been reduced by at least 90%. Now I seem to have a typical anxiety response to situations like public speaking for instance. Sure, I get feel a little heightened, that's normal apparently, but I don't get soaring heartbeats, sweaty palms, days of worry prior to the event, etc. Gone. Amazing. Gone too are my leg cramps, toe cramps and most of my migraines.

I am not sure that the success that I've had so far with Paxil weaning would have occured without the mg intervention, and some positive thinking.

Hope this helps someone else.

Sonika · 12-10-2010, 11:25 AM

Hoppy! I am very happy for you! Congrats!

hoppy · 12-10-2010, 12:21 PM

Thanks Sonika. I hope you are doing well too.

WhatIsNormal · 12-10-2010, 09:13 PM

1.25mg is where I quit. It isn't doing anything for you.

LCrawford67 · 12-10-2010, 09:25 PM

I ditched at 1 mg. There's no reason not to ditch at this point.

useasdirected · 12-10-2010, 11:44 PM

wonderful! how much mag do you take a day?

hoppy · 12-11-2010, 07:29 AM

I currently take 400mgs daily. Here are some pointers I've learned along the way that may/may not work for you:

- Magnesium Glycinate is the best version for my GI tract.
- Magnesium Oxide is very affordable, but it caused GI issues immediately.
- I take doses at different points during the day, first thing in the AM and early afternoon.
- I find magnesium is slightly energizing, so I typically don't take it near bed time, although paradoxically, it significantly aids sleep once I get to sleep.
- I don't take it with food. Mg likes to be digested with available stomach acid, which won't be there as much if you combine it with food. The better it gets digested, the less is left for lower GI interaction.

As a person who tested to be mg deficient, repleting it has had a profound affect on my body and my thought processes. Amazing stuff.

subrata101 · 12-11-2010, 07:58 AM

A Big thanks Hoppy on your successful drug withdrawl journey. We respect your repeatative mention towards Positive attitude. We wish you further success towards withdrawl and a Drug free life.

It will be very useful for the Forum members, if you kindly put your history of drug intake and also the complete taper schedule in the Signature coloumn.

Best wishes,

Subrata 101

12-09-2010, 05:05 PM	#1
hoppy Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 31	Newbie reports back at 2 months... Well, month two is done. Going from 2.5mgs to a tiny 1.25mg (or so, still cutting by hand!) for the last month was OK! Were there any side effects? Maybe. I noticed some momentary dizziness when I moved my head fast, but I've felt that before. Some moodiness, but hard to really say that it's because of weaning. I try not to monitor myself tooooo closely and keeping a focused positive attitude really works for me. Knowing how to instantly correct negative thought patterns, turning them into a positive direction, is one the very best coping skills I've learned in life. It truly re-programs my responses to many of my (former) anxiety triggers. Now in month 3, I am just taking 1.25mg every other day, although I am not really sure I need to any longer. I remain cautious of stopping too soon, and am respectful of other's experiences that ended poorly after a quick weaning process. At this point, I am up for suggestions!

12-10-2010, 07:00 AM	#3
hoppy Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 31	Re: Newbie reports back at 2 months... Really? I am just starting the second week of 1.25mg every other day. Maybe I'll just stop this weekend. Again, I am cautious about this final step in the weaning process. To anyone reading this that might be on their own journey off of Paxil, there are two things that I consider key to my current success moving through this process: - Maintaining a 100% positive attitude (mentioned this already!) - Magnesium I know that Mg has been discussed on this forum, so it's nothing new to most of you. I also realize that I might be in a group of people that was not only mg deficient, but who respond strongly when repleting mg - so my experience may not be universal to everyone. I now believe that my former struggle with anxiety (since teen years) was a mix of some tough, early life experiences (common to anxiety sufferers) and mg deficiency. Since starting a mg regimen this past July, I can say that my anxiety, and associated tendency for negative ruminations, has been reduced by at least 90%. Now I seem to have a typical anxiety response to situations like public speaking for instance. Sure, I get feel a little heightened, that's normal apparently, but I don't get soaring heartbeats, sweaty palms, days of worry prior to the event, etc. Gone. Amazing. Gone too are my leg cramps, toe cramps and most of my migraines. I am not sure that the success that I've had so far with Paxil weaning would have occured without the mg intervention, and some positive thinking. Hope this helps someone else.

12-10-2010, 11:25 AM	#4
Sonika Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 470	Re: Newbie reports back at 2 months... Hoppy! I am very happy for you! Congrats! __________________ Paxil free since 08/30/2010 Taking Amino Acid Therapy for Anxiety Bad withdrawal!!! JUST WONDERING WHEN THE &^^&% will i feel better???? February 2010 Paxil 30mg (dose up and down for 7 yrs but mostly 30mg) March 2010 Paxil 20mg (big change, i started taking amino acid therapy and my serotonin went up substantially) April 2010 Paxil 15mg May 2010 Paxil 10mg June 2010 Paxil 5 mg August 2010 Paxil 2.5 mg September 2010 0.000 FREE AT LAST, feeling better Feb. 2011

12-10-2010, 12:21 PM	#5
hoppy Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 31	Re: Newbie reports back at 2 months... Thanks Sonika. I hope you are doing well too.

12-10-2010, 09:13 PM	#6
WhatIsNormal Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 949	Re: Newbie reports back at 2 months... 1.25mg is where I quit. It isn't doing anything for you. __________________ 3/27/09-09/28/10...40mg to 0mg!!! Always here for anyone that needs support, just PM me!!

12-10-2010, 09:25 PM	#7
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,484	Re: Newbie reports back at 2 months... I ditched at 1 mg. There's no reason not to ditch at this point. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 Today is the best day, EVER!

12-10-2010, 11:44 PM	#8
useasdirected Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 82	Re: Newbie reports back at 2 months... wonderful! how much mag do you take a day? __________________ On Paxil approx 10 years. Summer 2009, over about 2 - 3 months tapered 30 to 25 to 20 in drops of 5 - unpleasant but bearable. Stayed 20 mg about 9 months- felt fairly good. Aug 15/2010 dropped 20 to 15 - MAJOR physical/emotional withdrawl for months Dec 2011 updosed to 20, just not getting better in a consistent way June/July 2012 went back on 30, foolishly-Nov 2012: 30 days into drop to 25, going fairly well Jan2012 at 20 mg

12-11-2010, 07:29 AM	#9
hoppy Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 31	Re: Newbie reports back at 2 months... I currently take 400mgs daily. Here are some pointers I've learned along the way that may/may not work for you: - Magnesium Glycinate is the best version for my GI tract. - Magnesium Oxide is very affordable, but it caused GI issues immediately. - I take doses at different points during the day, first thing in the AM and early afternoon. - I find magnesium is slightly energizing, so I typically don't take it near bed time, although paradoxically, it significantly aids sleep once I get to sleep. - I don't take it with food. Mg likes to be digested with available stomach acid, which won't be there as much if you combine it with food. The better it gets digested, the less is left for lower GI interaction. As a person who tested to be mg deficient, repleting it has had a profound affect on my body and my thought processes. Amazing stuff.

12-11-2010, 07:58 AM	#10
subrata101 Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 105	Re: Newbie reports back at 2 months... A Big thanks Hoppy on your successful drug withdrawl journey. We respect your repeatative mention towards Positive attitude. We wish you further success towards withdrawl and a Drug free life. It will be very useful for the Forum members, if you kindly put your history of drug intake and also the complete taper schedule in the Signature coloumn. Best wishes, Subrata 101

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