![]() |
|
|||||||
| General Discussion Open discussion about Paxil, Paxil Withdrawal, successes and progress, good stories and bad, with and without. |
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
|
#1 |
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 919
|
Paxil Free......as of today!!
That's right, last dose of paxil was yesterday at around 8:00 am, let the healing begin. Lot's of issues to work on but I'm ready for life without paxil for the first time since April of 2001.
I want to thank Babs for saving me the night before Mother's Day, I had taken my Doctor's advise and tapered from 20 mgs to around 2.5 mgs (not sure of actually dosage was cutting pills without scales) in 3 months. I was a mess and due to the fact it was the night before Mother's Day, felt selfish reaching out to a friend. I was ready to drive myself to a Mental Hospital, but I jumped on this site and Babs gave me great advise which got me through the rest of the weekend. Also, I started really listening to what everyone said on this site rather than listen to my Doctor. This site has been a true life line, and if you stick it out and listen to those who have gone on this journey and made it, you will too. It's not going to be a bed of roses, but just take it one day at a time. I've been singing that song by Adelle all day in my head "I'm on the edge of Glory" (I don't know the rest of the words), just that one phrase. I wish I could celebrate with a glass of Champange, but will do that next March 12th. I know my Mom is smiling down from heaven at me today, I will always love and miss you Booga!! Suzanne
__________________
Paxil 20 mg. - April 2001 Began taper - Feb. 3, 2011 15 mgs - 2 wks. 10 mgs - 2 wks. 5 mgs - 3-1-10 2.5 mgs - 4-6-11 5 mgs. - 5-8-11 5mgs. - liquid paxil 6-10-11 4 mgs - 6-24-11 4.5 mgs - 7-11-11 4 mgs - 7-29-11 3.6 mgs - 8-19-11 3.0 - 9-11-11 2.5 - 10-6-11 2.0 - 11-10-11 1.5 - 12-9-11 1.25 - 2-10-12 1.0 - 3-9-12 PAXIL FREE 3-12-12 Re-instated 3-15-12 10 mgs. "If you are casting a play in hell don't expect Angels to show up as the actors" |
|
|
|
|
|
#2 |
|
Moderator
"Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 34,484
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
WOOT! You go, Suzanne! You did it and you'll do nothing but improve from here! VERY, VERY proud of you!
"Edge of Glory" is by Lady Gaga, by the way
__________________
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! |
|
|
|
|
|
#3 |
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 919
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
LOL.....I never get the words or the artist right with songs, my sister always laughs at me.
And if anyone is wondering, I am crying tears of joy!! I love being able to cry again.
__________________
Paxil 20 mg. - April 2001 Began taper - Feb. 3, 2011 15 mgs - 2 wks. 10 mgs - 2 wks. 5 mgs - 3-1-10 2.5 mgs - 4-6-11 5 mgs. - 5-8-11 5mgs. - liquid paxil 6-10-11 4 mgs - 6-24-11 4.5 mgs - 7-11-11 4 mgs - 7-29-11 3.6 mgs - 8-19-11 3.0 - 9-11-11 2.5 - 10-6-11 2.0 - 11-10-11 1.5 - 12-9-11 1.25 - 2-10-12 1.0 - 3-9-12 PAXIL FREE 3-12-12 Re-instated 3-15-12 10 mgs. "If you are casting a play in hell don't expect Angels to show up as the actors" |
|
|
|
|
|
#4 |
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 109
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Here's hoping that things continue to evolve for you... take seriously your words about sticking it out, with those who have already made the journey... AM waiting to feel stabilised on 300 Effexor, before embarking on a slow taper...and trusting the collective wisdom and experience here will show me the path... and after what I have been through in the past (and I assume most of us)... mild to moderate pain is expected... but I hope can be minimised
__________________
Chronic pain (cervical headache). 30 years (fairly resolved, 2010) Medicated with: 1996-99:Paxil (rapid reduction) 1999-2001: Luvox (CT) 2002-2012: Effexor 300mg Dec 2011: 25% drop in two weeks (reinstated) |
|
|
|
|
|
#5 | |
|
Moderator
"Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 34,484
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Quote:
There will be bumps in the road of life, but you're so much stronger than you even know because of this experience!
__________________
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! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
#6 |
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 919
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Thanks Rob, I have no idea what lies ahead, but I do know I can get through it. Still experiencing depression and lots of anger but know one day this will be a distant memory. This is not my first rodeo with depression/anxiety/panic but I've had many great people in my life who have taught me tools to rely on. Like I said, not ready for that glass of champagne yet.......one day.
My best advise to anyone trying to get off an AD, is advice I did not take when I joined this site and it was to GO SLOW, it's not a race. Once I figured that out, and relaxed, I mentally got back into tapering after many failures over the years. My best to you!! Suzanne
__________________
Paxil 20 mg. - April 2001 Began taper - Feb. 3, 2011 15 mgs - 2 wks. 10 mgs - 2 wks. 5 mgs - 3-1-10 2.5 mgs - 4-6-11 5 mgs. - 5-8-11 5mgs. - liquid paxil 6-10-11 4 mgs - 6-24-11 4.5 mgs - 7-11-11 4 mgs - 7-29-11 3.6 mgs - 8-19-11 3.0 - 9-11-11 2.5 - 10-6-11 2.0 - 11-10-11 1.5 - 12-9-11 1.25 - 2-10-12 1.0 - 3-9-12 PAXIL FREE 3-12-12 Re-instated 3-15-12 10 mgs. "If you are casting a play in hell don't expect Angels to show up as the actors" |
|
|
|
|
|
#7 |
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 919
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
LC - Yes it is a wonderful feeling, one thing I have not done since joining this site was to "'pick up other peoples symptoms", which is truly odd for me. Maybe the pollyanna approach worked for me, lol.
I'm taking each day as they come and if I have a bad day, just chalk it up as just that, a bad day. I am looking forward to life again no matter what happens, it will be without paxil, but maybe a good therapist. Thank you!! Suzanne
__________________
Paxil 20 mg. - April 2001 Began taper - Feb. 3, 2011 15 mgs - 2 wks. 10 mgs - 2 wks. 5 mgs - 3-1-10 2.5 mgs - 4-6-11 5 mgs. - 5-8-11 5mgs. - liquid paxil 6-10-11 4 mgs - 6-24-11 4.5 mgs - 7-11-11 4 mgs - 7-29-11 3.6 mgs - 8-19-11 3.0 - 9-11-11 2.5 - 10-6-11 2.0 - 11-10-11 1.5 - 12-9-11 1.25 - 2-10-12 1.0 - 3-9-12 PAXIL FREE 3-12-12 Re-instated 3-15-12 10 mgs. "If you are casting a play in hell don't expect Angels to show up as the actors" |
|
|
|
|
|
#8 |
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 109
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Thanks... i look forward to reading more of your journey in the future...for today, enjoy the accomplishment..
Funny how slow, "slow" really means...I thought i would tackle this problem over our Summer... I also took on board stuff from other Boards about a Prozac crossover...I quickly moved from functional to despair... and three and half months later.. still recovering... I that time I have been reading lots here on this site... At first i bought the line about 10% taper... Now having read more about Effexor WD, I am thinking 5% should by my initial target... I am definitely committed to now additional drugs... and in a way, if I dont think of the drug as "poison", then the time issue begins to fade... Its just stuff that doesn't help. As I look forward... I am becoming resigned to a couple of years... but if that is progress, then that is OK..
__________________
Chronic pain (cervical headache). 30 years (fairly resolved, 2010) Medicated with: 1996-99:Paxil (rapid reduction) 1999-2001: Luvox (CT) 2002-2012: Effexor 300mg Dec 2011: 25% drop in two weeks (reinstated) |
|
|
|
|
|
#9 |
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 109
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
...should read "no additional drugs..." !!!
__________________
Chronic pain (cervical headache). 30 years (fairly resolved, 2010) Medicated with: 1996-99:Paxil (rapid reduction) 1999-2001: Luvox (CT) 2002-2012: Effexor 300mg Dec 2011: 25% drop in two weeks (reinstated) |
|
|
|
|
|
#10 |
|
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: California
Posts: 2,048
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Suzanne--Congratulations!!!! I am so glad you made it. You were the second person to welcome me to the site, and your comments have been very important to me. I misting up with happy tears too.
__________________
AKA Tom 1994 started 20mg Paxil 1999 updosed to 30mg 2005 updosed to 40mg 2010 started not to work very well 09/2011 CTed from 15oz vodka a night 09/2011 dropped to 36mg 06/2012 dropped to 19mg (past halfway point) ![]() 08/2012 dropped to 17.1mg 09/2012 dropped to 15.2mg 11/2012 dropped to 13.8mg 12/2012 dropped to 12.4mg 01/2013 dropped to 11.1mg 03/2013 dropped to 10.0mg
|
|
|
|
|
|
#11 |
|
Wax on. Wax off.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,055
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Yay Suzanne! Congrats for getting to where you want to be, and kudos for keeping such a good attitude. No matter what lies ahead, it will serve you well.
__________________
- Drew Paxil free since September 2005. |
|
|
|
|
|
#12 |
|
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,566
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Congrats Suzanne!!!! You'll do great! Thanks for always being so positive and supportive.
__________________
*Poly-drugged since May 2011 (14 meds in 4 months-paradox. reactions to all). From mild anxiety to almost psychosis on meds. IT IS THE MEDS, NOT ME! *Elavil: 75 mg -> 37.5 (12d) Imipramine: 37.5 mg -> 0 (1 mo,10/08/11): akathisia! 5 mg -> 0 (1 mo,11/29/11) Now in w/d hell and missing my old self. Please go to http://www.askapatient.com and leave a review of your med(s) and w/d experience.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#13 |
|
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,395
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Suzanne, that is fantasic. well done xxx
__________________
Paxil History: 20mg - April 1997 0mg - Summer 1998 30mg - October 1999 20mg - October 2002 - July 2011 20mg to 10mg - July 2011 - March 2012 (10% taper) CRASHED when i got to 5.2mg Back on 10mg - STAYING HERE FOR TIME BEING. |
|
|
|
|
|
#14 |
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,680
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!
![]()
__________________
5/93 - Started paxil after 6 years sensory distortions from benzo WD/low-dose reinst.+chronic medical problems/pain - 20 mg/day; yrs later 15 mg 3/30/06 - 20 mg 4/21/06 - 15 mg 4/27/06 - 10 mg 5/17/06 - 5 mg (none 5/20) 5/21-24/06 - 2.5 mg (5/22 - none) 5/25/06 - d/c’d paroxetine Felt better than in years, then gradual WD symptoms 6/17/06 - Bolted awake in blind terror, started E-ticket ride to hell 2010 - Leaving hell for balmier climate! (Still on my pre-paxil 0.5 mg clonazepam) |
|
|
|
|
|
#15 |
|
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: new jersey
Posts: 47,015
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
![]()
__________________
AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK |
|
|
|
|
|
#16 |
|
"dare to suck big!"
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 7,550
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Congratulations! You made it! And thanks for the shout out ... it feels good to know I helped you succeed.
__________________
Babs Paxil 20mg 1994-2005 2 failed attempts to quit Tapered Jan-April 2005 Paxil-free since May 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
#17 |
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 12
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
As a newbe to this site and this journey, THANK YOU for posting this. It's so easy to get overwhelmed, and those of us starting down this path need to remember that there's an end to it. Well done!
__________________
~Neerosis~ On 20mgs Paxil for 11 yrs (social anxiety) Hit poop-out/withdrawal symptoms and began 10% taper using liquid: March 7, 2012: 20mgs to 18 April 15, 2012: 18mgs to 16 May 29, 2012: 16mgs to 14 July 3, 2012: 14mgs to 12 August 8, 2012: 12mgs to 11 |
|
|
|
|
|
#18 |
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 957
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
HUGE congrats Suzanne, you made it, and you made it while helping SO many of us keep on going, too. Like Brassmonkey, I fondly remember your warm welcomes to pp and your own advice, and look forward to reading as you regain even more of your life from hereon in - the only way is up
__________________
'83-90: Various tricyclics, anti-psychotics, tranqs. '90-02: Prozac - poopout 2002 '02-10: Paroxetine 40, 60, 80mg. ENOUGH! Jun10-Feb11: Slow taper 80-60mg, 5-12% Feb-Jul11: 60-50, 5% 6wkly Jul11-Mar12: 50-20, 10% 6wkly Hold at 20 for winter... Aug-Dec12: 18, 16.2, 14.6, 13.1, 10.6 (error), 9.5 Jan-Apr13: 8.6, 7.7, 6.9, 6.2, 5.6 1 May13: 5.0 !!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
#19 |
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 407
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Soo Happy for you!!! What a rock star
__________________
Ambian 2001 -Feb 20th 2012 Various AD's 2002-2005 (zoloft) (Lexapro) switched to cymbalta in 2005 Provigil and similar one 2006-2008 Lyrica 2007- 2010 ? Cymbalta 60 mg. 2005-2011 75 mg.Effexor (Venlafaxine) march 2011 Remeron march 2011-jan 2012 ct off Last Effexor ( venlafaxine) feb 10 2012 Had to CT after very short wean....Severely allergic to it |
|
|
|
|
|
#20 |
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 458
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Yay! Congrats Suzanne! So incredibly happy for you!!!
__________________
10mg of Citalopram - 10/2011 to 12/2011 Adverse reaction - DP/DR Tapered: 7.5mg - 1 week 5mg - 1 week 2.5mg - 1 week Off all medication as of 12/17/2011 Found out my issues have stemmed from having the Epstein Barr virus which caused secondary thyroid/adrenal issues! If you are depressed and have anxiety get all of these checked! www.stopthethyroidmadness.com www.sabbaticalsoapbox.com "Let everything happen to you, beauty and terror. Just keep going, no feeling is final." - Rilke |
|
|
|
|
|
#21 |
|
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,322
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Atta Girl !!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
#22 |
|
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 2,638
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Congrats
__________________
3rd attempt at withdrawal going slow..compounded pills Taper: 05/27/2010 - 03/12/12: Tapered From 20mgs - 6.2 (2years) 04/11/2012 - 6.0 05/10/2012 - 5.8 06/09/2012 - 5.6 07/09/2012 - 5.4 80/08/2012 - 5.2 09/07/2012 - 5.0 10/07/2012 - 4.8 11/06/2012 - 4.6 12/06/2012 - 4.4 01/04/2013 - 4.2 02/03/2013 - 4.0 03/05/2013 - 3.8 04/04/2013 - 3.6 05/05/2013 - 3.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
#23 |
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Montara, CA
Posts: 706
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Congrats Suzanne! You are going to do great off the meds. Well done on such an accomplishment!
__________________
August 12th- Resuming taper, 9 mgs August 30th- 8mgs September 15th - 7.1mgs October 7th - 6.5 mgs October 18th - 6 mgs November 9th - 5 mgs December 13th - 4.5mgs December 29th - 4 mgs Jan 23rd - 3mgs, no side effects on this drop Feb 22nd - 2.5 ish mgs Mar 22nd - 1.9 ish mgs April 15th - 1 mg ish - Haven't had any significant withdrawl side effects since below 3mgs. May 22nd 2010- 0 |
|
|
|
|
|
#24 |
|
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,497
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
I celebrate with you! What an accomplishment! You have been a wonderful support and you give me hope that it can be done (something I OFTEN QUESTION!)
__________________
1995-2001 20mg 2008-2010 alt doses/skipping doses/switching med/CT 2011-10mg: 10% drops from 10mg to about 7.7 over 6 weeks-crashed after 6 mos June 2011 - 8mg July 2011 - 9mg July-Oct 8mg/9mg (inacurate scales) Oct 2011 - 8.6 caps Nov 2011 - 8.1 caps Dec 2011 - 8.1 tab Dec 14 - 7.7 Jan 11 - 7.3 May 2012 - 7.0 Jun 6.6 Aug 6.4 Oct 6.2 Dec 6.0 Jan 5.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
#25 |
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 163
|
Re: Paxil Free......as of today!!
Way to go! Such a huge accomplishment. Bask in your success today.
__________________
Julie 30 mg. Paxil for more than 15 yrs. Approx. 2 yr. taper Paxil-free 11/11 |
|
|
|
![]() |
| Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
| Thread Tools | |
|