About to add some paxil back

malawler2 · 05-29-2005, 06:06 PM

I am trying to understand this site and hope to give and take effectively. Right now I just need help please. I have read so much here and elsewhere about paxil withdrawal. I think I am about to make a change now and need some quick advice if possible. I was on Paxil 37.5 for many years…was changed to paxil 30 two months ago and because of being out of state and insurance problems stopped taking it (told no big deal by dr and pharmacist). I am in week three and think I need to add back in to wean down. I have read both ways of withdrawing – pros and cons – we are all so different. I have come through so much discomfort and yet it keeps returning adding more goodies along the way… hard shaking, crying, etc. Should I add some back in tonight…will I go through this again later. I know this is very general – I just stopped shaking enough to write. Please…anyone.

Delynbetter · 05-29-2005, 06:14 PM

As you write, everyone is different. I quit for almost 2 weeks cold turkey from 25mg CR, and went back to 12.5mg CR when I couldn't take it any longer. Hubby was out of town, so it was for the sake of me AND my 3 kids. That was on the 17th of May and as of last night I'm at 1mg and doing well.

(Not medical advice, but a thought?)Take the smallest amount you can and see if that will get you over the turmoil you're going through right now and wean down as you feel you can. Most people haven't been able to taper down from 12.5 to 1mg in 10 days. I've been incredibly lucky and am wondering what happens after I get to 0.1cc.

Some will tell you to tough it out since you've been CT for such a long time. It's up to you and what your body is telling you.

I wish you the best of luck!

De Lyn

mdladie · 05-29-2005, 06:16 PM

yes indeed...add a little bit back to get yourself in shape so youcan see a doctor and get some help. I am no expert to tell you how much...just be careful. You need good medical advice. Hang in there- you'll be all right.

scotty · 05-29-2005, 06:22 PM

So are you saying that you went cold turkey from 30mg?? If that's the case you should absolutely go back on, stabilize and then consider weaning. How long are you off cold turkey?

malawler2 · 05-30-2005, 08:41 AM

I stopped taking 30mg about two and a half weeks ago. For me, I was given bad advice from all around...but I know better than to not wean. By day 5 of going without I still felt good....but day 6 and so on came. Last night I was cratered to the floor and it was decided to add back in 15mg. I want to adjust to this and wean carefully. I don't even know if 15 is my temporary answer. I hope to get better medical advice on Tuesday. Physical shakes are real hard...

Homerbcool · 05-30-2005, 09:45 AM

Please take scotty's advice...go back to the dosage as recommended and taper very slowly...and if it helps with your decision , many others who have tried cold turkey have done exactly that and are now dealing with this withdrawl journey much better.

and stay close let us know how you are doing...this site is great for all sorts of advice and VENTING is very much allowed...vent at the doctors, the drug mfgs, your fav. sports team, anything and everything (except religion and politics - these always get nasty)

Caroline49 · 05-30-2005, 09:54 AM

Welcome Malawler2!

Homer is right, you should listen to Laurie.

I know first hand what cold turkey can do. I tried it in March and made it until May before having to get back on paxil 20 mg. Now I'm giving my brain and body a rest until I begin a slow wean in about two months.

You should NOT go cold turkey from Paxil. I firmly believe it can kill a person or cause them to commit suicide!! Please follow the advice you get on this site from knowledgeable people.

There will always be somebody here to help you along. If you go back on 20 mgs. of Paxil today I think you will feel much better in about 5 days. It took me about two weeks to get much relief because I had been off the drug completely for 5 weeks.

Good Luck to you MaLawler!!

Homerbcool · 05-30-2005, 10:06 AM

hey Caroline

HUG

Suze · 05-30-2005, 10:10 AM

Hang in there Malawler! I definitely agree to go back on. If 15 mg cuts it, then that's good. If it doesn't, taper yourself up until you settle out. Get good and stable, and then slowly wean. We have all come to find out that this isn't greasy kid stuff we're playing with--it's potent, poisonous and very scary sh!t.

I'm on 5 mg now, down from 40. Take as much time as you need, but PLEASE get stable now.

Hugs......and welcome!!

Caroline49 · 05-30-2005, 10:14 AM

Hey Homie!!

I've missed you.

HUGS

Delynbetter · 05-30-2005, 10:15 AM

Quote:

That was on the 17th of May and as of last night I'm at 1mg and doing well.

Scratch my 1mg stint. Went back to 2mg last night and will probably go back to at least 2.5mg tonight depending on how the rest of the day goes. Just hate those damn zaps! Stabilize! Stabilize!

Suze · 05-30-2005, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notdelynwell

Stabilize! Stabilize!

that's the key, ennit DeLyn.

Delynbetter · 05-30-2005, 01:01 PM

Yup, dang it. And here I thought *I* had some control over it since I seemed to be doing so well.

Still can't complain...yet. Gonna stabilize at the lowest dose possible for the safety of my family.

malawler2 · 05-30-2005, 03:29 PM

I wonder if it is harder to get off SSRI's when you have been on them for so many years...by that I mean the weaning and withdrawals. I'll ask about Lexapro but don't want to add more trouble in...but if it helps, I'll consider it. Right now I have a monster headache - yuck. It was so easy to start this stuff...I just want to have a few really happy days again in the near future...and I don't want to become a downer.

nicole55 · 05-31-2005, 10:13 AM

I had to go back ,settle down for awhile and then start tapering again, this time slower. It's a pain in the a** going back, but it needed to be done in order to move forward. Takes more time but just remember don't rush , you have the time, take the time, it's ok You know it's the old two steps forward one step back.

Don't worry about how long it is taking you, just step by step you will get there!

rdjanis · 05-31-2005, 10:23 AM

Going by the numbers on this forum, for the people who suffer withdrawal, a very slow withdrawal is much easier, it seems the longer the person on the med, the harder to get off. Cold turkey can be dangerous to those who suffer the withdrawal symptoms.

I believe Scott used lexapro as well during the weaning process and has been successful, others have not. I think in this situation it is trial and error that work, everyone is different.
Are you taking any supplements at all?

Brannigan · 05-31-2005, 02:59 PM

I've had to take a step back recently as well.

I started at 20, dropped to 15 for a week, dropped to 10 for a week, and then dropped to 5mg. It only took two days and I felt very dizzy/somewhat nauseous every time I moved my eyes so I resumed taking 10mg. Tomorrow I'm going to drop to 7.5 to see how that goes.

I've felt MUCH better the entire time (until 5mg). Well, better except my life-long bad temper has returned. (Lemons to lemonade --- If anybody needs help writing a nasty letter someone; I'm your man!)

Suze · 05-31-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brannigan

I've had to take a step back recently as well.

I started at 20, dropped to 15 for a week, dropped to 10 for a week, and then dropped to 5mg. It only took two days and I felt very dizzy/somewhat nauseous every time I moved my eyes so I resumed taking 10mg. Tomorrow I'm going to drop to 7.5 to see how that goes.

I've felt MUCH better the entire time (until 5mg). Well, better except my life-long bad temper has returned. (Lemons to lemonade --- If anybody needs help writing a nasty letter someone; I'm your man!)

Brannigan, sorry for your tough time but I do hope that you took something positive from this--that slow and steady is the way to beat this monster. Please consider staying at 10 until you are completely symptom free, then add a few days for good measure, before dropping to 7.5. It might just save you from another yo-yo game.

jhannon · 05-31-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suze

Hang in there Malawler! I definitely agree to go back on. If 15 mg cuts it, then that's good. If it doesn't, taper yourself up until you settle out. Get good and stable, and then slowly wean. We have all come to find out that this isn't greasy kid stuff we're playing with--it's potent, poisonous and very scary sh!t.

I'm on 5 mg now, down from 40. Take as much time as you need, but PLEASE get stable now.

Hugs......and welcome!!

hiya suze are you feeling ok todya?whats new..we had some sunshine over the weekens thanks to you i got outside to enjoy it.Thanks for sending soem my way..

Suze · 05-31-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhannon

hiya suze are you feeling ok todya?whats new..we had some sunshine over the weekens thanks to you i got outside to enjoy it.Thanks for sending soem my way..

heya sweetie!! why don't you start a new thread and let us talk about YOU and SUNSHINE! xxoo

Brannigan · 05-31-2005, 09:21 PM

Heya, Suze... it's not too bad - things started going downhill so I modified my dosage. When I first read my new Dr's schedule I thought, "This is too WAY fast." But, as HE said, "Try this, if it isn't right for YOU, regroup and adjust." It only took a day or two after going back to 10mg to even out and feel good. A few days later, I'm ready to try 7.5. If that doesn't work, I'll readjust and try again later!

I'm still thrilled that I was able to halve my dosage so quickly and feel so much BETTER!

scotty · 05-31-2005, 09:23 PM

Brannigan, slow down Dude!! Let your body adjust to the dosage change before weaning, or all those dosages changes just pile up and kick your butt!

Brannigan · 06-01-2005, 04:56 PM

My body agreed! I started feeling funky again, so I'll stick with 10mg for another full week before I try again.

THANKS!

05-29-2005, 06:06 PM	#1
malawler2 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tennessee moving to TX Posts: 20	About to add some paxil back I am trying to understand this site and hope to give and take effectively. Right now I just need help please. I have read so much here and elsewhere about paxil withdrawal. I think I am about to make a change now and need some quick advice if possible. I was on Paxil 37.5 for many years…was changed to paxil 30 two months ago and because of being out of state and insurance problems stopped taking it (told no big deal by dr and pharmacist). I am in week three and think I need to add back in to wean down. I have read both ways of withdrawing – pros and cons – we are all so different. I have come through so much discomfort and yet it keeps returning adding more goodies along the way… hard shaking, crying, etc. Should I add some back in tonight…will I go through this again later. I know this is very general – I just stopped shaking enough to write. Please…anyone.

05-29-2005, 06:14 PM	#2
Delynbetter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 10,518	Re: About to add some paxil back As you write, everyone is different. I quit for almost 2 weeks cold turkey from 25mg CR, and went back to 12.5mg CR when I couldn't take it any longer. Hubby was out of town, so it was for the sake of me AND my 3 kids. That was on the 17th of May and as of last night I'm at 1mg and doing well. (Not medical advice, but a thought?)Take the smallest amount you can and see if that will get you over the turmoil you're going through right now and wean down as you feel you can. Most people haven't been able to taper down from 12.5 to 1mg in 10 days. I've been incredibly lucky and am wondering what happens after I get to 0.1cc. Some will tell you to tough it out since you've been CT for such a long time. It's up to you and what your body is telling you. I wish you the best of luck! De Lyn Last edited by Delynbetter : 05-29-2005 at 06:16 PM. Reason: rewording

05-29-2005, 06:16 PM	#3
mdladie Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 573	Re: About to add some paxil back yes indeed...add a little bit back to get yourself in shape so youcan see a doctor and get some help. I am no expert to tell you how much...just be careful. You need good medical advice. Hang in there- you'll be all right.

05-29-2005, 06:22 PM	#4
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,588	Re: About to add some paxil back So are you saying that you went cold turkey from 30mg?? If that's the case you should absolutely go back on, stabilize and then consider weaning. How long are you off cold turkey? __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

05-30-2005, 08:41 AM	#5
malawler2 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tennessee moving to TX Posts: 20	Re: About to add some paxil back I stopped taking 30mg about two and a half weeks ago. For me, I was given bad advice from all around...but I know better than to not wean. By day 5 of going without I still felt good....but day 6 and so on came. Last night I was cratered to the floor and it was decided to add back in 15mg. I want to adjust to this and wean carefully. I don't even know if 15 is my temporary answer. I hope to get better medical advice on Tuesday. Physical shakes are real hard...

05-30-2005, 09:45 AM	#6
Homerbcool "colors outside the lines" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 15,949	Re: About to add some paxil back Please take scotty's advice...go back to the dosage as recommended and taper very slowly...and if it helps with your decision , many others who have tried cold turkey have done exactly that and are now dealing with this withdrawl journey much better. and stay close let us know how you are doing...this site is great for all sorts of advice and VENTING is very much allowed...vent at the doctors, the drug mfgs, your fav. sports team, anything and everything (except religion and politics - these always get nasty)

05-30-2005, 09:54 AM	#7
Caroline49 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 647	Re: About to add some paxil back Welcome Malawler2! Homer is right, you should listen to Laurie. I know first hand what cold turkey can do. I tried it in March and made it until May before having to get back on paxil 20 mg. Now I'm giving my brain and body a rest until I begin a slow wean in about two months. You should NOT go cold turkey from Paxil. I firmly believe it can kill a person or cause them to commit suicide!! Please follow the advice you get on this site from knowledgeable people. There will always be somebody here to help you along. If you go back on 20 mgs. of Paxil today I think you will feel much better in about 5 days. It took me about two weeks to get much relief because I had been off the drug completely for 5 weeks. Good Luck to you MaLawler!! __________________ Caroline We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. And we should call every truth false which was not accompanied by at least one laugh. Nietzsche

05-30-2005, 10:06 AM	#8
Homerbcool "colors outside the lines" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 15,949	Re: About to add some paxil back hey Caroline HUG

05-30-2005, 10:10 AM	#9
Suze Banned Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,531	Re: About to add some paxil back Hang in there Malawler! I definitely agree to go back on. If 15 mg cuts it, then that's good. If it doesn't, taper yourself up until you settle out. Get good and stable, and then slowly wean. We have all come to find out that this isn't greasy kid stuff we're playing with--it's potent, poisonous and very scary sh!t. I'm on 5 mg now, down from 40. Take as much time as you need, but PLEASE get stable now. Hugs......and welcome!!

05-30-2005, 10:14 AM	#10
Caroline49 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 647	Re: About to add some paxil back Hey Homie!! I've missed you. HUGS __________________ Caroline We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. And we should call every truth false which was not accompanied by at least one laugh. Nietzsche

05-30-2005, 01:01 PM	#13
Delynbetter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 10,518	Re: About to add some paxil back Yup, dang it. And here I thought I had some control over it since I seemed to be doing so well. Still can't complain...yet. Gonna stabilize at the lowest dose possible for the safety of my family.

05-30-2005, 03:29 PM	#15
malawler2 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tennessee moving to TX Posts: 20	Re: About to add some paxil back I wonder if it is harder to get off SSRI's when you have been on them for so many years...by that I mean the weaning and withdrawals. I'll ask about Lexapro but don't want to add more trouble in...but if it helps, I'll consider it. Right now I have a monster headache - yuck. It was so easy to start this stuff...I just want to have a few really happy days again in the near future...and I don't want to become a downer.

05-31-2005, 10:13 AM	#17
nicole55 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 540	Re: About to add some paxil back I had to go back ,settle down for awhile and then start tapering again, this time slower. It's a pain in the a** going back, but it needed to be done in order to move forward. Takes more time but just remember don't rush , you have the time, take the time, it's ok You know it's the old two steps forward one step back. Don't worry about how long it is taking you, just step by step you will get there! __________________ status: PAXIL FREE date of Freedom: June 26, 2005 method: 2.5 mg drops reason for taking: anxiety how long taking: 5yrs attempts to stop: 4th attempt worked!! briefly went back to ssri's- 12/07 tried Zoloft in desperation//awful side effects starting up, tapered quickly after only 4 weeks on 11/09 feeling ok Last edited by nicole55 : 05-31-2005 at 10:42 AM.

05-31-2005, 10:23 AM	#18
rdjanis "has a lavender scented keyboard" Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 22,238	Re: About to add some paxil back Going by the numbers on this forum, for the people who suffer withdrawal, a very slow withdrawal is much easier, it seems the longer the person on the med, the harder to get off. Cold turkey can be dangerous to those who suffer the withdrawal symptoms. I believe Scott used lexapro as well during the weaning process and has been successful, others have not. I think in this situation it is trial and error that work, everyone is different. Are you taking any supplements at all? __________________ Rita

05-31-2005, 02:59 PM	#19
Brannigan Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 846	Re: About to add some paxil back I've had to take a step back recently as well. I started at 20, dropped to 15 for a week, dropped to 10 for a week, and then dropped to 5mg. It only took two days and I felt very dizzy/somewhat nauseous every time I moved my eyes so I resumed taking 10mg. Tomorrow I'm going to drop to 7.5 to see how that goes. I've felt MUCH better the entire time (until 5mg). Well, better except my life-long bad temper has returned. (Lemons to lemonade --- If anybody needs help writing a nasty letter someone; I'm your man!) __________________ Early 2002: Became a Paxil Junkie April 2005: Went from 25CR to 20 regular due to the shortage May 9 2005: Began tapering 15mg May 18: Tapered to 10mg May 25: Tapered to 5mg ... May 27 TILT! - too fast - back to 10mg June 18: Tapered to 7.5mg July 19: Tapered to 5mg October 1: Tapered to 2.5mg October 29: ZERO! No w/d symptoms since October '05. Is it really over?

05-31-2005, 09:21 PM	#23
Brannigan Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 846	Re: About to add some paxil back Heya, Suze... it's not too bad - things started going downhill so I modified my dosage. When I first read my new Dr's schedule I thought, "This is too WAY fast." But, as HE said, "Try this, if it isn't right for YOU, regroup and adjust." It only took a day or two after going back to 10mg to even out and feel good. A few days later, I'm ready to try 7.5. If that doesn't work, I'll readjust and try again later! I'm still thrilled that I was able to halve my dosage so quickly and feel so much BETTER! __________________ Early 2002: Became a Paxil Junkie April 2005: Went from 25CR to 20 regular due to the shortage May 9 2005: Began tapering 15mg May 18: Tapered to 10mg May 25: Tapered to 5mg ... May 27 TILT! - too fast - back to 10mg June 18: Tapered to 7.5mg July 19: Tapered to 5mg October 1: Tapered to 2.5mg October 29: ZERO! No w/d symptoms since October '05. Is it really over?

05-31-2005, 09:23 PM	#24
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,588	Re: About to add some paxil back Brannigan, slow down Dude!! Let your body adjust to the dosage change before weaning, or all those dosages changes just pile up and kick your butt! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

06-01-2005, 04:56 PM	#25
Brannigan Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 846	Re: About to add some paxil back My body agreed! I started feeling funky again, so I'll stick with 10mg for another full week before I try again. THANKS! __________________ Early 2002: Became a Paxil Junkie April 2005: Went from 25CR to 20 regular due to the shortage May 9 2005: Began tapering 15mg May 18: Tapered to 10mg May 25: Tapered to 5mg ... May 27 TILT! - too fast - back to 10mg June 18: Tapered to 7.5mg July 19: Tapered to 5mg October 1: Tapered to 2.5mg October 29: ZERO! No w/d symptoms since October '05. Is it really over?

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