I'm getting impatient - can I taper more quickly?

[ducktail]

I've only been tapering for 11 days, and I've had 2 relatively ok days since then, although my body clock is way out. My husband is home for the next little while, possibly the next 3 months because of a work injury. He is happy to support me while I am withdrawing, well not "happy", but willing. I've been on 40 mg aropax for 8 1/2 yrs, cut down now to 35mg.

From everything I've read here, going cold turkey is not usually a good idea, but could I taper more steeply? I'm really missing my kids because I'm asleep most days. Couldn't I just get this over and done with quickly? Or will wd symptoms stick around for a long time anyway? I want my life back NOW. AAHHHHHHRRR!!!!

I appreciate that I shouldn't feel guilty and that I need to be patient. I know my decisions are my own, but I'd appreciate any advice. Once hubby is back at work I don't know how I'll manage.

Kelli

[Delynbetter]

You can try it anyway you wish. It could work. Just be sure to listen to your body because it will let you know if you've taken took big a jump or not. There is no set time limit, short or long, for everyone. Just stay in tune with YOU!

Good luck!

[mach3939]

Hello there! It is suggested that you wait at least 4 weeks for each taper. We are all in a hurry, me too, but giving your brain/body time to adjust should make the withdrawal symptoms less. If you go faster the withdrawal symptoms come on stronger and faster. Some here that have tried to go to fast or cold turkey have ended up having to go back up and stabilize to start again? Rebound anxiety/depression may be on the way? Along with a host of other symptoms? I hope you don't get them, but you are just starting tapering not even 2 full weeks yet.

The choice is yours!

Debbie

[rdjanis]

Ducktail, the thing is IF it doesn't work it can sometimes set people back so far it is not worth it, and many times going back on the med to balance no longer works. I understand you wanting to get it done with, but know if you decide this route that others have suffered terribly trying it. It is an individual thing, it is taking a chance. The most successful route to withdrawal is a slow taper.

[MizzT]

you can try anything you like.....that schedule is yours to form.
I went cold turkey because i was uninformed...and impatient.
as such....its just about 3 years and im really starting to feel better!

[Delynbetter]

I went cold turkey from 25mg CR for 12 days. (I was only on this dose for 7 months.) Kicked my rearend. Went back to 12.5mg CR and tapered down to 2.5mg very quickly. However, going below 2.5mg was impossible because of withdrawal symptoms - so I stayed there over the summer until kids were back in school and all trips were over. Those 3 1/2 months at 2.5mg stabilized me well enough to be able to do the remaining taper.

I'm not saying that everyone can or should do this, but rather that I paid attention to what my body and brain could handle. The withdrawal wasn't pretty, but it was a heck of a lot better (and safer for me and those in my care) than trying to push myself to stick to a deadline.

There will be moments of intense return of your original symptoms before Paxil and intense moments of new symptoms throughout the withdrawal process and the months or years to follow. Going into this with knowledge will give you some added strength to give yourself a break and a little extra time to recover.

Again, good luck!

[ducktail]

The problem is I feel as though I've had a nervous breakdown. My doc wanted me to change over to Luvox and at her advice I stopped Aropax for 2 days, starting Luvox on the 3rd day. I took Luvox for 3 days, couldn't handle my symptoms, stopped Luvox for 2 days, then started taking Aropax again. I was just (and only just) managing before this, now I feel as though I can't do anything at all. I simply cannot handle ANYTHING. I actually phoned my doc tonight in quite a state, she suggested I book into the mental ward. I definitely don't want to do that. I feel like I'm drowning, I just cannot pick myself up. I don't feel that I can trust any doctors I've been to as they've all contributed to the mess I am in now.
Sorry for being such a nutcase.

Kelli

[tcl18]

I'd suggest wating two weeks between dose drops. I tried it faster and paid for it. If you encounter a particularily troublesome drop, stabalize a littel longer (3-4 weeks) before you drop again. 2.5mg drops worked well for me. It's very tempting to go faster and rid yourself of the derug, but you could set yourself back with more severe withdrawal. Slow and steady wins the race!

[ducktail]

thx again tcl18

[sarah5857]

I would like to share with you how my doctor got me off Paxil. Tried a couple of times to cut back by myself and failed. I had been taking 20mg Paxil for 7 years. I have been Paxil free for 3 years now.


Cut back to 10 mg daily for 2 weeks
If everything is fine:
Take 10 mg every other day for 2 weeks
If everything is fine:
Take 10 mg every 3rd day for 2 weeks
If everything is fine:
Take 10 mg every 4th day and you are 'as good as off' (Doctor's words)
Then discontinue taking it.

This might not work for everyone but I never had one sympton of withdrawal. I think the key is not going below the 10 mg but stretching it out instead. Naturally if you are on a larger dose to begin with you will have to add more steps to this.

[Delynbetter]

That worked for you?? Just goes to show everyone is different. If I was even late in taking one dose (by 12 hours or so) I would begin feeling it the next day. But that's just where you have to listen to your own brain and body as to what is right for you.

[Betsy]

Ducktail,
Sorry things aren't going as well as you'd like. they aren't for me with, as well as I'd like. I'm just trying to get back stabilized from a couple of weeks of trying to use liquid instead of tabs and I'm not stabiliaing too well, just as I think I mihgt, it seems everything changes. I need to be patient, my husband says that is part of my problem. I want to be done yesterday! And this whole thing started because I couldn't find the tabs anywhere. I didn't mean to do this this way. I'm just going to keep trying to settle at 15 mgs of paxil I used a bit more last night and it only felt worse. Almost like it was recarving a pathway in my brain, does that sound familiar to anyone? But going down the same tough thought passages that I had during the attempt to use the liquid, wierd wild thoughts. Trying to find something to help me sleep. Working with some things I've had work off and on before. patience is definitely something I need. good luck, May the Lord be with us all in this endeavor.
Betsy

[rdjanis]

Originally Posted by ducktail

My doc wanted me to change over to Luvox and at her advice I stopped Aropax for 2 days, starting Luvox on the 3rd day. I took Luvox for 3 days, couldn't handle my symptoms, stopped Luvox for 2 days, then started taking Aropax again. Kelli

Changing meds, skipping days, fast withdrawal can really set someone back. Sit where you are and stabilize. This is what happened with my daughter, she was changed from paxil to effexor, She was so sick mentally and physically she could not get out of bed. Then all meds were stopped.....

Stabilize where you are and go slowly in reduction. Some people are more sensitive than others with these medications.

[ducktail]

Thanks again all for your help. Rita, your advice to sit tight may be just what I need.

Sarah, your method sounds interesting and is something my doc once recommended to me. Will see how I go.

Kelli

[scotty]

Kell, with paxil short half life skipping days can be a problem. You are constantly going in and out of withdrawal.. very confusing for the old brain.