I am new here

brenda · 01-27-2006, 02:47 PM

hello all this is my first posting on any type of fourm.
Yesterday was my first day of going from 20mg down to 15mg(paroxetine,generic for paxil)

Um. I'm a little scared. I tried last August to go from 20 to 10, and the result was not good. I had done NO research what so ever and did not know that getting off of this drug was so bad. If I had known I most likely would not have gone on it in the first place.

I do not want to take this anymore and in talking with my midwife and husband I know I don't need to be on it anymore either. It was always just to be temporary.
In reading posts on this forum I am encouraged, and still a wee bit nervous and angery at myself. I have so many questions. My first is the zaps. Are they what I call tingles?
I thank you all now for any help and I hope I can be a help to others as well.

scotty · 01-27-2006, 02:58 PM

Welcome to paxilprogress!! Yes, the tingles are probably zaps. Some have them very bad and describe them as an "electric shock". I'm assuming that you are pregnant??? You may find a 5mg drop is going to be to much as you wean to the lower doses. Read the FAQ here and download the Withdrawal Guide for reference. First and foremost, go slow, don't skip days and don't wean by large amounts.

brenda · 01-27-2006, 04:14 PM

No, not yet pregnant! That was the orginal reason for moving my withdraw-ing date to now instead of this summer, when my husband could take time off from work to take care of me and our kids( have a 7,5 and 2 year old).
My midwife and I are going to do this VERY slowly. She wants me on 15 for a couple of weeks and then down to 10, but now I'm wondering if I should stay on the 15 for like a month? She also said I could do something like: 20 one day15 then 20 ect. and see how that went. I just feel that this time will work out so much better then last time. I know who to talk to and how to talk about it, and I have a really good support group, and now this place.

scotty · 01-27-2006, 04:25 PM

Great decision to get off paxil before getting pregnant! Two weeks in between weans is fast, since some symptoms can take two weeks to show up. Consistent DAILY dosing is critical. Switching dosage amounts just screws with the brain. 2.5mg per wean every 3-4 weeks is a good place to start. If that's to fast(you'll know!) then slow it down. Sounds like you have alot of support which is the most important thing when you're going through this. And now you have US!!!!

Bern · 01-27-2006, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenda

No, not yet pregnant! That was the orginal reason for moving my withdraw-ing date to now instead of this summer.

Good move....I would have done the same thing. Rather be safe than sorry!

punky · 01-27-2006, 06:44 PM

I'm pretty new here too, but there's so much support and so much to learn just here on this site. Read the withdrawl section. I, myself, am going to try the gradual reduction method. I've tried so many times to quit, but with that method and this site i think i can do it this time. Best of luck to you!

Katesmom · 01-27-2006, 09:22 PM

Hi, Brenda!

Welcome to PP! It is an excellent source of both information and support. I'm very glad that you found us. Scotty is right on about the tapering process. You need to take consistent daily doses of Paxil. It has a half-life of 21 hours, so your body will be expecting a dose every single day. Also, two weeks at a dose is fast, not slow. Drops of 2.5mgs every 3-4 weeks is what is generally recommended on this board. The drops become more difficult the lower you get. It is possible to get liquid Paxil and drop a single mg a time if need be. You should also request a Rx of 10mg pills from your doc and get a pill cutter. It makes it far easier to make more percise cuts for consistent dosage. Listen to your body first and foremost. If you are still suffering, wait to make that drop. With two little ones at home, you need to be able to function throughout this process. Go slowly! Good luck!

Brooke · 01-27-2006, 10:55 PM

Welcome Brenda!! Slow going is the best way. Everyone is different so a 5mg drop may or maynot agree with you. Time will be the best indicator. Personally, I'd stay at your current drop for at least 4 weeks just to see how you are doing. Keep in touch here- lots and lots of great advise and support!

01-27-2006, 02:47 PM	#1
brenda Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: oregon Posts: 7	I am new here hello all this is my first posting on any type of fourm. Yesterday was my first day of going from 20mg down to 15mg(paroxetine,generic for paxil) Um. I'm a little scared. I tried last August to go from 20 to 10, and the result was not good. I had done NO research what so ever and did not know that getting off of this drug was so bad. If I had known I most likely would not have gone on it in the first place. I do not want to take this anymore and in talking with my midwife and husband I know I don't need to be on it anymore either. It was always just to be temporary. In reading posts on this forum I am encouraged, and still a wee bit nervous and angery at myself. I have so many questions. My first is the zaps. Are they what I call tingles? I thank you all now for any help and I hope I can be a help to others as well.

01-27-2006, 02:58 PM	#2
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: I am new here Welcome to paxilprogress!! Yes, the tingles are probably zaps. Some have them very bad and describe them as an "electric shock". I'm assuming that you are pregnant??? You may find a 5mg drop is going to be to much as you wean to the lower doses. Read the FAQ here and download the Withdrawal Guide for reference. First and foremost, go slow, don't skip days and don't wean by large amounts. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

01-27-2006, 04:14 PM	#3
brenda Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: oregon Posts: 7	Re: I am new here No, not yet pregnant! That was the orginal reason for moving my withdraw-ing date to now instead of this summer, when my husband could take time off from work to take care of me and our kids( have a 7,5 and 2 year old). My midwife and I are going to do this VERY slowly. She wants me on 15 for a couple of weeks and then down to 10, but now I'm wondering if I should stay on the 15 for like a month? She also said I could do something like: 20 one day15 then 20 ect. and see how that went. I just feel that this time will work out so much better then last time. I know who to talk to and how to talk about it, and I have a really good support group, and now this place.

01-27-2006, 04:25 PM	#4
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: I am new here Great decision to get off paxil before getting pregnant! Two weeks in between weans is fast, since some symptoms can take two weeks to show up. Consistent DAILY dosing is critical. Switching dosage amounts just screws with the brain. 2.5mg per wean every 3-4 weeks is a good place to start. If that's to fast(you'll know!) then slow it down. Sounds like you have alot of support which is the most important thing when you're going through this. And now you have US!!!! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

01-27-2006, 06:44 PM	#6
punky Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 834	Re: I am new here I'm pretty new here too, but there's so much support and so much to learn just here on this site. Read the withdrawl section. I, myself, am going to try the gradual reduction method. I've tried so many times to quit, but with that method and this site i think i can do it this time. Best of luck to you!

01-27-2006, 09:22 PM	#7
Katesmom Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 13,706	Re: I am new here Hi, Brenda! Welcome to PP! It is an excellent source of both information and support. I'm very glad that you found us. Scotty is right on about the tapering process. You need to take consistent daily doses of Paxil. It has a half-life of 21 hours, so your body will be expecting a dose every single day. Also, two weeks at a dose is fast, not slow. Drops of 2.5mgs every 3-4 weeks is what is generally recommended on this board. The drops become more difficult the lower you get. It is possible to get liquid Paxil and drop a single mg a time if need be. You should also request a Rx of 10mg pills from your doc and get a pill cutter. It makes it far easier to make more percise cuts for consistent dosage. Listen to your body first and foremost. If you are still suffering, wait to make that drop. With two little ones at home, you need to be able to function throughout this process. Go slowly! Good luck! __________________ Katesmom aka Kim started Paxil Oct. 2003 for PIH Paxil free since 19 Jul 2005 ". . .the cruelest lies are often told without a word. . .the kindest truths are often spoken, never heard." -- Ben Folds

01-27-2006, 10:55 PM	#8
Brooke Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 131	Re: I am new here Welcome Brenda!! Slow going is the best way. Everyone is different so a 5mg drop may or maynot agree with you. Time will be the best indicator. Personally, I'd stay at your current drop for at least 4 weeks just to see how you are doing. Keep in touch here- lots and lots of great advise and support! __________________ started 10mg of Paxil approx 9 years ago. Went up to 15mg in Aug '05 Down to 10mg 1Nov '05 down to 5mg 23Nov '05 up to 7.5mg 1Dec '05 back down to 5mg 30Dec '05 down to 4mg 6Apr '06 back up to 7.5 mg 19Jun due to stresses

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