Started the process

Kristine · 03-30-2006, 02:15 PM

I've started the process of weening myself off Paxil. At first I was scared, not knowing how my body was going to react without the buffer of the medication. (Will I go back to the way I was? Will I be able to cope?) A million thoughts went through my mind, but I finally decided that the best thing for me to do was to get off the meds. I feel miserable from the 30 pounds I've gained in the past year, and the fatigue and lack of motivation is making me more depressed than ever.

With my doctor's guidance, I'm going off the meds. It's been about a week so far of taking the pills on alternate days. I'm hoping that once I get off the pills I'll be able to get back to my normal weight and personality.

Wish me luck
Kristine

bigscarylesbo · 03-30-2006, 02:31 PM

My advise is to stay opmistic, and take into consideration of what others are going through. My regret is that I didn't keep a written daily journal of my experiences to look back on. It's a long, icky road of many bad days. But after the good days start to outway the bad, it will all be worth it. It's almost like comming out of a coma. Even after 10 months, I still have bad days. But last night, I actually fit into a pair of pants that I haven't worn in 9 years, a totally awesome feeling.
Good Luck, stay strong, and always trust your gut feelings.

LossLeader · 03-30-2006, 02:44 PM

Also, don't take the pills alternate days!

Sort out a better tapering schedule based on taking the same dose every day, then cutting a few mg off every month or so. I did the alternate days thing, and it was almost as bad as cold turkey. Your poor brain gets shoved this way and that - because paxil half-life is so short, the last pill has worn off before you take the next one, so you'll be dropping in and out of withdrawal all the time. This feels awful, and is *not* conducive to a quick recovery in the brain.

But good luck, remember that for some people this is not as hard as it is for others! It won't be easy, of course, but keep optimistic.

scotty · 03-30-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LossLeader

Also, don't take the pills alternate days!

Absolutely!!! Paxil has a halflife of less than a day. If you skip days you are bouncing your levels all over the place....... it will make withdrawal worse! What dose does he have you weaning down to?

Kristine · 03-30-2006, 10:06 PM

Thanks for the advice and support, everyone. My doctor has me weening down from 20 mg. So far, it's been a week and I feel pretty good. I'll monitor it closely, taking into account what everyone here has experienced and recommended.

Thanks again.

Kristine

Tribalwolf_77 · 03-30-2006, 10:14 PM

Good luck Kristine. I just started at 15mg tonight. You will definately be able to cope as you registered for this forum. The advice from other users has already saved me from cold turkey. Just the knowledge that there are others going through this who we can talk to makes it that much more bearable.

chuppie4 · 03-30-2006, 11:29 PM

I will have to agree with others when they say taper rather than go every other day. I tried it once when I first tried to quit paxil and well, I am surprised I still have friends (major monster, to put it niceley). I have been off Paxil now for a month. Withdraw has been horrible. Some days, I have to go through the day one hour at a time. Taking it one day at a time can seem overwhelming. My doctor decided to put me on lexapro to ease the withdrawl. One word for her....HA! Unfortunately I now find myself being weaned not from one drug but two...FUN FUN! I am putting my foot down! No more! I have had it!

Suze · 03-31-2006, 07:47 AM

Good Luck Kristine!!! I'll be cheering you on and hoping for a safe and gentle WD experience for you!

03-30-2006, 02:15 PM	#1
Kristine Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5	Started the process I've started the process of weening myself off Paxil. At first I was scared, not knowing how my body was going to react without the buffer of the medication. (Will I go back to the way I was? Will I be able to cope?) A million thoughts went through my mind, but I finally decided that the best thing for me to do was to get off the meds. I feel miserable from the 30 pounds I've gained in the past year, and the fatigue and lack of motivation is making me more depressed than ever. With my doctor's guidance, I'm going off the meds. It's been about a week so far of taking the pills on alternate days. I'm hoping that once I get off the pills I'll be able to get back to my normal weight and personality. Wish me luck Kristine

03-30-2006, 02:31 PM	#2
bigscarylesbo Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 20	Re: Started the process My advise is to stay opmistic, and take into consideration of what others are going through. My regret is that I didn't keep a written daily journal of my experiences to look back on. It's a long, icky road of many bad days. But after the good days start to outway the bad, it will all be worth it. It's almost like comming out of a coma. Even after 10 months, I still have bad days. But last night, I actually fit into a pair of pants that I haven't worn in 9 years, a totally awesome feeling. Good Luck, stay strong, and always trust your gut feelings. __________________ Started Paxil in 1994 at the age of 14. Took religiously for 11 years. Highest dose 60mg. Clean since May of 2005. Still messed up, thank you very much Mr.GlaxoSmithKline.

03-30-2006, 02:44 PM	#3
LossLeader Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London Posts: 1,561	Re: Started the process Also, don't take the pills alternate days! Sort out a better tapering schedule based on taking the same dose every day, then cutting a few mg off every month or so. I did the alternate days thing, and it was almost as bad as cold turkey. Your poor brain gets shoved this way and that - because paxil half-life is so short, the last pill has worn off before you take the next one, so you'll be dropping in and out of withdrawal all the time. This feels awful, and is not conducive to a quick recovery in the brain. But good luck, remember that for some people this is not as hard as it is for others! It won't be easy, of course, but keep optimistic. __________________ I see my light come shining, from the west down to the east Any day now, any day now, I shall be released

03-30-2006, 10:06 PM	#5
Kristine Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5	Re: Started the process Thanks for the advice and support, everyone. My doctor has me weening down from 20 mg. So far, it's been a week and I feel pretty good. I'll monitor it closely, taking into account what everyone here has experienced and recommended. Thanks again. Kristine

03-30-2006, 10:14 PM	#6
Tribalwolf_77 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gloucester, MA Posts: 23	Re: Started the process Good luck Kristine. I just started at 15mg tonight. You will definately be able to cope as you registered for this forum. The advice from other users has already saved me from cold turkey. Just the knowledge that there are others going through this who we can talk to makes it that much more bearable. __________________ August 2004: PaxilCR 15mg December 2004: PaxilCR 25mg (to help paralyzing zaps) April 2005: Paxil 20mg twice daily (PaxilCR shortage) March 2006: Quit CT for 12 days March 30: Paxil 15mg per day This space for rent.

03-30-2006, 11:29 PM	#7
chuppie4 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 10	Re: Started the process I will have to agree with others when they say taper rather than go every other day. I tried it once when I first tried to quit paxil and well, I am surprised I still have friends (major monster, to put it niceley). I have been off Paxil now for a month. Withdraw has been horrible. Some days, I have to go through the day one hour at a time. Taking it one day at a time can seem overwhelming. My doctor decided to put me on lexapro to ease the withdrawl. One word for her....HA! Unfortunately I now find myself being weaned not from one drug but two...FUN FUN! I am putting my foot down! No more! I have had it! __________________ Paxil-started November 2001 at 10mg ended February 2006 at 30mg Lexapro-started February 2006 at 20mg -currently at 10mg

03-31-2006, 07:47 AM	#8
Suze Banned Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,531	Re: Started the process Good Luck Kristine!!! I'll be cheering you on and hoping for a safe and gentle WD experience for you!

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