Tapering Advice - New Guy

bigdog2004 · 08-19-2008, 05:52 PM

Hi,

First, thanks for everyones posts and the support of the community to those posts as I have found them extremely beneficial.

My Story:

I've been 5 mg of Paxil since mid May. I hadn't experienced any real negative effects but I question if I really needed it in the first place. After becoming more and more foggy and forgetful over about a 2 week period I decided to ween off.

I have read so many tapering stories and I think I get the idea about what is the smart & safe way to taper but I thought my case of being on such a small dose for 4 months seemed unique and I'd love to get advice. Heres my situation so far:

5 mg a day for 4 months
August 10th - 14th: 3.75 mg
August 15th - 19th: 2.5 mg

To this point I would say I have felt very mild weening issues, almost undetectable.

I have a week off for "vacation" set for August 25th - Sept 2nd where I was thinking about quitting all together, dealing with a few days of discomfort and being back to work on Sept 2nd.

Or I was thinking about weening to about 1 mg during that time and completely taper off some time in late Sept.

Because the weening has been easy for far I don't want to make the mistake and get burned for it but I also don't want to needlessly extend if the communities opinion is with 8 days I could be fine.

I really appreciate your advice and look forward to responding to your responses,

Thank you!!

Jonathan

TryingtoGetWell · 08-19-2008, 05:55 PM

Welcome to paxilprogress, Jonathon!

I can't answer your questions because I tapered the wrong way (too fast, too large drops), but I'm sure others will chime in soon to give you good advice.

Just wanted to say hi and welcome!

explorer35 · 08-19-2008, 05:57 PM

Wow, were you prescribed only 5 mg. I don't think that is considered a "therapeutic" dose. Thank goodness for you. Was this prescribed for an off-label use? I won't give advice on how to taper but I hope it is an easy go for you.

pokie · 08-19-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog2004

Hi,

First, thanks for everyones posts and the support of the community to those posts as I have found them extremely beneficial.

My Story:

I've been 5 mg of Paxil since mid May. I hadn't experienced any real negative effects but I question if I really needed it in the first place. After becoming more and more foggy and forgetful over about a 2 week period I decided to ween off.

I have read so many tapering stories and I think I get the idea about what is the smart & safe way to taper but I thought my case of being on such a small dose for 4 months seemed unique and I'd love to get advice. Heres my situation so far:

5 mg a day for 4 months
August 10th - 14th: 3.75 mg
August 15th - 19th: 2.5 mg

To this point I would say I have felt very mild weening issues, almost undetectable.

I have a week off for "vacation" set for August 25th - Sept 2nd where I was thinking about quitting all together, dealing with a few days of discomfort and being back to work on Sept 2nd.

Or I was thinking about weening to about 1 mg during that time and completely taper off some time in late Sept.

Because the weening has been easy for far I don't want to make the mistake and get burned for it but I also don't want to needlessly extend if the communities opinion is with 8 days I could be fine.

I really appreciate your advice and look forward to responding to your responses,

Thank you!!

Jonathan

Jonathan,
The one mystery is you never know what group you are going to fall into so be carefull.The fish oil may help you with your foggyness.
Colleen

bigdog2004 · 08-19-2008, 06:30 PM

Wow, quick responses, thank you for taking the time,

In the past I had been given Paxil at 10 MG but didn't like the way it made me feel so quit after just a week or 2 cold turkey. The DR didn't prescribe me 10 mg when I started back in May, I just decided that 10 was too much from the last time and thought 5 may work out better for me, which it did.

LCrawford67 · 08-19-2008, 07:02 PM

Welcome, Jonathan!

At such a low dose, for a short time and the mild symptoms you've had thus far, you can probably ditch at 2.5. BUT...if you don't feel comfortable, go down one mg. at a time. Just listen to your body and do what you feel most comfortable with.

I don't think there's a wrong answer here.

08-19-2008, 05:52 PM	#1
bigdog2004 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2	Tapering Advice - New Guy Hi, First, thanks for everyones posts and the support of the community to those posts as I have found them extremely beneficial. My Story: I've been 5 mg of Paxil since mid May. I hadn't experienced any real negative effects but I question if I really needed it in the first place. After becoming more and more foggy and forgetful over about a 2 week period I decided to ween off. I have read so many tapering stories and I think I get the idea about what is the smart & safe way to taper but I thought my case of being on such a small dose for 4 months seemed unique and I'd love to get advice. Heres my situation so far: 5 mg a day for 4 months August 10th - 14th: 3.75 mg August 15th - 19th: 2.5 mg To this point I would say I have felt very mild weening issues, almost undetectable. I have a week off for "vacation" set for August 25th - Sept 2nd where I was thinking about quitting all together, dealing with a few days of discomfort and being back to work on Sept 2nd. Or I was thinking about weening to about 1 mg during that time and completely taper off some time in late Sept. Because the weening has been easy for far I don't want to make the mistake and get burned for it but I also don't want to needlessly extend if the communities opinion is with 8 days I could be fine. I really appreciate your advice and look forward to responding to your responses, Thank you!! Jonathan

08-19-2008, 05:55 PM	#2
TryingtoGetWell Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,008	Re: Tapering Advice - New Guy Welcome to paxilprogress, Jonathon! I can't answer your questions because I tapered the wrong way (too fast, too large drops), but I'm sure others will chime in soon to give you good advice. Just wanted to say hi and welcome! __________________ 5/93 - Started paxil after 6 years sensory distortions from benzo WD (+ 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 taken 5/20) 5/21-24/06 - 2.5 mg (5/22 - none taken) 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 9/08 - Varying degrees of improvement; still on the ride Still on 0.5 mg clonazepam

08-19-2008, 05:57 PM	#3
explorer35 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 720	Re: Tapering Advice - New Guy Wow, were you prescribed only 5 mg. I don't think that is considered a "therapeutic" dose. Thank goodness for you. Was this prescribed for an off-label use? I won't give advice on how to taper but I hope it is an easy go for you. __________________ Support history 1991- fell in love: 1993- married: 1993-1998- 3 kids 2002 partner started Paxil and Xanax for anxiety 2004 partner increased Paxil/drinking/other bad year/ temp seperation-decreased Paxil 2005- together-repairing: 2008- partner still on Paxil/Xanax finds great support on PP and tells me. JAN 2008- Begins taper Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can make a difference, in fact, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead

08-19-2008, 06:30 PM	#5
bigdog2004 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2	Re: Tapering Advice - New Guy Wow, quick responses, thank you for taking the time, In the past I had been given Paxil at 10 MG but didn't like the way it made me feel so quit after just a week or 2 cold turkey. The DR didn't prescribe me 10 mg when I started back in May, I just decided that 10 was too much from the last time and thought 5 may work out better for me, which it did.

08-19-2008, 07:02 PM	#6
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,493	Re: Tapering Advice - New Guy Welcome, Jonathan! At such a low dose, for a short time and the mild symptoms you've had thus far, you can probably ditch at 2.5. BUT...if you don't feel comfortable, go down one mg. at a time. Just listen to your body and do what you feel most comfortable with. I don't think there's a wrong answer here. __________________ 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 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

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