Newbies to paxil tapering, Will you please read this?

[goldenhoops]

I'm a newbie.

Unfortunately, I discovered this site AFTER I tried paxil. I'm currently trying to get off of it. I tried it for generalized anxiety and OCD. I started on 10 mg, and after 1 week was up to 20 mg, and then after another 2 weeks, I was up to 30 mg.

On the 30 mg, I felt myself coming unraveled. I became more depressed, anxious, and my OCD worsened. I became obsessed with death, particularly with suicidal thoughts.

I called my doc (i was started on paxil by my PCP), and explained what was going on. She told me to cut the pills in half, down to 15 mg for one week. I assumed after that I was done.

About 3 days after I was off paxil cold-tukey, the head zaps, nausea, and most unbelievable vertigo set in. I was essentially numb, yet overly emotional. I couldn't function well.

I called my doc back after the 5th day of being off paxil. She put me back on 10 mg for one week, then I am supposed to drop to 5 mg for a week, and then finally 5 mg every other day for a week. Then, supposedly, I am DONE.

Well, I hope so, but in the meantime, my mental state continues to deteriorate. I feel awful. I can barely function at work (I am an elementary school teacher). I also have a 1.5 hr commute each way to work. I am finding myself having to pull over several times on the way to and from work just to sleep. I am exhausted all the time, and I feel like I'm losing my mind.

I just found this site, and I don't even know if I am posting in the right place. All I know is I don't know if I can win this battle. I'm absolutely terrified.

[carolyn]

Welcome!

First off, deep breaths. You're going to be just fine. Promise!

So, you were on Paxil (varying dosages) for only about 3 weeks. That's great news! I won't even ASK why you were bumped up to 20 and then 30 after only a week at each...that's pretty nuts. So we'll just skip that part and focus on the "now".

Here's what I would do in your situation:

Keep taking the 10mg for the week. You should feel a lot better soon.

After you feel better and the crazy symptoms are gone (regardless of whether that's a week, 10 days, whatever), drop down to 5mg. That's a huge drop for most people, but you were on for such a short time that you should be OK with that -- site veterans, correct me if I'm wrong!!

I'd stay at 5mg for a couple of weeks and see if things get better. Don't do 5mg every other day -- alternating days tends to flare up withdrawal symptoms. Instead, drop down to 2.5mg every day for a week or 2. Then drop off completely.

Yeah, it's stupid to be tapering off the drug for longer than you were on it in the first place, but -- as you've sadly already seen -- the brain makes changes pretty quickly on this stuff and you have to taper slowly to avoid withdrawal.

Once you're feeling better, you might also want to look into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It's great for anxiety/panic and I've heard it works for OCD as well. I did weekly sessions for six months and it made a huge difference with my panic disorder and anxiety.

{{HUG}} Welcome!

[Songbird]

I agree with Carolyn's reply. With a short term use like yours you should be able to taper off quite quickly, just not as quickly as your doc has told you. The every-other-day dosing regimes are not recommended, and make no sense anyway as Paxil's half-life is close to one day, so your brain goes on a roller-coaster of up and down doses. Consistent daily dosing is a better idea. See how you go on the 10mg, hopefully you'll feel better soon.

[goldenhoops]

Thanks for the welcome. I called my doctor back, and because I'm having such a difficult time at 10 mg, she wants me to go back to 15 mg. I'm a total wreck--crying all the time, upset stomach, and just want to jump off a cliff!

I think she said to go back on 15 mg for a week (maybe 2), and then to maybe try 10 mg?

In the meantime, I guess I'm just supposed to push through the best I can.

[carolyn]

How long have you been back on 10mg? Personally, I think that finding a stable and consistent dose is way more important right now than updosing again so soon. You've gone from 10 to 20 to 30 to 15 to 0 to 10 all in a short period of time.

These drugs can take weeks to start working, so I'm really confused as to why your doc has you switching doses constantly.

I'd pick a dose (probably 10mg for now) and just stay on it until the symptoms ease up.

[Songbird]

These drugs work slowly and actually don't do much in a week. It actually takes about a week for blood level to stabilise after a dose change, and longer for your brain to adjust to the change. When starting paxil usually some therapeutic effect is felt within 2 to 3 weeks, reaching maximum effect in about 6 weeks. At this stage, I don't think it matters whether you pick 10mg or 15mg, but whichever it is, stay on the same dose for a couple of weeks at least, until you feel some significant improvement.

[happygolucky]

Hi, I am dealing with Adrenal Fatigue and was recommended by my naturopath to start tapering paxil (10 plus year at 20 mg daily). I will print this out and show to her. Thanks!

[scotti8]

Fuzz429, I know what it's like to feel pressure from a doctor to taper faster. I went off over 8 years (I actually don't even remember when I started!) of 20,sometimes 25 or 30mg, Paxil in less than 3 months, and I completely regret it. My twin sister, on the other hand, went off over 10 months and has been doing pretty damn well.
It's so difficult to make these types of decisions when you're hearing a lot of different opinions, but I think that you should slow this tapering down. Of course you want to be off Paxil quickly, like I did, but doing it quickly doesn't always (often?) leave you feeling 'free'. I didn't have this site when I was tapering, and now I'm feeling emotionally run over at times.
And maybe you're one of those people that could in fact do a quicker taper. However, it seems to me like it would be better to regret not going faster, than to regret not being more cautious about it. Give your brain time to readjust!

I hope this is somewhat helpful

[LaceyClark]

Originally Posted by happygolucky

Hi, I am dealing with Adrenal Fatigue and was recommended by my naturopath to start tapering paxil (10 plus year at 20 mg daily). I will print this out and show to her. Thanks!

My mother-in-law deals with this and she uses a natural method that works really well for her. She takes some kind of thyroid supplement, iron pills and something for her high level of corisol (spelling?). I can find out more info, if you want me to.

[snostorm]

The problem is the medical community who perscribes this stuff. People constantly hear from their doctors that its no problem. Go to 10mg from 20 then 5 then 5 everyother day then bam your done. And i ask the doctor have you had success with other patients with this regiment? Yes he replied. Really ? It leads people to believe that they will fall into this catagory and inevitably crash. I did. It just blows my mind. Some people feel that its them and that they are the problem and they need to be on this crap! Im not a letigous person but I would really like to make someone pay for the horrors that this drug causes.

[zekers]

I went to the doctors today to get my first liquid paxil. I explained my w/ds and she looked at me as if she was going to lock me up in a mental instutution. I don't know why I even waste my time explaining anything to any doc about this. They are CLUELESS! Anyway i just wanted to show my graditude for this posting. Like many, I was already in full blown w/d before seeing this. I now see the importance of the slooow taper. I will start back at 5mg and work my way down even if it takes me years. I NEVER want to feel like this again!!!!

[jm_glz]

I started tapering last week from 30 to 25mg. User (Scotty) suggests a slower withdrawal and blueEyes also suggested reading this thread. So tonight I'll go back to 27.5mg and will stick to that for the next 4-5 weeks.

What is it about liquid Paxil that makes my doctor so worked up? It's like I asked for his first born child for a human sacrifice. Am I reading too much into that? could be...

thanks for your help...I'll keep trudging...feeling good today.

[imready]

I am so glad I found this site. I am trying to get off lexapro. Was on paxil for almost 7 years. I am going to see my doctor tomorrow about weaning/tapering off. I am so glad I am armed with information so I can tell my doctor the treatment I want. I have gone from 10 mg to 5 just like that. Feel like junk (the flu-like symptons) and can't concentrate. But now after reading your guys' posts I feel ok with the slow taper and even if it means I have to be on lexapro for longer I know that I will be able to handle it better (keeping my fingers crossed and speaking what I want. )

Thank you for giving me hope

[whirlpool86]

Thank you so much. You can see my tapering schedule in my signature. I thought I was doing it particularly slowly. How wrong I was!!! This site has opened my eyes completely. I hate feeling so unbelievably hellish. I am terrified what I might end up doing to myself. It has terrified me to discover the thoughts that my brain is capable of.

[marie6749]

I agree. I have such terrible withdrawal even in doing 10% reductions. I can't imagine trying to go faster than that, or even by 5mg at a time. Although I have done things like that many years ago and regretted it dearly.

[Diana_Elaine]

Is there a reason I'm unable to post in the 'general' area? I'm new here today, do you have to be here a certain amount of time before you can post?

Thank you,
Diana

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Diana_Elaine

Is there a reason I'm unable to post in the 'general' area? I'm new here today, do you have to be here a certain amount of time before you can post?

Thank you,
Diana

I just pm'd you.

[Diana_Elaine]

Originally Posted by scotty

I just pm'd you.

Thanks Scotty! I was able to post now. :-)

[Lightatendoftunnel]

I am a newbie who has tried quitting Paxil 13 times!!! and I can definately say I am doing exactly what you guys are telling me.After so many attempts with no advise, just my G.P telling me to taper over 4 weeks!! I sure as hell am gonna try your way....Giving myself a minimum of a year to go from 40mg to 0mg if it happens it happens if it takes longer so be it.Been on the hell trip for 121/2 years now.Thank you all for advise and FINALLY some good honest opinions.

[Kayten]

I'm new here.........just joined today. I seem to be amoung those that aren't going to have any problem tapering off of Paxil. Of course I started 3 days ago, but I've been on 20mg for 5 years now. I've chosen to get off due to weight gain, and I just don't feel the need for this drug anymore. I've tapered to 10mg now and still no side effects. I'll stay here for a month. Is anyone out there not feeling side effects? Or am I just weird?

[LCrawford67]

Originally Posted by Kayten

I'm new here.........just joined today. I seem to be amoung those that aren't going to have any problem tapering off of Paxil. Of course I started 3 days ago, but I've been on 20mg for 5 years now. I've chosen to get off due to weight gain, and I just don't feel the need for this drug anymore. I've tapered to 10mg now and still no side effects. I'll stay here for a month. Is anyone out there not feeling side effects? Or am I just weird?

It's only been three days. You may not feel w/d symptoms for several more days, up to weeks.

For most, it's just a matter of days before they get hit; so it's far too early for you to say you're not experiencing w/d.

[DaveC426913]

Originally Posted by Kayten

I'm new here.........just joined today. I seem to be amoung those that aren't going to have any problem tapering off of Paxil. Of course I started 3 days ago, but I've been on 20mg for 5 years now. I've chosen to get off due to weight gain, and I just don't feel the need for this drug anymore. I've tapered to 10mg now and still no side effects. I'll stay here for a month. Is anyone out there not feeling side effects? Or am I just weird?

Kayten, the first time I went off Paxil, it was months before I had an anxiety attack. The subsequent times, same thing.

What you are experiencing is exactly what many experience. It's WAY too soon to figure you're home free.

The real devil in Paxil is that it seems like you're just fine for weeks, and then

I wish you the best but I fear you'll be back here in a few months.

[rondee1374]

Dave you are so right. I went from 20 to 10 in 2 weeks. I felt great! BUT them the "devil" came to see me when I went to 5, I've only been doing this since April 30. I'm sick, sweaty, bloated, weak, cry all the time, lose track of my tongue and can't pronounce things correctly and as I said in another post I just want to slap someone. I didn't know there was a liquid paxil and I'm going to talk to my doc about it. He told me if I have problems withdrawing that he just put me on another drug. I decided to double my dosage of fish oil, vitamin c, b-6, b-12 and magnesium. Sometimes it helps. Thanks for listening.

[fishy]

Hi everyone, I'm new here! I had been on Paxil for 7 years and was feeling soo good I decided to stop. Yes, I am one of the STUPID newbies who jumped from 20 mg of paxil to 10 mg in one day. First 4 or 5 days was a breeze and I was feeling better than ever.

THEN ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE!!!

Trouble sleeping, extreme anxiety, nausea, mood swings including depression. I toughed it out for 4 weeks total then I found your forum. I feel like a dope for what I tried to do.

The good news is in that month, I learned a lot about myself, my thresholds of pain, and what I need to do to be more successful.

I have been 2 days back on the 20 mg and am already feeling a bit better. Once I stabilize at 20 for a month or 2, I'll round up the troops and make another go with the 10% reduction method. I want to thank you all for this forum because I was beginning to think I would be on Paxil forever. If I am, no big deal, but I'd rather not be.

[Sharron]

any suggestions on what to take for the nausea, empty nawing feeling in my
stomach.