Newbies to paxil tapering, Will you please read this?

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NYClady

Laurie,

Did you use the liquid Paxil to taper?

Thanks for the info,

NYClady

I'm not the "LC" Laurie, but I know that she used a compounding pharmacy and had each dose custom made. Liquid achieves the same goals.

[NYClady]

Hi Scotty,

Thank you for your response! How do I go about starting a journal?

Again thanks,

NYClady
P.S. We're neighbors I'm in New York hence NYClady

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NYClady

Hi Scotty,

Thank you for your response! How do I go about starting a journal?

Again thanks,

NYClady
P.S. We're neighbors I'm in New York hence NYClady

Go here:
http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...splay.php?f=20

and start a new thread..that is now your journal, neighbor!

[EdnaBuford]

I am a newbie who did this exact thing - i am back up to my 10 mg- which is seems to me is the hardest dosage to come down from- i do think people need to understand for themselves what you guys are/have gone thru- remeber how good this medication makes you feel? it does make you feel like everything is just fine- until you start coming off of it - i did get suicidal- i was watching for that tho and made sure to up my medication and now i am wating to stabilize and do the 10% 3-6 weeks in between - my doomcloud didnt start until i was almost 6 weeks into my 10 to 5 mg drop- i thought i was losing my mind- but i took 10 mg and the next day felt "normal" so it was the medication- not me

[markca]

im one of those who found this site too late .i.e.at the time i was jumping off..i found it by chance by doing a google as i just couldnt belief the rubbish my doctor was spinning me......it was my pharmacist who stopped me in my tracks and said quietlyits not u its the drug....suddenly i saw the light ...i tried to get off and even succeeded but when w/d symptoms came doctor put me back on because depression returned. anyway ovr 9 months i got off but im now 8 months paxil free....but every day is a battle..... i wish it would end but it doesnt , i feel im going to be trapped like this forever...the musclesin my face feel so dead..i have no inner spirit or motivation....i just hopeit will get better .....babs ....said it will, but im so scared that ive locked myself into this state permanently.......the anxiety is so uncontrollable .forget trying to hold down a job!! any thoughts anyone. i didnt have a clue when i tried to get off but reading this sight i now can see everything so clearly and wish doctors would understand this.

[Sharron]

I too went off paxil way to fast, went back on at 10mg, took me 1 year
to taper to 5mg. I went on liquid paxil for better measurement. I reduce
10% every 60 days, it may take another year but I have very few side
effects. you might consider going back on and reducing more gradual, I
remember how bad I felt, it was not worth it.

[EdnaBuford]

markca- you might try seeing a therapist- there are many different types of therapy that can be helpful for depression- there are also lots of natural supplements that can help alleviate symptoms of depression- if those fail going on a different ssri with a longer half life might be an option too- my point is dont give up hope- if its 8 mos. later and you still feel horrible it may not be just w/d symptoms, and if it is, therapy can still help- please go seek help, dont just assume your a lost cause, your not, and I feel for what your going through , it sucks, it sucks bad, but you must take a proactive approach in combating it first hand- throwing a pill at it wont fix it, but doing noting wont help either-
good luck and take care.

[Sharron]

What does a short shelf life mean?

[skinnymom139]

Originally Posted by Sharron

What does a short shelf life mean?

I think i mistyped. I meant half life. Sorry. As I understand it, the half life of a drug refers to how long it takes to clear out of your body. I think Zoloft takes 6 weeks to reach the "full effect" but only 3 days to clear out. Paxil takes even less time- only a day or two. Which means missing a dose can really mess with your head.

[scotty]

GAD man and Fairthful4, I moved your posts into their own threads. You'll find them in General Discussion.

[Aaron47]

newbie here...10%?...liquid not avail...what is preferred/easiest method of cutting 10 mg pill? Thanks! Aaron

paxl 2008 - present, 15 mg.

[InsaneInTheMembrane]

Hi all,

I'm currently at 60 mg. What would be the best taper? If I switch to liquid, am I drinking a gallon of it a day? I haven't seen too many other lucky people that are at such a high dosage. Thanks!!

[kmj612]

Hi Stacy Do not do it on your own ask your doctor for advice on the best way to taper it and make sure you go slow.

[Stu]

I am Stu, aka "baal" before. I did the stupid fast tapering (I thought I was doing it slowly, which is not). Lots of ppl warned me to slow down. But when I realized it, it was too late. I got slammed by anxiety and depression (my original problem is panic attack and GAD) at the end of July. I updosed to 75mg on Aug 15th. I am not stabilized yet after 24 days!!!

I feel sorry for ppl who reminded me, suported me and warned me here!!!

Go slow!

[Lucy99]

Stu, no beating yourself up. We live and learn. I'm glad that you are trying to stabilize. One moment at a time. Just remember - however you feel, good or terrible, it will pass. Keep the faith, and choose health.

[tammie]

i gave up trying to get off but i know it is slowly starting to not work at all and my pharmacy went to even cheaper generic pills and are tellinh me it is the EXACT same thing yeah right i am just not strong enough to get off i think i will have to be this way forever and ever

[Nic]

I have been on seroxat/paroxetine for about 9 years. I have tried to come off them but have been unsuccessful. Recently my doctor has tried to wean me off them. Down to 10mg for 5 days and then 5 for 5 days and then zero. I am going through hell.

Help please!!!

[markca]

tammie, you must come off slowly , you can do it and you will, !
and you wont be like this forever....hold onto this .....'it will pass' Dr Healy from Wales says wdl symptoms can take 2- 4 years to subside...im now paxil free one year this month ....im still suffering wdl symptoms ..daily ..but i fight it...and after 1 year im noticing little improvements. you can do it!

[scotty]

Those who are fretting that they will never get off paxil...LOOK AT YOUR WEANING SCHEDULE(and yes, I'm yelling). If you've only attempted large, rapid drops in dose, or cold turkey, then yes, you will never get off paxil.

If you slow wean by what is recommended by thousands who are here, you will succeed. You can't claim failure if you've only attempted one way of getting off these drugs. That is a failure in learning what works, not in yourself.

Wean 10% of your dose every 3-6 weeks. It truly is what works, despite what your doctor is telling you.

[Nic]

Thank u Scott I shall try that!! Do u still get the awful symptoms from withdrawal this way!

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Nic

Thank u Scott I shall try that!! Do u still get the awful symptoms from withdrawal this way!

You may have some symptoms, but NOTHING like going cold turkey.

[Nic]

That gives me alot of hope! Im back on 10mg again and I will not start to reduce them until about 6 weeks again!! Thanks so much x

[CapeTownGirl]

Hey, thanks for all these posts! I'm a newbie and it's so reassuring to read about slow tapering. I'm not ready to wean off yet, but I am so grateful to have some info for when I do. Have been on 25mg Aropax for anxiety for about 7 months and it's working really well so far.

[MichaelBabbo]

Newcomers, Listen to Betsy!

I have just entered my seventh month of the recommended tapering process. I started out at 30 mg. of Paxil and am now down to about 13 mg.

Things are going well for me.

During the course of 10+ years on this drug I tried going the cold turkey route several times, with the predictable, horrible results of quick withdrawal. I let my prescription lapse numerous times as well, not realizing the terrible effects of quick withdrawal, even after one day of missing a dose.

Even after visiting this site and reading about the proper withdrawal method, I went ahead and tried it cold-turkey again (because maybe I was stronger than the rest, or a special case). Horrible withdrawal, yet again.

Near the end of February of this year, I finally made the right decision and went for the 10% drop every 3 - 6 weeks. I'm glad I did! I can now envision a time, not so far from now, when I will be free of this drug forever!

So if you are new here and want to get off Paxil once and for all, I encourage you to listen to what Betsy and the other site moderators recommend: a 10% drop every 3 to 6 weeks.

This is hard-won knowledge. People had to suffer through trial-and-error to find the best way to taper. They've discovered the best way.....so you don't have to!

Remember: 10% every 3 to 6 weeks !!!

It's working for me and I'm very grateful.

Wishing you well,

-Mike

[MichaelBabbo]

So,please, please, listen to me!!