Started taper -- yay!

mackenzie · 05-05-2009, 09:50 PM

Hi all,

You folks gave me some wonderful advice and support awhile back as I contemplated trying to get off paxil again after two tries where I tapered way too fast. The first time, I did get off completely for four months, but then my anxiety and panic attacks returned and my blood pressure soared, so I started back on it again. I've been in poop-out now for months now.

Anyway, I've been seeing a great psychologist since February, doing some CBT and learning anxiety reduction techniques, so I decided to start tapering again by the 10 percent rule. Got a prescription for liquid paxil and dropped from 20 mg. to 18 mg on 4/25. At one week, I've only had occasional brain zaps, headache, and occasional anxiety (swine flu hysteria was probably the main culprit here!), but this may be due to poop-out still rather than withdrawal.

From what I've gleaned here, it sounds like if I'm still not having much in the way of withdrawal symptoms at the two-week mark, and feel fairly stable, I could go ahead and taper again. Does that sound about right?

Mainly wanted to thank you all for being so helpful and say I'm on my way

Mackenzie

JessG · 05-05-2009, 10:57 PM

Congrats on starting your taper! I think we usually recommend that you stay at a dose for a minimum of 3 weeks before dropping again, just to be safe. I think the rule is the same even if you're in poop out. I was supposed to taper again a few days ago but my "anxiety mind" talked me out of it. Hopefully I can gather the courage to drop again in the next few days. Oh well, at least we are all in this together, and we CAN do this!!

Songbird · 05-05-2009, 11:07 PM

Sometimes w/d symptoms can show up after two or three weeks, so I would recommend waiting at least 3 weeks. Actually I usually wait a minimum of 4 weeks, but some here manage okay with 3 weeks.

Great news that you have found a great psychologist to work with. Best of luck with your taper, and remember that slow is good!

mackenzie · 05-11-2009, 02:54 PM

Thanks for your words of support and hard-earned wisdom

I've got to get it into my head that there's no rushing this! After I went for a bike ride on Sat., two weeks into my first taper, I got a case of the brain zaps and felt like crud the rest of the day. I definitely will wait until at least three weeks to taper again!

Thanks again,

Mackenzie

Katesmom · 05-11-2009, 03:08 PM

You're getting great advice. Slow and steady wins the race. Wait another week or two and then use your judgement.

05-05-2009, 09:50 PM	#1
mackenzie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 14	Started taper -- yay! Hi all, You folks gave me some wonderful advice and support awhile back as I contemplated trying to get off paxil again after two tries where I tapered way too fast. The first time, I did get off completely for four months, but then my anxiety and panic attacks returned and my blood pressure soared, so I started back on it again. I've been in poop-out now for months now. Anyway, I've been seeing a great psychologist since February, doing some CBT and learning anxiety reduction techniques, so I decided to start tapering again by the 10 percent rule. Got a prescription for liquid paxil and dropped from 20 mg. to 18 mg on 4/25. At one week, I've only had occasional brain zaps, headache, and occasional anxiety (swine flu hysteria was probably the main culprit here!), but this may be due to poop-out still rather than withdrawal. From what I've gleaned here, it sounds like if I'm still not having much in the way of withdrawal symptoms at the two-week mark, and feel fairly stable, I could go ahead and taper again. Does that sound about right? Mainly wanted to thank you all for being so helpful and say I'm on my way Mackenzie

05-05-2009, 10:57 PM	#2
JessG Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston,Tx Posts: 190	Re: Started taper -- yay! Congrats on starting your taper! I think we usually recommend that you stay at a dose for a minimum of 3 weeks before dropping again, just to be safe. I think the rule is the same even if you're in poop out. I was supposed to taper again a few days ago but my "anxiety mind" talked me out of it. Hopefully I can gather the courage to drop again in the next few days. Oh well, at least we are all in this together, and we CAN do this!! __________________ Prescribed Paxil in Mar. 1998 for social anxiety Skipped a couple of doses and found out about Paxil WD, been scared to get off since. 1st attempt to taper in 2002 by 2.5mg drops. Crashed somewhere between 10-15mg "Doc" upped Paxil back to 30mg. 2003-2005: Up and down from 27-35mg(?) Tapering since Dec 2005, from 35mg Stayed at 20mg for ALL of 2008 2/23/09:19.5mg 4/10/09:18.7mg 5/23/09:17.5mg 6/18/09:16.5mg 7/20/09:15.5mg 8/22/09:14.8mg 10/28/09:14.5mg

05-05-2009, 11:07 PM	#3
Songbird Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 7,046	Re: Started taper -- yay! Sometimes w/d symptoms can show up after two or three weeks, so I would recommend waiting at least 3 weeks. Actually I usually wait a minimum of 4 weeks, but some here manage okay with 3 weeks. Great news that you have found a great psychologist to work with. Best of luck with your taper, and remember that slow is good! __________________ Jul 01-Feb 02 Aropax Feb - Dec 03 Citalopram Jul 04 Aropax Jan 07 - Feb 08 20mg - 5mg Apr 4.5mg 5mg Jun 10mg zopiclone > seroquel Jul 20mg Aug + methionine Oct aropax > loxamine Dec off seroquel 7 Dec 17.5mg 30 Dec 15mg 24 Jan 12.5mg 16 Feb 10mg 10 May 9mg 30 May 8mg 5 July 7.5mg 2 Aug 7.25mg 1 Sep 7mg 9 Oct 6.75mg 8 Nov 6.5mg Appreciation is the antidote to stress - Trust is the antidote to fear

05-11-2009, 02:54 PM	#4
mackenzie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 14	Re: Started taper -- yay! Thanks for your words of support and hard-earned wisdom I've got to get it into my head that there's no rushing this! After I went for a bike ride on Sat., two weeks into my first taper, I got a case of the brain zaps and felt like crud the rest of the day. I definitely will wait until at least three weeks to taper again! Thanks again, Mackenzie

05-11-2009, 03:08 PM	#5
Katesmom Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 13,706	Re: Started taper -- yay! You're getting great advice. Slow and steady wins the race. Wait another week or two and then use your judgement. __________________ 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

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