Confused as to what to do???

Just got off the phone with my therapist, as she suggested for me to stop the 2.5 miligrams now or over a weekend. I'm scared guys! She's been pretty straight with me about this stuff...so in a way I trust her, but I'm not sure if I should. She did say that at this low a dosage the medication is not working on the depression, so the only thing left to tackle is the withdrawl. She said maybe it is time to just bite the bullet, and spend the weekend stopping?
I don't know what to think?
I mean I'm gonna feel pretty awful at some point anyway right?
Well I have plans for this weekend, so I will wait until the beginning of next month instead I think. I will wean down more by then, take an extra day off from work and just do it???
I'm scared! What do you guys think?

[Paxil Junkie]

how long have u been on 2.5?

I would suggest doing just what your therapist says to do... not because I believe in therapists' words as Gospel truth, but because at some point you ARE going to have to bite the bullet. At some point you are going to have to move down from 2.5 to 0, and prolonging it will just make things worse - if you feel halfway normal at 2.5, then continuing on the 2.5 will just get your body more and more used to it. I found that making a plan and sticking to it helped me when it came time to deal with the withdrawal symptoms - I dropped from 20 to 10 to 5 to 0, and each time there were 3 days, starting on the third day, that I felt whacked-out weird, then I started feeling better. I've been off completely for about 2 weeks now and I'm finally getting back to absolute normal.

I guess my point is - Paxil is made to get rid of anxiety. By prolonging your step-down time, you are just creating more anxiety... so just take the plunge, and remember that for a few days you are going to feel like crap. Then you'll feel better, and all will be well...

I've been on the 2.5 for about a week or so, before that I was taking 5 mils every other day, and that was for about a month.

I supposed it is just best to take the step, but I am scared.

I think what I will do is this, MY PLAN:

Stay on the liquid at 2.5 until September 30th.
Then take 1.25 until October 10th.
Starting October 11th I will stop completely. I will have a 3 day weekend because of Columbus Day, so that will help.

UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I HATE THIS!!!!

[JulieG]

I think thats a really good plan. Controlit! posted a message someplace about being really careful the lower you get on your doses. Sandra/mercury went from 2.5 to zero with disastrous (sp) results. Of course... I also agree with the previous post about prolonging the agony and anxiety.. and maybe you won't have any horrible w/d effects. Who knows. This is all just a mad guessing game, isn't it?

Let us know how you do! We're here for you!

Yes it is a mad guessing game! I hate it!
I'll keep you posted, thanks for your support and helpful words!
Dianna

Dianna,

I know we are all snowflakes, but I quit at 2.5, although I had been there for only about 12 days, and I had some pretty bad things happen. I developed severe anger/rage/uncontrollable crying spells and had to be hospitalized. I'm not saying that's going to happen to you, but just wanted to warn you. I'm still far from okay and I've been off paxil now for about one month or so. I've had to go on a mood stabilizer for the rage stuff, but I am now also extremely depressed. I know I tapered too fast. I urge you to go slow, as slow as possible, as those before you would tell you.

Sandra

Thanks Sandra. I will go slowly and at an acceptable pace for my body. I refuse to be chained to this forever.
I am happy to hear it has been a month for you paxil free. I know being on a mood stablizer must be frustrating, but you've won the battle against the paxil! And for that you a should be proud!!!!
You've gotten this far through this hell, you can come out on the other side. You can do this, you are strong!!! You will overcome the evils of paxil!!!! And we are here!!!! At least we have eachother!

Dianna,

The toughest thing for me is the transition to "feeling" again. Without the ability to "numb" out life, everyday episodes make life very raw when adjusting to life without Paxil. I think this is a lot of the wisdom behind a slow taper - allow your mind and body to strengthen so that you can handle life's curves from a healthy perspective.

At the suggestion of my doctor, I moved from 10 mgs. to 5 mgs. (6.5 weeks ago, after 6 years on). There is NO DOUBT that this was too fast and abrupt for me and I have paid the piper.

Given that you are the ultimate consumer of medical advice, what do you think you should do? Trust your body and mind - you know them better than anyone and as Sandra said, we are all "snowflakes".

Blessings, Bill

I'm not an expert, don't get me wrong but i'd say GO FOR IT! If your therapist says it's not working for the depression anyway you may as well get the withdrawl over with and not put things off. I think the fact that you have plans on the weekend is an excellent time to quit. Being out and with friends will help keep your mind off of the withdrawl. Once you realize that you can handle comming off your will become much stronger. Keep busy, read or watch a movie. Get your rest. I have just been off 60mgs for a week. I just quit one day... I must say that it's not what I suggest everyone do, but I feel absoutly great!! I feel so strong and confident and most of all more happy than i've ever been. I have major withdrawl symptoms but i'm keeping busy. When you take a chance you never know you may realize that your a stonger person inside than you originally thought.