Horrible Withdrawal, even with Super Slow Taper?

[Mozart22]

I'm tapering off 20 mg Paxil, very slowly, using the 10% method.
I was told this would make it much easier and more manageable.
But I'm seeing a few posts here of people who tapered really
slowly too and still feel restless, uncomfortable, suicidal,
and depressed.

Could this happen to me too? I thought the whole point of doing
this ultra slow 10% method is to stop those symptoms?

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Mozart22

I'm tapering off 20 mg Paxil, very slowly, using the 10% method.
I was told this would make it much easier and more manageable.
But I'm seeing a few posts here of people who tapered really
slowly too and still feel restless, uncomfortable, suicidal,
and depressed.

Could this happen to me too? I thought the whole point of doing
this ultra slow 10% method is to stop those symptoms?

No withdrawal method is without symptoms. But you have to realize that few do the 10% method right from the start. Many have cold turkeyed, skipped days, have other drugs involved, wean to fast etc.....

Don't let other situations freak you out about yours.

[carolyn]

Mozart, why don't you focus on those of us (and I'm certainly not the only one) who have tapered using the 10% method and have had wild success?

Like Scotty said, I think most of us who've started with the 10% method and stuck by it religiously have had very good results.

[Mozart22]

Well last night I was reading HanPane's post about how she has been trying to get off her meds for nearly 6 years. She's been going really slow, only 1 mg drops, and that's with Prozac, which is usually easier to get off of than Paxil

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Mozart22

Well last night I was reading HanPane's post about how she has been trying to get off her meds for nearly 6 years. She's been going really slow, only 1 mg drops, and that's with Prozac, which is usually easier to get off of than Paxil

And that situation involves other drugs still being in use. You can't assume that everything is due to the ssri weaning when other things are in play. Yes, weaning is hard and it can create alot of problems, but don't look for downsides. Prozac is no easier to get off than Paxil...it just takes longer for symptoms to appear, as Hanpane has found out. But that doesn't mean it can't be done, and Hanpane is doing it, even with it being complicated by other drugs.

[luc]

I think Han, if I remember correctly, also admitted that she wasn't doing this for 6 years linearly. She either stopped WD for some time or went back to her original dose.

[Mozart22]

how do you correctly measure the tiny drops for the 10 percent method?
liquid paxil is so expensive! a pill cutter helps but isnt that great for tiny drops

[HanPanes]

Right.... Mozart please remember like someone else said that I haven't been withdrawing consistently over the past 6 years - there have been times when I have stabalised and achieved a lot in life and the symptoms have at least calmed down.

I don't want anything I post to ever bring anyone down so sorry for putting doubts in your head. It has been only within the last 4 months or so that I have been regularly reducing again and yes it is excrutiating but I'm persevering. I, like you have been on Paxil in the past (for 7 years) and tapered way too fast on that and had awful consequences. I don't however having experienced both cosider Prozac to be easier.

The point is WE know now how to taper, to listen to our bodies and adjust accordingly - I NEVER knew that. We have hope now because we have knowledge.

There have been many mistakes that I've made and have been made on my behalf because of ignorance. You are not in that position, you've got support here and you know how to w/d safely, and you will, and you are....

I would suggest the only way to do it accurately is liquid, may be expensive but your life is worth it! I never knew how much little doses affect us and have been slack and stupid with my doses, don't make that mistake and you'll be fine!!

[scotty]

Originally Posted by HanPanes

The point is WE know now how to taper, to listen to our bodies and adjust accordingly - I NEVER knew that. We have hope now because we have knowledge.

[carolyn]

Originally Posted by Mozart22

how do you correctly measure the tiny drops for the 10 percent method?
liquid paxil is so expensive! a pill cutter helps but isnt that great for tiny drops

I was able to accurately cut my pills with a pill cutter for the seven months between 20mg and 10mg. You could do that while saving money for the liquid.

Also, remember that many people don't have access to the liquid and so they make do with cutting pills all the way down, and that does work for them.

I think you're subconsciously throwing roadblocks up for your brain to worry about, which is totally normal -- just be aware that you're doing it and that you're (subconsciously, but intentionally) specifically looking for things to fret about.

[Rachelina]

Mozart, most people do just fine with the 10% taper. Sure, there are a few people that do have trouble and have to go even slower, but we are the minority. People post when they are having a hard time. People who are having an easy time don't post because there's nothing to post about. So reading posts on here can actually give you a skewed idea of how hard it is to taper. Lots of people come here in withdrawal from a CT, they learn how to taper safely, and we never hear from them again - presumably because they are doing fine with their taper and don't need any support.

[westeewoman]

Mozart - those of us who are doing glacially slow tapers do so because it's what works for us.

I have to maintain a professional demeanor and perform in a demanding competitive work environment. I also want to enjoy my life as it goes by, so that the taper isn't the determining factor in every situation.
I won't be off the final drug for another few years. SO WHAT?

My life is good right now. I am earning money, saving for retirement, enjoying the company of a lovely man, reading novels, making quilts, laughing with friends, making interesting dinners, planting bullbs, reading to a kid with learning disabilities... that's just what I can think of this minute. The point is, tapering is just how much Cymbalta I am taking this week. Your life has value and meaning now. Find it, focus on it. It's really all you have.

Focus on this moment, the only moment there is. Are you "tapering" this moment? Or are you really sitting somewhere, reading this message?

[palm]

Originally Posted by Mozart22

I'm tapering off 20 mg Paxil, very slowly, using the 10% method.
I was told this would make it much easier and more manageable.
But I'm seeing a few posts here of people who tapered really
slowly too and still feel restless, uncomfortable, suicidal,
and depressed.

Could this happen to me too? I thought the whole point of doing
this ultra slow 10% method is to stop those symptoms?

Mozart,

As one who tapered Doxepin slowly but still had severe rebound insomnia, I understand what you're saying. I confess to having similar negative thoughts.

But I finally realized that if I have to taper at micro doses to live a a semi comfortable life, that is what I will have to do. By the way, after my last 3% cut, the worst symptoms lasted for 2 days at most.
You may want to do something similar if 10% is too much.

When I get to the point where I can't make those small cuts, I will ask my psychiatrist for a compound pharmacy prescription since I am a klutz at measuring the liquid which Doxepin comes in. I can see the look on his face when I do this. LOL. But at least he cooperates.

Hopefully, it isn't too expensive since I may not get reimbursed from the insurance company. So maybe I will have to learn how to do the liquid.

Anyway, my point is that is your feelings are understandable but everybody's experience is different.

You can do this.

Palm

[carolyn]

Originally Posted by westeewoman

Mozart - those of us who are doing glacially slow tapers do so because it's what works for us.

I have to maintain a professional demeanor and perform in a demanding competitive work environment. I also want to enjoy my life as it goes by, so that the taper isn't the determining factor in every situation.
I won't be off the final drug for another few years. SO WHAT?

My life is good right now. I am earning money, saving for retirement, enjoying the company of a lovely man, reading novels, making quilts, laughing with friends, making interesting dinners, planting bullbs, reading to a kid with learning disabilities... that's just what I can think of this minute. The point is, tapering is just how much Cymbalta I am taking this week. Your life has value and meaning now. Find it, focus on it. It's really all you have.

Focus on this moment, the only moment there is. Are you "tapering" this moment? Or are you really sitting somewhere, reading this message?

What a great post, westee!!: 2thumbsup:

[Songbird]

Originally Posted by westeewoman

Mozart - those of us who are doing glacially slow tapers do so because it's what works for us.

I have to maintain a professional demeanor and perform in a demanding competitive work environment. I also want to enjoy my life as it goes by, so that the taper isn't the determining factor in every situation.
I won't be off the final drug for another few years. SO WHAT?

My life is good right now. I am earning money, saving for retirement, enjoying the company of a lovely man, reading novels, making quilts, laughing with friends, making interesting dinners, planting bullbs, reading to a kid with learning disabilities... that's just what I can think of this minute. The point is, tapering is just how much Cymbalta I am taking this week. Your life has value and meaning now. Find it, focus on it. It's really all you have.

Focus on this moment, the only moment there is. Are you "tapering" this moment? Or are you really sitting somewhere, reading this message?

Great post!!