When to quit?

HelpMeQuit · 12-06-2009, 10:32 AM

How do you decide when is the right time to start taking lower doses? I'm currently in my last year of University and I really want to stop taking these pills because of all the side effects but maybe now is a bad time?

rain · 12-06-2009, 10:48 AM

Only you can decide when the time is right. Whenever that time is, go very, very slowly! Here they say 10% of your current dose every 3-6 weeks, in order to avoid major withdrawal symptoms.

HelpMeQuit · 12-06-2009, 10:55 AM

I tried to stop taking paxil before but I think my doctor made me lower my doses too quickly. I'm worried if I don't do it now I never will. I'm scared to do it, I don't want to be the way I was before. My anxiety controlled my life. Now it feels like paxil is controlling my life..

rain · 12-06-2009, 11:06 AM

Have you looked into therapy? It's essential to get to the root cause of why you started the med in the first place.

Doctors don't know very much about weaning. If you use the method that is suggested here, you have a good chance of succeeding!

Most of us are afraid to start a taper. You are in good company here. We help one another get through this.

HelpMeQuit · 12-06-2009, 11:10 AM

I use to go to a psychologist but I haven't seen her for years. Is that what you mean by therapy?
Geez, you would think doctors should know about something like that.. I will definitely use that method when the time comes. Do you just cut the pills a bit?

rain · 12-06-2009, 11:21 AM

Many cut the pills. Many try the liquid form of the AD they are taking. Some use a compounding pharmacy.

Add your current AD use in your signature... it helps others to see what you are currently taking.

Yes, a psychologist... That is what I mean by therapy. There are many forms of therapy... do a search at the top of this page. Many find CBT very helpful. If you read on this site, you will find lots of helpful information.

scotty · 12-06-2009, 11:48 AM

The most important thing is to recognize that this is YOUR journey, not your doctors. If his schedule isn't one that your willing to do, then tell him that.

Now is when you have to take control of your life. Anxiety is a very powerful emotion. Before even considering weaning off of paxil, you've got to get some tools to deal with that anxiety. As you've learned Paxil didn't give you anything to hold on to in that department. Find a good therapist, read everything you can about anxiety and then, and only then make weaning plans.

Withdrawal is hard, but not impossible. It's a journey that will test you, but in the end reveal a person that you didn't know existed.

HelpMeQuit · 12-06-2009, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the encouraging words. I don't know how I will find time for therapy..I'm so busy with school lately I barely have time for anything else. I will continue researching.

12-06-2009, 10:32 AM	#1
HelpMeQuit Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 21	When to quit? How do you decide when is the right time to start taking lower doses? I'm currently in my last year of University and I really want to stop taking these pills because of all the side effects but maybe now is a bad time?

12-06-2009, 10:48 AM	#2
rain Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 4,993	Re: When to quit? Only you can decide when the time is right. Whenever that time is, go very, very slowly! Here they say 10% of your current dose every 3-6 weeks, in order to avoid major withdrawal symptoms. __________________ 7/10/10 - Celexa 20mg ...and then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Anais Nin

12-06-2009, 10:55 AM	#3
HelpMeQuit Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 21	Re: When to quit? I tried to stop taking paxil before but I think my doctor made me lower my doses too quickly. I'm worried if I don't do it now I never will. I'm scared to do it, I don't want to be the way I was before. My anxiety controlled my life. Now it feels like paxil is controlling my life..

12-06-2009, 11:06 AM	#4
rain Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 4,993	Re: When to quit? Have you looked into therapy? It's essential to get to the root cause of why you started the med in the first place. Doctors don't know very much about weaning. If you use the method that is suggested here, you have a good chance of succeeding! Most of us are afraid to start a taper. You are in good company here. We help one another get through this. __________________ 7/10/10 - Celexa 20mg ...and then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Anais Nin

12-06-2009, 11:10 AM	#5
HelpMeQuit Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 21	Re: When to quit? I use to go to a psychologist but I haven't seen her for years. Is that what you mean by therapy? Geez, you would think doctors should know about something like that.. I will definitely use that method when the time comes. Do you just cut the pills a bit?

12-06-2009, 11:21 AM	#6
rain Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 4,993	Re: When to quit? Many cut the pills. Many try the liquid form of the AD they are taking. Some use a compounding pharmacy. Add your current AD use in your signature... it helps others to see what you are currently taking. Yes, a psychologist... That is what I mean by therapy. There are many forms of therapy... do a search at the top of this page. Many find CBT very helpful. If you read on this site, you will find lots of helpful information. __________________ 7/10/10 - Celexa 20mg ...and then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Anais Nin

12-06-2009, 11:48 AM	#7
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 40,824	Re: When to quit? The most important thing is to recognize that this is YOUR journey, not your doctors. If his schedule isn't one that your willing to do, then tell him that. Now is when you have to take control of your life. Anxiety is a very powerful emotion. Before even considering weaning off of paxil, you've got to get some tools to deal with that anxiety. As you've learned Paxil didn't give you anything to hold on to in that department. Find a good therapist, read everything you can about anxiety and then, and only then make weaning plans. Withdrawal is hard, but not impossible. It's a journey that will test you, but in the end reveal a person that you didn't know existed. __________________ AKA Laurie "By ignoring the environmental factors the psychiatric profession gives itself complete job security by diagnosing life as a mental illness. The only people who will not qualify for a disorder are those who are dead." Joseph Arpaia, MD

12-06-2009, 11:51 AM	#8
HelpMeQuit Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 21	Re: When to quit? Thanks for the encouraging words. I don't know how I will find time for therapy..I'm so busy with school lately I barely have time for anything else. I will continue researching. __________________ June 2010 - present: 17mgs of Paxil 2002-June 2010: 20mgs of Paxil

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)