Newbie trying to get off SSRI's

Muzakmaniac · 12-11-2009, 10:49 PM

I have panic disorder w/ GAD and what I would call depersonalization episodes. I'm extremely hypersensitive to meds (aren't most of us?) so I've been very slow to adopt SSRI's that have been prescribed to me. Usually after taking them for a day or two, I quit because they made my anxiety worse. I know that's normal, but I just don't want to get stuck on these things.

I take Xanax as needed (until lately, I've only needed .25mg MAYBE twice a day). My Xanax intake has gone up markedly recently. I'll explain why...

I've struggled with anxiety/panic since I was a child, not knowing what it was. I finally figured it out about 12 years ago.

I was prescribed Celexa, Effexor, etc. but never really took them. I finally started taking Lexapro at a quarter (2.5mg) of the dosage prescribed (10mg). The doctors laughed and said that wouldn't do anything, but I felt it helped occasionally. I would stop taking it on and off. But I finally told the doc it wasn't helping recently. The Nurse Practitioner immediately prescribed Paxil (I believe it was 10mg). I decided to just dive in and try it (obviously before I found this site). It was pretty difficult, but I made it through four weeks before my wife nearly insisted that I find something else. I was a basketcase, crying for no reason, major panic disorder at bedtime (not normal for me).

The doctor said since I had only been on it for a month, I should change over to Zoloft (50mg). That hit me REALLY hard the first day or two, so I quit for a few days. Doctor said I could go down to 25mg. So I've done that for two weeks with no noticeable improvement at all. Actually much more anxious. So I stopped taking it three days ago.

So I've been on SSRI's steadily now for 6 weeks (4 wks Paxil, 2 wks Zoloft). I had a good day the first day off, but the last two days have been HELL. Yesterday I took 12.5mg of Zoloft, thinking I needed to start tapering down. But today was the WORST day I've had in a LONG time. Was prescribed and took Lyrica (50mg) to help w/ anxiety instead of the Zoloft. (I've heard it's actually very effective)

Question 1:
Is this craziness coming from withdrawals from such a short period of time on these SSRI's???

Question 2:
Should I have tapered? If so, is missing a few days and restarting at a lower dosage a good idea?

Question 3:
I've heard good reports of Lyrica helping. Is this something that might help?

I'm determined to overcome this without relying on SSRI's if at all possible. Any help you give me is greatly appreciated! I'm like all of ya... Freaked out, feeling crazy, but determined to beat this.

LCrawford67 · 12-12-2009, 05:47 AM

Welcome to paxilprogress!

Well, you were on Paxil long enough to probably feel some effects upon stopping, but it shouldn't be anything too severe. However, you're now probably feeling the start up side effects of Zoloft which with the two things combined, that's probably why you're feeling the way you are.

After only four weeks on one and two on the other, it's not worth restarting either. Zoloft is stimulating and not a good idea for people who suffer with anxiety and panic. What you're feeling shouldn't last too long.

I don't know much about Lyrica, other than the butt load of side effects listed on drugs.com, which I urge you to read. In fact, always fully research ANY medication before taking it.

If you're determined to do beat this without medication, then why not seek out cognitive behaviorial therapy? As you've found out, there's no such thing as a magic pill and any pill you take isn't going to come without its side effects and w/d problems.

scotslass · 12-12-2009, 06:08 AM

Hi Muzac,welcome.As awful as you feel right now,it will pass.As LC said you were not on those meds for an extended period of time.Just hang in there and thing will improve,I would not advise adding any other meds into the mix though,as you will only exascerbate the symptoms you have now.

Muzakmaniac · 12-12-2009, 12:45 PM

Thanks for your responses!

Makes me feel better knowing I haven't messed myself up too much with the SSRI's. Feel better today after NOT taking a reduced dosage of Zoloft.

I'm a big fan of CBT. My biggest problem right now is that I've become very nearly agoraphobic. I have panic attacks while driving and just about anytime I go out for an extended period of time. My wife has to drive me just about anywhere I go, when I do have to go places. I can drive okay at night time, but by then, therapists don't take clients.

What do agoraphobic people do for therapists? Although it is a problem I have, I find that kind of funny.

Rachelina · 12-13-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzakmaniac

Thanks for your responses!

Makes me feel better knowing I haven't messed myself up too much with the SSRI's. Feel better today after NOT taking a reduced dosage of Zoloft.

I'm a big fan of CBT. My biggest problem right now is that I've become very nearly agoraphobic. I have panic attacks while driving and just about anytime I go out for an extended period of time. My wife has to drive me just about anywhere I go, when I do have to go places. I can drive okay at night time, but by then, therapists don't take clients.

What do agoraphobic people do for therapists? Although it is a problem I have, I find that kind of funny.

Yes, it's good to find the humor in agoraphobia! I have the same problem. I was able to get to a therapist by taking .25 mg Klonopin AND using coping skills to deal with the panic. You should definitely read the book Hope and Help For Your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes. It's old but still in print because it works; it's the only thing that helps me, actually (besides Klonopin, which I try to avoid taking). She also has great recordings; if you are interested I could email you the MP3 files. She's great for any type of anxiety but ideal for agoraphobia.

Songbird · 12-13-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachelina

You should definitely read the book Hope and Help For Your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes. It's old but still in print because it works; it's the only thing that helps me, actually (besides Klonopin, which I try to avoid taking). She also has great recordings; if you are interested I could email you the MP3 files. She's great for any type of anxiety but ideal for agoraphobia.

I would also recommend Dr. Claire Weekes, both the book and recordings.

12-11-2009, 10:49 PM	#1
Muzakmaniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 2	Newbie trying to get off SSRI's I have panic disorder w/ GAD and what I would call depersonalization episodes. I'm extremely hypersensitive to meds (aren't most of us?) so I've been very slow to adopt SSRI's that have been prescribed to me. Usually after taking them for a day or two, I quit because they made my anxiety worse. I know that's normal, but I just don't want to get stuck on these things. I take Xanax as needed (until lately, I've only needed .25mg MAYBE twice a day). My Xanax intake has gone up markedly recently. I'll explain why... I've struggled with anxiety/panic since I was a child, not knowing what it was. I finally figured it out about 12 years ago. I was prescribed Celexa, Effexor, etc. but never really took them. I finally started taking Lexapro at a quarter (2.5mg) of the dosage prescribed (10mg). The doctors laughed and said that wouldn't do anything, but I felt it helped occasionally. I would stop taking it on and off. But I finally told the doc it wasn't helping recently. The Nurse Practitioner immediately prescribed Paxil (I believe it was 10mg). I decided to just dive in and try it (obviously before I found this site). It was pretty difficult, but I made it through four weeks before my wife nearly insisted that I find something else. I was a basketcase, crying for no reason, major panic disorder at bedtime (not normal for me). The doctor said since I had only been on it for a month, I should change over to Zoloft (50mg). That hit me REALLY hard the first day or two, so I quit for a few days. Doctor said I could go down to 25mg. So I've done that for two weeks with no noticeable improvement at all. Actually much more anxious. So I stopped taking it three days ago. So I've been on SSRI's steadily now for 6 weeks (4 wks Paxil, 2 wks Zoloft). I had a good day the first day off, but the last two days have been HELL. Yesterday I took 12.5mg of Zoloft, thinking I needed to start tapering down. But today was the WORST day I've had in a LONG time. Was prescribed and took Lyrica (50mg) to help w/ anxiety instead of the Zoloft. (I've heard it's actually very effective) Question 1: Is this craziness coming from withdrawals from such a short period of time on these SSRI's??? Question 2: Should I have tapered? If so, is missing a few days and restarting at a lower dosage a good idea? Question 3: I've heard good reports of Lyrica helping. Is this something that might help? I'm determined to overcome this without relying on SSRI's if at all possible. Any help you give me is greatly appreciated! I'm like all of ya... Freaked out, feeling crazy, but determined to beat this.

12-12-2009, 05:47 AM	#2
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 30,253	Re: Newbie trying to get off SSRI's Welcome to paxilprogress! Well, you were on Paxil long enough to probably feel some effects upon stopping, but it shouldn't be anything too severe. However, you're now probably feeling the start up side effects of Zoloft which with the two things combined, that's probably why you're feeling the way you are. After only four weeks on one and two on the other, it's not worth restarting either. Zoloft is stimulating and not a good idea for people who suffer with anxiety and panic. What you're feeling shouldn't last too long. I don't know much about Lyrica, other than the butt load of side effects listed on drugs.com, which I urge you to read. In fact, always fully research ANY medication before taking it. If you're determined to do beat this without medication, then why not seek out cognitive behaviorial therapy? As you've found out, there's no such thing as a magic pill and any pill you take isn't going to come without its side effects and w/d problems. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 *"Whether You Believe You Can, Or You Can't, You Are Right."* ~ Henry Ford

12-12-2009, 06:08 AM	#3
scotslass Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,720	Re: Newbie trying to get off SSRI's Hi Muzac,welcome.As awful as you feel right now,it will pass.As LC said you were not on those meds for an extended period of time.Just hang in there and thing will improve,I would not advise adding any other meds into the mix though,as you will only exascerbate the symptoms you have now. __________________ 12yrs of 40mgs paxil July 2008-October 2009 down from 40-6mgs,Crashed big time back up to 8mgs,little relief from anxiety and depression Nov23,up to 10mgs,hoping to stabilise here for a while March 18/10 dropped to 91/2 mgs April 17/10 dropped to 9mgs May 16/10 81/2 june 17/10 8mgs July 8/10 7.5mgs Aug 12/10 7mgs

12-12-2009, 12:45 PM	#4
Muzakmaniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 2	Re: Newbie trying to get off SSRI's Thanks for your responses! Makes me feel better knowing I haven't messed myself up too much with the SSRI's. Feel better today after NOT taking a reduced dosage of Zoloft. I'm a big fan of CBT. My biggest problem right now is that I've become very nearly agoraphobic. I have panic attacks while driving and just about anytime I go out for an extended period of time. My wife has to drive me just about anywhere I go, when I do have to go places. I can drive okay at night time, but by then, therapists don't take clients. What do agoraphobic people do for therapists? Although it is a problem I have, I find that kind of funny.

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