I want out!

Parox-attude · 12-13-2009, 09:15 PM

Hi,

I am new here and glad I found you. I have taken this stuff for a whopping 17 years!!!

I was originally put on for a host of symptoms including pain and I was eventually diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. No DX of depression - off label use the whole time.

Recently the manufacturer of my generic stopped making the stuff (apotex in canada) and I did not want to take stuff made in india. Finally found teva made in israel which i switched too with no real problems but enough is enough. I am sick of being at the whim of big pharma and the only reason I am on it is that I am probably and "addict". I have tried to stop only twice and my doctors response has been........."well I guess you need it".

I am sick of the extra weight and loss of libido and want to taper. I read the ideas here and they are great. My questions are:

Anybody else been on this stuff this long? Any special recommendations? Is my brain fried from this stuff?

Thanks for your reponse.

Paxie

TryingtoGetWell · 12-14-2009, 01:38 AM

Welcome to paxilprogress, Paxie!

You probably went on the med just months before I did (it was a very new drug on the market then).

I was on it 13 years but went off a little over 3-1/2 years ago. We have a lot in common! I too had no diagnosis of depression, and also have long-standing diagnoses (pre-paxil) of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, although I have other long-term chronic medical conditions as well.

I recommend that everyone taper by the slow taper this group has found works best for most people - even if they haven't been on as long as we were. People's responses to withdrawal vary, but most people have a lot of problems which can last quite some time if they go faster or do bigger drops than is recommended here.

As you've probably read here, this group has found that quality of life can best be maintained, and problems reduced, by tapering at a rate of no more than a 10% drop from previous (most recent prior to next drop) dose, then remaining at that dose until one stabilizes at it before dropping another 10%.

I didn't know to do this - didn't even have a clue that this medication was habituating. In fact, I had had huge problems from benzo withdrawal - a large part of why I was put on paxil - and had been told that I couldn't get addicted at the doses I was taking of that. So I was very wary and investigated very carefully before starting paxil, but even doctors who were outraged at the misinformation I'd been given about the benzos assured me that paxil couldn't possibly be addictive and could only be beneficial for my health.

The drug was so new then very little was known about it (or rather, very little had been revealed about it), and there was nothing like paxilprogress.

Most doctors are still very unaware of the problems this med can cause, and even if they are aware, give taper schedules that are far too fast. The results of a too-fast taper (which I thought was ridiculously slow) were disastrous in my case, so I strongly urge people to take the time (actually shorter than the long-term problems that can develop, as happened in my case) to taper very slowly and give their bodies a chance to heal and not be thrown into chaos.

There are many resources here, including a spreadsheet for calculating doses, and lots of intelligent and caring advice and support. I'm so glad you found this group. Please give us more information about your Rx history so we can help you - dosage history and any other Rx's you might be on. It's best to put that history in a signature here that will be helpful to anyone responding to your future posts.

Again, welcome!

scotslass · 12-14-2009, 05:02 AM

Welcome to PP,I too was on paxil for nearly 13yrs.There are many of us who have taken these drugs for far longer than we were ever supposed to.The good news is that if you take your time and taper slowly,you absolutely can live your life drug free.I believe our bodies and brains will heal if given enough time to do so.Just take it nice and slow and although you may not be sympptom free,you will be able to cope.We talk a lot about 'quality of life' here and there is nothing more important than that.You have to be able to live your life while tapering,hence the 10% drop method.Best of luck to you!

CarlaD · 12-14-2009, 05:25 AM

Been on Paxil over 10 years, closer to 15 I think

Workin on getting off the stuff. Good luck to you!

scotia21 · 12-14-2009, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotslass

Welcome to PP,I too was on paxil for nearly 13yrs.There are many of us who have taken these drugs for far longer than we were ever supposed to.The good news is that if you take your time and taper slowly,you absolutely can live your life drug free.I believe our bodies and brains will heal if given enough time to do so.Just take it nice and slow and although you may not be sympptom free,you will be able to cope.We talk a lot about 'quality of life' here and there is nothing more important than that.You have to be able to live your life while tapering,hence the 10% drop method.Best of luck to you!

I agree !! Taper slowly and try your hardest to be patient with the process and you will be just fine.

rain · 12-14-2009, 08:59 AM

On and off ADs for about 20 years - tho different ones at different times. You can get off... it doesn't matter how long you've been taking them. It's important you taper s l o w l y so that you have quality of life while tapering. Follow the 10% method suggested here... some folks even do less. Good luck... you can do this!

LCrawford67 · 12-14-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rain

On and off ADs for about 20 years - tho different ones at different times. You can get off... it doesn't matter how long you've been taking them. It's important you taper s l o w l y so that you have quality of life while tapering. Follow the 10% method suggested here... some folks even do less. Good luck... you can do this!

Welcome to paxilprogress!

I echo Rain's post. Doesn't matter how long you've been on them; there's a whole new life waiting for you off of them

But, it's of the utmost importance you taper slowly, as recommended here. It's understandable wanting off of them "RIGHT NOW," but after this long on, another year of tapering isn't going to matter. And, the most important thing is, the dosage you're on will continue to decrease during that time!

I was put on Paxil for stomach trouble and was on almost 11 years, so I know the frustration you feel about being on so long, for an off label use. But, tapering slowly allowed me to maintain quality of life and that year really did just fly by.

Songbird · 12-14-2009, 03:52 PM

Your brain isn't fried but it has got very used to the drug being there, so you need to remove it (the drug) a tiny bit at a time. Drops of no more than 10% (of each dose) and waiting at least 3 weeks to stabilise in between drops.

Parox-attude · 12-14-2009, 07:06 PM

Thank you all for the encouragement. I am going to take this on after the new year.....nice and slow. Maybe even wait a bit longer between drops if needed. Seems from what I have read here that it's at the end where its hardest. Glad to hear that others have done it!!!

I will need to get my/a doc involved to get the liquid to dose this correctly. I will keep an eye on this place. thanks. It has been a good read so far.

JessG · 12-14-2009, 08:58 PM

I am also a long term user-11 years. You mentioned something about not wanting to take the generic from India. I was switched to the Indian generic about 2 months ago and I have been having a hard time this drop, just feeling awful. I'm wondering if it could be due to taking the Indian version?

12-13-2009, 09:15 PM	#1
Parox-attude Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 4	I want out! Hi, I am new here and glad I found you. I have taken this stuff for a whopping 17 years!!! I was originally put on for a host of symptoms including pain and I was eventually diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. No DX of depression - off label use the whole time. Recently the manufacturer of my generic stopped making the stuff (apotex in canada) and I did not want to take stuff made in india. Finally found teva made in israel which i switched too with no real problems but enough is enough. I am sick of being at the whim of big pharma and the only reason I am on it is that I am probably and "addict". I have tried to stop only twice and my doctors response has been........."well I guess you need it". I am sick of the extra weight and loss of libido and want to taper. I read the ideas here and they are great. My questions are: Anybody else been on this stuff this long? Any special recommendations? Is my brain fried from this stuff? Thanks for your reponse. Paxie

12-14-2009, 01:38 AM	#2
TryingtoGetWell Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7,476	Re: I want out! Welcome to paxilprogress, Paxie! You probably went on the med just months before I did (it was a very new drug on the market then). I was on it 13 years but went off a little over 3-1/2 years ago. We have a lot in common! I too had no diagnosis of depression, and also have long-standing diagnoses (pre-paxil) of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, although I have other long-term chronic medical conditions as well. I recommend that everyone taper by the slow taper this group has found works best for most people - even if they haven't been on as long as we were. People's responses to withdrawal vary, but most people have a lot of problems which can last quite some time if they go faster or do bigger drops than is recommended here. As you've probably read here, this group has found that quality of life can best be maintained, and problems reduced, by tapering at a rate of no more than a 10% drop from previous (most recent prior to next drop) dose, then remaining at that dose until one stabilizes at it before dropping another 10%. I didn't know to do this - didn't even have a clue that this medication was habituating. In fact, I had had huge problems from benzo withdrawal - a large part of why I was put on paxil - and had been told that I couldn't get addicted at the doses I was taking of that. So I was very wary and investigated very carefully before starting paxil, but even doctors who were outraged at the misinformation I'd been given about the benzos assured me that paxil couldn't possibly be addictive and could only be beneficial for my health. The drug was so new then very little was known about it (or rather, very little had been revealed about it), and there was nothing like paxilprogress. Most doctors are still very unaware of the problems this med can cause, and even if they are aware, give taper schedules that are far too fast. The results of a too-fast taper (which I thought was ridiculously slow) were disastrous in my case, so I strongly urge people to take the time (actually shorter than the long-term problems that can develop, as happened in my case) to taper very slowly and give their bodies a chance to heal and not be thrown into chaos. There are many resources here, including a spreadsheet for calculating doses, and lots of intelligent and caring advice and support. I'm so glad you found this group. Please give us more information about your Rx history so we can help you - dosage history and any other Rx's you might be on. It's best to put that history in a signature here that will be helpful to anyone responding to your future posts. Again, welcome! __________________ 5/93 - Started paxil after 6 years sensory distortions from benzo WD/low-dose reinst.+chronic medical problems/pain - 20 mg/day; yrs later 15 mg 3/30/06 - 20 mg 4/21/06 - 15 mg 4/27/06 - 10 mg 5/17/06 - 5 mg (none taken 5/20) 5/21-24/06 - 2.5 mg (5/22 - none taken) 5/25/06 - d/c’d paroxetine Felt better than in years, then gradual WD symptoms 6/17/06 - Bolted awake in blind terror, started E-ticket ride to hell 2010 - Leaving hell for balmier climate! (Still on 0.5 mg clonazepam)

12-14-2009, 05:02 AM	#3
scotslass Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,720	Re: I want out! Welcome to PP,I too was on paxil for nearly 13yrs.There are many of us who have taken these drugs for far longer than we were ever supposed to.The good news is that if you take your time and taper slowly,you absolutely can live your life drug free.I believe our bodies and brains will heal if given enough time to do so.Just take it nice and slow and although you may not be sympptom free,you will be able to cope.We talk a lot about 'quality of life' here and there is nothing more important than that.You have to be able to live your life while tapering,hence the 10% drop method.Best of luck to you! __________________ 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

12-14-2009, 05:25 AM	#4
CarlaD Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 115	Re: I want out! Been on Paxil over 10 years, closer to 15 I think Workin on getting off the stuff. Good luck to you! __________________ over 10 years Paxil 30mg, Clonazepam/Klonapin 1mg, Wellbutrin 150mg Nov 9, 2009 25mg Paxil Dec 5, 2009 22.5mg Dec 23, 2009 20mg April 9, 2010 17.5mg

12-14-2009, 08:59 AM	#6
rain Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 5,018	Re: I want out! On and off ADs for about 20 years - tho different ones at different times. You can get off... it doesn't matter how long you've been taking them. It's important you taper s l o w l y so that you have quality of life while tapering. Follow the 10% method suggested here... some folks even do less. Good luck... you can do 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

12-14-2009, 03:52 PM	#8
Songbird Queen of the appendage vocabulary Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 9,170	Re: I want out! Your brain isn't fried but it has got very used to the drug being there, so you need to remove it (the drug) a tiny bit at a time. Drops of no more than 10% (of each dose) and waiting at least 3 weeks to stabilise in between drops. __________________ 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 18 Dec 6.3mg Appreciation is the antidote to stress - Trust is the antidote to fear

12-14-2009, 07:06 PM	#9
Parox-attude Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 4	Re: I want out! Thank you all for the encouragement. I am going to take this on after the new year.....nice and slow. Maybe even wait a bit longer between drops if needed. Seems from what I have read here that it's at the end where its hardest. Glad to hear that others have done it!!! I will need to get my/a doc involved to get the liquid to dose this correctly. I will keep an eye on this place. thanks. It has been a good read so far.

12-14-2009, 08:58 PM	#10
JessG Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 405	Re: I want out! I am also a long term user-11 years. You mentioned something about not wanting to take the generic from India. I was switched to the Indian generic about 2 months ago and I have been having a hard time this drop, just feeling awful. I'm wondering if it could be due to taking the Indian version? __________________ Prescribed Paxil in Mar. 1998 for social anxiety 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 12/02/09:14.0mg 02/09/10:13.5mg 03/09/10:13.0mg 04/06/10:12.6mg 06/30/10:12.2mg 08/27/10:11.8mg

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