Tapering off

I would like anyone's opinion. I am trying to get off paxil. I started at 20mg per day, then dropped down to 10mg per day, then 10mg every 2 days, and at the current time 10mg every 3 days. I have been taking paxil due to panic. I do also take a very small amount of xanax (about 0.25 mg) per day when I feel panicky. (I have found it easier in the past to get off xanax than to get off paxil). What would be the next step for me? Should I go down to 5mg of paxil per day, or try and take the paxil every 4 days? Any suggestions. Thanks!

[quote="Nick"]I would like anyone's opinion. I am trying to get off paxil. I started at 20mg per day, then dropped down to 10mg per day, then 10mg every 2 days, and at the current time 10mg every 3 days. I have been taking paxil due to panic. I do also take a very small amount of xanax (about 0.25 mg) per day when I feel panicky. (I have found it easier in the past to get off xanax than to get off paxil). What would be the next step for me? Should I go down to 5mg of paxil per day, or try and take the paxil every 4 days? Any suggestions. Thanks!

P.S. Im also curious what % of people getting off paxil actually go through all these rough withdrawal symptoms that are described by many on this site. 1%, 2%, 10%.. Any thoughts?

[JulieG]

How are you doing on your current dose? Are you having any problems? Do you feel like your withdrawal symptoms are more than you can tolerate? That really determines what your next step should be, I think. Are you working with a doctor as far as tapering down? I have to go with a really slow taper so I have NO idea what your next step should be but if you could deal with out paxil in your system for several days, maybe adding a day would be a good test. I don't know. Anyone?

As far as how many people go thru it, I have read that it is as low as 4% and as high as 30%. Its weird though, I have met people in the city I live in thru completely non-paxil related situations- work, for example, that are suffering the same thing - maybe not as severe as mine, but bad enough. And 3 of my friends know other people going thru it - one of them seems to be as rough if not rougher than mine. I just find it really strange, it just seems to be popping up everywhere. How is it possible though - if its such a small percentage that suffer withdrawal?

[safarigal]

Hey Nick,

Not to pop your bubble or anything, but why are you quitting Paxil?

If you have panic, be prepared for it to return. Remember that Paxil is not a cure, its a crutch.

I took my time coming off Paxil, I decreased very slowly over several months because I was having bad withdrawal symptoms.

Paxil affects people differently so its hard to say what your next move should be. Are you having zaps? Do you feel really spacey?

You are asking why I want to get off? Because it is addictive and there are other alternatives to getting over this> I am confident I can do it. No zaps, just anxiety. But I have to be positive.

[safarigal]

Nick,

Glad to hear that you are interested in the alternatives and are ready to deal with the anxiety. Some people come off Paxil when they really aren't prepared to deal with stuff.