Quitting paxil

[freebird]

Hey again
I was just reading the posts on weaning. Has there been any development of drugs that can be prescribed in its place to help wean off? Something less invasive maybe?

In the early 90s i went on prozac for 6 mos and then just stopped. I don't recall having any withdrawal symptoms at all. I do recall feeling an amazing 'lift of the invisible wet blanket of depression' that had had me so paralyzed. Although years later I was depressed again and went on paxil, but I don't feel the lift of depression anymore like I used to. I want it out of my system. I had no clue, when it was first prescribed for me, that it was such an invasive chemical mix and that my system would become one with this drug and hold me hostage to it. What a freakin' bummer. I need to speak with a naturopathic doctor I imagine and maybe get an indepth chemistry on myself. It may be hormones and not even depression. It may be something completely different.
Thanks for the forum. I am soooo happy I came across this website.

[CarlaD]

Hi and welcome to PaxilProgress

I have been on 30mg of Paxil for many years. One thing I have learned here is that the key to getting off this drug successfully is by taking it REALLY slow. No more than a 10% drop at a time and stay there for a good 4-6 weeks or whatever it takes for you personally. Wait until you are stabilized from the previous drop before attempting another one.
Take your time, it is not a race! You have found a great site...Good luck!!

[3babygirls]

Hi there,

Look under Withdrawal techniques...they decribe something called the Buffer method (switching to Prozac (fluoxetine) and then weaning off). This is an alternate method that has worked for some. I think most people at this website recommend the slow taper off of the Paxil instead.

I, myself, can not say whether it works or not. I did switch from Paxil to Fluoxetine 2 1/2 weeks ago b/c Paxil wasn't working for me anymore (bulimic tendencies). I did so with little side effects (nausea for 1 week, a bit anxious) but am at a better place now. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

[imokay]

Freebird welcome to PP!! Unfortunately nothing will help you get over Paxil except for time, time and more time ( I have to remind myself of this A LOT) we have had people try to do the switch and it didnt work.

[LCrawford67]

Welcome, Freebird!

If your goal is to be medication free, then there's no sense in switching one drug for another. All you're doing is adding the start up side effects of a new one, dealing with the w/d from the old one, then then having to deal with the eventual w/d from the new one.

If you want to be Paxil free, then taper 10%, every 3-6 weeks. This will greatly reduce your w/d and allow you to maintain quality of life throughout your taper.

[freebird]

Thank you for sharing your learned wisdom. I am starting to realize this is the way it's going to have to be. 10% every 3-6 weeks. I will do that. I can't believe I started taking this medication without knowing all the facts. grrrr. Back to the drawing board. I have been told continually that meditation is great for achieving balance. I think the brain loves the break! take care

[LCrawford67]

Originally Posted by freebird

I can't believe I started taking this medication without knowing all the facts. grrrr.

Oh honey...you're not the only one! But, the most important thing to focus on now is tapering comfortably. It can be done and then, you can start living your life med free!

[darcyb]

The buffer method mentioned is for trading the short half-life of one SSRI for a longer half-life of another one to hopefully reduce the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms. But yeah, staying focused on an external drug-management solution for health, even with withdrawing, fails the spirit and goal of withdrawing. I know I refused to do any switching for that reason!

Freebird, I'm in Montreal too! I moved here last August. Send me a private message sometime and maybe we'll get to say hi.

[stan]

Originally Posted by darcyb

Freebird, I'm in Montreal too! I moved here last August. Send me a private message sometime and maybe we'll get to say hi.

hi Darcy

will one be able to see the photographs in Flickr

bye

[darcyb]

Stan, if it happened, and if participants expressed an interest then sure!

[dolly64]

Originally Posted by freebird

Hey again
I was just reading the posts on weaning. Has there been any development of drugs that can be prescribed in its place to help wean off? Something less invasive maybe?

In the early 90s i went on prozac for 6 mos and then just stopped. I don't recall having any withdrawal symptoms at all. I do recall feeling an amazing 'lift of the invisible wet blanket of depression' that had had me so paralyzed. Although years later I was depressed again and went on paxil, but I don't feel the lift of depression anymore like I used to. I want it out of my system. I had no clue, when it was first prescribed for me, that it was such an invasive chemical mix and that my system would become one with this drug and hold me hostage to it. What a freakin' bummer. I need to speak with a naturopathic doctor I imagine and maybe get an indepth chemistry on myself. It may be hormones and not even depression. It may be something completely different.
Thanks for the forum. I am soooo happy I came across this website.

Good post. When one takes an antidepressant for some period of time and gets off fast or even slow, sometimes their sensory system makes them more depressed and anxious than they were before the drug. This is because the drug has caused an alteration to certain chemicals in the brain that control mood and other things. There are great risks in taking psychiatric drugs that many were not told. If i were you i would see a Naturopathic Doctor and tell her/him that you were taking psychiatric drugs and tell him/her how you felt before and after the weaning and that you need something to calm your CNS and make your mood better. They will give you nutritional supplementation known as "brain food" that will nourish the depleted nutrients the drug has depleted.

When you feel better continue with the nutrients until you become stabilized to feel comfortable and not return to psychiatric drugs. There's been a flood of reports recently this year that SSRI's are bad news. Hope you feel better and good luck to you. Dolly64.