Every-other-day dosing

10-14-2004, 04:10 PM

I am currently weaning off PaxilCR after 6 months of 25mg for anxiety/panic attacks. My Dr's office prescribed 12.5 for one month then 12.5 every other day for a month, then 12.5 every third day for a month.

Well, I've reached 12.5 every other day, and every other day pretty much sucks. The sucky day is actually the day I take a dose. I'm guessing that by the time I get to take a dose I'm hitting withdrawal from the previous day's lack of dose. Is this everyother day method common? I managed the drop from 25 to 12.5 daily pretty well, but now I'm miserable. I haven't felt this screwed up since I had my first full-blown panic attack pre-Paxil.

Thanks for input and I'm so pleased to have found this forum!!

scotty · 10-14-2004, 04:38 PM

Every other day is a disaster!! Try cutting the 12.5 in half(yes you can cut the CR pill) and take it daily and see how it goes. Pill cutters are available really cheap at any pharmacy. You are exactly right about being in withdrawal by the second day!! Darcy taught me this early on!!

10-14-2004, 04:51 PM

I'll try that tomorrow! Where do I go after splitting the 12.5?

Mr X · 10-14-2004, 06:39 PM

Birdie, did you have any trouble increasing from 12.5 to the 25? Just curious, cause I think I did...But only did it for 3 days, so It could have been a fluke. I'm still currently on 12.5.

mapleleafgirl25 · 10-14-2004, 06:42 PM

you can go from 12.5 to 7.5 or 5 then to 2.5 then off..stay at each dose though for a while until they have leveled out...

mapleleafgirl25

10-14-2004, 06:44 PM

Mr. X,
Yes there was an adjustment increasing to 25, but nothing really bad. I think I recall the worst of it for me was some indigestion, and it was just for a couple days.

Mr X · 10-14-2004, 06:51 PM

Do you feel the 25's were doing more for you than the 12.5? any real noticable changes within yourself??? Did you feel better, etc???

scotty · 10-14-2004, 08:52 PM

Birdie, My son was able to stop after 2 weeks at 6.25mg. In his case, and realize that everyone is different, that was the easiest step. See how it goes on the drop from 12.5 down to 6.25 first. Stay there until all symptoms are gone, at least 2-3 weeks. Once you've done that it will be easier to see how you react and if you need to cut into quarters or if you should just go off completely. Keep posting!! there's alot of great advice here!!

mygoonbaby · 10-14-2004, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdie

I'll try that tomorrow! Where do I go after splitting the 12.5?

after the 12.5 and ya feel ok for several days, then ya cut again to 6.25. That is what I'm on right now for probably another week, then I'm hoping to quit.. GULP! I've tapered from 25mg but had taken 20 mg. for almost 3 years before starting the cr... so far so good ..I'm doing ok this way. The first time I tried doing it the way the doctor said (the every other day, then the every 2 days and so on) it was horrible. Not a good way to do it at all. Like Laurie said, the pill cutters work good. Good luck.
Mygoonbaby

Scott · 10-15-2004, 12:36 AM

if you feel bad you're one of the people who will have to taper slower than usual.. See if your doc can give you the regular paxil.. they even have a generic now which is much cheaper. Or you can just cut the cr pills down with a razor, it doesn't matter, same dose. I tapered paxil cr this way. It wasn't easy because of paxil's short halflife.

10-15-2004, 05:19 AM

Thank you so much all! I have high hopes for success on 6.25 for a while until I can stop alltogether. I knew very quickly the every-other-day thing was NOT going to work for me! I'm so disappointed with my physician. This is someone I've trusted with my health for 8 years and never been let down. I intend to contact him and be sure he knows how difficult this weaning experience has been for me so maybe he'll think twice before prescribing it again. . .or at least let his next patient know what she's in for.

I'll be in touch and let you all know how 6.25 goes!

Mr X · 10-15-2004, 06:09 AM

And Birdie never answered my question, so I'll repost it....

Quote:

Do you feel the 25's were doing more for you than the 12.5? any real noticable changes within yourself??? Did you feel better, etc???

10-15-2004, 07:36 AM

Mr. X,
When I started taking paxilcr I was only on the 12.5 for 7 days as an intoductory dose before increasing to 25. It felt like a lifesaver at the time, and 25mg was a very comfortable level for me, so I never increased from there.

Mr X · 10-15-2004, 08:40 AM

Hmmm, I think I'll probably need the 25's myself sooner or later. I may just do 18.25 for awhile, a 12.5 & break one to a 6.25...May be easier for me..

10-17-2004, 09:08 PM

Just wanted to post my progress for those of you who were kind enough to respond to my original question. I'm doing MUCH better after going to 6.25 every day. I feel a bit edgy, and my mind races sometimes at night, but nothing like the wreck I was last week. I plan to stick with this through Oct. and then try a quarter of a pill. I'd love to be paxil-free by Christmas!

Thanks again for your input!
Birdie

rdjanis · 10-17-2004, 09:14 PM

Birdie, glad the 6.25 daily is working better for. Good luck, you are almost there.

scotty · 10-17-2004, 10:55 PM

Great news Birdie!! Slow and steady.(OMG how cliche can I get!!) Darcy was the one who told me about every day dosing. It's definitely the best way to go.

10-18-2004, 05:15 PM

Hi guys, I am new to the website and have been reading all of your info on quitting Paxil. I have been on it for appx. 8 yrs for anxiety/panic attacks/depression. I have tried several other anti-depressants, but nothing worked as well as Paxil. However, when ever I have tried to quit I always get this anxious feeling, heart racing, lump in the throat, etc., after a few days and then I am right back on it.

This past week I had a bad experience with it. I was sick with Bronchitis/Asthma/Allergies. In taking my meds, I forgot to take Paxil for about 4 days. When I realized I was feeling ok with that I decided to see if I could stay off, after all, Paxil is not "habit forming".

Boy was I wrong!!! After two days of dizziness and some bad feeling in my head, it didn't take long to "pop" that little pill. And after reading about some of the withdrawal symptoms, I am almost afraid to quit.

I am determined to give it a shot. I like the idea of reducing the dosage gradually. If anyone has any insight for me on what to expect, please advise me. I am not a strong person and don't like pain, so I am hoping that quitting is not as bad as some have made it sound like.

Thanks in advance, Glenda[/b]

10-18-2004, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenda margaret

Hi guys, I am new to the website and have been reading all of your info on quitting Paxil. I have been on it for appx. 8 yrs for anxiety/panic attacks/depression. I have tried several other anti-depressants, but nothing worked as well as Paxil. However, when ever I have tried to quit I always get this anxious feeling, heart racing, lump in the throat, etc., after a few days and then I am right back on it.

This past week I had a bad experience with it. I was sick with Bronchitis/Asthma/Allergies. In taking my meds, I forgot to take Paxil for about 4 days. When I realized I was feeling ok with that I decided to see if I could stay off, after all, Paxil is not "habit forming".

Boy was I wrong!!! After two days of dizziness and some bad feeling in my head, it didn't take long to "pop" that little pill. And after reading about some of the withdrawal symptoms, I am almost afraid to quit.

I am determined to give it a shot. I like the idea of reducing the dosage gradually. If anyone has any insight for me on what to expect, please advise me. I am not a strong person and don't like pain, so I am hoping that quitting is not as bad as some have made it sound like.

Thanks in advance, Glenda[/b]

A slooooow taper is the way to go.

mygoonbaby · 10-18-2004, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenda margaret

Hi guys, I am new to the website and have been reading all of your info on quitting Paxil. I have been on it for appx. 8 yrs for anxiety/panic attacks/depression. I have tried several other anti-depressants, but nothing worked as well as Paxil. However, when ever I have tried to quit I always get this anxious feeling, heart racing, lump in the throat, etc., after a few days and then I am right back on it.

This past week I had a bad experience with it. I was sick with Bronchitis/Asthma/Allergies. In taking my meds, I forgot to take Paxil for about 4 days. When I realized I was feeling ok with that I decided to see if I could stay off, after all, Paxil is not "habit forming".

Boy was I wrong!!! After two days of dizziness and some bad feeling in my head, it didn't take long to "pop" that little pill. And after reading about some of the withdrawal symptoms, I am almost afraid to quit.

I am determined to give it a shot. I like the idea of reducing the dosage gradually. If anyone has any insight for me on what to expect, please advise me. I am not a strong person and don't like pain, so I am hoping that quitting is not as bad as some have made it sound like.

Thanks in advance, Glenda[/b]

mygoonbaby · 10-18-2004, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenda margaret

Hi guys, I am new to the website and have been reading all of your info on quitting Paxil. I have been on it for appx. 8 yrs for anxiety/panic attacks/depression. I have tried several other anti-depressants, but nothing worked as well as Paxil. However, when ever I have tried to quit I always get this anxious feeling, heart racing, lump in the throat, etc., after a few days and then I am right back on it.

This past week I had a bad experience with it. I was sick with Bronchitis/Asthma/Allergies. In taking my meds, I forgot to take Paxil for about 4 days. When I realized I was feeling ok with that I decided to see if I could stay off, after all, Paxil is not "habit forming".

Boy was I wrong!!! After two days of dizziness and some bad feeling in my head, it didn't take long to "pop" that little pill. And after reading about some of the withdrawal symptoms, I am almost afraid to quit.

I am determined to give it a shot. I like the idea of reducing the dosage gradually. If anyone has any insight for me on what to expect, please advise me. I am not a strong person and don't like pain, so I am hoping that quitting is not as bad as some have made it sound like.

Thanks in advance, Glenda[/b]

some people have more problems going off than others.. and ofcourse, it can effect different people in different ways.

10-14-2004, 04:10 PM	#1
Birdie Posts: n/a	Every-other-day dosing I am currently weaning off PaxilCR after 6 months of 25mg for anxiety/panic attacks. My Dr's office prescribed 12.5 for one month then 12.5 every other day for a month, then 12.5 every third day for a month. Well, I've reached 12.5 every other day, and every other day pretty much sucks. The sucky day is actually the day I take a dose. I'm guessing that by the time I get to take a dose I'm hitting withdrawal from the previous day's lack of dose. Is this everyother day method common? I managed the drop from 25 to 12.5 daily pretty well, but now I'm miserable. I haven't felt this screwed up since I had my first full-blown panic attack pre-Paxil. Thanks for input and I'm so pleased to have found this forum!!

10-14-2004, 04:38 PM	#2
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 46,992	Every other day is a disaster!! Try cutting the 12.5 in half(yes you can cut the CR pill) and take it daily and see how it goes. Pill cutters are available really cheap at any pharmacy. You are exactly right about being in withdrawal by the second day!! Darcy taught me this early on!! __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

10-14-2004, 06:39 PM	#4
Mr X Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Land Of The Idiots... Posts: 598	Birdie, did you have any trouble increasing from 12.5 to the 25? Just curious, cause I think I did...But only did it for 3 days, so It could have been a fluke. I'm still currently on 12.5. __________________ Mr. X

10-14-2004, 06:51 PM	#7
Mr X Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Land Of The Idiots... Posts: 598	Do you feel the 25's were doing more for you than the 12.5? any real noticable changes within yourself??? Did you feel better, etc??? __________________ Mr. X

10-14-2004, 08:52 PM	#8
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 46,992	Birdie, My son was able to stop after 2 weeks at 6.25mg. In his case, and realize that everyone is different, that was the easiest step. See how it goes on the drop from 12.5 down to 6.25 first. Stay there until all symptoms are gone, at least 2-3 weeks. Once you've done that it will be easier to see how you react and if you need to cut into quarters or if you should just go off completely. Keep posting!! there's alot of great advice here!! __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

10-14-2004, 04:51 PM	#3
Birdie Posts: n/a	I'll try that tomorrow! Where do I go after splitting the 12.5?

10-14-2004, 06:42 PM	#5
mapleleafgirl25 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 2,638	you can go from 12.5 to 7.5 or 5 then to 2.5 then off..stay at each dose though for a while until they have leveled out... mapleleafgirl25

10-14-2004, 06:44 PM	#6
Birdie Posts: n/a	Mr. X, Yes there was an adjustment increasing to 25, but nothing really bad. I think I recall the worst of it for me was some indigestion, and it was just for a couple days.

10-15-2004, 12:36 AM	#10
Scott Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: somewhere in between Posts: 11,591	if you feel bad you're one of the people who will have to taper slower than usual.. See if your doc can give you the regular paxil.. they even have a generic now which is much cheaper. Or you can just cut the cr pills down with a razor, it doesn't matter, same dose. I tapered paxil cr this way. It wasn't easy because of paxil's short halflife. __________________ Scott aka Scott What has happened to it all? Crazy, some are saying Where is the life that I recognize? Gone away But I won't cry for yesterday There's an ordinary world Somehow I have to find And as I try to make my way To the ordinary world I will learn to survive surviving an ssri reaction alternative anxiety treatments

10-15-2004, 05:19 AM	#11
Birdie Posts: n/a	Thank you so much all! I have high hopes for success on 6.25 for a while until I can stop alltogether. I knew very quickly the every-other-day thing was NOT going to work for me! I'm so disappointed with my physician. This is someone I've trusted with my health for 8 years and never been let down. I intend to contact him and be sure he knows how difficult this weaning experience has been for me so maybe he'll think twice before prescribing it again. . .or at least let his next patient know what she's in for. I'll be in touch and let you all know how 6.25 goes!

10-15-2004, 07:36 AM	#13
Birdie Posts: n/a	Mr. X, When I started taking paxilcr I was only on the 12.5 for 7 days as an intoductory dose before increasing to 25. It felt like a lifesaver at the time, and 25mg was a very comfortable level for me, so I never increased from there.

10-15-2004, 08:40 AM	#14
Mr X Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Land Of The Idiots... Posts: 598	Hmmm, I think I'll probably need the 25's myself sooner or later. I may just do 18.25 for awhile, a 12.5 & break one to a 6.25...May be easier for me.. __________________ Mr. X

10-17-2004, 09:08 PM	#15
Birdie Posts: n/a	Just wanted to post my progress for those of you who were kind enough to respond to my original question. I'm doing MUCH better after going to 6.25 every day. I feel a bit edgy, and my mind races sometimes at night, but nothing like the wreck I was last week. I plan to stick with this through Oct. and then try a quarter of a pill. I'd love to be paxil-free by Christmas! Thanks again for your input! Birdie

10-17-2004, 09:14 PM	#16
rdjanis "has a lavender scented keyboard" Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 22,214	Birdie, glad the 6.25 daily is working better for. Good luck, you are almost there. __________________ Rita

10-17-2004, 10:55 PM	#17
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 46,992	Great news Birdie!! Slow and steady.(OMG how cliche can I get!!) Darcy was the one who told me about every day dosing. It's definitely the best way to go. __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

10-18-2004, 05:15 PM	#18
glenda margaret Posts: n/a	Trying to quit Paxil Hi guys, I am new to the website and have been reading all of your info on quitting Paxil. I have been on it for appx. 8 yrs for anxiety/panic attacks/depression. I have tried several other anti-depressants, but nothing worked as well as Paxil. However, when ever I have tried to quit I always get this anxious feeling, heart racing, lump in the throat, etc., after a few days and then I am right back on it. This past week I had a bad experience with it. I was sick with Bronchitis/Asthma/Allergies. In taking my meds, I forgot to take Paxil for about 4 days. When I realized I was feeling ok with that I decided to see if I could stay off, after all, Paxil is not "habit forming". Boy was I wrong!!! After two days of dizziness and some bad feeling in my head, it didn't take long to "pop" that little pill. And after reading about some of the withdrawal symptoms, I am almost afraid to quit. I am determined to give it a shot. I like the idea of reducing the dosage gradually. If anyone has any insight for me on what to expect, please advise me. I am not a strong person and don't like pain, so I am hoping that quitting is not as bad as some have made it sound like. Thanks in advance, Glenda[/b]

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