Antionette: Is it to late to reinstate paxil

[Antionette]

I stopped using Paxil someone abruptly back in March. By April I began to suffer from discontinuation symptoms however not one doctor told me to start taking Paxil again. At one point I even asked if my symptoms could be from the fact that I stopped taking axle and I was told no. There was a lot of ignorance on my part for thinking that the quick taper I did would be enough however it's how I stop years ago and how they had me stop my son years ago .

 

I have not taken Paxil for months and have developed a sensitivity to all medications.

 

Things I took in the past with no problem now have a terrible effect on me. Less than a month ago I tried taking 30 mg of Cymbalta which caused in credible stomach pain brains apps and severe pain and pressure in my right eye. I only took 30 mg for two days and had this reaction. About 2 1/2 yrs ago I was taking 120mg a day.

 

At this point I am trying to get the liquid paxil approved by my insurance company, but to be honest I am not sure if it will help or hinder or help me. Not to mention I'm not particularly thrilled about putting that poison back in my body.

 

I was wondering if anyone else could advise me One what would be the best thing for me to do at this point. I cannot even find a Doctor Who will admit my symptoms are from discontinuation syndrome O and try and help me be able to function again like a normal person. If anyone has been in a similar situation or know of others who have and could advise me it would be so greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you, Antionette

Edited August 17, 2016 by ChessieCat
Added paragraphs and drugs tags

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Antionette.
 
It's possible a little Paxil would help, I would try 1mg to start and see what it does. 1mg Prozac, which also comes in a liquid, is also a possibility. You would stabilize for some months and then taper off.
 
See What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization
 
These topics explain how to make your own liquid:

Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

[Antionette]

That is what I had in mind if the insurance co ever approves the liquid form. I do have to admit, the thought of putting that poison back in my body is not a good one, but I do want to feel better then I am now.

Thank you so much for your advise. I will let you know how things work out.

[ChessieCat]

Hi Antionette and welcome to SA,

 

When people join SA we ask all members to Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature.  Details for the last year and a summary of anything prior to that.  Please include ALL drugs, dates and doses and how you decreased/increased.  Please remember to update your signature whenever you make a change so that it remains current and can be seen at a glance.  Thank you.

 

It is understandable that you are reluctant to start taking the drug again.  Many members here feel the same way.  These might help you to understand withdrawal symptoms and why taking a small amount of the drug might help:

 

Brain Remodelling (Rhi's Description of Brain Healing)

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

This is your topic for asking questions and journalling your progress.

 

Some people find Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil help.

 

To search the SA site, use a search engine and type in survivingantidepressants.org + topic.

[Antionette]

I believe I am suffering from drug sensitization because of my horrible reaction to the medications I have tried since I stopped taking Paxil.

 

Do you feel it may be better for me to wait to reintroduce the Paxil which may give my body time to be able to tolerate it better? I am so afraid to even take a small amount of the Paxil. I believe this is in part due to the ups and downs my poor brain has been exposed to.. First stopping almost cold turkey, allowing much time to pass at which time I was already suffering withdrawal, taking Luvox for two days and stopping. I think I may have suffered from serotonin syndrome due to my heightened drug sensitivity. The month and a half to follow that were pure hell. Then on July 21 & 22 taking the cymbalta, which was not a good idea.

 

I feel so lost and alone. I wish when I asked if my bazzare symptoms could be from not taking Paxil one of the many doctors would have said yes and had me reinstate. I know I was ignorant and not knowing stopping this truck quickly could cause that but I find it sad that not one medical care provider so my debilitating symptoms for what they were and advise me properly earlier on. It's with me almost 4 months to discover this on my own and I feel I might be too late now.

Edited August 21, 2016 by ChessieCat
Added paragraphs

[ChessieCat]

Hi Antionette,

 

As requested in Post #4, please complete your signature with your drug history.

 

We need more detailed information than what you have provided before we can make suggestions.  Thank you.

[Antionette]

I started taking the Paxil in Oct 2014, I was taking cymbalta 130 mg a day for a few yrs before that. I have no idea the date of the Zoloft or lexapro.

 

I just know it started in 2005 with the Zoloft, then the Lexapro then cymbalta 120mg till October 2014, then Paxil 40mg a day for 2 wks of the month 60 mg the other until Feb 2015. 2016

 

So the last time I took anything on a daily basis was Feb 2015 2016. I did a short taper maybe a month and a half and switched to Effexor for 2 days. It made my head hurt so I stopped taking it. I did not start taking the Paxil again as I didn't think it helped me emotionally...maybe the dose I was on was way to high.

 

On May 9 & 10 I took Luvox, believed I may have suffered serotonin syndrome, so I stopped it.

 

On July 21 & 22 I took 30mg Cymbalta which I took yrs earlier and even that made me very ill. Sometimes I think the yo yo with the drugs has made me feel much worse. At this point, I wonder if my best bet is to try and make it without reinstating at all, but then I read how it makes the symptoms last much longer.

Edited January 16, 2017 by Skeeter
insert paragraph breaks, edit year of last paxil dose (scallywag 22/8/16) Tapper fix (Skeeter)

[ChessieCat]

Hi Antionette,

 

Thank you very much for providing those details.  It gives us a good, overall picture of your history.

 

I just wanted to double-check when your last took Paxil.  2016 (post #1) or 2015 (your signature).

[Antionette]

Sorry I mean 2016.

[Antionette]

Sorry I mean 2016.

I am so glad you noticed that. My brain is a mess.

[scallywag]

I believe I am suffering from drug sensitization because of my horrible reaction to the medications I have tried since I stopped taking Paxil.

 

A. Do you feel it may be better for me to wait to reintroduce the Paxil which may give my body time to be able to tolerate it better?

 

I am so afraid to even take a small amount of the Paxil. I believe this is in part due to the ups and downs my poor brain has been exposed to.. First stopping almost cold turkey, allowing much time to pass at which time I was already suffering withdrawal, ... 

B. taking Luvox for two days and stopping. I think I may have suffered from serotonin syndrome due to my heightened drug sensitivity. The month and a half to follow that were pure hell. Then on July 21 & 22 taking the cymbalta, which was not a good idea.

 

Antionette,

 

A. Reintroducing/reinstating Paxil:

 

The most likely cause of your symptoms is the absence of the drug Paxil. There are very few hard and fast rules about reinstatement except this one:  When a reinstating a drug (a very low dose) to address withdrawal symptoms, sooner is always better than later -- less risk and more likely to be effective.

 

You need to give the reinstatement 7 - 10 days: It takes 3-4 days for the drug to reach a steady state in your body and then several more days for your CNS (central nervous system) to start adjusting to the drug's presence.

 

This topic provides a brief explanation about what happens in the CNS (central nervous system) during withdrawal.

 

How your brain responds to psychiatric drugs - Brain remodeling

 

B. Serotonin syndrome

 

It is very unlikely that you experienced serotonin syndrome after taking Luvox for 2 days . Serotonin syndrome is the result of taking extremely high doses of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor(s).

 

____________

 

You are most likely experiencing withdrawal symptoms. It's not clear to me what your current symptoms are. Why don't you jot them down on paper then have a look at the thread explaining withdrawal syndrome and its symptoms.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome

 

Let us know what your symptoms are in a post here in your introduction topic.

[Antionette]

I reinstated 1mg of Paxil on Aug 26. The doctor prescribed 10mg but after reading all the info and comments from suffers I felt it is best to start slow.

Not sure yet, but with the exception of the tightness in my chest which actually got better after I stopped taking Paxil, I do think I feel a bit better already. The pressure in my eye seems better already.

 

I will keep you posted.

 

Thank you for all your help so far.

[ChessieCat]

That's really good news.  Keep daily notes on paper of your symptoms,

 

Please also update your signature with your reinstatement details:  date, drug, dose

[Altostrata]

Hello, Antionette, how are you doing?