CrazyMama: Paxil

[CrazyMama]

I have been on paxil 20mg for 5 months after severe ppd. I cut my dose to 15mg for almost a week thinking I would be ok. I wasn't. I had to reinstate my full dose of 20mg. Has anyone had to do this? Did you original dose work anymore?

Edited September 9, 2016 by scallywag
tags added

[scallywag]

CrazyMama -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)

 

I've moved your post to the Introductions Forum. We ask that people post their updates and questions in an introduction topic (one topic per person)  so that all the information is in one place. When you have questions, we'll provide you with links to relevant topics.

I hope you'll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation. I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but am glad that you found us.

A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-18 months particularly? Any drugs prior to that can just be listed with start and stop years. Please put your withdrawal history in signature

It sounds as if you experienced withdrawal symptoms. This topic provides more information.
What is withdrawal syndrome

That dosage cut from 20 mg to 15 mg - 25% - was a big one. People generally don't realize that you can't just stop these drugs as you can with many others. Many doctors are unaware of tapering methods that minimize both difficult symptoms and protracted withdrawal syndrome. We suggest that people start with a 10% cut to see how their CNS (central nervous system) reacts to the change.
Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Paxil is a nasty little monster of a drug. Here's more information about it:
Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

I would suggest that you stay at the 20 mg dose for 4-6 weeks so that your brain and the rest of the CNS can recover from that harsh drop. While you're getting steady, read up on what's involved in decreasing dose, tapering techniques and take some time to consider out how you're going to get the tapered doses. 

[nz11]

Crazymama welcome to sa

Did you take any drugs prior to paxil.

As SW says  it would be great if you could do a drug sig.

 

So glad you found sa

nz11

[ChessieCat]

Hi CrazyMama,

 

Welcome from me too.  You've definitely come to the right place.  Lots of information and support here.

 

What withdrawal symptoms did you have when you dropped your dose to 15 mg?  How long is it since you updosed to 20 mg.  It takes 4 days for the drug to get to a steady state in the blood and about another 7 days before the brain fully registers the dose so you may be feeling a reduction in the severity of the symptoms within the first day or so but it may take a while before you are, hopefully, feeling improvement.  It's a good idea to keep daily notes of your symptoms on paper.  What improves, what worsens, if any, and what stays the same.

 

These helped me to understand SA's tapering of 10% or less of the previous dose with a holding period to allow the brain to adapt to getting less of the drug.  They have also helped me to remain patient and not try and get off too quickly.

 

Brain Remodelling (Rhi's Description of Brain Healing)

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

As Scallywag said, this is your Intro/Update topic where you can ask questions.  You can also journal your progress here.  Please also remember to update your signature whenever you make a change so it remains current and can be seen at a glance.  Thank you.