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Mapleleafgirl: Successfully Tapered off Paxil


MapleleafGirl

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How are you feeling  , Mapleleafgirl ?  I hope better.

Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014

 

                                                  Psych Drug - free since May 2014
.
         

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Michele aka MapleLeafGirl

Paxil Free Since June 1st 2014

Was on Paxil for 8.5 years on and off from 2001

Did a 4 year successful taper off 20mgs of Paxil

My Successful Tapering Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7812-mapleleafgirl-successfully-tapered-off-paxil/

Tapering Schedule:

3rd attempt at withdrawal going slow..compounded pills
05/27/2010 - 03/12/12: Tapered From 20mgs - 6.2 (2nd year into Taper)
04/11/2012 - 6.0 - 3.4 - 05/05/2013 (Third year into Taper)
06/04/2013 - 3.2 - 1.0 - 05/31/2014 (Fouth and Final Year of Taper)

February 9th 2016 month 20 off paxil and four year taper..experiencing a horrible wave bad bad bad

May 2016 Made the decision to go back on an SSRI  - Currently on Escitalopram 10mgs but planning to taper at some point in the near future

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Dear MapleleafGirl,

 

Thank you for posting when you are not in a good place.  I am truly sorry to hear it has not gotten better.  I don't know too much about how the withdrawals work as I am still tapering, but I pray that your symptoms starting improving soon and you will be back to where you were before it started.  Please don't think you are causing drama if you post, we all understand.  My prayers that the next time you post, you are in a better place.

 

Many caring hugs are being sent your way...LexFree 

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Hi MLG,

 

Just to say I'm thinking of you, and I know full well what the SI etc., is like to live with.

 

In any case, WD isn't drama, just don't suffer in silence.

 

Hugs,

JC x

Dose History: 19 Feb 2014 - Escitalopram 10mg daily June 2015 - Started taper, 5mg every other day July 2015 - 5mg every 2 days August 2015 - 5mg every 3 days September 2015 - 5mg every 4 days Sept 14th - Completed tapering, but at 7 weeks "drug free" I suffered serious WD symptoms as a consequence of "incorrect" tapering. Nov 25 2015 - Re-instated Cipralex @ 2.5mg daily. WD symptoms faded. Held at this dose and experienced "windows and waves". 12 Oct 2017 Reduced dose to 1.25mg. 13 Mar 2018 Reduced dose to 0.625mg (approx.). 16 April 2018 0mg. Windows and waves triggered by stress (IBS/reflux, headaches, sinus issues) Aug 2019 Mirena coil fitted 6 Jan 2020 MAJOR Wave hit 19 months following last dose (protracted WD).  Symptoms listed below Mar 2020 Mirena coil removal.

Therapy: Nov 15th 2016 Re-started therapy Jan 19th 2017 Started CBT Dec 2017 Started listening to Hypnotherapy CD (self-esteem). Nov 2019 Started couples therapy.

Supplements: "Bioglan" Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora 10 billion CFU, live Bacteria, Probiotic, suitable for Vegetarians, with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum"Pukka" Vitalise a unique blend of 30 energising botanicals.

Diet: 16 April 2018 Detox cleanse / anti-candida for 90 days. Jan 2020 Started "small plate" diet (i.e child size portions).

Exercise: Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, Elliptical/upper body workout, walking.

Medical Test Results: 4 Jan 2017 Homeopathic Treatment starts 24 Feb 2017 Started weight loss program 24 Mar 2017 Naturopathic Treatment + anti-Candida diet started due to suspected Candida Related Complex (CRC). DETOXED for 7 weeks to "re-set" gut. April 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Comprehensive Stool Analysis NEGATIVE; Full Blood Count (Normal) / Blood Cholesterol: 5.6 (Borderline) / Blood Sugar (Normal) / 28 Jun 2017 FSH 8.2 / 14 Nov 2017 FSH 17.7 Dec 2017 Blood Cholesterol: 3.9 (Normal) / Kidney Function (Normal) / Blood Sugar (Normal). December 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Food panel allergy (bloodwork) analysis - a few "VERY LOW/VL" allergens; Mar 2018 "Genova Diagnostics" SIBO urine analysis: High Level of Yeast/fungal markers found in small intestine but NO SIBO.  April 2018 Thyroid (Normal) / Full Blood Count (Normal) / FSH (Normal). 16 April 2018 Started anti-Candida diet - 3 month protocol.   25 March 2020 All test results "Normal". CRP" 5 mg/L (normal range to 0-5 mg/L).

Symptoms:  Flu-like symptoms, anxiety, anhedonia, sinus headaches right-side (severe), IBS issues/reflux (severe)**, tinnitus, fatigue, inner tremor, nausea, chills/hot flushes, pounding heart, muscular issues including stiff left hip flexor, intense anger, PSSD (ongoing).  **Histhamine intolerance (suspected).

Major Life Events: 

Re-located to UK from Canada: Jan 2016

My father died: 5:05pm, Monday 5 Feb 2018 Last Lexapro dose: 16 April 2018 (its now been over a year since I quit ADs)  Moved house: Friday 23rd February 2018  "Divorced" toxic Mother: Monday 26 March 2018 Starting working again: 19 November 2018  Diagnosed with: 5th August 2021 PTSD/C-PTSD Diagnosed with: March 2022 Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful bladder syndrome

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Hang in there when you have tried everything and there is nothing to do but endure...then endure it will pass even though it seems it won't.  I accepted I may live the rest of my life in an altered not good place I am not sure that helped my mood any but maybe it helped me from not always looking for a change which in itself was wearing. It will pass.  

I wish you strength till the peace comes but mostly I wish you peace.

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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MLG,

 

I was so worried about you. I am so sorry you are suffering so much and feel so overwhelmed by this. I wish I could help you in some way.

 

Please know that I think about you and I am sending healing thoughts.

 

Big Hugs,

Leahy

2001-2007 Rem 90 mg, xanax 2 mg synthroid 112mcg - 2007-2014 Rem 60 mg xanax 3-4 mg

2015   Feb Rem 45 mg xanax 2 mg, March Rem 30 xanax 2, April  Rem 22.5, May Rem 30  xanax .25x4 hrs, June Rem 26 xanax 2-3, July Rem 22.5 xanax 2, Aug Rem 15 xanax 2, Sept Rem 22 xanax 2, Oct Rem 18 mg xanax .25 mg /4 hrs, Nov Rem 23 mg xanax .5mg, Dec Rem 24 xanax 2 

2016  Jan Rem 20 xanax 2,  Feb Rem 18 mg xanax 1.5, Feb Rem 14 12 mg xanax 1 mg, March Rem 10 9 mg xanax 1-2 mg Rem 7.3 8 xanax 1-2, April Rem 10 12 mg xanax 2 mg, May Rem 11 xanax 1 .75mg Nov Rem 10mg Xanax 2mg 2017 May Rem 10.25 Xanax 1 mg, November Xanax 1mg

 

 

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I was super worried. Glad to hear from you. Keep holding on.

Paxil 20mg from 1998-2011 

Paxil 40mg from 2011-2012 while experiencing poopout

October 2013 quit cold turkey

Oct-mid Nov 2013 great window

Late November WD nightmare 

Windows and waves pattern 

Now: 28 months cold turkey...doing decent learning to deal with the windows/waves pattern fighting it every step of the way. 

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((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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Something I have come to understand after I came through the worst of wd is that the 'suffering' we endure does not, in all actuality, last that long. It waxes and wanes in severity, symptoms rise and fall and over time they seem to get bad again but never THAT bad and then we feel better but never THAT better until one day it dawns on us that it has started to lift. That day is different for everyone. But it comes.

 

You can NEVER take the accounts of other people's suffering at face value in relation to yourself. What is bad for them may be the one symptom you yourself can take in stride. The body is constantly striving to right itself.

 

The one thing that usually does not work is to throw medication at the problem. It causes more destabilization and more suffering and does not allow the body to fix itself. I think you ought to tell your family to lay off, you are fighting for your life here and they are extremely unsympathetic and you can tell them I said so. They should be ashamed, NO ONE has any idea how truly awful this really is. The SI is not to be believed (but I believe it and so do a lot of us).

 

Eat 3 meals a day of whatever you can stomach but give your body an eating routine. You must force the food down. Don't worry if it is not all 'nutricious', do the best you can. No alcohol or caffeine. No over the counter drugs either. Go utside for a walk for 30 minutes each day and don't you dare skip a day. Your body needs a routine it can lean on while it is trying to heal and walking is the perfect framework for that.

 

Lie down in bed and REST for 8 hours a day even if you cannot sleep. My times were 11pm in bed and 6 am out and because of the insomnia not all was sleep, in fact I did not sleep for 4 months. But I was diligent and it finally came.

 

You must find a way to distract yourself. Mine was computer solitaire till I thought my brain would burst. I gradually could add more stuff but it was solitaire my every waking moment because if I did not do that I would give in to the thoughts. You must not do this.

 

It will eventually go away it will not take years. Not if you do what I suggest. You try it and prove me wrong if you want.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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Good advice, CW.

2001-2007 Rem 90 mg, xanax 2 mg synthroid 112mcg - 2007-2014 Rem 60 mg xanax 3-4 mg

2015   Feb Rem 45 mg xanax 2 mg, March Rem 30 xanax 2, April  Rem 22.5, May Rem 30  xanax .25x4 hrs, June Rem 26 xanax 2-3, July Rem 22.5 xanax 2, Aug Rem 15 xanax 2, Sept Rem 22 xanax 2, Oct Rem 18 mg xanax .25 mg /4 hrs, Nov Rem 23 mg xanax .5mg, Dec Rem 24 xanax 2 

2016  Jan Rem 20 xanax 2,  Feb Rem 18 mg xanax 1.5, Feb Rem 14 12 mg xanax 1 mg, March Rem 10 9 mg xanax 1-2 mg Rem 7.3 8 xanax 1-2, April Rem 10 12 mg xanax 2 mg, May Rem 11 xanax 1 .75mg Nov Rem 10mg Xanax 2mg 2017 May Rem 10.25 Xanax 1 mg, November Xanax 1mg

 

 

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So sorry to hear of your struggle made more difficult by those closest to you thinking more AD's are ther answer.   I am 2 years off Paxil and be having a prolonged wave and sometimes you feel as though you are losing yourself and those are desperate times.  There have been some wonderful replies here and just know that you are not alone.   But it is REALLY hard and I have been through some dark days this last couple of years.   Just keep talking on this site and believe that you will feel well again.   

Prescribed 20mg a day of Seroxat on 2001

August 2013 decided to taper.

Reduced by 10mg a week (adjusted over the week small amounts)

Stopped completely in April 2014

Brain and body went haywire.  

Didn't realise it was withdrawal at first.

Have not returned to ad's but can't get my life back.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I just wanted to write an update....i wish i could tell you all i feel 75% better because the wave is gone....but i feel better because i made the decision myself to go back on an SSRI...after my 10 year old had a total meltdown on me, and voiced how upset and angry she was that she no longer had her mother and that she felt for the last 4 months someone else lived here...she was not happy at all...and considering she is the love of my life and most important person in my life....that counted the most....also i could not go on any longer having Suicidal thoughts as someone who has never ever thought that way ...considered it..it was a nightmare..along with the depression and anxiety..and other nasty things.....it took a while for me to get stable..as i dosed myself..from crumbs up to where i am now at 10mgs...and that took  a few week...and ONLY 8 days ago did things level out and i can finally work..i was a hair away from loosing a business that i spent 5 years building but thank goodness its thriving again...i can play soccer with my daughter...we go out now shopping and lunch...last three days i have been able to go out on my walks ...i was basically in my room for 4 months..hiding under a blanket ...freaked out.....my 80 year old dad was so worried about me,...i would call him everyday telling him i just wanted to die....i have NO REGRETS at all going back on...and its fine if people want to judge me for it....i made the decision myself..not my hubby..not my doctor or anyone else....i did it to save my life and have a quality of life..now...i will of course be tapering at some point.......

 

i wanted to also say even though i did a 4 year taper........i would now do things a little different.....not the % i did it at...but when i got to 10mgs..i should have stayed there for 6 months or more to see if there was any withdrawal...same at 5mgs..and of course knowing what i know now i would be going down to 0.....in the past i always had DELAYED withdrawal...when went off paxil in 2007...it did  not show up until i was off for 10 months...and i ended up going back on at 11 months off....i had a weird feeling when i was tapering...that is was going just too smooth...i had no problems really at all in those 4 years.....i thought...hmmmmmm this may come back to haunt me and low and behold at 20months off...it did...so for me..that was delayed for me.....so that is what i would do different now...take longer than even 4 years.....

 

i will be going to Italy for the summer leaving on the 14th..so happy i can go...i had thought i would be spending the summer at my dads in a bedroom hiding under the covers..thinking about SI the entire time...but thats all gone now..along with the rest of the nasty thoughts....i can live with the fatigue and crappy sleep ...although that is better and i am finally able to nap again during the day......

 

I really admire all the people than can live through all the nasty stuff...i really do...but for me...i just  could not....

Michele aka MapleLeafGirl

Paxil Free Since June 1st 2014

Was on Paxil for 8.5 years on and off from 2001

Did a 4 year successful taper off 20mgs of Paxil

My Successful Tapering Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7812-mapleleafgirl-successfully-tapered-off-paxil/

Tapering Schedule:

3rd attempt at withdrawal going slow..compounded pills
05/27/2010 - 03/12/12: Tapered From 20mgs - 6.2 (2nd year into Taper)
04/11/2012 - 6.0 - 3.4 - 05/05/2013 (Third year into Taper)
06/04/2013 - 3.2 - 1.0 - 05/31/2014 (Fouth and Final Year of Taper)

February 9th 2016 month 20 off paxil and four year taper..experiencing a horrible wave bad bad bad

May 2016 Made the decision to go back on an SSRI  - Currently on Escitalopram 10mgs but planning to taper at some point in the near future

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  • Administrator

Good to hear from you, MapleLeafGirl. There is no question that going off Paxil can be very difficult. You did the best you could. I don't blame you a bit for your decision.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Michele,

 

I hope that nobody on this board would "judge" you for doing what you felt you had to do to save your life at the time.  Far be it for any of us to stand in judgment of another when it comes to this kind of suffering.  Monica Cassina (GiaK) has some great stuff on BeyondMeds about not being too strictly "anti-med" in our stance and I think that it is really important that we moderate our militant positions when we look at this issue.  I know I'm just glad to hear that you are able to live your life and enjoy with your daughter.

 

I'm curious, though.  You said you went back on an SSRI and I know you felt that Paxil had been paradoxical.  Can you share with us what you went on if it wasn't Paxil?

 

Thanks and I'm glad you will be able to enjoy Italy!

Best,

 

Andy

 

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

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I am so happy to see your message and hear you are doing better! I have been thinking about you and praying for you! I truly believe we have to do whatever it takes to be okay and not only survive but be able to thrive in our life at some point and your decisions are just that, your decisions to be better and stabilize your life at this moment. I totally understand that. I am relieved you are feeling better and hopefully will be feeling 100% soon!

40 years old and have been on 20 mg of Paxil for the last 19 years. Multiple unsuccessful attempts to quit over the years.01/2015 Was tapering using liquid Paxil. MD has prescribed 1 ml = 2mg taper every two weeks or once withdrawal symptoms at that dose subside. Reduced from 20 to 10 mg using this method and at 10 mg severe withdrawal set in. 1.5 months of pure hell. Found SA, learned what was happening, and reinstated to 20 mg. After a month of severe symptoms recovered with the reinstatement. Fish oil - Multi Vitamin - Pro-biotic, amino-acid/B Vitamin supplement every day. Magnesium as needed.08/09/15 - 18 mg - 09/08/15 - 16.4 mg - 10/10/15 - 15 mg - 01/02/16 - 13.6 mg 02/15/16 - 12.0 mg - Bad symptom flare up 40 days into drop - Dizziness, panic/anxiety, overheating (esp at night), low appetite, headache, insomnia with bizarre dreams, internal shaking. 04/16/16 - 11mg - 7/17/16 - 10 mg holding.....

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I am so happy to hear you are feeling better, MLG. It sounds like this was a smart decision for you. 

 

I read the quote (below) from Dr. Shipko in the CEP a few months ago and it made me pause. I'm not sure when it was said or if it is correct. But.  I have been hovering at 10 mg for a while now and cannot made much headway. Every time I make a cut I get very, very sick. So much so that I become incapacitated. My kids and my life has suffered as yours have. Your advice is well taken and appreciated. I am going to stay here for 6 months and see if I have any withdrawal. Then I'll think about cutting again. Thank you.

 

"Dr. Stuart Shipko, a Californian psychiatrist who has published on SSRI withdrawal, no longer advises patients who have been on SSRIs for more than ten years to try to stop unless they are willing to risk disabling symptoms, including a state of agitation and inner restlessness which he calls ‘tardive akathisia’. He states that his ‘clinical observation is that long lasting symptoms occur even in patients who taper very slowly, not just those who stop quickly, and that there is no guarantee that these symptoms will go away no matter how long the patient waits."

2001-2007 Rem 90 mg, xanax 2 mg synthroid 112mcg - 2007-2014 Rem 60 mg xanax 3-4 mg

2015   Feb Rem 45 mg xanax 2 mg, March Rem 30 xanax 2, April  Rem 22.5, May Rem 30  xanax .25x4 hrs, June Rem 26 xanax 2-3, July Rem 22.5 xanax 2, Aug Rem 15 xanax 2, Sept Rem 22 xanax 2, Oct Rem 18 mg xanax .25 mg /4 hrs, Nov Rem 23 mg xanax .5mg, Dec Rem 24 xanax 2 

2016  Jan Rem 20 xanax 2,  Feb Rem 18 mg xanax 1.5, Feb Rem 14 12 mg xanax 1 mg, March Rem 10 9 mg xanax 1-2 mg Rem 7.3 8 xanax 1-2, April Rem 10 12 mg xanax 2 mg, May Rem 11 xanax 1 .75mg Nov Rem 10mg Xanax 2mg 2017 May Rem 10.25 Xanax 1 mg, November Xanax 1mg

 

 

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  • Moderator

Hi Michele--  I so glad you've managed to stabilize.  Doing what needs to be done is how we survive this mess we've found ourselves in.  If it requires reinstating the drug then so be it.  We're all trying to figure this out as we go and this has been a painful learning experience.  I'm so glad it has a happy ending.  Enjoy your summer in Italy.

 

(((((((((HUGS))))))))

Brass

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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Dear MLG

 

So glad to hear you are all right and I respect the choice you made to feel better.   

 

Hibari

9/2013-4/2014:  After moms death, was prescribed a series of meds for short periods of time that didn't work. Zoloft, Lexapro,  Nortriptyline, Liquid Prozac, Cymbalta. 

1/2014-9/2014. Clonzapam: Given Lamictal, stopped Clonzapam at .125mgs  

1/2015-4 2017 Remeron: 41.25 -0.025mgs

7/2015-11/2018 Lamictal: 200mgs-0.05 mgs Had paradoxical reaction to Lamictal wd, broke my heart to take a benzo but wasn't sleeping. 

3/28/2019 -2/5/ 2021  Clonazapam: 0.625mgs-.00115 Med Free 

July 27th, 2022**Severe Setback due to surgery/ anesthesia. 

9/7/22-10/4/22 Trazadone 50-100mgs for sleep, 10/13/22-11/13/22 Trazadone 1 mg to stabilize

10/4/22-11/20/22 Remeron 7.5mgs (for sleep doesn't work) 11/20/22 7.3 - 12/31/22 6.3 

2023: 1/18/23 6.1 - 6/6/23 3.6  6/16 3.4  6/28 3.0 7/12 2.7  7/28 2.5 8/11 2.2 8/23 2.0  9/5 1.8  9/16 1.6  9/30 1.4  10/13 1.2  10/26 1.0  11/9 0.8  11/22 0.6  12/6 0.4  12/23 0.2.

2024 1/4/24  Remeron/Mirtazapine free 

Additional Support:  Armour Thyroid 75mgs, Magnesium Glycinate 300-500mgs,  L-theanine 

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Hello Mapleleafgirl,

 

Firstly, so glad to hear from you and your are doing better. Your decision was an unselfish one. You put the love you have for your child first. There will be another time when you are ready to tapper again. You will know when that time comes.  Until then, enjoy your time with your little one and traveling to Italy.

 

Best...LexFree

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I am so happy to hear from you, Mapleleafgirl. The most important is that you are stable and there for your child.

Enjoy Italy!

Lots of love.

Amy

Current dose: 0! Free!  Quit June 2017.

2017: Last dose zoloft: 17 June 0,00065 mg 18 May 0, 001 mg 14 May 0,002 mg 9 May 0,003 mg 28 April 0,006 mg 19 April 0,009 mg 8 April 0,013 mg 25 March 0,019 mg 22 March 0,039 mg 18 March 0,052 mg 16 March 0,079 mg 4 March 0,086 1 March 0,099 mg 22 February 0,11 mg 15 February 0,13 mg 6 February 0,145 mg 24 January 0,15 mg 19 January 0,19 mg 10 January 0,20 mg 3 January

2016: 0,98 to 0,22 mg; 2015: 2,35 to 1,01 mg; 2014: 4,9 to 2,5 mg; 2013: 9,1 to 5,1 mg; 2012: 15,7 to 9,7 mg; 2011: Started on 25 mg - then 50 mg- dropped to 25- to 12.5 mg - back to 25 mg - after 18.75 mg started tiny tapering to 16.6 mg

Started on 25 mg Zoloft in March 2011 due to stressrelated tinnitus that gave me panicattacks. Had a terrible reaction to Zoloft from start, but was told to "hold on". After four months I was stuck. Therefore the long taper. Crazy, I know... Super sensitive to drops and have dropped by 4-6 % from the previous dose.

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Thank you so much everyone!!! i appreciate your kind words and support so much....it was not an easy decision but i have no regrets and my daughter is happy again...so that makes it all so much more worth it.....I was scared going back on..because i had NO idea if it would even work..it was a total crap shoot...the other two times i went back on at 11 months off and it worked within 5 days....but this time it took slow dosing up and alot of praying it would kick in..as i did not want to be in that state then on a med that was not even working..then having to taper off...thank goodness it worked that is all i can say....i can live with the fatigue and my sleep is still not great..but i can fall asleep now better and sleep until 5-6 am...which is fine because then i am excited to get up and work on logos and other graphics ...

 

i did not go back on paxil.....I am on a more potent one (Escitalopram)...which i know already from reading on this site is stronger than paxil by mgs and nastyness......but so be it...it worked and if i have to spend the next 10 years tapering off it with my compounded capsules like i did paxil then i will and if it has to be even slower at 1-2% and super long holds then so be it as well...i am no longer feeling like One Few Over the Cuckoo's Nest and that is the most important to me right now....I did try to go back on Paxil at 4 weeks...and it did not work at all....so my body did not want paxil again...this one..i had no bad reaction at all...and it slowly started to work...so for me again...i made the right decision....

 

i am able to go out and walk every morning and just do the things i love...however...my eyesight is still messed up and i need glasses..i am getting those first thing when i get to Italy as we have a great Eye Doctor There and i can literally get my glasses the same day..so i need one pair for the computer and one to read...

 

I am still a little angry that noone believed that i was in withdrawal except my dad....i mean come on...why would i just wake up one day and want to live in that horror....for months and months...not to mention i never had SI or Depression in my life..and i kept trying to tell my hubby that..but he said..it was because of the state i was in...well yes ok..but it was due to the paxil withdrawal....they just could not except that after 20 months it can happen...and i even said...remember my taper went a little too easy...so i knew for some reason..in my gut it would come back to haunt me....so if you take anything away from my 4 year taper....HOLD AND SOME OF THOSE DOSES.....and HOLD FOR A WHILE to see if withdrawal catches up.....

 

xo michele

 

Michele aka MapleLeafGirl

Paxil Free Since June 1st 2014

Was on Paxil for 8.5 years on and off from 2001

Did a 4 year successful taper off 20mgs of Paxil

My Successful Tapering Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7812-mapleleafgirl-successfully-tapered-off-paxil/

Tapering Schedule:

3rd attempt at withdrawal going slow..compounded pills
05/27/2010 - 03/12/12: Tapered From 20mgs - 6.2 (2nd year into Taper)
04/11/2012 - 6.0 - 3.4 - 05/05/2013 (Third year into Taper)
06/04/2013 - 3.2 - 1.0 - 05/31/2014 (Fouth and Final Year of Taper)

February 9th 2016 month 20 off paxil and four year taper..experiencing a horrible wave bad bad bad

May 2016 Made the decision to go back on an SSRI  - Currently on Escitalopram 10mgs but planning to taper at some point in the near future

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Hello Michele,

 

No one knows us more than ourselves, doesn't really matter what others believe about us. You did what was right for you and it worked out.  Good for you for looking out for your well being. So good to read you are taking walks, living life. As you said, when it is time, you will taper again.  BTW, Escitalopram comes in liquid. I am using it now to taper. Don't think it is going to be harder to wean off.  I think all are not easy as cake to come off. I read many sites where Paxil is one of the hardest to come off. You may be one of those who may be just fine coming off Escitalopram. Don't know till you get there. Just stay positive and tell yourself you will succeed. 

 

Blessings to you...LexFree

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I just wanted to write an update....i wish i could tell you all i feel 75% better because the wave is gone....but i feel better because i made the decision myself to go back on an SSRI...after my 10 year old had a total meltdown on me, and voiced how upset and angry she was that she no longer had her mother and that she felt for the last 4 months someone else lived here...she was not happy at all...and considering she is the love of my life and most important person in my life....that counted the most....also i could not go on any longer having Suicidal thoughts as someone who has never ever thought that way ...considered it..it was a nightmare..along with the depression and anxiety..and other nasty things.....it took a while for me to get stable..as i dosed myself..from crumbs up to where i am now at 10mgs...and that took  a few week...and ONLY 8 days ago did things level out and i can finally work..i was a hair away from loosing a business that i spent 5 years building but thank goodness its thriving again...i can play soccer with my daughter...we go out now shopping and lunch...last three days i have been able to go out on my walks ...i was basically in my room for 4 months..hiding under a blanket ...freaked out.....my 80 year old dad was so worried about me,...i would call him everyday telling him i just wanted to die....i have NO REGRETS at all going back on...and its fine if people want to judge me for it....i made the decision myself..not my hubby..not my doctor or anyone else....i did it to save my life and have a quality of life..now...i will of course be tapering at some point.......

 

i wanted to also say even though i did a 4 year taper........i would now do things a little different.....not the % i did it at...but when i got to 10mgs..i should have stayed there for 6 months or more to see if there was any withdrawal...same at 5mgs..and of course knowing what i know now i would be going down to 0.....in the past i always had DELAYED withdrawal...when went off paxil in 2007...it did  not show up until i was off for 10 months...and i ended up going back on at 11 months off....i had a weird feeling when i was tapering...that is was going just too smooth...i had no problems really at all in those 4 years.....i thought...hmmmmmm this may come back to haunt me and low and behold at 20months off...it did...so for me..that was delayed for me.....so that is what i would do different now...take longer than even 4 years.....

 

i will be going to Italy for the summer leaving on the 14th..so happy i can go...i had thought i would be spending the summer at my dads in a bedroom hiding under the covers..thinking about SI the entire time...but thats all gone now..along with the rest of the nasty thoughts....i can live with the fatigue and crappy sleep ...although that is better and i am finally able to nap again during the day......

 

I really admire all the people than can live through all the nasty stuff...i really do...but for me...i just  could not....

I find it interesting that you have trouble at the 20 month mark years ago on pp I said I took a nose dive at 18 months and was slapped down for saying I thought that timeline was important as I had kind of linear healing till then.  Though nobody said a word on the open forum to me many people sent me private messages saying they too took a nose dive at around that time... and so since then I have posted about it many times here on SA and on other sites that are now no longer exist... I can't find one post I made about this on SA tho it does come up on a regular bases... and I write about it often.  I know the search here is poor and I tried google too... nothing from either of the searches.  If there had been you may have been had some reading material. 

 

I know I went cold turkey ect ect.. but I have seen this happen with other people who did a slow taper too.  Your not the first one.  Just thought I would mention that and ask where the posts about the eighteen month nose dive are... as I can't find them. I know for sure it has eighteen months in the title. 

 

I am glad your doing well if  I could take a drug that would make life real and have me back to work I would for some reason no drug agrees with me any longer. You know a lot more about what your doing now thanks to this site and others like it and when it is time for you to taper again you have this hard won wisdom. You don't have to make apologies to anyone for having the best life you can any way you can... do what you need to do for you and you family - just like you have and keep doing it. That is your responsibility to you.  

 

Understanding these drugs and withdrawal should be the responsibiltiy of the those who make them and prescribe them not any of us but since they won't somebody has to  we are all learning here and your happy now that counts so I wish you peace and have a great trip to Italy :)

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

Link to comment

Hi MapleleafGirl

 

I have read your recent posts with interest and feel that you have done absolutely the right thing. To be honest with you feeling so bad together with your daughter's unhappiness you had to do something. I am so pleased for you that the new med has worked for you.

 

Sometimes we have to take into account our quality of life. I hope that you have a wonderful summer in Italy and make many happy memories with your daughter. Have fun!

 

Best Wishes Flowers xxx

15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM.  MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct  temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT.  JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month.  28.5 mgs 
FEB  Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs .  JUNE 24 mgs .  JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to  22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed.  13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize  1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at  50 mgs at night.  Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and  Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. 

XANAX  Jan 27  - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover.   Feb 14 2019  Updosed Xanax by .0625  Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily.  Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. 

Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM  20mg  taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE  .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm.  XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night.  LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight.  SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm.   7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm.  2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19  .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg  x 2. 23.1.20  .23 mg x 2.  20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20  .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2.  18.6.20 .11mg  x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2.  2.12.20 .06 mg x 2.  8.1.21 .05 mg x 2.  4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2.  7.4.21  .02 mg x 2.  9.5.21 .01 mg x 2.  21.6.21 .01 mg x 1.  11.8.21 ZERO!

 

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I think these meds do something to us that permanently changes our brains -

 

When I was 18 I decided to use lsd - well much to my dismay my brain didn't like it and the drug use brought out an anxiety disorder that never went away-

 

We all have predispositions to al lkinds of things and there are external factors that can flip a genetic switch so to speak and bring out those disorders/diseases etc

 

I wonder if ssri use flips a switch for some of us to then become afflicted with this psychotic depression?

 

Some people can quit these meds ct

Or even successfully taper with no long term issues

 

For others there is indefinite suffering and stress or any other thing can trigger this horiffic type of depression

 

I feel I'm doomed to take meds forever

 

I am going to taper and try but I'm going to taper 5% every 6 months

 

It may take me 10 years to get off but at least I hopefully can function when it's all said and done -

 

Glad lexapro is helping you mlg - we only get to live this one life - no sense in suffering if you can help it

 

*Currently at 8.2-8.5 mg of my 10mg pill of Paxil (they actually weigh 12.5mg) 

january 2023 I began reducing my med again. I was a 9mg weight for years, I went to 8.9 in January, went to 8.6mg in February, and in March 2023 I went down to 8.5-8.2 mg ( my scale varies, so I stick within that .3 range because of that) 

*No other supplements or vitamins 

*Taper schedule in the pdf 

Blank.pdf

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-5vShtJtwAOGA30OxIP87steLmMdFzD29F0fzAPD564

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my dad took Lexapro for three years ...many years ago...and quit cold turkey...he LITERALLY HAD NO WITHDRAWAL AT ALL...lucky him....but he totally understood where i was coming from and what i was going through...thank god...and when i told him i decided to go back on..he said either way he would have supported me...i never feel that great anyway physcially on this stuff...fatigue..and i still have eye floaters...the sensitivity to light.vision stuff..and some other stuff..but the most important stuff..the mental stuff is gone..i can live with the other stuff....so for now that is where i am at...and just looking forward to  my summer in Italy...not to mention...my weight weight down to almost 89 lbs through this all..and i am slowly gaining some back...so that is a good thing too!

Michele aka MapleLeafGirl

Paxil Free Since June 1st 2014

Was on Paxil for 8.5 years on and off from 2001

Did a 4 year successful taper off 20mgs of Paxil

My Successful Tapering Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7812-mapleleafgirl-successfully-tapered-off-paxil/

Tapering Schedule:

3rd attempt at withdrawal going slow..compounded pills
05/27/2010 - 03/12/12: Tapered From 20mgs - 6.2 (2nd year into Taper)
04/11/2012 - 6.0 - 3.4 - 05/05/2013 (Third year into Taper)
06/04/2013 - 3.2 - 1.0 - 05/31/2014 (Fouth and Final Year of Taper)

February 9th 2016 month 20 off paxil and four year taper..experiencing a horrible wave bad bad bad

May 2016 Made the decision to go back on an SSRI  - Currently on Escitalopram 10mgs but planning to taper at some point in the near future

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I am glad you have support I often wonder what that would be like to know one person in real life who took these drugs and gets it... your happy I am happy. 

peace

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

Link to comment

I just wanted to write an update....i wish i could tell you all i feel 75% better because the wave is gone....but i feel better because i made the decision myself to go back on an SSRI...after my 10 year old had a total meltdown on me, and voiced how upset and angry she was that she no longer had her mother and that she felt for the last 4 months someone else lived here...she was not happy at all...and considering she is the love of my life and most important person in my life....that counted the most....also i could not go on any longer having Suicidal thoughts as someone who has never ever thought that way ...considered it..it was a nightmare..along with the depression and anxiety..and other nasty things.....it took a while for me to get stable..as i dosed myself..from crumbs up to where i am now at 10mgs...and that took  a few week...and ONLY 8 days ago did things level out and i can finally work..i was a hair away from loosing a business that i spent 5 years building but thank goodness its thriving again...i can play soccer with my daughter...we go out now shopping and lunch...last three days i have been able to go out on my walks ...i was basically in my room for 4 months..hiding under a blanket ...freaked out.....my 80 year old dad was so worried about me,...i would call him everyday telling him i just wanted to die....i have NO REGRETS at all going back on...and its fine if people want to judge me for it....i made the decision myself..not my hubby..not my doctor or anyone else....i did it to save my life and have a quality of life..now...i will of course be tapering at some point.......

 

i wanted to also say even though i did a 4 year taper........i would now do things a little different.....not the % i did it at...but when i got to 10mgs..i should have stayed there for 6 months or more to see if there was any withdrawal...same at 5mgs..and of course knowing what i know now i would be going down to 0.....in the past i always had DELAYED withdrawal...when went off paxil in 2007...it did  not show up until i was off for 10 months...and i ended up going back on at 11 months off....i had a weird feeling when i was tapering...that is was going just too smooth...i had no problems really at all in those 4 years.....i thought...hmmmmmm this may come back to haunt me and low and behold at 20months off...it did...so for me..that was delayed for me.....so that is what i would do different now...take longer than even 4 years.....

 

i will be going to Italy for the summer leaving on the 14th..so happy i can go...i had thought i would be spending the summer at my dads in a bedroom hiding under the covers..thinking about SI the entire time...but thats all gone now..along with the rest of the nasty thoughts....i can live with the fatigue and crappy sleep ...although that is better and i am finally able to nap again during the day......

 

I really admire all the people than can live through all the nasty stuff...i really do...but for me...i just  could not....

Hi Mapleleaf Girl,

 

I totally support your decision as I definitely understand your situation.

 

On a related note, I have suffered from horrific sleep issues for years.  If I could have found a sleep med that worked, I would have taken it in a heartbeat.

 

I am so happy you seem to be getting your life back.

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

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I'm sorry to hear of the recent turn of events.

Perhaps a mod might like to move this thread back into the intros ...i'm sure it is going to be a wonderful success story one day.

But till then it is a future success story still being written ...as are all intros.

 

nz11

Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen

We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. 

URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting  for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing.

http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651   

Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos.

Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you

Recovering paxil addict

None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. 

This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! 

  "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped."  Dr Mosher. Me too! 

Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015

I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015

Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017

 

 

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Thanks again everyone for all the support!...i am happy to be alive and living my life again...enjoying things ....spending time with my daughter...working...and good thoughts in my mind...

Michele aka MapleLeafGirl

Paxil Free Since June 1st 2014

Was on Paxil for 8.5 years on and off from 2001

Did a 4 year successful taper off 20mgs of Paxil

My Successful Tapering Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7812-mapleleafgirl-successfully-tapered-off-paxil/

Tapering Schedule:

3rd attempt at withdrawal going slow..compounded pills
05/27/2010 - 03/12/12: Tapered From 20mgs - 6.2 (2nd year into Taper)
04/11/2012 - 6.0 - 3.4 - 05/05/2013 (Third year into Taper)
06/04/2013 - 3.2 - 1.0 - 05/31/2014 (Fouth and Final Year of Taper)

February 9th 2016 month 20 off paxil and four year taper..experiencing a horrible wave bad bad bad

May 2016 Made the decision to go back on an SSRI  - Currently on Escitalopram 10mgs but planning to taper at some point in the near future

Link to comment
  • Administrator

MapleleafGirl's continuing saga is here:
 

MapleleafGirl: 20 months off Paxil...a bad wave...

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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with my taper....i would have spent more time at 10mgs to see if there was fallout from the higher doses.....spent more time at 5mgs to see if there was fallout from 10 and down...then obviously now i know...to go to 0 as i jumped at 1mg....so yes it was successful..up until i had the wave and realized some things that i should have done different....4 year taper i did...i would have maybe done 6-7 year taper as crazy as that sounds....

Michele aka MapleLeafGirl

Paxil Free Since June 1st 2014

Was on Paxil for 8.5 years on and off from 2001

Did a 4 year successful taper off 20mgs of Paxil

My Successful Tapering Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7812-mapleleafgirl-successfully-tapered-off-paxil/

Tapering Schedule:

3rd attempt at withdrawal going slow..compounded pills
05/27/2010 - 03/12/12: Tapered From 20mgs - 6.2 (2nd year into Taper)
04/11/2012 - 6.0 - 3.4 - 05/05/2013 (Third year into Taper)
06/04/2013 - 3.2 - 1.0 - 05/31/2014 (Fouth and Final Year of Taper)

February 9th 2016 month 20 off paxil and four year taper..experiencing a horrible wave bad bad bad

May 2016 Made the decision to go back on an SSRI  - Currently on Escitalopram 10mgs but planning to taper at some point in the near future

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compounded means they made up capsuls for each dose..i did not do liquid paxil...

Michele aka MapleLeafGirl

Paxil Free Since June 1st 2014

Was on Paxil for 8.5 years on and off from 2001

Did a 4 year successful taper off 20mgs of Paxil

My Successful Tapering Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7812-mapleleafgirl-successfully-tapered-off-paxil/

Tapering Schedule:

3rd attempt at withdrawal going slow..compounded pills
05/27/2010 - 03/12/12: Tapered From 20mgs - 6.2 (2nd year into Taper)
04/11/2012 - 6.0 - 3.4 - 05/05/2013 (Third year into Taper)
06/04/2013 - 3.2 - 1.0 - 05/31/2014 (Fouth and Final Year of Taper)

February 9th 2016 month 20 off paxil and four year taper..experiencing a horrible wave bad bad bad

May 2016 Made the decision to go back on an SSRI  - Currently on Escitalopram 10mgs but planning to taper at some point in the near future

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i would have maybe done 6-7 year taper as crazy as that sounds....

 

 No not crazy but when I calculated your taper using NZ11's spreadsheet, you were good for 4 years, you went slower the first year so that was a plus. But like I mentioned in another thread, that last year and the too high (I think) drop off dose had unforseen consequences.

 

His spreadsheet is on page 16 of his thread if you want to look it up. You can plug your dates and doses into it and see how it all played out.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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my first year i tapered faster . ..then from 10mgs down..i went really slow...5% every 4 weeks...but i should have maybe done 6-8 weeks...and then on PP people were going off at 1mg...so i had no idea about that going to 0 or for sure i would have done it that way...

 

from 20-10 i did...19.5. ...19...18.5...18...and so on down to 10....then when i got to ten all the rest of my tapers follwed this:

 

9.8, 9.6. 9.4..9.2...9.0 and i did that cut for all my doses down to 1mg...every 4 weeks...i did not ever dose up or down...as i had NO WITHDRAWAL symptoms at all...go figure...so that is werei might have gotten into some trouble..but i cant change it now...just have to move forward...

Michele aka MapleLeafGirl

Paxil Free Since June 1st 2014

Was on Paxil for 8.5 years on and off from 2001

Did a 4 year successful taper off 20mgs of Paxil

My Successful Tapering Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7812-mapleleafgirl-successfully-tapered-off-paxil/

Tapering Schedule:

3rd attempt at withdrawal going slow..compounded pills
05/27/2010 - 03/12/12: Tapered From 20mgs - 6.2 (2nd year into Taper)
04/11/2012 - 6.0 - 3.4 - 05/05/2013 (Third year into Taper)
06/04/2013 - 3.2 - 1.0 - 05/31/2014 (Fouth and Final Year of Taper)

February 9th 2016 month 20 off paxil and four year taper..experiencing a horrible wave bad bad bad

May 2016 Made the decision to go back on an SSRI  - Currently on Escitalopram 10mgs but planning to taper at some point in the near future

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  • 3 weeks later...

Any chance hormones may be part of the culprit? 

 

I experienced peri that was outrageous to say the least. We don't wake up one day in meno. It is a long ass process that for me, began its symptomatic nonsense at age 35. I am now 51 and can tell you that it was a hell of a ride.

 

Heart goes out to you!

I'M A WEANER!  :D 
atavan PRN ,Paxil approx 20 yrs ago for major depression
Switched to Klonopin PRN through to current
Paxil wore out
Changed to Effexor 
Depakote added
enormous weight gain - flat affect - led to depression - dropped depakote
Dropped Effexor, changed to Paxil 
PDoc added mixed salts amphetamines for ADHD - took for 2 yrs - was ok at first but had to cut as symptoms too intense -  then the crash was too much. STOPPED
Vyvanse started in 2013 (APRIL) - more smooth than IR amphetamine tabs---Have not used vyvanse daily in full amt since May 2013 

Paxil CT withdrawal 10/2012  :wacko:  Klonopin CT WD

Switched Klonopin to Xanax prn  - too strong

WD CT from XANAX after taking for a while - it was awful but can be done if you hold on!

Back to Klonopin PRN - working very hard to avoid taking it at all. 

Effexor 37.5 started 02/2013, 75mg by 03/2013, 150mg by 05/2012 (approx)  :blush:

Effexor 150mg 3/10/2014 Microtaper -3beads  :unsure:

3/11/2014-4beads ,3/12/14 - 5, 3/13/14 -6, 3/15/14 - 7, 3/18 - 8, 3/22 - 10, 3/24 - 12, 4/6 - 13, 4/7 - 14, 4/11 - 16 - on 4/19 ran out of brand took generic. Bad move. Back on brand on 4/20 and updosed 2 beads. 5/1 - 15, 5/6 - 16, 5/9 -17, 55/10 -17, 5/15 -18, 5/21 -19, 5/24 -20, 6/3 - 21, 6/6 -23, 6/13 -24,6/19- 25, 6/21 -26, 6/25 -27

6/28 -28, 6/29 -30, 7/3 -34, 7/8 -35, 7/17 -36, 7/30 -41,7/31 -42, 8/2 -43, 8/3 -44, 8/5 -45, 8/14 -48, 8/26-50, 9/24 -53, 10/24 -55, 12/1 -57, (lost the tally sheet, thus taper info for some of it), 4/19-63, 4/26-64, 4/30-65 Switched to wt reduction - now @ -.068, 7/14 -.070, August 2015 -.074, between Sept & October 10 -.077, Nov. -.078(feeling great), -.090 as of 1/10/16, down to  -.101 since January 2016 (it is now 6/24/16), -.105 as of 8/13/16
 
 

Ladies, please don't underestimate the possibility of perimenopause. The symptoms can be similar to, may intensify & in some cases mimic protracted w/d from ssri's & benzo's. 

 

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