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ladybug99 need help...i switched from 25mg paxil cr to liquid prozac 20mg. Not doing good.


ladybug99

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Exactly a month ago i switched from paxil cr 25mg to liquid prozac 20mg. I made a 5% cut two weeks ago. About three weeks ago i started getting symptoms...adrenaline or cortisol rushes whenever i wake up, burning tingling sensations throughout body, depression. I'm so scared and don't know what to do. Is there anyone who can help me with advice? Thank you so much...

Ladybug

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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I would like to add that i was on klonopin for 4 and half years and did a very rapid taper (thanks to my ill-informed dr!). At 20 months off of the klonopin i was feeling much better, so decided to start my switch over to the liquid prozac. I'm wondering if the switch revved up my nervous system because of the klonopin situation, or would this have happened regardless. Should i go back on the paxil cr? Or should i take half the amount of paxil cr...12.5mg and lower the liquid prozac to half...10 mg, and do this for a week or two? I'm so scared and confused....

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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  • Administrator

Welcome, ladybug99.

 

Were you stable on 20mg Prozac? If so, you made a reduction too soon. If I were you, I'd go back to 20mg liquid Prozac right away.

 

You need to give some time for your nervous system to get used to Prozac. See The Prozac switch or "bridging" with Prozac

 

What has been the change in your symptom pattern over the last week?

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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Thank you so much for your reply. I'm in pretty bad shape today...it being the worst day since switching over to liquid prozac. I'm very anxious, depressed, heart palps, and whenever i wake up i immediately get burning tingling throughout my body...but this tingling burning goes away in about a min.

My dr said i could switch overnight to the liquid prozac, which i did. Now i wonder if i should have slowly introduced it with the paxil.

I'm so sorry if I'm rambling....I'm in such a heightened nervous system.

 

Anyway, the first week on the liquid prozac want that bad...just had some brain zaps and dizziness. Starting the second week i began to have some mental symptoms.

 

Do you think i will stabilize on the liquid prozac?

 

I will go and take a bit more right now to bring me back up to the 20 mg.

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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  • Administrator

Oh, oh, it sounds to me like you have withdrawal from the Paxil.

 

A switching method that overlaps drugs for a bit seems to be gentler on the body.

 

Do you have any Paxil left?

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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Yes, i do. But it's the 25 mg cr. I'm afraid to take this with the 20 mg liquid prozac for fear of serotonin syndrome. Should i ask my dr tomorrow for 12.5 paxil cr and take this with 10 mg liquid prozac? And if so, how long do you think i should do this?

 

In the past i never had trouble switching. I first started on paxil, then to paxil cr, then to lexapro with no problems. Of course this was before i ever took a benzo!

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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Can i actually go thru paxil withdrawal even though i switched over to Prozac?

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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Hi Alto. I want to thank you so much for helping me yesterday.

 

Would you be kind enough and read the two above replies i made yesterday? I trust your advice... Should i take 12.5 mg of the paxil cr with 10 mg of liquid prozac for a couple weeks, then just the prozac 20 mg?

 

Also, is it possible that I'm going thru paxil withdrawal even though i switched over to another ssri (prozac)?

 

Will i acclimate to the prozac eventually? Btw, i went back up to 20 mg...but still don't feel good.

 

Thank you so much!

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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  • Administrator

Yes, you can still have withdrawal even though you've switched to another SSRI.

 

How to get out of this situation is a tough question. I think your guess to take 12.5 mg of the paxil cr with 10 mg of liquid prozac is a good one.

 

Then, rather than drop the Paxil, I would gradually drop the Prozac, so you're back on Paxil. Stabilize and use Paxil liquid to taper.

 

At this point, it doesn't look like a switch to Prozac will work for you.

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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I know this sound so shallow, but i remember i had gained soooo much weight on the regular paxil, not as much on the paxil cr. I'm worried that if i go on the regular paxil liquid form the weight will pile on. In the past i did well with lexapro with no weight. Do you think it's too risky to switch to liquid lexapro?

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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  • Administrator

There is no way to predict what a switch to Lexapro will do for you.

 

Since you have withdrawal from Paxil, it's more likely a little Paxil will be of more help.

 

There are no guarantees. It's your choice.

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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I never had problems in the past switching antidepressants. But now i seem sensitive to it...maybe because I'm still fragile from stopping klonopin 22 months ago?

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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  • Administrator

That is very possible. Your nervous system has changed. Going on and off drugs wears it out.

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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Hey Ladybug,

I did the prozac swith from paxil a year ago and I did it by introducing prozac and tapering Paxil for a period of 4 weeks and it worked. I tried to do the same with lexapro now as I didn't like the way I felt on it and It didn't work at all. I am now back on lexapro trying to stabilize on a small dose and I'm doing better. WHen I saw the switch wasn't working I was really disapointed and I panicked for a bit. I'm sorry you're going through that. I

2015 - started lithium 900 mg and 2 months later lamictal 100 mg. After stabilized introduced prozac on a low dose ( 10 mg).

2016 -  LIthium 450 mg/  lamictal (50 mg) - prozac 10mg

2018 - LIthium 450 mg/  lamictal (50 mg) - zoloft 25mg

2020- March - Lithium 300mg/ lamictal 100 mg/zoloft 25 mg - October - Zoloft increase to 50 mg Lithium 300mg/ lamictal 100 mg

2021 - February-  zoloft 50/lamictal 50/ litio 300

2022 - december - Zoloft 50/lamictal 100/ litio 600

2023 - March - lamictal 200/ litio 1200   June - Lamictal 175/ Litio 1200. August -  Lamictal 100mg/ Litio 1200 

October -  Seroquel 50 mg/   lamictal 87.5mg  Litio 1200mg/ December -  Seroquel 100 mg/lamictal 25mg/ lithium 1500mg  -

2024- January - Severe lamictal  withdrawal after quitting december 29th . Reinstated 12.5mg Lamictal.  February - Lamictal 14.5mg/ lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50mg  March - Lamictal 15 mg/lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50 mg  / March 19th - Lamictal 14.5 mg/lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50 mg

 

 

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Hi johnjohn. Thank you so much for chiming in ! I appreciate it. Are you saying you switched from prozac to lexapro? Are you having a hard time on the lexapro?

I just spoke with a pharmacist. She feels i should stay away from paxil because it's so hard to get off of. She says I'm going through paxil withdrawal and trying to acclimate to the prozac at the same time, but that i will eventually start feeling better. So i decided to take her advice. I really don't want to go back on the paxil....i will never conquer getting off of it if i do.

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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  • Administrator

ladybug, I hope what the pharmacist told you holds true for you. Doctors and pharmacists think withdrawal syndrome is mild and lasts only a few weeks. If you look around the Intro forum, you will see that this is not necessarily so.

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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II changed from prozac to lexapro and felt really tired an unmotivated on lexapro and after 1 month I wanted to quit. I'm only 3 mg now and I'm hoping The fatigue won't be that bad.

I was reading the thread altostrata linked above about the prozac bridge and There are a lot of good info there. Reading it i realised my mistake was to start prozac when I was already feeling some withdrawal from lexapro. Also people say that cross tapering instead of just ditching The drug you were taking is better.

 

You could always get back to paxil until you feel fine and try to switch with a more conservative plan. I went through this route when I started to notice the last switch wasn't working. Remind yourself you've got that option, when I'm in panic I tend to think there are only two definitive options and that makes my anxiety worse. When you say you would never be paxil free if you get back to it you're making harder for yourself. That's not true, you can quit paxil doing it from a safer place and making it not to be so scary.

 

How did you fell before start tapering prozac?

2015 - started lithium 900 mg and 2 months later lamictal 100 mg. After stabilized introduced prozac on a low dose ( 10 mg).

2016 -  LIthium 450 mg/  lamictal (50 mg) - prozac 10mg

2018 - LIthium 450 mg/  lamictal (50 mg) - zoloft 25mg

2020- March - Lithium 300mg/ lamictal 100 mg/zoloft 25 mg - October - Zoloft increase to 50 mg Lithium 300mg/ lamictal 100 mg

2021 - February-  zoloft 50/lamictal 50/ litio 300

2022 - december - Zoloft 50/lamictal 100/ litio 600

2023 - March - lamictal 200/ litio 1200   June - Lamictal 175/ Litio 1200. August -  Lamictal 100mg/ Litio 1200 

October -  Seroquel 50 mg/   lamictal 87.5mg  Litio 1200mg/ December -  Seroquel 100 mg/lamictal 25mg/ lithium 1500mg  -

2024- January - Severe lamictal  withdrawal after quitting december 29th . Reinstated 12.5mg Lamictal.  February - Lamictal 14.5mg/ lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50mg  March - Lamictal 15 mg/lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50 mg  / March 19th - Lamictal 14.5 mg/lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50 mg

 

 

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Hi Alto and John John. Thank you got your replies. Now I'm all confused and scared again. I just don't know what to do. Do you think there is any chance that i can adjust to the liquid prozac? Is it too risky to stay on the prozac another 3 or 4 weeks? If i still an not well, would it be too late for me to go back to the paxil?

 

If i do go back to paxil...should i go on the liquid paxil with hopes of titrating when i stabilize? Or should i do 12.5 of paxil cr and 10 mg of liquid prozac for a while to see how i do with the liquid paxil...if all ok, then switch over to all liquid paxil?

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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Hey Ladybug.

If you believe you are experiencing Paxil withdrawal , you should reinstate it. Paxil withdrawal is no joke. If you're having such a hard time the switch didn't work. There are people here much more capable of giving you guidance on the best way to do it, I don't know much about with drawAL except from personal experience. Trying to ride through my symptoms wasn't worth it at all.

 

There is a thread on the forum about reinstating, have you looked at it?

 

Play safe right now, it will get better.

2015 - started lithium 900 mg and 2 months later lamictal 100 mg. After stabilized introduced prozac on a low dose ( 10 mg).

2016 -  LIthium 450 mg/  lamictal (50 mg) - prozac 10mg

2018 - LIthium 450 mg/  lamictal (50 mg) - zoloft 25mg

2020- March - Lithium 300mg/ lamictal 100 mg/zoloft 25 mg - October - Zoloft increase to 50 mg Lithium 300mg/ lamictal 100 mg

2021 - February-  zoloft 50/lamictal 50/ litio 300

2022 - december - Zoloft 50/lamictal 100/ litio 600

2023 - March - lamictal 200/ litio 1200   June - Lamictal 175/ Litio 1200. August -  Lamictal 100mg/ Litio 1200 

October -  Seroquel 50 mg/   lamictal 87.5mg  Litio 1200mg/ December -  Seroquel 100 mg/lamictal 25mg/ lithium 1500mg  -

2024- January - Severe lamictal  withdrawal after quitting december 29th . Reinstated 12.5mg Lamictal.  February - Lamictal 14.5mg/ lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50mg  March - Lamictal 15 mg/lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50 mg  / March 19th - Lamictal 14.5 mg/lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50 mg

 

 

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Thank you John John. I will definitely check out the thread on reinstating....

 

I pray i choose the safe road!

 

Hoop you are doing well!

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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John John. Not sure how to navigate to that thread about reinstating. I'm somewhat new here and having difficulties figuring it out...

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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Hi Alto and John John. Thank you so much for recommending the reinstatement thread! I found it and read much info. Being exactly 4 weeks from paxil cr 25mg, I'm wondering if i should reinstate at 12.5 mg. I read when you're a month or more out, you should reinstate at a small dose to see if it helps. Do you think this is a good idea?

 

Or should i reinstate with liquid paxil? A small dose?

 

My nervous system is very hyper because of my rapid taper from klonopin 22 months ago. I wonder if even going to liquid paxil might be too much. But how would i ever be able to titrate paxil cr?

 

I'm so sorry I'm throwing out so much. I feel like I'm at the fork of the crossroads and need to make a decision asap.

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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Meant...fork in the road. Lol! Sorry for all my typos. I use swiping and sometimes other words pop in. I really should edit before I send! So sorry!

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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  • Administrator

This is my best guess.
 

Yes, you can still have withdrawal even though you've switched to another SSRI.
 
How to get out of this situation is a tough question. I think your guess to take 12.5 mg of the paxil cr with 10 mg of liquid prozac is a good one.
 
Then, rather than drop the Paxil, I would gradually drop the Prozac, so you're back on Paxil. Stabilize and use Paxil liquid to taper.
 
At this point, it doesn't look like a switch to Prozac will work for you.

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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Hey LAdybug, You already found the thread about reinstating, this one is also good, is about the switching from paxil/effexor/lexapro to prozac as a way to avoid withdrawal: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1463-the-prozac-switch-or-bridging-with-prozac/?hl=%20prozac%20%20switch

 

I'm new to the site and don't know if its allowed, but if it is you could post on there or on the reinstating thread and people who had the same issues could be of help.

 

You mentioned you were considering taking Half your old dose of paxil along half your actual dose of prozac. Alto is one of the moderators on the site and he thought it was a good plan. After a while you would be able to tell if the paxil dose you reinstated in is enough. It sounds like a reasonable plan.

 

My personal advise would be to go back on paxil as soon as posible and to not wait any longer unless your life on it was unbearable. Taking a smaller dose of paxil seems wise as to avoid any risk.

 

It will get better, LAdybug. 1 week ago I Was sure I was going into a terrible depression and today I felt good most of the day after a bad morning.

2015 - started lithium 900 mg and 2 months later lamictal 100 mg. After stabilized introduced prozac on a low dose ( 10 mg).

2016 -  LIthium 450 mg/  lamictal (50 mg) - prozac 10mg

2018 - LIthium 450 mg/  lamictal (50 mg) - zoloft 25mg

2020- March - Lithium 300mg/ lamictal 100 mg/zoloft 25 mg - October - Zoloft increase to 50 mg Lithium 300mg/ lamictal 100 mg

2021 - February-  zoloft 50/lamictal 50/ litio 300

2022 - december - Zoloft 50/lamictal 100/ litio 600

2023 - March - lamictal 200/ litio 1200   June - Lamictal 175/ Litio 1200. August -  Lamictal 100mg/ Litio 1200 

October -  Seroquel 50 mg/   lamictal 87.5mg  Litio 1200mg/ December -  Seroquel 100 mg/lamictal 25mg/ lithium 1500mg  -

2024- January - Severe lamictal  withdrawal after quitting december 29th . Reinstated 12.5mg Lamictal.  February - Lamictal 14.5mg/ lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50mg  March - Lamictal 15 mg/lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50 mg  / March 19th - Lamictal 14.5 mg/lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50 mg

 

 

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Thank you so much for trying to help me work this out.

 

This is my update: Last night around 7pm i started getting a 'window', where a calmness took over. I feel asleep (thank God i haven't had any problems so far with sleep!) but did wake up for couple hours in middle of night, but no symptoms. Sure enough, the anxiety started up around 9:30 this morning.

 

With this said, do you still think I should start taking the paxil cr 12.5 with the liquid prozac 10 mg (5ml) and slowly take away the liquid prozac?

 

If so, how long should i take away the prozac? About 2 weeks?

 

As soon as i hear from you, i will go over to my drs. office to get prescription (if you think paxil is the way to go).

 

Alto, i keep reading horror stores about going off paxil. Will i be ok doing this with the liquid paxil? I'm so scared!

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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Alto, also want to mention...my anxiety is not severe (nothing like what i went thru with benzo withdrawal!), just a bit uncomfortable.

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Ladybug,  Alto is the expert when it comes to AD's, especially paxil, I would listen to what she says.    Liquid is much easier to taper because you can measure the smaller doses more accurately than trying to cut tablets.  2 weeks seems ok for the  prozac taper, but if it were me I would increase the paxil gradually as you reduce the prozac.   I tried the prozac switch to get off effexor and it didn't work for me either. It's harder when you've been on drugs for a long time or been on different ones because the nervous system becomes sensitive and unable to cope with changes. 

 

It would be good if you could put your drug and tapering history in your signature for us, you can find how to do that here.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/?view=getnewpost

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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Thank you so much MammaP.

 

I just left my drs office. My regular dr wasn't in, so i saw the physician assistant. This is the result:

- she told me i cannot take prozac and paxil together at same time, therefore, would not write a refill for the liquid prozac (which i think i have only about 1 weeks worth left at home)

 

- She insisted that i go back on full dose of 25 mg of paxil cr overnight...no slowly upping the dosage. I tried to explain to her about me being a month out from my last dose of paxil and that i should start lower because of the chance of me having a bad reaction. Of course, she poo-pooed this idea.

 

- at that point i knew she wanted complete control, so i placated her, but told her instead of the cr, I'd rather have the compounded liquid form of the regular paxil. This way now i was back in control of how i choose to do the dosing!

 

Questions i have:

 

1) do you think it's ok for me to start on the liquid paxil? Isn't the main ingredient the same as what's in the cr? The compounding pharmacy i use knows i want NOTHING else in the solution...just the paxil and syrup. Nothing else...no flavoring, etc. This way i don't have to worry about any ingredient that will mess up my CNS.

 

2) she said it's not safe to take both prozac and paxil together...is this true? I was planning on starting with half of dose of prozac (10 mg from 20 mg) and slowly reduce, as well as starting with half my dose of paxil (10mg...was 20mg) and either stay at this, or slowly add more depending on how i feel.

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

They are right about not taking them together because of the risk of serotonin syndrome, and we wouldn't recommend taking the full dose of both together but to gradually decrease one while increasing the other.  It is not recommended to be on both for more than 2 weeks.   If you read through the prozac bridge topic and do it in reverse so you are going back to paxil and off prozac.  

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1463-the-prozac-switch-or-bridging-with-prozac/

 

Congratulations for dealing with the doctor and getting the liquid, it will be much easier to taper. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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Alto, can you please review my plan to reinstate paxil?

 

Previous dose: 25mg CR paxil

 

As of April 20, 2015: stopped paxil and switched to 20 mg liquid Prozac

 

DID NOT WORK!

 

Reinstate paxil: will start liquid paxil low dose 5mg since I have not had it for 31 days now.

 

Day 1: paxil 5mg, prozac 9mg

 

Day 2: paxil 5mg, prozac 8mg

 

Day 3: paxil 5mg, prozac 7mg

 

Day 4: paxil 5mg, prozac 6mg

 

Day 5: paxil 5mg, prozac 5mg

 

Day 6: paxil 5mg, prozac 4mg

 

Day 7: paxil 5mg, prozac 3mg

 

Day 8: paxil 5mg, prozac 2mg

 

Day 9: paxil 5mg, prozac 1mg

 

Day 10: paxil 5mg

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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  • Administrator

That seems a good guess.

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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Thank you so much. I trust your judgment more than any dr or pharmacist!!! I pray this works out. ????

 

Just want to say thank you so much for all your hard work and devotion to helping complete strangers. It says a lot about you. You're a special soul...

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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Good luck Ladybug, I hope you'll feel much better.

2015 - started lithium 900 mg and 2 months later lamictal 100 mg. After stabilized introduced prozac on a low dose ( 10 mg).

2016 -  LIthium 450 mg/  lamictal (50 mg) - prozac 10mg

2018 - LIthium 450 mg/  lamictal (50 mg) - zoloft 25mg

2020- March - Lithium 300mg/ lamictal 100 mg/zoloft 25 mg - October - Zoloft increase to 50 mg Lithium 300mg/ lamictal 100 mg

2021 - February-  zoloft 50/lamictal 50/ litio 300

2022 - december - Zoloft 50/lamictal 100/ litio 600

2023 - March - lamictal 200/ litio 1200   June - Lamictal 175/ Litio 1200. August -  Lamictal 100mg/ Litio 1200 

October -  Seroquel 50 mg/   lamictal 87.5mg  Litio 1200mg/ December -  Seroquel 100 mg/lamictal 25mg/ lithium 1500mg  -

2024- January - Severe lamictal  withdrawal after quitting december 29th . Reinstated 12.5mg Lamictal.  February - Lamictal 14.5mg/ lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50mg  March - Lamictal 15 mg/lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50 mg  / March 19th - Lamictal 14.5 mg/lithium 1500mg/ seroquel 50 mg

 

 

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Thank you JohnJohn. Believe it or not, i actually had a better day today! I started the paxil yesterday. My body was screaming for it back, apparently. I'll stay on this dose for a while to settle my cns down, then start titrating.

 

How are things going with you? You were so kind to stay in touch with me and help guide me. I really appreciate it!

 

Tulip

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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Alto, i just switched back to paxil (from pill to liquid) and tapering off the prozac (the paxil to prozac didn't work).

 

This is my history:

 

Before April 20: 20mg paxil

 

After April 20: prozac 20mg

 

Didn't work

 

As of May 21: start liquid

Paxil 5mg

 

Titrating off

Prozac down 1

Mg per day

 

I felt t good yesterday, but today I'm very nervous, anxious with heart palpitations.

 

Do you think i should up my paxil? If so, what do you recommend?

 

Or should i ride this out and wait to stabilize?

 

Thanks,

Tulip

ADs for approx 20 yrs.

Klonopin .05mg 2009-2013 Last dose Aug 2013

APRIL 21, 2015: switched from Paxil cr 25mg (equiv to 20. mg regular paxil) to liquid Prozac 20 mg. Took prozac for 5 weeks. Didn't work.

MAY 21. 2015: switched back to Paxil - liquid 5mg for 1 week. Then upped to 7.5. Waiting to stabilize at this.

Tapered off prozac in 2 weeks.

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