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bintuae: Prozac to wean off Paxil


bintuae

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I'm taking 10mg Paxil I took 5mg before to which I experienced irritability, mood worsening and increased anxiety so im back to 10mg. My pdoc prescribed 20mg Prozac to take with 10mg Paxil for a month.  I know tho deep down that he wants me to take an ssri and stay on it (e.g Prozac) for I don't know how long. This is a new pdoc. The previous one doesn't even want me off Paxil for f sake! Anyway, my plan is 

 

Week 1: 10mg Paxil, 10mg Prozac

Week 2: 5mg Paxil,  10mg Prozac

Week 3: 0mg Paxil,  10mg Prozac 

then stay on Prozac for a month then taper slowly (10% each month) 

 

Would this work?? Please help!

 

P.s I've seen this post here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1463-the-prozac-switch-or-bridging-with-prozac/

 but im confused which method works best. 

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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  • Moderator

Hi bintuae-- welcome to the group, I think you got here Justin time.  What you are describing is often referred to as  the "Prozac Bridge", and more often than not it doesn't work.  ADs are not interchangeable and switching from one to another ends up causing WD problems from the first and startup problems from the second.  We recommend using the 10% taper every 4-6 week method because we have had the most success with it.  I have been using that method myself and it has been working very well.  There is a lot of good information in the Tapering Forum talking about this and other important topics.  It would be good to have a read through there.

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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  • Administrator

Welcome, bintuae.

 

I've moved your topic to the Introductions section as your Introductions topic, where you can track your progress and any questions you have about your particular situation.

 

Your plan is a good one for switching to Prozac. However, as Brassmonkey suggested, the switch carries its own risks. You might wish to try a direct taper off Paxil first, as described here Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

 

Do you fear your new psychiatrist will resist your tapering off Paxil?

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 for your replies. ughh I already purchased Prozac. My pdoc did not suggest the 10% reduction method instead he told me to alternate between 10mg and 5mg paxil for a week then 5mg for another week then stop. When I disagreed he suggested the Prozac method. If only I knew earlier..

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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Hi bintuae-- welcome to the group, I think you got here Justin time.  What you are describing is often referred to as  the "Prozac Bridge", and more often than not it doesn't work.  ADs are not interchangeable and switching from one to another ends up causing WD problems from the first and startup problems from the second.  We recommend using the 10% taper every 4-6 week method because we have had the most success with it.  I have been using that method myself and it has been working very well.  There is a lot of good information in the Tapering Forum talking about this and other important topics.  It would be good to have a read through there.

I'm curious how is your mood with 10% reduction? Have you experienced irritability at all? 

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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  • Moderator

Your pdoc probably doesn't know about the 10% tapering method, most of them don't know very much about side effects and quiting.

 

Irritability is one of the more common WD symptoms, pretty much everyone gets it.  When I was tapering at the higher doses it was very common for me to have it and I had to pay close attention to keep myself under control.  As I have gotten down into the lower doses it has resolved itself a lot.  I still have to watch for triggers and the anger spiral, but now I know what to do to disarm it before it becomes a problem.

 

My mood in general could change minute by minute for no reason at all, but that is all a part of getting off of these drugs.  Everyone is going to have most of the symptoms you read about and maybe even some you haven't heard of.  The whole point of the 10% taper is to minimize them so you can lead as normal a life as possible.  You're probably doing a lot of reading around the forum right now, as you do pay attention to peoples signatures.  You will find that the people who have fast tapered or CTed are having the toughest time, while those who are tapering slowly are having the least trouble.

 

Hope that helps.

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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Thank you brassmonkey. I really appreciate your input. Anyone knows how I can make liquid Paxil?  I'm taking 10mg and want to reduce by 1 or 2mg less. What ratio should water/med be? I'm very bad at math so im not sure how to measure or anything. 

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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  • Moderator

We have an entire thread on making your own liquid and how to use it.

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules 

 

There is a lot of good information in the Tapering Forum, you should take a look at it.

Edited by Altostrata
fixed link

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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  • 4 months later...

I suffer from mild social anxiety and was put on Paxil 5.5 years. During those years there were numerous unsuccessful attempts to quit. The last attempt I was on 20 mg a month, lowered to 10 a month and then 5 a month. I only felt very bad 2 weeks after the last pill (dizziness, irritability, rage, crying, increased anxiety). Now 2 months after these symptoms seem to have lessened but irritability, anger is still there. I told my clueless pdoc about the withdrawal symptoms and he told me that’s my original condition and that I needed the drug. Excuse me? No I’ve never been this way before. I only suffer from freaking SA. I really lost my temper that second and wanted to throw something at him. I also got upset when my cat peed on the floor that I went and hit him. Yes my cats are the victims here and my mom.

 

I noticed I have reduced tolerance to stress. I’m unemployed right now. I feel like I can’t hold a job. I don’t know when I’ll ever be able to. It’s like I’m living life with no meaning. I’ve no interest in anything not even music that I used to love. No boyfriend. Nothing.

 

Alto, I saw that you discontinued Paxil too how are you doing now?

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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Hi! I'm so sorry you were ever prescribed this hideous drug! and yes yes & YES anger, rage and intense irration are hallmarks of my too-fast tapering.  It's terrible and so socially unacceptable - I'm very embarrassed by it. Give me social anxiety any day - although I suspect having never had that at all I now have all sorts of special new diagnoses since speedy withdrawal :) However there is hope, I know it gets a bit better and one day there will be full recovery... I only get hours of peace presently but I know they are getting more frequent... slightly. 

 

Great to see you on the forum :)

 

Drug history

  • 20mg paxil in 2001 - 4 months use  
  • 20mg paxil in 2003 - 2 months use 
  • 20mg paxil in 2008 - 8 years continuous

Withdrawal history:

  • March 2014 - disastrous alternate day taper
  • Jan 2015 - 15mg to 10mg. Disaster
  • Sept 2015 -  10mg to 5mg. Disaster. Reinstated to 6mg. Relief
  • Oct 2015 - started slow 10% taper 
  • Oct 2016 - at 4mg- stop taking paxil (not recommended)

 

I'm not a medical professional. Seek advice from a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • Moderator

Hi Bentuae--welcome to the group, I'm so glad you've found us.  I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling so badly.  Thank you for adding a signature block it makes it so much easier to see what is going on.  And I can see that you have come off of an insanely high dose way too fast.  That is enough to trigger the anger you are having trouble with.  As Molly pointed out anger is a very common symptom of WD, I've been dealing with anger issues for a long time and will write again later about working with them.  For right now there are several threads that it would be good for you to read:

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

 

That should get you going with out overloading you with information.  Remember, you have control of the anger, not the anger in control of you.

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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Thank you MollyN and brassmonkey. I'm glad to have found this site. I appreciate whoever established it. :)

 

MollyN are you still tapering? my heart goes out to you. Hope you have an easy time coming off. 

 

Yes you're right brassmonkey I tapered too fast. I couldn't wait to get this damn drug out of my system since it stopped working for me. Do you think its better to reinstate at 1 mg now after 2 months off? I'm not lying on the floor screaming in pain like some other people. There are no physical symptoms at all. thank goodness. but the anger is unbearable.  I'm now avoiding the triggers which for me are stupid people including pdoc, my cats and any stressful situation. 

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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Hi Bintuae,

 

The psychological symptoms that you describe can be just as intense , as the purely physical.  It still all comes from withdrawal, and is just as hard to deal with. Given, that it's only been 2 months, if it was me, I would try reinstating at a small dose . You are lucky that you have the option , and it could make all the difference to your recovery .

 

Ali

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi bintuae , welcome to the site.  

After 5.5 years , your brain has become used to Paxil. so you're a contender for a horrible withdrawal.

Two months after stopping , you have an excellent chance that reinstating 1mg will take the edge off your symptoms.

 

Although you're "not lying on the floor screaming in pain" , quite frankly , you may be in another month or two , or

in 6 months time.  

Symptoms of withdrawal can continue to develop for up to 12 months , so the decisions you make now have a

significant impact on your course moving forward from here.  Some people would give anything to have the

opportunity to reinstate and taper slowly off in a safe manner.

 

Do you have any questions about the links that Brassmonkey posted?

It's good that you recognize your irritability and are steering clear of triggers.

Please try not to hurt your cat . . . punch a pillow if you need to.

 

Best wishes ,  Fresh

If you click FOLLOW at the top right , you'll receive an email each time someone posts.

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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Hi bintuae , welcome to the site.  

After 5.5 years , your brain has become used to Paxil. so you're a contender for a horrible withdrawal.

Two months after stopping , you have an excellent chance that reinstating 1mg will take the edge off your symptoms.

 

Although you're "not lying on the floor screaming in pain" , quite frankly , you may be in another month or two , or

in 6 months time.  

Symptoms of withdrawal can continue to develop for up to 12 months , so the decisions you make now have a

significant impact on your course moving forward from here.  Some people would give anything to have the

opportunity to reinstate and taper slowly off in a safe manner.

 

Do you have any questions about the links that Brassmonkey posted?

It's good that you recognize your irritability and are steering clear of triggers.

Please try not to hurt your cat . . . punch a pillow if you need to.

 

Best wishes ,  Fresh

If you click FOLLOW at the top right , you'll receive an email each time someone posts.

I'm hesitant to try reinstating. I'm afraid it may make matters worse. I'm thinking if I did I will stabilize 1 mg for 2 or 3 months and then taper off slowly. 

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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Hi :D  you are an absolute darling to be compassionate towards me when you are in the midst of your own nightmare xxx  Ok, so I tapered from 10 to 5mg DISASTER!! It's absolutely vital to take the below 10mg taper really slowly.

 

After getting great advice on here, I updosed back up by 1mg to 6mg and almost instantly - as in within 2/3 hours, the constant rage/then later crying had lifted to a far more manageable (still grim!!) level. Honestly I wouldn't have believed that tiny amount could make such a significant difference - but of course it did.

 

Here's a little example of the rage.. so we got home late the other night and our neighbours down our shared driveway had friends over who had parked up the driveway meaning we couldn't park in our garage. .... my husband  being a reasonable (if feisty italian.australian) just backed back out and parked on the road. I saw red and stormed up to their door banging away on it to demand the immediate removal of the cars.

 

LOL after bashing away for 5 whole minutes, no one came to the door (must have been having a party at the other side of the house) so I used up some of my angry energy on the door and had to slink away with no 'success'. LOL I must have looked like a maniac!  They are chinese and had all their shoes outside the door........   .... I did consider tossing them on top of the cars, but happily sanity did prevail :D

 

(oh and this example is at the 6mg - at the 5mg dose after drop from 10mg, I'm more likely to have fed the shoes through a blender and used a sharp implement to write 'move your f*** ing cars' in the paint work') ... actually I can't be sure I'd do anything illegal, but honestly I couldn't be certain :)

 

Drug history

  • 20mg paxil in 2001 - 4 months use  
  • 20mg paxil in 2003 - 2 months use 
  • 20mg paxil in 2008 - 8 years continuous

Withdrawal history:

  • March 2014 - disastrous alternate day taper
  • Jan 2015 - 15mg to 10mg. Disaster
  • Sept 2015 -  10mg to 5mg. Disaster. Reinstated to 6mg. Relief
  • Oct 2015 - started slow 10% taper 
  • Oct 2016 - at 4mg- stop taking paxil (not recommended)

 

I'm not a medical professional. Seek advice from a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • Moderator

Hi Bintuae--  It's not a matter of getting the drugs out of your system.  Paxil works by making physical changes to the brain that require the presence of Paxil to keep working.  Take the paxil away and the brain doesn't know how to work anymore.  If you remove the paxil very slowly the brain says "hey that's not nice", but continues to function as best as it can and reverses some of the changes to compensate for the loss of the little bit of paxil.  Over time it slowly re-adapts to not having the drugs.  If the WD symptoms are "unbearable" then trying a small reinstatement of say 1-2 mg could give you some relief.  But there is the chance that it will upset things further.  Read through the link I gave you on reinstatement and see what you think.

 

I originally was put on Paxil for irrational outbursts of violent anger.  It saved my marriage, and probably kept me out of jail and saved my life.  Once the drugs calmed things down I had to learn to handle things the proper way.  By observing how I would react to thing I learned to defuse the situation before it got out of control.  Every situation started with a trigger, something that upset me.  I would then think about it and escalate it in my mind making it seen much worse than it was.  Then I would add in bits of every other encounter I ever had and it would build up until I exploded.  

 

Anger is an emotion and by paying attention to those triggers and the thinking that followed I was able to learn to stop the "anger spiral" before it got a foothold.  As soon as I realized that I was starting the familiar pattern I would stop everything I was doing and say to myself "that's enough of that, we don't need to go there" and forcible make myself think of something else, or in some cases just turn and walk away. Once the anger had dissipated I could think about the situation more rationally and move past it, or work out a solution.  Anger takes a huge amount of energy and it quite draining.  Being able to take control of it made me feel better physically and mentally. 

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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MollyN tapering off from 10mg to 5mg was the hardest for me. Though when I did it the second time I somehow managed to with symptoms slightly less severe than the first time. 

lol I imagine if I were in that situation I'll do the exact same thing. 

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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brassmonkey thank you for your wise words. Those links are of huge help. I kept reading through them multiple times. I will give reinstating a try and will report back :) 

btw currently I have 20mg pills left how can I make it liquid form and take 1mg? sorry I'm horrible at math. 

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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  • Moderator

Hi Bintuae-- it seems that we have a link for everything:

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

Another popular way to reduce is to use a jewelers scale and cut up the tablets.  That's the method I've been using quite successfully.

 

Using a digital scale to measure doses

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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  • 3 months later...

Hi Bin,

 

How is your Prozac switching going?

Hope you are better and the switch is smooth.

 

Lex

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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  • 4 months later...

Since I've been off all meds, I've been experiencing disinterest in everything such as, music, sex, hobbies, work, friends. only lately that I realized there's a term for it, anhedonia. When I told my doc about it, he said I may have depression or bipolar (for real, dumbass?). Mind you, I've never experienced anhedonia ever before. NEVER. My diagnosis is only moderate social anxiety. I refused to go back on meds and have decided to endure WD. Unfortunately however, my mood was getting a lot worse. I kept being angry most of the time for silly reasons and I couldn't stand it no more.

 

I'm now on another med for mood disorders called Lamictal. It doesn't require a prescription which is good so I don't have to go and pay for a useless dumb doc. This med surprisingly works some on anxiety but not so much on other aspects esp not on anhedonia. Its effect is very subtle. Given that I have only mod SA, doc keeps telling me that I don't need meds. The thing that he doesn't get is that I couldn't be without one because I got dependent. I don't know how to convince him that there's something called protracted WD. It's driving me INSANE.

 

P.S I searched google for AD withdrawal and anhedonia and I didn't find any resources talking about this issue except for this website (most talk about alcohol, cocaine, etc just not ADs). 

I want to show him multiple resources related to AD WD including this one http://psurvivors.livejournal.com/34153.html

I know tho he won't like it as it'd look like I know better than him. Being a girl and discussing SD makes me feel embarrassed. tho I told him about it before.

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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  • Administrator

bintuae, here's your Intro topic.

 

What happened to you drug-wise since November 2015? What drugs and dosages are you taking now?

 

Yes, emotional anesthesia and demotivation can be part of withdrawal syndrome. However, Lamictal can be deadening, too.

 

It's unlikely you're going to convince your doc of anything. See our Journals forum for the many papers about withdrawal syndrome and symptoms, including "anhedonia" etc.

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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bintuae, here's your Intro topic.

 

What happened to you drug-wise since November 2015? What drugs and dosages are you taking now?

 

Yes, emotional anesthesia and demotivation can be part of withdrawal syndrome. However, Lamictal can be deadening, too.

 

It's unlikely you're going to convince your doc of anything. See our Journals forum for the many papers about withdrawal syndrome and symptoms, including "anhedonia" etc.

 

As seen in my signature, I was off Paxil in Nov 2015 and was suffering horrific WD symptoms. I'm now only taking Lamictal at 200mg. I'd like something to treat anhedonia. You have any suggestions? 

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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  • Administrator

If you had checked in with us, we would have told you not to taper by skipping doses of Prozac.

 

Has the Lamictal helped you? What symptoms did it decrease (if it helped)?

 

As for the emotional anesthesia, you'll have to let your nervous system settle down. Although the Lamictal may be somewhat of a bandage for the withdrawal symptoms, you may still be recovering from antidepressant withdrawal symptoms.

 

As I noted up above, Lamictal itself may be adding to the sense of emotional anesthesia. I don't know of any pill you can take for it, pharmaceutical or otherwise.

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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bintuae have you started back on prozac if so how long and does it seem to be helping?

1995 - 2015 antidepressants and antianxiety medicine
Multiple failed attempts to quit/taper anti d/anti anxiety meds since 2008

June 17, 2016 began prozac bridge to get off of effexor xr, stopped effexor xr on June 24, 2016, could not tolerate prozac due to severe side effects so I had to stop it  Currently...300 mg ER of lithium, 1 mg of estradiol, 60 mg propranolol ER, Fish oil 2 x a day, Magnesium Glycinate,  zinc, vitamin c, vitamin d, NAC

 

 

 

 

 

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Altostrata - Lamictal has helped resolve mood swings the most but not so much other aspects. Waking up in the morning I feel angry but once I take it, my mood turns great in seconds. Also, it seems to help lessen anxiety somewhat. I just wish it treats emotional anesthesia.

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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bintuae have you started back on prozac if so how long and does it seem to be helping?

I haven't. I don't desire going back on Prozac. When I was on it, it made me more energetic but at same time more anxious.

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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I understand...glad the lamictal is helping you

1995 - 2015 antidepressants and antianxiety medicine
Multiple failed attempts to quit/taper anti d/anti anxiety meds since 2008

June 17, 2016 began prozac bridge to get off of effexor xr, stopped effexor xr on June 24, 2016, could not tolerate prozac due to severe side effects so I had to stop it  Currently...300 mg ER of lithium, 1 mg of estradiol, 60 mg propranolol ER, Fish oil 2 x a day, Magnesium Glycinate,  zinc, vitamin c, vitamin d, NAC

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Administrator

How are you sleeping? What do you mean by mood swings?

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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My sleep isn't bad. Mood swings means my mood would fluctuate like sometimes I feel sad and cry for no reason. Sometimes I feel happy, but most times I feel extremely angry and that is for silly reasons. I don't have bipolar or depression like my doc claims I do. All these are caused by WD.

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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Btw do you think it'd help if I let my doc see this website? I just want him to understand that its a serious issue and that others suffer too.

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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and oh I wonder something. For those who have tapered off their meds very slowly and now been off for many years, do you still experience any lingering WD symptoms? If not, do you feel you've gone back to old self?

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I showed this site to my doctor, who seemed interested and actually book-marked it on her work computer.  I figured she wouldn't read much, so I directed her to the Reducing by 10% page.  Recently when she left town, she invited me in for a hand-over to a new doctor and before I got there she'd showed the new doctor that page, and explained my self-guided tapering schedule.  I was quite impressed.

 

However, not all doctors will react the same.  You will need to gauge the best approach for your situation. 

2010  Fluoxetine 20mg.  2011  Escitalopram 20mg.  2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS.  Effexor 150mg. 

2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants.  Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. 

Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms).

8 month hold.

2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent).

2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well.
Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea.

2023 Now on 7 micro-beads of Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops.

 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.'  Dr Gabor Mate.

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Thank you KarenB. I hope my doc will react the same way. 

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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I showed this website to my doc including the articles in it. What did he say? He said people who've had WD symptoms go on for so long (more than 2 weeks basically) are all actually experiencing relapse, that its not the fault of the meds. No comment.

2009-2014= Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25 then 50mg. // Late 2014= reduced to 25mg then switched to regular Paxil 20mg.

July 2015= 10mg // Aug 2015= 5mg // Sep 26, 2015= Paxil free // Oct 2015= minimal WD- glimpse of pre-Paxil self // Nov 2015= WD hit HARD. Increased anxiety, irritability, depression, extreme confusion, concentration problems, intolerance to stress. // Dec 2015= reinstated 5mg // Jan 2016= switched to Prozac 20mg every other day. // Feb 2016= Prozac 20mg every third day // Mar 2016= Prozac free // April 2016= WD symptoms started gradually (anger, anxiety, memory problems). Started taking Lamictal 25mg.  

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