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Africa: Pins and needles as well as numbness in my toes, feet, arms and hands


Africa

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Hi Brassmonkey

 

Thank you so much for your advice. I went to see my new GP today just so that I can have someone who understands what I might be going through and if at any stage I might need to see him. He was very nice but firstly said he had never heard of this happening to anyone before. He then went on to say that it's my anxiety causing these symptoms because of too much adrenaline in my system and gave me a prescription for a beta blocker called Propranolol (10mg 3x  a day). He said that only once I've been on this for 3 weeks I could start to taper again. I really don't want to take this medication as I just don't want to take any more medications. Although he didn't make me feel stupid, I could see that he had no idea what the Paroxetine has done to me and was clearly slightly confused.

 

I would rather go very slowly and hold my tapers for as long as it takes. Do you have any suggestions at what percentage I should drop. Do you think 5% may be okay or do you think I should rather do a smaller cut? The only symptoms I really have now are pins and needles in my feet, an odd feeling on my forehead and I get a rash when I get into a warm shower and bath.

 

You have done so well with you tapering. I really hope I can have the courage and strength to get to where you are eventually.

 

Take care

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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Hi Africa--  yea I'd be careful with the new drug.  Some people here have had good luck with it while others have had big trouble.  Sticking with the devil you know is usually the best bet.  We usually recommend 10% of your current dose as a starting place and then see how you react to it.  Many people have good luck with 5%.  The 7.5mgs that you're taking puts you well into the trickier lower doses where it is best to go a little at a time.  Do you have a scale to measure your dose? Accuracy at the lower doses is critical. 

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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Africa,

 

Are the pins and needles constant?  Have they improved at all?  I have pins and needles in my feet as well.

 

Victoria

Have been on and off of Lexapro several times. Never had trouble weaning.  Always did it by 10%. 

Was on no medication from Sept 2013 to July 2015

Started taking Lexapro in August 2015

In January 2016 I started to taper from Lexapro. Went from 10mg to 7.5. Stood there for 2 weeks when withdrawal symptoms began.  Went back up to 10mg.

Feb 2016 Still experiencing withdrawal symtoms. Head pressure, elictrical current feeling in head, numbness and tingling in hands and feet.

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Hi Brassmonkey

I agree with you and have already decided that I'm not going to take the Propranolol. I have a digital scale that I weigh my tablets on and use a pill cutter and blade to try and get my accurate doses. The tablets never seem to weigh the same but I do try and get them as accurate as possible. Because I am so sensitive to medication, I really don't want to convert to using the liquid Paroxetine just yet. I think it might be better for me to do the 5% taper and hold that for 6 weeks. The start of my W\D only began 10 months in, so that's still making me slightly nervous. I'm hoping that the horrible symptoms that I had will not get any worse along this journey. I was thinking of starting my taper again the beginning of March as that would then have given me a good 12 weeks to have stabilised on 7.5mg.

 

Thank you for your help and support.

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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Hi Victoria

 

Sorry, I never saw your message until this morning. Yes, I still have the pins and needles in my feet and they haven't really improved too much. How long have you had them for and have you still got them in your hands?  Because this is constantly there for me it makes me anxious about tapering. How are you doing?

 

Take care

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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I was on 10mg of Lexapro and went down to 7.5mg for two weeks and started feeling yucky and then went back up to 10mg. The pins and needles and numbness started when I updosed.  They come and go and I sometimes get numbness in my hands too. It's mostly in my feet and comes and goes. It's not there constantly.  Is it there constantly for you or does it come and go?

Have been on and off of Lexapro several times. Never had trouble weaning.  Always did it by 10%. 

Was on no medication from Sept 2013 to July 2015

Started taking Lexapro in August 2015

In January 2016 I started to taper from Lexapro. Went from 10mg to 7.5. Stood there for 2 weeks when withdrawal symptoms began.  Went back up to 10mg.

Feb 2016 Still experiencing withdrawal symtoms. Head pressure, elictrical current feeling in head, numbness and tingling in hands and feet.

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Hi Victoria, unfortunately the pins and needles in my toes and feet have stayed but they are definitely not as bad as when it first started. The tingling and pins and needles in my fingers and hands went away after a few weeks. I updosed to 7.5mg after dropping to 5mg four times a week and 7.5mg three times a week. I have been on Paroxetine/Paxil for 8 years. I'm sure yours will start to feel better with time. How are you doing now?

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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I am having the occasional twinge in my feet today and some numbness but not awfully bad.  I have head pressure that really bothers me but at this point I think the head pressure might be from anxiety. It's sometimes hard to tell the difference between withdrawal and anxiety symptoms for me.

Have been on and off of Lexapro several times. Never had trouble weaning.  Always did it by 10%. 

Was on no medication from Sept 2013 to July 2015

Started taking Lexapro in August 2015

In January 2016 I started to taper from Lexapro. Went from 10mg to 7.5. Stood there for 2 weeks when withdrawal symptoms began.  Went back up to 10mg.

Feb 2016 Still experiencing withdrawal symtoms. Head pressure, elictrical current feeling in head, numbness and tingling in hands and feet.

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Hi Victoria, the people on this site are incredibly helpful and very knowledgeable about tapering your medications. I have had lots of very helpful advice and support in the last few months. Please keep us updated and all the best.

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi everyone, I am feeling really despondent this week. I was meant to start my tapering again the beginning of March as it has been almost 3 months since I reinstated up to 7.5mg paroxetine.

 

My feet were feeling so much better 2 weeks ago and I had very little paraesthesia expect for that irritating pulling/numbness on my forehead. Over this past week I have found the needling in my feet and toes so much worse and all my toes feel like they are burning. I also have some more needling randomly around my body but still not as much as before.

 

I did have a horrible cold virus for 3 weeks and developed a lower grade asthma which I have never had in my life. I have been given a steroid inhaler and am on a very low dose 2x a day and only on puff (Qvar 100 micrograms) and have now been using this for a week. Could this be making my symptoms worse or could this just possibly be a wave I am experiencing?

 

I have an appointment with the psychiatrist on the 22 March to discuss my situation. He is apparently one of the best in the South West England and has extensive involvement with the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Because of my neurological problems I thought it would be a good idea to see what he thinks.

 

I've also spent hours trying to work out a tapering schedule for myself and know that I will have to go really slowly and hold for longer but at the same time I know that even with a long taper there could still be  protracted W/D, so it's just trying to get the balance right.

 

I also wondered whether anyone in the UK may give me some advice on what they use to help with vertigo/dizziness? I was given Prochlorperazine but I am petrified of taking any medication now. I also read the insert and it can make you drowsy which is no good for me as I have 3 children.

 

Do you think it would be okay to make a 5% cut now and hold for a while? I thought of going from 7.5mg to 7.2mg and staying at that amount for about 8 weeks just to test the waters.

 

Thanks so much

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Africa , put the inhaler med. into the Interaction Checker at www.drugs.com along with Paxil.

It's interesting that you've been taking it for a week , and the paresthesia has been worse

in the last week.

 

I'd hold off on decreasing until your symptoms have settled.

 

From drugs.com interaction checker:

 

Interaction between your selected drugs:

Moderate

prochlorperazine paroxetine

Applies to: prochlorperazine, Paxil (paroxetine)

 

Using prochlorperazine together with PARoxetine may increase some of the side effects of prochlorperazine. This includes tremor (uncontrolled shaking), trouble walking, drooling, and restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck. Talk with your doctor before using these medications together. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take both medications

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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Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Fresh!

 

I specifically asked the nurse if this medication would interfere with Paroxetine and she said it wouldn't. It clearly says it does and this goes to show that I really need to check these things myself or ask on the SA site first.

 

Thank you so much for telling me about the interaction checker as I didn't know about it.

 

You're right, and I will hold for a while longer now and hopefully my symptoms will start getting a bit better.

 

Thank you so much again. I really appreciate your advice.

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Most happy to be of service :).

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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Hiya Africa,

 

How's it going? Sorry it has taken me so long to respond, the last few weeks have been pretty challenging but I think I'm back on track now. Valentines was pretty uneventful for me this year, hopefully I'll have something to do on Feb 14th in future years! 

 

I'm hoping your feet have improved since last week and the burning in your toes has stopped. Are you still using the inhaler? Sounds like the cold virus you had might have caused some disruption in your airways. I had a chest infection for three months once and it left my lungs feeling wheezy for a couple of years. Well, the fact I used to smoke at the time can't have helped either :)

 

I totally understand your hesitance to resume with your taper given that you are still experiencing some symptoms. I'm really glad that for the most part your symptoms are massively reduced from what they were a few months back, that's great news and puts you in good stead for your future reductions. Professor Healy is correct in that withdrawal symptoms can present themselves even with a slow taper but don't let that put you off. By tapering at a really slow rate the severity of any withdrawal symptoms you experience will be massively reduced from what you would have experienced by going faster. Once you've got a few reductions behind you it'll give you the confidence to move on. 

 

You mentioned that you had spent hours putting together a taper schedule but I would recommend that you avoid putting any schedule on your taper and just take it one reduction at a time. Reduce by whatever you decide to reduce by, say 5 or 10%, and then wait and see what happens. After a few weeks you will notice if there is any change in your withdrawal symptoms and you can then make a call on how long you want to wait until your next dose reduction. If after 4-6 weeks you don't notice any considerable difference in your symptoms then you might decide to reduce again. If, on the other hand, you suffer with some withdrawal symptoms you might decide to hold for longer before making any further reduction and you may even decide to reduce the percentage dose reduction to further minimise the impact it has on you.

 

As far as your blood pressure goes, the blood pressure readings you took don't even really fall into the pre-hypertension category. There is an effect called "white coat syndrome" that causes our blood pressure to spike whenever we have our blood pressure taken in a medical setting. Our blood pressures are not fixed and they fluctuate throughout the day in response to what we're doing and what is going on around us so it's perfectly natural for it to change as it did when you were in the GP surgery. Read more about it here:-

 

http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Medicaltests/Whitecoateffect

 

You said in early withdrawal you had a fright feeling in your chest. Was that like a flutter sensation in the middle of your chest? I'm wondering if you're referring to something that I experienced during my Citalopram withdrawal.

 

As far as withdrawal affecting the heart, yeah it can have all sorts of affects on the heart and I think these are mostly due to our autonomic nervous system being disrupted. Again, the good news here is that by adhering to a slow taper these kind of effects can be minimised to the point where they will not bother you.

 

I'm really glad you decided not to throw propranolol into the mix. As you quite rightly said, it'd be a shame to throw more drugs into your system at this point.

 

You mentioned that your tablets all seem to weigh different weights. The weight of individual tablets do vary slightly so the best thing to do is get the average weight of a bunch of tablets. Take say 10 or 20 tablets and weigh them and then divide the weight by either 10 or 20 (depending on many you chose to weigh) in order to find the average weight of a tablet. Then all you need to do is use this average weight in your calculations, and you can safely ignore the weight of the individual tablets from then on, for a given batch. It's best to calculate an average tablet weight for each new batch that you get just in case they decide to alter the composition of the tablets or in case you change tablet manufacturer.

 

Wishing you all the best for your continued taper, whatever you decide to do in terms of dose reduction percentage!!

 

Cheers

Funky

A convenient link to my introduction post

 

2003 Paroxetine (20mg I think) daily for 5 months due to extreme anxiety before final exams and stopped cold turkey. From 2003 onwards I have suffered with extreme anxiety, akathisia, severe muscle tension & digestive problems whenever off I'm off anti-depressants.

2007 Clonazepam (unsure of dose) - took approximately 100 tablets to try and self medicate for anxiety.

2007-09 Amitryptyline 10mg - was advised to take this "as and when needed" for anxiety.

April/May 2011 Diazepam 2mg - 2 week course followed by complete inability to sleep upon finishing so started Citalopram 40mg and I was able to sleep again.

Mid 2012 Diazepam 10mg - took approximately 100 tablets.

Mid 2012 Started Citalopram taper - 5mg reductions every month or two, severe withdrawal symptoms throughout taper.

Apr 2013 Completely off Citalopram and continued to have severe withdrawal.

Oct 2013 Completely fell to pieces mentally and alongside had a whole host of debilitating physical symptoms too. I went to the doctors who performed whole batteries of tests but had no idea what was wrong with me. They tried me on Sertraline and Amitryptyline to which I had terrible reactions which made symptoms worse. Eventually got put on Nortryptyline 25mg, which I tolerated and over 3 months withdrawal symptoms started to abate.

Mid 2014 discovered survivingantidepressants.org and hallelujah! I knew what was wrong with me - slow taper FTW!

Late 2014 & 2015 Reduced Nortryptyline 22.5mg & 20mg respectively in November & December of 2014. In 2015 Tapered Nortryptyline from 20mg to 10 mg in 2mg increments. Withdrawal symptoms with each dose reduction are debilitating but in a much different way to Citalopram.

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Hi Funky

 

Thank you so much for all the time you take to give me advice, encouragement and reassurance. It means so much to me and I really appreciate it.

 

Yesterday was the first day in a month that I actually felt like my cough was better and I've stopped using the steroid inhaler. The nurse did say I could stop it if I thought my breathing was fine. I do feel a bit wheezy every now and then and just keep the ventolin inhaler with me if I need to use it. It does make me feel a bit shaky so I only use it if I really need to.

 

My feet were worse for about 10 days but slowly the burning and tingling has eased a bit. It's never not there but I'm almost use to it now.

 

Thank you for sending me the link about the white coat effect. I've actually stopped having my BP checked now because I just get myself so worked up before that it's just not worth it. Yes, it's like a type of flutter in my chest that I felt sometimes. It's almost like I got a big fright kind of feeling. I've also recently had an ECG which was normal.

 

Thank you so much for your advice on the weights of the pills. I've worked out an average weight and this works much better and saves a lot of time as well. I've decided to taper by 5% of the 7.5mg the beginning of April. That would actually make it 4 months after my reinstatement. You're absolutely right about the tapering schedule and I will just see how each reduction goes and take it slowly.. For me a schedule might be too pressurising and I just need to go by how my symptoms are.

 

I hope you are doing well and have a great weekend!

 

Thank you so much again.

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi everyone, it's been the most emotional year of my life but without SA and all the wonderful members and moderators I would not have managed to get to where I am now. You have all been so supportive and encouraging and I am so grateful to be part of this forum.

 

It's been 3 and a half months since all the neurological WD symptoms first started and most have them have subsided. I still have prickly feet, a pushing weird feeling on my forehead as well as muscles aches and needling every now and then. I'm definitely more anxious and can get stressed/impatient very quickly but I am trying to control this as much as I can.

 

Today I have decided to start my next reduction and will drop my Paroxetine from  7.5mg to 7.1mg. It's slightly over a 5% taper but it just makes it easier for me rounding off the numbers. I saw a psychiatrist this week who was so lovely and also encouraged me to go as slowly as I needed. He was very aware of how difficult Paroxetine is to come off and it's WD symptoms.  

 

I have to honest and say that I am petrified to reduce any further and am so scared of what symptoms may appear. The symptoms are what makes me the most anxious and the fear of what I went through in the beginning of the year still overwhelms me.

 

Thanks

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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Hey Africa,

 

Hooray!!

 

It's great to hear that you're in a place where your symptoms are improved enough to continue your taper!

 

Wishing you the best of good luck with the drop. 5% is a nice conservative amount for you to test the waters with your first reduction.

 

I'm cheering for you, you can do it!

 

**hugs**

 

Funky

A convenient link to my introduction post

 

2003 Paroxetine (20mg I think) daily for 5 months due to extreme anxiety before final exams and stopped cold turkey. From 2003 onwards I have suffered with extreme anxiety, akathisia, severe muscle tension & digestive problems whenever off I'm off anti-depressants.

2007 Clonazepam (unsure of dose) - took approximately 100 tablets to try and self medicate for anxiety.

2007-09 Amitryptyline 10mg - was advised to take this "as and when needed" for anxiety.

April/May 2011 Diazepam 2mg - 2 week course followed by complete inability to sleep upon finishing so started Citalopram 40mg and I was able to sleep again.

Mid 2012 Diazepam 10mg - took approximately 100 tablets.

Mid 2012 Started Citalopram taper - 5mg reductions every month or two, severe withdrawal symptoms throughout taper.

Apr 2013 Completely off Citalopram and continued to have severe withdrawal.

Oct 2013 Completely fell to pieces mentally and alongside had a whole host of debilitating physical symptoms too. I went to the doctors who performed whole batteries of tests but had no idea what was wrong with me. They tried me on Sertraline and Amitryptyline to which I had terrible reactions which made symptoms worse. Eventually got put on Nortryptyline 25mg, which I tolerated and over 3 months withdrawal symptoms started to abate.

Mid 2014 discovered survivingantidepressants.org and hallelujah! I knew what was wrong with me - slow taper FTW!

Late 2014 & 2015 Reduced Nortryptyline 22.5mg & 20mg respectively in November & December of 2014. In 2015 Tapered Nortryptyline from 20mg to 10 mg in 2mg increments. Withdrawal symptoms with each dose reduction are debilitating but in a much different way to Citalopram.

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Hi Funky

 

You have been so amazing from the start and I can't thank you enough for your support, advice and encouragement.

 

Thank you so much for everything!

 

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

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • 3 weeks later...

Just an update on my progress (reduced by only 0.4mg)

 

I have been on 7.1mg Paroxetine for nearly 3 weeks now and have been doing okay. The first week I developed the welts all over my body and I'm still getting them on my face. I also had pressure urticaria and woke up with marks everywhere especially on my arms. This seems to have settled in the last week. A week into my small reduction, on only one day, I felt as though my heart did a little jump. My pins and needles are no worse and the pressure on my forehead still seems to come and go.

 

When I went to see the NHS neurologist he agreed that this was all Paroxetine withdrawal but booked me in to have a 24 hour heart monitor fitted to check for any problems. I had it taken off this morning but now I am in such a panic again about what they might find, While I was wearing the monitor I didn't feel any palps or skipped beats but my crazy head is saying they will find something wrong. Apparently I will get a letter in about a month with my results. I just want this all to be over as I'm constantly frightened and worried and  just can't enjoy life. All I can think about now is my heart which I know is all down to my health anxiety and was bought on by my W/D symptoms.

 

I won't do another reduction for the next few weeks to really give my body time to adjust.

 

Take care

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Africa, I would imagine if they found anything truly alarming they would get in touch with you sooner than by a letter a month out!  Our doctors do a similar thing here with PAP and mammogram results.  If you don't hear anything right away, that's a good sign.  Then the letter arrives saying as much.

 

I've seen so many stories here on SA of people having the testing done up one side and down the other for the various withdrawal symptoms, including heart stuff, and every one of them said "the tests were normal."  Not to say that you shouldn't be checked out anyway, but that withdrawal seems to be the cause and that tests come out normal.  Hopefully that will help you relax a little!

 

Meanwhile, visit the Symptoms and Self-Care forum for tips on managing the secondary fear that comes from this health anxiety.  Withdrawal does cause this phenomenon of fear from the symptoms, but you can defeat withdrawal's trickery by becoming aware of when you are engaging in those troubling thoughts and saying to yourself, "Aw, there's WD playing tricks with me again, but I'm not going to play!"  Acknowledge, Accept and Float is pretty much what it is about.

 

I stumbled across this post by GiaK (Monica Cassini of BeyondMeds.com), really great!

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5213-fear-terror-panic-and-anxiety/?p=66947

 

SG

Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac.  Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002
Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history.  Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots!
Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off.  Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep.

June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened!  Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015.

Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month.

12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 

Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18:  2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor

 

My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679

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

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Hi SquirrellyGirl

 

Thank you for your reassurance and I already feel more relaxed! I have had so many medical tests done this year and they have all come back normal so far but it just feels like there is always a new symptom to worry about. My fear turns to terror and I just end up spiralling. I've had an ECG in the doctors rooms just a few weeks ago which was normal but the neurologist wants to cover everything and wanted me to have one for 24 hours. I know it's the W/D but it can be so scary and you start thinking it's something permanent.

 

I knew this would be difficult SG but I never thought that I would struggle so much and be this anxious. I think I've always worried about my health but it's never been this extreme before. I do think the day that I started with all the neurological symptoms and the weeks following scared me so much that I may have some type of PTSD.

 

Thank you so much for the link and I will read through them all tonight which I'm sure will be helpful. " Acknowledge, Accept and Float is going to be stuck in my head now and I will also try and remember that it's W/D playing tricks.

 

Thank you again for all your advice and support. It helps so much.

 

Take care

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

The health anxiety is itself a withdrawal symptom, Africa!  I've been referencing a friend's story a lot lately, but I met this friend here on SA when she was at about 12 months out from a too fast taper.  She had health anxiety to the extreme, and after awhile I even began to think maybe she was a hypochondriac for real.  But then, at month 16, she entered a window where all that anxiety DISAPPEARED!  We used to call each other and support each other through the hard spells.  Well, I couldn't believe the transformation!  This sealed it for me, that it truly was a withdrawal symptom, and when she was in a real window it went away!

 

So, hang in there and do your best to manage the anxiety, but also don't judge yourself because as you said, it was never like this before!  It's neuro anxiety!

 

Hugs to you!

SG

Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac.  Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002
Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history.  Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots!
Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off.  Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep.

June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened!  Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015.

Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month.

12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 

Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18:  2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor

 

My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679

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

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Thank you so much for making me feel better about myself SquirrellyGirl. I didn't realise that health anxiety was a W/D symptom and I started to also think I was just being weak and ridiculous. It's amazing how this can make you lose all confidence in yourself.

 

I don't speak to any family members about the way I am feeling (they just don't get it) so I really do cherish the friends I have met here on SA and all the support I have had.

 

Thank you so very much. It means so much to me.

 

HUGS

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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Hey Africa,

 

Ah ha! so there we have it, SG has confirmed Health Anxiety as being ANOTHER WD symptom - whoopee doo!!!!

 

I will sleep well tonight me thinks  :)

 

Been thinking of you, and I know it will all turn out A-OK.

 

We're all rooting for you!

 

HUGS

 

JC xx

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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Hi JC

 

Thank you so much my friend! You have been so kind and comforting.

 

We can do this!

 

I'm thinking of you too.

 

HUGS

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

Link to comment

Yes we can and we will my friend!

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey, I'm glad I could make a difference here (I think I sent you both the same information!).  

 

I'm putting a link to a thread about health anxiety, and Alto put a note at the top that bears reading.  If anxiety has always been your thing before and during meds, then withdrawal will make that much worse, but it is still a core part of you that will need addressing with therapy of some type.  If you weren't like this before or during meds, then it really is a withdrawal symptom, and a lot of times therapy doesn't seem to crack it.  You still need to try to Acknowledge/Accept/Float or some other method to help ease your angst, because playing into the anxious thinking, fighting it and getting worked up just makes it worse.  Just something to keep in mind.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5997-health-anxiety-hypochondria-and-obsession-with-symptoms/?hl=%2Bhealth+%2Banxiety

 

SG

Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac.  Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002
Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history.  Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots!
Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off.  Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep.

June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened!  Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015.

Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month.

12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 

Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18:  2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor

 

My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679

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

Link to comment

Thank you so much for thiis link SG. I've just scanned through a few of the posts and can't believe how many people actually do suffer from health anxiety and often experience this as one of the symptoms of W/D. Mine had definitely got worse as I've reduced my Paroxetine.

 

I find reading through all the links you have sent me very calming and helpful.

 

This also proves to me that I need to stay on my 7.1mg for a few more weeks and also make sure I stick with the 5% or even lower cuts.

 

Thank you so much for everything

 

Hugs

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hello!

 

How have you been?

 

I haven't been on SA much the past month but I'm going to get more involved again now.

 

It's great to know there is a reason for our increased health anxiety upon our dose reductions. I'm convinced that our worrying about our symptoms prolongs the issue because the fear keeps our sympathetic nervous system activated and hence keeps any autonomic dysfunction caused by withdrawal going. It's just really hard to be calm about what is going on when it's really horrible.. I'm still working on that bit myself.

 

How have you been since your recent cut? I really hope that the nice and conservative 5% cut you made is treating you kindly.

 

Even though I'm still symptomatic I'm considering a cut too because it's been over 6 months since my last one. I'm thinking of trying 7.5% cut first but have no qualms about going slower if I need to. My last cut was like 18% and boy was that stupid.

 

Catch you soon

Funky

A convenient link to my introduction post

 

2003 Paroxetine (20mg I think) daily for 5 months due to extreme anxiety before final exams and stopped cold turkey. From 2003 onwards I have suffered with extreme anxiety, akathisia, severe muscle tension & digestive problems whenever off I'm off anti-depressants.

2007 Clonazepam (unsure of dose) - took approximately 100 tablets to try and self medicate for anxiety.

2007-09 Amitryptyline 10mg - was advised to take this "as and when needed" for anxiety.

April/May 2011 Diazepam 2mg - 2 week course followed by complete inability to sleep upon finishing so started Citalopram 40mg and I was able to sleep again.

Mid 2012 Diazepam 10mg - took approximately 100 tablets.

Mid 2012 Started Citalopram taper - 5mg reductions every month or two, severe withdrawal symptoms throughout taper.

Apr 2013 Completely off Citalopram and continued to have severe withdrawal.

Oct 2013 Completely fell to pieces mentally and alongside had a whole host of debilitating physical symptoms too. I went to the doctors who performed whole batteries of tests but had no idea what was wrong with me. They tried me on Sertraline and Amitryptyline to which I had terrible reactions which made symptoms worse. Eventually got put on Nortryptyline 25mg, which I tolerated and over 3 months withdrawal symptoms started to abate.

Mid 2014 discovered survivingantidepressants.org and hallelujah! I knew what was wrong with me - slow taper FTW!

Late 2014 & 2015 Reduced Nortryptyline 22.5mg & 20mg respectively in November & December of 2014. In 2015 Tapered Nortryptyline from 20mg to 10 mg in 2mg increments. Withdrawal symptoms with each dose reduction are debilitating but in a much different way to Citalopram.

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Hi Funky

 

Thank you so much for asking and I hope you're doing well.

 

You're absolutely right in saying the physical symptoms make us worry more and therefore keeps the autonomic dysfunction going. I have had my heart monitor test as well as my neurophysiology tests all come back fine. In the final report the neurologist writes to my GP he's says "I wish her well" .

 

It's been 6 weeks since my last 5% reduction and I have experienced more tingling and the odd zap on my face. I still have the tingly feet and pressure on my forehead which as you know has been there for a while. The week after I did the reduction I also got that odd skipped heart beat sensation but that only lasted 2 days. I think I will drop from 7.1 mg to 6.8 mg in about 2 weeks time and hold there until after the school Summer holidays.

 

I know it's so slow but I also know that it's the only way forward for me. I do realise I can have protracted W/D like I had before but at least this time I know why and what is happening to me.

 

A 7.5% reduction sounds very sensible and I'm sure it will go well. You've held your dose for a long time and you CNS should be stabilised by now.

 

Please keep me updated on your progress.

 

Take care

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • 1 month later...

Hey Africa,

 

How's this week treating you so far? Is that puppy behaving herself? :)

 

Hope you're well.

 

Take care,

Funky

A convenient link to my introduction post

 

2003 Paroxetine (20mg I think) daily for 5 months due to extreme anxiety before final exams and stopped cold turkey. From 2003 onwards I have suffered with extreme anxiety, akathisia, severe muscle tension & digestive problems whenever off I'm off anti-depressants.

2007 Clonazepam (unsure of dose) - took approximately 100 tablets to try and self medicate for anxiety.

2007-09 Amitryptyline 10mg - was advised to take this "as and when needed" for anxiety.

April/May 2011 Diazepam 2mg - 2 week course followed by complete inability to sleep upon finishing so started Citalopram 40mg and I was able to sleep again.

Mid 2012 Diazepam 10mg - took approximately 100 tablets.

Mid 2012 Started Citalopram taper - 5mg reductions every month or two, severe withdrawal symptoms throughout taper.

Apr 2013 Completely off Citalopram and continued to have severe withdrawal.

Oct 2013 Completely fell to pieces mentally and alongside had a whole host of debilitating physical symptoms too. I went to the doctors who performed whole batteries of tests but had no idea what was wrong with me. They tried me on Sertraline and Amitryptyline to which I had terrible reactions which made symptoms worse. Eventually got put on Nortryptyline 25mg, which I tolerated and over 3 months withdrawal symptoms started to abate.

Mid 2014 discovered survivingantidepressants.org and hallelujah! I knew what was wrong with me - slow taper FTW!

Late 2014 & 2015 Reduced Nortryptyline 22.5mg & 20mg respectively in November & December of 2014. In 2015 Tapered Nortryptyline from 20mg to 10 mg in 2mg increments. Withdrawal symptoms with each dose reduction are debilitating but in a much different way to Citalopram.

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Hi Funky

 

Thank you for asking. I'm feeling okay but keep wondering when the WD will hit me again. 

 

For the last two days I have had a crawling feeling over the top of my right foot and also some really bad headaches. I keep telling myself it's WD symptoms which will go away and try not to worry too much. 

 

The puppy is hectic but at the moment she is having a sleep so I can at least get a few things done!

 

I will stay on the 6.7 mg for 6 weeks altogether and then I will do another 5% reduction and stay at 6.3 mg for the rest of the Summer. After reading Maplegirl's thread I have decided that I might stay at 5 mg for a good 6 months to see whether I will be fine before reducing further.

 

How have you bee n this week?

 

Take care

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • 1 month later...

Hi, I have been slowly reducing the Paroxetine and am now on 6.3mg. It's going okay but I do still worry about having protrated W/D. I still have slighly tingly feet and pressure on my forehead, the odd pins and needles and achy/burning muscles. I still worry about things like my BP (which is fine 119/86 when checked last week) and heart issues which are also fine. I know it's a bit of health anxiety but since W/D it's obviously more difficult to deal with.

 

I would just like some advice please. I developed thrush about a week ago and have been using a medicated cream which hasn't really helped. This morning I woke up and felt dizzy and had a very hot face. I called the doctor and she thinks I may have cystitis and prescribed a three day course of the antibiotics called Trimothoprim. I had taken this antibiotic at the end of last year for a bladder infection a few days before my W/D actually hit me so I'm nervous of taking it again. It was most probably coincidence that I started my W/D after taking Trimothoprim but the fear of taking it again is overwhelming.

The doctor says it's fine to take but I think my biggest fear is that it will cause me to have an irregular heart beat.

 

Thank you

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

What issues have you previously had with antibiotics?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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Hi scallyway,

I've never had a problem with any antibiotic but the start of my WD started just a few days after I had taken Timothoprim. It just makes me really nervous to take any type of medication now.

Today I had a urine test and it turns out that I don't have a urinary tract infection but rather cystitis. I've been given sachets of a powder to mix and drink called cystopurin which I'm hoping will help.

 

I have had bouts of nausea this week which I think might be part of my WD and recent reductions.

 

It's all been really frightening for me Scallywag. The beginning of the year I had no idea what was happening to me and thought I was seriously ill. I have an absolute fear of what might react with my Paroxetine and I'm constantly aware of what physical symptoms I have.

 

Thank you

 

Africa

<p>February 2009 started taking Paroxetine 10 mg everyday. Reducing very slowly in February 2015.15

December 2015 was on 5 mg Paroxetine 4 days a week and 7.5 mg 3 days a week.

Severe withdrawal. Back to 7.5mg everyday from today 25 March 2016  7.1 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 23 May 2016   6.7 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 4 July 2016   6.3 mg everyday (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks). 2 September 2016  5.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 10 weeks) 9 November 2016  5.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 8 weeks) 4 January 2017  5.3 mg (stayed on this dose for 6 weeks) 20 February 2017  5 mg (it's taken me 2 year to get half way!!) (stayed on this dose for 4 months) 20 June 2017   4.6 mg (stayed on this dose for 5 months ) 27 November 2017   4.2 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 17 June 2018   3.9 mg (stayed on this dose for 7 months) 22 January 2019   3.5 mg {stayed on this dose for 2 years) 16 January 2021   3.2 mg 

3 April 2021  3mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Totally understandable that you'd be reluctant.  It is possible that the worsening of your w/d was initiated by the infection itself and not by the antibiotic.

 

I hope the cystopurin clears this up for for you. 

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

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