disciple72 Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Hi everyone, I'm new around here, but not new to the nightmare of taking AD's, more specifically Paroxetine/Paxil. I've been taking this crap for 18 years, 18 years too long. I tried disastrously to come off this junk approx 2 years ago. The Psych doc withdrew me from 20mg over 4 weeks, introducing Mirtazapine at the same time, then left me to pick up the pieces of my then shattered existence. Still, I'm here once again, willing to give my all to come off it once and for all. Hopefully I'll be able to do this, God willing, and with the help of friends and loved ones. Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted January 28, 2015 Moderator Share Posted January 28, 2015 Hi disciple-- welcome to the group. There is a ton of knowledge around here on how to get off of this stuff. First thing we need to know is are you currently on Paxil or Mirtazapine and how much? It would be really helpful if you could give us the details by adding a signature to your posts. Click on your name at the upper right or the screen then click on "Edit Profile" and the right page should come up. (I'd post a link but I'm using internet explorer so I can't copy and paste.) 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted January 28, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 28, 2015 Hi disciple Here's the link on how to fill out your signature http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/ Dalsaan Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
heatherjc Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Hi I too have spent 18 years on Paxil & the last 8 months on mirtazapine too. Feel dreadful & nowhere to turn Seroxat (Paxil) since 1996 various doses, stopped in 2007 for approx 10 months for pregnany then back on. Currently Paxil 10mg from 1996 Mirtazipine 15mg tapered off from April 2016- October 2016 7.5mg April 2016 - July 2016 3.75mg July 2016 - October 2016 stopped on 1st October 2016 6th November 2016 have taken 50mg promethazine just one dose Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted February 3, 2015 Moderator Share Posted February 3, 2015 Hi Heather-- you've found the right place, welcome to the group. First thing to do would be to start a personal thread in the introductions forum. That will be your "home base" for keeping a journal and asking questions. Then we can get going on helping you get off of this horrible stuff. 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted February 4, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 4, 2015 Hi Disciple, welcome from me too. You will be able to do this, take some time to do some reading and learn the best way to taper. We recommend tapering no more than 10% of the current dose with at least 4 weeks between drops. As time goes by you will be able to feel when it is right to make a cut by listening to your body. I'm going to get some links to topics for you to read that will help you with your taper. It would be helpful if you can fill out your signature, Dalsaan has posted the link that shows how to do that. I'm not sure if it is mirtazepine you are tapering or if you reinstated paxil after crashing, so will get links to both for you. Tapering mirtazepine http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5301-tips-for-tapering-off-remeron-mirtazapine/ Tapering paxil http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/405-tips-for-tapering-off-paxil-paroxetine/ The 3 KIS, this one is very important. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6632-the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it- It's good to have you here, any questions, please ask, or browse the site where you will find lots of info. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
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