Schmeg82 Paxil withdrawal and taper after 21 years

[ShantyO7]

6 minutes ago, Schmeg82 said:

I can’t do places without feeling sick so I feel like I’m ruining his birthday as well.

I hear you. My husband keeps saying not to worry about what we're missing and we'll make up for it when I'm all better. I still feel bad though... feel like I'm ruining everyone else's life along with my own... Ugh...

[Schmeg82]

39 minutes ago, ShantyO7 said:

I hear you. My husband keeps saying not to worry about what we're missing and we'll make up for it when I'm all better. I still feel bad though... feel like I'm ruining everyone else's life along with my own... Ugh...

I wish that’s what my husband would say, he is supportive but I know it bothers him a lot, he’s used to always being on the go, he hates staying at home doing nothing, and that’s all I can do besides go to work for a few hours.

[ShantyO7]

5 minutes ago, Schmeg82 said:

he hates staying at home doing nothing, and that’s all I can do

Hopefully, things will get better soon!

[LostInCanada]

2 hours ago, Schmeg82 said:

noticing when I get my cycle symptoms are much worse as well - is this normal?  

Definitely this affects many . Hormonal fluctuations will do this 

2 hours ago, Schmeg82 said:

did have a traumatic event where my dog died unexpectedly

So sorry to hear. Stress always causes a flare up for me.

2 hours ago, Schmeg82 said:

My question now is do I keep holding at the 10mg I’m at or do I start to taper again in hopes that it will fix my vision?  

Since the vision issues started with withdrawal they may need more time. I often think of it this way, my body has been adapting to this drug for 20+ years so it makes sense that it could take a while to undo all those changes. 3.5 months is not long in relation to time on drug. This is where patience is important so not to do something that could make it worse. 

 

Try not to focus on what you can't do but on what you can do. ♥️

[Schmeg82]

42 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

Definitely this affects many . Hormonal fluctuations will do this 

So sorry to hear. Stress always causes a flare up for me.

Since the vision issues started with withdrawal they may need more time. I often think of it this way, my body has been adapting to this drug for 20+ years so it makes sense that it could take a while to undo all those changes. 3.5 months is not long in relation to time on drug. This is where patience is important so not to do something that could make it worse. 

 

Try not to focus on what you can't do but on what you can do. ♥️

Thank you, I am trying my best but it has been so incredibly hard!  Is it normal for symptoms to get worse even after reinstating for so long? Well, reinstating at 1/2 the dose.  

[Schmeg82]

45 minutes ago, ShantyO7 said:

Hopefully, things will get better soon!

I sure hope so, I mean I know they will, just not fast enough!  Same to you.  

[LostInCanada]

32 minutes ago, Schmeg82 said:

Is it normal for symptoms to get worse even after reinstating for so long?

Have other symptoms gotten better? I noticed in April you had some stressors and your vision issues got worse. Does it seem to worsen around your monthly cycles? and then get better?

 

[LostInCanada]

@Schmeg82 are you taking a 10 mg pill? Do you have what you need to taper? ie. scale, one sided razor or xacto knife, etc.

Have you stuck with the same manufacturer?

[Schmeg82]

4 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

Have other symptoms gotten better? I noticed in April you had some stressors and your vision issues got worse. Does it seem to worsen around your monthly cycles? and then get better?

 

It has gotten much worse the last 3 weeks I started getting flashes in my peripheral and now my whole visual field seems to be flashing especially in different light settings.  It’s much worse then it was, but I’m not sure I want to make any changes and it possibly get worse. 

[Schmeg82]

5 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

@Schmeg82 are you taking a 10 mg pill? Do you have what you need to taper? ie. scale, one sided razor or xacto knife, etc.

Have you stuck with the same manufacturer?

Yes I take a 10mg pill, no I do not have anything to taper with at the moment.

[LostInCanada]

@Schmeg82 so all the other symptoms - body jerks, adrenaline rushes, tremors have gone completely? Just the vision is your only symptom? Does it increase around your cycle and then lessen? Have you noticed a pattern? If this is the only symptom persisting, I think reinstating to 10 mg was the right dose. The dosage can be reassessed in a month or two. 

Please read over the following links that I will post. It is good to start preparing for tapering by deciding whether you wish to make your own liquid by transitioning from pill slowly to liquid or do dry cuts. Making liquid is definitely less time consuming.

[LostInCanada]

 

 

[LostInCanada]

 

 

[LostInCanada]

 

 

[ShantyO7]

1 hour ago, Schmeg82 said:

just not fast enough

FOR REAL!!

[Schmeg82]

9 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

@Schmeg82 so all the other symptoms - body jerks, adrenaline rushes, tremors have gone completely? Just the vision is your only symptom? Does it increase around your cycle and then lessen? Have you noticed a pattern? If this is the only symptom persisting, I think reinstating to 10 mg was the right dose. The dosage can be reassessed in a month or two. 

Please read over the following links that I will post. It is good to start preparing for tapering by deciding whether you wish to make your own liquid by transitioning from pill slowly to liquid or do dry cuts. Making liquid is definitely less time consuming.

I don’t have the jerks as often or the tremors as often unless I’m anxious.  Those have subsided a lot.  I’ve had high anxiety though the last 3 weeks since my eyes have gotten worse.

[LostInCanada]

10 minutes ago, Schmeg82 said:

don’t have the jerks as often or the tremors as often unless I’m anxious.

That is great news. The reinstatement is definitely working.

10 minutes ago, Schmeg82 said:

I’ve had high anxiety though the last 3 weeks since my eyes have gotten worse.

Understandable. It is really important to find non drug ways of coping. I know I have benefited from a CBT course I took over zoom. There are many free online course to go at your own pace or books at the library. Claire Weekes book Hope and Help for Your Nerves is really amazing in dealing with anxiety as well.

 

 

 

[Schmeg82]

1 hour ago, LostInCanada said:

That is great news. The reinstatement is definitely working.

Understandable. It is really important to find non drug ways of coping. I know I have benefited from a CBT course I took over zoom. There are many free online course to go at your own pace or books at the library. Claire Weekes book Hope and Help for Your Nerves is really amazing in dealing with anxiety as well.

 

 

 

Thank you for this.  It’s very hard when my vision is so messed up to stay calm and relaxed, I’m constantly getting dizzy/nauseous and weird headaches it’s horrible.  I hope this passes or eases up soon because it’s maddening.  I’m also so light sensitive right now on top of all the other crap.  I can’t even look at a line of trees without getting dizzy I hate it.  

[LostInCanada]

Ginger helps me alot with dizziness. I don't know if you have tried it. ❤️

[Schmeg82]

14 hours ago, LostInCanada said:

Ginger helps me alot with dizziness. I don't know if you have tried it. ❤️

Not straight ginger but I do like ginger ale, I believe my dizziness is from my eyes, my light sensitivity is crazy lately also.

[LostInCanada]

18 minutes ago, Schmeg82 said:

dizziness is from my eyes

There is a vestibular ocular connection. That is why ginger often helps. Ginger ale does not have actual ginger. Try making ginger tea from ginger root(recipes on google), or finding a pure ginger tea or organic ginger tablets to see if it helps.

[Schmeg82]

Thank you. 

[Schmeg82]

So June is month 6 since withdrawal symptoms started for me, going into month 4 of reinstating to 10mg, I’ve heard month 5-6-7 can be the worst, I definitely feel the worst, my question is, is the the worst before it gets better? Seems like these months seem to be the half way mark for many people.  I know we are all different but I’m definitely having the worst symptoms this month (6) so I’m hoping it will get better from here… I can hope right?!? 

[Schmeg82]

Just now, Schmeg82 said:

So June is month 6 since withdrawal symptoms started for me, going into month 4 of reinstating to 10mg, I’ve heard month 5-6-7 can be the worst, I definitely feel the worst, my question is, is the the worst before it gets better? Seems like these months seem to be the half way mark for many people.  I know we are all different but I’m definitely having the worst symptoms this month (6) so I’m hoping it will get better from here… I can hope right?!? 

I mean going into month 5 of reinstating 

[ShantyO7]

1 hour ago, Schmeg82 said:

I can hope right

I'm right there with you hoping!

[Schmeg82]

1 minute ago, ShantyO7 said:

I'm right there with you hoping!

That’s all we can do 🙏🏼

[Cheeky]

Hey there, 

I'm another Paxil user that's been going through hell on this drug . I've just gotten to 10mg and have been waiting to stablize  too. 
Im a hairdresser as well and love my job but its so hard to work when your not feeling good . 
We have to unfortunately ride this out . 

[Schmeg82]

2 hours ago, Cheeky said:

Hey there, 

I'm another Paxil user that's been going through hell on this drug . I've just gotten to 10mg and have been waiting to stablize  too. 
Im a hairdresser as well and love my job but its so hard to work when your not feeling good . 
We have to unfortunately ride this out . 

Hi! Thanks for commenting!  Yes I didn’t work for almost 2 months then decided I needed to just push through it and try, I’m only working a few days a week and like 9-1, I can’t handle much more then that right now.  I find working in the mornings is the easiest for me.  Lately it’s been even harder because my vision issues make me nauseous and sick feeling.  They have seemed to have gotten worse the last few weeks for some reason.  It’s awful, and I hope we stabilize soon, it’s no fun living like this.  

[Cheeky]

1 hour ago, Schmeg82 said:

Hi! Thanks for commenting!  Yes I didn’t work for almost 2 months then decided I needed to just push through it and try, I’m only working a few days a week and like 9-1, I can’t handle much more then that right now.  I find working in the mornings is the easiest for me.  Lately it’s been even harder because my vision issues make me nauseous and sick feeling.  They have seemed to have gotten worse the last few weeks for some reason.  It’s awful, and I hope we stabilize soon, it’s no fun living like this.  

My heart goes out to you . No one should ever have to go through this , your definitely not alone . 
Your lucky you can do those hours at work , unfortunately I can't . 
Tiday at work I just wanted to go home but I know that it an hour it could change . I'm all over the place at the moment and can change by hour to hour . 
I will be holding with you, I just hope it didn't last too long . 

[Schmeg82]

9 hours ago, Cheeky said:

My heart goes out to you . No one should ever have to go through this , your definitely not alone . 
Your lucky you can do those hours at work , unfortunately I can't . 
Tiday at work I just wanted to go home but I know that it an hour it could change . I'm all over the place at the moment and can change by hour to hour . 
I will be holding with you, I just hope it didn't last too long . 

Thank you, and you as well.  What symptoms are you having still? I’m in month 6 now and apparently from what I hear that’s the hardest month.  I pray every day we stabilize and can live normally! 

[Schmeg82]

Has anyone experienced extreme light sensitivity?  Everything seems SO bright and much “whiter” then normal, this is new for me, I have terrible vision issues still but the light sensitivity just started.  

[Cheeky]

8 hours ago, Schmeg82 said:

Thank you, and you as well.  What symptoms are you having still? I’m in month 6 now and apparently from what I hear that’s the hardest month.  I pray every day we stabilize and can live normally! 

I've been having morning aniexty when I wake you.  Inner vibrations , slight temer on my hands, crying spells, adrenaline rushes through my body, bladder and bowl problems that I think is aniexty related. I'm not like this 100% it comes and goes . I can have good days and bad ones . It's like a rollar coaster. 
I really hope this gets better , I have kids so it makes it much harder . 
Do you have a symptom pattern ?

[Schmeg82]

13 minutes ago, Cheeky said:

I've been having morning aniexty when I wake you.  Inner vibrations , slight temer on my hands, crying spells, adrenaline rushes through my body, bladder and bowl problems that I think is aniexty related. I'm not like this 100% it comes and goes . I can have good days and bad ones . It's like a rollar coaster. 
I really hope this gets better , I have kids so it makes it much harder . 
Do you have a symptom pattern ?

I was having all of those same symptoms as well, my morning anxiety, shakiness and tremors went away, sometimes the tremors come back if I’m more anxious or tired but not nearly as bad as they were.  The adrenaline rushes went away also for now.  I’m just very nauseous and dizzy now, my eye sight is bouncing around, shaking, moving so it makes me very sick.  I find during my cycle my symptoms are much much worse which is probably hormone related.  The last few weeks my vision and nausea have been a lot worse for some reason.  I’m loosing hair bad and my lips have been more pale.  I also have low iron, b12 and vitamin D so I’m sure thats even worse now as well.  I don’t have kids but I have horses and dogs to take care of every day so I have to do those chores and they can be hard on me.  Some days it’s easy, some days I actually enjoy being out there then some days I can barely push a wheel barrow.  I’m in month 6 they say that’s one of the hardest so who knows when I’ll start to feel better.  I’m so sorry you’re going through this also, you have to be so strong for your kids and I’m sure that’s hard!  I have to work tomorrow am, I’m dreading it because I feel terrible today!  

[LostInCanada]

 You asked:

What if you have vitamin deficiencies? I am almost b12 deficient now which also effects the nervous system, my iron is low and I’m D deficient as well, should I still take these or no?

 

I am able to tolerate vit d but was taking it for years before WD. Like anything, if you can get it from foods or naturally that is better. If you need to take supplements, start with only one and at a low dose, build from there. I just tried lecithin for cholesterol issues and it set me back. It releases adrenaline. 

[Schmeg82]

16 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

 You asked:

What if you have vitamin deficiencies? I am almost b12 deficient now which also effects the nervous system, my iron is low and I’m D deficient as well, should I still take these or no?

 

I am able to tolerate vit d but was taking it for years before WD. Like anything, if you can get it from foods or naturally that is better. If you need to take supplements, start with only one and at a low dose, build from there. I just tried lecithin for cholesterol issues and it set me back. It releases adrenaline. 

Yes I can do the vitamin D fine, I’ve been drinking the body armor drinks that have b12 and magnesium in them, they don’t seem to bother me at all but I don’t drink a ton.  I’ve been mainly drinking tons of water all day and that’s it, every now and then ginger ale.   I do try and eat my veggies and get my vitamins through diet but i don’t think i absorb them all properly.  

[Sebas]

9 hours ago, Schmeg82 said:

every now and then ginger ale

Ginger like garlic, fenugreek, celery, turmeric and others is a very powerful herb with strong medicinal effect such as blood clotting, anti inflammatory, antibacterial etc. It is not recommended with paxil and may contain alcohol from the fermentation process.