Willy: Currently in Paxil poop out withdrawal and thinking of cold turkey quitting all meds. I can’t take it anymore. Any help appreciated

[LostInCanada]

1 hour ago, Willy said:

I gave up caffeine and nicotine and sugar last week to start taper.

I've been thinking about this alot. It might be too much at once. Are you getting headaches from caffeine withdrawal? Any symptoms specifically from quitting these things. A bit of sugar and lessening your caffeine intake say to just a morning coffee might put your system in less shock. If you are doing okay with it, that is great but I don't want you to overstress yourself either. 

[Willy]

9 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

I've been thinking about this alot. It might be too much at once. Are you getting headaches from caffeine withdrawal? Any symptoms specifically from quitting these things. A bit of sugar and lessening your caffeine intake say to just a morning coffee might put your system in less shock. If you are doing okay with it, that is great but I don't want you to overstress yourself either. 

I don’t think I’m getting symptoms from quitting those things. My symptoms are from this drug cocktail. 
 

Not being able to live your life is an incredibly tough adjustment.

 

I hope you’re having a good day!! I definitely don’t want to bring other people down

 

 

[LostInCanada]

14 minutes ago, Willy said:

hope you’re having a good day!!

It's been pretty good.

15 minutes ago, Willy said:

definitely don’t want to bring other people down

I told another member today that it is an uphill climb but when we finally get to the top, it's going to be a glorious view. 💯

[Schmeg82]

2 hours ago, Willy said:

Feeling rough today. I’m having a difficult time wrapping my head around the fact that I’m going to be like this for years. It adds to my already depressed state.

 

i used to spend my days on a boat offshore fishing on the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately I’m not well enough to captain my boat safely. 
 

Not sure how I’m going to deal with this but I promised my family I would fight through it for a year and reassess the situation at that point

You don’t know for sure if you’re going to be like this for years, take it one day at a time, or if you have to one hour at a time and in some cases one minute at a time!  You may find relief much faster!  Especially with your taper.  
 

if you can’t boat can you still surf fish or fish off the Jetty?  I’ve been to ft pierce inlet and Sebastian many times and fished the beaches, the rocks, the catwalks, the rivers.  Even just going out there now makes me feel so much better.  Just go to the river or the beach and walk, breathe in the fresh air, ground yourself and feel the sand and the sun!!! Grounding has been a huge exercise I’ve practiced lately and it helps so much.  I do it at my barn in the horses pasture a lot lol.  
 

even light walks.  You can do this! Find joy in the little things now and you’ll get back offshore before you know it!  
 

we deal with it because we have to, we have so much to live for and this is only a short chapter! 

[Willy]

@LostInCanada, @Schmeg82 thanks for the support. It helps!

[Schmeg82]

1 minute ago, Willy said:

@LostInCanada, @Schmeg82 thanks for the support. It helps!

We are all in this together 💪🏼💙

[Willy]

The suffering continues

 

The fact my symptoms were severe before I started tapering is really starting to scare me. I can barely function now. It seems like I am only stuck in a wave. I know the paroxetine was making me sicker each year and had no choice but to taper off but this is a fight I’m not sure I can win. 
 

My wife has been incredible throughout this 7 year nightmare and will support me until the end but I hate putting all of my responsibilities on her.

 

i’m trying to remain patient for a better day but that day seems impossible in my situation.

[Schmeg82]

26 minutes ago, Willy said:

The suffering continues

 

The fact my symptoms were severe before I started tapering is really starting to scare me. I can barely function now. It seems like I am only stuck in a wave. I know the paroxetine was making me sicker each year and had no choice but to taper off but this is a fight I’m not sure I can win. 
 

My wife has been incredible throughout this 7 year nightmare and will support me until the end but I hate putting all of my responsibilities on her.

 

i’m trying to remain patient for a better day but that day seems impossible in my situation.

are you noticing an uptick in symptoms since tapering?  Doing it as slow as you are they should ease back after a few weeks.  You can always hold also if you feel like it’s too much.  
 

rooting for you, you can do this.

[Willy]

Yesterday and today had an increase in intensity of symptoms. I’m only on day 6 of taper so not really enough time to notice a pattern. I’m home/bed/couch bound from all of this. The more I move around the worse I feel. 

[LostInCanada]

I notice a difference between 4-7 days. Hopefully it will get better soon.

[Willy]

24 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

I notice a difference between 4-7 days. Hopefully it will get better soon.

4-7 days after a dosage drop?

 

 

[LostInCanada]

32 minutes ago, Willy said:

4-7 days after a dosage drop?

Yes...then it takes about a week to "normalize" again. Seems to be my pattern. If a wave hits, I just hold.

[Willy]

22 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

Yes...then it takes about a week to "normalize" again. Seems to be my pattern. If a wave hits, I just hold.

If that’s the case it would seem difficult to do the brassmonkey slide as it requires cutting every week?

 

I don’t have the luxury of holding longer because each dose of paroxetine makes things worse. I need to desperately reduce the dosage as fast as possible within reason. So that’s why I’m doing brassmonkey method.

 

i just don’t see a humane way of reducing dose in my poop out situation 

 

very terrified

[LostInCanada]

@Willy that is just my pattern. You are at a large dose. I think it would be worthwhile to try a 10% cut and hold for the 4 weeks at that dose. The brassmonkey slide can be used if necessary when you get to doses less than 10 mg or if and when the 10% becomes too much. 

[Willy]

1 hour ago, LostInCanada said:

@Willy that is just my pattern. You are at a large dose. I think it would be worthwhile to try a 10% cut and hold for the 4 weeks at that dose. The brassmonkey slide can be used if necessary when you get to doses less than 10 mg or if and when the 10% becomes too much. 

I think I’ll continue brassmonkey  since I’ve already started it and reevaluate at 6 weeks. It’s all so frustrating 

[LostInCanada]

3 minutes ago, Willy said:

It’s all so frustrating

It is. Unfortunately there is no set path or reason to this drug. You have to tweak the suggestions to fit your needs. You have to trust your gut and that can be so hard since even thinking or making a decision seems impossible. Just know we are really here for you, we are experiencing it too and understand. ♥️

[Willy]

@LostInCanada you are very kind…I can’t thank you enough 

[Schmeg82]

1 hour ago, Willy said:

I think I’ll continue brassmonkey  since I’ve already started it and reevaluate at 6 weeks. It’s all so frustrating 

I think this is a good plan, whether you do it this way or a 5-10% cut you can get symptoms either ways. You can stop any time though if it feels like to much and hold!  Good luck and you’re doing great already!  Just keep reminding yourself, this is temporary!  

[LostInCanada]

Quote:

Don’t feel great but symptoms are bearable right now though we know how quickly that can change. Today was my second dose reduction. 

 

@Willy wanted to remind you to update your signature when you make a reduction. It helps everyone stay on the same page. 👍

Put date and dosage. Thanks

[Willy]

7 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

Quote:

Don’t feel great but symptoms are bearable right now though we know how quickly that can change. Today was my second dose reduction. 

 

@Willy wanted to remind you to update your signature when you make a reduction. It helps everyone stay on the same page. 👍

Put date and dosage. Thanks

Done! I’m bad about updating on here.
 

Hope you’re well!!

[LostInCanada]

8 minutes ago, Willy said:

I’m bad about updating on here

I think everyone is lol.

8 minutes ago, Willy said:

Hope you’re well!!

Not a great night or day but this too will pass. Glad it's bearable today for you. 👍

[Sebas]

On 8/3/2024 at 7:04 PM, Willy said:

Yesterday and today had an increase in intensity of symptoms. I’m only on day 6 of taper so not really enough time to notice a pattern. I’m home/bed/couch bound from all of this. The more I move around the worse I feel. 

 

Hi Willy

 

You are not alone in this. I have been couch bound for approximately 10-15% of the time in the last 4 years. Feeling sick, tired, irritable, vision issues, nausea, headaches, not able to function like a normal human being. We have to accept and persevere it if we want off paxil one day. In fact we have no choice in poop out. Like brassmonkey says the only way is down. Slow and steady though.

 

It's important to evaluate during brassmonkey method if theres a pattern where small windows <of recovery> appear. Then you know you are on the right track even though this track will be challenging. There will be periods when you will be less house bound. 

 

Bye Sebas

[Willy]

3 minutes ago, Sebas said:

 

Hi Willy

 

You are not alone in this. I have been couch bound for approximately 10-15% of the time in the last 4 years. Feeling sick, tired, irritable, vision issues, nausea, headaches, not able to function like a normal human being. We have to accept and persevere it if we want off paxil one day. In fact we have no choice in poop out. Like brassmonkey says the only way is down. Slow and steady though.

 

It's important to evaluate during brassmonkey method if theres a pattern where small windows <of recovery> appear. Then you know you are on the right track even though this track will be challenging. There will be periods when you will be less house bound. 

 

Bye Sebas

Today is pretty rough. I know I’ve only just begun the journey but it’s hard to accept my condition will last for years. It just adds to the depression 

 

Thanks @Sebas for the support!

[Schmeg82]

17 minutes ago, Willy said:

Today is pretty rough. I know I’ve only just begun the journey but it’s hard to accept my condition will last for years. It just adds to the depression 

 

Thanks @Sebas for the support!

We don’t know this will last for years! I know it’s hard to be optimistic but we have to have more hope!  It may be tough now but I’m sure it will lighten up a lot for you!  Hang in there!  I play a lot of word games on my phone and read a lot when I’m couch/bed bound.  When I feel even a little better I make myself go out and do things.  You got this.

[Willy]

Thanks for the positivity @Schmeg82. It’s hard to find hope sometimes 

[Schmeg82]

10 minutes ago, Willy said:

Thanks for the positivity @Schmeg82. It’s hard to find hope sometimes 

I get that completely but hope is all we have so hang on to it, well, hope and tons of people who have already healed going through this also!  💙

[Willy]

40 minutes ago, Schmeg82 said:

I get that completely but hope is all we have so hang on to it, well, hope and tons of people who have already healed going through this also!  💙

I was always able to handle illness relatively easily but this is a different beast altogether. 
 

Hope your day was good/bearable!!

[Schmeg82]

1 hour ago, Willy said:

I was always able to handle illness relatively easily but this is a different beast altogether. 
 

Hope your day was good/bearable!!

You ain’t lying about that!! I’m pretty tough too, I’m definitely the toughest I’ve ever had to be now, and some days I do want to throw in the towel, but I remember I have so much to live for and this is just temporary for us!  My evening wasn’t terrible at all so I can’t complain.  Actually was able to help cook dinner and sit down and eat with family without being overstimulated.  That’s a plus. Still have symptoms but just rolling with it.  Hope your evening is quiet and peaceful.

[Sebas]

On 7/25/2024 at 10:33 PM, Willy said:

My symptoms persisted over the years and in January 2019 Paxil 20mg was added with the 15mg mirtazapine and 100mg seroquel. In April 2021 Paxil was increased to 30mg along with 15mg mirtazapine and 100mg seroquel. In February 2024 Paxil increased to 40mg along with 15mg mirtazapine and 100mg seroquel. Fast forward to today July 2024 and I’m back in severe wd. I now realize they kept increasing my dose because it would poop out.

 

The symptoms you were getting from adding 20 mg of paxil (that made them raise paxil to 30 and 40) were in my opinion from (crazy) cocktail of drugs.

 

Seroquel is given for bipolair or psychotic disorder. Mirtazapine and paxil are likely to interact together. So it's very logical that you had gotten these side effects, which made them raise, and still today. And all this started for just sleep issues.

 

One way or another we have to gradually phase out these drugs. Next we evaluate in the upcoming period of weeks/months.

Hang in there.

 

Bye Sebas

 

[Willy]

6 hours ago, Sebas said:

 

The symptoms you were getting from adding 20 mg of paxil (that made them raise paxil to 30 and 40) were in my opinion from (crazy) cocktail of drugs.

 

Seroquel is given for bipolair or psychotic disorder. Mirtazapine and paxil are likely to interact together. So it's very logical that you had gotten these side effects, which made them raise, and still today. And all this started for just sleep issues.

 

One way or another we have to gradually phase out these drugs. Next we evaluate in the upcoming period of weeks/months.

Hang in there.

 

Bye Sebas

 

I know my only option is to get off the drugs. Just hope I can survive the process. Still in disbelief how I ended up in this mess

[Schmeg82]

1 minute ago, Willy said:

I know my only option is to get off the drugs. Just hope I can survive the process. Still in disbelief how I ended up in this mess

I’m in the same boat but we need to be strong for each other.   It’s ok to have doubts and be weak sometimes but we will persevere.

 

I also wanted to tell you I know you said you quit coffee, but I still drink Dunkin’ Donuts decaf I know it has a tiny bit of caffeine in it still but just the taste of coffee makes me so happy lol I haven’t had it in a while, but I had a cup today and it was amazing.  I have a Keurig so I get the K cups and the Dunkin decaf and it’s really good!  Hope you have a good day today

[Willy]

11 minutes ago, Schmeg82 said:

I’m in the same boat but we need to be strong for each other.   It’s ok to have doubts and be weak sometimes but we will persevere.

 

I also wanted to tell you I know you said you quit coffee, but I still drink Dunkin’ Donuts decaf I know it has a tiny bit of caffeine in it still but just the taste of coffee makes me so happy lol I haven’t had it in a while, but I had a cup today and it was amazing.  I have a Keurig so I get the K cups and the Dunkin decaf and it’s really good!  Hope you have a good day today

That’s a great idea. I love and miss my coffee. I’ll get some of those k cups. Any little comfort is huge right now.

 

Enjoy your animals today!

[Willy]

Can I drink chamomile tea or herbal teas?

 

What is the magnesium everybody uses here? Is the brand Calm acceptable?

[LostInCanada]

I think a few members use Calm. Herbal teas are fine. I would just introduce one at a time in case you have any issues.

[Schmeg82]

How are you doing today? Hope all is going well with your taper and you’re hanging in there! 

[Willy]

40 minutes ago, Schmeg82 said:

How are you doing today? Hope all is going well with your taper and you’re hanging in there! 

Doing ok. It’s still a struggle. Thanks for checking in!!

 

How are you doing today?