Davu: Paxil taper

[Davu]

I’ve been taking Paxil (20mg) since Aug 2023 for anxiety, depression, panic attacks. Felt great on it (except from sexual side effects) and decided to taper end of June 2024. Cut to 10mg and 3 weeks in I feel exhausted, intense intrusive thoughts, occasional anxiety and depression, feel similar to original symptoms but thoughts are more intense. No physical symptoms. Is this withdrawal or return of symptoms? While it is uncomfortable, I still feel it’s manageable on some days
 

After I feel better I plan to taper slower, any tips on what to do to push through and how long this could last? It’s been a month since cutting a dose so I don’t want to go back on full dose…I feel like I’m back to the state before Paxil

[Davu]

Hi, not sure how to add signature to the posts?

[Erimus]

Hello, and welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. We are a peer support forum to assist in tapering off psychiatric drugs safely, or recovering from psychiatric drug withdrawal.

 

Your first task is to create a drug signature, with the following:

 

• All current medication you take, the dose you take, when you started the drug, and when you made dose changes
• All current supplements you take
• An accurate history of recent drugs, taken in the last 12-24 months
• Dates for recent should be written as 7 Oct 2023, or Oct 7 2023, or early Oct 2023, or mid Oct 2023
• A history of drugs taken 24 months ago and beyond - if applicable
• Dates for historical drugs can simply be listed as start and stop years
• Please do not use 07/10/23 // 10/07/23 as this is intepreted differently around the world

 

• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.

 

• Click this link to edit your signature: Edit your signature here.

[Erimus]

You are currently tapering too fast. We recommend no more than 10% of your current dose each month, in order to reduce withdrawal symptoms. E.g. 10mg --> 9mg --> 8.1mg --> 7.29mg

 

I suggest you hold for the coming weeks and months until your nervous system stabilises.

 

Here are a few of the most useful links:

 

--------Important topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ--------

 

Micro tapering

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

Using a scale to weigh and measure doses

 

--------From the Symptoms and Self-Care Forums--------
 
What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Hypersensitivity and Kindling

 

We only recommend two supplements. Omega 3 Fish Oil and Magnesium. Both should be introduced separately and increased slowly.

 

Regards

Erimus

 

 

[Sebas]

13 hours ago, Davu said:

After I feel better I plan to taper slower, any tips on what to do to push through and how long this could last? It’s been a month since cutting a dose so I don’t want to go back on full dose…I feel like I’m back to the state before Paxil

 

Hi Davu, you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from too fast paxil taper. It may take a while for your CNS te become stabile again. This probably needs a few months. Allow your body this time to recover and stabilize and you will notice in time symptoms will subside in a windows and waves pattern like Erimus mentioned above. That's why it seems managable at some days whereas other days are very challenging.

 

The wd symptoms may resemble your original symptoms but are not. When you have become really stabile at 10mg we will guide you through further taper. In the meantime read links above for good frame of reference.

 

Fishoil tablets and/or magnesium may alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Start with one at low dose and evaluate first since your CNS has become volatile from too fast taper. Other than these do not add anything new for now.

 

For now,

Bye Sebas

[Davu]

14 hours ago, Sebas said:

 

Hi Davu, you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from too fast paxil taper. It may take a while for your CNS te become stabile again. This probably needs a few months. Allow your body this time to recover and stabilize and you will notice in time symptoms will subside in a windows and waves pattern like Erimus mentioned above. That's why it seems managable at some days whereas other days are very challenging.

 

The wd symptoms may resemble your original symptoms but are not. When you have become really stabile at 10mg we will guide you through further taper. In the meantime read links above for good frame of reference.

 

Fishoil tablets and/or magnesium may alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Start with one at low dose and evaluate first since your CNS has become volatile from too fast taper. Other than these do not add anything new for now.

 

For now,

Bye Sebas

Thank you so much!

[Davu]

Hi, quick question, I’m a little more then a month in since taper and still feeling symptoms (worst intrusive thoughts and depression). My dr thinks I should go back to the full dose and maybe taper differently in 1-2 months. What do you suggest would be better? I’m also planning a pregnancy so kind of don’t want to be stuck tapering again from 20mg. My symptoms are uncomfortable but sometimes manageable so I’m torn what to do

[Erimus]

It's been just over a month since your cut, which is still early days in the process of stabilisation. The process of tapering is slow, so if your plan is to be off medication before pregnancy I think you will struggle.

[Davu]

Understand. This might be a question for the doctors but do you know of cases of people who’ve been on medication and slowly tapering while pregnant? How have their experiences been? I don’t want to rush the process but also not wait another 2 years to finish to be pregnant as it can be an unpredictable process. Really appreciate the support

[Sebas]

4 hours ago, Davu said:

Understand. This might be a question for the doctors but do you know of cases of people who’ve been on medication and slowly tapering while pregnant? How have their experiences been? I don’t want to rush the process but also not wait another 2 years to finish to be pregnant as it can be an unpredictable process. Really appreciate the support

 

There have been several lawsuits regarding paxil birth defects.

 

For example see https://kirkendalldwyer.com/areas-of-practice/pharmaceutical-medical-injury/paxil-lawsuit/#:~:text=Paxil Birth Defect Lawyer&text=Based on the evidence presented,cases for approximately %241 billion

 

Given the potency and experiences of this drug i would not recommend anyone to become pregnant during the use of paxil (and pass this drug<s risks> on to their kid). 

 

7 hours ago, Davu said:

My dr thinks I should go back to the full dose and maybe taper differently in 1-2 months. What do you suggest would be better?

 

Doctors have no clue about withdrawal symptoms and often mistake them for relapse. Give it more time and push through like many of us. You will need perseverance but you'll eventually be glad you stabilised at 10mg in stead of 20 mg. Certainly when goal is to become pregnant within a couple of years. Think midterm strategy.

 

Given you have been on paxil for a relatively short term you should be able to stabilise within months. When windows successively start to appear you will know you are on the right track for recovery.

 

Bye Sebas

 

[Davu]

Thank you for the encouragement! Would you recommend switching to a different drug that is safer and easier to get off later on? The one that even if I get pregnant would pose less risk. I feel like doctors just throw whatever is easier for them to manage

[Erimus]

17 hours ago, Davu said:

Thank you for the encouragement! Would you recommend switching to a different drug that is safer and easier to get off later on? The one that even if I get pregnant would pose less risk. I feel like doctors just throw whatever is easier for them to manage

The safest drug is the one your brain is currently dependent on. Stick with what you know and keep persevering.