A while back I tried getting off Paxil and started taking Wellbutrin. I managed to cut my dose of Paxil in half, but stopped there due to anxiety attacks.
After seeing a counselor for a few months, I'm getting a handle on my anxiety and decided I was ready to start reducing my dosage of Paxil again. After about a month now, I've cut my dosage in half. So now I'm taking 5 mg of Paxil a day!
You'd think that when I'm on such a low a dose, it would be simple to just stop taking the medication, but it's not! Every time I try to lower the dose, I have diarrhea, nausea, and the shakes. It's so gross!
I knew this would be a slow process - especially after the first time I tried to lower my dosage. But having the patience to do this properly is difficult.
So right now I'm struggling health-wise, just trying to get off Paxil. The stress on my body right now is truly exhausting - I wish I could just be done with it!
You are tapering too fast Jamie. Ask your doctor for the Paxil liquid.
ReplyDeleteWhen I tapered off Paxil I came down by 1/2 mg per week, this can only be done by using the liquid. A 5mg drop is too severe and will cause you all sorts of problems.
Hi Fiddy, I don't think my doctor is very well educated when it comes to antidepressants, as I'm following her instructions. She never mentioned a liquid to me. I'll have to make yet another appointment and ask her about it.
ReplyDeleteI find it very frustrating that someone can prescribe medication and provide advice on how to take it when they really lack the knowledge. Then when I complain about the side-effects of tapering off the medication, I just get a nod and told there is nothing she can do about it.
Okay, I'm obviously still frustrated!
I don't blame you for being frustrated. There are far too many quacks out there, and they play with our pills like it's a game or something... trying to find "just the right combo"... problem is, that can take years, and in the mean time, sometimes the side effects are worse than the benefits.
ReplyDeleteStay strong, you're not alone. Virtual Hug!
No matter how slowly I tapered, I still had discontinuation symptoms. You will make it through. Talk to your self who is six months in the future and see how things are going. She will have good news for you. Promise.
ReplyDeleteI weaned of an extremely high dose of Aropax so I do understand. I'd been treated with antidepressant medications all my adult life. My doctor thought we would have to shave small amounts from the medication to get me off it a she had had a difficult time getting another patient off the same medication. It was hard but I got there slowly but surely and I've now been off all antidepressant medication for over 4 years.
ReplyDeleteIt saved my life. It turned out that Aropax was slowly killing me and my doctor started to wean me off just in time. I've never been better once I got used to actually living again.
Yes I have struggles with emotions and anxiety at times but not nearly as much as I did when on the medications. Odd but true story.
My doctor weaned me off my antidepressant and I actually felt better for a week and a half! Mine was lexapro though, not paxil. She said sometimes antis can make you feel lethargic. Then she put me on an anticonvulsant and now I feel blah again. I am so tired of trying all these meds and different dosages. Not to mention spending so much money on Dr. appts and the meds. Overall they haven't made me feel better. And the best I have felt in 3 years is when I went OFF one of my meds. Interesting don't you think?
ReplyDeleteHoping you get off your med and hoping you feel better..
Molly
You should see a counselor. He is the only ones who really can help you personally in this matter.Each person responds differently to medicine.
ReplyDelete