Paxil Taper

[SinkorSwim]

I started to taper on Paxil 60mg. I have been on it for a little over a year. I felt it was starting to get me more depressed. I started wednesday and thursday with 40 mg. Today and tomorrow I am taking 20mg. I haven't really felt anything too bad yet. Sometimes a little increased anxiety and last night I had a vivid dream. I plan on starting my new medicine on Sunday. When I asked her how long I should taper she didn't really give me a straight answer. It was weird. I hope that this is ok. I am expecting more bad issues next week as I know it takes awhile for paxil to get out of the system.

 

[Ruinedforever]

Hang in there, Paxil has one hell of a withdrawal. If I could recommend, try a few more weeks tapering down if you can, rather than all of it in one week.

 

[EveHarrington]

Your doc didn't give you a good taper schedule? (I think that's an important part of her job description.)

I'm concerned that your taper is too fast considering you've been on it for awhile and you're going from a full dose to med free inside a week. That's not a taper designed to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

You may be fortunate and not experience any withdrawals. My worst usually start kicking in after a day or two (if I have them at all).

I am concerned about the doctor you're seeing. Is it possible to find another psychiatrist? This one could be putting your health in danger by not advising on a taper schedule and as such I think it's something that's a reportable action.

 

[joeylittle]

@Katiesue - when in doubt the rule of thumb is to do a step-down once per 5-7 days. So if your psych was vague and you want to be cautious, just go slower.

Did your doc tell you that it was ok to cross-titrate the Paxil and whatever your new med is? That is the real question, whether you need to do a rapid taper on the Paxil or not. Or, you could delay the start of your new med.

I'd get back in touch with her and ask specifically:
-where should I be on the Paxil dose when I start (new med)?
-are there any potential harmful interactions between Paxil and new med? If so, what do I watch for, and when should I consider it to be a big enough problem to call you or go to the ER?

 

[SinkorSwim]

Today was my first day of starting my new med. I got a bit tired and took a 3 hour nap. Assuming because I fully stopped the paxil today. I have been feeling a little off but nothing major every so often I feel a bit sick to my stomach and get the chills or sweats. Nothing I can't handle. I'm pretty tough. Been through a lot of withdrawal symptoms before and haven't really had them in the past. Guess that's why she isn't really worried about me. I'm a tough cookie. I actually am feeling more like myself and less in a fog too. Which is a good thing.

 

[Stickler]

Since I kinda know my head meds?
Cross-tapering onto what?

 

[SinkorSwim]

Viibryd...also I take back this oh I'll be alright taper thing ha ha! Last couple days have been so brutal. I honestly don't know how I am making it out of bed between the chills, nausea, unbearable tiredness and the weird dizziness that I am feeling. Not sure I should be even driving to work it's that bad. It's day four it's only going to go up from here. I heard that it takes a good two weeks to get it out of your system, so in that case I am a quarter of the way there already. Just keep swimming!

 

[Stickler]

Not familiar with...please to call doctor.