Hello all,
I really appreciate all of the information on this board and all of
the other resources out there. I am not on Paxil and never have
been but my soon to be wife is, and has been for almost 6 years.
She is taking it for anxiety and panic attacks. Originally, she was
prescribed 20mg but after about 6 months, cut to 10mg/day without
any side effects. She has had a couple of occasions of not taking
the Paxil for a couple of days (prescription ran out) and had
horrible withdrawl symptoms.
She really wants off and I am completely supportive. We've worked
through a lot of issues together and I'm not even convinced she
still needs it. I can't believe that the pharmaceutical companies
are allowed to continue this crap, but that is another story
altogether. Here is our current plan:
Yesterday, we dropped from 10mg to 7.5mg.
The plan is to stay there for 1 week. If the withdrawl isn't too
bad, move to 5mg/day. If it still sucks, wait another week. Then
progress in the same fashion at 1mg reduction per week afterwards.
I'm really worried about this whole process. I know she is going to
have some withdrawl and from what everyone describes it is hell, but
I want to minimize it as much as possible. We went and picked up
supplements last night, so I think we are set there. It hasn't even
been 24 hours and she is already feeling tired, heavy, and wierd. I
have to believe this is going to get a lot worse. I know she can do
it!
So to my questions-
1) Does the tapering schedule seem reasonable?
2) It seems a lot of people have tried to quit with tapering and
have experienced the same withdrawl as those who quit cold turkey,
but over a much longer period of time. Thoughts?
3) Is there anything I can do to help besides be there, assure her
and make sure she knows that whatever she feels is ok, and she can
make it through?
Any feedback would really be appreciated.
.