tappering paxil+effexor - is this going to kill me?

[Sixstringkate]

I really, really don't want to go through this whole thing again. I know I have to, but right now I"m depressed as shit. I met with a pdoc for the first time today. She upheld the original dx of GAD and depression with OCD and self harm tenancies. Wants me off Paxil and Effexor and on Luvox. Gave me a beta-blocker instead of my usual Xanex to use during a panic attack. She wants me to take 4-6 weeks to ease off effexor and paxil. I know that's the way to do it, since last time I freaked out after only tapering paxil for a week. But I just want it to be over with. I'm so sick of this shit.

[Calypte]

I'm sorry you're having a hard time with the med-go-round. Unfortunately both Paxil and Effexor tend to be difficult meds to taper off. Benadryl and benzos can help with the withdrawal symptoms, and taking it s-l-o-w is important. Tapering Paxil in a week is reaaaaaaally fast so I'm not surprised you had a terrible experience. I know about just wanting to get it over with, but taking things slowly will make the whole thing much less painful. Are you tapering first and then starting the Luvox? I think cross-tapering can also help reduce withdrawal symptoms.

I've never been on Paxil, but I took about 2 months to taper off Effexor (300 to 0). The last bit, from 75 to 0, was the hardest. If you're taking IR, you might try buying a pill cutter and decreasing by quarters. For XR, you're allowed to open up the capsules and take out a few pellets at a time. (I actually got sick of this strategy and just dropped from 37.5 to 0, but it was kind of unpleasant.) A similar strategy might work for Paxil. If you're having a really hard time with it, sometimes people take a couple of doses of Prozac, which has a ridiculously long half-life and is fairly easy to discontinue.

[jt07]

I came off Paxil in the spring. I took about two or three weeks to do it. My pdoc wanted me to just drop it, but I thought that was crazy, and I used my remaining pills to taper. All was ok until I went from 10 to 5 mg (5 mg = 1/4 20 mg pill). Then I began having symptoms. However, the withdrawal lasted a month for me. It was pretty awful, and I'll leave it at that. The taper usually goes fine until you reach a sort of minimum dose that depends on you beyond which you start to get withdrawal symptoms. At that point, you want to take it slow.

I took Effexor about a decade ago, and as I recall, I didn't have too much trouble, at least not as much trouble as others seem to have. If I recall correctly, you've only been on Effexor for a short time. I think your withdrawal should be easier.

Just remember that you can do this and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

[shimmeree]

i've tapered off of both, but not at the same time. paxil i did really slowly (2 months) with the pdoc, but i have a feeling i could have done it in 2 weeks because it hadn't even been doing anything for a long time. i was on it for 5 years.

effexor was harder, but i did it on my own after quitting my pdoc during a difficult time. i took about a week to do it. i was determined to go drug free, which sent me into a deep depression.

it's different for everyone. i don't remember actual side effects, except electrical zaps from the effexor.

i wish you luck, and i hope the luvox helps.

h

[Sixstringkate]

Thanks guys. I think it is time to break out the pill cutter. I was doing ok today (this is my first day not taking my afternoon dose of Effexor - only 35.7mg) until one kid woke up crying and wouldn't stop and the other wouldn't sleep at all, and DEAR GOD WE RAN OUT OF COKE!!!!! I can handle anything as long as I have my Coke. Maybe not with grace and good humor, but I can make it through, white knuckled, clutching that red can. My saint of a husband brought me one home from his work and I'm sucking it down right now. Aaaaahhhhhh..... This is going to be a long haul.