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ReadyForAChange: Getting off Paxil after 25 years...

readyforachange
readyforachange
in Introductions & Ongoing Recoveries

Featured Replies

Greetings everyone! 

 

I am currently taking Wellbutrin (Buproprion) and Paxil (Paroxetine). I am in process of tapering off Paxil. Once I get to zero on that, I will decide whether to start tapering off Wellbutrin.

 

Back in spring of 2025, I made the mistake of trying to go cold turkey off both meds. It was a nightmare. You can read my history on the Surviving Antidepressants website, here:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/32695-readyforachange-getting-off-paxil-after-25-years/

 

I am now back on both meds: taking 1/4 of the dose of Wellbutrin that I used to be on and 1/3 the dose of Paxil. This has been working well for me.

 

I have been ill with some mysterious illness (possibly post-viral) for four months, so am staying steady on both meds until I feel well again. Then I'll start tapering again, and share my experiences here.

I am a middle age female on West Coast of Canada.

2000-2003: Serzone for major depression. Don't recall dose.
2004 - 2025:  Paxil. Dose varied between 5mg and 10mg. 10mg since at least 2018.

Oct 25, 2024: Added 300 mg Wellbutrin XL to the Paxil with plan to eventually take only Wellbutrin.
April 19, 2025: Stopped Paxil and Wellbutrin cold turkey. Withdrawal symptoms started after a few days and got worse with time.
May 3: Started back on 0.5mg Paxil. May 3 - 12: Gradually increased dose from 0.5mg - 1mg. Some improvement but still ill.
May 12 - 22: Held Paxil dose at 1mg. No more improvement in symptoms.
May 23, 2025: Got prescription for liquid Prozac. Added 1.5mg of Prozac to the 1mg of Paxil. Tried Prozac for 2 days but was very agitated and couldn't sleep. Gave up on Prozac.

May 26-30: 2.5mg of Paxil only. May 30 - June 12: 3.5mg Paxil only. Depressed mood worsening over time.

June 13 – July 11: 3.5mg Paxil. 75mg Wellbutrin (in 3 instant-release doses per day).

July 11 till today: Switched to compounded Paxil. Taking 3.3mg Paxil and 75 mg Wellbutrin. Feeling "normal" and well now.

    • Like 1

    Hey readyforachange

     

    Welcome to the forum! It is great to have you here.

     

    Thank you for posting your introduction topic and for linking to your SA thread and updating your signature! Great job! 🙂 

     

    Im sorry of the trouble you had with your double CT last spring. As you now know abrupt cessation of these meds is not a good idea and causes much suffering. Can I ask why you stopped the drugs at this time?

     

    Im glad you have stabilised after reinstalling a lower dose of both drugs. It's good this is working well for you. You are in the drivers seat now! Excellent. 🙂 

     

    Im sorry to hear about your difficulties with the mystery illness. What are your symptoms if you don't mind me asking? 

     

    Hopefully this all clears up soon and you feel ready to start your taper from Paroxetine soon. If you need thoughts on taper rates let me know and I can send you some ideas.

     

    I hope you find the forum a supportive place for you whilst you taper your ADs and maybe beyond! 

     

    Speak soon

     

    Chippy

    I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. 

     

    If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

    Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

    For US members details here.

    Thank you for joining.

     

    Does the "post viral" type illness align with any medication changes? The dysautonomia and fatigue caused by antidepressant withdrawal can look a lot like it.

    Nothing I say is medical advice, it is simply my opinion. I am an anonymous person on an internet forum with no relevant qualifications other than being badly harmed by a drug. For all you know, I could be an idiot. You are making your own decisions and part of that is deciding how much to listen to my opinion, if at all.

     

    Perhaps you should consider this post an artistic work of fiction written for entertainment purposes.

    Story from SA: LukeUK: Remeron/Mirtazapine Severe Withdrawal - Introductions and updates - Surviving Antidepressants

     

    15mg Remeron/Mirtazapine November starting 2022 (severe physical side effects)

    Attempted to taper off January 2023, ended up having a major breakdown and going up to 30mg, took weeks to stabilise

    1 month taper  to 0mg

    Last dose April 2023

    Severe withdrawal syndrome with many physical symptoms

    Summary: 5 months using Mirtazapine, including 1 month taper ending late April 2023.

    • Like 1
    Just now, Luke said:

    Thank you for joining.

     

    Does the "post viral" type illness align with any medication changes? The dysautonomia and fatigue caused by antidepressant withdrawal can look a lot like it.

    My thoughts too

    I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. 

     

    If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

    Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

    For US members details here.

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