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Fullhealing: Paxil withdrawal

Featured Replies

Ooh, I also hope this is an improvement! Keep it up. I, too, am trying different dosages and times, waiting to see how they play out. It's amazing that we have to act as our own pharmacist and health care provider. I'm hoping and praying the light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter and brighter as you go.

xxoo Jamie

Sept 1993 Began paroxetine 20 mg for anxiety and depression- worked like a charm. 

1st taper - Aug 1995 tapered over 3 weeks before getting pregnant- great at first, crashed at one month. White knuckled it through 2 miscarriages. Spring 1996 (?) Reinstated paroxetine 20 mg. 

2nd taper- Spring 2008 tapered off paroxetine over 4 months. Summer 2008 crashed horribly, nearly incapacitated by WD; Summer 2008-Summer 2009 tried 4 different ADs, none as effective as paroxetine.  Summer 2009 Reinstated 20 mg paroxetine, not as effective as previously.

3rd taper- Jun 19, 2019 began 10 mg paroxetine, 10 mg fluoxetine for one week. Jun 26 20 mg fluoxetine, 5 mg paroxetine for one week. Jul 3- 20 mg fluoxetine + lorazepam (0.5 mg) as needed up to 2x/day. Aug 12- 30 mg fluox; Sept 3- .5 mg clonazepam daily; end lorazepam; Sept 5- 40 mg fluox; 

End of 2019- returned to paroxetine 20 mg/day most of the year, 30mg/day in the winter.

BEGIN 4th TAPER ATTEMPT: Jul 13 2025- 30 -> 25 mg; 10 Sept -> 22.5mg;  3 Oct -> 20 mg; 10 Oct -> hold 2 weeks; 2 Nov -> 19.5 mg; 9 Nov -> 19 mg; 16 Nov -> hold 1 week; 22 Nov -> 18.6 mg; 30 Nov -> 18.2 mg; 7 Dec -> hold 1 week; 14 Dec -> 17.8 mg; 21 Dec -> 17.5 mg; 28 Dec -> 17.1 mg; 4 Jan 2026 -> 16.7 mg -> hold 2 weeks ; 28 Jan -> 16.4 mg; 1 Feb -> 16.0 mg; 8 Feb -> 15.7 mg; 15 Feb -> hold 2 weeks; 1 Mar -> 15.5 mg; 8 Mar -> 15.2 mg; 15 Mar -> hold; 5 Apr -> 14.9.  

 

Supplements: Vit D, Magesium L-threonate, Vit C, Zinc, Melatonin, Multivitamin

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    Update 9:50pm Night, one interruption in the middle with a few more short awakenings in between but went back to sleep pretty quickly, total of 7-8 hours. Course of the day, good, woke up re

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    Thank you very much @Chippy @Beehive @gardengirl2 @Raymond @Catbird @Traceyappreciate your encouragement a lot. I'm Just in a huge emotional flood, his death, my absences and guilt and from there

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Looking good @Fullhealing I’m really happy to read these updates. 😀

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.

  • Author
1 hour ago, Chippy said:

Looking good @Fullhealing I’m really happy to read these updates. 😀

What would we do without you @Chippy always here with your great support, thank you!

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

Just now, Fullhealing said:

What would we do without you @Chippy always here with your great support, thank you!

Bless you @Fullhealing xxx

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.

  • Author
2 hours ago, gardengirl2 said:

Ooh, I also hope this is an improvement! Keep it up. I, too, am trying different dosages and times, waiting to see how they play out. It's amazing that we have to act as our own pharmacist and health care provider. I'm hoping and praying the light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter and brighter as you go.

xxoo Jamie

It is amazingly outrageous!! If I had known I would have gotten a degree in chemistry before.. well, it is what it is and we will navigate our way out to a better place, no doubt there.

I hope and pray that things get better for you as well @gardengirl2 thank you!

Keep up the great work.

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

From reading a few of your last posts and your signature you come across as a very strong person there's even humour in some of your posts .I'm positive that whatever you have to endure you will get through it ,you have that determination and I believe you will be a much more grounded and even stronger person when you get through this process and I've no doubts you will .Sounds like things are picking up for you that's great ,hold onto those moments, you will get there keep.going as you are show it whose boss 😊

2016 - 2019 Sertraline 25mg highest dose 100mg 

2019 C Ted 25mg Bad withdrawals 

01/2020 reinstated 25mg 

06/2020 - 12/2021 tapered from 100mg to 6mg jumped off .bad withdrawals like before .

06/2022 reinstated 25mg 

10/2023 started taper of 25mg not sure of starting drops 

04/2025 5mg

06/2025 4.1mg

08/2025 3.5mg 

10/2025 3.1 mg

12/2025 2.5mg

01/2026 to present 2.27mg 

 

 

Also it's worth remembering that the reactions we have to cuts aren't necessarily from that cut when I jumped off twice it was six months before symptoms showed so some of our reactions to a drop maybe from a few months ago and is just catching up .Hope that makes sense 😊

2016 - 2019 Sertraline 25mg highest dose 100mg 

2019 C Ted 25mg Bad withdrawals 

01/2020 reinstated 25mg 

06/2020 - 12/2021 tapered from 100mg to 6mg jumped off .bad withdrawals like before .

06/2022 reinstated 25mg 

10/2023 started taper of 25mg not sure of starting drops 

04/2025 5mg

06/2025 4.1mg

08/2025 3.5mg 

10/2025 3.1 mg

12/2025 2.5mg

01/2026 to present 2.27mg 

 

 

  • Author
2 hours ago, Beehive said:

From reading a few of your last posts and your signature you come across as a very strong person there's even humour in some of your posts .I'm positive that whatever you have to endure you will get through it ,you have that determination and I believe you will be a much more grounded and even stronger person when you get through this process and I've no doubts you will .Sounds like things are picking up for you that's great ,hold onto those moments, you will get there keep.going as you are show it whose boss 😊

So kind of you @Beehive thank you.

Strength, an elusive thing isn't it, luckily we all have it in abundance, it just need to be used right, for years I used it against me due to my toxic family past, trauma's ect so it's a work in progress and a real challenge but we are here to learn, get stronger and improve, it's never too late.

I hope you are doing well, wishing you the best!

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

  • Author

Update 9:00pm

Night-sleep was on the same line as yesterday, quite a lot of awakenings, sweating, vivid dreams, etc. but no terror, total of about 5 hours.

Woke up relatively fine, no cortisol, racing mind a bit, not extreme but my body wreaked havoc not long after, started with an explosive headache and pressure from the neck up that spread to the sinuses and eyes, when I got to work muscle/joint pain/weakness and sharp lower back pain also joined in, my body felt sore and weak, worked a few hours, got home and sank into the couch without to much movement until recently, the headache, muscles/joints are fading a bit but the back pain is still very present.

A strong physical day, mentally still relatively fine, no strong anxieties or depressive dips, not a hit but not terrible either, as long as I'm out of akathisia zone it's tolerable.

It's hard to know if this is a reaction to the current reduction, a late reaction to previous reductions, or the presence of residual drug in the system. I'll probably never know for sure.. in any case, I still have a while before considering another cut, all depends on what develops.

So, as long as the mind is relatively stable, it still counts as an improvement.

Edited by Fullhealing

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

1 hour ago, Fullhealing said:

Update 9:00pm

Night-sleep was on the same line as yesterday, quite a lot of awakenings, sweating, vivid dreams, etc. but no terror, total of about 5 hours.

Woke up relatively fine, no cortisol, racing mind a bit, not extreme but my body wreaked havoc not long after, started with an explosive headache and pressure from the neck up that spread to the sinuses and eyes, when I got to work muscle/joint pain/weakness and sharp lower back pain also joined in, my body felt sore and weak, worked a few hours, got home and sank into the couch without to much movement until recently, the headache, muscles/joints are fading a bit but the back pain is still very present.

A strong physical day, mentally still relatively fine, no strong anxieties or depressive dips, not a hit but not terrible either, as long as I'm out of akathisia zone it's tolerable.

It's hard to know if this is a reaction to the current reduction, a late reaction to previous reductions, or the presence of residual drug in the system. I'll probably never know for sure.. in any case, I still have a while before considering another cut, all depends on what develops.

So, as long as the mind is relatively stable, it still counts as an improvement.

You are doing great. I have had those symptoms and they will fade away.  The muscle pain last me 7 months.  The headache came around month 11 on this journey for two straight months until it was more on and off it's being few weeks with no headache...

 

The cortisol issue was my biggest concern because I wanted to sleep.  Now, it's being a week or little more and it's gone so far ..

 

You will get there.  You are doing amazing...I will love to be in the low dose you are right now.  That amount affects like 30 percent of your serotonin while my current dose 4.79mg affects like 45 percent of serotonin....

 

Once you stabilize, you will feel a lot better....

08/01/2009- Klonopin 1mg, but took only .25mg when needed, and end up taking every day for 3 years. 08/01/2012 - Paraxotine 20 mg

12/2024- reinstated 5mg (.0740g)after cold turkey. First tapering 07/01/2025 = 1.2% , 09/01/2025 - another 1.4%. 10/01/2025- 4.79mg (.0716g) holding until further notice........04/17/26 resumed taper 0714g (4.78mg). 05/20/2026- .0712g (4.76mg, .28% cut). 06/09/2026- .0708g (4.73mg .56% cut). 06/30/2026 - .0706g (4.72mg .33%). 07/28/2026 - .0700g (4.68mg, .85%).

It’s so draining to carry such a symptom load @Fullhealing. I hope you get some reprieve soon 🤗

Link to SA Profile: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/32414-catbird-introduction-a-long-and-winding-road/

1996 Commenced on Sertraline 50 - 100mg. Many ADs trialled -Fluoxetine 20 mg, Paroxetine 20mg, Venlafaxine 75mg, Escitalopram 10 - 20mg, Vortioxetine 20mg, Bupropion 150mg.  2019 Recommenced Escitalopram 2022 Mirtazapine 30mg - Rapid taper. Amitriptyline 20mg

CURRENT MEDICATIONS: Escitalopram taper from ~ 10mg commenced 2024, Amitriptyline 20mg at night, Diazepam 7.5mg total per day, Baclofen 10mg morning, 10mg lunch and 20mg night, Polaramine 2mg at night, Ketamine troche 25mg per day (Ceased early September 2025), Valsartan 160mg evening, HRT (Oestrogen 25mcg/day) 

ESCITALOPRAM TAPER: 5 April 2025 - started holding at 1.516mg. Escitalopram taper resumed July 2025; End Aug 1.364; End Sept 1.228; End Oct 1.145; End Nov 1.1 Early Dec 1.11; End Dec 1.082; 2026 End Jan 1.047; Feb 6 1.030; Feb 20 1.014; April 10 1.012; May 3 1.014; May 11 1.010 & still holding

Supplements: Mg++ glycinate, Omega 3s, Curcumin. Vit D3/K2 spray, Vitamin B12 spray, chelated zinc.

I don't know about you @Fullhealing, but I think I might prefer the physical to the mental symptoms. The mental ones feel like hell to me. I hope both improve for you this week. ❣️🌻

 

Sept 1993 Began paroxetine 20 mg for anxiety and depression- worked like a charm. 

1st taper - Aug 1995 tapered over 3 weeks before getting pregnant- great at first, crashed at one month. White knuckled it through 2 miscarriages. Spring 1996 (?) Reinstated paroxetine 20 mg. 

2nd taper- Spring 2008 tapered off paroxetine over 4 months. Summer 2008 crashed horribly, nearly incapacitated by WD; Summer 2008-Summer 2009 tried 4 different ADs, none as effective as paroxetine.  Summer 2009 Reinstated 20 mg paroxetine, not as effective as previously.

3rd taper- Jun 19, 2019 began 10 mg paroxetine, 10 mg fluoxetine for one week. Jun 26 20 mg fluoxetine, 5 mg paroxetine for one week. Jul 3- 20 mg fluoxetine + lorazepam (0.5 mg) as needed up to 2x/day. Aug 12- 30 mg fluox; Sept 3- .5 mg clonazepam daily; end lorazepam; Sept 5- 40 mg fluox; 

End of 2019- returned to paroxetine 20 mg/day most of the year, 30mg/day in the winter.

BEGIN 4th TAPER ATTEMPT: Jul 13 2025- 30 -> 25 mg; 10 Sept -> 22.5mg;  3 Oct -> 20 mg; 10 Oct -> hold 2 weeks; 2 Nov -> 19.5 mg; 9 Nov -> 19 mg; 16 Nov -> hold 1 week; 22 Nov -> 18.6 mg; 30 Nov -> 18.2 mg; 7 Dec -> hold 1 week; 14 Dec -> 17.8 mg; 21 Dec -> 17.5 mg; 28 Dec -> 17.1 mg; 4 Jan 2026 -> 16.7 mg -> hold 2 weeks ; 28 Jan -> 16.4 mg; 1 Feb -> 16.0 mg; 8 Feb -> 15.7 mg; 15 Feb -> hold 2 weeks; 1 Mar -> 15.5 mg; 8 Mar -> 15.2 mg; 15 Mar -> hold; 5 Apr -> 14.9.  

 

Supplements: Vit D, Magesium L-threonate, Vit C, Zinc, Melatonin, Multivitamin

  • Author
3 hours ago, gardengirl2 said:

I don't know about you @Fullhealing, but I think I might prefer the physical to the mental symptoms. The mental ones feel like hell to me. I hope both improve for you this week. ❣️🌻

 

Thank you @gardengirl2 yes, mental is the worse! hopefully at some point we'll have none 🤞💞

 

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

  • Author
8 hours ago, Catbird said:

It’s so draining to carry such a symptom load @Fullhealing. I hope you get some reprieve soon 🤗

Thank you @Catbird not a hit but not acute either which is positive and bearable.

Hoping for a quick improvement for all of us, this journey is indeed draining.

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

On 3/5/2026 at 4:14 AM, Fullhealing said:

Thank you @Catbird appreciate you! yes, sleep deprivation, so brutal, challenging healthy logic that is already shaken to the core, I know so many suffer from it here, terrible, non of us deserve it.

white night is looming here, we have been awake since 2:30 due to alarms.. my mind is all over, still blurry and not at all sure what I am writing, I'm just pissed, letting off some steam I guess and truly sorry for the negative tone, can't seem to be on the positive atm.

It will pass, like you said time, lots of it and well hopefully a good quality sleep..

hope you are doing ok 💞

sending you lots of support

Edited by Some0n3

Prior History:

(note that these are only the first prescription dates since i dont remember how long i was on them. there are also some prescriptions of the same stuff that were prescribed again at a later date so i dont remember if ive tried them again or not.)

Concerta: 18mg - 12.3.2014 ⏐ 36mg - 28.4.2014

Equasym Retard: 30mg - 20.11.2014

Medikinet: 5mg - 8.9.2015

Elvanse: 30mg - 30.10.2015

Risperdal: 0,5mg - 8.12.2015 ⏐ 1mg - 2.3.2017

Sertraline: 50mg - 14.10.2016 ⏐ 100mg - 17.1.2018

Intuniv: 1mg - 7.4.2017 ⏐ 2mg - 21.4.2017 ⏐ 4mg - 9.5.2017 ⏐ 3mg - 8.8.2017

Primperan: 10mg - 27.2.2019

Strattera: 25mg - 18.4.2019 ⏐ 10mg - 10.5.2019

Quetiapine: 25mg - 23.2.2021

Mirtazapine: 15mg - 29.2.2024


Escitalopram History:

9.9.2021 Escitalopram 10mg

9.9.2022 Escitalopram 15mg

2.5.2024 Escitalopram 20mg

1.7.2024 Escitalopram CT

11.11.2024 Escitalopram RI 10mg

14.11.2024 Escitalopram CT

15.12.2024 Escitalopram 2.5mg

29.12.2024 Escitalopram 5mg

12.1.2025 Escitalopram 10mg

12.1.2026 Escitalopram 7.5mg

26.1.2026 Escitalopram 5mg

 

Current Dose: Escitalopram 5mg

(some of these dates may not be entirely correct but theyre close enough based on what i can remember)

  • Author
9 hours ago, Raymond said:

You are doing great. I have had those symptoms and they will fade away.  The muscle pain last me 7 months.  The headache came around month 11 on this journey for two straight months until it was more on and off it's being few weeks with no headache...

 

The cortisol issue was my biggest concern because I wanted to sleep.  Now, it's being a week or little more and it's gone so far ..

 

You will get there.  You are doing amazing...I will love to be in the low dose you are right now.  That amount affects like 30 percent of your serotonin while my current dose 4.79mg affects like 45 percent of serotonin....

 

Once you stabilize, you will feel a lot better....

Thank you @Raymond yes, time will do its thing for all of us.

I'm so pleased that most of your symptoms are significantly decreasing, great sign of healing! and getting to a lower doses, at your own pace, I completely trust you, you are very attentive to your body so you'll know, we just have to keep things tolerable so that we can actually live and not just survive in the meantime.

Keep up your great work

Edited by Fullhealing

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

Wishing you well you will get there ,your strength shines through in your posts .

2016 - 2019 Sertraline 25mg highest dose 100mg 

2019 C Ted 25mg Bad withdrawals 

01/2020 reinstated 25mg 

06/2020 - 12/2021 tapered from 100mg to 6mg jumped off .bad withdrawals like before .

06/2022 reinstated 25mg 

10/2023 started taper of 25mg not sure of starting drops 

04/2025 5mg

06/2025 4.1mg

08/2025 3.5mg 

10/2025 3.1 mg

12/2025 2.5mg

01/2026 to present 2.27mg 

 

 

  • Author
31 minutes ago, Beehive said:

Wishing you well you will get there ,your strength shines through in your posts .

Thank you @Beehive hope things are going ok for you, stay strong!

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

No problem , you really do seem like you have a grip on this I believe you will go from strength to strength .Not so good this morning have recorded on my page don't want to clog up other people's pages 😊

2016 - 2019 Sertraline 25mg highest dose 100mg 

2019 C Ted 25mg Bad withdrawals 

01/2020 reinstated 25mg 

06/2020 - 12/2021 tapered from 100mg to 6mg jumped off .bad withdrawals like before .

06/2022 reinstated 25mg 

10/2023 started taper of 25mg not sure of starting drops 

04/2025 5mg

06/2025 4.1mg

08/2025 3.5mg 

10/2025 3.1 mg

12/2025 2.5mg

01/2026 to present 2.27mg 

 

 

Hey @Fullhealing

 

That update doesn’t sound great, I’ve suffered many of those symptoms. However, you’ve got an incredible attitude towards this, you really have. We are all far more resilient than we realise. The fact you can still work shows how strong you are. You’ll get through this and come out the other side one day. Brighter days are coming! 
 

Thinking of you. 

March 2024

Mirtazapine 15mg x 4 doses. Adverse reaction. 
 

3 day break. 
 

March 2024 

Sertraline 50mg x 7 doses. Adverse reaction. 
 

August and September 2024. 
Diazepam 5mg x 3 daily for 6 weeks. These doses varied from 15 to 5mg daily until the last week where I was tapered from 10mg to 0 in 6 days. 

Zopiclone daily. I would say I was on 7.5mg for 3 weeks and 3.75mg for 4 weeks. 

  • Author
47 minutes ago, NBJ71 said:

Hey @Fullhealing

 

That update doesn’t sound great, I’ve suffered many of those symptoms. However, you’ve got an incredible attitude towards this, you really have. We are all far more resilient than we realise. The fact you can still work shows how strong you are. You’ll get through this and come out the other side one day. Brighter days are coming! 
 

Thinking of you. 

Thank you @NBJ71 very kind of you, appreciate your encouragement!

I had much worse days so I'm greatfful for where I'm at now, trying hard to look at the positives, atm it going well but who knows what the next sec brings. work in progress.

Hope you are doing well atm, take care!

 

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

  • Author
1 hour ago, Beehive said:

No problem , you really do seem like you have a grip on this I believe you will go from strength to strength .Not so good this morning have recorded on my page don't want to clog up other people's pages 😊

Feel free to share here 🙂 left a comment on your thread, I hope you feel better soon!!

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

  • Author

Update 10:20pm

Night-short interrupted sleep, external noises, total of 3-4 hours.

Most of the day went well considering the night, I was quite energetic, mood was relatively good, worked a few hours, some humor with the employees, not on edge, gloomy, I missed my cheerful self, it was nice.

Evening, things changed mainly physically, body suddenly got extreme fatigue to the point of difficulty standing on its feet, added with joint/muscle pain, wave of about two hours, as for now it's 70% better.

Also during the day, waves of allergies including poor digestion and tinnitus but that's pretty much the norm.

Currently, mood is still fine, overall I'm improving, greatful.

 

 

Edited by Fullhealing

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

8 minutes ago, Fullhealing said:

Update 10:20pm

Night-short interrupted sleep, external noises, total of 3-4 hours.

Most of the day went well considering the night, I was quite energetic, mood was relatively good, worked a few hours, some humor with the employees, not on edge, gloomy, I missed my cheerful self, it was nice.

Evening, things changed mainly physically, body suddenly got extreme fatigue to the point of difficulty standing on its feet, added with joint/muscle pain, wave of about two hours, as for now it's 70% better.

Also during the day, waves of allergies including poor digestion and tinnitus but that's pretty much the norm.

Currently, mood is still fine, overall I'm improving, greatful.

 

 

Things seems that you are slowly improving... keep moving forward....

 

It will get a lot better...

08/01/2009- Klonopin 1mg, but took only .25mg when needed, and end up taking every day for 3 years. 08/01/2012 - Paraxotine 20 mg

12/2024- reinstated 5mg (.0740g)after cold turkey. First tapering 07/01/2025 = 1.2% , 09/01/2025 - another 1.4%. 10/01/2025- 4.79mg (.0716g) holding until further notice........04/17/26 resumed taper 0714g (4.78mg). 05/20/2026- .0712g (4.76mg, .28% cut). 06/09/2026- .0708g (4.73mg .56% cut). 06/30/2026 - .0706g (4.72mg .33%). 07/28/2026 - .0700g (4.68mg, .85%).

  • Author
7 minutes ago, Raymond said:

Things seems that you are slowly improving... keep moving forward....

 

It will get a lot better...

Will do, slowly but surely, thanks Raymond!

Edited by Fullhealing

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control 

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

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