LostinCanada: Tapering Paroxetine -welcome to my nightmare

August 29Aug 29

Waiting sounds wise. Hopefully you're not coming down with something.

Wombat

1998 Paroxetine 20mg, getting to 60mg and staying there for many years.

Started reducing by 10mg at a time, December 2018 to June 2019. At 30mg held for 2 and a half years.

Beginning 2023, start micro tapering from 30mg

End 2023 - 18.76. End 2024 - 13.37. End 2025 - 8.58

2026 - 31 Jan - 8.38, 15 Feb - 8.19, 07 March - 8.06, 14 March - 8.00, 08 April - holding and start liquid transition, 22 May completed liquid transition 8mg (16ml) held for 1 month

27 June - 7.9, 12 July - 7.75, 18 July - 7.6, 25 July - 7.45, 22 August - 7.30,

Deuteronomy 31.8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

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August 30Aug 30

17 hours ago, LostinCanada said:
So for some reason I had massive anxiety last night. I have decided to wait a couple days before dropping to see if this is a one off or if I picked up a bug at the dentist on Tuesday.
I've had a headache since then and yesterday a bit of a sore throat so....
Hate this rollercoaster.

Im sorry LIC, hope it was just a blip, Im with you, the ups and downs are just awful. xxxx

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.

1

August 30Aug 30

On 8/29/2026 at 1:38 AM, LostinCanada said:
Tomorrow I plan to drop to 3.8 mg.
Praying it goes easier than the last drop.

I hope so, @LostinCanada .

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.

1

September 1Sep 1

On 8/28/2026 at 8:38 PM, LostinCanada said:
Always in the back of my mind I am concerned about poop out

Same here. I’m worried about it coming back after the year long hold I’ve been on.

I’m glad you’re able to continue with the taper. You’ve come a long way

Oct Nov 2017 - 30mg diazepam every night. CT Dec 2017 extreme wd

Jan 2018 - 15mg mirtazapine, 100mg seroquel, 1mg lorazepam (taper off Mar 2018)

Jan 2019- 20mg Paxil, 15mg mirtazapine, 100mg seroquel

April 2021- 30mg Paxil, 15mg mirtazapine, 100mg seroquel

Feb 2024 - 40mg Paxil, 15mg mirtazapine, 100mg seroquel

July 2024 in withdrawal from Paxil poop out.
Continuing to take 15mg mirtazapine and 100mg seroquel while tapering off Paxil
July 29, 2024 started 40mg paroxetine taper using brass monkey method-7/29/24-39mg, 8/5/24-38mg, 8/12/24-37mg, 8/19/24-36mg, 9/9/24-35.1mg, 9/16/24-34.2mg, 9/23/24-33.3mg, 9/30/24-32.4mg, 10/21/24-31.59mg, 10/28/24-30.78mg, 11/4/24-29.97mg, 11/11/24-29.16mg, 12/2/24-28.43mg, 12/9/24-27.7mg, 12/16/24-26.97mg, 12/23/24-26.24mg, 1/13/25-25.58mg, 1/20/25-24.92mg, 1/27/25-24.26mg, 2/3/25-23.62mg, 2/24/25-23.03mg, 3/3/25-22.44mg, 3/10/25-21.85mg, 3/17/25-21.26mg, 4/7/25-20.73mg, 4/14/25-20.20mg, 4/21/25-20mg, 5/12/25-19.5mg, 5/19/25-19mg, 5/26/25-18.5mg, 6/2/25-18mg, 6/23/25-17.55mg, 6/30/25-17.10mg, 7/7/25-16.65mg, 8/23/25-17.10mg, 8/28/25-17.55mg, 9/1/25-18.5mg, 9/11/25-19.5mg, 9/12/25-19mg, 9/13/25-18.5mg

1
1

September 6Sep 6

Author

Still holding...I have been in a wave. Had another ocular migraine a week ago that turned into a regular migraine for 3 days which has now morphed into a sinus headache. Will be waiting for this to cease before dropping. This is ridiculous.

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg/Sep 18-3.8mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for reflux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger as needed for nausea/500 mg of Vitamin C for cortisol

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

2
2
1
1

September 6Sep 6

23 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:
Still holding...I have been in a wave. Had another ocular migraine a week ago that turned into a regular migraine for 3 days which has now morphed into a sinus headache. Will be waiting for this to cease before dropping. This is ridiculous.

We will all make it out, just symptoms being symptoms ❤️

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.
Feel free to mention me whenever help is needed.

Current Supplements: Night: 6mg melatonin and 133mg magnesium glycinate. Taking Omega 3 as needed to calm dyskinesia or over stimulation (Lately been reacting more negatively to supplement Omega 3).

Current Medications: Mirtazapine, Lasea (lavender oil) before bed.

------------------------------------------

Tapering: Mirtazapine 15mg, (went compounded) 13.5mg 08/May/2025, 12.1mg 10/July/2025, 15/July/2025 15mg (half tablet), 26/July/2025 14.35mg (moved to dry cutting method) ), 03/Aug/2025 14.6mg, 24/Nov/2025 14.47mg, 29/Jan/2026 14.35mg

Note: Had a lot of issue with degradation with different cutting times and compounded pharmacy which caused withdrawals and a more sensitive nervous system.

1

September 6Sep 6

Dear LostinCanada, ridiculous for sure. I am so sorry that you are getting these migraines. They are very awful.

I am praying you will find relief soon.

Wombat

1998 Paroxetine 20mg, getting to 60mg and staying there for many years.

Started reducing by 10mg at a time, December 2018 to June 2019. At 30mg held for 2 and a half years.

Beginning 2023, start micro tapering from 30mg

End 2023 - 18.76. End 2024 - 13.37. End 2025 - 8.58

2026 - 31 Jan - 8.38, 15 Feb - 8.19, 07 March - 8.06, 14 March - 8.00, 08 April - holding and start liquid transition, 22 May completed liquid transition 8mg (16ml) held for 1 month

27 June - 7.9, 12 July - 7.75, 18 July - 7.6, 25 July - 7.45, 22 August - 7.30,

Deuteronomy 31.8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

1

September 7Sep 7

Sorry to hear that, @LostinCanada

I had headaches and visual stuff and head pressure for a minute. Does anything help like a hot shower or do you just have to be in a dark room?

2011-2015 - tapered off 300mg of Venlafaxine after 6 years of use

2005-2021 - 450 mg Bupropion daily

2021-2023 - tapered Bupropion to zero

1

September 7Sep 7

Author

34 minutes ago, j1290 said:
Sorry to hear that, @LostinCanada
I had headaches and visual stuff and head pressure for a minute. Does anything help like a hot shower or do you just have to be in a dark room?

I know you really suffered....I find steam either in the shower or bath helps. I also have a thing I heat in the microwave that can wrap around my head and neck. My dark bedroom is also in my arsenal and smelling peppermint. I find staying hydrated by drinking water with a bit of salt and maple syrup good too. It is just when it persists for endless days that I get grumpy at life. 😂

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg/Sep 18-3.8mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for reflux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger as needed for nausea/500 mg of Vitamin C for cortisol

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

September 7Sep 7

1 minute ago, LostinCanada said:
I also have a thing I heat in the microwave that can wrap around my head and neck.

Oh I used to have one of those as an eye mask! A wrap around one sounds great.

2 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:
nd smelling peppermint.

I just cleaned out the medicine cabinet and re discovered my roll-on essential oils 😆 I used to have diffusers and now I'm missing those too 😁

5 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:
It is just when it persists for endless days that I get grumpy at life. 😂

oh , absolutely! That's when I want to go deeper into my cave so I don't make my problems anybody else's 😂 but not everybody can do that.

I hope this starts clearing up for you soon, LIC. You're an important part of this community and we're lucky to have you 🙏

2011-2015 - tapered off 300mg of Venlafaxine after 6 years of use

2005-2021 - 450 mg Bupropion daily

2021-2023 - tapered Bupropion to zero

2

September 7Sep 7

16 hours ago, LostinCanada said:
Still holding...I have been in a wave. Had another ocular migraine a week ago that turned into a regular migraine for 3 days which has now morphed into a sinus headache. Will be waiting for this to cease before dropping. This is ridiculous.

Sending lots of love LIC xxxxxx

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.

1

September 7Sep 7

8 hours ago, LostinCanada said:
I know you really suffered....I find steam either in the shower or bath helps. I also have a thing I heat in the microwave that can wrap around my head and neck. My dark bedroom is also in my arsenal and smelling peppermint. I find staying hydrated by drinking water with a bit of salt and maple syrup good too. It is just when it persists for endless days that I get grumpy at life. 😂

Hi LIC,

I’m sorry you’ve been suffering! I also suffer from migraines during this time and I can’t take any medicines, nor do I really want to. Migraines are relatively new to me, how do you manage them in WD? Do you take anything for them? Did you used to? I sometimes meditate during them and listen to headache music on YouTube, it can help!

2011 - Metoclopramide for pregnancy sickness

2016 - 2017 - Citalopram - doctors “taper” I.e. CT - no effects

2016 - 2025 -various meds, antihistamines 2016-19, PPI 2021-2022, Xonvea for pregnancy sickness 2023-2024, 2016-2023 daily Imodium.

2025 -

March 2025 - adverse reaction to iron infusion.

April 2025 - daily fexofenadine (Allegra).

July 2025 - Citalopram- 10mg 3 tablets taken at night, on the 3rd morning I took Quercetin 500mg supplement and had a terrible reaction possibly “moderate” Serotonin Syndrome. CT from Citalopram.

2025 - July - October acute “withdrawal” or CNS damage from citalopram mirroring CT withdrawal

November - December - improving lots, Windows and waves ☀️

Needing advice on future pregnancies/medication/food sensitivity in my thread!

1

September 7Sep 7

Author

4 hours ago, SparklingG said:
how do you manage them in WD?

I find steam either in the shower or bath helps. I also have a thing I heat in the microwave that can wrap around my head and neck. My dark bedroom is also in my arsenal and smelling peppermint. I find staying hydrated by drinking water with a bit of salt and maple syrup good too.

4 hours ago, SparklingG said:
Do you take anything for them? Did you used to?

No I don't. Before withdrawal, I would take 3 extra strength sinus and cold Advil. That would sometimes lessen it.

I can't really do anything but lay low and try to relax.

I am sound sensitive from withdrawal so silence for me, no devices, no tv.

Sorry you are dealing with this as well. ❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg/Sep 18-3.8mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for reflux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger as needed for nausea/500 mg of Vitamin C for cortisol

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

1

September 7Sep 7

5 hours ago, LostinCanada said:
I find steam either in the shower or bath helps. I also have a thing I heat in the microwave that can wrap around my head and neck. My dark bedroom is also in my arsenal and smelling peppermint.

Thanks for sharing LIC, interesting about the heat, I had been using a lot of ice and not really tried heat. I’ll give it a go! Laying in a dark bedroom is very helpful, today I am having to carry on through, I’m not able to take anything to alleviate it either but it’s nearly bedtime here.

I’m so sorry you have been going through this, it’s a silent suffering that others can’t relate to, an inability to access help for pain is really one of the hardest parts to accept for me in all this. I hate that this has happened for you too, but I’m glad I am able to find people who relate in this corner of the internet ❤️‍🩹. You are not alone LIC, and neither am I 🫂❤️

2011 - Metoclopramide for pregnancy sickness

2016 - 2017 - Citalopram - doctors “taper” I.e. CT - no effects

2016 - 2025 -various meds, antihistamines 2016-19, PPI 2021-2022, Xonvea for pregnancy sickness 2023-2024, 2016-2023 daily Imodium.

2025 -

March 2025 - adverse reaction to iron infusion.

April 2025 - daily fexofenadine (Allegra).

July 2025 - Citalopram- 10mg 3 tablets taken at night, on the 3rd morning I took Quercetin 500mg supplement and had a terrible reaction possibly “moderate” Serotonin Syndrome. CT from Citalopram.

2025 - July - October acute “withdrawal” or CNS damage from citalopram mirroring CT withdrawal

November - December - improving lots, Windows and waves ☀️

Needing advice on future pregnancies/medication/food sensitivity in my thread!

1

September 7Sep 7

Author

5 minutes ago, SparklingG said:
using a lot of ice

I used to do a lot of cold but someone suggested hearing pads on my head and I was surprised how good it felt. I hope you can get some relief soon. ❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg/Sep 18-3.8mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for reflux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger as needed for nausea/500 mg of Vitamin C for cortisol

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

2

September 7Sep 7

Thinking of you @LostinCanada

Lexapro:

Aug 2023 – Lexapro 5mg

Jan 2024 – Lexapro 20mg

Jun 2024 – Lexapro 17.5mg (Kept tapering down in 2.5mg increments till Aug)

Aug 2024 – Lexapro 2.5mg (Withdrawal hit after stopping 2.5mg)

Oct 2024 – Lexapro 5mg

Jan 2025 – Lexapro 1mg, 1.25mg, 1.5mg, 2mg (Drs orders back reaction)

Feb 2025 – Lexapro 1.5mg

Sept 2025 – Stabilized

Dec 2025 – Back in WD

Omeprazole:

?? June 2024 – 20mg

08 Mar 2025 – Stopped

14 Mar 2025 – 20mg

05 April 2025 – Brand swap

Start Sept - 15mg (2 week taper)

End Sept 2025 - 10mg (By end of Sept)

05 Feb 2026 – Brand swap

Supplements:

Fish Oil - AM High DHA & EPA

Loratadine Am

Magnesium Glycinate pm 1,000mg

1

September 12Sep 12

Sorry to hear about this most recent bout of symptoms, @LostinCanada . Thinking of you & wishing this passes sooner rather than later so you can get on with it. Slowly but surely...💚☀️

Prozac: May 2020 - April 2024: 40mg - had no trouble coming off linearly over the course of several months/a year
Klonopin: September 2024: 0.5mg - CTd after 4 weeks use
Zoloft: Nov-Dec 2024: 25mg - CTd after 4 weeks use
Olanzapine: Dec 2024-July 2025: 7.5mg. July 2025-Sept 2025: 5mg (bad WD 7.5 to 5). Sept 2025-Nov 2025: 2.5mg (no WD 5 to 2.5). Tried to stop at 2.5 per doc. Anxiety & insomnia returned so reinstated 2.5mg. Nov 2025-Feb 2026: 2.5mg
Trazodone: Dec 2024-now: 100mg

Olanzapine taper: 2026: 3/1 - 2.3mg (0.111g); 3/29 - 2.1mg (0.100g); 5/3 - 1.9mg (0.090g); 5/31 - 1.7mg (0.081g); 6/21 - 1.5mg (0.073g); 7/19 - 1.35mg (0.065g); 8/9 - 1.22mg (0.059g); 8/30 - 1.1mg (0.053g)

1

September 19Sep 19

Hi LostinCanada, thinking of you and wishing you well. 🌷

Wombat

1998 Paroxetine 20mg, getting to 60mg and staying there for many years.

Started reducing by 10mg at a time, December 2018 to June 2019. At 30mg held for 2 and a half years.

Beginning 2023, start micro tapering from 30mg

End 2023 - 18.76. End 2024 - 13.37. End 2025 - 8.58

2026 - 31 Jan - 8.38, 15 Feb - 8.19, 07 March - 8.06, 14 March - 8.00, 08 April - holding and start liquid transition, 22 May completed liquid transition 8mg (16ml) held for 1 month

27 June - 7.9, 12 July - 7.75, 18 July - 7.6, 25 July - 7.45, 22 August - 7.30,

Deuteronomy 31.8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

September 19Sep 19

Author

Just now, Wombat said:
Hi LostinCanada, thinking of you and wishing you well. 🌷
Wombat

You are so sweet @Wombat .

I have felt okay enough to drop my dose 2 days ago. Today I am already feeling it... electricity across my head, dizziness, shakes, anxious. It usually takes to day 6 to feel anything so this is an unwanted surprise. Even when you know this is all drug induced, it's hard to be a rational calm person...lol.

How are you managing? Feeling any better?

❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg/Sep 18-3.8mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for reflux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger as needed for nausea/500 mg of Vitamin C for cortisol

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

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September 19Sep 19

Oh that message is such good timing. I am sorry that you got those symptoms so quickly, but

6 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:
Even when you know this is all drug induced, it's hard to be a rational calm person...

This is me exactly right now!! Thank you.

I am glad that you have been feeling well enough to drop again, but sorry that it is hitting so hard.

I hope this wave passes quickly for you.

Wombat

Edited September 19Sep 19 by Wombat

1998 Paroxetine 20mg, getting to 60mg and staying there for many years.

Started reducing by 10mg at a time, December 2018 to June 2019. At 30mg held for 2 and a half years.

Beginning 2023, start micro tapering from 30mg

End 2023 - 18.76. End 2024 - 13.37. End 2025 - 8.58

2026 - 31 Jan - 8.38, 15 Feb - 8.19, 07 March - 8.06, 14 March - 8.00, 08 April - holding and start liquid transition, 22 May completed liquid transition 8mg (16ml) held for 1 month

27 June - 7.9, 12 July - 7.75, 18 July - 7.6, 25 July - 7.45, 22 August - 7.30,

Deuteronomy 31.8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

1
1

September 23Sep 23

@LostinCanada I hope that this dose drop mostly goes smoothly despite a bit of a bumpy start.

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.

1
1

September 23Sep 23

Author

6 hours ago, Luke said:
@LostinCanada I hope that this dose drop mostly goes smoothly despite a bit of a bumpy start.

Thanks Luke...me too. ❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg/Sep 18-3.8mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for reflux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger as needed for nausea/500 mg of Vitamin C for cortisol

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

1

September 23Sep 23

Author

From dna I had read, I found my main liver enzyme CYP2D6 is a normal metabolizer of paroxetine but one of the secondary enzymes, CYP2C19 is a slow one. Because paroxetine inhibits CYP2D6, it forces metabolism through secondary enzymes. Since my secondary enzyme CYP2C19 is a slow metabolizer, it has kept more drug in my system. As I have dropped my dose under 5 mg, paroxetine no longer inhibits CYP2D6 the same way which means the secondary slower metabolizing enzyme isn't used much and the body relies more on the CYP2D6. So my body has no doubt felt the shift, not only of drug not building up in my blood from the CYP2C19 but also the inhibition of metabolism from paroxetine from higher doses is not happening...so the drug is moving faster through my body. Hope that makes sense to anyone trying to figure out this drug.

No wonder it has been so hard but it's been a little over a year of this occuring and I am hoping my body has found an acceptable rhythm.

Here's hoping. ❤️🙏

Edited September 23Sep 23 by LostinCanada

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg/Sep 18-3.8mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for reflux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger as needed for nausea/500 mg of Vitamin C for cortisol

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

3

September 23Sep 23

just keep holding out and let your body slowly stabilize, just don't forget doing things you enjoy ❣️

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.
Feel free to mention me whenever help is needed.

Current Supplements: Night: 6mg melatonin and 133mg magnesium glycinate. Taking Omega 3 as needed to calm dyskinesia or over stimulation (Lately been reacting more negatively to supplement Omega 3).

Current Medications: Mirtazapine, Lasea (lavender oil) before bed.

------------------------------------------

Tapering: Mirtazapine 15mg, (went compounded) 13.5mg 08/May/2025, 12.1mg 10/July/2025, 15/July/2025 15mg (half tablet), 26/July/2025 14.35mg (moved to dry cutting method) ), 03/Aug/2025 14.6mg, 24/Nov/2025 14.47mg, 29/Jan/2026 14.35mg

Note: Had a lot of issue with degradation with different cutting times and compounded pharmacy which caused withdrawals and a more sensitive nervous system.

1

September 23Sep 23

59 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:
I am hoping my body has found an acceptable rhythm.
Here's hoping. ❤️🙏

Hi LIC,

Iam sorry to read that you having a bumpy drop....... What you describing about the enzymes is very interesting. Remembering one doctor I saw mentioned enzymes as well and one of my theories is that there could be left overs of the medication after being completely off antidepressants.

I assume this might have happened to my body after reaching zero.

Is there a method to test this? How did you find out about your enzymes?

hope your symptoms will subside and you will stabilize soon

Celexa (other trade names Cipramil, Ctp, Seropram, Citalopram, Cipram)

first prescribed 2004

2004-2005: 5mg, upped to 10mg

2005: weaned off

2007: went back on, got severe issues, probably withdrawal already

2007-2010: 10mg

2010: upped to 20mg

2013: went down to 10mg and after a while 5mg (thought it was a pretty low dose and I was on step away of dropping..... little did I know)

sure I had some symptoms, but thought it was something else

2013 - 2019: 5mg

2020: 2,5mg for a few days or weeks, as the doctor recommended

2020: stopped in Feb, felt great, then such BAD WD, which went worse and worse, doctors thought it was a burn out and put me back on Celexa in Aug, took 5mg, after a few days 10mg, I also got prescribed opipramol for sleeping (had the worst sleeping problems in my whole life) stopped opipramol after two nights: made me fell hang-over and I got unreal headaches

2021: 10mg Celexa, bad WD until July, and a wave in September and October

2022: 5mg, then I tried to come off again, got WD symptoms again, realized it was WD before

2022: research about WD and tapering, removed Celexa really slowly

2022-2025:5mg tapering to 0 in steps

2026: free from the drug, but not symptom free

similarities between escitalopram (lexapro, cipralex) and Celexa: Citalopram is a racemic mixture of two mirror-image molecules (R- and S-citalopram). Escitalopram is the pure active S-enantiomer. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17675913/)

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, Shared words are personal views or based on general information.

1

LostinCanada: Tapering Paroxetine -welcome to my nightmare

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