10 minutes ago, Willy said:

symptoms stacking for 5-6 months before I crashed. I ignored them because they weren’t terrible. Maybe it’s taking longer to stabilize because of that?

I know a crash is a horrible thing and it takes time. 

You did have that one day not to long ago where you felt better...

13 minutes ago, Willy said:

thinking about giving it another week

Sounds like a plan. ❤️🙏

5 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

I know a crash is a horrible thing and it takes time. 

You did have that one day not to long ago where you felt better...

Sounds like a plan. ❤️🙏

That one good day was over 3 weeks ago now. I just keep saying give it one more week…

 

Thanks for your steady support, LIC. I don’t know how to navigate this alone

1 minute ago, Willy said:

That one good day was over 3 weeks ago now.

But it still happened. I've had waves last 3 months....it so hard to know when withdrawal, waves and poop out present the same way. 

Also, I've had a bad batch of compounded drugs that was just like a cold turkey...and this batch since June never felt right...so many unknowns. 

4 minutes ago, Willy said:

don’t know how to navigate this alone

We have each other. Sending hugs and love. ❤️🙏

@Willywhen we're in an anxious our decisions aren't the best. We really want off these drugs and we hate to hold but looking at your history and coming down that much in such a small amount of time. It makes sense that you're suffering like this I really think you should give it more time. . I did something similar to you and it wasn't as much of a drop that you did in that time and it took me over a year to feel better.. you could do a 1% drop and see how you go and then you will know but personally I wouldn't be doing it 2%. This is just my opinion from my experience with these drugs.. 

Hi @Willy I am sorry to hear you are in such a rough patch Bud, sending you strength 💪. Keep holding

until you stabilise, and let's hope that's  soon.🤞

Take great care,            B.🙏🙏🙏💪🤞

 

15 hours ago, Willy said:

fter looking back at my taper I had symptoms stacking for 5-6 months before I crashed. I ignored them because they weren’t terrible. Maybe it’s taking longer to stabilize because of that?

Hey @Willy

 

This sounds to me the problem. It’s why holding and not pushing through is so important. 
 

Im not very familiar with your journey but from what I understand your up dose helped? But didn’t stabilise you?

 

I think your body needs some stability which you are now giving it. People sometimes have to hold a very long time before stable enough to taper. @Raymond has a lot of experience with this. 
 

I agree with @LostinCanada I wish we knew more. 
 

I know alot are worried about poop out.

 

Poop out or tolerance is experienced as finding your drug 'stops working'.

 

This is a tricky one to identify. Because what do the drugs actually do for you? I guess thats one thing to ask yourself? Very nuanced personal question to answer that. For me on Sertraline I got emotional numbing (which I found useful) a metallic taste in my mouth and some PSSD type side effects. So if they started to go or lessen that would be a sign of tolerance.

If I started to get depressed whilst tapering that would be a WD effect not tolerance. Just an example from my experience. 

 

To confuse things, as you reduce your dose of an AD, I would think it possible to get a reduced sense of 'original effect' because of the lower dose.

Could this be misinterperted as tolerance half way through a taper?

 

Have you read Tolerance or "poop-out" or Tachyphylaxis

 

I think for most this is fear talking. 
 

I think you’re likely experiencing the result of kindling from dropping with symptoms and it’s taking time to settle down.

 

Chippy

13 hours ago, cheeky said:

We really want off these drugs and we hate to hold but looking at your history and coming down that much in such a small amount of time. It makes sense that you're suffering like this I really think you should give it more time

I really don’t mind holding if that’s what I need to do. The issue is if I go into poop out again then holding will make things worse. I plan to continue holding this week and then reassess. Thanks @cheeky

8 hours ago, NT1100B said:

Hi @Willy I am sorry to hear you are in such a rough patch Bud, sending you strength 💪. Keep holding

until you stabilise, and let's hope that's  soon.🤞

Take great care,            B.🙏🙏🙏💪🤞

 

Thanks for the support, B.

8 hours ago, Chippy said:

Poop out or tolerance is experienced as finding your drug 'stops working'.

 

This is a tricky one to identify

I’ve had poop out 3 times and it’s just like wd. The symptoms are identical. That’s why my dose was increased over time. I found SA in July 2024 in really bad shape and I wasnt even tapering. That’s when I learned I was in tolerance. I immediately started to taper and felt much better after 2 months. Eventually over the course from July 2024-July 2025 I went from 40mg-16.5mg. Crashed hard in August 2025 and updosed to 18.5mg. I’ve been holding 18.5mg since September 2025. I know that the taper caught up to me and an extended hold is necessary. I’m just concerned the longer I hold that tolerance will rear its head again because I’m very susceptible to that. I do plan on holding another week and see what happens. 
 

Thank you, @Chippy

11 minutes ago, Willy said:

I’ve had poop out 3 times and it’s just like wd. The symptoms are identical. That’s why my dose was increased over time. I found SA in July 2024 in really bad shape and I wasnt even tapering. That’s when I learned I was in tolerance. I immediately started to taper and felt much better after 2 months. Eventually over the course from July 2024-July 2025 I went from 40mg-16.5mg. Crashed hard in August 2025 and updosed to 18.5mg. I’ve been holding 18.5mg since September 2025. I know that the taper caught up to me and an extended hold is necessary. I’m just concerned the longer I hold that tolerance will rear its head again because I’m very susceptible to that. I do plan on holding another week and see what happens. 
 

Thank you, @Chippy

Sounds like you're well in tune with your symptoms @Willy and I think this is half the battle in all this, learning to read what your body is telling you.

 

Hope this hold settles things down for you so you can continue your journey to zero soon!

 

Chippy

 

7 hours ago, Willy said:

I really don’t mind holding if that’s what I need to do. The issue is if I go into poop out again then holding will make things worse. I plan to continue holding this week and then reassess. Thanks @cheeky

You do what your gut is telling you to do if you think doing a tiny percent is the right way to go then do it. Whatever you do or you decide we're all here for you.

8 minutes ago, cheeky said:

You do what your gut is telling you to do if you think doing a tiny percent is the right way to go then do it. Whatever you do or you decide we're all here for you.

Thank you, my friend. I’m going to continue holding for now

Talk to me @Willy

How are you doing? 

❤️🙏

4 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Talk to me @Willy

How are you doing? 

❤️🙏

Hi LIC! The last seven days have been better. This past Thursday I had 6hrs where I was back to my old wd normal. I haven’t felt that in months and it was amazing. I now believe I’m still dealing with wd from that severe crash in August and I don’t think it’s poop out. It seems like this wave is easing….hopefully I don’t jinx it. 
 

Thanks for checking on me. It’s means a lot. You’re the best!!

 

I haven’t checked in for a little bit but always thinking of you. I hope you’ve been doing better? 

8 minutes ago, Willy said:

last seven days have been better

🎉🎉🎉

9 minutes ago, Willy said:

I now believe I’m still dealing with wd from that severe crash in August

I am so glad you got clarity...I am thinking poop out might have been more gradual coming on and not as severe...

I am so happy.

10 minutes ago, Willy said:

hope you’ve been doing better? 

I am...I really think my drug was messed up because it's been 2 weeks since the new batch and every day is getting better....I am holding at least another month 

 

Finally some relief for us both....

Those rotten waves mean healing....hard to believe. 🙏❤️😊

52 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

I am...I really think my drug was messed up because it's been 2 weeks since the new batch and every day is getting better....I am holding at least another month

I’m so glad you’re getting better

5 hours ago, Willy said:

Hi LIC! The last seven days have been better. This past Thursday I had 6hrs where I was back to my old wd normal. I haven’t felt that in months and it was amazing. I now believe I’m still dealing with wd from that severe crash in August and I don’t think it’s poop out. It seems like this wave is easing….hopefully I don’t jinx it. 
 

Thanks for checking on me. It’s means a lot. You’re the best!!

 

I haven’t checked in for a little bit but always thinking of you. I hope you’ve been doing better? 

Willy that's great to read . When your in a better place you can think for clearly about your situation . 

5 hours ago, Willy said:

The last seven days have been better

Happy to read @Willy

Hi @Willy Glad to hear you are doing a bit better Bud, I hope this keeps going for you.🤞

Stay strong and stay safe. All the best,    B.👍

9 hours ago, cheeky said:

Willy that's great to read . When your in a better place you can think for clearly about your situation . 

It does help when you’re able to think clearly. Thanks cheeky. I hope things are good with you!

9 hours ago, NT1100B said:

Glad to hear you are doing a bit better Bud, I hope this keeps going for you

I hope it keeps going too!!! Thanks, B

9 hours ago, Chippy said:

Happy to read @Willy

and I’m happy to post something positive!! Thanks, chippy

Update- I’ve been doing bad. Very activated brain like I’m on crack, eyes wide open bugging out of there socket, bloating and nausea, extreme tinnitus, dizzy, fast heart rate, anhedonia, terrible sleep from symptoms, etc. It’s been 2 months on this wave and not getting better. I had a few decent days here and there but very short lived.
 

Overall I’ve had a combined 9 weeks that were decent since my severe crash 6 months ago. I’ve been holding my dose since September. It’s really wearing me down. I can’t take much more and don’t know what to do. I don’t know why I can’t stabilize. 
 

I’ve been trying to remain positive and ride this out but it never ends and I don’t think it will. Something needs to change quickly 

 

 

@Willy just remember why it's taking so long . It's because you went down to quick on the Paxil and the brain takes alot of time to recalibrate. 
I know how awful It iis to go through this for months felling like this is the new you but it is t . It's been 4 months for me and  when I'm in a wave I think the same . I've had a dirty window the last few days and I see my situation different .,Your fear is catastrophic  everything  and that's a symptom in itself . 
Just ride this out my friend ((((((hugs)))))))

7 minutes ago, cheeky said:

Just ride this out my friend

I’m trying too it’s just never ending. I need a window so badly now….just a 3 week break from the suffering 

 

Thanks for being here with me @cheeky. I hope you’re are doing better