5 hours ago, mstimc60 said:

I did find they became less intense over time as I tapered

This statement is something that I am holding onto. Some days are bad, some days are better. It changes all the time.

7 hours ago, cheeky said:

but is so overwhelming and hard trying to mask it

I know. Those are the days I become like a wombat and go hide in my burrow. Not always easy when we are working or looking after the family.

8 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

We know the pattern can change, things can get worse but they can also get better......we just have to keep moving forward...no matter what, less of a drug is always better

Yes, the pattern does seem to change without rhyme or reason. Some drops seem to be easier than others. I have no idea why.

The bad mornings and feeling a bit better in the evening seems to be a very typical symptom pattern. Something to do with cortisol I believe.

Yes, it is very normal. And next month normal might look a little different.

You are doing really well, Cheeky. One day at a time, one drop at a time, we will eventually get off these meds. 😊❤️

Wombat

Thinking of you @cheeky I agree 100% with @LostinCanada one day at a time, this mindful approach is key to life maybe and not just WD! 'Monk mode'!

@mstimc60 @Catbird @Beehive @LostinCanada thanks for all your kind words , I really needed to hear it this morning . My afternoon was like a switch had gone off and I was back to being myself again but just a little sorry for myself . It's evening now and I'm going to bed but I'm dreading having to wake up to that aniexty again .

Bring on another day 🎢

4 hours ago, Wombat said:

This statement is something that I am holding onto. Some days are bad, some days are better. It changes all the time.

I know. Those are the days I become like a wombat and go hide in my burrow. Not always easy when we are working or looking after the family.

Yes, the pattern does seem to change without rhyme or reason. Some drops seem to be easier than others. I have no idea why.

The bad mornings and feeling a bit better in the evening seems to be a very typical symptom pattern. Something to do with cortisol I believe.

Yes, it is very normal. And next month normal might look a little different.

You are doing really well, Cheeky. One day at a time, one drop at a time, we will eventually get off these meds. 😊❤️

Wombat

Thanks @Wombat Im trying my best .,I really hope it changes and that some part may be easier .

2 hours ago, Chippy said:

Thinking of you @cheeky I agree 100% with @LostinCanada one day at a time, this mindful approach is key to life maybe and not just WD! 'Monk mode'!

Monk Mode I love that

@cheeky That's great it turned for you that's very similar to myself and yes I dreaded the going to bed but try not too as this can sometimes set the tone like a self fulfilling prophecy 😉...wishing you a restful sleep and a more positive start tomorrow ,beware of the here we go again trick of the mind when you awake 😉focus on something else and don't buy into it ❤️🙏

7 hours ago, Wombat said:

The bad mornings and feeling a bit better in the evening seems to be a very typical symptom pattern. Something to do with cortisol I believe.

I also think because of paxil's short half life, we get hit with a bit of interdose withdrawal. I am assuming we are all talk g it in the morning???

I have thought about splitting the dose but when I take it later, it affects my already rotten sleep.

❤️🙏

Hmmmm.....I hadn't considered that. I thought interdose withdrawal wouldn't start to be noticeable until I am on a lower dose. (I am hoping I don't notice it at all!)

I actually take my meds at 7pm and have done so for many years.

When I was on the full dose and had reached tolerance I did experience the same - mornings super bad and lightening up by evening.

59 minutes ago, Wombat said:

Hmmmm.....I hadn't considered that. I thought interdose withdrawal wouldn't start to be noticeable until I am on a lower dose. (I am hoping I don't notice it at all!)

I actually take my meds at 7pm and have done so for many years.

When I was on the full dose and had reached tolerance I did experience the same - mornings super bad and lightening up by evening.

That's good to know...so maybe it has nothing to do with the short half life and is just cortisol driven. 👍

9 hours ago, Beehive said:

@cheeky That's great it turned for you that's very similar to myself and yes I dreaded the going to bed but try not too as this can sometimes set the tone like a self fulfilling prophecy 😉...wishing you a restful sleep and a more positive start tomorrow ,beware of the here we go again trick of the mind when you awake 😉focus on something else and don't buy into it ❤️🙏

I'm so grateful I get hat respite in the afternoons . I Still can't believe how when I'm In the middle of it my rational thinking goes out the window and my looping thoughts set in . I've noticed @Beehive were similar in that

6 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

I also think because of paxil's short half life, we get hit with a bit of interdose withdrawal. I am assuming we are all talk g it in the morning???

I have thought about splitting the dose but when I take it later, it affects my already rotten sleep.

❤️🙏

I never heard that could happen with Paxl but nothing surprises me with this posion . I take it in the morning but I think it's the cortisol that's doing it for me .

4 minutes ago, cheeky said:

I never heard that could happen with Paxl but nothing surprises me with this posion . I take it in the morning but I think it's the cortisol that's doing it for me .

I'm the Maudsley Deprescribing Guide it mentions it as well as splitting the dose.

I have not bothered trying because it would just mean one more dose to prepare or accidentally forget...lol

2 hours ago, cheeky said:

when I'm In the middle of it my rational thinking goes out the window and my looping thoughts set in . I

This is me!!! Right now. Stomach churning anxiety attack. And looping thoughts going round and round. No rational thinking and changing the channel is hard.

Hope you're having a better morning cheeky.

Wombat

2 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

maybe it has nothing to do with the short half life and is just cortisol driven.

Or all of the above and other things we are not even aware of.

Wombat

11 hours ago, Wombat said:

This is me!!! Right now. Stomach churning anxiety attack. And looping thoughts going round and round. No rational thinking and changing the channel is hard.

Hope you're having a better morning cheeky.

Wombat

@Wombat I'm sorry your having a rough time I hope it eases for you .

This morning Im fine thank God 🙏

Just wanted to do a little update 😊

I completed a 2% cut this month. Overall, I’d rate the month around 85% stable. I still had some small waves and windows throughout, but on average I felt pretty decent most days.

Now I’m trying to decide whether to stay with another 2% cut next month or maybe try a 2.5% cut. I’m curious what everyone thinks or what people would recommend based on your own experiences?

Would love to hear your thoughts 💛

3 minutes ago, cheeky said:

Now I’m trying to decide whether to stay with another 2% cut next month or maybe try a 2.5% cut. I’m curious what everyone thinks or what people would recommend based on your own experiences?

If it were me, I'd stay with two percent because you're having such good luck at that level and you're comfortable with it. Sometimes, the mental comfort staying on a regular schedule is worth the slower taper.

2 minutes ago, mstimc60 said:

If it were me, I'd stay with two percent because you're having such good luck at that level and you're comfortable with it. Sometimes, the mental comfort staying on a regular schedule is worth the slower taper.

I agree with @mstimc60

Rocking the boat just results in longer holds and more suffering. ❤️🙏

49 minutes ago, mstimc60 said:

If it were me, I'd stay with two percent because you're having such good luck at that level and you're comfortable with it. Sometimes, the mental comfort staying on a regular schedule is worth the slower taper.

You're right about this. I just tend to have a habit of trying to push myself but then it has always resulted in a crash so 2% seems the way to go. Thank you for your input.

47 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

I agree with @mstimc60

Rocking the boat just results in longer holds and more suffering. ❤️🙏

The verdict is 2%. Let's see how I go.

Just realised I did my calculations wrong 🤦‍♀️
I actually did a 2.4% cut rather than a 2% cut 😅 I’m seriously the queen of making mistakes lately lol.

Overall I still did pretty well that month and averaged around 85%, with some little waves and windows throughout. But because it ended up being a bigger cut than I intended, I’m thinking I may just hold at this dose for another 2 weeks and let my nervous system settle before deciding what to do next.

Good idea to hold for another couple of weeks. It’ll pay off in the long run.

24 minutes ago, mstimc60 said:

Good idea to hold for another couple of weeks. It’ll pay off in the long run.

Yeah I will . Thanks for your advise

Hi Cheeky, I am so glad that the month turned out well enough for you.

Wombat

Edited May 19May 19 by Wombat

@cheeky That mind of ours ...we make a cut and then as you say your month was 85% which is great so pleased for you ,but it also sometimes gives us a false sense of this is ok I'm doing really well here maybe next time I will cut a bit more . I think we all fall for it . Not saying it wouldn't work for you ,but personally I would be more cautious and stay at the same drop and stablisise more ,as others have said no need to rock the boat as youbare doing ok ,enjoy it 😁❤️🙏