Spent 6 months tapering at 1% every 30 days.  Symptoms caught up and went into considerable wave.  Held for about 6 weeks and balanced out.  Thought that maybe I was tapering to quickly and symptoms so decided to change to a 2% drop every 8 weeks.  Did great until right at 8 weeks and started experiencing symptoms.  Mild head pressure, some anxiety, fear, balance, blurry vision, tight muscles, all of the typical symptoms rotating through.  I went ahead and continued to hold for another week, so I am now into week 9 and while some of the symptoms may be improving, they are still there.  Is it pretty standard to have this long of a delay when experiencing the waves from a drop.  Should I slow it down more ?  I am currently at 15.5 mg daily.   I split it into two doses every 12 hrs.  It is important to stay as functional as I am still working full time.  I have been on the medication for going on 30 years now.    Thoughts?  Thanks 

Grew up in Stockton Mo.   Married and started a family in September of 1997.  Lost my mom in 1998 and was going through some difficult times.  Family Physician prescribed a newer SSRI that was sure to fix everything.  Went on 10mg of Paxil and assured it was non-addictive and safe.  Dose was increased to 30 mg where I spent several years.  Was later switched over to the ER release form of the medication and settled in there for several years.  OCD / GAD started to surface again around 2010 and I was tossed around on several others that did not work and went back to the traditional Paxil at 40mg.   Was experiencing some significant side effects, so went back to 30mg where I settled in until around 2019 or so.  Was feeling pretty well and decided I wanted to try to taper off and free myself from the medication.  Started w/10% every 30 days.  Did pretty well for a few months and then started to experience mainly physical symptoms that would include issues w/lower leg strength and balance.   Considering my history of lower back problems, I was seen by a neurosurgeon who performed a surgery on my lumbar and cleaned up a couple of levels of stenosis.  I then went straight back to 30mg Paroxetine but was also placed on Opoids for the surgical pain.  During an MRI for the lumbar, they also identified a level in my cervical that was concerning.   W/in 60 days I was back in for a cervical level 6-7 fusion, placed on more opioids that further destabilized my current WD and I didn't even know it.  Was sent to a neurosurgeon in search for answers and was placed on amitriptyline for nerve pain.  Was then also placed on Gabapentin, Xanax ( as needed ) , and muscle relaxers.  Was tossed around from specialist to specialist trying to figure out all of the symptoms.  Doctors were skeptical of upper cervical spine pressure being the cause of all of the symptoms.  Some Dr's said no and eventually one requested major cervical upper spine surgery PCDF  C3-6.  Surgery went well and was placed on more opioids.  Symptoms continued to heighten as my CNS became further disrupted.  Felt I was going crazy and was in a dark place.  Saw a PSYHC who recommended bridge from Paroxetine to Cymbalta.  Bridge was performed and right at 3 months in, I experienced my chronic / acute event.  Was in and out of every ER I could get my hands on in search of relief.  PSYCH switched me back over to 20mg Paroxetine.  Reaching out to Alto at SA and was referred to withdrawal therapist who literally helped save my life.  Went CT on all the meds w/the exception of the 20 mg Paroxetine and the Hydrocodone.  Tapered the Hydro over course of a year in 2021.  Shortly after off the hydrocodone, I split my paroxetine dose to 10mg in the AM and 10 mg in the PM and slowly started to stabilize.  Started to notice some balance in late 2022.  Started slow micro taper and currently at 15.5 mg to date.   Still very up and down but managing.  Life is very different for me after all of the surgeries.    It was not until the chronic event that I discovered all of my symptoms were coming from the CNS de-stabilization vs actual spine problems.  

Hi Jackpot19

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Thanks for writing your introduction topic for us.

 

It looks like you are on SA as well is that right?

Could you let me know your username over there and I can link your thread for you above?

 

You have been through a lot this last couple of decades on various medications and surgeries. As you found out all this is very destabilising for the nervous system. A little bit of strain on it is normally fine for most but it has a breaking point for sure. Once that breaking point is hit it is all too common for the symptoms of the CNS injury to start to treated with more and more drugs which unfortunately only adds fuel to the fire.

 

10 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

Still very up and down but managing.  Life is very different for me after all of the surgeries.    It was not until the chronic event that I discovered all of my symptoms were coming from the CNS de-stabilization vs actual spine problems.  

Im sorry to hear this but it is good you are managing. How are things? How is the taper going?

 

You are very welcome here and I hope you find the site supportive.

 

Chippy

 

PS I like your avatar and profile photo 🙂😉

13 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

Spent 6 months tapering at 1% every 30 days.  Symptoms caught up and went into considerable wave.  Held for about 6 weeks and balanced out.  Thought that maybe I was tapering to quickly and symptoms so decided to change to a 2% drop every 8 weeks.  Did great until right at 8 weeks and started experiencing symptoms.  Mild head pressure, some anxiety, fear, balance, blurry vision, tight muscles, all of the typical symptoms rotating through.  I went ahead and continued to hold for another week, so I am now into week 9 and while some of the symptoms may be improving, they are still there.  Is it pretty standard to have this long of a delay when experiencing the waves from a drop.  Should I slow it down more ?  I am currently at 15.5 mg daily.   I split it into two doses every 12 hrs.  It is important to stay as functional as I am still working full time.  I have been on the medication for going on 30 years now.    Thoughts?  Thanks 

Hey

 

I just found this second topic you posted with this updated information in it.

 

Ive put it here with your intro topic. This is your home base and where this type question should go from now onwards 🙂 

 

It's very common for WD effects to be delayed in onset by a few weeks. Tapering Information

 

If you are experiencing WD symptoms you have two options:

 

-Hold here and wait for things to settle down. This can take some time and you can experience windows and waves whilst holding. 

 

-Try a small updose. You have been tapering very slowly so maybe just back to your previous dose of 15.7mg and see if that helps things.

 

I noticed you held at 15.7mg and then attempted to drop to 15.5 but had to hold again. Did you stabilise before finallly making the drop to 15.5 in the end or just push through it?

 

It is always best to up dose soon after a drop and it has been a few weeks. Have a read of this to help you make your mind up if this is right for you:

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

How long does it take to stabilize after reinstating or updosing?

 

Hypersensitivity and kindling

 

We can't give you medical advice and only share this information with you to help you decide what to do next. 🙂  I can give you Dr Mark Horowitz's details if you wanted to get his opinion here. It's always a good idea to seek his professional opinion when you get intro trouble I think. Just pop me a PM 🙂 

 

Chippy

17 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

Spent 6 months tapering at 1% every 30 days.  Symptoms caught up and went into considerable wave.  Held for about 6 weeks and balanced out.  Thought that maybe I was tapering to quickly and symptoms so decided to change to a 2% drop every 8 weeks.  Did great until right at 8 weeks and started experiencing symptoms.  Mild head pressure, some anxiety, fear, balance, blurry vision, tight muscles, all of the typical symptoms rotating through.  I went ahead and continued to hold for another week, so I am now into week 9 and while some of the symptoms may be improving, they are still there.  Is it pretty standard to have this long of a delay when experiencing the waves from a drop.  Should I slow it down more ?  I am currently at 15.5 mg daily.   I split it into two doses every 12 hrs.  It is important to stay as functional as I am still working full time.  I have been on the medication for going on 30 years now.    Thoughts?  Thanks 

Hey mate, it’s good to see you’re going about your tapering wisely and you seem to know what you’re doing. 
 

Most can usually tell if they’re tapering too quickly based on how quickly the symptoms come on, the intensity and how long they stick for. I would say a general term would be to hold for a couple weeks or maybe more, if the symptoms aren’t too disabling and severe than it could be best to hold at that dose for a considerable time. Give the CNS time to settle on that dose and then cut again in the future once things settle down. Some experience waves and symptom increase every drop, some don’t. 
 

Considering you’ve been on for 30 years, everything points to a “normal” withdrawal process in a sensitive nervous system that’s been dependant on a specific drug for 3 decades. 
 

The lower you go, the likelihood the more sensitive you’ll become, but only you will know that once you get further into your cutting. 
 

It’s also not uncommon for symptoms and a wave after a cut to stick for sometime, hell - I haven’t tapered at all and I have experienced a wave holding for months before lifting. It takes time, be patient and do what you can to balance around your work. 

@Jackpot19 glad you got your intro thread up.

This will help the team know who you are. 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/21218-albert-preparing-to-get-off-paxil-paroxetine-for-good/?do=findComment&comment=442801

 

You know I am here for you...slow and steady wins this race. ❤️🙏

May sure you follow this topic...there is a follow box to check....also you can adjust your notifications for posts, etc 

Edited February 7Feb 7 by LostinCanada

On 2/7/2026 at 2:21 AM, Chippy said:

Hey

 

I just found this second topic you posted with this updated information in it.

 

Ive put it here with your intro topic. This is your home base and where this type question should go from now onwards 🙂 

 

It's very common for WD effects to be delayed in onset by a few weeks. Tapering Information

 

If you are experiencing WD symptoms you have two options:

 

-Hold here and wait for things to settle down. This can take some time and you can experience windows and waves whilst holding. 

 

-Try a small updose. You have been tapering very slowly so maybe just back to your previous dose of 15.7mg and see if that helps things.

 

I noticed you held at 15.7mg and then attempted to drop to 15.5 but had to hold again. Did you stabilise before finallly making the drop to 15.5 in the end or just push through it?

 

It is always best to up dose soon after a drop and it has been a few weeks. Have a read of this to help you make your mind up if this is right for you:

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

How long does it take to stabilize after reinstating or updosing?

 

Hypersensitivity and kindling

 

We can't give you medical advice and only share this information with you to help you decide what to do next. 🙂  I can give you Dr Mark Horowitz's details if you wanted to get his opinion here. It's always a good idea to seek his professional opinion when you get intro trouble I think. Just pop me a PM 🙂 

 

Chippy

I went ahead and stayed at 15.5 mg.  It has now been about 9 weeks and it appears I am starting to settle down.  The symptoms started to really become noticeable between week 5-6 and I would say they peaked around week 8.  Not seems like they are starting to settle and I am starting to balance back out.  Hopefully !!!  I feel thankful that I have made it down to one drug.   Having said that, this is by far the most difficult one to manage.    I did have another question.  About a year ago, I tried to go back to one dose per day vs splitting it.  I did make it to one dose, but it was for a very short time and then I went back to splitting.  Do you think there would be any benefit in consistency or my taper by trying to take the medication once per day as designed.  I had a Dr change and he encouraged me to try to get back to one dose per day as that is how the medication is designed.  However, he was also quick to say it was up to me and it splitting it was working better, then he didn't think it would hurt anything.  It has probably been 4 years since I have taken it as directed just once per day.   

>> My Name over on SA was Albert 

On 2/7/2026 at 6:29 AM, Jack said:

Hey mate, it’s good to see you’re going about your tapering wisely and you seem to know what you’re doing. 
 

Most can usually tell if they’re tapering too quickly based on how quickly the symptoms come on, the intensity and how long they stick for. I would say a general term would be to hold for a couple weeks or maybe more, if the symptoms aren’t too disabling and severe than it could be best to hold at that dose for a considerable time. Give the CNS time to settle on that dose and then cut again in the future once things settle down. Some experience waves and symptom increase every drop, some don’t. 
 

Considering you’ve been on for 30 years, everything points to a “normal” withdrawal process in a sensitive nervous system that’s been dependant on a specific drug for 3 decades. 
 

The lower you go, the likelihood the more sensitive you’ll become, but only you will know that once you get further into your cutting. 
 

It’s also not uncommon for symptoms and a wave after a cut to stick for sometime, hell - I haven’t tapered at all and I have experienced a wave holding for months before lifting. It takes time, be patient and do what you can to balance around your work. 

Thanks Jack, I sure do appreciate the advice.  We need all we can get !!  I think I am going to hold for another week or so just to make sure I am in a good spot.  How much are you able to cut at one time? 

On 2/7/2026 at 10:42 AM, LostinCanada said:

@Jackpot19 glad you got your intro thread up.

This will help the team know who you are. 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/21218-albert-preparing-to-get-off-paxil-paroxetine-for-good/?do=findComment&comment=442801

 

You know I am here for you...slow and steady wins this race. ❤️🙏

May sure you follow this topic...there is a follow box to check....also you can adjust your notifications for posts, etc 

So glad to see you over here Lost in Canada !!  You helped me a lot over in SA.   How have you been doing?  Our youngest kid just graduated from college !!!  It is making my wife and I feel old.  We are hoping things start to slow down at some point.  I am trying to start preparing for the summer !!! 

6 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

went ahead and stayed at 15.5 mg.  It has now been about 9 weeks and it appears I am starting to settle down.  The symptoms started to really become noticeable between week 5-6 and I would say they peaked around week 8.  Not seems like they are starting to settle and I am starting to balance back out.  Hopefully !!! 

Good to hear! Nice to see things have settled for you.

 

6 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

About a year ago, I tried to go back to one dose per day vs splitting it.  I did make it to one dose, but it was for a very short time and then I went back to splitting.  Do you think there would be any benefit in consistency or my taper by trying to take the medication once per day as designed.  I had a Dr change and he encouraged me to try to get back to one dose per day as that is how the medication is designed.  However, he was also quick to say it was up to me and it splitting it was working better, then he didn't think it would hurt anything.  It has probably been 4 years since I have taken it as directed just once per day.   

Im not sure it makes much difference. Other than to say moving from split to single is yet another change for your system to cope with. So if it were me. Id be tempted to stay here and just taper a given percentage per day so its even.....@LostinCanada what do you think?

 

Hope this positive hold continues for you. 🙂 

 

 

12 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

 How have you been doing

The usual ups and downs....no one said it would be easy. 💯

12 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

Our youngest kid just graduated from college

 Our youngest just turned 40...good grief. 🤣 

5 hours ago, Chippy said:

So if it were me. Id be tempted to stay here and just taper a given percentage per day so its even.....@LostinCanada what do you think?

I didn't know you went back to splitting. Why didn't you stay at a single? 

I know Mark Horowitz mentions splitting with Paroxetine, so if you are used to it and doing it, I would stay there.... just make sure your doses are even. 

5 hours ago, Chippy said:

symptoms started to really become noticeable between week 5-6

This is why the Brassmonkey slide doesn't work for everyone. I am the same as you...I take a lot of time to resolve. 

Slow is the new fast...it is what it is. ❤️🙏

What does Mark Horowitz say about splitting dose with Paroxetine?  I had went back to once per day for a short period and then had some life changes and was starting to get symptoms.  I really couldn't say with any certainty if the symptoms were related to my dosage changes or not.  I have considered trying it again but keep waffling back and forth.  So you have to taper super slowly as well?  I often wonder if I were to just stay put for extended timeframe, if I would get a lot stronger and it would actually help my taper in the long run.   Have you thought of that.   However, I also want to get off someday.  Preferably when I get old.  There is so much research around how negatively Paroxetine reacts with other medications as you get older that I live in fear I will have that problem when I get into my 60's.  My Dad had some heart problems and has had to be on blood thinners and all kinds of other medications.   I also worry about dementia at some point.  I know that is a real risk the longer we are on Paroxetine.   

 

Do a lot of people who are tapering Paroxetine deal with severe muscle tension?  I have severe arthritis in the cervical spine and as I taper, I deal with severe upper back and neck muscle tension that really aggravates my neck.  I have been taking some magnesium and trying some relaxation in the evenings.  Anything else that can help ?  Thanks 

 

3 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

What does Mark Horowitz say about splitting dose with Paroxetine? 

He says there might be advantages as you get to lower doses or have interdose withdrawal.

3 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

you have to taper super slowly as well? 

Like a snail...take a look at my signature.

3 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

wonder if I were to just stay put for extended timeframe, if I would get a lot stronger and it would actually help my taper in the long run. 

I really don't think it will help... tapering is hard especially with a drug like paroxetine. If you stay at your current rate, to get to a jump off dose of .016 mg, it will take you over 30 years. At some point we just have to accept that moving forward is our only choice and that at least less of the drug in our bodies is better than sitting where we are.

3 hours ago, Jackpot19 said:

severe muscle tension?  I have severe arthritis

These drugs are used for pain management because they numb us. I have had an increase in pain...I am 65, have had osteoarthritis in my spine for decades. 

This drug literally affects every cell in our bodies.

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/181-paroxetine-what-you-should-know/?do=getNewComment

 

On 2/17/2026 at 10:02 AM, LostinCanada said:

He says there might be advantages as you get to lower doses or have interdose withdrawal.

Like a snail...take a look at my signature.

I really don't think it will help... tapering is hard especially with a drug like paroxetine. If you stay at your current rate, to get to a jump off dose of .016 mg, it will take you over 30 years. At some point we just have to accept that moving forward is our only choice and that at least less of the drug in our bodies is better than sitting where we are.

These drugs are used for pain management because they numb us. I have had an increase in pain...I am 65, have had osteoarthritis in my spine for decades. 

This drug literally affects every cell in our bodies.

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/181-paroxetine-what-you-should-know/?do=getNewComment

 

It really does affect everything.   Do you think we will ever get all the way off.   Guess you are right in saying that it is at least better having less of the drug in our body than more . 

17 minutes ago, Jackpot19 said:

Do you think we will ever get all the way off.

I hope at some point my taper might get easier...who knows...I just keep moving forward. 💯

5 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

I hope at some point my taper might get easier...who knows...I just keep moving forward. 💯

I have read that for some it can get easier as they get more of the medication out of their system 

1 hour ago, Jackpot19 said:

read that for some it can get easier as they get more of the medication out of their system 

Me too... here's hoping 💯

On 2/17/2026 at 6:24 AM, Jackpot19 said:

Do a lot of people who are tapering Paroxetine deal with severe muscle tension?

Hi Albert, yes, I've had a really sore neck and upper back muscles since beginning my taper. It seems to have improved somewhat recently. And I know you've had some back issues. Sorry you're having to deal with that along with withdrawal. Keep up the good fight.

xxoo Jamie

Yea, when the back of my neck and shoulders lock up, it causes the arthritis in my neck to go crazy.   I think I am coming out of a pretty big wave.  The tricky part about my taper is that I have to stay pretty functional until I can retire.  That keeps my taper pretty slow.  Hope you have a good weekend. 

 

On 2/7/2026 at 8:13 AM, Jackpot19 said:

Grew up in Stockton Mo.   Married and started a family in September of 1997.  Lost my mom in 1998 and was going through some difficult times.  Family Physician prescribed a newer SSRI that was sure to fix everything.  Went on 10mg of Paxil and assured it was non-addictive and safe.  Dose was increased to 30 mg where I spent several years.  Was later switched over to the ER release form of the medication and settled in there for several years.  OCD / GAD started to surface again around 2010 and I was tossed around on several others that did not work and went back to the traditional Paxil at 40mg.   Was experiencing some significant side effects, so went back to 30mg where I settled in until around 2019 or so.  Was feeling pretty well and decided I wanted to try to taper off and free myself from the medication.  Started w/10% every 30 days.  Did pretty well for a few months and then started to experience mainly physical symptoms that would include issues w/lower leg strength and balance.   Considering my history of lower back problems, I was seen by a neurosurgeon who performed a surgery on my lumbar and cleaned up a couple of levels of stenosis.  I then went straight back to 30mg Paroxetine but was also placed on Opoids for the surgical pain.  During an MRI for the lumbar, they also identified a level in my cervical that was concerning.   W/in 60 days I was back in for a cervical level 6-7 fusion, placed on more opioids that further destabilized my current WD and I didn't even know it.  Was sent to a neurosurgeon in search for answers and was placed on amitriptyline for nerve pain.  Was then also placed on Gabapentin, Xanax ( as needed ) , and muscle relaxers.  Was tossed around from specialist to specialist trying to figure out all of the symptoms.  Doctors were skeptical of upper cervical spine pressure being the cause of all of the symptoms.  Some Dr's said no and eventually one requested major cervical upper spine surgery PCDF  C3-6.  Surgery went well and was placed on more opioids.  Symptoms continued to heighten as my CNS became further disrupted.  Felt I was going crazy and was in a dark place.  Saw a PSYHC who recommended bridge from Paroxetine to Cymbalta.  Bridge was performed and right at 3 months in, I experienced my chronic / acute event.  Was in and out of every ER I could get my hands on in search of relief.  PSYCH switched me back over to 20mg Paroxetine.  Reaching out to Alto at SA and was referred to withdrawal therapist who literally helped save my life.  Went CT on all the meds w/the exception of the 20 mg Paroxetine and the Hydrocodone.  Tapered the Hydro over course of a year in 2021.  Shortly after off the hydrocodone, I split my paroxetine dose to 10mg in the AM and 10 mg in the PM and slowly started to stabilize.  Started to notice some balance in late 2022.  Started slow micro taper and currently at 15.5 mg to date.   Still very up and down but managing.  Life is very different for me after all of the surgeries.    It was not until the chronic event that I discovered all of my symptoms were coming from the CNS de-stabilization vs actual spine problems.  

Hi @Jackpot19im so sorry you've been through the wringer . If only we knew about these drugs before we ever toke them . I'm currently taking 8.25mg of Paxil and have been on then as long as you . I hope one day we can get off this posion . I hope you doing okay with your taper . 
 

cheeky 

 

OK, so in the middle of a super nasty back flare up and I am here at urgent care and they are recommending a cycle of steroids. Either oral, or a shot in the muscle. They indicate the shot in the muscle has far less side effects, but the last time I did oral steroids, I told myself " NEVER AGAIN" It sent me back into a chronic event like no other. I have only been tapering 1% per month so I am in a fairly stable spot with only minor symptoms. My back has had me locked up now for over a week and just don't know what else to do. Anyone have experience with steroid shot in the muscle ?

Sorry to hear @Jackpot19

I know you went through this before. Are muscle relaxants worse? I have had back issues before, not to this extent and not in withdrawal. I guess all you can do is weigh it against previous experience. Have you researched less potent treatments? I know the last time I was locked up for 2 weeks but it did resolve with nothing...just lots of rest and heat. ❤️🙏

Yes, the last time I took an oral dose of steroids. This time they want to give it to me in a shot. They say it has less side effects, but still in the blood stream and lasts for about 2 weeks. I may ask them for the oral and then just not get the shot. I am in a pretty balanced spot and just really don't want to mess it up if you know what I mean. So you had this an it took 2 weeks. I mean, I can't even get out of the bed. AWFUL.

IMO, only difference would be the oral dose is not traveling through the gut and digestive system.