thank you for your help, @LostinCanada

I need to be steered a bit. 

 

What search terms might I use to narrow down the overwhelm? 

 

My experience seems different than what I'm reading and I don't even know what to search for.

 

Everyone seems to talk about holding a dose until they stabilize.  I NEVER STABILIZE.  I am sick from they very moment the drug (Paxil) reaches a saturation that helps. Side effects kick in as soon as intended effects do. 

 

They never go away at any dose at all so I don't have physiological markers to tell me I may be ready to reduce. 

 

I'm desperate for a direct response to this question...even if it's 

 

"Gee, I've never heard of an experience like yours."

 

It would help me a lot to know whether this forum us right for me.

 

Thank you in advance

 

 

 

16 minutes ago, mars said:

I need to be steered a bit. 

 

What search terms might I use to narrow down the overwhelm? 

 

My experience seems different than what I'm reading and I don't even know what to search for.

 

Everyone seems to talk about holding a dose until they stabilize.  I NEVER STABILIZE.  I am sick from they very moment the drug (Paxil) reaches a saturation that helps. Side effects kick in as soon as intended effects do. 

 

They never go away at any dose at all so I don't have physiological markers to tell me I may be ready to reduce. 

 

I'm desperate for a direct response to this question...even if it's 

 

"Gee, I've never heard of an experience like yours."

 

It would help me a lot to know whether this forum us right for me.

 

Thank you in advance

 

 

 

Hey @mars I’ve moved this to your intro topic for you. 😀

 

In the process I’ve lost your original topic title. Could you tell me what it should be and I’ll redo it for you!

 

Chippy

I started a new thread to attract attention.  Putting it in my intro feed didn't get any. Please...can you boost me a bit? I was asking for for help and suggestions for how to research alternatives to "feeling stabile" before cutting dose...

@mars 

I wanted to say hello to you. It sounds like you have been through a lot with these various medications, and if I’m understanding your posts correctly, you seem to be stuck in a cycle where being on them leaves you feeling a constant level of discomfort, but going off them brings on intense insomnia. Do I have that right? You mentioned that you need to be steered a bit, and I’m not clear whether your goal is to get off the medication entirely or to stay on it and find a way to stop feeling constantly sick. If it’s the latter, I sadly don't think I have many suggestions. Are you looking for someone to share their opinion based on personal experience? I’m not sure you’ll get concrete answers, but you may get perspectives shaped by what others have been through. I could share my experience, but I would need to ask a lot of questions and have more of a back and forth conversation with you, and even then it would only be my perspective, which may or may not be helpful. When it comes to these medications, though, I believe that recovery often takes months, and since you appear to be sensitized due to changes in medication use, it could take a while. But again, that is only my opinion. I'm very sorry to hear you are suffering so. I've been though a lot myself with these anti-depressants and know how bad it can be.

 

Thank you @RachelSusan

 

I want to get off! 

 

But how do I know when to reduce when I never feel good when I'm on...no matter the dose? 

 

What most people around here call "withdrawal " I experience simply as side effects. So my body never feels different...until I'm completely off and the insomnia kicks in....insomnia much worse than I ever had before taking these pills.

 

Have other people reported adverse effects before reducing? They must have. Otherwise, what leads to dose reduction in the first place? 

 

Am I making any sense?

1 hour ago, mars said:

I need to be steered a bit. 

 

What search terms might I use to narrow down the overwhelm? 

 

My experience seems different than what I'm reading and I don't even know what to search for.

 

Everyone seems to talk about holding a dose until they stabilize.  I NEVER STABILIZE.  I am sick from they very moment the drug (Paxil) reaches a saturation that helps. Side effects kick in as soon as intended effects do. 

 

They never go away at any dose at all so I don't have physiological markers to tell me I may be ready to reduce. 

 

I'm desperate for a direct response to this question...even if it's 

 

"Gee, I've never heard of an experience like yours."

 

It would help me a lot to know whether this forum us right for me.

 

Thank you in advance

 

 

 

@mars I'm with you on this, I really do, even when I was on a full dose I wasn't stable although relatively tolerable but as soon as I cut ct, something in the wiring went off and no matter how I played with the dose, very slow and long, I couldn't stabilize, I'm pretty sure I developed an adverse reaction as well and though it's a terrible situation I don't see any other option other than to wait long enough between cuts even without real balance than cutting in one go and risking a total crash, very tricky place to be in obviously, the goal is clearly to get off this drug completely.

I wish I had answers, just sharing my experience and what my plan which means still slow, very slow.

Sorry if I wasn't helpful, maybe others will give their opinion.

Please stay strong!

Edited February 11Feb 11 by Fullhealing

@mars Are these the medications you are currently taking?

• Paroxetine (Paxil) .

• Prazosin

• Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine)  

• Seroquel (Quetiapine)

Have you run a drug check to see if there are any interactions between these meds? You can do that using AI or any drug check on the internet.

 

I am using AI to look up your meds and this is what I found:

• Paroxetine can cause emotional blunting, nausea, jitteriness, or brain fog.

• Prazosin can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness or lightheadedness.

• Trileptal can cause fatigue, mental slowing, or imbalance.

• Seroquel commonly causes sedation, grogginess, and that “heavy” or dulled feeling.

When taken together, the most common combined effects are:

• Feeling unusually tired or sedated

• Brain fog / slowed thinking

• Dizziness when standing

• Emotional numbness

• Just not feeling like yourself

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar to you? Can you describe how you feel physically and emotionally while taking your medications? Do you have a doctor you trust and feel comfortable being honest with about your experiences? And yes, everything you say makes perfect sense. I am sorry you are going through this. I know how bad it feels.

Edited February 11Feb 11 by RachelSusan
added something I forgot

@marsband @Fullhealing, my case is as yours: I am bad on the drug and I am bad cutting. I go so slowly and by thiny cuts, but it doesn't work either. My goal is to eliminate this poison from my brain, but don't know how to proceed.

Svetla

@RachelSusan

Yes...you got the drugs right...and besides everything you mentioned I get chronic infections,  restless legs, tinnitus, ibs, and headaches.  

 

And i do have a Physiologist who I'm working with. 

 

My main question is when does one know WHEN  to reduce a dose when the body feels the same no matter what the dose is. Are there other hints 🤔,  or tricks that others have tried? 

 

As I try to comprehend the threads it seems that a cns can start withdrawal even before any reduction!!! Am I understanding that right? The brain gets hungry for more drugs!!!

 

Anyway I so appreciate your attention.  I felt I was screaming into a void there for a bit...lol. 

 

One last question: has someone compiled a glossary of terms used in this community? 

 

I'm not familiar with many of the acronyms and words...

 

Thanks again 

@skamenthank you for the validation.  I'll re read some of your stuff cuz I wonder how you know when to reduce if your body doesn't "stabilize."

@mars

The general guidance has always been to wait until all symptoms have resolved before making another dose change, but in your situation it could be different.

 

The question you’re asking might relate to tachyphylaxis. Many of us came over from another site that closed for new comments but is still available as a resource: Surviving Antidepressants. It offers a wealth of information. This link provides more detail specifically about tachyphylaxis:
https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/437-tolerance-or-poop-out-or-tachyphylaxis/

 

In terms of terminology, this website is new to me as well; it opened at the end of January. I don’t yet know everything they’ve posted, but it has been a colossal effort for them to get it up and running, and I’m impressed by how seamless their opening was. If there isn’t a particular glossary now, perhaps they will add one in the future?

 

You might also want to look up “kindling.” I’m not saying or implying that you have this occurring, but since you’ve experienced ups and downs a few times, it could be interesting reading:
https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/27800-hypersensitivity-and-kindling

 

I hope you start feeling better soon. I can’t answer all your questions at once, I’ve reached my limit for today, but I wanted to share what I could. Do you have a doctor that you work with, someone you trust and can be honest with about how you’re feeling?

---

10 hours ago, mars said:

I started a new thread to attract attention.  Putting it in my intro feed didn't get any. Please...can you boost me a bit? I was asking for for help and suggestions for how to research alternatives to "feeling stabile" before cutting dose...

Hi @mars so sorry was late here and it was bed time for us! 🙂 

 

I feel I need to point a few things out.

 

This is a peer support forum where we help each other with our journeys. It isnt a medical advice line. We can only share our own thoughts on your situation.

 

We are all also going through our own journeys and suffering. The staff team here is small.

 

The purpose of the site is to offer a home for all of us suffering with harms from these meds. it was built in a hurry after the announcement that SA was closing. Staff here cant possibly be expected to give tailored support to every member especially as the site grows its just not possible. It mainly relies on members to interact and support each other.

 

We noted in your PM last night that you felt you weren't getting traffic on your topic and we said we would all pop by and help but requested you posted your question on your topic. You then created a new topic in the a support area instead which needs approval and I moved it back here as that is where these kinds of questions need to go.

 

Im reading back over your thread and we havent had a very detailed history from you.

 

I think if you have the energy we would benefit from a fresh post from you explaining everything you have been through to lead you to this point. Im finding it hard to establish exactly where you are. Others will be able to use this also to comment on your situation.

 

From what I am reading you have been on and off Paxil for a number of years. This process really irritates our nervous systems. 

 

Holding is generally a good idea as it offers your system a chance to stabilise. How long to hold for is not a straight forward question. Ideally you want to be as comfortable as you can but zero symptoms isnt often possible or really the goal.

 

You have said you don't feel well when taking Paxil? This can point to 'poop out' it could also point to an adverse reaction to the drug.

 

If you are having an adverse reaction or experiencing 'poop out' then the advice isnt to hold but to continue to taper at the recommend rates. This is a tricky thing to do but the only real option.

 

I think as I said we need a brand new complete and concise history from you of what you have been through to comment further.

 

I hope this clears everything up but to summarise. 

 

1. You are very welcome here! 🙂 

2. We have limited resources and are suffering alot ourselves 

3. We cant take responsibility for your care just offer some support and thoughts to you

4. In order to do this we would like more information in one concise post which we can read and quickly understand exactly where you have been and where you are at now. Break it into paragraphs and make it very clear please.

 

Chippy 

 I'm feeling so misunderstood...and somewhat spanked!  What Have I done ??

 

I just wanted someone to notice my question and thank you @Chippyyou finally did.

"You have said you don't feel well when taking Paxil? This can point to 'poop out' it could also point to an adverse reaction to the drug.

If you are having an adverse reaction or experiencing 'poop out' then the advice isnt to hold but to continue to taper at the recommend rates. This is a tricky thing to do but the only real option"

 

That's all I needed to know. That was where I was confused. 

 

I told you before I didn't do well on forums.  How might I ask my questions more clearly and directly in the future? I have no expectations of "medical advice or responsibility for my care". It horrifies me that you would even think that! I thought I was asking a simple question and trying different avenues so people would see it. 🤔 

 

I did this because no one was even acknowledging

my question.  Even in the dm. So I apologize if I've come across as insubordinate or sneaking around.  Not my motive. I was reading other threads where people were getting lots of traffic so I started another with a plea to attract traffic. 

 

 

 

 

 

@Fullhealingjust read your reply. Thank you. It IS tricky.  I'm hopeful that as we build this base of knowledge, we will come up with alternate indicators about when to reduce. If our bodies always feel off balance, how do we know if we're moving too fast or too slow?

 

I've also been confused because the "feeling stable " method seems to be the overriding thing people talk about on this forum.  I've gotten lost because I don't fit into those parameters.  Perhaps, as time goes on we can start a subsection in the forum for those of who need more research and different guidelines.  

48 minutes ago, mars said:

 I'm feeling so misunderstood...and somewhat spanked!  What Have I done ??

 

I just wanted someone to notice my question and thank you @Chippyyou finally did.

"You have said you don't feel well when taking Paxil? This can point to 'poop out' it could also point to an adverse reaction to the drug.

If you are having an adverse reaction or experiencing 'poop out' then the advice isnt to hold but to continue to taper at the recommend rates. This is a tricky thing to do but the only real option"

 

That's all I needed to know. That was where I was confused. 

 

I told you before I didn't do well on forums.  How might I ask my questions more clearly and directly in the future? I have no expectations of "medical advice or responsibility for my care". It horrifies me that you would even think that! I thought I was asking a simple question and trying different avenues so people would see it. 🤔 

 

I did this because no one was even acknowledging

my question.  Even in the dm. So I apologize if I've come across as insubordinate or sneaking around.  Not my motive. I was reading other threads where people were getting lots of traffic so I started another with a plea to attract traffic. 

 

 

 

 

 

@mars

 

If you have further questions please tag me and I will endeavour to pop in and see if I can help.

 

Chippy

On 2/10/2026 at 7:05 PM, LostinCanada said:

What year did you start taking paroxetine?

This is what usually happens when tapering from poop out.

Even in poop out you still get withdrawal if you taper to quickly.

 

Maybe something in here can help you to discern if this is what is happening.

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/437-tolerance-or-poop-out-or-tachyphylaxis/?do=findComment&comment=4328

 

❤️🙏

I as well answered your question on the previous page. 

Were you able to read the link? Did you have more questions from it? I am happy to help. ❤️🙏

 

@LostinCanadaLostinCanada...I read the link but it doesn't reflect my experience.  

I don't have a lessening effect of the INTENDED  action is the drug (anti anxiety) I just always have "side effects "

In other words, I don't see myself in what I'm reading here or on the old forum. 

Chippy indicated that "that's just the way it goes for some of us." His response gave me clarity.

I need to dig further. 

Nonetheless, I appreciated your attention to my thread.

 

14 minutes ago, mars said:

Chippy indicated that "that's just the way it goes for some of us." His response gave me clarity.

I am glad... 

I am also happy you ruled out poop out. 

It definitely is a difficult journey that takes time and patience. ❤️🙏

Hey Everybody...

Does anyone know that technical writer from SA formerly known as @brassmonkey. ???

 

And is he/she over here now? 

 

I'd like to say thanks for the protocol. 

1 hour ago, mars said:

Hey Everybody...

Does anyone know that technical writer from SA formerly known as @brassmonkey. ???

 

And is he/she over here now? 

 

I'd like to say thanks for the protocol. 

I don’t believe Brassmonkey has crossed over, nor do I think they will. They’ve been out of the scene for a lengthy period of time as of now and I don’t expect them to return. A lot of the “old heads” of SA are long since gone. Most of them have recovered and live normal lives and probably choose to leave their past in the past and forget about SA or any form of forum interaction pertaining to psychiatric medication. 
 

Look at that with positivity, many move on after they’ve recovered. Normal, healthy individuals, free and thriving. 

17 hours ago, mars said:

I've also been confused because the "feeling stable " method seems to be the overriding thing people talk about on this forum.  I've gotten lost because I don't fit into those parameters.  Perhaps, as time goes on we can start a subsection in the forum for those of who need more research and different guidelines.  

 

The problem is, none of this is an exact science. All of it is based on the past experiences of others, and everybody is different, reacts differently to drug changes, and has different health and drug histories.

 

It is unlikely that there will ever be a "this is the right thing to do" rule.

 

All these online peer support spaces can provide is the ability to learn from the stories of others and a way to base decisions off of that. Take Brassmonkey- many used his tapering method to successfully taper off of their own medications- he simply decided upon his method as a slower, smoother way to transition between doses after finding other methods intolerable.

 

Before he started it, he didn't know how it would go.

 

5 hours ago, Jack said:

Look at that with positivity, many move on after they’ve recovered. Normal, healthy individuals, free and thriving. 

 

This is a good attitude.

For anyone that gets comfort from the Judeo/Christian Bible, Psalm 88 is today's Psalm on my reading plan. 

 

It's all about suffering; and as far as I know,  it's the only Psalm that doesn't have a clause that says " yet I will praise Adonai anyway and remember Hia goodness.  "

 

To me, this is Biblical permission to sometimes just grieve and complain when we hurt. 

 

The book of Job gives me that, too. But an entire Psalm (song) that complains and wonders why God has forgotten us 😢 I dunno.

.I just thought it was worth sharing. 

Hello @mars thank you so much for showing up on my thread. 😊
you asked about SERT occupancy, and were wondering why this was a thing for me. Since my English is not so good, I researched the Internet for a text that can explain the concept. I hope it is a correct explanation, here it is:.

SERT occupancy refers to how many serotonin transporters (SERT) are blocked by an antidepressant. These medications (SSRI )work by blocking the transporter that normally clears serotonin from the synapse. The higher the occupancy, the more transporters are blocked, and the stronger the effect on serotonin signaling.

The relationship between dose and SERT occupancy is not linear. It follows a hyperbolic curve. This means that at lower doses, even small changes can cause large shifts in transporter blockade. At higher doses, increasing or decreasing the amount often changes occupancy only slightly. In practical terms, dropping from a high dose to a medium dose may not change SERT occupancy very much, but dropping from a low dose to zero can represent a very large biological change.

This is why SERT occupancy matters during tapering. The brain adapts over time to a certain level of transporter blockade. When the medication is reduced, especially at the lower end, the nervous system suddenly experiences a disproportionately large shift. That rapid change in occupancy is one reason withdrawal symptoms are more common when tapering too quickly near the end.

In short, the last milligrams are not “small” in biological terms. Because occupancy changes most steeply at low doses, tapering usually needs to become slower and more gradual as the dose gets lower. I hope that helps! Thank you for the hint to Psalm 88. I will look it up. I also love the Bible.

@mars @Nemina

 

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