Thank you for being here.

 

I started on Paroxetine in 1998 reaching a maximum dose of 60mg. I stayed on that dosage for many years. In the middle of those years I was changed to 80mg of fluoxetine for a couple of years but then went back to 60mg paroxetine.

 

In 2019 I started trying to come off this medication as my anxiety was getting worse and worse. 

 

I reduced by 10mg at a time over 6 months, which was very difficult. Once at 30mg and stable, I stayed at this dose for 2 and a half years. Within that time I came across the website Surviving 

Antidepressants and decided that if I ever wanted to reduce again I would follow them. (I did not become a member).

 

In 2023 at 30mg I started to feel my anxiety reemerging and commenced a very slow taper.

 

I have reached 8mg.

 

I am now wanting to transition to liquid and wanted to get my maths checked.

 

20mgai = 0.310gpw

20mgai tablet into 40ml water

 

Week 1:

 

7mgai = 0.109gpw

1mgai = 2ml

 

To be honest, I am terrified of changing anything, but I am hoping the liquid will be more accurate. I am currently using a 3 decimal place scale and it is getting a bit hit and miss.

I have stayed on 8mgai for about 3 weeks now and am at WD Normal (which is very functional).

 

Hoping to receive any support and support others as I am able.

 

Thank you so much. 

Hi @Wombat

 

Welcome to the forum

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are tapering and/or experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications and withdrawl syndrome. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. We simply offer support and opinions which you could use as talking points with a medical provider knowledgeable in withdrawing off psychiatric medications.

 

Please familiarise yourself with the forum rules and the disclaimer located here: Guidelines

 

Please make sure your signature is kept up to date with your drug history. This will allow members to see some basic information about your drug history and situation so that they may help you best. Information on how to do this is located in the FAQs section above, but here is a direct link: Update Signature

Once this is done, future posts made by you will have this signature turned on by default. For this reason please keep it clear but condensed as possible.

I'm so sorry to read about the tough time you've had recently you will find plenty of support here for sure.

 

9 hours ago, Wombat said:

In 2019 I started trying to come off this medication as my anxiety was getting worse and worse. 

This is common. People don't realise that reducing their dose of an antidepressant too fast can cause WD symptoms and assume they need the drug.

 

9 hours ago, Wombat said:

I reduced by 10mg at a time over 6 months, which was very difficult. Once at 30mg and stable, I stayed at this dose for 2 and a half years. Within that time I came across the website Surviving 

Antidepressants and decided that if I ever wanted to reduce again I would follow them. (I did not become a member).

This, as you know was too fast for your nervous system to handle. It's possible the first 10mg may have been ok for you but the lower you go, the harder it is due to the hyperbolic relationship the drug has with the brain.

 

9 hours ago, Wombat said:

n 2023 at 30mg I started to feel my anxiety reemerging and commenced a very slow taper.

This is probably because you became tolerant to the drug, often when this happens, the drug becoms paradoxal, and the body starts to reject the dose, whilst at the same time being dependant on it. Tapering down is usually a good idea here, it seems it can 'convience' the brain to start to accept the drug again but at a lower dose. Tolerance or "poop-out" or Tachyphylaxis

 

9 hours ago, Wombat said:

I have reached 8mg.

Congratulations! How long did it take for things to settle once youn started tapering from 30mg?

 

9 hours ago, Wombat said:

am now wanting to transition to liquid and wanted to get my maths checked.

 

20mgai = 0.310gpw

20mgai tablet into 40ml water

 

Week 1:

 

7mgai = 0.109gpw

1mgai = 2ml

 

To be honest, I am terrified of changing anything, but I am hoping the liquid will be more accurate. I am currently using a 3 decimal place scale and it is getting a bit hit and miss.

I have stayed on 8mgai for about 3 weeks now and am at WD Normal (which is very functional).

Math looks good to me! With that dilution you basically double the dose to get the amount of liquid you need. So to take 8mg you would take 16ml.

 

A drop from 8-7mg is too much, that is more like -12.5%. Not sure if that was just an example, rather than your intention.

 

Here are some useful topcs to read:

 

Tapering Information

 

Preparing Doses for Tapering - Weighing & DIY Liquids

 

Micro Tapering

 

9 hours ago, Wombat said:

I have stayed on 8mgai for about 3 weeks now and am at WD Normal (which is very functional).

Good! Nice and steady from here. Consider a Micro Taper. It can get harder the lower you go. Micro Tapers can be much easier on the nervous system.

 

In the mean time this is what I would do if I were you:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind!

 

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

 

Chippy

14 hours ago, Chippy said:

A drop from 8-7mg is too much, that is more like -12.5%. Not sure if that was just an example, rather than your intention.

 

Hi Chippy,

 

Thank you for the welcome.

 

I actually had reached tachyphylaxis years ago, the anxiety was getting worse and worse, which is why I started reducing right at the beginning. Just a little too quickly.

 

I am afraid I have not explained myself well with my dosage change. You are correct 8-7mg will be way too fast.

 

What I meant was that I am transitioning slowly to liquid.

 

7mg tablet form + 2ml (1ml active ingredient) in one dose = 8mg

Then

6mg tablet form + 4ml (2ml active ingredient) in one dose = 8mg

 

etc.

 

I will do that as slowly as I need to and then hold at 16ml (8mg active ingredient) to make sure I am good and stable before dropping again.

 

Micro tapering is absolutely my plan. I find anything more that a 2% drop causes too many problems. I usually drop a tiny bit and wait until it settles and go again.

 

This is very, very slow. I tell you, if there is something slower than a snail, that is where I am at.

 

Actually, this taper is not a strict micro taper. Rather, taking a micro amount off (no more than 2%) and waiting for at least a week to check for symptoms. 

6 hours ago, Wombat said:

actually had reached tachyphylaxis years ago, the anxiety was getting worse and worse, which is why I started reducing right at the beginning. Just a little too quickly.

Got you. Sounded like that was the case. Glad you have managed to out run it. 
 

6 hours ago, Wombat said:

What I meant was that I am transitioning slowly to liquid

Understand. So you plan to complete your taper with a manufacturered liquid. I thought you were making your own and checking the math. 
 

6 hours ago, Wombat said:

Micro tapering is absolutely my plan. I find anything more that a 2% drop causes too many problems. I usually drop a tiny bit and wait until it settles and go again.

 

This is very, very slow. I tell you, if there is something slower than a snail, that is where I am at.

Sounds like to me you’ve really taken everything in over at SA. Good work!

 

3 hours ago, Wombat said:

Actually, this taper is not a strict micro taper. Rather, taking a micro amount off (no more than 2%) and waiting for at least a week to check for symptoms. 

Micro takers come in all sizes but yes essentially daily tiny drops rather than larger cuts, would be a full on micro taper. Some find they can reduce more that way, even carry the daily drop on longer than 30 days before recalculation. 
 

Glad you found us. 😀

Thanks Chippy, I think we are both almost on the same page.

 

I will be making my own liquid out of a tablet.

 

Thanks again to you (and Luke) for a fabulous, supportive website.

 

I will endeavour to explore the website and "meet" some people.

57 minutes ago, Wombat said:

will be making my own liquid out of a table

Thanks for clarifying 

 

57 minutes ago, Wombat said:

Thanks again to you (and Luke) for a fabulous, supportive website.

It’s a pleasure @Wombat

 

58 minutes ago, Wombat said:

 

I will endeavour to explore the website and "meet" some people.

Yes, definitely do that! Make the most of it you can. 😀

Hi @Wombat from a fellow Aussie.

Hey Catbird, Thanks for visiting my thread. You won't believe how ridiculously excited I was to see a message to me!!!

 

I have read through some of your thread, and I believe you are not doing too well at the moment?

 

Hoping you start to feel better sooner than later.

 

I believe every wave means lots of healing. So here is to lots of wonderful healing for you 🙂 

@Wombat Hello from a sunny UK  well at the moment 😁..this is a great site with wonderful people . I make my own liquid but wouldn't suggest it as it lastsva long time which may or may not be so good ..because i have 50mg tablets i didnt want to break them up . At the moment im at 2.27mg dose ,I put 22 mg of orange juice in a small jar and add the whole tablet then syringe 1ml out which equates to 2.27mg ,everytime I want to lower dose i just add more liquid...as I said wouldn't suggest it but I find liquid so much better . Good luck with your transition hope all goes well for you, you sound in a good place at the moment 

4 hours ago, Wombat said:

Thanks again to you (and Luke) for a fabulous, supportive website.

 

Thank you for crossing over and joining.

 

Hopefully one day, you'll be able to write a success story here.

2 hours ago, Wombat said:

Hey Catbird, Thanks for visiting my thread. You won't believe how ridiculously excited I was to see a message to me!!!

 

I have read through some of your thread, and I believe you are not doing too well at the moment?

 

Hoping you start to feel better sooner than later.

 

I believe every wave means lots of healing. So here is to lots of wonderful healing for you 🙂 

No worries @Wombat. Your name jumped out and thought this has to be another Australian.  I'm okay. I just have short lasting clusters of symptoms. Feeling fine at the moment. Live at the beach so don't have much to complain about.  Main issue I've a number of drugs to taper, all with their own side effects, and it's difficult to decide what to do next. 🤷🏼‍♀️

4 hours ago, Beehive said:

I make my own liquid but wouldn't suggest it as it lastsva long time which may or may not be so good ..because i have 50mg tablets i didnt want to break them up .

Hi Beehive, nice to "meet" you. Are you saying that you wouldn't suggest using liquid because it lasts a long time, as in you don't use a new tablet each time? Are you using the same batch for a number of days?

 

For right now, I plan to use a new tablet at each dose until I am stable, then I may try making it last for 2 days. I probably wouldn't continue to use the same batch for too many days.

 

I am hoping that I adjust to the liquid easily, as using the scale has become quite difficult in getting accurate doses. 

I know of a good compounding pharmacy if you ever consider it, especially for more accurate dosing as you get lower. It lasts for 90 days.

Sorry bit confusing as I use the whole 50mg tablet in 22ml of liquid so 1ml is 2.27 mg dose . ..and I wouldn't suggest it as I do keep it for the 22 days . ! 

Thank you. I had considered doing compounding, but I know it can get quite expensive. I also remember some members at SA had trouble with compounding medications. I thought I would try the liquid with my own tablets first. Hopefully the transition will be smooth.

@Beehive, thank you for clarifying. At this stage, I don't plan on keeping the same batch for that long. If it is working for you that is great. 

It seems to be ,I've had a few rocky weeks but I believe its because of external factors virus ,dental work etc before that I've been quite stable . I find liquid much better 

Good to hear. External factors do us no favours. I am always trying to keep everything on an even keel. Nothing too exciting, no stress. But life happens.

Viruses are no fun at the best of times. I hope you are on the way to recovery.

@Wombat

 

If it helps any, it’s best to not store your diy liquid as a general rule and make it fresh each time. Some ADs do store well but best to check the instructions to be sure. If you wanted to make your drug last longer you could cut the pills and weigh them so you know the weight and so dose of the piece and use that to make a liquid on a 1mgai/2ml water ratio. 
 

I don’t think you’ll have too many issues changing to a liquid. It’s not a shift in manufacture just to how you administer the same drug. Though good to be careful as you are doing. 
 

Compound pharmacy can be yet another variable. Asides from the cost. Youre likely changing brand. Also human error happens way too often. If you want something doing….d.. 😀

Thanks Chippy, I agree with everything you have said.

Hey @Wombat,

welcome to another fellow Aussie🇦🇺. 

We seem to be on the drug around the same time frame. You're gonna get some great guidance here whatever you do please just take it slow. It's not worth to try to go faster if you need any support or help. I'm here for you.. 

 

Hi Cheeky, it is great to "meet" you. 

 

I have read your thread here and at SA. You sure have been through some difficult times. And had some fabulous windows too. Good for you doing life through withdrawal. 

 

4 minutes ago, cheeky said:

You're gonna get some great guidance here

 

The guidance from here and SA is second to none. The support between members is amazing. It is why I finally signed up. Have read a lot of SA over the years, but never joined. 

 

7 minutes ago, cheeky said:

take it slow

That is the plan. I actually googled what is the slowest creature. Apparently it is the sea anemone. The slowest land animal is the banana slug. But I didn't want to use "slug" as my forum name 🙂

10 minutes ago, cheeky said:

I'm here for you

Thank you. Goes both ways. 🙂

12 minutes ago, Wombat said:

banana slug.

😂😂that's hilarious , yeah I don't think that would go down well . 

I know you asked about making your own liquid and personally with my experience. I make my own liquid but I do it daily. I used to keep it in the fridge for a few nights but I had problems eventually and when I spoke to a few coaches they all said the best thing to do is just to do it daily to save any problems. If you need any help with that I can help you. I've been doing that method for years now.