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11th Paxil Update - In a Crisis
May 30, 2026··
Long time since I checked in. I have gone into crisis. I upped my dose to 1.5 yesterday. Not a huge jump, I am being careful with that. I have been trying to find more survivor stories and I think 4 months to taper from 20mg to 0.85 was too quick.
It is so hard when you feel good. I never felt better in my life than when I stopped paroxetine cold turkey for 3 weeks back in Feb. Yes, it was wrong advice from my psychiatrist. I really thought I had a handle on this taper. Now I am reading stories of it taking 4 years...
Lost summer’s taper progress
Paxil
Mirtazapine
Mood (/10)
Paxil — 2.5 — 24 years — reinstated | Mirtazapine — 15mg — 3 — reinstated | Valium — 2.5 — 7 months — actively tapering | without clinician
Also tapering Tapentadol and dexamphetamine
1 Reply
⭐
Catina3mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Hi @Lost summer, I've been wondering how you've been doing. Unfortunately, Paxil is notorious for being difficult to withdraw from. My best friend is trying to taper it and can only make minuscule reductions with long hold periods in between. It sucks, I know. I'm having the same issues with Effexor.
Yes, it can take some people an extremely long time to taper off, BUT...it can be done. It takes a lot of patience though because the process can't be rushed.
I hear your frustration, but please know you're not alone in this. Keep taking things slowly to allow your brain plenty of time to adjust.
Hang in there! 💜
Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg
“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”
Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.
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