NavigatorPaxil · holding

You are not a mess! Your nervous system is trying to adapt. I found the deprescribing curriculum, with all its scientific explanations, very reassuring. We feel like we are in hell, but as Churchill said...

atypical in presentation of side effects, super sensitive to small doses and general delayed responder. never took a psych med that didn't' make me sick immediately with infections and restless legs. have never been able to tolerate being on them, but have never had support to get off so I've been bouncing back and forth. i don't like capital letters. sorry.

Paxil — 1 mg — 2 yrs — holding until Oct. 7 doc appt.
Seroquel — 50 — planning taper |
trileptal -75 planning taper
prasozin 1 mg planning taper

started my psych med saga in 2001 and wish I never had. I had some difficulties with sleep and anxiety, but NOTHING like what was in store for me after trying every med out there. My last treatment center promised to "get me totally off" in 2022 but it was a lie. They just switched drugs and added more and more in a desperate attempt to help me "stabilize," so they could call me a "success story" once insurance stopped paying. I agree with those who state that this industry needs to change. AND I'm working on not being resentful about my suffering because it doesn't help anyone.

been on an off cocktails since 2001. Most recent mixture, prescribed in 2024: 20 mg Paxil, 150 Trileptal, 50 Seroquel, 2 mg prasozin, (for PTSD/nightmares.)

immediately went to 1 mg prasozin, and after 3 months cut to 10 mg paxil. No felt effects. Then went to 5 about 3 months later, (though I didnt' keep track so I'm rusty.) No felt effects. So, I've roughly been on 5 mg for a year and a half.

Side effects always force to to start tapering RIGHT AWAY.

I didn't start keeping track of my Paxil taper until this year. I went from 3mg to 1 in 10 months, using a liquid Maudsley-ish slow taper. Again, no felt effects until now.

October 2026...sleeping less and feeling more sedated during the day. Having trouble managing my social life without getting over-stimulated. Must set boundaries according to my body and not my heart.

Holding 1 mg paxil until blood work done and evaluated, and to see if build a social life that doesn't make me lose sleep. Sounds silly as I type it, but actually, nothing is "silly" on this ride! Everything is WILD!!!! LOL

Keeping all other meds the same. Sorry so long.

Overthis66Sep 30

WelcomerValium · active

@marz, with tears rolling, I say, thank you!!!! ♥️♥️♥️

Valium — 10mg — 2 months — actively tapering | without clinician

anne noni mossSep 30

NavigatorPaxil · holding

Hey, we're in this together! So glad I could give even a little bit of hope! Keep posting, friend. And thank YOU for being so honest. This is hard stuff and we are not alone!

atypical in presentation of side effects, super sensitive to small doses and general delayed responder. never took a psych med that didn't' make me sick immediately with infections and restless legs. have never been able to tolerate being on them, but have never had support to get off so I've been bouncing back and forth. i don't like capital letters. sorry.

Paxil — 1 mg — 2 yrs — holding until Oct. 7 doc appt.
Seroquel — 50 — planning taper |
trileptal -75 planning taper
prasozin 1 mg planning taper

started my psych med saga in 2001 and wish I never had. I had some difficulties with sleep and anxiety, but NOTHING like what was in store for me after trying every med out there. My last treatment center promised to "get me totally off" in 2022 but it was a lie. They just switched drugs and added more and more in a desperate attempt to help me "stabilize," so they could call me a "success story" once insurance stopped paying. I agree with those who state that this industry needs to change. AND I'm working on not being resentful about my suffering because it doesn't help anyone.

been on an off cocktails since 2001. Most recent mixture, prescribed in 2024: 20 mg Paxil, 150 Trileptal, 50 Seroquel, 2 mg prasozin, (for PTSD/nightmares.)

immediately went to 1 mg prasozin, and after 3 months cut to 10 mg paxil. No felt effects. Then went to 5 about 3 months later, (though I didnt' keep track so I'm rusty.) No felt effects. So, I've roughly been on 5 mg for a year and a half.

Side effects always force to to start tapering RIGHT AWAY.

I didn't start keeping track of my Paxil taper until this year. I went from 3mg to 1 in 10 months, using a liquid Maudsley-ish slow taper. Again, no felt effects until now.

October 2026...sleeping less and feeling more sedated during the day. Having trouble managing my social life without getting over-stimulated. Must set boundaries according to my body and not my heart.

Holding 1 mg paxil until blood work done and evaluated, and to see if build a social life that doesn't make me lose sleep. Sounds silly as I type it, but actually, nothing is "silly" on this ride! Everything is WILD!!!! LOL

Keeping all other meds the same. Sorry so long.

⭐

CatinaSep 30

Community AnchorEffexor

"I understand it too affects the gaba in the brain" — @Overthis66

Yes it does, but it's something your brain is already used to. It's not like you're adding something new. I hope this alleviates some of your fears! If things are a bit overwhelming, maybe you need to slow things down a bit. It's okay to hold your dose for awhile. I know how hard this journey can be, believe me! There have been many challenging days, but I just keep telling myself that I must keep going. It'll pay off in the end. ❤️ You're doing the right thing with reaching out for support, and we have such wonderful members in this community! We'll all help each other keep going during both the good and bad times.

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.28 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 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.

Overthis66Sep 30

WelcomerValium · active

@Catina and @marz, thank you so much. A good day and a group of bad. I really so wanted to taper next week. Maybe it’s not time. I’m so grateful for having a group to come to being honest and receiving honesty in return.

Valium — 10mg — 2 months — actively tapering | without clinician

⭐

CatinaSep 30

Community AnchorEffexor

"I really so wanted to taper next week. Maybe it’s not time" — @Overthis66

Just see how you feel when the time comes. 🌸

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.28 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 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.

Overthis66Sep 30

WelcomerValium · active

Thank you. 😊 I will see what next week brings. Mercy, if it’s this in week 4 with the first I can’t imagine the next. That second I tried I crashed and burned. But I now know that was too big of a cut! The tears keep coming. I feel like I’m feeling so many more emotions. I hope this is a sign healing is happening.

Valium — 10mg — 2 months — actively tapering | without clinician

anne noni mossSep 30

NavigatorPaxil · holding

absolutely. emotions are good and right! sometimes, the drugs make them more intense, but with the support and understanding this forum can provide, you will be a champ at riding those. You can do this!

atypical in presentation of side effects, super sensitive to small doses and general delayed responder. never took a psych med that didn't' make me sick immediately with infections and restless legs. have never been able to tolerate being on them, but have never had support to get off so I've been bouncing back and forth. i don't like capital letters. sorry.

Paxil — 1 mg — 2 yrs — holding until Oct. 7 doc appt.
Seroquel — 50 — planning taper |
trileptal -75 planning taper
prasozin 1 mg planning taper

started my psych med saga in 2001 and wish I never had. I had some difficulties with sleep and anxiety, but NOTHING like what was in store for me after trying every med out there. My last treatment center promised to "get me totally off" in 2022 but it was a lie. They just switched drugs and added more and more in a desperate attempt to help me "stabilize," so they could call me a "success story" once insurance stopped paying. I agree with those who state that this industry needs to change. AND I'm working on not being resentful about my suffering because it doesn't help anyone.

been on an off cocktails since 2001. Most recent mixture, prescribed in 2024: 20 mg Paxil, 150 Trileptal, 50 Seroquel, 2 mg prasozin, (for PTSD/nightmares.)

immediately went to 1 mg prasozin, and after 3 months cut to 10 mg paxil. No felt effects. Then went to 5 about 3 months later, (though I didnt' keep track so I'm rusty.) No felt effects. So, I've roughly been on 5 mg for a year and a half.

Side effects always force to to start tapering RIGHT AWAY.

I didn't start keeping track of my Paxil taper until this year. I went from 3mg to 1 in 10 months, using a liquid Maudsley-ish slow taper. Again, no felt effects until now.

October 2026...sleeping less and feeling more sedated during the day. Having trouble managing my social life without getting over-stimulated. Must set boundaries according to my body and not my heart.

Holding 1 mg paxil until blood work done and evaluated, and to see if build a social life that doesn't make me lose sleep. Sounds silly as I type it, but actually, nothing is "silly" on this ride! Everything is WILD!!!! LOL

Keeping all other meds the same. Sorry so long.

Overthis66Sep 30

WelcomerValium · active

In all this I am so humbled. I’ve done many hard things. As you guys well know, this is a different kind of hard. 🤍

Valium — 10mg — 2 months — actively tapering | without clinician

⭐

CatinaSep 30

Community AnchorEffexor

"But I now know that was too big of a cut!" — @Overthis66

I'm glad you realize this now. Half the battle is finding our own rhythm and the pace that works for us. We live and learn. I've certainly made my own share of decisions I regret. It's not our fault. We have no help from the medical community, so we have to figure all this out on our own (with the help of forums like this one!).

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.28 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 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.

Overthis66Sep 30

WelcomerValium · active

Thank you @Catina. My husband and a bestie support me. They encourage. But my husband is learning as I learn. I messaged my dr 2 days ago about using liquid Valium for taper. I also told him I was planning on tapering next week cutting an 1/8 from morning dose. I shared my fears and told him how badly this sucks. Nothing from him yet. I know he’s doing his best, as what he’s been taught, as protocol goes, but that’s not good enough. We shouldn’t have to battle this daily trying to figure everything out.

Valium — 10mg — 2 months — actively tapering | without clinician

⭐

CatinaSep 30

Community AnchorEffexor

"My husband and a bestie support me. They encourage" — @Overthis66

I'm so glad you have that support! I have the same thing, and it really makes a difference. 🩷

"We shouldn’t have to battle this daily trying to figure everything out." — @Overthis66

I agree, it shouldn't have to be so daggone hard. Keep us posted on how things are going. (((Hugs))) 🥰

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.28 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 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.

Overthis66Sep 30

WelcomerValium · active

@Catina, thanks so much. I will!! ♥️

Valium — 10mg — 2 months — actively tapering | without clinician

Overthis66Oct 1

WelcomerValium · active

Tonight I actually sat down and wrote down my timeline. I was so off on my timeline. I think I wasn’t thinking clearly. Yes, I was on Klonopin for six years and in 2025 I started trying to taper. It was June 30, 2026 I ended up in ER. July 1 Klonopin was stopped and 2mg of Ativan was started. August 4 Ativan was stopped and started Valium 10mg. So I’ve now been on Valium for 2 months and it was Sept 2 I started the taper and am now on 8.75. So maybe I should have stabilized longer before starting the taper. In my thinking I thought the longer I’m on it and wait the more difficult it will be to come off. I just wanted to correct my timeline. Blessings to everyone and thank you so much for helping me today. 🌻

Valium — 10mg — 2 months — actively tapering | without clinician

J

JanetteOct 1

WelcomerLexapro · active

Im weaning off lexapro and was just talking with a friend weaning off a parkinsons drug. We were both talking about paranoia and the thoughts that any small twinge or symptom is something extraordinary. I had a really bad day Tuesday. Couldn't eat because of anxiety. This site has helped immensely, along with a couple of friends. In the past I've tried and failed because I was alone and also lied to. This site gives you the truth, the facts, the support, the reassurance. You are not alone. You are loved and you matter and you are brave. 🙏

Lexapro — 2mg — 17 years — actively tapering | without clinician

Gigi‎Oct 1

LighthouseZoloft · active

Take all the time you need to let your body catch its breath. Thinking of you ❤️

Withdrawal is not a preview of who you are without the drug.
Zoloft — 10 years, 50 mg — currently 21.5 mg — actively tapering

⭐

CatinaOct 1

Community AnchorEffexor

"I just wanted to correct my timeline." — @Overthis66

Thank you! If you'd like, you can add all that information to your Drug History signature; that way it'll give everyone an overview of your situation.

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.28 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 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.

J

JanetteOct 1

WelcomerLexapro · active

The drs think its ok to just swap us from one med to another and all should be fine. Its not. Ive had better education and support from outside the mainstream. Here in Australia the ignorance around psychiatric care is astounding. A friend told me yesterday he went to the local hospital with extreme symptoms. He waited several hours before given a valium and sent home. No aftercare or assistance. Ive had issues with GPs again this week. I have an appointment with my naturopath and will be sticking with her. Im so upset reading what you've gone through but TBH it doesn't surprise me.

Lexapro — 2mg — 17 years — actively tapering | without clinician

Peggy WallaceOct 1

NavigatorCymbalta · holding

I’m so glad you found this site! It’s helped me more than anything else I’ve tried. I continue researching now that symptoms are slowing down. My mind is blown regularly because what I’ve been through with forced to go cold turkey off two SSRI’s 4 months ago, I think the recovery would have been longer if I had not starting to talk to the wise folks here. Go with the flow, my dear. Crying is okay, shaking is okay, brain fog is okay. It’s all only temporary. Your poor brain is telling you through your nervous system that it is trying to understand. Bless you my sister!

In my life, have been on Prozac, Wellbutrin, Amytriptiline, Ambien, Seroquel, Zoloft, pamelor, Nortriptiline, Clonazepam, Suboxone (for insomnia), Effexor, Valium, Trazadone, Zanax, and Gabapentin. These, I remember.
Currently on,Duloxetine 60 mg — 2 yr — holding | without clinician

J

JanetteOct 1

WelcomerLexapro · active

Thanks Peggy. I agree with you entirely. We do our own research and fix ourselves. Namaste 🙏

Lexapro — 2mg — 17 years — actively tapering | without clinician

Peggy WallaceOct 1

NavigatorCymbalta · holding

Namaste to you too, sister

In my life, have been on Prozac, Wellbutrin, Amytriptiline, Ambien, Seroquel, Zoloft, pamelor, Nortriptiline, Clonazepam, Suboxone (for insomnia), Effexor, Valium, Trazadone, Zanax, and Gabapentin. These, I remember.
Currently on,Duloxetine 60 mg — 2 yr — holding | without clinician

Overthis66Oct 1

WelcomerValium · active

@Gigi.0809, thank you for this. My husband says the best thing. He’s learning as I’m learning. Amazingly my emotions are all over the place. My doctor is supposed to call me on his way home from the doctor office. I’m going to share how I’ve been feeling and see his thoughts. I think I’ve decided to stay where I am right now. It’s not what I want to do. But it’s what I need!! @Janette and @Peggy Wallace, thanks so much. You’re so right. I’ve had a LOT of switching over the last months and I wanna come out the other side of this healthy!! I have to stop looking at the calendar and counting days. I just gotta calm down and see what this normal is now. Maybe I’ll feel better? Maybe this is as good as I’ll feel being stable? I overthink everything. I research everything. I feel many of us should have our degree by now and I guarantee we would as doctors be doctors of the people for the people!!! God’s blessings to all of you!!!🌻🌻🌻

Valium — 10mg — 2 months — actively tapering | without clinician

⭐

CatinaOct 2

Community AnchorEffexor

"It’s not what I want to do. But it’s what I need!!" — @Overthis66

This is key! I think it's very wise. Your body will thank you, and it will make future reductions easier.

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.28 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 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.

Overthis66Oct 2

WelcomerValium · active

@Catina, thank you for your sweet encouragement. That’s what I’ve been pondering. I kept thinking the longer I held or the longer I was in the Valium the more difficult it would be to taper off. But maybe I’m looking at that all wrong. Maybe the longer and calmer I go, letting everything heal in the process will be better in the outcome. Always appreciate your wisdom!

Valium — 10mg — 2 months — actively tapering | without clinician

C

Cosmic1973Oct 2

WelcomerMirtazapine · active

Hi Overthis66. I've had chronic migraines for years taking a triptan whenever one flares up. Oddly, since ducking below 0.3mg of Mirtazapine i've not had one and it's been a record 2 months now. Don't get me wrong i've got really bad WD of every other symptom from coming down too fast, but strangely migraines aren't in the mix. Just a thought, but being on/off, mixing up and poor quack advice is recipe for general ill health. I hope as things stabalise and you gently taper off this shite, your brain heals and your migraines ease too.

Mirtazapine — 0.2mg — 1 year — actively tapering

How do you guys do this everyday?

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