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October 8, 2026··

Hi, Im Ness, 42, ex paramedic with PTSD. Ive been on Paroxetine and previously a different ssri for about 5 ton6 years. Im on Agomelatine, for 4 years. I found this forum while researching tapering off the SSRI. I have been really well for about a year now, after a LOT of work. Im in really good physical health and I feel its time to try and get off the Paxil. I normally get dizzy and brain zaps after about 12 hrs of not taking it. I have spoken to a naturaopath and laid some nutritional ground work before starting the taper:

NAC,
Mg,
Omega 3s,
probiotics
iron supplement
daily creatine
cocconut water and salt water for electrolytes.
Stopped drinking any alcohol.

Ive been on 3/4 dose (15mg) for a week and I feel nothing out of the ordinary. Im so tempted to cut it again, but I've read that I should stick to at least 4 weeks even with no symptoms. Anyway, thats my story, im keen to hear what others have done to try and make their journey a little easier.

Paxil — 20mg — 4 years — actively tapering | other — 25mg — 4 years — researching taper

1 Reply

anne noni moss3h ago

NavigatorPaxil · holding

Welcome to the Paxil. Taper! Im on 1 MG now and holding for awhile. I have gotten off too fast before and plunged into EXTREME ANXIETY AND INSOMNIA. Never want to go back there. So I'm going super slow. Looking forward to hearing more from you,!!

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.

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