I started to wean myself off Paxil, Jack doesn't want me to stay on it is why I am getting off it, but the point is that I don't feel quite right. Well I should say that I feel it's creating a lot of brain fog for me. And I gained 30 pounds since I began taking it.

But I feel it's ben helping me, just needed to NOT gain the weight and to be so damn fogged out. I've cried a few times this week, and I feel down. It's gonna be difficult to find another SSRI that will help. But I think I need one....Abilify isn't enough. Nor is the Trazadone I take for sleep help.

I wish I didn't needs meds at all, I feel so wretched right now. Like I should be able handle my life without taking stuff. Jackie just bit me and I started crying, I just hate my life right now.

Pam

Please don't try to take yourself off paxil by yourself. You need the
help of your doctor. Also there is a paxil Xr or something like that
that is pretty new, have you asked about it. Maybe its something
you could try.

If not I'm not sure what other meds you have tried.

Donna

Dear Pam,
Can you call your pdoc and update him/her on what you are doing?

Maybe you need to wait until he/she finds you a substitute.
Maybe go back up to your usual dose and stay on the Paxil a little longer -- at least until you have an appointment.

I don't like some of my meds either but when I try to adjust them, I don't get good results.

I try to talk myself into thinking that I have the perfect med mix -- it can't be tampered with.

Mari

Oh I didn't even START the wean before talking to my T who RX's it. So no worries there, she's on board because of the weight gain and fogginess, and we talked about trying something else, but nothing specific yet.

I just feel so wretched, not like my usual smilie self. I'm more prone to crying and just feel awful. Started coming on about 12 days into the weaning so far.

Honey,
I am sorry that you are feeling so badly now.
I was afraid of this for you.
You are being very brave and you will need a lot longer time weaning off of this than you think.
You really need to go slowly.
I am sure there are sites about withdrawing from paxil...I will try to find one for you.
((((((HUGS)))))
bizi
Remember this is not the depression coming back these are withdrawl side effects that you are experiencing...you are not relapsing.

http://www.google.com/search?q=paxil...e7&rlz=1I7ADBR

Dear Pam,
Can you do what Bizi suggests and slow down the tapering process? Maybe you are going off too fast and need to stay at the dose you are on now -- or even go up a little.

Adjusting meds is hard.
Patience is good.

Maybe try to get out and get some sun shine on good days.
Or do whatever ever works for you when you need a pick up.

'Sending good vibes.


Dr. Weil suggests exercise and fish oil (I love sardines) for tapering off Effexor (similiar to Paxil maybe?):


Here are the symptom of stopping an SSRI according to Mayo Clinic -- but you already know this:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ssris/MH00066

Here's an article from about.com:
http://bipolar.about.com/cs/antidep/..._ssridisc2.htm

B vits can help. So can eating egg yolks:


Mari

I have some liquid B vitamins, and I've been exercising, and eating eggs with yolks so that's all great advice. I need to use the B vitamins I 've got and maybe that will help me feel a bit better, it's not so bad today so far. I just do not like the wretchedness I was feeling and hope it doesn't come back. Maybe with more exercise and B vits it won't be as bad as it's been this past weekend in particular. I think part of my problem is Holiday Blues. That and feeling sorry for myself about my disability and that of my son's. I'm not immune to getting sad about it. And it's just awful because I feel guilty for feeling sad. *Sigh*

But another aspect of this depression has to do with not writing. I haven't written for so long I just feel like it's calling me and I can't do it because of something blocking me. I suppose if I can help unblick myself and start a new project it might help.

Dear Pam:
Have you considered "Talking" your story instead of "writing" it? My son has a complete mental block when it comes to writing. He either has to focus completely on making his hand do the dreaded task, or focus completely on the actual written assignment.

What I do with him when he has a report or something due is to hand him a little tape recorder and tell him to have at it. he will "talk" it, and then listen to it and jot down changes he wants to make instead of writing it all out and editing it that way. Then, when he has it the way he wants it, he simply types it out because he's just copying, not thinking and doing at the same time. (does that makes sense or am I confusing you lol)

Anyway, it has worked well for him. Maybe this would help you get passed the mental block?

I hope you are feeling better.

can help with weaning off SSRIs. It is now available again.

www.iherb.com has some affordable types. I use NOW brand.

Start at 500mg at bedtime, with a little sweet (no protein) snack. Like some gummy bears, or life savers. You should have a pretty empty stomach for this. Other amino acids compete with tryptophan at the blood brain barrier, for passage. So no protein, ensures that the tryptophan you use gets in as much as possible.

This will help you make more serotonin. Many people don't realize but serotonin production goes DOWN when you use SSRIs. This is because the body is recycling serotonin so production stops. So when you stop SSRIs then there is a drop of serotonin in the synapse--a withdrawal. Vitamin B6 is the cofactor that works with l-tryptophan to make serotonin--(and hence melatonin for sleeping).

i hope you feel better soon, Pammy.