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Weaning off Paxil

I was on 20 mg of Paxil for 9 months due to Post Partum depression and anxiety.  I wanted to come off of them because I feel better and I am tired of being Over weight.  I started cutting the Paxil in half so I am currently taking 10 mg of Paxil and I am on day 7.  It is not really bad for me.  Day 5 & 6 was uncomfortable but manageable.  My biggest problem is the dizziness.  I plan on taking 10mg for 2 weeks then going down to 8mg for 1 week then 6 mg for 1 week and so on. I am hoping that the issues I am having will be the only ones I have as I venture my way down.  can anyone relate and anyone have the same experiences? How Long does it take for the dizziness to go away and the taper I am planning does it sound like something that will help to avoid the severe side effects that everyone speaks of?
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Avatar universal
I agree with Paxiled. We know our selves better than anyone.
It sounds like you're doing really good with the taper. In my opinion it was one of the harder meds to taper off of because of the dizziness and brain zaps.
I would recommend you take Paxiled advise because he always gives great advice and he knows what he's talking about.
Please keep us up to date on how you're doing.
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Avatar universal
The taper is dependent on you, not someone else.  Don't let a doctor or psychiatrist tie you to some set schedule.  Do it as slowly as you need to.  If things get rough, and don't expect them to, many people have an easy time of it, go back up on the last dose at which you felt fine and taper off more slowly.  So, for example, if the dizziness is too much to handle or doesn't seem to be going away, try tapering off more slowly.  And going down from 20 to 10 sounds too steep, though you've already done it.  Go down by smaller increments with this drug.  And if you ever get post partum again, it's a hormonal disorder and antidepressants don't treat hormonal disorders.  Taking an antidepressant and getting into the problems of them might not be the best solution.
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And I should add, I think most of the horror stories, including mine, are with people who didn't know about the withdrawal problem in the first place -- nobody ever told me even when it was happening, not even my psychiatrist.  Because you know in advance I think you'll react fine.
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