Anti anxiety withdrawals
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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Anti anxiety withdrawals
I know I should probably be posting this in the anxiety dissorder forum but I think I will get more advice posting in this forum as this is where I feel comfortable.
I have been on anti anxiety medication paroxitine for about 5 months now and I have been sober for nearly 4 months. I believe that my anxiety was caused from my drinking. seeing as I now have a little bit of sobriety up my sleave now I have decided with my doctors agreement to stop the pills. I took half a pill for about 5 days with hardly any withdrawal symptoms but I have now been 2 days with out any pill and I am experiencing a lot of dissyness, irrittability and sort of feel in a different world. Has anyone had these same experiences? When do you think the withdrawals will end?
Also have I been truly sober? As i have been on anti anxiety medications. This question really bothers me! The reason I am stopping also is because I am starting the 12 steps. My sponser told me that I may not be 100% emotionally involved in steps while on anti depressants. He also told me he is not doctor and told me not to stop unless doctors approval.
cheers
Cairns
I have been on anti anxiety medication paroxitine for about 5 months now and I have been sober for nearly 4 months. I believe that my anxiety was caused from my drinking. seeing as I now have a little bit of sobriety up my sleave now I have decided with my doctors agreement to stop the pills. I took half a pill for about 5 days with hardly any withdrawal symptoms but I have now been 2 days with out any pill and I am experiencing a lot of dissyness, irrittability and sort of feel in a different world. Has anyone had these same experiences? When do you think the withdrawals will end?
Also have I been truly sober? As i have been on anti anxiety medications. This question really bothers me! The reason I am stopping also is because I am starting the 12 steps. My sponser told me that I may not be 100% emotionally involved in steps while on anti depressants. He also told me he is not doctor and told me not to stop unless doctors approval.
cheers
Cairns
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,126
Of course you're sober. Paxil is an antidepressant, not a tranquilizer or other mood-altering drug.
Does your doctor know you're tapering or quitting?
Dr. Google tells me that Paxil can be the most difficult antidepressant to withdraw from.
Looks like the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, settled anFDA suit recently for failure to adequately report problems with the drug.
I have a real problem with sponsors who tell people with dual diagnosis that they're not somehow "real" or ready for the steps if they are on an antidepressant.
I also know other AAs who have weaned themselves from the drugs and wouldn't have it any other way.
Hats off to your sponsor for telling you not to do anything without a doctor's get go.
Was Paxil prescribed by a psychiatrist? or a MD? That's another peeve of mine, MDs who prescribed psychotropics.
Paxil seems to be a good SSRI for panic and anxiety, but again, I don't understand any sponsor who would question a non-benzodiazepine medication. I think a lot of alcoholics die from that type of advice.
Does your doctor know you're tapering or quitting?
Dr. Google tells me that Paxil can be the most difficult antidepressant to withdraw from.
Looks like the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, settled anFDA suit recently for failure to adequately report problems with the drug.
I have a real problem with sponsors who tell people with dual diagnosis that they're not somehow "real" or ready for the steps if they are on an antidepressant.
I also know other AAs who have weaned themselves from the drugs and wouldn't have it any other way.
Hats off to your sponsor for telling you not to do anything without a doctor's get go.
Was Paxil prescribed by a psychiatrist? or a MD? That's another peeve of mine, MDs who prescribed psychotropics.
Paxil seems to be a good SSRI for panic and anxiety, but again, I don't understand any sponsor who would question a non-benzodiazepine medication. I think a lot of alcoholics die from that type of advice.
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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Posts: 99
Hi Memphis!
Cheers for your reply. Yes my doctor is aware of me tapering off anti depressants. He also reckons that my alcaholism probably played a big part in my anxiety so things may not be as bad now ive got a bit of time sober.
I have also done a bit of reasearch with our good friend GOOGLE. I think most anti depressants can have withdrawals but paxil looks like its pretty contoversal!
Yes I agree with you it is not the sponsers decision. He was by no means telling me what to do. He does not no too much about them so he just made a suggestion about the whole emotional thing. He told me not to do anything for a few weeks and ask my higher power for guidance.
Paroxetine was prescribed by my GP (general Practitioner) Is that the same as a MD? I think its the luck of the draw with doctors. Many of my doctors I have had have been very anti medications for anxiety. My current doctor was happy to put me on. I havno regrets going on them though. They probably made stopping drinkin abit more bearable.
So do you reckon non-benzodiazepine medication have no comparisons to alcahol? Can they be addictive?
Cheers
Cheers for your reply. Yes my doctor is aware of me tapering off anti depressants. He also reckons that my alcaholism probably played a big part in my anxiety so things may not be as bad now ive got a bit of time sober.
I have also done a bit of reasearch with our good friend GOOGLE. I think most anti depressants can have withdrawals but paxil looks like its pretty contoversal!
Yes I agree with you it is not the sponsers decision. He was by no means telling me what to do. He does not no too much about them so he just made a suggestion about the whole emotional thing. He told me not to do anything for a few weeks and ask my higher power for guidance.
Paroxetine was prescribed by my GP (general Practitioner) Is that the same as a MD? I think its the luck of the draw with doctors. Many of my doctors I have had have been very anti medications for anxiety. My current doctor was happy to put me on. I havno regrets going on them though. They probably made stopping drinkin abit more bearable.
So do you reckon non-benzodiazepine medication have no comparisons to alcahol? Can they be addictive?
Cheers
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Just a reminder we can't give medical advice here 
The best thing to do is see your Dr again if you're concerned, Cairns
as for sobriety goes, I'm honest with my Dr and with myself - any medications prescribed for me by my Dr is purely a matter between me and my Doctor
D
10. Medical Advice: No Posts giving medical advice, medication advice, or psychiatric advice. Do not use the forum to give or ask for professional medical or psychiatric advice. If you are a medical professional, please remember the forums and chat are for peer support only and not to be used for distributing professional medical advice and/or using the forum to represent your professional services. Medical and Psychiatric advice includes giving a diagnosis, treatment plan, medication advice and dosage suggestions, over the counter and natural home remedies that should be approved by medical professionals. Detox can be dangerous and life threatening at times. Please consult with your physician.
as for sobriety goes, I'm honest with my Dr and with myself - any medications prescribed for me by my Dr is purely a matter between me and my Doctor
D
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Hi dee. Cheers yeah sorry I forgot about that. I am going to see doctor tomorrow about that. I am not seeking medical advice.. Just wondering other alkies experiences with the withdrawals with anti depressants and whether there have been people succesfully completing steps on them
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 335
I'm 4 months sober and if I wasn't on anti-depressants I would still be drinking. At day 6 I needed to up the dose and have been going well ever since. I'm on a winning wicket at the moment so why would I want to stuff that up by trying to stop a medication that was given to me by a doctor for anxiety? I also take benzos mainly valium but in very small doses and I'm cool with that also. Alcohol kills and valium although addictive is alot better than drinking or drugging. Just my 2 cents worth.... think about it.
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,433
I'm on Paxil right now. AND I'm taking a benzo. I ignore people who question my sobriety, it's absolutely ridiculous, they obviously have not experienced the sheer terror of panic disorder, and are completely unaware of the statistical fact that most patients who take benzos do not abuse them *and* voluntarily lower their dose. For instance: Benzodiazepine use, abuse, and dependence. O'brien CP SourceDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania 2005:
"Due to the chronic nature of anxiety, long-term low-dose benzodiazepine treatment may be necessary for some patients; this continuation of treatment should not be considered abuse or addiction."
Anyway, it sounds like you're working together with your doctor, and that's great. Are you sure that you want to quit taking your med? Please don't allow people to bully you, it's your decision and yours alone.
Take your time tapering off Paxil, don't rush the process. Uhmm.. like D said, we can't give medical advice here. So ask your doc if he knows about the Prozac taper trick.
Take good care of yourself.
"Due to the chronic nature of anxiety, long-term low-dose benzodiazepine treatment may be necessary for some patients; this continuation of treatment should not be considered abuse or addiction."
Anyway, it sounds like you're working together with your doctor, and that's great. Are you sure that you want to quit taking your med? Please don't allow people to bully you, it's your decision and yours alone.
Take your time tapering off Paxil, don't rush the process. Uhmm.. like D said, we can't give medical advice here. So ask your doc if he knows about the Prozac taper trick.
Take good care of yourself.
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Join Date: May 2011
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My thought is that your sponsor should not have made that statement about the antidepressant. Some people are lacking the natural chemicals that require it. If you truly want to try and see if you are ok without them, then you and your doctor can work that out. Some people truly need the medication.
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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Very well said. Thank you.
Originally Posted by lpnangel 
My thought is that your sponsor should not have made that statement about the antidepressant. Some people are lacking the natural chemicals that require it. If you truly want to try and see if you are ok without them, then you and your doctor can work that out. Some people truly need the medication.
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Don't let anyone dictate what your sobriety is to you. You are the one that determines what makes you sober.
I hate the mindset that those who are on antidepressants are not sober. I think it's an ignorant, foolish and arrogant way to look at things.
You are doing great. Like other said, we can't give medical advice here, but it sounds like you are in close communication with your doctor on this, so I applaud you for that. If you have concerns I would call them up and ask them. That's what we pay them for.
I hate the mindset that those who are on antidepressants are not sober. I think it's an ignorant, foolish and arrogant way to look at things.
You are doing great. Like other said, we can't give medical advice here, but it sounds like you are in close communication with your doctor on this, so I applaud you for that. If you have concerns I would call them up and ask them. That's what we pay them for.
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
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It doesn't sound like a doctor-prescribed taper to me. Talk to your doctor. Your absorption of the pill vs withdrawal, well, your body is acclimating to the changes. Talk with doctor and higher power. Remember, you can disagree with sponsor. If sponsor can't deal, tell them to call their sponsor to have a sober reaction and find a sponsor with sober behavior. My opinion only, not open to arguing my opinion.
Off to write my fourth step, anxiety in the making here. Peace
Off to write my fourth step, anxiety in the making here. Peace
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,960
Originally Posted by cairns87
Hi dee. Cheers yeah sorry I forgot about that. I am going to see doctor tomorrow about that. I am not seeking medical advice.. Just wondering other alkies experiences with the withdrawals with anti depressants and whether there have been people succesfully completing steps on them
Your body is in limbo. Relax. The steps will come. Give time time. Yes, the steps work when worked even when on dr prescribed meds taken as directed. Let your body even itself.
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,960
Yes, a General Practitioner IS a medical doctor, just not specialized in one area, but would refer you to a specialist if needed. We often drink to self medicate anxiety, depression, etc.
Work those steps! Your HP's got you!!
Work those steps! Your HP's got you!!
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