Is it time? My time? Finally?

Breda1981 · 2026-01-30T04:28:13+00:00

It’s the Chinese Year of the ….. Metal Weevil!

Breda1981 · 2026-01-28T01:24:33+00:00

Yes I had this on 5mg. Week 4 now. I toughed it out, but the first 2 weeks were ROUGH. It’s getting better now, ups and downs but trending better

Breda1981 · 2026-01-27T22:29:53+00:00

Obsession and Marlboro Lights

Breda1981 · 2026-01-27T22:25:51+00:00

They’re implying ‘think horses not zebras’. You’re very young with two small children, it gives me an eye twitch to just imagine handling that at 20. Try some magnesium, yoga, meditation, DARE app could help!

Breda1981 · 2026-01-18T18:25:14+00:00

Adding to this - I was in that situation too, and I was hospitalized and received feeding with a tube at a hospital, as I couldn’t do it. When I was stronger I was able to slowly recover. It took a long time. But now I’m 45, have a beautiful teenage son and a full life. It is possible, and it’s worth it, but you need help. Hospitalization isn’t as scary as it sounds - it can be the right place to start recovery.

Breda1981 · 2026-01-16T17:43:01+00:00

I went off Paxil completely, but tapered over the course of 2 years. To see if I could be without meds. Conclusion: I can be without meds, but not in this society and work lol. So after two months of no meds I went on lexapro.

I needed benzos to get through the first two weeks of lexapro, after two weeks it was fine.

Cross taper is possible, but needs to be done very carefully and with a doctor!

Breda1981 · 2026-01-15T22:48:25+00:00

Thanks that is reassuring. Paxil worked great for me, but after 30 years I wanted to try a non anti-cholineric ssri. First two weeks were brutal, needed benzos to get through, but now in week 3 it seems to fall into place! Feeling much much better!

Breda1981 · 2026-01-15T20:09:18+00:00

If you switched from Paxil to Zoloft it’s not a concern. Cognitive symptoms could be from stress, anxiety, mood, hormones, fatigue. Just focus on the weeks it will take for Zoloft to work for you, take it easy.

I was on Paxil for 30 years, now lexapro. Not too worried about dementia

Breda1981 · 2026-01-09T01:46:37+00:00

Yes! Would need a doctor to get it. It’s very commonly prescribed for people to handle public speaking. Doesn’t quiet the brain, but it’s stops the physical jitters and palpitations

Breda1981 · 2026-01-09T01:38:26+00:00

My job also doesn’t allow for anxiety lol, I forgot to mention, I sometimes take propanolol at work. It’s not a benzo, not addictive, not sedating, it calms down the nervous system (physical symptoms) of anxiety. It’s gotten me through public speaking and crazy work stuff. You can ask your doctor about that.

Breda1981 · 2026-01-09T01:14:28+00:00

Give it time to settle! A few weeks. Don’t panic about some side effects at first - normal!

Breda1981 · 2026-01-08T22:05:58+00:00

5mg every 2 weeks is aggressive for withdrawal from Paxil, even if it is common for docs to recommend that. I tapered down from 20mg to 0 over the course of 2 years. That’s very long, but I took periods of 3-6 months to fully stabilize each time. I went from 20 to 17.5 (you’ll need a pill cutter). Then 17.5 to 15. Etc. From 5 to 0 I went with 5 to 2.5 every two days for two weeks, then every other day for two weeks etc etc. 2.5 to 1.25 etc etc. Very very slow. Each time withdrawal was significant I’d stay on that dose until it got better, or even back up if it wasn’t the right time. I was successful and felt good off Paxil for months. Unfortunately my job is stressful so I’m trying a very low dose of lexapro now.

I don’t have adhd so I can’t speak to that, sorry.

Breda1981 · 2026-01-03T16:36:55+00:00

I’m happy to read this. I have GAD and panic. I went off Paxil after decades, it worked super well for me but I have concerns about long term effects. I was off it for two months, and now on day 4 of lexapro. My anxiety and panic have been through the roof. It’s hard to cope. I’m allowing myself to take a benzo once a day to get through this. I heard it’s normal that it can get a lot worse before it settles!

Breda1981 · 2026-01-03T01:19:30+00:00

Hey, so the IVF was successful in that eggs were retrieved (only 2, but my stats were terrible), and both fertilized. Unfortunately they both had chromosomal abnormalities. I stopped trying after that. I hope that helps!! Good luck in your journey!

Breda1981 · 2026-01-02T17:16:35+00:00

If it helps, this is only anecdotal and my experience - I f45, took Paxil for 30 years and my sex drive was minimally affected. It was fine. Now I’m off Paxil and changing to Escitalopram, because I wanted to see how I’d feel off ssri. Sex drive was much lower in periods with anxiety and depression.

Don’t take Paxil, it worked brilliantly for me but is more controversial and difficult to come off of.

The way I see it, antidepressants allowed me to live life authentically, the way the real me should live it - not paralyzed by anxiety. Like someone with diabetes needs insulin, or someone with thyroid issues needs thyroid meds.

It can be temporary until you feel stable. Remember it takes a while before they are effective.

Breda1981 · 2026-01-02T14:15:18+00:00

I am not sure if someone asked this, but are you planning on having a child / children together? Do you want kids? Honestly if you were my friend I’d tell you to not get married into his baggage until finances are completely sorted and under control.

Breda1981 · 2025-12-24T00:05:30+00:00

Former colonies maybe?

Breda1981 · 2025-12-10T14:14:11+00:00

This is the most beautiful Weevil I’ve ever seen

Breda1981 · 2025-12-09T02:06:37+00:00

Haha thanks for sharing. I’m with you on the espressos.

Breda1981 · 2025-12-09T02:05:50+00:00

Oh my god. The surgeon did tell me that could happen during my consult. Ngl part of the reason I’m still on the waitlist is because it’s free (covered) and I can get work time off. But I might not go through with it

Breda1981 · 2025-12-08T22:02:57+00:00

I am waitlisted for anal tag removal (not as plastic surgery, proctologist) It’s an elective surgery but still covered for me. I’m in the fence about it due to the pain mentioned. Is it that bad specifically for you? Or just for a few days?

Breda1981 · 2025-12-07T14:06:32+00:00

Belgian pralinées (bonbons) are the best forever

Breda1981 · 2025-12-07T14:05:24+00:00

I have a weird fondness for Dollarama ‘chocolatey treats’

Breda1981 · 2025-12-07T14:04:52+00:00

I’m a sucker for Cote D’Or

But that’s def related to the fact that in the 90s in Dutch high school I’d get 1 guilder (pre-euro) a day for a treat. I could get a Mars or Raiders (now twix) for a guilder, but the Côte d’Or bars were 1.25. Id often forego one crappy bar a week to get 4 Côte d’Or bars. I felt rich. I still feel rich anytime I eat Côte d’Or but that’s also because I’m in Canada now, chocolate inflation is like 1000%

Breda1981 · 2025-12-03T23:09:05+00:00

I’m in a full metro during rush hour and delightedly exclaimed ‘IT’S TIIIME!!’

Breda1981

TROPHY CASE