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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Prozac To Wean Off Paxil (Scared)
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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Prozac To Wean Off Paxil (Scared)
by texassweetie66, Jun 09, 2006 12:00AM
I have been on 20mg of Paxil for over 8 years for Anxiety Disorder, but have started to have some problems such as; dizziness, imbalance, jittery feelings, movement problems. I have decided to get off the Paxil.
I spoke with my pschy this week and he has given a weaning program that includes Prozac.
Week 1 Paxil 20mg + Prozac 10mg
Week 2 Paxil 15mg + Prozac 20mg
Week 3 Paxil 10mg + Prozac 20mg
Week 4 Paxil 5mg + Prozac 20mg
Week 5 Stop Paxil stay on 20mg Prozac
I am so worried about this, probably because I already feel bad. Has anyone ever done this type of withdrawl program before? On top of that I take Xanax .50mg ever five hours and worried about the Xanax with the Prozac and Paxil.
Please Help!!!!
I spoke with my pschy this week and he has given a weaning program that includes Prozac.
Week 1 Paxil 20mg + Prozac 10mg
Week 2 Paxil 15mg + Prozac 20mg
Week 3 Paxil 10mg + Prozac 20mg
Week 4 Paxil 5mg + Prozac 20mg
Week 5 Stop Paxil stay on 20mg Prozac
I am so worried about this, probably because I already feel bad. Has anyone ever done this type of withdrawl program before? On top of that I take Xanax .50mg ever five hours and worried about the Xanax with the Prozac and Paxil.
Please Help!!!!
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jun 11, 2006 12:00AM
, Jun 11, 2006 12:00AM
This is a very conservative careful switch, and since you are also covered by xanax, you should have no problem.
I hope that you are doing well. But if you aren't, know that it isn't uncommon even with conservative change schedules like you have. For some Paxil can be a very difficult drug to get off of. I bet you could find stories on other posts. I was motivated to get off it by the 40 lbs I gained on it and at that point, I had not yet accepted that I was a "lifer" on meds.
I got horrifically sick, even though my taper method was slow. The thing you are doing differently is that you are transitioning on to Prozac. I hope that makes the difference.
I had dizziness, nausea, listlessness and horrific headaches. There were usually two day increments a few days after cutting a dose that I could do nothing more than lay on the couch. Towards the end of the process, I threw up green stomach bile for the first time ever in my life.
Worst of all, my depression came back about a month after getting off of it. It took several months before getting back on a different med that worked for me and healthy. The med I took next was Prozac. It worked for a year until I had to switch again.
Best of luck and I pray that you will have a much easier time of it.
Sammy.