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MedHelp Member's Question

paxil withdrawal

by Debra Thrasher, Apr 03, 2000 12:00AM
why is withdrawal from paxil so intense.i'm on 20mg. a day, i,ve tried cutting back to 10mg  was on that for a month, then i tried to take 10mg every other day,the second day istarted having withdrawals,tremers,heart racing,weak,ihave never felt so bad in my life.so i always goback to taking the 20mg aday.
Member Comments (109)

by Rob, Apr 04, 2000 12:00AM
I'm also trying to get off paxil but have had relatively few problems so far.  Try going from 20 to 15 first.  Then go from 15 to 10 and so on.  When going from 20 to 15 don't bother cutting pills.  Take 20 one day and then 10 the next.  This averages out at 15 and made the transition to 10 much easier for me.  This is my tenth day of weining and my third day on 10 mg and I really feel fine.  I just don't know what to expect from here on out.  Hope this helps!

by Brian To Debra, Apr 04, 2000 12:00AM
An unfortunate problem with Paxil is encountered when trying to stop taking the drug.  Although Paxil is not a benzodiazepine, it does have some anti-anxiety properties which is why it is prescribed not just for depression but for anxiety disorders.  It appears that some people get a rebound anxiety when discontinuing Paxil, even when tapering.  You may need to taper slower, or step down to 15 mg before 10 as was suggested.  You may also need some other anti-anxiety agent to carry you through this withdrawal.  Speak with your doctor about what you are going through.  The good news is that eventually the symptoms you are experiencing WILL go away.  The bad news is it may not happen as fast as you want.  Although Paxil is a good drug for some patients I really think doctors should try other SSRI's first and use Paxil as a later resort.

by Debra Thrasher, Apr 04, 2000 12:00AM
Thanks Rob and Brian  I,ll try what you suggested.I also take Buspar.

by Rob, Apr 05, 2000 12:00AM
All those things you're experiencing when trying to get off, I experienced while trying to get on.  I have a somewhat mild seasonal depression.  I never had an outright panic attack until my second day on paxil.  The funny thing was, the doctors acted as if it had nothing to do with the drug.  I was unable to function for about 10 days.  Just sat in bed and lost about 20 lbs.  Either someone is being misinformed or there are just some very ignorant doctors our there.  Be careful who you choose.  If they don't listen or seem to believe how you're feeling, find someone new!

by Jennifer Arbeene, Apr 13, 2000 12:00AM
I went through the EXACT same thing.  I am finally down to 10mg. a day, but can not go to every other day, and I don't know how to get off of it.  I also got heart palpitations, blurred vision, and was extremely weak.



Please email me anytime if you get an answer.



***@****

by gold, Apr 18, 2000 12:00AM
It's been about one month since I have withdrawn from Paxil.  I Took 20 mg. for paxil for only 2 months when I decided to stop the drug.  My doc told me to cut dosage to 10mg for 7 days and that would be the end of it.  WRONG!!  The symptoms I experienced were head vibrating, eyes swooshing, neaseau, dizzyiness, night sweats, vivid nightmares, crying jags, teeth sensitivity, body aches, and a general feeling of heightened anxiety.  Repeated calls to my doc were met with the response that stopping paxil does not cause these type of symptoms. She thought I might have an inner-ear infection!!!!! I noticed Doc Steve and others on this site were also saying on earlier postings that paxil does not cause these type of symptoms.  It amazes me that the medical profession is pretending this isn't a real problem.  Kind of reminds me of the phen-fen thing where the docs assure the patient all is ok - and then later on you get the OPPPPS! NEVER MIND....  Paxil withdrawl can cause terrible withdrawl symptoms if not done properly.  I think we need to keep calling the doctors and making them aware our symptoms are not being imagined.  It seems a slow dosage reduction will greatly help prevent these symptoms; but don't think your are alone in experience them..... and don't believe everything the docs are trying to make up believe. Good Luck.

by Debra Thrasher, Apr 24, 2000 12:00AM
Commit to Jennifer Arbeene & Gold                                I also had the palpatations i was put on Buspar first and i got better. then i lost my mother to cancer i really got in a bad way,depression,anxiety withdrawed from family and friends. then i went on paxil, i had no side affects going on , i got better again, i,m better now, but i,ve been on it for over a year so i thought i could stop,iquit cold turkey one time and my husband had to take me to the er i had on idea that quitting would cause all those systoms, so i tried tappering and that has,nt worked either.i talked to my dr. she wanted me to see a physologist or somebody that spiecalizes in that type of drug, but my ins. only paid so much and i had to pay the first $150 and i did,t have it.i feel fine except for the weight i,ve gained and i don,t know what the long term affects might be. i do know they are withdrawal affects and they are inbearable to me. my email address is ***@**** or you can post back here. Thanks Debra

by debbie, Apr 24, 2000 12:00AM
I've been on Paxil for a year and a half, but the side effects are really interfering with my life. Has anyone tried Wellbutrin?

by Debra Thrasher, Apr 24, 2000 12:00AM
Comment By Debra to Debbie    yes iwas on  it for a afew weeks one time ,only side affect was if i took it any later than 5:00p:m it would keep me awake at night. it really did,t help with the depression either,also did,t have withdrawals like paxil does,that,s what i,m on now and can,t get off it. don,t get me it help the problems,but i can,t get off. read my post above.

by paxil, Apr 27, 2000 12:00AM
I too take Paxil for depression.  I'm am taking 60mgs. per day which seems like a very high dosage especially compared to some of the lower dosages that I've heard of others taking.  I've been diagnosed with TMJ and I am now also taking Soma for that.  The Soma makes me feel very drugged, but not in a good way.  I seem to have uncontrollable jerking motions that I'm unable to control.  It makes me jumpy.  I'm wondering if this could be due to the fact that I also take Paxil or if this is simply one of the side effects of Soma?  If it is one of the side effects should I expect it to be temporary or is it something I'll have to live with as long as I'm on Soma?  Also, I've read contradictary (sp) things about Soma.  First, I read that it is not a scheduled drug, then I found an article that listed 5 states in the US in which it is a scheduled drug.  I've also read that it isn't addictive and I've seen several posts on this message board that says it is very addictive.  I'm very confused and I hope someone can answer some of these questions.  Also, if I can't expect these side effects to go away is there an alternative medicine that might help with my TMJ?  I've tried Flexeril but it makes me very wired.  I'm very frustrated.  Please help.  The headaches from the TMJ are unbearable at times.  Thanks for any help that you might offer.

by jody, Apr 27, 2000 12:00AM
It is my heartfelt belief that Soma (Carisoprodol) is highly addictive.  Although one can maybe discontinue its use without too many "withdrawal" symptoms, it seems as though longterm use is unquestioningly addictive.  My brother died 23 months ago from a Soma overdose.  He had been obtaining it for years without prescription from pharmacists in Queens, NY, and was routinely abusing its use.  He took it under the guise of a sleep-aid for his chronic insomnia.  He was not an addictive-type person, had always been extremely clean-cut, was well-educated and in general, hardly one to abuse prescription or any other drugs.  From what I have read, there are many deaths resulting from Soma overdoses.  When my brother died, the coroner told me he was the third Soma-related death in as many weeks.  My advice is to discontinue the Soma immediately and as you mentioned, seek alternative therapy for your TMJ.  I hope this alerts you and anyone else struggling with a Soma question.  I see it as a very dangerous and insidious drug.

by Debra Thrasher, Apr 28, 2000 12:00AM
I also say Soma is addicting if taken for very long, i,ve took them myself some,i got the wired feeling from them, i take Flexerel now, it does,nt bother me , in that way.drugs affect  driffrent people in driffrent ways.what is TMJ.It could be the two combined, i was severly down and depressed when i started taking paxil, i was already taking Buspar for anxiety,to me the paxil is apick me up, like i,ve said in previous post, i,ve tried to get off paxil, when ieven cut back i start feeling down,like the me before paxil,so i,ve decided to stay on it all for now, to much other stuff going on in my life&familes to get in that shape right. check wit