Is it safe to stop taking Paxil after 3 days?

[Raine9]

Ah!  I started taking 10 mg of Paxil 3 days ago.  I didn't want to read about all the potential side effects but I started to feel tingling sensations in my chest this morning and started to surf the net for info. I read about all the side effects and risks and now I don't want to take the chances.  It's Friday evening, no way I can get a hold of my doc.  I know that there are some very knowledgable people on this forum so I have a question...

Would it be safe to just stop taking it cold turkey since it has only been 3 days??

[tanns]

Hey there!  I'm sorry it's not working out for you.  The first time I attempted Lexapro, I took it for exactly 2 weeks.  I saw a new cardiologist that day and she told me to STOP, it wasn't what I needed.  So I did.  Without any problems.  I started it again 3 1/2 weeks later (never went back to that doc!!) and took it for nine months.  I would think only three days would be okay.  Call a pharmacist, they are so, so helpful and if you want to call the one I use here, let me know.  He's FANTASTIC!!

Good luck!!

[Raine9]

Thanks tanns!

I knew it would be a problem once I started surfing the net that's why I didn't want to initially.   I know that all drugs have side effects.  It's the risk I was willing to take cuz of the way I've been feeling but I read something very disturbing on Wikipedia...

"Clear evidence has shown that paroxetine has the highest incidence rate and severity of SSRI discontinuation syndrome of any medication of its class."  

OMG!!!   I see my doc on Monday, we'll need to talk....

Anyway, hope you have a nice weekend considering everything that is going on.  Hope your son is doing okay.  

Take care,

M

[Raine9]

I forgot...

Thanks for the advice about the pharmacist.  I didn't even think about it.

It's pizza night, off to Pizza Hut I go........................

[RCA7591]

Hi Raine,

Sure, it's safe to stop taking after three days. BUT, you may want to try it for at least two weeks and see if the side-effect profile improves before assuming that it isn't going to work for you.

I wouldn't read the side effect profile, as before you know it, you'll have every symptom listed!

But at any rate, the answer is YES, it is safe to stop. You really should give the drug a fair trial though (Paxil doesn't offer instant relief).

-Ryan

[Pum]

You can stop it if you want. I've discontinued it twice and the affects weren't lovely (bad dreams and an odd visual thing like not seeing things when moving my head quickly) but not bad enought that I wouldn't take it again if I needed to.

I think a lot of the talk about discontinuing SSRI's are from people who have forgotten how bad they felt when the started taking them.

When you start them you get a rush of energy and some odd feelings but they don't affect your depression/anxiety for 2 to 3 weeks at least. So some of these thoughts are possibly coming from that initial rush. My doctor said "box on" when I wanted to stop after a few days (the nausea) and it was the best thing.

Calm down.  Even if you take them for a few weeks the withdrawal affects will be most likely minor.

[Raine9]

Hey Ryan,

I know that SSRIs don't provide instant relief but I do not plan on staying on meds for a long time.  That is not the plan anyway.  I would rather not take a med that according to Wikipedia....

"Clear evidence has shown that paroxetine has the highest incidence rate and severity of SSRI discontinuation syndrome of any medication of its class."

What would be a better choice Zoloft, Celexa???

[suzi-q]

Raine,

I take paxil, and have been for 10 years...A long time ago they said it was non-addictive and that there were no virtual side effects....of course a lot has changed and you are definitely right about coming off the meds.  My sister once tried to come off Paxil and it was total hell for her...she ended up staying on it...That is one reason why I don't go off...terrified of the side effects.

Since you plan on using meds for a short time, I would also look into different SSRIs and so on.

Let us know how it goes.

[Raine9]

The problem with me taking meds is that I suffer from hypchondria.  Hypos are afraid of everything they put in their bodies.  I'll make a committment to take a med but then I'll start thinking, what if it damages my liver, what if it causes cancer in the long run.  What if, what if.  That's why I just can't seem to stay on any med for a long time.  It's not completely irrational after all.  Most of these SSRIs have only been around for a little more than a decade.  Who really knows what the long term effects are.  (sorry don't mean to scare you)  They are just my fears.  Anyway, I have an appointment to see my psych today, I'll talk more with him regarding the safety issues and maybe he can recommend another med with less side effects.  I heard that Celexa has the least amount of side effects and has been around for about 50 years or something.  I was on it a long time ago for a little more than a month. Maybe I should give it another try.  I let you know what my psych says.  

Later