Paxil Withdrawal

I've tried to get off Paxil recently and had the WORST problems. After researching and talking to people who have gotten off (or tried to get off) of the drug I am horrified that Paxil is still being prescribed. I am also AMAZED that a DOCTOR would actually say that this isn't dangerous, or that it isn't the PAXIL!?!? Are you kidding? How much were you paid to say that? Paxil DID help with my panic attacks. Did not cure or stop them, but helped. Then getting off of it, or trying to was ABSOLUTE HELL! I can't walk because I'm so dizzy I can't keep my balance. My head feels foggy and cloudy. My head also hurts and it feels like someone keeps hammering a nail into my eyes. I cannot read a book or focus on the computer screen. I get confused and do not understand even the simplest of things. I am 27, smart, in shape and fast- paced. When trying to slowly wean off of this drug - I become slow and confused. Also, I become nauseous, the lights around become extremely bright. I cannot stand the lights even in my house. I have to squint and then even cover my eyes. I become emotional -- overly ovely emotional. I become paranoid and scared and start to panic because I see shadows out of the corners of my eyes. Then I try to go to work and I can't correctly hear or understand what people are saying to me. I feel like I'm watching a movie or it is a dream. I start to wonder if I'm losing my mind. I start sweating in my own house (that I always keep at 60 degrees) and have to go outside in the 30 degree weather with a tank top on. That is if I don't fall down the steps from the dizziness or the shocks in my head. I became extremely angry and irratated. So angry that family members suggested that I go to anger management classes. That was before they knew that it was the Paxil. These are just some of the MAIN things I am feeling while slowly slowly weaning off of this drug that was supposed to help me. My doctor that put me on Paxil told me to only stay on it for 1 year. So one year later, this is what's going on. It is happening to everyone trying to wean off of Paxil. If you don't have one symptom, you have the other. And lucky me, I have most of them. I have NO time to take off of work and I worked like this every day until I couldn't take it anymore and went back on Paxil. I read one doctor say that this was a safe drug and there are no withdrawal symptoms and I had to laugh out loud. Please "doctor" try out Paxil for yourself for a year or 2 and then stop taking it. My husband was on Paxil in the army and stopped taking it and got what they call the "Paxil Flu". This is a dangerous drug that has many side effects and many MANY more withdrawal symptoms. You might as well be on heroin and try to get off. If I could go back, I would have never gotten on Paxil. It helped with panic attacks but gave me about 30 other problems. So to sum up.... when on Paxil you get to look forward to gaining weight, making bad decisions and choices that will affect the rest of your life and coming close to death while trying to get off of this drug from HELL!!
P.S. There are documents stating that GSK (the makers of Paxil) knew that there were horrible withdrawal symptoms and hid this fact. So either the doctor's don't know about it or they're lying to us. Either way, this is happening.. it's real and extremely dangerous.

[Jannie1]

Hello Dana: I can only say that when I came off Paxil it was like a nightmare.  I did the coming off slowly but my head did not feel like it belonged to me any longer.  I then  did something (instinctively) and that was take Flora brand -  St. John's Wort 420 mg to come off it.  I don't recommend this, but it worked for me.  I stayed on it for 6 months while coming off and it seemed to even me out, pad the landing as I like to say.  If you don't already see a Naturopath, I would recommend that for sure.  I know it costs $, but even if you only go and see them once, it could really save you in the long run.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Jannie1

[cj29]

I am sorry that you are having withdrawal problems from this.  How fast did you wean off of it?  I only ask this because, when I originally started coming off of an SSRI, I was having unwanted side effects and I went back to the doctor and suggested that maybe I go much slower.  It really minimized the effects and other than a headache and a little naseau, it worked for me.  In my opinion, some GP docs, wean us off of these medications a little too fast...have you tried going back to talking to him/her?

[fqmk48Ge]

ahh this is really scaring me.. i am on paxil right now and have been on it for a few months.. what was your dosage? what were you given as you were being weaned off???

i hope you are doing ok!!

[Dana1981]

I only took 10 mg - half of a pill. I was on it for over a year though. Thanks to everybody who responded. These withdrawal's are nasty! Since I was only on a half pill, I started doing it every other day. That didn't work well at all so my doc said to go even slower. Still horrible, so I went slower, slower, slower. I've heard that some people take xanax or prozac while trying to come off of Paxil. Also, the herbal remedies. I don't seem to have much luck with any of them. But every one's different, and will experience different side effects and withdrawals. I've researched a lot and found many people with ALL of the withdrawals and side effects. Good luck to you and be very careful when weaning off! Go as SLOW as possible.

[cj29]

Just hang in there...it WILL get better as you come off of it. You are doing the right thing by be very proactive in this in my opinion.  

[fqmk48Ge]

I am on 25 mg of Paxil right now, I am going to talk to my doctor about withdrawal symptoms, etc. because I do plan to go off of my medication eventually.. better sooner than later from the sounds of it! I am in therapy now, so I am hoping that I can overcome this through CBT... thank you for your comments!

[Pum]

Sorry to hear you are having a rough time. Like you say, everyone's different and I personally found paxil a godsend for anxiety. I found the side affects at the beginning worse than the withdrawal ones (bad nausea/hot flushes/burning skin versus some odd visual stuff and intense dreams/nightmares but then anxiety has some pretty terrible symptoms too) Yes, it should  be only taken when absolutely neccessary but I think all those that find the withdrawals ok don't talk about it much and don't post on the internet so the dreadful tales you can read might be a bit of a self-selected group. Not saying some people don't have very bad symptoms but on balance I think paxil is a helpful drug for many many people.

Hope things get easier for you day by day. Take care.

[ChadR0ck]

How are you doing?

[BellaMarie84]

Hi, I read your post and I definitdely relate. I have been on 30 mg of Paxil for almost a year for bad depression but I have gained about 30-40 lbs and I cannot function daily without 12-16 hours of sleep. I have gone against my doctor's wishes and slowly started to whean myself off of this drug because of these problems. I cannot stand the amount of weight I have put on. I am slowly stopping because I have stopped all of a sudden and experienced the extreme dizziness, nausea, light headedness, blurred vision, hallucinations, and sever headaches. I am cutting my 30 mg pills into 20 mg pieces but not I am going back to the beginning side effects of Paxil where I cannot sleep at all. I now have to take Nyquil to sleep because I constantly toss and turn throught the night. It helps me to hear that I am not alone in my struggles do if you want to talk or just comment please feel free.

[HockeyShark]

I switched from Paxil to Lexapro a little over a year ago. I had been on Paxil for 10 years before that.

For the longest time it was near impossible to get a doctor to even admit there was withdrawls  or any problems with paxil. I wish i would have noticed more about my Doctors office. With his paxil note-pad, Paxil Clock on the wall, Paxil tee-shirts and frisbees in the back room, and Paxil pens on every table.

During one visit to his office, he had left the door open from his office and his supply room, where he would meet with Phrarm Reps. One Pfizer Rep was telling my doctor that he was still in the running for 3 free nights at the Pfizer company cabin at Lake Tahoe, if he could get more people prescriptions to Zoloft.

My Doctor then walks in to talk to me. He said he had been going over my chart, and was wondering if perhaps taking me off Lexapro, and putting me on..... (Surprise, Surprise).... Zoloft might be a good idea. I told him no.

So who knows what motivates some of these doctors to do what they do.

[oliver257]

I have never been so miserable in my life. I have been coming down off of Paxil for 6 months. There is no such thing as "weening" off of Paxil. No matter how slow you go, the side effects are still there. I know that I need some type of medication, but am afraid to try anything else for fear of having to go through this hell again. I don't know what to do at this point, it is so bad. It would be so easy to take a pill and "feel better", but I am determined to stop. I have come to far. How long will this last. I honestly don't know how much more of this I can take. I can't be around anyone. The irritability, the headaches, and I even have a jaw ache that is hell. My muscles hurt, and I cannot stop crying. If anyone is contemplating trying Paxil, please do not take it. Horrible. I am just hoping that I will make it through this.

[fqmk48Ge]

Stay strong, hang on, I recently switched from 25 mg to 12.5 and had some symptoms like headaches and shakiness, i know this sounds kind of silly but when i would get more upset from the stress of thie side effects happening i would try doing yoga and stuff... maybe try something like that? i know it doesn't take away from the physical side effects, but it has certainly helped me with the emotional upset about the changes happening

[anxietyisnowaytolive]

I am sorry you are all going through such a hard time getting off your medicines.  I know they all have side affects & some withdrawal but I am SO SURPRISED at how freely they give out these meds without warning people.  If you read at all on the internet you can quickly learn about what people are going through when trying to get off SSRI's.  How can the doctors not know or be informed about thes "nightmares" people are experiencing??  I made another appt with my doctor & I have printed out (from the internet) hundreds of people who say they are going through HELL getting off these meds and I will be sure MY doctor knows what people are going through and find out if they are aware.  I think eveyone should mention to their doctors so they are more informed of these dangerous drugs and how they are really affecting REAL people.  I am not saying I am totally against these meds I just think people should know what they are getting into & then they can make an educated decision on whether they think they will benifit in the end.  What we are not told by doctors are the side affects AFTER taking the meds...when it's time to get off.  I sure hope everyone is feeling a little better each day.  I can only imagine what you are going through on top of the anxiety that we all deal with everyday.  

[Paxiled]

Yeah, tell me about it.  Neither the doctor who put me on Paxil nor the one who took me off told me anything about withdrawal.  I had to find out what was happening to me on the internet, and I never have recovered.  

[blueyes74]

I can soo relate. I have had to quit paxil "cold turkey". I only get pd once a month and the dr. wouldn't send me 15. (enough to last me til pay day) This is day 5! I have been sooooo sick. I have 5 kids at home and work with kids during the day. I have been on paxil for a year. At times I could break down and cry. While other times I am trying not to go into a rage. While the whole time being "sick as a dog." I wish I hadn't taken this drug at all. My dr. put me on it last March for depression. I am worse now than I was then.
Take care.

Blueyes74

[baby_girrl89]

Hello I'm 20 years old and have been on paxil for a year iam currently trying to cold turkey quit and as I read slowly getting your self off the pills make no difference... I am currently coming off of them because I just found out I'm 4 weeks pregnante... so without seeing a doctor yet I thought of my child first and said no to any pills.... the side effects suck I get this feeling where my heart skips a beat and my whole body feels tingly I feel attimes like my body goes numb almost wants to put me in a panick attack and the neasues part I'm not sure if its from pregnancy or quitting the pill like iam but I have that too... this medication ***** and I know now to never go back on it... that being all said I guess I wanna know if anyone here knows how long these with drawls last


Melissa

[Paxiled]

You should never quit any of these meds cold turkey.  Go to your psychiatrist and get a tapering schedule.  If he sounds like he doesn't know about tapering, see another shrink.  Slower is better.  You're not anyone else, so no one can tell you how long it'll last.  Some get no withdrawal, some get minor ones, some get bad ones.  I still encourage you to properly taper off it.

[jakegorzen]

this is one of the MANY REASONS why I dont like any of the SSRI's or any of the AD's.

visit cchrDOTorg, lots of answers and hope there

All physc meds are dangerous, and based on **** theroy
Everything is from a physical problem, the Docs that dont believe that are just to dumb to properly diagnose.

[Ariom63]

Congrats on your pregnancy!  Good thing you are coming off of Paxil...don't know if your doctor discussed this with you or not, but have you seen the numbers of what this drug can do for birth defects?  The goverment is researching it now.  Alot of people have issues with this drug.  Just keep talking aout it with your doctor I am sure he/she is fully aware of how crappy this med can be, even for anxiety..and they say xanax is bad.  I have always said, all these types of meds have bad withdrawls and side-effects...but then again some of us don't feel anything and no problems while others go through a very hard time.

Wishing you and all the best with Paxil.

[Ann557]

i was prescribed paxil for depression in March 2009 at 20mg the side effects were muscle twitching so I reduced to 10mg after 4 weeks and then after 2 weeks on 10mg i didnt take anymore.  ive been thru hell and am still in it ive aged 20yrs in 18weeks my muscles are wasting and i think im gonna die soon im only 59yrs and was fit in March      i dont sleep and i get weaker everyday i cant eat sleep or concentrate  now ive been prescribed pregabalin  i darent take it it will finish me off.  has anyone ever survived paxil discontinuation ?

[greyeyz]

I have been on Paxil for 2 years and found the results to be great however I am currently unemployed and went off the Paxil cold turkey becaus of the financial difficulty. I am going through "Paxil Withdrawals" just like everyone on here has said. I have the vertigo, the electric zaps, the headaches and the emotional ups and downs. I feel like I am not even in my own body sometimes. The problem I am having is with my boyfriend. He does not understand why I am "not acting like myself" and is getting frustrated with me because he does not know how to help me. Can anyone help me explain this to him to prevent this from ruining our relationship??????

[Paxiled]

Put him on the internet, type in Paxil withdrawal, and make him sit there and read.  And why would you ever go off this med cold turkey?  Why does anyone still do this after all the lawsuits and revelations and ten years of publicity?

[greyeyz]

I had to go cold turkey because i do not have the money to have it filled. I have never heard of the lawsuits or withdrawal issues until i started to experience it and went googling. This is all very new to me because i never experienced any trouble with paxil in the two years i have taken it.

[Paxiled]

It costs very little to fill a generic Paxil prescription.  It's been off patent for years.  Money is not the issue here.  Whoever called it in for you before will probably call it in for you for free; I know my old psychiatrist did when I lost my health insurance.  I hope this goes well for you, but if you find you do need to go back on it, finding a way should be doable.

[M2131]

Hey All,
I am relieved to have found this site... I had been on Paxi 20mg for about 2 years and then down to 10mg (tried to go off completely once but the zaps drove me crazy) so I continued on the 10mg (I would like to get pregnant and do not want to take any chances of birth defects)... I finally took myself off of Paxil completely about 1 month ago today (I also completely stopped taking Xanax 6 weeks ago - which resulted in torture withdrawel symptoms but managed to get through it). So here I am - completely unmotivated, dizzy, unclear, crying (It is RARE that I cry), ANXIETY (had an anxiety / panic attack that lasted a good 2 hours with no reason for onset, depressed somewhat (not suicidal but just depressed and do not enjoy anything right now)... I don't even really want to talk to my friends (I am a talkoholic so this is a shock) -- I started researching because I couldn't understand why I was going through this, and it still baffles me that this could be happening even after 1 month of not taking it (and just 10mg -- my doctor told me that it was such a low dose that he would be surprised that I would even get the zaps) HA! So my question is -- is THIS normal to be still having withdrawel symptoms after 4 weeks? I cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel right now... Help!
P.S. Many years ago, I had a very serious reaction to Prednisone which threw me into severe depression in which I was prescribed Paxil - it SAVED MY LIFE and honestly, when I took myself off of the medication slowly, the only symptom was the zapping so I am wondering why this is hitting me so hard this time.....

[Paxiled]

For you, you went off too fast.  Everyone's different, and Paxil can be very hard to quit.  I'm three years out and still suffering, though that's pretty rare and I didn't know I was in withdrawal, my psychiatrist never told me about it.  If you're not currently pregnant, my unexpert advice is to go back on the 10mg and taper as slowly as you need to.  Paxil makes a liquid so you can taper very slowly, if need be.  Good luck.

[MRK696]

I've been on paxil since I was about 13 years old, I am now 21 and was on a 40 miligram dose. About a month ago all of my anxiety symptoms started to come back so my doctor switched my meds. I am "slowly" backing off the paxil and starting this new medication, but she has me going from 40 to 20 miligrams for one week and them to 10 miligrams for a week and then stopping.
I am on day 3 of the 10 miligrams and the withdrawl (withdrawal) that I am feeling is almost unbearable. I'm a college student and its been difficult to go to class, study, etc. My headaches are terrible, my stomach is in knots all the time, and I've been throwing up every morning. I just hope that this starts to get better soon, cause I can't take much more of this, it is exhausting.
Also, I know that probably not all of you are religious, but what has helped me is praying a little more. I'm Catholic, but I find a lot of comfort in doing more Hindu forms of meditation. I also wanted to share a quote with you all from Gandhi, it just really has been speaking to me lately and I wanted to share, "There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever."
I wish everyone the best with this! :)

[Paxiled]

My own opinion is you're withdrawing way too fast.  Why suffer needlessly?  And try some fish oil; many report this reduces the physiological symptoms of withdrawal.  Good luck.

[cnote]

I've been on 10mg of Paxil for about 4 or 5 weeks now.... but I'm weaning off b/c of sexual side effect (my dr. knows this).... will my withdrawals more than likely be minimal, since I've only been on 10mg of a month?

[tattooedblonde]

I was on paxil for just under a year. I was only taking 10mg daily, and i quite cold turky. I do not recomend this @ all! Always talk to your doctor before comming off and always taper yourself. My withdrawal was horrible and most days i couldn't even stand up let alone lift my head. I have been off paxil for about 2ish months and somedays I still feel the withdrawal symptoms (or long term effect of the paxil??) but for the most part after about 1ish months i started to feel  better. Im currently taking St. Johns wort and looking into another anti-depressant.
Also it takes about six weeks for the paxil to take affect so your withdrawal symptoms; i would asume might not be as bad since its only been one month.
Good luck

[Trishcpht]

Dana- I too am having these horrible symptoms. I started taking Paxil about 9 years ago and have stopped taking it once before without all these crazy withdrawals. I only started back on it due to increased stress that I knew would make it difficult for me to control my emotions on my own and my panic attacks. I started back on Paxil 4 years ago after being off it for 2 years. I was originally on Paxil 20, when placed back on it I was place on the 10mg CR, then to the 10mg during an outage on the CR. When I told my Dr that placed me on it *my Gyn because I was mainly Prescribed Paxil for PMDS* that the Paxil wasn't working the way it should, she increased me from 10mg to 20 and then when I had the same complaint she increased it again to 40 MG! I am a licensed Certified Pharmacy tech at the 3rd largest hospital in North Carolina and know a lot about medications but I also work with some of the best Pharmacists around, so I spoke to our Psychiatric Pharmacist and she was not happy about this prescription at all. Recently, I've been exceedingly tired, ill, quite, unable to concentrate, aimless, unable to make decisions, and dizzy/nauseated, so I went to my GP instead and she took me off the Paxil 40 and started me on Zoloft 25mgs for 3 days and now to 50mg. She took me off Paxil because she thinks as do I that it is not working correctly for me and is the source of my issues.  I am still having massive withdrawal issues from the Paxil so I'm planning on talking to my GP about this at my followup. Anyway my main point is even though I work with these medications EVERY day I didn't know about these withdrawal issues, they are not widely known and had I known I wouldn't have started back on Paxil. I just read your post to my boyfriend and he is appalled but now understands how I've been feeling. Glad to know I'm not alone.

[nicko1504]

I tried to come off of Paxil slowly after being on the damn thing for about 5 years or so. I'm 21 now and my pediatrician put me on it when I was in the 8th or 9th grade. I was on 30mg and basically just came off of it for about 5 days and I've never felt worse in my life. The headache, nausea, pain, sweats, paranoia... It's not worth going on this medicine. I finally broke down and took it this morning and I'm feeling a little better but it's still hard to function. You may as well take heroin and try to come off it. I would imagine that would be easier. Good Luck to anyone who tries to come off this crazy drug.

[VickyKan]

Hi, do you have any idea what the difference is between Paxil and Pexeva? I understand they both are in the same class of drugs. What's scary is I've been taking 40 MG of Pexeva since July 2009 for panic attacks and my  doctor has told me to wean off of it (from 40 to 30mg for 1 week, 20 mg for 1 week, then 10mg, then zero).  So two questions; One: Is the "normal" amt of Pexeva at 40mg and the "normal" amt of Paxil at 10mg for the average person? Why was my dosage so much higher? (that scares me). I have not read any post anywhere where someone has taken such a high dosage like myself. And second question: I am on day 2 of having zero Pexeva and I have had lightheadness, vivid dreams, my equilibrium is constantly off (as if everything around me is moving or spinning), nausea, brain zaps, and many other symptoms. Are these withdrawal symptoms going to completely go away or am I going to live with them for the rest of my life?
Thank you.

[xckgirl]

Hi dana I am 10 nites tonite paxil free but went onto lexapro had a horrific time and still am. I heard that if u want off paxil the best way to do and easiest is to cross over onto prozac and it will take the withdrawls of paxil away and prozac is easy to come off of because of its longer half life. Unfortunatley for me was not an option because when I tried prozac before goping onto paxil it was not the right drug for me.
Another option is point of return they have supplements and a weaning program to help get your body and brain strong and they help u wean very gradually and tell u how to obtain the liquid paxil.

Good luck and god bless all of us who have to experience this. Suzette

[cherzy]

Last time I tried to ween off of Paxil Lymphatic drainage really helped.  It alliviated a lot of the symptoms.  The nausea was the worst that and the lack of concentration.  I swore I could deal with all the muscle aches and dizziness if I just didn't feel sick to my stomach any more.  The lymphatic drainage takes about 45 min. and costs 45 dollars here by a message therapist at an alternative medicine place.  If it works as good as did last time I should get some relief.  I will post the results later.  I weened from 62mg down to 37mg down to 25mg down to 17mg down to 12mg.  Then quit.  I still feel terrible.

[neveragain64]

I am a 45 year old woman who has taken Paxil for nearly 10 years due to stress and depression.  I feel that I am at a point in my life where I am ready to be Paxil-free, but I am scared to death to do so.  I've been out for just a few days and I feel like my brain is falling apart.  I experienced all the above mentioned symtoms (symptoms) - in short - HELL!  Thanks to those of you have offered advice.  I have no insurance at this point, and I work two jobs to feed my kids, so I am going to try some of the options you have given.  Thanks.  God bless all of you who are going through this.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Vicki830]

I have been on Paxil for 3 years and am now starting to wean off. In the beginning, about 2-3 months. I had some side affects. Nausea, hot flashes, a feeling of being shocked... all the bad things. Eventually, they go away, and they were not even that bad when they were happening. Not EVERYONE has these terrible experiences as many people have suggested. Make sure that some of the side effects you are having are not being caused by other things. For example, if you gained weight as another person mentioned, are you sure it is not because you ate more calories. Correlation is not causation! Typically only the people with bad experiences are compelled to tell their stories, look for some people with positive experiences and weigh ALL the options and the experiences.

[banjoman15]

I have been a Paxil user for 10 years, easy.... I really love the stuff; it has helped me so much. I started using it after experiencing Prozac poop-out (it stopped working so well).
I tried cutting back from the 20 mg/day to taking it every other day. That lasted a  short time, and now I am back to 2 days on and 1 day off. I would like to stop taking the stuff someday. I was able to use a generic for $4.00 per 30 day supply. That makes it really affordable. However, one day I received a prescription of a different substitute generic, and it did not work at all. I felt awful! I got this dizzy feeling and a 'swooshing' sound behind my eyes! Plus I was anxious and nervous. After a week of this I was a wreck. I was fortunate to be able to find the same generic as before and now things are OK again. That experience showed me that this is not a mild drug.
I fear that as I use it longer, I may actually replace my own body's ability to make the seretonin it does naturally. Is that possible? Does anyone have data on that possibility?

[Paxiled]

Paxil doesn't make serotonin, it just reuses used serotonin longer than it would otherwise.  Your  body is still manufacturing the serotonin.  What does happen is many of the brain's serotonin receptors shut down while you're on an ssri and when you go off those receptors start reawakening since they're needed again.  That is thought to cause much of the withdrawal, but certainly not all.  Paxil also affects choline receptors quite a bit.  Choline is essential for the brain's proper functioning.  So that is thought to explain in part why Paxil is particularly difficult to stop taking.  Nobody knows if these meds cause permanent damage or alteration -- nobody's really looking.  Bad for business, you know.  Virtually all we know of patented medication is what pharmaceutical companies choose to share with us, as their research is protected as a trade secret.  There is some independent research, and it's mixed.  There are cases of protracted withdrawal from many medications as well as addictive illegal drugs, but nobody knows how many because, again, nobody's got the money to look.  Most people do fine, so worrying is useless, but it's good that you are aware it might be difficult and just make sure your psychiatrist also knows this and knows how to react if it is to help you.

[AnxietyGuy1976]

Some people call this Monday....

Your withdrawal symptoms don't sound too bad, or out of the ordinary. I've gone off of SSRI's 3 times now. It gets easier. In fact, I made myself enjoy the zaps even, by making myself do a little guessing game on when the next one would come.

I'm pretty sure if you got hooked on heroin (which you equated it to), you'd recant your statement.

Suck it up. If the panic attacks are so easy, that the side effects of the med isn't worth it, maybe your panic attacks aren't that bad.

For people that literally can't leave the house, function for work, or constantly fear heart attacks, meds can be an important helper in getting their life back in order.

I highly doubt your doctor got paid off to sucker you into a commonly prescribed medication, but it's certainly possible that you suckered those around you into thinking you had a condition that was worse that it is....

[Paxiled]

Everyone isn't you.  What you feel is what you feel.  What they feel is what they feel.  Perhaps the med you're on now has destroyed your ability to feel empathy; maybe it's time to switch.

[AnxietyGuy1976]

Maybe I am a cold heart'ed *******, but the original post sounds like a lot of unnecessary drama to me. Or maybe I'm getting paid to lie, just like the doctor's are....

[Paxiled]

If you are getting paid to lie, tell me how to get in on the gig!

[YarnSmith]

Paxil withdrawal
by YarnSmith, 3 hours ago
Tags: Paxil Withdrawl (withdrawal)
OMG I never thought that this weaning would be soooooooooooooooo bad!!!! I have been on several doses of paxil for the past 12 years prescribed for "peri-menopause" anxiety. I had one incident of very close to fainting and this was my doctors answer to a female condition, take a pill and it will go away. Well it did as well as all emotion for 12 years. I am now on day 5 of weaning off of 12.5 CR and have every symptom that I read about this morning on the internet. I actually had to pull over on the highway 2 days ago because no one warned me about driving that I may pass out, well I got to the side of the road just in time. With these horrible withdrawal effects I am not going back now, I hope I can grin and bear the zaps, headaches, ataxia, vertigo, weird dreams, sweats, mood swings, light and noise intolerance etc, etc, I have them all. Oh yeah my doctor told me that because I was on CR the withdrawal would not be so bad, I would hate to see it if I were still on the straight dosage. I am on paxil every other day, any other suggestions would be helpful before I have to drive again in three days to go to work. thanks for listening

[nicolemarie19]

i have been on paxil since i was in third grade, probably the youngest of all. while i have tried getting off of it three times over the years(all were hell), i still truly believe in it. i went from 20 panic attacks a day, not eating, and losing weight until i was only 60 pounds to being a healthy active teenager on the drill team and with a boyfriend, and in advanced classes. none of this would have happened if i had kept spiralling downward. so yes, getting off paxil is hard, but it really changes lives. at least it did mine

[TrixieShopper]

I am on my 2nd week of being Paxil free and all I can say is that my experience has been HORRIBLE.  I am experiencing everything that Dana1981 mentioned in her posting except for the paranoia.  I have been on Paxil for about 8 years now at a dose of 20mg.  I originally went on it to deal with anxiety and depression.  Now that my husband and I would like to get pregnant, it is necessary to get off Paxil for the baby's sake (due to possible birth defects).  I have been on about 10 mg for the past year.  I tapered off to 5mg with no problem and then tapered off to 5mg every other day and then every third day for about 2 months.  My doctor doesn't know why I'm still feeling so terrible after being off Paxil for 2 weeks now.  I only can hope that I start feeling better soon, because there is no way that I can go to work.  I have to lay still with no noise to deal with the dizziness and nausea.  I can handle the hot sweats and chills, but the dizziness and nausea are so bad that I cannot do simple household tasks.  I sometimes have an hour or two when I feel okay, so I try to do laundry and empty the dishwasher.  Then it's back to bed.  I read about one person's experience where she had to lay on the couch for 2 months.  I am hoping and praying that doesn't happen to me, but I'm afraid it's heading in that direction....

[bonnie7778218]

I have been on Paxil for 15 years and recently started having side effects of muscle twitching in my legs and feet, ringing in my ears and terrible gastric reflux from stomach irritation.  I went down on my dosage by half for 6 weeks, but started to get more anxious and dissociate.  The muscle twitching went away though.  I decided to go back to my regular dose and two weeks later, I experienced extreme muscle twitching all over my body, sweating, brain zaps and feelings of impending doom to say the least.  My doctor says I am hypersensitive to Paxil now and if I can get off it, all the better, but now she wants to start me on Celexa.  I got the script filled but am not taking it yet.  I go back to my doctor this week.  I wish I never started on Paxil 15 years ago for panic attacks at the time.

[Paxiled]

Make sure you go off the Paxil very slowly after all that time, very slowly.  Switching to Celexa will not necessarily have any effect on Paxil withdrawal; they don't work the same, and the Celexa might not work for you.  Remember that for whatever reason, Paxil tends to be stronger than other ssris.  Also, what you're suffering sounds like Paxil withdrawal to me.  It might go away now that you're back up to your regular dosage -- you dropped in dosage too quickly.  You also should be supplementing with magnesium, any ssri can cause these muscle problems because they tend to interfere with the absorption of magnesium.  Before you quit Paxil, I'd read a book called The Anti-Depression Solution by Joseph Glanville; it will get you prepared and will also let you know if your psychiatrist truly understands how to do this or not.  Mine didn't, and I paid big time.  Don't want you to.  Good luck.

[paxilsweat]

I was prescribed paxil for hot flashes almost a year.  The hot flashes stopped but the weight gain started.  I have gained 30 pounds in less than 10 months (which I HATE) and my sex drive is almost nonexistant!  I have never been this size (not even when I was pregnant)!  So, needless to say, I decided I would just stop taking it all at once (about 3 weeks ago).  My doctor has told me that if I decided to stop taking it I should wean myself off because it could cause depression so I decided I could deal with a little depression for a little while if I would stop gaining weight and lose some of that I had gained.  Unfortunately, she didn't tell me about any of the other symptoms that, after reading some of the posts, I'm assuming are withdrawal symptoms.  The hot flashes are back along with some naseau (which she said is possibly acid reflux), and some iritability (mood swings).  Since I wasn't on it for a long period of time, I'm hoping the withdrawal symptoms will go away soon.  My doctor did suggest prescribing another drug for hot flashes but said there would be some other side affect so have decided to just take my black cohash and stay away from the other menopausal drugs.  

Since I've read that some people experience hot flashes as a withdrawal effect, hopefully once it's all out of my system, the hot flashes will go away as well as the extra weight!

I wish I had researched paxil before I started taking it to see what the side effects would be but I know that I will not be recommending it to anyone.

[Paxiled]

Black cohosh may not be your best choice, at least not by itself.  Paxil for hot flashes was a horrible choice, but that's pharmaceutical advertising for you.  Black cohosh is estrogenic, but most American women don't have an estrogen problem, they have a progesterone problem.  Keep in mind we are inundated with estrogenic chemicals in our society, including good old petroleum, which is used in pesticides, fertilizer, plastics, etc.  So while black cohosh can be useful, you might want to add some d-o-n-g quai to it for hormone balancing and some vitex, or chastetree berry for progesterone.  There are some good formulas out there for the trying.  Planetary Formulas is a good company to try, but there are several if you have access to a genuine health food store (meaning one where people will actually talk to you with some knowledge, unlike chain stores like Whole Foods).  Good luck.

[Lorcapie]

Been off paxil now for about 8 days. The nausea and vomiting were the worse I think. But now I have this horrible jaw/face pain on the right side of my face?  I have been thru the vivid horrible dreams, paranoid nights where I thought there was a person in my closet at 300am, the dizziness is still there.  I take a dramamine pill to curb the dizziness, which stops the vomiting.  Crystalized ginger to settle my stomach. My holistic doctor gave me Adrenal Plus.  It is drops to put in water 3 times a day.  Yes, it seems to also ease the side affects and stress.  I am hoping I am almost over this craziness.  But the jaw pain is now killing me...wow it hurts.  I dont hear many people complaining of jaw pain.  It feels like a bad toothache that has spread all down my right side of my face??? The headache will also not go away today, even with Motrin and Tylenol. I have always felt great mentally though, not really sad.  I have high hopes!!! Life will be great again!!!  God Bless us all....

[bigdog576]

well i was takin paxil 40 mg for 10 years i have been of been of paxil for two long months and it hasnt been easy i feel some times like if i am going  to have a panic attack but i tell my self  is only a pannick attack so dont panick sometimes when i drive to work i feel so anxious i feel like if i am having a heart attack

[arunner218]

I have been on paxil for 15 years. I have slowy downed the dose. It has taken a year to ween off of it. I am a week off paxil and am having really bad side effects. I am a runner who is suppost to run a half marathon this sunday but cant run. I sweat so much than am cold, hot cold, hot. I am so irritated all the time. I can function, think.. Sleep. When will this go away. I am so frustrated i hate this i wish i never was put on this medicine. It is important I stay off it so my husband  and I can start trying. I feel like i am not in my own body.

[horseweed]

      I've been reading about Paxil withdrawal for 15 minutes.  And doctors are insisting there is no withdrawal related to this drug?   I was also a victim of Paxil CR withdrawal a few years ago. It was a horrible event. I felt that what i was going through had to be like coming off a narcotic.  I tappered down for 2 weeks thinking i had done what was necesary to wean myself.  WRONG!   The first two weeks were hell and for the next four weeks i was not myself.
      Over the last 15 years i've been on half a dozen different antidepressants at various times.  Paxil is Evil.

[pjseav]

well, to just add my 2 cents. I went from 40mg/day to 20mg very 2 -3 days for about 10 days with some of the brain zap feelings. Now i am at 10 mg every 2 - 3 days and am feeling the effects. Quite a bit of dizziness with some nausea for  a few days, now a few days more and its the dizziness, nausea, brain zaps, periods of sneezing  4-5 times in a row which i have never had in my life. Now another day and added diarrhea with some stomach discomfort. I know some are gonna think I getting the flu. I am 98% sure I am not. I will let ya know in a few days.

[pjseav]

try adding some kava kava and valerian to ease panic and anxiety. the best kava is sold by kava kafe in Hawai. They have a website.

[Paxiled]

Unlikely they sell the "best" kava.  The best herbs are always sold by expert herbalists who know how to select the finest kava and have the equipment to test it.  At any rate, that aside, if you're also on benzos be careful with the kava and valerian -- they also act on GABA.  You might try some fish oil in heft quantities -- some find it helps with the withdrawal symptoms, particularly the zaps and the "Paxil flu."  Good luck, and go slow.

[SomeGirl83]

No idea if you are still reading this, but wondering how everything went with weaning off of paxil. I was on paxil for 10 years, since I was 17, I am now 27 and just weaned myself off 3 months ago. The withdrawal symptoms are real, the "zaps", oh so real! Any doctor that says paxil has no withdrawal symptoms just has no clue what they are talking about! Paxil is not a good drug! My doctor gave me a prescription for Effexor, because I told her I didn't want to be on paxil anymore, because it was a horrible drug. I went home and searched Effexor and apparently that is another drug from hell, so I didn't even start the drug at all! I am not on any drugs at all now!

[SomeGirl83]

No idea if you are still reading this, but wondering how everything went with weaning off of paxil. I was on paxil for 10 years, since I was 17, I am now 27 and just weaned myself off 3 months ago. The withdrawal symptoms are real, the "zaps", oh so real! Any doctor that says paxil has no withdrawal symptoms just has no clue what they are talking about! Paxil is not a good drug! My doctor gave me a prescription for Effexor, because I told her I didn't want to be on paxil anymore, because it was a horrible drug. I went home and searched Effexor and apparently that is another drug from hell, so I didn't even start the drug at all! I am not on any drugs at all now!

[darsdelima]

Went on Paxil 7 years ago.  20 mg.  My P.A. prescribed it for me.  A P.A.????  are you kidding me.  during a routine visit he asked how I was doing and I mentioned being upset over a family situation.  Next thing I new I was getting a PAXIL prescription filled.  I have been off the dreaded  ******** for 6 months.   I am worse than before it was ever prescribed.  I have, fear, anxiety, anger, mood swings, depression, and no desire to really live.  I mean, going out or eating.  HOWEVER, I've lost 35 lbs. the only plus in this drama.  I keep thinking it will get better, but I'm told I must have had unresolved issues prior to PAXIL.  NO I DID'NT!!!!!!  I had never  been to a therapist, had depression, mood swings, or anxiety.  I believe this is a result of the withdrawals.  I am seeing a shrink who isn't sure why I am having such problems 6 months post PAXIL.  Any suggestions out there?  My family thinks I am crying too much, and slightly scary.   I have lost it.  I am not the same person who felt liberated and thriving in life.  This medication has effected me.  Will this end or do I go back on SOMETHING?  Now therapists want to help me uncover my deep rooted past which they say was hidden before I ever went on PAXIL!   REALLY??????   Please comment.

[HockeyShark]

As I said earlier I had been on Paxil for YEARS before switching to Lexapro. I still fight dizziness, lethargy, and other sensitivities I can only attribute to paxil.

[rachaels1982]

I have taken myself off paxil a month ago. Finally 3 weeks later I felt the electrical impulses go through my body, mainly in my head. I cant take much more of this. And YES, they are not painful, just really annoying and happen only while I am awake. I went to the ER last night and was told to see an eye doctor, WTF is that going to do? Well, I half to get some sleep. And hopefully this does not last much longer.

[Alisonj29]

13+ years on Paxil with zero success in getting off it. If I take my dose at 10pm and havent taken it by say 1am I already have the electrical impulses. My doctor told me it likely isnt effective anymore other than to stop withdrawals.

[Maggernator52]

They say Paxil doesn't have withdrawals because it is not a narcotic, therefore you can't become addicted.  That seems false to me.  If I missed my dose by more than a few hours, I would get dizzy.  However, after being on 30mg of Paxil for 8 years, I went down to 20mg and from there switched to 20mg of Lexapro.  I've been on the Lexapro for about two months now.  I haven't experienced a single side effect.  The best way to get off Paxil is to switch to another drug and then wean off the new drug.  I'm no doctor, but I do have anxiety so I know that anxious people tend to try to find a cause for their symptoms and the more they look, the more anxious they feel.  It is possible to be free of Paxil and live a normal life.

[annmarie3146]

I am currently off Paxil (6 days) and still experiencing horrible withdrawal effects. I was taking Paxil for 10 years at 20mg per day. This is the 4th time I've tried getting off the Paxil, and I am determined to make it stick this time. My withdrawal symptoms have been debilitating. I haven't been to work in a week. I have constant dizziness/motion sickness, nausea, severe headaches, sensitivity to sound and flourescent lighting, and these tingling sensations in the back of my head. I've gotten rid of most of the electric brain zaps by taking fish oil everyday (this really worked for me, so if you're experiencing this symptom, give fish oil a try). My doctor weaned me off Paxil by using Prozac. I would decrease the Paxil, and increase the Prozac over the course of 4 weeks until I was completely off the Paxil. The goal was that the Prozac would help alleviate, if not entirely prevent, the withdrawal symptoms. I've heard that this approach works well for a lot of people, but unfortunately, I am one of those few unlucky people who has not found Prozac helpful in relieving any of the nausea, dizziness, zaps, etc. I am at the end of my rope. After being completely off the Paxil for 6 days, I am still experiencing the debilitating nausea and dizziness. These are the worst symptoms for me right now. I've also found that I am overly emotional. I'm crying at the drop of a hat, which is not like me. I have found that yoga sometimes helps relieve my symptoms for a little while, but they come back. The yoga is mostly helpful to help keep me grounded and focused on accomplishing the goal of being Paxil-free. I am taking Zofran and meclizine, but the meclizine knocks me out. Anyone have any suggestions about how to get past this terrible nausea and dizziness? How long does it last after you stop taking Paxil? I was prepared to suffer through the withdrawal symptoms after having tried to come off the medicine 4 times; however, I was very hopeful the Prozac would significantly reduce the symptoms. Since it hasn't, I am feeling very discouraged and frustrated. I just want to feel normal again. And Paxil didn't even completely control my panic attacks! Mine were horrific. I had these huge panic attacks that would last for days. I'd been in and out of different ER's thinking I was going to die. None of the med's I tried worked, but Paxil was the only one that actually eased the symptoms, though they did not entirely go away. Paxil just helped me be able to talk my way down from a panic attack and reduced the duration of a panic attack. I agree with an earlier statement - Paxil is EVIL! I cannot believe doctors are still prescribing this drug! I recently found a new psychiatrist about finding something that will control the panic attacks better whether it's cognitive therapy with medicine or w/o medicine. I also told her I wanted to get off the Paxil since it wasn't even working anymore, and she told me that she doesn't even prescribe the drug to any of her patients, and neither do any of the other doctors in her practice. She said the drug is terrible. It may have helped "ease" the panic attacks, but I gained 50 pounds and am now going through one of the worst experiences of my life. This is nearly as bad as my panic attacks were before the medicine!!!! I hate Paxil!!!!!!!

[hijeen]

I took Paxil 10mg for 6 years.I stopped cold turkey 6 weeks ago after a horrible reaction one night. The worst of the withdrawl (withdrawal) is over but I am still left with some nausea and dizziness and the electric zaps through my body. The zaps seem to be decreasing but my question is do they ever go away? They are scary and annoying. I have started taking 5-htp, cal/mag and fish oil and I suspect this is what is helping me so far. I have seen my DR and gone to emerg and both doctors have this confused look when I tell them about the shocks. The er doc had the gall to say I should try some advil as my nerves may be inflammed.

[Paxiled]

Actually, of course you know stopping cold turkey wasn't your brightest idea, and 5-HTP may in fact may be prolonging the withdrawal.  The brain zaps are believed to be caused by serotonin receptors that were no longer needed when you were on the ssri re-awakening after you stopped, and 5-HTP may, by producing serotonin more efficiently, be delaying the completion of this process.  Fish oil is said to help.  Calcium isn't that useful, but magnesium might be.  You should have tapered, but even then, Paxil is a difficult med, and with any ssri nobody can tell you how long your experience will be, since it depends on the person.  For most people, they last a couple of weeks, but it can be longer for some.  Again, depends on the person.  I never got them at all when I stopped Paxil, but I got just about every other thing imaginable, and I tapered.  So it just depends on your particular body.  As for understanding these shocks, you need to see a psychiatrist or pharmacologist, or just google them -- God knows people have known about them for years now.

[Bstarm11]

I just recently stopped taking Paxil, due to a "numb" feeling I had toward everything in my life. I was first prescribed Paxil when I was only 15 years old, I am now 22. The doctor gave me little to no information on what was going to happen if I were to discontinue the drug, so every time that I did try I would get very intense withdrawal symptoms so I would continue to take it, because the withdrawal was worst than feeling numb. I didn't ween off the Paxil because I ran out of my prescription and would have to travel a long distance to see a doctor for them to refill it for me, and at this point I can't continue living my life feeling like this. I am currently suffering through extreme mood swings, sensitivity to light, I'm hearing sounds or "zaps" as they are sometimes referred to, intense vertigo to the point where I almost lose my balance, vomiting, headaches, and experiencing trouble sleeping. It's been a little over 4 weeks since I've stopped taking Paxil and although I've been through the worst of it I am still feeling horrible. It's hard to imagine what it is like to be back to normal, at this point I don't know if I will ever feel normal again.

[bambam33]

I have been on 50 mg of Paxil now for 2 years. Before Paxil I was on Lexapro and Welbutrin...... I quit cold turkey last June while fighting an ear infection. I thought all my sickness was due to the infection. The infection became so bad I had to go to the er. When they found out I had quit cold turkey, they were amazed to say the least that I didn't go into cardiac arrest. After being Paxil free I started back up after 3 months due to depression. ( stupid decision) After 4 months of taking it again I decided again to try to get off the medication due to not liking some of the side effects of being on it, (weight gain 50 lbs, and low sex drive). the Dr had put me on Phentermine in Jan. to try to take some of the 50 lbs off, but I had absolutely no luck. ( 4 lbs.) I have taken Phentermine in the past and have had great success. Usually almost 20 lbs in the first month. The only thing that had changed in my life was that I was taking Paxil, so that is why I decided to stop this last time. Again, I stopped cold turkey since I didn't think withdrawal was a problem with this med only to become deathly sick after being off around 2 wks. All the same symptoms as before with my ear infection... Which made me realize those symptoms were'nt due to the infection but due to Paxil withdrawal. So I decided to slowly wean myself down 10 mg at a time... It didn't seem to matter I was still having terrible terrible withdrawals such as: Unable to eat, just the thought of food made me sick, nausea, dry heaves, dizzy, sensitivity to light, sounds, smell. Sweating, headaches, tired, diarrhea,indigestion, sore eyes, eye pain, itchy palms and feet, wild crazy dreams and nightmares. I'm down to 10 mg a day and able to finally drive my car for the first time in almost 6 wks, YES, 6 weeks! Thank god I don't have a job other than being a full time mom. Which is still very trying while going through withdrawals. I go to the Dr this Thursday to talk to her to see what can be done once I no longer take the 10 mg. This drug is evil and to those who are even considering taking it, please think again!      

[bambam33]

I went to the Dr Thursday and was put on Straterra for ADD. I started my first dose Thursday evening. Friday I was a bit tired when I first woke, but woke with no headache. It was a pretty good day actually. I didn't take any Paxil Thursday or Friday and felt good enough to get out and do things on Friday. This is my 2nd day Paxil free! Yeepie! Hopefully the end of my withdrawals.

[asalazar]

My Wife took paxil for over 8 years, she stopped 2 weeks ago because we are gonna try to have a baby. since she started the withdrawal process she in not herself, her mood changes every day,she seems in another world. This paxil withdrawal is making our relationship fall apart.. dont know what do or how to help her?? can any one give me advise??

[laurap1208]

i am 23 and take 40mgs a day but i have now stopped takin it because i have no more refills so i havent takin it in 5 days i have only had the crying spells after reading all the stories on here im really scared i have 1mg of ativan that i take twice a day so im hopeing that helps me while im goin thru the withdarwl but ill just have to wait and see .

[hijeen]

I quit Paxil(in January) and lived through the side effects but was having horible panic attacks almost daily for the last month. I finally broke down last week and started the Paxil again (5mg only) and the electric shocks in my body are back. I have just started seeing a Naturopathic doctor and am much calmer since I have increased my fish oil and cal/mag. Since I have only been back on Paxil for about 10 days can I just stop? Suggestions?

[SnooksInPA]

I am off paxil two weeks today, thank God! I have been on it for over five years at only 10 mg every other day. I started on paxil for extreme panic attacks and damn near agoraphobia. It did help me, but five years later I had to finally cut the ties. I have experienced the electrical shock type feelings in my head that I call "buzzing." I have had itchy, tired eyes, confusion of thoughts, sort of a slow feeling where I'm just not up to my normal speed. Tiredness, muscle spasm or cramping of the legs and some light sensitivity. Nothing in extreme, thank God. The buzzing in my head seemed to last about six days. I noticed that when I drank coffee it seemed to ease it, maybe the caffeine? I'm not sure but it did help. The longest problem so far is the eye irritation and some confusion or stammering of speech. Before I stopped the drug I was very quick thinking and enunciated my words well, but seem to have to work at it now. Hopefully the remaining symptoms will eventually subside but I wanted to add my comments here as well as all of you incase it can help one person. I wish all of you the best in your fight and hope we can all eventually overcome the problematic withdrawl (withdrawal) symptoms associated with this drug. God bless.  

[cjhodgson]

I went off Paxil 4 days ago and the side effects are not worth it.  I have thrown up, had severe headaches, dizziness and nausea.  I can move.  there are hot and cold spells/electrical shocks.  The lights and sounds are so loud that I can not leave my bed.  I've even have suicidal thoughts, extreme mood swings and crying spells. I am a complete mess.  When will this end?

[Nadine71]

I have been on Paxil for 10 years almost and it has helped me lead a pretty normal life. My doctor did have me go off of it when i was 20wks pregnant with my 3rd child because it changed to a different category & wasn't safe to take during the first trimester. Well i crashed and ended up in the ER just shaking and diarehea. Plus i felt like i was gonna die! They said paxil won't do that but it did! I know no one wants to be on any medication but it does really help me and i would never think of going off of it again! It is a chemical inbalance and needs to be treated with medicine...just like if you have diabetes! all the talking to therapists will only help so much! So to everyone out there wether its paxil or zoloft or whatever don't worry about having to go off of it because the truth is you shouldn't!

[Rose335]

I was on 20mg of Paxil for a bout 12 years for depression but after so many years it seemed to be making me feel worse so I decided to stop taking it. You really have to wean yourself off this stuff - it took me months of cracking the pills in half then to skipping days and then none. I did have some withdrawals but nearly as bad as some you who have posted. Its a long process but if you do it really slow it can work. Due to a tragedy in my family which caused me to start having panic attacks and anxiety my Doc. put me back on Paxil. Paxil cr 1st which after 5 days made me feel worse so 4 days later back to regular paxil. I have taken 10mg for 4 days and remembering all the side effects (no sex drive, weight gain, withdrawals) and reading all these posts -I am not going to continue with it. Sure maybe it helps some people but the side effects are not worth it for me. When I got off paxil the fist time I said I'd never take it again so here I am and totally on the fence as what to do. The 1st time I took it I didn't have any starting side effects - this time I'm dizzy, tired but not sleeping well and I feel like my eyes can't focus.

[dikdik64]

I'm off the big P for a few days after a weaning process. So glad to run into this string of posts. Now I know what is happening. That makes a HUGE difference. I know I'll make it now. I'll never go back on it. NEVER!

[khaye1986]

Hi, I ended up on this website because I want to find out what kind of side effects other people experienced when weaning off of paxil. I've been taking Paxil (20mg) for a year now. I'm not going to lie, I love Paxil because it definitely helped eliminate my anxiety accompanied with the shortness of breathe and chest pain. I am now 24 and I never in my life thought that I would go through what I went through. After being trapped in an abusive relationship, Paxil saved me from losing myself. My doctor did tell me though that when I feel ready to get off of it, "don't stop it cold turkey" because I can get panic attacks and other side effects. A couple weeks ago, I decided to wean myself from it so I just took 10 mg of paxil instead of the usual 20mg. I have been really moody here lately and i get really angry at them. I don't want to be this person now. I like the way paxil made me feel. I felt like a normal human being on it or I should say better because I was more outspoken with people around me. It also had helped me with my social anxiety in school. My reasons why I want to stop the Paxil is because it makes me really tired the next day since I take it before bed. I take it at bedtime because it makes me drowsy and helps me fall asleep fast since I wonder a lot at night and worry about things. Also, it gave me a lot of pimples specifically on my forehead and they never go away even if I washed my face twice or three times a day. I even used all kinds of acne medication and nothing works. I am thinking maybe from not having orgasm for a long time since Paxil disable sexual desires. I don't know but tonight is the 2nd night taking only 5 mg, I feel horrible and started feeling depressed with suicidal thoughts. I don't necessary want to kill myself of course but I just thought of it. Then, I realized what the hell was I thinking and why in the hell would I feel this way? I actually just got up from bed to drink a glass of water and my head felt a bit light and dizzy then I got scared because I felt like I could fall anytime when I was walking to the kitchen across my room. I never felt like this in my entire life so I know for a fact that these are the withdrawals from Paxil. I just now took 10 mg because I'm afraid to feel like this when I take my exam in Microbiology class. I have an appointment this wednesday and I'm hoping to get answers from my doctor about what to do. Good luck to all of you!

[ZEPPT]

Thank you!!!! OMG LAUGHED SO HARD AFTER CRYING!!! :) I'm not crazy!! Im on the drug from hell too...Paxil 30 mg...I forget to take it some days...when I do I feel this weird swoosh in my head and ears when I turn my head, nauseau, blackouts, headaches, nausea, emotional, angry you name it and this is 2011 and Paxil is still being prescribed and we are stupid enough to take it...Ive read so much IM NOT ALONE!!!!!! Thank you for your post and humor I needed that sooooooo much!!!!

[leesg]

I feel so sick, when i walk its like lighting bolts in my brain i feel sick to stomach, and very tired...what can i do???????