Paxil Withdrawal

[Dana1981]

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.

[neprecovering]

Now in third week of Paroxetine (generic Paxil) withdrawal.  Thank you all for the info and words of encouragement.  Been taking this drug for 20 years.  I've tried several times to get off it, but, just as many of you have described, went back on because the side effects were unbearable.  Have tried gradual weaning but this time is cold turkey after a very long period of reduction to 10 mg.  My symptoms are so similar to many listed here, that just knowing others are experiencing this helps me get through.  Side effects are intermittent, some days not bad, some days terrible.  Massive headaches-some of them migraines, extreme morning diarrhea, crying very often for no reason, head 'rushes' especially with rapid eye movement, periodic nausea (especially when brushing my teeth-how weird is that?), some dizziness when I'm standing-noticed most often whenI am outside and have to close my eyes because the light is soooo  blinding.  I desperately want to stay off this drug but totally understand any person going back on to alleviate these side effects.  Also, must mention insomnia and weird dreams.  Still have to get off the sleeping pills which are just as horribly addictive.  If any of you are considering these types of medication, please think twice, research everything you can find and do not trust a doctor to give you accurate information.  If any doctor has gone through what we are going through, would their conscience allow them to prescribe these horrible chemicals?  

[Paxiled]

First, you need a psychiatrist, not just a doctor, and one who really knows how to do this properly.  20 years is a long, long time, and it's likely going to take a long taper to get off it, though everyone's different and some just slide right through it.  Very few doctors, and even few psychiatrists bother to learn how tough these drugs are to stop taking and how to properly do it, so you need to interrogate them before you do this to make sure they take it seriously and will be there for you.  So since you're going back on the Paxil, if you still want to quit, you need someone who can really guide you carefully through it.  As this post is quite old, you might want to start a new thread to get more answers.

[IlluminatedPatty]

This is exactly what I am going through!  I feel like I need to go to the hospital!  I just recently moved to Florida and I don't have a doctor so I am going to have to go to a clinic to get back on my Paxil.  It has been 3 weeks since I have had it and I have been taking it for 20 years!  I feel horrible and I don't know what to do!  Any suggestions would be so very appreciated!!

Sincerely,
Patty

[Mberge]

I was in 50mg paxil a day for about a year and  then wean myself down to 15mg over the last 6 months. I had side effects but got passed them to get down to 15mg. I would like to get off Paxil completely, but when I go from 15 mg to 10mg the side effects are headaches, head buzz, and moodiness to anger.  How long will this last?  I have decided to go back up to 15mg and then very slowly down to 10mg to 5mg to 0 ,by just shaving a little of the tablet over time. This withdrawals are awful. How long do withdrawals last?  

[Egmcindoe]

I have all the same if I miss two days because I can't afford a refil or forget they come right away and progressively worsen to the point I can't even turn my head with out almost passing out! Longest I had to go without is a week and it was hell and it just got worse everyday. It helped me with depression and I didn't gain weight in fact with diet and excersise I lost 70 pounds so far. But I don't know how I'd ever get off when I need to.

[Paxiled]

This is why you do this with a good psychiatrist you've vetted yourself, not a regular doc.  As for me, forget me -- hopefully I'm a rare case, though who knows, nobody's counting -- better to just focus on your own case.  Peace.