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About Paxil WIthdrawal

I have been trying to get off paxil...I've been on it almost 4 years.  I've tried to get off of it once before but b/c of stressful events in my life, the panic returned.  I've been feeling good this time, no anxiety or panic.  (I'm down to 10 mg. from 40 mg.)  But when I move my eyes to the left or right or up or down, I get a disturbing feeling of a zap-like nervousness, and an increased heart rate.  Because of this, I am afraid to move my eyes too much.  I know this sounds ridiculous, but I am truly concerned about it.  Has anyone heard of this before?  And what can I do about it? I'm tired of being on meds, and I have gained around 40 lbs on it.
58 Responses
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Avatar universal
You do not want to just stop taking paxil! It is very very dangerous!!! I am beginning to wean/tapper off Paxil Cr. Its not fun! But you need to do it very very slowly. I know that is not what you want to hear. I have found a lot of information and support at paxilprogress . org. They actually have nurses to answer questions and there are a number of people who have been/are going through the same heck we are.

Notfeelingwell_2 - were you the one that asked people to call you b/c you were not doing well? If so, I did call you and you were at the Dr. Please feel free to call me or write to me. I have the same user name at paxilprogress. That is a much much better site than this one. Please take a look.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
I was on Paxil for about a year and it actually took me six months to get myself weaned completely off the drug I went from 20 mg very slowly down to 5 until I was taking tiny little pieces I was finally taking a little piece only every other day and then a piece only when I needed one. Even after I was off of Paxil completely, I still once in a while felt the electrical zaps. They went on for months.The doctors never ever mentioned anything to me about how difficult it was to quit I didn't have a clue. I think the drug companies must pay them a kick back.Why else would they prescribe it like candy. We have all been taken advantage of.  
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have read about the "textbook" side-effects of Paxil
withdrawal, as well as the comments offered by users
of this forum.  Of these, Amanda's experience most
closely matches my own.  When I stopped taking Paxil,
the only noticeable side-effect was that I would
experience an intense (yet brief) moment of dizziness /
disorientation whenever I moved my eyes or closed
them quickly.  This lasted for about a week, and was
very difficult to cope with.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have been a "Prisoner to Paxil" for over 20 years. When I started this drug I was definialty told there were NO SIDE EFFECTS FROM WITHDRAWS. I will say however that after trying many other drugs before Paxil this drug seemed to be the one that worked the best for me at putting my aniexty and panic attacts at bay. Fast forward now 2010, it has been almost impossible to go even 3 days without Paxil. I take 20 mg. a day. Every year I attempt to go off my meds. with the exact same results each time, pure HELL!
It starts off with the dizziness, headaches, sweats, horrifying nightmares, and this is the mild stuff. Then I go into the most horrific panic and aniexty that one could ever imagine. The thoughts of doom are in complete control of every fiber of my being. I see no way out of this nightmarish existence. The fear of losing it is so profound that I actually fear for my life. I am not suicidal but I feel as if I can't possibly survive like this. At this point I MUST take a dose of Paxil and once again I am back to square one. I have never done illegal drugs and never understood why so many people just couldn't stop once they started, now I know why and have a completely different mind set towards addict, because I myself feel as if I too am now an addict or as I call it "A PRISONER TO PAXIL"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been a "Prisoner to Paxil" for over 20 years. When I started this drug I was definialty told there were NO SIDE EFFECTS FROM WITHDRAWS. I will say however that after trying many other drugs before Paxil this drug seemed to be the one that worked the best for me at putting my aniexty and panic attacts at bay. Fast forward now 2010, it has been almost impossible to go even 3 days without Paxil. I take 20 mg. a day. Every year I attempt to go off my meds. with the exact same results each time, pure HELL!
It starts off with the dizziness, headaches, sweats, horrifying nightmares, and this is the mild stuff. Then I go into the most horrific panic and aniexty that one could ever imagine. The thoughts of doom are in complete control of every fiber of my being. I see no way out of this nightmarish existence. The fear of losing it is so profound that I actually fear for my life. I am not suicidal but I feel as if I can't possibly survive like this. At this point I MUST take a dose of Paxil and once again I am back to square one. I have never done illegal drugs and never understood why so many people just couldn't stop once they started, now I know why and have a completely different mind set towards addict, because I myself feel as if I too am now an addict or as I call it "A PRISONER TO PAXIL"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am praying for you all and please pray for me too. I will be entering Paxil withdrawl hell soon. Eight years of addiction has lead to weight gain, major fatigue & thousands of dollars in doc bills to find out why. Not one of the many, many doctors I saw ever mentioned Paxil CR as a possible cause. Maybe we trust too much those who are just "practicing" medicine. That's what happens when you consult someone who graduated from a med school funded by the pharmicutical companies.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
h a r l e y 0 1 @ c o m c a s t . n e t
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
anyone intrested in furthering discussion about this feel free to email me at ***@****
kind of like a support group, because everyone i tell this too seems to think its just me and not the masses.
stay strong
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
have you been dizzy? lack of energy? feel like a ragdoll just rundown? I can totally feel your pain and i wish i could do or say something to help you through this... this company has created nothing but a mass of drug addicted adults. Almost as bad as Oxitcotin, these companies have to be held accountable for there missleading and coverups. Hang in there and keep posting here i will check throughout the day to see if if can help talk you through this.
scott
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been taking paxil for a couple of years now, and next month my husband and I are going to try invitro fertilization to get pregnant.  Of course I want to get off of this drug.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get through this hell I am facing a little easier.  I am so excited about trying to get pregnant, but scared to death about getting of the drug and not being able to take it.  Help

Val
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
PS  My dreams have been disturbing too...weird????
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was on Paxil for about a month (20 mg) and I ran out without being able to get to the Dr soon enough for a refill.  The first few days were fine, but by the fourth day I began to get symptoms that felt like the aura phase of a migraine.  That night I kept crying and really didn't have a reason. Yesterday I went to the Dr. and he gave me refills.  I took a pill around 4pm, but around 8pm I started to have a panic attack and hyperventilate.  I don't know what's wrong.  Of course I have problems in my life, but I really don't feel like that's what I was freaking out about.  Today I couldn't even go to work.  I was so tired and slept  until 1:30 pm! I hate this.  Why can't we just be normal without taking drugs?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have been trying to quit this drug for the past few months,,,,, and i just keep going back on just to make the symptoms go away. I only take 20 mg but without this little pill i feel dizzy, headache, falling over, and lathargic, my dreams are scarey and make no sense at all. I have zero patience and just today wanted to smash some assholes face in because he cut me off driving. Im very afraid of what im turning into because of this pill. I cannot control my temper and hate everyone and everything that annoys me. I wish i had never taken this 6 years ago......When im off my dose by day 5 im ready to jump off a bridge just to make the symptoms go away. Thats the point when i fold and take the drug again to make the crazyness stop. I need help and i need it quickly,,,,, Im a 41 year old drug addict with a smile on my face until i stop taking paxil. I would also like to find the ceo of this company and rip his head off for not providing me with this information prior to taking this **** drug...How can the FDA allow this drug make it to market wasnt there any case studies to support what we all feel? I need to get off this chemical and rid this from my system any ideas on how to do this ?
THANKS
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been off paxil for a few days. I quit cold turkey and can't say it's been too bad. I haven't had the zaps yet.  I just feel nauseous, irritable, get headaches, like I have completely no energy and I keep asking myself whether I was better off on paxil. However, the six months I was on paxil seem like such a blur to me now, I wasn't my true self. I was in an apathetic daze, just getting through the days. I hope that this withdrawal thing will pass and that I won't get extreme side effects like some of you. It's saddening. I hope you all get through it. xoxoxo
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I need a place to talk. This sounds like it might be the place. So here I g. I have been on Paxil Cr for over 6 yrs! I have had not so nice side effects and am on the highest dose any doctor I have talked to has seen. Yet no one will try and get me off this ****! Since the doctors are not listening to me. I have decided to do it myself. I am going to need all the support I can get. From the reading I have done, I am trying to wean off to fast. I went from 75 mg to 37.5 mg. This is my 2nd week. Last week wasn't too bad, but this week. The headaches, nausea, "zaps", not cool! The recommended is to come off it at 12.5 mg every 2 weeks to a month. So I think I will try that instead, meaning I'm gonna put my self back on 25 mg of it tonight. Any suggestion with the headaches would be great. This is HELL!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow... I immediately had all of these symptoms after taking paxil for just over a month, and trying to get off of it. A MONTH! I am totally down with finding out more info about the class action lawsuit... I also found out that the producers of this medication (along with all of the doctors who prescribe it) do not truly know how it works! Not even a good idea! The "brain architecture" involved is so incredibly complex that we have about 1% (potentially) mapped out... other than that... it is all speculation.
The other fact remains; it has been years now that this medications has been out... and I am certain with all of these posts (along with all others on the web) that both doctors and pharmaceutical giants know about this issue and do nothing about it.
Well, I have had IT! I want OFF of this ****!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Anybody has info on class action lawsuit regarding paxil withdrawl? Why were we not warned?
I have been hooked on paxil for 5 years and can't get off of it. Every time I try, I get physically sick
with the symptoms you all mention. I consider myself a drug addict, if I don't get my fix on time I get sick. Help!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have gained over 40 lbs since on Paxil 60mg to 30mg daily. I am also on BusPar, Rivtril and Trazadone. I would like to be off all meds to get my weight down (what "worries" me the most). I am trying to wean off Paxil, although I am scared as it worked so well for me. I also want to wean off BusPar  (i am on 40 mg a day) and I will stay on Rivitril 0.5 mg 2X day.

I have been off Paxil before and have experience little or no side effects. But I will keep you posted.

Right now it's from 30mg to 15mg (I am cutting the blue 30mg pill in half and taking the smallest piece)

I am going to my doctor to discuss this further.

Good luck all
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know this is probably not the best way to handle this...it might even be dangerous to some people....BUT....drinking REALLY helped me out with the symptoms....I don't drink enough to get drunk or anything...just a little buzzed....Not a real good solution for feeling "normal" at work ;)....but at least you can get rid of the eye-zaps while you are at home :)


Puddin

puddin_***@****
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
tom
WOW Im so glad i came here, my whole point of looking in these message boards was hope to find someone else who knew what those eye/head movement things were! the only thing is mine are from taking remeron. the past two days have been really bad , i been scared to the point of panic, just out of the blue i would feel ike im getting shocks through my whole body particularly the head the <brain> i get them from walking , turning my head, and mostly from moving my eyes in any direction or opening or closing them ive been so scared cause i feel ike im just gonna shut down when these happen and they do alot!!! im glad im not alone. now i just need to know how to make them stop!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been calling it brain shock! I questioned my Physician about it and he just got a perplexed look and blew it off. What had happened was that I ran out of my Paxil and didn't have any insurance. My girlfriend gave me one of her old bottles of Paxil and said that they were still good. Well they weren't! After about a week of taking them I thought I was going to die. Major hot flashes, heart palpitations, dizzy beyond belief,numbness over various parts of my upper torso, panic, eye and brain zaps. I felt like I was being electrocuted everytime I moved my eyes or head. You can't convince me that it was anything other than withdrawl from Paxil because once I had my prescription filled I was absolutely fine within 2 days. Occasionally I get a brain zap when it's time to take another pill but other than that I feel great on it. I definitely will taper off when it's time. I'm in no hurry to be feeling like that ever again. Misery loves company so I'm glad to know that i'm not alone!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal



     There is a question which I wanted to ask,

     for anyone who had been depressed for a long time

     do you experience unexplained hair loss, dry skin, and other physical symptoms of illness, which doctors say you are
     perfectly fine?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was on Paxil for about 6 years for depression.  It was a fairly new drug at the time.  Worked great for the depression, but if I missed even 1 days dose, got the eye zaps and electrical shock feeling.  Paxil stopped working after about 6 years, so Dr. started me on something else, can't remember what, but at same time, SLOWLY weaned me off the Paxil by dosing down 5 mg at a time every 2 weeks.  It worked being weaned off it that way, but I think being on another anti-depressant helped also.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was on Paxil for about 6 years for depression and it worked great, but noticed if I missed even 1 day's dose would get the eye zaps and electric shock feeling.  It was a pretty new drug at that time.  

It stopped working for me after about 6 years.  Doctor put me on another anti-depressant (sorry, can't remember which one, may have been Prozac, Wellbutrin, or Effexor)and at the same time SLOWLY weaned me off the Paxil, reducing it by 5 mg. every 2 weeks.  I had no withdrawal symptoms this way. but I think you really need to also be on a similar drug for it to work this way.
Helpful - 0

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