Paxil withdrawal?

[newman63]

I was on Paxil CR 12.5 mg/day for about 2 weeks, following 3 weeks on Lexapro, for panic attacks.  

I weaned off Paxil over 2 weeks by going to every other day, and have been off completely for about 10 days.  I noticed symptoms within a day or two of tapering- mainly tingling in arm/foot on one side when I walked. Those tinglings have subsided a bit, but now I find a general tenseness and tightness in my chest and neck, and have begun having at least low-grade anxiety almost every day. (by the way, before taking any meds, I only had a few panic episodes but otherwise felt fine.

I'm feeling jumpy and find that, although relaxation techniques help somewhat, Xanax is the only thing that will shut off rather than lessen the symptoms.

Question is: Is this to be expected from the Paxil withdrawal? I just had a physical, and save for a slightly high BP, everything else was normal...resting EKG, blood and urine work-up, etc.  

I want to believe this is nothing more organic and serious but it's tough when you feel like **** so often.

Thanks!

[paxilgrrr]

Last night i had the most vivid horrible nightmares that someone was breaking into my house and attacking me, i felt like it really did happen and was just the weirdest experience i've ever had. I felt so confused and didnt know for a while what was real and was not real...now the pulsing in my head is accompanied by scraping sounds in my head and only seems to be getting worse. I'm now considering giving in and taking some of the hateful Paxil just so that i can function and go back to work before i lose my job. The scary thing is that doctors seem to be acting like Paxil is some kind of "wonder drug" I know people who have been prescribed it for quitting smoking and any little emotional upset in their lives..I suppose it is my fault for trusting the doctor and taking it in the first place just because i was experiencing some social anxiety..i would love to have to deal with that now instead of this horrible horrible nightmarish experience. I suppose the lesson for me in this is that there is no easy way out when dealing with your emotions and problems in life. You have to face them head on and no little pill is going to make them go away. Well the positive is, if this **** ever ends that is!  i'm sure i can deal with anything life throws at me as long as don't have to live like this anymore

[paxilgrrr]

I meant patronising lol can't concentrate and feeling kind of bitter and twisted. Something has to be done about this we have to do something it's so wrong...

[paxilgrrr]

Oh my god can someone tell me this zapping actually does end? it's driving me crazy :(

[paxilgrrr]

Hello It's me again! I just found an interesting website:  www.i-got-off-paxil.com

[KittyMeghanLeah2]

now I am mad at Forum-M.D.-RG!!  ?? what is wrong w/ him/her?! sheesh! in one thread he/she posted saying it's probably best to get talk therapy and avoid medication.  Now he/she is saying that it's not the paxil?  Oh my gracious, please.. Paxil is hard to get off cuz of withdrawls! SIGH I could just spank Forum-M.D.-RG!! what a bad boy/girl!

ROllling eyes at forum's MD!  By the way "managingstress.com is very Psychiatric oriented view of managing stress"  :(  not good.

Now I would like to know if any of those doctors who give us highly addictive pills would give them to their own children or if they would take them themselves!  That sort of research would be fascinating now wouldn't it?

My Primary care physician said she wud try her hardest to avoid handing out prescriptions that I am already on cuz they are very addictive.  I told her "yes I agree, and I wish I knew that when and I commend you for being cautious w/ what you prescribe."  We need more of those kinds of doctors not those who just take a look and start writing something on a "PRESCRIPTION PAD."

[propaxil]

I have taken Paxil in the past for panic disorder.  I was told by my doctor not to quit this medication cold turkey because of the symtpoms.  I was told instead to decrease the amount I was taking and then start taking them only every other day, and then every two days, etc until I was out of pills.  The first time I had no withdrawal symptoms.  I was off of it for 4 years and have had to go back on it.  I had to quit cold turkey because I ran out of pills and forgot to order more.  I am having vertigo and hot flashes.  I will be going on the medication again until I feel that I can go off of it without getting panic attacks.  I love paxil because it has allowed  me to live my life like a normal human being.  I will just follow the advice of my doctor and slowly wean myself off of it because the withdrawal symptoms are horrible!