disconinuation of Paxil

I have been taking Paxil for three years now, and due to a mixup with the (non)filling of the prescription (each place says it was filled by another...yet I was unable to pick it up from anywhere!), I have been completely without for three or four days. As I am planning on becoming pregnant and, may indeed already be a few days pregnant from insemination, my pharmacist says I need to be off Paxil anyway. My question is, how long will I suffer these adverse affects (extreme exhaustion, crying, irritability, sensitivity to noise, chest tightness, gas, fluid build-up in sinuses an lungs, etc.) and will there be any permanet damage to anything...my heart,etc. i recall the neurologist whom I no longer see once telling me it would be "Very dangerous" to go "cold turkey" as I am. WHAT were the dangers and what shoud I do, especially if pregnant? Am I nearly through "withdrawal"? What else may I expect? Thank you very much.

[HFHS MD-JM]

Cindy,

     Paxil may have a flu-like syndrome associated with it for a few days to a week.  This is not life threatening in any way but may be very uncomfortable.  There is no permanent organ damage associated with Paxil.  Withdrawal symptoms can be more likely to happen and may be more severe if one is taking a high dose and/or have been on it for a long duration of time; this is why it is generally recommended that the medication be tapered under the direct supervision of a physician.  Paxil is a pregnancy category C medication which means there are no human studies available on the medication and the risk/benefit ratio needs to be determined.  I hope this was helpful.  Please discuss this issue further with your treating physician.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD-JM

Keywords: Paxil, Pregnancy category C

[deelynn to Christine on Paxil]

i can,t help you with how long they will last or about being pregant,but i certainly symapathize with you,i know exactly what your talking about, i,ve tried a number of times to get off of Paxil the withdrawals are so intense that i always go back to taking it, my dr. wanted me to see a physologist some one who spiecilizes in that type of meds, but for ins. reasons i never went.i really don,t have any advice,except for seek medical help      good luck

[KIM BLAKE]

HELLO, I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERE PAIN IN MY UPPER ABDOMAN..IT EVENTUALLY LEADS TO SOME KIND OF PANIC ATTACK..WHEN I WENT TO THE DOCTOR TODAY HE WANTED TO PUT ME ON THE PAXIL ...COULD YOU TELL ME PLEASE IF YOU HAD SEVERE PAIN ALSO..USUALLY THE ATTACKS WILL LAST ABOUT AN HOUR...I HAVE ALL THE SIGNS OF GALLBLADDER PROBLEMS YET ALL TEST COME BACK NEGATIVE...PLEASE RESPOND WHEN YOU CAN...THANK YOU KIM

[Stephen White]

If you need further help with Paxil withdrawal, visit my Paxil Withdrawal - 'An Experience' at:

http://www.swhite.cwc.net/paxil/index.html

All the best
Stephen White