Paxil withdrawal

[nved]

Was on 20mg for 8 months, started cutting down by 5mg every 5 days, second day of quitting and it seems horrible, i cannot move my eyes without brain zaps. Was it too quick?

[Paxiled]

Paxil and Celexa are two completely different animals.  Maybe you did quit too quickly -- there isn't any set standard, the protocol is to go as slowly as you need to.  But brain zaps can happen on the slowest taper with any antidepressant.  What I would do is try taking a healthy dose of fish oil every day and see if it helps -- many people have reported this helps with the brain zaps.  If the withdrawal eases, you're home free.  If it gets worse or particularly if it turns emotional, I'd go back on the Paxil and taper off more slowly.  But if it's just brain zaps and nothing else, I'd give it a couple days and try the fish oil.

[birdie0907]

When I tapered Celexa my doc had me take a patterned taper with one day at current rate, next at lower, next at current, next 2 days at taper, and so on until I was doing 4 days at lower then I stayed there for a few days before patterning down another level. Call your pharmacist right now if you can't get in to see doc because maybe they will suggest you go back up a bit to stabilize.

[nursegirl6572]

Paxil is notoriously hard to come off for many people unfortunately.  The key to minimizing the severity of the discontinuation syndrome is to taper off very slow and gradually.  While you did taper, you may have went a bit too fast.

You said you've been off completely for 2 days?  If so, I would give your doc a call and let him/her know how you're feeling.  Sometimes, the Paxil will be resumed, and a taper continued for a while.  

Definitely keep your doc in the loop.  Let us know how you're doing.