paxil withdrawal

Hi, I've read with heartache and yet delight??? that I have finally found a site that actually deals with paxil and the ill effects of withdrawal.  I have been on paxil on and off for 30 years after being diagnosed with a chemical imbalance at 17.  I am or at least was feeling well and I wanted to try discontinuing paxil to detoxify my body.  I did do it gradually which I would advise everyone however even after being off of the pills completely for 3 weeks I still suffer from a sense of hightened response to noise or movement.  As with most of you I am suffering from vertigo, too realistic dreams, nausea and severe headaches.  I am usually an even-keeled person but I have felt such rage this last week that it is almost unbearable.  I feel as though someone has given me something as I am living in a foggy state of mind.  My body trembles and it is hard to hold my head up.  The "zap" that you speak of can only be described by me as if someone has hit me in the face with a basketball-my eyes flinch, and my whole body jolts.  I counted 7 episodes of this in less the one half hour before being able to fall asleep.  My doctor says that hopefully in a couple of weeks, these side effects should disappear.  I will not, nor will I ever go back on this pill.  I cannot take any other anti-depressants as all of them gave me terrible side effects.  If anyone else has been on, or off and on paxil for this many years and can give me any kind of idea when these side effects will go away, I would be more than grateful.  For all of you who choose to go back on this medicine due to illness from coming off, I totally understand.  I personally feel that if I can get through this with the grace of God, I will never touch this stuff again.  I was never told, remember that I started this years ago, that I would have problems with withdrawal.  If this is what withdrawal from this med. does to you when you are not taking it, then what is it doing to our bodies when we are taking it!.. Good luck and God bless to all of you.  Always remember when times get tough, that you are never truly alone.

[Jeanne347]

I too went off Paxil and had been on it about 15 years. I had to cut it from 60 to 40 to 30 to 15 to 10 to 5 and do this about 7-8 days a piece. It took me longer but I had less withdrawal. I still had some but not as bad.

[snag60]

I was just wondering if since you went off the paxil, have you had to go back on it and/or do you still suffer from depression from time to time.  Thanks.

[Summer123]

I ws on paxil about 20 years and went off.  Decreased from 40 to 30 to 20 to 10 and then off.  Didn't experience one withdrwal effect.  I actually got depressed again real bad several months later and went back on it, but only for 3 months and was able to discontinue it after 2 or 3 weeks.

[Hensley258]

I didn't even know Paxil was avalible 30 years ago.

Either way, If you are able to tolerate Paxil, then there has to be another SSRI that you can also tolerate. Maybe you would be better to swap rather than just stop.

[snag60]

Yeah, amazing, paxil was indeed available when I was 17.  Seriously, I don't think that at least for now that I have depression.  I feel more anxious about general things than depressed.  Unfortunately I have tried prozac, effexor, zoloft---you name it with terrible side effects that cause hysteria, hallucinations etc.  Paxil has turned out to be the only antidepressant that I can tolerate.  At this point, I refuse to go back on it, two months of withdrawal, but getting somewhat better keeps me determined never to go back on this med. again.  If it can cause this kind of side effect coming off, what is it doing to my body while I am on it.  I just want to enjoy life without a curtain of meds blurring my vision.  Thanks for your reply

[remar]

hi, this is remar and i'm new to this forum. i feel for anyone who is going through the withdrawal of antidepressants. i've been on paxil for about three years, my second time, now i've decided to quit because of side effects and it's no fun at all. i was on effexor for five years and the withdrawl (withdrawal) from that was horrible! the withdrawal symtoms (symptoms) will go away, just try to hang in there.

[diana6301]

i too just came off paxil after being on this med for 5 1/2 years  i was on effexor and got pregnant and was forced to come off in 3 days  only to just about die with sickness and loose the baby at 8 weeks pregnant.. after i got pregnant with my son i was not on meds but suffered terribly probally due to hormones.. now the fun stuff my psych.. retired  and the lady i was seeing when he was out on medical leave.. i missed a appt in nov.. gave myself a bad name now.. even though i rescheduled.. needless to say when i was running out of meds i called to set up another appt only to be turned away... i came off 30 mg.s  cut into half then 15  and stopped.. been off for 3 weeks..  majors withdrawal symptoms have gone except the zap like feelings,, and now i am getting headaches , and of course irratibility.. anyone been off of the meds longer does this stop.. my plan is to start walking to build up good serotinin instead of using the poison i was on.. I guess i am scared to continue to be off and try ... any suggestions would be helpfull.