Paxil withdrawal (severe) and any helpful medication

[pharmno062]

My husband has been withdrawing from Paxil for two plus weeks now and is experiencing: disorientation, confusion, anger outbursts; sense of self-disintegration; inability to function normally and must perform teaching duties with heroic and creative contol functions.  I am very discouraged about physicians who continue to minimize--ignore DRASTIC withdrawal effects from an anti-depressant such as this.  He doesn't know what he is going to do next and is completely emotionally labile.  He cannot sleep with regularity and rants and raves non-stop.  He has a good psychiatrist and is on neurontin and i s not diganosed with any other severe DSM-IV diagnostic disorder.  He is trying small amounts of xanax and very small dosages of vicodin, which gives him relief for 3 hours at a time. He does not want to take more drugs to complicate this situation or become addicted.  He is not taking these medications in large dosages and has only been taking them for a week.  Even this does not allow him to go out in public and function without going into confusion, a rage, or nearly have drastic automobile accidents.  He also becomes combative at times.

If you are anyone you have heard from have any ideas about how to lessen the destructive effects of this withdrawal from Paxil, please, please, write to ***@****.  I must tell you that anyone who tells you this is just an unusual reaction, is not paying attention to those who are writing and desperate for help.

Thank you so much for your attention.  ***@****

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It sounds like your husband is having an unusually severe reaction to withdrawal. If neurontin and xanax are not enough, he might ask his doctor about prescribing buspar to help with the anger and anxiety. He might also ask his doctor about increasing the dose of xanax and neurontin during this transitional period.  He should not have to endure this level of pain and discomfort.  I don't like the vicodin part,so other medciations would be preferable.

[pharmno062]

This is a thank you to Dr. RG and all of you who made coments on the forum.  We will try an increase perhaps in the neurontin.  The paxil makes him too sedated.  He is very sensitive to any drugs and requires small dosages.  I agree with you about the vicodine and he doesn't want to remain on it for any period of time.  I had some due to a knee arthoroscopy and halving it seemed to work with the xanax.  Being very cautious with any addictive drug is important, I recognize.

It was very kind of you to respond and I think the increase in neurontin might be helpful.  He will consult his MD re: this.

Thank you for this valuable forum.  It means a great deal when one can communicate with professionals and laypersons alike in a crisis such as this.  My best wishes for the continuance of this forum and those who originated it.:)

Sincerely,
***@**** :)

[Nickmd]

It's amazing the different reactions people have to stopping Paxil. I was on it for two years and went down to 10mg for two weeks, then stopped without any side effects what so ever.

[KickedThePanic]

I know, you don't want anymore drugs, right? Try an anti-psychotic ie: Risperdal, Zyprexa while tappering off the paxil. Would also recommend taping off the Xanax. As for the Vicodin, typically, not a good drug for that.

Good-Luck,

Jerry