Paxil

[Christie]

I started on 20 mg of Paxil 3 months ago and for the last month
changed to 30mg. As of last Saturday, I took my last does after
tapering off for 1 week. I cannot tell you how awful I feel.
Dizziness, headache, "zapping" feeling in my head, disconnected,
just horrible!!! What do I do to get rid of these withdrawal
symptoms? I stopped taking it (my doctors advice) because it
made me very fatigued. Help! I'm on day 2 of feeling this way.
I missed 2 days of work and feel horrible.

[HFHS.MD-AJ]

Christie,

I am sorry to hear about the "discontinuation symptoms" that you are experiencing with Paxil. Please refer to a similar question posted by Joe on 12/28/99, with my response posted on 12/29/99.

[Christie]

I read your answer to Joe. Do you suggest that I get back on the full 30 mg?? I really would like to get completely off but these withdrawals are unbearable. Do you think 15mg for a week or two and then down to half of that would make you not experience the withdrawal symptoms?

[Joe's reply]

Christie,

I also am sorry about your withdrawal symptoms.  I've always been told that it is NOT adviseable to "cold turkey" your Paxil.  (Granted, I haven't always followed that advice.  And, I've suffered [usually more mentally than physically -- I find that even 2 days off makes me very angry and somewhat irrational.] So, do as I say, not as I do! )  My doctors have said Paxil needs to be tapered off... halved and then halved again.  I do NOT know the tapering-off schedule so consult a medical professional.


GOOD LUCK!!!

[Christie]

Thanks for the advice. I took half of my regular dose last night around 6:00pm (15mg). The last dose I took prior to this was my regular dose of 30mg on Saturday, 6 days ago. I've been up and around for about an hour this morning and so far I feel O.K. No nightmares last night. I just hope it stays this way! It's amazing that 15mg of that stuff would put you back to normal over night.

[Joe]

I think that your quick recovery may be more of a placebo effect.  I don't think that Paxil, as wonderful as it is, can work that quickly.  I find that if I miss 3 days (for instance), my first day isn't bad at all but it gets progressively worse on day 2 and 3.  The Paxil must still be in my system on day 1.  When I go back on, I am still quick to anger the first day back on but I get progressively better from there.

Again, I think you can get off if you need to, but it needs to be gradual.

(As a note, when I was first prescribed Paxil, I didn't get 30mg right off the bat.  I started at 10 mg then went to 20mg after a week.  30mg cam much later.)

[Claudia]

Has anyone else taken any other antidepressants other than Paxil?  I am on Paxil and like it - it seemed to work better than Buspar and Prosac.  My problem is anxiety with some depression.

[Stephen P.]

I have been on Paxil for about 8 months and decided that I would like to get off of this medication so I stopped taking it , mind you I was only taking 10mg a day, anyway by the 2nd day of not taking it I felt all the symptoms that I have read on this fourm and I got extremly scared by this!!! The "electric shocks" are what really scared me!!!  I'm glad to hear that I'm not losing my mind with having those...because of the effects I REALLY want to stop taking it now.  I thought that Paxil was a wonderful medication until this happened..now I'm actually VERY scared of this drug!!!

[Dot Reed]

I have been on just 10 mg. for 3 months.  I have been taking it because (Paxil) I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome that puts me in bed so frequently--and with 5 children, I cannot go to bed.  I also suffer from depression, but have tried to just deal with it because of the side effects of the drugs.  However, the IBS got so bad, I knew I had to go back on an SSRI.

[Dot Reed]

Continuation of last message

     The 10 mg of Paxil don't quite handle the depression, just take an edge off.  However, it has eliminated my Irritable Bowel problem, that and eliminating caffeine (darn).  
     May I also suggest taking a new pill called SAM-e.  It is a little hard to find, it is not an herb.  I can get it at Costco or even the local grocery store has it, by Nature Made.  I read about it in Newsweek this past year, and even though it is very expensive, it has lifted my mood significantly in just two days.  I take two pills just in the morning, because it gives me nightmares if I take them at night!  
     Between the Paxil and the Prozac that I used to be on, I have gained 20 pounds.  Please, don't anyone tell me just to watch my diet.  I have always been slim and this is really hard for me.

[Gail]

Has Paxil ever been prescribed for people with Bipolar Disorder?