Paxil

[ckp58]

Can you go cold turkey to get off paxil and what can I do to help with the withdrawl?  I am out of medication and cann't afford a refill at this time.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

NO you definitely can't go cold turkey off of paxil..it is dangerous, including possibility of seizures. The recommended way is to decrease 25% each week. Its very important..this is the most difficult to get off of safely, so be careful.

[money1]

Cold turkey is VERY tough.  You'll feel quite ill for several days.  Dizzy, nauseous, the dizziness is the worst.  It can be done, take a week off of work!

[jkendoll]

They tell me paxil is non-habit forming. Well, when I ran out of medication, I felt dizzy, distant, I felt like I was floating, sweaty, cold, crying, hyperventilating, vomiting, and panicing. That was just after 3 days. I am begining to wish I'd never started them.
Does anyone have commments about the effects of Paxil and what a good alternative might be?

[John, RPh]

Hi:

I'm sorry to hear of your problems. As of right now, Paxil is considered to be non-habit forming. However, patients taking Paxil (and the entire class called SSRI's) do need to be slowly tapered off of the drug to prevent the effects that you are experiencing. So, it is very, very unwise and not recommended that you abruptly discontinue use of the SSRI's (including celexa, zoloft, paxil, prozac, etc.).

Hope this helps,
John W. (RPh.)

[ckp58]

Thanks to all that replied.  As far as tapering off is concerned I have tried that with no sucess.  I take 60 mil. per day and unfortuantly I can't afford the 180.00 a month that it takes to buy the drug.  I have been researching the side affects of not taking the drug and was hoping there was something over the counter I could take to help with the withdrawl process.  I know that there is Kava-Kava.  Thanks.

[happystill]

I too am self-withdrawing from Paxil.  I was on 20 mg for 6 months through a hard emotional time but am feeling so much stronger.  I have recently been laid off from my job (not a trauma though) and have lost my medical coverage until next month.  I have been off Paxil for a week and have just begun to experience dizziness.  I am wondering truly what the timeframe I am looking at for this process.  A week, two?  Because I am off work, this would be a great time to go through the withdrawals.  I am a very active 37 year old mom and work out regularly as well as ride motocross.  I would like to know how long to expect these side effects.  I experienced alcohol withdrawal (physically and emotionally) two years ago and feel confident I am a winner in this life process.  I believe Paxil may have saved my life and very positively affected my children and my fiance.  I took Paxil with the knowledge of the potential for difficulty getting off it but the benefits outweighed the negatives in my case. I am not a quitter and even though I have the light-headedness and  air-walking effect, It was still the right choice for me.  I see it as a price to pay for regaining my life.

[all names taken]

I started feeling better after 2 weeks, and completely normal after 3 weeks

[GoatFace]

I did the cold turkey thing and was really, really physically ill. Chills/Sweats, floatiness, nausea, pounding headaches. 4/5 days after stopping I took a 20mg tablet to try and stop the headaches and totally lost it with way too intense feelings to handle. I have been very sensitive to paxil in the past (the intital side effects were totally crippling for me and it took 3 months or so to level out). I was on 40mg daily when I stopped though I'd missed a couple of days doses the previous week.

4/5 days after that I had 'things' happen to me at night that I cannot call nightmares. I have nightmares non-stop for the last year so I may be predisposed to them (these come from PTSD and my girlfriend's murder - possibly coincidently they intensified when I went on paroxetine), waking up most nights sweating or kicking things in a terrified state. But this was something totally different a really don't know how to describe. They lasted 2 days and were triggered instantly on falling asleep, lasting 5 - 10 mins before 'waking' up. I took nitrazepam on day 3 and slept OK, but I'd dozed for half an hour in the afternoon so I think they were over then.

It took a few more days to feel physically better and since then I've been very manic, writing constantly to get ideas out of my head. I'm not sure it's over but after 2.5 weeks am beginning to feel better than when I was on it.

Take care everyone!

[happystill]

Reading your response was hard for me.  I immediately thought of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  I hope you are doing alright today.  Be aware of manic-type behavior.  I have really tried to key in on behavior that I am doing that I did not do when I felt like i was in a better place.  I use those times as my guage for now.  Do you ever think that way, it helps to remember what was closer to healthier behavior for me.  I limit my time checking these message boards because I don't want to get too keyed into them.  There is a heck of a lot of really negative, bad feedback out here and if you are vulnerable to negativity, it can have adverse reactions.  Think smart and protect yourself - you are in control of your recovery.

[Keegan]

hi

does anyone know if paxil is ok to be on while pregnant?  i started taking paxil-10mg a week ago.  i am seeing a therapist also.  i want to wait alittle bit before i start a family but, i do think i have a chemical imbalance and i have anxiety here and there.  is there any anti depressant that is ok to take while pregnant? i also heard that the anxiety goes away while you are pregnant.  i don't know how true this is because, you go through you have the crazy hormones.  help, please.

[GoatFace]

Hi, thanks for your comment happystill.

It's nearly 3 weeks since I quit paroxetine, and I'm physically over the withdrawal, but still a little unbalanced. On the -ve side, I've had some moments of depression which felt like they had a lot more downside potential than normal, and I have been more sensitive to stress and got freaked out by a busy supermarket yesterday. These were problems the paxil was clearly helping.

But also my cognitive functions are returning a bit more to normal (before paxil & PTSD) and I'm finding it much easier to think about myself and challenge why I'm doing certain things or feeling certain ways and that's really helping. I've removed all unnecessary stress in my life and only do things when I feel like doing them - previously I'd force myself to do stuff and eventually collapse in a heap. I'm sure this isn't an option when you have children!!!

Physically I still feel a little funny, but basically I'm fine now. I heard that paxil has a half-life of 48 hours so 3 weeks would be sensible. Good luck with the withdrawal.

Interesting point about thinking back to when things were normal. I don't do that as such and will give it a try.

But I really believe your last point. Things got better for me when I took control of my own recovery and stopped being emotionally dependent on dr's etc.

*** Please everyone, don't do the cold turkey paxil thing if you are feeling at all suicidal - after going through it I can really see how it can kill ***

Take care!

[Frustrated71]

My family doctor has prescribed Paxil for my anxiety (this anxiety has produced some scary psychosomatic symptoms for me recently).  I've never been on meds before, and I'm afraid of the side effects.  I'm particularly worried about the "nervousness" side effect mentioned both by my pharmacist and a friend who is a therapist.  How many people experience increased nervousness when starting out on Paxil - it has me quite terrified.  I don't need MORE anxiety at the moment - even if it is temporary.  
Also - has anyone out there been treated with meds for hypochondria and anxiety-induced psychosomatic symptoms?

[Cathee]

go on the paxil gradually.  start out with 5 mg and do that for a few weeks.  then increase it to 7.5 (this can be achieved by taking the 10 mg tablets and cut them 3/4) it's a hassle, but worth it.  then 10 mg after a few weeks.  that's how i avoided the weird side effects.  now my side effects are low, if none,except for some hair thinning and low libido, and that's a real drag, but it has been successful for the anxiety.

[GoatFace]

Hi. I had paxil for PTSD not axiety.

I probably shouldn't be saying this but taking paxil for me was like taking low dose ecstacy (MDMA) for the first week or so. It had a six hour 'up' cycle (yet apparently this cannot be so). So if it's these affects (which were pretty strong for me) are whats causing initial anxiety, then I'd recommend being somewhere safe for the period 2-6 hours after taking it.

I didn't feel any of this stuff after a week.

But if I missed a day's dose then it came back after the next dose.

This is based on just my experiences - not a clinical trial! But if you're worried I'd recommend these periods to watch.

Remember not to come off the drug quickly.

Love to all

[rpgj217]

i've been on paxel for five weeks. still have the side effects. does anyone get the blurried vision with paxel.

[drummerboy]

Thanks for all your info heres my story if it helps.I was on paxel for about 1 year. Cold turkey is not an option.I tried it first and had to go back on. You have to ween off gradualy I eventually went from 30-20-15-10-5 braking the 30,20,10s in half to accomplish this.You can scale down every 2 to 3 weeks depending on your supply.Once you discontinue the withdrawls are many starting after the 3rd day or so.The first week consisted of very vivid nightmares,blurred vision,lightheadedness,tremors,headaches,     dizzyness,depression.all at different stages. Mainly you start to feel like you have a head cold in the 2nd week,with that disjointed feeling.I just started week 3 so ill keep you all posted on when I get to "normal". These were the effects on me.Im  
sure everyone will adjust in there own way.

[boo12]

I was just prescribed Celexa and Xanax for depression and social anxiety today. After reading the horror stories about xanax I've decided not to start it at all. I think that alot of my social difficulties stem from my depressed mood rather than true anxiety. I took my first dose of Celexa today (20mg) Within about an hour the fog lifted and my mind was clearer than it had been in years. It's now about 10 hours later and I still feel very alert and clear not jittery or nervous just alert. I also noticed that my pupils are dilated (larger) than normal. I have read that Celexa isn't supposed to take affect for a few weeks. Are my reactions a placebo effect or just excitement about finally doing something about the depression I've lived with for the majority of my life. Should I cut my dose back a little and ease into this.

Take care y'all

[jetskiier]

Hi, I am a stuttering 21 year old male and I am looking for some help with my problem.  I've learned about paxil a few months ago and just started researching it recently.  I experience social phobia, but that could be do to the fact that I stutter and hate to lock up infront of people.  I have been looking for answers in drugs.  I have been smoking canibus for the past year, at first it calmed me down, but the effects went away and inversly affected my nerves when I am not "high."  I tried hypnosis but that didn't help one bit.  It is hard to go looking for answers inperson, since the stuttering gets pretty bad when I am talking about it.  So here I find myself.  I have been looking for medication or answers that would have the slightest hope in answering my prayers, to stop stuttering.  No one know exactly how stuttering can be treated, that's why I am taking it upon myself to find a cure or at the least bit help in anyway.  I have been turning to drugs to help me cope with my stuttering.  I don't think I suffer from depression, because I am a happy go lucky person, it's just that the fact that I can't interact with people correctly makes me feel very depressed.  So I came upon Paxil, the drug that treats depression and social phobia.  I am very anxious to try it and see if it helps but am afraid of the side effects and addictiveness of taking the drug.  Does anyone know or have any input on this, any advise if greatly appreciated.  Do you think paxil is the right way to go or is there anything safer and more effective?

Thank You

[Katie46]

My daughter has been put on paxel,she almost 4 months pregent,will this medicines have any effects on the unborned child.This is really worring me,please let me know.Thanks for your time,Katie46

[MorBeonDeath]

Hi ,
     I just stumbled upon this place in a desperate attempt to find out answers to paxil withdrawl.I stopped taking paxil about a week ago(friday)and its now saturday night and I have got to say that this is the worst feeling I have ever felt.I was taking paxil 20mg for 3 months and the feeling I have now is similar to the feeling I had when I first started taking paxil(like in the morning 6:30am).In the last week I actually increased the dose to 30mg then stopped cold turkey I felt ok until 2-3 days later when I started to feel this way.Anyways I was taking paxil for social anxiety and just about every other anxiety :P I was always a real nervous person and slowly drifted off into the relms of drugs marijuana alcohol opium cocaine and finally methamphetamines.I did meth for about 3-4 years non stop($800+ a week)until one day I just couldnt go buy it any more.So I went cold turkey on meth and had a huuuuuge depression for about 3 months.I wouldnt go out or anything I had very dangerous and violent thoughts then I started to think everyone was bad, that they where out to get me.So people would come over and I would hide to avoid them(closet)So I slowly moved on to another addiction Video Games can you believe it.I would play 24 seven but it kept my mind off of scary thoughts so it helped alot.Well I avoided any type of social situation for about a year (i couldnt sit at the table with my parents)I got a job as a tractor driver(cause Im alone)and 2 1/2 years later here I am still in the same situation afraid with nowhere to go for help.Right now the only way I will go to a doctor is if I'm unconscious or (anywhere really). AAAHHHH that felt good I needed someone to hear my story.So I have a little dog (chihuahua) and I'm worried hes going through the same withdrawl. He doesnt have molars so I chew everything before he eats it As gross as this may sound I also let him drink saliva from my mouth hes been with me for 3 years and I love him alot and I'm worried the paroxetine might also be in his system.Also I remeber that there were some teas and pills that would help flush out your system think these will help in my withdrawl.Oh and I'm a 21 year old male who lives in the desert
THANKS ALOT  Oh will kava kava really help anxiety :)

[Keegan]

Hi Mor,

I'm glad you are off the hard drugs.  That is why you were having all those weird thoughts.  That is a foot in the right direction getting off of those. Do you ever self talk to yourself?  Try thinking positive.  Can you sit at the table with your parents now? Try taking a walk outside. Or praying. I started feeling that i didn't want to be bothered with driving to and from work but, i forced myself to do it.  You probably can order Kava online or GNC.  It's a herbal so, check the sites on it first.  Take it easy!!

[MorBeonDeath]

Hi,
yes I am now able to sit at the table with my parents but right now I'm a little edgy so I dont say much(so as not to hurt anyone) Yeah I talk to myself alot and every morning before work I say a short prayer also before I sleep I am also praying at work all day it helps me relax alot.I work with my dad so every morning we take a two mile walk because he suffers from diabetes and hypertension but it was also helping me alot while I was on paxil.I noticed that keeping yourself busy and exercising helped alot.Thanks I will look into Kava Kava and other natural remedies Id also like to find something for my dad to he has to take like a billion pills every day and I can see how theyre slowly eating away at him. Anyways thanks alot. Oh yeah I'm also having the nightmares like everyone else I also wake up in cold sweats and bloody fists. ok by

[WarmHearted5]

ANOTHER PAXIL STORY... ITS ONLY BEEN A COUPLE OF DAYS SINCE I WENT OFF PAXIL 40 MGS AND MY DOCTOR HAS ME STARTED ON WELLBUTRIN SR AND I'VE BEEN READING ALL THESE HOROR STORIES ABOUT WEANING OFF THESE STUPID THINGS.. THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A NIGHTMRE IN ITS SELF..I THOUGHT THAT SINCE I STARTED TAKING THE WELLBRUTRIN SR IT HAS CAUSED ME TO FEEL THIS WAY BUT AFTER ALL I'VE READ TONITE SURE DOES EXPLAIN ALOT. I'VE HAD NITEMARES WHERE I'D WAKE UP AND MY HEART WOULD BE POUNDING AND THATS ONLY IF I COULD SLEEP I FEEL LIKE I'M BUZZING WHEN I AM NOT BITING SOMEONES HEAD OFF!! I DID'NT UNDERSTAND WHY I'V BEEN FEELING THIS WAY BUT ALL THE COMMENTS I'VE READ TONITE SURE DOES EXPLAIN IT ALL.I WOULD OF NEVER TAKEN THIS STUFF IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN WHAT SIDE EFFECTS THEY HAD. I'VE BEEN ON PAXIL FOR 3 YEARS AND HAD THOUGHT THEY HAD HELPED. THEY WERE PERSCRIBED FOR SOCIAL ANXIETY BECAUSE I COULD NOT EAT AND MY HUSBAND WAS AND STILL IS  DRINKING AND HE WOULD COME HOME  AND JUST START PICKING ON ME WHERE I ENDED UP CRYING AND WOULD JUST START A MAGIOR FIGHT WITH ME AND I COULD'NT STAND IT SO I HAD TOLD MY DOCTOR ABOUT IT AND HE... BEING A GUY THOUGHT I WAS GOING THROUGH DEPPRESSION. SO NOW WHERE AM I .. GAINED ABOUT 15 LBS BECAUSE PAXIL MADE ME EAT BUT NEVER LARGE QUANITIES I THINK ITS ALL BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU FEEL WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE THE ENERGY TO DO ANYTHING BUT SIT AROUND AND SLEEP ALL THE TIME BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO DESIRE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE.. AND SEX FOR GET IT ITS GONE YOU DONT EVEN DESIRE THAT YOUR LIFE IS JUST ZOMBIE LIKE..GOING THROUGH WEANING MYSELF OF PAXIL IS NEXT TO GIVING BIRTH!!!! dOCTORS NEED TO MAKE MONEY ON US SOME WAY. WELL WHERE IS THE DOCTOR WHO PUT ME ON THIS STUFF NOW.. PROBALLY SLEEPING COZ I KNOW I'M NOT.. ANY ONE OUT THERE GONE THROUGH THE PAXIAL WITHDRAWAL??  HELP!!!!

[WarmHearted5]

WEANING OFF PAXIAL IS WORST THAN HAVING A BABY!!! I WAS NEVER TOLD THIS OR I WOULD OF NEVER TAKEN IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. I'M GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWALS NOW AND I HATE THIS FEELING. SICK TO MY STOMACH, NITEMARES,AGATATION OH ITS A *****!! I SHOULD BE SLEEPING NOW BUT ITS KINDA HARD WHEN YOU KNOW YOU SHOULD BE BUT YOUR BRAIN SAYS DIFFERENT I'VE BEEN ON IT 3 YEARS BUT BECAUSE OF SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS AND GAINING WEIGHT I DECIDED TO GO OFF I DID WHAT MY DOCTOR TOLD AND WEANED JUST LIKE HE SAID TO DO BUT ITS LIKE A HARD DRUG TO GET OFF OF I NEED HELP!!!

[Keegan]

hi.  and they say paxil isn't habit forming.  i guess that is another joke.  but, do you take your paxil right when you wake up or right before you goto bed?  on the wknd i don't have to take the paxil right away because, i feel i can relax and then take the paxil at noon but, on the weekdays i feel a tad anxious as i'm always running late for work so, i take the paxil like 8 am with a bowl of cereal.  as i am driving to work i feel tired or more relaxed but, i am fine with this feeling. maybe, i should just wake up earlier.  ha,ha.

[Keegan]

hi katie,

how is your daughter doing with the paxil??  My dr said it was fine if i was on it as i do want to start a family.  If your daughter isn't taking paxil she could get worse.

[KILLA]

I am contemplating admiting myself into a psychiatric hospital on a 5150.  This is because I am trying to stop taking Paxil.  I have been taking 30mg for around a year.  I have tried many times to stop without succes.  I honestly contiplated killing myself many times during the withdrawls.  The only reason I haven't is because of my wife.  Without her I would certainly have carried out my twisted suicide.  I also thoght that I was alone untill I found hundreds of people going through the exact same thing I am going through.  I have found forums like this one to be extremely encouraging.  Thak you to everyone who has come forward.

[luciousmango99]

I have recently been re-diagnosed w/ Panic Disorder, and have been prescribed Paxil by my doctor yesterday.  Now, reading all these messages, I'm not sure I should take it at all.  It's called Paxil CR (Controlled Release) I'm not sure if that's different from regular Paxil or not.  Can someone please tell me if maybe I should switch over to something else for my panic attacks?  

Thanx~Luciousmango99~

[mym]

Hi Everyone.  I'm new here and just wanted to tell you my story.  I had a child 17 months ago.  About 2 months went by and I was crying all the time and upset about everything.  My doctor put me on Zoloft saying that I was borderline depressed even before having my child.  I went to the highest dosage of Zoloft and then it wouldn't do anything for me.  The doctor said my body had become immune to it.  Then she put me on Celexa.  All it did was make me sleep all the time.  The Zoloft was wonderful.  I had energy that I never knew I had and felt better than before.  Anyway - after the Celexa I was put on Paxil.  I was on Paxil until about 1 week ago when I went to the doctor and she put me on Effexor XR.  I had gained 40 lbs since I had been on Paxil.  I couldnt figure out where the weight was coming from.  Then I did research and it was the Paxil.  Anyway - I hope the Effexor XR will work.   Take Care.

[Koko]

Hi
I've been on paxil for over 3 years now and really want to get off of it completely.  So it's been about 2 months now that i have been cutting the dosage in half.  I was on 20 mg,and now to cut them in half i just break them with my fingers, no measuring or anything.  So far i feel ok, but i did feel a little dizzy the first few weeks.  My intentions are to do this for about 6 months and then i guess i'll try to cut this half in half again but i'm not to sure on how to continue this.  Should i completely stop after 6 months or should i cut this half in half.  If anybody knows something about this please let me know.  Thanks.
     P.S.  Good Luck to all of you who are going through depression or anxiety,  i know how hard it is, may god bless yous all!  Luv Yas!