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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Help with Paxil
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Help with Paxil
by ready now, Sep 28, 2007 12:37PM
I’ve been taking Paxil 20 mg for several years now. While I was ill with a weak heart from taking birth controls pills and fighting extreme mono I suffered a flash back to many years ago when I was so ill that I almost died. The flash back frightened me so much that in my poor health it left me with chattering teeth and extremities that wouldn’t stop trembling. The Paxil calmed me down. I suffer from the usual side effects of dry mouth, shocking jolts, etc. and extreme weight gain (60 lbs). At first the weight gain was a blessing because with the mono I was so weak I was having trouble swallowing and no desire to eat. I lost weight so rapidly the doctor considered putting me in the hospital. Once I started the Paxil I was hungry within three days and able to eat again. I still had instructions not to exercise at all. I went for mental therapy for half a year and I feel much better today. However, I tried unsuccessfully to get off Paxil under my doctor’s supervision twice. The doctor did not feel we needed to transition me to another medication because I am feeling fine. I take no other meds. What do you suggest? I was shaving the tablets down over weeks. However, at 10 mg is where all of the horrible withdrawal symptoms started and I was frightened right back to Paxil. I want to make another attempt quit or transition to a med that doesn't puts my heart at risk with the weight gain. What is your advice? I am 5’ 5” 210lbs, 43 yrs. Avg blood pressure.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Oct 01, 2007 11:53AM
, Oct 01, 2007 11:53AM
To: ready now
The withdrawal schedule that seems to work the best is as follows; In the first week go to the lowest dose, which seems to be 10 mg. during the second week, take that every other day. during the third week, take it every third day. Then stop...you might experiment during the third week with an even lower dose.
Member Comments (3)
by MeganK, Oct 01, 2007 01:45PM
To: Ready Now
Do not take it every other day! Some doctors know nothing. First off congrats on getting down to 10mg. Second you are going to need to switch to a liquid form of Paxil to do the rest of your weaning and its going to be very slow. I am new to this as well. I have found this site to be of NO help and actually it scares me as to what they are telling people. Please visit paxilprogress . org. They are very helpful there. And they know what they are doing. I have the same name there as here. Please check out that site and do not listen to what this doctor said about the every other day. Its dangerous!
by lonewolf740, Oct 11, 2007 06:23PM
To: MeganK
How exactly is it dangerous??? I have been doing just that- every other day of 12.5 mgs Paxil CR- and I havent wanted to go out and fire-bomb anyone or myself. In fact, I feel just fine. Please elaborate.
