Paxil Withdrawl

[Michelle]

I was put on Paxil 5 months ago for postpartem depression. It worked great! I've been weaning off it for about a month and a half now and having a terrible time. Like the others in this forum, I'm experiencing dizziness, nausia, headaches (all day, every day), but what I haven't heard from anyone is numbing.

I've been experiencing occassional numbing in my hands and feet. Is this a possible symptom of withdrawl from this drug?

I've talked to both the prescribing doctor (my gynocologist) and my medical doctor, and both say that none of these symptoms are a result of Paxil. My research via the internet has told me something just the opposite.

I'm currently cutting my doses into 4ths and taking just 5 mg. a day. I'm still experiencing these miserable effects. It's pretty difficult to deal with when I work full time and take care of two young children (2 1/2 yrs. and 5 months).

Could the numbing be from Paxil? And, is there anything I can do to reduce these terrible side effects? How long do the side effects usually last? I've already asked both of my doctors and they both deny that Paxil is the cause, but have no other answers as to what the problems are from.

[Stephen White]

I am currently going through the withdrawal symptoms of Paxil. As a result, I have collated as much information I can about this drug, including side affects and withdrawal symptoms and posted them on my new Web site 'Withdrawing from Paxil - An Experience'. I hope you find it useful.

The URL is: http://www.swhite.cwc.net/paxil/index.html

Steve White

[marc]

I wasn't even on Paxil that long (40mg for a month or so, then down to 20mg for the last week, then I stopped cold turkey).  The first day or two after I stopped taking it weren't bad, but about the 3rd day up until now (about a week after stopping) the dizziness has become apparent and is INCREASING each day.  It seems only to be associated with eye movement and turning my head, especially when I'm standing up.  If I'm standing and turn my head to walk a different direction it feels as though my eyes and my head are shooting up while my body feels like my legs are giving out and are going down.  Some times during the day it doesn't affect me as much, but it seems to be worse in the evening, sometimes to the point where I wouldn't dare try driving.  That's all I'd need right now - make a turn, get dizzy, and drive into oncoming traffic.

I don't check this page so if anybody has had the same effects please e-mail me (***@****) - and tell me how long this 'floating head' feeling is likely to continue!

[Rhonda]

Well, what can I say.  I have been on paxil only for several months and am trying to quit.  This is my second time trying and I just can't handle the withdrawl symptoms.  I thought I was the only one out there going through this so I am taking comfort knowing there is nothing wrong with me.  The last few days I have felt like I'm going to die!  To the person who has had the numbing with their withdrawl....to let you know I am also experiencing the numbing as well.  I wish the doctor would have told me about these effect before hand but he reasurred me that this was a safe, non-habit forming drug.  How can it be nonhabit forming with withdrawl symptoms like this?  The withdrawl symptoms alone make me want to stay on so I don't have to deal with all these awful headaches, nausea, etc.

[bernice]

I am on 30mg of Paxil a day.  This weekend I went away and forgot my prescription.  I only missed two doses, I feel like I have been run over by a truck.  I want to know is there any detoxification methods that might work for getting this horrendous drug out of my system?  I have had all the withdrawl symptoms in only two days.  The two worst being the "brain shocks" and nausia. HELP

[Bonnie]

I have tried many times to get off of Paxil and have yet to do it.  I am determined to do it this time but am having a terrible time at it.  I just started to research this subject and am totally shocked at what I am finding! Site after site of people who are having the same problems that I am. Is there and end to this?  I have experienced great weight gain with Paxil and do not intend to take it anymore!!!  What can I do?

[annie]

I too have stopped taking Paxil a number of times and each time I have had the same side-effects - dizziness, headaches, nausea, etc.  I have taken Paxil for approximately 2 years and each time before, when I tried to stop, I couldn't handle it.  This is my 3rd time trying to stop.  Please don't tell me that the side-effects will continue for 1-2 months.  I'm only in my 6th day!  Is there anything, other than taking another SSRI, that will help?  My brother had taken a different SSRI in the past and when he stopped, he had no side-effects.  Why is Paxil so different and how long can I expect to feel this way?  Help!!!