paxil withdrawal

[Debra Thrasher]

why is withdrawal from paxil so intense.i'm on 20mg. a day, i,ve tried cutting back to 10mg  was on that for a month, then i tried to take 10mg every other day,the second day istarted having withdrawals,tremers,heart racing,weak,ihave never felt so bad in my life.so i always goback to taking the 20mg aday.

[C. BICKFORD-FAHEY]

WOW, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD FIND ANYONE WHO FELT THE SAME WAY THAT I DO! I HAVE BEEN TAKING PAXIL 20MG FOR 4 MONTHS NOW (FOR POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION). DURING MY COURSE OF THERAPY I HAD NUMEROUS SIDE EFFECTS...HEADACHES,BLURRED VISION,++++ANXIETY AND MUCH MORE.BECAUSE OF THE +++ANXIETY MY DOCTOR SAID I NEEDED A HIGHER DOSAGE SO HE INCREASED IT TO 30MG,WELL, WRONG MOVE..... THE SIDE EFFECTS LANDED ME IN THE ER 3 TIMES, I THOUGHT I WAS DYING! I FINELY DECIDED THAT ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH I HAD TO STOP THIS MEDICATION AS SOON AS I COULD. I DECREASED MY DOSE TO 20MG FOR ONE WEEK THEN 10MG FOR ANOTHER WEEK AND NOW I AM DOSE FREE....BUT THE WITHDRAWAL IS WORSE THAN ANYTHING I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED. I HAVE THESE FUNNY FEELINGS IN MY HEAD, DIZZINESS WHICH FEELS ALOT LIKE BEING ON A ROCKING BOAT, +++BLURRED VISION, TREMORS, HEART PALPITATIONS, MUSCLE PAIN AND ALSO REALLY BAD ANXIETY. IF I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE THIS WAY I NEVER WOULD HAVE STARTED PAXIL IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE ONLY THING THAT'S GETTING ME THROUGH, IS KNOWING THAT IT CAN'T LAST FOREVER(HOPEFULLY) AND ALSO KNOWING THAT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING.DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW LONG THESE WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS CAN LAST? GOOD-LUCK EVERYONE!!!

[Stacey Anderson]

I was on Paxil on an off for the last 5 years.  Each time I wanted to get off, I would experience the "problems" again and again the Doctor would suggest that I remain on Paxil.

I finally in August of this year, wanted to get off Paxil and truly know if I was able to live life without a pink pill.  I researched the withdrawls this time better so I felt armed for the battle I was to start.  Of course, over a period of 6 weeks I went from 20mg daily, to the last week to zero.  And this week was hard, the head vibrating, the heart racing, the ears ringing, the dizziness.  I am determined to get off Paxil and confirm, if I need the meds or am I hooked on the meds.

I am concerned since Paxil is only a 7 year medicine, and I took it for 5 years.  I will continue to watch and see, if there are any long term problems or effects that will occur from my Paxil intake.

God Bless,

[Lindsay]

Thanks people,

I just got perscription of Paxil for anxiety. I took 2 doses and it made me very weird, so I have been trying to decide if it is worth it to continue. Since the withdrawal symptoms actually sound worse than than the target symptoms -I'm thinking it migh be best to explore other avenues.

[Teresa]

I was put on Paxil for 4 days due to depression as a result of being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Was told it would also help me sleep better. After the 4th day at 20mg I got severely nauseated to the point of not being able to function. I was put on Phenegren for a few days and discontinued the Paxil and the nausea went away. Three weeks later I saw another Dr who wanted to try the Paxil again only in small increments. 5mg 1 week, 10mg for 1 week and 10 for a third week. I was feeling fine until the 4th week and the nausea began again. The doctor tried acid reducers and consequently didnt have me discontinue the Paxil for another 3 wks. I was on it for a total of 6 wks before he had me stop abruptly. the nausea persisted for two days and then stopped but only for 3 days and then was back worse than before. It was so bad, along with dizziness that I was hospitalized. I was dehydrated and so nauseated I could not eat. No tests found anything wrong. That was in June of 00. I have continued to have severe nausea everyday since, so bad in the beginning I just begged to die....it is somewhat bearable at times now but is destroying my life. I have lost my job, my family is frustrated and helpless and now another shrink wants to put me on Wellbutrin. He agrees the Paxil caused the nausea. Does anyone know if this will ever go away or has it caused permenant damage.Please help if you can. May God Bless. TERESA

[Mignon]

I had been on Paxil (10 mg) for about one year.  Having had experience with Paxil wihtdrawal before, I decided to go very slowly - taking a month - to get off it.  I purchased the liquid form so I could really reduce slowly.  Well, I am still experiencing severe flu-like symptoms which include nausea, headache, exhaustion and joint pain.  I also have a tingling in my extremities at times.  I have found Tylenol very helpful for the pain but the other symptoms just have to be dealt with.  This kind of thing can go on for weeks - I know.  I've been there and only decided to go back on Paxil because I was unable to take Wellbrutrin, Selexa, Prozak etc.  I am manic-depressive and the whole issue of taking an antidepressant is a dicey one.  So . . .  I am toughing it out and looking forward to the day when the Paxil withdrawal symptoms are gone.  My doctor informs me that I have the dubiou distinction of having the worst Paxil withdrawal symptoms he has ever seen.  Lucky me!!  Good luck to all of you out there.  Hang in and get off!

[George]

I've encountered similar withdrawal symptoms with Paxil that many of you have posted.  A genetically predisposed bout with Graves Disease was the reason for my use of Paxil @ 30mg/day for the past 6 months.  3 cold-turkey attempts have failed.  My present attempt at 15mg/day has been difficult, but after a week, small daily progress is noticable.  My symptoms were/are: headache, high frequency buzzing in the middle ear, nausea, and a couple of real funky dreams.  The worst has been the headaches.  The rest I can put up with in the interim.  Two 500mg Tylenol has given me the best results for the headache.  Keeping healthy snack food handy has helped with the nausea.