Getting off paxil

[kellylynnmc]

So i have been on paxil for 8 long years. I have decided to wean off of it cause after so long I felt it was no longer working for me. After many months of weaning down from 40mg to 20 mg, Im not taking 15mg an seems to kick my a**. i feel disconected from my body, numd, im vomiting, can focus on anything. My anxiety is getting worse an I cant do anything. I have dryung spurts an thoughts that I wont make it through or like I would rather just give up on life if this is how I have to live it, which also scares me since I have kids an want to be so much better for them!! Hence the reason I wanted off of paxil in the first place, I wanted to feel happy again. Im so tired of how I feel an trying to explain it to others is like talking to a wall cause no one understands
Since being on 15mgs though I felt a warmness in my heart yesterday for the fisrt time in years... I smiled an felt happy without faking it.... and all it was was me smelling the fresh air coming in from the window... smelt like summer.. weird I know... but didnt last long... Im so glad there is this forum for I feel it has changed my life. I felt so alone an crazy like I was the only one out there going through this and now I know im not! I respect everyone an wish nothing but the best out come for you all an myself!!!! Thanks to all, cant wait to hear from people!!

[kellylynnmc]

well thank you to all,
I have to say after being on 15mg for two weeks im not vominting anymore but I do feel out of my body an thats enough to make me go crazy. I called my therapist an she said ton start taking citalopram (celexa) while tappering off but this also scares me because I have read alot and it says to not take the two pills together.. so i am so confused, an very lost. Im scared an I hate this feeling. I hope it will all go away... I have no hope right now, but it comes in and out. I dont know how long I will be able to handle this for much longer

[Alisonj29]

I have been on Paxil almost 14 years. I have tried to slow taper, asked my doctors, and therapists for help and none of them think I should go off it. I do not know if after all this time it actually does anything to help my anxiety anymore or if it just keeps withdrawals away. But they decided it would be worse for me to attempt to go off it than to just take it forever. I am not sure if I am comfortable with that yet or not.I know that it is one of the hardest ones to get off so I really wish you lots of luck and hope that you will be a success story!

[Jess3080]

As someone who is tapering off Paxil I can tell you that you are going entirely too fast. You should not drop more than 10% of your current dose every month. This can easily be done by switching to the liquid Paxil or even by shaving/weighing your pills which is what I do. You don't have to feel this awful if you taper slower. Try going back up to 20mg and after you have felt better for a few weeks then start a slower taper. By doing this you can taper off Paxil and still be able to function in your daily life. You are definitely not the only one going through this, there are many people struggling to be free from antidepressants. If you haven't already visited it, Paxilprogress.org is a great site with lots of people who are in our situation. You will find a lot of support and info there if you need it :)

[kellylynnmc]

well thank you. I am not sure if I will still need meds. Im not against it. Just trying to focus on getting better with the withdrawals. My doctor wants to put me on celexa... guess we will see. thank you so much!!

[mammo]

I know weaning off of this medication can be horrible!  It's very possible that it was no longer working for you, but you have to determine if you are able to be without some type of medication.  Hence comes the question....is this all withdrawal or do you still need medication?  Have you discussed all of this with your prescribing doctor?  Often while on medication we get lulled into a false sense of feeling we no longer need the medication, when in fact we feel good due to the medication. So there's a fine line where this is concerned.  I know there are many who have weaned off this medication who can be more helpful than I, and will jump on to offer some advice. You're definitely not alone in this, and we all understand and care.  Hang in there, as others offer advice.  I wish you all the best!