Paxil Withdrawal

[Niki710]

Hi,

I don't know If Im posting in the right section, but I was on paxil , 20mg for a year and a half. Im a 27yr old female, very healthy other than this crappy drug. Its been 11 days, I cut my dosage to ten for a month and would skip days, my withdrawal is still happening. I feel like im being zapped all day, especially when i walk, I get dizzy and zapping feelings. I didnt want to taper slowly because I just want this out of my system. I'm fine with the withdrawals, because I know thats what it is.

However, how long does it take for the zaps to go away? I get extremely tired from it, and feel really dizzy. Anyone have an advice? I'm not getting back on it. Anything I can take in the meanwhile thats natural to help? Well, not prescribed. Also, can you tell me if these zaps are seizures and do they cause permanent damage since Im basically quiting cold turkey? Thanks!!!

[Paxiled]

Paxil is a very serious drug.  I know you want this out of your system, and hopefully that's what will happen, but some people have a very hard time stopping this med and can end up with a very long difficult time.  I know you don't want to hear this, but tapering as slowly as you need to is the only safe way to come off this med (or many others as well,  but especially Paxil).  And that pace of tapering is different for everyone.  As for the dizziness and the zaps, a healthy dose of fish oil can be very helpful, and you might also try some ginger (in supplement or juiced form).  Some find using St. John's Wort after stopping completely is helpful, some don't.  Some find switching to a small dose of Prozac toward the end of the taper helps, since Prozac stays in the body longer and is easier to wean off of.  There are many options out there, but all require a slow taper to prevent long-term problems.  What I would say is, if you tough it out, most likely at some point, maybe weeks, maybe months, it will stop, but if it turns into emotional problems you never had before then definitely don't fool around with this drug and go back on it and taper off more slowly.  Good luck.

[Alfieg]

Maybe Ask your doctor as I've just noticed you have already tried to cut dosage.

[Alfieg]

Yes they reduced with weaning off but still there. Nowhere near as bad as cold turkey. It feels like electric shock in your head. Can't remember exactly, was long time ago but I'd say I was totally off within couple month. It makes sense cold turkey was just too hard. Those zaps were scary thankfully I'm not medicated anymore although I do feel I need it at times

[Niki710]

Did you get zaps when you were weaning off? They eventually went away? how long did it take? thanks!

[Alfieg]

I think Paxil is a similar drug if not the same as seroxat. I had same Zapps when I went off it ten years ago. So bad that I had to weane myself off it. Half a tablet a day then half every second day until eventually none. I'm not a medic so don't know if this is good advice but it worked for me