Coming off of Paxil

[maggiroo]

I was taking 25mg of Paxil and my doctor wanted me off of it. He told me to take a pill once
every other day for 2 weeks then stop. It has been a week now and I am having dizziness and
nausea. I have to work and I need some help. Any suggestions and can you tell me about
how long these side effects will last?

[car1955]

I took paxil three years ago for two years.I was on a low dose. It was horrible coming off it. I was dizzy for 8 weeks.I was afraid to go up and down stairs.Also I would cry all the time.But heres the good part.After the 8 weeks I was O.K. I finally could loose weight and I felt normal .Have not taken anti-deppresents in almost 4 years.I take valium once in a while.Before my disc surgery I took valium because I was scared ----- and I did'nt want to take anti-d-s again.Good-luck!

[Jennifer R, RPh]

Dizziness can have many causes. Now that your body no longer has the Paxil, it could be that your Metoprolol dose needs to be adjusted. I would discuss with your provider when you get dizzy, ie do you get dizzy when you stand up from sitting? Do you get dizzy when you go from laying down to sitting up?  Or are you always dizzy? There are medications that require a prescription that can help with dizziness. Most doctors will prescribe Meclizine to combat dizziness. I have included some information regarding this medication. I wish you the best of luck and hope the dizziness is temporary.

Jennifer R RPh www.drugstore.com



Meclizine  
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Drug Description
Description: Meclizine is a piperazine-derivative H1-receptor antagonist. Meclizine is structurally and pharmacologically similar to buclizine, cyclizine, and hydroxyzine. It is used as an antivertigo/antiemetic agent, specifically, in the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness. Additionally, it has been used in the management of vertigo in diseases affecting the vestibular apparatus. However, the efficacy of meclizine in these conditions has not been established. While prophylactic use of meclizine is most effective in the treatment of motion sickness, other factors such as patient age, and type, severity, and duration of motion influence its effectiveness. It has been suggested that meclizine causes fewer anticholinergic effects than scopolamine. Meclizine was approved by the FDA in 1953.
For control of vertigo associated with vestibular system diseases:
Oral Dosage:
Adults and adolescents: The recommended dose is 25—100 mg/day PO in divided doses.

[traffictype]

Coming off Paxil can be pure hell for many people.  I once tried to quit cold turkey and on top of the common dizziness and shock-like sensations on the back of my head, I got sore, knotted muscles, a full body rash, horrible nightmares, anxiety, memory problems, a disconnected feeling, crippling depression/crying and diarreah.  It took me over 3 years to get from 30mg to 15mg/day and I had to wean off it one miligram at the time.  If you do a YouTube search for "Paxil Addiction" you will see the interview I did on ABC Primetime Live. Also you can visit Paxil Progress dot org to find other sufferers. Do not ever let your healthcare professionals or pharmacists take this condition lightly. You can also read the book "The Antidepressant Solution" by Dr. Joseph Glenmullen. Good luck.

[maggiroo]

I did not experience any dizziness or nausea while I was taking the Paxil. I have been
weaned off of the medication. I took the Paxil every other day for 2 weeks like my doctor
told me to do. I have been weaned off since last Weds 9-10-08. The dizziness and nausea started occuring about 3 days after that and has gotten a little worse. I talked to my doctor and he told me to take Benadryl and Dramamine for the dizziness and nausea. The nausea is gone, but the dizziness is still there.  I have to work and it is really hard when you are dizzy. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

[Jennifer R, RPh]

Did you experience dizziness and nausea while taking the Paxil? How far into your weaning off of the medication are you? Is it completed now?