Tapering off Paxil

[SLAlexander]

I've been on Paxil since I was 12 years old (20 mgs).  Since then, I've tried to come off of Paxil more times than I can count, and each time the withdrawal symptoms have been too much, so I always end up failing.  The lowest dose I've ever reached is 5 mgs, but the withdrawal symptoms were unbearable so I went back up to 10 mgs and eventually back to 15 mgs.  I am 23 now and the fact that I take Paxil is closing off some important opportunities for me.  I'm on 12.5 mgs at the moment--tapering from 2.5 mgs at a time is a little easier--but I'm afraid I'll never be able to come off of this horrible stuff.  I'm extremely upset that I was prescribed this medication at such a young age and that no one ever told me I would be bedridden for at least a week and unable to function properly for months if I tried to come off of it.  It would help, I think, if I were able to utilize talk therapy as I taper off, but I have no health insurance.  (I'm a full-time college student and my mom's insurance dropped me at the beginning of this year because I'll turn 24 this year.  Thankfully, my pharmacy has a prescription savings plan, so my Paxil is only $10/month, but I can't afford therapy.)  Is there any way I can get the help I need to come off of this medication and regain control of my life?

[Alison L, RPh]

If you are a full time college student, the student health center should provide free or low cost therapy sessions. They also should have doctors with whom you can discuss a tapering schedule.

[allmymarbles]

I don't know why a doctor would prescribe this dangerous drug for an 11-year-old girl. If I were in your situation, with no money and nowhere to turn, I would get off the poison even more slowly. Very, very slowly. There are others on MedHelp who have been seriously harmed by Paxil. You might ask advise from Paxiled, a fellow suffer, who is a member. He is expert on supplements and may be able to help you.