Discontinuing Paxil CR

[falls99]

I stopped taking my Paxil CR 25mg approx 3 weeks ago due to loss of insurance and job. I had been taking them  for over 2 years and before that I took other anti-depressants for several years. Since stopping the pills I have been experiencing insomnia and "dizzy spells". The spells last about 1 second, can occur when I take a deep breath, or move my eyes fast, among other reasons,and happen 50+ times per day. I feel this is a direct effect from stopping the pills. My question is, how long will this last before I can sleep well and stop experiencing these spells?

[tryinginstlouis]

I totally hear you.  I was on Paxil and then its generic for almost 6 years.  Paxil definitely numbed the "pain", but it wasn't a panacea.  What it definitely helped me with was calming down.  I didn't feel the massive waves of overwhelming that coursed through my body and left me breathless.  Also, Paxil numbed those things that were too painful to confront.  On Paxil, I did confront those things, and moved on.  However, once I confronted and moved on, I had to reevaluate my situation and regain what I lost in the first place.  For me, I tackled something very painful in my past, but I was also numb to those feelings that I needed to progress into the future.  That's when I decided to go off of Paxil.  I had to reach in and feel those feelings that occurred in the past, that would propel me into the future.  And I think I found them.

Was I talking in code, enough?  I think I got the basic idea out.

But, I don't take being off Paxil, lightly.  I almost feel like a recovering addict, and consider every day that I'm off Paxil as a gift.  I take alot of effort to monitor my feelings.  Like you, I too was able to cry at movies, again.  To feel urgency.  To attempt to feel more connected with people.  What I thought was most awesome was embracing how many choices we have to make every day of our lives.  I was almost like a kid again for a couple weeks.  Every choice I made was something new to me.  It's kinda hard to explain, but it felt like I was testing my brain out again, to see if it still worked and what it was telling me.  

I am truly excited for you!  But, too, use this opportunity to examine what's going on, so it's not a fleeting experience!  

[tryinginstlouis]

Sorry, it's called "Paroxetine".

[2csmom]

Be careful in the mean time...I experienced the same thing when I weaned off Paxil 6 years ago except I also had a feeling "electrical zaps" in my head, difficulty concentrating (resulting in an accident w/ my car and house) and what I can only call "visions" that resembled hallucination-like day dreams.  I'm not saying this is going to happen to you-it was just my experience.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It shouldn't be much longer, maybe a week to ten days...but you should use something to sleep, that will help.

[falls99]

Thank you. I may call my Dr about this generic brand. I did check into Walmart and they do not have the CR in generic. However, I am now feeling emotions I haven't felt in a long time. I cry at sad movies, enjoy going out more, have a little more energy and have kept the somewhat outgoing nature that I developed while taking them. I think I like these feelings!!  :-)

[tryinginstlouis]

Falls, there's a generic Paxil.  I'm not sure about Paxil CR.  I'm not sure if you're near a Wal-Mart, but chances you are.  But the generic Paxil is called Poroxatine, and a 90 day supply at Wal-Mart is either $10 or $30, CHECK IT OUT!  

Best.

[falls99]

Thank you very much for your posting. My "dizziness" is more like the "electrical zaps" you described.  I have had a few of the "day dreams" you described and they have been like horrible night mares. I talk myself out of them and eventually forget them, or push them back into my thoughts, so I don't dwell on them. I knew this must have been a "normal" withdrawal symptom but sure do want them to go away quickly. Hopefully you are much better now. How long did the symptoms last for you?