Aa
PAXIL WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS MIMIC HEROIN WITHDRAWAL!
I am suffering from Paxil withdrawals. Below is more information that the doctors won't tell you!!!
Tell your Doctors, and perhaps they will make the connection! How hard has it been for you to wean yourself from Paxil? It's as agonizing as coming off of heroin..and shares most of the same symptoms and long term effects! While researching an answer to all of the awful symptoms I experienced during my Paxil withdrawal, I was unable to find any medical resources listing Paxil as a source of these particular symptoms we all experience. Guess where I kept finding my search results directing me to? Heroin withdrawal. The symptoms associated with heroin withdrawal that are similar to Paxil withdrawal are: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness, and leg movements, or jerking. While heroin produces muscle and bone pain, insomnia, and cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), which are not identical to Paxil withdrawal, the Paxil symptoms of headache, "electric shocks", dizziness and hot flashes as well as psychotic mental state (violent anger/hopeless depression, unwanted suicidal/homicidal thinking) are similarly debilitating and certainly result in the return to the use of the drug (paxil) in the same way that heroin produces that result! Most experts agree that the major withdrawal symptoms peak between 24 and 48 hours after the last dose of heroin and subside after about a week. However, some people have shown persistent withdrawal signs for many months. I think that most of us (the "experts" on paxil withdrawal!) would agree that, even with careful and lengthy periods of weaning off the drug, at least some of these frightening effects occur and are problematic in our lives for longer than the average heroin withdrawal duration of about a week! Most of us have found that, by the time a week has passed,off Paxil, the terrible sickness we feel has become so great, we are desperate to return to taking the drug again to alleviate the symptoms. And many often do return this way, again and again...simply because we can't afford to lose three weeks or more of work, withdrawing from a medication that Doctors routinely dismiss as not being a cause of such sickness (we all have a really bad case of the flu), or because we are so frightened by the strange, indescribeable physical and mental feelings of disassociation and nervous system "zaps" that we go back to the drug to restore clear thinking, fearing that we are "crazy"...especially since our doctors seem to have no understanding of any of these symptoms as relating to anything they have seen before. I hope everyone who is serious about finding the truth about the drug Paxil and it's horrible withdrawal symptoms will be sure to notify their health care providers of all of the symptoms experienced with this drug and insist that the details be documented and reported to the manufacturer, distributors, pharmacists and anyone in the medical field who can process this information officially and end the notion that these symptoms are "hearsay", simply because the drug company has not chosen to make them "fact"! And the next time you feel, or someone tells you that withdrawing from Paxil is "not that bad", remember that you are in the throes of a withdrawal so severe. that few others, except heroin addicts, have experienced, and YES, IT IS BAD! But it can be survived!
: Shawn Allen
Tell your Doctors, and perhaps they will make the connection! How hard has it been for you to wean yourself from Paxil? It's as agonizing as coming off of heroin..and shares most of the same symptoms and long term effects! While researching an answer to all of the awful symptoms I experienced during my Paxil withdrawal, I was unable to find any medical resources listing Paxil as a source of these particular symptoms we all experience. Guess where I kept finding my search results directing me to? Heroin withdrawal. The symptoms associated with heroin withdrawal that are similar to Paxil withdrawal are: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness, and leg movements, or jerking. While heroin produces muscle and bone pain, insomnia, and cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), which are not identical to Paxil withdrawal, the Paxil symptoms of headache, "electric shocks", dizziness and hot flashes as well as psychotic mental state (violent anger/hopeless depression, unwanted suicidal/homicidal thinking) are similarly debilitating and certainly result in the return to the use of the drug (paxil) in the same way that heroin produces that result! Most experts agree that the major withdrawal symptoms peak between 24 and 48 hours after the last dose of heroin and subside after about a week. However, some people have shown persistent withdrawal signs for many months. I think that most of us (the "experts" on paxil withdrawal!) would agree that, even with careful and lengthy periods of weaning off the drug, at least some of these frightening effects occur and are problematic in our lives for longer than the average heroin withdrawal duration of about a week! Most of us have found that, by the time a week has passed,off Paxil, the terrible sickness we feel has become so great, we are desperate to return to taking the drug again to alleviate the symptoms. And many often do return this way, again and again...simply because we can't afford to lose three weeks or more of work, withdrawing from a medication that Doctors routinely dismiss as not being a cause of such sickness (we all have a really bad case of the flu), or because we are so frightened by the strange, indescribeable physical and mental feelings of disassociation and nervous system "zaps" that we go back to the drug to restore clear thinking, fearing that we are "crazy"...especially since our doctors seem to have no understanding of any of these symptoms as relating to anything they have seen before. I hope everyone who is serious about finding the truth about the drug Paxil and it's horrible withdrawal symptoms will be sure to notify their health care providers of all of the symptoms experienced with this drug and insist that the details be documented and reported to the manufacturer, distributors, pharmacists and anyone in the medical field who can process this information officially and end the notion that these symptoms are "hearsay", simply because the drug company has not chosen to make them "fact"! And the next time you feel, or someone tells you that withdrawing from Paxil is "not that bad", remember that you are in the throes of a withdrawal so severe. that few others, except heroin addicts, have experienced, and YES, IT IS BAD! But it can be survived!
: Shawn Allen
Your situation sounds almost exactly like mine. I just switched from 40 mg of Paxil to Lexapro. Its been 7 days now and I want to crawl in a hole. My Doc didn't taper me either he just told me to switch. The worst of my symptoms are the dizziness, headache, nausea, bad/weird dreams, insomnia and the fact that I don't want to be around anyone but I don't want to be alone. I do feel like I need to ride it out though. In all the research I've been doing and my past experiences with missing a dose of Paxil here and there, I'm pretty sure its Paxil withdrawal. Good luck.
Shelly
Shelly
I have tried many times to quit taking Paxil because of the weight gain it causes...Now I am trying Lexapro. I have been taking the Lexapro for a week now and I feel very dizzy, when I turn my head, I feel like my eyes aren't moving a few seconds later, I can't seem to think straight, and i am having trouble sleeping...My Dr said that the 2 meds were similar enough to each other that I did not need to taper off of the Paxil, but yesterday I finally had to stop the Lexapro and take the Paxil again to feel normal....is it ok to take these meds together until the Paxil gets out of my body?
could these side effects be from Paxil withdrawls or from starting Lexapro?
thanks
could these side effects be from Paxil withdrawls or from starting Lexapro?
thanks
Don't be afraid to stop Paxil, just do so very gradually, slow down tapering, get help if problems are bad. I tried half dose for a week, quarter next week, eighth next but that was too fast. Chopped pills, now down to a fragment, or nothing if I'm really tired and expect to sleep thru the nite. Reply if you want to discuss that in more detail Every medicine, and withdrawal, is a single subject experiment..
You'll probably experience withdrawal. My symptoms sound bad but nothing compared with why we take Paxil in the first place, so I can even joke about some Sx, I know they're not permanent. Woken by nightmares? people pay for horror movies. Dizzy, head buzz, zaps when looking to far right or left, feels like brain sloshing in a tub, so what? more fun than some recreational drugs. Insomnia? get more done at night. If I wake at 3 and work all day, I'll sleep better next nite (If I don't nap, hard to avoid, so I am losing sleep but can work OK, other Sx are diminishing, few zaps now..)
I slept better on Paxil and didn't wake with claustrophobia, anxiety, have to get up. Mainly quitting after a couple years because I want to be independent. Hard to evaluate depression but less anxiety on Paxil then before or now but hope it will diminish.
Anxiety is fear with no real source, as if you have all the feelings of being in a falling elevator while you're lying in bed. Those who say just relax, you're safe, not really falling are stupid, of course you know that. I've had the racing heart, realize it's anxiety, would never consider it a heart attack that requires rushing to ER. But that doesn't make it go away, hard to sleep with a racing heart.
I mention that only because I don't know the cure for anxiety, let me know what any of you think on treatment.
It's like migraine. If you get one, nice to take a pill to make it disappear. Lots of meds for that, fine for the half it works for but what about the others? Tell them it's all in their head?
However, it's definitely better to take drugs, even if they have side effects or later withdrawal if you're suicidal. Feeling hopeless about that is a symptom that means you have to find a good psychiatrist, a specialist who knows the drugs and can counsel you thru a hard time.
You'll probably experience withdrawal. My symptoms sound bad but nothing compared with why we take Paxil in the first place, so I can even joke about some Sx, I know they're not permanent. Woken by nightmares? people pay for horror movies. Dizzy, head buzz, zaps when looking to far right or left, feels like brain sloshing in a tub, so what? more fun than some recreational drugs. Insomnia? get more done at night. If I wake at 3 and work all day, I'll sleep better next nite (If I don't nap, hard to avoid, so I am losing sleep but can work OK, other Sx are diminishing, few zaps now..)
I slept better on Paxil and didn't wake with claustrophobia, anxiety, have to get up. Mainly quitting after a couple years because I want to be independent. Hard to evaluate depression but less anxiety on Paxil then before or now but hope it will diminish.
Anxiety is fear with no real source, as if you have all the feelings of being in a falling elevator while you're lying in bed. Those who say just relax, you're safe, not really falling are stupid, of course you know that. I've had the racing heart, realize it's anxiety, would never consider it a heart attack that requires rushing to ER. But that doesn't make it go away, hard to sleep with a racing heart.
I mention that only because I don't know the cure for anxiety, let me know what any of you think on treatment.
It's like migraine. If you get one, nice to take a pill to make it disappear. Lots of meds for that, fine for the half it works for but what about the others? Tell them it's all in their head?
However, it's definitely better to take drugs, even if they have side effects or later withdrawal if you're suicidal. Feeling hopeless about that is a symptom that means you have to find a good psychiatrist, a specialist who knows the drugs and can counsel you thru a hard time.
Look up "Gwen Olsen" on youtube or google video.
Dear HFHS MD-JM,
After reading the previous posts I must agree with kurtislee. Although I wouldn't suggest anyone take paxil for any reason. I believe you are the one who has been misinformed. Actually, intentionally lied to by the pharmaceutical representatives would probably be closer to the truth. SSRI anti-depressants are a last resort option being pushed to the front of the line by big pharma. Please do more research! Information is out there and you are a Doctor. Correct?
Personally, I took one 10mg pill of Lexapro (yes, only one) and have been experiencing a severe adverse reaction similar to withdrawal symptoms since then. They are lessening over time but I have lost my life in the process. I am a rare case but I wonder how rare? In the beginning it was a horrific nightmare!!! I couldn't work for the first 4 months. I lost everything. My house, credit rating, job and my savings. I have met many people with similar experiences online. Very similar. Very many others with withdrawal horror stories, so I wouldn't be so eager to support the notion that these questionable medications are mild and safe. It is my opinion that a "very" low percentage of the population could benefit from the use of these psychiatric drugs and possibly more harm than good is really being done here. The combination of a highly addictive drug that passes the blood-brain barrier with such a nonchalant message to the general public is very dangerous.
To: anyone wanting to taper off,
As far as advice to taper off. I think "taper" is the most important word here. Take as long as you need, even if it be years. I am on a small dose of alprazolam to combat the damage and side effects, which is incredibly helpful to me but I would encourage the use of caution with taking any medication due to differences in physiology. Incorporate things in your life to help you to be healthier and happier. Sounds very basic, yet it can be extremely difficult to alter our lifestyle. Realize that you will get better and your brain somehow knows how to heal itself if given time and that you take care of yourself. One day, you won't feel the addiction anymore. 4 things to be healthy:, sleep, exercise,diet and low stress level. Be very skeptical of any doctor that tries to "push" drugs, especially the psychiatrist. Don't take them if they are psychiatric medications.
Good luck!
T
After reading the previous posts I must agree with kurtislee. Although I wouldn't suggest anyone take paxil for any reason. I believe you are the one who has been misinformed. Actually, intentionally lied to by the pharmaceutical representatives would probably be closer to the truth. SSRI anti-depressants are a last resort option being pushed to the front of the line by big pharma. Please do more research! Information is out there and you are a Doctor. Correct?
Personally, I took one 10mg pill of Lexapro (yes, only one) and have been experiencing a severe adverse reaction similar to withdrawal symptoms since then. They are lessening over time but I have lost my life in the process. I am a rare case but I wonder how rare? In the beginning it was a horrific nightmare!!! I couldn't work for the first 4 months. I lost everything. My house, credit rating, job and my savings. I have met many people with similar experiences online. Very similar. Very many others with withdrawal horror stories, so I wouldn't be so eager to support the notion that these questionable medications are mild and safe. It is my opinion that a "very" low percentage of the population could benefit from the use of these psychiatric drugs and possibly more harm than good is really being done here. The combination of a highly addictive drug that passes the blood-brain barrier with such a nonchalant message to the general public is very dangerous.
To: anyone wanting to taper off,
As far as advice to taper off. I think "taper" is the most important word here. Take as long as you need, even if it be years. I am on a small dose of alprazolam to combat the damage and side effects, which is incredibly helpful to me but I would encourage the use of caution with taking any medication due to differences in physiology. Incorporate things in your life to help you to be healthier and happier. Sounds very basic, yet it can be extremely difficult to alter our lifestyle. Realize that you will get better and your brain somehow knows how to heal itself if given time and that you take care of yourself. One day, you won't feel the addiction anymore. 4 things to be healthy:, sleep, exercise,diet and low stress level. Be very skeptical of any doctor that tries to "push" drugs, especially the psychiatrist. Don't take them if they are psychiatric medications.
Good luck!
T
I have been completely off Paxil for the past two weeks. Not every symptom listed on most websites for paxil withdrawal I am experiencing. I think its better to not be on drugs. It will help if you are being tapered off with your doctor and you can talk to him/her, I think it will be bearable, its got to be. And the symptoms are annoying for many reasons but as time goes along they get better.To think that this is a drug with actual withdrawal symptoms makes me realize I definalty shouldn't be on it. ( I was on it for 2 years). Stick with it!:)
You are reading content posted in the Depression/Mental Health Forum
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Simple, drug-free tips to banish the blues.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
For many, mental health care is prohibitively expensive. Dr. Rebecca Resnik provides a guide on how to find free or reduced-fee treatment in your area
