Paxel Withdrawals and Thoughts of Suicide

[FlyingCook]

My husband has just been diagnosed with anxiety and mild depression.  He's also experience constant diarrhea (last 6 months), nausea, vomiting, chest pains that move up into his jaw, tingling fingers, a lots of fun other things.  Nothing has been found to be wrong with his heart and he has an appointment with a gastoendonologist in two weeks to have a flexsig done.  Last week his GP put him on Paxel.  Since starting it, we have heard from two friends about the awful things this drug can do to you when you go off from it.  One of the friends has been on Paxel before and she said that each time you go off the depression is worse than the time before and that she gets thoughts of suicide.  The other friend said that he has two friends who have both been on it and both tried to committ suicide after being taken off the drug.  This has gotten my husband even more anxious and he wants to quit taking the drug without even consulting his doc.  What has anyone else experienced with this?  We're more concerned with how he's dealing with the stress in his life (or should I say NOT dealing with it) than we are the depression.  We don't need this to become a downward cyclone.  Also, the one friend said that Paxel is a lifelong thing not a 6-9 month stint as the doctor has said.  Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc. will be GREATLY appreciated!!  THANKS!!!

[Peagee]

I'm glad some of you managed to research the drug and find out all about the withdrawals, the full effects, despite GSK not stating the facts.   The facts you found out would mostly be from people who had already gone through withdrawal WITHOUT first having been able to rely upon other victims' testimony.  THOSE people were not told by GSK or by their doctors and it is relatively recently that victims of withdrawal who are fortunate to have internet access and able to research started forums and information sites, etc.  

You have THOSE victims to thank for the knowledge you gained/researched, NOT the drug company.  You also have access to the internet.  Many people do not.  So I think the posting with the 'other victims are foolish' attitude is maybe a little thoughtless?  What about children on Paxil?  Children in care?  People in psychiatric hospitals?  What about depressed people below the poverty line with no access to the internet and search engines, people grieving?  People who are just plain lied to? Generally, what about people less fortunate?  

WHO was there to inform them that, DESPITE the duplicity of GSK and so the lack of information to doctors, withdrawal symptoms were actually far far worse than that on the bit of paper provided with Paxil?  And withdrawal itself - nobody knows for certain how long in can last in some people, or how badly those symptoms can effect over the long term. Because there hasn't been any long term studies.  We just have to hope that we aren't one of the unluckier ones.  Because, until you have come through it, there is no way of knowing. Or of knowing what permanent but less obvious damage might have been caused.


Paula

[kywoman]

happystill, I am glad to see that you are doing well, and you are taking responsibility for your actions, etc. I quit taking Paxil cold turkey (against doctor's advice) February 28th. I had about two weeks of very bizarre withdrawal symptoms (all those listed excpet seizures), but am doing terrific now. It bothers me to see these postings screaming to take the drug off the market because there was no action on their part to check out side effects, possible withdrawal, etc.

You can withdraw safely and it isn't easy, but I had to survive a suicide (husband), loss of a parent, and loss of my job all within a six month period. It helped me sustain.....Don't become discouraged. You are right.

I don't focus on the withdrawal problems, I involve myself in work or hobbies, and have started exercising. Knowing it is "withdrawal" helps tremendously, I thought it was me. Knowing it is withdrawal means it will stop, and that is good enough for me.

[peacetrain]

Happy still i am pleased to hear your report. Too many ppl just take meds and not seek counciling. Counciling and Group therapy is a must for depression and anxiety, meds can get u through it a little easier but they are meant for short term use.

[happystill]

Does anybody see a major trend here?  Lots of self-medicating, not getting educated before taking drugs and self-withdrawaling.  Life isn't easy but we need to be smarter about what we do and put in our bodies.   I went through a difficult seperation from my soon to be ex husband (whose isn't difficult?) and found the on-going 2-year emotional roller coaster was destroying my family and personal life.  Enter Paxil.  I researched it and others and chose it with full knowledge of possible side effects.  I took 20 mgs for 6 months and when I felt myself really doing well for more then 3 months I chose to get off of it.  Yes, I did it cold turkey and am still doing it. I am in week 2 and still have the funky light-headedness, tingling, air-walking and other side effects.  When I feel the twinges of being emotionally irrational, I fight it with the tools given to me from counseling which I have participated in since beginning Paxil.  I am fighting this like I fought my withdrawal from alcohol two years ago.  I work with my doctor but her advise is not the last word.  I research and get as much information as I can to make an informed decision. My advice, take hold of your life and your recovery.  Don't dive into withdrawal if you are not absolutely committed.  I am marching on and fighting this.  I am lucky that I don't have severe depression and am active physically.  Physical excercise has given me the extra boost I need to get through this.  Yes, I get zaps and slight light-headedness during my workouts but the are mild and it is a reprieve.  I am a fighter and I will get through this too.

[ckp58]

I tried to swith from Paxil to Zolaf.  I still went through the withdrawl from Paxel and therefore I couldn't make the switch to Zolaf.

[Boodah Boo]

I have been on 20 mg paxil for almost two years and hate it.  I get palpitation and chest pain so I went to the doctor and he is switching me to prozac, which I took for 8 yrs before.  He wants me to cut back to 10 mg paxil for a week then alternate 10 mg paxil one day and 20 mg prozac the next for a week then switch right over to the prozac the next week.  Has anyone else done this?  Did you get the paxil withdrawal?  I tried quitting paxil last fall and felt like Robert Downey Jr. after a bad weekend, so went back on it.  I really want to make the switch so any info is appreciated.