Paxil Withdrawal

[Robin Mick]

I am writing on behalf of my husband, who has been taking 20 mg of Paxil daily for a little over a year.  He has been reducing his daily dosage in an effort to discontinue taking the medication.  For the first week, he took 10 mg, then halfed those pills, then moved on to every other day, and so on.  He is now in his 4th day with no Paxil whatsoever, and he is really suffering.  He is very sensitive to light and sound, and both worsen the debilitating headhache he is suffering.  He has contacted his doctor, who prescribed a migraine medication to lessen the pain.  He is unable to function in his daily routine with this pain.  

I've read a lot via the internet about this medication and such withdrawal symptoms.  I've also read that some people have only mild reactions.  Please, any suggestions that can be offered to alleviate his discomfort would be welcome.  And how long can we expect this to go on?  

Thank you in advance for your response.

[stephanie]

I am experiencing the same problems.  I've been on Paxil for two years now and I am trying to come off of it also.  Around this time last year, I forgot to take it for a few days and became very ill (just like you Jacklyn & Mr. Mick).  For about a week, I thought I had the flew, my doctors office never asked if I was taking my medication, they just kept writing more prescriptions for the symptoms I was experiancing.  At the end of the week, I called the nurse line of my insurance company and they asked about my medication right away.  I took it and felt better by evening.  I should have known right then that I would have a problem comig off the Paxil.  I am so tired of feeling sick from this.  I am also extreamly angry at the doctor who prescribed this for me, he never said I'd have to go through this in order to stop taking it.  With these symptoms, we are defanitly addicted to it.  I am married and have three children, my poor husband has had to do everything since I've been in bed so much.  I hope everything works out for Mr. Mick and Jacklyn, this is a horable thing to go through.

[HFHS-M.D.-HG]

Dear Mrs. Mick,

The abrupt discontinuation of an SSRI ( Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitor)  especially, one with a short half- life such as Paxil is associated with a syndrome that include somatic and psychological symptoms. The somatic symptoms may include dizziness, vertigo,  nausea/vomiting, fatigue, paresthesias, insomnia, migraine like auras etc. The psychological symptoms may include anxiety, irritability, poor concentration, memory problems and vivid dreams. Paxil should be discontinued under close supervision by a physician by lowering the dose to 10mg each week until 10mg a day is reached, then take 5mg a day  for a week before stopping. Prozac,which is another SSRI with a long halfl-life has been used in some cases to treat the discontinuation syndrome. Symptoms usually resolve after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. If the symptoms are disabling, I would recommend that you discuss with your Physician. I hope this information is helpful to you.