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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by love bites again on September 23, 2004, at 19:15:15
I'm trying to go off Paxil as quickly as I can while still not going cold turkey. In the past week and a half I've gone from 2 tabs to a half a tab (not sure of the mg's at the moment) and I can't stop sleeping. I've been asleep for almost 3 days - waking up at around 5 pm just to check my email. Is this par for the course? Has anyone else gone through this? During the day when I get woken up (briefly), I can't distinguish dreams from reality - weird feeling! Really weird! Someone tell me this is normal.
Cheryl
Posted by utopizen on September 23, 2004, at 19:51:24
In reply to HELP!! Can't Stop Sleeping While Withdrawaling Fro, posted by love bites again on September 23, 2004, at 19:15:15
> I'm trying to go off Paxil as quickly as I can while still not going cold turkey. In the past week and a half I've gone from 2 tabs to a half a tab (not sure of the mg's at the moment) and I can't stop sleeping. I've been asleep for almost 3 days - waking up at around 5 pm just to check my email. Is this par for the course? Has anyone else gone through this? During the day when I get woken up (briefly), I can't distinguish dreams from reality - weird feeling! Really weird! Someone tell me this is normal.
> CherylAsk about Provigil. If that fails, ask about some Adderall or Desoxyn. It'll go away.
What I'm more concerned about is why people are going off antidepressants. Frankly, after being depressed for a year now, and just starting them recently, I would never think of stopping one that I found to work on my depression, hell or high water.
Give me no orgasm, I don't care-- depression is far worse than even the worst withdrawl symptoms.
Whatever doctors are telling patients to go off their antidepressants for is highly suspect. How on Earth could anyone test their fate with the throws of depression so casually? I'm sticking to ADs for the rest of my life if it means I don't have the threat of depression lurking on my back. But that's just me. Others may go their own way... as incomprehensible as it happens to be to me.
Posted by utopizen on September 23, 2004, at 19:53:42
In reply to HELP!! Can't Stop Sleeping While Withdrawaling Fro, posted by love bites again on September 23, 2004, at 19:15:15
Ha! imagine that! Going off a drug for your depression is causing a return of the symptoms of depression! I'm going to go off on a cliff here and suggest you MIGHT HAVE DEPRESSION FROM GOING OFF AN ANTIDEPRESSANT.
I'M CONCERNED FOR YOUR HEALTH. PLEASE CALL YOUR DOCTOR! AND TAKE CARE! My thoughts are with you. I've been down this road myself, where I deny I need an antidepressant, claim it's only anxiety, or withdrawl, or stuff like that. I feel for you. Hang in there!
Posted by mcp on September 23, 2004, at 20:44:01
In reply to Sleeping=Return of Depression, not withdrawl, posted by utopizen on September 23, 2004, at 19:53:42
The worst thing you could do is to listen to some alarmist tell you that it is the return of depression. WIthdrawal effects people in a myriad of ways. The last thing you should do is rush back on the drug at the first hint of trouble and just chalk it up to depression. PErsonally, I would prefer sleep to the hell I have experienced awake coming off these drugs. GIve it time. See how you feel in a few weeks. The drugs aren't going anywhere and if it is depression revisited then you can address it then. It takes a while for the brain to adjust from being off the meds. Good luck.
Posted by love bites again on September 23, 2004, at 21:02:40
In reply to Re: HELP!! Can't Stop Sleeping While Withdrawaling Fro, posted by utopizen on September 23, 2004, at 19:51:24
> Ask about Provigil. If that fails, ask about some Adderall or Desoxyn. It'll go away.
>
> What I'm more concerned about is why people are going off antidepressants. Frankly, after being depressed for a year now, and just starting them recently, I would never think of stopping one that I found to work on my depression, hell or high water.
>
> Give me no orgasm, I don't care-- depression is far worse than even the worst withdrawl symptoms.
>
> Whatever doctors are telling patients to go off their antidepressants for is highly suspect. How on Earth could anyone test their fate with the throws of depression so casually? I'm sticking to ADs for the rest of my life if it means I don't have the threat of depression lurking on my back. But that's just me. Others may go their own way... as incomprehensible as it happens to be to me.I hear ya loud and clear. My depression was so bad that I'd have taken a lobotomy over it anyday!
Thing is, after 5 years on Paxil, my feelings are completely dead - no happy feelings EVER. No particularly sad feelings, but I've lost my passions (and I don't mean just sex), I just sit there in a fog all day unable to come alive. I used to paint, I used to be creative and energetic and now (remember it's been 5 years) I'm a shell. It isn't the depression returning, it's the Paxil! I learned that here when I was desperate for answers as to why I can't feel *me* anymore and found it to be a common thread amoung Paxil users. I definitely need an antidepressant (I'm a lifer), but I need to get off this crap before it kills what's left of me and find an antidepressant that doesn't have such extreme side effects. I guess that's what we're all hoping for. I'm just comming off the Paxil (maybe too quickly) and I've got the zaps in my head and tongue and when I finally fall asleep, I can't wake up - like I said, I've been asleep for the better part of 3 days now. It's scary.
Cheryl
Posted by love bites again on September 23, 2004, at 21:12:30
In reply to Fatigue is common withdrawal symptom, posted by mcp on September 23, 2004, at 20:44:01
> The worst thing you could do is to listen to some alarmist tell you that it is the return of depression. WIthdrawal effects people in a myriad of ways. The last thing you should do is rush back on the drug at the first hint of trouble and just chalk it up to depression. PErsonally, I would prefer sleep to the hell I have experienced awake coming off these drugs. GIve it time. See how you feel in a few weeks. The drugs aren't going anywhere and if it is depression revisited then you can address it then. It takes a while for the brain to adjust from being off the meds. Good luck.
Have you found anything that works mcp? Sounds like your withdrawals were severe! What happened to you when you were going through it?
I've got a 12 (almost 13) year old and a 15 year old and I feel like the worst mother on earth sleeping all day like this, but I'm literally unable to wake up until around 5 pm since I've been cutting back on the Paxil. I can't fall asleep until around 5 am. My dreams seem like reality and I wake up thinking I've woken up before and talked to my husband when I haven't - it's the strangest sensation. My tongue feels numb and when I turn my head it feels like a funny bone vibration goes through it LOL.YUCK!Cheryl
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 23, 2004, at 22:27:53
In reply to HELP!! Can't Stop Sleeping While Withdrawaling Fro, posted by love bites again on September 23, 2004, at 19:15:15
I saw your message and just had to write back (post back?) I had an AWFUL time geting off Paxil last yr (after using it for 2 hrs). I honestly do not remember the month of October last year. My number 1 piece of advice is: go slowly! At the very end I was cutting my 10mg tabs into 8 pieces!
I slept a ton, especially at first. I remember one day my pdoc called to check on me at 8am. She called to check on me later in the day. I asked her what time it was---5pm! i had been sound asleep the whole time!
Some things to ask your pdoc about: Sometimes overlapping w/ prozac helps you get off of it. It minimizes some side effects and prevents you from being w/o a drug for a period of time. Prozac actually works pretty well for some folks for a permanent change (not for me, but oh well). Also, ask your pdoc about drugs to help combat w/d side effects. My pdoc had me use ativan (but that's not much help w/ the sleepiness!) Finally, paxil comes in liquid form too which can help you decrease more gradually (so that you don't have to be a wiz w/ the pill cutter!)
Good luck! It's not a fun time, but we are here for you!
EE
Posted by love bites again on September 24, 2004, at 1:06:07
In reply to Re: HELP!! Can't Stop Sleeping While Withdrawaling Fro, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 23, 2004, at 22:27:53
> I saw your message and just had to write back (post back?) I had an AWFUL time geting off Paxil last yr (after using it for 2 hrs). I honestly do not remember the month of October last year. My number 1 piece of advice is: go slowly! At the very end I was cutting my 10mg tabs into 8 pieces!
>
> I slept a ton, especially at first. I remember one day my pdoc called to check on me at 8am. She called to check on me later in the day. I asked her what time it was---5pm! i had been sound asleep the whole time!
>
> Some things to ask your pdoc about: Sometimes overlapping w/ prozac helps you get off of it. It minimizes some side effects and prevents you from being w/o a drug for a period of time. Prozac actually works pretty well for some folks for a permanent change (not for me, but oh well). Also, ask your pdoc about drugs to help combat w/d side effects. My pdoc had me use ativan (but that's not much help w/ the sleepiness!) Finally, paxil comes in liquid form too which can help you decrease more gradually (so that you don't have to be a wiz w/ the pill cutter!)
>
> Good luck! It's not a fun time, but we are here for you!
>
> EE
I'm glad you wrote back Emily. You're right, I need to take it a bit slower. I've just wanted to *get it over with* (the withdrawals) and to feel like myself again, so I've been rushing it. I'm amazed at how powerful these things are - I had never dreamed that I was putting such a harmful thing in my system for the past 4-5 years. Like you, I've been on Prozac in the past (before the Paxil) and I had a weird reaction to it - I got lumps all over my legs, so they switched me. I've only had a GP doctor for years now since all I've required is a refill on my Paxil - we live in a town of about 400 people and a doctor comes out every other day if we're lucky. Getting into a pdoc will probably take forever, so I'll have to supplement or completely go by my info here on the board. That's the bit*ch about living in an out of the way area (it's hubby's hometown). Anyway, I'm stuck with the GP doc for now and I can guarantee he knows less than I do about the effects of Paxil, so any advice I can get is very appreciated!
Cheryl
Posted by mcp on September 24, 2004, at 1:58:16
In reply to Re: Fatigue is common withdrawal symptom, posted by love bites again on September 23, 2004, at 21:12:30
Well, the first thing is that you obviously need to go slower. I know how infuriating that can be. You just want the junk out of your system so you can move on. However, going to fast worsens and lengthens the withdrawals.
I am two months off Lexapro and the thing I notice is that it is not a linear recovery. By that I mean it isn't just a matter of getting a little better each day. What happens is you get better, then worse, then better, then worse, etc. It is really rather insidious.
I am trying a whole new supplement regimen, so I can't really report on that until I get it going. However, the two things that have helped me sustain myself are exercise and faith. No matter how you feel, get out and exercise. For me I get on my bike and push myself. On days when I feel lousy I don't push myself, but I make a point of not isolating myself and getting out and active. I know that may seem very hard sometimes, but it is worth it. Second, faith has played an intergral part for me. Tapping into my higher power has given me the extra strength to perservere.
One other thing, it is really important that you watch what you put in your body. I have totally eliminated sugar and other damaging things. Lots of veggies, fruit, protein, and tons and tons of water. Flush that system out. Best of luck and all the best
> > The worst thing you could do is to listen to some alarmist tell you that it is the return of depression. WIthdrawal effects people in a myriad of ways. The last thing you should do is rush back on the drug at the first hint of trouble and just chalk it up to depression. PErsonally, I would prefer sleep to the hell I have experienced awake coming off these drugs. GIve it time. See how you feel in a few weeks. The drugs aren't going anywhere and if it is depression revisited then you can address it then. It takes a while for the brain to adjust from being off the meds. Good luck.
>
> Have you found anything that works mcp? Sounds like your withdrawals were severe! What happened to you when you were going through it?
> I've got a 12 (almost 13) year old and a 15 year old and I feel like the worst mother on earth sleeping all day like this, but I'm literally unable to wake up until around 5 pm since I've been cutting back on the Paxil. I can't fall asleep until around 5 am. My dreams seem like reality and I wake up thinking I've woken up before and talked to my husband when I haven't - it's the strangest sensation. My tongue feels numb and when I turn my head it feels like a funny bone vibration goes through it LOL.YUCK!Cheryl
>
Posted by love bites again on September 24, 2004, at 3:34:32
In reply to Re: Fatigue is common withdrawal symptom, posted by mcp on September 24, 2004, at 1:58:16
> Well, the first thing is that you obviously need to go slower. I know how infuriating that can be. You just want the junk out of your system so you can move on. However, going to fast worsens and lengthens the withdrawals.
>
> I am two months off Lexapro and the thing I notice is that it is not a linear recovery. By that I mean it isn't just a matter of getting a little better each day. What happens is you get better, then worse, then better, then worse, etc. It is really rather insidious.
>
> I am trying a whole new supplement regimen, so I can't really report on that until I get it going. However, the two things that have helped me sustain myself are exercise and faith. No matter how you feel, get out and exercise. For me I get on my bike and push myself. On days when I feel lousy I don't push myself, but I make a point of not isolating myself and getting out and active. I know that may seem very hard sometimes, but it is worth it. Second, faith has played an intergral part for me. Tapping into my higher power has given me the extra strength to perservere.
>
> One other thing, it is really important that you watch what you put in your body. I have totally eliminated sugar and other damaging things. Lots of veggies, fruit, protein, and tons and tons of water. Flush that system out. Best of luck and all the best
>
See, this is why I need the advice - My brain's so foggy I wouldn't have even thought about drinking more water and getting moving in order to help work this stuff out of my system. That makes sense. I should be guzzling water right now!
So your saying that the withdrawals are like a yoyo effect - up then down again? Unpredictable.
Are you getting some of your old *good* feelings back now that you're two months off those meds, or was that even one of your problems?
Thanks for the great advice!
Cheryl
Posted by mcp on September 24, 2004, at 3:47:16
In reply to Re: Fatigue is common withdrawal symptom, posted by love bites again on September 24, 2004, at 3:34:32
First, I don't want to be an alarmist. Odds are you won't have near the duration that I have had. I seem to be one of the bad cases. Anyways, the really insidious thing is that I start to feel better and then I crash. Very discouraging. As far as "good" feelings, I was never indicated for depression. It was for anxiety. There are moments when I start to feel quasinormal and then eventually I crash. However, the normal feelings seem to be more frequent and the crashes are farther apart. So it is getting better. You just gotta remember that all the weird feelings and emotions are withdrawal. Be very careful about any of the aforementioned feelings or emotions being thought of as a return of depression. That is why so many people don't get off the drugs. First, it causes pain and suffering. Second, they are misdiagnosed or the doctors just aren't familiar with AD withdrawal. Are you on any sort of supplement regimen?
> > Well, the first thing is that you obviously need to go slower. I know how infuriating that can be. You just want the junk out of your system so you can move on. However, going to fast worsens and lengthens the withdrawals.
> >
> > I am two months off Lexapro and the thing I notice is that it is not a linear recovery. By that I mean it isn't just a matter of getting a little better each day. What happens is you get better, then worse, then better, then worse, etc. It is really rather insidious.
> >
> > I am trying a whole new supplement regimen, so I can't really report on that until I get it going. However, the two things that have helped me sustain myself are exercise and faith. No matter how you feel, get out and exercise. For me I get on my bike and push myself. On days when I feel lousy I don't push myself, but I make a point of not isolating myself and getting out and active. I know that may seem very hard sometimes, but it is worth it. Second, faith has played an intergral part for me. Tapping into my higher power has given me the extra strength to perservere.
> >
> > One other thing, it is really important that you watch what you put in your body. I have totally eliminated sugar and other damaging things. Lots of veggies, fruit, protein, and tons and tons of water. Flush that system out. Best of luck and all the best
> >
> See, this is why I need the advice - My brain's so foggy I wouldn't have even thought about drinking more water and getting moving in order to help work this stuff out of my system. That makes sense. I should be guzzling water right now!
> So your saying that the withdrawals are like a yoyo effect - up then down again? Unpredictable.
> Are you getting some of your old *good* feelings back now that you're two months off those meds, or was that even one of your problems?
> Thanks for the great advice!
> Cheryl
Posted by love bites again on September 24, 2004, at 4:21:00
In reply to Re: Fatigue is common withdrawal symptom, posted by mcp on September 24, 2004, at 3:47:16
> First, I don't want to be an alarmist. Odds are you won't have near the duration that I have had. I seem to be one of the bad cases. Anyways, the really insidious thing is that I start to feel better and then I crash. Very discouraging. As far as "good" feelings, I was never indicated for depression. It was for anxiety. There are moments when I start to feel quasinormal and then eventually I crash. However, the normal feelings seem to be more frequent and the crashes are farther apart. So it is getting better. You just gotta remember that all the weird feelings and emotions are withdrawal. Be very careful about any of the aforementioned feelings or emotions being thought of as a return of depression. That is why so many people don't get off the drugs. First, it causes pain and suffering. Second, they are misdiagnosed or the doctors just aren't familiar with AD withdrawal. Are you on any sort of supplement regimen?
>
I'm not on any supplements - are there any that you'd reccommend?
I am glad to hear that you're having more good days now than bad. Finding out what works for you is a difficult journey through the antidepressant rollercoaster of hell. I just want this sh*it out of me now that I know it's what's been responsible for the side effects that I've been attributing to everything BUT the Paxil.
You've been great mcp!
Cheryl
Posted by mcp on September 24, 2004, at 14:28:50
In reply to Re: Fatigue is common withdrawal symptom, posted by love bites again on September 24, 2004, at 4:21:00
email me at mcpark@socal.rr.com
> > First, I don't want to be an alarmist. Odds are you won't have near the duration that I have had. I seem to be one of the bad cases. Anyways, the really insidious thing is that I start to feel better and then I crash. Very discouraging. As far as "good" feelings, I was never indicated for depression. It was for anxiety. There are moments when I start to feel quasinormal and then eventually I crash. However, the normal feelings seem to be more frequent and the crashes are farther apart. So it is getting better. You just gotta remember that all the weird feelings and emotions are withdrawal. Be very careful about any of the aforementioned feelings or emotions being thought of as a return of depression. That is why so many people don't get off the drugs. First, it causes pain and suffering. Second, they are misdiagnosed or the doctors just aren't familiar with AD withdrawal. Are you on any sort of supplement regimen?
> >
> I'm not on any supplements - are there any that you'd reccommend?
> I am glad to hear that you're having more good days now than bad. Finding out what works for you is a difficult journey through the antidepressant rollercoaster of hell. I just want this sh*it out of me now that I know it's what's been responsible for the side effects that I've been attributing to everything BUT the Paxil.
> You've been great mcp!
> Cheryl
This is the end of the thread.
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