Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 38313

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 26. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by Rick E. on June 25, 2000, at 4:35:29

Hello all. It's been awhile since I have posted, nice to see the registration/password setup.

I started on ADs back in January of 2000, and I must say, in no uncertain terms, that I was very much in need of them, and they helped my brain get through a very difficult struggle that it was not able to do by itself. Being diagnosed as having "situational depression/anxiety" always meant to me that there was the hope of one day getting off of these drugs, which had always been a comforting thought.

Well, the largest part of my anxiety-causing situation has passed, and I felt that it was time to get off of the meds. In fact, I actually started feeling that WITHOUT anxiety in my life, that the meds were doing more harm than good. It was a strange "flip" that took place, I suppose in my brain chemistry.

I had been taking Remeron 30mg, and Paxil 20mg daily, and it had been working fine for me. I weaned off the Remeron successfully, and found that sleeping was next to impossible being on Paxil alone. I then decided that Paxil was the culprit, and started cutting it in half, per doc's orders, for 2 weeks, and then quit it completely. Day one and two were ok, but by day three with no Paxil, WHAM...depression, anxiety, nausea, fuzzy weird ass head feeling, all the doom and gloom feelings that a person could ask for...and I thought that there was no withdrawal symptoms from Paxil.

Just for fun, (actually out of severe desperation to know what was going on with me)...I went to altavista and typed in "Paxil Withdrawal", and much to my surprise, there were thousands of boards, like this one, with as many stories of the effects of quitting Paxil, and what I found was that, most people, no matter how they decide to "wean" themselves off of Paxil, always have these side effects, or withdrawal symptoms, or whatever you choose to call it...when they finally quit taking it at any dosage. I read that many people found IMMEDIATE relief from these symptoms by just taking one Paxil pill...which, as much as I tried to resist, I took...after having suicidal as well as other thoughts that have NEVER entered my brain. It worked, and the next day, I had the ativan and st. Johns Wart, which I am still taking both of, and they are getting me through the rough times. I certainly would take any suggestions anyone might have on this. I don't think I have ever felt as mean as I did that night. I certainly will NEVER again pester my girlfriend about the emotions that she goes through on her period. It must be hell to deal with a form of hormonal imbalance once a month!

I mean to say this to any doctor who may read this...PLEASE warn your patients, at some point, that getting off of Paxil is no easy task...it has taken me two weeks, refilling my Ativan, and taking St Johns Wart (Pretty cool stuff)...to deal with these side effects. I, personally, would take a panic attack (and I've had some bad ones) ANY DAY over the sickness that I have felt coming off of this drug.

Now that I have vented, *WHEW*, I would like to once again thank all of you who have encouraged me and helped me to deal with these meds and situations...I truly have a special place in my heart for this board. If all goes well, I probably won't be visiting much in the future, but know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Rick E.

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by JohnL on June 25, 2000, at 5:44:36

In reply to Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by Rick E. on June 25, 2000, at 4:35:29

Rick,

So sorry to hear of your difficulties. They stir up similar frightening memories of my own. I weened off Paxil very slowly, much slower than you, but still had considerable withdrawals by day 3 after finally being totally off the drug. I found that 5mg or 10mg every other day or once every three days was just enough to get me through that tough time. Eventually it passed. I think it was about 3 weeks before I was finally free and clear. Unfortunately six months later I was just as bad off as before Paxil. So the saga continued. Many years and many drugs later, my miracle wonder drug has turned out to be Adrafinil. For me the serotonin route had been wrong all along.

Based on what I see in other peoples' posts, I get the impression that both Paxil and Effexor provide the most difficult withdrawals.
JohnL

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by SLS on June 25, 2000, at 8:45:12

In reply to Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by Rick E. on June 25, 2000, at 4:35:29

Someone should be able to recommend an effective taper schedule for discontinuing Paxil. I took it a long time ago and forgot how I went about it. I probably ended up biting off pieces of the tablet as needed near the end.

A common strategy for discontinuing Paxil and Effexor with minimal withdrawal effects is to use Prozac (fluoxetine) as a temporary substitute. Prozac and its metabolite have extremely long half-lives (7-14 days) - they stay in the body a long time and are eliminated very slowly. It is almost like an automatic gradual and smooth taper schedule. I don't know what the current thought is regarding how to do this, but in the past, some doctors gave one 20mg dose followed by one 10mg dose about a week later. Cam W. knows how this is done.

Whenever an antidepressant is to be discontinued after remission is achieved, it should be done very gradually anyway. This helps to minimize the risk of relapse.


- Scott

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by paul on June 26, 2000, at 23:03:33

In reply to Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by Rick E. on June 25, 2000, at 4:35:29

the dumbastit gp i was gettin mine from NEVER SAID A WORD re: sudden cessation and thanks to him and his endless incompetence i now have a fuller understanding of hell than ANYONE should ever even NIGHTMARE of. one of the first things my new doc mentioned was the extreme difficulty in getting off paxil. i feel extremely fortunate to have him on board. it reeks that so few so-called "professionals" are aware of this truth. in a perfect world they'd ALL have to FEEL IT for themselves. then perhaps a bit of humanity/humility would leak into thier "practices". oy!
pcl

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » paul

Posted by Rick E. on June 26, 2000, at 23:25:42

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by paul on June 26, 2000, at 23:03:33

> the dumbastit gp i was gettin mine from NEVER SAID A WORD re: sudden cessation and thanks to him and his endless incompetence i now have a fuller understanding of hell than ANYONE should ever even NIGHTMARE of. one of the first things my new doc mentioned was the extreme difficulty in getting off paxil. i feel extremely fortunate to have him on board. it reeks that so few so-called "professionals" are aware of this truth. in a perfect world they'd ALL have to FEEL IT for themselves. then perhaps a bit of humanity/humility would leak into thier "practices". oy!
> pcl

Paul,

You put it well...and as much as I try to stay focused on solutions instead of bitching...I have to agree with you here, as I am sure anyone who has felt the intense pain of getting off Paxil would. I really don't understand it, I mean, in 30 years I have NEVER felt the unbelievable pain the it caused me...I gave in it was so bad...and I have now put myself back on Paxil because I can't STAND the psychotic state that I was in trying to get off of it...I tried alot of suggestions...weaning...st johns wart...ativan...the only thing that I think would get me off of it is something that would put me to sleep for days...I have loads of will power, but this stuff has got me beat, and for now, I have to stay on it...I dont have the luxury of time much less the will to go thru this again. So I'm back on it, indefinately...thank-you so much pdoc...the drug companies that probably subsidize your income have got another addict...$75 a month for life as far as I can see...UGH

Thanks for the replies all.

Discouraged,
Rick E.

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by paul on June 28, 2000, at 0:28:26

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » paul, posted by Rick E. on June 26, 2000, at 23:25:42

rick-
after the extended contact with the gaping maw of hell itself was finished, i started researching the syndrome and found that the most commonly advocated form of easing the withdrawal was a single dose of prozac. seems its MUCH longer half-life eases the agony considerably. i ended up in the ER after five days of auditory hallucinations, inability to keep food down and straight-"A" craziness. the first thing they gave me was ativan and it gave me the first non-psychotic minutes i'd seen in what very much felt like three forevers. after about a week on ativan, most of the paxil withdrawal effects were gone. personally, i seriously question the worth of the drug itself. all it did for me was blow me up like a goddamn balloon. never did SQUAT for my depression-sure did a number on my finances though! i wish you the best of luck in getting off the trash-have you tried really small dosage reductions? how does herr dokktorr react to your situation?
pcl

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » paul

Posted by Rick E. on June 28, 2000, at 8:21:44

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by paul on June 28, 2000, at 0:28:26

> rick-
> after the extended contact with the gaping maw of hell itself was finished, i started researching the syndrome and found that the most commonly advocated form of easing the withdrawal was a single dose of prozac. seems its MUCH longer half-life eases the agony considerably. i ended up in the ER after five days of auditory hallucinations, inability to keep food down and straight-"A" craziness. the first thing they gave me was ativan and it gave me the first non-psychotic minutes i'd seen in what very much felt like three forevers. after about a week on ativan, most of the paxil withdrawal effects were gone. personally, i seriously question the worth of the drug itself. all it did for me was blow me up like a goddamn balloon. never did SQUAT for my depression-sure did a number on my finances though! i wish you the best of luck in getting off the trash-have you tried really small dosage reductions? how does herr dokktorr react to your situation?
> pcl

Paul, it's really comforting (and possibly selfish!) to know that I am not the only one who was experiencing the hell you described. When I finally took another Paxil, I was at the point that I was either going to give in and do that, or end up in the ER myself, and seeing as how the last time I did that they locked me up for a week against my will, they have effectively scared me away from doing that...so my only resort was to get back on the damn things. I have heard that Prozac is an option before. My doctor is away in Haiti doing missionary work, so I am finding it hard to be mad at him for being away on vacation...hehe...he is helping others. He will be back next week and I will talk to him about it then...he needs to do some serious research to find out how to get me off of this shit.

I have a prescription for ativan, and I use it to deal with the panic attacks that (I believe) are BROUGHT ON by Paxil...go to their website and read their dosage info...Paxil CREATES anxiety! Then, try to find an email address to write them. (There isn't one) What a crock. I'm tired of suffering and waking up every day feeling nauseated and disoriented. I have a question for you though, since you seemed to have some luck with ativan, #1, what is your body weight and #2, what strength ativan were you given? My script is for the lowest dose, 0.5 mg, but I double up on that when it is bad, and have taken as many as 4 (2mg) before at one time. I know that they prescibe ativan up to 5mg. Just wondering because it really didnt do much to curb the hell I was going thru, or I would probably be on the other side by now. Thanks again for your help!!!

Rick E.

 

Re: Serotonergic Withdrawl Syndrome » Rick E.

Posted by Cam W. on June 28, 2000, at 8:52:28

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » paul, posted by Rick E. on June 28, 2000, at 8:21:44

Rick - I think what Paxil's monograph means by "may cause anxiety" refers to the initial start-up side effects of Paxil. In the first couple of weeks of taking Paxil, as your body adjusts to the drug (up or downregulation of some neurotransmitters and receptors), the extra circulating serotonin can cause anxiety. As the post-synaptic serotonin receptors adjust to this extra serotonin the anxiety begins to go away.

Paxil is actually a decent drug for GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and I have seen it work wonders in a number of cases of panic disorder.

The majority of people have no problem stopping Paxil cold turkey, especially those taking low doses (10mg to 20mg daily), but others have one heck of a time weaning off of any SSRI. The SSRIs with the shorter half lives are the worst offenders for a withdrawl syndrome. Included with Paxil, and less often Luvox and Zoloft, is the seemingly worst offender for causing a serotonergic withdrawl syndrome is Effexor.

Slowly decreasing the dose upon withdrawl is the best way to minimize or avoid this syndrome. Again, most people do not have a problem discontinuing these meds.

My 2¢ - Cam

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by paul on June 29, 2000, at 0:17:39

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » paul, posted by Rick E. on June 28, 2000, at 8:21:44

> > rick-
im no skin'n'bones-around 200 most daze. i no longer recall the dosage but it was probably around what you mention. i remember very little from that time-but strangely enough, i'd never trade those few shattered memories for anything. looking straight into whatever i saw changed me forever. tomorrow doesnt mean SCHNIVE anymore. its twenty years down the road that i think about. we have both been somewhere we can NEVER hope to explain to another person. i've tried. it cant be done. will hope dr. missionary gets his arse back here TOOT-SWEET and gets you the help you need.
pcl

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by Rick E. on June 29, 2000, at 9:08:11

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by paul on June 29, 2000, at 0:17:39

> > > rick-
> im no skin'n'bones-around 200 most daze. i no longer recall the dosage but it was probably around what you mention. i remember very little from that time-but strangely enough, i'd never trade those few shattered memories for anything. looking straight into whatever i saw changed me forever. tomorrow doesnt mean SCHNIVE anymore. its twenty years down the road that i think about. we have both been somewhere we can NEVER hope to explain to another person. i've tried. it cant be done. will hope dr. missionary gets his arse back here TOOT-SWEET and gets you the help you need.
> pcl

AMEN. Thanks Paul.

Rick E.

 

half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)...

Posted by Scott on June 29, 2000, at 23:30:06

In reply to Re: Serotonergic Withdrawl Syndrome » Rick E., posted by Cam W. on June 28, 2000, at 8:52:28

Kind of ironic that one of the most HELLISH (according to much testimony) withdrawals is from PAXIL! I've been on it for a while, and I feel somewhat cheated: all of this time I could have been taking a daily methadone pill if I knew I would be facing withdrawals either way! Anti-depressant, anti-dysporic (another way to read pro-euphoric), what's the real difference? Opiates are better (for me at least) for anhedonia and dysphoria. Paxil has been...alright.

Don't forget that I'm, roughly, one-half kidding.

 

Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)...

Posted by paul on June 29, 2000, at 23:55:45

In reply to half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)..., posted by Scott on June 29, 2000, at 23:30:06

ok i'll bite-which half??
pcl

 

Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)...

Posted by Rick E. on June 30, 2000, at 9:24:58

In reply to Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)..., posted by paul on June 29, 2000, at 23:55:45

Well,

(great greeting, I know) I can say only this...for all the hell that I just went through TRYING to get off of Paxil, and now that I am back on it (Decided to go with 10mg a day), I am finally starting to "stabilize" or whatever...Cam had it right...I really freaked myself out there for awhile.

I will be on Paxil, indefinately, or until somebody gives me the end-all solution to getting off of it...for me, I will never willingly go thru that psychotic trip to hell again. Mr. Paxil, you've won this battle...


Rick E.

 

Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)... » Rick E.

Posted by SLS on June 30, 2000, at 12:20:47

In reply to Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)..., posted by Rick E. on June 30, 2000, at 9:24:58

> Well,
>
> (great greeting, I know) I can say only this...for all the hell that I just went through TRYING to get off of Paxil, and now that I am back on it (Decided to go with 10mg a day), I am finally starting to "stabilize" or whatever...Cam had it right...I really freaked myself out there for awhile.
>
> I will be on Paxil, indefinately, or until somebody gives me the end-all solution to getting off of it...for me, I will never willingly go thru that psychotic trip to hell again. Mr. Paxil, you've won this battle...
>
>
> Rick E.


Dear Rick,

Why have you ruled-out the Prozac-substitution strategy?

Do you feel that Paxil still offers some benefit to you other than preventing a withdrawal syndrome from discontinuing it?.


- Scott

 

Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)...

Posted by Rick E. on June 30, 2000, at 18:16:00

In reply to Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)... » Rick E., posted by SLS on June 30, 2000, at 12:20:47

> Dear Rick,
>
> Why have you ruled-out the Prozac-substitution strategy?
>
> Do you feel that Paxil still offers some benefit to you other than preventing a withdrawal syndrome from discontinuing it?.
>
>
> - Scott


Scott,

I havent completely ruled it out...it's just that for the last 3 weeks I have struggled tremendously with getting off Paxil, and knowing what I went through, I guess I am effectively scared to death to try it again any time soon. Yesterday and today are the first two days that I didn't have to spend the majority of time in bed or taking sedatives, I actually felt alive today, and for that reason, I guess that at least for now, I want to leave well enough alone.

Maybe I do need to be on Paxil still, I really can't say for sure, because I don't think that 9 days off of it is any real test. Thanks for your concern though, and when I feel "rested up" enough to try it again, I will try the Prozac route. Thanks.


Rick E.

 

Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)...

Posted by paul on July 1, 2000, at 0:02:11

In reply to Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)..., posted by Rick E. on June 30, 2000, at 18:16:00

r-
when does herr doktorb return from missionary work? a cannibal joke for you:
oh, i like missionary all right-but missionary doesn't like me!!
couldn't resist
pcl
it sounds like what you're battling is easily as ugly as what i went through-and there's a whole lot of the sad, sick tale you don't know yet. it was QUITE the epic. and my damn name AIN'T homer!
i ain't even GREEK!!

 

Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)... » paul

Posted by Rick E. on July 3, 2000, at 12:54:27

In reply to Re: half-joking thought (and, well, half-serious)..., posted by paul on July 1, 2000, at 0:02:11

paul,

Well, my doctor returns tomorrow...which, at this point, is no big deal to me cause I have managed to get thru the worst of this by myself, I started off on 10mg Paxil, took the first 20mg today, and I am feeling 500% better. Maybe I still need them...maybe I will always need them, just got done reading dr. bobs info about panic disorders and it says only 30% of people go off these drugs and never relapse...so I guess my biggest problem now is dealing with the fact that I might be on these things forever. I guess in comparison to what I went thru trying to get off of them, I am not gonna worry about it. Oh yeah, refilled my AD Remeron today and gonna start it tonite too...and got plenty of Ativan on hand for any effects...so wish me luck...my phone gets turned on wednesday...will be back online then (on parents computer right now). I had a hell of a time trying to move my furniture upstairs between panic attacks and laying down while everyone else was working...just glad it's over with...talk to ya soon

R

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by John F, on July 28, 2000, at 21:09:02

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » paul, posted by Rick E. on June 26, 2000, at 23:25:42

Hi, guys/girls...

been there, done that with Paxil...and YES, it was hell.....now going through my SECOND time coming off this drug.....I have been under MANY others for over 5 years for panic disorder (which is now gone, for the most part)....I am writing here to say that as bad as Paxil withdrawal was, it cannot come close to what I am going through right now....I became addicted to/dependent on Klonopin. I have been out of work for almost 6 months and no end in site. My life is in shambles now. I am still fighting with everything I have in me, but it wears me down so much.

I know this thread was for Paxil, but I had to write about Klonopin because my doctor and my family seem to be downplaying how I feel and what I am going through. Paxil is not the only drug doctors need to have a clue about....

I hope you all get well soon....

John

PS if anyone does want to reply to this, please copy it in an email to me...I found this post by chance and I am not sure I will be back again....thanks

Johnny118@aol.com


PSS...I don't mean to scare anyone from using Klonopin or any other benzo (Ativan, Valium, Xanax, etc.) they DO work great....but stopping them is MUCH harder than Paxil, at least for me....Good Luck

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by Mystery Bell on August 2, 2000, at 15:31:50

In reply to Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by Rick E. on June 25, 2000, at 4:35:29

I have been suffering with Paxil withdrawal for the past 14 days. I feel so much better each day. It was HELL and it may be for you, but you can do it.

Some history: I was prescribed Paxil 20mg 18 months ago because of OCD. The OCD didn't bother me much, but I had just acquired it and they were not sure how bad it could get. 20mg didn't do much, so I was put on 30mg. I took this for one year. Three months ago, my doctor thought I needed a larger dose and I went to 40mg. This is when my hell began.

I had problems with choking, hoarseness, loss of voice altogether, coughing, gasping for breath during sleep, and a feeling of "frogginess" in my throat. I went to three doctors and underwent AWFUL tests, to no avail. No one cared that I was on the Paxil. It couldn't matter. They were sure I had throat or voice box cancer. I was preparing for surgery...

Then I read 'US Prescribing Information for Paxil' and found my own problem. The increase in the Paxil was causing my problems. I quote "Events reported by at least 2% of OCD, panic disorder, and social anxiety patients are: abdominal pain, agitation, back pain, cough increase, depression, headache, hyperkinesia, infection, parethesia, pharyngitis, respiratory disorder, rhinitis, sinusitis, abnormal dreams, abnormal vision, chest pain, depersonalization, dysmenorrhea, flu syndrome, myalgia, respiratory disorder, impaired urination..." and it goes on.

Other symptoms were "chills, monialisis, bruxism, dysphagia, eructation, esophagitis, edema, lack of emotion, rhinitis, bronchitis, voice alteration..."

WHO WOULD PRESCRIBE THIS DRUG??

If you want to get off Paxil, you can. IT WILL BE DIFFICULT. I have epilepsy and did not have seizures for over two years. Getting off Paxil, I have had dozens of seizures each day. When you say you feel electrical zaps - YOU ARE HAVING SEIZURES! This is what a seizure is, a skip in the electrical impulse in the brain.

Here is what I have done. I tried weaning off the drug, but had withdrawal with each decreasing dose. Rather than have symptoms four times, I wanted to have them only once. I stopped totally 14 days ago. This is my survival pack:

Pycnogenol for the seizures. Aleve for the body pains and spasms. Tylenol Extra Strength for the headaches. Sominex to sleep. Dramamine for the spins and dizziness. All these are available at the drug store. IT IS WORKING.

When I see these doctors writing that the symptoms are not from withdrawal, I say BACK IT UP. You take 40mg for six months and then just quit.

They won't.

Good luck and God bless.

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » Mystery Bell

Posted by Scott_Edwards on August 9, 2000, at 21:18:25

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by Mystery Bell on August 2, 2000, at 15:31:50

Thanks for the suggestions! I've been on Paxil, 30mg, for over two years. A lot has changed in my life and I do not want to depend on a drug to maintain sanity! I was prescribed Paxil for Anxiety Attacks, that I thought were due to continued high stress situations. I've tried many times to get off of Paxil and failed. I've weened myself off pretty well this time and am still miserable. I went down to 10mg/day with little/no withdrawal. I was decreasing my dosage by 5mg/day once a week. At 5mg I tried to stop, but needed to continue another week on 2.5 (I had my doc prescribe 10mg pills and I cut them in forths). I discontinued taking Paxil altogether 10 days ago after 6+ weeks of decreasing dosages and am still experiencing frequent moderate headachs, nausea, dizziness and gag on the mildest foul odor (I wheeled the trash out to the curb tonight, it wasn't bad at all, but I still was gagging all the way down the driveway). I find laying down in the evening with a cold washcloth or one of those facial ice packs does wonders, but I really can't do that at work!

My will power is weakening but hopefully I can last a few more days and notice improvement. At times, like the other day, I had to have my wife pick me up from work because I was too dizzy and nauseous to drive.

Not to raise hell, but I asked my MD about these boards and the number of people having these issues. Everyone I personally know that have either tried to get off of Paxil or missed a few doses have had these withdrawal symptoms. He simply said that not everyone that has taken Paxil comes here to say how great it is. Only the few people who do experience these symptoms, noticing that he refrained to acknowledge they were withdrawal symptoms, come to these boards to complain.

In concluding, it appear that it is very possible to get off of Paxil; however the road is not as easy as your physician states and requires 6-8 weeks of decreasing dosages and a strong will power.

Good luck to all and God Bless.....

...especially to my MD if he take me up on my bet and takes Paxil and tries to get off!

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » Rick E.

Posted by juicykr on January 14, 2003, at 11:30:28

In reply to Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by Rick E. on June 25, 2000, at 4:35:29

I have just tried to wean off Paxil for Panic attacks and am so discouraged that I feel terrible and depressed and anxious all over again. Early Dec. 02 I went from 20mg to 10mg and then went off completely after I forgot to take a dose about a week ago. Then, last nite-did not sleep alllll night and was panicky and jittery. Yesterday I felt weird and depressed. Finally at 2:30 am or so I took 10mg and now feel some relief..does anyone know if I should move to 5mg next over a month or so?? I feel trapped now that I want to go off this med and get into some CB therapy and get on with my life unmedicated! I cannot afford to gain more weight, but also do not want to live feeling anything close to how I felt last night! Any input?
Kathy

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » juicykr

Posted by caroline h. on January 16, 2003, at 20:52:43

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » Rick E., posted by juicykr on January 14, 2003, at 11:30:28

> I have just tried to wean off Paxil for Panic attacks and am so discouraged that I feel terrible and depressed and anxious all over again. Early Dec. 02 I went from 20mg to 10mg and then went off completely after I forgot to take a dose about a week ago. Then, last nite-did not sleep alllll night and was panicky and jittery. Yesterday I felt weird and depressed. Finally at 2:30 am or so I took 10mg and now feel some relief..does anyone know if I should move to 5mg next over a month or so?? I feel trapped now that I want to go off this med and get into some CB therapy and get on with my life unmedicated! I cannot afford to gain more weight, but also do not want to live feeling anything close to how I felt last night! Any input?
> Kathy

First, the obvious: Have you consulted with your p-doc?

But having gone off paxil and klonopin i do have some advice. i know those moments when you feel you need the drug to get by-the really bad ones. my p-doc has had me take the smallest possible dose to get through the really terrifying moments.
like if it happens again, take only 2.5 mgs and see how you do. increase by small increments if necessary. paxil is not addictive but it does have withdrawal symptoms which, in my and my p-doc's experience are rebound effects of your affliction. you have to ride them through with as little or no meds as possible--the rebound/withdrawal effects should not last long if your dosage was 20 mgs--that's not a lot of paxil.

so no, i would not take 5 mgs a day for a month. it generally doesn't take that long to get off paxil. but you may be very sensitive to it. maybe i'm wrong, but i think you're almost there--to be paxil-free. you just got freaked by a rebound episode. you may have a few others, but as long as it's not every day, i think you're in good shape. just ride them out--no one ever said withdrawal would be pleasant.

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by Rachel Lynn on February 20, 2007, at 21:51:18

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL) » juicykr, posted by caroline h. on January 16, 2003, at 20:52:43

I have taken paxil for about 2 years and I have to say I know the in's and out's of the drug. I know the hell you pay for skipping a dose (or even just taking it a couple hours late, and as of yesterday, how nightmarish you feel when you are weaning off of it. Jolts of electricity all over your body when you move your eyes, head, or body. Blurred vision when you least expect it. Panic attacks that hit you when you are shopping for groceries, watching tv, reading, sitting at school, ANYWHERE! Chest tightness like you heart is attacking you, feels like the air you breathe in is empty and worthless. (Am I dying?)....I have to be, why would I feel this way if I weren't.
But her I am to see another day of horrid withdrawal symptoms. Does anyone out there who goes through this nasty problem have any suggestions for getting through it?

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by Rachel Lynn on February 21, 2007, at 9:15:11

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by JohnL on June 25, 2000, at 5:44:36

> Rick,
>
> So sorry to hear of your difficulties. They stir up similar frightening memories of my own. I weened off Paxil very slowly, much slower than you, but still had considerable withdrawals by day 3 after finally being totally off the drug. I found that 5mg or 10mg every other day or once every three days was just enough to get me through that tough time. Eventually it passed. I think it was about 3 weeks before I was finally free and clear. Unfortunately six months later I was just as bad off as before Paxil. So the saga continued. Many years and many drugs later, my miracle wonder drug has turned out to be Adrafinil. For me the serotonin route had been wrong all along.
>
> Based on what I see in other peoples' posts, I get the impression that both Paxil and Effexor provide the most difficult withdrawals.
> JohnL


I am seeking advice on weaning off paxil. I am down to 10 or 5 mg every other day. I started this routine about 3 days ago. How did you cope with the ultrasensory sensativity everyday? It is beyond managable, it's a nightmare!!!! Single moms should never start taking Paxil, even for postmartom depression!

 

Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL)

Posted by stargazer on February 22, 2007, at 8:44:17

In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal (Yes, Doctors, WITHDRAWAL), posted by Rachel Lynn on February 21, 2007, at 9:15:11

I believe many a small dose of Prozac as a way to control the withdrawl symptoms from other AD's.

Prozac stays in your body much longer than most AD's and is a much easier drug to come off of.

I know you probably don't want to hear about taking another drug but it does work as a temporary measure to help wean off the AD's that are so brutal to come off of.

If interested, you can ask your pdoc about this method, s(he) should know about doing this,although if the Paxil was prescribed by your OB/GYN or GP, they may not know.

Stargazer


Go forward in thread:


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.