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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lmoore on December 7, 2002, at 22:38:00
I have visited this site for two years. I have always appreciated the insight and experience that members have shared with each other. I have never considered posting until now. I was hoping someone might give me insight into their own experiences regarding Paxil withdrawal symptoms. I understand tapering methods and the such, but my interest really lies in hearing that it does get better.
After a careful plan of tapering from a 37.5 mg Paxil CR dose over several weeks,to no Paxil for one week now, I have noticed disturbing symptoms. I have accepted my diagnosis of depression and have lived successfully since 1996 with the help of Zoloft and recently Paxil. It is acknowledged by myself and my excellent pdoc that Paxil was not helping me. I am in the process of switching to Remeron and am quite agreeable to finding a med that has both an antidepressant and anti-anxiety component.
But, my withdrawal symptoms after being off of Paxil completely for one week now have been quite frightening. I am dizzy all day long. I hear whooshing sounds in my ears constantly. My muscles ache and my throat is raw even though I am sure I do not have the flu or a cold. I forget things constantly which is uncharacteristic of me. I am either laughing hysterically at things that are only sort of humorous, or I am sobbing at things that are only somewhat sad. I feel such an anger at things that today I actually thought to myself, "Why not just quit, give in..., get rid of this intense pain". But, I also am able to rationally surmise that this intense emotion is directly related to the withdrawal and hopefully will soon pass.
I guess I am just hoping to hear from members who have also experienced Paxil withdrawal and are now overcoming the symptoms. I know I will always be on medication and I accept this. I just need some encouragement to get through this fork in the road by knowing that these symptoms have been experienced by others and have been gotten through successfully. Thanks for any input.
Posted by Alan on December 8, 2002, at 8:48:05
In reply to Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms, posted by lmoore on December 7, 2002, at 22:38:00
I'm very sorry about your troubles.
If you would please describe the method of your withdrawal (duration, speed of decrease, etc), perhaps it will help us. Also did your doctor give you specific instuctions about the taper? That particular drug is, as you have perhaps read, well known for high amounts of complaints about the very symptoms you describe...
Best,
Alan
Posted by mattdds on December 8, 2002, at 9:30:14
In reply to Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms, posted by lmoore on December 7, 2002, at 22:38:00
lmoore,
This will go away! I went through Paxil withdrawal (old school Paxil, not the new CR). I went off because it did not help at all! The electric shocks (zaps), flu-like symptoms, splitting headache, and general "fuzzed out" feeling took about a month or so to subside for me. But it is gradually better over the month, so be patient. What a pain in the ass to withdraw from something that did not even help! In my opinion, tapered Paxil withdrawal is 100X worse than cold-turkey Klonopin withdrawal, I've done both. And at least Klonopin helps!
Sometimes just knowing that things will get better helps. Rest assured, though, that the withdrawal syndrome does indeed go away.
Best,
Matt
Posted by lmoore on December 8, 2002, at 12:45:53
In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms » lmoore, posted by mattdds on December 8, 2002, at 9:30:14
Thank you for your encouragement. I needed to "vent" my frustrations. I do feel emotionally much better today. The whooshing in my head is not as prounounced and I do not feel quite as dizzy. I did have the weirdest dreams last night though, startling awake several times.
I was on Zoloft 100-150 mg off/on (mostly on) for several years. It helped with depression but was not helping with the PTSD/anxiety component which seemed to worsening over time. Six months ago I was switched to Paxil with my full agreement. The switch from Zoloft to Paxil was done with no side effects. Initial dose was 20 mg qd with an increase to Paxil CR 37.5 mg after one month. After four months of this I noticed my depression returning full force. My anxiety was helped but I wanted off this med. My pdoc always takes my opinion into consideration and I basically told him I wanted off. He had wanted to try Remeron in the past and I told him I was ready to try this new med.
I think I pushed too hard to come off this med. The tapering dose was to be as follows:
Week One: 37.5 mg qd
Week Two: 25 mg qd
Week Three: 12.5 mg qd
Week Four: Paxil 12.5 mg qd, Remeron 30 mg qd
Week Five: Stop Paxil, Remeron 30 mg qd.I might add that for a year now I have been on Seroquel 25 mg qhs for sleep with excellent results.
I accelerated this plan on my own. I tapered from Paxil 37.5 to 25 mg over one week. I then titrated down to 12.5 mg over one week. 6 days ago I then stopped the Paxil completely and did not begin the Remeron as planned. I had planned on starting it but had work schedule changes come up and had been told I might want to begin Remeron when I had a few days off as initially I might experience grogginess.
I was advised I might not even have the need for Seroquel as Remeron would also help with my sleep problem (no trouble getting to sleep but frequent awakening after 1-2 hours, completely helped with Seroquel).
So, I am off Paxil and have not begun Remeron yet. I need to feel myself again, even if it means washing out these symptoms of withdrawal. I so greatly appreciate hearing that it does get better and I am beginning to see that reality.
Thanks again for listening and encouraging me in all that ways that members of PB do.
Posted by McPac on December 8, 2002, at 16:08:10
In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms, posted by lmoore on December 8, 2002, at 12:45:53
lmoore, listen to Matt.
These terrible withdrawal effects WILL go away...hang in there.
As for the Remeron, be careful about higher doses. 7.5-15 mg. is great for sleep; higher doses (perhaps 30mg. and up) for some people (like myself) kick increased adrenaline into gear. If you feel 'sped up'/nervous/heart pounding, etc., you may want to go with the lower dose.
Posted by lmoore on December 9, 2002, at 23:05:26
In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms, posted by McPac on December 8, 2002, at 16:08:10
My first time posting has been such a positive experience. Just hearing that it will get better has done wonders for me over the past few days.
The whooshing sound and dizziness have decreased about 50%. In fact, I feel so much better off of Paxil and only on Seroquel 25mg qhs that I may just hold off initiating Remeron. Of course I plan to discuss this with my pdoc this week. I certainly do not want to risk declining back into that terrible depression I lived with for so many years before being diagnosed and treated. We shall see.
I would like to add that I believe Paxil is the right med for many people. I do not intend to discourage those who need it from taking it. I have a good friend who has been on this med for two years and it practically saved her life.
Thanks for helping me get through a dark few days. I appreciate the help.
Posted by basketbev on April 6, 2004, at 18:06:24
In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms, posted by lmoore on December 9, 2002, at 23:05:26
I too have been trying to taper off Paxil CR. It's terrible! I'm glad to hear it gets better. I almost feel as if I'll never feel right again! I have an 11 year old who has been on Paxil for several years now. It works well for him, but now I'm scared to death of putting him through this withdrawal should we decide he needs to change meds.
Regarding the symptoms, is there anything to do other than tough it out? Does any normal, over-the-counter headache stuff help?
basketbev
Posted by Uisceros on April 26, 2004, at 21:46:49
In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms, posted by basketbev on April 6, 2004, at 18:06:24
I also had a bad withdrawl from Paxil, and many people have, however not everyone has that experience. If it's working for your son you should talk to you doctor because you don't want to put him through testing others if Paxil works. As for the symptoms, I think sleeping worked the best for me, though I'm sure something like Aleve, or Tylenol would work.
This is the end of the thread.
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