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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Melody on July 31, 1999, at 3:13:31
Hi all,
I have never before read "message boards" until tonight because I never had a need to. I am going through Paxil cold turkey withdrawal and would appreciate any advice anyone has.
I am a 35 year old very healthy female. I have never been depressed, but my doctor started me on 20 mg of Paxil over two years ago due to insomnia that I was having. I was also grinding my teeth and she felt that this was due to anxiety at work. Me being a trusting fool asked about side effects, asked if it was addictive, was told no and started taking it. It took me about three weeks to get used to the Paxil, mild problems really, just a rash and also I didn't get my period for two months...which I didn't mind a bit! But my biggest complaint was that I absolutely could not have an orgasm with my husband. But the teeth grinding stopped and I was sleeping very well, so I continued on with the Paxil. Well, I have gained 60 pounds in the two years, just thinking I was a slob (although I have NEVER been overweight before this) until a friend of mine that works for a Pharmaceutical Company told me that Paxil is an evil drug. She said they called it the "fat-psycho pill" and she told me in no uncertain terms to get off of it. I went and saw my MD and told her that I wanted to go off of the drug...she said fine...just stop taking it then. Well I am on day 4 of my hellish withdrawal...I thought I had the flu, but now tonight I have been reading more on the message boards and realize that I am going through withdrawal. I just can't believe it. I am dizzy, vomiting, having diaherra and insomnia. When I do kind of doze off I have horrible dreams and am actually seeing things...things that I know aren't there. Listen people, I am a normal happily married wife and mother. I am a professional, and Accountant, and am not on any other meds. What should I do...how long will this last? I'm ok, but getting a little bit scared. Any replies will be greatly appreciated!
Posted by JohnL on July 31, 1999, at 5:31:05
In reply to Going thru Paxil Withdrawal - Need Advice Please, posted by Melody on July 31, 1999, at 3:13:31
Melody, so sorry for such an unpleasant experience. Paxil isn't normally what someone would be prescribed for insomnia. I am surprised your doc didn't give you proper instructions for discontinuation, especially after your body has been used to the drug for two years. It would have been more appropriate, and a whole lot more comfortable, to drop down to 15mg for a week, then 10mg for a week (you can split Paxil, with a knife if you have to), then 5mg for a week, then 5mg every two days for a week, and then done. You probably would have had a slight light-headed feeling for about a week when finally done, but NOTHING like what you've experienced. The whole process would take 3 or 4 weeks, but isn't that miniscule compared to the two years?
If you are still having severe withdrawals, you might consider getting back on Paxil at say maybe 10mg and then continuing with the slow taper down. Your friend's opinion is just that-an opinion-and there are thousands of people whos lives have been saved with Paxil. I guarantee you their opinion is quite different. I hate to get critical of your friend or your doc, but situations like this really get me heated up, because you've been exposed to pain that didn't need to happen. I don't think your friend or your doc did you any favors here. But that's the past, can't change it. A slow taper down should be quite mild. Stopping an AD abruptly is not cool, can be dangerous, can be extremely uncomfortable, and is not standard practice. I am astounded at the doc's lax attitude about this.Please take care? JohnL.
Posted by DJ on July 31, 1999, at 6:03:39
In reply to Re: Going thru Paxil Withdrawal - Need Advice Please, posted by JohnL on July 31, 1999, at 5:31:05
> I am astounded at the doc's lax attitude about this.Please take care? JohnL.
Doctor's lax attitudes and ignorance about the effects of some of these psychopharmaceuticals is not uncommon in my experience. One reason doubtless being that the literature put out by the pharmaceutical companies is less than forthright about these effects. Maybe if the manfacturers and the prescribers had to test them out themselves they might demonstrate some sensitivity.
I've had equally harsh experiences coming off Paxil and Zoloft, both of which I found discombobulating to be on because of the numbing and deep, yawning effects (the latter which I've never seen noted other than on here and which my former psych. was cavilier about). Gradually decreasing the dosage might have been the preferred approach but after the first rude experience I switched to Prozac to taper off and that did the trick as it takes longer to eliminate itself from one's system and hence the effect is not so rude and wrenching.
Once you've weaned yourself off the Paxil if you feel the need for another anti-anxiety agent which may be gentler on your system you may want to research and check out 5HTP. However yoga, meditation, tai chi or deep relaxation routines might help you equally or more as well as deep breathing techniques and all would be gentler and more beneficial to your system than these chemcal cocktails, which doctors are sometimes too quick to hand out and other times too slow. The best to you!
Posted by Brenda D. on October 14, 2000, at 17:57:14
In reply to Going thru Paxil Withdrawal - Need Advice Please, posted by Melody on July 31, 1999, at 3:13:31
I have only been on Paxil (30mg) 8 mos. I let my
prescription run out over a 3 day weekend. Well,
by the 3rd day, I was miserable. I didn't know
it was connected to the Paxil, until I saw the
60minutes (or 20/20) show. The show was a
blessing. I went to my dr. and told her I wanted
off this medicine. So, she told me to take 20mg a
day for a week, then 10mg a day for a week, then
I should be fine. I am already into my 2nd week,
and I am not feeling any better. I am experiencing
spinning in my head, when I move my eyes, my
brain seems to go the other way, I sense a
snapping in my head, and a terrible constant
ringing in my head, I am nauseated, and I am
having insomnia. How much longer will this last?
Is there any type of relief to ease the symptoms?
This is a horrible, nasty drug.
Posted by Snowie on October 17, 2000, at 17:25:43
In reply to Going thru Paxil Withdrawal - Need Advice Please, posted by Brenda D. on October 14, 2000, at 17:57:14
Brenda,
My new (soon to be old) pdoc wants me to take Paxil, and I have adamantly refused. Fortunately, I can't help you with Paxil withdrawal symptoms. However, I'm certain that this subject has been discussed oodles of times in the past on here. What I suggest is that you do a search at the top and see what you come up with.
Good luck! I've heard that switching to Prozac can help with the Paxil withdrawal symptoms. Then once you're better you can withdraw from Prozac since it has a much longer half-life than Paxil.
Snowie
> I have only been on Paxil (30mg) 8 mos. I let my
> prescription run out over a 3 day weekend. Well,
> by the 3rd day, I was miserable. I didn't know
> it was connected to the Paxil, until I saw the
> 60minutes (or 20/20) show. The show was a
> blessing. I went to my dr. and told her I wanted
> off this medicine. So, she told me to take 20mg a
> day for a week, then 10mg a day for a week, then
> I should be fine. I am already into my 2nd week,
> and I am not feeling any better. I am experiencing
> spinning in my head, when I move my eyes, my
> brain seems to go the other way, I sense a
> snapping in my head, and a terrible constant
> ringing in my head, I am nauseated, and I am
> having insomnia. How much longer will this last?
> Is there any type of relief to ease the symptoms?
> This is a horrible, nasty drug.
Posted by Bill L on October 18, 2000, at 9:04:59
In reply to Going thru Paxil Withdrawal - Need Advice Please, posted by Brenda D. on October 14, 2000, at 17:57:14
It's true that Paxil is not for everyone, but it does help a lot of people. Paxil is one of the most widely taken drugs in the USA. Why did you stop taking it over the 3 day weekend? Were you feeling OK while on it for the 8 months? If so, go back on it. It really is a great drug for a lot of people.
> I have only been on Paxil (30mg) 8 mos. I let my
> prescription run out over a 3 day weekend. Well,
> by the 3rd day, I was miserable. I didn't know
> it was connected to the Paxil, until I saw the
> 60minutes (or 20/20) show. The show was a
> blessing. I went to my dr. and told her I wanted
> off this medicine. So, she told me to take 20mg a
> day for a week, then 10mg a day for a week, then
> I should be fine. I am already into my 2nd week,
> and I am not feeling any better. I am experiencing
> spinning in my head, when I move my eyes, my
> brain seems to go the other way, I sense a
> snapping in my head, and a terrible constant
> ringing in my head, I am nauseated, and I am
> having insomnia. How much longer will this last?
> Is there any type of relief to ease the symptoms?
> This is a horrible, nasty drug.
Posted by R.Anne on October 19, 2000, at 22:29:48
In reply to Going thru Paxil Withdrawal - Need Advice Please, posted by Brenda D. on October 14, 2000, at 17:57:14
I, too, was wondering why you went off it if it was helping you? Was it helping you in the first place? I take Paxil and it has helped me but I also take effexor. If you are going to continue the withdrawal, I would do things to try to relax as much as possible. Do you have a tranquilizer to take? A low dose, that is. That usually helps me in those situations. You can call your doctor, too. Hot baths and short walks help me, too.
> I have only been on Paxil (30mg) 8 mos. I let my
> prescription run out over a 3 day weekend. Well,
> by the 3rd day, I was miserable. I didn't know
> it was connected to the Paxil, until I saw the
> 60minutes (or 20/20) show. The show was a
> blessing. I went to my dr. and told her I wanted
> off this medicine. So, she told me to take 20mg a
> day for a week, then 10mg a day for a week, then
> I should be fine. I am already into my 2nd week,
> and I am not feeling any better. I am experiencing
> spinning in my head, when I move my eyes, my
> brain seems to go the other way, I sense a
> snapping in my head, and a terrible constant
> ringing in my head, I am nauseated, and I am
> having insomnia. How much longer will this last?
> Is there any type of relief to ease the symptoms?
> This is a horrible, nasty drug.
This is the end of the thread.
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