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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 Misunderstood on July 17, 2002, at 16:53:56
I stopped taking Paxil on July 13th after weening off of it for several weeks to a final dose of 10 mg/day. Over the last several days, I have felt awful eg. lightning bolts shooting throughout my body, dizziness, nauseau, malaise and paranoia. I feel like a heroin addict in a methedone clinic(not like I ever tried heroin or anything, but you get the picture). How long does this curse last? When can I expect to feel better? To those of you who have gone through this, is there any hope that I will not be permanently brain damaged by this awful drug?? Will I ever return to my normal cognitive functioning again?? Please advise.
Posted by katekite on July 17, 2002, at 17:52:48
In reply to Paxil Withdrawl Syndrome..when does it end??, posted by Misunderstood on July 17, 2002, at 16:53:56
I hate to say this but if it was me I'd taper more gradually and slowly. I had 2 months of withdrawal symptoms (not as bad as yours, mostly fatigue and headache) after having been on only 5mg/day for 3 months. So you might consider breaking a 10 mg pill in half and taking maybe 5 mg every other day for a week or two. 10 to 0 seems like a big jump. I don't know of anyone who had permanent cognitive impairment. So it will stop and you will feel better, but its hard to know exactly when. 2 weeks to 3 months, I think seems to be the range. Usually withdrawal symptoms will go away within a few hours of taking one pill of the old dose, though. True withdrawal. Hope it gets better quick. There are lots of descriptions of people tapering more gradually, of cold turkeys from high doses, etc on this site. You could do a search here under 'paxil withdrawal' -- kate
Posted by rainbowlight on July 17, 2002, at 22:49:34
In reply to Paxil Withdrawl Syndrome..when does it end??, posted by Misunderstood on July 17, 2002, at 16:53:56
I would have to agree. Even though I know how bad it is to want off of a drug now, I think you should taper slowly. I went through exactly what you are going through last summer. I figured the withdrawel effects would go away in time, 2 months later I ended up in the psych hospital. Everyone told me to restart the drug and taper slower but I didn't listen (learned my lesson, lol!) The good news is that the side effects do go away in time, you shouldn't suffer any permanent side effects (although I bet right now it doesn't feel like it). I wish you luck and hope you are feeling better real soon.
Posted by Sleepy Lizard on July 18, 2002, at 9:18:01
In reply to Paxil Withdrawl Syndrome..when does it end??, posted by Misunderstood on July 17, 2002, at 16:53:56
I had a hard time coming off of Paxil after 12 weeks on it too. Mostly feeling depressed, sleepy, withdrawn, and having emotional states of despair. I did not get the shocks like you are however. I went right onto Celexa which must have eliminated some of the effects however. I had similar problem then when i came off of Celexa. I'm sorry, I know how bad you can feel.
Posted by Geezer on July 18, 2002, at 10:18:13
In reply to Paxil Withdrawl Syndrome..when does it end??, posted by Misunderstood on July 17, 2002, at 16:53:56
> I stopped taking Paxil on July 13th after weening off of it for several weeks to a final dose of 10 mg/day. Over the last several days, I have felt awful eg. lightning bolts shooting throughout my body, dizziness, nauseau, malaise and paranoia. I feel like a heroin addict in a methedone clinic(not like I ever tried heroin or anything, but you get the picture). How long does this curse last? When can I expect to feel better? To those of you who have gone through this, is there any hope that I will not be permanently brain damaged by this awful drug?? Will I ever return to my normal cognitive functioning again?? Please advise.
I always wonder why people coming off SSRIs (serotonin withdrawl syndrome) don't take a few low doses of Prozac after D/Cing the SSRI. It has been mentioned on this board, several times in the past, the long half life of Prozac helps to diminish the withdrawl problems when the Prozac is then stopped. I D/Ced Prozac after 4 years of use with no side effects at all. All of my SSRI changes have been "cross-overs" so I wouldn't expect any symptoms in that case. I have learned to keep the pdoc involved to avoid serotonin syndrome - I get confused sometimes.
Just my thoughts.....if I am wrong I stand corrected!
Geezer
Posted by Misunderstood on July 18, 2002, at 19:49:29
In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawl Syndrome..when does it end??, posted by Geezer on July 18, 2002, at 10:18:13
I don't like the idea of taking Prozac to come off of Paxil. It's like smoking crack to come off of heroin. I am taking Neurontin now for anti-seizure therapy which was brought on by Paxil use, and was wondering if this might help and at what dosages? Anybody care to comment?
Posted by borderliner21 on July 18, 2002, at 22:03:37
In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawl Syndrome..when does it end?? » Geezer, posted by Misunderstood on July 18, 2002, at 19:49:29
I had a terrible time coming off paxil. I've been off it for almost year. I had withdrawal that lasted many months. I also had a rash on my face that has gotten less noticeable over time but the rash is still affecting me. Does this mean I may have permanent side effects from paxil?
Posted by Pattisun on July 19, 2002, at 19:06:31
In reply to Re: Paxil Withdrawl Syndrome..when does it end?? » Geezer, posted by Misunderstood on July 18, 2002, at 19:49:29
Hey, I understand what you are saying, HOWEVER, I tried like heck last year on my own to get off Paxil and only got down to 10 mg. And, it was terrible suffering and lots of willpower. Now, about a year later I am trying it again but I am taking a very low dose of Prozac and it has helped tremendously.
Just saw a new psychiatrist who (like SO MANY doctors) doesn't want me to stop taking paxil (??? why???)---so he upped my Paxil a little and had me stop the Prozac cold turkey. I had no side affects stopping the Prozac at all. I've since changed my mind and I AM coming off Paxil so today I started back on the low dose of Prozac. What a better feeling!!
Good luck either way. I also like this website, its helpful for Paxil withdrawal:
http://www.paxilprogress.org/Best wishes,
Patti
> I don't like the idea of taking Prozac to come off of Paxil. It's like smoking crack to come off of heroin. I am taking Neurontin now for anti-seizure therapy which was brought on by Paxil use, and was wondering if this might help and at what dosages? Anybody care to comment?
This is the end of the thread.
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