What Are The Withdrawals Of Coming Off Paxil?

[dshanks]

What are the side effects when getting off of paxil because I am on 20 mg daily along with other meds and I am wondering because I hope to one day be off meds. Right now they really help and when I miss a dose I have an attack of rage, depression and irritability.

 

[Anna5]

I was on Paxil from Jan. 1997-August 2000. I tapered the medication down very slowly, then when I finally was off of it I experienced sensitivity to light and sound. I had to keep my head under the blanket for a week. I even had static in my ears. Was very irratated. This lasted for a week and a half. Even though it was bad, I am relieved to be off the medication. Doctors never tell you when they perscribe the medication about the withdrawal symptoms. (I am finally off all my medications, but Paxil for me was the worst one to get off of.) Sometimes the symptoms came be so bad that people end up just staying on the medication. After I got over the worse of it I watched an episode on 20/20 about Paxil withdrawal. That is when I finally connected the way I felt as a Paxil withdrawal.

antidepressantsfacts.com/withdrawal-side-effects-SSRIs-emerging.htm

Everyone varies on how the withdrawal effects them. Never drop the medication abruptly than the withdrawal symptoms are even worse.

 

[Nadege]

I'm reviving this thread because I'm also trying to taper off Paxil. I have been on for almost two years now, the dose has been constant at 10mg. The pharmacist recommended cutting the pill in half and alternating a whole pill and half a pill. Starting that today - wish me luck!

 

[Nadege]

Update:
it's my sixth day on 5mg instead of 10mg. So far it's okay. There is some face and eye twitching, but quite tolerable. I have had mild headaches and a feeling of being weak and a feeling of being a little sick. It's okay though, no biggie. The sooner I'll get through this, the sooner I'll be off.

 

[Nadege]

Been off Paxil completely for about three days now. Still feel lightheaded and experience facial muscle twitching. Now my left eyelid twitches all the time. My response? Threw the four remaining pills in the trash.

My P prescribed me Xanax .25 mg just in the case things get difficult, well I took one pill last week on a day off when I was kind of upset. The result: I did not see any change in how I felt other than that it made me drowsy and I got under my blanket in the middle of the day. I don't think I'll be taking it.

 

[Nadege]

How come I'm getting no support here, MATES? Someone congratulate me already!

 

[toukon]

I will definitely offer kudos for making these changes. I am still on meds and don't see an end in my near future. Glad it is working out for you!

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Congratulations for getting off the paxil. I quit cold turkey and had no side effects.

 

[Nadege]

Not so fast. My symptoms are right back to intolerable, and I'm missing work. Going back on 10mg.

 

[Srain]

Hi Nadege,

I sympathize with your battle with anxiety because at this point (if you have been med-free for a couple of weeks) it was no longer the side effects of the paxil, is my guess. Are you working with a therapist on other ways to help manage your symptoms?

At the same time, when I was coming off paxil after being on it only after a short period of time, I experienced increased anxiety for a time before being able to settle down with an alternative. It was horribly unpleasant.

Take good care,
Rain

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I got off paxil cold turkey and had not bad side effects. I am lucky. I have gotten off alot of medications with no problems. I have gotten on meds with no side effects. I know this is rare. I wish you the best in going through withdrawel.

 

[Nadege]

Not so fast again! I am still off paxil, thought of going back BUT had a change of heart. I want to try something homeopathic, like Kava Kava drops.