[jackfisher]

I was prescribed this drug for situational depression and anxiety due to job stress. I was told I could stop taking it any time I wanted with no side effects.

Almost immediately my alcohol tolerance more than doubled, and I began experiencing intense cravings for it. So I decided I was an alcoholic, started going to meetings, then an out patient rehab program. Still the cravings never stopped. Even after 6 weeks of not drinking I was experiencing many of the symptoms of the DT's, and when they would hit it was getting worse every time. My Dr. responded to this by increasing the dosage of Paxil and adding Klonopin. This worked for about 2 weeks, then I started noticing that I had been doing things and not remembering it, so I quit Klonopin. The DT's returned, my Dr. wanted to again increase the dose of Paxil, and I said no I want off this now. Finally he agreed, but he told me it's not the medication it's me, and I'll just have to learn the hard way. Even though I'm 36 and have no prior history self/family of hallucinations of all types, and many of the other symptoms of the DT's, or psychotic illness. I had given up on trying to quit drinking at that point and decided that I was a hopeless case.

I went cold turkey and 3 days later I was psychotic, so I started a taper that seemed to help, reducing the dose by 1/2 every 2 weeks with the final 2 weeks of 2.5 mgs. 3 days after that I was hit with all the symptoms of the flu, plus hallucinations, blackouts, seizures, surprised I survived. But I wasn't giving up. Now 3 months out I'm almost 100% symptom free, with one exception I was diagnosed with retinal detachment in my left eye last week, the retinal specialist told me this is most likely caused from Paxil withdrawals also. And my blood pressure which was normal before paxil but quickly rose to180/120 while on Paxil is back down to normal, and even though I'm still surrounded by alcohol I have no desire to drink excessively.

Now I'm mostly recovered from Paxil but my life and everything I had worked so hard for has been completely destroyed by it. Lost my job 2 dui's and no friends left. But I'm picking up the pieces and moving on. Glaxo Smith Kline, calls the withdrawal symptoms "discontinuation syndrome". The truth is it is drug withdrawal which by definition makes Paxil Highly Addictive, probably more so than anything else out there.

I know there are people out there that this drug has helped. But unless you're suicidal and have nothing left to lose, leave this one alone.

[Leed]

OMG!! I've never heard of a case like this, but I'm SURE there must be some!! This is AWFUL -- and I hope you'll report it to the manufacturers of this drug!! They need to know what it did to you!

I blame your doctor too! He should NOT have continued you on this drug -- and above all, he should NOT have increased it! Good grief, is he some kind of NUT or something?? He should have realized that you were reacting to the drug -- NOT becoming a "hopeless alcoholic." That doesn't happen "overnight." He needs to take more courses on medication/dosage! I'm afraid he is seriously undereducated!

I'm so sorry this happened to you. It just doesn't seem fair -- but life isn't fair, darn it. My prayers are with you -- God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee

[Caretaker Leo]

Just read this and started researching. I have been on Paxil for a few years, and was just recently diagnosed with hypertension. Never realized that it might be one of the lesser side effects. But now that I have read info at a few sites, I am wondering if the Paxil might be the cause of a number of physical issues I am dealing with.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting here jackfisher!