[Tess]

Forced to come off paxil due to finances. Have successfully weined down to 1/2 pill of the 12.5 dose - for the past month - I have read many of the horror stories re:coming off, if forced to go cold turkey so this is why I am cutting slowly as long as I can afford my prescription - need to know if anyone can share withdrawal info and how long this lasts? Right now I am in the ugly nasty give up swing but I am working with it - what is next? and how long??? Any info so I can mentally prepare and be aware so I don't loose a handle on this will be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.

[willoughby]

Hi
I'm on Paxil as well and love it. I'm on 20mg but in the winter take 30mg. I sometimes forget to take it for days and get very dizzy and agitated. I have gained weight as well. 60lbs. not to happy about that.
My cousin was on it too for a short time. She went through hell. I didn't think it was hard to come off it. She experienced body shocks and nightmares. I was so surprised to hear that. I'm pertified to come off it. I dont want to cause it helps with my anxiety and panic attacks. I'm afraid if I come off it I will go back to the panic attacks. fill me in on what your going through.

"you only have one chance to make a first impression"

[misstonya]

my doc just started me on paxil he gave me a months supply to try and then said if i liked it i could get a script for it. i dont even know how much but that scares me because i will be having to pay for it because i have no insurance. im on 12.5 and on day 3 today. I will get off of it i think if i start to gain weight because i have a problem with that anyway and that is scarey too..

Tonya Nicole

[willoughby]

miss tonya
The paxil did do wonders for my anxiety and depression. It takes time before you feel the effects of it. Give it a shot. I gained quite a bit of weight. But I think the feeling of being well out weighs the weight. Your on a small dosage. I'm assuming your working your way up to 20mgs? If I'm right, I think the smaller dosage is for anxiety and the larger doses are for depression? Keep me posted.

"you only have one chance to make a first impression"

[Starbuck]

Hi Tess,

Well, I won't encourage you saying that Paxil is a med. quite addictive.

My doctor took me off of it 3 yrs.ago.

Now, do you have a med care plan or something ?

The principle of getting off slowly is good, but don't burn it too fast, ok ?

Find a doctor who understands your needs.

Take care now

Starbuck

Born in 1963 of French mom and Canadian dad. Studied and worked (Majors in History, Theology. M.A. in Sociology).

[misstonya]

well after talking to me only once he could tell that I needed some help right away I dont know if he will increase my dose or not. my hands were shaking so bad I think it was just clear to him that i needed some help. I have not been to a doctor in 10 years. I had to kinda tell him a quick overview of what was bothering me and keeping me from sleeping and then the nightmares.. he just said try this for a month and i will see you back then and we can discuss percriptions.. i have no insurance and I hope he will kinda keep in mind that. I mean its worth it if it helps but i dont want to end up broke one day and cant get them filled and suffer because of it. he also started me out on 30 milagrams of Temazepam for resting. that seems to be working well. and thanks.. I sure cant afford to gain weight but if i do I do. it beats crying all the time and feeling like i have been for the past 6 months.
I will keep you all updated.. i am working on day 5 of treatment tomorrow. so its still very early in the battle.

Tonya (Brokenwing) my indian name

[Starbuck]

Hi Tonya,

I can understand what you mean by "being broken". I guess poverty has many faces these days...

What I struggle to understand is why, in the USA, can't you find a decent therapist.

A "quick overview" is not enough for him/her to know what is best for you...

As for me, the only problem you have is that you don't have a "family" doctor who can know what's best for you.

Hope you'll do well and be ok,

Starbuck

Born in 1963 of French mom and Canadian dad. Studied and worked (Majors in History, Theology. M.A. in Sociology).

[lorieann]

I decided about two months ago that Paxil was causing more harm than good. Believe me when I say it worked...it does work. Maybe too well.
but i couldnt do alot of things i used to be able to do and things that came naturally like.....
crying---i couldnt cry for anything. I couldnt write poetry anymore---i couldnt write songs...my stories werent coming anymore---i was forgetting everything...i wasnt intersted in sex with my partner anymore...i didnt even want to be touched ...not even hugged. If i missed a dose...you can tell immediently...whoosh whoosh
So...without telling my doctor (i dont reccomend this method) I stopped taking it. Days 1-7 were the hardest...i stayed in bed as much as i could...i was dizzy---tripping---running into things.
I had the horrible brain zaps you have prolly heard about...they were horrible in the first week...now i only have them occasionally...maybe 4-5 times a week...but not nearly as strong as they were at first.
I sweated my butt off for the first week...had to change my bedsheets every morning...regardless of the fact that the air conditioner was running.
I felt sick to my stomach
And i could feel my emotions slowly settling back down as my brain took over where the drugs had left off.
Its almost like Paxil puts you on auto pilot....telling your brain to take a nap while the Paxil does all the hard work.
all and all..... I am THRILLED to be free of it....i cant imagine what it would be like to get off of it after three or more years.
It just takes a little stick to itness to get over the first week hump...i chose to do it cold turkey because as silly as this may sound...I WAS MAD AT PAXIL.
I felt like it was robbing me...of me.
SSRI's are bad drugs in my opinion. I have been on most of them at one time or another in the past 14 years.
Yes...they do work. But I think there are other methods to be explored to deal with depression...other drugs...therapy.---hell even prayer...
it may be a workable solution to some people...but I dont like feeling addicted...and its a fact...you will get addicted to this drug.