Rock Bottom

Johnnny off Paxil · 04-10-2007, 06:52 PM

Well just when I thought things couldn't get worse...guess again.
After last nights introductory symptoms of sleep apnea and basically not getting any sleep. Well today at 3:00 PM on my way to see my acupuncturist.
At one point it felt as if all the muscles in my body were constricting. I had a major panic attack..though I must describe this one..basically anxiety..my breathing was weird..like I could get enough air, then I felt weak and woozy and almost passed out. My arms, all my back muscles, legs all "felt weak"....but of course if I needed to pick up a 50 lb sack..no problem.
So I got into my acupuncturists office..and then told her.."I really don't know if I should be going to emergency?" She took my pulse..79bpm.. blood pressure 148/80..thats getting high...so after few moments she did a few needles and I immediately calmed down and we we able to continue with the session.It did help a lot.

Now this is by far the worst episode so far..I never felt so weak like that..now I just feel worn out. This was a bad one.
So I guess this is what they mean about the 5&6th month mark..I am only beginning to understand why people go back to using ssri's..it is indeed very rough and scary.

Any advice or prayers would gladly be appreciated right now..light candle for me please..

Regards, Johnny

Amaya's Nana · 04-10-2007, 07:49 PM

Johnny -- you always offer such wisdom and good advice I don't feel quite qualified to even say anything to you.

All I can say is I know what you're going through. I know how hard this is. I know it can be scary and frustrating and you just want to throw in the towel and give up. So many times I wished I could've just taken that damn pink pill to make it all stop but I'd gone too far for Paxil to help me anymore. I wish that I could take it all away from you and every other person who suffers because of this drug.

I'm praying for you Johnny! Hang in there. It will get better.

scotty · 04-10-2007, 08:16 PM

Johnny.....BUT you got through it!! That is AWESOME!!!

nicemom · 04-10-2007, 08:21 PM

Mine hit more in the 7-8 month time frame but I had some really crazy stuff then. I remember posting here and asking if I were ok because I really wasn't sure. It was bad. I also had several panic attacks and I know how terrifying they are. It definately was w/d and it did pass. And I will add that when I got through it though, I was much better on the other side. I think there is major healing going on right now. The best advice I can offer is to rest as much as you can and to be patient. During this time I second guessed things just like you and I really considered taking those awful pills again. Now I would never dream of it. It is a phase and is temporary. Hopefully its the worst phase of the whole process. Hang in there friend!! I am praying for you!

pax80 · 04-11-2007, 05:27 AM

I can only say I have been praying for you and for all (me included) this has been rough for both ... hope you're better!

Buxy`s Back · 04-11-2007, 07:58 AM

aww thinking of you hun,i know i have hit a bad phase of it all again recently and had the same symptoms as you today when i had to go to the dentist yet again.It is scary and i too had a real bad stint at 7 mths off,but it passed and after that i did start to get some really good windows,i am sure relief isnt far away

jaden · 04-11-2007, 08:14 AM

I cant give advice on this one, I'm only a month into this hell called withdrawal. I can and am sending a prayer. It sounds like acupuncture is helping and thats one positive to focus on. Hang in there, I wish you the best.

Johnnny off Paxil · 04-11-2007, 01:04 PM

Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. I am feeling a little bit better today and suspect that what happened yesterday was a little bit more than a regular panic attack. But in fact this was some kind of seizure. But somehow the sleep apnea and the breathing issues are all related to the same thing. That in fact the panic attacks that began last summer were in fact some form of seizure. I now suspect that Paxil just made these things worse.

I started a new process looking for a new GP, their office is going through a bit of a transition, their main doctor is pregnant. So a secondary doctor is going to help share the work load. I have an appointment with her next week and I've submitted a full medical history and a discussion of my withdrawal symptoms on three sheets of paper. It is very carefully and meticulously written out, there should be no confusion about what is happening. I also concluded the letter with a statement about doctors and the medical establishments ignorance of withdrawal syndrome or protracted withdrawal syndrome from SSRIs. I also stated that any statement made by Dr. that I need to get a full psychiatric evaluation was and is regarded as a form of professional callousness.

Thank you all once again.

Best regards, Johnny

04-10-2007, 06:52 PM	#1
Johnnny off Paxil Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Persona Non Grata... I am No Expert on Nothing Posts: 3,105	Rock Bottom Well just when I thought things couldn't get worse...guess again. After last nights introductory symptoms of sleep apnea and basically not getting any sleep. Well today at 3:00 PM on my way to see my acupuncturist. At one point it felt as if all the muscles in my body were constricting. I had a major panic attack..though I must describe this one..basically anxiety..my breathing was weird..like I could get enough air, then I felt weak and woozy and almost passed out. My arms, all my back muscles, legs all "felt weak"....but of course if I needed to pick up a 50 lb sack..no problem. So I got into my acupuncturists office..and then told her.."I really don't know if I should be going to emergency?" She took my pulse..79bpm.. blood pressure 148/80..thats getting high...so after few moments she did a few needles and I immediately calmed down and we we able to continue with the session.It did help a lot. Now this is by far the worst episode so far..I never felt so weak like that..now I just feel worn out. This was a bad one. So I guess this is what they mean about the 5&6th month mark..I am only beginning to understand why people go back to using ssri's..it is indeed very rough and scary. Any advice or prayers would gladly be appreciated right now..light candle for me please.. Regards, Johnny

04-10-2007, 07:49 PM	#2
Amaya's Nana An "A bucket" gal! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 6,467	Re: Rock Bottom Johnny -- you always offer such wisdom and good advice I don't feel quite qualified to even say anything to you. All I can say is I know what you're going through. I know how hard this is. I know it can be scary and frustrating and you just want to throw in the towel and give up. So many times I wished I could've just taken that damn pink pill to make it all stop but I'd gone too far for Paxil to help me anymore. I wish that I could take it all away from you and every other person who suffers because of this drug. I'm praying for you Johnny! Hang in there. It will get better. __________________ a/k/a Lisa PAXIL FREE AS OF 3/18/06! Fully recovered! Focus your attention on the here and now. Recognize it for what it is: the one moment of the only life you will ever have that you truly possess. Rare is the individual who has come to completely accept that the past is no more than a memory and the future an assumption about unborn events.

04-10-2007, 08:16 PM	#3
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,008	Re: Rock Bottom Johnny.....BUT you got through it!! That is AWESOME!!! __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

04-10-2007, 08:21 PM	#4
nicemom Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 3,181	Re: Rock Bottom Mine hit more in the 7-8 month time frame but I had some really crazy stuff then. I remember posting here and asking if I were ok because I really wasn't sure. It was bad. I also had several panic attacks and I know how terrifying they are. It definately was w/d and it did pass. And I will add that when I got through it though, I was much better on the other side. I think there is major healing going on right now. The best advice I can offer is to rest as much as you can and to be patient. During this time I second guessed things just like you and I really considered taking those awful pills again. Now I would never dream of it. It is a phase and is temporary. Hopefully its the worst phase of the whole process. Hang in there friend!! I am praying for you! __________________ Diane On Paxil for 5+ years Weaned from 40mg to 15 over a 1 1/2 year period. From 15mg-0 May/June 06 (before finding PP) Protracted w/d from c/t. First 10 mths up and down but tolerable. Akathesia hit at 11 months. Many months of terrible mental and physical torture. 3/09 started Prozac but too stimulating. Currently on 15mg Lexapro and feeling so much better. Not all who waunder are lost.

04-11-2007, 05:27 AM	#5
pax80 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portugal Posts: 3,787	Re: Rock Bottom I can only say I have been praying for you and for all (me included) this has been rough for both ... hope you're better! __________________ 2002- 10mg diazepam(for a neck pain) 2003- 20mg seroxat(for benzo wd) 2005-stopped diazepam (1 year taper plus acupuncture) 2006-stopped paxil (1 year taper) 4 years free from drugs

04-11-2007, 07:58 AM	#6
Buxy`s Back Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: grimsby,england Posts: 4,468	Re: Rock Bottom aww thinking of you hun,i know i have hit a bad phase of it all again recently and had the same symptoms as you today when i had to go to the dentist yet again.It is scary and i too had a real bad stint at 7 mths off,but it passed and after that i did start to get some really good windows,i am sure relief isnt far away __________________ September 2009, not in severe hell just moderate hell, still recovering Joanne. LITTLE EVIL MEN HIDE BEHIND BIG COMPANY NAMES................QUOTE BY......MOI

04-11-2007, 08:14 AM	#7
jaden Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ottawa Posts: 45	Re: Rock Bottom I cant give advice on this one, I'm only a month into this hell called withdrawal. I can and am sending a prayer. It sounds like acupuncture is helping and thats one positive to focus on. Hang in there, I wish you the best. __________________ You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny. - Brihadaranyaka Uplandish IV.4.5

04-11-2007, 01:04 PM	#8
Johnnny off Paxil Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Persona Non Grata... I am No Expert on Nothing Posts: 3,105	Re: Rock Bottom Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. I am feeling a little bit better today and suspect that what happened yesterday was a little bit more than a regular panic attack. But in fact this was some kind of seizure. But somehow the sleep apnea and the breathing issues are all related to the same thing. That in fact the panic attacks that began last summer were in fact some form of seizure. I now suspect that Paxil just made these things worse. I started a new process looking for a new GP, their office is going through a bit of a transition, their main doctor is pregnant. So a secondary doctor is going to help share the work load. I have an appointment with her next week and I've submitted a full medical history and a discussion of my withdrawal symptoms on three sheets of paper. It is very carefully and meticulously written out, there should be no confusion about what is happening. I also concluded the letter with a statement about doctors and the medical establishments ignorance of withdrawal syndrome or protracted withdrawal syndrome from SSRIs. I also stated that any statement made by Dr. that I need to get a full psychiatric evaluation was and is regarded as a form of professional callousness. Thank you all once again. Best regards, Johnny

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