Is this normal?

12-19-2002, 08:19 PM

Two weeks ago I went from 30 mgs. to something like 27.25 then after two weeks went to 22.50...it's been only 2 days on 22.5, but so far I'm not experiencing any withdrawal symptoms. Am I getting ready for the big fall? Will I crash soon? I'm doing okay and it's the holidays to boot!

My main objective is to (honestly!) regain my sex life!

Although this drug has helped me regain the courage to do things I used to panic about, I also lost a lot of my own personality. So, for now, my goal is to get on a low dose as possible and then reorganize my thoughts on getting off completely.

Oh and one more thing....I've gained 45 pounds and lately have been craving caffeine or alcohol....maybe I'm experiencing withdrawal symptoms after all...hmmm..

Any thoughts?

Thanks!!! Sue

12-19-2002, 08:41 PM

Don't really know if you're getting ready for the big crash or not, as everyone is different. You may be one of the lucky individuals that will have no extreme withdrawals. I sure hope so. But I don't think I would continue such fast decreases. 2.5 mg decrease is fine, I think, but I would stay on each dose for at least 4 weeks. That's how my doctor is doing mine. Sometimes, I begin awful withdrawals right away, sometimes it takes a couple of days, and sometimes I've had some of my withdrawal effects as much as 10 days to two weeks later. I'm just gonna hope that you are one of the lucky ones.

safarigal · 12-20-2002, 07:35 AM

Hi Sue

Like Jackie said, there really is no "normal" when it comes to withdrawaing from Paxil. You may be among the lucky ones who experience few withdrawal symptoms when coming off Paxil. It could also be that the small decreases right now aren't affecting you the way a decrease of 10mg would.

When I started tapering from Paxil I decreased initially in 5mg increments and did feel withdrawal symptoms. Once I got below 15mg I decreased much slower.

Just remember that the Paxil masked your symptoms and did not cure the anxiety/panic/depression. So don't be surprised if the anxiety/panic comes back. Check out the other posts for info on fish oil and 5htp. I also managed to find a great psychologist who is going to help me beat this anxiety/panic/depression once and for all.

JulieG · 12-20-2002, 08:00 AM

I agree with the other two about everything they said. I wanted to comment about the cravings. When I was withdrawing I craved carbs and caffeine. My doc told me I had an underlying eating disorder that paxil had apparently been treating. I seriously doubt it. I just think our brains are being re-wired and are doing funky things. I hope that craving alcohol and caffeine are all the probs you get from stopping paxil. That would just be too cool. Doesn't the weight gain SUCK?

12-20-2002, 09:02 AM

ok julieg. your docter scares me.... you posted:
"I agree with the other two about everything they said. I wanted to comment about the cravings. When I was withdrawing I craved carbs and caffeine. My doc told me I had an underlying eating disorder that paxil had apparently been treating. I seriously doubt it. "
I SERIOUSLY DOUBT IT TOO. just because you're craving food does NOT mean you have an underlying disorder. gosh if that was the case, everyone I know would have one. there are reasons for food cravings... both emotional and biological.
when i was going through the initial crash, i CRAVED (despite the nausea) hoagies/submarine sandwiches. i'd eat em for breakfast lunch and dinner. i CRAVED lots of stuff and i KNOW i have no eating disorder. it's weird becuase my symptoms have been compared to pregnancy and PMS. I found i really liked SALTY CARBS... but that seems to have subsided, with that nausea.
and yah the weight gain SUCKS and i feel like my metabolism got the run around on and off paxil.

gosh i am SO GLAD that you are aware and know your docter is talking crazy. (i'm not a docter and this whole posting is my own thoughts/speculation) FEEL GOOD!

:P

12-20-2002, 09:04 AM

Okay! I'll keep at the 22.5 for longer than my first 2 week reduction. Such great advise from y'all. I was also wondering if my seeing a therapist would help in addition to the alternative "natural" supplements I've read on this site. I just afraid that since the Paxil was so potent that any herbal remedies would be too whimpy.

Thanks for being here!! AND Happy Holidays!

Sue

12-27-2002, 05:11 PM

Hey guys,

I was tapering a switch from Paxil to Celexa once and when I was down below 5mg on the Paxil I started CONSTANTLY craving chocolate. After gaining 50 pounds on the Paxil, the last thing I needed was MORE. So YES, the cravings are a withdrawal symptom. NOT some underlying eating disorder - that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. A total cop-out on the part of your doctor. I got off the Celexa and ended up back on about 15mg of Paxil (and I'm tapering/switching to Prozac now)... but anything is better than MORE weight gain. GEEEZ.

Also, things like 5-HTP and SAMe affect your seratonin levels and DO make a difference. Especially to those of us who've been on SSRI's since the first one was invented in 1988 (my stupid parents started all this). It's a struggle to switch them around in the hopes of dropping the easiest one in the end (which I'm hoping is Prozac because it sure as hell wasn't Celexa...that had it's own pile of withdrawals - really heavy on the sweating and hot flashes.)

So what's my point? Yes, you are experiencing some withdrawals. But if you don't have flu symptoms or zaps you're doing really well!!!!

-Tara

12-28-2002, 11:16 AM

Okay so I'm not so unique....ha! We all have some type of nasty withdrawal or effect from the Pee word.

It's been especially hard since the holidays - chocolate EVERYWHERE. I'm cleaning out my house today - no junk food! I just cannot believe HOW MUCH weight I've gained!

I'm on 1/2+ 1/4 pill of the 30 mgs. In another week it'll be time to cut to 1/2 + 1/8 I'll be on something like 18.75!!!!!

That's less than the original 20 I started on last year (until my md said go up to 30 last spring) Whoa!! I"M NERVOUS, BUT WILLING TO TRY IT because I really miss my sex life. I'm too young to stop enjoying sex!

Happy New Year to All!

Sue aka Geena

JulieG · 12-28-2002, 12:00 PM

The Pee word. I love it!

Yeah, I'm cleaning my cupboards out today too! Then maybe all my cravings will be gone by the time Cadbury's Creme eggs hit the shelves at Easter.

You sound like you're doing great! Before we know it we'll all have sex lives again! I know I can't wait! When I went to 7.5mgs I thought I was at a good dose because mine came back but it was only a temporary reprieve. Still waiting for another...

12-28-2002, 04:04 PM

It's been 4 days since quitting paxil totally and completely and my symptoms haven't been horrible - yet! Before that I had stopped a couple days - then taken a small dose, then skipped a day and so on. Maybe it won't get bad for me but I'm still afraid! Reading about everyone elses experiences with withdrawal on here and other paxil websites - scared the hell out of me!

So far I'm just dizzy/vertigo, naseau, feeling weird...some aching - and a headache all the time. Feel blah and I realize that some of my previous anxiety might return - but damn it will be nice to feel emotions again!

Only been on the paxil for 2 1/2 years - that might help lessen the severity of withdrawal. One strange thing - I don't want to drink that much alcohol - which I love to do on the weekends! And my appetitie has descreased alot.

12-28-2002, 08:49 PM

Glad to hear your symptoms are not as traumatic as some I have read on this website. I was on 25 mg. and have tapperd to l/2 a pill for two weeks then to 1/4 for 1 week and now on my third day without any......I have very little energy and today the dizziness has been so bad that I have been taking dramamine just to feel some sort of normalsy(sp) in my life. My emotions seem to be running away with me.

Does anyone know how long this dizziness last???? Is this a good withdrawal or is there more to expect?? The night sweats are about to drowned me!!!!

Keep your chin up maybe we will come off of this crap without the zaps and other symptoms that some are having. S

12-29-2002, 01:03 PM

Deidre,

I have the dizziness also - and probably should take dramamine to help - it sucks being dizzy! The zaps haven't occurred yet. I would have them while on paxil - also when sleeping or just drifting off to sleep. When I go to bed I'm freezing - then in the middle of the night - really hot! Sweating! But I can deal with this so far... How about your appetitie? Has that changed at all?

12-29-2002, 07:31 PM

"Does anyone know how long this dizziness last???? "

I can't say for sure how long it lasts for the average person but I am right at 90 days Paxil-free and I am still having dizzy spells. I might not have them every day but once I have one I know the rest of the day will be full of them.

Hope you have better luck. Hang in there!

D.

12-31-2002, 09:23 AM

Well, I don't exactly remember what day I am on without the Paxil 5 or 6 or 7. Things are going downhill from here. I thought I was having a mild withdrawal...I was soooo wrong. The dizziness continues and now I am assuming I am having the "zaps".. feels and sound like a hot air balloon firing in my head, night time is the worse, everything is echoing in my head while these zaps occur. Little sleep and aching all over. If I didn't know better I would think I had the flu. Is there anything I can do to feel better?????This is sucking. I couldn't even make myself go to work today. Was thinking about getting back on my old anti-depressant (serzone) just to help get thru this? Any thoughts from anyone??

Cindy · 12-31-2002, 03:35 PM

Dear Guest,

It will probably last a while...the dizziness, the zaps...and I especially like your metaphor about the hot air balloon going off in your head..."God, how I remember that.

I am now about four and a half months paxil free...and most of the physical symptoms abated for me at about 2 months...but the lingering emotionalism continues for quite a while longer (at least for some of us)...and unfortunately in my case my "panic disorder" has returned without paxil...so now I have to fight that.

Each case is slightly different...and although your "brain probably feels like mush"...try to read some of the old posts...especially NM's about what to do naturally during withdrawal. I sincerely endorse the use of a multi B vitamin as well as using Fish Oil Capsules...I take both even now.

Hang in there...and know that it will get better...but not immediately...and savour the hours or the minutes in the day when you actually feel "normal".

Cindy

12-19-2002, 08:19 PM	#1
Anonymous Posts: n/a	Is this normal? Two weeks ago I went from 30 mgs. to something like 27.25 then after two weeks went to 22.50...it's been only 2 days on 22.5, but so far I'm not experiencing any withdrawal symptoms. Am I getting ready for the big fall? Will I crash soon? I'm doing okay and it's the holidays to boot! My main objective is to (honestly!) regain my sex life! Although this drug has helped me regain the courage to do things I used to panic about, I also lost a lot of my own personality. So, for now, my goal is to get on a low dose as possible and then reorganize my thoughts on getting off completely. Oh and one more thing....I've gained 45 pounds and lately have been craving caffeine or alcohol....maybe I'm experiencing withdrawal symptoms after all...hmmm.. Any thoughts? Thanks!!! Sue

12-20-2002, 07:35 AM	#3
safarigal Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,879	Hi Sue Like Jackie said, there really is no "normal" when it comes to withdrawaing from Paxil. You may be among the lucky ones who experience few withdrawal symptoms when coming off Paxil. It could also be that the small decreases right now aren't affecting you the way a decrease of 10mg would. When I started tapering from Paxil I decreased initially in 5mg increments and did feel withdrawal symptoms. Once I got below 15mg I decreased much slower. Just remember that the Paxil masked your symptoms and did not cure the anxiety/panic/depression. So don't be surprised if the anxiety/panic comes back. Check out the other posts for info on fish oil and 5htp. I also managed to find a great psychologist who is going to help me beat this anxiety/panic/depression once and for all. __________________ Julie Paxil free since Nov 2002! Forum Rules Withdrawal FAQ

12-20-2002, 09:02 AM	#5
Anonymous Posts: n/a	i can't believe your docter ok julieg. your docter scares me.... you posted: "I agree with the other two about everything they said. I wanted to comment about the cravings. When I was withdrawing I craved carbs and caffeine. My doc told me I had an underlying eating disorder that paxil had apparently been treating. I seriously doubt it. " I SERIOUSLY DOUBT IT TOO. just because you're craving food does NOT mean you have an underlying disorder. gosh if that was the case, everyone I know would have one. there are reasons for food cravings... both emotional and biological. when i was going through the initial crash, i CRAVED (despite the nausea) hoagies/submarine sandwiches. i'd eat em for breakfast lunch and dinner. i CRAVED lots of stuff and i KNOW i have no eating disorder. it's weird becuase my symptoms have been compared to pregnancy and PMS. I found i really liked SALTY CARBS... but that seems to have subsided, with that nausea. and yah the weight gain SUCKS and i feel like my metabolism got the run around on and off paxil. gosh i am SO GLAD that you are aware and know your docter is talking crazy. (i'm not a docter and this whole posting is my own thoughts/speculation) FEEL GOOD! :P

12-27-2002, 05:11 PM	#7
Tara Posts: n/a	The cravings and weight gain Hey guys, I was tapering a switch from Paxil to Celexa once and when I was down below 5mg on the Paxil I started CONSTANTLY craving chocolate. After gaining 50 pounds on the Paxil, the last thing I needed was MORE. So YES, the cravings are a withdrawal symptom. NOT some underlying eating disorder - that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. A total cop-out on the part of your doctor. I got off the Celexa and ended up back on about 15mg of Paxil (and I'm tapering/switching to Prozac now)... but anything is better than MORE weight gain. GEEEZ. Also, things like 5-HTP and SAMe affect your seratonin levels and DO make a difference. Especially to those of us who've been on SSRI's since the first one was invented in 1988 (my stupid parents started all this). It's a struggle to switch them around in the hopes of dropping the easiest one in the end (which I'm hoping is Prozac because it sure as hell wasn't Celexa...that had it's own pile of withdrawals - really heavy on the sweating and hot flashes.) So what's my point? Yes, you are experiencing some withdrawals. But if you don't have flu symptoms or zaps you're doing really well!!!! -Tara

12-28-2002, 11:16 AM	#8
Geena Posts: n/a	Thanks.... Okay so I'm not so unique....ha! We all have some type of nasty withdrawal or effect from the Pee word. It's been especially hard since the holidays - chocolate EVERYWHERE. I'm cleaning out my house today - no junk food! I just cannot believe HOW MUCH weight I've gained! I'm on 1/2+ 1/4 pill of the 30 mgs. In another week it'll be time to cut to 1/2 + 1/8 I'll be on something like 18.75!!!!! That's less than the original 20 I started on last year (until my md said go up to 30 last spring) Whoa!! I"M NERVOUS, BUT WILLING TO TRY IT because I really miss my sex life. I'm too young to stop enjoying sex! Happy New Year to All! Sue aka Geena

12-19-2002, 08:41 PM	#2
Jackie Posts: n/a	Don't really know if you're getting ready for the big crash or not, as everyone is different. You may be one of the lucky individuals that will have no extreme withdrawals. I sure hope so. But I don't think I would continue such fast decreases. 2.5 mg decrease is fine, I think, but I would stay on each dose for at least 4 weeks. That's how my doctor is doing mine. Sometimes, I begin awful withdrawals right away, sometimes it takes a couple of days, and sometimes I've had some of my withdrawal effects as much as 10 days to two weeks later. I'm just gonna hope that you are one of the lucky ones.

12-20-2002, 08:00 AM	#4
JulieG Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 589	I agree with the other two about everything they said. I wanted to comment about the cravings. When I was withdrawing I craved carbs and caffeine. My doc told me I had an underlying eating disorder that paxil had apparently been treating. I seriously doubt it. I just think our brains are being re-wired and are doing funky things. I hope that craving alcohol and caffeine are all the probs you get from stopping paxil. That would just be too cool. Doesn't the weight gain SUCK?

12-20-2002, 09:04 AM	#6
Anonymous Posts: n/a	Okay! I'll keep at the 22.5 for longer than my first 2 week reduction. Such great advise from y'all. I was also wondering if my seeing a therapist would help in addition to the alternative "natural" supplements I've read on this site. I just afraid that since the Paxil was so potent that any herbal remedies would be too whimpy. Thanks for being here!! AND Happy Holidays! Sue

12-28-2002, 12:00 PM	#9
JulieG Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 589	The Pee word. I love it! Yeah, I'm cleaning my cupboards out today too! Then maybe all my cravings will be gone by the time Cadbury's Creme eggs hit the shelves at Easter. You sound like you're doing great! Before we know it we'll all have sex lives again! I know I can't wait! When I went to 7.5mgs I thought I was at a good dose because mine came back but it was only a temporary reprieve. Still waiting for another...

12-28-2002, 04:04 PM	#10
Virgo830 Posts: n/a	It's been 4 days since quitting paxil totally and completely and my symptoms haven't been horrible - yet! Before that I had stopped a couple days - then taken a small dose, then skipped a day and so on. Maybe it won't get bad for me but I'm still afraid! Reading about everyone elses experiences with withdrawal on here and other paxil websites - scared the hell out of me! So far I'm just dizzy/vertigo, naseau, feeling weird...some aching - and a headache all the time. Feel blah and I realize that some of my previous anxiety might return - but damn it will be nice to feel emotions again! Only been on the paxil for 2 1/2 years - that might help lessen the severity of withdrawal. One strange thing - I don't want to drink that much alcohol - which I love to do on the weekends! And my appetitie has descreased alot.

12-28-2002, 08:49 PM	#11
Anonymous Posts: n/a	normal?? Glad to hear your symptoms are not as traumatic as some I have read on this website. I was on 25 mg. and have tapperd to l/2 a pill for two weeks then to 1/4 for 1 week and now on my third day without any......I have very little energy and today the dizziness has been so bad that I have been taking dramamine just to feel some sort of normalsy(sp) in my life. My emotions seem to be running away with me. Does anyone know how long this dizziness last???? Is this a good withdrawal or is there more to expect?? The night sweats are about to drowned me!!!! Keep your chin up maybe we will come off of this crap without the zaps and other symptoms that some are having. S

12-29-2002, 01:03 PM	#12
Virgo830 Posts: n/a	Deidre, I have the dizziness also - and probably should take dramamine to help - it sucks being dizzy! The zaps haven't occurred yet. I would have them while on paxil - also when sleeping or just drifting off to sleep. When I go to bed I'm freezing - then in the middle of the night - really hot! Sweating! But I can deal with this so far... How about your appetitie? Has that changed at all?

12-29-2002, 07:31 PM	#13
D. Posts: n/a	Re: normal?? "Does anyone know how long this dizziness last???? " I can't say for sure how long it lasts for the average person but I am right at 90 days Paxil-free and I am still having dizzy spells. I might not have them every day but once I have one I know the rest of the day will be full of them. Hope you have better luck. Hang in there! D.

12-31-2002, 09:23 AM	#14
Anonymous Posts: n/a	Well, I don't exactly remember what day I am on without the Paxil 5 or 6 or 7. Things are going downhill from here. I thought I was having a mild withdrawal...I was soooo wrong. The dizziness continues and now I am assuming I am having the "zaps".. feels and sound like a hot air balloon firing in my head, night time is the worse, everything is echoing in my head while these zaps occur. Little sleep and aching all over. If I didn't know better I would think I had the flu. Is there anything I can do to feel better?????This is sucking. I couldn't even make myself go to work today. Was thinking about getting back on my old anti-depressant (serzone) just to help get thru this? Any thoughts from anyone??

12-31-2002, 03:35 PM	#15
Cindy Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Penticton, B.C. Posts: 135	Dear Guest, It will probably last a while...the dizziness, the zaps...and I especially like your metaphor about the hot air balloon going off in your head..."God, how I remember that. I am now about four and a half months paxil free...and most of the physical symptoms abated for me at about 2 months...but the lingering emotionalism continues for quite a while longer (at least for some of us)...and unfortunately in my case my "panic disorder" has returned without paxil...so now I have to fight that. Each case is slightly different...and although your "brain probably feels like mush"...try to read some of the old posts...especially NM's about what to do naturally during withdrawal. I sincerely endorse the use of a multi B vitamin as well as using Fish Oil Capsules...I take both even now. Hang in there...and know that it will get better...but not immediately...and savour the hours or the minutes in the day when you actually feel "normal". Cindy __________________ Slowly learning to "dance and sing" again.

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