Does Paxil weaken the immune system?

jenny76 · 08-10-2007, 07:59 AM

Hello everyone,

I am just wondering, (probably since I am sick) does Paxil weaken our immune systems or are our immune systems weak because we have come off of the Paxil?

-Jenny

LCrawford67 · 08-10-2007, 08:17 AM

Paxil weakens the immune system. I don't know the scientific specifics, but there has been a lot written about that topic here. If you do a search you'll find more detail.

andie42 · 08-10-2007, 08:21 AM

I was on paxil for about 10 yrs - and for the most part was in good health - rarely even having a cold - so it doesnt seem that way to me - i'm thinking this might just be different for each individual -
BUT ~ i have been sick a lot (for me) since starting the withdrawl from it - and im convinced it is because the added stress my body is experiencing - trying to cope with the W/D from paxil and trazadone - has weakend my immune system -

jenny76 · 08-10-2007, 08:36 AM

I seemed to be pretty healthy while taking Paxil. Now I am off for 3 weeks and sick! Go figure!

-Jenny

andie42 · 08-10-2007, 08:38 AM

I googled 'paxil immune' and most of what i saw was about paxil withdrawl and the immune sys. so its not just us!

jenny76 · 08-10-2007, 08:47 AM

So w/d weakens the immune system? Will it get back to normal?

-Jenny

nicemom · 08-10-2007, 09:06 AM

I was very healthy on paxil but not since I got off. 3 months after I quit I was sick like never before for 6-8 weeks including pneumonia. That was awful. I had cold after cold and thought I would never be well again. Its like my immune system crashed.

Since then its been much better!

jenny76 · 08-10-2007, 09:08 AM

Are there any supplements that help? I take Omega 3 and that is it.

mapleleafgirl25 · 08-10-2007, 10:35 AM

i have not been sick at all..but i am super tired..i think it messes with the adrenal system..ect....

michele

Strawberry · 08-10-2007, 11:23 AM

Jenny76, I am starrting to have a similar experience. In the last week or two (I'm down to 2.5 mg) I've had something like sinus headache, general body aches, and the 'runs'.

These symptoms have been annoying, not 'full blown', so its like I'm not well.... but I'm also not really sick. I think this is mostly my body chemistry being off balance, and I probably need to take some vitamin supplements. I have not started on any vitamins yet, but I plan to. I am also noticing that I'm eating different foods, like more salads, fruit and yogurt, where I was more inclined to go for cheeseburgers, fries, and chocolate anything. This may just be a summer diet thing... I tend to crave more fruits and veggies in summer, but I think it has to do with the reduced Paxil dose. I'm going to start packing in the vitamins, and just taking more care. I think things will stabilize eventually. Good luck to you.

Iksfreundin · 08-10-2007, 11:53 AM

I was sick a few times every winter, ever since going on to paxil in my teens. I was never, ever sick like that before! While weaning, even during the winter, I only had one week of a pretty bad cold - the past few years I've ended up with a month or more of bronchitis, but not this year! I managed NOT to get sick the rest of the winter, which is unheard of for me, and just had a cold a few weeks ago that I got over twice as fast as the person who gave it to me!

I think, in my case, taking the paxil is what made me so sick. And, in my case, going off has strengthened my immune system immensely!

jenny76 · 08-10-2007, 12:15 PM

I don't know, maybe it is just the stress of going through this w/d. I have hardly been getting any sleep so that can't help things.

My body has got to be pretty shot by now. I am on week 3 of being totally off the Paxil.

-Jenny

Amaya's Nana · 08-10-2007, 12:47 PM

I was sick constantly in withdrawal. Weird stuff too that I'd never had before. Like Fifth's Disease

jenny76 · 08-10-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amaya's Nana

I was sick constantly in withdrawal. Weird stuff too that I'd never had before. Like Fifth's Disease

What is Fifth's Disease? And will my immune system get stronger?

Gracings · 10-29-2011, 07:31 AM

I hope that it is OK to bring up this old thread, but it totally explains what I'm going through. I started my wean at the beginning of the summer. All good. As I continue to wean during the school year (I'm in the education field), I am picking up every bug that comes along, even though I'm doubling my vitamin C intake, continuing to eat very healthfully, etc.

The latest is an intermittant sinus/head cold bug that can last for a whole evening, be gone for much of the next day, come back in the late afternoon, etc. UNREAL.

Me thinks the weaning truly taxes the body's ability to hold up, sometimes. But if this is the cause, I will ride it out.

scotty · 10-29-2011, 09:01 AM

Withdrawal is stressful...stress weakens the immune system.

Gracings · 10-29-2011, 10:36 AM

Thank you, Laurie. It does make good sense. Add to that an extra-stressful caseload, this year, and I guess that I can forgive myself, just a little.

Main thing, though? It's all worth having the good that comes with this process....for me, these days, it's that ability to plan ahead, again.

08-10-2007, 07:59 AM	#1
jenny76 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,241	Does Paxil weaken the immune system? Hello everyone, I am just wondering, (probably since I am sick) does Paxil weaken our immune systems or are our immune systems weak because we have come off of the Paxil? -Jenny __________________ Started weaning Paxil in December 2006. Last dose of Paxil July 16,2007 after 12 years. Experiencing extreme withdrawals. "Be helpful. When you see a person without a smile, give him yours."

08-10-2007, 08:17 AM	#2
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,484	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? Paxil weakens the immune system. I don't know the scientific specifics, but there has been a lot written about that topic here. If you do a search you'll find more detail. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 Today is the best day, EVER!

08-10-2007, 08:21 AM	#3
andie42 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 76	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? I was on paxil for about 10 yrs - and for the most part was in good health - rarely even having a cold - so it doesnt seem that way to me - i'm thinking this might just be different for each individual - BUT ~ i have been sick a lot (for me) since starting the withdrawl from it - and im convinced it is because the added stress my body is experiencing - trying to cope with the W/D from paxil and trazadone - has weakend my immune system - __________________ andie aka leslie Approx.dates: 1996 - paxil 20mg. 2001 - trazadone 75-100mg. in addition to the paxil 2002 - welbutrin then zoloft - reactions to both back to Paxil may 07 - effexor cr 37.5 then 75mg -allergic reaction june 07 - lexapro 10mg? - to many side affects End of june 07 back on paxil 20mg 1st wk july - paxil 10mg / trazadone 50mg july 28 - paxil 5mg / trazadone 25mg aug 20 - paxil 2.5 mg ish / trazadone 25mg sept 3,07 - quit paxil / Sept 10 quit trazadone

08-10-2007, 08:36 AM	#4
jenny76 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,241	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? I seemed to be pretty healthy while taking Paxil. Now I am off for 3 weeks and sick! Go figure! -Jenny __________________ Started weaning Paxil in December 2006. Last dose of Paxil July 16,2007 after 12 years. Experiencing extreme withdrawals. "Be helpful. When you see a person without a smile, give him yours."

08-10-2007, 08:38 AM	#5
andie42 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 76	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? I googled 'paxil immune' and most of what i saw was about paxil withdrawl and the immune sys. so its not just us! __________________ andie aka leslie Approx.dates: 1996 - paxil 20mg. 2001 - trazadone 75-100mg. in addition to the paxil 2002 - welbutrin then zoloft - reactions to both back to Paxil may 07 - effexor cr 37.5 then 75mg -allergic reaction june 07 - lexapro 10mg? - to many side affects End of june 07 back on paxil 20mg 1st wk july - paxil 10mg / trazadone 50mg july 28 - paxil 5mg / trazadone 25mg aug 20 - paxil 2.5 mg ish / trazadone 25mg sept 3,07 - quit paxil / Sept 10 quit trazadone

08-10-2007, 08:47 AM	#6
jenny76 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,241	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? So w/d weakens the immune system? Will it get back to normal? -Jenny __________________ Started weaning Paxil in December 2006. Last dose of Paxil July 16,2007 after 12 years. Experiencing extreme withdrawals. "Be helpful. When you see a person without a smile, give him yours."

08-10-2007, 09:06 AM	#7
nicemom Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 3,181	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? I was very healthy on paxil but not since I got off. 3 months after I quit I was sick like never before for 6-8 weeks including pneumonia. That was awful. I had cold after cold and thought I would never be well again. Its like my immune system crashed. Since then its been much better! __________________ 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.

08-10-2007, 09:08 AM	#8
jenny76 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,241	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? Are there any supplements that help? I take Omega 3 and that is it. __________________ Started weaning Paxil in December 2006. Last dose of Paxil July 16,2007 after 12 years. Experiencing extreme withdrawals. "Be helpful. When you see a person without a smile, give him yours."

08-10-2007, 10:35 AM	#9
mapleleafgirl25 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 2,638	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? i have not been sick at all..but i am super tired..i think it messes with the adrenal system..ect.... michele __________________ 3rd attempt at withdrawal going slow..compounded pills Taper: 05/27/2010 - 03/12/12: Tapered From 20mgs - 6.2 (2years) 04/11/2012 - 6.0 05/10/2012 - 5.8 06/09/2012 - 5.6 07/09/2012 - 5.4 80/08/2012 - 5.2 09/07/2012 - 5.0 10/07/2012 - 4.8 11/06/2012 - 4.6 12/06/2012 - 4.4 01/04/2013 - 4.2 02/03/2013 - 4.0 03/05/2013 - 3.8 04/04/2013 - 3.6 05/05/2013 - 3.4

08-10-2007, 11:23 AM	#10
Strawberry Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 25	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? Jenny76, I am starrting to have a similar experience. In the last week or two (I'm down to 2.5 mg) I've had something like sinus headache, general body aches, and the 'runs'. These symptoms have been annoying, not 'full blown', so its like I'm not well.... but I'm also not really sick. I think this is mostly my body chemistry being off balance, and I probably need to take some vitamin supplements. I have not started on any vitamins yet, but I plan to. I am also noticing that I'm eating different foods, like more salads, fruit and yogurt, where I was more inclined to go for cheeseburgers, fries, and chocolate anything. This may just be a summer diet thing... I tend to crave more fruits and veggies in summer, but I think it has to do with the reduced Paxil dose. I'm going to start packing in the vitamins, and just taking more care. I think things will stabilize eventually. Good luck to you.

08-10-2007, 11:53 AM	#11
Iksfreundin "Dancing Queen" Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 3,585	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? I was sick a few times every winter, ever since going on to paxil in my teens. I was never, ever sick like that before! While weaning, even during the winter, I only had one week of a pretty bad cold - the past few years I've ended up with a month or more of bronchitis, but not this year! I managed NOT to get sick the rest of the winter, which is unheard of for me, and just had a cold a few weeks ago that I got over twice as fast as the person who gave it to me! I think, in my case, taking the paxil is what made me so sick. And, in my case, going off has strengthened my immune system immensely! __________________ 95' - started paxil, 20 mgs; up to 30. two ct's, then 60 mgs for years. 40 mgs in '02, poop-out in '05 start taper= 5/8/06 at 20 = 6/17/06 at 15 = 8/8/06 at 10 = 10/15/06 at 5 = 12/14/06 Paxil free as of 3/8/08 (drops were done gradually ) Smoke-free as of 2/27/08 Still doing well, no smoking yet and I haven't been hospitalized (well, I DID have my gallbladder removed) - 3/16/2012 "You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!" Job 13:4, KJV Bible

08-10-2007, 12:15 PM	#12
jenny76 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,241	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? I don't know, maybe it is just the stress of going through this w/d. I have hardly been getting any sleep so that can't help things. My body has got to be pretty shot by now. I am on week 3 of being totally off the Paxil. -Jenny __________________ Started weaning Paxil in December 2006. Last dose of Paxil July 16,2007 after 12 years. Experiencing extreme withdrawals. "Be helpful. When you see a person without a smile, give him yours."

08-10-2007, 12:47 PM	#13
Amaya's Nana An "A bucket" gal! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 6,467	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? I was sick constantly in withdrawal. Weird stuff too that I'd never had before. Like Fifth's Disease __________________ 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.

10-29-2011, 07:31 AM	#15
Gracings Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 282	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? I hope that it is OK to bring up this old thread, but it totally explains what I'm going through. I started my wean at the beginning of the summer. All good. As I continue to wean during the school year (I'm in the education field), I am picking up every bug that comes along, even though I'm doubling my vitamin C intake, continuing to eat very healthfully, etc. The latest is an intermittant sinus/head cold bug that can last for a whole evening, be gone for much of the next day, come back in the late afternoon, etc. UNREAL. Me thinks the weaning truly taxes the body's ability to hold up, sometimes. But if this is the cause, I will ride it out. __________________ 05/31/11 Last day 10 mg. Lexapro 06/01/11 9 mg 06/07/11 9ml of liquid Lexapro 06/08/11 8.8 06/10/11 8.0 06/25/11 7.2 7/11/11 6.5 7/25/11 5.9 8/08/11 5.3 8/22/11 4.8 9/07/11 4.4 10/03/11 4.0 11/06/11 3.6 - 03/12/12 1.8 04/02/12 1.8 04/23/12 1.6 situational 05/14/12 1.4 06/12/12 1.2 07/03/12 1.0 08/04/12 0.8 08/25/12 0.6 09/21/12.0.0!!

10-29-2011, 09:01 AM	#16
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 46,992	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? Withdrawal is stressful...stress weakens the immune system. __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

10-29-2011, 10:36 AM	#17
Gracings Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 282	Re: Does Paxil weaken the immune system? Thank you, Laurie. It does make good sense. Add to that an extra-stressful caseload, this year, and I guess that I can forgive myself, just a little. Main thing, though? It's all worth having the good that comes with this process....for me, these days, it's that ability to plan ahead, again. __________________ 05/31/11 Last day 10 mg. Lexapro 06/01/11 9 mg 06/07/11 9ml of liquid Lexapro 06/08/11 8.8 06/10/11 8.0 06/25/11 7.2 7/11/11 6.5 7/25/11 5.9 8/08/11 5.3 8/22/11 4.8 9/07/11 4.4 10/03/11 4.0 11/06/11 3.6 - 03/12/12 1.8 04/02/12 1.8 04/23/12 1.6 situational 05/14/12 1.4 06/12/12 1.2 07/03/12 1.0 08/04/12 0.8 08/25/12 0.6 09/21/12.0.0!!

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