Hi, I'm new

izzy88 · 11-20-2005, 06:01 PM

Hi, just found this site today & wanted to say hello. I've been on 20mg paxil for 4 years now, originally diagnosed for OCD. Looking back, I wish I'd tried alternative methods first. Paxil worked very well for me at the start but over the last couple of years, my friends & family have noticed changes in my personality, they say it's like I don't care about anything any more. Also I've recently been diagnosed with both depression & GAD, neither of which I had pre-paxil.

Anyway, I've tried to come off paxil 3 times previously, tapering slower each time, had limited withdrawal symptoms but found that after 3 months, I had what felt like a breakdown each time. My doc just put me back on paxil & my dose has now been increased. Desperately wanting to come off this drug, I stopped cold turkey 4 days ago. Having read other posts here, I now know this wasn't such a good idea! My docs answer to everything though is to up my dose & I don't want this any more. I just feel tired & achy & can cope with that so am going to continue without paxil.

Any ideas if I'm likely to suffer the same "breakdown" at the 3 month mark?

Thanks,

izzy xx

Shellshock · 11-20-2005, 06:36 PM

Hello and Welcome Izzy,

What you described with the "Breakdown" thing, I completely understand what you say, this happened to me at around the 4 Month mark and is a real tough time in w/d...

Personally for me I think that the reason this happened was because I came of the meds too soon after taking it for 3.5 years at 40mg..

If I were you I would go back on a low dose and taper real slow, from what I now understand if I had done this I may of had an easier time withdrawing, but unfortunately for me I didn't find this wonderful site until September this year when I was already 12 Months off having suffered horrendous symptoms and am still suffering..

Tapering slow is the best way and you are still in a position to do this responsibly with the help of the experienced members here..

Good Luck with your decision..

scotty · 11-20-2005, 06:40 PM

Izzy, first cold turkey isn't the way to successfully get off paxil. First a slow wean and then you have to recognize that this is only the first step. Now you have to wait for the brain to re-adjust to the new environment without paxil. The 3-7 month mark is notoriously bad for increased anxiety. Knowing this ahead of time doesn't make it easier, but it does make it recognizable for what it is. The reality of withdrawal from paxil is that it can take a year or longer to recover.. something the docs never told us. This is based on the collective stunningly similar experiences of those who are here. The good news is that if you can hang on, it does get better and life without paxil is MUCH better. So , no I can't tell you that you won't have a problem at the 3 month mark, you probably will, but it passes.

rdjanis · 11-20-2005, 08:39 PM

Ditto to what Laurie has said. The 3/4 months difficult for my daugher, it does pass. A very slow taper makes the symptoms less severe and manageable.

Delynbetter · 11-20-2005, 10:09 PM

And if your physician sees no other option but to continue your current indefinitely or increase it...find another doctor. If changing physicians is not an option, then schedule an appointment to go over the prescribing information packet that comes with Paxil. If your doc doesn't have samples with this information, ask your pharmacist for a copy of the prescribing pamphlet. OR you can always go directly to GSK's website and print it out from there.

Don't be bullied into upping your dose or just switching to another one. They all will have the same effects on you and just switching from one to another brings the same withdrawal symptoms. Good luck!

izzy88 · 11-21-2005, 05:17 PM

Thanks all for your replies & great advice. I think I need to visit my doctor again & go through everything with her. I can't change docs unfortunately

Regarding the 3 month mark, it's good to know that it's a recognised feature of withdrawal. In the past I've thought it was my problems returning, hence re-starting Paxil. This time, no re-start. I'll probably be back on here then though, just to be sure!

Thanks again,

izzy xx

scotty · 11-21-2005, 05:18 PM

Izzy, come here anytime when you are questioning what you are experiencing. There's nothing like finding others who have been there and done that

11-20-2005, 06:01 PM	#1
izzy88 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 176	Hi, I'm new Hi, just found this site today & wanted to say hello. I've been on 20mg paxil for 4 years now, originally diagnosed for OCD. Looking back, I wish I'd tried alternative methods first. Paxil worked very well for me at the start but over the last couple of years, my friends & family have noticed changes in my personality, they say it's like I don't care about anything any more. Also I've recently been diagnosed with both depression & GAD, neither of which I had pre-paxil. Anyway, I've tried to come off paxil 3 times previously, tapering slower each time, had limited withdrawal symptoms but found that after 3 months, I had what felt like a breakdown each time. My doc just put me back on paxil & my dose has now been increased. Desperately wanting to come off this drug, I stopped cold turkey 4 days ago. Having read other posts here, I now know this wasn't such a good idea! My docs answer to everything though is to up my dose & I don't want this any more. I just feel tired & achy & can cope with that so am going to continue without paxil. Any ideas if I'm likely to suffer the same "breakdown" at the 3 month mark? Thanks, izzy xx

11-20-2005, 06:36 PM	#2
Shellshock Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: England Posts: 716	Re: Hi, I'm new Hello and Welcome Izzy, What you described with the "Breakdown" thing, I completely understand what you say, this happened to me at around the 4 Month mark and is a real tough time in w/d... Personally for me I think that the reason this happened was because I came of the meds too soon after taking it for 3.5 years at 40mg.. If I were you I would go back on a low dose and taper real slow, from what I now understand if I had done this I may of had an easier time withdrawing, but unfortunately for me I didn't find this wonderful site until September this year when I was already 12 Months off having suffered horrendous symptoms and am still suffering.. Tapering slow is the best way and you are still in a position to do this responsibly with the help of the experienced members here.. Good Luck with your decision.. __________________ Prescribed Seroxat 20mg January 2001 (For Panic Attacks) Soon increased to 40mg (Within approx 1 Month) Started Withdrawal June 2004 Seroxat Free since Sept 2004 Nov 2007 - Still having difficult time and w/d nowhere near complete as yet

11-20-2005, 06:40 PM	#3
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,588	Re: Hi, I'm new Izzy, first cold turkey isn't the way to successfully get off paxil. First a slow wean and then you have to recognize that this is only the first step. Now you have to wait for the brain to re-adjust to the new environment without paxil. The 3-7 month mark is notoriously bad for increased anxiety. Knowing this ahead of time doesn't make it easier, but it does make it recognizable for what it is. The reality of withdrawal from paxil is that it can take a year or longer to recover.. something the docs never told us. This is based on the collective stunningly similar experiences of those who are here. The good news is that if you can hang on, it does get better and life without paxil is MUCH better. So , no I can't tell you that you won't have a problem at the 3 month mark, you probably will, but it passes. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

11-20-2005, 08:39 PM	#4
rdjanis "has a lavender scented keyboard" Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 22,238	Re: Hi, I'm new Ditto to what Laurie has said. The 3/4 months difficult for my daugher, it does pass. A very slow taper makes the symptoms less severe and manageable. __________________ Rita

11-20-2005, 10:09 PM	#5
Delynbetter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 10,518	Re: Hi, I'm new And if your physician sees no other option but to continue your current indefinitely or increase it...find another doctor. If changing physicians is not an option, then schedule an appointment to go over the prescribing information packet that comes with Paxil. If your doc doesn't have samples with this information, ask your pharmacist for a copy of the prescribing pamphlet. OR you can always go directly to GSK's website and print it out from there. Don't be bullied into upping your dose or just switching to another one. They all will have the same effects on you and just switching from one to another brings the same withdrawal symptoms. Good luck!

11-21-2005, 05:17 PM	#6
izzy88 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 176	Re: Hi, I'm new Thanks all for your replies & great advice. I think I need to visit my doctor again & go through everything with her. I can't change docs unfortunately Regarding the 3 month mark, it's good to know that it's a recognised feature of withdrawal. In the past I've thought it was my problems returning, hence re-starting Paxil. This time, no re-start. I'll probably be back on here then though, just to be sure! Thanks again, izzy xx

11-21-2005, 05:18 PM	#7
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,588	Re: Hi, I'm new Izzy, come here anytime when you are questioning what you are experiencing. There's nothing like finding others who have been there and done that __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

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