sleep disorder...yikes...

candylies · 06-04-2008, 10:21 PM

I've been taking paxil for almost ten years and I hate it. I have tried to wean off several times, but the wdrawl is killer...nevermind the fact that most people think I'm full of ****..anyway in the last few months I have had the worst dreams(even when not decreasing my dose.) I wake up screaming and kicking and sweating my booty off...I found an article linking SSRI's to REM disorder...anyone have anything like this go on? I really hate it...my boyfriend wakes me up when it gets bad, and I always remember every detail of the dream. Not only are the dreams really scary and violent, but it's embarrassing, cussing and screaming like a sailor in my sleep.

scotty · 06-04-2008, 10:33 PM

Ryan didn't dream at all on paxil....but in withdrawal(he weaned MUCH to quick by todays standard) his dreams were horrible, vivid and terrifying. One thing you may have to consider is that this "symptom" may be the start of paxil not working anymore. Our experience here is showing that few make it past the 10-12 year mark on paxil without finding the drug just doesn't work anymore.

How did you attempt to wean in the past?

Katesmom · 06-04-2008, 10:37 PM

Yep, SSRIs affect REM sleep:

http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...ight=REM+sleep

http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...ight=REM+sleep

If you are interested in quitting, you will have to take it much more slowly than you have in the past. We recommend tapering 10% of current dose every 4-6 weeks, but you can even go more slowly. It's all about quality of life.

candylies · 06-04-2008, 11:24 PM

I have tried the usual 5mg to 5mg route, and cold turkey(bwaaaahhh,that was classic). I have always had those vivid dreams if i forgot to take it or something...but this whole beating the crap out of my boyfriend thing and yelling is new...I'm now on 20mg a day..
the dreams are usually about someone trying to murder me..
blah

texgirl · 06-05-2008, 06:22 AM

I had vivid, disturbing dreams from day one on Paxil. In fact that was the main reason I stopped taking it after just 10 months. (It's also how I got addicted to benzos, but that's another story.) I tapered too fast and suffered the consequences, but later after finding PaxilProgress and seeing what other people have been through, I'm glad I got off the drug when I did.

Betsy · 06-05-2008, 02:09 PM

Candy,
Listen to these gals. Slow your taper. 5 mg drops did the same and worse to me. Now only taper 10% at a time at most. It will be a much better quality of life for you. Has made all the difference for me. I'm super sensitive and can still function and get thngs done I need to when I taper correctly.
Good luck to you.
Betsy

PS I had horrendous dreams BEFORE paxil.. when i started eating Gluten Free, thsoe kinds of dreams went away. I only hve them occsionally now during withdrawal. They wer e 3 to 4 nights a week in my 20's and 30's.

06-04-2008, 10:21 PM	#1
candylies Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 6	sleep disorder...yikes... I've been taking paxil for almost ten years and I hate it. I have tried to wean off several times, but the wdrawl is killer...nevermind the fact that most people think I'm full of ****..anyway in the last few months I have had the worst dreams(even when not decreasing my dose.) I wake up screaming and kicking and sweating my booty off...I found an article linking SSRI's to REM disorder...anyone have anything like this go on? I really hate it...my boyfriend wakes me up when it gets bad, and I always remember every detail of the dream. Not only are the dreams really scary and violent, but it's embarrassing, cussing and screaming like a sailor in my sleep. __________________ "slapped upside of the head..."

06-04-2008, 10:33 PM	#2
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: sleep disorder...yikes... Ryan didn't dream at all on paxil....but in withdrawal(he weaned MUCH to quick by todays standard) his dreams were horrible, vivid and terrifying. One thing you may have to consider is that this "symptom" may be the start of paxil not working anymore. Our experience here is showing that few make it past the 10-12 year mark on paxil without finding the drug just doesn't work anymore. How did you attempt to wean in the past? __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

06-04-2008, 10:37 PM	#3
Katesmom Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 13,706	Re: sleep disorder...yikes... Yep, SSRIs affect REM sleep: http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...ight=REM+sleep http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...ight=REM+sleep If you are interested in quitting, you will have to take it much more slowly than you have in the past. We recommend tapering 10% of current dose every 4-6 weeks, but you can even go more slowly. It's all about quality of life. __________________ Katesmom aka Kim started Paxil Oct. 2003 for PIH Paxil free since 19 Jul 2005 ". . .the cruelest lies are often told without a word. . .the kindest truths are often spoken, never heard." -- Ben Folds

06-04-2008, 11:24 PM	#4
candylies Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 6	Re: sleep disorder...yikes... I have tried the usual 5mg to 5mg route, and cold turkey(bwaaaahhh,that was classic). I have always had those vivid dreams if i forgot to take it or something...but this whole beating the crap out of my boyfriend thing and yelling is new...I'm now on 20mg a day.. the dreams are usually about someone trying to murder me.. blah __________________ "slapped upside of the head..."

06-05-2008, 06:22 AM	#5
texgirl The original" F$%^you "gal, from the cranky corner! Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,977	Re: sleep disorder...yikes... I had vivid, disturbing dreams from day one on Paxil. In fact that was the main reason I stopped taking it after just 10 months. (It's also how I got addicted to benzos, but that's another story.) I tapered too fast and suffered the consequences, but later after finding PaxilProgress and seeing what other people have been through, I'm glad I got off the drug when I did. __________________ Completely free from psychiatry since 8/5/07 If we are fools enough to remain at the mercy of the people who want to sell us happiness, it will be impossible for us to ever be content with anything. How would they profit if we became content? (Thomas Merton)

06-05-2008, 02:09 PM	#6
Betsy Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,832	Re: sleep disorder...yikes... Candy, Listen to these gals. Slow your taper. 5 mg drops did the same and worse to me. Now only taper 10% at a time at most. It will be a much better quality of life for you. Has made all the difference for me. I'm super sensitive and can still function and get thngs done I need to when I taper correctly. Good luck to you. Betsy PS I had horrendous dreams BEFORE paxil.. when i started eating Gluten Free, thsoe kinds of dreams went away. I only hve them occsionally now during withdrawal. They wer e 3 to 4 nights a week in my 20's and 30's. __________________ Started at 30mgs 1997 1999 - 2004 tapered 25 to 12.5 Nov'05 10 mgs. Dec'05 tried liquid/BIG mess for me Jan'06 up to 15 mg. Mar'06 - Mar'07 15 mg to 10 mgs in tiny tapers every 6+ weeks Mar 07 - Mar 08 10 mgs to 7.5 tiny tapers w/digital scale Sep 08 - 7mgs April 09 - approx 6.25 mgs "SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE" ~ The Tortoise Last edited by Betsy : 06-05-2008 at 02:10 PM. Reason: more info

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