feeling pretty bad

[anjillian]

Something is definitely happening with me. Some sort of depression, negativity, inability to handle all my thoughts. I've been feeling very tired as well and similar to what i felt like when i was weaning. I get these thoughts and suddenly feel they are overwhelming and try to stop thinking about them.

I suppose i'm about three months off so far. I had a very euphoric type of feeling, very happy and assertive and strong for the past few months, but now something else is happening. I don't feel so confident lately, feel alot of anxiety. I feel bloated and stomach pains alot. Tired and don't have that "get up and go".

My eyes ache and i feel itchy all over as well. Also things are starting to upset me at work, with people... i just feel very down and overwhelmed. Even considering quitting my job which never bothered me before.

What can i do?

[LCrawford67]

There's not a lot you can do. This is all part of the healing process and your brain and body need time to readjust.

I don't remember why you were put on Paxil to begin with, but that original symptom is probably still there also. So, you'll need to now find alternative ways of coping with the anxiety/depression that brought you to Paxil in the first place.

I don't think any of this is worth you quitting your job over. But, now's the time you need to learn coping skills, start looking into things like fish oil (if you're not already) starting an exercise program, which raises serotonin and gives you energy.

Also, you need to consider that life is full of ups and downs and everyone goes through periods of no motivation, laziness, etc. That's all perfectly normal.

You've been fine up until this, so it's not something I'd overly worry about.

[anjillian]

So you think after three months my brain and body are still adjusting? I thought and felt like most of that was over.

I just feel really down in the dumps. I started paxil because of panic attacks and sleep problems. Don't recall myself being depressed but just had alot on my plate at the time (aggravation from kids, unemployed) etc.

I already take fish oil in the a.m. I did start taking probiotics yesterday( hoping that isn't what's making me feel so horrible).

I suppose there are different up's and down's after paxil. Just don't get why suddenly things seem so bad.

[commish]

I am five months off and some days are a bit grim. But LC is quite correct alot of the things we are dealing with is everyday stuff that was masked when we were on Paxil. It is a bit of a relearning process but take it in small bites. Advil has become one of my best friend for the aches and pains. The itching is especially annoying but I found if you rub a small amount of a liquid antihistamine on the bad spots it makes a difference.
The tiredness suchs but it comes and goes as many of the symptoms do you just have to go when you can and rest when you can't.
If people are pi$$ing you off its only because you let them do it. Just ask your self are any of the things biting your but really worth wasting the energy to be angry about.
Cut your self some slack you've accomplished alot. Be good to yourself.
Take Care

Dale

[LCrawford67]

Originally Posted by anjillian

So you think after three months my brain and body are still adjusting? I thought and felt like most of that was over.

I just feel really down in the dumps. I started paxil because of panic attacks and sleep problems. Don't recall myself being depressed but just had alot on my plate at the time (aggravation from kids, unemployed) etc.

I already take fish oil in the a.m. I did start taking probiotics yesterday( hoping that isn't what's making me feel so horrible).

I suppose there are different up's and down's after paxil. Just don't get why suddenly things seem so bad.

Your journey is far from over. I've been off just over a year and I can tell you, things are still adjusting for me.

[Lukster5]

i have a similiar situation but ive only been on paxil 10mg for 3 weeks until i noticed bad adverse effects from the drug. now ive been completely off of it for just over 2 weeks. and i have this 'guilt' type of feeling the past few days and what not. do u think just after a short usage but bad results, that my brain is still readjusting?

[anjillian]

What type of things do i have ahead of me. I assumed feeling well for a few months meant i was clean of the stuff and adjusted. Suddenly getting withdrawl symptoms at this point is a bit strange, plus that whole detox feeling where skin and eyes look dull, itching.

How can I have been fine, great actually for three months and then suddenly feel so horrible.

[anjillian]

So are you saying you still have on and off withdrawl symptoms? For example that horrid tiredness in w/d, the dull eyes, blurry vision etc.? So hard understanding this whole process!

[anjillian]

I"m not too sure about your question, so maybe someone else can answer you better. I'm sure someone will answer soon...

[Lukster5]

i hope laurie can offer some advice

[LCrawford67]

Originally Posted by Lukster5

i have a similiar situation but ive only been on paxil 10mg for 3 weeks until i noticed bad adverse effects from the drug. now ive been completely off of it for just over 2 weeks. and i have this 'guilt' type of feeling the past few days and what not. do u think just after a short usage but bad results, that my brain is still readjusting?

Absolutely. You were on Paxil long enough for chemical changes to begin. What you're experiencing should be short lived.

Originally Posted by anjillian

What type of things do i have ahead of me. I assumed feeling well for a few months meant i was clean of the stuff and adjusted. Suddenly getting withdrawl symptoms at this point is a bit strange, plus that whole detox feeling where skin and eyes look dull, itching.

No one can answer that. You may have nothing else ahead after this passes. Don't wait for, or expect something to happen that may never.

How can I have been fine, great actually for three months and then suddenly feel so horrible.

It happens to everyone and again, this may just be a rough patch you're experiencing an have nothing to do with w/d. Every bad day or feeling we have isn't necessarily Paxil related.

Originally Posted by anjillian

So are you saying you still have on and off withdrawl symptoms? For example that horrid tiredness in w/d, the dull eyes, blurry vision etc.? So hard understanding this whole process!

It's a process and it ends when it ends. For me, I don't have w/d symptoms like you're describing. I have issues with irrational thinking and getting use to having all my emotions back. There were hormonal adjustments as well.

The most important thing to remember is to take one day at a time and "expect" nothing. There is no rhyme or reason, pattern, timeline....it can become frustrating at times, but it doesn't last forever. It's difficult actually feeling things again - highs, lows, emotions, etc. but that's all part of the process and those things don't fix themselves overnight.

[Lukster5]

thanks laurie! i still can't believe this drug or any ssri's are out on the market..i know it may help alot of people, but another majority it ruins them. grr

[LCrawford67]

I hope this doesn't sound weird, but I'm sure you know what I mean...be glad you had the reaction and found out about it when you did!

[Lukster5]

haha fortunately enough i did! thanks for your help

[Betsy]

Annjillian,
You might want to look around on threads again. I know you've been on this site for quite awhile, but you seem to have forgotten that ending the med doesn't necessarily end the withdrawal issues, even when you taper slowly.
I'm kind of surprised that you are surprised. Just about everyone talks about still having withdrawal issues for at least the year following getting off. Some people just do well without any, but it seems that most talk about feeling great for the first month or two and then the three month crash, so it sounds to me like you are right on schedule. I'm sure it is as overwhelming as the tapering rot, and I feel for you. I've just read so much on here, I am expecting to have happen to me what is happening to you. I thought we were all pretty much aware of that. I'm sorry you missed that part, and I hope this is a very short period of adjustment for you. I think it's just still getting your brain back to it's normal working. The exercising helps me, I still have 7 mgs to go. You are way ahead of me. Also, the info on controllinganxiety.com has helped me tons and I know I will be using that for years to come. I hope you get feeling better soon, My probiotics usually help me feel a bit better. Maybe you're still dealing with the antibiotic stuff. Sometimes it takes me awhile to get feeling better after an antibiotic. Sometimes when the yeast is high and the probiotics is low, I feel nauseated and flu-ish. Keep doing what you're doing, it's so frustrating when it takes so long, isn't it. Take care, and remember you are worth it!
Hugs and prayers for you,
Betsy

[Songbird]

From reading this site for a while, I think those who slow tapered still have 'waves' just like those who c/t'd or fast tapered, just that they are less severe. Three months does seem to be a time when some have a bad wave. I would put it down to this. I think the body is probably adjusting for at least a year afterwards and probably longer, but because you tapered slow, the bad waves should be a lot milder for you.

One thing I keep having to remind myself, whenever I'm not feeling so great is that it is not permanent, things always change. It is such a bad habit of mine, whenever I don't feel good, I worry about it like it must be permanent, but it never is.

I am so happy for you (and very envious too I must admit) as you have gotten off and seem to be doing pretty well. Anything you can do to prevent and relieve stress should help (relaxation, meditation, yoga, etc). Try to look after yourself as best you can and let the bad wave pass.

[anjillian]

Betsy,

I don't recall reading about a three month decline. I've read many posts about people having difficulties at 8 months or more.

I guess it is so frustrating to have felt so great, so energetic and so well functioning, and now i feel like a sensitive, overly emotional dishrag with no confidence!

I did take the probiotics and got a yogurt with all the good stuff.

Thanks

[anjillian]

It'll happen for you too in the right time. Just keep your wean slow and you'll get off too.

True, when there's bad days they seem like an eternity. Things have got to get better and i suppose i must be a little more patient.

thanks

[Betsy]

Sorry, if I sounded negative.
It just seems like I was always reading that some have "waves" ,like Songbird called them, at different times, some at three months, some at four, then maybe again at 6 or 8 months and so on. And like she said, they are usually less potent than those that happen to people when they have CTd or done a faster taper. Maybe I am just negative and am expecting things to happen. I guess I figure that if I am expecting it, I won't be thrown by it. Songbird explained it much kinder than I did. Sorry! I really do hope things get better for you soon. You will feel good again, you are having lots of things to deal with right now, like you talked about in your other post. We're here for you. Patience is NOT easy in all of this. And some days I want patience NOW!....My friend gave me a magnet that she says reminded her of me. It says, "Lord, grant me patience.....but HURRY!"

I RESEMBLE that!

Hugs,
Betsy

[Songbird]

Betsy, you are not negative at all, silly! It is not good to expect the worst, but it is realistic to remember that there will be some ups and downs along the way so that you are not thrown by them when they happen. This is something I'm not too good at!

I don't think anyone really understands exactly why these waves happen, but they seem to be so common that it is definitely something very 'normal' about the way the body handles withdrawal and heals over time. I think it is natural to wonder what we did 'wrong' to cause it - I did this myself, it is only now in hindsight I'm beginning to realise that my 'setbacks' may have just been this w/d pattern.

[Betsy]

It feels so easy to figure out what was going on when you aren't in the middle of it all isn't it....I wish it were that easy when the middle of the mess is happening.
Betsy