Does Paxil CAUSE migraines??

ziggystardust · 04-12-2009, 12:07 PM

I have had 2 times in my life that I took Paxil. About 12 years ago I was on for general anxiety for about 2 years. (20mg) I began having 2-3 migraines with auras every week. The doctor had me wean off Paxil quite fast - about a month total. I didn't have any issues!! Migraines stopped except maybe once a month or none. About 5 years ago I went back on Paxil for anxiety attacks. (10mg). I am currently weaning off now 5mg daily for the last 3 weeks. No major issues. During this last stint with Paxil I was having migraines every 3 days or so and getting very worried . Went to a neurologist , had MRI - told me to stop stressing. Now that I'm down to 5 mg, I have one mirgraines but auras only - no real headaches. Sometimes the auras wake me in my sleep. Weird - I really feel they are because of Paxil but time will tell. I'm also getting acupuncture every 7 -10 days as I wean off - everyone should try it - great for anxiety!!! Question - who out there has been on Paxil and sees the relationship with migraines or /and auras???

LCrawford67 · 04-12-2009, 12:12 PM

Welcome, Ziggy!

This isn't something I experienced but, side effects to the drug vary from person to person. And, if both times you were on Paxil are the only times you've ever suffered from migraines, then there's something fishy.

ziggystardust · 04-12-2009, 08:50 PM

I have a;ways had migraines - since I was 21 - now 57. Not frequent - maybe 1-2 a year.

nickels · 04-12-2009, 10:09 PM

I have always been prone to migraines, however their frequency definitely increased during my paxil use. Prior to paxil, I would get migraines maybe 3-5 times a year. During paxil use I started to get them almost monthly and I actually passed out 2x during severe migraines.

After poop out the migraines remained consistent, but I also developed tension headaches for weeks on end. It almost felt as though I constantly had a headache.

Once I got on the lower doses of my taper, the headaches became fewer and further apart. Now that I'm off, I still am prone to headaches, which I get maybe 1-2x a month (and I think are hormone induced) but thankfully I haven't had any migraines yet.

I think that if your prone to having headaches and migraines, its very possible that paxil could trigger them...especially in poop out or withdrawal.

Out of Order · 04-13-2009, 06:46 PM

I was on Paxil for about 10 years and throughout that whole time I had migraines come on about every other day. When I stopped I now get them about 1-3 times a month. I definitely think that Paxil had something to do with your migraines. I also have a familial link to migraines too. My neice had a small stroke while she was taking them at about age 10. She's fine but they are nasty headaches to get!

04-12-2009, 12:07 PM	#1
ziggystardust Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2	Does Paxil CAUSE migraines?? I have had 2 times in my life that I took Paxil. About 12 years ago I was on for general anxiety for about 2 years. (20mg) I began having 2-3 migraines with auras every week. The doctor had me wean off Paxil quite fast - about a month total. I didn't have any issues!! Migraines stopped except maybe once a month or none. About 5 years ago I went back on Paxil for anxiety attacks. (10mg). I am currently weaning off now 5mg daily for the last 3 weeks. No major issues. During this last stint with Paxil I was having migraines every 3 days or so and getting very worried . Went to a neurologist , had MRI - told me to stop stressing. Now that I'm down to 5 mg, I have one mirgraines but auras only - no real headaches. Sometimes the auras wake me in my sleep. Weird - I really feel they are because of Paxil but time will tell. I'm also getting acupuncture every 7 -10 days as I wean off - everyone should try it - great for anxiety!!! Question - who out there has been on Paxil and sees the relationship with migraines or /and auras???

04-12-2009, 12:12 PM	#2
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,493	Re: Does Paxil CAUSE migraines?? Welcome, Ziggy! This isn't something I experienced but, side effects to the drug vary from person to person. And, if both times you were on Paxil are the only times you've ever suffered from migraines, then there's something fishy. __________________ 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 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

04-12-2009, 08:50 PM	#3
ziggystardust Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2	Re: Does Paxil CAUSE migraines?? I have a;ways had migraines - since I was 21 - now 57. Not frequent - maybe 1-2 a year.

04-12-2009, 10:09 PM	#4
nickels Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,813	Re: Does Paxil CAUSE migraines?? I have always been prone to migraines, however their frequency definitely increased during my paxil use. Prior to paxil, I would get migraines maybe 3-5 times a year. During paxil use I started to get them almost monthly and I actually passed out 2x during severe migraines. After poop out the migraines remained consistent, but I also developed tension headaches for weeks on end. It almost felt as though I constantly had a headache. Once I got on the lower doses of my taper, the headaches became fewer and further apart. Now that I'm off, I still am prone to headaches, which I get maybe 1-2x a month (and I think are hormone induced) but thankfully I haven't had any migraines yet. I think that if your prone to having headaches and migraines, its very possible that paxil could trigger them...especially in poop out or withdrawal. __________________ Nicole 2000 - 20mgs Paxil for GAD & Panic Attacks 2001 - 30mgs increased to 40mgs 2006 - back down to 20mgs - poop out 2/2007 - C/T off 20mgs - went back on at 10mgs 7/2007 - stabilized then started my taper off of 10mgs 8/2007 - down to 5mgs then found PP and began 10% taper 9/2008 - 1mg 10/15/2008 - 0! 2/2009 - started CBT to finally work on anxiety

04-13-2009, 06:46 PM	#5
Out of Order Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 264	Re: Does Paxil CAUSE migraines?? I was on Paxil for about 10 years and throughout that whole time I had migraines come on about every other day. When I stopped I now get them about 1-3 times a month. I definitely think that Paxil had something to do with your migraines. I also have a familial link to migraines too. My neice had a small stroke while she was taking them at about age 10. She's fine but they are nasty headaches to get! __________________ drugs I am now taking: Small dose of trazodone, ambien, klonopin. And Neurontin for the occational severe pain I get from the Tendinitis I have in my shoulders which may may be complicated by a rotator cuff injury. I'm not having any surgery tho!

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