Question about going off Paxil.

09-26-2002, 10:56 AM

My doctor put me on Paxil for anxiety and to help me quit smoking. She was afraid the Wellbutrin would keep me up at night and she said that Paxil was the best choice. I started with 12.5 mg pills and took them for three days before quitting (my husband read some things on this site that he didn't like). Five days ago, I started again, this time with 25 mg. pills. I have just taken my fifth pill. Can I just quit cold turkey since it is so early in the game or should I still taper off?

Also, I have been having small "jolts" behind my left eye.....kind of like an ice pick. Coiuld this be a side effect of the drug?

Thanks so much for your help. I do not want to be a slave to Paxil.

Erin

JulieG · 09-26-2002, 11:46 AM

I don't know if you've been on it long enough to have withdrawal problems, but I know of someone who was only on it for 3 weeks that has had a HORRIBLE time of it. Maybe you'll be a lucky one and not have any w/d probs at all. I hope so. What does your doctor say? (Well, the fact that your doc put you on Paxil in the first place speaks VOLUMES, so nevermind.)

I don't know if the Paxil causes the pains you're experiencing. I know when I first went on it, I had a headache for about a week. Nothing like what you are talking about though.

Good luck!

Paxil Junkie · 09-26-2002, 01:43 PM

paxil to quit smoking? jeeze another doctor handing out this poison like its candy...

09-27-2002, 10:14 AM

The feeling behind your eye is called "the zaps" by Paxil graduates. I got them between doses when I was late on one or hadn't taken as high of a dose. You'll have the zaps while you withdrawal off the drug, but they won't be too bad if you do it slowly. If you need an SSRI in your system, switch to any one of the others and you won't have the Paxil problems. Paxil is the only one with such a short half-life that it stresses your system. Celexa, Serzone, Welbutrin, Prozac, or even Zoloft won't give you the zaps.

09-26-2002, 10:56 AM	#1
Erin Posts: n/a	Question about going off Paxil. My doctor put me on Paxil for anxiety and to help me quit smoking. She was afraid the Wellbutrin would keep me up at night and she said that Paxil was the best choice. I started with 12.5 mg pills and took them for three days before quitting (my husband read some things on this site that he didn't like). Five days ago, I started again, this time with 25 mg. pills. I have just taken my fifth pill. Can I just quit cold turkey since it is so early in the game or should I still taper off? Also, I have been having small "jolts" behind my left eye.....kind of like an ice pick. Coiuld this be a side effect of the drug? Thanks so much for your help. I do not want to be a slave to Paxil. Erin

09-26-2002, 01:43 PM	#3
Paxil Junkie Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 315	paxil to quit smoking? jeeze another doctor handing out this poison like its candy... __________________ Some of my favorite quotes "April 20th, National Save the Trees day." "Its 4:19...got a minute?" "Life sucks then you die, so spend your time getting high." "Time is never wasted when your wasted all the time."

09-27-2002, 10:14 AM	#4
Anonymous Posts: n/a	Good idea to quit now The feeling behind your eye is called "the zaps" by Paxil graduates. I got them between doses when I was late on one or hadn't taken as high of a dose. You'll have the zaps while you withdrawal off the drug, but they won't be too bad if you do it slowly. If you need an SSRI in your system, switch to any one of the others and you won't have the Paxil problems. Paxil is the only one with such a short half-life that it stresses your system. Celexa, Serzone, Welbutrin, Prozac, or even Zoloft won't give you the zaps.

09-26-2002, 11:46 AM	#2
JulieG Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 589	I don't know if you've been on it long enough to have withdrawal problems, but I know of someone who was only on it for 3 weeks that has had a HORRIBLE time of it. Maybe you'll be a lucky one and not have any w/d probs at all. I hope so. What does your doctor say? (Well, the fact that your doc put you on Paxil in the first place speaks VOLUMES, so nevermind.) I don't know if the Paxil causes the pains you're experiencing. I know when I first went on it, I had a headache for about a week. Nothing like what you are talking about though. Good luck!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)