Off for about 4-5 months and bam!

10-02-2002, 11:10 AM

Hi All,

I took Paxil for about 9 months back in 2001. I weaaned off for about 6months and was off back in April. I was ill for most of may and started getting better in june. July and Aug were great! I felt almost completely "normal". Went out a lot, sports, the "old me" was back!

I initially went on Paxil after a major anxiety episode that made my head and a lot of the right side of my body numb. I felt nausia all the time and just felt aweful. It all happened after having some major issues with my marriage.

Anyhow, now it seems that almost all my symptoms have come back. I don't understand!!! Is it the medication is now completely out of my system and I'm "sick" again? This is aweful.... I thought I was done with all this ****... Anyone have any thoughts????

george

Paxil Junkie · 10-02-2002, 03:16 PM

well i wouldnt be surprised if its ur old symptoms coming back, the meds are just a bandaid they numb or hide ur problems, so once u stop the meds ur problems usually come right back

10-06-2002, 05:26 PM

Hey,

Congratulations for being off meds for so long. I have panic disorder so I sympathize with you about the anxiety thing. I have been working with a really really great cognitive behavioral therapist who specializes in anxiety and he's helped me so much the past few years. In fact, I was on paxil for 6 years, and 3 years ago I had a relapse of anxiety (it can come back even on medication. . . medication may lessen symptoms but it will not change the behavior or thinking patterns that may lead us to become anxious. . .). ANYHOW, see if you can find a Cognitive behavioral therapist who specializes in anxiety. And also, yoga has helped me a lot (breathing exercises and learning to not to fear physical sensations). ANYHOW, lots and lots of hugs and empathy to you! You can overcome this without meds, and you're med free so be proud of that. Here's a little something I have to repeat over and over to myself:

Anxiety is uncomfortable, but it's not dangerous. That means, in the moment, you are okay. Just take a second and breathe quietly, and remind yoursel that you're okay. Cause you really are. I know it sounds dumb but it helps me a lot.

Believe in yourself!

cheers,

Stephanie

10-08-2002, 11:37 AM

I like to say "It won't kill you, it just feels like it!"

10-21-2002, 05:45 PM

Thank you all for your replies. The good thing is that now I know (or am pretty sure!) that I'm not dying from some strange illness. That's all fine and dandy, but it is still affecting my daily life.

I am considering some alternatives like SJW, 5htp or even another SSRI. I really dont want meds, but I can't stay like this.

I feel sick everyday, nausea, numbness in different parts of my body and so on and so on.... I still go out and play sports and do stuff, but it has been a lot less than my usual social butterfly ways.... I need to get back to that as I miss it so much....

george

safarigal · 10-21-2002, 07:05 PM

George,

My psychologist told me that depression, anxiety and panic as well as a host of other symptoms are all caused by stuff we have buried down deep in our souls (brain, mind, whatever).

Perhaps you'll find that working through your issues with a psychologist may just relieve you of your anxiety.

Worked for me

JulieD

Ariella · 10-28-2002, 09:27 PM

Gwolverine, congrats on making it this far. Sure is flooring when old friends come back to haunt...erm...visit isn't it?

Anxiety can come back every now and then and you don't have to see the temporary visit (temporary as in months maybe, give yourself some breathing space) as an automatic return no matter how similar. Always ALWAYS treat each anxious episode as an independent event. I suggest that so that you can treat it for itself and not some bias heavy investment of doom.

Completely understand how tough it can be when you've spread your wings already! Grrrrr.

It's been about a month since you originally posted. Any progress? Did it's intensity stay for the whole month?

10-29-2002, 06:00 PM

Thanks for the replys.... Well things kinda went downhill the last couple weeks.... Not keeping me from work like the first time, but really keeping me from doing a lot of things. I started taking st johns wort a few days ago. hopefully that will help a bit to get me back on my feet.

I hear what you are saying that it's probably temporary, but for me temp could be a long time....several months and the only way in the past to stop it was medication... and god i don't want that....

george

10-29-2002, 08:26 PM

Today is the second day that I lowered my paxil dosage from 40 mg to 20 mg. Doc put me on the 40mg last month per my request. Have decided
to taper off. what should I expect? So far..... no scary systoms yet but am taking darvacets for tennis elbow pain so that could cloud the weirdness.
This is scary stuff that I am reading about, I need some help understanding and how long should I taper off. does it take a month or longer?

Cindy · 10-30-2002, 01:04 AM

Dear mk,

In my opinion you are on way too fast a taper. In what I have learned from many wise people on this board...as well as in my own experience...cutting your dose too abruptly is just asking for trouble in the long term.

I, personally was on 30 mg...started tapering in July...was off in a month. I, too, followed my taper as per my doctor's instructions. I never experienced serious side effects until I cut down to 7.5 mg. From 30 mg to 15 was okay for me...just like you are finding that 40 to 20 is okay for you. But that's now...and I don't want to alarm you...because maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who will not experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

BUT, if I had to do it over again...I would taper much, much slower...and then my mind/body wouldn't have had to go through almost three months of intense side effects. This is scary stuff that you are reading...but for some of us it has been our reality. I would have probably taken at least three months to be off...maybe longer.

SLOW DOWN...with too fast of a taper the major side effects don't really hit until you are totally off the drug.

The good news is that I am now two and a half months paxil free...and it is finally getting better...I'm not by any means totally back to my "old self" yet...but then again I am learning that I will probably never be my "old self" again...and in my case that is a "good thing". Because, despite the horrors of this withdrawal...I am discovering a lot about myself throughout the journey...and I've started to work on the root issues of my anxiety...rather than "bandaid" the problem with a supposedly magic, pill.

Listen to your body...and educate yourself. I never found this board until I was totally off paxil.

Cindy

12-17-2002, 10:51 AM

Hi All,

Been a while since my last post.... Thisng haven't been all that great. The numbness in my face has gotten a little stronger..... Stopped playing soccer (u can play all year round her in CA), and don't feel much like doing ANYTHING. Started SJW and 5-htp, but results not all that great. Been taking SJW for about 6 weeks and 5-htp 1 week. Anyone have any suggestions or comments on this combo?

I started listening to Lucina Basset's system and wonder if anyone else has tried it?? I'm starting to understand that I need to tackle this on my own.

I went to the dr last week and he gave me a prescription for Zoloft. It has been sitting on my table for a week and I haven't touched it yet.....

BLAH,
george

12-17-2002, 08:37 PM

Hey, George... bummer. I don't know what to tell you except there are a couple of things you might check out:

A. Stoll's book, THE OMEGA-3 CONNECTION. It's about the importance of omega-3 essential fatty acids on mood. There were some studies done--pretty interesting. You can check out quite a few pages on amazon.com. I take 8 fish oil capsules daily. Some other people on this site also feel it's worthwhile.

Another interesting book is POTATOES, NOT PROZAC. It is about the effect of diet on mood. The author has a web site at:
www.radiantrecovery.com.

Both of these things are worth a shot. You've nothing to lose and everything to gain. Good luck!

02-01-2003, 11:54 PM

Hi George,

I just wanted to put my two cents in here and advise you to see a medical doctor to rule out any other problems that could be causing you to feel so bad. Thyroid disorders can often present themselves in a way that mirrors depression, as can several other disorders.

I have been completely off Paxil for ten days this time, and while tapering for the last time, I found myself having intense pain in the middle of my torso. I chalked it up to the nausea often attributed to Paxil withdrawal, and when the pain became unbearable, I took about 20mgs, which actually seemed to help. Well, the next night, the same symptoms came back with a vengeance, and taking the Paxil did nothing to help. I ended up in the emergency room, and, after a morning of blood tests, ultrasounds and the like, I was diagnosed with an infected gallbladder and gallstones. I had my gallbladder removed that evening and have not taken a Paxil since. I'm zapping and a bit emotional, but feel so glad that I didn't wait to see a doctor. Trust your gut (no pun intended!) and know that random physical problems that are totally unrelated to the Paxil withdrawal problems can show up at any time. Best of luck to you-keep me posted.
Vicki

10-02-2002, 11:10 AM	#1
gwolverine Posts: n/a	Off for about 4-5 months and bam! Hi All, I took Paxil for about 9 months back in 2001. I weaaned off for about 6months and was off back in April. I was ill for most of may and started getting better in june. July and Aug were great! I felt almost completely "normal". Went out a lot, sports, the "old me" was back! I initially went on Paxil after a major anxiety episode that made my head and a lot of the right side of my body numb. I felt nausia all the time and just felt aweful. It all happened after having some major issues with my marriage. Anyhow, now it seems that almost all my symptoms have come back. I don't understand!!! Is it the medication is now completely out of my system and I'm "sick" again? This is aweful.... I thought I was done with all this ****... Anyone have any thoughts???? george

10-02-2002, 03:16 PM	#2
Paxil Junkie Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 315	well i wouldnt be surprised if its ur old symptoms coming back, the meds are just a bandaid they numb or hide ur problems, so once u stop the meds ur problems usually come right back __________________ 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."

10-06-2002, 05:26 PM	#3
bodhipuff Posts: n/a	try cognitive behavioral therapy, please! Hey, Congratulations for being off meds for so long. I have panic disorder so I sympathize with you about the anxiety thing. I have been working with a really really great cognitive behavioral therapist who specializes in anxiety and he's helped me so much the past few years. In fact, I was on paxil for 6 years, and 3 years ago I had a relapse of anxiety (it can come back even on medication. . . medication may lessen symptoms but it will not change the behavior or thinking patterns that may lead us to become anxious. . .). ANYHOW, see if you can find a Cognitive behavioral therapist who specializes in anxiety. And also, yoga has helped me a lot (breathing exercises and learning to not to fear physical sensations). ANYHOW, lots and lots of hugs and empathy to you! You can overcome this without meds, and you're med free so be proud of that. Here's a little something I have to repeat over and over to myself: Anxiety is uncomfortable, but it's not dangerous. That means, in the moment, you are okay. Just take a second and breathe quietly, and remind yoursel that you're okay. Cause you really are. I know it sounds dumb but it helps me a lot. Believe in yourself! cheers, Stephanie

10-21-2002, 07:05 PM	#6
safarigal Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,879	George, My psychologist told me that depression, anxiety and panic as well as a host of other symptoms are all caused by stuff we have buried down deep in our souls (brain, mind, whatever). Perhaps you'll find that working through your issues with a psychologist may just relieve you of your anxiety. Worked for me JulieD __________________ Julie Paxil free since Nov 2002! Forum Rules Withdrawal FAQ

10-28-2002, 09:27 PM	#7
Ariella Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 7,100	don't ya hate it when it revisits? Gwolverine, congrats on making it this far. Sure is flooring when old friends come back to haunt...erm...visit isn't it? Anxiety can come back every now and then and you don't have to see the temporary visit (temporary as in months maybe, give yourself some breathing space) as an automatic return no matter how similar. Always ALWAYS treat each anxious episode as an independent event. I suggest that so that you can treat it for itself and not some bias heavy investment of doom. Completely understand how tough it can be when you've spread your wings already! Grrrrr. It's been about a month since you originally posted. Any progress? Did it's intensity stay for the whole month? __________________ Panic attacks started Dec/1996 Zoloft summer 1998 (quit CT after a few days - bad reaction) 10mg Paxil fall 1998 / 20mg Paxil winter 1999 10mg September 2000 / 5mg October 2000 / FREE November 2000 Healed by Anxiety eBook

10-08-2002, 11:37 AM	#4
Anonymous Posts: n/a	I like to say "It won't kill you, it just feels like it!"

10-21-2002, 05:45 PM	#5
gwolverine Posts: n/a	Thank you all for your replies. The good thing is that now I know (or am pretty sure!) that I'm not dying from some strange illness. That's all fine and dandy, but it is still affecting my daily life. I am considering some alternatives like SJW, 5htp or even another SSRI. I really dont want meds, but I can't stay like this. I feel sick everyday, nausea, numbness in different parts of my body and so on and so on.... I still go out and play sports and do stuff, but it has been a lot less than my usual social butterfly ways.... I need to get back to that as I miss it so much.... george

10-29-2002, 06:00 PM	#8
Anonymous Posts: n/a	one month later Thanks for the replys.... Well things kinda went downhill the last couple weeks.... Not keeping me from work like the first time, but really keeping me from doing a lot of things. I started taking st johns wort a few days ago. hopefully that will help a bit to get me back on my feet. I hear what you are saying that it's probably temporary, but for me temp could be a long time....several months and the only way in the past to stop it was medication... and god i don't want that.... george

10-29-2002, 08:26 PM	#9
Anonymous Posts: n/a	2nd day of decrease Today is the second day that I lowered my paxil dosage from 40 mg to 20 mg. Doc put me on the 40mg last month per my request. Have decided to taper off. what should I expect? So far..... no scary systoms yet but am taking darvacets for tennis elbow pain so that could cloud the weirdness. This is scary stuff that I am reading about, I need some help understanding and how long should I taper off. does it take a month or longer?

10-30-2002, 01:04 AM	#10
Cindy Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Penticton, B.C. Posts: 135	To mk Dear mk, In my opinion you are on way too fast a taper. In what I have learned from many wise people on this board...as well as in my own experience...cutting your dose too abruptly is just asking for trouble in the long term. I, personally was on 30 mg...started tapering in July...was off in a month. I, too, followed my taper as per my doctor's instructions. I never experienced serious side effects until I cut down to 7.5 mg. From 30 mg to 15 was okay for me...just like you are finding that 40 to 20 is okay for you. But that's now...and I don't want to alarm you...because maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who will not experience severe withdrawal symptoms. BUT, if I had to do it over again...I would taper much, much slower...and then my mind/body wouldn't have had to go through almost three months of intense side effects. This is scary stuff that you are reading...but for some of us it has been our reality. I would have probably taken at least three months to be off...maybe longer. SLOW DOWN...with too fast of a taper the major side effects don't really hit until you are totally off the drug. The good news is that I am now two and a half months paxil free...and it is finally getting better...I'm not by any means totally back to my "old self" yet...but then again I am learning that I will probably never be my "old self" again...and in my case that is a "good thing". Because, despite the horrors of this withdrawal...I am discovering a lot about myself throughout the journey...and I've started to work on the root issues of my anxiety...rather than "bandaid" the problem with a supposedly magic, pill. Listen to your body...and educate yourself. I never found this board until I was totally off paxil. Cindy __________________ Slowly learning to "dance and sing" again.

12-17-2002, 10:51 AM	#11
Anonymous Posts: n/a	update Hi All, Been a while since my last post.... Thisng haven't been all that great. The numbness in my face has gotten a little stronger..... Stopped playing soccer (u can play all year round her in CA), and don't feel much like doing ANYTHING. Started SJW and 5-htp, but results not all that great. Been taking SJW for about 6 weeks and 5-htp 1 week. Anyone have any suggestions or comments on this combo? I started listening to Lucina Basset's system and wonder if anyone else has tried it?? I'm starting to understand that I need to tackle this on my own. I went to the dr last week and he gave me a prescription for Zoloft. It has been sitting on my table for a week and I haven't touched it yet..... BLAH, george

12-17-2002, 08:37 PM	#12
Anonymous Posts: n/a	For George Hey, George... bummer. I don't know what to tell you except there are a couple of things you might check out: A. Stoll's book, THE OMEGA-3 CONNECTION. It's about the importance of omega-3 essential fatty acids on mood. There were some studies done--pretty interesting. You can check out quite a few pages on amazon.com. I take 8 fish oil capsules daily. Some other people on this site also feel it's worthwhile. Another interesting book is POTATOES, NOT PROZAC. It is about the effect of diet on mood. The author has a web site at: www.radiantrecovery.com. Both of these things are worth a shot. You've nothing to lose and everything to gain. Good luck!

02-01-2003, 11:54 PM	#13
Vicki Posts: n/a	Hi George, I just wanted to put my two cents in here and advise you to see a medical doctor to rule out any other problems that could be causing you to feel so bad. Thyroid disorders can often present themselves in a way that mirrors depression, as can several other disorders. I have been completely off Paxil for ten days this time, and while tapering for the last time, I found myself having intense pain in the middle of my torso. I chalked it up to the nausea often attributed to Paxil withdrawal, and when the pain became unbearable, I took about 20mgs, which actually seemed to help. Well, the next night, the same symptoms came back with a vengeance, and taking the Paxil did nothing to help. I ended up in the emergency room, and, after a morning of blood tests, ultrasounds and the like, I was diagnosed with an infected gallbladder and gallstones. I had my gallbladder removed that evening and have not taken a Paxil since. I'm zapping and a bit emotional, but feel so glad that I didn't wait to see a doctor. Trust your gut (no pun intended!) and know that random physical problems that are totally unrelated to the Paxil withdrawal problems can show up at any time. Best of luck to you-keep me posted. Vicki

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