I didn't know the symptoms were so severe!

05-07-2004, 03:47 PM

I'm so glad I found this website!

I started taking Paxil sometime in February of 2003 with the intention of only taking it for a short period of time. I had gone through several major traumatic things and was all over the place emotionally. So in order to function, I asked my doctor for some help. She started me on Paxil CR and it really helped. But I had no idea how severe the effects are when you try to stop taking it. I don't feel that I need the drug anymore, and from all the things I've read on this website, it sounds like even if I did need some kind of medical help, Paxil isn't the thing to take long term. I don't want to be emotionally numb! Starting in January, I started weaning myself off. I'm down to taking one every 5 days but I am noticing alot of things like crying, anger, paranoia, stomach pains, dizziness, fatigue, blurry vision, crazy dreams, fitfull sleep, muscle twitching ...and I had NO IDEA all that was from trying to stop taking this drug!!!!! Since I started taking Paxil, I've probaly gained 20 pounds but I didn't know it was from this stupid drug!

So here's my question. In January, I moved, all by myself, 10 hours away from everything I'd ever known as home - to take a new job. The relationship I thought was "the one" went bust about a month after that. (no, he doesn't live out here) Do you guys think I should just stop taking it all together, or continue to wean myself? The crying and the paranoia are the things that are the hardest to deal with. During the weekends, I just sleep and sleep - but during the week I drag myself around and try to appear normal.

What should I do? Stop all together, or wean?

lifeisbeautiful222 · 05-07-2004, 03:54 PM

I dont know what you should do but I went cold turkey and got it over with. The worst of the physical symtoms were gone in a week. The second week was bad too but not as bad. Now Im dealing with the emotional part of all this. If you do go cold turkey then take at least one week off of work because you will be too sick to consentrate and stock up on supplies. If you cannot take time off work then you should probably wean because you will be wreck at work if you just stop. I liked going cold turkey although some say not to do it. I actually preferred it because I tried weaning before and still had the withdrawal but with going cold turkey I was just able to get the worst part over with as soon as possible. Good luck.

MizzT · 05-07-2004, 05:40 PM

Hello!

taking one every 5 days could just be making the withdrawal worse. Paxil only has a half life of 21 hours. which means half the drug is out of your system in less than a day. that is what makes the withdrawal so hard... because it leaves the system so fast and leaves the serotonin system reeling.
i think....when you take one every 5 days and boost up the system only to let it completely drop again....that makes it really hard on your brain.

the recommended way to wean is to reduce dosage very slowly but still taking it every day.

No one knows how you will react not taking any pills....but im not sure it would be worse than taking one every 5 days.

no matter how bad the symptoms get. you will survive.

best of luck to you.
Beverly

mjm · 05-07-2004, 08:34 PM

I agree with Beverly's point about not taking it every five days. If it were me I'd either just stop or stop and take ONE 10 or 20mg prozac a week to cushion the withdrawal. I'd do the latter for about a month and quit. Prozac can be taken weekly because of it's long half life.

05-07-2004, 03:47 PM	#1
mb143 Posts: n/a	I didn't know the symptoms were so severe! I'm so glad I found this website! I started taking Paxil sometime in February of 2003 with the intention of only taking it for a short period of time. I had gone through several major traumatic things and was all over the place emotionally. So in order to function, I asked my doctor for some help. She started me on Paxil CR and it really helped. But I had no idea how severe the effects are when you try to stop taking it. I don't feel that I need the drug anymore, and from all the things I've read on this website, it sounds like even if I did need some kind of medical help, Paxil isn't the thing to take long term. I don't want to be emotionally numb! Starting in January, I started weaning myself off. I'm down to taking one every 5 days but I am noticing alot of things like crying, anger, paranoia, stomach pains, dizziness, fatigue, blurry vision, crazy dreams, fitfull sleep, muscle twitching ...and I had NO IDEA all that was from trying to stop taking this drug!!!!! Since I started taking Paxil, I've probaly gained 20 pounds but I didn't know it was from this stupid drug! So here's my question. In January, I moved, all by myself, 10 hours away from everything I'd ever known as home - to take a new job. The relationship I thought was "the one" went bust about a month after that. (no, he doesn't live out here) Do you guys think I should just stop taking it all together, or continue to wean myself? The crying and the paranoia are the things that are the hardest to deal with. During the weekends, I just sleep and sleep - but during the week I drag myself around and try to appear normal. What should I do? Stop all together, or wean?

05-07-2004, 03:54 PM	#2
lifeisbeautiful222 Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 184	I dont know what you should do but I went cold turkey and got it over with. The worst of the physical symtoms were gone in a week. The second week was bad too but not as bad. Now Im dealing with the emotional part of all this. If you do go cold turkey then take at least one week off of work because you will be too sick to consentrate and stock up on supplies. If you cannot take time off work then you should probably wean because you will be wreck at work if you just stop. I liked going cold turkey although some say not to do it. I actually preferred it because I tried weaning before and still had the withdrawal but with going cold turkey I was just able to get the worst part over with as soon as possible. Good luck.

05-07-2004, 05:40 PM	#3
MizzT Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NM Posts: 6,866	Hello! taking one every 5 days could just be making the withdrawal worse. Paxil only has a half life of 21 hours. which means half the drug is out of your system in less than a day. that is what makes the withdrawal so hard... because it leaves the system so fast and leaves the serotonin system reeling. i think....when you take one every 5 days and boost up the system only to let it completely drop again....that makes it really hard on your brain. the recommended way to wean is to reduce dosage very slowly but still taking it every day. No one knows how you will react not taking any pills....but im not sure it would be worse than taking one every 5 days. no matter how bad the symptoms get. you will survive. best of luck to you. Beverly

05-07-2004, 08:34 PM	#4
mjm Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 93	I agree with Beverly's point about not taking it every five days. If it were me I'd either just stop or stop and take ONE 10 or 20mg prozac a week to cushion the withdrawal. I'd do the latter for about a month and quit. Prozac can be taken weekly because of it's long half life.

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