Originally Posted By jasmine7 Hi all. A little over a week, I decided to stop taking my Paxil (I've been taking it about 2 years now) because I felt it was masking my emotions too much. There have been a lot of situations where I felt like crying and wanted to cry, but I couldn't, and I really don't like that. So far, it hasn't been too bad. I have had a little vertigo the last couple of days, but the worst of it for me has been nausea and stomach problems. I ended up throwing up Friday night after dinner, and I almost had a repeat of that last night. Have any of you been on Paxil and stopped it? I'd love to hear your stories and recommendations/tips for making it more pleasant. I'm going to go get some ginger ale to help my stomach today, and I've heard that taking multivitamins and a Vitamin B complex helps, so I might try that, too.
Originally Posted By mele I've known a couple of people who have had hard times going off of Paxil. I don't have any advice, just wanted to offer up my support. Good luck, jasmine!
Originally Posted By beamerdog If this was for a chronic, not situational depression, I would advise a regular (maybe once a month) visit with a professional until you feel strong enough. Other than that, I have no experience with what you're going through. But I also offer my support. Please check in so we know how you're doing ♥
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Are you going off it with the Dr's help? I've stopped taking depression meds before and it's been a slow weaning process. Thinking back it's something like 1/2ing the dose and something about every other day. It took a couple of weeks. There were no side effects. I know that if you miss a dose there is still enough in your system to not notice, at least it was for me. So the meds are pretty set in there. I understand the need to cry and not being able to, that was one of the things I hate about the meds. I couldn't cry if I was sad or angry but the emotions came out full force when my dad died. Did you talk with your Dr about lowering the dose? Not saying you shouldn't go off the meds, just wanting to make sure you do it the easiest way. Take care
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan jasmine, I would strongly urge you to quit taking Paxil under the supervision of your doctor. It isn't something that should be dropped "cold turkey" -- in fact, it can be quite dangerous to do that. Please call your doctor today, okay?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>I would strongly urge you to quit taking Paxil under the supervision of your doctor.<< Ugh. This is when an edit function would be helpful. What I meant was ONLY under the supervision of your doctor. I wasn't recommending that you quit it or stay on it, that's between you and your doctor, of course!
Originally Posted By jasmine7 Thanks for all the concern and well-wishes, everyone. I did just call my doctor's office & spoke to the nurse. She said that they do like for patients to be weaned off of it or switched to another type of drug, so she made me an appointment to talk to the doctor on Friday at 2:30. She also said that since I've been off it for a little over a week to go ahead & stay off it, but if I start having more depression or anxiety to call them back. I'm the type who likes to tough things out and who hates taking medicine (my dad was the same way, lol), but I am glad I called them about it. The first few days wasn't bad, but the vertigo is getting more prevalent (I was a little nervous at Wal-Mart this morning because I was dizzy), and I've started getting the "brain zaps" I read about in articles about Paxil withdrawal symptoms. Thanks again, guys. I'll keep you up to date on what's going on with this.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>I'm the type who likes to tough things out<< That's okay, but this is serious stuff. So glad you contacted the doctor. And really, don't try to "tough it out" if you start feeling ill, or anxious, or dizzy.
Originally Posted By mele I'm a "tough it out-er" too and it's been getting me into more and more trouble lately. I know how you feel when you call the doctor and they tell you it's nothing but, I'm coming to learn, that peace of mind is great, too.
Originally Posted By LadyKluck I hated hated hated Paxil!! Ugh! I was weaned off of Paxil & onto Prozac a few years ago when I started having panic attacks. I then quit the Prozac cold turkey (also not recommended)). While I was on Paxil I felt like a zombie. No emotion changes whatsoever. My mom used to tease me and call me Lurch. It's funny now, but back then I wasn't amused (or maybe I was, who knows). Even though I was being weaned off Paxil onto another med I did have tummy trouble too jasmine7, though I wasn't puking. Good luck & glad you called your doctor! Paxil is nasty stuff (at least I thought so while on it).
Originally Posted By mele <<My mom used to tease me and call me Lurch. It's funny now, but back then I wasn't amused (or maybe I was, who knows). >> ROFL! I think what your mom said was funny but I think "maybe I was amused" is funny, too!
Originally Posted By beamerdog When I first went on Cymbalta I felt like that, but after a couple of weeks things got much better. Now I don't have to be on it for depression, but I don't dare go off because it spares me the leg cramps and pain from neuropathy. Cymbalta is a nasty drug that has some very bad interactions with other drugs - warning, be careful with ct scans and mri's. They do NOT mix well.
Originally Posted By jasmine7 Lol, Klucky, yeah, I can relate with the Lurch thing (although for me, it's been more I'm happy all the time, even if I don't quite feel happy). Today's been a rough day. My emotions have been on a bender and a half. I've felt normal for part of the day, and then this afternoon, I've just been teary. The littlest thing is setting me off, both with crying and becoming angry, and I really don't like that. I'm still fighting with nausea. I know I need to have some dinner tonight, but just the thought is sending my stomach spinning. I'll probably try to get some soup down later. Still drinking Canada Dry. I feel so bad because my dog wants so badly to curl up with me when I'm in my recliner, but my stomach is hurting so that I can't get us comfortable (dang it, here come the tears). Friday can't come soon enough, man.
Originally Posted By beamerdog If you're still having withdrawal symptoms when you see your doctor, you might mention the following. At least you won't be replacing the Paxil with another drug on a permanent bases: A Single Dose of Prozac (Fluoxetine) According to Dr. Ivan Goldberg: "The administration of a single 20 mg capsule of fluoxetine usually does the job. The withdrawal symptoms are relieved within hours and the patient goes through a slow fluoxetine withdrawal that is usually symptomless. If the individual had been on a high dose of paroxetine or venlafaxine, a second 20 mg of of fluoxetine may be needed."
Originally Posted By dshyates I was on a tri-cyclic antipsycotic for 4 years. I gained 60lbs, and started losing my hair. As a self respecting/loathing gay man I perfered crazy over fat and bald. So I took myself off. It was pretty rough for the first month. I have been off of them for 17 years with no problem. In the past 5 years I have lost a job, a house, a wife, 2 kids, my dog, 2 more jobs and I have been monumentally depressed. My father, who is a physician keeps suggesting more antiperson pills. I believe I have a legit reason to be a titch down. I now know there is nothing this world can throw at me that would make me start taking that stuff again. And the fat and bald really wasn't the issue. It is like not being alive. At least when I want to blow my brains out that means I am alive, really alive. That is better than what that stuff does to me.
Originally Posted By dshyates WOW, could that^^^^ post be more pathetic? Anywho, I'm still here to brighten you guys day. I am sure that make someone happy. Though I am not sure who that would be. So there
