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Rapid Responses: Rapid Responses published:
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Paroxetine
- Garrett R FitzGerald (2 February 2002)
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Antidepressants Interact with Aspartame
- Betty L. Martini, Send copies to all (3 February 2002)
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experiences of paroxetine withdrawal
- ian k. campbell, averil campbell (4 February 2002)
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Re: experiences of paroxetine withdrawal
- Alfonso Carvajal (9 February 2002)
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Not Just Anecdotal Evidence
- Dawn Rider (9 February 2002)
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Withdrawal symptoms are very frequent and difficult to treat
- Luis Pacheco, Pablo Malo, María Etxebeste and Enrique Aragües (13 February 2002)
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Another Paxil Nightmare
- Julia A Mandeville (6 March 2002)
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seroxat withdrawal
- anne b conaghan, Ireland (19 April 2002)
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Symptoms on withdrawing from long term paroxetine
- Elisabeth Kiss (5 May 2002)
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Seroxat User Group
- Derek D Scott (27 October 2002)
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More over paroxetine discontinuation syndrome
- Luis Pacheco, Juan Medrano, Pablo Malo, Maria Etxebeste and Enrique Aragües (18 March 2003)
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Re: Withdrawal symptoms are very frequent and difficult to treat
- A Green (22 May 2003)
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Re: Another Paxil Nightmare
- Christine Pawlowski, mentor, OH (13 June 2003)
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Playing the percentages
- Dan John Parnell (23 September 2003)
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7% Adverse Reactions.
- Jose D. Saez (24 September 2003)
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Paroxetine Withdrawal The Neverending Nightmare
- Deborah A Garrand (13 November 2003)
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How long will the effects last
- Lee Pines (23 March 2004)
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Paxil withdrawal I wish I knew !
- Paula L Watt, 94061 (25 April 2004)
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My story
- Anonymous Respondent (31 March 2005)
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Re: Paroxetine Withdrawal The Neverending Nightmare
- L C Lancaster (26 May 2005)
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withdrawal from paxil cr
- VIRGINIA WOLFE (7 June 2005)
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Re: experiences of paroxetine withdrawal
- DINAH A SIMPSON (13 June 2005)
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Still having withdrawals
- J Partlow (10 July 2006)
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Stopping Paxil Cold Turkey....Ugh
- S Wise (11 March 2007)
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Paroxetine not worth it?
- Anonymous respondent (17 April 2007)
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Feeling trapped by Paxil
- Kimberly B Wiggins (17 April 2007)
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Withdrawal Response
- Shane A Spencer (15 May 2007)
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Price and Withdrawl
- Dawn S. Annis (8 June 2007)
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Re: Price and Withdrawl
- Lynn Michaels (10 June 2007)
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Re: Re: Price and Withdrawl
- Natalie E. Boyd (23 July 2007)
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Almost free from Paroxetine
- Katherine L McPhee, Australia 2232 (4 September 2007)
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Re: Paroxetine
- E Lynn Alexander, 47960 (7 October 2007)
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Re: Withdrawal symptoms are very frequent and difficult to treat
- Della R Nation (15 October 2008)
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Garrett R FitzGerald, Consultant Physician Waterford Regional Hospital,Waterford,IRELAND
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The "dizziness" associated with paroxetine withdrawal has happened to me on two seperate occasions of dose-reduction, and within two days on each occasion. The nearest description I can apply to the sensation is the feeling of having one's head inflated by an air pump,without evidence of any such appliance in the immediate vicinity. Cipramil, an alternative SSRI, does not produce this spaceman sensation, when my dosage is reduced. |
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Betty L. Martini, Founder, Mission Possible Mission Possible Intl, 9270 River Club Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30097, Send copies to all
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Dear Editor: In reading about withdrawal symptoms from Paxil, it should be noted that 2/3rds of the population is on aspartame (NutraSweet/Equal/Spoonful) which is a drug masquerading as an additive. The 50% phenylalanine as an isolate is neurotoxic and goes directly into the brain lowering the seizure threshold and depleting serotonin. Lowered serotonin triggers manic depression, suicidal tendencies, mood swings, insomnia, panic attacks, anxiety, hallucinations, etc. And aspartame interacts with antidepressants. This is now documented in the new medical text Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic, by H. J. Roberts, M.D. titled Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic, www.aspartameispoison.com or www.sunsentpress.com or 1 800 814 - 9800. A review in the January Journal of Neurosurgery by a psychiatrist said it reads like a PDR of adverse reactions. It's 1038 pages, 8 1/2 by 11. Aspartame Disease has been declared a global plague by Dr. Roberts and the medical text has a large chapter on drug interactions. Aspartame interacts with just about every drug used to treat the problems it causes. It is also a chemical hypersensitization agent so it interacts with vaccines. The U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services is sending a model bill for state legislatures to pass that would give public health officials and governors sweeping new authority without oversight by the legislature or courts that would include mandatory vaccines and these would interact with aspartame. This is also discussed in the new medical text. No drug is safe that interacts with aspartame. And we are now taking case histories for class action with more information on www.dorway.com Mrs. Betty Martini, Founder, Mission Possible International, 9270
River Club Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30097 Aspartame is a psycho drug so when taken with psycho drugs its one psycho drug on top of another. Mission Possible International is a worldwide, unpaid, volunteer force in 50 states and 22 countries of the world warning all consuemrs off aspartame. |
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ian k. campbell, partner heacham group practice, pe31 7ea, averil campbell
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At last a recognition of what most general practitioners and community mental health workers have recognised for some time; withdrawal from paroxetine is much more likely than other SSRI's to produce a characteristic and often severe syndrome. We belief that the figure is considerably higher than the 7% quoted. Paroxetine is, however, an extremely effective and useful drug, and what should now follow is a wide debate, (with appropriate research), to address the following questions;- 1)How common is the withdrawal syndrome? 2)In what proportion of patients is it severe? 3)What regime should be used for withdrawing the drug? 4)How is the syndrome best treated, other than re- starting paroxetine, e.g. should an alternative SSRI be used? 5)Are there particular patient characteristics which predispose them to the syndrome? Failing satisfactory answers to these questions will inevitably lead to the substitution of alternative therapies. |
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Alfonso Carvajal, Clinical pharmacologist Instituto de Farmacoepidemiología Universidad de Valladolid 47005 Valladolid (Spain)
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In fact, I think withdrawal symptoms with paroxetine are more frequent, more severe and more difficult to treat than currently believed. I have tried to stop paroxetine in a female patient by reducing the dose during a long period: three weeks on a 3/4 of the current dose (20 mg); three weeks on 1/2 and, finally, other three weeks on 1/4. After finishing the medication, symtoms have appeared, being the more prominents insomnia, bad dreams and restlesness. It is worrisome that these symptoms resemble those of depression. I agree that it is necessary to find out better strategies to stop this medication but important as well, to have into account, before starting this medication, the appearence of a difficult to treat withdrawal sindrome. |
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Dawn Rider, Administrative KOTM Early Intervention
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I am encouraged to finally see the FDA take action on this extremely urgent matter. I have been communicating with hundreds of people across the United States and throughout Europe who have been attempting to warn the public about the dangers of not only Paroxetine, but other SSRI/SNRI drugs. These are people who were prescribed Paroxetine (or one of the other SSRI/SNRI drugs), without any warning of the addictive nature, or severe side effects upon withdrawal that all too often accompany these drugs. I can only hope that similar action will be taken against all drugs that are within the SSRI/SNRI classification of drugs. The population so adversely affected by these drugs may appear to be nominal when written up as a percentage in the drug labeling insert, but in reality- with so many now being prescribed these new "wonder" drugs for everything from mild depression to PMS, there are millions now using these drugs, most without proper follow up care. The "small percentage" factor now translates into thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands who are so adversely affected. I know from personal experience. I have never taken any of these drugs, but we lost our fourteen year old son to suicide, which I firmly believe was brought on by his own adverse reaction to Prozac, and I have watched my husband suffer terribly in attempting to withdraw from Paxil. I would venture to guess that those who are adversely affected by these drugs are much higher than even the 7-10% that is now being proposed. I encourage you to investigate further into the hundreds of thousands of other "anecdotal" evidences from those using the other SSRI/SNRI drugs. If you don't take the responsibility to do this now, the reality will manifest itself, as has been the case with Paroxetine. There are simply too many people now who are beginning to realize that they were denied the opportunity of "Informed Clinical Consent". These people are not laboratory rats who should be subjected to such experimentation. Listen to what they have to say! Oh, and one more thing, until there is absolute proof positive that one has a "serotonin imbalance", it would be best if this theory ceased to be pushed upon the public as fact. Until there is a method in place to determine what is a "normal" serotonin level in a patient, and a method to determine how much that level should be tampered with to achieve the desired results, the pharmaceutical firms should cease comparing patients diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder or any other number of "mental health disorders" to those diagnosed with diabetes. You can measure the level of insulin needed to obtain the correct balance needed for someone with diabetes. Not so with serotonin. Sincerely, Dawn Rider Orem, UT USA |
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Luis Pacheco, Psychiatrist S.Extrahospitalario de Salud Mental. 48011- Bilbao (Spain), Pablo Malo, María Etxebeste and Enrique Aragües
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I agree with Dr. Carvajal that paroxetine withdrawal symptoms are very frequent and more difficult to treat. I think the ISRS-withdrawal is more frequuent (maybe the venlafaxine is the other ISRS more implicated). We published one letter on paroxetine withdrawal (Pacheco L. et al:More cases of paroxetine withdrawal syndrome (letter).Br J Psychiatry 1996; 169:384) and in this time we tried to stop paroxetine by reducing 5 mg./7- 15 days, and there were problems. Now we propose reducing the dose in this way (in patients taking for example 20 mg./day): - During 20 days: One day take 20 mg.,and the other day 15 mg. - During 20 days: 15 mg. each day. - During 20 days: One day take 15 mg.,and the other day 10 mg. - During 20 days: 10 mg. each day - During 20 days: One day 10 mg. and the other day 5 mg. - During 20 days: 5 mg. each day - During 20 days: One day 5 mg. and the other day nothing - Stop the dose. This is our personal experience, but in this way we dont have problems with the withdrawal in the most of cases. |
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Julia A Mandeville, Software QA Engineer Sybase, Inc Concord, NH 03301
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This is my personal experience with Paxil. Some of this isn't as clear as I wish it to be since I've been off of Paxil for over 1 year. I was put on Paxil after my daughter was born to treat Post Partum Depression. After about 9-10 months my doctor and I determined that I could start coming off. She suggested step down to 15mg from 20mg the first week taking 15mg every day for 7 days then 10mg everyday for 7days, then 5mg for 7days then none. This just didn't work. I remeber getting very agitated, irritable, feeling very out of control, and weepy. Every time I stepped into a hot shower I would feel very flushed and dizzy. This dizziness would dissapate, but to this day this still happens. I stepped down from 20mg - 15 mg ok, spent probably about 2 weeks at 15mg until I felt comfortable enough to step down again to 10mg. Stayed at 10mg for about 3-4 weeks, and 5mg for about another 3-4 weeks. A process that, by my doctor's and the drug company's estimation, should have only taken 4 weeks took me about 8-10 weeks. During my time on Paxil if I missed a dose the symptoms I described above, would roar in and wouldn't subside until about 3-4 hours after I took the missed dose. I also believe that my daughter's seizures as an infant were caused by Paxil withdrawl. I started on Paxil before I gave up trying to breast feed (having had breast reduction surgury 3 years earlier, severly limited my milk production to almost none). Her seizures started within several of days of stopping breast feeding. Timing coincidence. I don't think so. This drug can be very helpful, but needs to be used very carefully. Julia Mandeville
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anne b conaghan, teacher Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Dear Sir, I am currently trying to withdraw from this drug for the third time. When I taper the dosage to one third of the recommended 20 mg dose, I experience weakness on one side of my body, numbness, twithtching, intense confusion, profuse sweating etc. These synptoms occur no matter how slowly I taper the dosage, in this case I have been gradually reducing the dosage over FIVE MONTHS. I am beginning to consider the possibility that my central Nervous System has been permanently damaged.Perhaps there is someone out there who can advise me on what to do next. I think Doctors have been under the illusion that Seroxat is a safe drug, but have been completely unaware of the side effects. I believe that Doctors should discontinue to prescribe this drug, until further research has been undertaken into the possible side-affects of this medicine which resembles the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing. |
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Elisabeth Kiss Zurich, CH-8000
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I'm a 31 year old woman from switzerland. 3 years ago, doctors in a psychiatric clinic put me on paroxetine, 60 mg a day. Feelîng dizzy I reduced it, after 2 weeks down to 40 mg/die. Now, after almost 3 years me and my therapist decided that time has come to reduce it down to zero. during 3 months we reduced it gradually in 10 mg steps until last fridynight, when i took the last 10 mg. what then happened and what is still happening seems like a nightmare to me. dizziness whenever I move my eyes, "electronic shocks" going through my head, excessive sweating and freazing at the same time. this is the fifth day and all I can do is lying in my bed, hoping it will pass soon. I've never experienced something like that and I withdrew also from other antidepressants such a amitriptylin and mianserin. Paroxetine definitely needs a re-evaluation, especially regarding withdrawal in long time users. |
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Derek D Scott, moderator of Seroxat User Group
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The Seroxat User Group website has recently changed address. The new address is http://www.seroxatusergroup.co.uk |
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Luis Pacheco, Psychiatrist S. Vasco de Salud. 48010-Bilbao. Spain, Juan Medrano, Pablo Malo, Maria Etxebeste and Enrique Aragües
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We are a group of psychiatrists very concerned about the discontinuation syndrome arising after the withdrawal or dose reduction of some of the new antidepressants. This Discontinuation Syndrome (DS) is most frequent with Paroxetine and it makes the tapering of this antidepressant to be very slow. But, in most of the countries, Paroxetine is only available in pills of 20 mg. So, the only way to manage the reduction that we proposed (see above our letter: bmj.com,13 Feb.2002) is cutting the pills with a knife in four parts (having each one , more or less, 5 mg.) We know that it is a very slow way to tapering the product, but we don’t find any other form. So now, with the recent presentation in the U.S.A. of the oral suspension of Paroxetine (www.gsk.com/products/paxil_us.htm) , perhaps it could be feasible to make a new dose-reduction regime as slow as to avoid Paroxetine DS. In spite of this, it is still early to know , because there are no studies over this subject for the time being. Competing interests: None declared |
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A Green, manager/outpatient mental health/ therapist Arkansas 72112
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I have observed frequent, rapid weight gain in clients using Paxil. When asking questions about the alleged anorexic effects of the drug back in 1995, I was met with skepticism. This is the first year that I've heard anything about the drugs causing weight gain. However, it's no surprise to me in my role as a therapist. Not all depressed or anxious clients benefit from SSRI's and surely, many suffer. Dizziness, nausea, a sense of addiction, and surrealism are common reports from those suddenly discontinuing Paxil. Please prescribe with caution and attend to the reports of clients who are reporting problems with Paxil as well as other SSRI medications. I am interested in whether permanent metabolism changes have been studied in those taking or who have taken SSRIs, Paxil in particular. Competing interests: None declared |
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Christine Pawlowski, medical receptionist 44060, mentor, OH
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My experience was initially with Effexor, which I responed very well to. While completing an internship at the local emergency room, I discovered my blood pressure was very elevated. In a panic I called my MD who told me to stop the Effexor. Within 24 hours I started feeling "electrical shocks" when I moved my eyes or head, I felt alot of panic & confusion, very tearful. Noone I talked to knew what I was talking about, including my MD or psychiatrist I sought help from. I felt awful, nothing helped unless I sat perfectly still and didnt move my eyes. Which I couldnt do because I was a single parent of a young child. The worst part was how long it lasted. It seemed like weeks/months. The symptoms did become less intense but didnt go away for a long time. Even later if I was sick with a cold or over-tired the symptoms did come back. I was petrified to try any new meds prescribed to me. After a couple of years I found it necessary to get back on an antidepressant which eventually was Paxil. Later because of a change in my prescription plan, I needed to stop the Paxil and switch to another med. I started having the same symptoms all over again. What did work was switching to Zoloft, which is working ok. If I miss a dose I still have some symptoms. I recently read an article on antidepressant addiction which encouraged me to search the web that brought me to this site. I just wish I had this information available when this all happened. I do believe, to some extent, that I am still addicted to antidepressants. Competing interests: None declared |
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Dan John Parnell, IT Leeds LS6 £BD
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A number of varied and interesting responses to the original story, from some clearly informed and erudite sources, thanks for the information… better late than never eh? I was on the site because I'm into circa day 5 of my 'cold turkey' phase - I tapered as recommended but did fast-track the process when I found myself experiencing full withdrawal effects whilst still tapering. Instead of going back up the scale I have decided to tough it out – you gotta beat it sometime right. But that’s all a little ‘cart then horse’ - this extract is personal and current experience, I was taking (past tense - great) Paroxetine for over 3 years after having come out of hospital for an untreatable bowel disorder. All the fun of the fair eh? The Paroxetine was prescribed to aid all kinds of social disorder, and anxiety related issues. Having left the hospital untreated and confused I readily accepted recommendations from my GP (which also included Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which I definitely advocate) during my discussion with my GP regarding anti- depressants I inquired as to whether there would be any effects of withdrawal – I was informed there would not: - This has been my third run at the problem, and it is a problem, it’s one thing to say it’s only a handful out of a thousand, but that doesn’t make you feel any better when your feeling the vice like, gripping squeeze of the aforementioned hand… Attempts one and two were accompanied by too much anxiety to make it possible to continue – attempt 3 interestingly has had only very mild moments of anxiety – but the physical have been wild (that’s not a medical term!) My main symptom is a sensation equitable to having an elastic band wrapped around one’s head, creating tension, pressures and slight pain, with accompanying rushes akin to the elastic band slipping off. There is also tinnitus in the ears and a generic almost ethereal slushy whooshing effect there - I have described the sensation to a friend as my ‘underwater-warp head’ referring to the combined effect of the ear and head sensations. I think this is what others have experienced and called ‘electric shock’ but that doesn’t quite fit in my experience. My conclusion is that withdrawal from this drug is painful, it takes a huge amount of will and determination, and one has to be prepared to be very, very uncomfortable for a period of time. Some times the remedy is worse than the problem, but that’s not entirely fair Paroxetine is fine when you are taking it (although I know it produces some strange effects whilst in a continued program) however, trying to leave it behind and move on into a new phase of your life is hard work. People should know and be informed and be supported. Good luck to anyone who had problems enough to necessitate Paroxetine, and my sincerest support to anyone in the process of weaning him or herself away from the drug. It is addictive (being on is a lot easier than coming off) it does have withdrawal issues, and it is a problem requiring information, resource and support, and sooner rather than later. Regards Dan Competing interests: None declared |
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Jose D. Saez, Dr. Santiago, Chile - no zip code.
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Please note that the aforementioned article doesn't state that paroxetine is an addictive drug, as many readers here have mentioned. A 7% of people experiencing rebound symptoms is a low rate compared to other legal antidepressives such as tobacco and caffeine or some other illegal "antidepressives" such as cocaine and extasis (we cannot actually deny the antidepressive effect of tobacco and the existence of deprivation symptoms as early as minutes after consumption). Individual experiences cannot be applied for the whole population: the risk is eliminating a useful drug for the other 93% who don't experience any adverse effects. Deprivation symptoms mentioned by other readers can be explained by dependence on paroxetine, but also can be explained by a inverse placebo effect, by exacerbation of anxious symptoms not related to the drug, by drug interactions, by emotional reactions not related to paroxetine, and more. The latest evidences are showing Major Depresive Disorder as a chronic illness: the coming back of the symptoms might be only due to MDD and not be necessarily related to paroxetine withdrawal. The manufacturers can be blamed for not presenting the real facts about paroxetine discontinuation, and that's their fault and should be corrected. But we cannot risk to consider paroxetine as "the work of the devil"; as with any other medication we must use actual evidence, wise judgement, and patience during the beginning and ending of the treatments, carefully tampering the doses. That's how we as physicians should always work. Competing interests: Work as a psychiatrist. |
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Deborah A Garrand, Paroxetine Patient LU4 0UH
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I am one of the supposed 7% who experience severe withdrawal symptoms. I was originally prescribed 20mg per day of Paroxetine by a trainee General Practioner who worked one day a week at our doctor's surgery. This was a result of an enquiry on my part at age 33 as to whether there was anything new that could be done to help with the mostly mild panic attacks and generalised anxiety I had suffered since age 14, and which no therapy available to me at that time had been of help - including cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling, hypnotherapy, and therapy on my own of, over 8 years, forcing myself to face all the things which tended to induce panic attacks, on a daily (where possible) or weekly basis - a tortuous regime. I was never free from attacks for more than a day or two at a time, although attacks were less frequent after a course of acupuncture, followed by a course of St John's Wort. I had been on 20mg of paroxetine for just over 1 year after being free of panic attacks for a blissful 9 months, when first attempting withdrawal under the guidance of my GP. She recommended taking 20mg one day, and none the next. However,this produced the severe 'electric head shock' type symptoms on the morning after the missed dose, plus severe nausea and dizziness, panic attacks and blurred vision. The only relief came from keeping my eyes still. She insisted I continue this, despite worsening symptoms, and also insisted I must continue going to work through this even though - to my boss' horror - I was too ill to do anything apart from just sit still at my desk. I was also in the final stages of organising my wedding at this time, and to my enormous disappointment at the time, and regret forever afterwards, I had to abandon some of the most important wedding shopping and decisions to others thereby not having my own choices. I received no support at all from my doctor, other than an insistence to persevere. Fortunately this attempt at withdrawal was abandoned in time for recovery prior to the wedding, thanks to the timely intervention of a hospital doctor. The second attempt at withdrawal, under a new and very much more supportive doctor, involved dropping the dose from 20mg to 15mg. I was able to do that with only minor problems - slight dizziness and nausea, no other problems. These cleared up within about a fortnight, returned a fortnight after that, and then cleared up altogether. I remained on 15mg for several weeks. However, dropping the dose from 15mg to 10mg was more difficult. The electric shock sensations, dizziness, nausea, panic attacks, nervousness started within 48 hours and worsened over the course of 7 days. I therefore returned to the 15mg dose for a couple of weeks before trying to 'yo-yo' the dose by taking 15mg one day, 10mg the next, 15mg the next and so on. The symptoms were more distressing this way, with the nausea never going away. After 2 weeks of feeling worse and worse I stopped this, and returned to the 15mg. One major difficulty in withdrawal was the problem with dizziness - I travelled by train to London each day to work, and the movement of the train exacerbated the nauseousness as well as the dizziness. As my doctor insisted that withdrawal was necessary, I quit the job I had done for 10 years, and which I loved, to work locally. This entailed a salary drop of two thirds making finances at home difficult. But there is absolutely no way I could have coped with the withdrawal symptoms while commuting and working a stressful job. After a few months in the new job, stable on 15mg, I attempted to reduce the dose again, this time by chipping off a tiny piece of the 5mg quarter of the tablet. I experienced mild nausea and chills after about 48 hours each time, but this disappeared within 14 days. By cutting slightly larger and larger pieces off the quarter tablet, leaving 14 days between each change, I was able to reach 10mg successfully without too much distress. I have concluded that the 'yo-yo' dose idea where the dose is higher one day and lower the next, then higher again, is far more likely to produce withdrawal symptoms than just keeping a steady dose every day. My doctor recommended staying on 10mg for two months before attempting further reductions in dosage. Two weeks after achieving 10mg, severe flu like symptoms appeared. I was unable to get warm even though it was full summer with 90 degree temperatures. Panic attacks were terrifying enough that my husband wanted to call an ambulance. My doctor said it was a delayed result of the withdrawal which does sometimes occur. These flu- like symptoms and severe panic attacks came and went with great unpredicatability over a period of 3 weeks before disappearing altogether. Having achieved a few symptom free weeks towards the end of the summer, I am now attempting to reduce from 10mg to nothing, and have switched to the liquid suspension to make accurate measuring easier than cutting tablets. I began the reduction two months ago, by reducing the dose first from 10mg to 9.5mg. This brought back the inibility to keep warm, plus headaches, mild panic attacks, muscle spasms, dizziness, blurred vision and inability to concentrate. I therefore increased the dose to 9.75mg. The symptoms disappeared within 24 hours. By decreasing the dose by tiny fractions every 2-3 weeks I have now managed to reduce to a fraction under 9.5mg, experiencing only very minor problems - blurred vision and mild nausea being the worst. If I reduce the dose by too much too soon, symptoms do become unbearable. At this rate it is going to take at least 12 months to reach zero - which, at this point, seems like a never-ending nightmare. The blurred vision and panic attacks in particular are problems each time they occur, since they affect my ability to do my job. The mild nausea is fairly easily controlled by taking Gaviscon after each meal for a few days until the symptoms settle down. My husband is keen for us to try for a baby and, as I am now almost 38, the biological clock is ticking away fast. If it takes me another year or even two to get off this drug, the chances of us having children will have diminished considerably. So I am keen to stop it as soon as possible. I realise I may have to go back to living with panic attacks in the end, but so long as they are just mild and not what my experience has been from paroxetine withdrawal style panic attacks, I shall cope. If anyone knows of any way to control the withdrawal symptoms, or speed up the withdrawal so it is finished sooner than 12 months but without me losing my job or having to take lengthy sick leave, I would be very grateful to hear from them! Competing interests: None declared |
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Lee Pines, CEO Pines Invesment Co., Milford, MI 48381
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I have been on Paxil CR for approximately 2 years and am trying to stop. I was taking 25cr and then 12.5 cr for approximately 2 weeks. I stopped all dosage 2 weeks ago and I am going for "cold turkey". I am experiencing the same effects many others are including sweats(mildly), nausea (mild) and a "strange" feeling in the head mainly when I move my eyes to a different focus level. It is almost like being on a roller coaster. It is difficult to contend with, I can survive in the short term, but the thought of these effects being long term are worse than the effects themselves. Obviously, there is no one way to handle withdrawal and this is inexcusable by the manufacturer. However, that aside, nobody has really stated how long the effects of withdrawal last. Please, somebody, everybody, give me an idea of what we are looking at. Only those who have gone thru it, can and are able to answer this question. All info will be appreciated. Competing interests: None declared |
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Paula L Watt, I don't know what this means? Recently quit Job in Respiratory Care, 94061
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I was put on Paxil CR 30 mg in 2002, after 3 months of chemotherapy and radiation treatment for esophageal cancer. My best friend died in my arms 6 months later. My Oncologist would give me monthly samples, due to high cost of Paxil Cr. My thyroid was damaged during radiation so I am on other meds as well: Synthroid, Vicodin ES, Klonipan, & Prevacid. I never knew about the withdrawal issues. I would run out, and just wait till I would go to my next appointment to get more. I had no clue that the reason why my work life spun out of control, was due to Paxil withdrawal. 1. BRAIN SQUISH SQUASHING back and forth when I moved my head back and forth. I could hear the noise of my brain in my ears! This was the worst of the withdrawal that went on for days, or more depending on when I got back on. 2. CONFUSION - I could not focus, start, complete any project. I would loose a piece paper in front of me! I was not functioning as a human. Blank Staring. 3. Hot and Cold sweats, Nightmares, extremely thirsty, craved sweets. Leg and arm jerks and twitching. Now due to insurance change, a new Dr put me on regular Paxil a 40 mg white tablet, and told me to cut in half. I feel like am in the midst of withdrawal now, I forgot to take meds 2 or 3 days in a row. I don't know if I have chemo brain, brain damage, or what. I am highly regarded in my field of work. Praised for being the most efficient, organized, detailed orientated, dedicated employee. I know I am no longer that person. I quit the job I loved for 6 years, on whim. Just walked out. So, if you are part of some research or advocacy group, I'll be happy to join. Please email me any info. Thank you for your time. oldgals2@msn.com Paula Watt - formerly in Respiratory Care. Now just trying to take care of myself! Competing interests: None declared |
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Anonymous Respondent, N/A N/A
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Editorial note: Identifying details have been removed at the respondent's request (16 April 2008) I take 30 mg of paroxitine every day, I grew up with panic attacks and a severe fear of the dark, when I was 25 a friend reccomended I try the afore mentioned drug, what a diffrence, not only did it allow me to sleep in a dark room as a side effect my bad temper dissapeared. I have been taking for 3 years now and ran out 4 days ago, unfortunately at the start of a bank holiday weekend here in the UK, I had no tablet for 3 days and have been really ill, dizzy, unfocused, irate, sightly altered and really angry. I have just gotten some more about 45 mins ago, and taken one and feel still quite wierd, its like someone is melting my brain behind my eyes, over the weekend withdrawal I fell overtwice and walked into a door brusisng my face and lip! I have enjoyed what this drug allows me to do but will never want to face 3 days like the ones I just have been through, seems like coming off is not going to be fun either, I had no idea,my own fault for no research I guess however I think so mention of its potency may be a good idea. Competing interests: None declared |
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L C Lancaster, full-time mother Saffron Walden
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I wish to tell my story to show that it is possible to have a baby whilst taking Paroxetine. It is far from ideal of course and I hope to be drug-free when I try for a second baby but I have decided that life (and the body clock!) cannot be put on hold while I try to resolve my problems. I always wanted children and having a baby has given me the hope that I will one day come to terms with the underlying causes of my depression (related to Bulimia - a long and complicated history). I am 33 years old and my daughter is just over a year old. I have been taking various kinds of anti-depressants for the past 6 years and Paroxetine 40mg daily since January 2003. I must admit that when my husband and I decided to stop taking contraception and try for a baby we did not consider the impact of my medication. I fell pregnant after a few months of trying and it was only when I discussed the pregnancy with doctors that I discovered that Paroxetine can cross the placenta. I stopped taking Paroxetine and as others have described, immediately plunged into depression, felt dizzy (with head 'zaps'), fatigued and nauseous with a sense of unreality. At the time I was not aware that these symptoms were due to withdrawal - I actually believed that without the drug my depression would immediately return and that I did not have the mental strength to protect my baby. After this, it was decided in consultation with doctors that I would take the minimal dose I could manage on as, on balance, my health and well -being were as important as the health of the baby. I resumed taking 20mg daily for the remainder of the pregnancy but felt very unwell - continually sick, dizzy, very very tired to the extent that I was unable to work - throughout. It is only now, having discovered that withdrawal can be a problem for many people, that I wonder if some of these symptoms could be put down to the abrupt reduction of my dosage from 40 to 20mg daily. Whatever the reason, I successfully gave birth to a healthy baby girl in May 2004. I did not breastfeed due taking the advice of a psychiatrist who believed that the risk of Paroxetine being present in the milk outweighed the benefits of breast milk for the baby. She thrived on formula and I have no regrets. I resumed the higher dose of 40mg as soon as the baby was born due to my increased chance of suffering post-natal depression. A year later I now wish to stop taking Paroxetine. Having tried the 'yo-yo' form of dosage reduction which my doctor suggested and suffering acute withdrawal symptoms, I am going to try the gradual process suggested by MIND (details on their web-site). Competing interests: None declared |
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VIRGINIA WOLFE, Mother of three children 35973
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after being on paxil for 4 years and moving to a new state i had a six month prescription written on paxil cr, found out they took off market and ask a doctor to please help me with the severe withdrawl symptoms i am experiencing...(abnormal vision, lack of concentration, dizziness, electric shock sensations in my face, neck and arm). the doctor prescribe me Zoloft 25mg for week, they made me extremely tired, feeling that the doctors work for the makers of these drugs, i lessoned my dose to 12.5mg and then stopped. HOW LONG WILL THESE WITHDRAWAL SIDE EFFECTS LAST...I dont want to begin all over again..i need to feel normal and live life again. thanks for any help, Virginia Competing interests: None declared |
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DINAH A SIMPSON, Home Duties 4740
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I have tried to slowly reduce my paxtine tablets. I am on 20 mg a day. I feel that I am very dizzy and almost like I am geting a cold or flu. I take a full tablet one day and a half the next. I have been doing this for approximately two weeks and still getting dizzy. Is there any other way of stopping this medication. Competing interests: None declared |
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J Partlow, Claims Rep Social Security-Asheville, NC
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I have been on Paxil since 1998. I originally got on it for an eating disorder. It worked wonderfully and I have not had any problems with the eating disorder in 8 years. The only problem is I'm still on the Paxil because the withdrawal symptoms were too difficult to endure. I'm now trying the get off of it for either the 4th or 5th time. I started off on 40 mgs and went down to 20 a couple of years ago. Then went down to 10 last year in another failed attempt to completely get off of it. This time I'm down to 5 mgs and have been for a couple of weeks. I plan go off altogether whenever my current symptoms dissipate. My symptoms have been the strange feeling in my head when I look in another direction, dizziness, nausea, upset stomach and headaches every night. Also a sense of confusion and foggy headedness at times. These symptoms are moderate. The first time I tried to get off of the medicine in 2001 I had never heard of discontinuation syndrome and I was severely ill with the sweating, chills, etc... It's worked much better to gradually taper. I really did not know what was happening to me in 2001 when I first tried to get off. There is a lot more information out today about this. It's definately pretty miserable but hopefully I'll be successfull this time so I will never have to go through this again! Competing interests: None declared |
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S Wise, RN California, 92690
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Originally weht on 20mg/increased to 40mg Paxil due to increased anxiety due to inabilitly to control hormonal changes during menopause. Now due to unforseen circumstances, I am not working, therefore have no Insurance. I have had to COLD TURKEY the Paxil without weaning the dosage. I am now discovering the very uncomfortable and quite painful side effects. It has been about 1 week now and the most annoying symptom is the swiching sound in my head/ears when I turn my head even the slightest of motions. The hot and cold sweats during the night and day are just annoying, but the insomnia and arm/leg flailing are relentless. The muscle aches, more so in my neck are very painful. Now I've started with abdominal cramping and nausea. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get through this and how long these symptoms are going to last? Competing interests: None declared |
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Anonymous respondent, N/A N/A
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Personal details were removed at the author's request, 12.2.09
I am a 27 year male and have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for 3 years. I started taking Paroxetine last year after many other unsuccessful SSRI treatments unfortunately for me I am very prone to a frustrating side effect common with all SSRI’s. After trying Fluoxotine, Sertraline Mirtazipane and Clomipramine it was suggested that I tried Paroxetine. Early on I experienced a quick reduction in my Obsessions and Compulsions which I was pleased with as my new method to overcoming my frustrating side effect was to have what I call a “med holiday”. This is were I would have two to three days off from taking my meds which was long enough for the side effect to disappear, then I would re continue to find nearly an almost instant return in the beneficial side. I thought I had found a solution to my OCD…… Over the course of a year I began experiencing nausea, stomach pains and head aches. I couldn’t really put my finger on it, I started to think that the water supply where I worked may have been contaminated (my OCD coming into play). I can’t be sure when this started but occasionally I got a weird sensation behind my eyes any time I would re focus my gaze else where my heart would feel like it skipped a beat, like when you go down a dip on a roller coaster and your stomach ends up in your head. This made me feel very sick all I could do to combat this was to keep my eyes forward and not to move in any direction. I went to my GP and I think he thought I was imagining it! These last couple of months the nausea and stomach pains began to get me really down and depressed and my pill holidays seemed too much trouble and probably the cause as the nausea and stomach pains seemed to increase in intensity. Now I have always known that SSRI’s like many other drugs cause side effects otherwise we would live in a perfect world. But I think reading the information posted by other Paroxetine users has confirmed my worries and beliefs, having OCD has made this task more harder as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) teaches you to ignore OCD symptoms i.e. trying to ignore the symptoms and worries associated with Paroxetine indirectly. Reading the postings by other patients gave me a sense of relief “I am not the only one” similar to that I felt when I was first diagnosed OCD! You may think this is a bit dramatic but having these side effects has really effected my life making me unmotivated, depressed and even suicidal at times always asking myself is this my quality of life now? What is the point? Although I have found a dramatic decrease of my OCD symptoms it has been a trade off with side effects from Paroxetine which in my experience has not been worth it and hearing news and other experiences with Paroxetine makes me wonder why this drug is still widely prescribed? Is more research required? Yes I think so, if not more warnings about the problems about this drug. Although I cannot prove directly my life has been interrupted by Paroxetine I have no doubt that it has been a major contributor. I have since decided to come off medication for the time being and see how I cope with out it and maybe OCD permitting get on with my life. Withdrawal has been very hard almost near impossible and I can now understand many other drug users problems as it seems Paroxetine will not let me go without a fight and if things get too much I have Fluoxetine in reserve to help me along. Thank you for the posts above for the reassurance and confirmation. Competing interests: None declared |
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Kimberly B Wiggins, nursing student Home Instead Senior Care
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I started paxil in 2002 and am curretly trying to wean myself off with my Doctors supervision. I have really intense headaches, nausea,really extreme dizziness, really aggravated easily,and hot sweats. This process has not been easy at all. I was told to take 12.5mg every other day but have gone to another doctor and she told me to take it slower and take one every two days then skip a day. I'm really not sure at this point if I will be able to make it off this medication because of the extreme withdrawal affects of coming off Paxil. Competing interests: None declared |
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Shane A Spencer, Veterans Affairs TPI Veteran
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I am a Vietnam Vet on 20mg daily of Paroxetine. I suffer from PTSD & Depression. I have found the drug has changed my life from almost suicidal & being totally withdrawn to at least being able to get out in public (mostly reluctantly)& being part of my family. However in 2000 when in the USA on holiday I ran out of medication & without a prescription was advised by a Pharmacist to take St Johns Wort. However after approx 4 days I began to become aggressive, had "electric impulses" in my head & down my left leg, no feeling when my left leg touched the ground,headache & no patience or tolerance. I was admitted to Hospital in Hawaii & tested for a stroke despite both myself & the medical staff being confident that it was probably withdrawal from the Paroxetine. My doctor in Australia had to be contacted for the dosage & medication name. I was given some Prozac to take until I returned to Australia & received almost immediate relief. My Doctors in Australia were unaware off these effects at the time & have only been awrae for a couple of years. It was frightening for bothy myself & my family who had never seen me so aggressive & belligerent. Competing interests: None declared |
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Dawn S. Annis, M.A., Office Manager, Dr.'s right arm Walnut Creek, Ca. 94596
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I came upon this site after suffering (and still reeling) terribly from running out of Paxil. My story starts simply enough. After years of abuse and countless therapists, no one knew what was wrong with me; until I attempted suicide...twice. After numerous combinations of pills and side-effects, Lithium 900mg. and Paxil CR 37.5mg. finally helped get my life back. I have been on this current therapy for about 8 years. At 18 and Dx'd with Bi-Polar and anxiety, a kid feels like a freak. I really wish that Kaiser (go figure) told me about Paxil and the withdrawal effects. It works for me, and I guess that is what matters most, but I have no insurance now. $86 just for one medication is an expense that I could not afford. Then I ran out about a week ago. The next day I was dizzy. Not just drunk dizzy, but my legs can't carry me dizzy. Then came the migraine. It does not go away. All day at work I am sluggish and slow moving. I can't turn my head with-out having to rest. My fingers are going numb and my right thumb is in a perpetual state of being asleep. I swear I could slice it open and I wouldn't feel anything. I can't really eat anything without feeling like I want to pray to the porcelain god. I am snapping at everyone (including patients) and crying for no reason. I even had a Hallucination last night of watching former neighbors being hanged right in front of me and their spirits tormenting me like it was my fault. I have NEVER had a hallucination before! My poor son is even getting yelled at when he comes over. He is only four but I just lose it, and then I feel bad and cry and apologize to him. Thank god he is a loving soul and shows no signs of mental illness. All I really wanted to say was that the so called "7%" of withdrawal suffers are not just numbers. We have jobs that depend on us, children that look up to us and a life that deserves a medication that helps people WITHOUT making them feel like they want to die so the pain will stop. This is the reason that I want to finish school and try to find a cure for mental illnesses. WE ARE PEOPLE TOO! We deserve affordable medications and that includes Seroquel at $500 per month. Who out there is making the decisions that making someone pay almost $600 a month for medications, one of which is extremely addictive, is ethical? If they could only live a week in our shoes and have to suffer the way we have to. Maybe only then can a real and lasting change ever be made. P.S. My other half couldn't stand seeing me suffer like this so he made me call in a refill. I just took my pill, and I know it will be a few hours before it kicks in. I never want to run out again. I thought I could handle it. This is the one thing that has ever kicked my rear end this bad. Even Vicodin ES only took the edge off so I could drive home. Thank you anyways Doctor. I do appreciate the pill. Competing interests: None declared |
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Lynn Michaels, Researcher 07039
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Alison - Please contact me for help with these symptoms... I'm in the process of creating a facility to help people get off SSRIs safely and without debilitating withdrawal... There is help - I can direct you to professionals to assist - it is a combination of about 4 protocols - all natural. This is no joke and it's certainly not funny. I have the answers... it's just a matter of time before it will be public... so you don't have to look any further but here. My story: http://ssri-research.com/lynns_journey Hang in there - I found the way out of hell... there is a path. Lynn Michaels Competing interests: None declared |
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Natalie E. Boyd, unemployed New York, N.Y. 11375
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I have been on Paxil since 1999 (I was 19), the first time I forgot to take my medication I suffered from intense nausea, excruciating headaches and those pesky little brain shocks (When I would move my eyes even slightly it felt like a surge of electricity would flash through my brain). Nobody believed me, they said you can't have withdrawal symptoms from this medication. I am now 27 and still on Paxil because my attempts to come off of this horrible drug have resulted in lost jobs, physical illness, and suicide attempts. I've managed to get down to 20mg a day (from 60mg)but I am experiencing brain shocks even as I type this. I am scared that because I have taken this medication for so long it has possibly permanently changed the neuro-pathways in my brain, and I might not be able to ever come off of it, or have a chance at a non-medicated life. If there is anyone out there who has anything close to an answer for me I would greatly appreciate it. To my fellow sufferers I am sorry for what you are going through, good luck to all of you. Competing interests: None declared |
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Katherine L McPhee, Consultant Self Employed, Australia 2232
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It's been about two months since I started weaning myself off Paroxetine, and I'm now down to a quarter of a tablet (each tablet is 20mg so I'm down to 5mg per day), with the expectation that I will be completely free of the medication within the next 1-2 months. I was prescribed Paroxetine by my doctor about 20 months ago when I showed signs of extreme anxiety (I was wringing my hands, breathless, panicky, agitated and teary) as a result of a number of 'big' events in my life which all seemed to coincide with each other (divorce, starting a new job, etc). Even in light of the problems associated with coming off the pills, I still believe that these antidepressants helped me through a very difficult time, and that they can be very helpful to people who are dealing with anxiety, depression or OCD. Unfortunately for me, because I was so stressed at the time, I took the drugs prescribed to me and didn't read up on the history of the brand, nor how it may affect me when the time came to stop taking them. At the time of prescribing the pills, the doctor didn't provide me with any information relating to the side-effects of Paroxetine (except to say that I would originally experience the desire to grind my teeth and that I would twitch and jump - both of which lasted well into the first six months of taking the pills). About 6 months into taking Paroxetine I (foolishly) figured that it would be good to give my body a rest each weekend and as such I stopped taking the pill every Friday, and resumed again every Monday. I thought that this might clear my system of all artificial substances in preparation for the coming week (kind-of like taking a break from Omega 3, or multivitamins!). Over the course of the following year, I couldn't understand why I was getting so sick each weekend, and why I was needing to take Monday's off work when in the past I had never taken a single sick day. I honestly thought that there was something bad in the air in the town that I was working in, and commented as such to my partner. I was constantly complaining of feeling very dizzy, confused, nauseous, very lethargic, teary, having terrible nightmares and night sweats. I couldn't get through the weekend without having to take a nap each day (often up to four hours at a time), and if we ventured too far away from the house I became panicky about not having somewhere to 'rest' during the day. These symptoms were so bad that I went to see my doctor and he referred me to a sleep specialist and a neurologist (thinking I may have a sleep disorder as well as MS because of the dizziness, but never once giving thought to the side-effects of the medication that I was on!!!). I spent a lot of money and a lot of time undertaking sleep studies and neurological tests, but (not surprisingly in hindsight) no problems could be found. I started to think I was going mad, and my family were even beginning to think that I was a hypochondriac. They blamed the intensely stressful period that I was going through and told me that all I needed was to relax more. About two months ago (for reasons unknown to me even now) I decided to come off Paroxetine altogether...and stopped cold-turkey. I was so muddle-headed and confused by this stage that I didn't give any thought to finding out how this might affect me. Unfortunately, within 4 days of stopping the medication, I became really ill. EVERYTHING upset me so that I was constantly in tears, I was extremely lethargic and the dizziness/vertigo got to the point where I just couldn't function and I was actually walking into walls and lurching sideways like a drunk. My right index finger kept going completely numb, my legs and arms were twitching and I really struggled to concentrate at work. Even now I'm still unsure how I managed the hour long drive to and from work each day without injuring myself or anyone else... For the first time in my life I felt suicidal (rather ironic given that I was on antidepressants!). I seriously couldn't contemplate a life that involved the ongoing dizziness, nausea and lethargy and I alternated between feeling frantic and despondent. Fortunately for me it was around this time that a friend of a friend (who happens to be a doctor), mentioned that my symptoms sounded like those that would be experienced if I was coming off drugs. She asked if I was taking any medication, and when I mentioned Paroxetine, she told me to look it up on the internet and see if any of the listed symptoms matched mine. They did. When I read the letters posted on this site I was in tears. Tears of anger over the lack of information (and insight) from my doctor and tears of relief to finally find out what was wrong with me. I alternated between tears and near-hysterical laughter as I read my way through the accounts from people who couldn't function due to dizziness, who thought that there was poison in the water they were drinking, who were so tired they couldn't get out of bed, etc. I was giddy with the relief of knowing that I wasn't alone, and that I wasn't a). crazy or b). dying of some terrible disease! I immediately reverted back to taking Paroxetine EVERY day of the week and within just one day the dizziness and nausea had subsided. I went back to the doctor (not my doctor as he was away on leave) and told her what I had found out about the drug. She said that it was all hype and that Paroxetine was fine to take and was not addictive, therefore I wouldn't have any problems coming off the pills. I was very frustrated with her response and decided to continue to wean myself off the pills... but this time by doing it slowly, rather than going cold-turkey. I immediately cut my intake of Paroxetine down to 3/4 of a pill on a daily basis for one month and there were no side-effects, so I again dropped the dosage 1/2 a tablet. There were still no side effects, so after another month I dropped to 1/4 tablet. Unfortunately, as soon as I got to 1/4 tablet (which is where I am now), I again started feeling nauseous and dizzy, but the symptoms are relatively mild - nothing like I was experiencing previously. I think that I can function at this level and as such I plan to 'wait it out' and hope that the effects disappear soon. As soon as they go I will get rid of the last 1/4 dosage and - fingers crossed - be free of the drug altogether. I realise that I was only ever on 20mg per day, so for me it may have been easier to wean myself off the drug than what it may be for others who are on higher dosages. But I believe that if you SLOWLY cut down your dosages, then you can probably get off them too. My best word of advice is to continue taking those tablets EVERY day without fail as per the directions, and be prepared for some very uncomfortable side-effects when the time comes to wean yourself off them. Fortunately, it appears that the side-effects are being recognised now (I saw a show on TV last week which detailed exactly these problems associated with Arapax/Paxtine/Paroxetine). The problem appears to be the company that is producing them still won't admit to the withdrawal effects, and the doctors who are prescribing them don't give enough information to their patients at the time of writing the prescription... Good luck :) Competing interests: None declared |
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E Lynn Alexander, Retired Housewife, 47960
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I am so glad I found this help for me. I am a 61 year old woman and have been on Paroxetine for 12 years because of home problems and going through the change of life. A week ago I decided to go cold turkey on this med. Each day seems to be getting worse for me. It is now 4:00 am in the morning and I just woke up from a severe nightmare of leaving my husband of 42 years and how I would go about it. In the last week I thought I was getting the flu back that I just got over about 3 weeks previous. Thanks to all of this information I am going back on my med and try weaning myself off of it very slowly. The dizzy spells are dibilating. I cannot think at all and each day seems to get worse for me. My children were happy that i was going to try this but now I will share this information and explain how it will work. I have always been a softspoken person but am now hearing myself yelling..the nausa is also a problem. Severe headaches for no reason. I have became very abrasive in the last few days and thoughts of life ending have been entering my mind which have never before. I so much to live for and could not fathom why this was happening. I am so glad I found these facts so I now know I am not going crazy and losing my mind. I am a game player on the internet and cards with friends; I could no longer do this as I could not concentrate long enough to do so. Once again I am so grateful for this information...It very likely has saved a life..... Competing interests: None declared |
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Della R Nation, caregiver 32084
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I feel Paxil is overrated, and should not be so readily prescribed. It is a drug that has to be taken exactly the same all the time. also, I believe that there should be more patient teaching. drug and food interaction, proper perscription taking. I've read many peoples' responses to this drug. This is a very difficult drug to get off of. This is not been part of the patient teaching anyone ever talks about. Sure the packaging reads to not discontinue drug without consulting doctor first, but don't they all? I am now trying to "withdrawal" from 20 mg Paxil after approx 10 years. The doctor prescribed 10 mg for 7 days and then 5 mg for 7 days at which time I will begin Wellbutrin. My question: How much of these withdrawal symptoms do I put up with until I need to see the doctor? Competing interests: None declared |
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