40 mg of paxil for a year i was taking this, now i have completely stopped for 3 days and i feel like my body is shuting down, what do i do, and can i get through this w/out a doctor?
I was on 40 mg of paxil friday now I have been w/out for 3 days now and I feel like I am dying?
- Posted:
- 5 May 2010 by tonha
- Topics:
- paxil, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and stress
Details:
Answers (9)
Anonymous 
itsmetoo2
christineATU
5 May 2010
I was thinking the same thing. Your doc's supposed to help you.
tonha
5 May 2010
big degree? what a joke it is because of the doctor w/the big degree that i am in this freakn withdrawal bologna.
5 May 2010
yea paxil is one of the worst withdrawls to go through you feel like you have the flu.the only thing you can do is try to get a script for xanax,klonipin,or ativan or some kind of anxiety meds to get you through.when i was coming off them i went to the e.r.because i felt so bad.i told the doc what was up and oddly enough he said he has had other patients that where on paxil come in cause they where withdrawling from it.anyway he gave me a script for ativan and even a scrtipt for vicodin andf man thats what saved me..i hate to tell you it gets worse even after 3 days so if i was you i would heed my advice and get something to get you through it.the e.r.dr told me of all the antidepressants to withdrawl from that paxil is the worse.and you are only on day three i was on my 10 day before i realised i had to do something..i really wish you the best
tonha
6 May 2010
till33, I want to thank you for sharing your story w/me. You have helped me tremendously, and I am so sorry you had to go through the same thing that I am going through right now, the thing that stinks about this the most is that even if I can get through this w/medication vicodin or whatever?, I have no identity to fill a prescription, it has been stolen by a guy I was dating, he tried to kill me, literally. I am just stuck in this health mess, and I am hoping to get through this w/out a doctor and no meication, is that possible? and could this situation stop my heart? another words will I die from paxel withdrawals? take care till33.
till33
6 May 2010
no you want die,but maybe like someone said just try to rest and get on some vitamin b complex it could help and also you could try sam-e it may help some of that withdrawl.you can get some of this at wal-mart or target good luck
5 May 2010
Paxil has a short half-life and because of this when you come off it you will experience discontinuation syndrome. It might have been better to taper down slowly rather than going directly from 40mg to zero. You have my sympathy as I have experienced this and know how unpleasant it can be. Hang in there, it shouldnt last more than a couple of weeks. Dont be afraid to tell your doctor about this if you feel particularly bad. It is a well known phenomenon now and he should be able to help you with it.
tonha
6 May 2010
hallgate, thank you for the information. you said these symptoms will last for a couple of weeks? This is terrible. I would not wish this upon my worst enemy, I am also sorry that you had to go through this as well, can I get through this with out a docor and medication?
grey_cypr...5 May 2010
I crashed myself off paxil a while back (on purpose) from only being on it for 9 or ten months and it was hellish,i cant imagine having been on it for a year and trying it. I would suggest you talk to a doctor or something, whats the reason youre stopping your dose?
tonha
5 May 2010
I stopped taking the paxil because I ran out and the doctor would not see me right away, now it is too late. Can I get through this on my own?
grey_cypress
6 May 2010
You can do it man. It wont be fun but you can get through that
christine...5 May 2010
The worse thing I ever did was go cold turkey from 300mg EffexorER (75mg over the recommended highest dose) I felt like death warmed over! This was a long time ago but I'll never forget it. Please consult with your doctor and taper down from these meds. What's the reason you stopped taking them? If it's a financial issue, more than likely your doc has samples to hold you over. If it's because you don't like how they make you feel, ask for a different med or maybe a different dosage. Your doctor is there to help you. Please give him a call.
Good luck to you.
Chris
lawyer100
11 May 2010
I think this was a great answer for you! Docs always have samples of most drugs... I always get samples from my doc when I can.
christineATU
11 May 2010
thanks lawyer100
10 May 2010
i have been through this and i would ABSOLUTELY NOT go off Paxil cold turkey. And I agree with the other post that said it will get worse. I attempted this and had an actual convulsion while sitting at my kitchen table... which was really frightening since at the time i had a very young child and I was her sole caregiver. I also had 'brain shivers' and the most complete long term despair I had ever felt in my life. Have you left a message with your Dr.? Will he/she call in a temporary refill to your pharmacy until you can have an appointment? Worse case, I would go to the ER and explain the situation. At least get yourself a 14 day supply so that you can wean down. My Dr. also prescribed a different SSRI to ease the effects of discontinuing the Paxil. Let's face it, it's withdrawal... I wish they'd tell the truth about these things. Take care and good luck.
marjorie ...11 May 2010
I would suggest getting back on the Paxil soon, it is not good to just stop it, unless you want to stop it but if you do you need to stop slowly, it may make you feel even more depressed and possilibly have suicidal thoughts. You may want to try some Ativan or Klonopin, just a small dose it is addicting, for a short time until you get the Paxil back in your system. The Ativan/Klonopin will help with any withdrawals and the weird feelings you will experience during this time that you are off the Paxil. Please contact your doctor as to how you are feeling you don't need to suffer in silence. Hope this is of some help. Good luck. marjorie zych
christineATU
11 May 2010
Great advice Marjorie! The only thing I would suggest is plain, ole valium. Its' always worked great for the anxiety and gittery feelings when coming off of any drug.
Anonymous 12 May 2010
I found out, as I said in different responds, that to much of a psychiatrist with out a psychologist can be dangerous.
Not only do we need to control the problem, but then we need to fix it. Not with added pills, but discussion, with a person that can understand and recommend ways to help you over come. Like the song,
"We shell over come."
pledge
20 Apr 2012
I agree. Paxil is one of the harshest of the SSRI's when it comes time to stop taking it. A taper is indeed needed as well as a doctors oversight. pledge
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Hi Bucky, is not Clonazepam a tranquilizer? Please update my knowledge
Clonazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause seizures or symptoms of panic disorder.Clonazepam is used to control certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy and for the treatment of panic disorders.
Clonazepam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide
It has been used successfully for Anxiety for a log time and can said so by people here
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no
Bucky's right. Clonazepam isn't a narcotic. It will help with anxiety and maybe you should ask your doc about this. Either way you want to go, please call your doc. You don't have to suffer through this!
I've also been on Clonazepam for years (along with intermittent use of Xanax and Ativan), and it is a wonderful drug. It has a long half life, so I usually only have to take 1 mg during the day as needed when my anxiety is high. But benzos can also be addictive, but I'm an addict (to other drugs of choice) and I have not ever gotten addicted to any benzo's. If you take them just as needed, they are wonderful.