... withdrawal!?
Anxiety - Has anyone been on Paxil for 20+ years? I've been taking it for 26 years & am unable to?
- Asked
- 11 Dec 2014 by Seve72
- Updated
- 27 December 2021
- Topics
- paxil, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, withdrawal, anxiety and stress
25 Answers
5678910
27 Dec 2021
I have been on seroxat for 30 years. Cut down in may this year. Which was 7 months ago. I am now on 30 mg a week after taking 20 mg a day. Having a few anxieties at the moment,. Mainly to do with pressure at work and Christmas pressures. Also my mum being in hospital for a month with delirium after breaking her hip. Doing ok. Need to keep busy really. Which is what I do most of the time. Cut down slowly. I bought a weekly pill box which helped me.
Sherry Chivas
22 Nov 2021
It is now 2021. I have been on Paxil for 30 years. I am sure when the dr. put me on it, he was not aware of the weight gain properties, this drug has. It does well for me mentally, but I am now 77 and have gained over 40 lbs., thru the years. I take .10 mgs. I have tried, with my physicians help, four times to withdraw from it, and since I was always working full time, I could not be as sick as I was, with the withdrawal symptoms. I tried it with liquid, very gradually and with Prozac, at a low dosage and I was still so sick and had all the symptoms, people mention in the blogs. Now the weight gain, at my age is destroying my knees, back, etc. I am a small boned woman. None of my doctors have been able to help me with this. Thanks for reading.
GmanPA
1 Mar 2021
Been on paxil for most of the last 20 years. Worked well for me, but I packed on a ton of weight and was having orgasm issues the last few years. I’ve come off paxil twice now. It’s not easy but I didn’t have too bad a time doing it. The last time I switched- Nov of 2020- my Dr had me use Prozac as a bridge and that worked great. Tried Viibryd for 3 months but that didn’t work that well. On Lexapro for almost 3 weeks now. Got my fingers crossed.
tyhc
17 Feb 2021
I cannot say how much I appreciate all of the answers here. I am currently weening off Paxil and it is BRUTAL. Sweats cycle pretty much 24/7 + edginess + crying jags+ lightheadedness + exhaustion ( really, who wouldn't be wiped out from managing this crap?). I have been on 20mg. on and off for 15 yrs. I went off the first time without too many issues, or maybe I blocked it. This time around is a whole new story. I am determined though.. This med did help me with a serious bout of anxiety, but it also took away my sex life and after two years is not needed. I am down to 10 mg. Tried every other day - BAD IDEA. So, will have to take this slower than I thought.
gero67
23 Nov 2019
It can be done but the way or route may not be that straightforward, I was on 5mg for a year or two, cutting down from 15mg to 10 from my usual dose of 20mg since I started on this journey 26yrs ago, at times the taper can be impossible and you have to go back on, this has been my life for 26yrs an emotional yoyo'ing, the last few days took another step down from 5mg to 2.5mg after day 4 experienced bad mood swings and anger and nervousness but expected it, I feel the last few mg can be the toughest, maybe not. Hopefully I can come off this drug finally once and for all and heal my brain via meditation, exercise, eating a brain healthy diet and a healthy diet in general, avoiding unneccesary stress on the brain, like starting a new business or getting into arguements etc.
So hang in there it can be done, you may fail a few times but that can mean you are closer to the goal, I want to be off the drug by the 27yr mark.
CaseyK1943
23 Nov 2019
I have taken Paxil for Over 27 years now. I took 65 mg a day until I hit 65 years old. Then had to cut down to 60 mg. I was told that’s the highest you can take after age 65. Over the years I have cut back and tried other brands. But have always come back to Paxil. I would say now it is about half as effective as it used to be. But it is still better than any other antidepressant I have tried.
Lately I have been adding CBD oil also. And I have found that to help tremendously. I highly recommend that to anyone needing more than just an antidepressant.
Social94127
11 Feb 2020
Could you share how and how much you’ve been taking CBD oil? And excuse my ignorance, there are so many products on the shelf, what oil do you buy?
Thank you
PaxilisEVIL1973
22 Nov 2019
Do others taking this medication feel like a misfire in your brain if you haven't taken it for 4 days ?? I've tried several times getting off this pill it's HELL !! I'm going to try a serotonin supplement to boost my serotonin to see if that's the answer to get off this pill ..
Zaneys
24 May 2019
Hi there ~ I have been taking Paxil for about 25 years after suffering from severe panic
attacks. I used to also keep a little prescription bottle of Xanax in my purse to use if
needed - which I rarely needed after the Paxil kicked in. I take 10mg of Paxil once a day.
I'm 66 years old. This is the ONLY medication I take which at my age I'm proud of. I'm on
such a low dose and recently discussed attempting to eliminate it but I know of the side
effects of attempting to eliminate it and the doc agreed that I'm in such great health that
if I feel great, and have felt great, while on it it's okay to continue. After reading posts here,
I've come away thinking it's a totally personal choice! Every body is unique and what works
for one of us may not work for another! Good health to all! : > )d
8491sb
12 May 2019
Dear Seve,
I was on Paxil for 24 years. When I decided to try tapering off -- to SEE, Do I still even nEEd this drug? -- I was at 40 mg daily. I tapered very gradually to zero over nine months. NEVERTHELESS, come the last half of that I began experiencing discontinuation syndrome effects, including body tremors from neck to feet at night; hot flashes; night sweats; &, headache (and, I rarely get headaches EVER).
The WORST, however, came about a week after I hit zero mg / was totally off the drug.
For THREE MONTHS, I had HORRIBLE withdrawal.
I experienced such ridiculous, awful ANXIETY that I lost seven pounds in three weeks: two & a half pounds dropped weekly even though I ate lOts (I eat when I'm anxious). My normally healthy-low pulse was so high I was worried I'd have a heart attack, and I was in CONSTANT TEARS.
I thought I was going crazy. If I hadn't read online from actual Paxil-takers who'd tried to quit that, all of the above is par for the course, I would have simply in desperation resumed the drug.
In addition to the crying jags & unbearable anxiety I was majorly irritable, could nOt sleep, & was terribly depressed.
Toward the end of my three withdrawal months I saw my primary doctor for a routine annual health check & she tried HARD to get me to go back on Paxil, arguing that it was "the best drug for anxiety" & nOt harmful. "It's a very good drug," she maintained. (RIGHT... [eyeroll])
A frustrated & teary puddle, I let her write me a new prescription but on the way home decided N-O, I did not come this far for nothing... Even though I was nearing the end of 90 days (which I've read is the maximum that withdrawal usually lasts with Paxil), and, I was starting to think that what I was experiencing was more than withdrawal -- i.e., symptomatic instead, of, inherent psych issues I had that nEEded to be treated with a drug? -- I wanted to "last the three months" that I'd read withdrawal can take, and so, I chose NOT to resume Paxil after all.
Well, guess what?
It's now May 12th; I've been Paxil-free since the last week of December, 2018; AND... Althoughit took me until the very end of March to stop having withdrawal symptoms (so, about 97 to 114 days), THEY DID STOP! ! ! [thumbs up]
To help increase my serotonin levels, I now use WALKING instead of Paxil or any other SSRI (or other drug) -- I do five, six miles four or five times a week (I'm a Fitbittter). I truly find that that helps -- PROFOUNDLY.
I STILL HAVE depression issues as well as the occasional anxiety hiccups, but I am trying to deal with them in no-drug ways: the walking; meditation; whatever works.
Psychiatric drugs are under-researched & over-prescribed. I URGE you to "make the break" if you can; YES. drugs ARE sometimes necessary, BUT: they should be a last resort, not a physician's first.
Kristiiru
12 May 2019
I have been on Paxil for 20 years. I started taking it for anxiety and panic attacks, which turned into a pretty good case of agoraphobia. I suffered for years before getting help with Paxil. At that point I think I was already doing somewhat better.
I was pretty miserable. I’ve been doing a lot better over the years so I started thinking about weaning myself off, also. I’ve been on 20 mg Er daily. I started taking half that. For months I did this..maybe even a year. Then I started taking that only every other day. Did this for many months. As long as I had even this little in my system I had no side effects. Then I would go 2 days for a while between doses. If I didn’t take a dose by the third day, I’d start having that light headed feeling. Maybe with the buzzes that people are talking about. I continued that for a while. I then thought that I might as well just quit taking them altogether at this point.
Then, and not really thinking about the med causing this, I got horribly agitated and nervous. It’s so hard to explain. I couldn’t make myself feel any better. My hubby even stayed home with me a couple of days. I couldn’t rest or sleep to make these feelings disappear for awhile. I wanted him to rub my back, but that then didn’t help either, almost making me more agitated. I happened to have 3 Xanax left from a prescription of 10 that was given to me years ago. I was saving them for ‘emergencies’ just in case. I finally took one and it eased my those horrible symptoms. I took another the next day. It’s so strange because I was wondering why I started feeling this way, then it finally occurred to me that it was the Paxil side effects! I started taking my half pill, 10 mg again, every other day. Sigh. I would appreciate any input or ideas. Thanks
WildcatVet
12 May 2019
The safest and most effective way to avoid discontinuation syndrome is a slow tapering of your dosage over several weeks on a schedule provided by your doctor with her/his supervision.
Maurbor
12 May 2019
Your reaction, although tapering off very slowly, is the very reason I hesitate to stop Paxil. I think in your case the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. You are only taking a very small dose and if it controls your anxiety, I think you should stick with it. For sure you should have a discussion with your doctor.
Maurbor
16 Apr 2019
Very interesting post. I have been on Paxil since 2001 and am on a dose of 30 mg. I was diagnosed with major depression. I have fortunately never experienced any real side effects however I often wonder whether it would be possible to stop the medication. I have my ups and downs like everyone but am generally in a good place.
Hysterical
17 Apr 2019
Maurbor,
Thank you for posting your post . I started Paxil 12 days ago. I am tapering down on Effexcor which has been difficult . I have tried 12 meds to try and come out of my third recurrent depression that has lasted two and a half years with no relief . I’m very scared reading all these posts and I’m sure they are true because I’Ve heard about the withdrawals . But honestly, right now I’m just desperate to find something to give me some relief for now . Yours was the last post I read and it made me feel a little better . I have bad anxiety as well . I just hope it works . I’m just curious for all the people who were on it for years and went off ... did their symptoms come back ?
Maurbor
17 Apr 2019
Hope it works for you. I started at a lower dose but I've probably been on 30 mg for 15 years. At one point we added Wellbutrin which seemed to give me more energy and I have continued with that combination.
Rosey13
5 Feb 2019
I have been taking paroxetine for 18/19years.. I take 60mg .. I don't feel it works for me anymore my moods are up and down and also anxious inside a lot. I feel sluggish and find it hard to feel excited about anything anymore the last year I have been getting heaps of brain zaps.. I don't know if down to meds or stress. Soon to see a neurologist for this. The thought of changing drugs which I know I need to do freaks me out.. my husband though he tries does not really understand me and how I feel..
WildcatVet
6 Feb 2019
Hello! It's not at all uncommon for an antidepressant/anxiolytic to "poop out" after long term use. Unfortunately, the only option may be to change medications. In the meantime though it's an excellent idea to rule out any underlying cause for your mood swings and anxiety.
Best regards and good luck. Wild Cat
P.S. you're not alone! I don't think anyone besides my psychiatrist and therapist understands me.
Llk71
6 Feb 2019
I had constant anxiety, frustration, and simply felt like someone took over my body and mind when my Paxil stopped working for me.
Please seriously consider contacting TrueHope.com. I tried to come off the Paxil on my own and my doctor thought I could wean off in 4 weeks. Biggest mistake I made. I had to go back on only to have it not work or any other anti anxiety medication after that. It took me 6 months of slow weaning but not before I had built up my nutrition (vitamins - for the brain) with the help of TrueHope giving me all the guidance to do this safely. My support person has her own success story of coming off Anti anxiety meds.
TrueHope helped me to know what vitamins and minerals my body needed to lessen the side effects of withdrawal. The withdrawal was awful for me and I have become hyper sensitive to all changes because of the long term Paxil use. I used something as simple as drinking protein isolate to combat withdrawal.
Don’t give up you can do this. The sad part is only those who have actually experienced this understand.
fuglysmurf
11 Feb 2019
Hi Rosey13. I just read your answer and I am in the same place that you are. Been on paroxetine for a long time for GAD with panic. Doctor added buspar this year but still wake up each day with upset stomach and sense of unease. How are you doing?
Virglucky70
3 Feb 2019
I’ve been on paroxetine for 25 yrs at a very low dose. My doctor told me I can stay on it for life. I think I will because this is a hard drug to wean off. I tried once and I got depressed again with lots of anxiety. I don’t want to go through that again , but then I also heard that the low dose isn’t doing anything anyway. I just hope it is safe to take forver
Ian L14
23 Oct 2018
I weened myself off the Paxil after being on it for 21 years. It was the best decision I ever made. Long process that involved dizziness and brain zaps for about 6 months. I have been med free for about 3 years now and am not the same person. That stuff controls your thoughts and emotions, and it should really be illegal. The doctor wanted me to keep taking it so he could keep getting paid so I got off it myself. Plenty of information online about getting off it. If you have any questions just ask me. Good luck finding the new you.
bug8bunny
21 Nov 2018
Hi I am starting the weening off process as well. Been on 10mg for about 22 years. Not a big dose but while trying to get off entirely, my body is doing the withdrawal symptoms you’re describing. I was just curious how you weened yourself. How long were you on each dosage amount? I want to be off it entirely and go more natural routes if needed. :)
Llk71
20 Dec 2018
I was on Paxil for 15 years and have weaned off just shy of 2 years ago when I had experienced “poopout” I tried to go with nothing but lasted 1 1/2 months then put on Effexor which made me so sick so I stopped and was without meds for 2 months until I was so depressed that I was told I had to go on sertraline or my doc would put me into a mental health facility. I started sertraline until January 2018 when I decided I was tired of feeling so anxious everyday. I weaned off the next 6 months and now been free of meds for almost 5 months. It has been the worst 5 months of my life. The withdrawal symptoms have been almost unbearable. I have a Nutritionalist helping me with vitamins and minerals but even so it is beyond words difficult. My Nutritionalist believes these are still withdrawal symptoms from Paxil. How have you managed the past 3 years and is this nightmare of rage and “depression” ever going to leave before I lose everything and everyone? I would love to hear more from you. I need all the help I can get. I’m desperate.
Ian L14
3 Feb 2019
Seve72 I took paxil for 21 years and it is a very simple concept. You ween yourself off and any doctor that says you can't is a quack. My doctor told me how to do it but only after I threatened not to come back. First he gave me that " some people take this the rest of their life bs" but changed his tune when I said I was not coming back. All the doctors want is the money they make from your quick simple visit. Plenty of information online as well on how to get off the Paxil. It is poison. I have been off for 3 years now and feel much better and can finally think with my own brain without a drug clouding my decisions. Feels great. Every time you think of going to another doctor just pray instead for what God wants you to do. Doctors will just throw pills at you and that is it. If you don't want an answer from someone that beat Paxil then I guess you should not ask. Otherwise, keep popping pills and see where that gets you.
DamieN6347
14 Jul 2018
Hello everyone, I read through all your comments/responses and am relieved to know I'm not alone dealing with the withdrawal side effects. As of last week I was on 60mg of paxil for 6.5 years.
Kind of an odd time in my life when I started taking it; violent rage etc. Tried just about every AD I could and paxil was the only one that worked. The first time I dealt with the withdrawal symptoms was when I couldn't afford it.. The symptoms lasted 8 months until a kind friend helped me get me back on it. It wasn't until 2 weeks ago, when I was close to running out that I realized paxil hasn't worked for 3 months and I was only taking it out of habit in fear of the withdrawal symptoms. Talked to my head doc and I came to the conclusion that it's time to start a new pill. Prozac
Further Information
- Paxil uses and safety info
- Paxil information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side effects of Paxil (detailed)
Similar Questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.