Hey everyone! I’m new here, need some help. I’m 26 and started Paxil about 5 years ago.
Question posted by Rmon95 on 21 April 2021
Last updated on 27 April 2021 by CCC881113
... I went to the doctor for always feeling light headed and dizzy and he got me on Paxil. It started to work and I never questioned what it was or researched it at all, just trusted the doctor. Well, 5 years later I’m in a much better place mentally, physically, and emotionally. I grew a passion for fitness and helping others get in shape. 3 months ago I was like “why am I still taking this stuff?” I researched it and found out it was a powerful antidepressant and I decided I didn’t need it because I felt happy all the time. I stared at 10mg and went up to 30mg and was doing the 30 once a day for the last 4 years. I went from 30mg to 20mg for one month, down to 15mg for a month, 10mg for 2 weeks, now I’m on day 3 of NO Paxil and I feel like I’m dying. The brain zaps are severe, I feel “hungover”, dizzy, foggy, everything. Worst part is I’m currently having to decide between moving from CA to MO for a career opportunity or staying for my relationship of 5 years so that is making things even harder, extremely harder.
It’s only day 3 and I want to tough it out BUT with the possible move/breakup on the table and having only a week to decide if we like maybe I should get back on it?
I’m so stuck. I don’t want to take it anymore but I had no idea I would feel this way.
Paxil is extremely hard to come off of I know from experience I used to go to the er with all of the electric shocks , you are NOT dying everything your experiencing is common while coming off maybe talk to a therapist about everything else going on remember eating healthy and drinking water is very very important I feel like junk and sugar make effects worse , good luck !
Votes: +0
TR
Truth is offensive
27 April 2021
I agree with Cantona74. They are absolutely correct. Some people are more sensitive to anti depressants. The dosage for one person does NOT work for another. Each persons chemistry is unique. This is supported by DNA / RNA analysis. I can certainly relate with you on the long distance relationship or break up situation. Been there done that. I applaud you for doing the research on the medication you are taking rather than trusting someone else. Contrary to medical trends and popular belief and what internet users tell you the medication you are taking is NOT designed FOR an actual anxiety disorder but rather it is an antidepressant designed for depression with anxiety and SOMETIMES it helps with anxiety but based on YOUR circumstances with the level of pressure you are under with a major life changing decision you need a medication that will give you immediate results and antidepressants do NOT give immediate results.
Antidepressants take weeks and months to see results. Talk to your doctor about a medication more appropriate to your immediate circumstances that will immediately address your anxiety meaning an anti-anxiety rather than a antidepressant which does not give immediate results. Anti-anxiety meds are MORE EFFECTIVE than antidepressants in terms of relieving true anxiety. Have you considered Ativan or diazepam. Start at the lowest most effective dose. 5 mg may work for one person while another may need 10 mg. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You need relief -- pharmacist in Dallas
Votes: +0
CA
Cantona74
21 April 2021
Hi, hope you are ok, just wanted to send my opinion on what you are going thru. I have been on paxil for a very long time and have never tried to completely be off of an ssri, but I have changed medications and in doing so tapered down to make the switch. I know that some people are able to flip flop between meds or just stop taking them but if you are anything like me and very sensitive to these types of meds than they need to be TAPERED SLOWLY. And I mean slowly, possibly over a year even. I know this maybe sounds stupid but I think it is the only way. You need to be gentle to your brain and give it time to adjust to all the changes. Try cutting in 2.5 increments at a time. And do not I repeat do not just follow what a doctor says especially a GP because most of the time they know nothing about these meds and do not have all the answers. You have to be your own advocate and if you are struggling with the withdrawal then you are going to fast bottom line imho.
Maybe you could find the dosage that gets rid of these feelings you are having stay on it, stabilize then cut by 2.5 and stabilize see how you feel and continue. I hope this may help you in some way. Take care.
