I have been on Paxil for about 10 years. I weined off of it about a month ago and I am having the most severe physical and mental withdrawl symptoms. I don't know what to do. I feel like I am going crazy and physically feel like I have the flu or something. I don't even get out of my house because I feel so horrible all of the time. I am either angry or crying all day. Need some help!!
I have severe withdrawal symptoms after weening off Paxil after 10 years, what should I do?
Question posted by rhonda_001 on 29 May 2011
Last updated on 21 May 2024 (3 weeks ago) by WildcatVet
20 Answers
WildcatVet
22 May 2024
How did you wean off? It usually takes longer than a month to safely discontinue the medication. You probably need a lengthier taper.
This should only be done under a doctor's supervision.
dboothe
21 May 2024
I have been on Paxil for 20 years plus. I went through a terrible situational depression while on it. I was taking care of my mother who had a rare disorder that affected her physically and mentally. I brought her to live with my husband and me as she was starting to not be able to take care of herself. She lived with my sister, but was by herself most of the time. As she got worse, she started to hallucinate that my husband was bringing a girlfriend into our house every night through our tiny bedroom window. She thought we were gaslighting her. She thought we were trying to poison her. etc., etc.
I went to a psychiatrist (even though the Paxil was prescribed by my family doctor). I was willing to try anything. I was crying every day. Mom was ALWAYS mad at us. We were doing our best and certainly not any of the things of which she was accusing us. The psychiatrist "weaned" me off of Paxil over two weeks time. I had been taking 40 mg. He told me to take 20 mg for one week, 10 mg for one week and then start a new medication Wellbutrin. I did as I was told and the first day I started Wellbutrin, I had horrific side effects. I had an intractible headache, irritability, shakiness, nausea, could not sleep, could not keep still. I called the Psy clinic I had gone to and explained. They said my doctor was OUT OF THE COUNTRY for six weeks. None of the other doctors "felt comfortable" changing treatment on another doctors patient and to keep taking the Wellbutrin. I did not because I thought it was the Wellbutrin causing the side effects. For those six weeks, I continued to suffer these symptoms. Finally, when I got back to this doctor, he said it was withdrawal from the Paxil. I said, BuT I STILL HAVE IT ALL. He said some patients have it for a year. I wanted this to STOP NOW, so I agreed to take Paxil again because remember, I'm taking care of my physically disabled, psychotic mother. In a few days the withdrawal symptoms stopped and I was back to my depressed self. Not too very long after, my mother needed to be admitted to the hospital. They found out she also had lung cancer from smoking 40 plus years and passed away a week later. That was 2008. It's now 2024. I'm still taking Paxil because I NEVER want to go through Paxil withdrawal again. By the way, the doctor told me if they ever did wean me off for some reason, they would do it very, very slowly. Maybe you need to try that. Get a low dose to stop the withdraw and then VERY SLOWLY wean off of it.
Llk71
24 Jan 2019
I am able to be where I am today because of a company called TrueHope. They have support staff that help you through the horrible nightmare of withdrawal. They guide you with vitamins and minerals that provide the support your body and mind need to be healthy without drugs.
I take amino acids spread throughout the day for the withdrawal symptoms as well as drink a quality protein isolate a few times a day when the symptoms of withdrawal are so unbearable. I take Alaskan salmon oils for the feelings of rage. The withdrawal is like nothing one can understand unless you have gone through it. I experienced every withdrawal symptom listed. I felt hopeless and terrified. I am free of all anti anxiety drugs for 6 months and I am feeling much better, I wake up free of anxiety most days and a have a sense of peace I’ve havent had in so many years. I have hope and can see that I am beating this anti anxiety drug dependency (after 15 years on Paxil) successfully.
You can do this!!!
The best thing I did was contact TrueHope.com
I encourage you to do the same.
Hang in there
klossy12
27 Nov 2018
I was on paxil for 18 years, at 60mg for a year or two when we decided to try something else. Paxil just wasn't really working anymore.so I weaned down to 30mg in 3 weeks last month and started viibryd at 5mg. Weaned down to 0 paxil over the following 3 weeks and up to 10mg viibryd. I was feeling so much better mentally/emotionally by that time. But about a week of being off the paxil, which was almost 3 weeks ago now, I started have horrible nausea, made worse by moving. Also some insomnia, crazy vivid dreams, and random sweats, but the nausea is by far the worst - immobilizing essentially. It's still going and doesn't show any signs of stopping. Pepto, tums, mylanta, and a prescription for nausea meds have not helped. I went off the viibryd this past week, but haven't noticed a difference physically. I refuse to go back on paxil, so I'm hoping this is discontinuation syndrome that will go away soon.
Nj87
26 June 2018
Hey everyone ive been on 10 mg paxil for approxitely 6 yrs now. Anxiety does run in my family so that could contribute to why I was having severe anxiety at the time. Paxil did save my life however. How is having multiple anxiety attacks throughout the day, it was really really affecting me. However if I knew the withdrawals I would have asked to get on something else. Now I want to come off of it, I don't want to depend on it anymore. I also feel like my short-term memory is getting worse and I read that it could be a side effect of Paxil. I will say this to anyone considering coming off. The withdrawals are absolutely horrible, it is actually kind of hard to explain. Like electric jolts throughout your body. Severe mood swings.
Nikkinash08
9 Feb 2018
I’m so sorry you are going through this. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Having gone theough it myself my advice is to just tough it out. I missed work and was so very sick. But it gets better. Just hang in there. One hour at a time. Sleep as much as possible. Hugs.
Central5
8 Jan 2018
I got put on 10mg of Paxil for anxiety... I started this last July... I went off last week because I gained 35 pounds in 3 months, also my Dr told me to stop. I start Prozac tomorrow... I do have some dizzyness and fatigue... feel dizzy standing up and walking around. Are these some side effects of withdrawals?
Petillo
6 Jan 2018
Hi, I tried getting off Paxil 2x. I’ve been on it for about 20 yrs. but I couldn’t get off of it. Very bad withdrawal symptoms.
I’m interested in knowing more about the probiotics that helped. Maybe that will work.
Dedon6
10 Jan 2018
Hi guys I too have been on paxil for 21yrs and over the past 6mnths it has stopped working. I have been unable to function as normal it is effecting my life in so many ways... first anxiety through the roof so the docs added mirtazipine, great for sleep but didn't help with much else. So i get an app to see a phsyc and she put me on seroquel ti take at night... hmmm may as well take jelly beans. Of course by now depression has well and truly set in and have been having not very nice thoughts and yet have everything to live for. I dont want to die but if someone could just knock me out and wake me when its all over would be.great. So then my phsyc says timw to come off paxil I almost had a nervous breakdown right therw and then as I'm terrified of the withdrawal and we all know what thats about. So she wanted me to wean off have 3days nothing and then start on prozac. By the time I got to 10mg (was on 40/50mg) I couldnt take it anymore and went back to 20mg helped some.
This was all at christmas time... couldnt cope with christmas at all could tackle the shopping centers cried when my adult kids came over with the grannies as I just felt so overwhelmed and not myself that it was just to sad. I have 6 adult children and my oldest passed away suddenly from an infection 3.5 yrs ago idiot docs. And my youngest son has just gone overseas to europe and then live in England for 2 yrs... I am very close to all my kids and he is the first to do this so once again you guessed it anxiety and overwhelmed. At this time I thought I have to do this but my way so I gpt permission from the phsyc to do 30mg paxil 10mg prozac for a week then 20/20 now this week I'm 10mg paxil and 30mg prozac and what a difference... I still have bad anxiety still cant go to work but this is how I was feeling before dropping due to paxil poopout. I also take 22mgs of serapax for anxiety( dont like how valium make me feel) during the day and 15mg about 6pm ay night to help I then take 30mg mirtazipine and 5o seroquel at nite and have no problems sleeping. So wondering if should cut to 5mg paxil or just stop and see how I go. Shall keep you up dated. They also think my oldest son 3yr anniversary could have also been a trigger.
1Miranda
30 Sep 2022
I have been on Paxil for over 20+ years. About 10 years ago I got off just to see if I could do without. With my drs. help I was able to get off by doing the following which she prescribed the Prozac:
Days 1 thru 7 – take Paxil and Prozac
Day 8 – 13 – take Prozac only
Day 14 – not taking anything
Had no withdrawals at all. I stayed off of Paxil for about 4 months but just realized that I needed something to help me with my anxiety and panic attacks so I started taking Paxil again.
I hope this helps for those wanting to get off completely.
Halley2017
19 Sep 2017
Hi Rhona,
Are you still on Paxil?
Csayers
27 Aug 2017
I am currently going off Paxil as well and the only thing that has really helped with the withdrawal symptoms has been plexus products. The probiotics and slim drinks have been a life saver. Let me know if you are interested in learning about them.
Halley2017
26 July 2017
Hey, I'm so sorry you are going through this. It isn't an enjoyable feeling. I have been on paxil for 6 years and 4 days ago I ran out and couldn't get an appointment at the dr so for some reason I took that as a sign and just decided not to get anymore. This is my forth day off paxil and I am having random withdrawals. I have numbness and tingling in my face and arms, nausea, a little dizziness. Very emotional. Mainly crying because the withdrawals are horrible. I'm still working and anxious that people around me can notice how crazy I am feeling. I have a little bit of slurred speech at times, insane dreams, insomnia last night and it can be slightly difficult to breathe at times. Sounds so delightful doesn't it. I'm hoping by staying healthy and keeping hydrated the withdrawals will subside. I don't know. Its nice to read your status and no I'm not alone.
Thanks for posting :) my advice is to stay as healthy as you can eating the right foods and engaging in some exerise. I notice when I'm doing something I enjoy a forget about it for a moment. The withdrawals come in waves. I hope you have a councillor in place to support you through this.
nendy
18 Sep 2017
Hi Halley
How are you going with the paxil reduction?
I am really interested to know - as I am hoping to rid myself of this drug one day - I have tried a reduction before and - yep it wasn't a real good experience... hope all is positive..
Kristina4444
27 Oct 2017
Hi Halley. Are you still off of the paxil. I abruptly stopped taking the 60mg dosage I've been on for 4 years. Please tell me how long the side effects of withdrawal later. It's been like 7 days and my anger and on and off extreme crying spells are going to make me loose it. How long does all that last before you felt normal again?
Suthrngrl
7 Nov 2017
I am going through the same thing. I was on 40mg od Paroxetine for years but have never went more than a few days without it. I ran out over a week ago and didn't want to restart the withdrawal process ever again so I thought I would just work throught it. This has been the worst week of my life. Pain, electric zaps through my body, panic attacks, insomnia. The list goes on and on. I had to go to the ER last night because I was at my breaking point. They prescribed me nausea medicine and hydroxyzine for the anxiety. It's awful that the company who makes paxil was cited back in 2002 for underplaying the extreme withdrawal symptoms that come with discontinuing their drug. Good luck to everyone out there and make sure you spread the word about this drug that works great but is a monster to stop taking. I can think of any other medication that would take months to wean off.
Nikkinash08
2 June 2017
Please someone help. I'm day 5/6. Paxil had stopped working and my doctor just kept increasing my dosage higher and higher. I started having really bad side effects from the higher dosage. And decided that I just couldn't have the side effects of the medicine wasn't even going to work. For about a week I went onto the lower dose. And I stop taking everything together five or six days ago. Don't ask me why did it this way I've never experienced a bad reaction from coming off of anything in my whole life. But now I am unable to work I am sick I have every side effect known in lifted and I am in desperate search of help. Does anybody have anything that I can take to help me get through this hell.
Christina0403
12 June 2017
Hi, you're not alone! I was on 20mg Paxil for 15 yrs and when it stopped working a few months ago, I started taping off Paxil and onto Zoloft! It's been a pure nightmare. Today I'm at 150mg Zoloft and just took my last 2.5mg Paxil a couple nights ago, and its been horrible. I'm sensitive to light and sounds, my brain feels slow, I feel like I can't think straight, and my skin is crawling. All I want to do is sleep, I feel so gross!! I'm really praying that I feel better soon!!!
Christina0403
12 June 2017
Also, I've been taking .5mg of xanax to help get me through, it does seem to relax me a little! Good luck!
Bigcityflo
21 July 2017
After 18 yrs. on Paxil (20mil) it stopped working. My dr. said I could either take a higher dose or go off. I opted to go off. Now I wish I had tried a higher dose. The withdrawal is horrendous. He had me take 10 mil of Paxil together with 20 mil. of Prozac for 3days then off Paxil entirely, but staying on Prozac. Within 2days withdrawal started and it's been hell for the past three weeks. He put me back on 10mil Paxil and I will wean off slower this time. Am on my second day of this new method of weaning and still feel lousy. Does anyone know if this plan works?
Twil67
27 July 2017
I can sympathize with you because I too was on Paxil for 16 years. Mostly at 10 mg and the last 5 or 6 yrs I've been on 30 mg. Recently it wasn't working anymore and I had horrible anxiety and depression because i was so anxious. I went to Dr for him to help get me off the Paxil and he switched to Trintellix. I was on 15 mg of Paxil and he added 10 mg of the Trintellix. That wasn't great but the next time I went three weeks later he took me completely off the Paxil and put me on 20 mg of the Trintellix and the. I got major anxiety again. Not to mention horrible lightheadedness and nausea along with the worst body aches that I feel like my bones hurt everywhere. If someone could tell me these things would pass it would be easier to take but this is the most horrible thing I've had to go through! I wish I knew how long I was going to feel like I have the worst flu there could possibly be!!
Llk71
16 April 2019
I use amino acids for withdrawal. I also drink a high quality protein isolate drink up to 5 times a day. The protein isolate helps to rid your body of stored up meds in the body that has accumulated over time of Paxil use. To help my depressed mood I use vitamin D3 Salmon oil capsules for the agitation. It’s been a rough road but I have been off all psych meds for 9 months. Things are slowly getting better. Lots of prayers for healing has been a tremendous help.
socnancy
5 Oct 2016
I am not rhonda!!!
Floppy1
5 Oct 2016
Hello... I am in day 37 of total withdrawal from Paxil after taking it for 11 years... 60 mg... And tapered for 6 months . This is my second day ONLY of my symptoms decreasing. It has been the closest to insanity I have ever been. And the hardest physical symptoms I have ever had. It is the drug inspite of the fact that I have had Drs tell me that after such a long period of time since my last pill. All I can say is... Hang in there... Those symptoms will improve and tell as many people as you can about your experience. These drugs are very very serious and people have a right to know about withdrawal.
Micko79
3 April 2017
Hi Floppy1, did you suffer from extreme insomnia and anxiety during your withdrawal? If so, how did you cope? I'm only on week 2 of withdrawal and it's driving me mad. I'm desperate to the point of taking a benzo for sleep.
amayesing
10 Aug 2017
Micko79, YES. Insomnia is the biggest side effect. I've been on Paxil 30mg for about 5 years and on 3 occasions, after a move and need to find a new doctor I've ran out of my prescription... A week ago my doctor was out unexpectedly and I wasn't able to refill... 6 days without and it was horrible. Flu like symptoms, pain EVERYWHERE. Electric like jolts in my brain and the worst... Insomnia. I was unable to sleep only 1 hour and 45 minutes two nights ago after a 12 hour work day. Had to work 11 hours on under the 2 hours sleep and then thought I'd be dead tired at the end of the night last night... 8 am this morning I'm still sitting there wide awake. Finally slept around 2 hours and I'm back on an 11 hour shift now. Thank GOODNESS got my prescription today though. Now if it would just kick in!
Vampira
16 Aug 2016
I was switched to paxil/paroxatiene about 15 yrs ago (?) My dr.won't see me until I pay balance I owe, 50 bucks or something, I can't pay at this time and my previous prescription expired. I was cutting them in half, they were 40 mg, planning for when they were gone. I've been withoUT for several days and my symptoms include: crying all the time, head ache, vertigo, sweat ing ,nausea, dizziness, and it is interfering with my preformance at work, I run large plastic injection molding presses, and driving my car. My dreams have been disturbing and I can remember them. I've been tempted to go to the ER but I can't pay and no insurance.
I can't go on like this much longer..I'm thinking about following thru the withdrawal and staying off antidepressants but I was diagnosed with severe depression and panic disorder and am afraid of the panic attacks returning ,they were pretty bad,I take buspirone now rather than xanax and have some refills left of those. I need to know how much longer, ball parkish, I will be unsafe at work and driving my car..I feel so BAD and can't stop bursting into tears all the time. I could use some helpful responses as well. I wish you well, and hope you can get back to feeling better very soon, julie
Related topics
paxil, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety and stress
Further information
- Paxil uses and safety info
- Paxil prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Paxil (detailed)
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