If you have taken the Paxil (Paroxetine) or Paxil CR (controlled-release), you know the true power behind this SSRI medication. When I first took it for social anxiety, it worked wonders – I felt so good that I never wanted to come off of it. Eventually the drug stopped working and I fell into a deep depression while still taking Paxil. I had been taking it for about 9 months, and decided that I should probably just get off of the stuff altogether if it was no longer helping. I was young and my general practitioner didn’t explain that it would be advisable to “taper” vs. going “cold turkey.”
Long story short, I had a total mental breakdown, severe anxiety, severe depression, suicidal ideation, and had a very difficult time recovering from the Pax-hell that I was being put through. The withdrawal symptoms were absolutely awful and I felt as though I would never recover. In all honesty, I think it took me several years before I felt “normal” again by my standards. Although my case of an extended withdrawal recovery period is not the norm, many people really struggle coming off of Paxil.
Factors that influence Paxil withdrawal include:
If you have read any of my other articles regarding antidepressants, specifically SSRI’s, you should know that there are a number of factors that play a role in your withdrawal from a medication. It should be noted that Paxil is among the most powerful antidepressants on the market – some research has even compared its effects as being “similar to cocaine.” Whether those claims are scientifically founded is another story. However, anyone that has had experience with this drug knows how hellish the withdrawal can be.
1. Time Span
How long were you prescribed Paxil? Have you only been taking it for a few weeks? Have you been on it for years? Obviously time span plays a huge role in determining how our body’s are going to respond to withdrawal. If you take something away from your body that you have been giving it for an extended period of time, you are going to have a tougher time rebounding compared to someone who was only on it for a couple weeks or months.
2. Dosage
What was the dosage that you were taking? Paxil comes in some standard dosages of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 60 mg. There is also the Paxil CR version which comes in 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 37.5 mg, etc. Obviously the CR simply means “controlled release” and that the dosage was slowly released over a 24 hour period. With the regular version of Paxil, the drug can get absorbed more quickly or all at once. They end up being very similar once your body gets accustomed to the standard Paxil. Anyways, the greater the dosage of this stuff, the tougher it is going to be to withdraw.
3. Individual physiology
There are rare superhuman individuals that don’t really notice withdrawal from certain medications. How sensitive you are as a person is going to play a major role in determining how Paxil withdrawal feels. Some people may notice that they are back to normal within a matter of weeks, while for others it may take months. And for others, like myself, it took years to feel better again.
4. Cold turkey vs. tapering
With the sheer potency of Paxil, I highly recommend that you do NOT stop cold turkey. Stopping cold turkey is just asking for some major trouble. When I was on this medication, I was only on the 12.5 mg CR version and I stopped cold turkey – huge mistake. I experienced withdrawal symptoms for a long time – and it took me years to feel “normal” again. Tapering is the smart way to go about withdrawal – gradually wean yourself off this medication with the help of your psychiatrist and/or doctor. If you haven’t yet quit the drug, but plan to withdraw soon, be sure to read: “How To Taper off of Paxil Properly.”
Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms: List
There are so many different withdrawal symptoms that people may experience while on this medication. Although you may not experience every symptom on the list below, it is common to experience several of them at the same time.
- Anger – Want to see someone get mad? Have them withdraw from Paxil. Coming off of this medication can make even the most docile human being turn into a raging evil monster.
- Anxiety – The anxiety coming off of Paxil is among the worst many people ever experience in their lives. Not everyone experiences this symptom, but the drop in serotonin levels can contribute to high anxiety coming off of Paxil.
- Blurred vision – Although this sounds somewhat odd to experience, people have reported that their vision seems blurred at times while coming off of Paxil. I had this experience, and my vision is perfectly fine, but something was clearly going on.
- Confusion – You may experience difficulties with thinking and may become easily confused throughout the day. This is normal – just remember that your thinking is temporarily slowed and your brain is trying to recover from the Paxil.
- Crying spells – It is common for people coming off of Paxil to breakdown and start crying – often uncontrollably. Feelings of deep depression and desperation may accompany this crying. Do your best to tough it out and recognize that it’s just the withdrawal.
- Decreased appetite – Coming off of Paxil you’ll experience the opposite of what you felt while on the drug. For most people, Paxil makes them hungry. When they stop, they have a tough time rebuilding their appetite for awhile.
- Dizziness – You may experience an extreme case of vertigo for the first couple weeks coming off of this medication. Just recognize that this is a common withdrawal symptom.
- Electric shocks – You may feel as though you are being electrically shocked or experience what many refer to as “brain zaps.” This can be very distressful in itself, but just realize that they will eventually go away as the drug leaves your system.
- Fatigue – It is very common to experience lethargy or fatigue. You may feel like sleeping all day and not wanting to do anything. Do your best to get through the day and do what you can.
- Flu-like – It isn’t uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms for the first couple weeks while coming off of Paxil – especially if you stopped cold turkey.
- Headaches – It is common to get headaches and/or feel pressure in the head during withdrawal. I had such severe headaches that I actually thought I needed to get an MRI to determine any alternative causes.
- Hot flashes – Many people experience hot flashes for weeks while coming off of Paxil.
- Hypersensitivity – You may be hypersensitive to light, sounds, and motion. I remember that I would freak out at loud noises and or super bright sunlight. This can cause you to go into panic mode.
- Hypochondria – It is pretty common to fear that you are going crazy while withdrawing. I thought I was going to develop schizophrenia, cancer, and/or problems with my hearing and vision. Every little thing made me panic and think disease.
- Insomnia – Can’t fall asleep at night? Since your brain’s serotonin supply is now diminished, you may find yourself unable to sleep or find mental peace. This insomnia will last until your brain finds a way to recalibrate its neurotransmitters.
- Mood swings – The mood swings that you experience may be absolutely crazy. You may go from extreme anger, to extreme sadness, feel aggressive one minute, and be sympathetic the next. Do your best to cope with this.
- Muscle cramps – Your body may ache and feel sore all over. This is because it is getting re-acclimated to experiencing life without Paxil cycling through it.
- Nausea – If every little thing makes you feel nauseated and somewhat sick, it could be a result of the withdrawal.
- Panic attacks – You may find yourself panicking in almost every major situation. Whether you are at work, school, or just out in public, everything may provoke a fear response. Do your best to fight through this feeling of discomfort.
- Poor concentration – Can you focus? Of course not, you’re coming off of Paxil. Most people experience a little cognitive boost while on the medication, and when they come off of it, they are unable to focus.
- Slowed thinking – If you find yourself unable to think quickly, perform well on the job, and/or problem solve, it’s due to the withdrawal.
- Severe depression – The depression that you experience coming off of Paxil may be so severe, that you won’t even know how to make it through life. Do your best to focus on making it through one day at a time. Eventually you will rebound back to 100%.
- Suicidal thoughts – Feel suicidal before you take Paxil? Coming off of it the suicidal thoughts may be 100x worse. Yes you read right, 100x worse. The best thing you can do for yourself is try to think positive and/or do something to distract yourself from the way you are feeling.
- Sweating – It is common to sweat profusely while on Paxil, and you may find yourself sweating a ton while coming off of it.
- Vivid dreams – Many people experience vivid dreams while on this medication, as well as while coming off of it.
Note: It is known that Paxil stays in your system for only 4 to 6 days after your last dose; it has a short-half-life. Â For this reason, many people notice severe discontinuation symptoms within just days of stopping Paxil.
Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms Length of Time: How long will they last?
How long will withdrawal from the drug Paxil last? Like I said, it will totally depend based on individual factors. New research suggests that the withdrawal period actually lasts a lot longer than professionals originally thought. They are finally starting to see the light that these drugs are not something to be taken lightly. Most people have withdrawal symptoms for at least a couple months following discontinuation. A good rule of thumb to go by is give it 90 days to fully recover – most people feel back to themselves after 3 months time.
In the meantime, try to take it one day at a time and don’t freak out at every little symptom. Your brain is likely in panic mode. Make sure you are exercising, eating healthy, and socializing to the best of your ability. A day will come when you will feel 100% and back to normal even if you don’t believe it right now. The process takes time. If you can make it through this withdrawal, you can make it through anything. I am here if you need to share your comments and experiences.
Thank God for all of you! I hà ve been taking Paxil for 15 years. I tried, many times, to quit. I would go totally spaz and run right back to it. Since January I’ve beeen tapering. Very slowly. 5 days ago I decided to end my relationship with it altogether. I can’t believe what I’m going through. I ache, I’m sick to my stomach, I can’t sleep.
I have chronic fatigue and I can’t sleep! I’m snippy and I cry. I cry over frigging toilet paper commercials because they have cute bears. WTF? I feel like I’m in the twilight zone. I am so not a cryer, but here I am, reading all of your posts and just bawling. The makers of this drug should be forced to take it themselves and then go through this.
It’s horrible. I’m so scared I’m going to feel like this forever I’m beside myself. But I am determined to do it. One of us has to go and it’s not going to be me. Thank you all for showing me I’m not alone. Thank you for showing me I’m not a total certifiable lunatic. Thank you for helping me remind myself that it’s the drug and this WILL pass.
I will probably visit here throughout this ordeal. I will undoubtedly spaz out now and again. Ok, more than that, but I’m trying to keep my chin up. I really, really need to keep being reminded that this won’t last forever.
I love your comment about toilet paper commercials. My hell, if someone cries on TV, I lose it. If someone is super happy, I lose it. If I see something cute, I lose it. What in the…
God bless you all, stay strong! So glad I found this, will stop back frequently. I have only been taking this stuff for 4 months at 10mg. Doctor recommended this for my hot flashes. Wow! I went cold turkey 2 weeks ago. Have had 2 anxiety episodes and practically all of the listed withdrawal symptoms. Hoping pax-hell doesn’t last much longer. For myself or the rest of you.
Hi there. I have been on Paxil for 14 years. I attempted to wean off at the 4 year mark but couldn’t handle the awful withdrawals. I tried two more times unsuccessfully. I kept taking the Paxil to avoid the withdrawals even thought the medicine no longer worked for my anxiety. So here I am 14 years from the start of Paxil trying to wean. At the point the drug is wreaking havoc on my body to where the doctors are “demanding” I get off of it.
So I am 3 weeks into the wean and sick as a dog. I have to do it though. They gave me Clonidine to help with the withdrawals and a benzo…only because it’s a short period of time until I will be done with it. I swear I wish I could sue the makers of this drug. Totally ruined my system. I know stopping it is really just the beginning, and I pray I feel normal again one day!
As many people have already mentioned, I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way. This is actually my second time quitting the drug. The first time was about 15 years ago. I started it because of uncontrollable panic attacks. It did not matter what I was doing, reading a book, shopping, talking on the phone, etc. I didn’t understand why that was happening because any time it happened I was in a relaxed environment.
My heart never raced or had the doom and gloom feeling. I just had severe tunnel vision with the weird ringing in my ears and wet noodle legs. During those episodes I thought I was going to faint or just fall over because I could not hold myself up any longer. Any time that happened I had to remove myself from whatever situation I was in. I tapered off of Paxil after about 7 years. I remember it being difficult. I could not describe in words the symptoms I was experiencing.
But “brain zaps,” “jolts,” and pauses pretty much describes it after reading what others felt. It did take a month or two before I felt better; no more brain zaps and pauses. However, it did take several months to realize what it felt like to not be on it or have withdrawal symptoms. I just woke up one morning and felt different, but normal, at least how I used to feel before Paxil. Now, this is my second time coming off the drug. This time because my husband and I are trying for a baby. All I can say is this is worse than the first time.
Mostly because of my own fault, I tapered off much quicker than the first. This time I know what to expect and how to handle it. I must take things slowly and be more deliberate and aware of my movements and actions. I just get angry because I am one who expects instant gratification. I find that I must remind myself that tapering off of Paxil is not instant. It takes patience. I just want to remind everyone to be patient, it will not happen over night or in a week or two. Once it is over, you WILL feel better.
I’ve just reached the end of week five without Paxil or Wellbutrin and only take 1.0 mg of Klonopin (Clonazepam) at night (2 tablets of 0.5 mg). I did also resume my blood pressure medication (Losartan/HCTZ) about two weeks ago, as my blood pressure was high. I realize that this site is devoted to Paxil withdrawal and trying to inform each other through sharing experiences/symptoms. I will state what I’ve experienced so far, but I can’t really say what symptoms are withdrawal from Paxil versus symptoms of my underlying Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). So many of my feelings over the past few weeks were the reasons that I took Paxil initially.
Symptoms: In the first few weeks I experienced frequent brain zaps and extremely intense/panicky dreams. The brain zaps have subsided and the dreams are much more normal and less memorable. I did experience irritability and anger, which have also ebbed greatly. I have also had a relatively rapid pulse rate (80-95 bpm while resting) and get short of breath, especially at night (not lying still, but when I get up and go upstairs or do something slightly active). This has been abating and really has calmed down in the past week.
I have had relatively few headaches and almost no nausea. However, I’ve had two pretty severe headaches, one about two weeks ago and one yesterday through today. These are not normal for me. I haven’t had much dizziness or detachment, which was a big reason for going on Paxil in the first place. Hurray!
New/Good Habits: I’ve been making an effort to get 30 minutes of exercise each day (3-4 miles or running or at least a long walk) and have been using a relaxation recording twice a day. (Guided Relaxation; For the Body and Mind Heidi Minnick PhD). It’s a 20 minute recording that is available on places like Amazon for about $3.00. I’m not crazy about it, and would be open to other suggestions, but it does the trick for now. No, I don’t get a commission or know the owner.
How am I doing? I’ve become more normal to be around and am less aloof from my family. Work is okay and sometimes quite trying, but I’m muddling through. I’ve got two trips to Asia during the month of September, so at least I’ll be out of the office. Fortunately flying and claustrophobia are not issues for me.
Overall, things are moving in a positive direction. In hindsight, I wish I had spent more time preparing for how to treat GAD without medication so I would have been a little more prepared for this phase. For example, one of the other posters spoke about how to treat nausea with ginger, or dizziness with Dramamine. I think preparing for the symptoms and also planning relaxation and exercise routines would have been helpful. I am also considering trying to find a therapist who specializes in my disorder to help me maintain good habits and develop coping strategies.
Other Thoughts: For being short of breath, my post is a bit long-winded but what I’m trying to say is that I am ready to shift focus from Paxil withdrawal to treating my anxiety disorder. I’m not big on supplements/vitamins. I’m sure fish oil capsules and Vitamin D all have a role, but I think I have bigger areas to address first.
Going Forward: I am off to listen to my relaxation tape and will pop-back with SHORT updates about how I’m doing. Again, if anyone has any healthful suggestions to share, I’m all ears. Even if it is regarding dietary supplements, I’m willing to try. Best to all. -David
I need help! I have been on 40 mg for about 10 years and recently quit cold turkey (not by choice, insurance) I am suffering most all symptoms but in particular and most debilitating are the electric shocks, uncontrollable crying (doing it now) suicidal thoughts, sweating, anxiety. I really want to stay off but I don’t know how much more I can take. Thank you.
Mike: I really understand what you are going through. I’m getting a lot of help from a terrific support group on facebook, here is the name: Paxil Paroxetine, Seroxat..The truth in getting off safely. I was on Paxil for 20+ years – my story is too long but in a nutshell Paxil destroyed my life. However, there is hope. I had to get myself off this med and did it extremely slowly – (some psychiatrist and doctors don’t believe it) but if you meet people like you, it will help you feel as though you are not alone in this struggle.
I hope you can try and join the group on facebook, I made myself an alias name (so nobody knows me) and I joined the group. The on-going crying, suicidal ideation, high anxiety is all part of of WD but I must say quitting “Cold-turkey” is not good and not recommended. Hope this helped a little, you are not alone, hope you can join the group on facebook.
Hello, I’m currently 27 and first got on Paxil (20mg) when I was 15. I got off of it using Prozac (10mg) at the same time, and tapering that way. I just got off it as of 6/3/2015, and even as of today I’m still having withdrawal symptoms. The first thing I noticed was zaps and tingling sensations usually on my arms, but sometimes on my head as well, with some dizzy feelings thrown in. That lasted for about 2 weeks or so, then I had random bouts of nausea. I never got complete diarrhea, but my colon seemed to be a lot more active than it normally is and that’s even still persisting a month+ after. A couple weeks ago I started getting random headaches daily, and had to take pretty powerful pain killers to get rid of them.
I started getting paranoid thinking something might be wrong but then out of nowhere the headaches disappeared. At this point in time as of about a week ago, I’m suffering from decreased appetite. I feel hunger like normal about the same times everyday, and as I start to eat, I can get an decent amount of food down, then I just feel like I don’t want to eat. I’ll just chew the food, and there’s been multiple instances recently where I’ve spit the food back out because I can’t swallow it. A few days ago, I got an overwhelming feeling that if I tried to swallow the food I was chewing, I would throw up. Well, I made the attempt anyways and threw up about 3 times.
Throwing up hasn’t happened again, but this appetite issue is really bothering me. Currently going on 2 1/2 months, and this barely starts happening now? Does anyone know how common this is and approximately how long I should expect this? I know it varies from person to person but I’m definitely not eating as much as I was before and I’m starting to feel like it. On a positive note though, mentally I’ve improved. I feel like my mind is clearer, I have a more positive outlook on life, on people I know. I feel more motivated to actually get up and do something productive. Even work isn’t as much as a pain as it was while on Paxil.
I’ve been getting more feelings that I want to improve my health and start working out, socializing with friends and going out to do fun things. Since my mind has been clearing up, I feel like I’ve missed out on so many things in my late teens and 20’s up to this point, because of how dull and unmotivated Paxil made me feel, and it kind of depressed me but I’ve been trying my hardest to keep a positive outlook on everything. I’m not out of the woods yet, but I will say that I started noticing improvements quickly even though I still have symptoms.
To anyone out there looking to get off Paxil, please please please try your hardest to do so. This pill is completely terrible, and NOBODY should have to be on this and lose out on life. I got off it by taking Paxil and Prozac at the same time, and then after a short time, I started tapering Paxil. The full tapering process took maybe 6 weeks, give or take if I recall. This may not work for everyone, but the side effects were reduced drastically by doing this but they were still there. Good luck all.
Thank you for sharing your story. I feel like my body is rejecting the pill on its own as I’m feeling much of what’s written. I’m so scared. Terrified. This drug has been a part of my daily ritual since I was 16. Next month will be my 27th birthday. The fact that you were taking it along the same age range makes me feel far less alone. I wish you luck and that you are truly seeing beauty now.
How are you all doing? I just wish everybody would come back here to let us now if they are feeling better. I’m feeling much better this last week, but I’m still having some minor sleeping problems. I’m still doing my hypnosis, 30 minutes walking, breathing exercises, taking fish oil, B-complex, and vitamin D, everyday. I’m also doing counseling once a week. My worse withdrawing symptoms were: unbearable depression, panic attacks, extreme anxiety, dizziness, nightmares, diarrhea, vivid dreams, insomnia, a burning in my head and neck, and profuse sweating.
I had some noise in my ears, but not much. I also had some brain fog and a feeling that my head and my body were not working together, but thank God it didn’t last long. Im also working with my diet. I just eliminated sugar, coffee, tea, and any kind of sodas. I’m also drinking more water. My experience with Paxil can be read in my older posts. I know how lonely and hopeless we feel when we are going through Paxil withdrawing. I just hope my experience can help somebody. If you didn’t start taking Paxil, please consider another option.
This is the most informative website I have found on withdrawal symptoms. I cannot believe 20 years ago doctors were handing this out like Pez candy. I am now tapering off and taking just 50 percent less under doctor supervision, I am experiencing 90 percent of the withdrawal symptoms you mentioned. Thank you of taking the time to do so as my anxiety has gone down immensely just seeing that my body was reacting normally to what is a very dirty drug.
Even my very experienced doctor says it is a dirty drug that no one really thought through how invasive it is to the body. I really don’t think this should be one of those drugs doctors give saying well lets see if the positives out weigh the positives. All I had were panic attacks and 20 years later this specific drug has made me feel like a mind altered junkie.
I am 1 month into the tapered supervised dosage and hopefully sooner than later I can feel my normal self. Thank you again for the amazingly perfectly researched withdrawal list right down to muscle cramps that have shown up out of nowhere. Gratitude and look forward to feeling better.
I think a major difficulty between patients and the medical world is the use of the term “Addictive Medication.” To the medical world, Paxil (and most SSRIs) are viewed as non-addictive because they do not usually require increased dosages to achieve the same desired results (over time). In fact, many users can maintain the same level of effectiveness while decreasing the dosage over time. This drug characteristic is viewed very favorable in the medical world (probably rightly so) but at the expense of being dismissive of withdrawal difficulties.
I realize that I may have made a mistake in discontinuing my Paxil (and Wellbrutrin) along with my blood pressure medication all at the same time. It is difficult for me to better isolate my experiences/feelings and attribute them to a specific medication. In retrospect, I should have worked more closely with my doctor and tapered from each one over time, but the three weeks of holiday time was too enticing and I “ripped the bandage off all at once.”
Since my blood pressure and pulse are still remaining high, I will give those symptoms two more weeks (with continued diet and exercise) and then revisit my doctor and explore alternatives.
It has been a difficult time for my family as, in order to avoid saying things I might regret, I keep very quiet and seem sullen. While I regret this aloofness, I need to focus on finding the right course for my improvement and take care of myself, with the aim of “returning” to them as an engaged family member in the near future.
Again. Good luck all. I realize this site is devoted to Paxil, but if you look into some of the withdrawal symptoms mentioned in the lawsuits against Cymbalta, you’ll see many of the experiences described in these posts.
Well I just passed week three without Paxil. I can’t honestly say that the feelings that I have now are any different from before I went on Paxil. The most annoying feelings are the small brain zaps, which have ebbed, but not gone away entirely. My pulse rate is still a bit high and evening tends to be a worse time for me than morning. Exercise helps a lot with all the symptoms (at least for a short time) but it’s hard to get going and work out.
I thought the recent lawsuit on Cymbalta was interesting and obviously there are a range of people experiencing strong withdrawal symptoms when discounting these depression and anxiety medications. My sleep has improved in terms of quality and fewer intense dreams, but I still have a ways to go. I return to work on Monday, so that will be the true test. I have given up highway driving, which was a problem in the past, but don’t seem to be having much of an issue with crowds or malls.
Good luck to all and I’ll check back in another two weeks and let you know how the return to the rat race has treated me. -David
I’ve been taking paxil for over 10 yrs…I went cold turkey about 6 days ago. Just a little dizzy at first when I would lay down to go to sleep. Today is the first day I feel a little lightheaded and dizzy while at work. So far this is all I’m experiencing…I’ll keep in touch to let you know if anything else comes… : )
Wow. It’s 2 AM and I came across this website while trying to figure out how long my withdrawal from Paxil will last. I guess the one thing this site has taught me is that going off Paxil is different for everyone. It seems more related to the underlying problem than necessarily the dosage. So me… I am just over 50 and have taken meds for generalized anxiety disorder since my late 20s.
GAD sounds so mild, but it is hell (as you know) and I had no life. I am thankful to the meds for letting me raise a family and have more than no life, but I reached a point where my kids are grown and I want to be “me” again. I suppose I should have consulted with my Doctor (who would have told me to stay on the meds) but it all happened on a day when I forgot to take my meds right before a vacation. 1.5 weeks ago today. I was taking 12.5 CR of Paxil (been at 25mg for years before cutting back) and 150 mg of Wellbutrin to counteract the tiredness that I’ve felt as of late.
In addition, Klonopin (1.0 mg) at night to help me sleep. I started exercising more (first walking 3 miles a day and now running 3-4 miles a day). My main problem is the brain zaps and rapid heartbeat (about 90 – 100 bpm when I’m not doing much). For me, it took me until I knew I could take 3 weeks off of work to even think about trying withdrawal, but I can tell that it’s likely not going to be enough. I have kept taking Klonopin figuring I’ll tackle that when I see some improvement, but so far I’m not even thinking about going there.
I think we have to remember that for most of us, it was a mental health issue that brought us here and we may or may not be able to tackle it on our own with some lifestyle and health changes. I didn’t enter the world of SSRIs and MAOIs lightly and so I know if I don’t change some underlying issues, I shouldn’t expect to feel fine. I appreciate everyone sharing his or her experiences and it’s helpful, albeit disheartening to hear the stories.
I must say I was sitting at a restaurant a few days ago watching some guy with his family chewing with his mouth open and had some violent urges similar to one of the other posters. Since I’m off of work, I’ve been doing a bit of home improvement (yard work, installing new outlets…) which I find distracts me from my symptoms. I’ve started keeping a log of my exercise and blood pressure and amount of Klonopin taken each day.
I am also trying to schedule two times where I meditate each data so that I don’t wind up at the end of the the day saying, “Gosh Darn. Out of Time, but got to do my meditation.” Recipe for frustration. Thank you all for your support and sharing and the best of luck to each of you. -David
I hope you both feel better soon. Nobody comes back to tell us how they are feeling after things get better, besides Paula. Paula has wonderful posts, and they give us hope. I took Paxil for 11 years. Never more than 20 mg, and the last 5 years I was taking 10 mg. I stopped very very slowly about 1 year ago.
I had many of those symptoms, but at the time I didn’t know why I felt that way. But I would say that it took me one year to be able to quit it. At that time I was meditating everyday for about 40 min, and it probably helped me. About 3 months ago I thought I was depressed and my doctor (a new one) prescribed Paxil again. Because I didn’t know that this depression could still be because my body is still adjusting from Paxil, I decided to take it.
But, at this time the side effects were so bad that I had to discontinue it after 11 days. I was taking only 10 mg, so I did 5 mg for 1 week, 2.5 mg for 1 week, 1.25 mg for 3 days. It’s been almost 3 weeks that I’m trying to discontinue it and today was the first day that I feel I’m almost fine. What kind of drug is that, that you take it for 11 days and you have to discontinue it for 21 days taking smaller doses, and you still feel really bad?
I had to take 0.6 mg yesterday because I was feeling dizzy. It’s been so hard. I will ever again consider Paxil. My advise to everybody would be to stay away from this drug. If you have to take SSRI, please consider another option. I will do everything I can before I ever consider any medicine for depression. When I was very sick from Paxil 3 weeks ago, I did my research and learned that medicine won’t cure depression. I just hope we all feel better soon.
I’ve been on Paxil for 17 years. Took 25 mg until 6 years ago when my Dr. increased it to 40 mg to help with menopausal migraines. It really worked well for me for many years, but the last year has been different. Started feeling “dumb” and had severe joint pain. Went off 2 weeks ago cold turkey. OMG. I cannot function, cold sweats, flu symptoms, weakness and lethargic. Symptoms seem to get worse instead of better. However, my joints are so much better. I will see this through to the end. Best of luck to all of you!!!
I wish you all the best in your withdrawal!
Glad to see this page, I was on paxil for 17 years, dosage ranging from 40-60mg. Started my slow tapering off about 1.5 months ago & I honestly feel unattached. The nausea is awful, crying & feel of hopeless is just not what I expected. I cannot wait to finally feel normal, if that even happens or exists :(
In 2009 after being on Paxil for 9 years and being sick and tired of the side effects, I tried to slowly taper it down. I went down from 37.5mg to the next lowest dose which is 25mg. Within a week I completely crashed. I fell into a horrible and deep depression. I immediately contacted my doctor and he put me right back up to the 37.5mg. I assumed and expected to be feeling better shortly since this was the dosage I was originally on. Unfortunately, this is not what happened.
I continued to spiral downward in a horrible depression for 2 YEARS. During that time they tried everything possible to try and get me stabilized again. I went to numerous specialists and was hospitalized twice. Nothing they did or tried helped and I continued to suffer terribly. I honestly thought that I would be depressed for the rest of my life. I finally took the most desperate and final step I could. I went through a series of about 15 Electro Shock Therapy Treatments.
It was a very aggressive and bold move on my part, but all I was so desperate and all I wanted was to feel better and I had literally tried everything else. It took a while, but about 6 weeks after discontinuing the ECT I finally started to feel better. Needless to say, this was an extremely aggressive approach, but after suffering for 2 years I felt as if I had no choice. I am still on Paxil today, as I refuse to EVER try to go off it again or even taper it down in the slightest because I am SO fearful of what happened the first time happening again.
They also added 75mg of Effexor twice a day. I still suffer from bouts of depression and anxiety, but it is nothing like it was for those 2 years. During the course of those two years my husband of 20 years left me because he could no longer deal with my depression. So my experience with trying to get off Paxil is about as bad as it comes. If I had any idea in 2000 when they put me on Paxil for post partum depression following the birth of my second child, that this is what I would be facing by being prescribed this drug, I would have run so fast the other way and somehow figured out another way.
I have accepted the fact that I will be on Paxil for the rest of my life because I will NEVER take the chance of trying to taper it down again. All the doctors that I saw during the two years that I was so depressed told me that my situation was very unusual, and while it certainly is difficult to wean off Paxil most people are able to get through it without any of the severe depression relapse that I went through.
So to those of you who are going through a hard time trying to get off Paxil, please hang in there because according to most people on this site it does get better. I was not able to get off of Paxil, but my situation is not the norm at all and I think anyone who can get off of this drug will be much better for it in the end.
Hi Paula, thank you so much for your comment. People keep saying that it will get better but I just don’t see it improving. This week I am struggling with desperate feelings unlike what I have ever experienced before. It’s like there is just no light at the end of the tunnel and the only thing that keeps me going is the believe that one day this will be over.
But honestly, after a long period without any real improvements, faith is slowly slipping away and the believe that only medication will bring some relieve gets stronger. How is it that someone who was full of joy a few years ago is now struggling with feelings of depression? Is it possible that it gets worse before it gets better? Because that is what I’m experiencing at the moment.
Ronny, Although it does feel like it gets worse before it gets better, just keep telling yourself that you’re one more day out from the evil of Paxil. I know the symptoms of w/d can make you want to run right back to it, but DON’T DO IT! In time you will level out and feel like a real, whole, feeling person again. I quit cold turkey which wasn’t the best way to go.
Read my posts from January 31st and February. I was where you are. It will get better. I keep preaching about acupuncture, but it really made me feel better. It’s been 8 months tomorrow and I like myself again. I wish you well, please update once in awhile so we know how you’re doing. Remember my mantra: “Forward ever, Backward never!”
Hi Paula, Based on your past comments it seems like you were starting to feel better rather fast after your CT. Am I right? It seems to me that you have been gradually improving from month 2. The problem for me is that I did not experience the real severe withdrawal symptoms. I have been able to function the whole time but it sure takes a hell of a lot out of me and my main fear is that sooner or later I will just collapse.
It’s not that I am severely physically ill but I always feel uncomfortable. Even when I am at home watching TV. Most days this gets better in the evening. Even the things I enjoyed doing in the past feel like a huge task at the moment. I used to love to go out with friend, both on and before the paxil. But right now I just feel out of my comfort zone and therefore stressed and unable to enjoy myself.
The fact that this has not been improving over the past 3 months makes me somewhat unsure as to whether things will get better eventually. It is an absolute horror having to stress out over every simple day to day activity. And even though I manage to do so, my mind unwillingly always reminds me of the suffering I am going through. I just get frustrated over the fact that at the moment I am not living, I am surviving. And that is what I would like to see different. Best regards! -Ronny
Hi! A am currently going to the process of withdrawal and can only say that this is the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. I am not sure if you are still active on this site but I do have some questions that I hope you can answer. First of all, how did you convince yourself not to go back on the medications? Like you said, the experience is truly horrific and seems never ending. How did you convince yourself that with time healing would start. I am now at the 2 months mark of being without medication and still don’t feel like things are improving.
So far I am still able to function but enjoying life really is not an option at the moment. I keep telling myself that if I stay off the paxil, things will be better in a few months but so far I have nothing to back that up as things seem to get more difficult rather than improve. When did you notice the first improvement and how exactly did you know you were improving? How are you doing right now? Hope to hear from you or anybody else that went through this! All the best! -Ronny
Ronny, I can only tell you that it does get better over time. I made sure I didn’t have any Paxil in the house so I couldn’t go back to taking it. Being active helped me, even if you walk for 10-15 minutes at a time. I did deep breathing exercises and had great success with acupuncture (across up to read my previous comments). I wish you luck in quitting this. May our strength be your strength. “Forward ever, backward never.”
Hi Ronny. I don’t know if you were feeling good when you quit Paxil, were you? Are you taking any supplements to help you with depression/anxiety? Are you doing anything to help you fight those conditions? You know that Paxil won’t cure us. Paxil, and all the other antidepressant medications just keep us under control while we take it. If we already had an episode, we can have another one. I’m researching a lot this last month and I learned that fish oil, B-complex and vitamin D help a lot.
I even asked my doctor to check my B12. I started taking B-complex and fish oil one month ago and I believe they are going to cure me. I really believe it, after all my researches. I always took vitamin D, but I was not really taking it everyday. This last month I’m taking 2000 IU everyday. I just got my results online yesterday and my levels are not good, but they will improve because I won’t stop taking those supplements, and I already ordered Vitamin B12 (1000 mcg).
I will start taking it this next Monday. I also started therapy (I’m having my 3rd session this next Monday). I don’t know if you believe in hypnosis, but I’m also doing it. I already had 3 sessions and the hypnotherapist gave me a download to use everyday. I believe it will work, so it will. I want to tell you that you will be better. I know that when we feel down we don’t have the strength to believe that we will be fine. But we must listen what Paula is saying. She is feeling better!!! We must be proactive, so we can can get better soon. What do you think? I hope you are feeling better today.
I stopped Klonopin cold turkey after almost 5 years of use. It was unbelievable. I have never been through anything so hard and ONLY my prayers to God saw me through. It’s now almost 2 weeks c/t off 40 mg Paxil. It’s rough. I have to say the dizziness is by far the most frustrating symptom.
However, I will make it. These pills are not bigger than my Father and I will conquer. When I am at my lowest, I will sit down and say a prayer. I know it may sound so cliche but it is true. When you can’t stand, kneel. Good luck to all of us.
I am 65 years old and been on Paxil for over 15 years. I am going thru major issues of having a rare cancer, 12 different auto immune diseases including Lupus, lost my job after 47 years working straight due to outsourcing, etc. I told my Dr the Paxil was not doing much for me and we decided to wean me down for a week and put me on another medication.
Well, since I think I am Super Woman, I weaned myself down half tablet for five days and then cold turkey. I thought all of this was ME and I am so happy to find a website that I am not going nuts! Pharmacist told me it would take a month but I am at that point now and I still sob constantly, have vertigo, get mad easily, have a lost for words when I am speaking, do not want to interact with people, tire easily, have no interest in shows or movies I loved, sleep a lot and am anxiety stricken all the time. I cannot handle ANY issues or problems that arise.
I either get mad or cry. I am glad to see I am not the only one with this issue, and I will just continue to take each day as it comes and realize in time things will be better. I want to be off ALL anti-depressants and see how I feel just being myself again. I am over medicated & coming down from other nasty medications also at the same time. Blessings to all of you.
I was on Paxil for 9 months. I tapered down from 20 mg, to 10mg, then 5mg and came off it completely about a month ago. The first few days I was dizzy, nauseous and lethargic, then I came right, then about a week ago I had my first migraine ever and have had a headache ever since, and felt dizzy while moving about.
I went to my doc as I was concerned about a tumor, or having another serious illness and she told me it probably wouldn’t be the Paxil as this happened 3 weeks after coming off it, and was outside the ‘2 week window’. She also said it wouldn’t be a tumor, and was pretty dismissive and told me to rest and drink more water. It is a relief to read websites like this that say the withdrawal can take longer. I’m just trying to stay philosophical and not get too worked up about it all!
Been on the medication for over 10 years. I took 40 mg. In my second day of dosing down to 20 mg & I definitely feel some of the symptoms. Thank you for your insight. Going to just roll with the changes and accept that they are only temporary! (At least that’s my plan).
Hi, I’m here because there is no guidance available as to how long to expect withdrawal from paroxetine to last, even for medical professionals. Any advice is very much appreciated. I took 30mg for seven months – it worked great but I gained a lot of weight, had no energy and was aware that I didn’t want to be on the drug long term so I came off it.
Tapered over seven weeks and apart from some dizziness and diarrhea noticed none of the emotional effects – I was pleased to think that I got away with it, particularly as I had a really hard time when I started taking the drug and was not in a good way for about seven weeks. It was only once I’d stopped taking it all together – even though by the end I was probably ingesting only a crumb a time every couple of days – that this started. I’ve gone through the anger stage, severe nausea stage that lasted about two weeks, the irritability, sleeplessness – but now, six weeks after my last dose, I’m experiencing what I can only describe as severe depression.
Please bear in mind that I was not depressed before I started taking this drug – it was prescribed for an episode of acute anxiety.. For the past four days I have felt completely out of it – exhausted, unable to connect with anything or anyone, just interested in anything that are usually enjoy and just want to sleep, I can’t recall and the members in the past, or anticipate anything good in the future.
Here’s what I want to know, after six weeks, can I still consider this as part of the withdrawal? If so, and I think that this might only last a couple of weeks, I can bear it. If not, and my brain has been fundamentally damaged by this medication to the extent that it’s given me a condition that I did not previously have, I don’t know what I can do. As I say, any advice appreciated – anyone else experienced something similar to this, and if so how long did it last, and is there anything anything at all that I can do?
I have taken seroxat 20mg for 16yrs. now for panic attacks due to the sudden death of my mother. I have tried to come off this drug very slowly but always ended up back on 20mg so I researched this problem and I have come up with the answer that works for me. I got liquid seroxat which is easier to reduce the dosage rather than trying to cut off bits of a tablet daily. I now take 3mls= 6mg daily and I reduce by 1ml. every 3months. Reduce the dose slowly and see how you go. Best of luck.
I am SO relieved to know I am not the only one experiencing this!! I was on 20 mg for 3 months and went cold turkey. I ran out of my scrip and was basically uninformed about what a terrible idea going cold turkey is. I am now on day 5 and feeling completely dizzy, experiencing vertigo, and experiencing brain zaps all day. Does anyone know what the approximate amount of time it takes to get over this is? I have read it takes anywhere from 2 weeks to a YEAR to fully recover. I can’t help but laugh at how hellish this is!!! Stay strong everyone :) I am never going near this stuff again!
My anger is so bad at work because I sit in a chair 8 hrs a day. My job is by no means difficult. I am not active…AT ALL! Just hearing people crunch paper or chew their food makes me want to punch them in the throat!!! I was on paxil for 9 years. I have been off of it for 2 & 1/2 weeks. I am seriously thinking about sick leave. I would hate to lose my job because I couldn’t control my anger. ANY input would be appreciated.
I feel your pain brother I have been off it for a week and I get angry so easy. Stay tough it has to get better at least that’s what I keep telling myself. I have been out of work since December from a dirt bike wreck and my left arm is still in a cast so all I do is sit around the house. I honestly think that makes it worse… I wish I was working so at least my mind would be busy. Good luck and godspeed.
I was on paxil for about 11 years. It stopped working fairly early on, but I didn’t know it. I thought the flat lining was me: something I was doing incorrectly, as usual. I had tried every natural way to deal w/ my depression & anxiety before giving in to chemical help. With focused commitment & desire. Nothing worked. Not even a little bit. So I started the process of finding the right antidepressant for myself. It took months of trial & effort w/ each one to find the right fit.
Ultimately, I ended up on paxil. By that time my life was in a downward spiral, I just didn’t know it. Once again, I blamed my inability to maintain my levels on myself. After all, I was always told I was my own worst enemy & it was all my own fault & I just wasn’t applying myself, but I digress. I had no health insurance & paxil was available to me for free & they would mail it right to my door! Oh yeah, problems solved!
I see now after reading the horror stories that I was on a runaway train to hell. I went off paxil May 20 & it is now July 3. Not by choice, but by circumstance, as I moved to another county in Dec, & all my medical transference fell thru the cracks. It took me 6 months to even get a primary care doctor, but that’s another saga. So end of paxil, cold turkey. Not how it’s supposed to go. The 1st week, my light started to come back. I was having emotions again. Enough clarity in my brain to see how stuck I have been, & gratitude that “this” would be over & I could participate in life again.
Then the detox, where I have been stuck ever since. On all levels & all interconnected. This is why I’m writing today, just in case there is some help out there somewhere. I am unraveling faster than I can pick up the string. To have crisis in every area of my life is terrifying, & finding support has been near impossible. Coping with anxiety is the most overwhelming & paralyzing symptom of the withdrawal. And it seems to get worse day by day, not better. And there is no where to run, no where to hide. I have no job, no income, owe my landlord back & current rent, no where to go, the stress is killin’ me…
I see now THIS is becoming “unfrozen” from paxil. Beyond my control. I won’t go back, but I can’t seem to move forward. I feel like I am trying to out run a boulder. Like I am in a spin cycle that can’t shut off. My intellect says this will pass, the rest of me says I’m screwed. I just don’t know what to do to help myself get thru to the other side. To make the detox easier to handle before I implode.
I think if I could physically feel better (panic attacks, upset stomach, diarrhea, body sweats, insomnia, weight gain even tho I don’t eat much, jaw & neck tension, my eyeballs feel so dry they will explode, heatstroke (I did end up in the desert & it’s 112°), teenage acne, tremors down my right arm when I meditate), I would feel like I can take control & make changes. Any responses out there? Is there an end to this hell? Any advice on what I might do to get through this? At least it’s good to know I’m not alone! Thanks!
I hope you are feeling better. Have you tried counseling? I’m trying counseling, hypnosis, fish oil, vitamin D and B-complex. Also walking for 20 to 30 min in the morning. I wanted to find a doctor that would know how to use L-tryptophan. There is a post here from somebody taking it and having good results.
Hi All, I’m taken aback by the amount of people who have posted about withdrawing from Paxil. It’s a relief to know that I’m not alone in this “fight,” yet, at the same time, it’s rather disturbing. I’ve been on Paxil for 12 years – the last 5 months I was taking 30mg (psychiatrist increased from 20mg).
For several reasons, I decided to taper off the 30mg by decreasing to 20mg and then to 10mg within a few weeks. I’m currently taking the 10mg and want to start the 5mg taper tomorrow, but I’m afraid of experiencing further and/or more severe side effects. I’ve been experienced terrible stomach pains, bathroom woes, chills/hot flashes, sweats, nightmares and vivid dreams, blurred vision, confusion, anxiety, body aches, anger/frustration, mood swings and headaches.
I’ve tried quitting Paxil in the past but couldn’t withstand the side effects, so I’d resume the prescribed dosage shortly after quitting. Although tapering has eased the severity of side effects in relation to cold turkey, it’s not been easy whatsoever. I’m hoping and praying that I will feel “normal” again sooner than later, but I understand that it takes different time for different people. God Bless you all.
Please give acupuncture or yoga breathing a try. It is non-evasive and no side effects. If you don’t feel relief right away then no harm done. Several posters here have had success. Once you start tapering down and getting away from this miserable drug you will feel much better, but unfortunately the w/d effects are torturous. Good luck to you, we’ve all been where you are and know exactly how you feel right now.
I stopped paxil cold turkey. I have all of these withdraws. I just want to feel Normal Again. I feel so sick.
Hi, everyone. I have been on 10 mg of Paxil for 10 years, than one day about 3.5 month ago it simply “pooped out” on me. I was taking the same dose at the same time and it would make me angry, anxious, this poison simply stopped working, making my life miserable. I quit cold turkey, experienced severe withdrawal, including: severe tension headaches, nausea, blurred vision, fatigue, dizziness, pain throughout the body, depression, anxiety, etc.
I am a single mother, I work nights as registered nurse for many years. I simply could barely function to take care of my self on a daily basis during the month of March, thanks to God and my boyfriend. In April I got somewhat better, in May about 60% of symptoms had subsided. About a week ago on June 4th, I suddenly felt like 80% myself, having may be one or 2 episodes of anxiety a day, I would tell myself: “This will pass too”.
My advice to you guys: take a lot of high quality fish oil, with krill oil, research what helps to strengthen brain and what helps to rejuvenate it. Brain is going trough major restructuring when we quit paxil. It is truly the most horrible medication you can ever take, honestly. I have never suffered in my life as much as I did while going off this med. Just stay strong: pray, you will need a lot of family support, take your supplements, stay in touch with forums like this, go for long walks, and know this will eventually end. I wish everyone to get well.
I’ve been on Paxil for 5 years. I was never so balanced. I decided to come off of it because “my life was in order” and I don’t like chemicals in my body. I cut my pills into 3/4 of a dose for a few months, then half a dose for four months. I haven’t had any bad symptoms until this month when depression, crying jags and anger have consumed me. I have had lots of stressors but should be able to deal with them. My relationships are strained. Even with God. I am going for counseling tomorrow. I need tools to handle this self hatred and pity. No one offered me any coping mechanisms when I was diagnosed. I hope I can do this.
Very helpful to read all of the comments and the common support thread for this kind of withdraw. I am on my 6th day of attempting at quitting cold turkey; I have been on Paxil for approx 5 months. It began to work about a month into taking it I felt so much better, I was working out and had a much more optimistic look at everything. There were still issues like not being able to sleep and daily odd ups and downs but for the most part I felt back in control.
This is the first time I decided to quit cold turkey and on the 3rd day I felt some of the same symptoms but instead thought it was because I was not sleeping much. I got into a bad accident the day after and soon got right back on Paxil. I tried quitting once more before but just erupted in tears prompting me to take again. Andrielle I hope your symptoms go away!
It’s hard to believe that after a month you are still felling them. A whole month, you are incredibly strong, and I hope there is light at the end of this soon! I will attempt to update my situation as much as I can as I go through this. I am glad I can revert to this forum and find similar experiences as well as needed support.
I’ve been taking Paxil for approximately 16 years and have stopped cold turkey. It’s awful going through the withdrawal symptoms, but it sure is helpful to read other peoples’ accounts! The worst symptoms to me are nausea, profuse sweating, and flu like symptoms as well as feelings of doom and suicidal thoughts (thank God I know better than to act on them). I may end up going back on the drug because of my job.
I have a really stressful job and want to avoid problems at work related to withdrawal. Reading these comments helps tremendously with recognizing withdrawal symptoms for what they are and coping with those feelings vs. acting on them i.e.: anger, mood swings, depression. (Meltdowns at work are not acceptable to most of us). Thanks to all of you who shared your experiences!
Hi all! I have been off paxil for 1 month. I thought the head pain would go away by now, but it is still here. It’s a pain/pressure type head pain that is very consistant and painful. It pretty much moves all over in my head. I’m beginning to convince myself that maybe it’s something else and I need to get checked out. I’m sure that’s my anxiety talking, but has anyone had this for more then a month after being off paxil?
I started 20mg Paxil in April of 2014 and took the drug for 13 months. This was my second semester as a freshman at Vanderbilt. I had never taken any SSRIs before and was always a great student. I’m writing this in June 2015 at the end of my sophomore year. While taking Paxil, I was a shell of my former self. I was no longer a motivated individual and numb to all emotions. My GPA went from a 3.7 to a 2.6, and I likely will not get into medical school anymore.
Now I’ve been off Paxil for 5 weeks, and my old self is coming back. I’m motivated to work out, eat properly, go on dates, and do well academically. I went cold turkey (no taper) because my prescription ran out on May 3, 2015 and I was already on a flight home where I don’t have a prescriber. After 4 weeks of brain zaps, random crying spells, tingling face, flu like symptoms, mood swings, upsetting nightmares and suicidal ideation, the worst is over and I’m on my way to feeling like the old me.
Going off Paxil has been a GREAT decision, even with all the horrible withdrawal effects. I’d like to thank everyone for sharing their story in this thread. Best of luck to everyone!
Hi all, I read all your comments with interest and questions in my head at the same time. I have recently been in a very difficult place with some familiar anxiety experiences and quite severe depression. I went on this webpage after the psychiatrist suggested prescribing Paroxetine. As I read many of your posts about withdrawal what strikes me is a lot of these are symptoms I have presently with my anxiety.
I have had all the usual tests after presenting with migraine type headaches, Irritable Bowel syndrome, bladder issues including an infection, aches and pains and hot and cold flushes. I’ve had these before as markers of stress resulting in becoming nervously ill. So my question in my head when reading many of the posts is, are the symptoms experienced returning anxiety symptoms because of increased stress of coming off the mess and of which there is already a predisposition?
It’s just a thought but I find it interesting that many of these symptoms (not all) are similar to mine when I am stressed and run down and my anxiety and depression return in both physical and psychological markers. I have been on anti depressants meds in my 20’s and swore I wouldn’t take them again after horrendous withdrawal and anxiety returning. But I am aware if I need something to enable me to move forward then I have to weigh the pros and cons up.
I must say after reading a lot of your experiences I am reluctant to start a journey with Paroxetine. I wish you all well and I empathize with the awful reality of living with anxiety disorders and related problems that often accompany it.
Paxil is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I have been on it for about 5 years – 20mg. Three years ago, my shrink decided to switch my meds and told me to taper off for a week or so. After 4 days of being off, I thought I was going crazy! I was scared of everything around me, nothing seemed familiar – my apartment looked and seemed weird and looking out the window made me feel like I was living in a different place in another time (I later found out this is called Depersonalization-derealization).
Nothing could comfort me; not sleep (bc I had horrible nightmares), not eating (I was weighing 95lbs), not television (images on the TV would scare me). I had horrible brain zaps, fits of rage, flu symptoms, heart palpitations; the muscles in my legs and arms constantly ached and I was always scared of falling bc I thought I might lose control of my body movements. After 2-3 days of feeling this way, I contacted another shrink who put me back on Paxil 10mg. He told me that getting off Paxil takes months and should be done gradually. Not in a week.
This April, after months of tapering off, I took my last pill. I have experienced bad withdrawal symptoms, but nowhere near as bad as what I described above. The anxiety attacks I currently get, come in waves. Sometimes they last from a few minutes to hours, and other times up to 2-3 days. Nights can be difficult when you are trying to sleep – the darkness and silence feels so big and scary, and the anxiety grows even more. There are days where I feel 80% OK and I am so happy because I feel like I’m almost at 100.
I get excited thinking that almost there. But then, the withdrawal symptoms come back and I desperately pray for a good 10 minutes of peace. Currently, the withdrawal symptoms are minor panic attacks when out in public, sensitivity to sounds, and feelings of Depersonalization-derealization. By far I think the feelings of Depersonalization-derealization are the worst of all. I feel like Paxil hijacked the person I was and I will never see her again.
The only thing that keeps me going is reading all of the experiences on this page and remembering that these feelings are all part of the withdrawal phase. Funny… Right now as I sit here and type this, I ask myself if I truly am sitting here typing this. Not funny, I guess. But, I just smiled and I’m so grateful for that happy second.
How do you feel now 3 months later? I discontinued paxil about a month and half ago. Withdrawal symptoms were pretty bad the first 2 weeks but now I experience them in waves. Some days I’m good, some days depressed, some days enraged. Hope it got better for you?
Thank you for this information. Most of the withdrawals you listed I am going through and it’s only been a week and a half sense I came off Paxil. I didn’t realize this was connected to stopping taking the medication I thought I had to get back on it because my brain seriously had a dependent on this chemical. Gives me hope I can and will feel normal again.
I originally started Paxil for anger during menopause. I have been on 5 mg for at least 10 years. I am now past menopause so thought I would stop taking it. I never considered tapering since that is not a large dose. I really have felt crappy but did not attribute it to this until I read this blog. I have not (thank God) experienced the zaps. However, I have had flu-like symptoms with nausea, muscle aches (especially neck and shoulders), stuffy nose and pain over my right kidney, sleeping a lot, cloudy thinking and chills. Funny, most of these symptoms I just attributed to “old age” (I’m 63).
My partner was on aropax for many years… has weaned off it now in the last couple of months. It is hard hearing about the symptoms he has been experiencing…nausea, insomnia, irritability, leg cramps. There are times he really snaps at me or one of our children… I am thick-skinned and know what he is going through but they don’t really understand. Reading about other people’s experiences gives me strength to be more tolerant of the anger etc, and to try and be more supportive. I agree with many comments – Drs should let you know the path you are going down before prescribing it. I hope he is the person I fell in love with again sooner rather than later :(
I am coming down the home stretch of getting off pax-hell!!! Do it slowly! Was on. 30mg. Then 20, 10 now 5!! Still nausea from 12-1pm. Down to 5mg. Every other day. But feel hungover the day I don’t. One more week! Still having bathroom issues (bowel). Quite miserable. Anyone else going through this? Can’t wait to be FREE! -Kat
I’ve been off of Paxil now for a year. I was on 20mg of it for about 10 years and gradually tapered myself off for about 6 months. I still am suffering from tension headaches, anxiety attacks, palpitations, and trouble sleeping. How long can these withdrawals last? I hate these feelings thinking maybe I was better off staying on it, but I hate to take medicines, and my social anxiety is through the roof most times. Please help, feel free to email me at [email protected].
1. Yes, it gets better!
2. I have taken Paxil 3 times since 1997; the longest break I had was almost 2 years before/after pregnancy — in 2004. I have been unhappily taking 40mg for at least 5 years, pretty much resigned to taking it forever.
3. I have had terrible discontinuations, but this time I have been taking massive probiotics, vitamin d, and omega 3s. And it is SO much less awful!
These are natural supplements, so they aren’t going to do you any harm, and they might really help. I am almost one week Paxil-free, and I can’t believe how much better this is.
4. Best wishes to you all. <3
I have been on since Aug. 2009, mostly 40mg. I am into the second month of a step-down (my idea) and on 20mg. After this month will go to 10mg, etc. I felt fine, but, just wanted to be off of SSRI, if possible. I am experiencing the fatigue and thoughts of dread (depression, I suppose) that everyone writes about. My relationship with my wife sucks right now, I’m sure because of my affect and not being able to deal with “life” as well as it comes. Could she help more with some sympathy?
Probably, but, hey, I’m the one coming off this stuff. But, exercise really helps! I find that taking walks, doing push-ups, sit-ups, anything helps immensely. I’m hoping to be off completely within 60-75 days, but, seeing the flu-like symptoms and continued depression written about here, I guess I’ll have to dig deeper to get through it unscathed. As Babe Ruth once said, “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” Hang in there everyone and pray hard!
Hello, I was on 20 mg of paxil for 2 years. I have been off of it for 3 weeks or so and I feel awful. Like the worst I’ve ever felt. Even worse than before I started taking paxil. I am dizzy all of the time and just so depressed. It’s hard for me to function normally on a day to day basis. My family keeps telling me I should probably go back on it and I am starting wonder if I should. I really don’t want to though, mostly because I don’t want to have to wean off of it again. It is very comforting to know that I am not the only person struggling with this though.
That must be hard not having your family’s support on staying off Paxil. Stay strong! I almost went back on Paxil today because I felt so ill. Then I found this site, thank God! Still Paxil free tonight. We all have each other!
There is something seriously wrong with these doctors. After reading these, and other posts, I can tell you that I’ve been one of the lucky ones. Today is day 5 Paxil free. I was on 40mg for approximately 9 months for anxiety. Let me tell you…this lady needs brain altering drugs not me. Long story short, switched to another primary doctor in February who thought I should wean off. This was her idea because TBH I had never thought about it.
I gained 10 pounds which, from what I gather, is not much from this evil pill. I don’t think I would have cared if I felt well but I didn’t. So, I chubbed up and felt like crap. I told the new doc that I felt like I was walking through quicksand all the time. I would go weeks without shaving my legs (sorry tmi) but hey, I’m kind of anonymous right? I tapered from 40 to 20 for one month. Immediately I felt my energy level increase (I’m glad because it took like an hour to shave my legs).
I had no negative side effects at all. I then went to 10mg for one week…again, no side effects but a lot more energy. Today is day 5 Paxil free. Day 1 and 2; no side effects. Day 3; wild brain zaps. Day 4 (yesterday) nothing. I don’t know what today will bring however, I know that I will get through it. I started using vitamin patches at the same time; Vitamin D3 and B12. I believe this is helping.
Additionally, I just ordered Omega 3 patches because I read somewhere that this supplement will help with the zaps. I would strongly encourage everyone to get off of these pills. There is no shame in needing help for life events; we all know they can kick our butts at times but seriously…I don’t care how much you like your doctor – do your research. I think most of them are in the sack with the pharma companies. Best of luck guys.
I cannot relate to these experiences. I was on 20mg for about 7 years. I decided to stop. So, my doctor gave me a script for 10mg for 1 week. I have now been totally off Paxil for over a week and have not experienced any withdrawal symptoms! Am I just a rarity? Reading these stories have scared me to death!
It would be great if you never got the withdrawal symptoms, but I was just like you until I hit 3 weeks Paxil free. Bam! Now I’ve been terribly ill for the last five days. Just be prepared.
I was on Paxil for 22 years (started at 20Mg up to 60mg August 2013). I have slowly weaned myself off for 1 1/2 years and now clean of this hell medication for 32 days. I feel I’m going through hell and feel even worse now to the point of despair. I started cutting myself and the feeling of suicidal thoughts are even stronger. I’m afraid to see a psychiatrist because I know they will try other pills on me but I don’t want to go through this again.
The psychiatrist I used to see told me I could stop Paxil cold turkey and I would be back to normal after 3 weeks (Did not believe him and he does not have any compassion so I don’t want to return to see him) I just wanted to vent a little and reading this blog helped me realize I’m not the only one. My worst fear: going crazy. I used to be a peaceful and caring person, now I feel total apathy towards everyone and everything.
I’m at a total loss, the feeling of despair is too strong to handle, no longer know who to trust and I only have my husband who is doing the best he can to help me but I feel I’m a burden. Will I ever find inner peace and a zest for life again? Should I try natural remedies? I’ve been stuck in a dark tunnel and can’t find my way out. Paxil destroyed my life and I’m 52 years old.
I’ve had very good luck, and others here have also, with acupuncture. It’s painless, inexpensive, sometimes even covered by insurance, and can make a world of difference. Bonus – no side effects. I wish you well, feel good knowing we’ve all been through what you’re experiencing, and although it takes time, you will get better. Forward ever, backward never!
I just wanted to say, my doctor didn’t tell me that I had to be weaned off. So it been cold turkey for me and yes it’s the hell. Its only been 30 days for me. Reading your article gave me hope that I’ll be back to normal.
Hello my name is Bre, I was on Paxil 12.5 mg for about a year, and the medicine didn’t seem like it was working anymore, so my doctor upped my dosage to 20mg, I felt like a zombie. I had no feelings to anything anymore. When something sad happened I didn’t even cry over it. I hated not having feelings and not to mention the acne I had developed from the time I started taking it. It was so sever this is what caused me to want to stop the medicine. About 3 weeks ago I started cutting my pills in half, and just 4 days ago I thought I was ready to completely be off of it.
Well, for the pat 4 days I have never felt so bad in my life. I work long hours and throught the day I get periods of dizziness, and hot flashes, nausea. Like my body is about to shut down. And also had a completely nervous breakdown this morning. It has been 4 days and I really don’t want to take this medicine again. I am trying my hardest not to take the half of pill just for my flu like symptoms to just go away. Please, someone tell me things will get better soon! I can’t take this dizzy feeling anymore. How much longer do I have to go through this?
You probably know this by now, but you can’t cut PAXIL CR tablets. They are time release and cutting them causes them not to work. 12.5 mg dosage is a dosage for CR Paroxetine, and is not regular Paxil tablets, which are only available in dosages of mg of 10,20,30,40,60, etc.; and can be cut for dosing down. You always have to have the doctor switch your prescription to regular Paxil when you are ready to taper off. You might have had cold turkey withdrawal from cutting the pills. How are you now?
Hi everyone. Today is my first day with no Paxil after 4 years and I am very unhappy and sad and angry. I’m wondering what the heck I’ve done. I want to stay off of it but feel afraid that I’m going to make a crazy decision like ending my relationship with my boyfriend. I don’t know. These feelings and emotions are just awful. I’ve been numb for years because I lost two of my children in a horrible divorce. What can I do to get through tomorrow? Ugh.
I found out I was pregnant and my doctor took me from 20 mg of Paxil to 10 mg and had me start buspar. This was about for three days and then he told me to get completely off it and now I take the buspar and 10 mg of celexa. I am having horrible withdrawal from the Paxil. My head feels terrible. It’s definitely the brain zap feelings. I also feel hot one minute and the next I feel like I have the chills. I can’t eat right… feel like I am constantly nauseous.
My anxiety has gone back to being horrible probably mostly from the stress of feeling like this. I was put on Paxil last summer after celexa seemed to not be working for me anymore. I think it should be illegal to give Paxil to any woman of child bearing age! It should probably just be illegal period. I am now on a week without Paxil and I can barely take it. Take my advice! Never start this drug! To all of you on here that are going through the withdrawal I hope you all get through this. It’s a long rocky road!