Nada678: paroxetine withdrawal

[Nada678]

Hello

 

I am a 1st time poster and am very frightened by my symptoms after withdrawing from 10 mg Paroxetine from September 2015 to December 2016.  After 2  months at 0 mg  I developed PGAD and intense anxiety.    I reinstated 1mg at the end of January 2017 but it didn't help and gave me bad diarrhea; then I increased to 2.5 mg in June 2017, but I now have had akathisia, numbness and pain in feet, and worsening depression.   I am spending more and more time in bed and I am frightened to go out.

 

Please could you give me any advice as to whether I should taper again or hold to stabilise?   I am also suffering badly from insomnia and take benadryl quite often.

Edited January 5, 2018 by scallywag
add words to title

[Nada678]

Hello

 

I just posted my first post but would like to add a bit more that I forgot to write.  I am not sure if I have added enough about my drug history and am not sure where to add that information.

 

Regarding Pgad, I have seen a specialist in London, who wants me to start the Paroxetine again and he doesn't think the Pgad is connected to withdrawal from Paroxetine.  However I feel it is related, as I have other nerve pain in my feet.

My GP also wants me to restart Paroxetine and wants to refer me to mental health services.   I feel very alone and I can't convince them about the effects of SSRI withdrawal.

 

My GP also did a blood test and says I am hypothyroid and wants me to take synthetic thryoid tablets.   I did start them but my hair started falling out so I stopped.  Is it safe to take thyroxine while withdrawing, and could withdrawal be causing the hair loss?  I am so frightened.  I am also losing a lot of weight despite eating, and have diarrhea every day.  I feel there is no hope for me as I am over 60, and I have read that if you are older, withdrawal symptoms can be permanent.  I am feeling more and more hopeless and depressed.

 

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Nada

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Nada.

 

As you're probably aware, you have prolonged withdrawal syndrome. We have not seen that being older means permanent withdrawal symptoms.

 

What time of day do you take Paxil? Do your symptoms follow any daily pattern, are there time when they are better or worse?

 

What do you mean by "akathisia"?

 

Hair falling out is a symptom of hypothyroidism. How long did you take thyroid hormone? How did your symptoms change? When did you stop thyroid hormone? Did your hair stop falling out?

Edited December 24, 2017 by Altostrata
merged related topics

[Nada678]

Hello Altostrsta

 

Thanks very much for your reply.  I will answer your questions.  I take Paxil at about 8.30 am, before any food.  My symptoms are worst in the early morning when I wake up to intense fear and dread, and electricity feelings in my head and chest.  I find it very difficult to get out of bed.  I usually feel a bit calmer in the late afternoon and evening and often go to bed late just to hang on to some semblance of sanity.

 

Most of the day I cannot think straight or focus on anything.  I keep wanting to go back to bed as I feel so weak. I sometimes find a short walk helps if I can manage to get out the front door.

 

By akathisia, I mean more of an acute inner mental torment, intense confusion and anxiety, and I have to pace around a lot because of restless legs and pgad. The worst is feeling that this will never end and my life is over, because I can't function. I feel like my brain is damaged.

 

I took a low dose of thyroxine for about 6 weeks and noticed the hair loss as well as worse insomnia.  I have been off it for about a month, but my hair is still coming out.  It is very noticeable now.  I had a blood test after the 6 weeks and my TSH had dropped from 12 to 10.  I don't even think my body is absorbing much because of the diarrhea every day.  I have lost 2 stone. (28 pounds) since the beginning of this year. I feel like my body is totally non-functioning.

 

Sorry for the lengthy post.

Best wishes

Nada

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

It sounds like that dose of thyroxine was too high for you. Your TSH fell because of the effects of the thyroxine, it has a very long half-life.

 

Does the "akathisia" happen at any particular time of day? You will need to manage the thoughts that contribute to your symptoms, such as " I feel like my brain is damaged." You are recovering from adverse drug effects.

 

Magnesium oil on your legs may help the restless legs, but be careful not to overdo it because it may encourage bowel movement. Please try to get at least one-half hour of walking every day, it will assist recovery in your nervous system.

 

What time of day do you have diarrhea? Have you tried a non-irritating exclusion diet for the digestive problems? See

 

That acid reflux pill may be causing your health problems
 
Digestive problems: Nausea, Diarrhea, Bloating, GERD
 
Food sensitivities
 
Gluten Sensitivity Vs. Celiac Disease Vs. Gluten Intolerance...
 
Histamine food intolerance

 

Elimination or exclusion diets for reactions to food (food intolerance)

SCD/GAPS/Paleo Diets
 
Probiotics and gut health

[Nada678]

Hello Altostrata

 

I will make this my last post today so that you can enjoy your Christmas.

 

Re thyroxine, I was on the lowest dose.  In the UK, TSH is supposed to be below 2  and mine was 12.  The GP wants to increase the dose. I am wary of taking any other medication whilst withdrawing, but it could be my symptoms are being worsened by Hypothyroidism.  Or it could be withdrawal that has triggered hypothyroidism.  Also I want to avoid any more hair loss.

 

The akathisia happens mostly in the mornings - I will try to stop the negative thoughts.  The diarrhea happens in the morning, and sometimes later if I try to eat more in order to put on weight. I have tried cutting down gluten.  I think I will try excluding it totally and try taking a probiotic.  I will try walking more often.

 

Really I need to know if I should hold my dose of 2.5 mg Paxil, even though the reinstatement hasn't helped at all.  Is it too risky to taper while I am experiencing such bad withdrawal symptoms?

 

I wish you a Happy Christmas .

 

Nada

 

 

 

[Nada678]

Hello

 

I think I posted a question in the wrong section before, as I am a new member and not sure how things work.  I am in a lot of distress and barely fuctioning after withdrawing from Paxil to 0mg in December  2016 then reinstating 1mg after 2 months off, as I had terriblle anxiety, pgad, insomnia.   Because 1mg didnt help and gave me bad diarrhea, after 5 months I  updosed to 2.5mg.    I feel even more anxious and depressed and I feel nothing is working and its making me extremely panicky. I have been on 2.5 mg since July 2017. I feel trapped in this non functioning state with total brain fog.

 

Does anyone have any advice as to whether I should try to taper again or would that be risky?  Should I just keep holding at 2.5 mg and hope for some improvement?  Does anyone have experience with Paxil?

 

Thank you

 

Nada

[Nada678]

Hi

 

I am a new member and I have received some advice from Altostrata, but I have posted a couple of times regarding reinstatement, and not received any replies.  I am feeling very alone, and would really appreciate help from anyone about what to do if a reinstatement of 2.5 mg of Paxil hasn't helped after 6 months.  Should I start tapering again? And how slowly?

 

Thank you

 

Nada

 

 

 

[LexAnger]

I want to say I'm very sorry you are harmed by the drug and trapped in the middle now.

 

You may want to share more details such as symptom before and after RI and updose from 1-2.5 etc before others can provide their thoughts and help.

[nz11]

9 hours ago, Nada678 said:

Hi

 

I am a new member and I have received some advice from Altostrata, but I have posted a couple of times regarding reinstatement, and not received any replies.  I am feeling very alone, and would really appreciate help from anyone about what to do if a reinstatement of 2.5 mg of Paxil hasn't helped after 6 months.  Should I start tapering again? And how slowly?

 

Thank you

 

Nada

 

 

 

Nada just a gentle reminder its only one intro per person. 

 

Looks like there are a few people on holiday including the Alto at the moment.

 

So sorry you are in this difficult situation.

It must be so exhausting to carry on for so long with no improvement.

nz11

 

[Nada678]

Hi LexAnger

 

Thanks for your reply.  I will try to give a few more details.  I do feel very trapped as you say, not knowing whether to taper, updose or hold.

 

I was down to zero for 2 months in December 2016 but I couldn't cope with the anxiety and I developed Pgad which I still have.

I increased to 1mg at the end of January 2017 and this caused me to have chronic diarrhoea and worse anxiety and akathisia.

 

I increased to 2.5 my in June 2017 and I still have the same symptoms as well as crashing headaches and worse insomnia.  I feel I am experiencing withdrawal as well as side effects from increasing the dose. I have terrible feelings of terror and dread that I am stuck like this forever.  I can't function.

 

Any advice as to what I should do next would be appreciated.

 

Thank you

 

Nada

[nz11]

bump 

[Altostrata]

On 12/29/2017 at 6:52 AM, Nada678 said:

Hello

 

I think I posted a question in the wrong section before, as I am a new member and not sure how things work.  I am in a lot of distress and barely fuctioning after withdrawing from Paxil to 0mg in December  2016 then reinstating 1mg after 2 months off, as I had terriblle anxiety, pgad, insomnia.   Because 1mg didnt help and gave me bad diarrhea, after 5 months I  updosed to 2.5mg.    I feel even more anxious and depressed and I feel nothing is working and its making me extremely panicky. I have been on 2.5 mg since July 2017. I feel trapped in this non functioning state with total brain fog.

 

Does anyone have any advice as to whether I should try to taper again or would that be risky?  Should I just keep holding at 2.5 mg and hope for some improvement?  Does anyone have experience with Paxil?

 

Thank you

 

Nada

 

Nada -- I moved this post to your Intro topic, it was overlooked in the Tapering forum. Please post questions about your particular situation here, in your Intro topic.

 

What is your daily symptom pattern? How do you know the Paxil is causing your symptoms?

 

There is no lowest dose of thyroxine. If the smallest available tablet is too high a dosage for you, many people have smaller doses compounded by a pharmacist.

[Nada678]

Hi Altostrata

 

Do you think my hypothyroidism might be causing some of my symptoms and not the Paxil withdrawal?   Or could the withdrawal be causing the thyroid problems?  I am very confused.

 

My GP wants to increase my thyroxine dose from 25 micrograms to 50, as my TSH is still higher than it should be. She doesn't understand protracted withdrawal or drug sensitivity whilst in withdrawal. I haven't taken thyroxine for a month because of the hair loss, but I am still losing hair.

 

I suppose I thought my symptoms are being caused by the Paxil withdrawal because of how I started getting so many difficult symptoms as I got to a very low dose.  My symptoms are bad insomnia, fear and dread in the mornings, extreme anxiety and depression and fatigue, diarrhea and weight loss. I am not functioning and feel extremely hopeless.  I sometimes feel a little calmer in the evening.

 

Do you think I should keep holding my dose for now?   I remember reading a post where you said you had thyroid problems.  Did you take thyroxine?

 

Thanks

 

Jada

[Altostrata]

As I said before, hair loss is a symptom of hypothyroidism.

 

We don't know if withdrawal syndrome can cause hypothyroidism. But if you have symptoms of hypothyroidism, you need to have it treated. We don't actually counsel people about thyroid treatment here. Please read up on the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as at http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_the_thyroid/hypothyroidism.html , and decide for yourself which of your symptoms are due to that condition.

 

You may have both withdrawal syndrome and hypothyroidism. It would be best to address the hypothyroidism if you can.

 

Getting the correct dose and type of thyroid hormone can be tricky. Read up on the symptoms of too much thyroid hormone, such as https://www.verywell.com/could-you-be-overmedicated-on-thyroid-drugs-3233271 and decide if this applies to you.

 

You may wish to join an Internet community about hypothyroidism. There are several on Facebook.

 

Personally, I would not continue to see a doctor who will prescribe a higher dosage of a drug when you may have experienced an adverse reaction to a lower dosage. Worse insomnia is not a desirable effect of thyroid hormone supplementation.

 

To track the source of your symptoms, you will want to keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and their dosages. Then you will be able to see what gets better or worse after you take a drug.

 

 

[scallywag]

Nada,  I'll be moving these posts to your original introduction topic; here's the link  Nada678: paroxetine withdrawal.  Please post your questions there so that all your information, questions and answers are in one place. 

 

You may want to set that web page as a bookmark or favorite in your browser will help you navigate back to it.

 

Moderators are volunteers and aren't on the site all the time. It can take up to 24 hours to get a response to your post. Sometimes when it's very busy you may have to be patient for longer.

Edited January 5, 2018 by scallywag

[Nada678]

Hi LexAnger

 

I hope I am posting in the right place.  I read in another post of yours that you are having a very hard time at the moment.

I was wondering how you cope with those awful emotions on your worst days?   Do you stay in bed, or try to battle on?

I feel terrible guilt when I can't do anything with my day but suffer.

 

Thanks

 

Nada

[Frogie]

Hi Nada:

 

I just wondered if you started a thyroid supplement? What are you on if you did?

 

I tried Armour and it made me sick after 4 days. And my insurance wouldn't pay for it.

 

I started Synthroid yesterday (Saturday). The dr told me to take it at night because of the Lexapro and Xanax. I woke up at 3:30am jittery, hot and sweaty. I googled it and one site said to contact your dr right away. A couple other sites say if the side effects become bothersome to call your dr. I'm going to wait until Tuesday morning and see. That gives my body 3 days.

 

But I decided to go on them because my TSH just kept going up and up. It wasn't getting any better over almost a year. And the dr said we could try to go off of it when I'm done with the Lexapro and see what my TSH is. I just didn't want any problems with my thyroid while I'm in WD.

 

I just wanted to let you know what was going on with he.

 

I hope everything is well with you.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Nada678]

 Hi Frogie

 

Thanks for your reply.  I have started taking Levothyroxine (in UK), but I have terrible side effects and it is making Paxil withdrawal more difficult.

 

I have insomnia, terrible leg pains and numbness, and more hair loss than when I wasn't taking it.  My GP says I have to take it because my TSH levels have risen.  I am feeling very anxious about having to deal with Hypothyroidism whilst withdrawing as it is not at all straightforward.

 

Keep in touch to let me know how it goes for you.

 

Best wishes

Nada

 

[Frogie]

Hi:

 

I started taking NP Thyroid, 15mg on March 31.

 

I have to go back in 6 weeks for blood work, but I'm sure he will up my dose.

 

I just thought I would let you know how I'm doing.

 

How are you doing?

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Altostrata]

How are you doing, Nada?

[Nada678]

Hi Altostrata    Actually I am quite frightened by my symptoms.    Chronic fatigue, agoraphobia, neurological pains and numbness in feet and legs.  Also extreme depression and acute anxiety and confusion.  Basically I am not functioning.  I am trying to accept my situation and not fight it.

 

I don't know whether reinstating up to 3 mg has damaged my body more or whether this is just protracted withdrawal. 

With regards to my underactive thyroid, my TSH has gone down, I am due another blood test soon.  My doctor only tests TSH and T4.

She also doesn't understand about protracted withdrawal.   I am not sure whether to taper or hold Paxil.

Thanks

[Altostrata]

Are you feeling better or worse on the thyroid hormone? TSH level is irrelevant if the hormone supplementation doesn't make you feel better. Feeling worse means you are not getting the correct thyroid treatment.

 

What times of day do you take your drugs? Please add this to your signature. Are you still taking Benedryl? How's your sleep?

 

What is your daily symptom pattern? Please keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and their dosages.