badtummy: Paxil withdrawal

[badtummy]

Hello.

I’m 33 years old woman.

When I was 21 I was given Paxil 20 mg and has taken half a pill since then to atumn 2016. 

I think I tapered for a month or so, don’t remember exactly. And I was fine for a month or two. But then I started to feel so stressed out and shaky. And I never get stressed. 

In January 2017 I got a bad cold with very bad throat pain. And I had that pain for about half year. 

I was so psychology instabil I cried all the time and the next second I laughed hysterically. I thought I was going insane. And I was so agoraphobic. And had my first ever panic attach. 

I got kind of appendix inflammation where the appendix would swell up and have spasm from hell! I couldn’t walk because every time I took I step i would get a stabbing pain in my appendix. 

In the summer 2017 I understood what it was! I was going through Paxil withdrawal! 

So I thought I had to go back and take Paxil again. 

The pain in my appendix disappeared and I felt normal in my psyche again. And also my throat pain disappeared.

But I also got symptoms back that I didn’t want to deal with, sexual disfunction, and other stuff. So I quit Paxil again. 

My weight went down to 44 kg and I am 166 cm... 

i was so incredibly depressed I wanted to kill myself. I couldn’t work and I layed in bed all day I thought I was going to die because of anxiety. 

 

i also got severe burning mouth. And bruxism. And I got bone growth in my palate and under my toung. My mouth hurted so bad. 

And still does from time to time. And so dry mouth.

 

in New Years from 2017 to 2018 I woke up and had excruciating pain in my stomach. And had to eat something very fast to make it better. And ever since then I have to eat all day long, but my stomach hurts so bad either way.

sometimes it burns in my stomach and in my chest. 

And I have to pee so bad all day long and also at night. I have pain in my bladder.

and in my spine and lower back. 

But the main thing for me is the pain in both sides of my stomach. I think it is the colon?

The stomach is sooo bubbly and noisy and the pain is so bad. I have diarrhea almost every day. 

And I get anxiety and panic when I would sleep because I have so much pain.

I don’t know how much longer I can do this, I have had this pain and bloating now for 1 1/2 years. 

It looks like I swallowed a football or something and people have asked me if I’m pregnant.

i can’t deal with this pain any more. The only thing that helps with the pain a little is hydroxyzine but I get bad heart palpitations from that. 

What should I do to get a normal digest system again? And don’t have to eat all day long and pee and have this pain?

the pain is on both sides of the stomach far down.

 

Edited June 24, 2019 by Shep
updated with new username in title

[ChessieCat]

Thank you for creating your drug signature.  Please put the doses in as well.  Thank you.

[badtummy]

Reinstating

 

I dont know what to do.

i have severe stomach cramps every day. 

Today it’s unbearable. Should I reinstate Paxil after two years off? Will that help my stomach? I can’t deal with this any more. 

I rather be dead then have this pain all the time. 

Help me please. 

 

Edited June 24, 2019 by ChessieCat
added topic title

[ChessieCat]

2 topics merged

 

On 6/22/2019 at 8:48 PM, ChessieCat said:

Please put the doses in as well. 

 

[badtummy]

I took 10 mg every day.

[badtummy]

I just now ate lunch a bit of salmon and potatoes and a little bit of vegetables. Now my stomach is bubbly and noisy. It appears to me as if some liquid is running and bubbling through the colon. And my stomach is swollen as usual. 

And tonight I have woken up like ten times in anxietypanic and have to pee. My stomach hurted so bad last night and also my bladder. I couldn’t get to sleep so i had to take a hydroxyzine to get to sleep. I can’t sleep when my stomach hurt this bad.

I can’t get a nap either in the day because as soon as my body would get into sleep it will wake itself up with panic and heart palpitation. 

 

So sick of this. 

I’m home from work today.

[badtummy]

And one more thing, I’m always burping like crazy.

[badtummy]

Doesn’t anyone has any suggestion for me? I can’t deal with this anymore.

[Carmie]

Hi badtummy, 

 

I’m so sorry you have such bad stomach pains all the time. I’m afraid reinstating Paxil two years out may not do anything. If you go up to the search button on top of this page and type in stomach you will find others with stomach issues too. You can do the same with any subject.

 

The meds affect out CNS and can pretty much affect anything in our bodies, including the stomach and the bladder. The majority of our serotonin is actually in our digestive tract.  If your stomach pain is associated with withdrawals it will eventually heal as the brain heals itself. The sad thing is it can take quite a while for the brain to heal after being injured by these drugs. 

 

I’ve had burning mouth myself, it lasted for months. At the time I didn’t realise it was caused by withdrawals, until I found this site. I thought it was something permanent. It did go away though.

 

If you think the stomach pain is caused by something else it might be a good idea to have it checked out, just so you can rule out other things. 

 

Please keep us updated, sending hugs🤗

Edited June 27, 2019 by Carmie
Typo

[ChessieCat]

digestive-problems-nausea-diarrhoea-bloating-gerd

 

[badtummy]

I think that the problems I have are wd. Because my doctor can’t find anything in their tests. 

I feel so terrible. I can’t even do the laundry without a swetting profusely. My body temperature is about to explode in heat. I haven’t sleept properly in many many nights. Because firstly I can’t get to sleep  because I have so much pain in both sides of my stomach and it is so swollen it’s about to explode. And then the heart palpitations starts, every 20 seconds I get them. I get so much anxiety when I have to sleep. So I can’t sleep in the mornings and absolutely not take a nap in the day. 

And then I wake up 3-5 times in the night in pain and have to pee.

I feel so nervous, shaky and anxiety and panic. I don’t know what to do with this. I can’t take this anymore.

It feels like I’m exactly as I was in the beginning of my wd for like two years ago.

i have also gotten back the clicking in my left ear. 

It feels like I’m in a dead end, I can’t do anything about this. Nothing helps. Except tramadol, which I learned also is a serotonin blocker. Maybe that is why it works on my pain in the stomach. 

I feel like either this has to get better very soon or I have to reinstate. But maybe if I reinstate more hell will brake loose.

 

Everytime my friends or family does something I can’t follow. Because I’m in pain and have terrible anxiety. I’m missing out my life. 

I cant live like this anymore. This has to stop but I don’t think it will. I don’t want to live anymore. 

 

Also so the worst thing about this is that my husband left me a year ago because of this wd! He couldn’t take that I was so sick and psychotic. 

I hope that you have a partner that stick by you and support you. 

Hugs. 

[badtummy]

Oh I forgot to say that also the twitching in my left arm and sometimes my right leg has returned. And my mouth is dry like the dessert and I’m burping all the time. 

 

Should I try to take c vit omega3 and magnesium? I’m also taking d vitamin and ubiqunol q10 and gut bacteria. 

 

Do do you have any suggestions on supplements to relief my issues? 

[Bee5]

You should ask @Altostrata regarding reinstatement. Not that Carmie is wrong, but it's good to get opinions from multiple mods. Alto was on paroxetine herself. If you do, you need to reinstate the LOWEST dose. e.g. 2.5 mg (this is a lot higher than SA would suggest- please see next post). But please speak to Alto. I am on paroxetine, and I tried to taper quickly, and that left me with akathisia. Next time around I will do an excruciatingly slow taper. But first I am tapering my quetiapine.

 

Good luck.

 

Edited June 29, 2019 by ChessieCat
added note

[ChessieCat]

1 hour ago, Bee5 said:

If you do, you need to reinstate the LOWEST dose. e.g. 2.5 mg.

 

@Bee5

 

SA would not suggest taking 2.5mg.  We would probably suggest a very tiny dose, something like 0.25mg.

 

Please read Post #1 of this topic:  About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Edited June 29, 2019 by ChessieCat

[RichT]

Hi badtummy,

 

I’m sorry you’re having such a difficult time.

 

did you get to see a specialist gastroenterologist when you were having your tests done?

 

warmest wishes,

 

Rich

[badtummy]

28 minutes ago, RichT said:

Hi badtummy,

 

I’m sorry you’re having such a difficult time.

 

did you get to see a specialist gastroenterologist when you were having your tests done?

 

warmest wishes,

 

Rich

Thank you.

I have done a gastroscope test where they went through my mouth and down. And the looked at my intestines and also took a gluten test. They said it was fine. 

I have also done lots of blood test which they say are fine. 

I wanted to do a ultrasound or something like that on my stomach but my doctor said that it would not help or show anything. She said it was unnecessary...

 

but I managed to get a recomendeation to a real gastro expert at the hospital but there is a waiting list for at least three months. And my doctor told them that I’m not a priority.... 

the doctors here doesn’t care about you at all. All she wants is for me to eat another SSRI, that is what she tells me every time I see her. 

And I’m sure that the gastro specialist are going to tell me that there is nothing wrong, they all do.

Dispite the fact that I’m  in so much pain, they say that nothing is wrong. 

I think that is because they don’t know anything about serotonin and what it does in the body. And they can’t messaure it either. So that doesn’t exist for the doctors. 

If you don’t have something showing in the blood test then they say you are healthy and nothing is wrong.... 

this is very draining. 

[badtummy]

59 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

 

@Bee5

 

SA would not suggest taking 2.5mg.  We would probably suggest a very tiny dose, something like 0.25mg.

 

Please read Post #1 of this topic:  About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Yes I thought that if I did reinstate it would be like 1 mg, but 0,25 mg sounds better. 

But I am very scared to reinstate. My body and mind seem so fragile. I’m afraid it will get worse.

Really don’t know what to do.

[RichT]

16 minutes ago, badtummy said:

Thank you.

I have done a gastroscope test where they went through my mouth and down. And the looked at my intestines and also took a gluten test. They said it was fine. 

I have also done lots of blood test which they say are fine. 

I wanted to do a ultrasound or something like that on my stomach but my doctor said that it would not help or show anything. She said it was unnecessary...

 

but I managed to get a recomendeation to a real gastro expert at the hospital but there is a waiting list for at least three months. And my doctor told them that I’m not a priority.... 

the doctors here doesn’t care about you at all. All she wants is for me to eat another SSRI, that is what she tells me every time I see her. 

And I’m sure that the gastro specialist are going to tell me that there is nothing wrong, they all do.

Dispite the fact that I’m  in so much pain, they say that nothing is wrong. 

I think that is because they don’t know anything about serotonin and what it does in the body. And they can’t messaure it either. So that doesn’t exist for the doctors. 

If you don’t have something showing in the blood test then they say you are healthy and nothing is wrong.... 

this is very draining. 

 

Hi Badtummy,

 

I’m glad you’re seeing a specialist. Even if they find that ‘nothing is wrong’ that would be helpful as it would rule out lots of possibilities. But of course, even if they say that, it won’t take away your pain and discomfort.

[Altostrata]

Hello, badtummy.

 

I'm very sorry you've been feeling so poorly from withdrawal syndrome for more than a year.

 

With the temperature dysregulation, palpitations, and nighttime urination, it sounds like your nervous system is very much upset and hypersensitive. At this point, I might try a very low dose of lamotrigine, see

 

Lamotrigine is an anti-seizure drug that calms down the nervous system. Don't overdo it -- a very small dose can go a long way when your nervous system is hypersensitive.

 

The shook of withdrawal might also have affected your digestion. If I were you, I'd try a non-irritating diet:

 

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

[Carmie]

Hi badtummy, 

 

I really am sorry that you’re in so much pain, I wish I could take the pain away. I’ve been in chronic pain myself in the past. 

 

If you decide to take the Lamotrogine, I hope it helps. As was stated just start at a really tiny dose. It’s hard making decisions in withdrawals, isn’t it? 

 

I’m sorry you’ve had to go through so many tests. It’s amazing that we can have such severe symptoms, but nothing shows up on the tests, and the doctors thus dismiss us.

 

What is your diet like at the moment, what kind of things are you eating?

 

Sending hugs to you🤗

[Bee5]

18 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

@Bee5

 

SA would not suggest taking 2.5mg.  We would probably suggest a very tiny dose, something like 0.25mg.

 

Please read Post #1 of this topic:  About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

 

Apologies @ChessieCat. How do I edit my post, I can't see the option to edit?

[ChessieCat]

@Bee5

 

I've already added a note to your post.

 

[badtummy]

13 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Hello, badtummy.

 

I'm very sorry you've been feeling so poorly from withdrawal syndrome for more than a year.

 

With the temperature dysregulation, palpitations, and nighttime urination, it sounds like your nervous system is very much upset and hypersensitive. At this point, I might try a very low dose of lamotrigine, see

 

Lamotrigine is an anti-seizure drug that calms down the nervous system. Don't overdo it -- a very small dose can go a long way when your nervous system is hypersensitive.

 

The shook of withdrawal might also have affected your digestion. If I were you, I'd try a non-irritating diet:

 

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

Okej i have to read About this, I’m very scared of taking meds now. Thank you very much for your advise.

im starting my vacation next week so I can try a new diet for four weeks. 

Thank you again.

[badtummy]

9 hours ago, Carmie said:

Hi badtummy, 

 

I really am sorry that you’re in so much pain, I wish I could take the pain away. I’ve been in chronic pain myself in the past. 

 

If you decide to take the Lamotrogine, I hope it helps. As was stated just start at a really tiny dose. It’s hard making decisions in withdrawals, isn’t it? 

 

I’m sorry you’ve had to go through so many tests. It’s amazing that we can have such severe symptoms, but nothing shows up on the tests, and the doctors thus dismiss us.

 

What is your diet like at the moment, what kind of things are you eating?

 

Sending hugs to you🤗

Hi,

thank you for caring 🤗

 

I have noticed that all my psych symptoms gets worse before my period. I cry for anything, I’m so angry and I want to die because I can’t deal with the stomach pain I have every day. And I get so stressed out and confused. And laugh at anything, and so tired.

the thing is, that the pain I always have in my stomach is very much like my period pain/cramps.

And I remember before my wd started when I had my period, I got swollen, pain and cramping and pain in my back, diarrhea and bubbly stomach. Exactly like I have now, but now I have it all the time.

i have been to a gynecologist but she said everything looked fine.

i think I have read somewhere that when you are on your period serotonin levels are changed in the body. 

But I don’t know. Just speculating, that is all I do now these days. Don’t know anything. 

I don’t know where the pain comes from, if it is the colon or something gynecological or if it’s the kidneys. 

 

Regarding my diet: I don’t eat any sugar or candy and haven’t for about a year. 

I don’t eat dairy or bread. My diet is gluten-free. Don’t drink 🍷 or coffee ☕️.

 

I eat mostly potatoes meat or fish and salad on the side. 

And between meals I eat gluten-free sandwich with sausages slices on. Or chia pudding with raspberry, blueberry, som seeds and yogurts. I also eat 3 eggs for breakfast and poorage. And eat several banana between meals to fill my stomach.

 

The thing is, when I don’t eat and my stomach is empty, my cramping gets worse and it seems like the colon is being sucked in and cramping.

So I have to eat all the time, but now that doesn’t help as much as is did before. The pain is always there.

 

Yes it is very difficult to deside what to do in wd. All my life I have been like: if there is two options one is bad and one is good, I always choose the wrong one. 

So making decisions in wd is very difficult for me.

 

I’m even scared of supplements and also my homeopaths drops.

i also went to acupuncture now, and that helps my pain when I’m there, but then it starts again.

i suspect everything to be bad 😂🤕

 

sending 🤗 

[badtummy]

23 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Hello, badtummy.

 

I'm very sorry you've been feeling so poorly from withdrawal syndrome for more than a year.

 

With the temperature dysregulation, palpitations, and nighttime urination, it sounds like your nervous system is very much upset and hypersensitive. At this point, I might try a very low dose of lamotrigine, see

 

Lamotrigine is an anti-seizure drug that calms down the nervous system. Don't overdo it -- a very small dose can go a long way when your nervous system is hypersensitive.

 

The shook of withdrawal might also have affected your digestion. If I were you, I'd try a non-irritating diet:

 

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

What do you think of reinstating at 0,25 Paxil?

I was thinking about this, because my stomach calms down and doesn’t hurt or make any sound when I take tramadol, and I have read that tramadol blocks serotonin receptors as the Paxil does. 

But I do get very bad the next morning when I have taken a tramadol.

I almost faint and always through up and my voice sounds like I was partying all night before. And I get a burning feeling in my head.

 

1. But Maybe my stomach needs Paxil? And my nervous system? 

But then again I could get other terrible  symptoms that I don’t have now if reinstate. And if I reinstate I would feel like this 3 years of struggling would be wasted. 

 

2. Or maybe it’s better to try a small small dose of lamictal? 

 

4. Or maybe I should try to suffer this out and hope that it resolves itself soon.

 

so many questions. 

But I haven’t meet anyone that has any knowledge of what I’m going through. No one else has understood but you guys.

 

so thankful for this site. 

 

 

[Altostrata]

I don't know about Paxil. My best guess was lamotrigine. Tramadol also contains an opiate.

[brassmonkey]

How much and how often are you taking tramadol? Please list it in your signature.

 

[badtummy]

5 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

How much and how often are you taking tramadol? Please list it in your signature.

 

Oh not often at all. I took one like two months ago, and before that about a year ago. It is for emergency when I cannot deal with the pain. 

[Altostrata]

On 6/30/2019 at 12:54 PM, badtummy said:

2. Or maybe it’s better to try a small small dose of lamictal? 

 

From your symptoms, it seems you have a lot of widespread nervous system activation. Lamotrigine may calm this down.

 

That's my guess, I can't make guarantees. You might try a tiny, tiny dose, even 0.10mg. Most doctors would laugh at that, so you'd have to find one who will work with you on starting very low and possibly increasing gradually.

[badtummy]

Ok. I have asked her about lamotrigin, she said that they usually didn’t use that medication, and that I was on my own risk if I wanted to try that. 

She wanted me to start fluoxetine. 

But I don’t think that’s a god idea? 

If I should reinstate SSRI it should be Paxil which I took before? 

I have read that somewhere here that if u reinstate u should reinstate the same sort? 

[badtummy]

I think i have desided I have to start SSRI again. I have been fighting for 3 years and I can’t do it anymore. Everyday is a struggle. 

My stomach and anxiety is killing me.

i get depressed and my whole body’s System my nerves is on the edge.

when I lay down to sleep, if I happen to make a sound with my tounge in my mouth, my whole body sends a showckwave throughput my system and I get so much adrenaline and heart palpitations.

i can’t  live like this anymore, I have to eat and pee all day long. And my stomach is always hurting me more or less.

my pms before period is so bad I want to kill myself everytime.

i even cried at my boss office last month before my period.

and I’m so social fobic, and I have a little trouble again eating when there’s people around. And I get sweaty and so nervous when I would talk to anyone.

just as I was before I started Paxil.

 

 

i don’t know...

iv been through hell for nothing if I start paxil again. And my husband left me for that. 

If i start again, I don’t know if everything will resolve. And I’m so scared to try lamotrigin because of the skin condition you can get from it.

i think I have to start SSRI again because I can’t live like this.

But the smallest dose of Paxil I can get in my couyntry is 10 mg, and I can cut that into small pieces.

but my doctor wants me to try fluoxetine. That we have in liquid form here.

but I’m scared to mix in another SSRI. I know that if I stop fluoxetine you can get itchy skin and problems with eye pressure.

 

I have been doing this for almost 3 years now. And it will be 2 years after reinstating that I have been Paxil free.

but I’m starting to believe that my body and mind needs it to be healthy.

 

I want to ask u guys, if I reinstate, do you advise to take Paxil again, or should I try fluoxetine? 

 

[badtummy]

I took a sjw pill some hours ago, and I responded badly. I feel shaky and nervous and I’m crying. 

So I went to the gym, and now I don’t have any power left in my body. My anxiety is high. 

So if I responded like that to one sjw pill, how am I going to respond to Paxil....

this is driving my crazy.

i have felt okey and laughing the last 3 days, but I have had stomach pain but not in the same way.

and then today this setback.

so sick of this.

i can’t handle any noises or light, I thought I was passed this a long time ago. Maybe it has something to do with me taking hydroxyzine a few days ago? 

Maybe my body can’t handle any medication at all.

but hydroxyzine is the only thing that helps a little bit with my stomach pain (except from tramadol).

should I stay strong I suffer through this...? I don’t know anymore

[ChessieCat]

So that we can get a more indepth, overall picture, please answer the following questions:

 

• Is this the first time you have taken SJW?
• What dose did you take?

 

• How often do you take hydroxyzine?
• When was the last time you took it?
• What dose do you take?

 

• How often do you take tramadol?
• When was the last time you took it?
• What dose do you take?

 

• Are you taking any other drugs/supplements, prescription, OTC (over the counter) or illicit?
• If yes, what are they?

 

• Have you ever done an elimination diet?

 

• Have you had the appendix pain checked out by a doctor?
• Do you ever get that pain?

 

• Do you drink alcohol?
• Do you drink anything which contains caffeine?

[Altostrata]

badtummy, is it possible you have a gut ailment not related to post-acute withdrawal syndrome?

 

I don't know what Paxil OR fluoxetine would do. I would not go back on Paxil, it's very difficult to go off. If you insist on trying fluoxetine, I would try a very, very small amount, perhaps 0.10mg in liquid form, to see how it affects you.

 

If you have post-acute withdrawal syndrome, my best guess was a tiny amount of lamotrigine, to calm your nervous system, as I explained above. You first should make sure you don't have a medical condition affecting your gut.

 

 

[Onmyway]

Hi Badtummy, 

I am so sorry you are going though such a hard time this far out. I don't have ideas on the psychological drugs - I'd listen to the moderators on that but am wondering if you have ever tried simethicone - this is a medicine that doesn't really get absorbed by your body (supposedly) but when you have stomach gas it works on the bubbles and gets them out. I imagine it works mechanically but please read up more on it. I wonder if some of your stomach pain is due to excess gas as you mention sounds. Check out simethicone - it is over the counter in the US and should not give you side effects but maybe try it at a low dose to begin with? I know stomach pains are not your only issue but seems like they exacerbate a lot of things and this may help, in additon to the elimination diets suggested above. Also, have you done allergy testing for foods? I don't know how these are done but maybe you are allergic to something you eat regularly? 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeticone

 

Hope this helps and hope you feel better soon. 

 

[Surfchick]

@badtummyI had this same intense stomach pain for 3 1/2  years. i thought i had an ulcer, cancer, endometriosis..etc...mine was anxiety. 

I no longer suffer now..what i did--> regular practice hot yoga, meditation, magnesium morning AND night --> Magnesium L-Threonate 1gram a.m/  Magnesium glycinate 1.5g p.m.

Stopped drinking alcohol. Stopped taking benadryl. 

For GI support I took deglycyrrhizinated licorice (its called DGL) and papaya chews. 

 

 

Edited July 9, 2019 by ChessieCat
unbolded