Bryan: Paxil withdrawal

[Bryan]

Hello my name is Bryan and I was wondering if anyone can help me with this question. I was on Paxil 40mgs for like 12 years. My doctor switched me to 40 mgs of Prozac and stopped the Paxil cold Turkey. I’ve been having jitteriness loss of appetite and insomnia. Is this from the abrupt stop of the Paxil. Will my body eventually even out with the 60 mgs of Prozac. He said it’s not withdrawal but I know my body and he did no taper stopped Paxil started Prozac let me know thanks Bryan

[Bryan]

Hello I was wondering if someone can help me with my withdrawal which I think it is. I was on 40mgs of Paxil for 12 years then my doctor decided to switch me to Prozac 40mgs. He stopped cold Turkey the Paxil and started the Prozac. Have loss of appetite sleeping issues and anxiety. Anyone know how long will last since I’m taking another ssri. I hope soon. I tell the doctor what happened he says it’s not withdrawal. I know my body and I believe it is especially only had these problems once cold Turkeyed Paxil. Look forward to some advice cause I’m pretty sure u can’t just stop one ssri and go to another especially since Paxil leaves the body so quick thanks Bryan

Edited August 31, 2021 by arbor

[arbor]

Hello @Bryan,

Welcome to SA.

 

To get you started and to give you the most pertinent information, could you complete your signature to include just the dates and dosages (or as close as you can recall) of your psycho-medications .  Here's a link that can help you with that:

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

It does sound like you are experiencing symptoms of Paxil withdrawal.  My doctor also switched me from one AD cold turkey to Prozac, often referred to as a Prozac bridge, and I had terrible reactions, though my doctor had assured me that I wouldn't notice a thing.  When you have finished the signature then I can refer your questions to moderators to help you.

 

This is your Introduction site where you can ask questions and connect with other members.

I'm glad you've found us. 

Arbor

[Shep]

Welcome to SA, @Bryan.

 

Please note I removed your real name from your signature to protect your privacy. Please update your signature to include the month and the year that you made these drug changes. We need a solid timeline before making any recommendations. Here is more information on how to set up a signature:

 

How to Summarize Drug History in Signature

 

As @arborwrote, you likely are dealing with Paxil withdrawal. As you give us more information regarding when you were last on Paxil and when you added and then increased the dose of the Prozac, we can better advise you on if reinstating a small amount of the Paxil may be helpful. Here is some information on reinstating a drug:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Please do not make any changes until we have a chance to go over this with you. Do you have any Paxil left? 

[Bryan]

Hey shep thanks for your response. I was on 40mgs Paxil for 12 years. Doctor said won’t feel anything but as we know we do. I started feeling the symptoms maybe 5 days out they just came on loss of appetite jitteriness sleep issues. Once I switched from Paxil to Prozac I went from 40mgs of Paxil to 40mgs of Prozac without tapering the Paxil. Now currently I’m on 60 mgs of Prozac should this balance me out?

[brassmonkey]

Hi Bryan-- welcome to SA.

 

The really important question right now is when did you stop taking the Paxil and start taking the prozac?

 

The other biggie is, did you just stop the Paxil one day and start the prozac the next? or did you decrease one while increasing the other?

[Bryan]

I stopped taking the Paxil about a week ago same day I started Prozac. Went from 40mgs of Paxil cold to 40mgs of Prozac .started Prozac next day didn’t taper off the Paxil. Now I’m at 60mgs of Prozac. What do u think to me it’s withdrawal loss of appetite sleep problem jitteriness. To the doctor no but I know my body. Let me know thanks 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @Bryan 

 

Did you discuss your difficulties with your doctor?

 

How have your symptoms changed in the last week?

 

If I were you, I'd go back to 40mg Prozac, there's no reason to take excess Prozac.

[Bryan]

Hey I did discuss with my doctor he says it’s not withdrawal. Symptoms have been off and on jitteriness Loss of appetite sleep issues. Will the Prozac level this out? I hate feeling like this. Doctors always blame it on anxiety. So as of now I been on 60 mgs of Prozac for 3 days and off Paxil for a week and a half Paxil was 40mgs. I took 40mgs one day next day stopped totally and started 40mgs of Prozac. What do you think? Let me know thanks Bryan

[Shep]

On 9/2/2021 at 7:14 AM, Bryan said:

So as of now I been on 60 mgs of Prozac for 3 days and off Paxil for a week and a half Paxil was 40mgs. I took 40mgs one day next day stopped totally and started 40mgs of Prozac. What do you think? Let me know thanks Bryan

 

Bryan, I think you may have missed Altostrata's post:

 

On 9/1/2021 at 8:57 PM, Altostrata said:

If I were you, I'd go back to 40mg Prozac, there's no reason to take excess Prozac.

 

Do you have any Paxil left? 

 

How are you feeling? As your sleep improved or are you still having issues? 

[Bryan]

Hey yeah gonna talk to my doctor about going back down to 40 once I even out. The jitteriness comes and goes now and sleep has been Alittle better. I just hate the jitteriness feeling. Prob been like 5 days now at 60mgs of Prozac is it normal going through this to have windows of feeling good then the jitteriness comes back? Is it considered a cold Turkey when my doctor took me off 40mgs Paxil and put me on 40 mgs of Prozac? 

[Bryan]

Hey will the Prozac eventually take care of this withdrawal from cold Turkey Paxil. Meaning will the symptoms stop once the Prozac kicks in

[Colonial]

Sorry the Paxil withdrawal is so bad.

Doctors think if your on one med you can't be in withdrawal from another, even though they interact differently in the brain.

I had awful symptoms just from changing the formulation from the name brand controlled release Paxil tablets to immediate release generic liquid.

 

I agree dropping to 40mgs of the Prozac is a good idea, the extra 20mgs isn't likely to help, the 40 itself is a hefty dose.

It most likely isn't going to help you "even out", that extra 20mgs isn't boosting your receptor blockage to a significant degree.

 

20 mgs locks down almost 80% of your receptors.

You're probably as close to 100%  as anyone would need to be by 40mgs for a Paxil-Prozac Bridge.

 

Feel better

 

Prozac blockage chart

 

% of 1 pill(20 mg)	Dosage in mg Prozac	% blockage serotonin receptor (SERT)
100	20	78
50	10	72
25	5	62
12,5	2,5	48
10	2	44
7,5	1,5	37
5	1	29
4	0,8	25
3	0,6	20
2	0,4	14,5
1,5	0,3	11
1	0,2	8
0,5	0,1	4
0,25	0,05	2
0,1	0,02	0,9
0,05	0,01	0,5

 

[Bryan]

Hey thanks yeah it sucks this jitteriness comes goes. How long do you think it will take for these symptoms to go away? Everyday having this is terrible. As we all know doctor said it’s not withdrawal. I know my body and 100 was different after the switch.  It’s been about a week since these symptoms started. 

[Colonial]

 

26 minutes ago, Bryan said:

Hey will the Prozac eventually take care of this withdrawal from cold Turkey Paxil. Meaning will the symptoms stop once the Prozac kicks in

 

It does take awhile for the Prozac to build up in your system.

How much it will help with the shock of the Paxil cold turkey differs from person to person.

 

Here are 2 threads.

One about using Prozac as a bridge and another member who stopped Paxil one day and started Prozac the next.

You may find them helpful.

You can also search the site for other paxil -prozac bridge stories.

 

The Prozac switch or "bridging" with fluoxetine - Tapering - Surviving Antidepressants

 

medfreeoneday: withdrawal symptoms after Prozac bridge from paroxetine? - Introductions and updates - Surviving Antidepressants

[Bryan]

Thanks u another symptom I’m having is shaky hands. Is that common

[Colonial]

 

It can be the cortisol, yes.

Think of your system being in a constant state of high alert, like how you are with adrenaline right after a fight or bad argument, car accident, etc.

Since the brain controls all aspects of bodily functioning symptoms can occur throughout.

 

The quicker the taper the higher the chance of more severe symptoms, which can lead to a lot of what turns out to be unnecessary testing and referrals to neurologists when perplexing issues arise sometimes months after a large drop. Hopefully the bridge will work to an extent.

 

Do you have any Paxil left?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bryan]

Hey yeah I have 40mgs of Paxil left. I was thinking of maybe switching back to Paxil to get rid of these symptoms. What’s your opinion on that one. Yeah it’s terrible get that jitteriness that runs through your whole body. Let me know thanks

[Bryan]

Don’t remember if I asked but is it considered being cold Turkey of Paxil when starting Prozac? Took paxil one day next day right to Prozac. Let me know thanks 

[Colonial]

Yes, stopping any drug abruptly and-or while still above a certain mg level is "Cold Turkey".

 

Since all drugs act differently, your brain is attempting to do 2 things at once,

Adjust to the loss of the old and adapt to the change of the new.

That's why a gentler change over lowering one drug over time while slowly raising the other is advised.

 

The answer to going back to paxil revolves around why did your doctor change you from 40mg of paxil to 60mg of prozac to begin with?

These are both excessive amounts.

 

Side effects?

No longer working?

Just wanting to taper off?

 

It's possible reinstating a small amount of Paxil may help and eventually make the bridge successful.

If you want to go back to just the Paxil, it should be done soon before your brain is fully accustomed to the Prozac.

 

But NOT back to the 40mgs if you have been off it almost 2 weeks, it may give an adverse reaction.

Only 10mgs of Paxil are need to lock down 75-85% of your receptors.

 

 

Please update your signature line with the last date of Paxil and First date of Prozac so the Moderators can locate that info quickly.

Depending on when you last day of Paxil was will be important for them to know.

 

Also please advise us if you wish to continue to attempt the bridge in a modified form or return just to an acceptable amount of Paxil.

 

Thanks so much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bryan]

Hey last day of Paxil was about August 30 Next day started Prozac. Started at 40mgs then jumped me to 60 cause of these symptoms. He switched me cause he thought it would be better for my impulsivity. So what I read Paxil leaves body quick and Prozac takes awhile I’m not a doctor but yeah even I know better this. I’m torn between switching back or riding this out. Also getting pains in my ankles with hand shaking a lot. One minute I wanna go back to Paxil then I wanna give this a chance so hard. Advice is appreciated 

[Bryan]

I’m bad with this stuff how do i put in dates. Not the best with electronics ha

[Colonial]

Sept. 1st Posted Wednesday at 04:28 PM

I stopped taking the Paxil about a week ago same day I started Prozac.  (Aug. 25th?)

 

Sept. 6th Posted 20 minutes ago

Hey last day of Paxil was about August 30 Next day started Prozac

 

I'm sorry your not feeling well.

But this is a very critical difference in "estimates"

One week really makes a difference this early on in giving you advise that could affect you for the next few years of your life.

 

Also, we need the signature line filled out with these dates, not just constantly relisted in the thread.

As your thread grows longer, staff simply does not have the time to scroll back and catch "Errors" in your own reporting such  as this.

 

Our advise will only be as helpful as You are able to help Us.

Please make the time to review your own medical history and put the correct dates in your signature.

 

How to Summarize Drug History in Signature

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

Example:

2001–2002 paroxetine 
2003  citalopram 
2004  paroxetine
2008  paroxetine slow taper down to 2016 Aug off paroxetine
2016  citalopram May 20mg  Oct slow taper down
2018  citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg

Edited September 6, 2021 by Colonial

[Altostrata]

Is the jitteriness worse at any particular times of day? What time o'clock do you take Prozac?

 

What does your doctor think these symptoms are?

 

6 hours ago, Bryan said:

Hey yeah gonna talk to my doctor about going back down to 40 once I even out. The jitteriness comes and goes now and sleep has been Alittle better. I just hate the jitteriness feeling. Prob been like 5 days now at 60mgs of Prozac is it normal going through this to have windows of feeling good then the jitteriness comes back? Is it considered a cold Turkey when my doctor took me off 40mgs Paxil and put me on 40 mgs of Prozac? 

 

6 hours ago, Bryan said:

Hey will the Prozac eventually take care of this withdrawal from cold Turkey Paxil. Meaning will the symptoms stop once the Prozac kicks in

 

@Bryan you may be taking TOO MUCH Prozac. You can get symptoms of activation when the Prozac dose is TOO HIGH.

 

We have been suggesting you might "even out" better on 40mg Prozac.

[Bryan]

Hey it comes and goes the jitteriness no specific time. I take the Prozac in the morning. The doctor first said it’s not withdrawal then says medication takes time to work great what happens in between ha 

[Bryan]

I updated the dates 

[Bryan]

Hey I updated dates

[Bryan]

Forgot to say symptoms also were hitting me at 40mgs of Prozac. 

[Bryan]

Also when this first hit it’s like exactly what it says about symptoms. Started like I had the flu then this jitteriness sweating shaky hands sleep issues lack of appetite.

[Bryan]

Hey so I switched back yesterday to the 40mgs of Paxil to stabilize myself. Later in the day I felt fine. Next day which is today have that adrenaline back through my body. Since I went back to the 40mgs of Paxil do you know how long it will take to stabilize? Let me know thanks Bryan

[Altostrata]

Have you talked to your doctor about your symptoms?

 

You went off 40mg Paxil cold turkey about 2 weeks ago. Then you took 60mg Prozac for about 10 days. Now you've gone back to 40mg Paxil. 

 

As explained earlier, 60mg Prozac was far too strong. When you substituted 40mg Paxil, that decreased the stimulation from Prozac. Now you're back to symptoms arising from repeatedly making sudden drug changes and having experienced severe withdrawal from Paxil.

 

You can expect odd reactions from going on and off and making sudden changes in psychiatric drugs.

 

It probably will take you months to stabilize on 40mg Paxil again. You might have felt better on 10mg or 5mg Prozac, by the way.

[Bryan]

Hey yeah I know 60mgs was to strong I agree. I wanted to stabilize on the 40mgs of Paxil so my doctor made the switch from 60mgs of Prozac to 40mgs of Paxil. Today is day 2 of the switch seems like the symptoms are worse morning till about mid afternoon. I spoke with my doctor and he said by Monday I should feel better but I’m not liking his responses after he took me right off Paxil and put me on Prozac. My doctor said I’ve only been on 60mgs for about 10 days so just stop taking the Prozac and restart the 40mgs of Paxil. I was totally fine before this change and he tells me it’s not withdrawal really I know my body and this is withdrawal for sure. I apologize if I’m not giving the right details just never did this before in a group. Let me know what you think thanks Bryan

[Colonial]

It will take time for the prozac to exit your system, it has a very long half life.

It was a very large dose and now your back to a very large dose of paxil, there may be some interaction for a time.

Considering you were off the paxil as log as your were, reinstating on 10 to 20 mgs would have been sufficient.

 

May I ask what sort of doctor this is, prescribing such excessive dose amounts of both drugs?

Is this an actual psychiatrist or is this a general family practice doctor or even a physicians assistant?

 

[Bryan]

Hey believe it or not he is a psychiatrist. I’ve been going to him for about 14 years but I’m thinking to start to find someone new. He says it’s not from Paxil my symptoms really why was I fine until he stopped me cold and started Prozac right away. Even I know that. So this is day 2 being back on the Prozac still have the adrenaline through body but yesterday on day 1 I was fine. How long do you think it will take to stabilize on the Paxil? He says by Monday but idk. Let me know thanks

[Colonial]

34 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

t probably will take you months to stabilize on 40mg Paxil again.

 

I think a few months is closer to the mark than a week.

But it may depend on how much you want to reinstate on.

When people reinstate on too high a dose they can have a harder time. 

Edited September 10, 2021 by Colonial

[Bryan]

Hey thanks for responding. So confusing for me all this medication stuff. I just wanted to be back to the way I was. He put me back on the 40mgs cause he said that’s what I use to take. He still doesn’t believe it’s Paxil withdrawal which is crazy. I looked up Paxil and Prozac Paxil exits quick and Prozac takes awhile to build up so taking me right off Paxil doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that’s gonna be problem. So I’m not changing anything else I just want to stabilize for awhile then do a proper taper. Let me know what u think thanks