direstraits: Paxil withdrawal

[direstraits]

hi,all

been on &off antidepressants for 20 yrs but never felt this crummy.since stopping Paroxetine have had flu-like symptoms ,then fatigue loss of appetite,taste changes,eye problems(excessive blinking actually started while on it,that's why I quit).depression,anxiety,just miserable,wondering if I should reinstate or just try & hang in there.I was on it about 6 mos.stopped May 4 after about 7 wk taper.thanks for any suggestions

Edited August 5, 2016 by scallywag
tags added

[Addax]

Hi Direstraits.

 

I'm just a member here but an administrator and/or moderator should come a long shortly to help give you some direction and guidance. They will however need more information from you in order to know how to guide you. If you could give a run down of what drugs you've taken, at what doses, when you took them, when you stopped them, and on like that.

 

One of the best ways to relay your drug history is to create a signature with your drug history. Here are directions on how to do that:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

The symptoms you describe are consistent with being in withdrawal. It also sounds like your taper might have been too quick. I don't know how the moderators here will direct you as far as reinstatement but in the meantime please look through some of the threads on this site for suggestions about ways you might be able to ease symptoms. Here's a link to the symptoms and self are forum :

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/8-symptoms-and-self-care/

 

Withdrawal can be a rough ride, but if you follow the advice and guidelines here it can be much easier. I know the support and guidance here has been invaluable to me.

 

Also, here's some info on reinstating: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/?hl=paxil

 

Welcome!

[bubble]

Hello Direstraits and welcome from me too,

 

please give us more details as Addax described and then we will be able to say more. 

 

We all seem to be able to stop 2, 3 or even 4 medications without major problems. But as our main moderator Alto says, our brains are not made of rubber and after a while they simply cannot bounce back. Especially if we were on these drugs long (and 20 years is a long time). You say you stopped in May which is at least 4 months ago and this far out it's a bet whether a reinstatement would work. As Addax says we will be able to say more when you provide us with the details. 

 

Apart from the threads Addax advised, you may want to check this one too: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

I reinstated after 40 days and it saved me so I'm always in favour of giving a very small amount of the drug a try. Some people have different experiences so their advice is different. If it doesn't work you will notice immediately and stop without consequences but there is a slim but still a chance that it might alleviate withdrawal suffering which is developing into a prolonged withdrawal which can last for years.

 

Even if it happens there are many things we can do to alleviate the symptoms which you will find in the thread that Addax suggested.

 

You will find a lot of friendly support here.

 

welcome from me too,

Bubble

[direstraits]

thanks so much for your replies,Addax & bubble.actually I have been lurking around here for awhile,and have been taking fish oil &magnesium,don't know how much it helps but don't think it hurts.I have had better days but feel like lately it's been getting worse.just feel sick.I'm glad I found this place.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, direstraits.

 

Given the symptoms seem to have gotten worse over 7 weeks, I would strongly consider reinstatement of a small amount, perhaps 2mg Paxil. It comes in a liquid for easier titration, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/405-tips-for-tapering-off-paxil-paroxetine/

 

About reinstatement http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/

[direstraits]

thanks for your reply Alto! I just want to clarify it was may 4 I took my last pill.would you still advise 2 mgs.?

[Altostrata]

There's no way to tell what would be effective, we suggest starting very low in case your nervous system is sensitized to higher doses. See

About reinstating and stabilizing to stop withdrawal symptoms

[direstraits]

thanks,Alto.will I have to get a script from my PCP for the liquid Paxil?I hope its not aproblem .I don't think she believes in withdrawal syndrome ;(.boy,they really have you stuck between a rock & a hard place.

[Altostrata]

Yes, you need a prescription for liquid Paxil. Make your request firmly, politely, and insistently.

[direstraits]

hi,just got off the phone w/dr.she doesn't want to giveme the liquidpaxil,but will give me 5 mg.tablets,should I cut them in half & take2.5?thisis so disheartening.

[Altostrata]

Is there any reason she doesn't want to give you liquid Paxil? It's well known to aid tapering.

 

You can make your own liquid from the tablets if you need to.

[direstraits]

hi,just got the liquid Paxil from the pharmacy.(that's a relief!)She's prescribing 2.5 ml(5mg.)once a day.is this too much.?I've been off 5 mos. today.thanks for your help.

[Altostrata]

I would try less, perhaps 2.5mg (1.25mL) to start. It will take at least 4 days for your system to register the dosage. Please let us know how you're doing.

 

If you have an immediate bad reaction, stop.

[direstraits]

thanks Alto

[direstraits]

hi,I've been taking the liquid paxil  since last sunday,1.2 ml.thought  I started to feel better the first evening but feel like I'm back to where I started.shoulld I continue with this?stop.increase?I'm so confused &scared.I wonder how much menopause is involved,too.I get hot&then cold.just feel so drained a lot mentally & physically.just tired of feeling so lousy.I guess we all are,right?going to doc tomorrow.not looking forward to that.thanks for any suggestions.

[mammaP]

Do you feel the same as you did before reinstating or have things changed? Any new symptoms?

[direstraits]

I think I feel about the same as before

[direstraits]

actually I think I've been feeling a little queasier especially when I wake up at night or in the morning.I was wondering about trying a low dose of Prozac again & then slowly come off that?I never had bad reactions to that except for weight gain.I'm just tired of feeling so awful.wishing everyone better days

[mammaP]

Did you have any side effects from paroxetine before you started tapering?  You've had many drugs and changes 

over the years and your nervous system is struggling to cope. I don't think I would try switching again, it could

make things worse. Maybe a small increase to 1.5ml for a few days might help. It's hard to know sometimes if

it is reaction or withdrawal but if you are feeling pretty much the same it is probably withdrawal. What tie do you 

take the liquid?    

 

I am sorry that you are going through this, it will get better but takes time.  I find that ginger tea helps with nausea

and keep some at the side of the bed to sip at night when I feel nauseaous.  I hope you start to feel better soon. 

 

Can't give you a hug in person so here is one of my mamma hugs online. 

[direstraits]

that's so sweet of you mammaP!I started having light sensitivity & excessive blinking about a mo. or 2 in,then when I was tapering I noticed my tongue felt like I had burnt it on coffee but it didn't go away.and food was tasting off..that has improved somewhat,I some time s get this odd fluttering sensation on the left side of my head any body have that?I take the liquid about 10 am.I had a Dr. appt. today but didn't feel like going so we(hubby& I)drove down the shore & I dippedmy toes in the ocean. it felt so good.it was warm here today,near 80.Oh and I do have ginger tea.I guess I'll try the 1.5 ml.thanks for your help.hope you're well.

[direstraits]

I stopped the ri in Oct.-maybe I should have persisted-lately feel really awful-don't know what to do-just feeling like my life is over-turn 60 in march-took careof my handicapped daughter for 31 yrs-she passed away 10 yrs ago this feb-then took care of momafter my dad died after he was hit by acar10 yrs ago this past june-thank god for my other daughter & 3 yr old grand son-I'd probably give up-sorry to sound so down-just tired of suffering-just want to feel better-thanks for listening

[direstraits]

I was wondering if withdrawal is worse ifyou've been on the meds continuously for,say 20 yrs.or were off & on for 20 yrs,?the longest I was on at atime was 5yrs.when I started Prozac.thanks

[Altostrata]

It's entirely individual, ds. Anyone who's taken one of these drugs for a month is at risk for withdrawal syndrome.

[direstraits]

thanks for your reply,Alto!

[direstraits]

feeling very depressed-I stopped the RI in Oct.-felt like I wasn't seeing any improvement -was this a mistake? I wonder if I just need this stuff but I don't know -is it just withdrawal-don't think I ever felt this bad b4 I started ADs-I took atylenol pm at 430 this morning- could that cause problems-just need relief from all this misery-winter weather doesn't help

[Petunia]

Are you feeling worse since you took the tylenolPM?  In a sensitized nervous system, any neuro-active substance can cause paradoxical effects, I can't take anything stronger than an aspirin.

 

From your signature, it looks like you have been drug free for about 7 months, after a too fast taper.  Then a failed RI?  If this is right, please would you add the reinstatement to your signature.

 

I think with your long drug history and all the changes, its not unreasonable to assume this is still withdrawal.  Your brain and nervous system are destabilized, but you will recover, its going to take some time.

 

Have you seen our  symptoms and self care section, you may find some useful ideas to help manage symptoms as you recover.  Especially read the topics pinned at the top.

 

I'm sorry you are going through this DS, withdrawal often feels much worse than anything anyone experiences before going on the drugs, that's one way you can know that its withdrawal and not some 'pre-existing condition'.

 

I hope you start to feel better soon.

[direstraits]

thanks for your reply.Petu.I'll check the symptoms & self care again & update sig.it's just like all the energy has been sucked out of you -just have to hang in there I guess-hope you're doing OK-at least it's warmer there  take care

[Altostrata]

DS, what is your daily symptom pattern?

 

Are you taking fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/
 

Many people find they help.

[direstraits]

hi,Alto

      everyday is pretty much the same-I usually sleep pretty good but wake up feeling drained-blah-some anxiety I guess-kind of an inner restlessness-sometimes depressed-obsessive thoughts about the past-sometimes I feel more energy but it doesn't last -so much exhaustion

                 I haven't been taking the fish oil consistently but I notice if I take it at close tobedtime I sleep worse-I have mag.oxide but I guess that's not as good as some others?

                 my eyes bother me a lot-light sensitivity-burning-blinking-could it be TD?will it go away-I feel so scared sometimes-I just want it all to go away-also wanted to mention a lot of temp. dysregulation-feel hot inside a lot then other times chills -appetite comes & goes,too.

[Wildflower0214]

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. I hope it gets better soon.

[direstraits]

thanks JDM-you,too

[direstraits]

feeling a little better today-had alilttle burst of enrgy this morning & managed to do some housework-took a short walk,wasn't too cold but windy-at least sun is shining-better appetite-small window I guess?hope it lasts awhile -have to watch my grandson this evening  hope everyone's coping ok

[direstraits]

well,

     now I have some kinda virus &feel really crappy-oh well-just have to hang in there I guess

   

 

     can't wait for spring!

[coldturkmama]

Hope you feel better soon!!  Windows are great things! 

[direstraits]

thanks so much, ctm! hope you're doing OK!

[coldturkmama]

thanks so much, ctm! hope you're doing OK!

 

Doing decent, thanks  It's all the waves/windows, but the last few days have been more windows than waves, you know? Not toooo bad...