earthbound - trying to get off of paxil

[earthbound]

Hi there. I'm not sure what to specifically say here.

 

• 19 year old male
• I'm taking 40mg Paroxetine (Paxil)
• I've tried quitting cold turkey, only to obviously experience withdrawal symptoms
• I've tried to get liquid Paxil but my insurance seems to think that is conspicuous

 

I have a couple of questions regarding withdrawal.

 

• Is it possible to withdraw without using liquid medicine?
• Are feelings of aggression and agitation normal under the influence of Paroxetine?
• When quitting, do withdrawal side-effects ever go away?
• How long will it take for the side-effects to subside, if so?

 

Thanks. If you need any more information to help me out, I'll do my best to provide it.

[Addax]

Hi earthbound. Welcome to surviving antidepressants.

 

A moderator will be along soon to offer you more guidance and things, but I'll try and get things started. The mods and others are going to want to know more about your medication history. Like how long you've been taking Paxil? Are you taking any other medications? When did you attempt to go CT from Paxil? Are you currently experiencing any symptoms? Things like that.

 

I will try and respond to your questions as best I can and/or direct you to threads that might be helpful.

 

First, here's the recommendation on how much to taper: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

And Tips for tapering Paxil: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/405-tips-for-tapering-off-paxil-paroxetine/

 

"Is it possible to withdraw without using liquid medicine?"

 

You can make your own liquid solution. Here are some guidelines: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2693-how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/

 

"Are feelings of aggression and agitation normal under the influence of Paroxetine?"

 

Feelings of aggression and agitation are not unusual, particularly at your age. If you haven't shared with your prescriber that you're feeling these things it's important that you do, and do so as soon as possible.

How long have you felt these things?

 

"When quitting, do withdrawal side-effects ever go away?"

 

You will likely feel withdrawal symptoms as you taper. Some days will be more mild than others and they will generally vary by degree. We refer to them as waves and windows. Here's more info on that: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-recovery/

 

The symptoms do resolve in time. Unfortunately no one can say exactly how long they last as it varies from person to person. You can generally minimize symptoms significantly if you follow the reccommendations on this site.

 

You'll find a lot of good information here, and a lot of support. Welcome!

[Rhiannon]

I agree with everything Addax said. We can definitely help you better if we know more about your medication history.

 

Basically the same answers to your 4 questions. 

--Yes, it's easy, although it will take longer than you'd like to do it safely. You can make your own liquid from tablets, it's easy.

--Yes, extensively documented. Psych meds turned me into a psycho beeatch, so I can relate.

--Yes, withdrawal effects go away. If you taper we recommend that you let them settle in between cuts in dose. Even people who quit too fast eventually do get out of withdrawal, but it can be pretty excruciating in the process and I certainly don't recommend it.

--Depends on how you taper and on your individual constitution, genes, history, and whatever other factors are involved; people vary a lot. With a slow taper you will probably be feeling pretty much back to yourself before you even finish the taper.

 

40 mg of Paxil is not a small dose. I'm so sorry you've been put in this position, especially at such a young age. We do have the information you need to taper off, but it will be your responsibility to be in charge of the process and the decisions involved. Since at 19 people don't always have full control over their lives and their choices, if you are still largely under the care or guardianship of an adult, I'd recommend you see if you can get that person on board as an ally.

 

One good place to start might be with the books Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker, and Medication Madness by Peter Breggin. There are lots of other good books out there but I am particularly fond of those two.

[earthbound]

I've been taking Paxil for about 3 years. My CT was probably about 2 years ago. I experienced your typical symptoms: anxiety, brain shocks, you name it.

 

As far as other medications, I'm taking a couple of anti-histamines for allergy related issues, and I use a rescue inhaler on occasion.

 

Recurring symptoms are DP/DR, a group of disassociative disorders I believe are not exclusive to me taking SSRI's, agitation and irritability, as well as Purely-Obsessional OCD. I personally think the only mental ailment I'm suffering from that is caused by the Paxil is the irritability.

 

Thanks. 

[Fresh]

Hi earthbound ,    welcome to the site.  It's loaded with information , so you have a lot of reading ahead .

Information about your antihistamines and inhaler are important.    A lot of asthma meds. are contraindicated with ssri antidepressants.   You can use the

drug interaction checker at  www.drugs.com  yourself.

 

I'm so happy for you that you've found your way here.  You will get all the advice and support you need here to do a SAFE taper , so you can get the

paroxetine out of your life with minimum disruption.

 

Best wishes ,   Fresh

[Addax]

I've been taking Paxil for about 3 years. My CT was probably about 2 years ago. I experienced your typical symptoms: anxiety, brain shocks, you name it.

 

As far as other medications, I'm taking a couple of anti-histamines for allergy related issues, and I use a rescue inhaler on occasion.

 

Recurring symptoms are DP/DR, a group of disassociative disorders I believe are not exclusive to me taking SSRI's, agitation and irritability, as well as Purely-Obsessional OCD. I personally think the only mental ailment I'm suffering from that is caused by the Paxil is the irritability.

 

Thanks. 

 

Let me bother you with some clarification questions.

You CT from Paxil 2 years ago, then you reinstated and are currently taking 40mg?  How long ago did you reinstate?

 

What do you mean that the symptoms are not exclusive of you taking SSRIs?  What do you attribute the symptoms to?  

 

So you are currently experiencing DP/DR, dissociative symptoms, agitation, irritability and Pure-O OCD?  and you attribute just the irritability to Paxil?

I'm not questioning your assessment, I just want to make sure it's clear.

 

Why were you prescribed Paxil in the first place? 

[earthbound]

 

 

I've been taking Paxil for about 3 years. My CT was probably about 2 years ago. I experienced your typical symptoms: anxiety, brain shocks, you name it.

 

As far as other medications, I'm taking a couple of anti-histamines for allergy related issues, and I use a rescue inhaler on occasion.

 

Recurring symptoms are DP/DR, a group of disassociative disorders I believe are not exclusive to me taking SSRI's, agitation and irritability, as well as Purely-Obsessional OCD. I personally think the only mental ailment I'm suffering from that is caused by the Paxil is the irritability.

 

Thanks.

Let me bother you with some clarification questions.

You CT from Paxil 2 years ago, then you reinstated and are currently taking 40mg? How long ago did you reinstate?

 

What do you mean that the symptoms are not exclusive of you taking SSRIs? What do you attribute the symptoms to?

 

So you are currently experiencing DP/DR, dissociative symptoms, agitation, irritability and Pure-O OCD? and you attribute just the irritability to Paxil?

I'm not questioning your assessment, I just want to make sure it's clear.

 

Why were you prescribed Paxil in the first place?

Posting from mobile, so pardon my paraphrasing.

 

CT'd for about one-two weeks and started taking 20 mg when WD got out of hand. Spoke to doc, they upped to 40, bad move on my part.

 

Been on 40 mg ever since.

 

Disassociative issues stem from emotional duress during adolescence as well as drug experimentation. (Not postive these are the causes, but it's an educated guess that seems plausible enough.)

 

Prescribed Paxil for panic attacks after I told doc Zoloft didn't help me. (Had trouble breathing and felt like I was going to faint often. Not asthma related.)

 

Pure-O actually started on Zoloft, but unsure if caused by SSRI or childhood trauma. (Emotional and mental abuse.)