musicandlyrics21: 20 years old, stopped Paxil cold turkey & scared

[musicandlyrics21]

Hi everyone!

 

To sum up my history, I have been on Paxil CR 25mg for anxiety since October of 2014. I'm a 20 year old full time college student and the stress of the workload, social life, etc. sort of got to me. It has helped somewhat, but I've gained 20-25 lbs. since I have been on it, and that's countering any good effects this medication has for me (I have some self esteem issues with my weight). So, I decided to wean myself off it. A friend who is a nurse suggested that I do a taper, taking half a pill each day for a couple weeks, then half a pill every other day, every 3rd day, so on and so forth. But, I stupidly got impatient and after four days, decided to stop cold turkey.

 

Now here comes the TMI, I'm embarassed, and I apologize:

My last half dose was Monday. I've experienced some minor brain zaps, dizziness, but nothing awful until last night, when I slept probably two hours total. I am a good sleeper and usually need about 7-8 hours a night, and last night I just couldn't manage to stop tossing and turning. I also woke from my light sleep at 2am really, really aroused. So much so that I couldn't even sleep on my side with my legs together. This was persistent through the night, and is happening this morning as well. I'm nervous that it won't go away. I tried to help the problem myself, but that doesn't seem to be working. I just took a Paxil because I'm hoping that might help. Needless to say, I'm going to do a slow taper instead of this clearly genius cold turkey idea of mine.

 

Can anyone please tell me whether this constant arousal is normal? I'm so embarassed about it, and worried because I've been Googling and discovered "persistent genital arousal syndrome"- I know it's been less than 24 hours, but I can't help but think that I now have this. I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow if I'm still having this problem, but I wanted to reach out here.

 

I'm just feeling really discouraged about getting off of this medicine. I probably could cry right now because of how I'm feeling today. Nobody seems to believe that it's as bad as I'm saying it is. I love my doctor, and know she prescribed it to help me, but the way this withdrawal is going is scaring me. I know it's 100% my fault for quitting cold turkey, but I didn't ever imagine it would be like this. 

 

Any words of wisdom/guidance/advice would be REALLY appreciated. Thanks! 

[bluebalu86]

I'm no expert and there are more knowledgeable people here than me, but I'll throw in my 2 cents. Don't blame yourself and don't be so hard on yourself. Everybody makes mistakes, it's only human. It's not important how you got in this situation, but how to fix it and stabilize your nervous system. 

 

From what I understand you quit on Monday? That means only a couple of days ago. You can reinstate (don't know what doseage though, but I'm guessing close to the original one you were taking) and the reinstatement should work and take care of the symptoms. How much did you take today?

 

I know how hard it is when no one believe you. No one believes me either. I feel exactly the same way you do, which might not be much comfort to you, but at least you know you're not alone.

 

Someone more knowledgeable and experienced will come and advise you soon

 

Hang in there and remember that this is going to get better

[Petunia]

Welcome to SA musicandlyrics21,

 

I moved your post from the symptoms section because it was an introduction and related to your own situation specifically. Please add information and updates about your changing circumstances, and ask questions here.

 

I'm sorry to hear about what has happened since you stopped taking paxil, but please don't blame yourself or think that you caused this.  These effects are caused by the drugs and the unpredictable way they act in the body, no one really knows what they might do, even when taken exactly as prescribed.

 

Have you found any relief from your PGAD since you reinstated?  Did you reinstate your full dose? 

 

Please would you put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature. Putting a short version of your drug and tapering history in your signature helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts. Here are instructions for how to do it:

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

 

The kind of taper your friend suggested was too fast.  We suggest reducing by no more than 10% of the current dose every 4 weeks, this reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms arising. Please read through this which will explain why:

  

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?  (The general philosophy of gradual tapering)

 

Here are our tips for tapering off paxil:

 

http://survivinganti...xil-paroxetine/

 

Here is our PGAD topic:

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)

Its unlikely that your doctor will know anything about PGAD being caused by SSRI drugs or withdrawal from them, please let us know how you get on.

 

Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.

 

Petunia.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, MAL.

 

How much Paxil are you taking? Please be very consistent -- do not skip doses. Take the drug at the same time each day.

 

How are you feeling now?

[antidepressantsNoMore]

I didnt read your post, just title, if you stopped cold turkey, you better get back on it and tamper slowly, im serious. I stopped CT and wasn't right for years.