I have been taking Paxil for 7 years for anxiety. 3 months ago it stopped working. I tried changing to 2 other meds and was nervous and jittery the whole time so my doc put me back on Paxil and doubled the dose. My anxiety only got worse, so I went back down to 30, then 25, and it got somewhat better. I want to just get off of it, but I know Paxil is really hard to stop. My question is, since it’s not working, could I be feeling withdrawal right now, even though I am still on it?
Has anyone here successfully gotten off Paxil?
Thanks,
Dawn
I found Paxil to be the crudest of the SSRI anti-depressants and like many
other users, I had frightening side affects with it including triggering
anxiety, not relieving it. You cannot stop immediately but phase off it over a
period of four or five days. In fact, its manufacturer, Glaxo Wellcome, has or
may still be under federal investigation for its aggressive marketing practices
to shrinks, particularly in recommending them to children. You might as your
doc about the new generation of anti-depressants.—Chris
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I have heard that some shrinks won’t even prescribe Paxil anymore because
it’s so hard to get off of. I have to say, I never had a single side effect
from it, and it worked 100% for me the entire time I was on it, until the
last 3 months. I guess I would have stayed on it for life if this had not
happened, but I understand that it’s common with all SSRIs to stop working
after a few years on them. When I weaned off, I took 4-5 months each time,
and was fine the entire time, until one month of being completely off of it.
I just wonder if the anxiety that set if at that point was me or withdrawal.
I weaned so slowly, to where I was taking like 2 mg. for a few weeks at the
end.
Dawn <><
I was able to get off Paxil but I don’t remember
withdrawls. It was a while ago. I think even if you
are taking 25 and not 30 mg you could still be
experiencing W/D symptoms. I believe I went off
Paxil that stopped working, if it really ever worked,
and on to Prozac. Good luck rdr. 
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text below this line will be cut off in your replyI have been taking Paxil for 7 years for anxiety. 3
months ago it stopped working. I tried changing to 2
other meds and was nervous and jittery the whole
time so my doc put me back on Paxil and doubled the
dose. My anxiety only got worse, so I went back down
to 30, then 25, and it got somewhat better. I want
to just get off of it, but I know Paxil is really
hard to stop. My question is, since it’s not
working, could I be feeling withdrawal right now,
even though I am still on it?
Has anyone here successfully gotten off Paxil?
Thanks,
Dawn__
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I’ve been on Zoloft for two years now and have noted positive
effects…however…one particular side effect on men is not a desirable at all
()&^%^$%$(&%*)and I decided about two months ago to begin slowly cutting back…first
from 50MG to 25MGdaily…then to 25MG every other day…but I have also been
on Lorazapam (Ativan) .5 nightly which has helped the transition. I have
begun to cut out the Ativan as well now…but may not have transitioned off the
Zoloft as easily if I had not been on the Ativan.
I am lucky so far…after two years of terrible anxiety and panic attacks I
have had relatively few episodes over the past two even as I have been cutting
back.
I have been experiencing more success as I have been into a pretty serious
exercise program…drink lots of water…cut back on caffeine and cut out
alcohol…and am learning to trust the Almighty.
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Hi Gus,
I have no idea how anyone copes with all this without God!! I pray
constantly. I am glad you are having success lowering your meds. There is a
program I found online called The Road Back. Check it out. I am going to do
it. I’ve kind of already started doing that through things my homeopath has
told me to do. I’m learning a lot, and believe that one day soon I’m going
to be able to help others from what I have learned.
God bless!
Dawn <><
I will check it out…thanks
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Here’s a link that may give you some of the info you’re looking for. According to this Paxil is the most difficult SSRI to stop. The below writeup even mentions that a lot of people go on Prozac to help with the last bit of Paxil w/d.
http://www.crazymeds.org/paxil.html
hope this helps. it also contains links to other places for more Paxil info.
peace,
c
Thanks for the link, I’ll go read it now.
Dawn <><
I want to get off all of my meds eventually. I pray a lot too. I went to the suggested web page of how to taper off. I do plan on adding nutritional supplements as I ween myself off meds. I want to do this in concert with my Psychiastrist and my Naturopathic Doctor. Thanks so much for all the helpful support and posts. You support me when I need it, hug me when I’m low, make me laugh to boost my spirit and celebrate with me when I succeed! How lucky I am to have found such a wonderful group of people. Thank you all.
With Deep Gratitude,
Femmgrrl
This is a wonderful group of people here. It’s nice to know you all!
Hey, I’ve really been trying to find something that will work for me to stop
anxiety w/o taking Klonpin. I think I found something that is working. GABA.
It’s a natural amino acid, you can buy it at the health food store or
online. It’s totally safe, no side effects. I’ve tried a lot of things, and
I know everyone responds differently, but last night and today I am feeling
much better since I started taking it late yesterday afternoon.
Dawn <><
i’m NOT totally anti-natural – they just aren’t an option for me. However, naturals effect the GABA receptors in the brain, just like the “produced” meds. i just want everyone to be safe.
here’s a warning from http://www.wholehealthmd.com this site is about natural remedies and is not anti. i found these 2 paragraphs about taking GABA amino acid supplements if you’re still taking klonopin or something like it:
"Many well-known prescription anxiety medications, including alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium), target GABA receptors in the brain. Using GABA with prescription anti-anxiety agents may produce a dangerous additive effect. Always let your doctor know if you are taking GABA or other supplements.
(i’m not sure about the word “additive” above. considering the context, i’m pretty sure it should be “addictive” – notice they’re exactly the same except for the “c”.
GABA may produce excessive drowsiness when taken with other medications that have a tranquilizing effect, including codeine and other narcotic pain relievers, antidepressants, sedatives, and muscle relaxants. Combine with extreme caution."
here’s a specific link to find the source of those 2 quotes.
to everyone, good luck with your quest to get off psycho-meds. it’s not an option for me.
peace
c.
Hi Seesaw,
Thanks for that link. I did go check it out. It’s good info to not take
Klonpin and GABA at the same time. I want to say, the first day and a half
that I took the GABA it seemed to be working well. But today I took it when
I woke up this morning, and it seems to have not worked. I have noticed this
with several ‘natural’ things I have tried. They seem to work briefly, then
don’t. Maybe it’s something that should only be taken occasionally.
I totally understand you taking your meds. You have to do what works for
you, and honestly, if the Paxil had not stopped working, I would have just
stayed on it for life. Now I’m trying to get relief somehow. I do have an
app. with a psychiatrist in Aug., they could not get me in sooner. Must be a
lot of people with these problems.
Dawn <><
BIG MISTAKE in my previous post – it should have said “I’m NOT totally anti-natural”
I’ve edited it to say just that.
sorry 'bout that!