I've read that paxil is completely out of
your system in 6 days or less [see bleow].
Is it really?
I quit paxil 4 days ago [cold turkey]. A
personal decision. I was prescribed
paxil for anxiety but after 2 years on the
medication I started experiencing anxiety
once again.
The first 2 days, and nights, were hell.
I was constantly over heated, shaky and
angry. I had horribly vivid dreams the
first night and woke up every half hour
the second night. The dreams
[nightmares] have stopped now [day 4] and
I am sleeping through the night, but I am
still continually suffering from "brain
zaps", numb tongue, hot flashes and
fatigue. I also am having a difficult
time adjusting to changes in light
[indoors vs. Outdoors]. Other entries
suggest it can take up to 4 weeks,
sometimes more for the symptoms to
subside. How long am I going to feel
this way?
"a forum-m.D.-rg(10-mar-04) innakap paxil
is out of your system completely in 6 days
or less. Stopping should be down slowly
over a two week period. Many doctors add
lexapro while you are doing this, but you
should not simply stop cold one day and
start another the next day."
any advice, suggestions, help anyone can
offer.
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BR612
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 1 Location: MICHIGAN
Brain Zaps Posted: 07-27-04 09:57am
I too am trying to get off this paxel
rollercoaster ride. Just in the past 2
months I have cut my rx by half. I have
been taking it for roughly 3 years now for
depression/anxiety. I have found that by
even cutting my dosage in half, I have had
the experience of a lifetime! Nightmares,
brain zaps, emotions from outright rage to
a flood of tears. Last night I felt I
wanted to just smash my head thru the
living room wall, just so the dizziness
would stop. I had no idea that this would
give me so much trouble trying to quit.
What an eye opening experience. I have a
call in to the doctors office this morning
to see if there's something he can do. In
the meantime, lock me up in the cellar!!!!
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DanielleProctor
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 May 2004 Posts: 2
Quiting Paxel Posted: 07-27-04 10:28am
Hello!
It gets better, I promise! You have to
hang in there and just know that these are
temporary side effects. Once it is out
of your system life gets back to normal
and you will look back on this and be
proud of yourself for making it through!
It took me about 3 weeks, everyone is
different though. I didn't want to cut
cack my dosage; I felt tiat would take too
long, so I quit cold turkey. I think for
me it was a good decision but like I said
everyone is different. It's best to talk
to your doctop but just know that this
experience is only goilg to maie you
stronger so hang in there!
Take care ok!!
Danielle
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 07-27-04 10:35am
Stopping any med cold turkey is not
advised - that said I have done it - in
fact I stopped several cold turkey all at
the same time. From reading the two posts
here - I think that maybe sometimes cold
turkey is easier - very hard but over a
generally shorter time frame than doing
slowly & suffering longer.
Still cold turkey can be dangerous - even
deadly - so I don;t recommend it - despite
my own stupid behaviour (i was just lucky
I didn't do any permanent harm in going
cold turkey with no help even!!).
For me things were ok for a day then hell
for several & then things just started
getting better it took about 4 weeks.
Obviously 4 weeks is a very general
statement & guide as everyone is
different & so is every med
to both of you persevere - things will get
better - also remember that there are many
natural alternatives to treat/help anxiety
& stress from vitamin b, 5htp, sam-,
dhea, st johns wort, to yoga, relaxation,
cbt & ces or sound/light machines!!!!
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qt3
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Nov 2003 Posts: 264
Posted: 07-28-04 13:05pm
Not only would I not advise quiting any
anxiety med cold turkey, I would make sure
and start trying an alternative like
purple mentioned before I even began
reducing my meds. Everyone's different
but the cold turkey route is hard for most
people and a little risky.
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xrayjenny
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1
paxel cold turkey Posted: 09-30-08 22:18pm
DONT DO IT!!!! I did it multiple times
with the same outcome. My docter saw me
one day & asked me why I looked so bad, I
was there for my daughters check-up. I
wasn't there for me. I had not taken the
paxil for a few days & the results were
terrible. I switched to Lexapro to soften
the blow. It helped. I now take Trazidone.
It is mild, it is 1-3 tablets to help me
sleep. I have OCD & problems sleeping &
the tazidone does the trick. I know waht
you are going through. It is DETOX from
the drug. After a while you bild up a
tolerance to the drug along with a
depandence..... Lexapro wil soften the
blow for now. Take my advice it will be
bad for a week, but well worth it. I was
addicted too. I had nausea, Vomiting,
insomnia, panic, & kids to care for. I
think Paxel is evil. I took it for over 5
years on & off. A word of advice I think
that the Generic form is even worse. I
went on-&-off of Name Brand all the time.
The Generic is what I had the problems
with.
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dl5crew
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 3
Paxil Posted: 10-09-08 22:12pm
I'm glad that I found this. My doctor
wants me to take Paxil for anxiety. I
tried one pill and was drunk for almost
three days. I told my husband that I am
not going to take that crazy medicine.
I will continue to breathe deep and pray
through my attacks.
