Best Way to Start & Stop Taking Paxil
There has been allot of speculation online, and off, regarding the best way to quit taking Paxil. I have used Paxil for my choice of anti-anxiety medication throughout my adult life. I’m very familiar with the side effects of Paxil, how to start using it, and how to stop using it. In this post I will describe the BEST WAY TO COME OFF PAXIL and go on Paxil.
Before you start or stop taking Paxil, PLEASE read this article because this medication is only PART of your recovery. When you are done using Paxil, you will be on your way to LIFE CHANGING internal and eternal events. Panic attacks will never happen again, and your life will be full and amazing.
Starting Paxil
When you start using Paxil it’s important to not be freaked out about possible side effects. Just know that within a few weeks of taking Paxil you will begin to sleep better, feel better, and your panic attacks and foggy anxiety will stop.
What Not To Consume When Going On Paxil
It’s very important to be disciplined when taking your Paxil medication as prescribed by your doctor. Avoid any alcoholic drinks and avoid any kind of mind altering drugs such as marijuana (or any other illegal drug). Avoid hopping yourself up on cigarettes and coffee too. If you are a smoker and a coffee drinker don’t stop drinking coffee and don’t stop smoking right now – just be as moderate as possible.
I can’t stress the importance of staying away from drinking over 2 alcoholic beverages in one sitting. As a matter of fact, if you truly want your stress to come under control and have a stress free life, then try to NOT drink ANY alcohol at all. If you are a heavy drinker, or perhaps an alcoholic, back off or quit all together. I know that sounds impossible, but it’s not. At the very least, slow down your drinking and smoking AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Why? You don’t want anything to interfere with the Paxil that is slowly entering your blood stream. You want the medication to have it’s full effect.
What Time of the Day to Take Paxil
As a few doctors have told me, Paxil is a morning medication. Don’t bother trying other times of the day to take your pill(s). I’ve tried every time of day possible, and the morning is the best time to take your Paxil medication.
Try very hard to take your Paxil medication at the same time every morning. 8 o’clock AM is my best time to take it. I try to be spot on 8 o’clock in the morning, every morning. I’ve seen a huge difference when I’m late or early, such as taking it at 10 or 11 in the morning, or taking it early at 6 or 7 in the morning. For some reason, I’m much calmer, steadier, and more relaxed when I take my medication like clock work.
If you are suffering from extreme anxiety and panic attacks try not to worry. Within 2 weeks of taking your Paxil all that will begin to go away. Like I said, don’t worry about the side effects because they’re really not a big deal at all. Try not to take the horror stories on the Internet about Paxil users “freaking out” too seriously. Most of those case involved people using other illegal and legal drugs in access, and in some cases these people quit Paxil cold turkey coming off of a LARGE dosage. Never stop taking Paxil cold turkey.
Don’t confuse any of body pains, or symptoms of your present anxiety as Paxil side effects. It’s not the Paxil that’s causing this. It’s just your hyper sensitivity and anxiety in action as you try to imagine the worst. Just stick to the program and you’ll be fine. Always let your doctor know about your experiences as you go through this process.
Your doctor may prescribe an instant anxiety medication such as Ativan to help you through those first few weeks while the Paxil is building up in your system. That’s fine. Use medications like Ativan to get sleep, and to minimize your panic attacks when you have them. I keep a prescription of Ativan just in case. It gives you confidence that if you have some extreme anxiety or a panic attack you have some instant relief on hand.
Like I said, after a few weeks, and even better a few months, the Paxil will take affect and you will feel MUCH better. You won’t have panic attacks and you will be sleeping well again. You won’t need any meds like Ativan. Just keep what is left of your Ativan in a safe place for peace-of-mind.
How to Ween Yourself Off and Quit Paxil
This is very important. DON’T EVER STOP TAKING PAXIL COLD TURKEY. Do not stop taking Paxil suddenly. I’ve made that mistake once and will never make that mistake again. You’ll get through it, but it’s hell, and you don’t want to go there. You don’t need to ever go there. This is why you have heard people claim online that Paxil is poison etc, and cite all of these extreme cases where people “freaked out” because of Paxil. Usually these people were too young to be taking it, or they quit suddenly from a large daily dosage routine, or they consumed allot of other strong drugs (legal or illegal)
IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ: The weening down process I have below is ASSUMING YOU ARE DOWN TO 20MGs PER DAY ALREADY. If you are above 20mg you can use the same idea as below in increments until you get to 20mg a day. When you are at 20mg a day comfortably, then start the process below. MAKE SURE you consult your doctor before beginning a weening process, and feel free to print off this page to get his or her approval. He or she will be fine with this process, but you should let them know, because every patient has a unique medical history.
Stop using Paxil very slowly. Start by cutting down to 3/4 of your present dosage. You can use a razor blade to cut your pills. Some doctors tell you to take your Paxil dosage every second day when coming off of it. I don’t recommend this. You need to come down slower than that, or you will get the infamous “brain swooshes“, and it can be discomforting. You don’t need ANY feelings of discomfort my friend.
After you have dropped to 3/4 of your dosage for three weeks, then bring it down to 1/2 the dosage for three weeks. Then once you have gone at half the dosage for 3 weeks, ask yourself how you feel. Do you still feel ok? Do you feel like you are maintaining good sleep and a positive outlook on your life and the lives of those around you? This is when you could be on your way to quitting Paxil.
If all the answers to the above questions are yes, then you are ready to take the weening process to the next step. The next step is to take your dosage to half the dose one day and and a quarter of the dose the next day. Keep going by alternating half the dose for one day and a quarter the dose the next day. Do this for 2 weeks.
Then you are ready to go to a quarter of the dose every day. Make sure you steer clear of any other drugs (if you can) during this time. Avoid alcohol as much as possible, eat light, and make sure to get your rest. See how you feel after time. If you are doing fine, then you can go to a quarter dose every second day.
Do a quarter does every second day for two weeks. Then go 1/8 of the dose every second day. If you can drop to 1/16 of the dose every second day do it depending on if you have a good razor blade to cut the pills with. One of my biggest beefs with Paxil is that it should be sold in tiny increment pills for this weening down process.
After a few weeks of the 1/16 dosage every second day, assess your moods and sleep patterns. Assess your food intake, your patience level, etc. If all is well then it’s time to say goodbye to your friend Paxil. It’s very possible that at this very light dosage of Paxil you are not really doing anything anymore and it’s a placebo level, but all of us are different. Just see how YOU feel.
Make sure you consult your doctor periodically through your weening off process to keep them informed and “in the loop” as you successfully come down off of Paxil.
When You Have Paxil Out of Your System
Now you are “el natural” with your default blood and serotonin levels. See how you feel and make a strong effort to read some good books on maintaining an even keel. I cannot stress enough the importance of reading material that helps you really understand how your mind and ego works, because it is your mind and ego that are causing your stress. Try Eckhart Tolle’s book, “A New Earth”, and try Wayne Dyer’s book, “The Power of Intention” – these are life changing books that, in combination can free you from the thought processes that have caused all your anxiety in the first place.
Remember that you don’t have to be afraid of stress, and you should have learned by now how useless anxiety and worry is in your life. Try to avoid anything that upsets you and for God’s sake be grateful and thankful for all the people in your life and the life you have.
Maintaining an even keel emotionally these days is very important. Try and make your life as simple as possible, and make sure you avoid angry and uptight people as much as possible. Be aware if you begin slipping back into self medicating with alcohol or marijuana. That is a sure sign that you are not dealing with daily stresses properly. Try meditation. Try a good religion. Try exercise. Try taking long walks. Try changing jobs, spouses, houses – whatever it takes to find YOUR happy place.
If you for some reason fall into severe panic attacks and out of control anxiety, then don’t be afraid to return to a small dose of Paxil to even things out. Some folks stay on light antidepressants their entire life without any problems at all.
Best of luck,
Love Jacob
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November 6th, 2011 at 5:29 am
I have been on Paxil for post-partum 3x with each of my kids and it was a lifesaver. Paxil herds as rap…always. It works well for depression and OCD also anxiety. I’m now entering menopause and taking 20 mg again.
You will loose your orgasm and may gain weight BUT this drug will help you. It helped me in a huge way. I hop it works for me again this time around. Glad you created this site Jacob.
October 15th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
I had a tummy tuck three weeks ago, and physically, I healed fine. Emotionally…not so much. After two trips to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack, it turns out I was having nocturnal panic attacks and general anxiety. I was put on a one a day 20mg Paxil and .5mg Klonopin wafer (as needed) when I woke up during a panic attack. I’ve asked several people, including doctors, and no one has a clue why I developed this out of nowhere. I recently lost 85 lbs with diet & exercise, hence the tummy tuck, and went from a size 18 to a 9. I’m so scared I’m going to gain all the weight back, but I can’t handle the panic attacks. When they happen, it feels like I’m literally dying. I just started taking the Paxil three days ago, and it makes my eyes dilated and I feel kind of high/loopy. Is this normal?
September 23rd, 2011 at 12:34 pm
I’m 30 years old and have been dealing with social anxiety, worry, and fear and being so timid all my life. It’s gotten worse lately along w depression and suicidal thoughts. Just yesterday I went to see a very reputable psychologist and after hearing my story he recommended Paxil. I went home and read reviews & info on Paxil and I have to admit I’m scared to take the stuff. I don’t want to deal w the weight gain and my sexual appetite has already gone down a bit from depression~ I can only imagine what will happen while taking Paxil and my husband has a VERY healthy sexual appetite. I really want the feel of being “normal” though. Then the fear of getting off Paxil and not weaning correctly…I’m scared of what might happen to me. I worried and unsure of what to do… *sigh* what do you guys think I should do, is it worth it??
August 28th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
I have been on paxil for a little over a year and a half now. My anxiety before paxil was terrible, I would pace around the house for hours at night feeling like my heart was going to beat out of my chest, I would feel that pit in my stomach all the time. It would be so bad I wouldn’t sleep for days til I literally past out. I would feel so anxious that I could not eat properly, I’d go 2-3 days without haven a meal… I struggled with this for a few months thinkin there was something wrong with me until a family member told me what was going on. I started out on 10mg and now I am on 40mg.. I hate being on it.. I get those weird swooshing jerking nerve feeling s throughout my whole body it’s a strange sensation.. The withdrawals are almost immediate if I dot take it the exact time everyday. I am so thankful for finding this and I plan on beginning this tomorrow
I have found little things that help manage my anxiety like sleeping with a fan on.. This gives me something constant to focus on instead of letting my mind wonder in the silence. I have been able to communicate my thoughts much better and realize things will happen regardless of me worrying about such little things. I’m ready to get rid of this burden and just be who God has made me!!
August 28th, 2011 at 11:45 pm
I have been on paxil for a little over a year and a half now. My anxiety before paxil was terrible, I would pace around the house for hours at night feeling like my heart was going to beat out of my chest, I would feel that pit in my stomach all the time. It would be so bad I wouldn’t sleep for days til I literally past out. I would feel so anxious that I could not eat properly, I’d go 2-3 days without haven a meal… I struggled with this for a few months thinkin there was something wrong with me until a family member told me what was going on. I started out on 10mg and now I am on 40mg.. I hate being on it.. I get those weird swooshing jerking nerve feeling s throughout my whole body it’s a strange sensation.. The withdrawals are almost immediate if I dot take it the exact time everyday. I am so thankful for finding this and I plan on beginning this tomorrow
I have found little things that mho manage my anxiety like sleeping with a fan on.. This gives me something constant to focus on instead of letting my mind wonder in the silence. I have been able to communicate my thoughts much better and realize things will happen regardless of me worrying about such little things. I’m ready to get rid of this burden and just be who God has made me!!
July 17th, 2011 at 3:11 am
Thankyou for saying to consult your doctor first and for suggesting a plan that is so drawn out and slow. The key to changing anything in your life is to do it slowly and in the right way just like weight liss and smoking. Im on 20mgs a day and thought I could just quit but i forgot to take it one day and my night trying to sleep was horrid and filled with strange, scary dreams. Please keep reassuring people that it will be ok….It is very uplifting!
May 18th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
So for 3 months I was really sick and no doctors could figure out what was wrong with me. One day I ended up in the ER and they said I was having a panic attack. I dont remember much after that because they put me on so many meds I was OUT. When I woke the next day they told me I have severe anxiety and panic disorder. It has been 2 years since on paxil 50mg and Atican occasionally for panic attacks. Everything in life seemed to be going good until 5 days ago I found out I was pregnant. The doctor made me go from taking 50mg of paxil daily to one day of 20mg and the next day 10mg then be done. I am having HORRIBLE withdraw symptoms!! Panic attacks, nausea, diarehha, shaking, sweating with chills and burning numb sensations all through my body. After some testing they think I may be having a miscarriage bc my hcg levels are dropping. I called my doctor and he said I could take an Ativan as long as I wasnt pregnant so I took one since they think im miscarrying and I’m only days pregnant. My question is to anyone who wanted to become pregnant how did you handle that and your anxiety and panic when not being able to be on paxil or ativan? Even if you dont know any words of encouragement from anyone is welcome. I could really use it.
March 31st, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Hi! I have been on Paxil for about 7 years now, 20 then 40mg. I am in a good place now and loving my life, my husband and our daughter. My doctor told me for one week to take half of my pill, then for one more week take half every other day. I did this and mentally I am doing great… But I keep getting a tingle feeling throughout my body when I turn or stand up, and now I am vomiting? Tell me this is normal?
March 19th, 2011 at 9:27 am
thank you for this website. It is the first postive one I have found about Paxil. I have been beating myself up about taking it but now am comfortable with giving it a shot. I have been taking 10mg for three weeks but don’t notice anything so am supposed to up it to 20mg. I am taking it for anxiety and panic disorder at age 39. Just wanted to thank you again.
March 6th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Hello Jacob,
I have been on 20MG for about 9 years. I did get down to 10MG at one point but I tapered too fast I think and had to go back to 20MG. The withdrawal effects were too much. My arms felt “numb” constantly, like jelly and drove me crazy. When I got back to the 20MG this went away but came back last winter for 3 months in the arms and legs..then proceeded to go away. Anyone else experience this?
I get terrified it’s another health issue and not related to the paxil but my doctors assure me it is anxiety.
Also, are there any supplements people take such as fish oil to help with the whooshes and dizziness?
You are an inspiration Jacob, thanks for your time.
March 2nd, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Sharon,
Get a different doctor. He or she has surely never weened off of paxil themselves. She is setting you up for serious anxiety.
Ween of in tiny increments, and change those increments every month. Even if it takes a year to ween off – so be it.
And don’t ween off at all unless you have really changed the way you look at life in general – is your perception of things better now than before you went on Paxil.
Does the near future look like it’s not stressful. Everything around you reasonably non stressful? Money, relationships, family, etc. etc.
Ween off WAY WAY slower than what that Doc said.
March 2nd, 2011 at 2:36 pm
I have been on 20 mg of paxil for 6 years, I am also on clonazepsm 0.5 mg up to 3 a day as needed, for probably 12 years.I told my doctor that I wanted to come off Paxil, as I had read so many bad things.My doctor gave me 4 20 mg pills,take 1/2 tablet once daily for 2 days than1/2 tablet every other day for 2 doses then discontinue, I am sorry but she scares the heck out of me..I think I need a new doctor..
January 29th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
Hi Kelley,
I’m so sorry to hear what you have had to deal with and the illness in your family too.
I have nothing but a pouring of compassion for you.
When I suggest the abuse of drugs (illegal and legal) I am by no way suggesting that is the only reason people have had trouble with Paxil. Every person has a little bit different experience, and I really hope you never beat yourself up for moments of anger.
I feel absolute compassion and love for you even though you felt anger towards me for something written in my post.
Anyway….MORE important is how we can help you begin to enjoy life again, and feel a sense of happiness again with everything you do – hobbies, family, work, the kids, parents, neighbors, etc.
Yes, Paxil is a drug that MUST be weened off of VERY slowly, but if an anxiety sufferer’s life is compleley out of control, then the use of Paxil can be very helpful to get themselves back on track.
Might I suggest that Paxil has not ruined your life, and might I suggest thay your life is NOT ruined at all. If you feel strongly about getting off of Paxil, then talk with a good doctor and ween yourself off VERY slow….little tiny increments down for two weeks at a time.
What make you (and ME) have really bad days, or weeks, with all sorts of anxiety, anger, and loss of sleep, is how we are processing our thoughts. If we can learn to ask ourselves a real question whenever we are feeling angry about something, or feeling upset for any reason.
Is this opinion, judgment – THOUGHT! True?
Are MY thoughts so important that they MUST be true?
Because I judge my life situation to be bad, or judge another person to be bad, or judge another person’s beliefs to be bad…….is it TRUE becasue MY MIND says it is true.
I’ve have spoken thousands of anxiety sufferers online and offline, doctors, therapists, and the like…..Paxil is not a drug that will stop you from sleeping. What WE TELL OURSELVES can stop us from sleeping.
I know that you can get through these hard times, and I know you are a caring and loving person. I know that you can sort all of this out.
I urge you to join me and let us both learn to NOT take our thoughts so seriously. Our minds are meant to be good tools to help us communicate, help others, look after ourselves, and our families, earn a living, brush our teeth – that’s all really.
When we let our minds control the day and color everything “black” we are in the grip of our egos. Don’t beat yourself up for having a bad day, seeing your life as a mess. That is just the ego having a good old time telling you that you should change everything you judge to be wrong in the world and in your life.
When you turn off your mind, and your ego, and ignore the fear as what it is – ego and mind created…..you will begin again to see things as they are….not really that bad
If you want to talk privately via email feel free to do so, or comment here.
I send all of my care and compassion to you always.
Jacob
P.S – I will read my post again to make sure that I didn’t state the people who have problems with a prescription medicine are ONLY the abusers of drugs and drink. :-0
Hi again Kelley,
I read my post again, and no where did I say that people who have trouble with Paxil are JUST young, or JUST drinkers and drug users. All I said was that while people are starting Paxil, to be aware of these substances, and try to stay away from them.
See how you read a small portion of a post, and made judgement very quickly? In today’s case your mind judged my comments as bad, wrong, and felt a feeling of anger towards the comments and perhaps even me (perhaps not, but either way). This is a perfect example of how our minds and egos can jump to judgement when the facts don’t hold up the judgement. The fact is that what I say is just my opinion from my experience, and it’s no more important than your opinion. As matter of FACT, what I THINK, or what YOU THINK don’t really matter at all. Both of our minds and egos don’t matter at all, and they are often false.
What matters is your peace of mind, and my peace of mind. What matters is your family and friends, and those around you. What matters is NOT how I feel – what matters is that I treat you with the respect you deserve, and I treat all those around me the same.
It’s not about US. There are over 6 billion people in this world. What makes you, me, and our thoughts important at all. What matters is what is real is us. What is real in you is your love and compassion for the people, animals, plants, and all around you……and we both know that you are a wonderful and loving human being. Don’t ever let your mind convince you that you are otherwise.
On another note…..have you been watching what is going on in Egypt today? Of my God….these poor people are going through hell.
January 29th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
I was put on paxil 2 years ago because I had severe anxiety and depression. I have never in my 41 years taken illegal drugs, abused alcohol or abused prescription drugs. In December of 2006 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was put on xanax for anxiety. Everything was fine after surgery and treatment. I returned to work and all was good. Until one night at work I had some kind of “episode” where I almost passed out. I work in a nursing facility and they checked my blood sugar and blood pressure, etc. My blood pressure was high so off to the ER I went. Was told it was just a severe anxiety attack and was put on paxil and a blood pressure med. A few months ago I quit the bp meds cause my bp kept dropping. Anyway since being on the paxil I have had trouble sleeping, I don’t care about anything in my life. I don’t want to do the things I once enjoyed. I just don’t care about anything. I KNOW it is the paxil causing this. I have tried 3 different times to get off paxil and experienced headaches, the zaps, numbness, crying for no reason, severe anger, etc. This drug has ruined my life! And for you to say that the people in all the stories on the internet were either to young to be taking it or was taking illegal drugs or drinking while taking paxil is bull! Like I said, I am 41 (I don’t consider that too young to be taking paxil). I don’t drink, I don’t do illegal drugs. The only drugs I take are paxil and xanax. I don’t abuse either of them. Do a drug count on them and you will find this to be true. So maybe I am in a small percentage of the population that this drug has ruined. I don’t know. But I would NEVER recommend anyone taking paxil!
January 29th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Thanks Linda,
Very kind of you to say. Glad our site could help you even just a little bit today.
Sounds like you are very experienced with anxiety, and have learned to understand how OUR MINDS SOMETIMES CAN’T BE TRUSTED.
So off I go with my wife for a walk in the snow with our dogs……letting what IS be as it IS.
No effort to control today
January 29th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
You are very sweet and good hearted. Most people are just about themselves. I have had panic attacks most of my adult life. Some have been very severe. But I will not let this stop me from living. I have been to very scary places for panic attack suffers, like India, which I adored, but can be very stressful. I have been to inland china, philipines, and New York city, which is also very stressful. I will not stop because of my PA. I had to get on Paxil for a while because my husband got bilateral renal cell carcinoma. Two huge operations, many months of hospitals, and he needed me,so I got on the drug. I made the stupidity to get off it cold turkey and as Scott says, you do not want to ever go there. It is awful. So take Scotts advise and go slow. I am taking advantage of my ability to enjoy sex again. I am using this as a therapy. Good luck to all.
December 22nd, 2010 at 10:44 pm
I was weening off paxil and having bad dreams, and I see that is a side effect of declining my paxil intake.I told my dr. and he decided that I return use the drug. I am currently paxil free, and feel fine however, my father feels I should still be on paxil and even though I am 27 feels I should listen to every word he says.I have gone through all the horriable withdrawl symptoms and do not want to experence those horriable symptoms again. Should I stay paxil free or go back on the drug?
December 3rd, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Just wanted to add some information here as I have suffered from panic attacks too and am on Paxil. I found out through my own research that my panic attacks were brought on from the medicine I take for Epilepsy – which is Carbamezapine (Tegretol). After 18 years of having panic attacks, I decided to go on Paxil and it has done wonders for me! I am presently trying a natural remedy though and planning on weaning myself from Paxil due to sexual side effects that I really don’t like! Wish me luck!
November 18th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Hi Dena – had the same problem with the weight gain for sure. What I did is stay on the higher dose for a few months so I could LEARN to think differently – read books – listened to Eckhart Toole – and relearned how I was thinking in the stressful times.
Then I started weaning myself off the Paxil until I was down to 10 mg a day. Started losing the weight and have lost 20 pounds since then. I’m still stress sometimes, but the small dose doesn’t allow me too get too carried away, and I learned to talk to myself and avoid panic attacks.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Hi! I have been taking paxil for about 8 months and I am now at 30 mg. My anxiety has went away dramatically. I still have anxiety when I drive on the freeway and am still trying to work myself up to that. The problem with the paxil is that I am gaining weight every week. I have a trainer and I am on weight watchers. The weight gain has gooten so bad that I am scared of developing health problems from being overweight. I got my BMI and it said that I was obese, which is so crazy to me, because I have been a skinny girl for my entire life. I am scared to have anxety again, but I really cannot handle the weight gain. I was thinking of trying 5 htp and talking to my dr aout getting off of paxil. I am just so confused, because before the paxil I was scared of everything. I was scared to drive to work, to walk the dogs, to be alone essentially. Now I can do almost anything, but now I am fat and it is making me very depressed.I dont what to do, any suggestions. Thank you.