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 [...]
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November 27th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I just came across your website. It is very comforting and informative! Please keep writing! I am 33 and have suffered panic attacks since age 23 when my father passed away. I took Paxil for 4 years and went off it when I had children. It worked very well for me then. After I had my two little ones I took zoloft for 4 years and it worked well too. I tried to wean off and the panic came back with a vengence so I went back on the zoloft and increased the dosage. It has been 8 weeks since I have been back on it and 4 weeks and the higher dosage. I thought I was doing better but I had a bad panic attack today. Have you gone off paxil for a while and gone back on it and it worked again? I am shocked that I had a panic attack on Zoloft because I never had them before on Paxil or Zoloft. I am also working on relaxation techniques and seeing a therapist but when you are in the throws of anxiety it seems like it will never get better! Thanks so much for your blog!
November 10th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Even with medication, if you still make yourself worry, and keep giving in to negative thinking, you won’t find that normal happy balance. It takes both to recover, and it take time to ween yourself of Paxil slowly so you are hardly taking any at all. Take it slow, and please remember that life is good, almost ALL people are good. Try to disregard the bad as it’s just a passing thing.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I just started on 10mg of Paxil last month for my panic attacks I have been suffering lately. The first few days were pretty rough, however I think a lot of this roughness was due to getting myself worked up. I am the type of person that said I would NEVER seek medication for stress. So when I started taking Paxil I would obsess and give myself panic attacks because I thought it was going to mess me up (the fact I was reading all the Paxil “horror” stories on the internet didn’t help either). My emotions were definitely out of whack for the first few days. I remember I was driving somewhere and just started laughing uncontrollably with the feeling I was high (fun actually!).
After a month now, I am kinda on the fence with how I feel. I haven’t had any real bad panic attacks, but I do notice that there are times where I feel somewhat cloudy in the brain. I also seem to have developed a restlessness in my legs (Is this normal?). Lastly (and the part I hate most) I have suddenly broken out with pimples on my stomach and back (I NEVER had pimples like this before).
So I can’t say either way I am happy with Paxil or dissapointed. I am just “eh” about it.
I have an appointment with my physician next week to talk to her about these side effects I am experiencing to see what she wants to do. Wish me luck! Nate
October 19th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Thank you so much Jacob!
Rarely to find such a realistic approach, it was indeed refreshing!
Still I am not sure, if the depresion was the worst or the best thing that ever happened to me. But it gave me another perspective, much more realistic and at the same time much more painfull.
I am on paxil 4 months now and my doctor recommends to slowly take it out of my life.
But scared as I am, I detect and connect every tiny rush or pain in my body with the medication. And each time I get into internet all I read are terrible stories!
I am taking 20mg per day and the doctor suggested cutting it in half for the moment.
But as you explained already, I am hypersensitive and the depression made me fear life in general. As I am a high energetic person, this bothers me a lot. Mood swings, dizziness, side effects or no side effects, fear of panic, fear of fear ….:)
So now it is my day 2 with 10mg, together with medazepam 3x10mg (only for a period of 1 week, until I handle the fear of expecting paxil withdrawal side effects). Must admit though, that occasionally the books of M. Scott Peck put me back to ground-but only when sure I could take it! Yoga, meditation, universal energy transmittance, pranic therapy, treatment with breathing, Hare Krishna, taking photos, yoga again… At the end of the day all is good, but also none is the solution, only an asset. The hardest of all is keeping a steady image of myself, loving myself and learning to live with myself and because of myself. I guess this requires lifelong patience (which looks scary again)……
I would sincerely appreciate any comment of yours or opinion!
Thank you so much again!
Katarina
September 29th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
thanks jacob,
God bless you! and ditto my wife need to get sometimes good too:)
I will talk to my doc about the ativan
your friend,
Gino
September 29th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Hi Tony,
Great to hear the sleep and other things improving. Your schedule sounds JUST like mine. It took 10-15 days for the Paxil to take affect. I’m still taking 10 mg a day and doing OK, and the sexual side affects are almost nil. With 20mgs of Paxil my sexual drive was greatly reduced (which was kinda nice) and it did affect or marital “action”. That is the main reason why I went down to 10mgs.
I used Ativan to sleep and during the day for the first two weeks as the Paxil took affect. I would take one Ativan at bed time and then two spread out during the day – it was a HUGE help for me.
After two weeks on Paxil I didn’t need Ativan any more.
If the 10mgs is working for you GREAT. Don’t increase unless it’s still not helping. With 20mg life was relaxed and loved it! However. My wife needs to “get it good” sometimes right.
So all the best! It sounds like you are on your way Tony.
Make sure once the Paxil has kicked in (in a month you will notice an even BIGGER difference as it builds up over time) you read lots of good books about Universal Intelligence, and learn how your mind and ego can work together to rob you of reality – rob you of your natural relaxed inner-self. That way some day you can stop the Paxil and then you will understand how your mind and ego work next time you have to deal with stress.
Jacob
September 29th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
thx jacob,
slept better last night, day 8 on paxil 10 mg. took 100 mg trazadone with the paxil at bedtime, woke up after an hour then decided to take 1 50mg vistoril and had the best nights sleep since this all started. Could the paxil be kicking in or is it still too soon? Going to see my primary care doc tomorrow morning. I need a plan on how to continue taking my meds, and should I tell him i want 20 mg paxil as you said you needed? I feel more relaxed today had therapy yesterday. was able to move up my psych appointment to the 16. Any suggestions. Also once you got use to the paxil, how long, was your sex drive the same and you said you could sleep right? What meds did you take to sleep until the paxil kicked in and for how long and did you ween your self off of them ? Again thanks for the hope and caring Jacob
your friend,
tony
September 28th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Hi Tony,
Very glad to hear you are taking the steps to get your anxiety under control.
If your serotonin levels are really out of whack 10mg of Paxil likely won’t kick in enough to help you. I never did for me. Once I was at 20mg of Paxil all Panic Attacks went away and sleep was normal.
Make sure you have ONE doctor prescribing multiple drugs for sleep and temporary high anxiety. For short term use 2-4 weeks, these temp (instant) drugs can help greatly with sleep and pulling you out of a panic attack.
Tony – say these words to yourself next time you have a panic attack (or depression attack);
“I’m letting go of control now and letting Universal energy (God, or whatever you want to call it) take control. Go ahead – panic away – enjoy it, but I’m going for a walk.”
When you hear voices in your head that are scary, simply CORRECT those frightening thoughts by saying this;
“OH REALLY! Bullshit – that’s not real and it’s ridiculous.”
The other big problem is sometimes when under high anxiety you start to feel guilt for almost everything you have done in the past, and feel like your are a “bad” person. This is also bullshit.
I can pretty well guarantee that you are an WONDERFUL and LOVING person, and people who know you feel the same way. Our self esteem is severely affected in a negative direction when we suffer from high anxiety and panic, so say this to yourself ALLOT;
“I am a good person and all of these negative perceptions I have of myself and others is pure fantasy – these thoughts are not real.”
Tell yourself this too,
“The Paxil will kick in over the next couple weeks and I’ll be fine and then have time to correct my negative inner dialogue.”
You’re going to be OK Tony – I’ve been exactly where you are right now, and as a matter of fact I was in that place with high anxiety and a panic attack last week. I had decreased my Paxil to 10mg, quit smoking, and had to deal with the year end of my company. Even when we “think” we have it all figured out, we still fail to think clearly sometimes.
We “Panickers” have two things that bring us to the extremely hellish panic attack;
1. A huge imagination
2. A bad habit of making up bad stuff and bad perceptions
We need to learn to use our big imaginations in only way – POSITIVELY. We can then live anxiety free, and help all of those we know feel better about their lives and the lives of all.
I know how hard positive “stuff” is to hear and BELIEVE when you are in a bad state of anxiety, but I have to say it.
Your negative thoughts are fantasy. Your positive thoughts are real.
Use that powerful side of yourself to give yourself a strong talking to. Say things like;
“ENOUGH – THE FEAR YOU HAVE IS NOT REAL – ENOUGH. I CHOOSE LOVE FOR MYSELF AND EVERYONE ELSE”
If all that doesn’t work, I watch old movies that are harmless. Helps you doze off to sleep eventually too.
Hang in there Tony – you body will sleep when it decides it’s had enough. Your body and mind can handle stress like this until your medication kicks in.
September 28th, 2009 at 9:10 am
I have been on paxil 10 for a week now for severe anxiety and panic attacks. I have been prescribed vistoril 50mg for temporary relief of attacks, i have only had to tke 1 a day for the first 4 days since this started, still get bad anxiety but have been trying to cope without the vistoril. The biggest problem I have now is not being able to sleep. I have been prescribed trazadone 50 mg to help me sleep but am afraid to get hooked on it. Last night I tried to go to sleep on my own with just the paxel 10mg, woke up after 3 hrs and then tried the trazadone 50 mg still could not get back to sleep had to take 50mg more of the trazadone and then slept for about 2 to 3 hours more. I’m scared and wonder just want to sleep normal and feel better. I see the therapist today, but don’t see the doctor until oct 29th. I also seem to have a little more trouble ejactulating. Could you please give me your opinion on my situation. I really just want to get better and get my life back, also i donot smoke or drink. but I do like a beer every once and a while is this okay.
Thanks Jacob for the hope,
sincerely
Tony
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:36 am
When it comes to medication levels, changes, in medications, etc, you need to see a doctor. I can’t be giving advice on this kind of question. Must be a professional for sure.
One thing I know though, ween off slow, and remember that your own body, mind, and spirit will help you get through it all in time.
We all have bad days, and some of us have huge imaginations which causes HIGH anxiety. We can overcome high anxiety, and panic attacks too, by meditating, finding a routine, and STOP TAKING OURSELVES SO DAMN SERIOUSLY.
If you can’t get in to see your doctor, and you really need some help, go to an emergency room and tell the doctor(s) there EXACTLY what you are going through.
They will prescribe a plan and maybe some temporary medication to help you.
When you are taken to a room (or cubicle) and the doctor comes to see you, notice how your anxiety level seems to drop greatly – this is proof that almost ALL of your anxiety and stress is “just in your mind” and “your perceptions”. I’ve been to the emergency room a few times for anxiety issues, and this happened every time I went.
You have to sometimes just laugh at your stress thoughts. They are quite ridiculous really and RARELY ever based on any facts – almost always pure fiction.
Hang in there my friend – you will make it through all of this. You have a long way to go, and many years on earth to learn how to relax and enjoy your life. Some day you will even be helping others get over and through their anxiety problems.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I just recently have been taken off paxil 30 mg weened down i think way to fast and am now currently on lexapro 10 mg my anxiety level is threu the roof i am taking 1 mg klonopin 4x a day and still anxiety level and mood swings thru the roof getting another appt. with my psych got cancelled and now a have to wait another 2 wks for an appt i have some paxil left is it safe to start the paxil again and stop the lexapro please any good advice i would appreciate Thanks
August 19th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Great info here , i am looking forward for next posts , Great Blogs also.
Thanks
Roy
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
[...] can go on medication and go back off medication successfully and the side effects are not scary – just your mind will try and convince you that it’s [...]
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
[...] 1. see a doctor and except the temporary medication [...]
April 14th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Hi I am going to start taking pexeva which is the same as paxil. I am very nervous I had bad time with lexapro. I have EXTREAM anxiety and panic every day I just started xanax xr. 50 2 times daily. I am just so worried about taking the paxil because of the lexapro!! The lexapro gave me low heart rate and irregular beats also! My doc said I can take the paxil and xanax at the same time…..
March 21st, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Try to remember how you dealt with anxiety before the Paxil and ask yourself if you could handle being in a military training facility with that mindset.
Do you think you can handle that?
Follow your life flow naturally and don’t push anything. If you are meant to be in the military you will find a way to make everything work.
MAKE SURE YOU TELL YOUR RECRUITERS that you take Paxil and tell them why. Tell the Military people the WHOLE TRUTH and tell them these concerns.
You might not be meant to join – maybe you are.
Jacob
March 21st, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Hi! I’ve been taking Paxil for Panic attacks… 20mg per day. It has transformed my life.
However, I want to join the military and I am not allowed to be on any mood-altering medications…
I wonder if I’m done with Panic Attacks… I worry but I have to join the Army for my future! Anybody with suggestions, please email me… kirkdowning@hotmail.com … THANKS!
February 26th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Thank you very much for this helpful blog i am starting my generic paxil i currently take generic ativan as needed and hopin I won’t have to after the paxil kicks in. I am scared of trying paxil but I think the ativan will help me get thru my sleep at night. Thank you for your help and hope we can keep in touch,
Kelly
September 6th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
[...] When start taking your anti-anxiety medication don’t be afraid. It’s not something you have to take the rest of your life. It might only be for 6 months or a year. Don’t let all the Internet forums and blogs scare you into thinking that medication is a bad poison that the drug companies have crippled the public with. You can ween yourself off your medication the right way and move into the future anxiety free and medication…. [...]
June 11th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
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