Paroxetine - Does it mess with your head?

[WeakInside]

I've been on Paroxetine since November 2008.
At first it helped me in the long run with my panic attacks but now whenever I accidentally miss a dose or try to come off the drug, I get sick.

I suffer from the following withdraw symptoms:
* Nausea
* Light headedness
* Hypotension
* Increased/Irregular heartbeat
* Decreased appetite
* Exhaustion/Tiredness/No energy
* Weird dreams
* Headaches
* Dizziness

I would offered Lustral but I tried Lustral when I was 16 - 18 and it in increased my depression.

Diazepam helps but I do not want to become depend on it.

[Emphyrio]

Paroxetine is renowned for causing withdrawal symptoms like the ones that you're experiencing. This is also common with other antidepressants, especially those with short half-lives.

The best way to come off is very, very slowly - 10% of your current dosage every 3-6 weeks. It may take 18 months to 2 years to taper off this, but it seems to be a very effective taper method. Switching antidepressants can help, but sometimes all it does is gives you withdrawal effects from the drug you've come off, and start-up effects from the new one.

[smithci]

I have tapered off this twice with no withdrawal issues using a pill cutter

You can never cut accurately but I didn't matter for me

I did this by going from 20 mg a day 10 mg a day for 2 weeks....
Then 10 mg for 2 weeks
10mg a day 5mg a day 2 weeks
5 mg for 2 weeks
5 mg every other day
Stop ��

[KeeKee]

I have been Paroxetine free for around 10 days yet and had no withdrawal symptoms. Can it be normal to not have symptoms?
I was on 30mg, then cut to 10 for just under 3 week's until I stopped.

[smithci]

Yes everyone is different