Withdrawal Symptoms from coming off Paroxetine!!

[SHYGIRLAJB]

Hi Everyone

How are you doing ?? ... Me not great , feeling absolutely horrendous... I used to be on Paroxetine until Monday 30th , which was the last day ...

Well , I just don't know what to think, I didn't think it would be this bad ... I'm wondering if I have come of it to quickly , judging from what I read , you are meant to tapering off by 10% .

Is anyone else have come off or coming off their meds ? How did you feel , how long did the symptoms last for ?? ... What kind of side effects did you have..


TIA ...

[panic_down_under]

I'm wondering if I have come of it to quickly

Possibly. Paroxetine is one of the two antidepressants many find most difficult to quit. The problem is it has a very short half-life and no active metabolite so withdrawal symptoms can set in very quickly.

How much were you taking and how did you taper off, or did you just stop taking it? Was this done with your doctor's approval, or was it your idea?

[SHYGIRLAJB]

Possibly. Paroxetine is one of the two antidepressants many find most difficult to quit. The problem is it has a very short half-life and no active metabolite so withdrawal symptoms can set in very quickly.

How much were you taking and how did you taper off, or did you just stop taking it? Was this done with your doctor's approval, or was it your idea?

The mental health team and my Drs suggested decreasing my meds in 10mg intervals ... Here is a list ... The side effects whilst I was reducing the meds wasn't too bad ... Just feeling sick and some headaches ..

17/08/2016 - changed paroxetine to 50mg
04/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 40mg
11/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 30mg
18/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 20mg
25/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 10mg
30/01/2017 Last paroxetine 10mg


Trouble is , I thought I was tapering off , but I don't know ... hmm

[panic_down_under]

The side effects whilst I was reducing the meds wasn't too bad ... Just feeling sick and some headaches ..

What symptoms are you having now?


17/08/2016 - changed paroxetine to 50mg
04/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 40mg
11/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 30mg
18/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 20mg
25/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 10mg
30/01/2017 Last paroxetine 10mg


For most SSRIs this would be a reasonable taper, but for paroxetine I think dose reductions of only 5mg per week would have been better, especially for the final 20mg.

[Mermaid16]

Hi! I'm tapering off Sertraline. I was on 100mg for over 10 years and it stopped working and the anxiety returned. I tapered down to 50mg which was quite difficult. Anxiety through the roof, emotional felt like I was losing my mind. Swapped psychs, who then increased me to 200mg, which I couldn't tolerate, so have tapered back down to 50 which was quite easy. After I got to 100, I tapered 12.5mg per week. All was good until I dropped under 50. Now I'm really feeling it again. Which sucks because I have actually been feeling quite good. Mainly feeling nauseas, a bit dizzy, increased anxiety and feeling a bit down. Trying to just remind myself that this will pass and too be patient with it. I kind of want to get it over and done with so think I will keep dropping weekly. Hope you start to feel better soon. You will get through this. Remember this is just your brain and body adjusting to not having that drug any longer. I guess the same way you have start up side effects when you start, then you have the same when you taper off. Not fun, but millions of other people have done it, so I'm sure we can make it too. Xx

[SHYGIRLAJB]

What symptoms are you having now?



For most SSRIs this would be a reasonable taper, but for paroxetine I think dose reductions of only 5mg per week would have been better, especially for the final 20mg.

The symptoms now , well they are just awful , worst I've ever had ... Feeling , dizzy , sick , more emotional, sweating etc , tummy totally upset , agitated, can't sleep, keep seeing things running across the table , sofa at the corner of my eye ... The aches and pains , they are so painful and can't get comfortable... :unsure:

[panic_down_under]

The symptoms now , well they are just awful , worst I've ever had ... Feeling , dizzy , sick , more emotional, sweating etc , tummy totally upset , agitated, can't sleep, keep seeing things running across the table , sofa at the corner of my eye ... The aches and pains , they are so painful and can't get comfortable... :unsure:

You could try going back onto a small dose - 5-10mg - of fluoxetine (Prozac) for a week followed by half for another week, then stopping. This should ease most of the side-effects, and because fluoxetine has a very long half-life, about 6 days for the drug itself and 16 for its active metabolite it is effectively self-tapering taking a couple of months to be completely metabolized and excreted. Your doctor may have samples s/he can give you. This is a common tactic for those finding quitting venlafaxine (Effexor) difficult. It can be even harder to quit than paroxetine.

Other that that all you can do is treat the symptoms, painkillers for the aches and pain, common remedies for the stomach issues, etc. The worst of these symptoms should begin diminishing soon.

[SHYGIRLAJB]

OMFG , can't stand these symptoms anymore, so I decided to ring up my Drs to make an appointment, well... There are none available for at least 2 weeks ., that is to see anyone.. My dr said you have to ring up each day at 8:30am and that doesn't guarantee you an appointment.. I mentioned to the receptionist that my dr said she will ring me .. Have to wait as my dr isn't at work today ... :weep:

[panic_down_under]

There are none available for at least 2 weeks ., that is to see anyone

Surely they leave a few slots available each day for urgent cases. I suggest you try again and explain this is an emergency. If this still gets you nowhere try A&E at the nearest hospital.

[SHYGIRLAJB]

Surely they leave a few slots available each day for urgent cases. I suggest you try again and explain this is an emergency. If this still gets you nowhere try A&E at the nearest hospital.

Will have to wait until Monday now.. I won't go to A&E as it's not as if I'm going to harm myself or what not ...They are stretched enough and I don't fancy sitting in a crowded room for 4 hours or so ... I'm socially awkward and I don't do crowded places as it will cause great anxiety ..

---------- Post added at 21:19 ---------- Previous post was at 21:18 ----------

Thanks all for replying , I'm stressed out and I'm venting ...

[BikerMatt]

The mental health team and my Drs suggested decreasing my meds in 10mg intervals ... Here is a list ... The side effects whilst I was reducing the meds wasn't too bad ... Just feeling sick and some headaches ..

17/08/2016 - changed paroxetine to 50mg
04/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 40mg
11/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 30mg
18/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 20mg
25/01/2017 Changed dose Paroxetine 10mg
30/01/2017 Last paroxetine 10mg


Trouble is , I thought I was tapering off , but I don't know ... hmm

Wow in my opinion that's way to fast a taper. These so called professionals should know better and should be shot! They haven't a clue and it makes me so f*cking angry! 40mg to 0mg in four weeks jeez!:shrug::shrug:

I tapered off paroxetine over eleven months and that was hard enough. No wonder you feel crap.

Good luck! You really need a much slower taper.

[Dave1]

Hi,
I've been on and off Paroxetine and the taper you did seems too fast to me too. I find it unacceptable the doc gave you that quick taper and now won't see you!! I don't think A & E will help you either. Maybe you should try a private or NHS walk-in centre that has a doctor service.

[SHYGIRLAJB]

Hi,
I've been on and off Paroxetine and the taper you did seems too fast to me too. I find it unacceptable the doc gave you that quick taper and now won't see you!! I don't think A & E will help you either. Maybe you should try a private or NHS walk-in centre that has a doctor service.

There are no appointments available to see my Dr ... Im wondering if the reason she didn't call back is because she said she was going to do some research on what meds I have been on etc She wasn't at work yesterday when I phoned .. I don't think we have a walk in centre ... I dunno , it's all arghhh .., Trouble is if I see a different Dr , or in one of those walk in centres, they don't know the full story ? What meds I've tried etc ...

[Dave1]

I wouldn't worry about seeing a new doctor, you're just looking for a quick fix to alleviate the withdrawal until you next see your own doctor.

[SHYGIRLAJB]

I wouldn't worry about seeing a new doctor, you're just looking for a quick fix to alleviate the withdrawal until you next see your own doctor.

Yeah , I will have to demand to see someone when I ring tomorrow..

[Mr DJ]

Hi SHYGIRL

I feel your pain.

I am currently weaning myself off Paroxetine. Its hellish !!!

I recently made a concerted effort to get off the meds.

Over a couple of months went from 30mg down to 10mg. I then made a too big a jump down to 5mg.

It was too fast of a drop and I suffered horrible withdrawl symptoms. I unsuccessfully tried to tough it out but ended up going back up a dose to 20mg.

I stabilised on 20mg for a couple of months and am now on week 5 on 17.5mg.

Every piece of advice I have seen from sufferers has been to take it very very slowly.
Tapering at 10% of your current dose at each dosage drop. Stabilise on the current dose for at least a month before dropping again.
It is a long and sometimes hard process but it seems the best way.

I am a member of a support group on Facebook for people withdrawing from Paroxetine/Seroxat/Paxil
I have found it very useful. You may too
I cant post the link because I have not made enough comments yet !! LOL
I will get back to you soon with the link.


Stay strong. Dont be afraid to go back on a higher dose for a while to feel better.
best wishes and good luck !!!

[panic_down_under]

Over a couple of months went from 30mg down to 10mg. I then made a too big a jump down to 5mg.
best wishes and good luck !!!

Tapering off paroxetine is difficult, especially once at low doses, because of its short half-life and lack of an active metabolite which can produce a yo-yo effect as the med cuts in and out. Switching to the very long half-life fluoxetine (Prozac) and weaning off it can be much easier.

[Mr DJ]

Hi P-D-U

Thanks for that.

I am learning this to my cost. LOL

My plan is to get back down to 10mg again then start cross tapering onto something else. Possibly not Prozac though.

[panic_down_under]

My plan is to get back down to 10mg again then start cross tapering onto something else. Possibly not Prozac though.

You don't need to reduce the paroxetine dose to 10mg before switching to another antidepressant. Changing to an equivalent dose of another SSRI can usually be done overnight with minimal side-effects. Cross tapering is the better option when switching between SSRIs and SNRIs or TCAs.

[Mr DJ]

I dont fancy another SSRI.
My experience with Paroxetine has been pretty challenging.

[panic_down_under]

I dont fancy another SSRI.
My experience with Paroxetine has been pretty challenging.

I wouldn't judge the other SSRIs by paroxetine. And if you're thinking about trying a SNRI stay well clear of venlafaxine (Effexor) and, to a lesser extent, its metabolite desvenlafaxine (Pristiq). The venlafaxine withdrawal can be in another league compared to paroxetine.

[Mr DJ]

Thanks for the info.
Very helpful thank you

[SHYGIRLAJB]

Hi SHYGIRL

I feel your pain.

I am currently weaning myself off Paroxetine. Its hellish !!!

I recently made a concerted effort to get off the meds.

Over a couple of months went from 30mg down to 10mg. I then made a too big a jump down to 5mg.

It was too fast of a drop and I suffered horrible withdrawl symptoms. I unsuccessfully tried to tough it out but ended up going back up a dose to 20mg.

I stabilised on 20mg for a couple of months and am now on week 5 on 17.5mg.

Every piece of advice I have seen from sufferers has been to take it very very slowly.
Tapering at 10% of your current dose at each dosage drop. Stabilise on the current dose for at least a month before dropping again.
It is a long and sometimes hard process but it seems the best way.

I am a member of a support group on Facebook for people withdrawing from Paroxetine/Seroxat/Paxil
I have found it very useful. You may too
I cant post the link because I have not made enough comments yet !! LOL
I will get back to you soon with the link.


Stay strong. Dont be afraid to go back on a higher dose for a while to feel better.
best wishes and good luck !!!

My last Paroxetine was on the 30 January , and still gave bad symptoms, the worst is the dizziness, feeling sick etc .... Just feel extremely drunk and my eyes find a hard time to focus , it's worse when I'm am standing , but bending well so much worse ... Just sick of these symptoms... I was hoping they would have gone by now ... I am on another antidepressant now , duloxetine... My dr doesn't really know what to do next .... Have to wait for an appointment with the mental health team who will decide ....