Posted by rgreene on July 9, 2000, at 18:44:51
In reply to Paxil and Effexor Withdrawal Strategies - Input ?, posted by SLS on July 9, 2000, at 16:47:34
I have attempted to discontinue Paxil 3-4 times with questionable success. Years ago, before anyone talked about it, I stopped cold turkey and experienced EXTREME vertigo, a feeling that my head was hollow, and irritability within two days after stopping. Later that week, came down with flu symptoms and was in bed for two weeks. Back on Paxil. The second time I slowly weaned down from 20mg to 10mg (duration of taper about three weeks) and anything lower than 10mg the above symptoms returned. I tried to "tough it out" and a week later was diagnosed with shingles. What is known about discontinuing and immune system compromise? Back on Paxil. The last two times I've tapered down slowly as above, then when withdrawl symptoms appear took 20mg Prozac either daily or every other day for 1-2 weeks. Both times, withdrawl symptoms returned (although admittedly minor in comparison) when Prozac was discontinued.
For the record, it's been approximately 7-8 weeks since I discontinued Paxil, and about 2-3 weeks since my last Prozac. Still have minor vertigo and that empty feeling in my head (at times, similar feelings to caffeine withdrawl). I'm starting to think 6 years of Paxil (about 3 years on 20mg, 2 years up to 30mg, and last at 40mg) had permanently altered my brain chemistry or neuroanatomy and I'll never return to normal functioning.
I realize I did not answer the question regarding how I successfully discontinued Paxil, but at least I've learned how to avoid the EXTREME withdrawl with a slow taper and then short-term use of a longer half-life SSRI (Prozac). Like I said, I'm learning to accept that I may have minor symptoms for the long-term.
poster:rgreene
thread:39898
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000708/msgs/39907.html