Paxil Withdrawal? Please...I really need help.?!
Question: Paxil Withdrawal? Please...I really need help.?
So now, last Thursday, it has been officially two weeks that I had to stop cold turkey with my Paxil, 10mg. I had a seizure, and was sent to the ER for it, it was the first time I have ever had a seizure, it was pretty scary. So--the doctor at the ER said that it might have been Paxil, even though I've been on it for about four months with little to no troubles at all. I quit Paxil, just like that, because I was instructed to do so that way, honestly.
I went to go see my regular doctor about this, and she said I shouldn't have any withdrawal symptoms at all from this, since I was on such a low dose. Really? I haven't felt pretty horrible like this UNTIL I stop taking Paxil. And if it was my seizure--I don't believe it should last this long. I shake, my words slur, I can barely concentrate, I have mood swings like crazy (and no its not my PMS, haha), very irritable, I slept a LOT, I get very woozy and lightheaded and will have to lay down, and my left shoulder keeps cramping/spazzes on me like crazy even though I'm right handed.
Can someone help me? Do you think this is withdrawal symptoms--and if so how long will this last? It is utter Hell for me right now, and being a High School student (I'm 15 btw, about to be 16 in summer) this isn't what I need.
Anything is appreciated, and I thank you greatly in advance.
Answers:
I'm 24 now, I was 16 when they started me on Celexa. Then it was Prozac. Then Effexor XR. But the Effexor XR worked for me. And one day, at 22, I was switched from the brand to generic, and I went crazy. The doctors and pharmacists told me there was no difference between the two pills. I was having "brain zaps," depression, anxiety, sleep problems, weight gain, you name it. And still they told me, "You can't get withdrawal symptoms from Effexor." So finally I quit, cold turkey. It was like having the flu for 3 weeks, but I kept going. Then it was like being just kinda sick for another couple weeks. Then finally, it stopped. Of course, I was depressed by then, so it was hard to notice, but that's another story.
So what's the point of that story? Well, especially since you're only 15, it's reasonable to suspect that the Paxil is in fact the problem. 10 mg is not a high dose for an adult, but it's not FDA approved for use in people under 18. Despite what a lot of doctors say, doctors who are recently out of medical school or in the academic world now commonly prescribe Prozac whenever someone comes off any antidepressant (Prozac is the only FDA approved antidepressant for use in people under 18). Why? Because Prozac has a very long half life--7 to 9 days. That means the withdrawal symptoms are reduced if not relieved completely.
Now, from my internet reading (because I, too, wanted to make sure I wasn't going crazy), a lot of people say it takes a few weeks for the withdrawal symptoms to go away once you quit cold turkey. That was my experience. I don't know if I have a lot of advice except try and eat healthy, take vitamins, and focus on hobbies you like to encourage you through the tough times.
One thing I want to note is that you said you went to see your "regular doctor," which typically means a general practitioner. You may ask for a referral to a psychiatrist, who would be better at all this since they specialize in medications. It could also be important now that you've had a seizure.
Best of luck.
BA in Psychology (classes in neuroscience, neuropharmacology, neuropsychology, development, etc.)
It does sound like withdrawal symptoms, they usually will completely go away in a week or 2, maybe a little more than that but go to your docter and explain what happened and whats been happening. Good luck and God bless you!
I know this is going to sound insensitive, but smoke weed. I've gone through withdrawal as well as helped my brother through it and marijuana really did have a huge impact on the amount of pain involved. Hot baths also help. Anything to relax. Drinking tons of liquids is so important because you need to keep substances running through your body. Try to keep mentally calm because what went on inside my head during that time was worse than the physical impacts.
Just remember that when it is all over with you will come out a stronger person.