Re: Paxil Withdrawal but......... switching to Zoloft

[Guest guest]

I'm on my 2nd day of 5mg. of Paxil and still adding the

Zoloft.

This makes me shudder. This is such a bad idea, I can't tell you. Paxil withdrawal is pure HELL!!! No, wait, I take that back. HELL IS BETTER!!!! I weaned off slowly from 20 mgs and had withdrawals for over two years afterwards. Did you say why you're getting off of it if it worked so well? Were you suicidal before or after taking the Paxil??

Blind Reason

a novel of espionage and pharmaceutical intrigue

Think your antidepressant is safe? Think again.

[Guest guest]

Like many others, when I tried to

> get off of Paxil before, even when slowly tapering off, I was

> unsuccessful, experienced horrible withdrawal and my doctor told me

> that there was no way I had any withdrawal symptoms as she tapered

me

> off slowly. After making it from 40mg to 20mg and being on Paxil

for

> over 10 years, another doctor thinks that it may be time for a

switch

> as I am not getting it's full effects any longer. About 2 weeks

ago

> I began the taper while introducing 100mg of Zoloft at the same

> time.

Amy...this is EXACTLY what MDs told me for 10 years while they

switched me from SSRI to SSRI...I have taken them ALL. I wish I had

NOT. The longer I took them, the more " symptoms " i developed.

Symptoms of everything from SEVERE anxiety, to SEVERE dizziness, to

brain Zaps, to EXTREME irritability and EXTREME activity. I never

had these " symptoms " before these drugs.

I was ALWAYS told by my very " knowledgable " MDs when I tried to get

off that I was " returning to depressed symptoms " and " I am not

getting its full effect any longer " so ...here is another drug I want

you to try.

I WISH I HAD NEVER EVER BELIEVED THEM...They have not a clue. My

lifestyle is now severely affected and I am still struggling with

withdrawal (I am totally drug free now for one month and counting).

I cannot tell you what to do and I have no idea what your background

is, but your story as accounted above, is VERY similar to mine.

Terry

[Guest guest]

Amy,

I agree with Terry. It is also similar to my experience. I am 2 1/2

months off Lexapro and the symptoms of withdrawal are still severe.

I won't even make any assessment of my mental health until I have

been drug free for at least a year. These last 2 months during

withdrawal, I have had doctors try and diagnose me with all kinds of

things, things no one ever even mentioned before withdrawal. The

symptoms of withdrawal can/will mimic other disorders, but it is

just the brain trying to reorganize and heal. I can't tell you what

to do and I want you to be safe, but I also want you to be informed

and to experience as little hell as possible. Basically for me I

just have to grit my teeth, remind myself my symptoms are from

withdrawal, and know that drug free is better than drugged and I can

make it through this withdrawal.

Good Luck and Stay Safe. This board is a great resource. I am glad

you are here.

nyia

> HI! Thanks for the invite into. the group. It really does help to

> know that there are many others out there who know and understand

> exactly what you're going through. Like many others, when I tried

to

> get off of Paxil before, even when slowly tapering off, I was

> unsuccessful, experienced horrible withdrawal and my doctor told

me

> that there was no way I had any withdrawal symptoms as she tapered

me

> off slowly. After making it from 40mg to 20mg and being on Paxil

for

> over 10 years, another doctor thinks that it may be time for a

switch

> as I am not getting it's full effects any longer. About 2 weeks

ago

> I began the taper while introducing 100mg of Zoloft at the same

> time. I have to admit, not as bad as before but the symptoms are

> still there. I'm on my 2nd day of 5mg. of Paxil and still adding

the

> Zoloft. I defintitely agree I need to be on something. Almost

ended

> up in a Psychiatric hospital more than once in the past. Paxil

did

> work very well for me at one time. Just wish that it didn't have

all

> of the side effects to go with it. Thanks for listening and any

and

> all suggestions are welcomed. Amy

[Guest guest]

> Terry,

> How are you doing it with no medication? I fell as if I would end

up

> in a very bad place. Are there alternatives that help with the

> anxiety and depression? Let me know! Amy

Amy...You asked how I am doing with no medication. Two things: With

regard to the symptoms I was ORIGINALLY put on SSRI meds over 10

years ago (sleepless and mild depression) I am doing GREAT...No

depression and I am sleeping most nights.

However, b/c of all the meds I have taken, I have symptoms

(neurological) that MDs cannot explain. I have had an MRI. Nothing

ever shows up. i am VERY sure that all these medications caused

these problems.

I tend to be a very wired anxious and obsessive person and Yes, there

are alternatives. I am learning right now what works for me. I

think this path may be individual to each person.

This list has made some great suggestions about nutrition (vitamins

and diet, etc) that has been very helpful. I hope you don't do what

I did and wait even longer b/f deciding to get off these drugs.

I was convinced that only these drugs would keep me from being

anxious, help me sleep, etc etc. I did not want to face the

alternative, i.e. life without these drugs.

Now that I am drug free, I am SO GLAD I did. I am NEVER going back.

When I get anxious and sleepless and feel low, I just remember that

IT WILL PASS and I tell myself IT WILL PASS and it does. I also have

some very good hobbies.

I also tell myself that I am not facing death so it cannot be THAT

BAD...LOL!! This one really helps.. Hope this helps and if you want

to get off these meds, this list will be VERY helpful

Terry