Paxil

[Guest guest]

Hi

I've been on Paxil or the generic (20 mg) for approximately 12

years. At the time I had just gotten out of a multi-year

relationship and the doctor put me on Paxil for depression.

I had been on the wrong thyroid medicine (underactive) for 16

years. Another reason doctors put people on this stuff. The

underactive thyroid mimics many symptoms of depression. The latter

part of last year I lost about 50 lbs and felt so much better so

November of 2005 I halved my Paxil dosage to 10 mg. In March I

decided to go down to 1/3 of the 20 mg dose and wasn't doing well on

that dosage. Since the end of April I've gone cold turkey. I have

the dark thoughts, depression, anxiety and feel sooo overwhelmed but

am dealing with it. I'm also getting alot less sleep. I can't shut

the wheels off in my head when it's so quiet. The dizziness is gone

for the most part.

Ok, here's the question. Traveling has always been stressful. The

thought of it makes me panicky. I have to travel at the end of

July. I'm wondering if I should go back on paxil and maybe try

getting off it until after I return. I don't want to go thru all

this for nothing.

Thanx for your help

p.s. I forgot how beautiful and cathartic music is!!!!

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

You said:

I've been on Paxil or the generic (20 mg) for approximately 12

years. At the time I had just gotten out of a multi-year

relationship and the doctor put me on Paxil for depression.

I had been on the wrong thyroid medicine (underactive) for 16

years. Another reason doctors put people on this stuff. The

underactive thyroid mimics many symptoms of depression. The latter

part of last year I lost about 50 lbs and felt so much better so

November of 2005 I halved my Paxil dosage to 10 mg. In March I

decided to go down to 1/3 of the 20 mg dose and wasn't doing well on

that dosage. Since the end of April I've gone cold turkey. I have

the dark thoughts, depression, anxiety and feel sooo overwhelmed but

am dealing with it. I'm also getting alot less sleep. I can't shut

the wheels off in my head when it's so quiet. The dizziness is gone

for the most part.

Ok, here's the question. Traveling has always been stressful. The

thought of it makes me panicky. I have to travel at the end of

July. I'm wondering if I should go back on paxil and maybe try

getting off it until after I return. I don't want to go thru all

this for nothing.>>

** Are you currently on any other drug, psychotropic or otherwise? If

so, please tell me which ones and the doses (I realize you are taking

thyroid medication).

How's your health in general?

If I were to suggest going back on Paxil it wouldn't be because of the

trip. It would be because going off the way you did can leave a person with

problems that can last many years or even the rest of your life.

In most cases, there is a window of opportunity when the drug can be

reinstated. After that, in most cases, a person cannot properly metabiloze

the drug as they once did. The time frame is within 6 weeks of having

stopped it.

12 years is a very long time to take a drug. In 99 out of 100 cases, a

person does escape this with just several weeks of withdrawal. You added

insult to injury when you suddenly discontinued this drug.

I'm not getting a really clear picture of all your symptoms. Could you

list them please?

Are you currently taking any nutritional supplements? If so, names and

doses?

Thanks.

Regards,

(list owner)

" Human beings, who are almost unique in having

the ability to learn from the experience of others,

are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination

to do so. "

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