Paroxetine withdrawal symptoms

[Swigham2]

I have tapered off of paroxetine and took my last dose however I have started getting brain zaps and got flushes. I researched using 5HTP to help with withdrawal symptoms. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work for them?

[_Alex_]

Can't comment on that one.

The things I have seen mentioned as helpful in the case of Venlafaxine withdrawal (especially nasty, but Paroxetine also has a reputation for being bad in withdrawal) are omega 3 fish oil, and Benadryl / Diphenhydramine.

[Swigham2 in reply to _Alex_]

Thank you for your response Alex. I will give those a go. It’s the brain zaps that are so disorienting even after tapering over a 2 month period as recommended by my doctor

[_Alex_ in reply to Swigham2]

Omega 3 is said to help with brain zaps.

Note that the UK version of Benadryl may contain other ingredients, but I think you can still get diphenhydramine from a pharmacist here.

[_Alex_ in reply to Swigham2]

Quoting:

withdrawal.theinnercompass....

Some have reported that adding Omega-3 as a supplement can assist in reducing symptoms. If you’re sensitized to supplements, trying to get as much Omega-3 in whole food such as salmon may be a good alternative.

Some also report that Vitamin B-12 can help.

[Swigham2 in reply to _Alex_]

I already take Omega 3 for my AS but will definitely try benydryl

[Lizziedee]

Hi Swigham, I was on paroxetine for over 10 years but my tapering gave me no problems at all, I am now however coming of mirtazapine which has given me all these horrible symptoms. I have a weird sensation over my scalp, palpitations and hot flushes. I tell myself these are just withdrawl symptoms and will pass. I know it’s terrifying and every symptom feeds the panic. I hope you feel better soon.

[Swigham2 in reply to Lizziedee]

Thank you for comment Lizziedee, I have been 4 days free of Paroxetine and the brain zaps although only seconds long can be intense and distracting. How long do they last? I hope you start feeling better soon, withdrawal is not easy and I applaud anyone who preserves and comes out the other side 😊

[Lizziedee in reply to Swigham2]

I was only off the paroxetine for 2 days before starting the mirtazapine, You should start to feel a bit better soon. It’s scary and you feel so lost, are you starting a new medication? I do know however that when I was coming off pain medication due to addiction (4 years clean) I had really bad withdrawl symptoms which lasted about a week after I came off of them. So you should start to feel a bit better soon.

[Swigham2 in reply to Lizziedee]

Hi Lizziedee, no I’m not going on to anything else, my depression has faded and I felt ready to come off my ADs. I spoke to my doctor who agreed and talked me through the taper program, so I followed the program and took my last one Wednesday night. I have heard that pain med addiction is hard to kit so congratulations of your 4 years sobriety. I try not to take meds if it can be helped but have to take biologics for my AS

[Phantasma32 in reply to Swigham2]

I have just come off Paroxetine and going on to Mirtazapine. My GP said reduce Paroxetine immediately from 30mg daily to 20mg daily for 4 days. Take 15mg Mirtazapine at night for the same 4 days and then stop the Paroxetine. I’m now day 5 with no Paroxetine. I feel terrible. Brain zaps are pretty much constant. Dizzy, nauseous, headache and lethargic. Not sure whether to persevere or go back to GP. How did you get on in the end?

[Thissucks37]

It can take weeks and even months to feel back to normal. The brain zaps won’t remain as intense but still be there for awhile. I used gravol (which is a motion sickness drug) in small doses to get me through it. Effexor and Paxil were the worst. But you can do it!

[Swigham2 in reply to Thissucks37]

Thanks for the advise, I will do some research on Gravol as I haven’t heard of it before 😊 Are you off ADs completely now? How is your life without them?

[robthespur]

Hi, yes I was on Paroxetine for some time. But because of the bad press it's earned over the years and with the suggestion by my GP that I change to another med I agreed. It was not easy, but by gradually decreasing the dose over a year I finally succeeded. I am now on Mirtazapine which is working, the only side effect I have found is that It improves appetite, making it easy to put on weight. Also it's taken at night before bed as it's been found to cause drowsiness. Good luck, but if you can and believe me it's not easy do try to withdraw. But obviously it's a decision for both you and your GP.