paxil

[mindys253]

Hello, My name is Mindy. I have been on Paxil for over 25 years. Now I am having terrible fear, doom, dread that comes over me. I have experienced this every so often over the years but now It comes every day. My head gets this feeling as if it is stuffed with cotton.. I cannot stand this.. I am so lost... can anyone advice me. please, best, mindy

[Hidden]

Mindy, I hear you! I took Paxil for anxiety over 20 yrs without ever noticing an improvement regardless of dose. It made my mind numb. I finally found a doc who switched me to Lexapro and Wellbutrin. It’s a very small improvement. I believe that antidepressants changed the way I think over time and took something away from me. Kind of a numb and dumb feeling, cotton stuffed describes it perfectly. I’m tapering off slowly now and hope to be rid of them at some point. I’d rather suffer a bit for a while with hopes of regaining a clear mind and go with a more natural route of remedies. This is only my personal opinion. There are other options available now so hopefully you’ll get some good advice from others here regarding things they have tried with success. Wishing you all the best!

[mindys253 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much.. Good luck , let me know how it goes!!! Please go off the Paxil very slow.. do you have a plan, let me know, best mindy

[mindys253 in reply to Hidden]

Charliel, Hello, can you tell me how you did you're tapering.. how much how long etc???? thanks, mindy

[Hidden in reply to mindys253]

Sure, re: Paxil, was on 40mg for yrs. Went to 30 mg for a mo, then 20 for mo, then 10 and 5 mg. Took four months total. Switched to new antidepressant at end of 5 mg month on Paxil. Currently in similar process after 18 months on new antidepressants. It’s really difficult but I’ve stopped more addictive drugs than antidepressants so have been able to handle the hard days in decreasing the dose. Let me know if I can help or provide you with more details. It’s not easy but definitely doable and hopefully worth it in the long run. Keep me posted 👍💛

[mindys253 in reply to Hidden]

Charliel, I think for me I would take over a year and go slowwwwwwwww. I have heard horrible stories from too fast of a weaning.. I have been on 60 mg ( 30 twice a day) for a very long time,,,, When I started I was so hesitant that I was on 5 mg every other day for 3 weeks then would go up by 5 mg.... I am very sensitive to all meds.... Except it seems like all the great drugs I did in the 80's.. those were the days my friend.... any other advice please let me know.. thanks

[Hidden in reply to mindys253]

You may need a slower approach than I did. I took Paxil for almost 30 yrs but was at my wits end with it. I opted for the fast approach. A few year prior, I tapered down off Fentanyl for back pain (after 15 yrs on it). That was way worse!! Then, after stopping the Paxil, I stopped Klonopin (a benzodiazepine) after taking it for 30 yrs. Suffice to say the last 4-5 yrs have been one big withdrawal party for me. Go as slow as you need to especially if you’re med sensitive. My doc gave me options and I opted for quick and difficult since I was already used to being in drug withdrawal mode.😊

[mindys253 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much I also take Clonazepam, I can not believe how you tapered off Fentanyl!! How wonderful!!!! ox

[Starrlight]

I’m on Paxil and recently upped the dose and I’m doing okay but I do have times like you say with the doom and I panic in the morning when I wake up. I don’t know why maybe just part of anxiety… ? I guess it could be due to the Paxil… what do you think?

[mindys253 in reply to Starrlight]

Starrlight, maybe you just have to get used to the increase.. If it was me, I would switch to a different anti-depressant Paxil is the worst to get of,,, let me know.. best, mindy

[Starrlight in reply to mindys253]

Paxil works okay for me actually. Hmmm I’ve tried many others and this was one that worked ok for social anxiety and ocd.

[Nothing_but_books]

If it's not helping anymore and has unpleasant side-effects too, call your doctor.

Is there a reason your anxiety would be worse now?

[mindys253 in reply to Nothing_but_books]

No, not at all,, Thanks I Zoom her on Monday,, Hope you are well, best mindy

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mindys253]

Thanks, doing my best.

I hope your doctor gives you some help then.

[mindys253 in reply to Nothing_but_books]

me too.. oxoox

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mindys253]

Let us know?

[CLB1125]

after awhile a drug can stop helping. I would suggest talking to your doctor. Maybe it’s time to try something new. There are new options.

[mindys253 in reply to CLB1125]

Yes, I plan on that , thanks for your help . Hope you are doing well, best, mindy

[bethelbee]

Sounds like it's definitely time for a med change and/or other treatment option. They can and do lose effectiveness over time. I was on Prozac for about 10 years(started shortly after it came out late 80's) then it stopped working; was switched to Celexa and again same thing for about 10 years, then it was trial and error on different meds or combinations of them for quite a while. Some worked, some didn't . The last few I tried either didn't work or gave me bad side effects. I had become treatment resistant to them. Luckily my therapist recommended TMS(transcranial magnetic stimulation). For me it was a lifesaver, and literally at one point. I've had 3 rounds, the results of the first two each lasted about 6 months and the 3rd is still working after a year and a half. I am currently not on any meds except an occasional Ativan for anxiety. Obviously as with any treatment outcomes vary from person to person , but for me it's been a game changer. It's also a noninvasive treatment but does require a big time commitment. Hope you are able to find something that works for you! BTW, I am in my late 60's...

[mindys253 in reply to bethelbee]

bethelbee, Thank you so much the information, I'm sort of hesitant to try TMS.. I am so happy it worked for you..!!!Keep me updated if you like I am in my early 60's best, mindy

[bethelbee in reply to mindys253]

Just curious why you are hesitant to try it? I, personally wouldn't do ECT due to risk of memory loss(I know a couple people it happened to) nor would I ever try ketamine due to risk of serious side effects especially having other health issues , but I wouldn't tell others not to do it.

[LilyAnnepuppy]

I was on Paxil for 25 years. Then it stopped working. The nurse practitioner tried to get me off of it too quickly and I had a nervous breakdown. My doctor had to put me back on it and wean me off slowly. It took a year for my psychiatrist to find another combination of drugs that worked. But I’m stable now and doing fine.

Work closely with your doctor. Good luck.

[mindys253 in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

LilyAnnepuppy, I am so sorry for your experience.. I do know you have to take years to wean off the Paxil Sometimes these Dr's think they know all...I am glad you are doing beter.. keep me informed if you want. best, mindy

[designguy]

It could be that your hormones, thyroid or adrenals aren't functioning properly, if not they can cause or contribute to anxiety/depression is it's worth making sure they are. If you do a thyroid test it's best to have a full panel test done and not just the TSH.

[mindys253 in reply to designguy]

Thanks designguy!! Will do !!! best, mindy

[Lin1944]

Antidepressants can stop working if you have been taking the same ones for years. That happened to me with Duloxetine. My GP tapered me off them while introducing Mirtazapine. Mirtazapine working but the main downside is a big weight gain. Xx

[mindys253 in reply to Lin1944]

Lin1944, Thanks for the informationHope you are doing well best mindy...

[mindys253 in reply to mindys253]

oxoxooxox

[mindys253]

Hello, just want to thank everyone who took the time to email me back with information...I wish you all the best, and if anyone wants to stay in touch that would be nice, best to all, m indy

[Kinlay]

Talk to your doctor. The effectiveness of meds wanes over time as your body acclimates. You may need a higher dose - or to switch meds. Paxil worked amazingly for me for about ten years, and then it stopped, so I had to switch meds. Just be aware that coming of Paxil is EXTREMELY difficult and ask for a slow cross taper with any new med. Good luck!

[mindys253 in reply to Kinlay]

Thank you so much , best mindy