Getting off Aropax (paroxetine)

[sorova]

Just some info for those thinking of comping off this anti-depressant. I was given it in error a long time ago (maybe 2004) and stayed on it till 2018!! I wasn't really depressed in the first case though I do get anxious. In fact there was something wrong with my heart causing my symptoms and not depression and eventually I decided to come off. I was on 20mg. First better to talk with a doctor before coming off but in my case I did it alone. I cut the tablet with a blade and went down to 75% for a month then 50% for another month. Then for the final month I went 25% and then jumped to zero. I did notice some effects but nothing serious. My libido returned with a vengeance and the doctor congratulated me and said it was horrible stuff and better off it. If I was ever to be on another similar drug then there were better ones. It caused dizziness in me and when I reduced the amount I heard like crackling or buzzing in my head. After stopping it took about a week and I consider myself totally clear. Of course I did not have depression since I never had it in the first place anyway. Turned out I needed a pacemaker, that I had electrical faults in my heart that caused symptoms that looked like a panic attack.

[Mary-intussuception]

Well done you xxx ♡

[Marz]

Great story ! Hopefully your thyroid treatment is optimal as the heart needs a good dose of T3 ... 😊

[teenarocks]

I also spent 15 years on antid's starting with paroxetine. They were given to me because of all my irritability and anxiety which I now know was due to being undermedicated for hypothyroidism. They put me in a state of level emotion, no highs, no lows. I didn't shed a tear for 15 years. I came off by myself and it was very difficult. I was on paroxetine the longest, 12 years, but then was on 3 others as they all had side effects. I'm so glad to be off of them and continuously seeking optimal treatment for Hashimoto's.

[sweetsusie in reply to teenarocks]

I know the feeling, teenarocks! Same here. I would never take any of these drugs again!

[humanbean]

Congratulations on getting off paroxetine! I hope you feel better and better as time goes on.

[sweetsusie]

That is the hardest one to wean off of, I believe, and I've been on a lot of them throughout the years. Electric brain shocks for months afterwards and rebound depression, but I managed to finally come off. I will NEVER AGAIN take any of these antidepressants! The doctors don't bother to tell you what happens to your libido..your emotions...or the terrible side effects you'll get when trying to wean off! They are terrible! Good for you for beating them!