Withdrawing from PAXIL

Hey guys, I just want to know if anyone has themself withdrawn from paxil that has been on it longer than six months.

I have tried it about 3 times now since starting using it 5 years ago. But I usually get much worst than I am before ever on it when I stop using it so I can't help but go back.

This time I'm pretty serious about stop using it. I'm not saying I'm against anyone else using it but I thought I was to the point that I healthy enough to stop. And my doctor gave me the green light that he felt I was in tune with my body and that if I felt I didn't need it m week to week)

So I have been, and I have just got to the point where all I want to do is sleep now. Does anyone have any advice for how I'm suppose to keep up in work and school with going through these awful withdraw symptoms?

Did you have your dose lowered before quitting? I heard that was a good way to do it.
Idk. I was taking two medications and stopped them both. One was Paxil. I didn't have to work during withdrawl.

No I haven't, but very foolishly went off another medication a couple of times and got ill again. It's important to withdraw in stages and keep in regular touch with your health professional to monitor your progress.

I thought I was "better" and felt fine at first going off the medication but had a rebound effect of severe panic attacks. I never want to get anything like that again. The doctors have told me I have a chemical imbalance in my brain and will always have to take medication to control social anxiety and depression. I'm fine with that.

But I know some people wouldn't be happy with taking medications for the rest of their life so can't give advice that would apply to everybody here.

While I cannot give any advice to you that I draw from personal experience, I'll paste in a list of tips that are supposed to help with Paxil withdrawal. The site is http://www.quitpaxil.info/Main/advice.htm. Here's the list:

"- decrease your dosage slowly (check with your physician)
- if possible, book a couple of weeks off from work and send the kids to camp.
- don't be afraid to inform your friends and family if you find that the symptoms are noticeable to others.
- eliminate as many possible stressors in your life as you can, (e.g. finances, duties, chores) before starting withdrawal.
- find some kind of pleasant memory or thought which you can call upon in the darkest moment. This helps to provide context and hope to the struggle when it is most needed.
- surround yourself with means to distract yourself from the symptoms, e.g. books, films, games etc.
- if possible, engage in some physical activity (golf appears to be an efficient aid according to at least one visitor)
- stay away from recreational drugs, including alcohol.
- realize that there is an end to it.
- be in touch with your physician, if only for reassurance.
- to help you objectify the experience keep a written account of your the process."

I hope it helps. Check out the site; there's much more information there that's all specific to Paxil withdrawal, which, after reading a little about it, does seem significantly different than most other medication withdrawal. Hope it helps, and good luck with getting off the medication

they put on paxil when i was 13. i was in a psych hospital here in memphis... paxil had me tripping. ###$ with my mind.. i was on it for a month. i thank everything that i wasnt on it longer..but i was also on remeron to..

yes i have been off it for 6 months it is a bumpy ride if you would like to talk message me, i was on it for a couple years i made a thread concerning it.