Panic disorder caused by years on Paxil???

[Cat144]

  I was on Paxil for 7 years, 20 mgs.  I was on it for depression, and had never had panic attacks.

   10 months ago, a general practitioner took me off Paxil in four days.  I felt that Paxil wasn't working anymore for depression.  Then my body went haywire, constant panic all the time!!!  It's 10 months later and I'm still constantly panicky.  I've been 11 days on Celexa and praying it will kick in.

     My question is, did so many years on Paxil cause me to have panic disorder? Or did getting taken off Paxil way too soon without weaning cause panic disorder?  Or did the panic disorder develop on its own, while I was taking Paxil for those 7 years?

[Julie359]

Just thought i'd add it took me a rough total of 5 months to taper off completely and even then i had withdrawl with the brain zaps, i was on Paxil for 13yrs in total.

[Paxiled]

Me, too, folks, and I tapered off for six weeks.  Still ended up with ailments I never had.  The only solution may be to go back on the Paxil and taper off more slowly, but it's been awhile.  That's what happened to me, I didn't know it was withdrawal because my psychiatrist never told me and didn't do anything about it.

[cassandralee]

do not stop paxil!!!! my pcp did the same thing as i had been on it 10yrs and thought it wasnt working. she too had me take celexa. that lasted 8 days, i had the worst panic attacks and thought i was going to die. i went right back to paxil and saw a physciatrist who explained to me u can never cut paxil cold turkey. u have to ween urself off and that requires work, which right now im not strong enough for.

[Julie359]

OMG...what kinda doctor did u go to see?? Hun, this so called doc put ur health at risk, being on Paxil for several months let alone years should be weened off slowly not in a matter of days!!  He should of weened you off over a matter of months.  You stopping so suddenly has sent ur body into severe withdrawl and yes this is the cause of why you are getting this severe panic.  

If you didn't get panicky while on the Paxil it is very unlikely you developed a panic disorder while on it.  I truely believe ur doctor is fully responsible for ur current condition and i would seriously consider changing and even filing a formal complaint against him or her.  This could of been totally avoided with the proper withdrawl of your treatment.

You need to stand strong right now and fight to get the proper treatment you so deserve.  I wish you all the luck in the world and i hope that the med Celexa works and takes away this panic you are now suffering.  Plus remember DO NOT come off cold turkey, you need to take a few months to taper down slowly!!