Serious question, please read...

[ManicPanic247]

Is there any way i can get back at these companies for making SSRI's and not putting **** on the Label that it puts you through hell emtionally and PHYSICALLY when trying to stop????????? I'm trying to be strong but it is sooo hard. I only went down 10mg and 5-6 days later i feel these awfulll symptoms. this is almost ruining my marriage and i have no emotion, im depressed even more and i have 2 young kids, they need me, and i just want to feel like myself again thats why im trying to get off. id rather deal with panic/anxiety, than have all the others sypmptoms that paxil gives me as well. Please help, someone, anyone........What can i do here. It's not fair, am i right?

[bbest]

I had servere withdraws from paxil CR and ultimately is just made me into a weirdo. I felt like I was dazed 24/7 and it was hard for me to sleep. I still think I need an ssri but Paxil was definately horrable for me as well.

[margo1110]

I agree with cj29. The slower the better. I was on 10 mg Paxil for 7 years for depression and anxiety. At the time I started taking it my husband and I were having heavy duty marriage problems, and I was not coping well at all. My kids were young also. It did help alot in the beginning, although I had side effects like night sweats, slight nausea, and sometimes felt groggy. After about 2 years my husband and I had come a long way in resoving our issues and I felt I probably could stop the Paxil. Yea, right! I knew not to stop cold turkey so I just cut it in half at first. Within a couple of days I felt horrid! I got these weird brain snapping sensations, vomiting, couldn't sleep, and was extremely irritable. Went back to 10 mgs and within a few hours was fine. Got no help from the Dr. Was told "That shouldn't happen, Paxil isn't addicting" and " Well, maybe you really need it because of chemical imbalance in your brain so why stop?" O.K., so I kept taking it for 5 more years! Finally decided this was it, I'm sick of taking this every day and started cutting back by taking one every other day instead of daily. Kept doing that until I had absolutly no symptoms of withdrawal, about 2 weeks. Then cut back to 5 mg (just broke the pill in half) daily until no symptoms. Again, about 2 weeks, Then broke the half in half again until same scenario. This time it took about a month. Kept taking smaller amounts until I ended up taking just a crumb of the pill. All in all it took about 4 months to wean off it. But I did and felt great. I think I was just one of those people that was sensitive to the drug. Not everyone has to drag it out that long, but it worked for me. Definitly talk to your dr, maybe they could put you on a different med. that will work better for you. I personally think Paxil should be taken of the market. Just an opinion. Check out the web site quitpaxil.org, it might help you out. Hang in there! You will do just fine!    margo1110

[cj29]

I would have to agree with Nurse on this one.  Coming off of these medications can be very hard and many doctors will downplay its significance.  However, there is still plenty you can do.  My mantra has always been, "the slower the better."  Now, do not do it on your own, but get back with the doctor and tell him/her your concerns.  He/she will usually listen and slow down your taper.  When I first came off of Zoloft I was the same way and went back and expressed my concerns and started the taper twice as slow; and it really minimized the symptoms.  Furthermore, in my opinion, just like when you start them, it will only get better with time.  Keep us posted and hang in there!

[nursegirl6572]

Hi there.

I'm sorry you're going through this...it CAN be pretty rough, especially for some people.  The good news is...it doesn't last forever, you just have to try to hang in there the best you can...while, of course...keeping your doc in the loop.  If the symptoms do not start subsiding, or worsen, make sure you contact your doctor.

As for responsibility....the pharmacy where you got your medication would have provided you with an information sheet that lists all of the side effects, interactions, etc.  Basically, the OVERALL final responsibility lies with the patient to ask questions, learn about any medication they are prescribed, and to report any problems with that med to their doctor.

I totally agree that a lot of doctors do not specify important information about medications, which is why I have always encouraged people to educate themselves BEFORE starting any new medication, so that an informed decision can be made.

This is also why I am strong believer that a PSYCHIATRIST is the best doctor to prescribe these types of medications.  They tend to be much more thorough, are usually more updated on newer meds, as well as better versed in adverse reactions, since they obviously have a LOT more exposure to patients taking these meds. This is just general info...I have no idea what type of doc prescribed your med.

Please be sure to follow up with your doctor and as HARD as it is, keep in your mind that everything you are going through is temporary...it WILL get better with time.  And, there is nothing wrong whatsoever in communicating with your doctor that you wished he/she would have warned you about the withdrawal phenomenon.  Maybe he or she will be more descriptive from now on.

Best of luck.....hang in there...and please let us know how you are doing.

[cnote]

When I withdrew from lexapro... I was sick for about a week. Stomach bloating.. vomiting... just felt like I had the flu. It was bad.. but I managed it.. it got better and better. I know you can do it. Just hang in there.

[remar]

your right. it's not fair. i've weaned off several antidepressants and it is no fun at all. is this your first time doing that? it will get better, hang in there. i have a good dr. and he told me about weaning and withdrawal. alot of drs. don't tell you and they don't put it on the bottles. i hope you start feeling better soon. how long have you been weaning? take care. remar