Posted by JohnL on July 31, 1999, at 5:31:05
In reply to Going thru Paxil Withdrawal - Need Advice Please, posted by Melody on July 31, 1999, at 3:13:31
Melody, so sorry for such an unpleasant experience. Paxil isn't normally what someone would be prescribed for insomnia. I am surprised your doc didn't give you proper instructions for discontinuation, especially after your body has been used to the drug for two years. It would have been more appropriate, and a whole lot more comfortable, to drop down to 15mg for a week, then 10mg for a week (you can split Paxil, with a knife if you have to), then 5mg for a week, then 5mg every two days for a week, and then done. You probably would have had a slight light-headed feeling for about a week when finally done, but NOTHING like what you've experienced. The whole process would take 3 or 4 weeks, but isn't that miniscule compared to the two years?
If you are still having severe withdrawals, you might consider getting back on Paxil at say maybe 10mg and then continuing with the slow taper down. Your friend's opinion is just that-an opinion-and there are thousands of people whos lives have been saved with Paxil. I guarantee you their opinion is quite different. I hate to get critical of your friend or your doc, but situations like this really get me heated up, because you've been exposed to pain that didn't need to happen. I don't think your friend or your doc did you any favors here. But that's the past, can't change it. A slow taper down should be quite mild. Stopping an AD abruptly is not cool, can be dangerous, can be extremely uncomfortable, and is not standard practice. I am astounded at the doc's lax attitude about this.Please take care? JohnL.
poster:JohnL
thread:9428
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990726/msgs/9429.html