Posted by Annie Freeman on February 14, 2000, at 11:04:07
I have had life-long problems with depression and panic-anxiety disorders. I've been the full range of seritonin family of drugs. Paxil saved my life five years ago and I have been on it every since. The dosage has ranged from 20 to 60 mg., depending on what I needed to control the anxiety. I find I get migraine headaches at higher dosages, so I stay there any longer than necessary. I have finally felt so well, I have tapered off over the past four months until I got down to 10 mg. per day. I finally quit altogether about five days ago. I've been off of it before, and I expected the flu-like symtoms and the dizziness. This time, however, it is so bad I cannot even look at my computer screen change without feeling like I will pass out. I have tingling in my hands and sort of a generalized anxiety. This anxiety is different than what I was being treated for. It's not really frightening, I just feel really jittery and like my skin is crawling. The worst part, though, has been the last three nights. I have terrible nightmares and yell out in my sleep. I have never experienced this before. How long will it last? Am I just losing it or is this a result of being on it for five years without a break? I felt really good on 10 mg and now I feel like I'm falling apart. Can just 10 mg. per day make that much difference? I'd would talk to my physician, but unless the drug company prints the side effects in the brochure, they don't seem to believe the exist.
poster:Annie Freeman
thread:21447
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000209/msgs/21447.html