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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bill on January 5, 2000, at 12:30:26
i have a female relative, age 43, who has been on a relatively low dose of Paxil for a couple of years and is now trying to titrate off but has been unable to do so without miserable mood swings, sleeplessness,etc.--worse than than the moderate depression that led her to take the drug. How do you get off Paxil without going thru this; and if it's unavioidable, how long does it last and how can uyoun minimize it(anxiolytics during tapering/ or something)
Solid advise well-grounded in clinical experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Be well.
Bill
Posted by JohnL on January 5, 2000, at 18:24:15
In reply to how to get off Paxil, posted by Bill on January 5, 2000, at 12:30:26
I would first question why get off the Paxil? Whatever the reason, here are some ideas that are used clinically:
1. Take the Paxil every other day instead of daily while titrating. Or twice every three days.
2. Take Prozac for two or three days (build it up to replace the Paxil). Stop for three days. Take one more dose. Let it fizzle out. Prozac disappears from the system much slower than Paxil, allowing a smoother transition. One Prozac will last up to a week, where Paxil is only about a day or so. This method is used by doctors. Just get a prescrip for a few capsules of Prozac.
3. Treat the withdrawal symptoms with Benadryl or herbal teas.The withdrawal effects can take 2 to 4 weeks to subside. For me, with Paxil, it was about 1 1/2 weeks. I drank lots of calming herbal teas to help...passionflower, hops, valerian, chamomile. They did help.
But one has to wonder whether she is experiencing withdrawal effects, or a rapid return of a vengeful depression, which may be worse than it was previously. It's not abnormal at all for these things to worsen over time. The Paxil was keeping it in check. Hope it's just withdrawals, because those do go away. JohnL
Posted by Frank on January 6, 2000, at 11:37:21
In reply to Re: how to get off Paxil, posted by JohnL on January 5, 2000, at 18:24:15
John, why did you stop Paxil?
> I would first question why get off the Paxil? Whatever the reason, here are some ideas that are used clinically:
>
> 1. Take the Paxil every other day instead of daily while titrating. Or twice every three days.
> 2. Take Prozac for two or three days (build it up to replace the Paxil). Stop for three days. Take one more dose. Let it fizzle out. Prozac disappears from the system much slower than Paxil, allowing a smoother transition. One Prozac will last up to a week, where Paxil is only about a day or so. This method is used by doctors. Just get a prescrip for a few capsules of Prozac.
> 3. Treat the withdrawal symptoms with Benadryl or herbal teas.
>
> The withdrawal effects can take 2 to 4 weeks to subside. For me, with Paxil, it was about 1 1/2 weeks. I drank lots of calming herbal teas to help...passionflower, hops, valerian, chamomile. They did help.
>
> But one has to wonder whether she is experiencing withdrawal effects, or a rapid return of a vengeful depression, which may be worse than it was previously. It's not abnormal at all for these things to worsen over time. The Paxil was keeping it in check. Hope it's just withdrawals, because those do go away. JohnL
Posted by JohnL on January 6, 2000, at 15:13:56
In reply to Re: how to get off Paxil, posted by Frank on January 6, 2000, at 11:37:21
> John, why did you stop Paxil?
>Frank, I was on Paxil for a year. During that whole year my sleep was pretty bad and my sex life was a real chore. It was nearly impossible sometimes to have sex. At least half impotent, sometimes completely impotent. After a year it wore me down. I have to admit, Paxil was the best SSRI of them all for my melancholic type depression, but those darned sexual side effects were too much to bear. JohnL
Posted by Betty Boop on January 8, 2000, at 9:57:49
In reply to Re: how to get off Paxil - Frank, posted by JohnL on January 6, 2000, at 15:13:56
John, the side effects you experienced are quite common with Paxil, and are probably the reason most people go off of it. You gave good advice about tapering, but after your own experience, why would you question a person's motive for wanting to discontinue it?
> > John, why did you stop Paxil?
> >
>
> Frank, I was on Paxil for a year. During that whole year my sleep was pretty bad and my sex life was a real chore. It was nearly impossible sometimes to have sex. At least half impotent, sometimes completely impotent. After a year it wore me down. I have to admit, Paxil was the best SSRI of them all for my melancholic type depression, but those darned sexual side effects were too much to bear. JohnL
Posted by JohnL on January 8, 2000, at 12:58:29
In reply to Re: how to get off Paxil-John, posted by Betty Boop on January 8, 2000, at 9:57:49
> John, the side effects you experienced are quite common with Paxil, and are probably the reason most people go off of it. You gave good advice about tapering, but after your own experience, why would you question a person's motive for wanting to discontinue it?
Hi Betty. I was just curious, that's all. The reason for wanting to quit Paxil wasn't given, so I was just wondering. If it was side effects, I can sure understand that. Definitely. JohnL
This is the end of the thread.
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