I too decided to take myself off of paxil,and did I ever have a rough time of it. I had the zapping of my face mainly, vertigo, nausea, visual disturbances, lack of concentration, nightmares, palpitations and I actually thought that I was having mini seizures. This drug is the most awful thing anyone can do for onself.

I have only been taking Paxil CR for about 4 mths,the only side effect I can say I experinced from taking the drug was excessive yawning and going from having a very healthy sex drive to having none at all. Right before the Christmas Holidays, my precription ran out and I decided not to worry about it because my husband thinks that the drug was effecting our sex life (I have no sex drive anymore) so I told him I would stop taking it to see if it worked and besides I couldnt get it filled because my doctor's office is closed due to the holidays. I have been 4 days without the drug, I have started having real bad headaches, chills (no fever) and feeling dizzy while I am sitting down! Tunnel vision, my whole body itches and the nausea is so bad.. I also found myself getting VERY ANGRY over nothing today, I almost hurt my little boy today! So I decided to go online to see if my NOT taking the paxil was the problem, BOY WAS I AMAZED!! I am so MAD at my doctor for putting me on this drug. The drug actually helped with the problems I was having to cause me to take the drug, angry outburst, road rage, depression, ect. Now I know it is the withdrawels from this drug that is causing me to feel this way, the withdrawels are horriable! From what I have read tonight, I am not so sure if I should quit taking the drug. My symtoms are only going to get worse. I only wish I would have asked more questions about this drug before I started taking it. I am really scared. Please advise me of what I should do, thank you for your time

I am glad I read this. I had very bad side effects while I was taking it and now that I stopped taking it, it is even worse.

the dr put me on effexor i stayed sick could not eat so not he put me on lexapro i have not takin it yet because of all the side aff i was thinkin about paxil what do you think about paxil?

Paxil and most anti-depressants are well known for having withdrawl effects. If you had spoken to your physician about coming off of this drug or any other drug, he/she would have recommended weaning off. Even a pharmacist would do the same. It is bizarre to me that a supposed Alcohol/Drug Counselor would not know this. If a person had been drinking for months or years on end and they suddenly stopped drinking, they would suffer from withdrawl. I am not necessarily a supporter of Paxil, but please also be aware that all drugs have side-effects. And, different people suffer differently.

I agree with what you say. The problem is that in our society "good drugs" and "bad drugs" are painted in an entirely different light. When you see the end of a Zoloft commercial it states "Zoloft is not habit forming."
There are millions of dollars pushing the sales of Paxil and other drugs like it. SSRIs such as Paxil are known to cause problems.

Now we are also pushing so less fine print needs to be given.

i sure am glad to read your site! i was considering going off paxil-cr due to the sexual side effects, but now i do not know what is worse: having no sexual desire or suffering all the side effects that i just read! i am also very upset that my physician did not mention this to me. i wanted to consider wellbutrin-xl or serzone. i do not know now. thanks for listening...

I had taken paxil 20mg for two years for panic disorder. The only side effects I experienced were dry mouth, throat tightness, and slight weight gain. These subsided after adjusting to this medication. I decided to taper of to 10mg and eventually stop altogether. I felt fine and hadn't experienced a panic attack for a year and a half. Withdrawal was moderate to severe and eventually overcame the malaise after four to five days. I managed fine for six months without paxil, but questioned how long it takes for paxil to completely leave your body. I pondered this because sexually my orgasms were still delayed. Around the six month this delay began to disappear as if I was back to normal sexually. This is when I began to feel chest tightness, tremors, weight loss, fatigue, dizziness, etc... I've continued to feel these symptoms for the past seven months despite normal bloodwork, no STDs, no cancer, no viral infections, etc... My doctor has advised me to start taking Paxil again and I'm willing to try because these symptoms are too much to deal with. Unfortunately, I'm worried that my body is dependent on this medication. I read that it takes up to two years for your body to completely eliminate the residue of these medications because of it's presence in fat cells. Similar to alcohol withdrawal and detoxing. Thanks for reading and good luck to you all!!!

I STARTED TAKING THIS DRUG 2 DAYS AGO AND THEN I FOUND THIS SITE, AND IM GOING TO QUIT WHILE IM AHEAD I DONT WANT ANY PART OF THIS, "F**K THAT" I RATHER SMOKE CRACK!!!!!!

I started taking paxil 3 days ago and I am with james I dont want any part of this I am not taking this anymore. I did not want to take this but my doctor really thought it would help. I do not like anything that changes the brain . how do they know what missing in your brain when they dont test to see.

My daughter who was 14 was on 35mg Paxil last year. while she was on this medicine she started having fainting spells. After being on the meds for 3 months she started having seizures. These seizures were very severe. After having one she would lose her speech and be very tired, and she didn't have any memory as to what happened except that she was exhausted. She was checked for siezures and the neurologist came up empty. The doctors said that Paxil could not cause these type of side effects but I disagree. We weaned her off the meds. and she still had seizures but you could see that they were getting less severe and less often. It took about 5 months to get this out of her system. Do you think that it could have been the Paxil even that the doctors say it wasn't? All I can say is that I am very glad that she isn't on anything and is doing just fine without them and no re-occuring symptoms.

Yeah, I have been of paxil for a year now, and I can still remember how awful those first months off were. I had only taken it for around 2 months maybe less, when my mother ran out of money for the medication, or to even see the doctor anymore. I as forced to quit completely cold turkey. After the first 2 months, the extreme headaches stopped, also I had "night terrors" as I have seen them called, pretty much, when I tryed to sleep it would feel like I was in a coma, unable to make any body part for a long period of time and unable to even scream for help, I was 14 at the time, and that extreme fear was alot to deal with. As I have said it is now 2 years later, it still always feels like my heart is running in a race, I still have random feeling that people and objects dont seem real and that I am looking in on the world from a 3rd person view, I still have trouble sleeping, nothing has gotten better, and I have begun to think it never will.

i have been on this drug for over a year, adn have tried weening off it, tried doing it cold turkey. and no matter waht i still end up back on the drug. i rememeber when i first went cold turkey it was as though i was on the worst trip of my life,, i never thought hey this is addicting ,, until i started to smoke. no i have tried quittign smoking a couple of times and have had mediocre success,, both of these drugs are very similar, . and i think if we were all to quit drinking pepsi or consuming caffeen we would kinda feel a similar affect of withdrawl and emptiness of a surtain space. now, i can rememebr the days when i was on paxil coooked upstairs in my room stayign away from every one i could and i remebr the days on paxil when i would be completely free of any problems and i think that this was more of an area found wihtin myself bymyslef , i agree with whoever said people ottta be scanned for the levels of seritonin in there head before they take a drug that fucks wiht it. i was feelign depressed and like rat shit casue i was on accutane before and that dint screw with the seratonin levels, or atleast it isnt supposed to. anyways,, i would declare to the head FDA somebody that this is a very addicting drug,, becuase the withdrawl symptoms are severe and in some cases extreme,, i know if it wasnt addicting i wouldnt still be taking it to get rid of the tingling and the bad trip element. if anyone feels like contacting me on anyfurther info about this drug , im shure i can shed my two cents of info for free, id be more htan glad. please to meet u.

I was researching Paxil because though I don't often drink, I had a marquerita last night at a party and my husband cautioned me about taking a drink while on Paxil so this morning I was doing research on the net and came across your comments. There are many drugs on the market that caution you against stopping abruptly. I didi that once with hormones and wound up in the emergency room one night and thought I was having a heart attack, it was getting off the hormones cold turkey. I take Paxil for a severe sleep disorder and must tell you that Paxil has given me my life back. I have never felt so good! I am 54 years old and have't slept well since college. I have had no side effects from Paxil and feel it is the most wonderful drug ever invented. I am rested, calm, and plan to take this drug for the rest of my life. I am sorry so many have experienced problems, but, I think it is just as with many other medications, not everyone can take the same drugs. I am allergic to codeine and penecillin, wonderful drugs, but they are a problem for me. Just thought you might like another opinion.

Yeah.... I think I am with James and Amy, I have been in Paxil CR for 3 days but, I am not going to take it anymore. I am so glad I found this site.

I have been on Paxil for 5 months. The first week I was on 1/2 pill. Shortly after I began taking a full pill (20mg). The next day, I became very sick. I had terrible sinus build up. infection and pain in my ear and a swollen gland.I made no connection with the paxil because I never dreamed a medication could cause sinus infection.
I went to the Dr. who gave me anti-biotics for my infection. It did not clear up. He put me on them for a second week but symptoms did not go away. I began having muscle spasms or jerking reflexes in my legs, arms and head, similar to when something startles you. This would occur when I would get very relaxed or close to falling asleep. The first week I was on the full dose, I would get zaps or bursts of energy in my head over and over again which I thought were mini seizures. It scared me not knowing what was happening to me.
The mini seizures stopped after a couple of weeks but the jerking reflex continued as well as the sinus and ear infection. Here I am five months later,it finally dawned on me that just possibly this infection was due to the paxil. Last night, I took only a half a pill to see if my symptoms would go away. I am amazed...this is the first morning in 5 months that I have not had a heavy sinus filled head and no ear ache or swollen gland. I will continue taking the half pill and watch my symptoms. The positive thing that paxil has done for me is that I sleep so sound and I am so calm and patient. The problems have been too severe however, to continue taking it, unless the lower dosage continues to alleviate my symptoms. I am absolutely sure because of the timing that my symptoms were the product of paxil. I suggest if anone is having similar problems, see your Dr. about cutting down on your dose.

I have been taking Paxil since June of 2003. I just started today to stop taking it - I have had such a severe migraine all day from it. My doctor is "weaning" me to everyother day for one week (taking 37.5 mg) then next week going three days without taking it. Today with my headache, I felt like calling the FDA and screaming at them to start putting more information out about Paxil cr, the side effects - especially after you stop taking it. How long does this go on? And they say it's non-addictive - what a load of crap!

My sister has been taking Paxil for 2 days and has uncontrollable chills - the pharmacist said this is not due to Paxil. I believe it is and am wondering if she will ever get over this side effect.

I have been on Paxil for 3 years due to panic attacks. It has been a life savor in regards to my panic diorder. I noticed that I was a lot more angry and aggressive on it, and had no feeling and no sex drive. 6 days ago I cut my dose in half in order to get off this shit and I feel like hell. All the dizziness and nightmares and feeling of uncontrolible angre. I am going crazy but I am determend to get of the shit. Thanks FDA Love yah.

Ive been on paxil since 1999 following the birth of my child. Paxil did improve my mood and helped with the everyday stress of life. My doctor thought this drug would also help me with my epilepsy since I could not take my seziure meds during the day due to severe fatigue. In June of 2003 I went from 10mg down to 5mg for a coulpe of weeks and Oh, my god did my body go completly out of wack. My seziure activity increased, crying spells, the headache, flu symptoms, nausea, the weired feeling of if I weren't in my body was so terrible I had to go back to taking the 10mg. Again, This past weekend (March 25th, 2004) I tried to wean myself down to 5mg. Oh, what a terrible time. I felt as if I were going to die. Felt like I was on a never-ending tea cup ride that was out of control. I was on 5mg for a couple of days and by Sunday March 28th, 2004 I had to finally up my dosage back to 10mg. Today is March 29th, 2004 and I still feel like crap. As a matter of fact I cant even go into work tonite. There is no way I can concentrate like this. I still feel sick,and dizzy. I can't beleive that my body/my mind is addicted to this medication. What the hell am I taking here. It makes me extremely mad that drug makers would not warn the public and educate doctors about the side effects when decreasing the dosage and or discontinuing this drug. I feel sorry for alot of people out there who have no idea what their in for when the side effects hit you like a ton of bricks. It's unbearable. Will your brain, body and mind ever return to a normal state? And how long will it take? Now I honestly know how drug abusers must feel when they come off of there drug. Ive never been a drug user and never done drugs in my life. I wish I had never taken paxil. I wonder if paxil will have a long term effect on the body and or brain? Not only do I have to worry and suffer about the side effects of trying to wean myself off my paxil but I have to worry about what the side effects are going to do to my epilepsy and my seziure activity. Thats very scary.

I started taking Paxil about a year and a half ago. My mother put me on it, but failed to look up the side-effects. I recently did so and discovered that it was just as addictive as herion, banned in over 5 countries (including England) and not acceptable for people under 18 to take. I'm only 15. After I realized how horrible the drug was, I began trying to take myself off of it. I experienced every symtom you had after only 3 days of being off of it. The fourth night, I woke up screaming, my whole bed was wet with sweat. I realized that I need to take my pill and when I got up to take it, I couldn't walk hardley at all. I felt as though I were drunk. I can't quit, I'm completly addicted and I feel ashamed that I don't have enought will power to stop. This drug has beaten me down.

I stopped taking paxil about a week and a half ago. I have not experienced any really bad headaches, just mild ones. The zaps are about to drive me insane, though. I also threw up all night two days ago. I started taking paxil because I have panic disorder and it has helped this but I lost all of my emotions. I stopped caring about anything and I continually hurt my friends and family often with my harsh "I do not care attitude). I would rather have panic attacks a couple of times a month then hurt anyone. The withdrawals have been quite miserable. the zaps, nightmares, insomnia, and night sweats are terrible. I would not suggest anyone take this crap. It is definately addictive because I almost want to start taking it again to get rid of all these withdrawals. Hopefully, these feelings will subside soon. I am miserable. I need a feel night's sleep soon or I will be crazy. Let's all ban together and convince the FDA of these horrible affects. Thanks for having this great post so that I do not feel so alone through this. Feel free to contact me through email if anyone would like to discuss this further or just vent. I would love to know what the FDA is telling everyone. krester77@hotmail.com

I will also add that I thought my allergies were acting up but apparently sinusitis and flu-like symptoms are all part of this. I am also suffering from a very bad cough since I stopped taking this shit. Please, everyone let's get the message out and get this drug off the market. It is worse than coming off a two year cocaine addiction and that was pretty f-ing hard. The nightmares are definatly worse that that.

I was on Paxil for a few weeks and hated how it made me feel - like I wasn't really living and just going through life's motions as if I was detached. I'd rather feel depressed then numb so I quit taking it and withdrawl is bad but I won't go back on it. I've got BAD headaches, malaise, dizzyness, depression (worse then before), and an impulsiveness I never had before. I ransacked my boyfriend's gun cabnet looking for a hand gun to use over a very small issue. (Good or Bad - he'd sold it). I have a feeling I'll be rehospitalized because of this drug.

I have been on Paxil for 2mos now, and I decided that I would wean myself off of this crappy drug and I thought I was doing good until last night, I hadn't taken a pill since Wednesday and I was irritable but I attributed that to PMS. Then last night we were driving home and my baby is in the back seat crying b/c he is fighting sleep and I am in the front seat literally wringing my hands, I almost started to cry with him, then I though I would just start screaming ....finally we get out of the car and I pick up my baby and I felt like I was going to fall to the ground,,,that Paxil makes me so diizy if I miss taking it, but this was the longest that I have been able to not take a pill and I really felt like I was going to lose my mind so I had to take one b/c I have a baby that I love to pieces and do not want to start screaming at him for being a baby who crys when he's hungry, sleepy, etc.... I have no sex drive with this drug, after missing it for a few days I actually got my sex drive back. I am determined to get off this drug it would be easier if I did not work b/c I could get my mom to watch the baby while I went through withdrawls....I am really going to let my Ob-gyn have it when I go back there is a few days....I was only having anxiety b/c I was going through a rough few months, I wasn't depressed or even having anxiety attacks but I just wanted to have something to help me get through that rough patch, I didn't want something that I would need to be weaned off of....my Dr acted like this drug was so great and would make me feel so much better blah blah , I hate Paxil!

The Dr gave me sample packs of Paxil CR yesterday. I have suffered with sleepless highs, tears-for-no-reason lows and some minor compulsions for several years...after coming across this site I am glad I decided to hold off on taking the *samples* until I did my research! I have a few more tests coming up...I'm looking at the big picture here taking nutrition and natural alternatives into consideration.

I hate this drug and seem unable to get off of it. It just makes you so dependant. My doctor says it is like food it replaces a missing serotin level . What bullshit

I started to take Paxil over 3 years ago. I was started on the maintenance dose of 20mg. Because of the emotional state I was in when I started the drug, it was hard for me to figure out what was side effects and what was my own emotional issues. I was prescribed this by my family doctor. Eventually, it became obvious that the Paxil wasn't working. Or so at least I thought. I never seemed to get passed my emotions. I asked for further help from the mental health office in town. I thought that counseling would help, as well as having a psychiatrist taking care of my medication. They increased my dosage to 30mg, and when the side effects increased, the dosage was put up to 40mg. Finally, after constantly complaining of nightmares, insomnia, confusion, feeling not attached to my body, etc, etc. I was told to decrease to 30mg for 3 weeks, and then go down to 20mg. After another 3 weeks, down to 10mg, until I was off the drug. I have to say that the two worst decisions I ever made was to first of all, take Paxil, and secondly, to try to stop taking it. I have never been suicidal until now. I am in the middle of the withdrawal right now. Having been a former smoker, I thought nothing could be worse. I am sleeping about 2 - 3 hours every 3 days. And when I do sleep,the dreams are frightening. I wake up sweating, screaming and crying. The electric zaps are uncontrollable. My mood is way up and then way down. I go for days when I can't get dressed. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I am so glad I found this site and realized that it isn't me going crazy. Instead, the crazy ones are the doctors who prescribe it, the company that manufactures it, and the FDA for ever thinking that it isn't addictive. I hate every day that I am awake right now, and I am hoping that my hell will soon be over.

My mother took Paxil (12.5) for several months. She has had a time of trying to deal with the loss of my father and not been able to sleep well at night. She is also very uncomfortable around strangers. Upon taking the medication she had felt calmer and able to fall asleep easier, slept throughout the night. She still had the same feelings towards stranger, though. She had to stop getting the medication for several months and experienced absolutely no withdrawal symptoms. Oh when first taking the medication she did experience a little dizziness but that subsided fairly quickly after her body got used to the medication. As for me, I also have been taking Paxil. I do feel abit calmer around people and able to joke around with the best of them at work. There are still also times when I find myself quiet and off to myself. I began taking 12.5 Paxil for several months and increased the dosage to 20. I do have body aches and a couple of bad episodes with cramping of my legs. One time I could hardly bear it. I am tired a lot sometimes get mild headaches. As far as sex, I havent noticed much of a change. But then again I am approaching 50 and working in a factory and not eating well. I don't know if its medication related or just plain ole aches and pains of getting older! now I am wondering if I am on the medication for a long period of time and try to get off I too might suffer those horrid withdrawal symptoms some of you have experienced. I am confused! Knowing my mother's experience with the drug, and reading all your comments.....I continue taking the meds until I can reach a decision..

I have been taking paxil for a while now and i have had some sexual side effects but with a little help from my husband it has come back. people are too quick to blame paxil for their problems. For one it takes a while for paxil to work. i find myself happier and less frightened than if i am not on it. my kids even see the difference in me. I think that taking paxil was the best thing I ever did. I sleep with fewer nightmares than before i was on it. I do not cry for no reason anymore. Sure i still feel sad sometimes but not everyone can be happy all the time. I just want to say that paxil might not be for everyone. You need to find what is right for you. For me it is paxil.

I was on Lexapro for a while until I started having panic attacks that wound me up in the hostpial, sedated. I'm 17, no kid should have to deal with that. I was switched to Paxil by the hospital without any real knowledge of the drug. I've been on Paxil for almost a year and now I'm starting to go off of it. I was forced cold turkey a few times because of missed perscription refills,

I had horrible shocks that started in my calvs and zapped me up in the head so hard that i would pass out. i threw up, didn't eat, cried for no reason, felt the room spinning, saw things that weren't there, extreme headache and exhaustion.

i am currently trying to go off of the drug and i've been feeling the effects of the minor withdrawal towards the evening when it wears off. if anyone has any advice on natural remedies that help with the withdrawals, please email me at banqrupt@hotmail.com. THANKS!

Hi everyone:
It has been very helpful for me to read all the stories about what Paxil has done for you all. I have been paxil for a year and a half and now I want my life back. I am weaning myself off of the drug with the help of my doctor and my husband has a close eye on me. I have noticed alreay that I get angry faster and am real emotional. I also feel very tired and have dreams that seem so real. My body aches and I have had muscle cramps.When I was on the med, I was even in my emotions and I missed my competitiveness and some of the feelings emotionally. I am going to beat these withdrawl symptoms. I feel good one day and then the next tired and weepy. My drive to workout is gone and I just want to hang at home or in my car and not go anywhere. Does anyone else feel that way? I feel ugly and fat and like everyone is looking at me. Let me know if you feel like that. Well, this is my 3rd week of taking 1/2 of a dose which is 20mg and then tomorrow I will take 1/2 a pill for two days and then no pill for one day and do that for 2 weeks. I am also getting body massages once a week to get the toxins out...so I am trying and hope I will succeed.

I have been taking paxil CR for a month now. I must say that the nervous, anxious, and panic feelings have passed since taking this medicine, the only side effect I have (that i know of) is sexual side effects. Which I heard could be dealt with if you mix wellbutrin with paxil. Anyway, im scheduled to stay on paxil for 5 months, and then gradually quit. I will deal with the withdrawl syptoms as long as they dont last, as long as my anxiety stays gone, it will be well worth it

My name is Lisa. 0ne year ago, after having troubles maintianing employement and suffering from stress of working at McDondals, I decided to get tested to see what was wrong with me. For years I had moments of Aggerisviness, sadness, anixety, and irratiblity. I was also in Special Ed up untill grade 12 because I was told that I had a learning disablity. Anywase on April 1st 2003 I went to the Human Recourses off in Red Deer, AB, Canada and spent a hole day being tested for leaning and emontial disavantages. 3 weeks later on April 31st, my mother and I went back to Human Rescourses and was told by this neumorologist that I had what was known as Organic Brain Syndrome which is associated with Depression. At this time I was also suffering from severe headaches, chest pains, and Insomia. The doctor told me that I would need to be put on medication right away and that I would need to see a counsilor regualy. After hearing this I started crying my eyes out and feared for my future. I was also told that if I wanted to go to college, I would need to take this program called Transitional Vocational Program (which I am now in). 1 year of trying to obtain my high school diploma (which I got in 2002) had just gone down the drain and I would need to quit my job at Mcdondals. So one month later I was put on Paxil. After being on the drug for a few weeks in May of 2003 I noticed a lot of things. I was tired, had stomach aches, Nausous, terrible heades, and still was sad.... but I stayed on it; untill December when I noticed I was running low on my prescription. So I missed the pill for 3 days and guess what happened? I had a crying spell that was so bad that my doctor forcesed me to spend the weekend in the hospital. But I never allowed that to happen. Instead I phoned my mom, and stayed with her and my step-father at their place all weekend. I also got my prescription re-filled and started taking again.

Now here we are on April 16th 2003 and in the Red Deer College libary after having an appointment with the psychologist and feeling confused and worried about going off the drug again and onto a new drug called effexor. Oh what am I to do? I don't want to go to the psych ward...ever. I want my life back. Already I'm lonely and having thoughts again of sucidie... But I would never go though with it. I have any advice... email me at one_big_hottie.com

I have been taking paxil cr for about two months now. I was told that I would not feel anything for about a week. Within 30 minutes after taking it I was really really high. This went on for three days. After that the next two nights I was up puking. Then after that passed I started having really bad dreams. Yes it did help with my stress and panic. But it seems like as soon as one syptom is over another starts. Now after reading this I want to stop taking it asap. I will talk to my doctor cuase i would rather be nervous then not be me.

I stopped in to read about paxil out of curiosity. I have been on 20mg since Summer 1998, prior to that my life was restricted to familiar places, no going out to eat, no trips, headaches, nasea, terrible dreams, sleep walking , halucinations, lack of appitite, new phobias, trouble concentrating. I was locked in a depressed 'box' from ages 3 to 28, I missed out as the world passed me by. I take paxil daily and wouldnt dream of going off of it. I am finally normal, the only side effects I can think of is a decreased labido, minor........\
After reading all these horor stories, perhaps paxil and the other drugs like it are being over-perscribed, or maybe I am just one of the lucky ones. Nonetheless, I am moving to quickly forward, am not looking back,,,,,

I took paxil for over 2 years. I was numb for 2 years. I didn't care about anything, I couldn't feel any emotion (good or bad) and I had absolutely no sex drive. I was severely depressed the last 6 months I was on the drug. I quit it cold turkey which was a big mistake. My skin felt like it was crawling and I felt a shocking sensation almost continuously for about a week. After that, I started taking 10mg for several days to wein myself off it. On about the 3rd day of that I attempted suicide. Needless to say, I'm off paxil now. My dr. now has me taking effexor xr and has just started me on wellbutrin as well. So far this has worked out well for me. The wellbutrin makes my skin itch and I have terrible hot flashes but the depression is under control and the mood swings are at a minimum.

I started Paxil three days ago, and last night I ended up in the emergency room. I didnt know what was wrong with me, I felt like I was going to die. I started falling asleep and awoke myself almost choking and gasping for air. I crawled out of bed and when I stood up I felt like I was going to pass out. I started this drug to help for minor symptoms of fatigue. It was only 12.5 mg. I felt a hot flush through my body. I called a neighbor to take me to the hospital. My children were in bed so she took them to her house. When I got to the hospital and I told them that I was on paxil they immediately knew what was wrong. I immediately went into a panic/anxiety attack. They gave me a drug to counter act the paxil. All I want to do is sleep. I was ordered to go off of the paxil immediately. So now I decided to look up side effects and found this site. I am very angry that there is a drug like this that can harm people the way it did me. Not only was I scared for my life, but I was also scared for my children's life. I honestly thought that I was going to die. I would never recommed anyone taking this drug. I urge anyone to AVOID paxil!!!

I took Paxil for over 4 years. I was extremely depressed at the time when I was prescribed 20mg to start with. I was seeing a therapist at the time. It worked well in the beginning but my depression came back. My dosage was increased up to 50mg before long. again, that worked for a while then the CR came out. I switched to that, and yet again it seemed to help. While on the medication, I attempted suicide and was hospitalized for a short period of time. I was put on other medications as well and went home thinking everything was going to be okay. time went on and things didn't get better. I eventually took myself off all of the medication and slowly weaned myself off of the paxil. I knew what the withdrawal was like previously when my insurance was inactive and i was without it for almost a month. I have now been off it for about 3-4 months, and things are starting to go to hell again. I get so angry and want to lash out sometimes, I even scare myself. I am suicidal again and don't know know how I am going to fight it. I don't know if this is because i took and now don't take the paxil I once did. I am going back to the doctor to find out what's going on before I lose it and end up trying to succeed again at my failed attempt last year. If anyone can give me suggestions of any kind please e-mail me at jadalynrose@yahoo.com Thank you

My father was prescribed this drug while in a nursing home recoevring from surgery. He had been taking it for only 2 days when he was discharged. The next day he took his life with a gunshot to his head. This happened a week ago. He complained of being very cold, a loss of energy and sleeplessness. I had no idea this drug was so dangerous and believe it caused him to take his life. Why is this drug still on the market?

I took Paxil a few yrs ago with success and had no side effects and
had a few days of feeling a bit ill when I went off it.
Several months ago I started it
again for sleep. I have been
having terrible bouts of sweating
and have had blurred vision in
the central part of my visual
field. I went to my ophthalmologist who told me I had
(drusen) spots on the retina,
which make me predisposed to macular degeneration. I am going
off of Paxil (only 10 mg per day)
over the next week. I will report
what happens.

I have been taking Paxil for about 7 years now for a depressive/anxiety disorder. Before I started taking this drug, I lived pretty much in a black hell. This drug, for me, has been a godsend. I did suffer with symptoms the first 31 days and then they were gone for the most part. This drug is a new type of anti depressants that can leave one jittery and with side affects; but most of the anti depressants have the same affects. The affects are different on different people. Not ALL people suffer these as the comments above. If it were not for Paxil, I doubt I would be a functional person. It is wise to remember that doctors, even though they prescribe medications, cannot keep up with all the side affects of everything that they prescribe. Consult a pharmacist or your medical guide BEFORE embarking on a journey with any drug. If you read 99% of all anti depressant side affects, they will list pretty much the same thing with exceptions. It is true, one should NEVER stop a drug cold turkey. Paxil and other anti dpressants change your brain chemestry, that is just what they do. The affects will be different for different people. If it affects you and makes you ill - talk to your doctor and find the best appraoch to stop taking the drug. For others like me, who lives for 30 years with anxiety and panic attacks; and black depression, I am happy, at present with the help of this drug.

I recently was prescribed Paxil, but didn't take it right away. I was on Prozac a few years ago and knew how that caused me to wind up in the hospital 7 or 8 times. After returning home from a trip, I decided to begin taking Paxil. The first day I could feel results in myself. By day 2 my husband and family were telling me how different and pleasant I was. Today is my 6th day and I feel terrible. I can't sleep .. don't eat ..feel completely emotionless and have absolutely no sex drive(unable to orgasm). I also wake up abruptly once I do fall asleep...sometimes to nightmares and other times for no explained reason. It's hard for me to even get my days started...I feel like staying in bed. I used to abuse street drugs..and thought this would help me stay away from all of that...but I feel it is making it worse. I am not sure what to do. Is it hopeless to even consider stopping now? I am afraid of all the side effects of stopping. Good luck to everyone else who is having troubles with this drug.

Jenna, you should stick with it, it usually takes awhile for the drug to begin working. Its rough at first, stay strong. If you arent feeling better within 4 or 5 weeks, then you should talk with your doctor. Ive been on paxil for about 6 weeks now and I think its getting better every day. I still have a hard time reaching orgasm, but atleast I dont panic everytime I go out.

I am so thankful for comming across this site!! I was just prescribed Paxil for my anxiety/panic disorder a couple of days ago. It's funny because I am one of those 'scary berries' that do not try anything controversial.

I read some of the side effects from the leaflet that came with the drug and realized that it was contraindictory to the symptoms of anxiety. If I am already feeling nervous and shaky, why would I want to take a pill that would have nervousness and jittery as side effects? So I have not yet taken them.

I was also prescribed Buspirone for the actual panick attacks and am iffy about those too. All of your comments have helped me in my decision to not take them. I understand that to some, it has helped, but I cannot take the chance.

I have been living with anxiety disorder for the last 6 years now. The first couple of years were terrible but eventually the symptoms tapered off. It is now 6 years later, I am 24, and the only time I feel panicky is at work when it gets too busy. I work in a gaming industry which doesn't help. I even told my doctor that I get anxiety only when I work. I guess you could call this agoraphobia which is what happens when anxiety is left untreated. Your anxiety is reduced to places you fear you will panick and avoid those situations.

I wish there was an answer for us that suffer these disorders that everyone else just can't seem to understand. I have taken Kava Kava (a natural calming herbal pill) a couple of times before I go to work but sometimes they make my heart palpitate.

I have even thought about taking other natural herbal medicine that can help with panicks. Is there anything out there that can help with anxiety/panic that will help rather than hurt us?? I really would like to know because this is a debilitating disease. I am now afraid that I cannot go back to work. Then I will suffer both mentally and physically of not being able to support my family.

I was in paxil for two years. I have now been off of it for two weeks. I weaned myself off of it as instructed by my doctor. Unfortunately, I still feel like shit. I agree with a lot of people who have posted previously, somedays are worse than others. On good days I just feel dizzy and nauseous. On bad days, like today, I can't concentrate on anything. I am dizzy, I feel like I am experiencing things third person, I am nauseous, I am itchy, I don't want to leave my house, I cry for no apparent reason, I can't sleep, I feel disgusting about myself. This just generally sucks. When I read about how it takes years to get it out of my system, it makes me want to puke. I seriously hope that it leaves me sooner than that. I am in college, I should be enjoying myself, not trying to get off an addicting drug. I am very angry that my doctor didn't tell me about the side effects, or the withdrawals. That is just not right.

I recently got into a relatively major car accident, and have been experiencing [what I'm told is] post-concussive syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder. I have been experiencing anxiety attacks, am extremely depressed, irate, and short-tempered, I feel detached from everyone, and I don't feel like anything in my life is significant anymore. My GP prescribed Paxil for me today, and I'm obviously apprehensive about it to say the least... After reading the remarks in this forum, I don't know what to do. Do I continue living like a shadow of a person I once was (I am not even living anymore; I'm simply "being"), or do I risk all the side-effects for an attempt at the restoration of my sanity? I've never even taken so much as a Tylenol, let alone any prescription drug. I'm scared, worried, and torn. What to do?

[moderator comment: one of the best things to do right after something bad happens is to minimize how often you think about that specific event. the problem with remembering tragic events is that each time we remember something we re remember it creating a new brain impression. often times this flags the fear driven chemical responses that originally occured...it is as if the bad thing is happening all over again.

i always recommend trying natural alternatives first, because (as you have read) it is not always easy to get off these types of drugs if they are mis prescribed. I use 5 HTP when I feel bad, but I nave never been diagnosed with PTSD or anything like that.
best o luck
aaron]

Jane, some people have great success with paxil cr and mild symptoms, the only one I have now is sexual side affects. I say give it a try, you dont want to live as you are, do you? I dont know why so many people on this board are having problems, everyone is negative here. This other board I visit, almost everyone has had success with paxil. Its best to take lower dosage and work your way up to 20mg a day. well Good Luck

Helpful site. The best info is before a dr. starts a pt. on Paxil, serotonin levels should be measured--but they never are.

I have been on Paxil for several years and recently have become a vegan and decided to quit gradually. I am now down to 1/2 pill every other day and am beginning to feel more myself--connected and not so spacey.

Thanks for this site--it's hard to find.

To anybody wondering if they should start any kind of antidepr. my advice is don`t. Ihave gotten my life completly ruined from paxil. It was bad when I was on it , no sexdrive no emotions, terrible migraines,flulikesymt. etc. When I missed a dose I was very nauseous and dizzy. Had to spend one year tapering the dosage. The worse was yet to come - one month without, and I got this terrible adrenalinkick,euforish, and a very bad anxiaty attack. Today two years later I am not able to sleep at all,cannot work and my heart is pounding 24/7. Iwas before paxil this very calm, harmonic person, and I know I would have gotten over a sudden depr.(set on by the death of my parent) without med. ;but this was 10 years ago, and I was told it had no sideeffects. Bullshit It is a lot better to be severly depressed than this. A depr passes and leaves you stronger when you get over it. My advice is seeing a classical acupuncturist, they do wonders and no sideeffects.Good luck. Srrimed. permanently changes the brainchemistry and makes you dependent, I know I`ve been there, not the doctor who is brainwashed by the industry. The doc`s should try to take it for a year if it is as harmless as they claim. Very bad drug, not only paxil but all the other antidepr. I have resurched as well. It is not a healing drug, all it does is put a lid on your emotions.

wow people,
I took myself off this*&%$ paxil 6 days ago and I cannot believe what I have gone throughI'm going to see my Doc in 5 min. to give let himknow how bad this really is.Great site I'm glad I found it and I'll report back when i hae more time

Thanks Gregg

I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder 2 1/2 weeks ago and my doctor prescribed to me both paxil and another drug. Although my anxiety has vanished in a few aspects I continually have severe headaches whenever I bend over or when my head is not still (most of the time). I am extremely concerned and wondering if anybody else had these same side effects after beginning with paxil.
thanks alot
vince

I myself am just beginning high school and worried sick. I have missed the entire month so far and its ruining my life (both paxil and the anxiety). My side effects are urinary problem, terrible migraine/headache where it feels like liquid in my head, pain in neck glands. increased heart rate, loss of sex drive, tingling sensations. I have only been on paxil for 6 days, 10 mg per day. Its a small dose and yet i am feeling the effects. Help me please!!

I am so glad that I looked at this sight and I am not alone. I was taking paxil cr for about 4 weeks, It felt like it made me feel worse, so I stopped taking it. It has been 2 1/2 weeks and I have been going through pure hell. I have been sweating really bad, I have the worst nightmares, I am very jumpy, very, very dizzy, nauseated, shaky, and my mood is up and down without any reason. One minute I will be happy and the next I will be crying and yelling at someone. If I would have never went to this sight I would not have known that these symptoms were coming from paxil. I was just thinking the other night that either I am dying or I am going crazy! I was even contemplating suicide because I have been so emotional and moody. This is scary! They should take paxil off of the market.

Wow, after reading all of the emails above I am concerned. I starting taking Paxil at least 6 years ago for panic attacks. I had suffered on and off again with panic attacks for twenty years when 6 years ago they hit with an intensity that threatened my ability to work and care for my family. After seeking council and medical advice I was sent to a doctor who perscribed the Paxil. I initially worked up to a dosage of 30 mg but after a period of time I went down to 20mg with absolutly no negative effects. I have been at this level for 5 1/2 years and I must say it has saved my everyday life. I have been panic attack free and have gained a stability and confidence in life that I had not possessed since my early twenties. While I have only praise for Paxil I did start a search tonight to see if there was a connection between Paxil and weight gain. That has been the only potential side effect from the drug over the years. At least until finding this site, I had pretty much thought that I would take Paxil forever. Now I am concerned and am not sure what to think. If it works so well for me with no negative reactions, is there any reason for me to attempt to get off of it?

I started taking Paxil CR about 3 months ago because I was going through a very stressfull time in my life. I recently decided I would prefer addressing my stress in other ways besides medication and have decided to go off of it. I went from 25 mg to 12.5; I have been taking 12.5mg for 5 days and I can't believe how bad my withdrawal symptoms are. I have sweats (they feel like hot flashes) and I have been nauseas. I just had a dizzy spell, that's when I started digging through the internet for some more information on stopping Paxil CR. I first looked through the Paxil CR website, but couldn't find anything (big surprise) and then I found this website. I'm going to stick to the 12.5 mg for at least the next 3 weeks, then I'm going to quit completely. I can't imagine what my withdrawal symptoms would be like if I were to stop cold turkey since I'm having all these horrible symptoms just from weaning myself off!

I started taking Paxil CR about 3 months ago because I was going through a very stressfull time in my life. I recently decided I would prefer addressing my stress in other ways besides medication and have decided to go off of it. I went from 25 mg to 12.5; I have been taking 12.5mg for 5 days and I can't believe how bad my withdrawal symptoms are. I have sweats (they feel like hot flashes) and I have been nauseas. I just had a dizzy spell, that's when I started digging through the internet for some more information on stopping Paxil CR. I first looked through the Paxil CR website, but couldn't find anything (big surprise) and then I found this website. I'm going to stick to the 12.5 mg for at least the next 3 weeks, then I'm going to quit completely. I can't imagine what my withdrawal symptoms would be like if I were to stop cold turkey since I'm having all these horrible symptoms just from weaning myself off!

I have been taking paxil CR 12.5 mg for 1 1/2 years. after my mother died. after going on line and reading about all the symptoms of withdrawal I got really concerned. I have been having throat tightness diarrhea and other wierd symptoms no sexual drive, no mitavation to do anything, weeight gain 20 LBS.... I felt I couldnt stay on the drug and felt I couldnt get off the drug I immediately became so scared. Called my Doctor. on vacation. so I put myself on a every other day withdrawal schedual myself. then I stopped. After 5 days without paxil at all, I immediately feel more motivation even cleaning my home ...I feel like walking I feel more clear in my head. I have some minor flu like symptoms and some monor zapping when I move my eyes or turn my head suddenly but this small imporvemnet in how I feel makes me realize how much of life i have been missing. I drink lots of water and that helps alot to flush out the drug. I read some where that the drug remains in your fat cells for 2 years that is ridiculous. I feel immediately better. granted I am NOT on a large dose so Im sure that it is harder to go off a large dose. I will never jepardize my cognitive self again. Susan

I am not sure what to do. My Doctor put me on Paxil for Anxiety and i am on day 6. It seems that with each day that gos buy i feel worse then when i started. Now reading all this stuff i am not sure if i should wean myself off of this stuf iam on 20 mg.

this letter is for lisa. hi my name is mary. i am also taking paxil have been for 4 months now. I have suffered from side effects but now they almost all gone the only problem i have now is that i am tired all the time i also have stomack ackes and am nauseous most of the time.I do not want to eat and have battling depression for the last week i am going to the doctor in a couple of weeks to see what he suggests,my co-worker had the same problems and they switched her to zoloft, maybe you need to find a better pill to go on but do not go off it becauses taking the right pill is better than dealing with depression. I also have trouble keeping my thoughts straight

I take Paxil and am trying to wean off of it...can somebody describe to me exactly what the whooshing and zapping feeling are and what they feel like??

I am on day 22 of taking paxil cr 12.5 for panic attacks that I had once every couple weeks or once a month if that. Also for a quick temper and unhappiness. I have experienced daily panic attacks since starting while driving, everyday since I started. I start drivng and get dizzy while driving than panicky and have had to pull off of the freeway. My dr.s nurse told me to give it 3-4 weeks and it should go away. Has anyone had this happen??? please comment.

Hi just thought i would add to all the terrible comments and side affects of paxil. I have been on paxil for 3 years now, ive been talking suicide lots, My fiance wants me to see a shrink cause she thinks i have problems, she also said i was never like this before we have been going out for 14 years now but in the last three years i almost lost everything. Im depressed, why i dont know, too many people in one room gives me anxiety, It also does not help me when i drink i like to have a couple on the weekend but it just screws me right up, not nowing what i have done the night before and thats is only having 6 drinks. I used to drink lots before so i know its the pills, I get very angry at the fiance, which she is such a hard worker, and sometimes i dont know how she puts up with me, and u know the doctors dont even try to wean me off or change to something with a little less side affects i wake up in the morning cold sweat, that does not feel well at all

been taking paxil for 6 months, tried to stop, boy was that a mistake. I turned into a babbling, sobbing, shaking, sweating, dizzy, trembling, worthless human being. Went to another doctor who gave me weaning advice. After 2 weeks at 10mg I stopped. i was dizzy. i had zaps, my eyes hurt, and i forgot a lot. now its been five days and the side effects are slowly deminishing. I am praying for complete escape from these vicious side effects. i dont know which nightmare was worse before the paxil or trying to get off of paxil.

I have been taking paxcil cr 12.5mg for about 1 yr. and have no problems. Until June 25,2004 around 7:30 pm in NC, I'm an over the road truck driver one minute I was in my lane and the next thing I knew I was up against the guard rail, i'm not sure but I think I blacked out, has any one else experencied this while taking this drug?

been taking paxil for 6 months, tried to stop, boy was that a mistake. I turned into a babbling, sobbing, shaking, sweating, dizzy, trembling, worthless human being. Went to another doctor who gave me weaning advice. After 2 weeks at 10mg I stopped. i was dizzy. i had zaps, my eyes hurt, and i forgot a lot. now its been five days and the side effects are slowly deminishing. I am praying for complete escape from these vicious side effects. i dont know which nightmare was worse before the paxil or trying to get off of paxil. Oh did I mention the heartbeats that flutter. I felt like my heart was not beating properly. I was very afraid

been taking paxil for 6 months, tried to stop, boy was that a mistake. I turned into a babbling, sobbing, shaking, sweating, dizzy, trembling, worthless human being. Went to another doctor who gave me weaning advice. After 2 weeks at 10mg I stopped. i was dizzy. i had zaps, my eyes hurt, and i forgot a lot. now its been five days and the side effects are slowly deminishing. I am praying for complete escape from these vicious side effects. i dont know which nightmare was worse before the paxil or trying to get off of paxil. Oh did I mention the heartbeats that flutter. I felt like my heart was not beating properly. I was very afraid.

I keep trying to get a link to my e mail address and it doesnt work, so i will add my email address here. cybspac@aol.com. I have been taking paxil for 6 months, tried to stop, boy was that a mistake. I turned into a babbling, sobbing, shaking, sweating, dizzy, trembling, worthless human being. Went to another doctor who gave me weaning advice. After 2 weeks at 10mg I stopped. i was dizzy. i had zaps, my eyes hurt, and i forgot a lot. now its been five days and the side effects are slowly deminishing. I am praying for complete escape from these vicious side effects. i dont know which nightmare was worse before the paxil or trying to get off of paxil. Oh did I mention the heartbeats that flutter. I felt like my heart was not beating properly. I was very afraid

Thanks for this site....I've been on Paxil 12.5mg for 5 1/2 months now and I'm starting to have sweats and I'm extremely tired all of the time...now i'm going to wean myself off....I'm going to start taking one everyother day, If anyone would like to join me in this weaning let me know....I also think we should band together and start a class action lawsuit....though we may not get very much, we may just help some people save themselves from this miserable drug.
feel free to write me... lolalola25@yahoo.com
LOLA

I have used Paxil for the past year and, have not tried to stop because it help s me a great deal. Although I am interested in this site due to most of you having side effects. I t has not happen to me but I started on 10mg after 5 months I thought it wasn't working anymore I asked the Dr. if this can be raised and he did raise it to 20mg 1 time each day. I feel better than I did before starting it. This seems like a life saver to me, but now I am worried where to find more info on this drug Paxil they all tell me it's not additive. I have never been addicted to anything. I am a 49 year old woman who needed some calming due to family issues thats all and I thought all this time this has been good for me.

Hi, I have been weaning myself with the help of my Dr...It is terribly difficult...Started Paxil in 1998 and I am "zapping" as I write...Went from 30 mgs. to 12.5 CR and the first few days were AWFUL...Late to work due to mental fatigue, intense dreams, and sadness...Sex drive immediately went UP yet, the other withdrawal sx's are entirely mixing me up...confusion and sadness are lingering...It has gotten better lately...and I find running on the treadmill greatly helps...I am afraid that I will feel this way forever...Paxil helped with LONG bout of panic disorder and depression from PTSD. Paxil helped me achieve a great deal...it just seemed that the minute I missed a dose, I was thrown into this frenzied state so that is what caused me to want to wean off...so far I have been off Paxil entirely for 5 days now...I have a prescription for Zoloft but am REAL hesitant to go there...so, I will try hard to stay focused and not go back to SSRI's...I am nervous about the future but desperately want to be free...IF only the ZAPS would stop I think I would be fine...they are the worst...

Can you tell me what ZAPS are??

zaps are shocking sensations (often times painful) you feel in your brain.

Zaps are the shocks that start what feels like behind my eyeballs only to echo down to towards my ears and back of my neck...It is the most troubling sx of withdrawal. I am VERY happy to report that so far the withdrawals have subsided...the ZAPs are less intense everyday.
I feel HOPE!! I have worked out my entire life and cannot stress anymore how that has helped with the frustrations of both having a mental illness and having these withdrawal sx's. I am so far not experiencing the panic/anxiety/depression I had long long struggles with...Today is a day to celebrate~

I started reading all the info on this site as my husband has been taking paxil for the past 4 years. He also has alot of other medical problems and was feeling depressed after having to go on a disability pension... For the past two years he has been having major spasms of his whole body and at first we really thought it was because of his diabetes , however over the last 6 months i beleive all the symptoms he has are related to the paxil... He has difficulty sleeping and then can go days on end in bed not able to get up. He has this swoosh sound in his ears and knows that the sweating and spasing is going to start. Last night he got such a bad headache that he thought that he was going to have a stroke... His neck was tight and his whole upper body was spasing...

Now his doctor tell him it's probable because of the drugs he took close to 30 years ago... My husband knows what addiction is all about and has overcome this in his life... he was a supervisor for a detox for years and i am a nurse and counsellor ... after reading all the articles I'm more sure than ever that he needs to get off the paxil..... Yes it will be a very slow process and a difficult one but it has to be done.... My 24 year old daugther has been taking this drug for 2 months and we have began looking into her getting off it also... I cant say that the paxil didn't help in the beginning .. but now even our MD has a hard time agreeing that this is why my hubby has all these problems..it seems like the medical professional listen and then forget about the problems we have .. if anyone can help ... or if you have the same problems all I can tell you is that we really need to hold on to our faith as it sure has been one heck of a ride,,,, thanks for listening

I started reading all the info on this site as my husband has been taking paxil for the past 4 years. He also has alot of other medical problems and was feeling depressed after having to go on a disability pension... For the past two years he has been having major spasms of his whole body and at first we really thought it was because of his diabetes , however over the last 6 months i beleive all the symptoms he has are related to the paxil... He has difficulty sleeping and then can go days on end in bed not able to get up. He has this swoosh sound in his ears and knows that the sweating and spasing is going to start. Last night he got such a bad headache that he thought that he was going to have a stroke... His neck was tight and his whole upper body was spasing...

Now his doctor tell him it's probable because of the drugs he took close to 30 years ago... My husband knows what addiction is all about and has overcome this in his life... he was a supervisor for a detox for years and i am a nurse and counsellor ... after reading all the articles I'm more sure than ever that he needs to get off the paxil..... Yes it will be a very slow process and a difficult one but it has to be done.... My 24 year old daugther has been taking this drug for 2 months and we have began looking into her getting off it also... I cant say that the paxil didn't help in the beginning .. but now even our MD has a hard time agreeing that this is why my hubby has all these problems..it seems like the medical professional listen and then forget about the problems we have .. if anyone can help ... or if you have the same problems all I can tell you is that we really need to hold on to our faith as it sure has been one heck of a ride,,,, thanks for listening

I have been on Paxil for about 6 months on 10 mg. I deceided to ween myself off with the instruction of my doctor of taking it 1 another day for 2 weeks. After a week of being completely off of it I had these weird sensations in my leg that wouldn't let me sleep and was very uncomfortable. I called the hospital, on-call dr told me it was most likely Restless Leg Syndrome, probably from paxil withdrawal. I'm a bit scared, and worried and wondering if anyone else has the same problem that I do? And if they do, any encouragement or advice on alleviation? Thanks! : )

I have been on Paxil 20mg for six months due to a pannic attack. I stopped taking Paxil 4 days ago and the dreams and the zaps are hard to deal with. I have not had to bad of headaches but the zaps and the bad attitude I have are hard to deal with. If anyone has been taking this for about six months and can help me know how long this will last and the best way to deal with the side effects that I am having, please let me know what to do. I would appreciate anyones comments, work is difficult and my wife thinks that I am crazy and that I am only suffering because I have read what other people are going through. Please let me know anything and how long this will last. mboone@tourturf.com

Been on paxil for about 5 weeks and let me tell you I feel prety good before when I used to visite my daughters away fgrom home when I left to come home I was sad for about a week now I feel good still miss them but a diferent way I take 10mg per day at night at first it felt funny but know its all right

i am 63 year old female.about 5 years ago iwent through a divorce and had been having anxiety attacks before that for a number of years. i went on paxil 10 mg. for a year and had no side effects going off it, as i went down to 5mg for a week, and then 5 every other day for a few weeks and then down to one a week. then because i had to go back into the work force and there was a great deal of stress-i went back on it and have been on it ever since. i take a 20 mg tablet, cut it in half and take it every other day, or 5 mg a day. it has been an absolute life saver for me. it has calmed my down 100% and i have had no more anxiety attacks.
6 days ago i started a generic, apotex, and the first few days i had a headache, dizziness and nausea--just as i did when i 1st started paxil. by the 3rd day a had a mild anxiety attack. it is the 6th day and i just called my dr. to get me back on the regular paxil. i really don't want the paxil cr--timed release-as you shouldn't cut it in half unless the pill is scored.
i am having a panic attack just reading this sight.
this site seems rather one sided as i do feel it has helped millions of people with anxiety disorder--i'd rather be dead than to feel what i felt for 5 years or so before going on paxil. i am hoping the key to this is being on as little as possible. after reading this i may try and take it every 3rd day instead of 5 mg. every other.
i feel such sympathy for all the people that are having these side effects. i am afraid it might be a little late for me, so i am going to hope i never have to go off it because i think i might go nuts. thank you for this site.

I was on paxil for 8 months for depression/mood swings. On Only 20mg I experienced sexual side effects that left me feeling more depressed than before. 8 months later I had horrible chest pains so I went to the emergency room. They told me that I had a large blood clot in my lung and that it was very dangerous. I was hospitalized for 6 days and had to stay on blood thinning medication for 6 months. They couldn't understand why someone my age would have that. Well it turns out that it's a RARE side effect of paxil that no one even bothered to mention. It could have cost me my life. So my dr took me off the paxil and switched me to Zoloft. Zoloft was not good. I felt depressed the whole time. Moody. I decided that I didn't want to take medication anymore because all of the side effect and ups and downs were just too much. It's been about 6 days and the withdrawals are horrible. I have a really bad swooshing happening all the time. It's hard to focus on one thing. I feel the electrical zaps and sometimes it feels like things are happening in slow motion. If I had it to do over I would of stayed away from paxil and Zoloft. It just wasn't worth what I had to go through and the effects that I am feeling now.

I started on paxil two 1/2 months ago and had been off paxil for two weeks and during those two weeks experienced the worst withdrawals I could ever imagine. I'm a recovering drug addict and have struggled to find the correct drug to help with depression/anxiety and obsessive/compulsive behavior. I know full well the effects of coming off alcohol, pain pill, etc. and they do not hold a candle to coming off paxil. Just within the last four days, the worst of the worst started happening to my body. From what felt like an overdose of I don't know what but feelings of shocking thru my body, my face and lips would felt like there were pins being stuck in them, nausea, abdominal pain, etc. I also had the jitters, my speech was funny and mixed up, and I couldn't keep one thought in my head before another would come blasting in. And my behavior was brutal. As an addict, the behavior was all so very familiar. I was in a rage one minute, and would break down crying the next, extremely irritable and felt like there were bugs climbing all over me. When reading up on this drug, I found this article. My doctor has put me back on 25mg of paxil just today and he has told me that is the only way to stop these withdrawals and we'll have to slowly slowly take you off paxil in the future. I have been so bloody miserable that I am at a point of no return. Last night I felt like there was no reason to live and couldn't think of one thing to do to pull myself out of the funk I was in. My husband and I have a 2 year old daughter and my behavior towards both of them (as very very hard as I tried) was not nice. The thing is, I have really really struggled to stay clean and was going on what I thought was a really hopeful road and during the time I was on this horrible drug, I did relapse, and I relapsed hard. I'm scared and not sure of what's next. I'm just staying close to my support system of people who can help and pray alot. I hope they do something soon regarding taking this poison off the market. I dread for anyone to go thru what I've read about thus far and experienced myself. Thanks for listening - Deb

I was prescribed Paxil for sleeping disorder I had a few months ago. I was started on 10mg, then slowly worked my way up to 40mg with no success. I didn't experience severe side effects from the paxil, but I drank at least a six pack a night, and was comfortable with it. I really didn't give a flippity fluff-nutter about anything while on Paxil. My sleeping problem did't improve. My sex drive diminished after I realized that "getting-off" was impossible. I got fed up with the stuff and decided to quit cold turkey from the 40mg. That was a bad mistake. I started to experience the same symptoms listed above and I agree, they are hell. I started back on 20mg for a week and then reduced myself to 10mg. Taking a small 40mg pill and smashing it up a few times and eating what I thought was 10mg of powder was a real trick. I could not forget to take the crap w/ plenty of water, because it really tore up my stomach if I did not flush it down. It has been 5 days now, and the zaps, whooshing, crazy dreams when I do sleep, 3rd person feeling, and anger are still there. I get real sick of the zaps. It feels like a low voltage shock going through my whole body. Just typing this I get jolted when moving my eyes around. Sometimes it seems a little less each morning I get up, but it will hit me hard when I least expect it. It feels almost like I am going to pass out at times when I am walking along. I feel better knowing that I am not the only one that is experiencing these effects. I just hope somebody will read this before taking Paxil and that the FDA will do something about this crap. Good luck to all.

I started taking Paxil June 03 for panic Disorder and sleep disorder,anxiety and also most important to me my family, I found myself losing control of my angey that scared me to death.i needed something to come me down. So i went to my doctor for a ckeck up and also told her about what was going on inside my mind.She started me on paxil (12.5mg)
it took about a month for me to see the diffenice in myself it was a good feeling to have some of control of my life back. i did see some of my sex drive decreace but i was stillable to get up hahahah. The frist sign i did see was when i forgot to take it one day, I got dizzy spells i know that was a side effect from the get go,So i blew it off and took the paxil the next day.Then around Oct of 03 . For some reason i stop taking the drug. I was ok for a wire then i started to get headaches ,dizzy spells,sleep disorder came back,Anxiety.I delt with it. Until two days Ago when i when back to the doctors and got back on it.Maybe a good choices or maybe not. Time will
tell. I feel now i need this .

I have been taking paxil for over 10 years! I was taking it for a couple of years, and decided I didn't need it anymore, so I quit cold turkey. At that time, we didn't know about the side effects of this drug. After being off of it for about a week, I was having vertigo so bad that I couldn't hold my head up. My husband took me to the emergency room to see what was wrong with me, and they came to the conclusion that it was withdrawl from the paxil. So rather than suffer any longer, I just started taking it again. At one point I tried weening myself off of it. It took me three months to go from a 20ml pill to 1/8 of that same pill, taking a little off of it every day. By then my nerves were shot, I was drinking heavily, and considered suicide. So, my doctor put me back on paxil, but instead of 20ml a day, he upped it to 40ml a day. It has been about a year since that happened, and I am still taking 40ml a day, but I have severe vertigo, my head makes this swishing noise when I move, and my nerves are shot. I have also come to wonder about some other symptoms I am having. I have extreme itching that no doctor has been able to diagnose, so they just give me claritin for it. I also have extreme muscle twitching, usually at night. The doctor said is is restless leg syndrome, but if that is what it is, then why does my back, arms, hips, neck, and legs twitch? Sometimes I twitch soo much it feels like I am having a seizure. Could these be due to the paxil as well? All of this is happening while I am taking paxil, not from coming off of it, and now I may have to up my dosage, because it is not working for me!

i've been on regular paxil mainly tried cr i have severe panic/anxiety/depression with agriphobia which causes me to be unable to function pretty much at all without medicinal help...when i started taking it i yawned alot, slept alot, hand numbness and in my jaw, and major weight gain in less than 1 year(80 lbs), no sexual feelings at all and when i was with my husband i either get extremely dried out really fast or i can't orgasm, causing serious marital disfunction (thank god for a loving husband)if you can find a better way such as prozac or welbutrin please please please do so the side effects of paxil are not worth a life time of pain!!!! the drug was great while i was on it for the first 3 years, then it just stopped working...not completely but i started getting minor panic attacks again (nothing alittle xanax couldn't cure) i tried the paxil cr and it did nothing for me....now that i'm weening off the paxil i feel like i'm going to die, if you knew the side effects of coming off you would probably never start it...

my coming off side effects:
feeling worthless, eye foaters, irritability, nonstop headaches, tremors, insomnia or sleeping too much, zapping sensations, lack of concentration, depressed and crying for no reason, heart palpitations and racing, dizziness, leg pains and cramping, disorientation, chills/sweats, weakness in entire body, ringing in ears, studdering, drunkeness feeling, nausea, nightmares, black outs/fainting, and sore throat

it's only been 1 day since my last step down dose i was on 40 mg/day for almost 5 years i went down 10 mg a day for 7 days each, this is the scariest thing i've ever experienced and i've had some serious panic attacks that have landed me in the ER daily (this is worse than all of that)...if you are considering it weigh every pro and con and decide if you can handle the effects during and after...which is more important to you!!!

if you have any questions or just need a friend to talk to that's been thru it email me at mkpuhl@yahoo.com i'll answer any and all questions or just be a shoulder to cry on!!!
~kathy~

I started taking Paxcil in dec 2003. I was on Celexa which seemed to be working for me. The reason I was on it was because the week before my period I was moody and depressed and cried all the time. The celexa was great,Then in in the fall I started not being able to sleep and picking at my arms really bad...Nervous habit that got worse. So I was put on Paxcil cr 10mg and later 25,
Since the 15th of July 2004 I have had a constant
headache, heart palpitations, no sleep,no sex,whoosh feeling,dizzy sometimes,zapping feeling,sweating..high blood pressure.I have had soem of these before July. But One day I ran out of pills and money.I got so depressed I cried constantly I was out for 3 days and I crashed!!!
My heart beats so hard in my throat, my throat is tight. I went to the ER one night and they did a EGK...nothing, Blood test.....nothing.....I sat there for 8 hrs....nothing....they told me to go off my birth control pills becasue they were probably causing the high blood pressure. (the only good thing that helped my periods) and gave me blood pressure pills. I have an MRI schedule for this month..to rule out anything else that might be wrong....But I go to the doc next week I want off these things.....I want to crawl in a hole and stay there. ...The things I love to do I have stopped ..I dont care anymore....I WANT TO CARE! AND I AM GOING TO WIN THIS BATTLE...... its 3:15 in the morning and I am still awake!

I literally came back an hour ago with 3 weeks supply of trail Paxil. I wanted to attempt adderall considering my problems with concentration as of late, but was told there was not enough info out there on it and to try Paxil, "It's a great drug". After reading this, there is no way I'm touching this stuff. All these stories scare the hell out of me. I definitley don't need anymore problems, why does my doc think I was gonna try Paxil in the first place.
Good luck to you all and thank you for your stories. You've saved many people I'm sure.

I too am experiencing the side effects or should I say the withdrawal symptoms of this so called wonder drug.
I have been on Paxil for 5 years. It all started with a divorce and a dose of 20mg to start. About 2 years ago I cut myself back to a 10mg and last year I cut it down to 5mg. I started alternating it every other day, not realizing that I was reducing the benefits of this drug, but feeling the side effects. In June of this year I decided to stop cold turkey, I wound up at my doctor with severe withdrawal symptoms including dizziness, ear pressure, blurred vision, no appetite, and feeling out of my person. My doctor put me back on it and upped the dose, which in turn made me feel even worse.
I wound up in the ER twice, thinking I was going to stroke out. I have been out of work for weeks. Lucky for me I found a new family doctor who is helping to wean me off. He told me that I will probably remain out of work for a few more weeks until I feel human again.

I am now at the stage that I am not taking it anymore, but when will this pass. Some days are good and others are bad, I am still dizzy, feel out of sorts, have hot flashes, no appetite, no interest in life in general. I could be content to sit and stare at the walls all day. It has ruined my life and I wish I never started taking it.

I will update on my progess, I am relieved that I am not crazy, and that others are experiencing the same symptoms. Perhaps a class action lawsuit is needed.

I have been taking Paxil for a week now. I am finally able to function like a normal person throughout the day. I am not constantly worrying over everything. However, at night I have EXTREME headaches. All I can do when I get home is TRY to eat supper and go straight to sleep. Migraines are nothing new to me. But I think this medication might be triggering them now. I went from having about 2-3 migraines a month to a migraine every night for the past week. I have called my doctor this morning. I will keep you posted on how things are going. I AM NOT GOING TO STOP TAKING PAXIL because it has helped me in my personal and social life. Just have to figure out to get rid of the headaches.

I have been taking paxil for over two years,I started taking it to deal with severe social anxiety disorder and depression. I have had more negative side effects than positive effects. I began sleep walking within two months of treatment with this drug, I have no previous history of sleep walking prior to taking paxil. On august 12th of this year I sleep walked into a window in my apartment and required 15 stitches to reattach a portion of my forehead and scalp.I am going to get of this drug in the next few weeks, a process that I am not looking forward to. This drug should be withdrawn.

I have been taking 50mg of paxil for 4 years. It really worked for my depression and mood swings. It however has not worked for my anxietys and obsessions. I decided that I could deal with somethings on my own and let the paxil do what it could.
When the zapping in my head started I was scared and thought something was seriously wrong with my brain. It was not listed as a symptom and no one seemed to understand what was happinging to me.
My most severe attacks are the withdraws. Not taking my medicine for just one day can send me into a fury. I suffer from angry mood swings , crying, severe depression, Dizziness, head zapping and have even had a suicide attempt .
Pretty scary to think if I miss my pill one day I might not live to take it again.

I was unaware of the severe side effects of paxil .
Not knowing has cost me my life.I am a slave to paxil.

ive been on paxil for six years to treat migraines, anxiety/panic, and depression.Im trying to get off it completely again for the second time. The first attempt withdrawls were so bad they put me back on it and doubled the dose. i went from 20mg to 40mg. Over the past two years ive slowly weened myself down to 6mg and just finally stopped taking it completely on monday. Its been hell...nausea dizziness, vertigo, hot flashes, shooting pains, zaps, severe aching in my head neck, spine, and extremities, chills, tingling, rash like itchiness, heavy chest, heart palpitations, a paralysis like feeling...etc. Aside from all the other withdrawl symptoms that have been noted has anyone else had sharp abdominal pains that move around and a feeling of extreme bloatedness? ive been to the doctor and they dont seem to see anything else that could be causing it.

It is nice for me to see that I am not alone in my problems with Paxil. At this point, anything nice is a really good thing, because I truly believe I am going insane.

I have been on Paxil for Eight years (and I’m only 22 years old - do the math). 7 years on 20mg and this last year on 40mg. I was diagnosed with OCD when I was about 12. I took Anafranil for a year (what ever you do, stay away from that stuff, worse than Paxil) then I was switched to Paxil because the anafranil had so many side effects with no results. I will say that I believe the paxil did serve me well through my puberty years (contrary to the resent press on Paxil). For the last few years though (probably more now that I think about it), I feel that the Paxil has now become stagnet in my system. I feel that my whole body itself has become stagnet. I take the Paxil to get my "fix" just so I won't break down in tears at work and spend the rest of the day thinking about killing myself.

I told my Dr this and guess what his answer was, increase the dosage. So, I went to 40mg for a year. Same problem still, so again what was the Dr's answer - increase the dosage. Some how I do not feel comfortable taking 60mg a day, for an indefinite period of time.

Down to the point I promise, my prescription has expired. I refuse to see that Dr again, like a junky to his dealer. I have never even had a physical exam from this guy. No tests, nothing. Coiming off this stuff is Hell and I don't know if I'm going to make it. I will however gladly accept this as my penance, for never questioning a solution that was obviously wrong. I may have been a scared kid when I walked in that office, but the day I turned 18 I should have thrown that bottle away and never looked back.

Any one who reads this post, please prey for myself and the others. Show this site to anyone who you may think will benefit from it, because I wish I would have known...

Well, it's good to know I'm not alone. I was on paxil for a year and a half and recently completed my 'tapering off' of the drug. As I decreased the paxil dosage, I added in a bit of prozac to fight the side affects (doctor recommended). I battled through the withdrawl and it took about three months to completely get off everything. I was so excited to have finally freed myself from the addiction but rather than feeling better, I feel terrible. It's been a couple weeks now without any pills and I can honestly say that the withdrawl symptoms have gotten worse! It seriously feels like someone has hit me in the face with a baseball bat. I'm a complete mess at work, I can't focus, I'm dizzy, my balance is out of whack, I'm getting the zaps constantly and my anxiety and worrying are back worse than ever. The list goes on and on. I'd usually be out with my friends tonight but I feel too weird and I'm too tired (but not sleepy) so instead I'm searching the web for people who feel like crap like me. All I can think about is how good I felt on the paxil. I'd get back on it but it had some terrible side effects. You probably know what I'm talking about... no sex drive etc... I guess I'm glad I'm off but I just wish I knew when the withdrawls would go away. For anyone thinking about trying Paxil... don't. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
Feel free to reply.

-danny

I've been on 25mg of Paxil CR for almost a year now and it has been helpful, but the drowsiness and fatigue has been a real pain in the rear. I have tried several times to come off of it but the withdrawals are worse than the fatigue! After about 4 days of not taking it, the zaps would start and get so bad that I felt like I was going to fall to the ground. So of course I'd get to where I couldn't stand it anymore and ended up going back on my med. just to stop the zaps. Guess I'll be on it forever........

"I'm coming down, on the very last train from town."
- the WHO had it right before there was Paxil. I just drove home 3 hours late to avoid traffic and hope my third week of Paxil-free will somehow start getting better. Whoosh, Whoosh Whoosh in the back of my head all the way home - it reminded me of taking too much Nitrous Oxide at a baloon party when I was young and foolish. Four different periods of uncontrollable crying while driving on the Highway from Hell (doesn't every city have one?) I feel like every night when I go to bed is going to be my last. I stay up til I can't take it, then whoosh whoosh whoosh again. All the old sad songs I used to listen to in order to practice 'getting over things', got sadder, there are some songs on the radio that I'll start crying when I hear the intro! Turn on the news, and it sure looks bad - they still won't give peace a chance - it was a dream some of us had. So how did a 55 yr old male, like myself, start taking it in the first place? Pressure! Can't admit that I can't handle it, I found myself crying in the bathtub, thinking of ways to end it all - when I said "what the?" So I went to the Doctor and do you think he said - "put the lime in the cocoanut, and drink it all up"? NOPE - Paxil. The worst thing about it, was that the only reason I think it helped in the beginning was, I was so depressed - it didn't help watching the Pentagon burn outside my window on 9/11 - some said it might be a form of post traumatic syndrome - maybe it was. Then listening to the assholes that want to 'run' the country. I fought I Vietnam! vs I did my part in the National Guard. Well, I did my part too - I protested then and am protesting now.
I will never support any WAR and now I will never support Paxil or other 'stress-reducing' drugs. WHo is getting rich over the expensive Paxil anyways? It's the same people supporting the guys who want to run the country, and continue to make us feel "guilty" on protesting the other poorly run war! Yeah that's right - keep adding stress to us Baby Boomers, make them (us) pay for it, screw them (us) out of reasonable cost health care , let the banks fail and make us try to figure out the stupid stockmarket (where did all the ENRON money go? anyways). Hey maybe stopping the Paxil will get be back to my job - stopping the rich from getting richer. If any of this made sense, then maybe I just need more time for teh Paxil to wear off - meanwhile whoosh, whoosh, whoosh in the back of my head again. Good luck all - not sure if I'll wake up this time! again.

Hi:) I was on paxil regular 20 mlg for 9 years and went off to wellbutrin, which didnt do a thing, but make me cry alot, i am going back on paxil tommrow 20 mg, because i know i am addicted to it...even on wellbutrin, have night sweats, high anxiety, even though i am on 6 mgs klonopin, i have other side effects simular to this forum, but want some quality of life, if i need to be on meds all my life so be it, rather feel in control then out of control, i had no side effects from the 20 mgs, headaches though which my doctor will help with imitrex, peace all...

Well I read the article and I have to say you guys had it easy, I too was prescribed paxil and was on it for a little over ac year the effects while on the drug were wonderfull almost a miracle pill. I was taking 60 mg untill i laid off from my job, anyone taking paxil knows how expensive it can be so I ended up coming off cold turkey. Not to knock the writers idea of being weaned off but it would probably have been a better way in the first few days I experianced all the common symptoms;

the as you call it zapping
anxiaty
nightmares
nervousness
mood swings, if calling them that gives it justice

then about the second week things got really interesting I tried killing myself for the first time... yes there where multiple time that I experianced suicidal and homocidal tendancies by week 3 the spins and physical effects were wearing off but I was a changed person yet could do nothing about it. After several months my wife who had bravely stood beside me left saying she couldnt take it any more I ended up homless for a few months and then decided it wasnt worth it anymore and that I would rather be a slave to paxil than an empty man. For the first time in my life I cared nothing about myself or others and became a mugger for lack of better words, I then went to Mexico where I could buy paxil and have csince found a new job that pays even better, got my wife back and we make bi-monthly trips to Mexico for more paxil. I am happy now but still a slave to this drug.
Any rate thats my story I felt it to hold particular relevance as in the writers story the FDA said it was not a drug because people did not steal for it well I did. If I knew the people I mugged in the past I would apologize return there money and tell them why I did it, but I doubt I will ever get the chance and perhaps it is for the best as it is somthing I would like to forget and I'm sure they never want to see me again.

Ive just started taking 20 mgs of paxil last week for ocd/depression, i am already having feelings of blanking out, lack of emotion and cant sleep for more then two hrs at a time, im exausted and its really scary i dont know how bad withdrawal will be since ive only been taking it 6 days, but the longer I wait the worse it will probobly get, I want to stop right now but im so afraid of the side effects, if anyone knows anything that can help please email me, Its_magick_2000@yahoo.com, id really apperciate it, or if anyone has been only taking it a week is the withdrawal still that bad?

i've been on paxil cr for four weeks for social anxiety and i've had no side effects except for mild sleepiness sometimes and weird dreams.......i don't know what all the fuss is about...it's helped me so much already

Well, it is grim, but I began my paxil tonight. As of right now I am relaxed.

I am in recovery and used to be strung out on Xanax. Reading your posts and the withdrawels has me alert.

The worse withdrawels I ever went through is when I went off Xanax. That was pure hell.

I will keep people posted, and thanks. (Oh I am coming up on 2 years clean) I go to 12 step meetings etc. The one thing I do know about withdrawals, is that they will pass!

Good luck everyone, and thanks for the tips.

forgot to post the above due to drowsiness. it is morning now, I have a slight headache, and do feel a bit jittery.

I am hoping this works though. THansk for letting me post about this.

My doctor prescibed it to me without explanation, but when I went to the pharmacy to pick it up, in the package it tells you the side effects. After reading the side effects (which I always do on any medication) I returned the perscription to my pharmacist.

Never tried it never will. When you pick this drug up they tell you that it is a serious drug. Take heed to those warnings.

Oh yeah, THE ZAPS sound like an absolute nightmare! I really feel for you!

Hey, can someone please tell me how long these side affects of quitting Paxil will last????? I have only stopped taking Paxil for almost a week. Please tell me that these side affects won't last months or even years. I someone could shel the light on how long I am going to suffer these side affects, please e-mail me at:
msflownder@sbcglobal.net
Thanks.

TO all of you out there:
I am so glad to see that others out there are feeling the same way with withdrawls, I thought I was alone. My back ground is being a Paramedic and Registered Nurse for the past 8 years. I have been on Paxil for almost 4 years, have seen the ups and downs with the orginal Paxil, and not the More recent Paxil CR. I have tried like many of you to try and quit cold turkey, with some tapering of the medication., and now am going for the past month from going to 25mg twice a day CR to now just taking 12.5mg. My god the headahces, Vertigo, dizziness, nausea, and God awfull nightmares are terrbile. I truelly believe that there is something the FDA needs to do with this medication. Alas most of us are experiencing what has been described to me by fellow healthcare proffesionals MD's and other providers is whats called a Seritonin storm, the body is craving so much for the synthetic levels that SSRI's like Paxil cause that the vertigo, nausea are the most common side effect,, but also that worries me are the emotional issues that occurs,
Some of us are having intense rebounds of feelings, anxiety, OCD, nightmares,Gods speed that we all hang in there.
A couple of recomendations that I could see to mention to your doctor to help with things are.
For the Vertigo,dizziness, and nausea, Over the counter Meclizine HCL 25mg to 50mg every 12 hours, or You may try Benadryl 25 to 50mg every 4-6 hours as needed. And it was also discussed for the Severe Anxiety, Xanax, 0.5mg to 1mg every 8 hours as needed. Stay Tuned

Well I think it has been about 2 weeks that I have been on it, and I am having 2nd thoughts. I accidently forgot to take it yesterday, and I went through mini withdrawels, but I have been totally drained of energy the past 2 days and had to crawl out of bed (it's midafternnon here!) I don't know what to do.

I forgot to mention that I had an extremely disturbing dream last night, it was a hideous nightmare.

I got off paxil over a year ago and i still have these wierd "shocks" . I have never experianced anything like it. It feels like im unconcious for thats split second. Its almost like a sever twitch. It only lasts seconds. I strongly recommend to not take paxil. You will be better off trust me. Its supposed to uncomplicate things yet look how bad things are now thank to this drug!!