Date:  Sun Mar 4, 2001 9:39pm

Hello im a new member here. I was on paxil fer about 4 weeks 
(10mg first week, 20mg fer two weeks, then 30mg fer a week or so)
and then I stopped. And I know youre not supposed to do that, 
stop "cold turkey", but I didnt wanna take it anymore, I had headaches
every day which my dr brushed off. I didn't like it and I didn't wanna
be on meds anyway and I didnt think I would have withdrawal problems 
since I hadnt bin on it very long. And I felt ok for the first few days,
but it's bin a week maybe 2 weeks now that I am not feeling so well 
anymore/lately and I'm wondering if its the Paxil and if so, when am I
going to feel ok again?????  
I'm so out of sorts, kind of out of body, I have the shakes alot (well, 
inside more) and get chills but my heads always warm. And I feel 
varying degrees of nausea constantly. Is this going to go away?????????????? 
Help,

J.

Date:  Sun Mar 4, 2001 9:47pm

Response1:
Oh, dear.  You poor thing. We all know how you feel. It's normal if you're 
trying to get off this med. The good news is that you WILL feel better; the 
bad news is it may take a while.  And that "while" could be weeks, months or 
years.  Let's hope it's over quickly.  Take ginger for nausea.  Best not to 
ingest any cold rememdies or OTCmedications.  You probably should have weaned 
off very slowly, but since you're already two weeks into cold turkey, you can 
either stick it out or take a pill to get the symtpoms to go away and THEN 
start weaning.  Either way, you're in for a rough ride.  Drink lots of water, 
try to get a little exercise, meditate, deep breath and always remember "This 
too shall pass."  Now, go give you doctor hell for not warning you that you 
would tumble into the abyss of hell once you stopped taking this drug.  It's 
time these doctors got up to speed on the seriousness of these withdrawal 
symptoms.  Good luck and keep us posted.

Trisha

Date:  Mon Mar 5, 2001 6:27am

Response2:
J.,
As another person who quit cold turkey all I can say is hold on.
It will take up to 2 months to begin to feel "normal" that is Life before 
Paxil. I still experience the head zaps and nervousness.
I suggest an herbal supplement to ease the transition.
Good luck. Remember, your body has gotten used to it and craves it.
It is like an addiction. You have to fight it like one.

Chris