Hi Everyone-I want to share some of my experience in withdrawal from Paxil. Now first Paxil worked well for me when I was on it but I am one of the 20% who can have withdrawal for up to 2 years. Coming off any SSRI's has to be so slow and even then at 5 months Paxil free I am still getting anxiety which is Paxil related and even trembling.Basically all the symtoms I had pre Paxil have come back to varying degees but because I am informed I know it is the Paxil and not the return of anxiety and thankgoodness for my new coping skills as I am sure using them alot these days. Drinking water really helps with the spacey head. I am sharing this stuff just in case anyone else is having trouble and thinks all the anxiety symptoms have come back when in fact it could be the Paxil!!!! Also not all DRS. believe in this but many do. Have a Great Day!!!!! Timber

Hi Timber, I have posted before on my problems withdrawing from an SSRI antidepressant. As you may remember, I am still going through physical difficulties almost 7 months after my last dose. I am reluctant to post too much on here about this because I have found people generally have pretty strong opinions about meds. I am afraid to share any negative experiences (and there have been many) as I don't want to come across as judgemental toward people who take meds. All I can say is that had I known how horrible the withdrawal would be for me, I would NOT have touched an antidepressant in the first place. I have read several informative books and have found a great social audit web site from the UK concerning SSRI antidepressants. I would also venture to say that there are more than 20 % of us who have this hard of a time. If you are interested in the books or site, please let me know. Maybe you have done a lot of research as well and feel you don't need any more info...lol, but I know it helps me to feel less alone to share my experience with others.

Hi SuzanneMarie-Thanks for your response and yes I have donw alot of research. I also go to PaxilProgress.org which is a support site. When Lucinda says be informed about medication she is so right. The Paxil did work for me but getting off it has been a journey.I basically wrote about this stuff just to let others know they are not alone in getting off antidepressants. Some people get symptoms of withdrawal for 2 years after.I was told it was not addictive and perhaps for some it is fine but for many of us it is horrible to get off and I do not mind saying so. I do not put down meds as they are a life savour for many and the Paxil really did help me but my first attempt at weaning was a bust and I could not understand with all my skills why I was in a constant state of anxiety and guess what it was the Paxil as I came off too fast so the second time I weaned off 20mg over a 7 month period and I still got withdrawal but it has been tolerable and almost 5 months Paxil free it still comes a knocking at times.Do not be afraid to share any neg experiences cause it is good to know re meds and everyone is entitled to their opinion.Thanks for sharing Timber

timber and suzanne
thank you for this post, i was prescribed paxil by my dr, but chose to not take it, as i also did research, i have also be reluctant to post anything that may be construed as "anti-meds", it's all about choice, i have chosen a well known and trusted naturopath who has prescribed some wonderful herbs (all in dry form, boiled as teas, he doesn't like the pill forms) and they seem to be working for me, very subtle i'm sure, as i did try xanax,and hated the side effects, but it works for me, along with the program, and the support from this site
thanks again
colleen

dear koko, would you mind sharing with me the name of your naturopath and or the herbs you are taking? you can email me at justinv619@netzero.net thanks in advance.