Paxil, timeframe taking it for withdrawal risk - Anxiety Message Board

howard678 · 04-25-2005, 03:29 PM

Okay here goes. I have already been through a benzo horror show and do not want another one if I do not think Paxil is worth it. How long could one expect to take it and be able to stop abruptly without going through these surreal withdrawals many describe?

howard678 · 04-26-2005, 12:43 PM

Is a bit scary that no one seems to want to offer an opinion on my inquiry....

17 views though.

P.S. I agree with the prior post, that anxiety is a normal human condition that everyone experiences, but the cripling sort that disables one from functioning and draws blank stares from those you describe the symptoms to is not normal I do not think.

adam2000 · 04-26-2005, 06:02 PM

Hi Howard678,

I had been on paxil for about 5 years. I was originally on the 12.5 CR but had switched to 10 because of the CR recall. That change didnt agree with me so im currently concurrently weaning off paxil and starting on lexapro. It hasnt been easy, but Im taking it day by day.

As far as having withdrawal from it, Ive seen from other posts that it can depend on how long you've had it in your system. Paxil takes a few weeks to reach full effect so you have should take it for a while to see how you do on it. And as with any SSRI, you shouldnt just go cold turkey. My best advice (im no doctor) would be to try it for a while, and if you dont like it, i would slowly taper off of it just to be safe. I wouldnt really recommend going cold turkey on any of these meds to keep the withdrawal effects to a minimum.

Just my 2 cents, hope that helps...hopefully more people will come in and add to this. Good luck, and do your best to give it a chance. It can be hard in the beginning with side effects sometimes, but push through it and it goes away.

Regards,
Adam

howard678 · 04-26-2005, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam2000

Hi Howard678,

I had been on paxil for about 5 years. I was originally on the 12.5 CR but had switched to 10 because of the CR recall. That change didnt agree with me so im currently concurrently weaning off paxil and starting on lexapro. It hasnt been easy, but Im taking it day by day.

As far as having withdrawal from it, Ive seen from other posts that it can depend on how long you've had it in your system. Paxil takes a few weeks to reach full effect so you have should take it for a while to see how you do on it. And as with any SSRI, you shouldnt just go cold turkey. My best advice (im no doctor) would be to try it for a while, and if you dont like it, i would slowly taper off of it just to be safe. I wouldnt really recommend going cold turkey on any of these meds to keep the withdrawal effects to a minimum.

Just my 2 cents, hope that helps...hopefully more people will come in and add to this. Good luck, and do your best to give it a chance. It can be hard in the beginning with side effects sometimes, but push through it and it goes away.

Regards,
Adam

I have been taking it a week and am not sure I want to go down that road, so was wondering if I could just quit at this point. Cannot see my doc until the middle of May, is one of those govt subsidized deals so not someone I can really call and ask plus he seems ill informed about some things anyway. I do not know, am only taking 5 mgs.... Thanks for answering.

bondgrll · 04-26-2005, 09:12 PM

Let me hear about your benzo horror story....pretty soon i'm going to start the taper on the Xanax XR.