Disappointing side effects from PAXIL

wiskersonkittens · Post by **wiskersonkittens** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:23 am

I was recently diagnosed with Axiety Disorder and thus put on PAXIL. Years ago, I had taken it with no problem. In fact, I loved it and felt so good on it. However, with this round, I found I could not tolerate it. After just 3 doses of 10 mg each, I awoke in the middle of the night with a big Panic Attack and burning sensations all down my back. My heart was pounding, and I was trembling. I finally got myself under control, but those burning sensations lasted quite some time. I spoke with my aunt the next day, who is a nurse, and she advised me to go off the meds and even checked with a pharmacist to make sure it would be ok just to stop it for I hadn't taken it for very long. He said it was fine, so I did. All this week I have been feeling really strange -- cold running down my back, shoulders, neck; my eyes and nasal area have a slight burn to them, and I overall just don't feel right. I believe it is withdrawal from the meds. Has anyone else experienced something like this? If so, how long can I expect to feel this? I am starting to worry, of course, but over the course of the last 3 months I have had EKGs, blood tests done, heart monitoring, and even a CT scan of my brain and everything came back normal. I just find this one more thing to worry about and I am tired of it. I want my life back, but I don't think I can get it back with meds. Thank you for listening.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:34 am

I was on 20mg/day of Paxil for over 10 years (6 months Paxil Free today) and I can assure you what you are experiencing is the Paxil withdrawal. In fact since you've only had 3 doses I would tend to believe you actually had a bad reaction to it. All of the symptoms you describe should eventually subside but from everything I have researched shows there is no set time line and it is usually different for everyone. You might want to start keeping a journal of the symptoms just in case any new ones might crop up which might help you to realize they are related to the paxil. Some of the things I used was drink tons of water and I mean tons, eat nutrious meals, stay away from sugars, definately caffeine. Good luck and I will try to keep track of your post to see how you're doing.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:45 am

Hi wiskersonkittens,
funny because i experienced something similar with paxil. I took It when i was 16 and tolerated it fine. No major side effects for me which is why i wanted to try it again this year. I took only one dose and i flipped out. my body felt strange, and had a BAD panic attack. I called the pharmacist and she told me to stop taking it. When i was 18 -22 I took lexapro off and on. No major side effects at all and it seemed to work best for me. So i decided to give that a whirl and after just one dose i had bad anxiety and was nauseous and had racing thoughts and couldnt sleep; felt like i was going crazy. i even took it again the next day thinking it was not not the drug but same thing happened. I am so sad that lexapro doesnt work for me anymore because it used to. I have no idea why not anymore. Now i feel like i am super sensitive to SSRI's. Maybe because i am more panicy? I dont know but after just a one dose I have felt terrible with both drugs when before i was able to take them.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:09 am

Thank you so much Holly and klkroy for your responses. I don't feel so alone now. I did just now speak with my psychiatrist, who put me on PAXIL, and I told him why I went off and what I have been going through. Basically, he wants me to go back on it and he told me those cold feelings down my back and so forth are not at all withdrawal symptoms (I would have to be on it for months to worry about that), but anxiety. I told him I haven't been feeling anxious, that these feelings and sensations have come out of nowhere, and he told me that was what was hard about anxiety, that it just hits sometimes and I may have just been anxious about the meds. I hate to say this, but I don't know if I fully believe him. He wasn't concerned in the slightest, which I should find reassuring, but I think he thinks all this is manifested in my head -- the typical stigma we have to face. I NEVER had burning or cool sensations before I went on the PAXIL, so can my anxiety really change form like that? I guess it is possible, but there is too much correlation for me with the meds and these new symptoms.
I did drink some water and I have been involved in other things and haven't noticed the cold sensations as much --maybe it is anxiety -- but then again, I do feel them a little now, like they are always there, but the water and distraction minimized them. Sorry for going on and on. I am so confused now! I just want them to stop, THEN I guess I'll decide my next move. Thank you for being there. I really appreciate you both writing.