I'm having a slight meltdown here! I was a member of paxil progress, a ssri support group which appears to be shut down. I was writing a blog about my experience from withdrawing and found it such a great comfort. Does anyone know if its going to come back? I'm weaning off SSRIs very slowly but still getting severe withdrawal symptoms.
What happened to paxil progress?
Question posted by Micromonster on 18 Dec 2014
Last updated on 18 January 2015
Answers
Roverround
27 Dec 2014
I've been on Paxil for 26 years now! I've tried everything! Impossible to withdrawal... A lot depends on the length of time you have been taking it.
gero67
13 Jan 2015
Hi Roverround,
This is what I have been waiting to hear. I believe that the longer you've been on the drug the tougher it is to come off, I've been on it for 20yrs and in the early days (5yrs in, approximately 2000) I came off Seroxat (Paxil) and took some Chinese/Tibetan tradition herbs and came off 2 meds infact, seroxat and Losec (omeprazole - which I had to take cause of Gerd/acid reflux). When coming back home to the UK I had to go back on both meds seeing as the stressful situation I was in was still there.
I want to ask, do you need to take a ppi (proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole) to protect your stomach, the doc told me that taking seroxat harms the stomach and so this why many take Losec, the thing is that if you take seroxat you have to take Losec, if you try reducing seroxat you need it cause your stomach produces more acid. So I figured that I need to come off Seroxat first and then taper off Losec as my mind calms down.
I tried this and got down to 4.4mg but my stress levels increased, anger, anxiety, negative thinking, depression and stress really increased. Now going up again to 5mg, I seem to do okay on that dose.
Scientists say that on SSRIs new brain cells are made, I think maybe the hypothalamus. So after 2 decades the brain isn't the same and almost can't function without seroxat.
gero67
13 Jan 2015
I wanted to add that I have tried coming off for ages, and worried about 'poop out'. The first few years I used to get the electric zaps but now this doesn't even happen it's more of a 'core of your being' type of withdrawal, a deeper pain.
Micromonster
18 Jan 2015
it's a long hard process for some coming off these drugs. There is a lot of information on surviving antidepressants. It's a forum where you can write journals, ask/answer questions and add you experience. I find it a massive support. like many others have had no help from doctors who refuse to believe there is a problem coming off these drugs. I have been on them for 17 years. I'm tapering at 5% every 4 weeks which I still get withdrawal symptoms from, but it's manageable.
Micromonster
18 Jan 2015
it's a long hard process for some coming off these drugs. There is a lot of information on surviving antidepressants. It's a forum where you can write journals, ask/answer questions and add you experience. I find it a massive support. like many others have had no help from doctors who refuse to believe there is a problem coming off these drugs. I have been on them for 17 years. I'm tapering at 5% every 4 weeks which I still get withdrawal symptoms from, but it's manageable.
Micromonster
18 Jan 2015
I've also been on ppi, I was never told seroxat can damage the stomach, the doc always said i had stomach trouble because I was stressed which I never believed.
Potatohead
18 Dec 2014
Hello micro monster. This must be a shock for you as it has been to many others. It was shut down yesterday with hardly any warning at all. No time for people to gather information or even find out.
Previous members of paxil progress are moving over to the surviving antidepressants withdrawal website. It's a very good website. You will find more information about the shut down of pp over there.
Micromonster
18 Dec 2014
Thank you so much, I'm going to give it a good read tomorrow. I felt like I actually knew the people on there, was so good to read other people's experiences and to get a bit of moral support. Thanks again, I'll be on there as Micromonster.
Micromonster
18 Dec 2014
Thank you so much, I'm so happy I found the old gang! I recognise a lot of the newbys on there. I'm so grateful, I can't seem to post yet, might need to be vetted first so will give it a while. Thank you thank you thank you
Potatohead
18 Dec 2014
No problem! I will pm you on there. I have a different name there.
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- Paxil uses and safety info
- Paxil prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Paxil (detailed)
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