Paxil

[AmyinNC]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?NC
I am currently a user of the drug paxil. I have been on it now for 10 years. I started it for menstrual moodiness. Now I have a hysterectomy and have tried to stop using it and cannot. I get psycotic. I have also tried to switch to another type of antidepressant and I cannot go without paxil the longest is 2 weeks and I have to get back on it. What can I do? I do not want to spend the rest of my life dependant on this drug!

 

[enjay]

You need to taper off over a period of several months. Your doctor can provide guidance.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

You were on Paxil for a long time and for a hormonal related disorder, therefore when you had a hysterectomy you upset that balance but may not have eliminated entirely the need for Paxil and a psychotic reaction or depression is a known reaction. It may take a long time to come off Paxil and it must be done under your psychiatrist's supervision. Was it s complete hysterectomy? Have you consulted an endocrinologist? Are you taking HRT or DHEA? Do you have any known drug allergies or adverse reactions? While you associate this with Paxil it is your body's reaction to the medication or class of medication and the chemical/endocrine imbalance that exists.

 

[AmyinNC]

paxil

I think its the seritonin levils. I have tried to taper off it. I am just very upset at the drug for not warning of not being able to go off of it. I do not have a psych. because I do not need one. Its only when I decrease the meds or try to switch I cannot do it. Does anyone know of others and what they done?
What responsibility does the makes of paxil hold?

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Please answer my questions.
The responsibility Paxil holds is related to some issues, not to how your doctor treated you with it or what you were informed.
You are not the best judge of the cause, or whether or not you require a psychiatrist. Obviously are not being supervised if you are asking on an internet forum how others have handled their reactions, so any case you might have had can easily be defended.

PLEASE contact a psychiatrist today and get an appointment for appropriate supervision of your mental health condition. Please post back with an update after you have done that.

 

[AmyinNC]

paxil

I am in the medical field and see my physician as she needs me to. With her help we have tried to taper me off and switch. Why should I spend more money for a psych. which I do not need. My insurance plan I have now doesn't pay for my medication. I am just upset I cannot taper off it or stop it. I still blame the drug manifacture and I am sure they have documentation that this is a problem they have to. I am not the only one.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

I am in the medical field and see my physician as she needs me to. With her help we have tried to taper me off and switch. Why should I spend more money for a psych. which I do not need. My insurance plan I have now doesn't pay for my medication. I am just upset I cannot taper off it or stop it. I still blame the drug manifacture and I am sure they have documentation that this is a problem they have to. I am not the only one.

If you are in the medical field, then your excuse makes even less sense. See a psychiatrist who is best equiped to supervise your psychiatric medications, not the opinions of unknown persons on the internet. One of the bigest problems with psychiatric / psychotropic medications is that non psychiatrists prescribe them in good faith because they can but without the special knowledge required when trouble arises. Now get yourself to a psychiatrist to monotor and supervise you medications.

 

[Heather2]

...and have tried to stop using it and cannot. I get psycotic. I have also tried to switch to another type of antidepressant and I cannot go without paxil the longest is 2 weeks and I have to get back on it.

Do what doc rmet said and see a psychiatrist. You may not have started taking it for psychological reasons but now you are dependant on it and you said you get psycotic.

 

[formerlsa]

reaxil

Hello, I have been where you are. I was on paxil for 4 years when I decided I have had enough. I was on 40 the highest. Anyhow, it took me about a month but I weaned very slowly. I cut the pills, until I was on 5, than half of that. It worked! I never had any side effects. I also exercised alot, speed walking which really helped.

I now know that this drug is very hard to get off. But if you wean very carefully and exercise it may just work for you, I certainly wish you luck with this ,you can get off just keep thinking positive. I have been off the drug for 5 years now!

 

[rmet4nzkx]

formerlsa,
I know your intent is good, however, we can't suggest that OP wean herself off the Paxil without appropriate medical supervision. That is why i referred her to a psychiatrist. Your case may be entirely different than her case, you are not qualified to give her medical advice, please edit or delete your post. OP admits to becoming PSYCHOTIC when not taking Paxil, it could be dangerous to do as you suggest.

 

[formerlsa]

paxil

You are right, these seratonin uptake inhibitors affect everyone different. I personally never asked my doctor what to do, I told him what I was doing, he seemed oblivious to the fact that paxil has serious side effects when coming off. Now though, with all the latest news, most doctors understand that these drugs can cause serious side effects if stopped cold turkey, that you must wean off them. Yes I believe she should see a "qualified psychiatrist", but also she should be aware and be her own advocate when it comes to her mind and body. Nobody has literally died coming off paxil but it can make you sick with flu like symptoms and possible seizures and psychosis. Just trying to help, Maybe I thought this was the health forum.........

 

[rmet4nzkx]

This is a forum re legal issues, not a health forum, even so it is far more complex since OP's problem is complicated by endocrine issues, known side effects associated with ssri use, not specifically with ssri withdrawl per se. That is why I asked additional questions and referred to a psychiatrist. While your doctor didn't specifically supervise your withdrawl, you notified them that you were doing it and did it gradually. OP admitted becoming psychotic an even better reason for medication supervised by a psychiatrist. It is not appropriate to discuss fatal outcomes of ssri withdrawl here.

 

[Heather2]

This is a forum re legal issues, not a health forum, even so it is far more complex since OP's problem is complicated by endocrine issues, known side effects associated with ssri use, not specifically with ssri withdrawl per se. That is why I asked additional questions and referred to a psychiatrist. While your doctor didn't specifically supervise your withdrawl, you notified them that you were doing it and did it gradually. OP admitted becoming psychotic an even better reason for medication supervised by a psychiatrist. It is not appropriate to discuss fatal outcomes of ssri withdrawl here.

Go easy Doc, she was just trying to help.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Go easy Doc, she was just trying to help.

I know they were trying to help, but it could be dangerous advice to somone who in not competent/psychiotic, who may require a medication their whole life. I seem to remember someone who also didn't want to see a psychiatrist to get the proper medication and to be supervised.

Remember, people often come here looking for a specific answer and when they don't get it get angry and the last thing we need is for someone claim that they were advised to quit taking a medicaiton on this forum. It is no different than when someone trys to get advice on how to comit a crime or aid and abet.

 

[Heather2]

I seem to remember someone who also didn't want to see a psychiatrist to get the proper medication and to be supervised.

It's humiliating doc.

As far as bad advice, that is what the disclosure is for.