J's doctor advised her to cut her dose in half for a week, so instead of taking 20mg/day, she'd be taking 10 mg/day. Then, cut that down to half again for a week--take 5 mg/day for a week, then stop taking it entirely. In two weeks, she'd be weaned entirely off Paxil.

J's a bit worried about the things she's heard about people trying to come off Paxil, and the side effects. She's heard everything from seizures to flu-like symptoms, to dizziness.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

I've always heard that the longer you take to get off Paxil, the better it is for you...like maybe she should ask her doc if she should take 10 mg/day for two weeks, then 5 mg/day for another 2 weeks, then either stop, or take 5 mg every other day for 2 weeks, then stop entirely.

Thanks for any input!
Smiles,
Sooz

Above all, she shouldn't worry about things that she has "heard." She doesn't know about what those people's particular circumstances were or what their doctor's had told them to do. There may have been other medications involved. That's just worry that she doesn't need.

Good luck to her.

Yes, there are *discontinuation* effects assoicated with Paxil. Some people have no effects at all when going off, and I say that based on the patients I personally work with as a health care provider. These are NOT side effects of going off an "addictive" drug because Paxil is not addictive.

M.

Side effects are most often seen in people suddenly stopping it, not tapering off ... she should follow the dr's instructions. And not blame EVERYTHING on the Paxil: one friend of mine blamed it for a nasty bout of flu-like symkptoms - until her hubby came down with the flu too.

I think one should always find a doctor who is a friend or best- a family friend someone who cares and has integrity and ethics.

Thanks to all who posted!
Smiles,
Sooz

Doctors should warn their patients about Paxil and drugs like it. Granted, some people really need them so they can function, but it's very addictive and nobody seems to acknowledge that.

I'll post on here when I start and hopefully keep everyone informed of my progress, this way it may help others with their plight.

I would like to add that I feel paroxetine has really helped me over the years. I've been in some pretty dark and lonly places over the years and without the help from this drug I'm not sure how I'd have made it out of there. I feel this is a very important drug to many in stabalising their lives and giving them a life back. There just comes a time for people when they want to face life without a crutch, and for me that time is now.