![]() |
|
September 21st, 2010
10:23 AM ET
How can I stop using Paxil without the side effects?Every weekday, a CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question. On Tuesdays, it's Dr. Charles Raison, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University, and an expert in the mind-body connection for health. Question asked by Sharon Reynolds of Tampa, Florida: I have been taking 10 mg of Paxil for nine years. I would like to get off of it but have heard of the many side effects associated with stopping it. Brain "buzzes" and various other frightening possibilities. How can I stop Paxil without those side effects? I started taking it after a complete hysterectomy that resulted in extreme anxiety. Expert answer: Dear Sharon, There is good news and bad news about your situation. The good news is that only about 20 percent of patients who take antidepressants experience these type of withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue the medications, and when experienced, these symptoms are usually mild and resolve in a week or two. The bad news is that you have two risk factors for experiencing an antidepressant withdrawal syndrome. First you have been on your antidepressant for an extended period. Second, you are taking Paxil (generic paroxetine) which - because of its short "half-life" in the body - is especially notorious for causing withdrawal problems. There are two very important things you can do to reduce your risk of having the type of symptoms you describe. First, you should work closely with your health care provider. Second, you should never just stop the medication. Probably the all-time best way to experience antidepressant withdrawal is to just suddenly stop the medication. Doing this is a shock to the nervous system, which has adjusted its neurotransmitter release based on the presence of the antidepressant. In the case of medications like Paxil that affect serotonin, we believe most of the withdrawal symptoms are related to a sudden increase in serotonin activity for which body and brain are not prepared. The first thing a good clinician will do is closely examine whether stopping the Paxil is a good idea in the first place. If you have been on the medication for 10 years and are emotionally stable, it might be the right thing to do. Even if it makes sense to do this, a good clinician will be carefully watching, not just for withdrawal symptoms, but also for any sign that the psychiatric condition that prompted you to take the medication in the first place isn't coming back. The most common symptoms of a Paxil withdrawal syndrome are feeling like you have the flu, often in combination with dizziness, sensory disturbances (like the buzzing you describe) and anxiety/agitation. The trick to lowering your chances of having these symptoms is to reduce the dose of the antidepressant as slowly as possible. For people who are really sensitive it can take months to get off an antidepressant slowly enough to avoid withdrawal symptoms. But remember that most people can stop an antidepressant cold and won't have symptoms. Whether you would be similarly fortunate or more unlucky is probably not a question you should test out. Rather, I recommend starting to work with your clinician to slowly lower the dose. If you feel fine you might try lowering the dose more rapidly as it feels comfortable. |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
|
https://www.dogfriendly.com/servlet/refer?from=pageFL&dest=https://ocrvcenter.com
Everything is very open with a really clear explanation of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your site is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.bbs.cfish.idv.tw/link.php?url=http://www.ocrvcenter.com
https://www.autosportinternational.com/redirect?link=http://cateringbusinessplans.com/
Hi, I do believe this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may return yet again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
https://www.neoromance.info/link/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=26&url=https://menmastermind.com
http://etracker.com/lnkcnt.php?et=qPKGYV&url=https://menmastermind.com/
http://adserver.merciless.localstars.com/track.php?ad=525825&target=https://club-maserati.com
This is the right web site for everyone who would like to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject which has been discussed for ages. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!
https://extraproxies.com/cannot-do-anything-at-all-with-bitcoin-in-my-blockchain-info-wallet/
http://www.iacconline.org/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://sanmarinoroof.com
I quite like reading an article that will make people think. Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!
https://genkidesuka.wp-x.jp/?wptouch_switch=desktop&redirect=https://postfallsphotographer.com/
I truly love your site.. Great colors & theme. Did you develop this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my very own website and want to learn where you got this from or what the theme is called. Kudos!
http://www.iaccmeetings.com/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://arizonasvision.com
I'm extremely pleased to uncover this web site. I need to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!! I definitely appreciated every part of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to check out new things in your web site.
https://vpdacha.ru/_snippet/redirector.php?url=https://arizonasvision.com/
I could not refrain from commenting. Very well written!
http://www.arida.biz/sougo/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=27&url=http://www.sanmarinoroof.com/
http://www.glorioustronics.com/redirect.php?link=https://energygopep.com
https://track.affclkr.com/track/clicks/3171/c627c2b89e0522dbfe9cbd2e8d2b8914736245cb75e9f0ab416db1046005?t=https://gopepp.com/
Excellent article! We are linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the great writing.
https://syuriya.com/ys4/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=415&url=https://hiddenapples.com/
https://www.coloradoballet.org/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://club-maserati.com/
http://sns.lilyenglish.com/link.php?url=https://www.club-maserati.com/
https://developer.vantiv.com/external-link.jspa?url=http://arizonasvision.com
http://www.sys.labaq.com/cli/go.php?s=lbac&p=1410jt&t=02&url=https://gopepenergy.com
http://kurose96.or.tv/ys4/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=217&url=https://newmomgiftshop.com/
https://ovatu.com/e/c?url=https://newmomgiftshop.com/
After going over a number of the blog articles on your site, I truly appreciate your technique of blogging. I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my website too and let me know how you feel.
https://www.immobilien-magazin.at/redirect.php?url=https://paradisepoolnspa.com
/
http://mx2.radiant.net/Redirect/apinchoflemon.com/tigs-tips-grating-cheese-without-the-mess/
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be exciting to read content from other writers and use a little something from other websites.
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wrti/.jukebox?action=viewPodcast&podcastId=7003&url=http://meryancor.com/en/module/smartblog/details?id_post=29
/
/
https://www.kultur-bad-vilbel.de/goto/?u=https://hector2y5w4.tkzblog.com/3495249/the-2-minute-rule-for-rv-repair-near-me
There's definately a great deal to know about this issue. I really like all of the points you've made.
/
https://track.twshop4coupon.com/track/clicks/3171/c627c2b89e0522dbfe9cbd2e8d2b8914736245cb75e9f0ab416db1046005?t=https://article.rabia.co.in/111680/just-how-to-carry-out-study-as-well-locate-the-very-best-trailer-repairs-near-me/
http://arida.biz/sougo/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=27&url=https://ofofozone.com/actress-naomi-nkechi-emmanuel-looking-cool-with-her-nose-ring/attachment/3613/
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post. Thanks for supplying this information.
https://www.kronenberg.org/download.php?download=http://gazetaconservadora.com.br/pgr-da-parecer-contrario-a-ato-da-cpmi-das-fake-news/
Hi, I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I'm going to come back once again since i have book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
/
http://www.dev-skanvor.1gb.ru/redir.php?url=https://postfallsfitness.com
https://datum.tv/ra.asp?url=https://wholesalenearme.com/
https://teacher.piano.or.jp/redirect_link?ptna_id=100017&url=https://reviewnearme.com
I like it when folks get together and share opinions. Great site, keep it up!
https://www.flash.wakunavi.net/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=333&url=https://marketingpostfalls.com/
You are so interesting! I do not think I have read through a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with genuine thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with some originality!
http://dir.tetsumania.net/search/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=3267&url=marketingpostfalls.com/
http://navi-ohaka.com/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=1&url=http://seopostfalls.com
http://www.mastermason.com/MakandaLodge434/guestbook/go.php?url=https://spokanevalleymarketing.com
Hi, I do believe your website could be having browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it's got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, great website!
https://www.joblinkapply.com/Joblink/5972/Account/ChangeLanguage?lang=es-MX&returnUrl=http://spokanevalleyseo.com
http://l-www.sitepal.com/affiliates/entry/?spdirect=1&affId=75895&promotionId=17691&link=https://internetmarketingsupply.com
https://www.wrasb.gov.tw/opennews/opennews01_detail.aspx?nno=2014062701&return=https://internetmarketingmontana.com
https://www.ffatsearch.com/search/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=9636&url=https://www.spokanevalleywebdesign.com
This is a really good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very precise info… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
http://rd.fresheye.com/opg/web/1/?go=https://bestshopnearme.com
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I think that you ought to write more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but usually folks don't discuss these topics. To the next! All the best!!
http://blogs.dnalc.org/?wptouch_switch=desktop&redirect=https://marketingpostfalls.com
http://weblib.lib.umt.edu/redirect/proxyselect.php?url=http://reviewnearme.com/
Hi, just required you to know I he added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 in the freshest theme I??ve came across. It extremely helps make reading your blog significantly easier.
http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/avalgonincubator
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be interesting to read content from other writers and use something from other sites.
http://www.mnop.mod.gov.rs/jezik.php?url=https://bulknearme.com
https://www.newsletter.viamedica.pl/lt.php?c=1282&m=2481&nl=6&lid=20647&l=https://hiddenapples.com/