Paroxetine / Seroxat withdrawal symptoms
Posted , 41 users are following.
after being on the anti depressant Seroxat for 21 years, I am now coming off it, my doctor says must do this gradually. I am now taking 10mg every other day for 1 month then hopefully continue with maybe two 10 mg each week.
However I am having symptoms of withdrawal, I feel like I have a bees nest in my head, continuous buzzing then occasionally a feelin like an electric shock with a definite ping sound.
I do not have this when lying down at night but I cannot lay down all day!
Has anyone else sffered this and if yes then how long will it last?
5 likes, 147 replies
Lottie66 tillycd
Posted
Hi - just to share with you my story. I was prescribed seroxat 20mg 18yrs ago after a very bad bout of post natal depression. The drug was increased 6 months ago to 40 mg with no noticeable positive effect. Three weeks ago it was agreed with my psychiatric nurse to change my medication. It was not explained to me about withdrawal - I went on 20mg seroxat + 20 mg fluoxetine for one week, then 40mg fluoxetine. I have never been so ill in my life. My husband and I were on holiday (our first for four years) and I went completely mad. I was hallucinating, the floor was moving - I couldn't judge where the bed was. I was constantly nauseous and then had awful diarrheoa. I tried to watch the TV to distract myself but thought everyone was flying. And then the worst was the suicidal thoughts. It was the most frightening experience I have ever been through. I have never been a self harmer but I was seriously considering cutting my wrists with my husbands razor, getting the sheets off the bed and wrapping around the beam in the cottage so I could hang myself. All this was quite coldly thought out - it was like I didn't have an option. I don't know how I survived really. I think it is absolutely disgraceful that I was not told about the withdrawal effects. To go from 40 mg of seroxat - a drug which I have been taking everyday for 18yrs - and expect to reduce it within a week is totally unrealistic.
?If you do consider taking yourself off this drug please please do it under supervision. Also, I suggest you taper it very gradually as you can see it can have devastating effects. At the moment I am taking 20mg fluoxetine and don't ever want to take seroxat again. Your forum has been far more helpful to me than any Dr, nurse etc. People should be warned about the dangers of this drug and it is obviously very addictive and needs to be controlled far more than it is currently.
?I also agree that it can affect your mood - my poor husband is so used to getting his head bitten off. I have no patience and get very angry very quickly. I am also going through the menopause - not a happy combination! I am not writing this to frighten people just to make people aware of the dangers of this drug.
?I wonder why health professionals think it is ok to just prescribe this drug year after year without a thought to the patient's wellbeing? Surely a drug should be monitored, reviewed etc. At no time has anyone suggested that a different drug would be beneficial to me. It is only because I have had psychotherapy that I realised that my depression was not improving at all despite being given twice the dose I was on.
Food for thought!
Cailin_crosta tillycd
Posted
I'm into my 6th week of cold turkey. Had been on seroxat for 17-18years. It's getting better, or should I say less traumatic. Not over hump yet as nights are difficult walking throughout the house at all hours unless I take sedative which may be addictive if not monitored. Getting some exercise too which helps.
I'd be reluctant to advise anyone to revert to seroxat in any measure but everyone to one's own opinion! That's mine for what it's worth but by no means uncontradictable! Best of luck & hopefully will hear of a successful outcome 🌷
benny21592 Cailin_crosta
Posted
tillycd Cailin_crosta
Posted
hiya you are doing so well as for the night restlessness there are herbal remedies such as "Nytol" which you can try. These you can buy over the counter and are not addictive but should be taken regularly for good effect xx
Cailin_crosta benny21592
Posted
The 17year saga is a long one! It lifted the Dark Cloud. But when it no longer seemed to do that some months ago, I questioned its efficacy and went cold Turkey. Last 5 weeks have been hell but the light is appearing at the end of that tunnel. I'm now beginning to become active, I'm learning the tin whistle and sing to myself the songs I've learned over the years! Not to be recorded but music can sometimes heal the savage soul, some guy once said? One bonus point of not taking Seroxat is the fact that a glass or two of wine do not give me a hangover. On Seroxat, hangovers were horrible and I hardly ever drank alcohol. But I've indulged in a few glasses lately and finding they relax and no worse feeling AM. But maybe I've forgotten how to feel good.!! Getting there.....
Cailin_crosta tillycd
Posted
Thanks 🌷
Croydonbee benny21592
Posted
OK. As advised by two psychiatrists, after 5 days of cold turkey (paroxetine stopped abruptly after 20 years, then a week of Sertraline, then 11 days of Nirtazaoine), I restarted 10mg of paroxetine last night (they wanted me to stabilise). But within an hour, I was suffering the shakes, mental agitation and a kind of mania. I hadn't had that mania-like terror at night since going cold turkey (though have had the constant wasps' nest, ringing in ears, anxiety and tears every day), so now I'm terrified of taking tonight's paroxetine. I called the Maudsley team this morning as I was so concerned and scared that the retaking of paroxetine wasn't the answer, but nobody called back. At a loss - damned if I do take it (will mania get worse, will I eventually stabilise after a few weeks?) or do I just go cold turkey and hope I'll feel better down the line? I'm sobreluctant to put myself through this again and feel I need to be monitored. My hunch is that I really must not take it - the mania, panicky dreams, tremors. Seems to be no help out there when you need it. When I went cold turkey, the mania eased and I could breathe more deeply. At a loss. Only thing that helps me at the mo is the promethezine sleeping tablet. I'm in a mess, tearful, panicky over every little situation, but in a way I'd rather this than the mania, tremors and dark thoughts which seem to emanate from paroxetine or any SSRIs.
Anyone have any thoughts?
Cailin_crosta Croydonbee
Posted
Try Buteyko breathing method. Forget those docs who only know Ssri s. You've come this far. You'll get there. Sleep well 🌷
Purpleheather Croydonbee
Posted
OMG, sounds like you are going through hell right now! Can't believe nobody called you back (well actually I can!) Maudsley Hospital is one of the best though in the country. They helped me with my OCD.
Have you heard of "No Panic"? Brilliant help-line, I discovered years ago.
benny21592 Cailin_crosta
Posted
So glad to hear you beginning to become active. An article i read about seroxat withdrawal really touched my heart and i instantly felt i could relate to it and actually get better if i pratice mindfulness and keep faith. I suggest everyone to read it up:
How long do SSRI withdrawal symptoms last? By James Heaney
Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.
http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398316-adding-links-to-posts
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benny21592 Croydonbee
Posted
I quit seroxat cold turkey and am terrified of going back to it.. my diarrhoea under withdrawal is too bad
i dont know how long it will last but i am not going back to seroxat.. only way to our situation is probably wait and watch if withdrawal dies down.
Cailin_crosta benny21592
Posted
Hi Benny. Haven't been on this site for a while and saw your message now. Some information you posted was removed. Can you pm me that info? Tkx🌷
seroxatbegone tillycd
Posted
Oh yes, that is SUCH a good idea and I never thought to take Nytol!! I hope the Nytol helps you, great suggestion
hanna55533 Cailin_crosta
Posted
I'm reluctant to say that I'm glad to hear your experience because it is an unpleasant one. However, it is comforting to know that there are people out there with similar experiences to share. I have been on 'the drug' for 18 years with many attempts of weaning myself off with little success. It has not been good to me over the years as i still suffer from depression and anxiety. I suppose, the reason I have been on it for so long is because I'm addicated and find it both psychologically and physically impossible to come off it. Psychologically, cause I have an intense fear that I will end up in a psychiatric hospital that I was admitted to before I was introduced to this drug and physically because of the extreme symptoms (I've had them all). So, I'm trapped... I fear without it I will go insane (irrational fear that I can't disbelieve) and I can't cope with the physical sensations of withdrawal. I've gone cold turkey for 5 days but I see myself reaching for the drugs soon😩
Cailin_crosta hanna55533
Posted
Hi Hanna.
If you’ve done 5days that’s fantastic. You probably will think you’re going crazy and suffer in many ways, emotionally and physically for the next few weeks.
But there is light at the end of this insane tunnel.
Please get someone to help you through.
I got acupuncture treatments for the brain bursting,dizzy head and it helped a lot. Can you get Melatonin where you live?
It helps sleep deprivation and you probably are finding it difficult to get quality sleep?
Can you read in your present state? If you can , read Mia Lundin’s book on the female brain. The plant Paradox by Dr Gundry is very informative.
Curl up and sleep whenever you can.
Be patient with yourself.
My heart goes out to you and sincerely hope you get over the hump. 🌷🌷🌷
Cailin_crosta hanna55533
Posted
My reply is being moderated for some reason. Take it easy 🌷
Cailin_crosta hanna55533
Posted
Hi Hanna.
I wrote a longish reply but for some reason it is not published.
Just letting you know I'm thinking of you and hoping you are coping and being patient with yourself..
You'll get there 🌷
Cailin_crosta hanna55533
Posted
hanna55533 Cailin_crosta
Posted
Hello! Thankyou so much for the response. I find it comforting to hear the words of encouragement and I'm still holding on...unfortunately, I just couldn't cope without the drug so yesterday I returned to my recommended 20mg dose. Maybe, it's a placebo effect but I instantly felt relieved and the physical withdrawal symptoms pretty much evaporated within 24hours-I still feel depressed but less anxious. I am taking vitamin supplements such as b complex, triple omega and magnesium which I was told can help increase serotonin levels. I need a lift and I know that I'm not getting it from paroxetine. I want to do some form of excercise maybe go for a jog or swim but I can't get my legs to move. I'm just at home staring at the four walls. I have a pool that I don't swim in and live opposite a beach that I don't jog on! I really am trying. I have a very supportive husband and I can see that my moods and unwillingness to do anything but sleep is becoming frustrating. Today, I'm determined to drag my legs out of the house and at least go for a walk. ... will let you know, I hope you are well, 💐
Cailin_crosta hanna55533
Posted
Hi Hanna.
How is your diet? Heavy carbs sugar and stodge can make us feel bad.
Those supplements you take should certainly be helpful.
I understand quite well how you feel at the moment as I too ,frequently feel like that and wish I could end it without causing too much hassle for my family and friends. Luckily those destructive thoughts have diminished and my perceptions are becoming less insane!
Yesterday I walked up and down the stairs of my modest comfortable semi detached house and willed myself to admire my surroundings and appreciate the comforts I have and thought of the words of some guy who said that death is easy, true heroism is carrying on through life, however troubled. I’m no heroine but I manage laughs , smiles chats even with total strangers and it gets better !
I hope someday soon you can swoosh into that pool and jump into that sea accross from you, regardless of temperature and maybe the more chilly the better! If the day comes when we can see beauty and appreciate our many material comforts , we are on the first few rungs of our upward climb to lighter outlook on this present gloomy one.
My gloomy moments are becoming more sparse because I’ve made myself GO for that walk , forced myself up and down those stairs , willed myself to read that book and learn to play that tune. That extra effort begets an energy that can be life changing in minute steps.
I wouldn't scold myself for my inactivity but would encourage a little movement.
Let me know how you’re progressing and if you need to continue on the drug so be it. If it’s the lesser of two evils maybe you’re better off?
Whatever you decide I really wish you the very best. 🌹