SSRIs

[Ihsahn]

Is there anyone in here who is taking an SSRI or who has taken them before?

I recently ran out of Paxil (aka paroxetine, Seroxat, Aropax, The Devil). This isn't the first time, and I am familiar of the virtual hell that is withdrawal from SSRIs (or pretty much any major drug). I know that stopping cold turkey is VERY BAD, but I really had no control over this.

I began taking Paxil because of severe anxiety problems which were interfering with my life. This isn't the first time I've been prescribed an anti-depressant. When I was 9 or 10 years old I was prescribed the andi-depressant Effexor (Venlafaxine) as well as Dexadrin (dextro-amphetamine, a form of amphetamines slightly more potent than methamphetamines) for ADHD problems of the non-hyperactive degree. Anyway, if they didn't just fuck me over more, I don't know what they did for me in the long run.

I have been experiencing a number of symptoms caused by withdrawal from this drug. So far I have experienced:

*Dizziness/lightheadedness
*Vertigo - causes trouble in walking, spinning motion
*"Brain zaps" - electrical shock-like or jolting sensations, primarily in the head or spine
*Tremors - periods of uncontrollable trembling/spasms
*Muscle tension - I have to tell myself to relax, and my back has become sore
*Headache/migranes
Insomnia/nightmares
Nausea
Loss of apetite
Confusion and memory problems - having trouble with work, sometimes forget what I'm writing about (results in tense problems and scatterbrainedness)
Lethargy - unwillingness to do anything
Extreme mood swings - grief and anger
Agitation/irritability - can come off as assholishness, cruelty, or "treating others like shit" as I have been recently told
Depersonalization - nothing seems real
Suicidal ideation

(The ones that are starred are almost constant)

I also feel some sort of deadening of personality (loss or weakening of ability to joke with others, etc.). This may have contributed to some "assholish" replies to threads in which I was unable to control what I should and shouldn't have said.

As I write this my body is trembling uncontrollably, my head is spinning, my nerves are being jolted, and I feel like throwing up.

I have been reading and found that paroxetine, specifically, has actually increased the risk of suicide, as shown by research of the makers of the drug, Glaxo Smith-kline, in the UK (in which it is now BANNED), which has also led to legal action:

http://www.drugintel.com/drugs/paxil.htm
http://www.legallawhelp.com/safety_and_health/paxil/

While on Paxil (2-3 years) I did experience some uncontrollable violent and suicidal tendencies in which the drug may have played a role (although I have not told many about this), as a well as an increased succeptibility to manic episodes and depression, even though I am not bipolar or manic-depressive. Many of my relatives and friends have testified to this, and while this may lead to great subject matter for lyrics to black metal bands like Morgul (yes, many of my thoughts and ideas at the time were similar to the lyrics of Jack D. Ripper) it isn't very cool in real life, and is actually kind of scary.


Does anyone else have any info on this? Any stories?

 

[BasilisK]

You gotta get to a Psychiatrist and tell them about the symptoms.

I'm on heavy doses of Paxil, Clonopin, and Zyprexa for severe panic disorder (24/7, if I'm not on tranquilizers, I'll freeze up). My heart races a million miles an hour all day even with the medication.

I have the same "brain zaps" and "vertigo" that cause dizziness and nausea (that's the anxiety).
I assume you have muscle tightening/clenching with the "tremors". This is a side-effect of Paxil, a Psych needs to be notified immediately. This is dangerous.
Everything else you described is a symptom of withdrawal from the medication. You have to slowly be "weaned" off of it or some very unhappy shit will happen. My Clonopin, for example: If I ran out or suddenly lowered the dosage, I would have a seizure. The same may be the case with Paxil, they're both in the same general family of drugs.

Bottom line: Get to a psychiatrist ASAP and tell them EVERYTHING. The side-effects of suddenly stopping dosage are extremely dangerous. Trust me on this one. Because of how advanced my anxiety disorder is, I feel like I'm having a heart attack, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it's been this way for 4 years. The docs still can't figure out why it's so advanced and stays so steady. But I do know a thing or two about the medications.

If you have insurance, call and make an emergency appointment (if your PCP isn't avaliable within a day or two, see whoever can see you immediately). If you don't have insurance, look up some specialists in the phone book (psychiatrists) and find out how much it would cost to make an un-insured appointment. If you can't do either, you may have to take yourself to the ER.

I've been out of work for six months now because of the severity of the condition (it somehow got WORSE) and the side-effects of the medication (which sucks, because I've never NOT been working since I was 14). The doctors tell me I CAN'T work. I can't really argue with that. I don't know how the system works in LA, but here in AZ there's state-funded insurance. A simple fax from my psych saying I'm too disabled to work and some paperwork set me up with free health insurance, including perscriptions (it's called ACCCHS insurance). Definately look into this. It's the only thing keeping me alive right now. I can't afford insurance if I can't work.

Anyway, get to that psych. This is bad news.

 

[chris-o-fer]

Damn, Basilisk basically said everything you need to know. I take Paxil for anxiety as well, and have also experienced the effects that have troubled you the most. You're definately not alone. And as Basilisk said, you really need to get to the dr. Good luck dude.

 

[BasilisK]

I really wish I didn't know as much about this shit as I do..... Feeling like you're about to die 24/7 isn't a hell of a lot of fun. But if it helps this guy, that's good.

 

[Ihsahn]

Thanks for the help Basilisk.

My mother is on Klonopin (clonazepam, Rivotril) too; I think she takes it because she has mitral valve, which in some cases is hereditary. I might have mitral valve as well, although I've never really been checked for it.

I'm planning on seeing a physician tomorrow. I've read a few reports on Paxil withdrawal and most people seem to think that it's alright to just let the symptoms "blow over." I really had no idea that it was that serious.

Thanks again.

 

[Silver Raven]

I wish I would of know all of this say for the past 2 1/2 years...just hope all get better in someway or another...

 

[BasilisK]

Thanks for the help Basilisk.

My mother is on Klonopin (clonazepam, Rivotril) too; I think she takes it because she has mitral valve, which in some cases is hereditary. I might have mitral valve as well, although I've never really been checked for it.

I'm planning on seeing a physician tomorrow. I've read a few reports on Paxil withdrawal and most people seem to think that it's alright to just let the symptoms "blow over." I really had no idea that it was that serious.

Thanks again.

Oh yea, it's "Klonopin" with a "K", I forgot. Clonozepam is just a generic brand name of Klonipin (but exactly the same thing, that's what I take).

It may be ok to let the Paxil withdrawal symptoms just pass, but it's always better to slowly lower the dosage over the span of maybe a couple weeks, different people have different side effects. The main "dangerous" one was the muscle clenching. Let that psych know that you have that problem when taking Paxil.

I saw the psych last on Thursday, she wants me into a lab for several blood tests this week, and also into a regular doc for a full physical and maybe some x-rays. You should mention that to your psych, especially if you're insured. Since you and I have a lot of the same issues, if the psych says blood tests and a physical aren't really necessary, I'd find another doctor. That's one of the reasons my problems have gone on for so long. All the docs and psychs I've seen really don't give too much of a shit in the long run. Another thing to look at would be your appointment durations. If your psych appointments are 15 minutes long and three months apart, you're probably dealing with a pill-dispenser who's not really looking too far into the issue. The specialist you're seeing is just as important as the medication you're taking. If they just call you in, write out prescriptions, and send you on your way with little talk about progress (or lack thereof), they're probably doing more damage than helping you. Sticking you on a bunch of pills and not monitoring the progress or effects regularly is a dangerous game; I don't know for sure but that kinda seems like what's happening to you.

Bottom line is you gotta find a good doctor and see them regularly (three weeks apart or so, tops), or you're not gonna make progress. I found that out the hard way over the last 4 years. I'm seeing some pretty proactive people now on this state insurance, so hopefully I'll start making some progress.

Good luck bro.