Meanwhile, in the back of my mind, I'm wondering what I will do when it's time to stop. So, I decided that I was frightened enough by this that I needed to go off. So I started a taper. I am a nurse so I knew how to taper a med very slowly. However, this did not decrease the intensity of the effects. So, I'd bump my dose back up out of fear of what I was experiencing. Well, circumstances had it that recently I was left without it and I decided that no matter what, I would get off this. Enter "Living Hell" stage left.

The withdrawal problems of Paxil for some need to be acknowledged. We all have the right to know of the possibility of having these effects occur upon discontinuation of the medication. Yet, to this day, Paxil is VERY vague and downplays the severity of the effects of the discontinuation. They claim it to be "self-limiting". To me that was the most insulting thing I've ever heard. They are apparently being pushed to mention it now in their literature. But, besides the fact that they don't include the severity which can happen, they are sure to throw in that basically, it's as bad as you want to make it. This was my experience, nonetheless.

Upon discontinuation of Paxil, the dizziness occurred after about 36 hours without a dose. Shortly, the electrical impulses throughout my body started to appear. This, for me, was one of the most horrible effects. It was a constant sensation that wouldn't allow me to think clearly and it was almost like a Chinese water torture. Constant and unrelenting. Then I became unbalanced to a great degree, running into walls, stumbling, etc. Next, the extreme depression and anxiety took me down for the count. I was much worse than I ever was before going on Paxil. I was actually suicidal, and I had nothing but wonderful things going on in my life. That was day 3. I cried uncontrollably and I basically could not function.

To sum up, and I hope not too soon because I want to get my point across, but I don't want to lose anyone here, it took 5 full days to finally feel functional and non-suicidal. I'm on day 6 and still getting better, but seem to have moments when the electrical sensations reappear, but only briefly. My concerns are too numerous to mention in this forum, but I will list a few.

First, why is Paxil so reluctant to acknowledge these effects from discontinuation for some people? One thought I've had is that it's a matter of self-interest. They have a guaranteed gold-mine if as many people as I've read about have tried to stop, can't take the effects and go back on, hopelessly stuck taking it indefinitely until you are 'willing' to endure the hell. Second, with so many doctors refusing to believe that these effects occur, how many people are being brushed off, only to go through this without any help? How many people don't make it through the suicidal thoughts that I've heard others mention also? If this is such a rare effect suffered by so few, then why are there so many messages boards devoted to discussing this? And I find it very interesting that nearly all that do experience this effect have VERY specific complaints. Why do people over and over again say, "If I'd have know about the possibility of a severe withdrawal, I would never have taken it, despite the help it gave me." If Paxil is ever forced to examine what is happening here, I'll be first on their doorstep. We have a right to be informed and they have an OBLIGATION to provide this information. Thank you for reading this far.

Laura