I don't want to take it anymore because I HATE the side effects. It makes me very tired and makes my muscles (mainly my legs) twitch. My prescription is only for 26 days then I can choose to continue my treatment. But I wanna stop taking them, like NOW! Can I just stop taking them or should I wean myself off of them.
Also, when I stop taking them, how long does it take to get them out of my system?
2006-10-14 18:03:33 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I was on 10mgs for 6 days and am now on 20mgs for about 4 days.
2006-10-14 18:11:05 · update #1
I was only put on Paxil short term just until I got into therapy. And I did.
2006-10-14 18:12:03 · update #2
Please do not stop cold turkey. You need to wean off antidepressants very slowly!!!! Talk to your dr., there are other medications you can try besides Paxil that may not have the same side effects.
2006-10-14 18:08:53 · answer #1 · answered by knittinmama 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you've only been on Paxil for a week or so, it will be fine for you to stop. It is important that you understand that therapy doesn't work overnight though. It takes time to develop your own solutions and tools to cope with whatever causes your anxiety. Will going to therapy remove this stressor from your life immediately? For most of us the answer is NO. It would be in your own best interests to discuss an alternative to Paxil with a Psychiatrist, not a family Dr. General practitioners usually mean well, but they really aren't up to date on what all is out there. So the short answer is yes, you can stop cold turkey, as you haven't been on long enough to develop any dependency. The best answer is to take the smaller dose until you can see someone about an alternative.
2006-10-15 02:07:13 · answer #2 · answered by Greg I 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT JUST STOP TAKING THEM. I took paxil for anxiety until i couldnt afford it anymore. so i just quit taking it. I was a total b**** for 3 weeks, insomnia, really easily irritated and stuff. I will never do that again. I liked paxil when i was on it, it really helped. but after just stopping im not sure if i would ever take it again. wean yourself off of it. It has also been only a week for you. Call your doctor (because sometimes it can take a few weeks to take full effect) and see what he recommends you should do. maybe you should give it a chance...if it bothers you that much, maybe a lower dose, or weaning. If your already having these signs after just one week im sure it wouldnt just fine to quit cold turkey. I hope it all works out. and paxil is not a generic. aropax is a tradename for paxil in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Brazil. Paxil is a brand name, they just came out with a generic for it several years ago.
2006-10-15 01:14:14 · answer #3 · answered by Autumn M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paxil and medication like Paxil, need about a month before starting to function and it take sometime to get used to them. The best for you thing to do right now is to talk to your doctor about your concerns. There may be another medication with less side effects that you can try. Do not stop taking Paxil or weaning down without speaking to your doctor as it can cause severe problems.
2006-10-15 01:10:07 · answer #4 · answered by smarties 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just stop taking it. There are many others ways to treat yourself. For example ST.Johns wort is an excellent anti-depressant. So is grapefruit. If you go and check out the nearest health food store they will be able to direct you to a safe alternative to Paxil. I myself took the stuff for three days and had the same complaints as you. Right now I take ST.Johns wort and sage tea. Also try taking Omega 3,6&9. Your diet has a lot to do with your pschycological health. Another great tip is get natural light bulbs in your house. The decline in vitamin D in your system can decrease your energy and make you lethargic. Good luck and hope you find the right answer to your question.
2006-10-15 01:12:04 · answer #5 · answered by grease 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Paxil is a generic for Aropac. I am a panic disorder sufferer and have been on Aropac for years and years and could be on it indefinitely. Aropac is suppose not to be addictive. I found it to have helped me enormously, and if you are anxious it should help. If you feel you could manage without them, speak to your doctor about just stopping or weaning yourself off them. I am a great believer in " If you dont have to suffer then dont". Depends on how bad your anxiety is. Good luck
2006-10-15 01:12:13 · answer #6 · answered by Vonnie S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitly call your doctor for advice. Never self treat. I know I did and got into all kinds of trouble for it. Became addicted to xanax without my docs knowledge. Now he is fixing it.
He put me on zoloft for 2 weeks, and I was a total zombie. I hated that drug, but my friends Mom loves it.
Each med works differently for everyone. and they all have side effects to deal with, just how much is up to what you can handle.
He now put me on Lexapro. Hardly ANY side effects for me whatsoever. Of course I have only been on it for a week, but usually within that first week you KNOW IF it is acting wrongly with your body chemistry.
Please talk with your doctor immediately before discontinuning any medication they prescribe, expecially anti anxiety, or anti deppresant drugs.
Good luck
2006-10-15 07:17:57 · answer #7 · answered by Kay M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took paxil myself and I didnt like it either but what ever you do do not quit cold turkey!!! Wean yourself of them and then try Welbutrin.
2006-10-15 01:07:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
you can get switched to different medications... my doctor told me that the full effect of anti-depressants is at least a month.... but if you have bad side effects, consult your doctor , but i wouldn't quit them cold turkey... only if your doctor says so
2006-10-15 01:13:51 · answer #9 · answered by broken_jade 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's fine to stop taking them. You haven't been on them long. They may or may not have started working yet anyways. It takes about a week before they kick in and start to work.
2006-10-15 01:06:45 · answer #10 · answered by lilmisstickletoo 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋