seroxat/paroxotine withdrawal -help!?

Question

I want to come off seroxat, (otherwise known as paroxotine) its the one which was on the panorama twice for its addictive "qualities", I tried once to come off before and did so very slowly, from 20mg to none over 9 months, 18 months later in total, I wound up in a general psychiatric unit as I was panicky and depressed and wanted to kill myself,

I am scared to come off the drug but feel so little in the way of improvement from my initial diagnosis and being put onto it. I was offered to try something else which I am skeptical about and would rather not, but cant even consider it until this one is out of my system (will be a long long time away as I have been on seroxat this time (after my last efforts of withdrawal) for three and a half years.

Any one got any suggestions?

Answer 1

you cant just suddenly stop or you will have to go cold turkey but you can break a quarter off each month and do it like that without the withdrawal effects

Answer 2

I do not have any answers for you but i know what you mean , i was on seroxat before and it is a living hell withdrawing from this medication . I was ill and my doctor couldn`t sympathise enough for putting me on that drug . I reduced it gradually over a long period cutting the tablet in half then quarters etc til i was able to stop taking it and as you know its not pleasant . I felt no better after that course and my doc prescribed me another and i have never looked back i feel like a new woman ! I think it would be worth your while to try another medication , if you feel you have made little improvement with seroxat then what have you got to lose ? I wish you all the luck in the world .

Answer 3

You've done well to wean yourself off it so far. It sounds as though you've reached a plateau & don't feel able to reduce further.

One possibility is to just miss taking it for a day a week, then maybe 2 days in a week etc (not 2 days together), then 3 days , always knowing that you'll be able to take more again. Then see if you can increase one of your days off to 2 successive days. It may take you several months to reach that point, but it is possible.

Another option is to see if a different drug will help. That can be harder as there can be a bit of a ripple effect on switching between the 2, but it may be easier to come off a different drug. I did this & switched to St John's Wort (Hypericin) which has the advantage that no prescription is needed so you're totally in control without needing a doctor to prescribe. The only downside I know to Hypericin is that it can make some oral contraceptives ineffective. If that's a problem, some folks find a high dosage of EPA fish oils works well, Their downside is if you cut yourself your blood will take longer to clot, but that can be an advantage for folks at risk of thrombosis.

The alternative that worked best for me was to include brawn in my diet. It's available from butchers or delis & is totally food & no drug at all. I just need a couple of brawn sandwiches once a fortnight.

Answer 4

I am on paroxotine too. Have been on it for 4 years for panic disorder, agoraphobia and depression. I got off for a few months and like you said, it wasn't pretty. :)

Are you seeing a psychiatrist? You may need help with this one. Therapy is a MUST. You will need some tools to help you cope with the panic and depression.

I look at this like a comprehensive life change. Changing your diet, adding exercise, doing relaxation techniques, changing your thoughts.

Can you add something while you taper off the meds? Or go from 20 mg to 15mg then to 10mg?

Can I also ask why you are stopping? I hate taking meds so I understand not wanting to take them but do you feel you are at a good place to stop.

I see you said you don't see much improvement. Are you in therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy? It is a must!

check out the anxiety and phobias workbook by Bourne. It is an amazing book. Also check out this site http://www.adaa.org/

Wishing you all the best. :)

Answer 5

You are taking way to long to wean yourself from this drug. Nine months? Eighteen months? I also don't think that paroxotine is addictive. From my experience, you can wean yourself off of an anti-depressant in a month. The reason you are becoming suicidial and panicky is because you don't really have any of the drug in your system because your period of weaning off is WAY too long. I am surprised that a doctor took almost a year to wean you off this medication - never head of that. I have been on anti-depressants for over 10 years, known alot about them. I have never heard of one being addictive. Did a doctor tell you that? Bottom line: You are coming off the drug way too slowly. Under doctor's orders, I weaned myself from an anti-depressant a few times to try something new, and was on the new drug in a month.

Answer 6

I was on Seroxat for for many years on & off. I found when I took it, I wasn't as depressed but it did give me a boost.

I didn't think it was addictive physically but it does make you dependent on it & makes you lazy to not deal with ur depression.

I didn't find it difficult to come off it but you need to fell strong enough & you need to want to come off them & most importantly you need SUPPORT. If you don't feel strong enough, don't comeoff them yet, what's he point if it makes u end up in hospital?
Also, I asked my GP 4 therapy 2 deal with the underlying cause, it's free on NHS but there's a waiting list, ask 4 CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).

One thing I did that really helped me was see a healer every week. If you can afford it see one privately ( I can try & find out who is a reputable healer in ur area if u would like me to).

but there's the NFSH (National Federation of Spiritual Helaers) who don't charge (donations only as they have 2 pay 4 rented halls etc) & they have one in every part of UK & if u go to their website & type in ur postcode u can find where is the one nearest 2 u:

http://www.nfsh.org.uk/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,70/

Also, praying is very helpful.
It really helped me so I pray this helps. I'm sorry I couldn't b of more help,

with luv

Answer 7

my advice to you is get off the seroxat as soon has possible but you will have to go on another one to get off them don't be afraid to go on another one it will help you i no some one who was on it at a very young age and he became suicidal he is on some thing else now and is a different person now good luck

Answer 8

I guess your going to have to try some cold turkey...

Taking something else in its place is really no good for you.