Seroxat after effects????

Question

Hi, I have gradually come off my seroxat 20mg tablets with advice from my doctor. Everything has been great except if I move I frequently get these electric shocks through my body and head.
Does anyone know how long this lasts for?
Its really annoying after a while, oh and its been happening for 2 weeks now!!!

Answer 1

Can I assume that 2 weeks is also about your time off therapy?

Seroxat (Paroxetine), is a very effective drug for anxiety/depression. It has over a prolonged period had some fairly mixed press. Much of the criticism is with regard to problems with withdrawal.

It is certainly a drug where withdrawal must be planned and gradual, I think despite this many patients and doctors still rush it. It is very possible that this explains your symptom.

20mgs is the smallest tablet, so withdrawal is difficult. I have not found that dropping to alternate days etc. works very well. The blood levels fluctuate wildly if this is done. It is my practise to put patients onto liquid paroxetene, which is conveniently 20mgs/10mls. i.e. 2mgs/ml. I then reduce patients by 1ml every 1-2 weeks. Most patients have no problems at all with this level of reduction, however with 1 or 2 I have had to do it as slowly as 1ml every 4 weeks. I review each patient before each reduction, even if this is weekly, to ensure we are both quite happy with how things are going.

Go see your GP again, if he agrees that your symptom is probably withdrawal you could start a small dose, perhaps 10mgs and slowly reduce once more. You must however be guided by your own physician.

Answer 2

In the beginning i felt Seroxat saved my life. But God it's a really horrible antidepressant to get off. The 'double take' motion, in the head is really normal when you come off of these... i don't envy you at all. Thank god you are only on 20mg. I am really pleased you feel good.

Take it real slow won't you and don't what ever you do, just stop this process of cutting down. They have a nasty reputation for suicidal feelings. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. They are the bastard of all tablets. Don't ever consider going back on these will you. There has also been a lot of huge bad press on these since i stopped them,,, which i happen to agree with.

From someone who knows.
I don't usually say rude words in typing...
they nearly fucked me up completely!
And i am not a kid!

All the best.

Answer 3

Seroxat belongs to a group of medicines called SSRI Antidepressants.

Withdrawal symptoms that may occur include: dizziness, anxiety and agitation, sleep disturbance, 'flu-like symptoms, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, pins and needles, mood swings, feeling sick, and low mood.

These symptoms are unlikely to occur if you reduce the dose gradually.

If withdrawal symptoms do occur, they will usually last less than two weeks.

An option if they do occur is to restart the drug and reduce the dose even more slowly.

Answer 4

I agree with Murray, I was on anti-depressants and came of them at the advice of the doctor. I to had the electric shocks more about my head and face, it was awful. The doctor put me back on them for a fortnight, then withdrew them gradually and It was fine. Good luck

Answer 5

i was on them for along time.. lots of other of these type of pills too, up to 200mg daily, i used to call it"rushes" all over my body,been off this type of med. for about 3 months now, still get those odd feelings, mostly when im not occupied, it should pass with time,..just a withdrawel from this type of med. good luck..just keep active and i dont just mean phisically..x i had been on this type of med. for roughly 15yrs.. comming of slowly or all at once..same difference ..its down to the individual..doctors will tell you to come off them slowly wean yourself off them...you know your own body and how much you can handle..