The Withdrawal Effects of Discontinuing Paxil Cold Turkey

Imagine the worse hangover on the planet and then triple it because that is the result of the withdrawal effects of discontinuing Paxil cold turkey. After attempting to discontinue the drug administered to control anxiety and panic attacks, not once, but twice, only to feel worse the second time around, how to discontinue the use of this drug without crashing and burning is truly a conundrum.

Though Paxil has helped many people living with anxiety to live a fairly normal life, there are also many side effects that come with the drug that motivate the user to want to discontinue the use of the drug. Like most things everyone reacts to Paxil, also known as Paroxetine, in a different way, but ultimately most people want off the medication.

After making the decision to discontinue the use of the drug the price of withdrawal was a difficult one. The first cold turkey experience resulted in a total emotional crash resulting in deeper depression, crying all day, listless and sleepless nights. After resuming the use of Paxil for a year and thirty pounds later the motivation to discontinue the drug again was urgent. After 21 days of no Paxil and feeling great the withdrawal effects kicked in with a fury.

The second attempt at discontinuing Paxil cold turkey began in the middle of the night with a churning in the stomach resulting in uncontrollable anxiety, loss of sleep and nausea. Upon awakening the hell begin with regular brain zaps and a headache that hurt worse than labor pains. Accompanying the head pain were body chills and aches that were unbearable. It didn't take much of this before a call to the pharmacy ensued only to find out they had already closed for the day as it was a Sunday and they closed at 6PM. The first thought was that this had to have been the feeling heroin addicts have and if this is what followed discontinuing the drug, taking it was scarier, but not taking it was hell, hence the conundrum.

Logically, there are instructions that come with the use of all drugs and users are advised to slowly wean off the drug gradually. Many people are successful with cold turkey feats but everyone is different. The time on the drug is also probably influential to the withdrawal effects of discontinuing Paxil cold turkey. The pain of withdrawal is not worth it. Discontinue the use of the drug under the care of a doctor. For some of us Paxil is the devil's M&M's but for others it is a God send.