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Suggest Treatment For Paxil Withdrawal With Headaches And Nausea
My friend has been experiencing severe Paxil withdrawl, which she discontinued, somewhat abruptly, about 4 months ago. Her doctor had her on 80mg for 6 years, and my friend decided to wean herself off of them herself, from 80mg, down to 60mg for about a month, down to 40mg, for another month, and then finally down to 20mg for a month. She has experienced practically every withdrawl symptom associated with paxil withdrawl, and has been experiencing severe headaches on the right side of her head for the past few days, with her right eye feeling sort of delayed when moving it - she described it like the two eyes are not communicating with one another. She has also been feeling weakness and tingling in her left arm and leg, along with nausea, along with trouble swallowing and tingling in the lips. She is a nervous wreck with the entire ordeal, and is now horrified at the thought that this might be a sign of a stroke. What could be causing her to feel this way?
Mon, 10 Apr 2023
Hi,
Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions. Abrupt discontinuation of Paxil can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which can include headaches, nausea, weakness, tingling sensations, and other symptoms that can be similar to those experienced during a stroke.
In the case of your friend, the symptoms she is experiencing could be related to Paxil withdrawal, but it is important to rule out other possible causes. She should see a doctor as soon as possible to get a thorough evaluation and diagnosis.
The doctor may recommend restarting Paxil and then tapering off the medication more slowly to minimize withdrawal symptoms. They may also prescribe medications to manage symptoms, such as anti-nausea medication or pain relievers.
In addition to medication, your friend may benefit from therapy to help manage the emotional and psychological aspects of Paxil withdrawal. It can be a challenging process, and having support and guidance can be helpful.
It is important to note that stopping the medication, particularly psychiatric medication, should only be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Abruptly discontinuing medication can lead to serious side effects and complications.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions. Abrupt discontinuation of Paxil can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which can include headaches, nausea, weakness, tingling sensations, and other symptoms that can be similar to those experienced during a stroke.
In the case of your friend, the symptoms she is experiencing could be related to Paxil withdrawal, but it is important to rule out other possible causes. She should see a doctor as soon as possible to get a thorough evaluation and diagnosis.
The doctor may recommend restarting Paxil and then tapering off the medication more slowly to minimize withdrawal symptoms. They may also prescribe medications to manage symptoms, such as anti-nausea medication or pain relievers.
In addition to medication, your friend may benefit from therapy to help manage the emotional and psychological aspects of Paxil withdrawal. It can be a challenging process, and having support and guidance can be helpful.
It is important to note that stopping the medication, particularly psychiatric medication, should only be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Abruptly discontinuing medication can lead to serious side effects and complications.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
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