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Original poster

Prescribed Paroxetine but v worried of side affects and withdrawals

15 replies

BeautifulTwins · 07/09/2013 07:52

Hello,
I have 10 month old twins and have been feeling effects of pnd for a few months now, these are my first babies also. I finally went to see my gp and he prescribed Paroxetine 20mg for PND. I took it for the first time yesterday and felt ok but stupidly I had a couple of glasses of wine in the evening and I felt so awful, I was drowsy, I then couldn't sleep but i was so groggy, it was so full on the effect it had on me and made me realise just how strong these pills are.
I know I am so stupid for not reading the do s and dont's, which does say do not drink alcohol whilst taking, but now I have read up on the Internet I am just terrified of taking any more.
Has anyone else had Paroxetine? It says there are severe withdrawals? That sounds horrendous, I did say to my gp I didn't want to get addicted to anything and he said its not like that any more?

Has anyone taken these?
I tried 5-htp which is a natural remedy but it made me very sleepy.
I haven't tried St. John's wort, I was wondering if I should try the natural route before taking prescribed medication.

It's so hard as I know i am not right and need some help, I am stressed and tearful a lot of the time and feel I can't cope with everything. The worst bit is feeling totally apathetic and that the babes would be better off with someone else. But when you go to the doctor they ask what you think? I'm not sure if I need full on drugs or what?? I've never had this before - go figure?!
Just wanted to know if anyone else had taken the same pills or decided not to??? :)
Thankyou!
Xx

OP posts:
SparkyTGD · 07/09/2013 10:45

I take them & have done for several years. They are good, IMO, especially for depression with anxiety/obsessions.

I found side effects really hard at first, they made me feel ill for about 3weeks. I was severely depressed though and didn't really have a choice, had to take them.

I do drink alcohol now and don't have a problem with interaction, although perhaps get drowsy quicker and am a bit of a lightweight tbh.

Not sure if any others would be better, but think Prozac might have less side effects.

Hope this helps.

Original poster
BeautifulTwins · 07/09/2013 15:23

Thankyou sparkyTGD
That is good to know. I have not had depression before now so it's hard to tell. Your advice really helps thankyou :)

OP posts:
ENormaSnob · 07/09/2013 20:14

I started paroxetine on tuesday and felt like a zombie until yesterday. Felt a little better today although my pupils are like saucers.

I know that i have to take them, i have been very unwell with pnd and anxiety.

I also start cbt monday. Have you been referred for anything like that?

MrsMcEnroe · 07/09/2013 20:21

Hello BeautifulTwins

I took paroxetine (Seroxat) for 2 years - prescribed to help me with severe anxiety and depression resulting from this.

I never had any side effects whilst taking it.

I did have trouble coming off it (and if you search my posting history you will see that I'm currently supporting my husband while he comes of Venlafaxine - and he's doing really well with it) - but in the end my GP switched me over to Prozac (fluoxetine) and it only took me a month to come off that and to be completely drug-free.

If you have a supportive doctor, and a supportive network of friends/family, you can come off the drugs when the time is right. But for now, you need to get yourself well. And the paroxetine can help to stabilise your mood; then, when you feel stronger, I second the recommendation for counselling/CBT.

Good luck x

maniclady · 07/09/2013 21:44

I took it had no trouble with side effects but did have a bit of trouble coming off. But I had to do it cold turkey from 30 to nothing as I was manic.

Jollyb · 07/09/2013 22:36

I've taken paroxetine intermittently for several years. Never had any withdrawal issues. For me it's always worked brilliantly -particularly for anxiety.

Jollyb · 07/09/2013 22:37

Enormasnob - was about to post on your other thread but just wanted to say that I took it whilst breastfeeding too.

maniclady · 07/09/2013 23:35

Yes I was also breastfeeding.

Original poster
BeautifulTwins · 07/09/2013 23:55

Thank you so much for all your comments - hugely helpful.
I'm hoping the low dose and help from my hubby will be ok.
It's so hard getting to this stage isn't it? Goodness!
Thankyou all so much helped a lot.
Xxxxxxx

OP posts:
Original poster
BeautifulTwins · 07/09/2013 23:56

MrsMcEnroe thankyou again I am also doing the counselling thing hoping to over all bases :)
Thanks for your help
Xx

OP posts:
Original poster
BeautifulTwins · 07/09/2013 23:57

##cover all bases :)

OP posts:
Original poster
BeautifulTwins · 07/09/2013 23:59

Sorry thankyou ENormaSnob yes going for counselling too - is that what CBT is? I think? :)

OP posts:
MrsMcEnroe · 08/09/2013 14:46

Ah best of luck to you, it doesn't matter how/why you got to this point, it just matters that you've recognised that you need help and that you're getting it x

kerstina · 08/09/2013 17:20

You can always ask for seroxat in liquid form when you come off it so you can come off it even more gradually decreasing dose.

MrsMcEnroe · 08/09/2013 19:47

Yes I had seroaxt in liquid form towards the end, just couldn't quite get totally off it but a one-month switch to Prozac and I was off it all, sorted ....

OP how are you?

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