Paxil Concerns
Thursday, July 6th, 2000 (continued). An email to a friend:
My head feels like it’s filled with helium. This is the weirdest physical sensation I have ever experienced. It’s a physical feeling in my head, which is an unusual place to experience physical sensations other than headaches. And if this doesn’t show any signs of letting up by tomorrow, I’m going on the pills again. It’s almost a physical disability; there’s no way I could work while this is going on.
Dr. Wyndham said I could stop taking the pills without easing myself off it, so that’s what I did. But since I’ve been feeling these whacked out after-effects, I’ve done my own research on the ‘net, and every source I’ve found has said that one should not stop taking Paxil cold turkey, that the best way to go is to ease oneself off it.
I realize the ‘net may not be the most reliable source at times, but everything I’ve read so far from professional sites tells me to do the opposite of what Dr. Wyndham told me — and seeing how I’m feeling some seriously whacked out effects here, I’m a little concerned, and I’m thinking about going back on the Paxil. Dr. Wyndham said I shouldn’t have to go back on it unless going off it made me feel suicidal or severely depressed. I’m not really experiencing any kind of major depressive thoughts or feelings — but sometimes I think I easily could; I don’t know why I’m not.
So naturally I’m concerned. There’s no way I can work 9 to 5 while this is going on.
I had insomnia for most of last night. My appetite seems to have come back today. But I am so light-headed as to be almost disabled — I’m serious. Two or three times a day I have moments where I want to cry uncontrollably and usually do (today’s the second day of that).
I’m probably going to go back on the Paxil tomorrow if these symptoms don’t let up. I’m not depressed (I don’t think so), but my head feels like it’s full of helium every second of my waking day.
I think I could slip into a severe depression if this keeps up much longer.