I've been attempting to withdraw from Paxil so that I can participate in a study at GWU, starting next week. The doctor told me a week ago, when I went for my initial evaluation, that I had to be off the drug for at least 2 weeks, so here I am, in the middle of my withdrawal period. All I can say is that, for the most part, it's been hell.

Internet sites everywhere warn against getting off the drug cold turkey, but given my situation, it seems the only option. I'm experiencing the typical symptoms that sites such as this one say I'll have. I woke up Saturday morning in the throes of the "paxil withdrawal flu", but by mid-afternoon, felt good enough to visit my DC granddaughters. The rest of the weekend was good, until I got home late in the afternoon yesterday and decided that I had enough energy to go grocery shopping, throw away 6 files boxes of Texas Association of Mediator files, and then completely re-organize my closets (packing away all my winter clothes for storage). Even with all this activity, I rationalized that this would make me even more tired and I would be able to sleep like a baby, ready to hit the ground running on Monday and put in a productive week at work.

That didn't happen.

As I tossed and turned until at least 4:30 AM, my body totally exhausted and every muscle and joint hurting like crazy, I finally fell asleep giving me maybe 2 good hours of sleep to start the week.

I keep reading that by next week at this time, I'll feel alot better. I'm hoping so.