Seeking Help with Paxil Withdrawal

[mgardner87]

Hello everyone,

I've been laying low and haven't been on the forum much at all lately as I am in the midst of a difficult Paxil withdrawal - I'm getting down in dosage - very slowly. I know this is making my BFS worse.

Over the past week, I have had a strange new twitch develop in my right backhand (on the TOP of my hand - almost dead center of the hand). At times, it causes some of my fingers to twitch. But what worries me is that when I had all the finger twitching many months back (and many of you will remember that I had a LOT of finger twitching), my fingers always twitched inward toward the palm of my hand (they would curl inward).

With this latest hotspot in my backhand, my middle finger moves side to side rather than twitching/pulling inward the way my other finger twitches did. It will move side to side for a few seconds and then just stop (it just kind of "wavers" very slightly from side to side - not really a harsh twitch at all). Then it will do it again maybe a few minutes later or maybe an hour later - there's no pattern to it at all. Actually, I think the finger "pulls" to one side and then returns back which makes it look like it is wavering from side to side - it doesn't "hold" when it pulls though, if you know what I mean - unlike the "classic" BFS finger twitch described in "BFS in a nutshell").

My middle finger doesn't only just twitch like this when the backhand twitches - sometimes, it just does it on its own. And sometimes, when the backhand twitches, it will cause my pinky to twitch a bit but the pinky twitches inward instead of side to side like the middle finger (clear as mud?).

Have any of you had twitching in your backhand (on the TOP of your hand) and have any of you had your fingers twitch/move side to side?

I guess I really need some reassurance on this one - the finger twitching is one thing that always freaks me right out. My hands have been really shaky lately - even my arms - the tremor seems to have worsened but then again, I know that coming off the Paxil isn't helping any and it sends my anxiety level sky high at times.

Any reassurance would be greatly appreciated.

I hope you are all doing well,

God Bless, Mark

 

[HypoDn]

Hi Mark,

I am sorry you are having a hard time. I do get all those kinds of twitches in my hands especially when trying to sleep. Especially my right hand which also feel weaker and like it is going to tremor when at rest. It doesn't but it feels like it will. Do you get this weak feeling?

I also get this scary jaw tremor. Tremors when I slightly split my teeth. Do you get this at all?

This is all crazy but I hope you will be feeling better soon.

All the best,

Luke

 

[mgardner87]

Thanks for your reply Luke - cripes, my middle finger won't stop doing this right now - it is constant at the moment - every few minutes. Actually, the more I look at this middle-finger twitch, the more it is starting to appear like a "classic" BFS finger twitch as described in BFS in a nutshell - it might hold for a split second and then release but sometimes, it doesn't hold at all.

Yes - I often get the feeling like my hand is going to tremor when at rest and it doesn't. It's a strange feeling, I'm not sure what to make of it. And I do get a lot of extra twitching when trying to sleep or just trying to lay down and relax.

I also get the jaw tremor when I hold my teeth slightly apart - it's worse on some days than others and on some days, it doesn't happen at all. My teeth will actually chatter sometimes. I think this is directly related to anxiety because I notice that on the days when my anxiety is sky-high, I'll get this a lot. When I'm nice and relaxed - nothing.

Thanks again,
God Bless, Mark

 

[HypoDn]

Hi Mark,

Glad to hear it is looking more like the classic BFS twitch. Also Mark you need to remember (as I do) that you (as I have) been to a neuro that said it didn't look like PD and that's what we need to remember. I always worry about PD b/c my mother has it even though I am typically young for it at 36, but I go through what ifs.

As far as the jaw, I HATE that! It is my worst symptom right now. When I am anxious, God can I feel it. But after I wake up, or before I go to bed or right now it seems to be gone or barely there.

BTW, how long does it take to get to see a neuro out in BC? Here it can take up to 5 months. CRAZY!!

Keep me posted as to how you're doing Mark.

All the best,

Luke

 

[mgardner87]

Hi Luke,

It's got be a classic twitch - the twitch I had in my pinky back in December was unlike a classic twitch and that one had me scared to death. It's the PD factor that worries me, particularly drug-induced Parkinsonism that can come about with these anti-depressants. The last neuro I saw in January said he wasn't the slightest bit concerned about my tremors and finger twitches. But I sometimes can't help but wonder as this tremor in my hands, arms and fingers has gotten progressively worse since then. I see a neuro-psychiatrist in a few weeks at the university here in Vancouver - I am hoping he can shed some light on this.

I hate the jaw thing too but I really think it is anxiety-related. At least, I hope it is but of course, I still can't help but worry about the PD factor in relation to the hands, arms and fingers (I think all of us with BFS worry a lot more than we should). I will get some clarification on this in a few weeks from the neuro-psychiatrist and let you know what he says.

I've been lucky here with neuro appointments and I really haven't had to wait longer than a month and a half but I know some people out here have had to wait forever. I have a pituitary tumor as well so I think that speeds things up for me to get into see these specialists. I've actually seen 4 neuros in the past 14 months - one was a movement disorder specialist.

I'll keep you posted.

God Bless, Mark

 

[suegirl]

Hello,
My ring finger always seem to have a slight side to side tremor. I looked at my husbands(no BSF) and his does too. Maybe it is just kind of "normal." Also, my teeth always chatter when I put them together lightly. They have done that as long as I can remember. I think we have movement within our bodies, and we are super observant.

 

[HypoDn]

Hi Mark,

Keep me posted. I wish you all the best! I know what a PD tremor looks like and I should know better for myself, but I am anxiety prone.

Sue,

Thank you for your input. I think your right. Our bodies move and we have just become HYPER sensitive to anything that we may perceive as different.

All the best to the both of you,

Luke