Rude awakening symptoms and conditions

Hi all,

Well since my last post on April 23rd at 5:24, so far I have been coughing a lot. My throat is so sore just from coughing, I've been coughing up thick yellow mucous. Going into the 3rd day being on Prednisone, I couldn't take it anymore. The doctor originally requested me to take 3 pills a day for 4 days, then 2 pills for 4 days and then 1 pill for 4 days, I decided to change it. I took 3 pills for 2 days, then 2 pills for 2 days and 1 pill for 2 days, I couldn't take the side effects of severe insomnia, coughing, very dry mouth and shortness of breath going into the 3rd day. Since being prescribed Prednisone on Monday, I found myself today to be miserable. Whenever I cough my head feels like it's expanding, soon to explode and my brain hurts, I fear coughing because my throat hurts as does my body. I don't ever want to take this drug again, it's toxic. As for me now, I plan on going and laying down and sleeping like Rip Van Winkle and make up for lost sleep I didn't get during the week. Only being on this stuff for one week definitely made me sympathize with many of you who used it for years, one week was a rude awakening I don't ever want to experience again. Now I am going to go grab my stuffed bunny and crawl in bed for restful sleep.

I am on 10 mg. of paxil and have been on it for about 4-5 years. I would like to come off but am worried about all these crazy withdrawal symptoms everyone talks about. I have gone as many as 3 nights without takiing any and never experienced "jolts", maybe a little jittery and confused. I am thinking about doing 7.5 mg. for about a month, then go down to 5 for a month, then 2.5 for a month.

I hear all these stories and wonder if the people who have all these bad withdrawls were on high does and if they weaned themselves off.

PLEASE HELP.

Thanks.

Where should I start? Today the lights are finally coming on and the puzzle of how crummy I have felt since I started this drug are coming together. Some of these I never mentioned to my doctor... he said I would feel flu like symptoms if it were Lipitor... because I asked before I started. So, no fever, no "illness".... just leg pain. I thougth I needed new shoes, or was spending too much time at the computer.
Leg pain (upper left).
Deafness and tinnitus (right ear).
Ear infections (NEVER had ONE before Lipitor)
Frequent, recurrent Sinus infection.
Chronic nasal inflammation.
Insomnia.
Forgetfulness... frequent, worsening.
Tendonitis... frequent, varied locations (never had it before Lipitor)
Poor Balance.
Indigestion.
Flatulence.
Discomfort in the eyes (I have had amblyopia my whole life... didn't know until today that amblyopia is listed as an adverse sensory reaction in the PDR). Went to an eye doctor... looked okay... attributed symptoms to chronic sinus problems and adjusting to new bifocals... maybe bad angle at computer desk.

This is a rude awakening for me and I am done with Lipitor. It isn't worth it. My Cholesterol wasn't even THAT high , and my ratios were really good as wer triglycerides.... so no wonder I feel like a punching bag with one ear. Forget it. This isn't worth it. I'm going to try a more natural approach.