Paxil pros/cons???

[dawn72]

My doctor prescribed me Paxil today and after reading the pamphlet that came with it, Im worried to start taking them....the doctor is giving me Paxil mainly for severe panic attacks although I do suffer from depression.

I almost go into a panic attack thinking of the side effects from Paxil...can anyone tell me how they feel now they are taking Paxil? I do want the pro's and con's but some good stories about it would put my mind at ease...

I have heard one horror story and that has always stuck with me...

Dawn

[dawn72]

Anyone?

[bluebird]

I was put on 25 mg and did very well. The only side effect was that I wasn't as hungry. When I was put on 50 mg..it was a bit too much and like a lot of anti-d it wasn't good with alcohol.

I'd like to be put back on it actually. I was happier than I'd been in a long time.

Katie

[dawn72]

Well thats good to hear...a pleasant experience finally...the doctor is starting me on 12.5mg and next week im going up to 25mg...thanks for your input!!

Dawn

[mikiglen]

it's been awhile for me, but...the first week, i was like a zombie. then, it kicked in and i was no longer impatient at traffic lights, was much happier, etc.
in fact, the only reason i am on prozac now and not paxil, is i have four kids and have to function at any hour of the nite. with the first week of paxil, you just can't do that.
i loved it, tho

[reader]

How are u today Dawn ? Panic attacks our rough depending on the severity u may need something to go with it until it kicks in. Thinking of u!!

[dawn72]

I am still suffering with panic attacks and have yet to take a paxil...the very thought of swallowing one almost sets me off into a panic attack...I know its crazy thinking but I just cant get past that. I have this overwhelming feeling that if I take one something bad will happen. God grant me the serenity....

Dawn

[mikiglen]

just a suggestion, but can you take it right when you go to bed? it will probably help you sleep, and you shouldn't notice any side effects that way.
it's what i used to do anyway
misti

[dawn72]

Ok..I think I will try that...my hubby is going away for a week and leaving tomorrow so I think I will start taking it when he comes back...thanks for your support!!

Dawn

[reader]

Why not try it what do u have to loss?? It may make u feel better. I don't want to push u but I am worried about u. Are u sleeping ok?

[Will2Chill]

i have terrible anxiety amongst other things. in rehab, i was prescribed paxil. i evaluated the +/- and decided to take it after no doing so for the first week. its been 2 months now and i feel the best i have in many years. this of course could also be that im sober too but ill take this for a year or so and then see how i do off it. (i know coming off could be hard but after detoxing other stuff i dont care)

[dawn72]

Well I was on Paxil for a few weeks and sleeping 20 hours a day...it was soooo terrible, I couldnt wake up or stay awake to save my life. My DH made me to see the doctor who switched me to Effexor...another few weeks of hell and then I stopped altogether for a couple weeks until I could see a psychiatrist who diagnosed me as OCD with some personality disorders and has flagged my chart for bi-polar..so he will watch for more signs of that in the future.

He has me on Prozac now with Riperidone. I took the first one this morning so I will see how it works in the next 6 weeks or so. I havent slept much since I have been off the Paxil/Effexor but sleeping TOO much is a nightmare also...so I am hoping to find a happy medium.

Dawn

[Bozo]

Thank you for the updates and follow through on the thread. It's always good to hear what the outcome is from a situation and hopefully learn something. Thanks again Dawn for posting. Mike

[dawn72]

Your welcome..I dont post here much but this is something that has really affected me and I thought I would share my experience..I wasnt too sure if anyone really followed this thread...I hate to sound whiney...

Dawn

[consilience]

SSRIs worked wonders for my anxiety and depression for the first few months. Then, I started getting tired all the time like you mentioned. I like to keep a journal tracking what I'm taking and how I feel that day. It helped me narrow down what is giving me bad side effects.

[dawn72]

A journal is a must!! I recommend anyone starting these meds pick up a notepad when they pick up their scrip...the paxil gave me so many side effects including, sweating, more panic attacks, fatigue, lack of hunger..I had to keep track so I could tell the doctor. Thanks for brining up that point!!

Dawn

[charltonwilson]

has your doctor addressed any of the following:

daily exercise?
diet? (what you put in your mouth for food)
any form of "skilled relaxation" or other active stress/anxiety management tools OTHER than medication.

[chriskali]

I too was on Paxil for a while and found the side effects were more then the actual results I was seeing, even after 3 months, but that is not to say it wont be good for you. Today I am taking Effexor and have found this med to be the best for me. My ex was on Paxil and she swore by it. When your dealing with anti anxiety and/or depression meds it takes time to find the proper med as well as the proper dose. Also, these meds often don't mix well with any alcohol or drug and these things will actually mess with your chemical levels and make things worse so be careful. My suggestion is no alcohol or drugs at all! If you are drinking or doing drugs you will not see the positive changes the med can have.Today is my 3rd day clean and sober and I can tell you I can definetley feel the difference it makes...if I had been in here last week I would have sdaid those meds are a waste of time and money but not now...I feel better already so imagine how I will feel like in a few weeks with the proper meds and no alcohol and/or drugs
Hang in there and see what happens. Also, I find more then meds this site is a great way to get over anxiety and/or derpression.

[stone]

I really don't know about Paxil but I take Cipramil for anxiety and depression and two of the possible side-effects were...anxiety and depression. Most of the side effects only occur in the first few weeks and only to a minority of people. That is how I look at it anyhow.
However I was prescribed Effexor and knew immediately that the side effects were worse than not taking them. So I went back to the Cipramil.

[charltonwilson]

clearly most of you just go do the DR/MD and do whatever they say without doing any research of your own.

it takes a minimum of 2 weeks (usually a min of 4 weeks) for your body to get "used to" or uptake the new chemical. some take as long as 8 weeks. if you start taking something and then go right off it, it takes again as long to get most of these medications out of your system and out of your brain chemistry. then if you start a new med, the same things applies AGAIN.

psychotropics are NOT a magic pill. even though the pharma industry attempts to paint that picture. there is NOT a magic pill.

most of them are "designed" to bring the bottom of the depression up or lessen the anxiety to the extent that, then, you go to TALK THERAPY and deal with the actual causes and conditions of why you are depressed or anxiety ridden etc etc.

what most of you dont realize is that taking the pill is just a band aid and NOT a life long fix. unfortunately, too many of you are getting these drugs from gps and ob/gyns who really have NO clue how to prescribe. the only true MD that should be prescribing is a PSYCHOPHARMACHOLOGIST. this is a psychiatrist with SPECIALIZED training with psychotropics. get referred to one and get a FULL appointment with a FULL work up. and HAVE follow ups. do NOT rely on a gp(general practitioner or family medical dr) or obgyn to prescribe these potentially hazardous meds. k?

finally, what are you doing for DIET(what you feed your body), EXERCISE, and SKILLED RELAXATION? when you learn to CAREFULLY attend to these 3 items daily and it will be life changing...

[dawn72]

Oh I certainly realize exactly what these pills are prescribed for and how long they take to kick in. That isnt and wasnt my point. I DO go to a shrink but it took me 2 months to get in to see him so my family doctor prescribed me paxil until I could get in to see the shrink. I read for hour upon hours about paxil...good bad and otherwise. I wanted personal experiences thats why I posted the original question. I couldnt deal with the side effects because being a mom of three and taking care of a mentally disabled woman FULL time (she lives with me) dosent allow me to sleep 20 hours a day like the paxil was making do. I couldnt wait for the side effects to wear off in 6 weeks. When I finally did go to see the shrink 2 weeks ago I was switched to Prozac...no side effects for me at all...so it took three different pills to find one that works for me. No it hasent kicked in yet but the side effects are nil for me as of right now and now I can function while I talk to my doctor and find out what is behind my panic and despression. I realize it is not a lifelong solution NOR did I want it to be. I just needed some help for the time being so I can function as a normal human being until I can get some therapy. So please dont judge or make assumptions..I am not stupid or uneducated. I realize why and how the drugs work. I opened this thread for people to be able to discuss their experiences...because not even a doctor can tell me everything unless he/she has taken the drug themselves...

Dawn

[dawn72]

Yes yes and yes...I have tried everything. I have dealt with my panic through relaxation and breathing techniques for YEARS and it has sufficed up until now..nothing will take away the panic attacks anymore. I get plenty of excercise and my diet is well balanced..my doctors wife is dietician and I have seen her for years and years. My depression stems from alot of different things some of which I realize and maybe somethings I dont realize. I lead a very normal life but when it gets to the point you cant drive anymore and you dont even feel like cleaning up your own house anymore..there is a problem that vigerous excercise and a healthy diet cant get rid of. I even stopped my caffine intake November 21 (my last bad habit) in hopes it would rid me of panic attacks..to no avail. If it were only as easy as doing those three things I would be a happy camper but sometimes you need more than that..

Dawn

Originally Posted by charltonwilson

has your doctor addressed any of the following:

daily exercise?
diet? (what you put in your mouth for food)
any form of "skilled relaxation" or other active stress/anxiety management tools OTHER than medication.

[dawn72]

Also just wanted to add that when I refer to Doctor in my later posts I am referring to the shrink not my family doctor..although my family doctor is VERY knowledgeable about this medication..he is not a pill doctor or a quick fix doctor..this was a last resort prescription. I have had this problem for around 12 years now and am only now starting with medication..I think I deserve some peace..

Dawn

[Morning Glory]

Dawn,

I suffered for many years and I finally got past the anxiety and panic attacks. They didn't have medication in my day and I still recovered. I didn't even know what was wrong with me. They didn't have a diagnosis for this then. Don't lose hope. I hope the prozac helps.

Lucinda Basset has a very good Attacking Anxiety & Depression program. You can find it on google. My daughter used it with a lot of success. She also has books that are less expensive.

Hugs,
MG

[Don W]

I was on Paxil for awhile. Because of the sexual side effects I changed. However, I'm now on Abilify for anxiety instead. Anyway, when I was taking Paxil I had some trouble with nightmares. This was mostly when I forot to take or a few times when I ran out. Dawn, I suggest you not just stop taking it. A doctor can walk you off it. Speaking of side effects. Over the years I always worried about side effects. However, many don't happen or are only temporary. The key is that the benifits outweigh the side effects. Only you can judge that. There are many medications so a doctor has others to choose from. Don W