Posted by Cam W. on December 7, 2000, at 13:45:10
In reply to Should I take Paxil??!!, posted by wavs2u2 on December 6, 2000, at 18:57:52
Wav - A 10mg dose of Paxil (paroxetine) is low. For panic disorder, doses of 30mg to 40mg daily are more common. Your doctor may be building you up to these doses (if necessary). Ask him/her what the treatment plan is for you. Low and slow is the way to go (ie start with a low dose and build it up slowly to minimize the start-up side effects).
Unfortunately, the start-up side effects of the SSRIs (including Paxil) may cause increased panic, at first, but this resolves in a couple of weeks. The Paxil works great (in most people) in stopping the incidence of panic attacks once the body adjusts to the drug.
Never stop Paxil cold-turkey. The withdrawl syndrome you refer to can happen in some people who stop taking Paxil (although not as often as with Effexor), but titrating the dose downward over a month's time greatly reduces this risk. You could chip the Paxil into pieces, but this gives a different dose each day. You could also take half of a 20mg tablet every other day. Paxil is also available in a 10mg strength which is also splitable.
I, like your doctor, think that Paxil works great for panic disorder (in many of those afflicted). It would well be worth a try. There is no addiction potential, as there is with benzodiazepines (Valium-like drugs, eg. Xanax, Rivotril or Ativan) and these drugs can be used to augment the Paxil on an as needed basis (ie when you get stressed-out).
If you do decide to take the Paxil, it may be wise to start watching what you eat. Paxil can cause an incidious weight gain. In many people, after taking Paxil for a about 3 or 4 months, suddenly (it seems) their clothes don't fit anymore. The weight gain can be caused by many things, but usually seems to be due to increased appetite, especially for carbohydrates. A good, well-balanced diet and vigorous exercise can stem this weight gain. Keeping a diary of everything you eat can also help (bye-bye Doritos and Twinkies; hello carrots and celery). Ask your doc to help you plan a diet and exercise program.
All of this may sound scary, but it is not as scary as panic disorder. The benefits of treating panic disorder usually outweigh the risks of successful treatment with Paxil. I'd say give the Paxil a try.
Hope this helps - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:50084
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/50141.html