Posted by worrier on September 11, 2003, at 19:29:44
In reply to Paxil experiences? I have questions., posted by ELENI4 on September 10, 2003, at 20:47:34
> I'm frustrated and would welcome anyone's input. I was initially taking 75mg of Effexor XR, which left me with insomnia and some weight gain (Aat times I'd have nervous energy and eat as a response). Anyway, it worked very well for my depression, but didn't do enough for my anxiety. I no longer had all out panic attacks, but was still extremely self-conscious in social situations. Whether it was saying "hello" to someone passing me on the street, facing a cashier, or answering a question at work, the anxiousness continued. I'd worry as I was speaking and in most cases would get hyper, talk very rapidly, and not be able to stop. So I decided to try something else. My doctor suggested Lexapro, which I tried for a total of two days. First the good: I've never been so calm. I felt like Eyeore (sp?) from Winnie the Pooh. I even made it a point to talk to someone, something I would never do. However I was too calm. I still had panic attacks, but it was strange. Even though my mind was panicing, my body wasn't responding. I also had a slew of bad side effects...slept forever, muscle pain, twitches, etc. Even though I was told by my doctor to tough it out, I just can't bring myself to do it. So now I think I've tried every SSRI except Paxil and Luvox. Has anyone had experience with Paxil? Is there always weight gain (I really can't afford to gain anymore)? Approximately how much weight? Are there any people on this board who haven't experienced sexual side effects? If you miss a dose do you start to experience withdrawl (that happened to me on Effexor XR)? I'm just trying to get a feel for the drug. I know everyone's chemistry is different, but it seems that some of the SE's I mentioned are a given. Thanks in advance for any help.
>My paxil experience was horrible, though probably unusual...I can't tolerate any of the SSRIs, but paxil was the worst. After about 3 weeks on it I ended up in the ER with the worst panic attack I've ever had ...literally thought I was dying (not like the usual panic attacks where there is that little rational voice somewhere in the background reminding you you aren't really going to die) what's more it lasted days with no let up xanax took the edge off but didn't control it. My pdoc thinks it really overloaded me with serotonin. He uses all the SSRIs with caution in folks who tend toward the anxiety/agitation/panic end of things. On the other hand paxil has made my mother-in-law a new person....works like a charm for her and she has plenty of reason to be anxious and depressed (3rd recurrance of breast cancer, chemo induced cardiomyopathy, husband disabled with COPD and after effects of a benign brain tumor, etc...) I guess what I've spent way to long trying to say is there is no way to know how it will effect you until you try it. Best o' luck, Worrier.
poster:worrier
thread:258921
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030907/msgs/259183.html