Posted by contemplative1 on January 16, 2004, at 19:25:42
In reply to latest on paxil, posted by ocdforyears on January 16, 2004, at 19:16:50
> This board goes so fast; I can't believe how many posts. Thanks those of you who posted positively to my last note.
>
> I've been on a low dose of paxil cr (12.5 mg) for about two weeks. I tried to go up; the last two nights I took twice that, and last night I couldn't sleep too well, even after taking an ambien. And I had a lot of anxiety, even panic. I know it takes longer and probably more medication to help my anxiety/obsessions, but so far I've noticed zero improvement. Perhaps even more anxiety than I usually have (some of this could be the med, some of this could be me obsessing about the effects of the med and worrying about taking it in general).
>
> I'm really tempted just to go back to therapy. I mean I'm in therapy, but I didn't know the meds would stimulate me, mess with my sleep, the way they have. I like to sleep. As an obsessive person, I need sleep. Also wondering about xanax, which I haven't taken in many years. As I resist my obsessions my anxiety climbs really quickly; xanax would be nice. Perhaps I just need to try and feel it though.
>
> Anyway, I see my med shrink next week.
>
> But all the horror stories I've heard about trying to get off Paxil...I realize most people, if they go slow, don't have too much trouble, but geez. I tried meds because I was curious if they'd help me. So far I'm pretty skeptical about the whole ssri thing, though for some people they absolutely change their lives, at least while they take them. I had another friend who has been taking zoloft for a year and it really helps him; when he lowered his dose he began to have horrific nightmares and he went back up. How fun. Yikes.
>
> Anyway, I'll keep you all posted. So far libido seems same, which is good. Too early to really know about side effects beyond the ones I've noted. How people get up to 40 and more milligrams I don't know.
>
> Wish me luck.Paxil worked well for me at varying does (20-60) and it DID cause fairly noticeable sexual SE and it was horrible to get off of until I discovered through reading a post right here that Prozac is a great way to get off of Paxil. Well not only did it help relieve the agony of "disontinuation syndrome" from the Paxil but I much preferred the Prozac over the Paxil. I was very surprised because like you I suffer from anxiety and Prozac can be quite activating.
Maybe Paxil is not the right SSRI for you, there are plenty others that may be.
And Xanax as I am sure you are well aware of can be quite addictive. I get addicted to anything and Xanax is not an option.
poster:contemplative1
thread:301817
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040114/msgs/301820.html