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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by knightwriter on May 15, 2001, at 7:13:57
We are very concerned about my sister. She has been taking paxil for about the last year. But her personality has completely changed. Too many things to explain here but the change is not good. She will not go to a doctor for anything. She is getting the paxil from a doctor she works with. She is an RN.
If anyone knows of anything about this and if it can affect you in a strange way and change your personality for the bad, can you please let us know. She is doing things that are not even safe for her life.
I can give you more information if it would help. She has a daughter that is 12 years old and she is not wanting anything to do with her. Which is very unusual for her.
Thank you, Sandy
Posted by grapebubblegum on May 15, 2001, at 7:50:17
In reply to Help ASAP on Paxil, posted by knightwriter on May 15, 2001, at 7:13:57
I can't help a lot here but I can say that I suspect Paxil or other SSRIs can cause a lack of anxiety enough to make people take risks they might not otherwise, and a kind of indifference to things they once cared about.
Posted by Mitch on May 15, 2001, at 10:29:41
In reply to Re: Help ASAP on Paxil, posted by grapebubblegum on May 15, 2001, at 7:50:17
I took Paxil a whopping three *days* and I never felt so apathetic and *numb*. I know it works really well for many folks, and it is good for it to be available for those it helps. But thre has got to be a better way to combat anxiety than to be apathetic.
> I can't help a lot here but I can say that I suspect Paxil or other SSRIs can cause a lack of anxiety enough to make people take risks they might not otherwise, and a kind of indifference to things they once cared about.
Posted by kid47 on May 15, 2001, at 10:37:39
In reply to Help ASAP on Paxil, posted by knightwriter on May 15, 2001, at 7:13:57
Hi. Sorry your sis is having such difficulty. Why is she taking Paxil?. Does she have a dx'd illness? It is quite possible that Paxil is not the right med for her condition or is just not working & the change you are observing is her illnes worsening. Please don't take this the wrong way, but with your sister's easy access to meds is there a possibility she might be abusing other types of drugs? Take care.
> We are very concerned about my sister. She has been taking paxil for about the last year. But her personality has completely changed. Too many things to explain here but the change is not good. She will not go to a doctor for anything. She is getting the paxil from a doctor she works with. She is an RN.
>
> If anyone knows of anything about this and if it can affect you in a strange way and change your personality for the bad, can you please let us know. She is doing things that are not even safe for her life.
>
> I can give you more information if it would help. She has a daughter that is 12 years old and she is not wanting anything to do with her. Which is very unusual for her.
>
> Thank you, Sandy
Posted by loosmrbls on May 15, 2001, at 11:12:08
In reply to Help ASAP on Paxil, posted by knightwriter on May 15, 2001, at 7:13:57
Whether she was getting the medication legally or not, she obviously thought she needed it for something -- depressive symptoms?
I would think less of blaming Paxil (she's been on it for a year!) and think this may be an acute worsening of a mental illness.
Based on what you say, there is only one recourse -- GET HER TO SEE A DOCTOR NOW FOR AN EVALUATION. EITHER VOLUNTARILY OR INVOLUNTARILY.
It sounds like there is the potential for self-harm and harm to others here (a minor!), either intentional or not. Don't make the mistake of letting it ride and letting something terrible happen.
Posted by Sulpicia on May 15, 2001, at 21:07:10
In reply to Help ASAP on Paxil, posted by knightwriter on May 15, 2001, at 7:13:57
> We are very concerned about my sister. She has been taking paxil for about the last year. But her personality has completely changed. Too many things to explain here but the change is not good. She will not go to a doctor for anything. She is getting the paxil from a doctor she works with. She is an RN.
>
> If anyone knows of anything about this and if it can affect you in a strange way and change your personality for the bad, can you please let us know. She is doing things that are not even safe for her life.
>
> I can give you more information if it would help. She has a daughter that is 12 years old and she is not wanting anything to do with her. Which is very unusual for her.
>
> Thank you, SandyHi--
There is a ton of misinformation and information available about paxil and it's very difficult to know what to believe if you don't have experience in the mental health field.
As a general rule, paxil or other AD meds do not change your personality or make you behave in inappropriate ways. BUT the worsening of an illness certainly can or, more likely,
if the wrong medicine is taken. For instance, if a person is depressed from undiagnosed bipolar disorder, an anti-depressant without a mood stabilizer will make them extremely ill
indeed. This is more likely if she is getting paxil from a doc who is *kind* enough to write her a prescription without first establishing the correct diagnosis. A psychiatrist is
the best person to diagnose her.
It's hard to be more specific without knowing the symptoms that distress you. Can you give me a some idea?
As for the 12 yr old, are you certain that this is mom and not child? 12 is a notorious age for declaring independence -- remember how uncool we thought our folks were?? Most 12 y/olds
I know would rather have a bowling ball dropped on their foot than spend time with mom.Another possibility is an increase of depression, substance abuse [alas a *very* common issue for nurses and often associated with depression] or a loss of efficacy of the med. There are lots
of posts on this site about this topic if you have a mind to search.
Clearly she needs expert diagnosis prior to any meds. Perhaps you can begin the footwork of finding her the best pdoc in town. That way when she gets around to it you can present her with some
options of well-credentialed pdocs.
As for taking any action against her will, be warned: the laws vary from state to state but they are very narrow and precise about what constitutes danger to self or others. Misuse of the
statute can backfire and all any statute will do is have her examined. She would have to demonstrate severe illness strictly defined to be held, and then only for a day or 2. Much better to
tread lightly and be supportive.
YOu might check out the NAMI website and see if there is a chapter near you. They can help you find docs and support in your area.
Good luck to you.
S.
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