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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by michael donovan on August 7, 2001, at 16:21:48
Hi
One year ago I was prescribed paxil for having persistent dizzy spells (that I had ascribed -at the time -to some metabolic problem) and depression (that had been an ongoing problem -- I would say a mild-moderate level for many years though I never did anything about it). The paxil certainly completely eliminated the dizziness and had a good short-term effect on depression. In fact 24-48 hours post starting on 10mg I remember being quite elated, slept little {2-3 hours per night} for about 3 or 4days. The euphoric feeling was not persistent and moods wise, I did a lot better over the next few months, although I became more lethargic. One problem though was a vague feeling of anxiety, mild terror, and flashbacks to a bad period in my life that would occur frequently, often during the afternoon. The dose of paxil was increased to 40mg without a resolution. It wasn't until 150mg of welbutrin was added that these affects stopped: I have weaned off the paxil and so far I am doing fine. My concern is that the initial response to the SSRI isn't apparently normal. While it may have been a placebo effect or the relief from being free of anxiety I'm a tad worried that it might have been a mild hypomanic episode. Anyway, I thought I'd post this to see if anyone has experienced a similar response.
Posted by MB on August 8, 2001, at 1:53:21
In reply to euphoria on paxil, posted by michael donovan on August 7, 2001, at 16:21:48
> Hi
>
>
> One year ago I was prescribed paxil for having persistent dizzy spells (that I had ascribed -at the time -to some metabolic problem) and depression (that had been an ongoing problem -- I would say a mild-moderate level for many years though I never did anything about it). The paxil certainly completely eliminated the dizziness and had a good short-term effect on depression. In fact 24-48 hours post starting on 10mg I remember being quite elated, slept little {2-3 hours per night} for about 3 or 4days. The euphoric feeling was not persistent and moods wise, I did a lot better over the next few months, although I became more lethargic. One problem though was a vague feeling of anxiety, mild terror, and flashbacks to a bad period in my life that would occur frequently, often during the afternoon. The dose of paxil was increased to 40mg without a resolution. It wasn't until 150mg of welbutrin was added that these affects stopped: I have weaned off the paxil and so far I am doing fine. My concern is that the initial response to the SSRI isn't apparently normal. While it may have been a placebo effect or the relief from being free of anxiety I'm a tad worried that it might have been a mild hypomanic episode. Anyway, I thought I'd post this to see if anyone has experienced a similar response.I've had similar responses to antidepressants. They usually reduce depression a few hours after the single dose, and I feel somewhat high, anxious, speedy, etc. Then, they quit working and fatigue kicks in (usually after about three or four weeks). Increasing the dose brings back the speedy, anxious, side effects along with a temporary reduction in depression. Then the fatigue comes back. After a while increasing the dose only increases fatigue. I don't know if mine would be classified as hypomanic; I don't get "euphoric," but I'm motivated. It's not a pleasant motivation, really, but an anxious motivation (like fertilizing the lawn at 11:00 at night because I'm so wired I have to do *something*). Sometimes the motivation is productive, but it's marked by extreme worry and obsession regarding getting 100 things done in a short period and getting them all done *perfectly*. Wellbutrin was similar (anxious non-depression followed by fatigue) except for the fact that wellbutrin made me a little more violent than the SSRIs.
Posted by super on August 8, 2001, at 9:24:50
In reply to Re: euphoria on paxil » michael donovan, posted by MB on August 8, 2001, at 1:53:21
I definitely got euphoria on Paxil, but I also got intense irritability and had problems with impulse control. I was eventually diagnosed as bipolar and put on Wellbutrin and Depakote.
> > Hi
> >
> >
> > One year ago I was prescribed paxil for having persistent dizzy spells (that I had ascribed -at the time -to some metabolic problem) and depression (that had been an ongoing problem -- I would say a mild-moderate level for many years though I never did anything about it). The paxil certainly completely eliminated the dizziness and had a good short-term effect on depression. In fact 24-48 hours post starting on 10mg I remember being quite elated, slept little {2-3 hours per night} for about 3 or 4days. The euphoric feeling was not persistent and moods wise, I did a lot better over the next few months, although I became more lethargic. One problem though was a vague feeling of anxiety, mild terror, and flashbacks to a bad period in my life that would occur frequently, often during the afternoon. The dose of paxil was increased to 40mg without a resolution. It wasn't until 150mg of welbutrin was added that these affects stopped: I have weaned off the paxil and so far I am doing fine. My concern is that the initial response to the SSRI isn't apparently normal. While it may have been a placebo effect or the relief from being free of anxiety I'm a tad worried that it might have been a mild hypomanic episode. Anyway, I thought I'd post this to see if anyone has experienced a similar response.
>
>
>
> I've had similar responses to antidepressants. They usually reduce depression a few hours after the single dose, and I feel somewhat high, anxious, speedy, etc. Then, they quit working and fatigue kicks in (usually after about three or four weeks). Increasing the dose brings back the speedy, anxious, side effects along with a temporary reduction in depression. Then the fatigue comes back. After a while increasing the dose only increases fatigue. I don't know if mine would be classified as hypomanic; I don't get "euphoric," but I'm motivated. It's not a pleasant motivation, really, but an anxious motivation (like fertilizing the lawn at 11:00 at night because I'm so wired I have to do *something*). Sometimes the motivation is productive, but it's marked by extreme worry and obsession regarding getting 100 things done in a short period and getting them all done *perfectly*. Wellbutrin was similar (anxious non-depression followed by fatigue) except for the fact that wellbutrin made me a little more violent than the SSRIs.
Posted by kid47 on August 8, 2001, at 11:56:18
In reply to euphoria on paxil, posted by michael donovan on August 7, 2001, at 16:21:48
Howdy. I was hospitalized a couple of years ago with severe depression & anxiety. I was given 20 mgs/day Paxil & Klonopin 1mg x 4/day. I too became euphoric the next day after starting these drugs & was dx'd Bipolar II. Later that dx was discounted & I found out that it is not that uncommon to have an immediate robust response to certain meds including Paxil. I later disc. the Paxil & am now on WellB. Good luck. Take care
kid
>
> One year ago I was prescribed paxil for having persistent dizzy spells (that I had ascribed -at the time -to some metabolic problem) and depression (that had been an ongoing problem -- I would say a mild-moderate level for many years though I never did anything about it). The paxil certainly completely eliminated the dizziness and had a good short-term effect on depression. In fact 24-48 hours post starting on 10mg I remember being quite elated, slept little {2-3 hours per night} for about 3 or 4days. The euphoric feeling was not persistent and moods wise, I did a lot better over the next few months, although I became more lethargic. One problem though was a vague feeling of anxiety, mild terror, and flashbacks to a bad period in my life that would occur frequently, often during the afternoon. The dose of paxil was increased to 40mg without a resolution. It wasn't until 150mg of welbutrin was added that these affects stopped: I have weaned off the paxil and so far I am doing fine. My concern is that the initial response to the SSRI isn't apparently normal. While it may have been a placebo effect or the relief from being free of anxiety I'm a tad worried that it might have been a mild hypomanic episode. Anyway, I thought I'd post this to see if anyone has experienced a similar response.
This is the end of the thread.
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