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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jackster on February 5, 2003, at 0:13:59
I've tapered my dose from 60mg to 30mg - have definitely noticed being more anxious in situations than I usually am - I'm sure it's because of the lowered dose. (And to think 40mg once was enough!). I've been on 30mg for a week and have just started taking the nortriptyline. (Only 10mg just to ease it in). So far OK - but I've got my klonopin for any difficult situations. How are you doing on the Paxil?
Jackie
Posted by ZeeZee on February 5, 2003, at 8:31:49
In reply to Zee Zee - how is the Paxil going?, posted by Jackster on February 5, 2003, at 0:13:59
Thanks for asking! I completed a full 2 weeks of 5 mgs. at bedtime with .5mgs of Xanax. Although I felt a little anxious intitially I was pleasantly surprised that it I did so well (no benefit yet though). I called my pdoc on Monday for permission to bump up to 10mgs and did so with great trepidation. After increasing to 10 mgs. on Monday I did OK, awoke early and had some difficutly going back to slep and I noticed my blood pressure becoming somewhat elevated and physical signs of anxiety as late afternoon approached. Last night I awoke again, and felt a few rushes of "ice in my veins" and thought uh-oh, here we go. But it passed and I feel OK. I am feeling worried though that it (the big panic attack) is still going to hit me sometime in the future and I won't be able to just stop the Paxil.
I've been putting off posting and have been trying to deal with it on my own, but any encouragement would be appreciated. Will I have to go through this adjustment phase each time I increase the dose? I have a long way to go for a therapeuic dose!
Glad you're doing OK.
Zee
Posted by Gesund on February 7, 2003, at 15:08:07
In reply to Re: Zee Zee - how is the Paxil going? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on February 5, 2003, at 8:31:49
I have a bit of history with Paxil and Paxil CR.
With Paxil-CR I have had a very pleasant reduction of side effects compared to regular Paxil. I'm currently at 35mg per day and I have had no major side effects. It has relieved much of my tension and anxiety. It did not do much for my depression. On regular Paxil, I had some very amusing and some very annoying side effects.
Best regards,
P
Posted by Jackster on February 8, 2003, at 0:38:10
In reply to Re: Zee Zee - how is the Paxil going? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on February 5, 2003, at 8:31:49
It's good to here you're going OK. You prob will have a reaction to each dosage adjustment until you get to the therapeutic level (20mg) - then it might be a little easer. By then you would have been taking it a few weeks so your body would be well and truly used to it. Maybe you could up your Xanax dose at night just until you get over the worse?
After me saying it was all going OK I hit a bit of a rough spot - I had a panic attack at home with my partner there - something I've only ever had a couple of times in my life and both have been a reaction to paxil withdrawal. Anyway - I took my klonopin - but it takes so long to work so I had to take Xanax for immediate relief. (I know for next time to take the Xanax first). I'm not sure if it's just a reaction to lowering the Paxil dosage, or whether the Pamelor (I'm at 20mg now) is having an effect too. Anyway - I've come to the conclusion that I just have to get through this - and just to use the klonopin and the xanax to get me over the rough spots until I come out the other side.
Hey I need all the encouragement I can get - it helps when there's someone out there who knows exactly what you're going through!
Jackie
Posted by ZeeZee on February 8, 2003, at 9:10:18
In reply to Re: Zee Zee - how is the Paxil going?, posted by Jackster on February 8, 2003, at 0:38:10
I'm sorry to hear things have gotten rough for you. I know how terrifying it can be to have those panic attacks in places that are normally your "safe zones" and how disconnerting they can be. It sounds like you've reduced your dosage rather quickly, and maybe you can slow it down, but then again I'm sure you're anxious to be rid of it and on with the new. You sound strong and determined, I want to reinforce that for you and know you wll be over he worst soon.
As you will read in another post of mine I'm starting to psyche myself out of taking the Paxil.
All of a sudden after doing well with little discomfort I started to scare myself with the thought "I'm trapped on this drug ... I can't stop it if I want to". Well of course this immediately brings on waves of fear and anxiety and I've been struggling to keep these thoughts at bay. It's always the thought of being trapped that triggers my panic and I even do it in regard to being trapped on a medication. Will the Paxil eventually quell this type of thinking? the "what ifs"?
Good luck to you and my thoughts are with you.
Zee
Posted by Jackster on February 9, 2003, at 0:33:13
In reply to Re: Zee Zee - how is the Paxil going? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on February 8, 2003, at 9:10:18
Hi Zee Zee
Yes I think the dosage reduction was quite fast - but it's what the doc recommended and I am so tired of waiting for meds to work that I thought I'd just follow it. I'm not sure if the rough patch was due to reducing the Paxil, or starting the Pamelor and both. Anyway - I have my klonopin - but I've been sleeping for 3 hours in the afternoon when I take it. (on the weekends). There's been a couple of times when I've had to take Xanax sublingually. BTW - if you swallow it with water - it still only takes about 15 mins to work as far as I know.
I think someone else mentioned on your other post taking more Xanax just to get through the start-up period. It would help stop the 'what ifs'. Are you taking any in the day? Eventually when the Paxil kicks in, you won't need it at all. And yes - it did stop the 'what ifs' for me. I couldn't even believe the stuff I would worry about - and you realise how irrational it is.
Don't worry about being 'trapped' on Paxil. You are at such a small dose, for such a small time - that stopping it would just mean that any effects of the drug would stop - you wouldn't have withdrawal. It's people like me that have been on it 5 years and up to 60mg that have the problem of reducing. So if you worry about it - just remember you can stop it any time. I think the dosage you would need to be at before possibly having withdrawal would be the therapeutic dose - by which time you wouldn't be worried about it anymore because it would be working!
Anyway - hope this helps - hang in there!
Jackie
Posted by ZeeZee on February 9, 2003, at 9:10:05
In reply to Re: Zee Zee - how is the Paxil going?, posted by Jackster on February 9, 2003, at 0:33:13
Jackie,
Thank you so much for your re-assurance. I feel more hopeful and will work harder to hang in there. I'm hoping that I will reach the therapeutic dose soon so this type of thinking will stop.
I especially appreciate your help knowing you're going through your own tough time. I sincerely hope you too will soon find relief.
I've been taking .5mgs of xanax at bedtime but have avoided taking any during the day because along with my other "thoughts" I fear developing a dependence on it. I used to only take it as needed and this is the first time I've ever used it on a regular basis for weeks. I'm sure my pdoc will tell me to do the same, but I'm just such a master at torturing myself!
Good luck to you and keep us posted.
Z
Posted by Jackster on February 10, 2003, at 3:20:28
In reply to Re: Zee Zee - how is the Paxil going? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on February 9, 2003, at 9:10:05
Hi Zee Zee
Yeah - I used to be a master at torturing myself until I realised there was no way I was going to be able to get through the starting of another med without some help. If it eases your mind at all - I was on Xanax about a year and a half ago - and I had no problem coming off it - although it was a very slow taper.
If I get anxious at all - the best thing I find is to distract myself - by talking to someone or reading something - just to stop the spiralling thoughts.
Anyway - you can do it! (Esp. if I can!)
regards
Jackie
This is the end of the thread.
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