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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pegasus on May 4, 2009, at 13:29:05
Hi everyone,
I've been on Paxil for around 5 years, and it has been wonderfully effective for me. It completely changed my life for the better. But there are side effects which I don't love. The one that is hardest to manage is that it makes me want to eat all the time, and so I've gained weight. I'm pretty good at managing it, and I compromise by keeping my dose low, but it's so much more of a struggle on Paxil than off.
I was willing to live with it, until recently, when I had some other medical issues come up. The most problematic is that I've been struggling with pancreatitis, which is really painful. It's triggered by eating certain things, and by eating large amounts. So, the Paxil is not helping me manage the pancreatitis.
I tried recently to go off the Paxil, and things seemed pretty good for about a week. Then I started noticing things going awry, in this order:
1. More and more times when I felt that old familiar depression, like life was such a burden, and I was always pushing through molasses to do anything.
2. Increasing irritability, and getting more upset by smaller problems. Plus totally unable to manage it. I'd know I was being unreasonable, but I simply could not be reasonable.
3. All of my emotions seemed turned up to 11 on the volume dial. Happy became crazy excited, and sad became slogging despair.
This is all what I was like before Paxil. I figure after 6 or so weeks, maybe the withdrawal was resolved and I was just back to my old self? Which I don't much care for. It just wasn't OK to be this way, especially as the mom of a small child. So I went back on.
Now I'm wondering whether it's worth switching to Lexapro or something. I like myself so much more on Paxil than off, and my recent adventures with going off were so unpleasant, that I'm reluctant to mess with something that's working. But, on the other hand, if it can help me lose some weight, and stop eating stuff I shouldn't, it might be worth it.
Any advice or comments? Maybe I just need a little courage?
Peg
Posted by sowhysosad on May 4, 2009, at 15:57:11
In reply to Worth switching from Paxil?, posted by pegasus on May 4, 2009, at 13:29:05
I switched SSRI's and suffered badly, so based on my experience I'd say stick with the Paxil if you're stable.
I also gained a lot of weight on Lex, although I can't say 100% the med was the only factor.
> Hi everyone,
>
> I've been on Paxil for around 5 years, and it has been wonderfully effective for me. It completely changed my life for the better. But there are side effects which I don't love. The one that is hardest to manage is that it makes me want to eat all the time, and so I've gained weight. I'm pretty good at managing it, and I compromise by keeping my dose low, but it's so much more of a struggle on Paxil than off.
>
> I was willing to live with it, until recently, when I had some other medical issues come up. The most problematic is that I've been struggling with pancreatitis, which is really painful. It's triggered by eating certain things, and by eating large amounts. So, the Paxil is not helping me manage the pancreatitis.
>
> I tried recently to go off the Paxil, and things seemed pretty good for about a week. Then I started noticing things going awry, in this order:
>
> 1. More and more times when I felt that old familiar depression, like life was such a burden, and I was always pushing through molasses to do anything.
>
> 2. Increasing irritability, and getting more upset by smaller problems. Plus totally unable to manage it. I'd know I was being unreasonable, but I simply could not be reasonable.
>
> 3. All of my emotions seemed turned up to 11 on the volume dial. Happy became crazy excited, and sad became slogging despair.
>
> This is all what I was like before Paxil. I figure after 6 or so weeks, maybe the withdrawal was resolved and I was just back to my old self? Which I don't much care for. It just wasn't OK to be this way, especially as the mom of a small child. So I went back on.
>
> Now I'm wondering whether it's worth switching to Lexapro or something. I like myself so much more on Paxil than off, and my recent adventures with going off were so unpleasant, that I'm reluctant to mess with something that's working. But, on the other hand, if it can help me lose some weight, and stop eating stuff I shouldn't, it might be worth it.
>
> Any advice or comments? Maybe I just need a little courage?
>
> Peg
Posted by jms600 on May 4, 2009, at 16:27:43
In reply to Re: Worth switching from Paxil? » pegasus, posted by sowhysosad on May 4, 2009, at 15:57:11
I'd agree with sowhysosad. If the Seroxat is working for you then stick with it. I've switched meds in the past that have been working for me - and believe me I have really regretted it. Keep an eye on the symptoms you mentioned, if they get worse, or it turns out that the Seroxat is no longer working, then maybe consider switching but make sure you speak to your doctor first.
Out of all the SSRIs I have tried Cipralex had the least side effects (with no weight gain), but I just didn't find it that effective and it also 'pooped out' on me. Seroxat probably had the worst side effects. You could also try Prozac - that seemed to help me with relatively few side effects. Not the most effective drug for anxiety though. I guess you could also look at Effexor, but unfortunately it does put the pounds on you albeit to a lesser extent than Seroxat - at least with me, anyway.
Posted by Phillipa on May 4, 2009, at 18:35:07
In reply to Re: Worth switching from Paxil?, posted by jms600 on May 4, 2009, at 16:27:43
How high is your dose as took it for two years and never gained weight l0mg was my dose. I only went off as my Son was coming to live with us and didn't believe it meds. I say stick with it you're extremly lucky the paxil again works Love Phllipa
Posted by bleauberry on May 4, 2009, at 20:06:44
In reply to Worth switching from Paxil?, posted by pegasus on May 4, 2009, at 13:29:05
We have the power to control what goes in our mouths but we have no power of what these drugs do to our emotions. I say it is easier...not easy...but easiER, to control diet than to go down the slippery slope of switching meds. Nothing goes in one's mouth unless their hands put it there. Praise what Paxil has done for you, celebrate it, and do what it takes to choose the right foods, the right times, and the right amounts.
Posted by pegasus on May 5, 2009, at 12:58:21
In reply to Re: Worth switching from Paxil?, posted by bleauberry on May 4, 2009, at 20:06:44
Thanks so much for your input, all of you. Sounds like I'd better count myself lucky that Paxil is working, and not go messing around with a good thing. Doesn't sound like there's a great chance that any other SSRI will necessarily reduce the craving to eat anyway.
Truly, though, it's not as simple as just not putting food in my mouth. Sometimes the craving is irresistible. I've always been slim, and never had much trouble with overeating until I went on Paxil. And when I was off it, again it became a non-issue. The experience has helped me have a lot more compassion for folks who struggle with their weight.
peg
Posted by theo on May 6, 2009, at 20:53:38
In reply to Worth switching from Paxil?, posted by pegasus on May 4, 2009, at 13:29:05
I would go back to Paxil, Lexapro doesn't help as good especially for anxiety. Paxil was the BEST but I am male and wasn't in a relationship while taking it but got into one and Paxil gave me sexual sides I couldn't shake.
Posted by raisinb on May 6, 2009, at 21:11:12
In reply to Thanks for the advice everyone, posted by pegasus on May 5, 2009, at 12:58:21
I understand what you are saying. I had the same experience with Remeron. I've always been thin (too thin, when depressed) but the cravings were truly irresistible.
I've had good results with Lexapro, for what it's worth, at 20 mg. When I went up to 30, anxiety and jaw clenching started.
Posted by pegasus on May 8, 2009, at 9:21:32
In reply to Re: Worth switching from Paxil? » pegasus, posted by theo on May 6, 2009, at 20:53:38
Thanks for your perspective. Anxiety is one of my bigger issues, and I agree that Paxil is great for that. I'm thinking more and more that it might not be worth experimenting with anything else. Prozac didn't do anything for me, except make me agitated, then I tried Paxil and CLICK. My whole life became easier and more pleasant.
peg
Posted by pegasus on May 8, 2009, at 9:27:02
In reply to Re: Thanks for the advice everyone » pegasus, posted by raisinb on May 6, 2009, at 21:11:12
Anxiety and jaw clenching? I think I have enough of that already. But I'm glad that Lexapro has worked well for you. Maybe I'll give it a try later when I'm in an more stable outer environment.
Thanks for confirming the crazy munchies. It feels really weird, doesn't it? Especially for someone with more of a history of *not* eating when things aren't good. I have that too.
I've talked it over with my husband, and we're going to try to manage it by just not having much food around the house that triggers my pancreatitis. So, peanut butter is out, and chocolate, and ice cream, and fried foods of any type, etc. Then I just have to worry about not eating too much at one sitting. When I stick to a low dose of Paxil, I seem to be able to resist that better, while also not becoming totally unreasonable or depressed or anxious on a regular basis.
I'm glad I asked. All of this feedback has made me appreciate the goodness I'm getting from Paxil.
peg
Posted by desolationrower on May 13, 2009, at 3:09:00
In reply to Re: Thanks for the advice everyone » raisinb, posted by pegasus on May 8, 2009, at 9:27:02
have you thought about adding bupropion? i might try switch to fluoxetine first though
-d/r
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