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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 acleme1 on February 1, 2011, at 10:34:13
Hello. I've been reading over posts on this site over the past couple of days, and am amazed at some of the knowledge found here. As a result, I wanted to post a question (or questions) that has been on my mind for some time. I have been using Paxil 40 mg/day for over 12 years now, and I am worried about what it is doing to my mind/body.
I basically have Generalized Anxiety, and was put n the Paxil about 12 years ago. I take it every morning. I have noticed that It works about 90% of the time to relieve my anxiety, but there are times that it feels like it is not working at all. I immediately think "paxil poop-out" each time, and start to freak out a little. I am worried that if the Paxil ever does poop out, there will be nothing else that will work as well. I know, I know...textbook definition of a "crutch", but it works and that's just how it is.
I've noticed that the Paxil doesn't work as well when: 1. I'm not eating a somewhat healthy diet, 2. I'm not drinking any water, 3. I eat a lot of sugar, 4. or when I am stressed about home or work.
I can tell that the Paxil isn't working as well whenever I start to get "shocks" in my head. So basically my body is going into withdrawal even though I am still taking the medication. Every other time this has happened, I continue to take the Paxil, and everything seems to even back out...eventually.
I'm thinking this could be caused by a couple of different reasons. 1. my liver isn't processing the Paxil properly, or 2. Stress is causing my body to decrease seratonin creation.
I know I'm kinda all over the place here, but I have a lot on my mind. I guess my most pressing questions are as follows:
1. After 12 years of Paxil use, am I at a high risk for the Paxil to "poop-out" sometime soon?
2. Is there something that I could augment the Paxil with during these down times that would help the Paxil be more effective?
3. I have spent hours on Paxilprogress.com reading about the horror stories of people trying to wean off of the Paxil (and some had only been on it a few months). It scares the hell out of me! After 12 years of use, what is withdrawal going to look like for me? Is it possible to switch meds or come off completely without becoming a vegetable and having all of those withdrawal symptoms like they talk about on paxilprogress.com?
I have a lot more questions to ask, but I think I will leave it there for now. If anyone can understand and help me out, I would really appreciate it. Thanks for reading! acleme1.
Posted by Phillipa on February 1, 2011, at 11:10:23
In reply to Long-term Paxil Use...Ups and Downs?, posted by acleme1 on February 1, 2011, at 10:34:13
Welcome to babble. I took successfully 10mg of paxil for two years and some foolish doctor decided to try a new med and downhill since then. I say if its working keep taking it and don't worry about what might happen not what is going to as there is no proof that poop out will happen. When your stress is up the meds just ease things out to me they can't totally eliminate stress. Have you discussed this with your doc? Phillipa
Posted by polarbear206 on February 1, 2011, at 16:23:05
In reply to Long-term Paxil Use...Ups and Downs?, posted by acleme1 on February 1, 2011, at 10:34:13
> Hello. I've been reading over posts on this site over the past couple of days, and am amazed at some of the knowledge found here. As a result, I wanted to post a question (or questions) that has been on my mind for some time. I have been using Paxil 40 mg/day for over 12 years now, and I am worried about what it is doing to my mind/body.
>
> I basically have Generalized Anxiety, and was put n the Paxil about 12 years ago. I take it every morning. I have noticed that It works about 90% of the time to relieve my anxiety, but there are times that it feels like it is not working at all. I immediately think "paxil poop-out" each time, and start to freak out a little. I am worried that if the Paxil ever does poop out, there will be nothing else that will work as well. I know, I know...textbook definition of a "crutch", but it works and that's just how it is.
>
> I've noticed that the Paxil doesn't work as well when: 1. I'm not eating a somewhat healthy diet, 2. I'm not drinking any water, 3. I eat a lot of sugar, 4. or when I am stressed about home or work.
>
> I can tell that the Paxil isn't working as well whenever I start to get "shocks" in my head. So basically my body is going into withdrawal even though I am still taking the medication. Every other time this has happened, I continue to take the Paxil, and everything seems to even back out...eventually.
>
> I'm thinking this could be caused by a couple of different reasons. 1. my liver isn't processing the Paxil properly, or 2. Stress is causing my body to decrease seratonin creation.
>
> I know I'm kinda all over the place here, but I have a lot on my mind. I guess my most pressing questions are as follows:
>
> 1. After 12 years of Paxil use, am I at a high risk for the Paxil to "poop-out" sometime soon?
>
> 2. Is there something that I could augment the Paxil with during these down times that would help the Paxil be more effective?
>
> 3. I have spent hours on Paxilprogress.com reading about the horror stories of people trying to wean off of the Paxil (and some had only been on it a few months). It scares the hell out of me! After 12 years of use, what is withdrawal going to look like for me? Is it possible to switch meds or come off completely without becoming a vegetable and having all of those withdrawal symptoms like they talk about on paxilprogress.com?
>
> I have a lot more questions to ask, but I think I will leave it there for now. If anyone can understand and help me out, I would really appreciate it. Thanks for reading! acleme1.There are several reasons that could cause this. I think your a woman, right? If so, your hormonal shifts in your monthly cycle and birth control pills can affect how the drug is metabolized. Women with Depression are more at risk for worsening of PMS and PMDD. Are you documenting to see if there is a pattern with your symptoms? There are meds that can augment your Paxil. If it keeps your anxiety at bay most of the time, then I wouldn't consider switching at this point and obsessing over withdrawal.
Posted by acleme1 on February 1, 2011, at 16:51:09
In reply to Re: Long-term Paxil Use...Ups and Downs?, posted by polarbear206 on February 1, 2011, at 16:23:05
I am a 36 year old male. I haven't actually documented my ups and downs, but I've been taking it for so long...I can tell when it's not working as well.
Posted by linkadge on February 1, 2011, at 18:24:49
In reply to Re: Long-term Paxil Use...Ups and Downs?, posted by acleme1 on February 1, 2011, at 16:51:09
90% effectiveness is pretty good. Occasional setbacks are common with most people (I think). Could you continue to work to identify sources of setback, address them when possible and perhaps use some sort of "as needed" treatment for breakthough anxiety?
Linkadge
Posted by Abby Cunningham on February 1, 2011, at 23:36:59
In reply to Long-term Paxil Use...Ups and Downs?, posted by acleme1 on February 1, 2011, at 10:34:13
If you're experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, you may be becoming "tolerant" to that dose. In other words your brain has adjusted to having Paxil on board and could be wanting more. Just a guess but the symptoms you describe seem a lot like tolerance withdrawal. Did you tell your doctor? She/he may up the dosage.
This is the end of the thread.
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