Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 8431

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Paxil

Posted by Lynn on July 8, 1999, at 8:30:29

I just switched to Paxil after being on Serzone, which did
nothing for me. Does anyone have any experience, good
or bad, with Paxil? What kind of side effects can I expect?
Thanks.

 

Re: Paxil

Posted by C.D. on July 8, 1999, at 17:35:21

In reply to Paxil, posted by Lynn on July 8, 1999, at 8:30:29

> I just switched to Paxil after being on Serzone, which did
> nothing for me. Does anyone have any experience, good
> or bad, with Paxil? What kind of side effects can I expect?
> Thanks.

Dear Lynn,
I had a very unpleasant experience with serzone. It seemed to magnify all of my depression symptoms. I was hesitant to switch to Paxil because so many people on the boards report weight gain but I did make the switch about two months ago. I have never felt better! For the first few days I had increased anxiety, jitters,aggitation and stomach upset. Some of this was probably due to withdrawal from the serzone. These side affects disapeared after the first week. After that I noticed a steady lifting of the depression. I feel better now than I have in years.
CD

 

Re: Paxil

Posted by Erin on July 8, 1999, at 20:17:33

In reply to Paxil, posted by Lynn on July 8, 1999, at 8:30:29

Lynn,

I just switched from Paxil to Serzone (the exact opposite of where you are at). My experience with Paxil was mixed. I was on 40 mg for the past year and a half. I'll try to give you a brief run-down of the +'s and -'s for me:

+ I slept much better: I could fall asleep easily (after an inital adjustment period with insomnia) and felt well rested when I got up
+ I could concentrate more easily at work (decreased anxiety)
+ I felt more in control of how much I wanted to say (i.e. felt less compelled to fill in awkward silences)

- I was more socially withdrawn
- I was less creative and interested in what was going on around me
- I wanted to sleep too much (especially on weekends, which I sometimes literally slept through)

+/- My appetite increased and correspondingly my weight increased. Although now that I am off Paxil my anxiety has increased and when I am anxious I generally loose my appetite and don't eat as much as I should.

I stopped taking Paxil because it just wasn't working for my depression- I was still having major depressive episodes even at 50 mg (which I was on for the last month).

My prescribing doctor told me today that he has found that people who don't respond well to SSRI's often respond to Serzone so maybe the reverse holds true for you (i.e. you will respond to Paxil, an SSRI, because you didn't respond to Serzone). I would like to stress, however, that that was just a theory of his that he had developed from observing his patients, not hard and fast evidence from clinical research.

I also wanted to make you aware that I had severe Paxil withdrawl symptoms; nausea, anxiety, and sleep disturbances (for about three weeks after stopping Paxil). From what I understand this occurs in approximately 40% of people withdrawing from Paxil. The severity of my symptoms may have been influenced by the fact that I stopped taking Paxil rather abruptly, I went from 50 to 0 mg in the span of a week. I have since learned that most people slowly go off of Paxil over a one month period (suffice it to say that I am no longer seeing the doctor who advised me to withdraw from Paxil over a week).

I was wondering what dosage you were on with Serzone? My doctor has me at 100 mg the first week and 200 mg the starting the second week.

I really hope that Paxil works for you-

Best wishes,
Erin

 

Re: Paxil

Posted by Lynn on July 9, 1999, at 8:23:49

In reply to Re: Paxil, posted by Erin on July 8, 1999, at 20:17:33

Erin and CD,

Thanks so much for your responses.

Erin, I started taking 100 mg. of Serzone per day and
worked up to 300 mg per day. I basically felt no change in
my depression, but I was less anxious. I also slept very well
(before this I wasnt sleeping at all). All of the side effects
went away pretty quickly, so that was a plus.

I am a little apprehensive about the Paxil though. I keep hearing
of the horrible withdrawl (and the sexual side effects - did you have this?).
Also, I woke up this morning with a rash all over my legs, but until I talk with my doctor,
I'm going to assume its just dry skin.

I hope the Serzone works for you. Good Luck.

Lynn

 

Re: Paxil

Posted by anna on July 10, 1999, at 13:01:42

In reply to Re: Paxil, posted by Lynn on July 9, 1999, at 8:23:49

> Erin and CD,
>
> Thanks so much for your responses.
>
> Erin, I started taking 100 mg. of Serzone per day and
> worked up to 300 mg per day. I basically felt no change in
> my depression, but I was less anxious. I also slept very well
> (before this I wasnt sleeping at all). All of the side effects
> went away pretty quickly, so that was a plus.
>
> I am a little apprehensive about the Paxil though. I keep hearing
> of the horrible withdrawl (and the sexual side effects - did you have this?).
> Also, I woke up this morning with a rash all over my legs, but until I talk with my doctor,
> I'm going to assume its just dry skin.
>
> I hope the Serzone works for you. Good Luck.
>
> Lynn

hi Lynn,
I've been on and off paxil for years and tried just about everything else.Its the only one that really works for me although i need to adjust the dose up and down depending on how i'm feeling. When coming off it withdrawals are stopped by taking prozac for a couple of days so dont worry about that. I dont have any sexual problems so good luck with it.
anna

 

Reply to Lynn

Posted by Erin on July 10, 1999, at 17:42:29

In reply to Re: Paxil, posted by Lynn on July 9, 1999, at 8:23:49

Lynn,

Hope Paxil is working well for you, thanks for the info on Serzone. In regards to your question about sexual drive, I can't really say that Paxil had a great effect on it one way or the other. I really have been dealing so much with depression that I haven't felt like being too socially active (dating, etc.). Also, about Paxil withdrawl, as Anna mentioned in her post, taking Prozac while withdrawing from Paxil may be another option- I really don't know as much about that. And, as I mentioned in my last post, withdrawing from Paxil over a one month period (gradually) may allieviate withdrawl symptoms- you would really need to talk to someone else about this who has gone through it or your own prescribing doctor.

I hope that helps somewhat-
Best wishes,
Erin

 

Re: Reply to Lynn

Posted by Carolyn on July 18, 1999, at 8:30:10

In reply to Reply to Lynn, posted by Erin on July 10, 1999, at 17:42:29

Lynn,

I am currently trying Serzone - not too much success. Almost 3 years ago I tried Paxil and was on it for 18 months, go off of it and of course within a year my depression returned. My experience with the Paxil was a very good one. I felt wonderful waves of peaceful, serene emotions upon waking up in the morning. Weight gain not a factor. My only complaint was my inability to have an orgasm! That is why I agreed to trying out the Serzone. I don't want to give up on the thing that goes right in my life - my ability to enjoy one part of my life (sex) with my husband!!! Good luck!! P.S. my sister has been on Paxil for 2 weeks and she is starting to feel great!!!

 

Re: Reply to Lynn

Posted by tbird on August 15, 2000, at 20:16:18

In reply to Re: Reply to Lynn, posted by Carolyn on July 18, 1999, at 8:30:10

I have been taking Prozac off and on for the last 2 years. It helped for a while, but has no effect now. I am thinking of trying the Paxil.
I don't want to gain weight. I have gained 15 lbs over the last 2 years due to depression and ocd.

Tammy >

Lynn,
>
> I am currently trying Serzone - not too much success. Almost 3 years ago I tried Paxil and was on it for 18 months, go off of it and of course within a year my depression returned. My experience with the Paxil was a very good one. I felt wonderful waves of peaceful, serene emotions upon waking up in the morning. Weight gain not a factor. My only complaint was my inability to have an orgasm! That is why I agreed to trying out the Serzone. I don't want to give up on the thing that goes right in my life - my ability to enjoy one part of my life (sex) with my husband!!! Good luck!! P.S. my sister has been on Paxil for 2 weeks and she is starting to feel great!!!

 

Re: Reply to Lynn

Posted by Dianne on August 21, 2000, at 23:01:07

In reply to Re: Reply to Lynn, posted by tbird on August 15, 2000, at 20:16:18

I have just started using paxil about a week and a half ago. I am feeling better but am scared to gain weight as that is already a "large" issue for me. So far nothing but feeling better and sleeping better have happend but could anyone tell me if they gained weight or not?
dianne

 

Re: Reply to Lynn

Posted by Dianne on August 29, 2000, at 1:01:16

In reply to Re: Reply to Lynn, posted by Dianne on August 21, 2000, at 23:01:07

Well Someone replied, but I can't seem to open the thread. I have started gaining weight but still feel a lot better. I still have a horrible time with fatigue...could anyone tell me how they manage when the tiredness hits? I have all I can do to keep my eyes open and end up doing really stupid things but don't have the option of going to sleep.
Dianne
solbergtd@mindspring.com


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