Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 134751

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Re: Buspar - is this normal?

Posted by jflange on January 8, 2003, at 18:06:16

In reply to Buspar - is this normal?, posted by ZeeZee on January 6, 2003, at 19:45:13

I also agree with Mitch. I have never heard of the SJW/Buspar combo, and it is probably not as effective as the SSRI/Buspar combo, since Buspar works synergistically with serotonin boosters, and if I remember correctly, SJW works something like an MAOI. Not an expert here.

Buspar can initially increase agitation and cause the "4 hour sleep cycles" but generally this s/e fades after a few weeks. One thing you mentioned did raise a red flag for me, however. I don't know how much Xanax you are taking and if you are taking it "as needed" or on a regular basis, but my experience (and my research on the web) tells me that Xanax can potentiate the Buspar and cause the latter to build up in the blood. I do not think it is something dangerous, but it would indeed give you some of the negative s/e's you describe.

Best of luck with your combo,
jflange

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » jflange

Posted by ZeeZee on January 8, 2003, at 18:11:49

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal?, posted by jflange on January 8, 2003, at 18:06:16

Hi, thanks for the info. Actually I'm trying to avoid the SSRI's since it's like injecting me with spontaneous and continuous panic serum. Since the SJW seemed to be helping a bit (dx panic disorder/agoraph.) my pdoc didn't want to mess with it.
I do feel better today. My pdoc called today and told me I could stay on it If I continued to feel better, but to stop it immediately if I continue to feel revved. I slept better last night, feel less "excited" today and my appetite seems back to normal. So maybe in another week there will be less negatives and more positives.
As far as I know there is no problem with taking xanax with Buspar, this was blessed by my doc.
Thanks

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal?

Posted by oracle on January 9, 2003, at 17:08:42

In reply to Buspar - is this normal?, posted by ZeeZee on January 6, 2003, at 19:45:13

This sounds like akathisia, so you should consult with your doc on this.
http://www.mosbysdrugconsult.com/genrxfree/Top_200_2000/Drugs/E0551.htm


Central Nervous System: Frequent: Dream disturbances; Infrequent: Depersonalization, dysphoria, noise intolerance, euphoria, akathisia, fearfulness, loss of interest, dissociative reaction, hallucinations, suicidal ideation, and seizures; Rare: Feelings of claustrophobia, cold intolerance, stupor, and slurred speech and psychosis.

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » oracle

Posted by ZeeZee on January 9, 2003, at 18:32:22

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal?, posted by oracle on January 9, 2003, at 17:08:42

Thank you for all the information. However, I definitely do not have akathesia. As with SSRI's Buspar may cause increased nervousness and excitement as well as sleep disturbance. Most of what I was experiencing has subsided and I now only feel somewhat more tense internally. I have yet to experience any positive benefits at this time - day 11. If after another week there is no benefit, or if side effects worsen then I plan to stop this drug.
Thank you again for all the info.
Regards

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee

Posted by wingedcat on January 9, 2003, at 23:00:32

In reply to Buspar - is this normal?, posted by ZeeZee on January 6, 2003, at 19:45:13

I had sleep disturbances with Buspar too. After a few weeks, it became completely intolerable and I had to stop taking it. Every time I tried to sleep, I awoke with sleep paralysis and frightening hypnogogic hallucinations (dreaming with eyes open - the dream images are superimposed on reality). My sleep went back to normal right after I stopped taking it. I had sleep disturbances with SSRI's as well.

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee

Posted by Jackster on January 12, 2003, at 2:40:54

In reply to Buspar - is this normal?, posted by ZeeZee on January 6, 2003, at 19:45:13

> My pdoc told me to add Buspar to my St. John's Wort rather than yank me off the SJW and try me on a whole new regimen.
> I've been on the Buspar for one week, 10mg divided into two doses.
>
> I've been feeling somewhat internally revved, "physically anxious", and have been getting less sleep, last night less than 4 hrs. and not being tired during the day, bouts of the "shivers". This is not normal for me. Although this feeling isn't yet intolerable, (have increased the use of my beta blocker and xanax) do I wait a few more weeks to see if this goes away? When will I know that it's working FOR me, rather than just agitating my nervous system?
>
> I feel I've wasted so much time, so much of my life, I'm impatient - anyone out there have any words of experience that might help?
>
> Thanks in advance.

Hi Zee Zee

I'm having a rather similar experience myself with Buspar. Am on Paxil 60mg and was taking Buspar 15mg a day. At first felt really motivated (good for getting housework done and tidying up : ) but after about 3 weeks started to feel more and more anxious. But it was hard to tell if it was the Buspar because after a couple of weeks I was on holiday and travelling. (Not the most relaxing thing for an agoraphobic to be doing). I wasn't sure if I was getting wound up because of the situation or if the Buspar was making it worse. Finally when I freaked out about just travelling in the car to the next town (which has never been a worry for me when I am with my partner)I decided to stop the Buspar. It had been 4 weeks - and I was still at quite a low dose. My doc was on holiday too so I couldn't ask him about it. Anyway - the anxiety seemed to lower and I started sleeping better. (More than 4 hours!!!)

Let me know how you do.

Jackie

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster

Posted by ZeeZee on January 12, 2003, at 9:35:20

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee, posted by Jackster on January 12, 2003, at 2:40:54

It's been 2 weeks now and the physical anxiety that was bothering me is almost completely gone. In addition, I'm back to sleeping well as I usually do. However, I feel no benefit from this combo and if anything I've been MORE rather than less agoraphobic since I'm somewhat anxious about the drugs effect on me (if that makes any sense). I think I'll give it a full 3 weeks and if by then I don't notice any improvement I will stop.

Did you notice these feelings on Paxil without the Buspar? SSRI's are panic serums for me and have only made me worse.

Good Luck

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal?

Posted by Jackster on January 13, 2003, at 2:34:51

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on January 12, 2003, at 9:35:20

> Did you notice these feelings on Paxil without the Buspar? SSRI's are panic serums for me and have only made me worse.
>
> Good Luck

Hi Zee Zee

The Paxil was great for me for about 3 years before it pooped out. I was trying the buspar in the hope that it would stimulate the Paxil into working again as well as having an anti-anxiety effect. Sadly it seems to be the expensive sugar pill that many people report. My PDoc wants me to go on benzos - but I really don't want to go down that route. Have you tried them?

Jackie

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster

Posted by ZeeZee on January 13, 2003, at 9:10:49

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal?, posted by Jackster on January 13, 2003, at 2:34:51

Yes, I use xanax as needed, usually when having a lot of anticipatory anxiety or actually panicking. Since I find it sedating it's not pratical for me to use daily. Also, because of its short half life it's not practical for use with my anticipatory anxiety that comes days in advance when having to step out of my invisible agoraphobic boundaries. My agoraphobia just keeps getting worse.
I've been told by others on this board to use Klonopin daily because I will find that the sedative effects will wear off while providing the anti-anxiety effect. I've been afraid to go this route.
After experiencing the dramatic change in my "what if" thinking while on MAOI's (can no longer take Parnate and Nardil) I'm still looking for something that will target my thinking without tranquilizing me. I'm planning on asking my pdoc for Moclobemide, another MAOI that's not sold in the US.
I don't panic very often (I guess because I avoid whatever the situation is) but my agoraphobia and what if thinking is the biggest problem for me. My pdoc wants me to try Paxil however I've used Paxil in the past as well as other SSRI's and they've created intense panic out of nowhere for me. I'm deathly afraid of them - also not a good attitude to have to have a drug work for you!

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal?

Posted by Jackster on January 14, 2003, at 3:58:45

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on January 13, 2003, at 9:10:49

> Yes, I use xanax as needed, usually when having a lot of anticipatory anxiety or actually panicking. Since I find it sedating it's not pratical for me to use daily. Also, because of its short half life it's not practical for use with my anticipatory anxiety that comes days in advance when having to step out of my invisible agoraphobic boundaries. My agoraphobia just keeps getting worse.
> I've been told by others on this board to use Klonopin daily because I will find that the sedative effects will wear off while providing the anti-anxiety effect. I've been afraid to go this route.
> After experiencing the dramatic change in my "what if" thinking while on MAOI's (can no longer take Parnate and Nardil) I'm still looking for something that will target my thinking without tranquilizing me. I'm planning on asking my pdoc for Moclobemide, another MAOI that's not sold in the US.
> I don't panic very often (I guess because I avoid whatever the situation is) but my agoraphobia and what if thinking is the biggest problem for me. My pdoc wants me to try Paxil however I've used Paxil in the past as well as other SSRI's and they've created intense panic out of nowhere for me. I'm deathly afraid of them - also not a good attitude to have to have a drug work for you!


Wow - your situation sounds so like mine. I was on Xanax for about a year after having a meltdown when I tapered off Paxil and tried starting Prozac. (Waaayyyyy to activating!) I found the Xanax way to sedating - which has put me off using benzos. (although klonopin doesn't seem as bad but have only tried it at lower doses). I too don't panic that often because I avoid situations that cause the attacks - and I know what that "What if" thought is like. It's amazing how fast the attack follows the thought.

Have you tried any tricyclics? I feel like I've really flogged the Paxil to death - it hardly works now - but my Pdoc is reluctant to change it - just augment it. The buspar didn't work - so it could be depakote next.

Jackie

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster

Posted by ZeeZee on January 14, 2003, at 8:49:32

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal?, posted by Jackster on January 14, 2003, at 3:58:45

Yes, I've tried the TCA's in the past, but they caused too many cardiac problems - resting heart rate >115. I'm sure now, 10 years later the problems would be worse. I've moved up my pdoc appt. and am going to ask for Moclobemide, but expect an argument over this. I'm sure she's going to push SSRI's on me although my past shows they are harmful for me. The Buspar I've been on for a little more than 2 weeks now seems to be doing nothing for me as well.
It seems there are a lot of people out there who have gotten well with CBT and exposure therapy. I don't know why I can't seem to "get it". No matter how much I try it's one step forward and two steps back!

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee

Posted by Jackster on January 14, 2003, at 12:10:00

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on January 14, 2003, at 8:49:32

I tried CBT and exposure for 10 years before I even touched any meds. Never worked for me either - until I did it with meds. I think your brain really becomes hard wired into that way of thinking and it's near impossible to reverse without chemical help. (Try telling that to someone that's never had a PA).

I guess I was lucky that I didn't have any problems with Paxil - might be because the doc started me on amitriptyline at night at the same time which is quite sedating. If you can't get the moclomide - is it possible you could try a SSRI or SNRI with a benzo for the first few weeks (which is always the worst time for an SSRI). Or do your bad reactions go past the first 4 weeks (i.e. not just the start up effects)?

I had the heart probs with imipramine - am thinking of trying nortrptyline which is supposed to be not as bad.

Everyone seems to be pushing benzos for panic now - I feel like some kind of prude for not wanting to go on them full time - even my doc wants me to.

Hang in there and keep me posted.

Jackie

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster

Posted by ZeeZee on January 14, 2003, at 13:35:14

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee, posted by Jackster on January 14, 2003, at 12:10:00

Hi Jackie,

I think my pdoc wants me to try a SSRI with a benzo like you said, buy I'm scared to death! I tried Effexor over the summer and was awakened in sheer terror. This was on one low dose, I never took another one again, but that experience put me in a downward spiral that took months to undo!
I don't know what they could give me to quell the increased panic intially because right now I only trust xanax. I'd have to be in a near stupor for weeks to make it through. In addition, I've become a bit of a pharmacophobe, so I get highly anxious just putting a new med in my mouth - I'm a real pain in the a**!

I'm also fearful of the 20-30lb weight gain that I hear Paxil is so famous for. I'd almost rather gain that by going back on Nardil - at least I know that Nardil worked with no increase in my anxiety symptoms.

You're right about his hard wired thing, which is why it is so frustrating to talk with anyone who hasn't experienced this. Even the books on panic I love to read give me a guilt trip because I can't seem to fully "get it".

If there was a way to surgically remove this disorder I believe I'd sign up right away!
Thanks for your help.

Regards,
ZeeZee

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee

Posted by viridis on January 15, 2003, at 4:27:23

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on January 14, 2003, at 13:35:14

If SSRIs cause you that much trouble (like they do for me), you're perfectly justified in refusing them. Or, you could try extremely small doses at first to see how you respond. I find that feeling in control of the situation helps a lot -- your doctor can't make you take anything you don't want to, and if you decide to take a very low dose at first, that's your choice.

It's kind of a long shot, but you might try Neurontin. I take it, and I'm not sure it does much, but it's certainly mild, and seems to provide anxiety relief for some people here.

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee

Posted by Jackster on January 16, 2003, at 2:39:54

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on January 14, 2003, at 13:35:14

Hi Zee Zee

Sounds like your experience with Effexor was similar to mine with Prozac! The are both quite activating SSRI's from what I have read - prob didn't help that I was coming off Paxil as well. I ended up going back onto the Paxil just to stablilise myself - and it really did put me off trying different drugs. It's taken me 2 years to think about trying something else again. (The Paxil's only working at about 50%).

If you ever did try an SSRI again - make sure it's one of the sedating ones - not the activating ones like Prozac or Effexor. You could prob find something on the web that would list them in order of how activating they are. In the mean time - good luck with getting the moclomibe!

Jackie

(PS I put on about 12 pounds with Paxil - but have since managed to lose it - but I wonder if that's because it's not working anymore! I did weight watchers though).


> Hi Jackie,
>
> I think my pdoc wants me to try a SSRI with a benzo like you said, buy I'm scared to death! I tried Effexor over the summer and was awakened in sheer terror. This was on one low dose, I never took another one again, but that experience put me in a downward spiral that took months to undo!
> I don't know what they could give me to quell the increased panic intially because right now I only trust xanax. I'd have to be in a near stupor for weeks to make it through. In addition, I've become a bit of a pharmacophobe, so I get highly anxious just putting a new med in my mouth - I'm a real pain in the a**!
>
> I'm also fearful of the 20-30lb weight gain that I hear Paxil is so famous for. I'd almost rather gain that by going back on Nardil - at least I know that Nardil worked with no increase in my anxiety symptoms.
>
> You're right about his hard wired thing, which is why it is so frustrating to talk with anyone who hasn't experienced this. Even the books on panic I love to read give me a guilt trip because I can't seem to fully "get it".
>
> If there was a way to surgically remove this disorder I believe I'd sign up right away!
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Regards,
> ZeeZee

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster

Posted by ZeeZee on January 16, 2003, at 15:22:44

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee, posted by Jackster on January 16, 2003, at 2:39:54

Hi Jackie

Just got back from my appt. with pdoc. She has no experience with Moc and doesn't feel comfortable prescribing something she's unfamiliar with, plus she cannot prescribe it for me since it's not available in the US. She feels very strongly that if we take the Paxil VERY, VERY slowly with the use of xanax (non generic form) that I should adjust to the initial effects without much adverse reaction. She's so nice and patient and understanding I decided to trust her with this and took the leap of faith to follow her directions. I'll start this Sunday night and hopefully will do OK. She also said she'd prescribe a histamine blocker if sexual side effects and weight gain is a problem. She encouraged me to use my xanax without hesitation and to not worry about "dependence".
Keep your fingers crossed for me!

ZeeZee

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal?

Posted by Jackster on January 17, 2003, at 17:46:48

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on January 16, 2003, at 15:22:44

Good luck Zee Zee! Paxil was a wonder drug for me. You can even get it in liquid form so you could start as low as 1ml per day if you wanted to. There's no hurry so take your time with increasing the dosage - you may even want to get a pill cutter so you can cut them into small amounts. As Xanax is v quick working - you could leave taking it until you start feeling anxious (as opposed to taking it in case you do). The fastest way is to dissolve it under your tongue (apparently tastes like crap though!). I hope it works as well for you as it did for me.

Let me know how you do.

Cheers
Jackie

> Hi Jackie
>
> Just got back from my appt. with pdoc. She has no experience with Moc and doesn't feel comfortable prescribing something she's unfamiliar with, plus she cannot prescribe it for me since it's not available in the US. She feels very strongly that if we take the Paxil VERY, VERY slowly with the use of xanax (non generic form) that I should adjust to the initial effects without much adverse reaction. She's so nice and patient and understanding I decided to trust her with this and took the leap of faith to follow her directions. I'll start this Sunday night and hopefully will do OK. She also said she'd prescribe a histamine blocker if sexual side effects and weight gain is a problem. She encouraged me to use my xanax without hesitation and to not worry about "dependence".
> Keep your fingers crossed for me!
>
> ZeeZee

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster

Posted by ZeeZee on January 17, 2003, at 21:13:26

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal?, posted by Jackster on January 17, 2003, at 17:46:48

Hi Jackie,
I hope this works out for me. I am VERY nervous. She wants me to start at 1/2 tablet, or 5mgs. I offered to cut it into 1/4ths to reduce it to 2.5, but she said it wasn't necessary (hope she's right). She also told me to take a whole .5 mg tab of xanax with it and then go to sleep. She's hoping I'll sleep through any discomfort I might feel. I'm wondering if I should just take a quarter though.
If you don't mind my asking how much did you start out on and did you find it increased your anxiety/panic initially? What was the dose that finally worked for you?
Thanks in advance.
ZeeZee

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee

Posted by Jackster on January 18, 2003, at 16:05:09

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on January 17, 2003, at 21:13:26

Hi Zee Zee

I started on 10mg for a week and then went up to 20mg. I don't remember having any problems with increased anxiety - but I think that was because my doc also put me on a v small dosage of amitriptyline (a sedative tricyclic - called Elavil? in US) 10mg at the same time. I took the Paxil in the a.m. and the amitriptyline at night. (Slept like a baby!) I think the sedative effects may have cancelled out any start up anxiety.

After about 4 weeks I noticed that situations that usually caused me great anxiety no longer were. This carried on for about 4 months - no panic attacks at all and I continued doing great at exposure therapy. Then suddenly I started having panic attacks again (doing the hard exposure stuff). I did some quick research and realised that the dosage for panic disorder is actually 40mg. I went up to that dosage and didn't have a panic attack for 3 years. (During this time I moved countries for 2 years, and travelled to approx. 20 different countries). Best years of my life.

If you want to cut the tablet in quarters then do it! Anything that will make you feel better about taking it. After my prozac experience I know what it's like to be afraid to go through that again. At least you know you have the Xanax to take which is really quick working. Don't be afraid to take a little more than normal if you are experiencing anxiety - it's only a temporary phase and you can reduce the dosage (of Xanax) once it's past.

Also - don't worry about the weight gain for now - just concentrate on getting better. The weight gain takes at least 3 months (well, did in my case) - and I lost it just by careful diet and exercise.

Hang in there! I've got my fingers crossed for you!

Jackie


> Hi Jackie,
> I hope this works out for me. I am VERY nervous. She wants me to start at 1/2 tablet, or 5mgs. I offered to cut it into 1/4ths to reduce it to 2.5, but she said it wasn't necessary (hope she's right). She also told me to take a whole .5 mg tab of xanax with it and then go to sleep. She's hoping I'll sleep through any discomfort I might feel. I'm wondering if I should just take a quarter though.
> If you don't mind my asking how much did you start out on and did you find it increased your anxiety/panic initially? What was the dose that finally worked for you?
> Thanks in advance.
> ZeeZee

 

Thank you so much! » Jackster

Posted by ZeeZee on January 18, 2003, at 16:19:19

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee, posted by Jackster on January 18, 2003, at 16:05:09

Jackie,

Your encouragement and support is very much appreciated! Thank you for sharing the details, it makes me feel more inclined to hang in there.

May I ask why you are no longer on the Paxil? Did it poop out on you? Is there a remedy for that? It's a shame if it helped you so much in the past.

I'll keep you posted on how I do. I'm sure I'll be consulting this site more than usual.

Thanks again,

ZeeZee (fingers and toes crossed)

 

Re: Thank you so much! » ZeeZee

Posted by Jackster on January 19, 2003, at 2:32:10

In reply to Thank you so much! » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on January 18, 2003, at 16:19:19

Hi Zee Zee

I've had lots of support and encouragement on this board and it's nice to give it back to someone else - especially someone in a situation I know so well!

After 3 years on the Paxil I felt so good I thought I didn't need it anymore. I'd had the weight gain and sexual side effects, so I thought I'd taper off slowly to see how I would do. I got down to about 10mg and the panic attacks started coming back. No problem I thought, I'll just go back up to 40mg. Unfortunately I never got the same effectiveness back - even after upping to 60mg. I found out from my PDoc that it can happen if you stop and start an AD. This doesn't necessarily happen to everyone though - I've heard of other people stopping and starting with no problems. I've tried a myriad of other meds with it - and unfortunately we have only a very limited range of SSRIs to try in NZ. (Paxil, Prozac and Serzone).

I'm seeing my PDoc next week so I might talk to him about trying a tricyclic. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me too!

Feel free to keep posting questions to me - I wish I'd had someone to compare notes with when I started the Paxil. It really helps when someone can say - yes I had that side effect too and it went away etc.

You can do it!
Jackie


> Jackie,
>
> Your encouragement and support is very much appreciated! Thank you for sharing the details, it makes me feel more inclined to hang in there.
>
> May I ask why you are no longer on the Paxil? Did it poop out on you? Is there a remedy for that? It's a shame if it helped you so much in the past.
>
> I'll keep you posted on how I do. I'm sure I'll be consulting this site more than usual.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> ZeeZee (fingers and toes crossed)

 

Good Luck to You! (nm)

Posted by ZeeZee on January 19, 2003, at 9:42:38

In reply to Re: Thank you so much! » ZeeZee, posted by Jackster on January 19, 2003, at 2:32:10

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster

Posted by ZeeZee on January 22, 2003, at 16:42:58

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » ZeeZee, posted by Jackster on January 16, 2003, at 2:39:54

>(PS I put on about 12 pounds with Paxil - but have since managed to lose it - but I wonder if that's because it's not working anymore! I did weight watchers though).<

Hi Jackie,

Was this weight gain in spite of your best efforts? My pdoc attempted to convince me that people gain weight because they feel better and eat more, but I didn't believe that. Did you find you gained weight although your eating and exercise habits hadn't changed?

I started out with 1/4th tablet of Paxil for 2 days and increased to a half (5mgs) last night. So far so good, with no increased anxiety. I'm taking .5 of xanax with it at bedtime. Hope this continues while I build up to a therapeutic dose. Curious about the weight gain though.

Regards,
ZeeZee

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal?

Posted by Jackster on January 23, 2003, at 2:49:36

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster, posted by ZeeZee on January 22, 2003, at 16:42:58

>
> Hi Jackie,
>
> Was this weight gain in spite of your best efforts? My pdoc attempted to convince me that people gain weight because they feel better and eat more, but I didn't believe that. Did you find you gained weight although your eating and exercise habits hadn't changed?
>
> I started out with 1/4th tablet of Paxil for 2 days and increased to a half (5mgs) last night. So far so good, with no increased anxiety. I'm taking .5 of xanax with it at bedtime. Hope this continues while I build up to a therapeutic dose. Curious about the weight gain though.
>
> Regards,
> ZeeZee


Hi ZeeZee

Good to hear everything's going OK so far with you. If you carry on at a pace you're happy with you should be fine.

With regards to the weight - I didn't actually know about it as a side effect when I started taking Paxil. It's hard to say if my eating habits were the same either - because I went overseas a few months later where my lifestyle was completely different. (A lot more going to the pub and drinking beer!). I've heard the 'people eat more when they're not depressed' theory and I don't believe it either. I wasn't really depressed when i started taking Paxil - I took it for panic attacks. If anything - I eat more when I'm anxious and less when I'm relaxed. So technically - I should have lost weight as the Paxil started working and I became less anxious. Then again - I've been pretty skinny all my life - and I think that's because all my anxious energy burnt everything off!

Anyway - I lost the weight with diet and exercise. (It took about 6 months to gain it in the first place - so it wasn't a sudden thing) - and now I know just to be careful with my diet. I've been used to being able to eat anything I wanted all my life without gaining any weight - so if I can go on a diet for the first time ever and lose weight - so can anyone! (I'm a real chocoholic).

Saw the doc yesterday - am slowly reducing my Paxil dose from 60mg to 30mg - and then after about a week I start Nortriptyline (Pamelor) and go up to 30mg of that. I might post here to make sure that combo is alright. My last PDoc kept putting me on drug combos that were contra-indicated so I'm a bit paranoid now. He's also given me some klonopin to tide me over the switching. So we're both changing our Paxil doses at the same time - and will prob go through the same side effects.

Hope it continues to go well with you
Jackie

 

Re: Buspar - is this normal? » Jackster

Posted by ZeeZee on January 23, 2003, at 18:07:31

In reply to Re: Buspar - is this normal?, posted by Jackster on January 23, 2003, at 2:49:36

Hope everything goes well for you too. Keep us posted.
ZZ


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[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

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