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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 jodie on February 17, 2003, at 15:41:53
Today my pdoc took me off of my Lexapro, and put me on Paxil CR. I have never taken Paxil before. The Lexapro wasn't doing a thing for depression. I am also taking Klonopin & Adderall.
What kind of side effects can I expect from Paxil CR? Anyone benefit much from Paxil, or the opposite? Just want to hear some thoughts/stories from people who are on it, or have been on it.
Thanks in advance!!!!
Jodie
Posted by gena88 on February 17, 2003, at 18:21:26
In reply to Just starting Paxil Cr, posted by jodie on February 17, 2003, at 15:41:53
Hi Jodie, Check out my post from earlier today. I've taken Paxil CR for anxiety, which has helped me a great deal in that respect. Paxil generally seems to be a bit more sedating than other SSRI's. If you have a lot of anxiety & insomnia, it may well be worth it - but watch the dosage, because it made me want to sleep all the time! And it made me put on several unwanted pounds. Of the many antidepressants out there, Paxil may be the biggest culprit for weight gain. When I told my shrink I was quitting Paxil because of my weight gain, I asked about other possibilities and he actually suggested Lexapro. However, I still don't know if Lexapro has been associated with weight gain. Just curious, did you find yourself gaining weight at all on Lexapro? If you need something that will boost your energy level, I would suggest Prozac over Paxil, but that's just me. I hope whichever medication you choose, it helps your depression. Keep us posted!
Posted by jodie on February 17, 2003, at 21:33:46
In reply to Re: Just starting Paxil Cr, posted by gena88 on February 17, 2003, at 18:21:26
Thats the main thing I'm concerned about, weight gain. I'm at an ideal weight now, but I don't want to start adding on pounds. When I mentioned to my pdoc about not wanting to gain weight, she looked up at me and said " you aren't serious are you, you are too skinny". I am 5'5'', and weigh 125-135, depending on the season and my menstrual cycle. I told her I had taken Depakote for a short while in the past, and gained lots of weight fast. I was up to 145. I am small boned, so I know it was a bit much for me.
My pdoc mentioned Remeron first. I told her no way, too many people have told me weight gain was a major side effect, and I've seen it. She agreed. She said she has only had a couple of patients complain of weight gain on the Paxil. She has more complain about weight gain using Celexa/Lexapro. I've heard Paxil can cause weight gain. The insert that I got from the pharmacist actually lists weight loss as a common side effect, and weight gain as a less common side effect.
Since I'm taking Adderall, which can cause weight loss, I wonder if it would keep me from gaining weight from Paxil. I just started Adderall XR about 10 days ago. She just switched me to regular Adderall instead. I am taking 20 mg a day, then after a week, I gradually bump up to 40 mg a day.
I have major insomnia right now, nothing I've tried for it has helped. She said the Paxil should help, so to take it right before bed.
I was on Celexa for about a year and a half. I quit taking that & switched to Wellbutrin for a while. It stopped working so I was put on Lexapro. I honestly didn't notice any weight gain from Celexa/Lexapro.
I guess, I just need to give it a try. I hope it works.
I'll check out your post from earlier right now!!!
Thank you for the reply!!!
Jodie
Posted by gena88 on February 18, 2003, at 2:54:32
In reply to Re: Just starting Paxil Cr » gena88, posted by jodie on February 17, 2003, at 21:33:46
Hi again, you may be one of the lucky ones who will not gain weight from Paxil, especially since you take Adderall. Perhaps the combo will put you on a more even keel. That's just my guess, though. Have you tried good old Ambien for insomnia? I think it works wonders, but of course I only took it on a temporary basis. I would first try taking the Paxil in the evening, though, & see if that helps at all. Hope it works out for you!
Posted by jodie on February 18, 2003, at 3:53:21
In reply to Re: Just starting Paxil Cr, posted by gena88 on February 18, 2003, at 2:54:32
Hi!!!
Yep, I have every sedating mediciation you could possibly think of in my medicine cabinet. Ambien worked for me for one night, thats it!!! I gave it a try about a month later, still nothing. I have been on Klonopin 2 mgs daily, I think maybe my body has built up a tolerance to sedating meds.
I have Ambien, Valium, Ativan, Xanax, Trazadone, Nytol, and many others, prescription & non prescriptions in my cabinet. They don't work. It's not like I get rebound insomnia from these meds. I will try a med for a couple of days, if it doesn't work, I stop taking it.
Well, so far the Paxil hasn't done a darn thing as far as helping me sleep. Right now, I'm taking 25 mg, then in a week , bump up, if I need to. I took the Paxil CR at 9 pm. It's now almost 5 am, still no sleep. Who knows, maybe it will help me sleep after taking it for a few days?
Thank you for the suggestion though.
I sound like a big cry baby. All I have been doing is complaining to everyone about my insomnia for the past couple of weeks. I'm sure people are sick of hearing about it.
Thanks again.Jodie
Posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 19, 2003, at 0:37:19
In reply to Just starting Paxil Cr, posted by jodie on February 17, 2003, at 15:41:53
Hi Jodie, I tried paxil cr last year and had a horrible time on it. Night Seizures/tremors but I was not on it long enough to know about weight gain. Iwas on Zyprexa for almost a year with Wellbutrin SR 150 twice a day and I gained 55 lbs. Just in November I was switch to Lexapro 20mg a day and my wellbutrin sr 150 mg twice a day still and so far that combo has been great and I am actually losing weight!! Yeah!! I have lost 15lbs so far and hopefully still losing. I am 5'4 1/2 and 165 right now I would love to be your size again! Hope this helped alittle! KP
Posted by jodie on February 19, 2003, at 2:05:03
In reply to Re:Just starting Paxil CR » jodie, posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 19, 2003, at 0:37:19
Thats scary, I have a seizure disorder, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. My pdoc knows this though. I take Klonopin to control it. Today, I had a really strong feeling of deja vu, followed by a headache, and upset stomach. Those are some symptoms of my epilepsy. I think I'm calling my pdoc tomorrow. I have had a couple of grand mal seizures, one almost a month and a half ago, the other 8 yrs. ago. I don't want another one of those. It's scary to go to bed, then wake up in an ambulance, and don't know why.
It's nice to here your meds are working for you. I would have liked to stay on the lexapro, because I had no side effects. But, It just wasn't working at the max. dose. I have been having crying spells, and not wanting to leave the house. I just want to stay in my pj's all day. When I do go out, even the grocery store is too much. Maybe the Adderall will start giving me an AD affect. Who knows.
Thanks!!!
jodie
Posted by Jet Meck on February 19, 2003, at 18:45:12
In reply to Ambien » gena88, posted by jodie on February 18, 2003, at 3:53:21
May I suggest trying Zyprexa. It takes about 3 hours for the sedation to kick in. I too am an insomniac. Like you Ambien worked only one night for me.
Posted by jodie on February 19, 2003, at 19:39:14
In reply to Re: Ambien, posted by Jet Meck on February 19, 2003, at 18:45:12
Thank you for the suggestion. I've never tried Zyprexa. I will mention it to my pdoc.
Thanks again,
Jodie
Posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 20, 2003, at 0:42:52
In reply to Re: Ambien » Jet Meck, posted by jodie on February 19, 2003, at 19:39:14
Hi Jodie! Zxprea worked great for slep i am having a little trouble since going off it. If you are worried about weight gain at all I gained over 55 lbs being on Zyprexa. Just food for thought! :)
Posted by jodie on February 20, 2003, at 1:29:56
In reply to Re Ambein » jodie, posted by NOTINSANEJUSTPPMD on February 20, 2003, at 0:42:52
Yes, I am worried about weight gain. I am at an ideal weight right now, but when I do gain, its fast, and a lot of it. I gained weight years back on Dilantin for epilepsy. I gained a lot of weight about a year and a half ago on Depakote. I gained about 20 lbs, fast. I just recently finished losing the weight.
Thank you, you may have saved me unnessesary pounds!!!!!!!
Jodie
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