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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Rainbowlight on September 25, 2003, at 1:44:22
I just switched meds. Went from Zoloft 50 mgs. a day to Paxil 10 mgs. a day. Taking these meds for anxiety, along with my Lamictal and Remeron. Anway, yesterday was my first day without any Zoloft (after a 3 day tritation on to Paxil and off of Zoloft) and I am very agitated. The kind of agitaton where you don't even want anyone looking at you let alone talking to you! Do you think it is Paxil side effects or Zoloft withdrawel symptoms. I am switching due to side effects from the Zoloft. I am hoping I will get the same anti-anxiety benefits from Paxil as I did with the Zoloft. Any advice/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Viridis on September 25, 2003, at 3:57:50
In reply to Agitated, need some advice, please!, posted by Rainbowlight on September 25, 2003, at 1:44:22
Most SSRIs are well known to have withdrawal effects, and then there are the "startup" effects (which never seem to go away for me). So, you could be experiencing one or the other, or both, given your rapid shift from one SSRI to another.
A benzodiazepine could be very helpful -- I'd recommend Klonopin (= clonazepam; very effective, very benign, long lasting, and not as "taboo" as many other benzos due to its low potential for abuse). Perhaps your doctor would prescribe some, at least for the transition period. I'd definitely ask him or her. Anxiety is very unhealthy, and benzos can be extremely helpful short- or long-term.
Good luck!
Posted by Bill LL on September 25, 2003, at 8:43:02
In reply to Agitated, need some advice, please!, posted by Rainbowlight on September 25, 2003, at 1:44:22
What side effects were you having from Zoloft? Was it working for you other than the side effects?
The agitation can easily be from both stopping Zoloft and starting Paxil. It should get better soon. For me, the herb Valerian has a calming effect. Only buy a bottle that says "standardized". It works in about 30 minutes.
Posted by Been-There on September 25, 2003, at 9:56:16
In reply to Re: Agitated, need some advice, please!, posted by Bill LL on September 25, 2003, at 8:43:02
Why did you change to Paxil if the Zoloft was working so well for you?
Posted by blink23 on September 25, 2003, at 13:24:23
In reply to Agitated, need some advice, please!, posted by Rainbowlight on September 25, 2003, at 1:44:22
I know that when my doctor took me off zoloft I went from 100 down to 50mg, and came off after taking one week of the 50mg, stopped... Boy can I tell you that EVERYTHING fustrated me, bothered me...I didnt want to talk to anyone. It was just plan out annoying.
Posted by Rainbowlight on September 25, 2003, at 13:35:32
In reply to Re: Agitated, need some advice, please!, posted by blink23 on September 25, 2003, at 13:24:23
The reason I wanted off the Zoloft is because of the weight gain, 30 pounds that I just can't seem to shake, despite repeated diets. And constant constipation that nothing seems to cure. Besides that, I felt pretty good on it. I feel so horrible today I am SERIOUSLY considering going back on it. I can't stand the agitation and I feel like a completely different person (spacey, agitation, severely moody). Do you guys have any advice?
Posted by blink23 on September 25, 2003, at 17:26:48
In reply to To those who answered, here were the SE's, posted by Rainbowlight on September 25, 2003, at 13:35:32
I actually felt the same way!! PLus I also had the weight gain. My question always was. will i gain even more weight? Should i go back to zoloft? I asked my self the same question. I have now been off the zoloft a while and been doing very well. My doctor put me on Wellbutrion for depression, and lexapro for anxeity. But I have only been on that now for 9 days. Just remember It takes a while to adjust expecially if its something that your body has been used to for a while. Did you go off the Zoloft just because of the weight gain?
Posted by Been-There on September 26, 2003, at 10:24:27
In reply to To those who answered, here were the SE's, posted by Rainbowlight on September 25, 2003, at 13:35:32
Yes, I hear you....The weight gain was a proublem for me too when I was on Zoloft too. Thats why I quit too :) I got the severe munchies. However, it was the best medicine when it came to the least side affects on my body.
Posted by David Smith on September 26, 2003, at 23:09:17
In reply to To those who answered, here were the SE's, posted by Rainbowlight on September 25, 2003, at 13:35:32
".... I can't stand the agitation and I feel like a completely different person (spacey, agitation, severely moody). Do you guys have any advice?"
When it was time to withdraw Paxil from my meds list, my pdoc prescribed Effexor concurrently with the Paxil. I forget just how we did it but I think we alternated pills each day (reducing the Paxil dosage as time progressed).
Of course YMMV, but there are many scenarios to consider. I hope whatever you decide upon is fruitful.
HUGS, dav
This is the end of the thread.
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