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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sfmom on December 8, 2003, at 10:40:20
I switched from Lexapro to Paxil for anxiety and depression 6 days ago and although I was scared to switch, I've heard from several people here that they had really positive results with it. I'm also tapering off Klonopin so other than the withdrawal symptoms, the only side effect I've had with the Paxil is tiredness.
I know this may sound petty, but I'm getting married in April and have to have my dress fitted now and wanted to hear about people's experience with weight gain on Paxil. My daughter just turned two and I'm finally back to my pre-pregnancy weight and am very happy about it.
Also, has anyone had sucess with Paxil and Wellbutrin? Does it counteract some of the weight gain and sexual side effects? I don't even know if I can take Wellbutrin because I have panic attacks but I'm just trying to get as much information as possible.
All experiences and information you have will be helpful. Thank you!
Posted by Susan J on December 8, 2003, at 13:07:53
In reply to Paxil. Weight Gain???, posted by sfmom on December 8, 2003, at 10:40:20
Hi,
> the only side effect I've had with the Paxil is tiredness.
<<I had extreme tiredness on Paxil and it never went away. But a friend of mine had no problems at all! Hopefully, it'll subside for you, too.
I did gain a decent amount of weight in about 6 months on Paxil, so I do think it's something you should watch. I don't think Paxil was good for me at all -- I had tons of side effects and they never went away. I also got even more depressed and thought about suicide seriously for the first time. So it may just be that my body's chemistry didn't respond well to Paxil.If I were you, I'd weigh myself every week, same day, same time, and see if you think your weight is going up without a change in eating habits (I actually was eating less on Paxil, but didn't *move* at all I was so tired, no exercise for me = weight gain).
Congrats on your weight loss! Don't let Paxil mess it up for you. I can attest to the fact extra weight is about as depressing and self-esteem killing as it can get and only made my depression worse!
I'm on Wellbutrin only, now, and it was so much better for me. I lost all the weight I had gained and then some. I have so much more energy. And up until a week or so ago, I was feeling great. Starting to feel really bummed again, but not too sure what's causing that. I don't, however, have any experience mixing the two drugs.
Good luck on Paxil. I really do hope it works for you. As far as weight, I'd just be vigilant in weighing yourself, be aware of changes in your exercise routines/eating habits....
Take care,
Susan
Posted by delna on December 8, 2003, at 15:23:32
In reply to Re: Paxil. Weight Gain??? » sfmom, posted by Susan J on December 8, 2003, at 13:07:53
hi
I was on Paxil for 2 years. It was simply the best drug for me in terms of depression and anxiety.
I did however put on a good 10 pounds. But I had incredible sugar cravings and I would binge on biscuits etc- it never crossed my mind that I could ever gain weight since I was always skinny.
The main problem with my situation was that I was clueless about the weight gain potential of paxil. I was a totally naive patient.
I also experienced sleepiness- crippling at times. this never went away.
However I never tried wellbutrin with it. Now I am on wellbutrin and as a drug i can say that it really helps me stay awake and alert. it has not helped with the weight issue but then i havent made any effort.
IMHO paxil is great and perhaps, as Susan suggested, if u are careful about wieght at the onset you may be able to keep the weight off.
resist cravings and perhaps have a better diet and increased exercise.
good luck
Posted by sfmom on December 8, 2003, at 17:31:53
In reply to Re: Paxil. Weight Gain???, posted by delna on December 8, 2003, at 15:23:32
Thanks for the input. Did you switch to Wellbutrin because of the weight gain and sleeplessness? Or because the Paxil just wasn't cutting it for your deperssion and anxiety? I have also had a difficult time sleeping since starting Paxil, even with Trazadone it seems that I am exhausted and when I do sleep I have terrible nightmares. Could this be the Paxil? How has the Wellbutrin been for the anxiety? My doc doesn't want to put me on Wellbutrin exclusively because she thought it might make my anxiety and panic attacks worse. Then again, I don't really like her anyway, but I have Kaiser and not much choice in the matter. I'm seeing her on Thrusday so am trying to get as much information as I can before then so I can be a little less intimidated by her. Weighing myself weekly seems like a good idea, but I don't even own a scale! I've always been kind of afriad of them. Thanks for your help.
Posted by delna on December 9, 2003, at 8:04:00
In reply to Re: Paxil. Weight Gain??? » delna, posted by sfmom on December 8, 2003, at 17:31:53
Thanks for the input. Did you switch to Wellbutrin because of the weight gain and sleeplessness? Or because the Paxil just wasn't cutting it for your deperssion and anxiety?
- Well I switched because I decided to quit medications since I thought I never had a problem anyway, but then I had a bad time-ended up in hospital so I was started on effexor. I still think paxil was the best drug ever for anxiety but I am settled on effexor so I dont plan to change.
You know it really a trade off- yes paxil has drawbacks but it really gave me a chance at like.
I would do it againit seems that I am exhausted and when I do sleep I have terrible nightmares. Could this be the Paxil?
YES YES YES- awful nightmares, very vivid and sleep that isnt too deep- How has the Wellbutrin been for the anxiety? My doc doesn't want to put me on Wellbutrin exclusively because she thought it might make my anxiety and panic attacks worse.
- well apparently alone it apparenly has negative effects on anxiety- its activating.Plus now i am also on effexor and lamitac so I am stable and have no anxiety.
- I know weighing is daunting. IMHO the main thing is to wear fitted clothes so that unlike me who was constanly in loose clothes, I didnt see the first signs at all.
- may i ask how long you need to be on drugs. is it for life? i ask because when you come off paxil the weight just melts off. well it did for me.
good luck
Posted by sfmom on December 9, 2003, at 9:45:22
In reply to Re: Paxil. Weight Gain???, posted by delna on December 9, 2003, at 8:04:00
YES YES YES- awful nightmares, very vivid and sleep that isnt too deep
> Did you ever find something to help with this, or did it last the durration of your time on Paxil?> - may i ask how long you need to be on drugs. is it for life? i ask because when you come off paxil the weight just melts off. well it did for me.
> Gosh, I hope not for life. I'm seeing two different therapists (for different issues) and have a weekly group. I would really like to be off all meds by this summer because I'd really like to have another baby.
Posted by theo on December 11, 2003, at 13:15:11
In reply to Paxil. Weight Gain???, posted by sfmom on December 8, 2003, at 10:40:20
What dose of Paxil are you taking?
Posted by sfmom on December 11, 2003, at 17:46:26
In reply to Re: Paxil. Weight Gain??? » sfmom, posted by theo on December 11, 2003, at 13:15:11
> What dose of Paxil are you taking?
I've been on 10mg for 8 days. I just saw my pdoc today and she's adding 75mg of Wellbutrin to mitigate some of the Paxil side effects, namely fatigue and loss of libido. So even though I was supposed to double my dose of Paxil this week, she's going to keep me on the lower dosage and see how the Wellbutrin works with it. I'm a little nervous about taking the Wellbutrin because I've read that it can be anxiety causing. But I'm going to give it a try. And hey, it might help me quit smoking too! I don't know anything about weight gain with Wellbutrin and Paxil combined. I feel like I've been on this drug and therapy rollercoaster for the past two months and would just like to find something that works for me. My disability ends Jan 5 so I'm also really nervous about going back to work without having found medication that really addresses my problems without terrible side effects.
Okay, that was a really long answer to your concise question. Why do you ask? What's your experience been? I'm really trying to gather as much information as possible!
This is the end of the thread.
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