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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Paul Smith on November 24, 2004, at 15:20:34
I have heard from many that Paxil is more calming and better on anxiety/social phobia. But I have a month`s supply of Zoloft complete with instructions from my doc. My insurance went south with my job but am willing to pay to see my doc again if the Paxil is much better. I do not need to be hyped up. Any insights would be appreciated. I did not like Lexapro. Made me feel wierd.
Posted by jujube on November 24, 2004, at 15:34:08
In reply to Zoloft or Paxil?, posted by Paul Smith on November 24, 2004, at 15:20:34
I have never tried Zoloft, but I did use Paxil for a number of years. I found Paxil to be excellent for anxiety, and also found that I was a little more assertive and outgoing in social situations while I was using it. That being said, at the time I had nothing to compare it to since it was the first antidepressant I had ever been on. I have heard that Zoloft is more activating than Paxil, but that's the extent of my knowledge. You might want to do a google search on Psychobabble to read about others' experiences with Zoloft while you wait for responses to your query.
Good luck.
Tamara
> I have heard from many that Paxil is more calming and better on anxiety/social phobia. But I have a month`s supply of Zoloft complete with instructions from my doc. My insurance went south with my job but am willing to pay to see my doc again if the Paxil is much better. I do not need to be hyped up. Any insights would be appreciated. I did not like Lexapro. Made me feel wierd.
Posted by theo on November 24, 2004, at 16:30:40
In reply to Zoloft or Paxil?, posted by Paul Smith on November 24, 2004, at 15:20:34
If you have anxiety I would stay away from Zoloft!!
Paxil is the best SSRI for anxiety and social anxiety issues. I'm starting Paxil CR again the day after Thanksgiving as a matter of fact.
The only reason I stopped it originally was to try Lexapro which made my anxiety worse. My results with Zoloft were similar to Lexapro.
Your doc should have samples of Paxil CR. Since regular Paxil went generic he won't have samples of it.
Posted by banga on November 24, 2004, at 17:59:19
In reply to Re: Zoloft or Paxil? » Paul Smith, posted by theo on November 24, 2004, at 16:30:40
I am not an expert, but can give you my experience. (Remember that EACH person's comments here should not replace doc consults) Zoloft was the first med I ever tried. It seemed to be energizing, helped with depression and a little with anxiety. For me, Paxil did indeed help more with generalized anxiety--BUT I gained a LOT of weight, rapidly--so rapidly that my back went out. For me it was not an option because of this.
My sense from the literature and people's comments fits with my experience---Paxil helps anxiety more, but is well known to increase weight.
The only way really is to try--each of us is different in our biochemistry.
Posted by Paul Smith on November 24, 2004, at 18:24:54
In reply to Re: Zoloft or Paxil?, posted by banga on November 24, 2004, at 17:59:19
Thanks for the replies. I need to try Paxil. What you say is what many others have said. Though someone may come along with a better experience with Zoloft. Lexapro hyped me up. If Zoloft usually does the same it is the last thing I need. I do not know why my doc did not encourage Paxil.
Posted by ed_uk on November 25, 2004, at 7:17:31
In reply to Re: Zoloft or Paxil?, posted by Paul Smith on November 24, 2004, at 18:24:54
Hi,
I found Paxil useful for anxiety but it was much too sedating and I was falling asleep all the time!
Ed
Posted by Buckeye Fan on November 25, 2004, at 7:30:04
In reply to Re: Zoloft or Paxil?, posted by ed_uk on November 25, 2004, at 7:17:31
Thanks for the question Paul....and the responses guys. I am in my "second go-around" with Zoloft...and the only other SSI i had to compare it with was Effexor Xr...which made me too wired!
I am still ( its over 2 months) somewhat anxious
on Zoloft this time around...and maybe Paxil would be a better fit for me.
I am a very anxious personm even on 50mg Zoloft
AND 3mg of Xanax a day...so if Paxil is sedating
and helps with Social Phobia ( my other Big Problem) maybe I will give it a try.
BF
Posted by jujube on November 25, 2004, at 7:47:26
In reply to Re: Zoloft or Paxil?, posted by Buckeye Fan on November 25, 2004, at 7:30:04
I was on Paxil for a number of years, and I never had a problem with feeling sedated. It did, however, do an excellent job on anxiety, including social anxiety, for me. Just goes to show you that we are all different.
Tamara
> Thanks for the question Paul....and the responses guys. I am in my "second go-around" with Zoloft...and the only other SSI i had to compare it with was Effexor Xr...which made me too wired!
>
> I am still ( its over 2 months) somewhat anxious
> on Zoloft this time around...and maybe Paxil would be a better fit for me.
> I am a very anxious personm even on 50mg Zoloft
> AND 3mg of Xanax a day...so if Paxil is sedating
> and helps with Social Phobia ( my other Big Problem) maybe I will give it a try.
>
>
> BF
>
Posted by Paul Smith on November 25, 2004, at 19:12:40
In reply to Re: Zoloft or Paxil?, posted by Buckeye Fan on November 25, 2004, at 7:30:04
<<I am still ( its over 2 months) somewhat anxious
on Zoloft this time around...and maybe Paxil would be a better fit for me.
I am a very anxious personm even on 50mg Zoloft
AND 3mg of Xanax a day...so if Paxil is sedating
and helps with Social Phobia ( my other Big Problem) maybe I will give it a try.
BF>>
Thanks for answering :-) From all the research I have done, Paxil is often said to be the king of the SSRIs for social phobia and panic. But for some it is very hard to get off of, difficult withdrawals. If the 3 mgs of Xanax is not holding you you may consider Klonopin, about 2 mgs or Valium, maybe 30 mgs. The longer half-life versions are sometimes better, more stable. If you are in the U.S., docs seem to be more eager to prescribe Klonopin.
Posted by theo on November 25, 2004, at 23:06:13
In reply to Re: Zoloft or Paxil?, posted by Paul Smith on November 25, 2004, at 19:12:40
Posted by Paul Smith on November 27, 2004, at 6:18:54
In reply to Are you talking Paxil or Paxil CR? (nm), posted by theo on November 25, 2004, at 23:06:13
Niether yet. Which is better? I would prefer the regular as generic is available and I have no insurance.
Posted by theo on November 27, 2004, at 7:17:23
In reply to Re: Are you talking Paxil or Paxil CR?, posted by Paul Smith on November 27, 2004, at 6:18:54
I'm trying 12.5 CR first, only because my doc suggested it. As a matter of fact I'm taking my first dose this morning! About two years ago I took 20mg Paxil for a year and had no problems except a little acid reflux off and on. Paxil CR is suppose to bypass the stomach and release in the lower bowel, which avoids that issue, and it also releases over 4-5 hours instead of immediately.
If you have no insurance, Paxil CR may be a BETTER option for you because you can get samples from your doctor. Since regular Paxil went generic, you can no longer get samples of it.
Regular Paxil if anything made me constipated a little. When Paxil CR first came out, I tried a much higher dose and it triggered a reaction in my lower bowels giving me a diarreah attack! I checked the inactive ingredients in the CR and it actually has LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE, which regular Paxil doesn't have. Why the manufactuers would put lactose monohydrate in a med that activates in your lower bowels is beyond me. I was having IBS then anyway because I was drinking alot then.
I haven't had a drink in almost 2 years, so this trial of 12.5 CR will be a valid test to see. If it does cause me lower bowel problems, I will go with 10mg regular Paxil.
This is the end of the thread.
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