Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 897273

Shown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 14:39:01

Hi to all.

I am running out of options. Need to find something to stop this severe gad, agoraphobia, which has led to depression. Am tired of not being able to go out of house without panicking. Tired of feeling so constantly hopeless and dread. Am tired of living this way. Actually started to plan out my suicide this morning, but got hold of myself, trying to believe that there is something out there that would help. Have no insurance, so can't check into a hospital.

Tired of no motivation, no energy, constant tenseness in head and throughout body, only sleeping because of sleep med, but not good sleep, because of anxiety. Slight trembling constant rigidness. Have had no appetite in months. Have been surviving on soup and Slimfast shakes.

Last med tried, was Nardil, but only seem to make worse (add vomiting after three weeks of being on it). Have been off Nardil for two weeks now. Was thinking about Celexa, but don't know how much that will help with anxiety. Looked up alot on Paxil, which seems to be the script for anxiety, but OMG the horror stories.

I'm not afraid to take a med, just dread coming off when they don't work. Am afraid if paxil doesn't work am wondering if coming off would be all that awful. Scared I will fall into a deeper depression if it doesn't because have no clue what I would do next. If paxil would work and keep me stable for a time, I would take for the rest of my life or until it poops. I was amazed to see people taking and saying it worked only to come off because of low sex and gaining weight (unless weight becomes unhealthy).

Have looked up info on effexor and wellbutrin, but not sure if they will help. I've taken Lexapro and Zoloft which didn't help, which didn't help. (Had allergic reaction to zoloft) Looked up Prozac, but not sure about anxiety on that one either.

Have also taken seroquel, but have extreme muscle cramping above 100 to 150 mgs. Just makes you kind of blunt. I have tons of xanax, but I would have to take so much to stop anxiety, it wouldn't be worth it. So I only take at night with 25 mgs. of seroquel to sleep. Will take some small dosages during the day, but it really doesn't help anymore.

I don't expect anything to last forever, but some stability for a little while would be nice. I'm sure withdrawals from Paxil aren't pleasant, but as depressed and suicidal as I feel right now, what could be worse.

I don't think buspar would put a dent in my levels of anxiety.

My husband and son are going to a birthday party tonight and as usual, I will be sitting at home.

Physically everything is taking its toll. My looks have plummeted. I look awful now. Very pale and losing weight.

Starting to just not care anymore.

Will be seeing pdoc again on Wednesday, but have no idea where to go with this.

Need to find something that works on anxiety, agoraphobia, social phobia and panic which has now led to depression.

Any advice?

Courtney

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by ricker on May 23, 2009, at 16:07:48

In reply to Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 14:39:01

Hi Cortney, did you get my pm? No need to reply to it, just wondering.....take care, Rick

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad? - Add On

Posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 16:14:57

In reply to Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 14:39:01

I just realized after posting the above post that I have only been off Nardil for 2 weeks. I had been on it for three weeks and then just stopped cold turkey because of the vomiting. Maybe that has something to do with me feeling so bad.

Was looking up info on Prozac. It sounds like it could be helpful.

Courtney

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by floatingbridge on May 23, 2009, at 16:51:39

In reply to Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 14:39:01

Hi Courtney,

Have you tried klonopin? It works for many and may give you the relief from anxiety you need. Xanax didn't work for me. It is short acting--as others here can explain more adequately--and I found it only a bandaid for anxiety. I personally think it can, for some, aggravate anxiety issues. I reserve it for my 'emergency med' as my pdoc calls it.

Candace

did you get my babble mail? No need to reply--just wondering if it works.

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad? » floatingbridge

Posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2009, at 17:45:36

In reply to Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by floatingbridge on May 23, 2009, at 16:51:39

First ad I ever took was l0mg of paxil with 25mg of lopressor as couldn't take inderol do to autoimmune thyroiditis. And also took xanax. Took about three months to feel good. But then it worked fine. About six months after feeling fine gave up the lopressor. And was still fine. I was working and very happy. Went off it after two years absolutely no weight gain as Son was coming to live with us and he didn't believe in meds so weaned off the l0mg wasn't hard either some brain zaps showed that I needed to take tinier pieces of the l0 each day. And then was fine. Don't believe all you read as it worked fine for me the only one that ever has. So there is someone here that took low dose and yes panic attacks. Give it a try. Phillipa

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad? » Cseagraves

Posted by raisinb on May 23, 2009, at 18:41:09

In reply to Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 14:39:01

Paxil worked really well for a long time for a friend of mine. She can't tolerate Zoloft and has anxiety issues. I don't think she was too sleepy to be functional on it, and I don't think she gained significant amounts of weight (or if she did, there were other factors involved).

There are always horror stories out there on the net. But remember, every drug has worked for a significant number of people--otherwise, they wouldn't keep selling it because it wouldn't make money.

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by sowhysosad on May 23, 2009, at 18:46:24

In reply to Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad? » Cseagraves, posted by raisinb on May 23, 2009, at 18:41:09

I took it for a while for a nasty bout of depression and anxiety. It was pretty effective and I had NO discontinuation effects AT ALL when I tapered it.

Don't be put off by a very vocal minority who suffer unusual and unfortunate side effects!

I understand the normal rule of thumb is that you have to be taking an SSRI for six weeks before you'll suffer discontinuation effects, so I guess you could review things at say four weeks in and quit then if you've had no improvement.

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 19:34:38

In reply to Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad? » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2009, at 17:45:36

Phillipa,

Did you have any major s/e's going on the paxil? How long did it take for it to kick in for you?

Thanks for the info!

Courtney

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad? » Cseagraves

Posted by ricker on May 23, 2009, at 19:47:55

In reply to Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 19:34:38

Courtney, I gave paxil a 4 week trial. Of all the ssri's, it worked best for my social phobia and anxiety. It was not quite as effective as zoloft for the depression side of things but, to be fair, it was only a 4 week trial.
The main reason I stopped was due to chronic nausea, which is strange for me as I've got somewhat of an iron gut :-) most meds don't bother me that way. I was told the stomach is rich in serotonin so that may have had something to do with it.

So, I think Paxil is worth a shot for nervous depression.

Regards, Rick

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by Relapse on May 23, 2009, at 20:12:55

In reply to Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad? » Cseagraves, posted by ricker on May 23, 2009, at 19:47:55

C-
I wouldn't knock any of them - just find the one that works for you. I also have extreme anxiety issues (but only for the last 35 years or so). Zoloft seems to be the best for me. One thing you might ask your doc is, about augmenting the ad that works best with lithium. This really helped me. My doc believes about 600mg works very effectively with ads. Hang in there girl, my thoughts and prayers are with you. This disease is so totally invasive, but you got to believe you will cycle out and have better days.
Dave

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad? » Cseagraves

Posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2009, at 20:32:39

In reply to Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 19:34:38

As I said was on xanax also. Very tired attribute to the lopressor, laid in a hammock most of the day, some diarrhea, but did manage to run two miles a day. Did take three months but then things were seriously fine. Phillipa

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by Zana on May 24, 2009, at 12:03:13

In reply to Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad? » Cseagraves, posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2009, at 20:32:39

I don't think Paxil has big discontinuation problems and I agree with other posters that you are always going to find horror stories and won't find as many stories about people who have no problem with it.
Have you or your pdoc thought about any of the mood stabilizers? Depakote really killed my anxiety. It was too heavy duty for me; I felt really zonked on it but don't know what it would be like for you. Might be an area to explore.
So sorry you are having such a hard time. I always think "there but for the grace of god go I." Not that I'm really a god person but I think so many of us on babble know what it is like to be powerless and fell so helpless in the face of depression and anxiety. Something always seems to come along that helps, eventually. You've just got to keep working at it with your docs.
Take care.

Zana

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by Justherself54 on May 24, 2009, at 14:23:01

In reply to Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 14:39:01

I went through a period where I couldn't go into any store line-ups after I had a panic attack standing in one. I also become agoraphobic. Paxil, at that time, was a lifesaver. The first week on it, I was very sleepy..then voila, no more panic attacks. I was able to shop and leave the house.

I got the good old brain zaps when I go off any AD..but coming off Paxil was easier than Nardil. It may be worth giving it a try..

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by Cseagraves on May 24, 2009, at 16:48:04

In reply to Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Justherself54 on May 24, 2009, at 14:23:01

For those who have taken paxil, do you think taking it in the morning or at night would be best?

Thanks,

Courtney

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by bleauberry on May 24, 2009, at 18:11:51

In reply to Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 14:39:01

When it gets this bad, I honestly do not believe there is anything a psychiatrist can do to help very much. You aren't talking brain stuff here. There is other stuff going on. How do I know? Well, one clue was the allergic reaction to prozac. That there says "immune dysfunction" and likely "digestive dysfunction'. The muscle cramps from seroquel, something biological going on there.

My best suggestion would be to immediately seek out another doctor to augment whatever your psychiatrist can do. The new doctor should be one that calls himself/herself an Integrative MD, or an Integrative Nurse Practioner. Someone who knows all the stuff in the body that causes someone to deteriorate the way you (and me) have. Psychiatrists don't have a clue and can't do a thing to stop it. Other doctors do and can. But you gotta look for the right ones. Any ole GP won't do. They have to be Integrative to have that well rounded view of the whole body/brain/immune/hormones/infection/digestion thing. I guarantee you, in your case and many of us, it aint just the brain. Matter of fact, it is very likely something else not the brain, and it is just the brain being impacted from a different problem.

Anyway, long story, I believe a pdoc is impotent in preventing the progression of your condition. With some pure luck and guesses, he might be able to partially stall it, temporarily, or just make it partially more bearable, but given your history so far, I doubt it.

Keep the pdoc onboard for any psych prescriptions you might need, but get a different doc for the whole big picture. If nothing else, bare minimum, get a second opinion.

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by Justherself54 on May 24, 2009, at 18:28:18

In reply to Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Cseagraves on May 24, 2009, at 16:48:04

> For those who have taken paxil, do you think taking it in the morning or at night would be best?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Courtney

Morning works best for me.

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad? » Justherself54

Posted by Phillipa on May 24, 2009, at 20:31:13

In reply to Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Justherself54 on May 24, 2009, at 18:28:18

Ditto on the mornings. Phillipa

 

Re: Paxil. Is it really that bad?

Posted by Elanor Roosevelt on May 25, 2009, at 19:53:23

In reply to Paxil. Is it really that bad?, posted by Cseagraves on May 23, 2009, at 14:39:01

I have heard that people have success taking Paxil and Benadryl together


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