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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
New Paxil prescription for depression and anxiety
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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New Paxil prescription for depression and anxiety
by MSW student, Oct 31, 2005 12:00AM
My doctor just prescribed me Paxil to replace my Celexa. I had recently started to have panic attacks, which I haven't had for years. I'm a little nervous because I've heard so many scary things about Paxil, Paxil withdrawal, and weight gain as a side effect.
I was hoping you could tell me if I should really be concerned about trying Paxil. I've had awful anxiety lately, and my heart rate keeps shooting up. I also have mitral valve proplapse, which doesn't usually bother me, but lately I have been having a lot of arrythmic episodes. I also have an ongoing problem with depression, and have been experiencing nearly unmanageable fatigue. So, my questions are: Would you recommend trying Paxil for the above symptoms? What side effects should I be most concerned about? And, due to the difficulties I have read about with withdrawal, should I even start this drug? (I am planning to become pregnant in the next year, and would have to wean off the drug in about 9 months.)
Thank you.
I was hoping you could tell me if I should really be concerned about trying Paxil. I've had awful anxiety lately, and my heart rate keeps shooting up. I also have mitral valve proplapse, which doesn't usually bother me, but lately I have been having a lot of arrythmic episodes. I also have an ongoing problem with depression, and have been experiencing nearly unmanageable fatigue. So, my questions are: Would you recommend trying Paxil for the above symptoms? What side effects should I be most concerned about? And, due to the difficulties I have read about with withdrawal, should I even start this drug? (I am planning to become pregnant in the next year, and would have to wean off the drug in about 9 months.)
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Nov 04, 2005 12:00AM
, Nov 04, 2005 12:00AM
Paxil is a good and well regarded medication but basically when you switch from Celexa to Paxil you are experimenting, since both of them usually cover about the same spectrum of symptoms. If you are switching because of panic attacks, you would be better off, if your doctor agrees, supplementing the Celexa with Klonopin or Xanax, which will have a more direct effect. Paxil is good, but can also be stimulating to heart, as can Celexa. Weight gain is real, but not a problem for everyone. Withdrawal is manageable if done correctly over a three week period, and as always, you want to keep the dose as low as possible.
Mine all started when i woke up one day and my heart was racing out of control and skipping beats (Actually had an extra beat that was building up pressure to make the next beat seem huge)anyway, the doctors came to the conclussion I had MVPS (S=Syndrom) and proscibed me with both Antenolol and Paxil (10mg). That was 10 years ago! I still got the heart palpitations every now and then and had a few severe panic attacks but for the most part was under control. Over the past year the Paxil had become an issue, things you mentions such as weight gain as well as sexual side effects prompted me to go my doctor to see what could be done. He prescribed me Wellbutrin and instructed me to begin weening off the Paxil (was up to taking 40mg/day), but at a fast rate of dropping down to 10mg for a week, then 5mg for another, then 5mg every thrid day for a week. BAD IDEA! Unbelievable side effects, Strong vertigo, wierd surges in my eyes and head, it was and STILL is something very hard to live with.
I have weened myself down to 5mg per day so far, but I am still feeling the vertigo and some of the surges, not as much, but its still there. I am assuming I will be looking at quite a few weeks to get my body used to that level before I go to the next step of dropping it further down and then finally getting off it! IT IS A NIGHTMARE to get off of... However, I was and have been on the stuff for 10 years.
The weight gain is there as well, I have heard of people gaining 20-30-40 pounds, I never realized it might be the medicine, but I have gained a significant amount of weight over the past years as well. It DOES make you tired, I was to the point of taking naps everyday whenever I could! Now, while weening off and converting over to Wellbutrin, I have a lot more energy, almost to much!
Hope this info helps, Paxil served a purpose for me and worked for years, but getting off the stuff (Things the drug comapnies don't or won't tell you about)has been a nightmare due to the withdrawal symptoms...
The affects are so horrible for me that i just give in and start again.
This is so crazy because i just dont need to be on them any more.
Im angry at the company who makes these horrid tables.
My advise to anyone thinking of starting paxil, "DONT DO IT
DOCTORS ARE BEGGING TO THINK IM CRAZY BUT THESE ARE REAL FEELINGS AND THERE SCARY. I DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO GET ANSWERS ABOUT THIS BUT NO ONE REALLY KNOWS EXCEPT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IT EVERYDAY.I HAVE RAN UP ABOUT $10,000 IN MEDICAL BILLS TRYING TO FIND ANSWERS BUT THEY GIVE ME NOTHING, I WISH THERE WAS A SUPPORT GROUP TO HELP PEOPLE TO LEARN FROM OTHERS WHAT THEY HAVE EXSPERIENCED AND HOW EACH DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE ITS BEEN 6 MONTHS FOR ME AND I STILL AM UNABLE TO DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE IM AFRAID THE DOCTORS ARE MISSING SOMETHING.THERES NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I DONT FEEL SICK SOMEHOW AND TIRED ALL THE TIME BUT I CANT SLEEP.IVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT A SLEEPING PILL AND I DONT WANT TO BECOME DEPENDANT ON PILLS TO GET THREW LIFE.