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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Just started Paxil...
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.
Just started Paxil...
by TINA, May 01, 2000 12:00AM
I'm being treated for depression, previously tried zoloft, went on and off it (felt better,hey, i don't need this stuff, crash).
This time around my Dr. suggested Paxil. I started with 10mg for a few days, it's my 2nd day on 20mg. I feel slightly barfy in the a.m., quite sleepy by lunch. I've been taking it at breakfast.
1) When can i expect the nausea and fatigue to abate?
2) Should i time the dosage differently?
Thanks, i'll be seeing my Dr. in a few weeks for followup, but it's nice to check the message board for my own lazy curiousity!
This time around my Dr. suggested Paxil. I started with 10mg for a few days, it's my 2nd day on 20mg. I feel slightly barfy in the a.m., quite sleepy by lunch. I've been taking it at breakfast.
1) When can i expect the nausea and fatigue to abate?
2) Should i time the dosage differently?
Thanks, i'll be seeing my Dr. in a few weeks for followup, but it's nice to check the message board for my own lazy curiousity!
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS-M.D.-HG, May 04, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Tina
Paxil (paroxetine) can cause drowsiness, nausea,vomiting, constipation etc in the first few days of taking the medication. But these side effects are usually transient and they get relieved after taking the medication for about 1-2 weeks. Sometimes these symptoms can be bothersome to an extent that the medication had to be discontinued. Taking the medication at bedtime would be helpful. I would recommend that you talk to your psychiatrist for appropriate recommendation.
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D.
Paxil (paroxetine) can cause drowsiness, nausea,vomiting, constipation etc in the first few days of taking the medication. But these side effects are usually transient and they get relieved after taking the medication for about 1-2 weeks. Sometimes these symptoms can be bothersome to an extent that the medication had to be discontinued. Taking the medication at bedtime would be helpful. I would recommend that you talk to your psychiatrist for appropriate recommendation.
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D.
I have not tried Paxil, but was placed on 20 mg of Celexa a similar anti-depressant. The first week I had stomach problems, a little heartburn and nausea. It went away after one week. I also took it in the morning at first but started to take it a noon. I also was feeling tired although I was also on 4 mg of Klonopin a day for alcohol withdrawal. The out-patient setting wasn't working so I am now in, inpatient detox and on 7 1/4 mg of Klonopin a day, broken up into 1 1/4 mg every four hours to stop seizures and DT's and am tired now from the Klonopin. I am still on a work pass though so I still can function.
Taking the Paxil with a meal is better than on an empty stomach. My Psychiatrist just raised my dosage of the Celexa up to 40 mg today in addition to the current dosage of Klonopin so I will see what happens. I am at work now after taking my meds 2 1/2 hours ago and still feel functional, just taking a little more time to concentrate. I do feel tired, but I am sure it is the Klonopin as my Psychiatrist joked that most people would be comatose on the dosage of Klonopin I am currently taking.