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Mental Health  (Expert Forum)
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Lasting Effects Of Paxil
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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MedHelp Member's Question

Lasting Effects Of Paxil

by JoeA, Apr 16, 2002 12:00AM
Is there any chance that any of the side effects of Paxil might last forever?
Doctor's Answer

by Roger Gould, M.D., Apr 17, 2002 12:00AM
All of the current evidence says no, if you mean after you stop taking it.  If you continue to take it, it is very possible that side effects will not go away and you will have to try another medication.
Member Comments (9)

by starz, Apr 16, 2002 12:00AM
I have been taking Paxil for three years now.  I use 30mgs daily.

One morning dose.   I have been hearing about side effects, and discomfort with withdrawl.  This worries me and I don't feel my psychiatrist is co-operating with me.

He tells me I am Bipolar but treats me with an antidepressant.

I also take Klonopin, and I am depressed, lethargic, unhappy, and at times contemplate suicide.

I have 2 children (8 yrs old and 16 years old), My husband passed away 8 months ago and my mom 1 year ago.

So I have grief and depression and just want some magic.

by sienna_1, Apr 16, 2002 12:00AM
Hi, I had lots of side effects when i was on Paxil for 2 weeks.  Ive been taking Zyprexa now and am very tired.  The dr said I had too many side effects from the Paxil and that I was paranoid and need the Zyprexa.  Sorry im not much help.

Sienna

by LILLY101, Apr 17, 2002 12:00AM
To: STARZ
i'm truly sorry about the deaths of your loved ones.It not only seems to me like you need the medication but talk therapy as well.THE medication is to help the head,while the talk therapy heals the heart because you've been thru ALOT!hOW ARE YOUR CHILDREN TAKING ALL THIS?How old are they?Ihope you are a praying person because if you are GOD will help you bear all this  and you'll never be alone.Ihighly recommend him to any one because he is there when noone else is.ALSO he will help when noone else can.Itruly wish you all the best.THANKS,LARKIN

by starz, Apr 17, 2002 12:00AM
To: Larkin
Thank God, I thank him everyday for all my blessings.  Even in my darkest, most isolated moments I try to focus on the courage and strength he has given me.  Small things add up on the positive side, just as the do on the negative side.  So I try to find balance.  Not easy when you've been told your bipolar.

I am 48 years old, and have always known I was different.  I never have self-medicated (like my 16 year old son is doing now with drugs and alcohol), or considered that I had a real physical problem affecting my brain function.  I still don't know if I really accept it.

Any way, my 8yr old daughter is taking Prozac for chronic depression, My son has started taking zyprexa for mood disorder and depression.  I take the paxil and klonapin and we all see therapists and psychiatrists.  Carmel and I go to a Christian church (Im catholic) and that keeps us in touch with many helping hearts and hands.  My son will not.

I am healing from a total hip replacment I had last May.  I am doing better but my sciatic nerve was ripped causing me to lose use of my left foot.  It has been hard to work, to say the least.

I am a teachers assistant in, of all places, a self contained room for emotionally impaired kids.  Grades 6-8.  I love my job and have great benefits.  So, thanks for responding, I am glad I stumbled upon this site, I was actually looking for info on Depakote as a possible drug for me to try out.  I am having a good day, but it doesn't take much.....you propbably know.  That's what is so nice about this, as people who know what it is like to struggle in side and out as well.  God bless you larkin, louisa

by Keegan, Apr 18, 2002 12:00AM
hi, i feel for you starz.  you have it tough but, you are doing well. take it one day at a time.  that is wonderful that you have a job like that.  i am also a teacher's assistant and i work with 3's. everyone gets down.  i am catholic also.  i am on paxil for anxiety.  anyway, when things get rough i try to think of something else or say a rosary as i am driving or pray to St. Theresa.  Your in my prayers!!

by starz, Apr 18, 2002 12:00AM
To: keegan
I appreciate your prayers.  I am really trying to stay in the day.  When I am at work, I am in the moment.  When I am at home, like this evening, I was trying to sort out my summer clothing.

I still have all my things parked in the dwarer next to my husbands.  It made me sad, but I continued for a while, long enough to get a good start.

I am OK considering.  I just hate having to take drugs.  I wonder what it would be like for me without the Paxil and the Klonopin and if taking yet another drug, topomax, would be wise.

I have had trouble with weight gain, between my impaired mobility and the side effects of medication.

I am always hungry.

Anxiety is my specialty.  I have to admit that I don't miss the obsessive anxiety I suffered from before the drugs.

It's not a perfect world and if it were we wouldn't appreciate the precious joy that touches us all when we can connect.

So this is it, the way it is.

by 4Him, Apr 21, 2002 12:00AM
I have been trying to post a question for the Dr., but can't seem to find the trick to doing that.

So, here's my question...Can you stop taking Xanax,(I've been on it for a number of years), and start taking Klonopin? My Doctor said they are similar meds, and there would be no need to wean myself off of the Xanax. He said I could stop the Xanax, and take Klonopin with no withdrawal problems from the Xanax.

I find this hard to believe. If anyone has any info on this, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks, and God Bless.



by Peagee, Apr 23, 2002 12:00AM
To: RESEARCH THE DRUG
Do RESEARCH, go to Google.  Type in the drug you are concerned about and ALSO type in 'side effects withdrawal symptoms'. For example:



Google search:    paxil side effects withdrawal symptoms



This way you will get the REAL picture on the drug.  If you simply type in the name of the drug you will get the positive, pharmaceutically influenced, views.    There's big money in backing a drug.  But there are a few (relatively) ethical and eminent doctors and psychiatrists such as Peter Breggin, David Healy, Dr Anne Tracy, Dr Mosher etc who care more about the hyppocratic oath than that of financial gain.  



So... go research.  

With regards to SSRIs, you are also welcome to visit this site - where a lot of information has already been collated for ease of access:



http://paxilsupport.homestead.com/Index.html

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