Need a little support

My Dr increased my dosage of paxil from 25 to 37.5. I have only used the 37.5 for the past three days and I feel tried, muscels ache and feel the my anxiety has increased some.  Is this normal or should I ask my Dr to lower my dosage to where it was before.  My last visit was on the Friday the 25th and she only prescribed me a (7) 0.50 mil of Xanax and told me to make it last because she was not going to give me anymore.  So far I have taken 2 pill by cutting them in half and taken only when I cannot handle it anymore.  She has also prescribed Ambient for sleeping, but I am scared to take anymore drugs, is anyone out there using sleeping pills along with paxil.   I guess I am just scared and need a little support

[nursegirl6572]

Hi there,

It is certainly normal to experience the kind of side effects you mention when your dosage is adjusted.  It is actually pretty common.

If it has only been 3 days, you MIGHT want to give it a little more time to see if it will start to improve (which it should).  It ends up being a personal decision on how much discomfort you can handle while trying to give the new dose a chance to work....and also weighing the options....meaning WHY was the dose increased?  Is it fairly important for you to try the higher dose and suffer a little with the side effects?

That is a tough one, I know!!!  It sounds like you are doing well with the Xanax....taking it when you need it only.  I would think that as your body adjusts to the new dosage of Paxil, your need for the Xanax will decrease significantly.

IMO, give it at least a week (2 weeks optimally), if you can tolerate the symptoms....if you cannot, then absolutely speak with your physician.  Just as these meds take several weeks to start working the way they are intended to....they also take a bit of time to adjust to when the dosages are changed (up OR down).

Best of luck to you....

[nursegirl6572]

Ooops, I forgot to address the sleeping pill.  I don't know what dose of Ambien you have been prescribed, but usually that med works fairly well.

If you are having trouble sleeping, my advice to you is to start out taking half of an Ambien, and make sure it has been a few hours since taking any Xanax.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how it works.

If it works for you, and you don't feel it was too strong....you can increase to a whole pill.