Paxil and panic and need help..

Hello,
I am really wondering about a few things so if ANYONE can help i would be so appreciative, and i don't mean to ramble bout it so let me know if i don't make sense. I have had GAD and panic disorder for two mnths. was put on paxil the generic 8 days ago at 20 mg. It  makes me tired during the day, no sleep at night without ativan 1 mg, nausua no appetite and lathargic.. I have read sooo much about these being normal effects so i am guessing they are right? and will they get better?
second, i went down from the 20 mg i started with to ten starting tonight, i felt a lil anxious cause i had pain in my chest but i have bad strep throat right now so maybe it is that, the pain went away so, and i didn't panic out, but started to so i guess it is helping. I have not had an attack yet thank the LORD so that is good.

I am reallllly wondering about the burning sensations in my chest and down my arms and in my head.. are these normal as well? kinda like really warm water being poured inside..

any help or advice about this or paxil or anxiety is GREATLY appreciated..!!!!!!

thank you all!!

[lupins]

Hi.  Sounds like you are having a rough time.  Things will get better, just believe.  Paxil takes a few weeks to reach blood levels where it will help you so keep on with the course.  Burning/warmth, tingling used to be bad for me when my panic was more severe.  I also experienced it when I weaned off Paxil onto another drug. Are you doing breathing and self-talk, or talking to someone?  Kick your legs or swing your arms to release the energy. These help me when I am in the midst of an attack.  I always think it is better to get chest pain checked out if it is concerning you or getting worse.  Lots of peeps visit the ER for the same reason and the doctors don't mind.  All the symptoms you feel are uncomfortable but you will learn they are harmless to you.  I am sending peace and serenity your way tonight.  Take Care.

[jakegorzen]

Your situation sounds just like mine when I was first diagnosed with GAD.
I was in the ER and they said I would benefit from Paxil.
They gave me .5mg ativan "hahah, thats all" and sent me home
Well to describe what paxil did to me was complete he11.
And the drs here where Im from dont like to prescribe any kind of narcotic "benzo" for the life of them.
So, I got to sleep peacefully one night, and the same stuff was happening to me with the paxil.
Anxiety was worse, and I had a extreme lethargic feeling "how can the 2 feeling exist together??" lol
So I just quit the paxil, ativan didnt do much for me.
My regular DR told me to try Prozac, and to my amaze it works pretty good, I get one of the "rare" side effects from it, thats the complete body warmth, euphoric feeling.
Almost feels like it should be classified as a street drug or something.
Plus my DR gave me Klonopin, and I have been on a steady state of them too, which work way better then the ativan.
Point is, Physc meds effect everyone different, and If you feel like one isnt working so good, or the side effects are that bothersome, please dont hesitate to talk to your DR about something else.
Also, with the chest pains.
Ive noticed ever sense I changed where I get my scripts filled at I get them too, and Im pretty sure its from the prozac. I had to cut my dose down also, and now feeling allot better.
But the problem is, with both Paxil and Prozac, Chest pains is a serious side effect, so if you feel like its from your medicine, or that its really bad, dont ignore it as it being from your anxiety. It could be a real physical problem.
I often find it hard to determine if the problem is mental or physical because of how strong our minds really are.
Just always wanna make sure.
Also, how are you taking your ativan? every day?

[suzi-q]

I take paxil now for about 14 years.  I know that there are many side effects when you start it, but I wouldn't know it because I was such in a bad state at the time that I was sick all the time anyway.

Some meds work better than others depending on the individual.  It takes about a month for the medication to really get into your system and help.  But, I would check with your doctor anyway about your side effects.  The burning could be from your anxiety, but I would definitely have it checked out to make sure.

[valspanic]

thank you all for your help and comments they are really appreciated.

jake thank you also and i take it at night to sleep..