Ryan? anyone? please help, why am i still so anxious/nervous????

[michelleanne]

On Monday I started Paxil up again (after a month), just on 10mg, and Klonopin, about .5mg/day.  Usually what happens is I wake up anxious/jittery/nerves and take .25mg Klono and then a few hours later my Paxil.  A few hours after that I feel like I need another Klono due to anxiousness/jitteryness so I take another .25mg.  This has been going on all week long.  When will this go away??????  This upcoming Monday I am upping my Paxil to 20mg (per Dr) and I know that I want off Klonopin (i've only been on Klonopin for one week).  I am so scared that on Monday when I take my 20mg Paxil that all my jitteryness and anxiousness will still be here.  I need some advice...thank you all.

(ps I take Paxil for panic attacks and the Klono until Paxil kicks in).

[eronski]

Hey there - I takes a few weeks before those icky side effects ware off.  When I started Zoloft a few months ago I felt nasty especially the first week.  I was supposed to double my dose after 7 days but since I was having the side effects two different Dr.s told me not to double it until I got used to it.  I too, was terrified to make my side effects worse by taking a higher dose.......I have never doubled it, the 25mgs have worked just fine for me - I know most people need more but so far it has helped my anxiety a ton.  

Maybe you should tell your Dr. about your fears with doubling your dose right now, maybe,  like mine they will say to wait.  When I first started I was Wired!  I was tired but couldn't sit still - I was pacing the floor.  I also took some Klonopin or Xanax a few times in the beginning, it helped allot.  It took over a month for me to be able to sleep so I always took it in the morning.

Were you on Paxil before?  My sister said it saved her life - she was home bound with horrible anxiety and eventually depression - paxil worked wonders for her.

These feelings you are having should slowly get better - try not to worry.  If they don't you switch or quit your meds.  You have tons of options.  Just figure, as long as it's temporary, you can handle it.  Best of luck to you, I know it's a challenge but you are not alone.  Take Care, Erin

[starr28]

Hi,

I took paxil before and it worked great but it did take a few weeks
before I noticed the benefits.  I had xanax to take for the nervousness
until the paxil kicked in.  It is so hard waiting on these meds to work!!

i hope you feel better soon,

starr28

[michelleanne]

So nervousness/anxiousness is a normal side effect until Paxil kicks in?

I first tried it 5 years ago and don't remember anything like this.  I went off it in Feb this year, but now I'm back on.  This sucks so bad.  But I am glad yall are out there who can relate.

[eronski]

Yes - it is very common to feel that way when starting an SSRI and when quitting one.  Did you feel yucky when you quit taking it?  They are great helps but they aren't perfect, take comfort where you can get it.  This to will pass, you will get through it - Take Care, erin

[crumy]

I dont know what klonopin is, i think it is a sedative?  but i have heard some not so good things about it, i also have in the past year started with anxiety and am taking lexapro and adivan (lorazepam) for my nerves, it does not make you feel funny, if a whole pill is too much you can cut it in half, i would try it and get off the klonopin until your paxil kicks in, and don't worry it will kick in again and you will start to feel better, maybe a good cry would help rellieve some stress and make you feel better.

good luck

crumy

[eronski]

Hi, Klonopin is basically the same type of drug as Adivan the only difference is it takes longer to take effect and it lasts allot longer.  I have heard it said many times that people are less likely to become addicted to Klonopin because you take it less often that the others like Adivan & Xanax.  Either way these drugs can be very helpful for the occasional anxiety episode.  

How has the Lexapro worked for you?  I have a good friend who started it a month ago and hasn't gotten any relief yet - did it take that long to help you?    Take Care, Erin

[crumy]

Hi eronski, i got my first anxiety attack January of 2007 when i was at my sons school, my husband told  me i needed medication (he has had problems and one medication for depression for some years) i was very upset and did not want to, so i tried kava kava, my  problem was (and didn't realize it) was that i was on too high a dose and my head was constantly dizzy, so i thought it wasn't working, i gave in with much pain and sorrow and starting taking lexapro, 5, then 10 and uped it to 30, i do not want to be on this much, may try to decrease, i feel much better and only take adivan when needed, although at  beginning was taking twice a day, it took about 4-5 weeks to kick in (lexapro).

crumy

[eronski]

Thank you, Thank you for your comment on my art.  It's so nice to hear, especially now because I have just signed a contract with a new gallery and I have to paint some new stuff.  I always procrastinate because I lack some confidence at times.  So thanks!

Like you I refused to take anything for my anxiety - I have been prescribed it a few times over the years but never until now have I tried it.  I am on Zoloft - I have been having panic on and off for 30 years.  It's not very prevalent but when it comes on it can take over - it is the worst feeling isn't it!!  So I figured for now I will try something but I too don't want to take it for very long.  I have learned allot of tools for living because of my anxiety - so I try to see the bright side, though that's easy to say when you are feeling good........   nice to meet ya, take care of yourself.  Erin

[Summer123]

Hi, I wish I could say that paxil helped with anxiety, but it made my hands shake even more.  It did help a great deal for depression though that was a result of my anxiety.  I use xanex for anxiety, although I do not recommend it.  If I could, I would take it only for panic attacks and take some other med for the general anxiety I also experience.   I have not found any of the SSRIs useful for anxiety.  I have tried Prozac, lexapro, paxil and celexa.  However, everyone is different and I believe that a lot of people do not need as much anxiety meds on some of the SSRIs.  I tried Buspar only for a few days, but I heard that one works well.  I also heard that Effexor is good except for my dr. says it is harder getting on and off of it.  Otherwise, I would try it for panic attacks.