Should I stop Paxil?

[cnote]

Went to my Dr. today for a check up. I had bad anxiety for about 2 weeks or more b/c I felt off balance and dizzy/lightheaded etc. for about 2 weeks or so... he said it was Labyrinthitis probably. The off balance feeling made me anxious, and led me into an anxiety episode...

I was just taking ativan to help calm my nerves through the Labyrinthitis. It worked for 2 weeks, then I discontinued b/c I was having to take more than 1mg sometimes a day. I hate taking too much.

The Labyrinthitis finally left one night, and my anxiety lifted greatly! My Dr. called and said he wanted me to take Paxil 5mg even though I was feeling better. I agreed to do it. I also told him I was still anxious but didnt want to keep taking the ativan so I weaned off of it. I then told him I had some klonopin in the cabinet, and asked if that would be okay to take once a day .5mg before bed to help sleep. He said that was fine, he knows me very well and doesnt worry about me getting addicted... b/c I don't have that personality.

So I've been on the Paxil for about 1-2 weeks 5mg... and I just don't know if I really need it. My Dr. today told me to go up to 10mg b/c my anxiety has kind of came back at night.

I've ready too many things about how Paxil poops out quick and you have to just keep upping the dosage and withdrawal can be bad.

I remember I took it last year for about a month and weaned, and was fine ... maybe a few head zaps here and there but nothing too bad.

But still, I just don't think SSRI's are for me. I'm an episodic anxiety person.

I FEEL, that taking the .5mg klonopin is the way to go until I feel my episode fully leave, then wean off that. I've onlyl been on that for 2 weeks too.

So, should I go off the Paxil? 5mg? I guess I could try and wean some... and see how I feel.

Thanks! =)

[cnote]

Just curious, how did your Dr. know you had labyrinthitis? did he do a scan?

[cnote]

The Dr. didnt really say what caused my Labyrinthitis. He just said that's what it was b/c of my symptoms, he didnt do a cat scan or anything. He said you have to look at the other side of the ear drum to def. determine it. I do think he said it could be from allergies, drainage blockage in there. I did swim a lot this summer and there were numerous times were I got water in my ear, but when I got home I got it out with swimmers ear solution. But I bet that could have caused it too.

My hard time was "questioning" his diagnosis b/c I've never had anything like that before in my LIFE. And it felt so scary to me. lol. But he said to trust him, b/c he's been my Dr. for 3 years and knows the symptoms. He said no need for a brain scan or anything.

Mine lasted for about 3 weeks! It started off suddle... then full blown for the last week and a half or so. I remember going for a jog and felt like I was being steered to the right, it just felt weird and scary. But it did leave.

I don't typically suffer severly with allergies like sneezing, itchy eyes etc. What I get is just lots of sinus drainage, and some head/nose pressure... I guess that's congestion?

All he gave me for the labyrinthitis was some dramamine.. stuff you take to not feel sea sick. you know what it is im sure.

He said it would just eventually leave, and it did just out of the blue one evening. But was stuck with the anxiety. =(

I'm doing much better though.

Tonight I had a better night. I kept myself busy with my 4 year old daughter making at home science experiments... making a volcano, a tornado, and our very own lava lamp. lol. Fun stuff.

I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do about the Paxil. My Dr. doesnt really care either way.

Maybe I'll sleep on it tonight.

[cnote]

plomeli, I havent had a bad anxiety spell for about 7 months. Labyrinthitis caused me to downward spiral into anxiety full blown. Last year I had about 2 or 3 "strange" symptoms that spiraled me down. But 2011 was looking good for me. =) It's a bummer this happened.

I just think that anti-depressants arent for me. I've done Lexapro once for 6 months, and I got depressed in the end b/c it was making me SO fatigue and tired.

But ativan and also klonopin (short term use of benzos) really help me.

[miche31263]

Hi Cnote,
I'm not much help on whether to take your Paxil, but I feel for you.  Can I ask you, what did the Dr. think caused the Labyrinthitis?  I've had it myself for 3 weeks now, and am taking Zithromax for it.  I'm just curious how long it lasted total for you.  My Dr. thinks its allergies.  But I'm having so much anxiety right now that I'm not taking any allergy meds until the antibiotics have cleared up the ear infection.  Good luck to you.  Michelle

[plomeli]

Well how often are you getting the anxiety episodes??? If they are pretty often then maybe you should wait? How about talking to your doctor about your fears??? I think that if you have to take medication to feel better what is wrong with that? There is such a negative stigma about anxiety medication. I can only say that I've had a great experience with zoloft and it's sooo helped me, my doctor told me that in order for it to be effective I should expect to take it until the end of this year and I'm ok with that. I am also a person who only gets anxiety when I have a strange health related symptom but I've had about 3 or 4 "strange" symptoms this year so there you go. The last time I had an anxiety issue before this was 3 years ago!!! Three years ago and it came full throttle force at me... it was relentless!!! Well whatever you decide good luck to you.