Feeling Unreal/ 3rd week of Paxil

[cvc0420]

Hi everyone,

I am writing because I just joined this website and am hoping to get some answers and/or to hear other people's experiences if they can relate to my story. I started Paxil in December 2013 because I was having bad test anxiety and panic attacks because of my school work in college (presentations, assignments, etc.). I went on 10 mg of Paxil and it worked perfectly. I graduated in May 2015 and decided I wanted to go off of it mainly because I felt like I gained weight and didn't need it anymore. I started graduate school and a new job this August and my anxiety immediately came back, only 100 times worse. I saw my doctor and my counselor at school right away and they decided I needed to go back on the Paxil, which I was fine with. As most of us know, these medications can take up to 4-5 weeks to fully work. I started taking it on September 2, so I am basically at the 3 week mark. BUT I am experiencing this crazy feeling of not feeling real---like life is a dream. (I did not experience this the first time I had to go on Paxil). At times, I feel like I am literally losing my mind, am going to die, or that I'm just not fully there. I also think about my heart beat a lot and get grossed out and think it is going to stop beating.

In the past 3 weeks, the Paxil has definitely helped, but I still don't feel 100%. I am nervous to up my dose, but I know I may have to next week. Has anyone had a similar experience? I just want to know that this "dream like" feeling is going to go away. My diagnoses are Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. My doctor says I am literally giving a textbook definition of my diagnoses, but I just can't seem to believe that this dream like feeling is going to ever stop. Please let me know if anyone has had these experiences, thank you!

[cvc0420]

Thanks for responding....Do certain things trigger your anxiety/panic attacks? Or are they sometimes about nothing. Have you ever felt like you are living in a dream? Like life isn't real?

[cvc0420]

Thanks for your response. I never had any of these symptoms back in 2013. I also started the Paxil when the semester ended in 2013, so I wasn't in a very anxious state. This time, I started it in the midst of very bad anxiety. My doctor thinks the dream-like state is just something that comes along with the anxiety. I was experiencing this feeling even before I started taking Paxil again 3 weeks ago. I hate it and I am so scared it won't ever go away :(

[Dink31]

I was put on paxil when i was in the military , and It does give you a sort of out of body experience. your not alone in that one.

[anxiety860]

Hey there. Sorry to hear your anxiety creeped back up. I have never personally been on Paxil, however, I have had that dream like feeling you're talking about. I will randomly get them. I feel like my mind is covered in fog. For me I assume it's from anxiety, as other people get this feeling, but I haven't ruled out allergies. When you took Paxil back in 2013 did you have similar side effects? Do you or your doctor believe the dream like feeling is from Paxil or anxiety or another source?

[Lancebar123321]

well good thing ur not on benzo i heard they are a real double edge sword, i was on them and i had to ask what the long term solution was from my doc. ***** that there is no outright cure for anxiety panic attacks etc. good luck man im here if you need someont to vent or talk to

[Lancebar123321]

sorry to hear this i dont have insight but moral support. I have major anxiety doisorder atm an also panic attacks i show minor signs of OCd and im a hyper condraic, no one deserves what we are going thru, perhaps you can visit another doctor and get a second opinion. Your should try relaxing teas, they help the short term they are very relaxing even for me. Long term im still looking into perhaps natural medicines. Im sorry that this time paxil isnt doing the work pleas ebe careful in taking these medications.