Waiting for Paxil to work

[bayareagal]

Has anyone ever had no relief from Paxil?  4 days now on 20 mg with no relief yet.  At what point should I expect at least some lessening of my symptoms of constant, never ending panic and anxiety?  Also has anyone else ever thought that their panic was the result of a grave illness rather than just being a panic or anxiety disorder?  I am convinced that there is something else wrong with me causing this constant anxiety (brain tumor, parkinson's, etc.)

[shelzmike]

I am willing to bet that 90% or more of everyone in here has thought (and still may think) that there is "something else" wrong with them. Even after taking a battery of tests that all come back fine they may think that have some "hidden illness" that no one can find - that is usually very unlikely. I could write a short novel about all the diseases that I was convinced I had. I am not at all trying to make light of the situation, but only to share the experience that everyone with anxiety has. The reason behind this is simply because the symptoms are so "real" and is hard to associate with something that is inherently intangible as emotions and mood. We tend to belive more in something that is a "thing" like a broken leg or heart condition before we would emotional illness, which many of us have a hard time considering a thing. So as long as you have had proper medical evaluation that has came back good fortunately (and unfortunately all the same) you probably do really have anxiety/panic.

SSRI's like Paxil and all the other take, like the previous posts mention, about 3-4 weeks to FULLY start working. You will gradually get some relief each day you take them. However, sometimes it is so gradual that you will not notice until one day you feel much better and are like "when did that happen"? Either way, 4 days is not enough at all to start thinking that it is not working. In many cases, your symptoms get a little worse before they get better. The good news though is that your sympathetic nervous system (which is what is causing this) has limits as to how it can be affected by adrenaline, so although it may not seem like it in your mind - you have probably already experienced the worst it will ever get (at one time). So, as much as it is NOT what you would like to hear (trust me, I know completely), just give it time. If you are new to anxiety and panic, I suggest to read through as many posts as you can on here as you will realize that things are not as hopeless as they may seem. Good Luck.

Mike

[Summer123]

Of course you should rule out anything physical first.  However, I have found that when I first experienced these panic attacks, I would run to the doctor and get checked over and over again and nothing would be wrong with me.  As cj29 said, paxil takes 3 to 4 weeks to work.  A lot of times you may experience a little more anxiety when you first take it.  

[cj29]

I have never taken Paxil, but I have taken Zoloft which is also in the same class of medications.  It typically can take 3-4 weeks to start feeling the 'relief' you said you are seeking.  In my experience, I actually became a little more on edge when I first started adjust to them, but after about a month I started to see the benefit.

I had my first panic attack about 3 years ago and I was convinced I had heart problems.  I did not believe that all of this could be a result of anxiety.  I had multiple medical tests and I searched for a reason why I was suffering from this.  I have had a reaccurance of my symptoms for about a month now and I am still working through the fact that I am physically okay.  For example, I am thin and run 6x a week.  I can see my pulse in my arms and neck and I associate that with heart problems, even though my doc says I just have a strong athletic pulse.  Three years ago, I would look up symptoms to every known disease to try to explain what I was feeling and would link them to something catastrauphic.  The important thing to do is work through this with what you are doing along with counseling.  I have started talking about my anxiety again because it has returned, but I learned about this panic cycle three years ago and I am better equipped to deal with it (although it is not any easier).  Also, remember, that you are not alone in feeling how you do; this forum has many members that have and are going through this right now.