Is Paxil a good medicine to start with

[larbec7]

My PCP called me in a prescription for Paxil.  has anyone ever taken it and what are the side effects you may have encountered?

Thanks

[Paxiled]

You can say that again!  Made my wife happy, though.

[larbec7]

We have things like food stamps that is very good and and another thing I applied for but it only gives you about $300 a month which will about pay my electric bill but as far as I know nothing else is available

[Julie359]

Goodness this sounds bad!, over in the U.K we can apply for something called a crisis loan from the benefits agency if you have no money to support urself, is there anything like this over in the states?

I'm not sure what else to say because the USA and UK work so differently, the US government are mean't to be all about looking after their people and yet since being on this web-site all i hear about is pain and suffering at their hands.  I feel so blessed to be in this country as at least the UK government look after the people in this country, even those who don't come from this country, but this is no help to you in your current situation is it.  Maybe consult your legal counsil and ask for advice on this matter, they may be able to guild you in the right direction.

I do wish both yourself and ur wife all the best and keep in touch and let us know what happens.

[larbec7]

I live in USA and I have hired legal council.  He has ordered all my files and medical reports but said it would take a couple of weeks for that to come in.  He indicated I stand a really good chance on winning a settlement or reinstatement but that may take up to 2 yrs.  I have 180 days to file the appeal but as of today I have ZERO money in my checking account so I am beginning to panic a lot and I don't know what to do.  I have Dr's appointment coming up as well and afraid they will not see me until they get their payment and I need my medication.  My wife is in a lot of pain

[Julie359]

I am so sorry to hear this, whatever will you do to keep your family afloat?  Can you not seek legal action? Also so sorry to hear your wife is in hospital right now.  when it rains it really pours hey.  With all the problems you are going through right now finaincal problems are not what you need.  I def would appeal the descion to cancel your benefits.... what country are you in by the way?  

[ApRiLGeTsAngry77]

Also wanted to mention that Paxil and most other SSRI's can cause mania in a person diagnnosed with bipolar or another mood disorder. So, SSRI's are not for everyone. Also, I have heard that Paxil and Zoloft lose their effect after a certain period of time but this has not been my experience.

Wellbutrin is not an SSRI but has been very successful in relieving depression in many people.

[larbec7]

This is an old injury that has gotten worse over the years.  I am fused and wired and I have not had a surgeon that is willing to take the risk to operate.  The 3 I have spoken to in the past 5 yrs all say that I could go completely paralyzed during the operation so for me....surgery is not an option.  When I turn my neck (which is 4 degrees) it cracks, snaps and pops and sometimes it just kills with a sharp pain straight through me.  I guess the most depressing thing right now is my LTD took some surveillance video of my going to the grocery store and I lifted a bag of potatoes and apples and there fore they say I can work and canceled my benefits...so we have no income right now.  What they did not know nor do they care is my wife has some female problems and that is why I was being the grunt at the store and I hate seeing her in so much pain.  BTW,m she had surgery yesterday and is recovering for the next 8 weeks BUT they do not care about any of that, they don't care I have kids, a house, cars, bills to pay....NO, they care about their bottom line.....urgggg

[Julie359]

Ohh ok, so if you take Prozac and have a bad reaction basically it can take months to completely overcome it because of it's long life.... well no wonder my gp never even thought to try me on it again.  The only one that i nearly managed to get onto was the Leprexo (citlatropram) which made me feel so much better in a matter of days but when i went to sleep even a slight movement like tuning over would bring on a severe panic type attack in my sleep, so all night i was suffering and after the 6th night i couldn't take it no more as they were becoming so bad, so i stopped.  Strange huh.  Also i totally agree with you on ur theory, i think this also......

Take care and chat soon x

[Julie359]

WTHell....... ??? Your spinal cord is damaged and is only hanging on by a 1/4 in ur neck???? Why on earth haven't they done sugery sooner...... did you have an accident or something?   No wonder your feeling anxious and depressed, i think anybody would in this condition.  

I do hope some doc comes up with a soultion b4 anything happens.... Write back soon, take care

Julie

[Paxiled]

Yeah, they're all ssris, but quite different.  Prozac stays in the body much longer than all the other ssris, which have very short half lives.  That's why most people don't get significant withdrawal from Prozac -- it leaves the body much more slowly, about a month or more, whereas all the others and the snris leave the body within hours.  Lexapro is also an ssri, but it's newer and theoretically has fewer side effects -- it's basically Celexa with part of the structure eliminated (same thing they did with Pristiq from Effexor).  This allowed them to keep patents on something, but it does act differently.  But since we're all different, withdrawals will be different -- some won't get any on one med and lots on another, and the side effects will be different too.  My own experience is, the better the drug works, the more side effects and the harder to quit, and the longer you're on it the harder to quit and the older you are the harder to quit.  I think this is because the better a med is metabolized the better it works, but the more side effects you get, too.  This is just my theory, though.  Any anti-depressant can cause anxiety -- they can be overstimulating especially to people whose primary problem is anxiety.  And any of them can cause a change in personality and strange thoughts.  These are all common side effects listed on the official drug websites -- now.  Prozac has caused a lot of strange thinking in people, but so have all the others.  Paxil made me angry and aggressive, but it was better than being timid from anxiety.  But Paxil and Effexor have by far the most problems reported by patients with severe withdrawals.  Paxil seems to be stronger than other ssris, and it also affects choline receptors more intensely, which is why some feel the withdrawal can be so bad for some.      

[larbec7]

Thanks, I hope I do not get them but at least now I know what to expect.  I am having an okay day but only on them for about a week.  Still feel anxious and pretty depressed.  I went to another pain management Dr yesterday and he looked at my xrays and MRI and said "I wonder why your pcp wanted you to come here? I really can not do anything for you"  He indicated since I was already in pain management and my neck was so messed up no one can help me.  I just have to live with the pain until it gets so bad they do surgery which is NOT ever going to happen.  I am only hanging on by a 1/4" of my spinal cord.

Hope you had a good day!

[Julie359]

Larbec7 - HIya, i'm very used to the Paxil brain shocks, i use to get them all the time when i missed a dose and when i tappered off.  They don't actually hurt, you feel no pain whatsoever, but the only way i can explain is by saying you feel a thud in your head, followed by a electric type surge that can throw you off balance, and for a split second you black out and get a little dizzy.  This all happens in 2 or 3 seconds and then your left feeling a bit out of whack.   They do pass but not the greatest thing to experience.  However saying this i think Paxil is a great drug in that it helped me live 14yrs of my life with no anxiety, better mood (although it didn't get rid of my depression completely, just changed it from sadness to anger outbursts) my agoraphobia, social phobia and all the other phobia were gone and i loved it.  So please dont let what we have said about the brain shocks let you have 2nd thoughts about it....It saved my life.

Paxiled - Just wanted to know is Prozac and  Leprexo not SSRI's???  If not then what are they? I remember years ago when i was 18/19 the doc put me on prozac, 1st drug i took and i didn't like it, i'm sure this is what started the whole panic attacks off and caused me to spiral down into agoraphobia.  I can't believe they are not as strong as Paxil.....  

[larbec7]

They sure sound painful, not the orgasmic affect  LOL

[ApRiLGeTsAngry77]

It is hard to explain how the brain shocks feel if you have never experienced them. For me it feels like I am being electrically shocked in my brain. It sounds painful but most of the time, it is just uncomfortable.

Sometimes I get brain shocks that literally feel as good as orgasims going off in my head. Those are few and far between. I am on a cocktail of meds so maybe that is why I experience these side effects.

[larbec7]

This is the first medicine I have tried in years.  I was on Effexor about ten years ago and it was VERY hard to come off of.  What are brain shocks and what do you mean heaven??  Does it give u a so called buzz?

[ApRiLGeTsAngry77]

Yes, when I miss a dose I can certainly tell by the brain shocks. However, I still have brain shocks from time to time even though I have taken my doses. This usually happens when I get tired. I also will sometimes get europhic brain shocks that feel like heaven in my brain as well. I don't get them as often but it feels so good when I do get them. The thing that helps with my uncomfortable brain shocks is a change in temperature. Walking out in the brisk cold winter air will kill the shocks as will a nice warm bath. I am very satisfired with Paxil although I don't feel it does much for my depression as it does my SA.

[Paxiled]

The person who's having brain shocks -- are you missing doses?  Paxil can be a very effective med, but also one of the most difficult to stop taking.  Brain shocks are a classic ssri withdrawal symptom, and can occur if you miss a dose of Paxil or even delay one.  This can happen with any short half life ssri.  To the original poster:  Paxil can be very helpful.  Personally, if this your first med, I'd start with Prozac and then Lexapro before I got to the more potent ones like the snris or Paxil.  But this is, of course, just my opinion, and your choice.

[ApRiLGeTsAngry77]

I have been taking Paxil for 3 years for treatment of my depression and social anxiety. It has significantly helped my SA and has helped my depression a little. I sometiemes experience what I call " brain shocks" from taking Paxil. It is hard to explain what they are but you would know it if you had them. Good luck to you!

[larbec7]

Thanks, I have been taking it for a few days and I have no sex drive at all and I just want to sit round more than usual.  I will see how I react for a few weeks on it

[ufcfan]

I have been on paxil for 3 months now and have noticed that I do feel better emotionally. The main side effect that I've noticed is a decrease in my sex drive. It's true though that everyone's body responds in a different way to different medications. I hope things go well for you with it.

[larbec7]

I will take my first pill tonight.  What has me worried is some of the side effects are issues I am already having such as loss of sex drive, anxiety etc...

[mammo]

I was on it for a few years with great results.  Keep in mind that each of us responds differently to the medications, and where one has great results, another may not.  You really won't know until you try it.