Panic Attackes

[heather]

Alittle over a year ago I was tested for mitro valve prolapse, and panic attacks.  The ultrasound came back fine, but my doctor felt that mitro valve prolapse was still a possibility.  She perscribed Paxil for both problems.  In the year that I was on Paxil, I gained over 50 pounds.  I was not pleased with this.  I have since found a new doctor.  My new doctor is currently taking me off Paxil.  I went from 20mg to 10mg for two weeks and now I am taking 5mg for the next two weeks.  This first week I have experienced continual withdrawal symptoms.  I have also started to exprience my chest pains, headhaches, shortness of breath, and nausia, associated with my panic attacks. At my last visit to the doctor, she also tested my thyroid.  The results came back indicating that I have a hypothyroid problem.  She has since put me on medication to improve this problem. With this problem and Paxil it is now surprising that I gained all the weight that I did.  

There is a lady that I work with that was also on Paxil and in a year she gained 60 pounds.  She also has panic attacks, but in addition to an obsessive-compolsive eating disorder.  In the past she was on Zoloft.  With Zoloft she did not gain weight, but she was always tired, and lythargic.  We are both wondering if there is any natural or perscription alternatives to either of these drugs, that will not cause weight gain, tiredness, or major withdrawal symptoms associated with them.  

Thank you for you time.

Heather

[HFHS-M.D.-HG]

Dear Heather
SSRI’s (Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitors) are medications that are proven to be safe and effective in the treatment of depression anxiety disorders and several others. The concerning side effects from these medications are weight gain and sexual side effects. There is no reason why one person would gain weight on one SSRI and not on others. All the medications have their own advantages and risks and majority of the medications, if stopped would lead to withdrawal symptoms. Medications such as Wellbutrin are considered to be somewhat stimulating with no weight gain or some times even weight loss with limited withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines are effective in the treatment of attacks with no weight gain but are associated with the development of physical dependence and significant withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. I would recommend that you discuss with your doctor about your concerns.

Sincerely
HFHS-M.D.

[tlsteven]

I also suffer from panic and anxiety, i was on paxil and also gained and had some withdrawel symptoms if i were you i would try the zoloft i am currently on 50mg a day i had results after only 4 days of being on it i started on 25mg for 1 week then to 50mg yes i did get a little tired but you just have to play with the time that you take it peak hrs of effect are about 6 to 8 hrs. after you are on it for a couple of weeks the drug will be at a steady peak and it wont matter i actually feel less tired and sleep better now i take it at my 11:00 lunch break then if i am tired it is closer to bed time if i work 3to 11 i take it at about 3. And no weight gain i lost about 12 pounds. I might be that im just focusing on other things now but if it works thats all i want. IF YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT TRYING PROZAC I WOULDNT I LOST ALOT OF WEIGHT BUT HAD MAJOR ANXIETY. NOT WORTH IT HOPE I DID NOT BORE YOU GOOD LUCK TLS

[HFHG-M.D-HG]

Dear Heather
SSRI’s (Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitors) are medications that are proven to be safe and effective in the treatment of depression anxiety disorders and several others. The concerning side effects from these medications are weight gain and sexual side effects. There is no reason why one person would gain weight on one SSRI and not on others. All  the medications have their own advantages and risks and majority of the medications, if stopped would lead  to withdrawal symptoms. Medications such as Wellbutrin are considered to be somewhat stimulating with no weight gain or some times even weight loss with limited withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines are effective in the treatment of attacks with no weight gain but are associated with the development of physical dependence and significant withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly.  I would recommend that you discuss with your doctor about your concerns.

Sincerely
HFHS-M.D.

[Cindy]

I have had panic disorder for 16 yr's. I took paxil and put on
over 65 pounds in the 2 years that i was on this med.I am off it now but i still am over 200 pounds. I am still hopeing to loss
the weight i have put on . but so far only 15 pounds have came off.it must take more then 6 mo to see any real loss.
                                     Cindy