Paxil Side effects

[angie]

My boyfriend was diagnosed with anxiety disorder alittle over  two years ago. His doctor first put him on Prozac then a few months later (Nov 98) switched him to Paxil. Since then he has been very depressed, has had no interest in sex or even getting close, plus I have heard that Paxil can cause lymphiod tumors, which he had recently removed from his neck. He does not see the connection to his medication and will not talk to his doctor. He says he would rather have a few side effects than have his anxiety attacks and when he misses his medication he can feel bad things happening, and I try to tell him it's the withdrawl of his medication that is at fault.

I guess I'm curious if there is some other (natural)way of treating this that does not involve his mental health since I know that these drug alter the way his brain works. Or if anything some other drug (God forbid) that is better designed to cure what he has?? I feel like he has been on medication too long to know how is is suppose to feel. Any advice??

[HFHS.MD-AJ]

Mental illness can be a burden on patients and their caregivers or families. Your boyfriend may be right in stating that he feels better on medications than off it. Paxil is a safe and effective medication that is useful in the treatment of depression and anxiety/panic attacks. Unfortunately, Paxil may have possible sexual side effects such as those you describe, in which case replacement by other medications with little or no sexual side effects (such as Serzone or Remeron) may be considered. According to the Physicians Desk Reference (PDA, 54th edition, 2000), studies on Paxil in male rats showed a possible increased risk of lymphoreticular  tumors, but the relevance of these findings to humans is unknown.

You may consider asking your boyfriend if you can accompany him to appointments, to discuss your concerns with his treating physician/psychiatrist.