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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
paxil cr side affects normal??
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
paxil cr side affects normal??
by worriedsick25, Sep 05, 2005 12:00AM
I'm currently taking 12.5 paxil cr nightly (because of the nausea and dizzyness dr. recommended taking it at night) and have noticed some disturbing side affects. I have noticed my pupils seem to be more dilated than usual (not entirely dilated but noticable to me) and I feel a strangeness in my throat when I yawn or swallow sometimes. Also, my leg muscle spasms and arm clenching-which I've experienced with the anxiety since before I even got on paxil cr-is still present. I've been on paxil cr for 8 days now. Are muscle spasms normal with anxiety or could it be something neurological? Also, are my side affects normal for paxil cr? Should I be concerned? I feel the paxil working slowly on my brain, however my muscles are worn out from so much tension and cramping. Any suggestions? Thank God for this forum, it's been a life saver to me!!
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Sep 06, 2005 12:00AM
, Sep 06, 2005 12:00AM
The side effects you described are not uncommon and will go away soon. Muscle clenching with anxiety is also normal..that's why people have bad backs.
I too have been suffering from anxiety/panic attacks for years. Keep in mind it can take a few weeks for your body to get used to the medicine and it could get worse before it gets better but IT IS NORMAL. I took paxil at first and it didnt work for me so I am now on 75 mgs of Pamalore and I am also able to take 1 .25mg xanax 3 times a day or whenever needed. Hang in there. Paxil has worked wonders for allot of people, just not myself. Try not to worry about the side effect (easier said than done), the medicine should start to work where you can notice it within a month.