10th day on Paxil

[Stayinpositive]

When will I start to get better? I feel like I have mixed moods/feelings. But anxiety I guess is a little better. I kinda feel more depressed? on 20 mg Paxil.

[AyaShumori]

Ugh,  Paxil.  That is what they put me on when I started having my anxiety attacks.  I didn't like it.  It made me feel horrible.  But,  it is good it seems to be working for you.  Just try to hang in there and stick with it if its helping you.

[specialmom]

Paxil is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and these medication can take a bit to work and have transient or start up side effects.  Those lesson as the medication kicks in.  The rule of thumb I used for antidepressants and an efficacy check is 6 weeks.   If after that time you are still feeling this same way, talk to your prescribing physician.  And remember, recovery is best with a combination of medication and talk therapy.  Good luck

[ufcfan]

I see where your coming from. I've been on Paxill (40mg) for a while now and felt the same way when I first starting taking it. It's true that sometimes these medications take a little more time to really start to help with depression. I also take Calonapin 0.5mg.I'm glad that you feeling a little better though. Six weeks sounds like a good amount of time to give the medication. One thing that seems to help me, my doctor, and my therapist is too keep a journal of how i'm feeling day to day so you can see if there is any gradual improvement. Good luck!

[Stayinpositive]

Thank you everyone.

to ufcfan:
How long do you think it took you to get better when you started the Paxil?
6 weeks is such along time when you're going through this. Everyday is a milestone!
I wake up with panic attacks sometimes wondering what the day will bring me as far as how I will feel. Will I be better??? Uggggh time is my friend right now.

[specialmom]

What you will  most likely see is a decrease in the start up side effects during that six weeks and an increase in efficacy.  So each day nearer to that 6 week point, you should be closer to feeling better.  If you are having panic attacks, it does usually take a slightly higher dose of medications so your doctor may have to adjust it as your symptoms indicate the need to.  But I don't think you suffer and have no efficacy the whole six weeks--------  the efficacy is building up and the transient side effects are lessening.  Every person is different though.  Your at 11 days now and are a fourth of the way there.  Hang in there and give it a chance!  Good luck

[Stayinpositive]

Thank you for the hopeful words. I will do so!

[weeziewalls]

go to ... " is there life after paxil " and read. I took paxil and a lot of other antidepressents and that is the reason I have found myself on this site, Looking for answers. The withdrawls of going off of antidepressents are awful, I'm having an electrical shock symptom that I can't seem to shake. I am not good at expressing my thoughts and feelings in writing but I can tell you, I wish I had known a little more about SSRI drugs before taking them.

[ufcfan]

I feel like it might have taken me about 2 months to really start to feel the positive effects of the medication. If you don't feel anything by then you may want to talk to your doctor about switching to another medication. Good Luck