Aa
Desperate to solve this puzzle
Hello all - I am a basically healthy 48 year old male that is searching for some answers, like many on this forum. What a great forum, and thanks to the organizers, contributors, etc!
I have recently experienced some stressful events in my life with my wife, kids, etc. and suffered a relapse of horrible symptoms that I had about 9 years ago. During the previous episode, I had another very stressful incident (work related) that triggered the same symptoms which include but are not limited to the following:
Insomnia (waking at 4 AM, not being able to get back to sleep)
Depression - empty feeling, sad, not feeling like "myself", etc.
Anxiety - worry worry worry, "What Ifs" spinning around in my head.
Appetite - not being able to eat very much at all, even if they are my favorite foods
Some brain fog off and on during the day
I understand that we *all* worry from time to time, and that's normal. What is horrible about my situation is that this has now gone on for 1 month *after* the initial events that seemingly triggered this current episode. I am now starting Paxil (that worked fairly well before), but it is "slow going" thus far and I am sufferinig terribly in the meantime. The Paxil is starting to "kick in", but I am experiencing bad insomnia in the process that is likely related to the medicine, despite the fact that I am taking it first thing in the morning.
My main reason for posting this particular entry is to see if anyone else has experienced the following peculiar symptoms, and to hope and pray that there might be even an MD or someone that was treated by an MD for a similar situation....
The "peculiar" symptom is that on a fairly regular basis (almost daily) during this current episode I feel a "cooling" feeling in my hands at roughly about 4-5 P.M. every day, which is soon thereafter accompanied by feeling like my "old self"! I cherish these moments, and they usually will remain sustained for the rest of the evening. Unfortunately, when I go to sleep and wake up the next morning I feel very "odd" again.
Have any of your patients or anyone else in your research experienced this, or am I a lone ranger here? Honestly, I am basically a sane guy and this is very frequent, almost every day lately. I am wondering if it's related to a hormonal imbalance, seratonin levels, sleep disorder, or ??? If anyone has an answer or clue for this you would be be my instant hero for eternity.
(P.S. - how long can I expect this insomnia to go on if it is indeed a Paxil side effect? I am actually taking generic Paroxetine per the prescription label).
Thank You!!!
I have recently experienced some stressful events in my life with my wife, kids, etc. and suffered a relapse of horrible symptoms that I had about 9 years ago. During the previous episode, I had another very stressful incident (work related) that triggered the same symptoms which include but are not limited to the following:
Insomnia (waking at 4 AM, not being able to get back to sleep)
Depression - empty feeling, sad, not feeling like "myself", etc.
Anxiety - worry worry worry, "What Ifs" spinning around in my head.
Appetite - not being able to eat very much at all, even if they are my favorite foods
Some brain fog off and on during the day
I understand that we *all* worry from time to time, and that's normal. What is horrible about my situation is that this has now gone on for 1 month *after* the initial events that seemingly triggered this current episode. I am now starting Paxil (that worked fairly well before), but it is "slow going" thus far and I am sufferinig terribly in the meantime. The Paxil is starting to "kick in", but I am experiencing bad insomnia in the process that is likely related to the medicine, despite the fact that I am taking it first thing in the morning.
My main reason for posting this particular entry is to see if anyone else has experienced the following peculiar symptoms, and to hope and pray that there might be even an MD or someone that was treated by an MD for a similar situation....
The "peculiar" symptom is that on a fairly regular basis (almost daily) during this current episode I feel a "cooling" feeling in my hands at roughly about 4-5 P.M. every day, which is soon thereafter accompanied by feeling like my "old self"! I cherish these moments, and they usually will remain sustained for the rest of the evening. Unfortunately, when I go to sleep and wake up the next morning I feel very "odd" again.
Have any of your patients or anyone else in your research experienced this, or am I a lone ranger here? Honestly, I am basically a sane guy and this is very frequent, almost every day lately. I am wondering if it's related to a hormonal imbalance, seratonin levels, sleep disorder, or ??? If anyone has an answer or clue for this you would be be my instant hero for eternity.
(P.S. - how long can I expect this insomnia to go on if it is indeed a Paxil side effect? I am actually taking generic Paroxetine per the prescription label).
Thank You!!!
Yes I understand where you are at in state of . mind. I have been takeing paxil for the last five years.Started at 20mg ,back in march Dr.up me to 40mg. A few months later I could not stand it any more and went back to 20mg.Under a new Dr now.She uped my Adderall 15mg once a day to twice a day.Told me to take paxil .at night. That does not work.I called the Dr today.Left a message. Can not sleep.I am total lost.Yes at that age it hit me to.Hang in their Greg
"If it's not broke, don't fix it I say"
Amen Hensley! The Paxil IS starting to work, Thank God, and you said a mouthful. I am an impatient guy sometimes, and when you are in a "doom and gloom" mode you don't think you are EVER going to snap out of it.
For those out there in that state right now, I hope and pray that you start to feel better too. Hang in there, your time in the sun is coming - just be patient.
Thanks again for your time Hensley.
Amen Hensley! The Paxil IS starting to work, Thank God, and you said a mouthful. I am an impatient guy sometimes, and when you are in a "doom and gloom" mode you don't think you are EVER going to snap out of it.
For those out there in that state right now, I hope and pray that you start to feel better too. Hang in there, your time in the sun is coming - just be patient.
Thanks again for your time Hensley.
If the Paxil is starting to work than stick with it.
You don't want to go messing with your prescribed meds unless they are being non-effective. If it's not broke, don't fix it I say.
Keep in mind that on Paxil that it can take up to 7 full weeks before the full effect of the medication takes hold. Most people who will respond to it start to notice a bit of a difference in about 2 or 3 weeks. This stuff takes a long time to become fully effective so give it time before giving up on Paxil.
If after a full 8 weeks on Paxil, your still having bad symptoms of your depression and anxiety, then tell your doctor because he may want to make some adjustments.
Regards.
You don't want to go messing with your prescribed meds unless they are being non-effective. If it's not broke, don't fix it I say.
Keep in mind that on Paxil that it can take up to 7 full weeks before the full effect of the medication takes hold. Most people who will respond to it start to notice a bit of a difference in about 2 or 3 weeks. This stuff takes a long time to become fully effective so give it time before giving up on Paxil.
If after a full 8 weeks on Paxil, your still having bad symptoms of your depression and anxiety, then tell your doctor because he may want to make some adjustments.
Regards.
Hensley258,
Thanks for the well-crafted response! I am certainly going to research this myself. By the way, I am getting treated by a Board Certified Psychiatrist, but he hasn't mentioned this so far. I have a followup with him in a couple of weeks, and if things don't get back to normal, I will broach this subject with him. The good news is that I do feel like I'm steering in the right direction with the Paxil - but as you said something that works the first time might now, so the jury isn't totally back in to the court yet.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond Hensley!
Thanks for the well-crafted response! I am certainly going to research this myself. By the way, I am getting treated by a Board Certified Psychiatrist, but he hasn't mentioned this so far. I have a followup with him in a couple of weeks, and if things don't get back to normal, I will broach this subject with him. The good news is that I do feel like I'm steering in the right direction with the Paxil - but as you said something that works the first time might now, so the jury isn't totally back in to the court yet.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond Hensley!
You may want to do a little research on Bi-polar ll
Not Bi-polar l (big difference in the two conditions)
Bi-polar ll can often manifest itself with generalized eliveted anxiety, depression, and can cycle between feeling mostly normal and depressed - anxious again in sometimes relitivly short cycles.
It is often mis-diagnosed as Uni-polar depression.
Adding a mood stabalizing medication such as Lamictal or Abilify to your antidepressant can make a huge difference in some cases.
Only time will tell if Paxil is going to be the right antidepressant for you. Sometimes when we re-visit the same medication at a later time it's not always as effective as it was the first time around.
Just some options to discuss with your Psychiatrist about. If you are being treated by a regular MD then i wouldn't expect him to be extensivly knowledgible regarding Bi-polar ll and thus you may want to seek treatment from a Board Certified Psychiatrist.
Regards.
Not Bi-polar l (big difference in the two conditions)
Bi-polar ll can often manifest itself with generalized eliveted anxiety, depression, and can cycle between feeling mostly normal and depressed - anxious again in sometimes relitivly short cycles.
It is often mis-diagnosed as Uni-polar depression.
Adding a mood stabalizing medication such as Lamictal or Abilify to your antidepressant can make a huge difference in some cases.
Only time will tell if Paxil is going to be the right antidepressant for you. Sometimes when we re-visit the same medication at a later time it's not always as effective as it was the first time around.
Just some options to discuss with your Psychiatrist about. If you are being treated by a regular MD then i wouldn't expect him to be extensivly knowledgible regarding Bi-polar ll and thus you may want to seek treatment from a Board Certified Psychiatrist.
Regards.
Hi maza - thanks for the feedback. That's a good diagnosis for not being a doctor. I had a neuro tell me the same exact thing, and I am taking Paxil that I think is starting to kick and help a lot.
What is so odd is the feeling of a "light switch" being thrown at relatively the same time every day, followed by feeling like my 'old self' through the rest of the evening. When I mention this to different docs I get the 'deer in the headlights' look with no answers. I know we are beings with very complex chemistries, but it seems like that clue would really help them diagnose this better.
Again, thanks for the response.
What is so odd is the feeling of a "light switch" being thrown at relatively the same time every day, followed by feeling like my 'old self' through the rest of the evening. When I mention this to different docs I get the 'deer in the headlights' look with no answers. I know we are beings with very complex chemistries, but it seems like that clue would really help them diagnose this better.
Again, thanks for the response.
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