Paxil

[Bambi1979]

Hi!  I've been taking Paxil for 2 days now and just feel really weird.  Kinda like it's making my symptoms worse.  My eyes are more sensitive to light and feel like they are not working together to focus.  I feel really dizzy and lightheaded.  I feel really tired.  Almost flu like without the aches.  Also, my stomach has been CONSTANTLY upset.  Is this normal until it gets into my system?  Also, how long does it take to get into your system and start taking effect?

[toobit1]

Im curious as to what ever happened to you Bambi with the meds?

[Jade59]

I'm glad you're feeling better.  Maybe once the Paxil is fully effective, your eyes will feel better.  I hope so.  

At least you were able to leave the house!  I think you will probably see an improvement with the side effects within a week.  You have begun two new meds and your body needs time to adjust.  You're doing really well Bambi.  You have a great attitude.  

Oh, I'm okay.  Except for listening to the guys grinding the marble across the street, the day has been pretty good.  That grinding makes me want to SCREAM!!!!   It's been going on for 2 solid months now.  

My teeth feel much much better and I think the adjustment has helped with all the weird numbness and tingling I get in my neck, jaw and face.  In fact, it's practically gone!!  I'm VERY happy about that.  The sciatica has also disappeared.  It's amazing the problems ones "bite" can cause when it's out of alignment.  That was $600 well spent.  

I have to run, time for dinner.  Tacos tonight.  

Talk to you soon honey.........

[Bambi1979]

See, it's kinda weird for me.  I think the issues with my weight and then being so sick all the time caused anxiety, which in turn caused the depression.  I would not be depressed if I were healthy.  So, my symptoms from anxiety causes depression for me.  

I'm feeling a little better today, except for my eyes still acting up and dizziness.  The upset stomach is not AS BAD as it has been.  Today was the first time I've left the house all week.  I felt weird, so, I was in a rush to get back home!!

How have you been today?

[Jade59]

I ask because that could have a lot to do with the medication you try.  There is a young man on the anxiety forum.....RCA7591 aka Ryan, who is studying medicine and devotes some of his time there.  He has said often that the DOMINANT problem should be addressed.  For example:  I thought I suffered from depression since childhood, but AD's have never worked for me.  After reading his posts and thinking back, I realize that ANXIETY is my dominant issue and that's why, I believe, AD's have never had the desired effect.  I was thinking of you last night and thought that if the anxiety came first, then Klonopin might be all you need, but you say depression was first so I would think the Paxil is probably a good idea to at least try.  Ryan also talks about Klonopin a lot and mentions a much higher dose than you're taking to be effective for panic disorder.  

I am interested in pharmacology, so I read every answer Ryan gives.  If you want, you can go into his profile and read his old posts.  They have been a huge help as far as understanding how anxiety and depression meds work.  I mean, what else do you have to do, housework?  : ))

Oh......you asked me in the last PM if sugar-free kool-aid might have aspartame in it.  I don't know, but anything sugar-free has some kind of artificial sweetener and from the information I've read about that kind of thing, I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't have some sort of negative effect on some people.  There is so much more cancer and anxiety, just to name a few issues, in the world today and there has to be a reason for it, you know?  Or maybe all the antibiotics in beef, or pharmaceuticals in the water.  I'm sure the list could go on.  

So, my friend, how are you feeling today?  Any better?

[Bambi1979]

I would have to say depression came first over my weight and all.  I used to be around 180 and now I'm 140, so it's not as big an issue as it used to be.  But I believe the anxiety is what's making me sick.  If I didn't feel sick all the time, I wouldn't be depressed.  Does that help or make any sense?

[Jade59]

Hi honey......question for you.  Which came first.....anxiety or depression?  Which one is more dominant?

[Bambi1979]

Those were the dreaded words I didn't want to hear!!!  I've always had a problem with my weight and I'm scared this would make it worse.  I do want to be normal again, but I def don't want to gain weight too!!!  I wanna have fun once I get better, not be fat!!

I have to try it, because I don't have another choice right now!!  I hope eventually I'll only have to take the Klonopin.  I think the dosage still needs to be upped from .25 am & pm to .50 am & pm.  I'm not feeling any benefits from this low dosage!!

I'm trying to go with the flow and follow directions, but it's hard.

Thanks for your support : )

[Jade59]

Okay, yes, I gained weight on Paxil.  I didn't want to tell you this unless you asked me directly.  This is a very common side effect.  BUT, everyone is different and maybe you will be one of those who don't gain weight.  And what if the benefits outweigh this side effect?  Wouldn't it be great to feel normal again?  And, you don't necessarily have to be on it forever either.  

Try to give this a chance until you see the doctor next. If the Paxil doesn't work out, maybe just the Klonopin will be whats needed.  You're on a VERY low dose, so if the doctor thinks upping it is a good idea, maybe that will be all you need.  

Hang in there my friend : )

[Bambi1979]

Hey sweetie!!  I hadn't talked to you in a while!!  I finally started the Paxil and am regretting it now.  But, I have a follow-up with the therapist on the 28th of this month and am supposed to tell her how it works.  I feel like a train wreck!!!  Did you gain weight on Paxil?  I AM SO CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.  These symptoms were worse yesterday than today, but still bad!!  I've been in the bed since yesterday morning!!!  Pray for me to get through this K!!  How have you been doing?

[Bambi1979]

I hope the benefits will be worth it!!!  I just want to be NORMAL again!!!!  Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond!!  I'm just worried about these side effects and WEIGHT GAIN!!

[fuzzy882]

Just relax Hun, Maybe it wont take that long for you.  Just know that everyday this medication is in you and it is working a little more everyday.  These medications do take time and there are some if any side effects while your body is getting used to it.  Your going to be fine.  Believe me...

[xanweaner]

Call your Dr. and tell them your symptoms. It sounds very disruptive to me.
Good luck...

[Jade59]

Hi hun.....so you started the Paxil.  I was on this med for years and never had all these weird symptoms people describe going on and off it.  I don't know why.  The 4-6wks is standard for AD's, but everyone is different so maybe it won't take you long to adjust to it.  Hang in there at least a week and see how you feel.  I have read many posts where people say that getting through the initial first weeks is really hard, but then, the benefits are worth it.

Take care and I'll talk to you soon : )

[Bambi1979]

Are you serious?  I'm gonna feel like this for 4-6 weeks?  Or is that just how long it takes to start doing it's job?  I can't handle feeling like this for THAT LONG!!!!!!

[fuzzy882]

Yes, this is normal, It usually takes about 4-6 weeks for the medication to get into the system and start doing it's job.