Anyone taking Paxil???? - ThinnerTimes

kittens4 · 12-07-2006, 08:00 PM

Hey there! I went to my doctor today. Good news, I am able to get off the oxygen now! Woohooo! I will still keep it until they come get it..just incase I need to use it..but I've been home for a couple of hours now and had no problems so far! I go back to see him in 2 weeks, and will have another chest x-ray in 4 weeks just to make sure the pneumonia is all gone. My date to go back to work is still 1/2/07.

In other news, some of you know I had to go off my Effexor for various reasons back in October. Well, my anxiety/crying has returned, so my doctor and I had a chat, while I was crying in his office today telling him of my anxiety over everything....So, he wants me to start Paxil 10mg tomorrow. I just want to know if anyone else on our forum takes this. If so, what is your experience with it. I know everyone is different, but I always like to run things by you guys now. I think I'm addicted to the forum!

Rachel · 12-07-2006, 08:13 PM

I have been on several different anti-depressants, never paxil though. However, my husband, my Mother-in-law and Grandmother-in-law have all taken Paxil.

I know that the withdrawl from Paxil is one of the worst. If you are going to be on it for the long term then you will be fine. I have had, Prozac, Celexa and am now on Zoloft.

The Paxil works well for my MIL, she has severe anxiety/panic attacks and when she is consistantly taking her meds then she is better, but they are not gone by any stretch of the imagination. My husband took it for social anxiety and after about a year he was weaned off it (the weaning period was awful, headaches, stomach aches, tired). After the eaning period all was well, he only took it for the short term to help with the social anxiety and then once he was off it, he was much better, and there was no need for him to continue taking it.

I hope that helps you a little. I am sure that someone else here will have more information.

RNY4me · 12-07-2006, 09:45 PM

Elaine - I have been on Paxil for several years and have done very well on it. If I forget a dose, I get 'withdrawal' symptoms. Lightheaded, pulse rate quickens, feel kinda funny. So I understand about the weaning off. But I don't think I'll be going off anytime soon! And my family will second that. I hope it works as well for you too. Hang in there sweetie, with time and meds, this will pass.

mindycure · 12-08-2006, 06:14 AM

I have been on paxil since 1998, i have tried to go off of it several times and the withdrawls were so horrible I had to go back on it just to feel normal again. It does help with my anxiety though, and I have tried others and this is the one that has worked the best for me. One side effect of paxil however is weight gain, that is why i have tried several times before to get off of it..

kittens4 · 12-08-2006, 11:05 AM

Thanks for the info. I started it this morning. I feel a little "spooky" but I guess that's to be expected until I get used to the meds. I really hate to get on a medicine that's so hard to get off, but the Effexor was the same way. It's funny though, I was in the hospital when I had to go off the Effexor, and I didn't have withdrawals...just some crying, but that was more due to my illness and being in the hospital so long. I think because I was on such a heavy dose of pain meds, that masked any withdrawals I might have had. I don't know. I just know I need some meds now! I wake up all night long and I have such anxiety about being sick for so long, getting off the oxygen, going back to work, wondering if I can get back to normal, will I have a phobia about leaving the house or driving? What if my short term disability doesn't pay me? What if I can't breathe without the oxygen...Etc. Etc. It goes on and on until I work myself up into an anxiety attack. In my head I know it's crazy, but I can't help the feelings...it's terrible. In reality, I have a great job, husband, home, and life. The doctor said I can stop the oxygen, but to keep it until they come get it just incase I need it. So far, I haven't needed it, but the anxiety about not having it is something I didn't expect. I guess it stands to reason since I've been on it for a month, that it would be scarey to all of a sudden not have it on anymore...given my current anxiety level....I know I'll be okay, but I just can't help freaking out. Even last night, my first night without oxygen, I woke up a bazillion times just to make sure I was still alive! lol! It's nuts! I hate this!!! Sorry to ramble.....thanks again for your input....I really appreciate you taking the time to type back to me!

Rachel · 12-08-2006, 11:18 AM

Elaine~ It's not crazy. I feel the way you do right now when I am not on my medication. So I can completely understand how you are feeling. We are here for you. Remember that if you don't "feel" right with this medication there are many out there and you should talk to your doctor until you find one that does. Here's to feeling better!!!

kittens4 · 12-08-2006, 11:33 AM

Thanks Rachel. I'm hoping this medication will do the trick, but if not, I go see my doctor again in 2 weeks, so will re-evaluate things at that time. I think I'm just overtired from waking up so much last night, and feeling a bit off because of the medicine. I will have lunch at 12 and take a little nap!

RNY4me · 12-08-2006, 07:47 PM

Naps are good Elaine! You'll probably feel better after a few days of good rest and good meds. Keep your spirit up, but never hesitate to ask us for help. We are here for each other, through the good and the not-so-good times. I feel like this is the only place I can whine!

Duckie · 12-10-2006, 02:33 PM

I used to take effexor and now take paxil. BOTH have horrible withdrawal symptoms. lol I've had no problems at all since taking paxil. I had to have it increased during the whole "going on strike at work" thing but other than that it's been great! I've been taking it all along so it hasn't made me gain weight since surgery. lol Take it. If it helps, that is all that matters sweetie.

CONGRATS ON BEING OXYGEN FREE!

ValenP · 12-13-2006, 11:46 AM

I took 150mg Effexor 6 months before the surgery and 1 year after the surgery, now I've been off of it for 3 months, today I had an appointment with my psychiatrist and everything's going fine with my mind, for me having GBS was a total blessing it took away the pounds and the blues too, I guess my depression was based on the fact that I was obese and hated my life, now those times are gone and I'm healthy in my mind, and depression pills can certainly help you.