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Paxil Questions...PLEASE Help!

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Depression
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Posted 1/28/2007 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I'm on paxil for anxiety disorder, but of course there's depression involved as well. I was tried at 25mg and 50mg and it didn't seem to do as much as I hoped for so the pdoc increased it to 75mg last Monday. The last few days I've been EXTRA depressed...crying my eyes out and scared of facing another day...has anyone ever heard of an increased dosage of Paxil (or any AD) suddenly causing MORE depression?
Also, if Paxil doesn't help me (I go back to pdoc in 3 weeks), he may try me on effexor. Has anyone ever switched from paxil to effexor??? How did the doc do it? any info anyone can offer will be appreciated more than I can say.
Thank you!
janet
Posted 1/28/2007 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Janet,   Sorry you are having such a bad time.  I have never taken paxil myself but I am currently taking effexor.  You will need to give the increased doage time to work.  Sometimes when you start an antidepressant, your symptoms can increase slightly.  I know I had increased anxiety when I started my med but it went away after a couple of weeks.   If you really feel like this med is not working for you, there are plenty of others you can try.  If you switch from paxil to effexor, you will need to wean off the paxil first as it is not recommended to stop an antidepressant cold turkey.  I had to have 3 days break between swtiching meds and then I started my new one.   Your doctor will talk you through what to do and how to wean off the paxil and start a new med.  When you see your doc, write down a list of questions before your appt so that you don't forget what you want to say and ask.   Take care
Posted 1/28/2007 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Janetlee
I was on paxil for awhile,and yes it did increase my symptons for about a week or so. Then after the meds fully kicked in I started feeling alot better. Like Victoria said it does take a couple weeks for most meds to kick in fully. But also like she said if it is not working then you need to let your doctor know right away.
Posted 1/29/2007 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Well, one week on it at 75mg and still feeling anxy and depressed...hate to get out of bed.
janet
Posted 1/29/2007 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
for lack of a better word, Paxil is a "downer" while effexor is a "stimulant". For example, my Mom is on Paxil, her brain never stops, crying, anger, etc. Me, I tried effexor, i was numb, no activity, etc. Thats allt he diff. i know. But give it a few weeks b/c it does take time to work effectively.
Posted 1/30/2007 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
I've come to a decision tonite. I'll be da**** if I'm going to keep on suffering in silence when I have xanax on hand! I have been fighting this anxiety for months w/o using hardly any xanax, all because the pdoc is afraid I'll get addicted to it! Well if I do, so be it! I've been trying CBT and alternative stuff. I'm not saying that it's not been of help cuz it has, but it's not enough!!!!!! I will try to keep it to a minimum, of course, but I took the stuff for 12 years and I'm still here! If I don't find relief soon, I may not last another year! So there. I've said it and I mean it. If he don't like it, then I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
janet
Posted 1/30/2007 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
I totally agree with how your feeling and I know what it's like to start something new or higher dose, I found that my depression was ruling my life and I am starting to get sick and tired of TAKING PILLS , then taking more pills to help the other pills work. I am in the middle of trying to get off meds and so far it has been a little harder that I thought only because When going from 75mg to 37.5 or nothing the shakes start and the dizziness and always wanting to throw up,  but since going from 75mg to 37.5mg for two weeks I have been doing better then going cold turkey. All I want I guess is for you to know you may feel like you are the only one going through this sometimes But trust me your not. We all are battaling something in our lives, but keep going and it will sort it's self out. Hard to see it now but hindsight is always 20/20.feel better soon.
Posted 1/30/2007 7:39 AM (GMT 0)
I'm hopin' the best for you too Chubbin!
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