Starting Paxil

Hi all,

I'm going to be starting Paxil on Saturday and I'm fairly anxious about it (ain't that ironic!) I'm horribly phobic of vomiting so I'm terrified that I'll have nausea as a side effect. I'm going to be taking 20 mg but the doctor told me I can cut the pills in half and take 10 mg the first week if I am so worried about side effects.

The kicker is that I've taken Paxil before, this same exact dosage, and the only side effect I had in the first few weeks was bad headaches. I don't know why I think it will be different this time or why I'm so anxious about it. It really helped me the last time I was on it (which was 2 years ago...I was on it for 2 years) which is why I'm trying it again.

I am determined to beat this anxiety thing because I really want to move to NYC for grad school to pursue my dream in the fall!

Just looking for a little encouragement/reassurance I suppose.

Thanks! I agree, I did like the Paxil. You hear so many horror stories about it, but I think it does work for some people. I had minimal long-term side effects, such as weight gain...but it was only about 10 pounds over the 2 years and I was underweight anyway. I had some sexual side effects but they diminished over time. I'm really, really hoping it works again for me.

I'm still very nervous about the immediate physical side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. It's going to be a struggle to get that first pill down, that's for sure. I hope I can do it!

Thanks! I just took my first little dose of Paxil -- the doctor said I could cut it in half to take 10 mg because I was so nervous about the side effects...but when the time came to actually swallow it I was SO anxious that I cut it into quarters and only took 5 mg. I know doing it this way will probably mean a longer amount of time before the positive benefits...but I just couldn't take any more than that. I will probably do 5 mg again tomorrow and then bump up to 10 for a few days before I do the full 20. Do you think this will work out OK or is it just ridiculous for me to be taking such a small dose?

Hey Panike, thanks for checking in on me! I took 5 mg of Paxil for the first two days, and last night I bumped up to 10 mg. I'm not sure whether or not I'm feeling any side effects, just because it's so hard to distinguish between 'normal' anxiety feelings, and medication side effects. I took 5 mg on Saturday night and had a TERRIBLE headache on Sunday, but that could have been anything and I'm not sure such a small dose would cause any side effects. Last night I took 10 mg and I couldn't sleep -- literally felt like my eyelids were glued open. This morning I feel a little shaky and kind of out of it, almost like I'm moving in a dream world. Don't know if it's from the Paxil, lack of sleep, or just anxiety. I plan on taking 10 mg the rest of the week and going up to the full dose on Saturday. If insomnia keeps occurring I'll probably try switching to take it in the morning rather than at night.

I know that even if these are side effects I just have to keep on taking it and push through to get the benefits in 4-6 weeks. It can be tough though! I just have to keep remembering that although I feel worse now, I'll feel better in the long run. It's funny I don't remember side effects being a huge deal the last time I started on Paxil, because I was in college and started during my winter break. I had a month off and wasn't working either -- I'm pretty sure I just slept the entire time! Now I've got to get up at 6:30 every morning and work for 9 hours. Sure wish I could have a month off to sleep! LOL.

Thanks again for checking up on my Panike, I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about what I'm going through. I'll keep things updated.

Thanks for reiterating that it does cause insomnia. I really think I will switch to taking it in the morning. Like I said, it was different when I could sleep until 2 or 3 in the afternoon, but now that I've got to get up early for work I can't be awake all night! And God knows I could use the extra energy at work anyway. Thanks Panike!

Just wondering how you are making out with the switch from PM's to the mornings with the Paxil??

Please do let us know when you are able

LYN

NO problem
Plz do keep us posted on how you are making out if you can ........
Paxil is a great med if it is the right one for you .......

I am hoping that you are soon feeling some good from this and not the lightheadness or waking up like you are

Am wondering about what time are you finally getting to sleep

The reason I ask is that with a med I take if I go to sleep at 8 or 9 pm ...I am wide awake by 3 or 4 am most times....do to the fact that I sleep so soundly and wake up refreshed and not panicky .........

Be well my friend............Luvs......Lyn

Thanks well there goes that theory right out the window then .....I thought maybe you were getting a good sleep but evidently not .........

I know you will make it the next few weeks you have the strength and know that it will be all worth it in the end......

I too hope some of these dang side effects lessen for you and soon rather than later..

Take care my friend


Luvs.....LYN

Hi YankeeFan,

Wow someone else who suffers from anxiety about nausea/vomitting! I have not run across many, and while I have to say I do not wish the phobia on anyone, it is somewhat comforting to know I am not alone. I'm glad to hear from you!

Well I have now been on the Paxil for a full 4 weeks and I have to say it has been going well. I was terrified when I first started taking it that one of the side effects would be nausea, but I can honestly say that it wasn't a problem. Because I was nervous about this, I started off slowly to get my body used to the chemicals. I also take the pill with a meal so that I'm not getting it on an empty stomach. My full dosage was going to be 20 mg, so I got a pill cutter and cut the tablets in to quarters. I took only 5 mg for about 3 or 4 days, and then 10 mg for another week or so before going up to the final 20 mg. For a few days I did have some physical symptoms, but they were fairly mild and included a bit of dizziness and headaches.

Now that it's been a month I definitely notice some benefits. I would often have panic attacks related to the fear of nausea/vomitting and I had trouble doing things like going out in crowds, especially eating out, etc. I was also doing extreme handwashing and other tactics to avoid germs that might lead to a stomach bug. Since going on the Paxil I have had only one panic attack, and that was 2.5 weeks ago. I've been able to go out to eat 4 or 5 times with my BF and with friends, I've gone to the movies...and I've just had a lower level of anxiety in general. The thing to note is that the Paxil does not get rid of the phobia completely...I am definitely still anxious about feeling nauseas and throwing up. However, the Paxil has allowed me a better quality of life because it reduces panic and I'm able to do more things.

I would recommend it! I'd love to hear some more from you...it isn't often I run across someone else who shares my fear! Anything I can share/help you with, just let me know!