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Recently perscribed 10mg Paxil

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Posted 8/12/2015 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
For the past year I've been suffering from Anxiety/Panic after making the mistake of taking fat burners(my body does not like caffiene!!!). My body eventually came to a point of complete exhaustion when trying to do any stimulating activity. Exercise for longer than 15 minutes was almost impossible. I managed to get better with time, mainly after dietary changes that involved eliminating processed foods, however my stress tolerance was bad. College exams, arguments with anyone, and getting angry ruined me.

All the psychological symptoms became manageable with time, however the physical symptoms (chest pain) was just too much to handle, in worse cases the left side of my inner pecs would go numb and uncomfortable. Doctor prescribed Propranolol which controlled the chest discomfort to a certain degree. 6 months later I decided to see a psychiatrist because the chest pain was just something I didn't want to live with my entire life, and not being able to exercise made me a very sad person.

I was prescribed 10mg Paxil and I'm on my 4th day on it. The doctor told me it would mildly sedate me so he suggested taking it before bed, however I did not experience any sedation, quite the opposite actually as I've felt a sense of alertness when taking it. Can I take it in the morning instead?

This post here is mainly regarding an increased anxiety I've noticed on day 3 and 4 during mid day. The anxiety is not like the one I experienced before starting the medication. It feels much more aggressive but also doesn't feel like it's going tip me off the edge. The good news is my chest pain has gone almost completely.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Posted 8/12/2015 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JB and welcome!

Sorry to hear about the anxiety and the physical symptoms that have been bothering you.

It is good news however to hear that you are working with your P-doc to find a medication that will work for you. Are you currently doing or considering therapy as part of you treatment plan as well?

It is an ironic truth that A/D's often increase anxious feelings initially. These effects will fade eventually, so try to hang in there until the benefits really start to kick in!

For now...please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page. They are filled with great self help material to help get you through your start up.

Keep posting with us as well for understanding and support!

Best wishes,.and talk soon!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 8/12/2015 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JB,

It should be fine switching your Paxil to the morning.  My doctor told me to take Lexapro at night because it would make me sleep but it had the opposite affect and I couldn't sleep at all!  So after the 3rd of no sleep, I switched to the morning and BINGO!  It did the trick.  I told my doctor I changed it and he said that was fine, with A/D's you need see what's best for you and just to remember to take it the same time every day.  The increased anxiety does suck, I still have mild anxiety going on 3 months of Lexapro (although I just got my dosage bumped up to 10mg 2 weeks ago so I have a feeling that's what is causing it) but it does help overall.

I hope Paxil works and gets you back on track :)

Posted 8/12/2015 8:56 PM (GMT 0)

Somebody said...


Hi JB,

It should be fine switching your Paxil to the morning. My doctor told me to take Lexapro at night because it would make me sleep but it had the opposite affect and I couldn't sleep at all! So after the 3rd of no sleep, I switched to the morning and BINGO! It did the trick. I told my doctor I changed it and he said that was fine, with A/D's you need see what's best for you and just to remember to take it the same time every day. The increased anxiety does suck, I still have mild anxiety going on 3 months of Lexapro (although I just got my dosage bumped up to 10mg 2 weeks ago so I have a feeling that's what is causing it) but it does help overall.

I hope Paxil works and gets you back on track :)

Thanks for the replies to both of you. I'm really going through a rough time, as I've never thought my life would take this twist after those darn caffeine pills. I'm going to try my best to recover and do what the doctor suggests. I really don't have another choice and I have marriage next year and graduation coming up this year, so hopefully I'll be able to enjoy these moments in life without being a complete exhausted mess.

How do you go by switching to a morning dose? I have a dose coming up at 9pm, do I skip that or split the pill into 5mg and then take another 5mg in the morning?

My doctor's had planned that I take Paxil until I experienced remission for 9 months then start the taper slowly. To be honest I'm stressing about whether this drug is right for me or not. A lot of bad stories I've read on the internet and while the problem of decreased libido doesn't bother me(it was already almost out of control before so this balances it sorta), the idea of weight gain absolutely crushed me. I do not want to gain weight. Googling SSRI and weight gain the articles aren't clear at all as to why weight gain happens. Do I have to worry about it? I'm ready to actually quit taking these pills if I end up gaining weight because I have knee issues and a flat feet issue that get worse with weight gain. Is it possible to lose weight on SSRI's if I watch my calories and exercise regularly?
Posted 8/13/2015 12:55 AM (GMT 0)

...you could split your pill (unless it is time released)...

...but since you've just recently started up (a couple of days?) it really shouldn't matter if you skip tonight's dose, and resume tomorrow morning.

As far as the weight gain concern.  I have read that some people lose weight while on an A/D...and others have no change.  True, some gain, but if you are reading on-line reviews, try to keep this in mind...

...people are much more apt to write about a negative experience than a neutral, or even a postive one!

So take what you read with a grain of salt, and remember that you will ultimately just need to see what works for YOU! ;)

Keep us posted, and we will keep you in support!

S.C.

Posted 8/13/2015 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
When I switched to mornings, I took my dosage the night before like always, then when i got up the next morning I took the next one. That's how I did the change.

I took Paxil a couple years ago and I didn't experience any weight gain and it helped me a lot. This time around, my doctor started me on Paxil, but quickly changed me to Lexapro because my body did not like the Paxil. It's all about you and your body. Sometimes you have to find the right one and sometimes first time is a charm!

Like SC said, I would take what you read with a grain of salt, although I know I googled and read all kinds of reviews on Lexapro. It made me feel better and actually keep on going with the pill even when it heightened my anxiety. Reading them and knowing people went through the same thing gave me hope.
Posted 8/13/2015 8:33 AM (GMT 0)
SC

Thanks for the advice. I totally see your point about people being more inclined to write reviews when they have a negative experience, so I'll take that into consideration. So far from what I've read, weight loss happens initially in the first couple of months on A/D but then weight gain creeps up as you stick with the medication long term. But again these are just people's anecdotal experiences. I just hope I can go back to the gym and eat healthy and shed some extra weight in the process.

-

Meeshy1

I was thinking of splitting the pill; 5mg in the morning and then 5mg before bed today. Although I'm not sure whats going on today as I've become uncomfortably nauseous. Seems like everyday is a different symptom on this pill.


Got a question for ya.

At what point do you realize a certain medication isn't for you? Also if I do quit in the first weeks/months, is tapering necessary @10mg?

Post Edited (J.brain) : 8/13/2015 2:37:44 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/13/2015 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi JB

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear you are dealing with anxiety but pleased that you are getting support from your doctor I would suggest that you take your medication in the morning as Paxil can be quite activating.

Unfortunately it seems to be the norm to feel worse before you get better so stick with it if you can I would also look into Mindfulness Meditation as that can really help reduce your anxiety.

Keep us posted with your progress.

Hibee
Posted 8/13/2015 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Morning!

I realized within 3 days of taking Paxil that it wasn't for me. I couldn't even get up and go to work. It was awful and I didn't want to feel that way and didn't think an A/D should make you feel that way after 3 days on it. But my doctor was kind of a ding bat and started me at 20mg of Paxil right from the get go. So when I went back to him, he said let's try Lexapro and start slow and low. Sure enough, that worked. My body needed to adjust to the A/D before going up mg's. So that's how I knew a particular medication wasn't for me and switched.

As far as quitting, I would talk to your doctor before you quit anything, even if you've only taken it for a couple weeks/months. I don't know enough about the tapering off part to give you any advice :( When I was on Paxil a couple years ago, I didn't realize I needed to taper off and I just stopped taking it (more like I kept forgetting to take it). I did fine except I got a lot of dizzy spells. But don't quit anything before talking to your doctor :)
Posted 8/13/2015 1:45 PM (GMT 0)

Meeshy1 said...
Morning!

I realized within 3 days of taking Paxil that it wasn't for me. I couldn't even get up and go to work. It was awful and I didn't want to feel that way and didn't think an A/D should make you feel that way after 3 days on it. But my doctor was kind of a ding bat and started me at 20mg of Paxil right from the get go. So when I went back to him, he said let's try Lexapro and start slow and low. Sure enough, that worked. My body needed to adjust to the A/D before going up mg's. So that's how I knew a particular medication wasn't for me and switched.

As far as quitting, I would talk to your doctor before you quit anything, even if you've only taken it for a couple weeks/months. I don't know enough about the tapering off part to give you any advice :( When I was on Paxil a couple years ago, I didn't realize I needed to taper off and I just stopped taking it (more like I kept forgetting to take it). I did fine except I got a lot of dizzy spells. But don't quit anything before talking to your doctor :)

Yeah Paxil seems to be a really strong medication. I'm not sure if my stomach is going to handle this awful nausea. I've already taken my second trip for a #2 this morning, but I think that has to do with a stomach bug I caught a couple of days ago *shrug*.

Hope your Lexapro works out for you!
Posted 8/13/2015 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome J.brain, I'm happy you found us but sorry you are dealing with anxiety.

You've already received excellent advise so I just wanted to stop by and say HI and Welcome you to Healing Well's Anxiety forum. :)

Check out our resource thread located at the top of the forum titled Anxiety/Panic Resources for some good helpful self help coping skills and other information on Anxiety.

Again, Welcome. Please post whenever you need too regardless if it is to ask a question, ask for support or simply to vent, we are here for you and will walk this journey with you. :)
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