Panic from Paxil ?

Hello all i have been diagnosed with ADHD and Depression , and generalized anxiety .. Ive been on Ritlin for about 5 years for ADHD , i take 10 mg a day .. But recently i have taken a massive panic attack and had to go rushed to hospital back in August thinking it was a heart attack , they told me to go to your family doctor nothing we can do here because you just took a panic attack ... so i went to my family doc and he asked if i keep taking panic attacks we will put you on Paxil but for now here is some attivan to take edge off .. .. so a few weeks went by and he started me on Paxil which was in Sept i am now 4 weeks in and i never took so many panic attacks in my life to the point i cant sleep as my heart races i can feel the sensation wakes me up , so is the Paxil causing all these panic attacks is it normal i dont see the doc again till the 20th of November , to the point the attacks effect my work its becoming a problem , i also noticed just tonight i came back from the movies and i got confused on the highway had to let my mom drive as i felt like i was hallucinating freaked me out never had that happen to me before . im scared dont know what to do would love if anybody could perhaps give their input on what i should do , i dont think i can take a heart attack so i think i can prob put that out of my mind im 26 170 pounds but i do have a bad diet with fast food and sugar i cant stop eating could that also be a issue causing panic attacks ? all kinds of questions so little answers i do see a psychologist but dont see him till the 22nd . blah sorry for the long rant just scared and confused .. but sick and tired of feeling like this dont know what to do ..

PS thanks in advance if this is in the wrong thread please move to the right one .

Scaredy Cat said...
Hello and welcome!

I am so sorry that you are going through a rough time at the moment. I know how scary and confusing it can be to deal with panic!

First and foremost, you are going to be alright. I know that things are really difficult right now, but they will get better. Hang in there and have hope...because it is always there.

It sounds like you are having an especially hard time with your start up. SSRI will initially increase your anxiety...while your body is adjusting and things level. Unfortunately and ironically, this is exactly what you neither expect or welcome when you just want anxiety relief, right?

Usually the window for therapeutic levels to be noted is anywhere from a couple, up to even 12 weeks. However, if you are experiencing ever increasing panic after weeks on your Rx...I think that you may need to talk to your doctor for guidance.

Do you take your Paxil dose and your Ritalin together? If so, this could be too activating, and may be triggering the PA's. Is so, I wonder if taking one in the morning and one at night might work better?

This is something you can ask your doctor when you consult with him/her.

For now, please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material that you can work with to keep your overall anxiety levels as low as possible. Practicing the suggested exercises daily will make a difference in how you feel.

Keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. We understand, care and support is key!!

Scaredy Cat

Thanks for the welcome i do take Paxil in morning and Ritilin in afternoon ..

the combo of ritilin and an ssri at startup has to be a toxic combo for anxiety and panic attacks. esp at ssri start up. I would think about stopping the ritilin till your body gets used to the paxil.

Shane,

I hope you can get into see your doc a.s.a.p. next week when he/she returns!

Were you able to secure an appointment yet?

S.C.