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Anyone with Paxil success? OCD and panic disorder

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Posted 5/30/2008 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I am newly diagnosed with OCD and panic disorder without agoraphobia.  It took me almost everything I had to admit that I was having problems and needed to seek help, but I finally went to see a psychiatrist when my anxiety started "holding me back" from my potential and interfering with my life. 

Right now, I still feel that I made a good decision when I decided to go for help.  I was in the office about a half hour while they did a psych evaluation and determined my diagnoses.  I was prescribed paroxetine (Paxil) 20 mg daily, with dosage to be increased.  Since I am new at this treatment (been on Paxil about 2 weeks), I am looking to advice and if anyone has success stories.  I have not had any improvement thus far (although I am aware effectiveness may take several weeks), and I have heard horror stories about side effects while trying to taper off the Paxil.  Any thoughts are appreciated.

(Maybe my concern about the medication is part of my anxiety.  LOL.)

Thanks :)

Posted 5/31/2008 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Heya,

You are right, these meds can take up to six weeks to start working. It can be really scary to take something new, especially after such a recent diagnosis. You are being really brave. I have been on and off many meds and I have always been okay as long as I listened to my doc. I would suggest that right now you don't focus on the Paxil, but focus on recovery and geting you feeling better. We are a pretty caring bunch here at HW and we would love to know how you are going with all of this new stuff in your life. Please post, we are here to listen.
Posted 5/31/2008 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, and welcome!

I've been taking Paxil for many years now, mostly for depression. It has helped my anxiety also, though, so hang in there. I seem to remember that it didn't feel like it kicked in for 4 weeks or so way back when I started, so that's one data point for you. Also, different people will definitely experience different types of side effects - or none at all. I'd suggest that you don't worry about them unless you actually start experiencing them.

Weaning off of Paxil can be a little tricky for some of us. For instance, when I've run out for a day or two, I get a weird feeling like my brain is just floating and bumping around in my skull. When the time comes that you want to try getting off of it again, work carefully with your doctor, and go slowly.

Other than these minor points, I have to say I love the medication. I has enabled me to overcome some negative ruts and get back to feeling like myself again.

Good luck!

percycat
Posted 5/31/2008 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Percy, that was great input.


My friend "trekker" please keep us up to date with you. Anti-dep meds like Paxil can change the way we think and make life better. I wish you all the very best now.
Posted 6/1/2008 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Paxil 20 mg about 3 years ago for panic/anxiety and yes it works great. Only problem was gaining weight but I had to get off because it
was losing its effect and I did not want to get upping my dosage. Good luck with yours!!
Posted 6/1/2008 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

Although I have not personally been on Paxil, I have been on anti-depressants and they can take up to 6 weeks to get the full effect into your system. You've been given some great advice about not worrying about side effects unless they actually happen and about weaning off with your doctor's help when the time comes for that. I know you will do great and remember, if this med doesn't work, there are others to try - it can sometimes take several tries before finding the right med that will work for you. So don't get frustrated. Keep posting as you now belong to a great community and we care about you.

Take care and we look forward to getting to know you better,
Wen
Posted 6/1/2008 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks!

You guys really did help me, and I just found out that Paxil CR, which my doc wants me to take, just came out in generic form so I don't have to pay a load for it next time.  I appreciate the input from all of you.  I will keep taking the Paxil.

Have a great day :)

Posted 6/9/2008 5:54 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Tracktrekker....I've been on Paxil since sometime around 2001.  Initially, it was given to me for anxiety at a low dose.  Now, I'm on my way up in dosage to help with my OCD.  I will say that it took a couple of weeks for the initial dose to kick in.  I've been on 37.5mg for 12 days now and don't see any difference.  I'm to up the dose to 50mg in two days and within a couple of weeks, hopefully, I get some additional relief.

As for the withdrawals, I believe it was Percycat who mentioned the funny feeling in the brain (forgive me for misquoting you Percycat).  That is exactly how I would explain it.  I felt like I was tipsy although I hadn't had anything to drink.  Just felt funny....it was enough to make me get back on it. 

I'm currently on the 37.5mg CR in generic and am hoping it works the same as the Brand.  I was told that the generic CR is new so I'm a bit worried about that.  It is certainly cheaper, though, isn't it?

I also gained weight in the beginning.  My psychiatrist told me back then that the Paxil didn't make me gain weight - I made me gain weight.  I don't like him....I didn't have a weight problem until I started the Paxil so it was the Paxil as far as I'm concerned.  He prescribed me Wellbutrin to offset the side effects and it actually helped.  I recently got off the Wellbutrin, though, because I was afraid that it was contributing to my anxiety.  I could be wrong but I wanted to test it.  Of course, now that I'm off the Wellbutrin, I may put some weight back on.

It's sad that these antidepressants are supposed to make us happy but yet if they cause weight gain, we're even more depressed about that!

Tracktrekker said...
Thanks!

You guys really did help me, and I just found out that Paxil CR, which my doc wants me to take, just came out in generic form so I don't have to pay a load for it next time.  I appreciate the input from all of you.  I will keep taking the Paxil.

Have a great day :)

Posted 6/9/2008 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I went from Paxil directly to another AD without any weaning and had no problems.  I did gain alot of weight on Paxil.  But if weight gain is a potential side effect of any medication, I definitely have it.

Posted 6/9/2008 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
I know there are many that have benefitted from Paxil

I was on it yrs ago for OCD but because of all other medications I HAVE to take I was taken off of it

I do CBT now for my OCD

it helps but I am still OCD with cleaning and balancing things lol

I wish you all the best and I am glad so many have given their input

Take care

LYN
Posted 5/27/2010 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I was just recently taken off paxil. I took it for a year. The paxil made me gain weight, I gained 22 pounds in one year. I am now withdrawing from paxil, under doctors care and now
on wellburtrin. I had a knee surgery, so no gym, on paxil and out of work for 6 months, My gain was to much for me to bear! Paxil worked, and kept me happy, but still had blue days.
I am also now on adivan. This will help take the edge off of paxil withdrawls as I ease on to wellbrutrin and help with stress.

If anyone knows anything about taking adivan with wellburtrin, please let me know, how it works, will weight loss start happening. IN a two week period, I now have lost 3 lbs .

Edit:

I am sorry but you have tagged onto an old thread.

It would be great if you started a thread of your own to introduce yourself and copy and paste this post into your own thread.

 

Welcome aboard and we will see you in your own thread.  We do enjoy new members.

Thanks,

 

Lynn and Kitt

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 5/27/2010 4:16:43 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/31/2010 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
I started paxil a few years back and it has served me well. My doctor started me on 10 mg and then 20 mg after a few weeks. I have been at that dose since, however I believe I need to be on a higher dose. My daugher tells me it makes a difference as well.

On a side note...my doctor gave me a .5mg of xanax to take in times of higher anxiety that I have issues handling with breathing exercises.

Take care:)
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