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new member with panic attacks and med question

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Posted 8/25/2009 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
I have been diagnosed with panic attacks and my doctor prescribed me paxil.  After reading the side effects of this medication, I'm not sure if I want to take it or not.  Does anyone else take paxil and if so, does it help you and have you had any side effects from it?  I know each person is different, but I would like some input on this if you don't mind.  Any help would be appreciated.
Posted 8/25/2009 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
Yes i took paxil for panic attacks and OCD. It helped ALOT.

I found it a very strong medication and it was difficult to get on and i was only taking 20mg, but after one month it mellowed out and i could function much better.

When you initially take it about 30mins later you will feel quite different and relaxed, it kind of evens out over the next few weeks...

If you find its too strong at 20mg, cut the tablet in half and try 10mg for a week then 15mg for a few days then 20 etc or whatever max dose you were prescribed.

Main side effects - a tired feeling around lunch time, a bit of weight gain or water rentention im not sure, and some short term memory difficulties, however medium and long term memory are greatly boosted. Side effects reduce with time and disappear altogether if you stop the med.

Stopped panic attacks really well and removed anticipation anxiety.
Posted 8/25/2009 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Never been on Paxil, right now on Buspar and Xanax.  I have been on alot of meds and either could not or was unwilling to tolerate.  This combo seems to be working quiet well at the moment.  The hardest part is being patient when all you want is to feel better and you have to wait to see if it is the right med for you.  I takes some trial and error sometimes to find the right one, so if it does not work, do not give up or get discouraged, there are alot of options out there.  Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

Gem 

Posted 8/26/2009 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I was prescribed paxil 10mg.  I haven't taken it yet because I guess I'm freaking out about the side effects.  I don't want to have panic attacks, which is brought on by my acid reflux, but I don't want the side effects either.  Anything that bothers my stomach, such as my ibs or cramps before my period, affects the reflux and causes all sorts of problems.  Is it possible that I'm just afraid and that my attacks are keeping me from taking my medicine?
Posted 8/26/2009 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
 i was diagnosed with panic disorder ten years ago and i was prescribed paxil 20mg a day and it works great for me it will make you a little lazy at first but you will notice a change in about a week of taking it
Posted 8/27/2009 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
I am in the same situation as AMK. Minor side effects such as headache's (definitely not severe) and slight loss of appetite for the first week or two. But after that, I really felt ALOT better.
If your anxiety is unbearable and you have tried to control via CBT and therapy without significant results, I would try the PAXIL as you have nothing lose. The side effects for me were not severe at all. I was on PAXIL (10-20mg) for 8 years.
Posted 8/28/2009 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
tygriff,    I haven't had a panic attack for two weeks or so now.  The last few I had were small ones that I was able to control without taking my xanax.  The only time that I have one is when my acid reflux gets really bad.  I'm thinking about not taking the paxil and sticking with the xanax as a back up just in case.
Posted 8/29/2009 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Paxil when first diagnosed with Panic Disorder.  I Loved it!  It was the best one I've been on and I would go back to it if I wasn't trying to conceive again.  I've been on Buspar, hated it; Lexapro, Welbutrin, and now Zoloft.  Paxil worked the best for me but caused some weight gain. It was a little hard to adjust to but after a few weeks I felt like a new person:  Panic Free and when I went off of it 2 years later, I was off all meds for 7 years.  Good Luck!
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