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Paxil Question

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Posted 8/7/2010 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...need some advise. My regular dr prescribed me Paxil 20mg for some general anxiety and occasional panic attack. I started it 2 weeks ago today...by day 3-4 I was having shakiness and MAJOR panic attacks that included full on sweat and shortness of breath...something that has NEVER happened to me...it was like it way increased any anxiety symptoms I ever had. By day 6 I called the dr (she is on maternity leave) to find out how to get off of this and the dr covering basically gave me the blowoff...he said...through a nurse to cut the dose in 1/2 and if it doesnt help then I need to come in for an apt. So last Friday I went down to 10mg and it took about 3 1/2 days to start feeling a little better. I then reduced to 5mg and again took 3 or so days to feel a little normal however nothing has been as bad as it was when I took the 20mg...I think that was way too much for me. My question is since it has only been 2 weeks can I stop this now or do I need to further wean? Kinda feel like I'm doing this myself b/c I really don't think dr really knows. Thanks
Posted 8/7/2010 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not qualified to tell you how to come off a medication. What I can offer you though is some reassurance that certain meds have some funky side effects, including ironically anxiety.

My first psychiatrist put me on Wellbutrin because it worked for a family member who had depression. Personally I have panic attacks, generalized anxiety, some agoraphobia, and depression. The Wellbutrin caused me to be confused, lightheaded, and I lost my appetite completely and had to force myself to eat a fraction of what I would normally. I also had a hard time walking on my own accord (without leaning on furniture or another person for support).

More relevant though to your post, I also had a spike in my anxiety level. When I asked this doctor about it he got VERY defensive VERY quickly (though totally unprovoked). Long story short, I have a new psychiatrist and am off of the Wellbutrin. All of the side effects are gone. I did some research online and also found that Wellbutrin is only FDA approved for depression, not anxiety or panic disorder. Why would someone prescribe a medication that doesn't help with anxiety and actually causes anxiety as a side effect for an anxiety sufferer? The new doctor didn't have an answer, but is sooo much better than the first. I feel very comfortable with this new person. It sounds like you may need to look into making a change in doctors even if just until your regular one is back from leave.
Posted 8/11/2010 6:41 AM (GMT 0)

Paxil has been very good for me (I'm on 60 mg!), but everyone is different. Like Fugs, Wellbutrin was AWFUL for me! Anyhow, it does sound like your new doctor is a jerk (I had one like that!)

As to weaning off the paxil, just go as slow as you can. See how you do when you totally come off of it. A friend of mine on 20 mg quit it cold turkey with no problem at all! I was shocked!!! But she's not in the majority by any means! Just go slow and be careful.

Try to get another doc too!

Best wishes to you!

janet

Posted 8/11/2010 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thx Janet. I've been off since Fri and I feel SO much better. After the 10mg I did 5 for a few days and then Friday stopped. Just not the med for me
Posted 8/12/2010 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
I've been off of this for almost 7 days...since I was on such low doses and for only 13 days anyone know how long it takes to get out of your system completly.
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