Thinking...

I have recently learned that a side effect of paxil is a spaced out feeling. I am on paxil and have been since i was in the 5th grade for OCD. The paxil has made my life much better and I haven't had problems with OCD for a LOONG time, it hasn't effected my life since i was very young.

I've had trouble with anxiety/panic for like the last year. But WAY more in the past month. Since my anxiety/panic comes from that "spaced out" feeling...I was wondering if Paxil is the root of my anxiety...I am so apprehensive to get off of paxil, since i am on 60mgs daily. The only reason my dosage is so high, is because when I would have problems as i got older, my doc would tell me that I am getting older, bigger, and developing a tolerance to the medication and I need more paxil. I have tapered down to 50mgs to 40mgs successfully in the past without any side effects or that "Paxil withdrawal syndrome.."

I mean, maybe I don't need it anymore, I dont have any obsessions or compulsions and my doctor used to say that it was possible for young kids who are diagnosed with OCD to get much better when they grow up. And that they could manage OCD without meds. I just read so many horror stories about paxil withdrawal when people try to taper themselves off of it...(I know, i shouldn't be reading this material) but I can't help it.

A couple weeks ago, when I saw my doc, she said that since i'm having these new panic symptoms that maybe it wasn't a good idea to take me off of it and just to add xanax for about a month and do a follow up.. she said the paxil should be regulating the anxiety. But she said at the next follow up..if im still having the anxiety all the time that we could look at taking me off the paxil and trying something else.

The xanax helps me a lot, i found out last week. And today i even went to dinner and tried to go to a movie (but it was sold out). These are activites i havent even attempted since the panic started..because i was so worried that I would have an attack in these situations.

I will definetly talk to my doc about this on our next follow up which is at the end of this month. I will also speak to my behav. therapist who i am seeing in a couple weeks as well and see what they think..

I mean, maybe if i get off paxil and i dont have any OCD symptoms...everything will be just fine! Sorry to ramble...i just need to vent sometimes :)

I love this site and love you all for reading my rants!! Let me know what you think!

Tyler,

Hello and welcome to Healingwell. I am so glad to hear you are so proactive in managing your condition. I say you are on the right track with keeping your doctors well informed so they can make the necessary changes in your meds to help you feeling better.

I have been on xanax for a long time and that has helped me tremendously. Just be sure to not take advantage of the drug. If you find that you are needing it more and more, please let your doctor know what is happening to you. Xanax can become addictive if you over use it.

Keep in touch with us here and let us know what happens with your next appointment and how your doing in your daily life.

~Sukay~*