Anxiety and panic turns to depression :S (Paroxetine?)

[Mejulie69]

Following my stress and panic attack last Thursday, I went into a deep depression on Thursday evening for about 12 hours. My head hurt in a way I am struggling to describe – a heavy pressure in my head, my thoughts locked in despair, my whole body tingling unpleasantly, completely unable to sleep. I have had one bout of similar depression a year ago.

Since Friday morning I have felt much better and haven’t had any relapses.

Tomorrow I shall seek my GP’s advise whether I should go on anti-depressants.

I have just read a study that found that an anti-depressant called Paroxetine can also cure AF. Out of a(n admittedly) small group of people with AF (9 in total), 3 were cured of AF. The theory is that this particular antidepressant “can modulate vagal tone… and inhibit vasovagal reflex thus terminating AF”.

Just wondering if anyone reading this has taken Paroxetine? (or any other anti-depressant).

[Hidden]

Hi Julian....can't really help you with personal experience of depression or SSRI s of which Paroxetine is one but I have close family members and friends who do take this and it has been very helpful.

Depression is a really horrible illness to have and to witness. I do hope you can get help from your GP and it would be very interesting to learn if this drug actually does help your AF

Best wishes

Sandra

[Mejulie69 in reply to Hidden]

I can only imagine what it would be like to live with persistent depression. I am lucky I only had it for 12 hours. It is the closest thing to hell that I have ever experienced.

[fallingtopieces]

Julian have you tried taking a decent dose of magnesium citrate? It helps AF and lifts mood.

I take 800mg daily and found I needed >600mg before It made a difference.

There are other benefits to magnesium too.

Pat

[Hidden]

I have taken Paroxetine for anxiety. It had a weird effect on me. I have shivers all over my body and I was always yawning a lot.

[Upsky]

I took paroxetine for many years on and off for a phobia (queues) sounds daft but I fainted in Tesco queue after giving blood then my brain took control of worrying it would happen again by my flight response kicking in 😩. I don't have depression so can't speak for that part but 1st two weeks are always worse then the couldn't give a fig mind sets in and I am wonder woman in a queue 😂

But if you are on a beta blocker or flecainide you can't take paroxatine.

In all my years of taking it though it hasn't had any effect on AF.

[Mejulie69 in reply to Upsky]

Slightly concerned that I am already taking propanolol (beta blocker) and from tomorrow will be taking paroxetine. My GP thinks it's ok to mix!

[Upsky in reply to Mejulie69]

The best person to speak to would be your pharmacist, maybe it's the flecainide that I take is the reason that I can't take paroxetine??

[Mejulie69 in reply to Upsky]

The leaflet says you can't take it with heart rhythm Control drugs. Doesn't mention general beta blockers. Will check with pharmacy tho. Thanks

[Kresta]

I have taken paroxetine with metoprolol which is a beta-blocker and I was fine.