Switching from Pristiq to Paxil

[purple_person]

Hi, I have social anxiety and have been taking Pristiq 100mg and Propranolol 40mg for a week. I was having side effects like suicidal thoughts, emotional blunting, loss of interest in conversations, vivid dreams / imagination (it was annoying). I skipped medicine for a few days and spoke to my doctor.

The doctor told me to stop taking those and switch to Paxil CR 12.5mg. Can someone share any advice? I am especially worried about this trial-and-error kind of treatment. Thanks! I'm sorry for the lengthy first post.

[MrRigatoni]

Hello pleased to meet you sorry to hear the problems with your medications.

All medications have side effects, there are reasons for this called anti bodies these are used to make sure anything alien.

Does not harm the vitial systems you have.

Introducing a medication is alien the body is going to react cause symptoms like you describe.

Plus the unbalancing of chemicals in the brain causing the issues you are experiencing right now.

We have in our brains neuro transmitters and these are causing the unbalanced the symptoms of the depression or anxiety.

Also lack of serotonine means that the causes of periods of feeling happy elated are minimal.

Serotonine is a chemical the happy one makes us feel contented the reasuurance, can make us motivated .

Understand a lot of the issues here, I have compassion, empathy for you.

I would also advise so important the input of professional help.

This comes in the forms of mental health charities.

Consider applying offer floating support ways means to help you cope. Offer consultations with yourself as a way to see how they can help.

Care plans some aims goals supportive with anything that may need looking at...

Including health any other conditions, well being lifestyle changes.

richmondfellowship.org.uk

mind.org.uk

www,rethink.org

Life style changes, diet nutrition.

Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, Tea, Cola, Energy drinks, Cocoa, Chocolate.

Avoid these because the more you consume the worse you become.

Include Fruit Vegetables, Leafy Greens, Eggs, Nuts.

Lean meat and fish.

Whole grains whole wheat Pasta, Rice, Beans Pulses.

Bread. Use natural Greek yoghurt with added cultures.

Losses of bacteria susceptible to colds infections lowers immune systems all meds.

Breakfast Porridge Oats and Prebiotic Probiotic foods that boost energy immune systems.

Leeks, Onions, Garlic, Berries . Beta Cartone Vegetables Orange coloured Carrots, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes.

Avoid sugar fatty food processed foods as they act and can make mental health worse if you have depression.

Comfort I know but right now need the good food.

Look at sorts of simple things you can do to benefit yourself.

Exercise hobbies music relaxation helps to maintain wellbeing.

Please if you have any questions please ask me.

Happy to answer.

One thing is take each day small steps all medications take time to kick in and should be considered.

Length of times been taken.

Please take care and please think about applying mental health charities , if you live else where.

Please look on line in your country.

Best wishes

[JCPrague]

It takes time for your body to get accustomed to these meds. Unfortunately they work rather slowly. It often takes more than 6 weeks to determine if they are effective. You only took Pristiq for a few days. There were some side effects that may have gone away over time. Paxil is suppposed to be good for anxiety disorders. 12.5 mg is a small does. Perhaps it will work better for you, but it takes time to make that determination.

[Hidden]

Hi, in my experience with medication it is trial and error. Every person handles medicines differently and feels different while on them. Best regards

Lisa

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome👋

I'm sorry you had those side effects and am glad that you are switching. I hope Paxil helps you.

Just a head's up in regards to that drug. This doesn't mean you'll have the same experience, though, since everybody reacts differently to drugs.

Paxil made me extremely tired

[TheTribe]

I feel for you! It sooo hard finding a medication that is really effective for depression/anxiety AND has minimal side effects. I'm 70 and have gone through a zillion different kinds. Started Pristque 100mg 5 months ago, first two months I felt much better, but for the last 3 months I've been sliding into deep depression. At this point, I feel like either just staying on Pristque to see if it gets better again or stop taking antidepressants altogether. I don't think I'm up for another "trial run" with a new medication. Probably not smart...but I'm just worn out with it all.

On the upside, so as not to discourage you, I was on Prozac for 20 years and it worked wonders. No side effects. Towards the end it's effectiveness slowly ebbed away. But, 20 years! That's a good run!

Here's hoping you find something that will work as well for you!

[hstroller in reply to TheTribe]

Sorry about this late post. Did you decide to stay on Pristiq? Did you get any side effects while on it? I am trying to decide about starting Pristiq.

[TheTribe in reply to hstroller]

I stopped taking it Pristique. It made me feel like a dead person. Except for tears all day long. It took weeks to feel better after quitting (weaned off). I wish I'd never taken it. But, of course, that's just my own personal experience. It may be different for you. These meds are serious business! It's so hard to know what will "work". Good luck!

[hstroller in reply to TheTribe]

Yipes. It's up to me to start a low 25mg dose of Pristiq tomorrow and your experience scares the crap out of me, especially because it started off ok for you. How did you manage to wean off, when there aren't low doses available to taper? Have you had the same experience with any other SSRI, SNRI, or AD med?

[TheTribe in reply to hstroller]

Hi. I was directed to take the 36mg every other day for about 2 weeks. Over the years I've tried a ton of other meds. Most made me feel worse. When I landed on Prozac it changed my life for the better. After 20 years on it, I felt it's efficacy waning. That's when I tried Pristiq. I'm back on Prozac...it's not working too well. My doc is going to increase the dosage. We shall see. Good luck to you.

[hstroller in reply to TheTribe]

A Genesite test says I can’t take Prozac. I won’t be able to metabolize it. I know someone who takes it and does well on it. I hope Prozac works for you again, maybe with a helper drug.

[TheTribe in reply to hstroller]

It was a Genesite test that my Doc used to determine that I should take Pristiq. Soooo....

[hstroller in reply to TheTribe]

Yeah, I know it’s b.s. it can tell you what to avoid, but it can’t tell you what will work or what will give you side effects. Sooo....

The thing is if they followed up and surveyed everyone after drugs were tried, they could potentially find other gene markers that would give us a clue about actual positive outcomes or potential adverse reactions.

[blackcat64013]

Hi 👋 and thanks for your first post.

Please don't be concerned by the switching of meds.

Your doctor is as concerned as you are with side effects of meds.

When issuing a script, the doctor considers your symptoms and goes for the med, based on their experience, that may work for you. The best outcome is predicted but not guaranteed.

It is not uncommon for 50% of patients to change meds after the first prescription.

You might need to change to a different class of meds or add 2 together.

The gold standard guide here is STAR-D.

I have been successful only after my doctors referral to a psychiatrist for specialist medication management.

Wishing you all the best on your mental health journey, 🐈‍⬛