Paxil??? SSRI

[Jadezmommy123]

Please I would like everyone's feedback if you have tried them or are currently on them. Can this be a short term use or is this a forever drug. I want the good the bad and the ugly please help !!

[Agora1]

Hi Jadezmommy123, Are you sure that's a good idea?? I have always like to keep an open mind when trying a new drug. I was on Paxil once, but was switched over to Lexapro which I have been on for several years now. For me, it's a good drug, no side effects like sleepiness. An SSRI doesn't have to be a forever drug although it could I guess according to your doctor. Are you already on something or just window shopping? Hearing the good, the bad and the ugly doesn't necessarily have to pertain to you. You may be fortunate enough to do well on the first drug your doctor gives you. Since we are all different, it sometimes takes trial and error to get the right drug as well as dosage. I wish you well. x

[Jadezmommy123 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks for replying. Well I'm currently on klonopin 1 mg a day and have been for the past 6 months or so. Although I am better then I was the plan was to get me off the benzo so my doctor prescribed me 10 mg of Paxil to wean me off klonopin. Which I am very scared to start because I know ssri are addictive as well and are hard to come off of so I'm not sure what to do In this case :/

[Agora1 in reply to Jadezmommy123]

Hi Jadezmommy, really there isn't anything that isn't addictive in one way or another. Sometimes it makes it easier to wean off a medication by using another med to make the transformation with the least amount of side effects. Two years ago, I got off my benzo using Valium as the alternate because Valium stays in the body longer and doesn't give that drastic drop like other benzos may. Weaning off slowly from Ativan substituting Valium until I was no longer taking Ativan and then weaned slowly off Valium. I'm benzo free now for coming up to 2 years. Your doctor certainly sounds like he is striving for you to have the easiest transition in weaning off klonopin.

Good Luck.... it's a great feeling. x

[Jadezmommy123 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so much! Im hoping for The best and so glad you were Able to get off benzo's

[kama24]

I was on paxil for 18 years, for panic disorder. First I will say, it was a life saver for the most part. The panic attacks diminished greatly, I "got a life again" and enjoyed it. Yes it can be taken long or short term. The dr. will decided the dose. HOWEVER, last Nov. I decided it was not doing the job anymore and I was slowly weaned off it over the period of a month. It was a nightmare, I was like a meth head in withdrawal, angry, emotional, nasty, unhappy, mean to others. Finally I got past that.....several new meds were tried, all with side effects. From Nov. 2105 to Jan. 2016 I was nauseated day and night, lost 15 lbs, and never left home. I had numerous medical tests run for the horrible nausea, a CAT scan, endoscopy, ultrasound, x-rays, blood work, you name it. All were negative. I was an emotional wreck. The drs. still do not believe the withdrawal fro paxil was, IS the cause but I do. Now in Aug. 2016, I have good and bad days with my stomach. I usually wake with morning anxiety....something I NEVER had before even when ON Paxil. I am going to start CBT classes in a few weeks, I am desperate to get a life again. I hope I did not scare you off trying it. As I said it was great for about 15 yrs, then my panic disorder and anxiety slowly crept back......looking back I now think I should just have stayed on it, I wish you all the best. PS while I was on Paxil there were NO side effects

[Jadezmommy123 in reply to kama24]

Thank you so much for your reply. it's good to see that you were able to live a normal life for over 15 years. Did you have an side effects such as weight gain or feeling as if you were emotionless I read that a lot about the drug. My doctor wants to keep me on it for about a year until I completely wean off klonopins but I'm just so scared of the withdrawals when I get to that point.

[kama24 in reply to Jadezmommy123]

not one side effect other than a GOOD one....I had always been shy, introverted and quiet, I developed a whole new personality (which has stayed with me) I speak out when needed, can carry on a conversation with anyone, I'm out going (when not nauseated from whatever is doing it now) I was never groggy nor gained weight, I was aliveeeeeeeeee at last!!! I now think my horrible withdrawal was due to the fact I was on it 18 yrs. Personally, and I'm not a dr. but I don't think a year would have withdrawal side effects IF done slowly by reducing it slowly over the period of 4 to 6 weeks. I do a lot of research, and it seems like almost every med out there has possible side effects (they are required to list them) and possible withdrawal effects....Paxil IS noted to be one of the worse from what I read and found out, BUT 18 yrs was a LONG time to have it in me every day.....I think I was on 20 mg a day. I am still battling with anxiety and nausea and thought ...maybe I should go back on paxil.....NOTTTT...not after 5 months of horror...and still strange stuff. I am starting CBT classes in Sept. and hope they will help with the way I think and deal with anxiety and panic. Just tell your dr. that if you decide to wean off paxil you want it done slowly over a 4 to 8 wk period. I wish you all the best.

[Jadezmommy123 in reply to kama24]

Thank you I wish for the best for you as well. And you've gotten this far you will overcome this! You have a very strong mind!

[kama24 in reply to Jadezmommy123]

thank you so much for your kind words. Panic disorder is also a terrible thing to deal with, if only others could just experience it for a while then they would understand better. I find the best source of help is support from those who experience the same thing!

[Aazz]

I was prescribed Paxil and I read a lot about it apparently it's the hardest ssri to ween off its like getting off heroin I took it for 5 days but couldn't handle the side effects although I think reading all the horror stories about it is what sent me into a panic.

[Jadezmommy123 in reply to Aazz]

I think that's what's happening to me. I still have it there haven't tried it yet I've been too scared. But I really want to get off the klonopins cause it's not doing much these days