Get Informed: Paxil

Question/Comment:

My doctor recently put me on 30mg of Mirtazapin to help get me off Paroxetine (Paxil) I was on 15mg and have weened myself down to 2.5mg's of Paroxetine in about 2 weeks and hope to be off Paroxetine for good by next week. The only withdrawl that I have noticed so far is I'm a little tired (could be the Mirtazapine) and a little more aggitated. Anynone ever been perscribed Mirtazapin to help them get off of Paroxetine?

Question/Comment:

my dr recently gave me paxil with abilify...he suggested i can continue with seroquel if needed. what may be come side effects

Question/Comment:

Three days ago my Foreign doctor, cuz I live in Asia, told me to switch from taking the 20mg of Paxil before bed, to take it in the morning instead. Taking it before bed helped me fall asleep quickly, however after a few hours I woke up repeatedly thinking it was morning. My Doctor suggested try taking try taking it in the morning first, before changing medicine or adding a Remeron as sleeping aid.

Anyways, for the past three days it feels as if all the progress I made during the six weeks, has gone and the more peaceful mindset I experienced, aside from insomnia, is gone too. Quite frankly, my sleep (if you can call it that) as gotten worse and I now feel tired, frusterated, short tempered, and jittery throughout the day. My dreams also are very strange and numerous. Mind you it's only been 3 days so far. So maybe that's expected?

To me in doesn't make sense, the Paxil has been in my blood system for close to 6 weeks, so why should it make a difference, if at all, as to how I feel just because I've changed the time of day in which I swallow the pill? The intensity in the blood stream should be stabilized after 6 weeks no matter when I take it, no?

I took 1mg of XANAX before bed the other day, and after I awoke 9 hours later I felt like a cement truck hit me head on. I much prefer the 2mg of clonazapam over the 1mg of Xanax. But I was worried about a Clonazapam addiction since I've been taking it on and off over the past 3 weeks due to Paxil increase and decreases. Talk about a Yo-Yo adventure!

Is this expected when changing the dosage time form night to day all of a sudden? Is it normal to feel "abnormal" for a while? My Doctor gave me no advance warning as to what to expect with reards to changing dosage times. He just said "Give it a try for a week, and then let me know how you feel."

What do you think? Will this crappy feeling get better with time, and if so, how much more time?.

Is Paxil best taken in the morning or evening? As I said, after 6 weeks taking it in the evening I woke up every few hours to go to the bathroom. Would that sideeffect decrease over time had I been more patient?

Thanks you in advance as I've asked a lot of questions. I don't know what I'd do without your help as my Doctor and I have some commutations and cultural challenges to overcome yet

Answer/Reply:

If you switched your Paxil from evenings to morning ie: took your paxil at 6p or later and then again took Paxil in the morning, you may have experienced a spike in blood levels followed by a drop. It could create adverse symptoms. What is normal for you or abnormal for you may not be the same for someone else. I too take Paxil and have goofed up my schedule multiple times in the last 4 years (going from evening to morning and vice versa trying to find a time when I would consistently remember it) I also experienced wierd symptoms. After having been on it for 4 years, simply missing a dose causes symptoms with me of "head rushes" and feeling odd and anxious. My diagnosis is panic disorder. I am an RN and have patients explain to me multiple symptoms, many being unique to that person and some being common. I would say to pick a time, stick to it for another 3 to 4 weeks and if you are still having problems return to your Dr. and explain in detail what is going on.

Answer/Reply:

Paxil causes sleep disturbances. When I first took it, I could not stay awake. Now that it's in my system, I can't fall asleep or stay asleep. Changing the time of the dosage should not have any effect on how you feel except maybe for a few days because the medicine isn't staying at a constant level in your system. It is very important to take it at the same time every day so the level is consistent and maybe changing the time of the dose caused you to wait longer to take the dose since you were switching from evening to morning. Paxil is very fast acting and , in turn, it leaves the system quickly as well. After about a week of the new dose time you should feel fine. If not, discuss that with your doctor since the dosage may need to increase.

Answer/Reply:

I am 63 and have taken paxil for at least 20 years mainly for anxiety and some depression. I was told when I was given it that it was not habit forming!!! I have since found out about 10 years ago that it was not totally true. It's not addicting as far as you need to take it it's just that trying to come off Paxil is pretty much impossible when you've been on a long time. I just wanted to say that up front. Now, knowing that didn't make much of a difference because Paxil has and continues to help me so much that I wouldn't consider stopping it anyway!!! I've gained weight but can't blame Paxil entirely for that as I know portion control has been a problem for me as well as sweets. I was able to deal with a cancer diagnosis of my late husband and a 9 year battle with him with the normal fears, tears and stress, but coped through it all where as without the Paxil I don't think that would have been the case. I'd rather be fat and mentally sane then the other way around!!!

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It should not matter I don't think what time of day you should take it. I have been on paxil 8 years and love it. I suffer from severe anxiety/panic disorder. I know if I accidentally skip a dose I get a little loopy.

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Whether or not you take it during the day or at night tends to depend on whether your symptoms are worse during the day or at night. However, many people have trouble sleeping, if you take it right before bed, esspecially if it's normal Paxil and not Paxil CR. As far as I've seen, it doesn't seem to be recommended to take normal Paxil before bed, only Paxil CR.
If it's Paxil CR, I would not expect a difference in reaction depending on when you take it. If it's normal Paxil, then I would expect you to feel different for a little bit.

Answer/Reply:

I, too, had to find the time of day that worked best for me. When I took my Paxil in the morning, I felt too sluggish (mentally and physically). Now, I take it around noon daily; that seems to work best for me.

Not that I recommend this to anyone else, but I also had to experiment with dosage. I found that 10 mg. was not enough, but 30 mg. was way too strong. As the pill is standardized, I cut in half the 30 mg. pill; now I take 15 mg. daily at noon.

And, as you seem to have communication problems with your doctor's office, please let me recommend that you do your online research PRIOR TO STOPPING PAXIL. You may already know this, but one has to taper off gradually. Don't just stop taking it cold turkey; your body will NOT react favorably. Just do your research. You have to be your own medical advocate these days.

Best wishes for finding what works best for you.

Female on Paxil

Answer/Reply:

Hi! I have been taking Paxil for many many years and frankly it was a life saver. I also took Xanax prior to finding Paxil and the symptoms you are experiencing sound like side effects from the Xanax or possibly the other medication. Maybe try just taking Paxil. You will probably not know the true effect of the Paxil until your body flushes out the other medications entirely. Good luck!

Answer/Reply:

have you tried to take only 10mg in the morning and 10 mg's at night. I have been on Paxil for a long time the only time I had problms was when i needed my dose uped. i take 20 mg in the morning and 20 at night before bed I have not had any problems. But when I was on other antidepressents I had some of these similar effects. The dr said that it was the meds, were not for me, and then put me on paxil and it went away.

31 yr old female

Answer/Reply:

I take Paxil in the morning to help me get up and go after taking something at night to help me sleep for my depression. From my understanding a drug effects every person differently. I would say that the Paxil is giving you that extra energy. Since you are taking the med at a different time of day it affects what it is doing to your body as it dissolves, regardless of the 6 weeks, otherwise my "night-time" drug would no longer work and I have taken it for 13 years now. Maybe you should just take half a pill so your body has time to adjust. I don't know what to tell you about the night problem. I had trouble sleeping and would wake up like you say before I took a "night-time" drug, but that was before I started the Paxil as well. Hope this helps.

Question/Comment:

I have a question.

My doctor wants to try Pexeva for me, as nothing else I've tried either helps my symptoms (major depression, anxiety and OCD), or I can't handle the side effects.

I'm concerned, though, because I've read all over the internet, and my doctor herself says that Paxil commonly causes weight gain. She says Pexeva, in her experience with her patients, does not. How can that be, since it's the same thing??

I just don't know if I trust what my doctor says about medications because she told me that Prozac is 'weight-neutral' (when she wanted me to take it - had bad side effects from it so went off 2 months ago) and she gives it to her anorexic patients, but then this last time she said Prozac makes people lose weight (so why would they give it to her anorexic patients???)....

Anyway, I have SEVERE depression, anxiety and OCD and need to be on something ASAP but am just scared that I'm gonna gain major weight on Pexeva. Any experience/advice you guys can offer? Thanks!

Answer/Reply:

I have taken Paxil CR for 5 years and have had NO problems with weight gain. Try it!

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I have been on Paxil for a number of years with no side effects except I have gained alot of weight.. My MD informed me that it is called"pack it on Paxil" because of weight gain and that I should try Zolof. I am afraid to switch. Do you know anything about Zolof?

Answer/Reply:

I guess that everybodys chemistry makeup is diffrent, but all I can say is that I made that switch years ago from paxil to Zolof and fell in the kitchen floor and had a seizure. That was scarey, thank goodness my husband was at home at the time and not at work. He had to call 911 and I ended up in the hosp. for 3 days, with a battery of test, it was bad. I never in my life had a seizure before. All I know is that while I was addmitted and released they gave me 25mg of Paxil CR . Yup and I've been on it since 2000, it helps and I don't think I can really ever get off of it. I've tried since once to lower the dosage and had very strange side effects, a Zit, Zit noise that I hear Drs. think I am nuts or somthing , But i've read on other websites of people experiencing the same thing. So yeah I guess i'll be on it forever.

Answer/Reply:

I've been on Paxil for 5 years. Weight is the same

Answer/Reply:

I LOVE BEING ON PAXIL AND WOULD NEVER WANT TO GO OFF IT. PAXIL KEEPS ME ON A NICE EVEN MOOD THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. I DON"T HAVE HARDLY ANY MOOD SWINGS ANY MORE. I DID GAIN SOME WEIGHT BUT NOT RIGHT AWAY. YOU JUST HAVE TO LAY OFF THE JUNK FOOD. IVE BEEN ON PAXIL FOR OVER 12 YEARS!

Answer/Reply:

I take Paxil.. but i just have mild anxiety.. You might want to try it in a larger dose or try Zoloft.

Answer/Reply:

I'm a long time user of Paxil
The little bit of weight gain I've experienced is no big deal. If you try to stay in shape & work out at the gym you will not see any weight gain. Paxil far out weights the other medicines.

Answer/Reply:

I am a 27 year old woman. I am currently on Paxil, 30 mg. I have been on this for 2.5 years. I was put on it for postparum depression. After a year, my doctor tried to lower my dose and get me off of it. Come to find out, that didn't work. Now they say I have depression, which is true. When I was put on Paxil, I was around 220lbs. Now, I am @ 245. I have been watching what I eat, exercising, but I still gain weight or stay the same. Another side effect of the medicine is sleep problems, middle of the night eatting. I have only sleep a straight 8 hours maybe 5 times in the almost 3 years I have been on the medication. I have tried many different sleep aids (percription) and they help...fall asleep. but after 3 hours I am up and eatting. I will then go to sleep and will sleep for maybe on a good night for another hour, then I am up again. This cycle goes over and over until it's time to get ready for work. Although the medicine has messed up my sleeping and eatting habits, I praise God for the medicine. I was in a very bad place for 3 months before I was put on paxil. I tried Lexipo too and it did nothing for me. After the trial period with Lexpo my doctor put me on a trial paxil period. In a few days I felt so much better, that I was able to go most of the day without crying. After the two week trial period, I was a new person. Don't get me wrong...I still have bad days, but as time goes on, those bad days get better. The longer you are on paxil the harder it is to get off of it, but the way I look at it, is it was the best thing and has helped me return to myself. Good luck!

Answer/Reply:

im not a doctor, but it doesnt make since why would you give it to them, and theres no true answer if it causes weight gain or not.
but I would like to ask, what do you want gain weight and help your problem or make your problem worse and worry about being skinny? i have anxiety also, but if your anxiety gets so bad, it makes me fearful at night and i would rather the medication help me keep calm and not worry so bad. i know how you feel.

i hope you feel better, take care of yourself.

Answer/Reply:

I have been taking Paxil CR for many years, probably at least 15 years for depression and anxiety. I also take Trazadone at night and with the combination of both, I sleep very well, although I have silly dreams but it is worth it to get a good night's sleep. I did not gain any weight from either of these drugs. I have also tried Prozac which did not work as well for me.

Female - age 74

Answer/Reply:

Hi I am also 38 and started taking Pexeva in 2007. I have GAD and extreme fear, panic. The Pexeva made all of that stop. I have gained a little weight but I feel it was me allowing the weight gain to happen, not the medication. My advice is this.... You can control your weight and you might need to work harder at keeping it off or you can deal with the major depression and anxiety that you have. All of that stress left untreated will end up effecting your health majorly. I honestly dont want to seem mean but I would deal with weight gan in a heartbeat rather than living like I did with the constant anxiety, panic, fear and depression.

Answer/Reply:

I've been on Paxil for over 10 years and have had no side effects. I'd recommend trying it. If it doesn't work or you get side effects, there are a lot of other anti-depressants you can try. I believe it also helps with anxiety and as your doctor says, OCD. Good Luck,
Barb

Answer/Reply:

I've been on paxil for years and it has not caused weight gain for me. I believe that it depends on the person as much as the medicine whether that will effect you. I had a problem at one time with Paxil causing strange dreams, nightmares even and facial tics but my blood pressure was increased by the paxil. My blood pressure is now under control and the strange dreams and tics have dissappeared. I think Paxil is a miracle drug, but once again, it depends on the person. I took zoloft and I couldn't stand it(suicidal thoughts) and I took Prozac and after the intial problems, it did great for me but it messed up my vision. I'm back on Paxil without the dreams or tics and it is working well for me. Any of that type of medication will cause distressing side effects until it's in your system but Paxil is one of the faster acting ones so less time for side effects:).

Question/Comment:

Since I have started paxil cr I don't want to eat. I feel full all the time. I have been only on it for 1 week but it seams to have stared within 24 hours of starting it. Is this going to be like this or will it just take time for my body to get use to it??

Answer/Reply:

Wish it would do that for me. I haven't noticed any changes with taking Paxil.

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I have been taking 10 mg of Paxil for a long time and never noticed any change in my appetite. In the beginning, I took 20 mg and had nausea, so I cut it in half and took 10 and that made me feel better. Perhaps she is taking too large a dose. At any rate, she should speak to her doctor.

Answer/Reply:

Better if you speak to your Doctor.
Paxil makes me eat more infact I gained weight :(

Answer/Reply:

When I first started taking Paxil I was not hungry at all but I have been on Paxil since 2005 and it does not effect me that way anymore.I lost that side effect as soon as my body got use to it...which was not very long.So hang in there friend.Sincerely,Terri