Question about Paxil withdrawal - Anxiety Message Board

celticmom · 12-10-2004, 11:55 AM

My DH "switched" from Paxil to Lexapro 6 weeks ago. He didn't have time to taper, so his pdoc recommended this approach. He had a rough couple of days, but after that things seemed fine. Now all of a sudden he has been getting headaches for the last week and has felt "panicky" for the past two days.

Could it be that the headaches are withdrawal symptoms from the Paxil? Or that he isn't taking a therapeutic dose of Lexapro? Any advice would be appreciated.

hry33 · 12-10-2004, 01:52 PM

paxil and lexapro are both basicly the same, SSRI or prozac type meds
hard to know exactly whats happening, I would try to live with the problems, make sure his dose of lexapro is high enough, I think the range is 10 to 20, ask a pharmacist

celticmom · 12-10-2004, 03:07 PM

Thanks for the reply. His current dose is at 20 already, but his pdoc said to raise it to 30. Now I'm worried that if the Lexapro is causing the headaches that it could make things worse. But then again I guess if he is "panicky" then the Lexapro isn't high enough. Ugh, too much dart board medicine.

pat52 · 12-10-2004, 03:55 PM

I tried Lexapro for almost one week at 10mg. Couldn't handle the side-effects. Made symptoms worse extremely anxious and on the third day started having nosebleeds. (After stopping Lexapro the nose bleeds stopped.) I also experienced dilated pupils and pulsating pupils-very weird and strange sensations all over body. Quit taking Lex and decided to try and deal with the anxiety with counseling. I am just one of those people that can't take the SSRI drugs-from the forum these drugs work wonders for some-just got to get the right med.

lauraj · 12-12-2004, 10:20 AM

I had headaches when I first started Lexapro. I also had made the switch from Paxil, but I had totally stopped Paxil a month before taking Lex. Paxil withdrawl is much worse than Lex side effects. I found that the side effects only lasted about 2 weeks. No more headaches, no more shakes, etc. It is actually a great med for me. Paxil gave me IBS. No fun. Also, counseling is a wonderful tool. With support from a counselor, he might not have to be on meds forever. That's my goal. Good luck and I hope he feels better.