Paxil ? - Mental Health Message Board

jealibeanz · 09-22-2002, 03:17 PM

I've been taking 12.5 mg of Paxil for a month now for anxiety. I just refilled a script, but haven't picked it up. I have an Dr appointment in two weeks. I was thinking of asking for different meds because I think it's causing me to gain weight, which I am extremely concerned about. What will happed if I stop taking it right now? I've already missed 2 doses. Will I go through withdrawal symptoms, or not because of the short period of usage. Also, if I wish to switch meds, would it help to keep taking the paxil to bridge between the two, or not? Are there any good anxiety drugs that definitely do not cause weight gain? What about drugs that aren't SSRI's?

sweetwawa · 09-24-2002, 12:46 PM

you sound a lot like me, worrying about weight and meds.
i'm 37 and have always worried about paxil and rumours i've heard.
i'm female and also took kava kava for anxiety plus many others, in my 20's, on and off, as needed.
i found ativan .5 worked best but am now on two others.
do u have depression w/it? because paxil is usually prescribed for either ocd w/depression or without.
a doctor recently told me horrific things about kava kava so i stopped taking it.
i noticed most drugs have side effects such as weight gain; even if you do searches, you'll notice that anti-anxiety meds can be addictive.

Angelene · 10-24-2002, 12:12 PM

I didn't have any weight gain with Paxil, but I see now you're on Wellbutrin SR. I just started that medication as well, 150 mg once a day. This dose seems odd to me that everyone else takes it 2X a day...But I'm feeling better than I was. So that's a good sign. I sure hope I'm not going to gain weight on it. I'm trying to lose a few lbs, and am exercising and eating right on a regular basis! I'll let you know how things are going. Post your feelings as well!

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"Never give up, never surrender!"

highdesertdivine · 10-30-2002, 12:55 AM

i have just gotten off of paxil to take welbutrin to help me quit smoking...paxil made me feel great but the side effects changing over were a bit rough....i will go back on paxil as soon as i reach my target date nov 26 my fortieth birthday...i started on 20 mg. of paxil and then went to 40 was going to go on to 60 for anxiety but....it did knock me out always around 10 am and i could sleep all day if i wanted to....still when i was awake i was happy and anxiety free...12 mg seems a small amount to me...but im not the doc so....i gained 11 pounds from one doc appointment to the next 8 weeks apart...my nurse said that wellbutrin would help me drop the weight...and hopefully calm the cravings of the nicotine...good luck with whatever you decide but i do urge you to stay with it if it makes you feel better...paxil takes a while to reach the saturation point we need to aide the anxiety etc and as i said 20 mg is usually the beginning dosage as i understand it....oh i also take wellbutrin 2 x a day...has anyone noticed it keeps you up all nite if you take it too late in the day?

alibutterfly · 10-30-2002, 11:39 AM

My boyfriend recently got off Paxil because he was worried about the weight gain as well. Since then he's been really edgy and stressed out, like he used to be before he was on it, and it's really hard for him to deal with (and me too, because I want to make everything better, and I can't). You should consult your doctor before coming off of any medications...I was on Welbutrin for awhile and just stopped taking it, and people noticed changes in me right away (even though I seriously didn't).