Started on Paxil and Zanax for panic attacks...few ?'s - Panic Disorders Message Board

AcIntegraLS · 01-25-2003, 01:25 PM

Hello, little story...well I seem to have panic attacks for no apparent reason...I'm a 21 year old male. One day at my girlfriends I wanted to take a nap but instead it turned into a weird feeling like i was going to pass out, get hot then cold, and be sweating and real nervous, and few other things, but didn't last long. Didnt happen again for awhile...then happened again, and I had to go to the hospital, basically thought i was having a heart attack or something, and got all kinda heart tests and blood tests, all came back perfect. My heartrate got up to 190 in the hospital...because I kept making myself worse. I have had a normal happy life, and no reason for this. So I got on paxil and zanax. Paxil 1 time in the morning 20mg, and zanax is .5mg and only to use if needed. this is only day 2 on paxil...and I have been feeling zoned out almost, like its made me think more and get kinda jittery. The zanax tho, I can just take a little bit of the pill and it just knocks me out, so i try to not take it too haha. Just curious if any of you have felt dizzy from paxil or if its just in my mind still...my friend was on it once and said to stick with it, my bodys gotta get used to it, and will take 1 or 2 weeks. I was thinking of cutting it down to 10mg instead of 20 to start then increase if needed...

New memember today...Thanks and hope to make some new friends to help deal with this!

-Ryan

nancyinnewjersey · 01-25-2003, 02:32 PM

Hi Ryan, I am kind of new to all this, and even though I am a female and older I too can't find a reason for my panic and anxiety.. I have a good and happy life.
I am on Paxil and Xanax too. The doctor started me at 10 mgs. Paxil for the 1st week, then I went up to 20 mgs. the second week. Try to hang in there.... I too was jittery and nauseous the first week or two. That's gone away and I am starting to feel better. I just finished week 3 of the Paxil.
I hope you feel better soon!

Rion · 01-25-2003, 02:49 PM

If you cut back on the dosage of your paxil, you may still experience the same side effects, but the dosage will be too low to actually ever do you any good (i.e., the side effects won't go away as fast and neither will the anxiety). I've heard people write that they were afraid to jump up to the 50mg mark after 2 weeks of paxil because they thought the side effects would increase, when in actuality, the opposite is probably true.

Just something to keep in mind... your doc knows what they are doing!

Rion

AcIntegraLS · 01-25-2003, 03:01 PM

its funny how it all is almost in your head, like just reading your guys posts and saying what im feeling is normal, makes me feel better...sucks I want to go see a movie tonight with my girl, but I'm having the typical (as it seems from what i've read) fear that once I get there i'll freak out. My one friend had them and he said if I am someplace and I get nervous to just try and fight it and stay longer and not to let it win. which makes sense...but im sure as u know, its easier said than done

thanks for the replies so far

-Ryan

munky · 01-26-2003, 07:27 AM

hi... im just like you ..

but im taking zoloft and ativan which are the same as paxil / xanax.. a antidepressant.. and a sedative

i find taking the ativan helps me with my zoloft side effects when i first started.. i was really anxious from teh zoloft.. so the ativan kinda calmed me down.. dont be affraid to take the xanax if you need.. especially now.. when you first start treatment..

im on week 3 of zoloft.. i dont feel the side effects at all any more.. still taking ativan tho.. as im still anxious sometimes..

good luck!!