Paxil vs. Prozac

[CloudieSkies2]

Hi, I have been on Prozac for 3 years and am presently being switched to Zoloft.
The Prozac just wasn't helping me anymore.
Presently I am being weaned off the Prozac, cut from 40mg, to 20mg, and now a week without, and then starting the Zoloft in a week.

Maybe your doctor doesn't think the Prozac is helping you like it should.
If you have questions or concerns about the medication change, maybe you should mention it to your doctor, tell him your concerns.
I did tell my doctor I wanted something that would not make me gain weight, and we felt the Zoloft would be the best choice for me, but only time will tell.

I have heard nightmares about many AD, everybody is different and everyone reacts differently to them.

This is just my 2 cents!
Wishing you well.

[livinTX]

I took Paxil. I didn't gain or lose weight on it, but I couldn't take it for very long. It caused me to be extremely dizzy with very low blood pressure. I thought I was going to pass out all the time (this was after my eating disorder was under control so it was not related to the ED). Still, everyone reacts differently to it; you just have to try it and see. It didn't help much with my depression that I noticed either, but worst was the constant dizziness. I did not have any withdrawal symptoms quitting Paxil. Effexor was the worst for withdrawal out of all the meds I took and in my opinion should not be marketed at all.

[MariaBB]

It's interesting to see how the different meds affect people differently. Thank you all for your input. I see my therapist tonight and will ask him about side effects as well. Thanks again!

[Terrigrrl]

I will put this as simply as possible. Paxil caused me to gain nearly 50 pounds. The withdrawal syndrome associated with Paxil is terrifying and EXTREMELY uncomfortable. I believe that it cost me a relationship, one that was supposed to include a wedding which I called off, and the sense that I was going insane all the time was quite debilitaing.

I switched (it took me 2 YEARS to wean myself off) to Wellbutrin and am much better off. It took about 8 months to walk off the 50 pounds. Can you say "class action suit"?

[even_sly]

Hi Maria ~ Paxil didn't work for me. Zoloft does. I've heard weight gain stories for Paxil too, though. It's important (I think) to remember that everyone reacts differently, though.

I mean, I took Anafranil for many years for OCD. Anafranil is a tricyclic AD and the big warning for it was MAJOR side effects. The only one I got was a little light-headedness here and there... I heard "horror stories" and I didn't get any of that.

So... I'd try it. I mean, if it makes you gain weight and you're uncomfortable with that, you can always try something else.

Is your doc prescribing this so you WILL gain weight, though? I don't think it's the way to go. Messing with your head? That's what it seems like to me.

Ugh.... This is tough. Hang in there, Maria. (((((((((((hugs)))))))))) ~ Sly