Paxil CR for anxiety

[molly123]

I was prescribed Paxil CR 12.5 mg to help me deal with this transition I'm going through and the anxiety I was experiencing. I have been taking it for 2 months now and would like to eventually stop taking it. I have to admit that I am no longer anxious like before and I seem to be managing things better.

I did talk to my dr. who said he will work with me to wean off of it, but he wants me to take it for about 6 months. He doesn't think I will have a big problem weaning off of it since I am taking the lowest dosage and I didn't experience any side effects (however, some of peri-meno symptoms are same). Does anyone have any experience with Paxil CR? I have read alot of horror stories about it. Makes me kind of regret starting on it but, at the time, I was so desperate.

Molly

[PennyD]

Originally Posted by molly123

I was prescribed Paxil CR 12.5 mg to help me deal with this transition I'm going through and the anxiety I was experiencing. I have been taking it for 2 months now and would like to eventually stop taking it. I have to admit that I am no longer anxious like before and I seem to be managing things better.

I did talk to my dr. who said he will work with me to wean off of it, but he wants me to take it for about 6 months. He doesn't think I will have a big problem weaning off of it since I am taking the lowest dosage and I didn't experience any side effects (however, some of peri-meno symptoms are same). Does anyone have any experience with Paxil CR? I have read alot of horror stories about it. Makes me kind of regret starting on it but, at the time, I was so desperate.

Molly

Molly,
One of our clients who is a nurse practioner did some research on my very low progesterone level and my anxiety attacks. She recomended Paxil CR. I tried Lexapro in August and had a violent reaction. I have tried Zoloft 3 times and get such nausea I can't stay on it. You said you had no side effect with the Paxil does that mean no nausea, no extra anxiety or jitters? It has become apparent after 5 months I am going to have take something for this anxiety that will increase my serotonin levels. I have tried to maintain just on the Klonopin and it has helped a lot but it does nothing for the serotonin level. I am sure in time my endo will get my hormones balanced again but they are so out of whack that may take a while. I would really appreciate a reply on those side effects and how long you have been on it and have you seen improvement? Thanks for you time!
Penny

[molly123]

Originally Posted by PennyD

Molly,
One of our clients who is a nurse practioner did some research on my very low progesterone level and my anxiety attacks. She recomended Paxil CR. I tried Lexapro in August and had a violent reaction. I have tried Zoloft 3 times and get such nausea I can't stay on it. You said you had no side effect with the Paxil does that mean no nausea, no extra anxiety or jitters? It has become apparent after 5 months I am going to have take something for this anxiety that will increase my serotonin levels. I have tried to maintain just on the Klonopin and it has helped a lot but it does nothing for the serotonin level. I am sure in time my endo will get my hormones balanced again but they are so out of whack that may take a while. I would really appreciate a reply on those side effects and how long you have been on it and have you seen improvement? Thanks for you time!
Penny

Hi Penny,
I got my GP to prescribe me Paxil CR after it was recommended to me by a women dr. who works with my sister who also experienced these internal shakes and said it was peri-meno. Now that I think back, these jitters might have been mistaken as anxiety.

After taking the first Paxil, I felt better immediately. Felt this edge being lifted. Always been sensitive to meds and I was really scared to take it (was on Wellbutrin XL for a short time and it made me feel horrible), but I had to do something. I did experience feeling tired but nothing that I couldn't manage. I have been feeling this extreme fatigue (almost 24/7), along with all these other symptoms, for several months that was alot worse.

Started taking Paxil on Dec. 13. I would say there was immediate improvement on how I felt. Some might find hard to believe because it usually would take 4-6 wks. I didn't get dizzy, nausea...didn't feel worse. I still didn't feel 100% normal tho (still tired, some jitters) but did feel MUCH better. I was told I could take my Ativan if I felt anxious. I might have taken .25 mg of Ativan 2X in the first two weeks while on Paxil. I haven't taken an anxiety pill since Dec. 20. (that women dr. said anti-anxiety pills are not intended for long-term use - would lose its effect after a while and they are addicting - that's why she recommended the Paxil).

Well, I have felt normal/good since Jan. 20. to present. I don't feel anything when I take it. I have also been taking lots of vitamins, Estroven, working out a lot, meditation. Feel really terrific after the workouts. I haven't experienced any of these night-time, full-body intense shaking, no hot flashes or night sweats. I do wake up with this band-like pressure on my head, lower back pain, my legs sometimes little jitters but it all goes away after I get up and move around. I am praying that my hormones have stablized and I will not regress to the way I have been feeling. I am very determined to do whatever it takes to feel better.

If you do a search on Paxil, you might read alot of horrible stories. But, I was told that these people usually have other big-time issues going on their lives (suicidal thoughts, emotional problems, etc.) and are taking other meds too. Oh, I didn't gain any weight from the Paxil either. I have lost about 9 lbs. while I wasn't feeling well and put back on only 3 lbs. (now I have my appetite back). The Paxil CR is suppose to help with pre-meno symptoms too.

If you decide to try Paxil CR, let me know how it goes for you.
Take care,
Molly

[PennyD]

Originally Posted by molly123

Hi Penny,
I got my GP to prescribe me Paxil CR after it was recommended to me by a women dr. who works with my sister who also experienced these internal shakes and said it was peri-meno. Now that I think back, these jitters might have been mistaken as anxiety.

After taking the first Paxil, I felt better immediately. Felt this edge being lifted. Always been sensitive to meds and I was really scared to take it (was on Wellbutrin XL for a short time and it made me feel horrible), but I had to do something. I did experience feeling tired but nothing that I couldn't manage. I have been feeling this extreme fatigue (almost 24/7), along with all these other symptoms, for several months that was alot worse.

Started taking Paxil on Dec. 13. I would say there was immediate improvement on how I felt. Some might find hard to believe because it usually would take 4-6 wks. I didn't get dizzy, nausea...didn't feel worse. I still didn't feel 100% normal tho (still tired, some jitters) but did feel MUCH better. I was told I could take my Ativan if I felt anxious. I might have taken .25 mg of Ativan 2X in the first two weeks while on Paxil. I haven't taken an anxiety pill since Dec. 20. (that women dr. said anti-anxiety pills are not intended for long-term use - would lose its effect after a while and they are addicting - that's why she recommended the Paxil).

Well, I have felt normal/good since Jan. 20. to present. I don't feel anything when I take it. I have also been taking lots of vitamins, Estroven, working out a lot, meditation. Feel really terrific after the workouts. I haven't experienced any of these night-time, full-body intense shaking, no hot flashes or night sweats. I do wake up with this band-like pressure on my head, lower back pain, my legs sometimes little jitters but it all goes away after I get up and move around. I am praying that my hormones have stablized and I will not regress to the way I have been feeling. I am very determined to do whatever it takes to feel better.

If you do a search on Paxil, you might read alot of horrible stories. But, I was told that these people usually have other big-time issues going on their lives (suicidal thoughts, emotional problems, etc.) and are taking other meds too. Oh, I didn't gain any weight from the Paxil either. I have lost about 9 lbs. while I wasn't feeling well and put back on only 3 lbs. (now I have my appetite back). The Paxil CR is suppose to help with pre-meno symptoms too.

If you decide to try Paxil CR, let me know how it goes for you.
Take care,
Molly

Molly,
Thank you so much for replying. You have made me feel so much better about trying the Paxcil CR. The reaction I had to Lexapro was SO bad that I have been horrified by the thought of anti-depressants. But as yousaid about the doctor the anti-anxiety meds are only for short term use. That is the same thing the nurse practioner told me. That is why she recomended the Paxil. I have never taken much medication and don't do well with meds. I know I have to do this and having someone who is on the med to tell me they are ok with it means so much. I have such weird symptoms and anxiety with this hormone imbalance. I know the Klonopin is not as effective as it was when I started in in mid September. Thanks again for the reply I will keep you posted on how it goes. You are in my prayers. God bless you!
Penny

[molly123]

Originally Posted by PennyD

Molly,
Thank you so much for replying. You have made me feel so much better about trying the Paxcil CR. The reaction I had to Lexapro was SO bad that I have been horrified by the thought of anti-depressants. But as yousaid about the doctor the anti-anxiety meds are only for short term use. That is the same thing the nurse practioner told me. That is why she recomended the Paxil. I have never taken much medication and don't do well with meds. I know I have to do this and having someone who is on the med to tell me they are ok with it means so much. I have such weird symptoms and anxiety with this hormone imbalance. I know the Klonopin is not as effective as it was when I started in in mid September. Thanks again for the reply I will keep you posted on how it goes. You are in my prayers. God bless you!
Penny

Penny,
I also do not like taking med, especially one that is labeled as an "anti-depressant." I was so scared of taking the Paxil after my experience with Wellbutrin. I was already feeling so bad for so long that I just didn't want to have to deal with side effects either. But, my sister pushed me to take it and said I needed it. (I was driving her crazy!) I know of several other people taking Paxil and they did not have any side effects or at least not unbearable ones. They are still on it so I assume they go away after a while. My GP also suggested Effeox (sp?) if the Paxil CR didn't work for me.

By the way, I also stopped being dependent on having someone around me or someone to talk to, stopped dwelling on how awful I felt. I was able to start concentrating on other things like reading, watching TV, going out more without freaking out. I don't intend to stay on this med for years. I will probably talk to my dr. seriously about weaning off - I'll have to see how I am in the next coming months.

Good luck and may you start feeling better!! Thank goodness for the Internet!

Molly