just starting paxil and scared about addictive nature of SSRI

bumblebee919 · 10-09-2005, 02:25 PM

Hey all - I just started paxil (10mg) and my main concern with starting it was the addictive nature, but my psych said it woudl be fine

i've been doing a lot of research on paxil, and a lot of sources say it's supposedly the most addictive SSRI

I know I need meds to help my anxiety problems becuase i've had physical symptoms for the past two years - i am not so so much concerned about me being stressed out, moody, depressed, etc as much as the physical symptoms (slight depersonalization, lightheadedness, "out of it" feeling, feeling of being drunk) because it affects my concentration, schoolwork, and I don't feel "myself"

the psych prescribed paxil bc she said she think it'll help with my physical symptoms, along with my moodiness as well, and I can gradually go off of it when I feel better

My only worry is that I will feel even worse than I feel now when I eventually wean myself off of it, and I don't want that to happen.

Has anybody been on paxil and successfully gone off of it and feel taht the paxil was worth it? also - I'm afraid that I will need to eventually increase my dosage, but I really do not want to go over 10 mg because I'm afraid it will be harder and harder to get off of it if I keep increasing - has anybody never had to increase the amount of paxil they take? also, is there an SSRI or another med that is considered "least addictive"??

I'm really nervous and would like some reassurance! thanks for all your help on my previous posts, i appreciate all your help so much and I'm so glad I found this board!

RedeemedHeart · 10-09-2005, 02:59 PM

I took Paxil 20mgs for a year in 2000. My experience was good even thought there were side effects the freedom from anxiety was great! The first week it made my anxiety worse. I had some hot flushing feelings when I would first wake up like a big anxiety attack starting. The entire time I took it I sweat more than what is normal for me but I adjusted. For the first two weeks I was extremely sleepy. However, it worked great for the anxiety.
When I decided to stop taking it, I had luckily read about the withdrawal possibility and weaned myself off very slowly. It was not horrible like for those who stopped cold turkey not knowing there were withdrawal effects. The only side effect that really bugged me was that I gained weight on Paxil. I gained 40 pounds in the year I took it...most of the weight came on in the first 5 months. When I stopped taking it I lost all but a few pounds of the weight.
From others I have talked to and posts on this and other forums it seems like if you get past the initial side effects of Paxil it works well for anxiety.
One thing I recently read somewhere though is that you shouldn’t take it if you are apt to get pregnant...something to do with birth defects. (I think)
Honestly, I have been thinking about taking something again myself.

Hope this helps you,
Blessings,
Kathy

bumblebee919 · 10-09-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedeemedHeart

The only side effect that really bugged me was that I gained weight on Paxil. I gained 40 pounds in the year I took it...most of the weight came on in the first 5 months. When I stopped taking it I lost all but a few pounds of the weight.

Honestly, I have been thinking about taking something again myself.

Kathy -thanks so much for the response, it really did help

do you (or anyone else who is reading this) know if weight gain is common on paxil? and how quickly did you start noticing the weight gain?

also - I read somehwere that once you stop taking paxil, it doesn't work as well or something when you go back on it - is that true or is that false information? how do people who rebound w/ anxiety deal with it again?

thanks so much again for the response - it is really appreciated!

trg247 · 10-09-2005, 08:16 PM

paxil is a lifesaver when you need it but it does come with side effects just like the other AD's out there. I currently take 50mg and it has been about four months since I started. For some people it effects their weight (I lost weight), their sexual drive (zip,zero here). It is addictive just like the rest of them, to give you an example I forgot to pick up a prescription and was only able to take thirty mg instead of the normal 50mg and woke up with a headache from hell and the world seemed to be swimming.

I should add I have a severe form of Major Depression Disorder plus PTSD and anxiety issues which is why my dosage is high. Paxil also takes close to four weeks to kick in and up to six week for the full effect

take care

dwallech · 10-09-2005, 08:27 PM

My husband has been on Paxil for about two years. He started with 10 and it took a full six weeks to get some benefit. After a year he went to 25 and that is where he will probably stay. His family has a history of anxiety due to low levels of serotonin and Paxil has been a great help for all of them. My husband doesn't care if he has to take it the rest of his life as anything is better than the Panic Attacks he had suffered for years. His son came to him to ask him to try it after it helped him, knowing they had similar DNA and thank goodness this was the answer we had all been hoping for as they both suffered many years with a lot of anxiety. Hope this helps as if you lack serotonin, it may be a good answer.