Wellness

[LoveSG]

Since i was a teen I've always had issues with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and at other times Major Depressive Disorder , yet I remain highly functioning. Now that I'm in my early 50s, the panic attacks have really kicked in again; I think they may be related to hormonal changes. I have a wonderful psychopharmacologist who has helped me tremendously. He has asked me if i am willing to wean off Prozac and try Paxil now for the panic type of anxiety. However, I have concerns after reading all the crazy info that I find on the Internet concerning Paxil..anyone care to share their experience. I appreciate so much! Thanks again!

[janetsellshomes]

I also have GAD. It went from situational anxiety to generalized during the menopause years. It certainly isn't fun and no one understands it unless they have been there. I was put on Lexapro and after a few weeks, it did the trick. I could go to the grocery store again and enjoy my work and attend meetings etc etc. I now take the generic Lexapro which is escitalopram...works the same. No side effects whatsoever. I hope you can feel great like I do...Good Luck.

[HiLo]

I took Paxil for over 10 years; had some side effects, the worst being having trouble sleeping which gradually got better. A few years ago it stopped working and I was put on Effectzor (sp). My side effects are about the same as they were with Paxil, however, my Dr. said that she wasn't too pleased with Paxil as it stays in the system too long.

[Piper54]

Have you asked about Buspar for anxiety? It takes a few weeks to work but worth it.

Piper

[qvcfan526]

I have been on Effexor XR for years now for anxiety/depression issues and the only problem I have is trying to get weight off. It has been the hardest since I started it. I have tried to get off but experience terrible brain fogginess. I guess I will be on it forever.

I used Buspar for a few months and had luck with that before the Effexor XR when I was having anxiety attacks one upon the other.

Try eliminating beef from your diet for awhile and also caffeine. This too helps.

[wonderwoman]

I was on Paxil for many years and would advise against it. It doesn't work very well, makes you fat. I was overweight for years because of this drug. It has been my experience that Doctors don't recommend this drug due to the negative side effects. And - -if you should ever try to wean yourself off of paxil, watch out!!! The withdrawal is 100 times worse than weaning from cigarettes. I have been on 60 mgs. of prozav for the past 2 years and it has been a lifesaver in controlling depression and anxiety. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Shogirl]

On 1/22/2014 Piper 54 said:

Have you asked about Buspar for anxiety? It takes a few weeks to work but worth it.

Piper

Buspirone (Buspar) is strictly for anxiety and it works wonders, not to mention it's cheap. Both my husband and I have taken it and gotten off it with no ill effects. I believe at the time we took it, I was taking Prozac and my husband was taking Seroquel. It generally works immediately, depending on how much you take, which is why I really like it as far as handling anxiety issues.

[MarthaStewardess]

On 1/22/2014 wonderwoman said:

I was on Paxil for many years and would advise against it. It doesn't work very well, makes you fat. I was overweight for years because of this drug. It has been my experience that Doctors don't recommend this drug due to the negative side effects. And - -if you should ever try to wean yourself off of paxil, watch out!!! The withdrawal is 100 times worse than weaning from cigarettes. I have been on 60 mgs. of prozav for the past 2 years and it has been a lifesaver in controlling depression and anxiety. Good luck whatever you decide.

I took Paxil for a few years and my experience was not like yours at all. It worked wonders for me and I had no bad side effects. It didn't make me fat and I had no problems when I stopped taking it.

[violann]

Just wanted to mention that whether for good or for bad, all of us tend to have unique reactions to serotonin managing medications, for all kinds of different reasons. I have never ever had any problems stopping any drug, have gained on some and lost on others, and have had relief from some and no relief from others as well. I think there is a pretty general belief among mood disorder specialists that a combination of medication and talk is usually the best way of accessing recovery. Hopes to all of you that you are doing well.

[okBlonde]

On 1/22/2014 wonderwoman said:

I was on Paxil for many years and would advise against it. It doesn't work very well, makes you fat. I was overweight for years because of this drug. It has been my experience that Doctors don't recommend this drug due to the negative side effects. And - -if you should ever try to wean yourself off of paxil, watch out!!! The withdrawal is 100 times worse than weaning from cigarettes. I have been on 60 mgs. of prozav for the past 2 years and it has been a lifesaver in controlling depression and anxiety. Good luck whatever you decide.

Same thing with me - I took Paxil for 6 months and in that same time period I gained 50 lbs. I weaned myself off it and lost the weight. Never again.