problem with Paxil

[Countryant]

I have been taking Paxil since 1996. I started having severe panic attacks, anywhee from 6 to 10 a day at the time. depression followed, and for a couple of years, i went through pure hell with Doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I went to a Counselor who suggested I try Paxil, after having taken an assessment test. My Doctor prescribed it and I have been on it since with only one 2 year period where the panic disorder seemed to go into remission, but it came back with a vengeance. I am now at 40mg a day.

When i started Paxil, I weighed 195lbs and was in very good physical condition. Within two years of being on the paxil, I gained 50 lbs. Now, 15 years later, I am at 320. I use to try to work out, could lose 15 to 20 lbs, but it would just pile back on. I don't eat very much, don't have a sweetooth, and now at this weight, my joints ache constantly, my back is so overworked by the weight I can't walk but short distances before the pain is excuciating...I don't know what to do.

I am now ay 40mg a day on paxil, with a 0.5mg when needed for Xanax, whch I don't take very often at all, but just when absolutely needed. Paxil did save my life, I believe that, but now, it is taking it from me with the weight gain. I am scared to come off because of the panic attacks and depresssion, and the physical pain that comes with them. I need help and I need answers on how to get this fixed and get my life back on track.

[gofio]

My time with Paxil went well. Later I relapsed & my Doc. refused my request to be prescribed paxil as it's now got a bad reputation. Currently I'm on Effexor XL, it works for me OK, I decided to accept the unwanted/unpleasant side effects for the benefits it gives. Been on lots of different meds for well over 20yrs. None of them are perfect ~ always the rotten side effects have to be accepted, I'm happy with that, but it's not easy as you well know. You may be able to get qualified advice re meds. change from a Pharmacist/Doc/Psych? Keep trying, do whatever you can to get rid of the unwanted weight. Good Luck

[Sissypants]

I can understand the weight gain because if you feel what I have felt for the last 3 weeks I know what you are going thru.....I was actually losing weight but since i started paxil 3 weeks ago I feel like I am starving all the time....I mean I can just eat supper and i feel like I havent ate at all...its like my brain doesnt connect with my stomach that it is full and I am sure the paxil is doing this cause I never had it before....I just hope it stops cause I dont want to gain alot of weight either....I am only on 10 mg s and I cant tell its doing anything for me at all.....I still feel panicky and have tightness in my chest and headaches and tremors in my body.....I have tried so many of these types of drugs that I am sick of it but my anxiety has gotten so bad I had to try again....I just hope it kicks in....my vision is so blurry also and my eyes look like i have been on a drunk....I just am so tired and fatigued.....I am so sorry you are having such a hard time on this do you think you could try another drug that doesnt cause weight gain and see if that helps....coursse I can understand you not really wanting to change especially after finding one that works for you.....I wish I knew what to tell you....maybe discuss it with your dr and see what they recommend for you to do....good luck and God bless