paxil

[kitmoe]

I have just been prescribed xanax for anxiety and panic attacks but the doctor also gave me a prescription for paxil 20mg. I have read so many bad things about the withdrawel so I really don't want to take it.
Judy

[nursegirl6572]

Having a fear if medications is quite common, so you're not alone there.  Paxil DOES have quite a reputation when it comes to worse side effects and a tougher w/d, although, like lydia said, when done right, it can be tolerable.  I wish that NO one would ever research a med before trying it.  It's the frantic googling that leads people to give up before they even start, and that's very unfortunate...you could be eliminating an option that could give you miraculous results.

My suggestion to you is to ask your doctor to perhaps try you on a different AD.  Two meds that I have had great success on and tolerated very well are Zoloft and Lexapro.  Zoloft is the most commonly prescribed SSRI AD for anxiety/panic because of its success rate and ease of tolerating it for a vast majority of people.  Everyone reacts differently to meds, so there is NO guarantee going into it, but sometimes it is important to at least try.  I think, due to your anxiety about meds, you may have an easier time being willing to try something besides Paxil.  

HOWEVER, if you DO decide to try something, you really need to try to fight the urge to go overboard searching the internet about it, because that will only fuel the fire and make you feel more anxious.  It is important to try to go in to it without too many preconceived notions about it.. you are only setting yourself up to fail that way.

There are always options to deal with any side effects you may have, and you may have none..a lot of people either have very mild side effects, or none at all.  The PRN Xanax will also help a LOT with any side effects.  It is normal for a person to be put on a short term course of a short acting benzo (like Ativan or xanax) to help with the side effects, and you are already on Xanax, so that would be a benefit for you.  It would be very easy for your doc to simply increase your xanax dose for a short time, while you adjust to the med.  

Also, people with fears due to medications do better when started out on a lower than average starting dose, and then SLOWLY being increased to a dose that would be therapeutic.  That drastically increases the adjustment period, but if it helps you to accept the med, then it's worth it.  I suggest you talk to your doc about all of these issues.  Don't be too worried about your doctor being "mad" at you. Ultimately, it is your decision in the end.  In the future, it may be better to at least call the office and let the nurse or doc know what you've decided rather than waiting to your next appt.  At least that way, they know you are keeping the lines of communication with them open.

I'm glad you are receptive to the idea of at least reconsidering your decision.  NEVER rule out any treatment option, especially based on unfounded  fear alone.  You sound like you are trying to do as much as you can to combat the anxiety with some changes in your life, and that is great, but sometimes, medications are necessary.  Meds aren't the "cure all", you would still have to do a lot of the work you're already doing, but it makes that work SO much easier because it helps control your symptoms better, gets them to a more manageable level.

Best of luck, update us when you can!

[kitmoe]

Thank you for your comments. I will think about what you have said. I have to go back to the doctor next week and tell him I have not taken the paxil. I am taking the xanax only when I really need it.
I am trying to deal with the issues which are giving me the anxiety and just accept them for now until things change, I am out of work and unhappy where I live and hopefully that will change so I can move. I am not yelling thru the walls and reacting in anger atleast not most of the time. Just trying to listen to relaxing music and mediatate. I walk every day when I can now so I feel alittle better. My father has been ill and that started me having terrible anxiety but he is improving.
I don't intend to stay on the xanax and just take it when I feel I really need to.I have not taken any other anxiety medication in the past besides xanax.
Hope you are doing well!

[kitmoe]

Thank you for the comments. I have to go back to the doctor next week. I am glad the paxil works for you. I just have read many negative reactions and bad withdrawel problems and I am just taking the xanax when needed.
Hope you are doing well and good luck

[kitmoe]

Thank you for the comments. I am feeling better. Just trying to deal with the situations and trying to stay positive it will change. I am just taking the xanax when needed. I just took one today. I have to see the doctor next week and I am sure he will not be happy I did not take the paxil but I did not feel it was what I needed.
I know some people have had positive results but i read many bad ones with terrible withdrawel and I don't want to be worse off than I am.
I have been getting out and walking again as much as I can. My brother keeps telling me to do yoga but I haven't been able to get into that.
I hope you are doing well.

[remar]

I took Paxil for my anxiety and depression and it worked very well. All of these meds have possible side effects. If you're scared about trying this med, you might want to start with 10 mgs instead of 20 to see how you do on that. Ask your Dr of course first.

[nursegirl6572]

What other meds have you taken for anxiety?  Even though Paxil is an antidepressant, for you, it is being prescribed for anxiety, which is very common.  SSRI antidepressants are first line treatments for anxiety.  I know it can be scary, but with patience and perserverence, like lydia explained, one can have great success with these meds.

Sadly, too many people go into it with too many preconcevied notions and worries and never give it a chance.  It sounds like that is what happened with you.  We've seen many people here struggle with trying meds, and a vast majority, after a lot of encouragement...were VERY pleased with the outcome.

Just something to think about.  I think you are cheating yourself out of a possibility to really get your anxiety under control, and an sntidepressant is a much more logical long term option than Xanax..

[RubyWitch]

I hope things improve for you soon........a new job and benefits, and new neighbors! I also know how rough it is out there right now, but don't lose hope. There IS work out there!
You have a lot of stress in your life now, so try very hard to find ways to deal with it. Don't try to deny or ignore it.........doesn't work. In fact, it makes it worse. Face it, accept it, deal with it one small piece at a time, and always remember that this too shall pass.
You are obviously an intelligent person, so trust yourself to get over these hurdles.
Be strong. Stand up to your demons.
Peace
Greenlydia

[kitmoe]

Thank you for your comments. I decided not to take the paxil because I do not feel good about it, and Im not depressed. I have taken xanax in the past and then stopped taking it. I have had anxiety off and on for years and have taken nothing but just tried to deal with it but I had been feeling really bad lately and felt tension all day and would wake up with a hyper feeling and it was getting to me.
I do not have insurance currently and went to my boyfriends family doctor who I never met.
I know some of the stresses that cause this which currently I can do nothing about. I am looking for work like alot of people. I am very unhappy where I live. I have new neighbors who yell and bang the walls and I was reacting to that and I got much worse so now I have to put on a relaxing CD with earphones. Hopefully things will improve.
Thank you for your advice

[RubyWitch]

While these medications do have a reputation of being difficult to withdraw from, done under the supervision of your doctor, it is nothing to be afraid of. Depending on how long you are on them, and at what dosage, will directly affect the time it takes to withdraw. The slower the better.

If you are really uneasy about taking these meds, see your doctor again and discuss trying therapy first without medication. Many people have success with this. If your anxiety and panic begin to interfer with your daily life, then it may be time to discuss turning to meds for relief. Either way, therapy is the key to getting over your anxiety/panic. Medication only masks the symptoms, they do nothing to help you understand where and why you have the anxiety. When you understand and confront that, you can, with the help of your therapist, conquer your anxiety.

While it has been proven that someone with chronic anxiety and panic CAN become depressed, it is my personal OPINION that if you are NOT depressed, you do NOT need to be treated for something you DON'T have. Many antidepressants also help control anxiety, but it is a "secondary" usage and does not focus on the anxiety but rather the depression.

Xanax is an excellent medication for panic disorder but you must be very, very prudent when using this drug. It is intended for short term use of the treatment of panic, no longer than 4 months and at the lowest possible dose that does control it. It is very addictive and is one of the most difficult benzodiazepines to withdraw from.

I have probably scared you to death and I'm sorry, but years and years and years of experience have taught me a few tricks of the trade. Some of them were extremely unpleasant.

You may want to discuss going on a long term benzo like Klonopin. It definitely has advantages over Xanax, but your eyes need to be wide open when you take any psychotropic med.

If you have anxiety and panic, and now have anxiety about starting the meds, that doesn't bode well for success. All these drugs have side effects and it can be difficult to stick out the time (usually a couple weeks) until the side effects begin to mellow out. It is also true that we are all different in how we react to meds and you may not have ANY side effects at all. You won't know until you give them a fair trial.

I think a long talk with your doctor about your concerns would be the best thing for you.
I understand your reluctance and fear of these meds. Most of us on this forum have had second thoughts just like you. But anxiety usually just doesn't go away on its own and most of us just go sick and tired of living with the anxiety and the fear of the anxiety, so we tried the meds. The combination of therapy and medication is, in my humble opinion, the best and easiest way to get through this.

Lots to think about, you're not alone, we're always here and there are many opinions, not just mine.
I wish you the best
Peace
Greenlydia