Should I take Paxil?!
Question: My problems are anxiety mostly, but I do get depressed sometimes. I work a lot and I feel helpless about household repairs and stuff that I just can't afford or have the time to fix. My psychologist said I should take anti-depressant so family doc prescribed Paxil. I am apprehensive about taking it. I don't want to be on drugs the rest of my life and I don't want side effects. Yet, I don't want to feel anxious and panic-stricken all the time either? I don;'t know what to do.
Answers: My problems are anxiety mostly, but I do get depressed sometimes. I work a lot and I feel helpless about household repairs and stuff that I just can't afford or have the time to fix. My psychologist said I should take anti-depressant so family doc prescribed Paxil. I am apprehensive about taking it. I don't want to be on drugs the rest of my life and I don't want side effects. Yet, I don't want to feel anxious and panic-stricken all the time either? I don;'t know what to do.
Find a psychiatrist who has an excellent background in using meds to treat anxiety - could be anxiety attacks or generalized anxiety disorder. The psychiatrist should also have excellent bedside manner. Don't settle for anything less. I'm wondering why Paxil was the drug of choice for your problem. Paxil could work but from what my doc tells me, there are others to choose from. And don't pay to see any doctor who does not have you ween yourself on any drug. If he or she says "Go and pop this 20mg pill all at once", get another doctor.
People with anxiety are the ones who are prone to worrying about side affects. I know cuz I was one of them. That's why weening yourself on a drug is the best bet so you can get used to it and side effects will not be so abrupt. Most side affects go away anyway. If you can find the drug that will work for you, then it's worth it to pop a little pill every day as long as the side affects are minimal at first and then do go away.
um....take the paxil?
Paxil is a freaking nightmare. I told my nurse practitioner that when I went off Paxil (I ran out of meds) that I started puking, have the shakes, and cold sweats...which reminded me of coming down off a major drug...she said I must have been sensitive to it...I found out about 6 months later that Paxil had LIED in their research reports about how the drug negatively effected people. DO NOT TAKE PAXIL!! Do not support a company full of LIARS. They are not out to help you, they are only out for the money. Avoid Effexor too, as this will do the same thing.
Try Lexapro or Wellbutrin, something that will not have these horrible effects.
If your doc recommended it, try it. It's not addictive. But take it as directed and give it a few weeks to kick in. It may help. However, therapy works too. But like meds, therapy takes time. All medications have risks for side effects. I recommend trying for three - four weeks and see if your mood/anxiety level have improved.
Consult with your doctor, he will guide you what to do
if you decide to take the paxil just remember to visit your dr as suggested so they can record your progress and don't stop taking them if you feel better. Now this is not a forever pill but you will crash your doctor will have to wheen you off of it. good luck and i hope things start to get better.
I would consider going on a different medication than Paxil. Paxil is well known for horrible withdrawal symptoms when coming off. There have even been class action suits. There are newer and better medications out there now without the side effects. If you are anxious and panic stricken frequently, definitely consider medication. You don't have to stay on it "the rest of your life." If it will help you to enjoy your life more, it's worth it.
Hi--If your doctor things you need it, then you'll need it. Just becasue you are on a medication short term, doesn't mean you will be on it long term. All anti-depressants don't have side effects that will affect you. It all depends on the person & the way your liver processes it. I have been on many anti-depresssants, and some I didn't get any side effects, some I got a few. They go away after a little while anyways. It is nothing to stress over about. It will definetely be worth it if you wont be anxious in the future... Good Luck & Take Care!
Get a second opinion from a different psychologist and or ask doctor is there is something you can take that has less side effects and less consequences if you have to go off.
You need to have an active part in your health care because a lot of times doctors are really too busy to really spend quality time with you.
Lord, you sound like me! I have been on Paxil for about 11 years now. I think it saved me! I still have break through isses and everyone does, like sometimes you will still get a little depressed but thats normal. Paxil is a wonderful medication and I could not live with out it. Now listen.....NOT ALL DRUGS WORK FOR EVERYONE! Paxil is a good start though. But if you are not feeling any better after about a week. TELL YOUR DOCTOR. There are other meds they can try. Unfort. most of us that have issues like this with depression, anxiety, panic, OCD, etc. will have to be on meds for some time. maybe even forever. Some folks dont need it after they start getting better but YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE DOCS ORDERS. You CANNOT just stop these meds on your own. You have to be taken off of them slowly to avoid crashing and withdrawls.
Take the paxil sweety. It will help you. Trust me, I KNOW!!!
Good Luck
Why ask us, talk to a health professional/ let them decide what's best for you
I've taken paxil before but it takes a few weeks to kick in
Definitely try Paxil or Prozac. Actually, Prozac is the bomb..totally changed my life. Think of it as a vitamin for your brain, because it's nothing more than a serotonin reuptake blocker, which is to say that it allows the 'happy' hormone to hang around a bit longer between your nerve cells. And I can't think of any side effects that I experienced, though initially you'll be aware that you're on it. After a couple weeks it just became part of my daily routine---one 20mg capsule with my vitamin in the morning. It's totally worth it. I regret not having taken it earlier in my life. And it gives a little edge to my personality that may have been dormant before. Many CEOs/execs take it because it gives them a little more 'mental energy' I guess you could call it.
I had the same reservations that you did too, but I soon got over them. One last benefit: sex lasts alot longer.
Good Luck.
I was forced to take Paxil long ago. It almost caused my death.
For the love of God, DON'T!
Paxil was excellent for helping with my panic attacks. But the side effects outweighed the benefits and so I got off it and went to Lexapro.
Paxil can be very hard to wean off of for some people.