Scared to try paxil again

SummerEveryday · Post by **SummerEveryday** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:36 am

I was on paxil for a few years.I was up to 40 mgs,it did help my anxiety,panic attacks and agoraphobia.Well,I wanted to come off because I gained 30 lbs and was afraid I was starting to build up a tolerance to it.So,I got off and did pretty well for a year.Then slowly my panic attacks returned.So,I thought I should go back on the paxil.I went to this DR and she gave me 20 mg of Paxil.I thought great I will start feeling better soon.WRONG,I could only take it for 3 days,I ended up worse and couldnt sleep for a few days,I was a mess.So now for the past 7 months I have been trying to hang in there the best I can but I need help so I talked to my new DR last night and he said that other DR started me on too high a dose and that he would like to try me on the Paxil CR 12.5 mg and see how that goes.He said the side effects from the CR should be less.I am so scared to go through what I went through before,I already have a hard enough time.I have two kids who need me,I cant be a mess.I am really having a hard time though and need help...I dont know what to do....oh yeah he also wants me to try xanax if I have an attack or am going to have one,I've never tried it and am very scared.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:55 am

Summer...I can totally relate to what you are experiencing. As I was reading your post, the parallels are very similar. I too was on Paxil for three years and weened myself off of it because I was feeling great. This was in January 07. Fast forward to November 07 and out of nowhere, a bout of depression came on that then started up my anxiety once again. I began having trouble sleeping and this coupled with my health related anxiety, I was a mess. I was so scared and my anxiety went through the roof thinking that I had to go back on meds. I tried to get through without them but in December I decided to go on paxil again. For the three years while on Paxil I was on 25 mg doses. I went back on with 20 mg doses and have generally felt better. The depression is gone but my anxiety is still gnawing at me. It's soooo frustrating. I hate feeling this way because it's not me. I don't feel like me. All in all, try not be afraid to go back on and if you need to take the Xanax, remember it's there to help you. I understand your fright with it because as you, I was given Xanax as well in case I needed it and remember thinking the same thing as you. Remember to get through one hour at a time, morning then afternoon then night. Better times are ahead of us and we'll appreciate them more once we get through this. You're not alone in this struggle....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:51 pm

For lasting relief you need coping skills before you try to get off meds or you are likely to end up right back where you started. Get involved in Lucinda's program or a CBT group. It's the way you are processing your thoughts that are making you feel horrible and you need to learn to think more realistically and then you will feel much better. Read some literature on Lucinda's program or a basic CBT book that's not too complicated like the one by Sam Obitz. You have to interrupt your thought cycle and replace it with more realistic thinking. Good luck.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:49 pm

Summer,
I did almost the same thing that you're doing. I was on zoloft for 10 years, and took myself off of it because i couldn't feel any emotions (BIG MISTAKE)Because now i live with anxiety and fear daily. I have just received Lucinda's program and just by reading the news letter I already know my life is about to change. This would be one of the best investments you could eveer make for yourself

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:09 pm

Gennie the coping skills will take you far