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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gakay2 on March 22, 2007, at 21:54:18
I started on Paxil about 2 to 3 weeks ago. Started on 10mg. Have tried to go up to 20 but the side effects were hard to deal with. Sick at my stomach with a metal taste in my mouth. Would wakeup in the morning a little "drunk". I did have these side effects at first with the 10 mg. but they got better. So I am back down to 10 mg now and still very sick at my stomach, only sleep at night when I take the Klonipin at night too.
Now my doc wants me to change to Celexa and drop the Paxil. To take the Celexa in the mornings. Will I have trouble coming off the Paxil or are the side effects of Celexa tough too. I suffer from depression, panic and a little ocd.Thanks for any input.
K
Posted by chiron on March 22, 2007, at 22:27:42
In reply to I am new here, have a ?, posted by gakay2 on March 22, 2007, at 21:54:18
Welcome gakay2. Paxil was the only SSRI that I felt "zoned out" on, which might be related to your drunk feeling. (I didn't have the nausea or metal taste in my mouth.) So as far as your side effect question, I would say they could be different on Celexa. I think there are more positive stories about Celexa than Paxil in general.
Posted by Racer on March 23, 2007, at 0:07:27
In reply to I am new here, have a ?, posted by gakay2 on March 22, 2007, at 21:54:18
Welcome to Babble.
Paxil and Celexa are both in the same class of anti-depressants, and it's a class that it generally easier to tolerate than the other options. It's considered the safest class, really, but that doesn't mean that it's without problems.
As far as SSRIs go, people here have reported more problems with Paxil than with the others. In fact, my psychopharmacologist -- pdoc -- says he just won't use it, because it's just not a good enough drug to be worth the problems he's seen with it. Of course, there are people for whom it works wonderfully, because that's the nature of these things. Your mileage will vary.
Generally, SSRI start up effects very often include GI upset to some degree. That's one of the start up effects that generally does go away, though, if you can stick it out for a few weeks. Celexa is great for a lot of people, although its step-child Lexapro is considered cleaner in its effects. Is there any reason your doctor is going for the older drugs? Lexapro, from what I've read, is maybe a better choice for a lot of people.
You really haven't been on Paxil very long, so you probably won't have any trouble stopping it and starting Celexa. Paxil is known for a "discontinuation syndrome" -- what anyone here will call "withdrawal," since we're not a drug company representative -- but you haven't been on it long enough, nor at a high enough dosage, for that to be a problem. Most likely. Also, since both drugs target the same catecholamine neurotransmitter, the Celexa itself should counter pretty much anything you do experience.
I hope that helps. And welcome!
Posted by KayeBaby on March 23, 2007, at 0:51:37
In reply to I am new here, have a ?, posted by gakay2 on March 22, 2007, at 21:54:18
Why go up to 20mg?
I took Paxil for just about a month. It was the first anti-depressants I tried. Paxil gave me a feeling of calmness unlike anything I have ever experienced before or since. I just felt comfortable in my own skin completely and was centered in the moment.
Unfortunately, it sedated me and made me gain weight so I ditched it. Now, being much more drug savvy, I think that if only I had been started out at 5-10mg it may have been the best thing ever for me.
I don't think it is unusual for some people to do well on less than the standard dose.
You can always raise the dose.
Of course, if you are in a very bad state you may not have the luxury of taking it slow.
Use your best judgement.
Peace,
Kaye
Posted by Phillipa on March 23, 2007, at 11:03:01
In reply to Re: I am new here, have a ? » gakay2, posted by Racer on March 23, 2007, at 0:07:27
Stopping l0mg of paxil meant biting off a small piece of the pill daily to avoid the zaps in your brain. I've heard good things also about lexapro. Love Phillipa
Posted by gakay2 on March 23, 2007, at 14:32:48
In reply to I am new here, have a ?, posted by gakay2 on March 22, 2007, at 21:54:18
Thanks everyone for the info and your support.
The reason that he wants to put me on celexa is to try to take care of migraines also. Last month I had them everyday and when I started on the Paxil, I had only one in the last 2 weeks. But I feel terrible on the Paxil. Tired all the time, stomach, drunk, leg cramps, etc. But I read that Celexa can cause migraines. So I am not sure what to do. I have heard a lot of good things about lexapro. The doc is a neurologist who seems to know his drugs. But he isn't going through this. lol.
Thanks everyone,
K
Posted by Sandra62 on March 23, 2007, at 14:41:54
In reply to Re: I am new here, have a ?, posted by gakay2 on March 23, 2007, at 14:32:48
I've tried Paxil in the past and it worked very well as an anti-anxiety/depressant but unfortunately it affected my libido and I had anorgasmia which I could not deal with. I've tried almost all of the SSRI's and the one that doesn't cause sexual dysfunction for me is Lexapro. Even Celexa did. So I take 10 mg of Lexapro. I don't think it's as good as Paxil though. I am still on the low side.
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