Paxil and anxiety

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2004
Paxil and anxiety
4
Wed, 01-05-2005 - 7:48pm

Hi (((((everyone)))))!

I've been taking Paxil and Risperdal for my depression for two months now. Also was rx'd Ativan for anxiety. I'm having major anxiety attacks, just about every day. I thought that one of the things Paxil treats is anxiety... so why isn't it helping? It's makes me even more stressed, thinking that maybe it's not anxiety after all, maybe I do have something else wrong with me! And that thinking just reinforces a vicious cycle.

Anyone have experience with this? I don't see my pdoc until Sat., and I'm freaking out here. Ativan does help, but it also makes me a zombie. And being depressed, I don't need any more reasons to lie in bed in a fog, staring at the ceiling.

Thanks a bunch!
Love,
Beth

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2004
Thu, 01-06-2005 - 12:45am

Beth,

First of all I want to say that I'm glad that you came to the boards and posted what's bothering you. I have anxiety as well, but I have obsessive compulsive disorder which is an anxiety disorder as well, I take prozac for it. Well let me tell you, It takes a while for medications to kick in, anywhere from a week to like 3-4 months, when I was on wellbutrin, it seemed as though it took forever. The best thing I can say to do, is try writing out what you are anxious about, that's what I do and it seems to help me out a lot, or I would try to talk with a friend who is very trustworthy and knows about your diagnosis, do you have a counselor? Sometimes they can offer books to read on how to cope with it. Another good thing I do, is i count to 10 when I'm having a hard time with something, I hope that i was able to help and if not, I will try to help you out again.
wish you luck
crystin

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Thu, 01-06-2005 - 12:59am
Hi Beth,
I'm not an expert by any means, but I've been an RN for 10 yrs and from what I've always known about Paxil is--it's an antidepressant, not really an anti-anxiety med. An anti-depressant will actually have a side effect of anxiety as it's sort of like an "upper."
There is a really good website for looking up medications and their side effects, actions, etc. I think it's www.mayoclinic.com If that isn't correct, just look mayo clinic up on a search engine like yahoo.com. Once you get there, there will be a section to search medications.
In the meantime, take a deep breath when you feel like you're going to lose your mind. When I first got on Wellbutrin, I didn't start on the lower dosage and work my way up and ended up getting horrible crying spells and REAL moody.
Hope I've helped!
Jen
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2004
Thu, 01-06-2005 - 5:51am

Hi Beth -


Yes, all of the SSRIs can cause anxiety and some people are more prone to it than others. I could not tolerate the smallest dose of Zoloft (which is being marketed now for anxiety!!)

peace and love,

just_a_big_kid

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 01-06-2005 - 6:08am
Wow! Thanks! Now it all makes sense. I was wondering why I felt so panicky and anxiety ridden. I thought the paxil wasn't working! Woah...you guys are awesome. I have learned so much here!