met with doctor

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
met with doctor
2
Sat, 01-21-2006 - 3:45pm

Hi everyone,

I met with my doctor the other day and we are switching my medication from Lexapro to Paxil. He said that Lexapro wasn't the best for my type of anxiety and that on a scale of 1 - 10 Zoloft would be a six and Paxil would be a ten. He said it was up to me. Since I had previously tried Zoloft, I thought I would give this a try. I am worried about the side effects of paxil. He said 50% of people experience weight gain. Now, I am obsessed with gaining weight!!! He said if I see that weight gain is too much, I will switch meds. I am still trying to lose the baby weight after two years!! I guess I'd rather be 5 pounds overweight than feeling the way I do most of the time. Hopefully it will stop a lot of the ruminating thoughts (the tapes that play over and over and over in my head.) It should also help with the social anxiety. As much as I try to push through it, it is still painful. I am always worried that I am going to make some one mad, or do the wrong thing.

Anyone on Paxil?? Please let me know your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you.

Love, Jolie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Sat, 01-21-2006 - 6:06pm

i have been on paxil for five years, i do
very well, never tried another med, i am
on 20mg and have xanex as needed.

i have int. harming thoughts that cause panic
attacks, i have bad weeks here and there and my
pdoc says maybe i should take 30mg, i really don't
want to do this....rather take xanex once a
month or so.

i am sweaty and it is very annoying, who knows maybe
it is me after giving birth, went on meds when ds
was 4mos but i doubt it, paxil is known for making
you sweaty and the other thing is my brain is mush,
i think this is from being a special needs mom but
again sometimes i wonder if i am in a paxil fog.

the best thing: no sexual side effects!!

hth,
kris

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Sat, 01-21-2006 - 8:31pm

Thank you for your response. So far I haven't experienced any sweats, but I have noticed a slight headache. I usually get sweats around my period. As far as my brain being mush, well... I have two kids. Enough said. My brain is already fried!

I have heard horror stories about Paxil, but I suppose it is different for everyone. I am weeing off Lexapro by taking 10mg and 12.5 of paxil for a week. Then I will be strictly on Paxil. I am sortof nervous, but like I said before, It can't be any worse than what I go through on a daily basis.

Did you experience any weight gain?

Thanks again,

Jolie