Hello Everyone
I have taken Paxil for a long time (10 to 20mgs) and i feel it isn't working like it used to. I talked to my Dr. about it in Aug. but he thinks I should stay on it, I was having a real problem with my shoulders and back at my check-up. I also think it keeps me from losing weight and I've gained a little over 20lbs. in a year.
My question is has anyone weaned themselves off an Anti-D? If so how did you do it and what was it like? I know you're supposed to wean but not sure what the safest method would be. Any experiences? TIA
You do have to wean off, and you should be doing it with a doc and not by yourself. Why do you want to wean instead of trying something else? If you hit a depression will your eating be worse? Antidepressants actually interrupt some of the pain cycle too. Something to consider. But see your doc first.
Shelly, thanks
What is the fear behind trying another? I am assuming your Doc is going to stay in the SSRI family?
LOL Shelly I'm not afraid, I just don't like taking meds I absolutely don't have too. The only reason I am depressed is because I've gained over 20lbs while being on the anti-d
Not all of the SSRI's cause weight gain and not all of the weight could be from the Paxil. A lot of those nice drugs that we have to take on a daily basis to survive...cause weight gain. I have found on SSRI's if you increase your proteine and decrease your carbs it makes it a lot easier for the weight to come off. Exercise is the key to any long lasting weight loss too, and how many of us have days at a time that we cannot exercise.
Not all the SSRIs cause weight gain, but Paxil has the highest incidence of weight gain. Paxil also has the worst withdrawal. One way to get off of Paxil is to switch to another SSRI and get off of that one. When you switch, you should not notice much difference. SSRIs have a very short half life and you can easily try other ones and know if they work quickly. Lexapro is a really good one. Some SSRIs work on your pain better than others and it is very individual. Paxil didn't help my pain much, but Zoloft does.
If your PCP will work with you, you can find the best one. In any case, see if you can switch to an SSRI that is less likely to cause weight gain. Have the doc check the PRD.
Lynne
Mona - If you do decide to wean off the Paxil, do it very, very, slowly. Christopher's doc weaned him off in 10 days so he could start him on the patch, and since he's been off the Paxil, he's been having 'brain zaps'. Apparently these are common when weaning off certain SSRIs.
Oh Great I have enough brain zaps
Don't know if you are re-thinking trying to wean off paxil or not, since it might be helping your fibro. J
So just in case thought I would share my experience with Paxil and Wellbutrin. This was about 10 years ago when I was going through a tough time - not knowing of course just how tough it was really going to end up getting later - like now....
Anyway, I really loved Paxil. Worked wonders for me for both my depression and my anxiety. However, like you, the weight gain really bothered me and I felt drowsy a lot too which also bothered me.
So I ended up switching to Wellbutrin which supposedly does not have those problems and indeed didn't for me. Matter of fact I pretty much immediately dropped 5 lbs when I first started taking the W. and never had the drowsy issue either. The only negative for me was that it did not help me at all with anxiety which was a bummer but worth the trade off for me at that time.
As far as weaning off goes (for both W and P) I do not remember the exact specifics. I do know that I did it under a Drs care and that it was a slow ramping down process and that I didn't have any negative side effects doing it that way.
Good Luck,
Melly
Hello,