Posted by Jen B on September 30, 2000, at 14:40:17
In reply to Paxil and Panic - please help, posted by tinkrbel on September 28, 2000, at 19:54:30
Laura--
I have been on Paxil for 6 months now. I probably suffered from milder versions of what you experience. For the most part, I would label what I had as social anxiety. It was very difficult for me to leave my house. I had mild panic, and a fair amount of general anxiety. The Paxil has worked *marvelously* for me. I have had *no* side effects and I feel much calmer and braver. It really has changed my life. I take the pill in the morning w/ breakfast, and although it is one of the more sedating medications, I never feel sedated. 10 mgs. is considered a child dosage; many pdocs start patients out on this amount because there seems to be less side effects when the patient moves up to 20 mg (which is the lowest adult dose, and is what I am taking).
Everybody responds differently to each medication, but I know a lot of people with anxiety who have experienced a great deal of relief with Paxil. It can be frightening reading all of the possible side effects of medications, but realize that most are extremely rare and must be listed anyway. Reading this material presents these possibilities out of perspective.
I was very reluctant to start taking meds. But the quality of my life has improved drastically. I'm sorry I waited so long! It's worth it to me, because a life closed away inside isn't very fully lived. :-)
I wish you the best of luck, Laura. If you're still taking the Paxil, be patient... it may take several weeks to "kick in." But I suspect you will start to feel better soon.
Jen
poster:Jen B
thread:45440
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000926/msgs/45531.html