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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by EMG on August 26, 2003, at 0:27:51
I am 20 years old and have expierienced saddness and nervousness and anxiety for as long as i can remember. recently it has increased to an unfortunate level. i finally went to a psychatrist today and she diagnosed me with major depression super imposed on dysthyma and panic disorder and referred me to continue with therapy and gave me a prescription to Paxil. I'm nervous (ha) about taking the drug because i've read all of these horrible withdrawl symptoms and i don't want to be on medication my whole life. {or is it like if i had a heart problem...i would be on meds my whole life then.) i'm just having such a confliction because i want to feel better but i don't want to be dependant on meds. Anyone take paxil and have a good experience? please- i'm looking for honest advice because i'm sick of feeling so shitty.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on August 26, 2003, at 14:34:35
In reply to Should i take Paxil?, posted by EMG on August 26, 2003, at 0:27:51
Nobody's personal experience is going to be of much utility in predicting how you'll fare on Paxil (or any drug). Your decision should be motivated by your condition. In my case, I got to the point that I felt badly enough "naturally" that I welcomed something different. If you're satisfied with how you currently feel, don't take anything (seriously). If you feel like you have nothing to lose, go for it. Other people's experience in a broader sense can be helpful. For instance, I've been on several different drugs for years, and I don't think that they've had any lasting negative effect on me. If things don't work out for you, you can quit the meds and eventually things will return to the way they were before. Also, if you do take meds, be sure to take them correctly, and for a long enough duration to judge their efficacy. It really does take at least 2-3 weeks for things to start happening, and taking bigger dosages (or lesser, or skipping) isn't going to make anything better.
Posted by JWill989 on August 27, 2003, at 19:58:23
In reply to Re: Should i take Paxil?, posted by Eddie Sylvano on August 26, 2003, at 14:34:35
I agree with the previous post. Well said, Eddie.
I've been on Paxil for four years now, and my thoughts about it are mixed. Basically, I think it has helped, but not hugely. (One big problem w/psychiatric disorders is that they're so hard to quantify (or even qualify, really)).
Anyway, I think it worth mentioning that people who suffer from really long term depression, like myself, and, based on your statements, yourself, the SSRI's, including Paxil, are less effective than they are for people who are hit with major depression as an exception to their general life-long mood.
Having said that, I think that Paxil, of all the SSRI's, is the most effective (for me anyway, but everyone is different), but also has a difficult withdrawal (unlike Prozac).
Everyone is different. Good luck, whatever you decide.
Posted by Questionmark on August 28, 2003, at 23:25:33
In reply to Should i take Paxil?, posted by EMG on August 26, 2003, at 0:27:51
i've been depressed since age 12 or earlier (23 now)-- have major dep., dysthymia, and significant nervousness/anxiety also, though not panic disorder. i was on Paxil for 2 years, and it definitely helped, especially w/ the anxiety, & minimized the severity of the depression-- i.e., the pain wasn't as bad, but it was also more difficult to experience any pleasure. Was definitely worth it at the time though, and maybe overall.
However, i must tell you that since i got off (around this last January), i don't think i have felt the same-- the depression has been worse (bAd), and the anxiety as well.. & just a general difficulty in thinking clearly and what not. BUT, it mAY not be the Paxil discontinuation, it may just be that my life still sucks and i still hate myself and etc. So i'm not sure. i wish i knew for sure, but i dunno. But i did want to tell you that to help in your decision.
i think that if you got on Paxil and really worked toward making yourself a better person and improving your life, you could get off it and still feel significantly better than you do now-- just my opinion. Just remember, if you get on it-- and not to sound condescending or parental or anything-- don't waste it; don't waste any time. Use it to help you improve yourself and your life, and not just to feel better for a little while. This will help ensure that it will have been worth it in the long run. Good luck & take care.
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