BUSPAR? better choice? and Paxil question, Help!

03-03-2003, 12:45 AM

I have only been on Paxil CR for two weeks, because of GAD. I went on for a few days a couple months ago, read some scary info about withdrawal and quit. I only have mild GAD but it really affects my life, social anxiety wise too. I am trying PAXIL again being persuaded by my doctor. I did hear better things about BUSPAR though? Anyone have a good experience on this or have any suggestions? Is it too late to quit Paxil CR cold turkey at this point? Im scared after reading all of your posts..... I have so many questions about this

Anne
Curlygirly419@hotmail.com

JulieG · 03-03-2003, 07:26 AM

I take Buspar. It doesn't help my panic attacks or my anxiety but I'm on a low dose AND it only helps GAD which my doc says I have in ADDITION to the panic disorder. I think the panic attacks / anxiety are paxil withdrawal related because they only started when I started going off paxil. Generally though, Buspar helps some. I have no problems getting off it when I quit though I know some people have.

I know this website and others out there are scary - but not everyone has these problems with paxil. A lot of people have no problems once they stop paxil - the majority I would say. At least you're going in with your eyes wide open. As far as whether you should quit taking paxil cr - only you and your doctor should decide that. There are other SSRIs out there that might do the same as paxil -but again, don't let this website and our stories scare you. We really are a small percentage of the users of paxil. And paxil did help me while I was on it. Two weeks doesn't seem like too long though, but I'm not a doctor....

Have you read From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett? I have decided that instead of masking the problem with drugs, I am going to attempt to conquer my fears. She is the CEO of the Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety.

03-03-2003, 04:16 PM

Hi,

I take regular Paxil ( 10mg.) at the moment and I have been doing better since. I take it for anxiety/depression. I was like you and had a hard time accepting that I had to take meds, partly due to all the literature on the web. This is still new to me, it's only been a little over a month but no side effects other than a little insomnia that went away. Everyone reacts differently I am told so you can't always go by what you read.

I do know from my therapist to never stop meds cold turkey, go off slow otherwise you will get the withdrawal effects.

Hope this helps.

Just Me

03-04-2003, 07:48 PM

Buspar is a tranquelizer, not an ssri like paxil. I took up to 100 mgs a day of buspar and it did nothing for me. I had depression and anxiety attacks.

Also, there are a lot of us who withdraw very slowly from paxil and still suffer severe withdrawal. I'm only decreasing 2.5 mg every 4 to 6 wks with the help of my doc. This has a lot to be said about paxil.

03-03-2003, 12:45 AM	#1
curlygirly419 Posts: n/a	BUSPAR? better choice? and Paxil question, Help! I have only been on Paxil CR for two weeks, because of GAD. I went on for a few days a couple months ago, read some scary info about withdrawal and quit. I only have mild GAD but it really affects my life, social anxiety wise too. I am trying PAXIL again being persuaded by my doctor. I did hear better things about BUSPAR though? Anyone have a good experience on this or have any suggestions? Is it too late to quit Paxil CR cold turkey at this point? Im scared after reading all of your posts..... I have so many questions about this Anne Curlygirly419@hotmail.com

03-03-2003, 07:26 AM	#2
JulieG Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 589	I take Buspar. It doesn't help my panic attacks or my anxiety but I'm on a low dose AND it only helps GAD which my doc says I have in ADDITION to the panic disorder. I think the panic attacks / anxiety are paxil withdrawal related because they only started when I started going off paxil. Generally though, Buspar helps some. I have no problems getting off it when I quit though I know some people have. I know this website and others out there are scary - but not everyone has these problems with paxil. A lot of people have no problems once they stop paxil - the majority I would say. At least you're going in with your eyes wide open. As far as whether you should quit taking paxil cr - only you and your doctor should decide that. There are other SSRIs out there that might do the same as paxil -but again, don't let this website and our stories scare you. We really are a small percentage of the users of paxil. And paxil did help me while I was on it. Two weeks doesn't seem like too long though, but I'm not a doctor.... Have you read From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett? I have decided that instead of masking the problem with drugs, I am going to attempt to conquer my fears. She is the CEO of the Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety.

03-03-2003, 04:16 PM	#3
Anonymous Posts: n/a	Hi, I take regular Paxil ( 10mg.) at the moment and I have been doing better since. I take it for anxiety/depression. I was like you and had a hard time accepting that I had to take meds, partly due to all the literature on the web. This is still new to me, it's only been a little over a month but no side effects other than a little insomnia that went away. Everyone reacts differently I am told so you can't always go by what you read. I do know from my therapist to never stop meds cold turkey, go off slow otherwise you will get the withdrawal effects. Hope this helps. Just Me

03-04-2003, 07:48 PM	#4
Jackie Posts: n/a	Buspar is a tranquelizer, not an ssri like paxil. I took up to 100 mgs a day of buspar and it did nothing for me. I had depression and anxiety attacks. Also, there are a lot of us who withdraw very slowly from paxil and still suffer severe withdrawal. I'm only decreasing 2.5 mg every 4 to 6 wks with the help of my doc. This has a lot to be said about paxil.

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