New person with questions

[Brokenspoke13]

Hello Everyone
My name Is Terri, My husband has just been prescribed Paxil, for anxiety and panic attacks. He just recently has had to occurences where his blood pressure shot up and he thought he was having a heart attack and I took him to the hospital ER on both occasions. They had to give him diffrent drugs to bring his BP down. They admitted him both times to run tests on him. These tests really did not show any problems with his heart. Heart disease runs in his family and he was a very heavy smoker until July of last year when he quit with the help of the drug Chantix. His primary Dr we went back to on Wed. thinks maybe his anxiety about having a heart attack makes the whole matter worse. My husband is a type A person, high strung, can anger easily, impatient, impulsive, etc.He as been taking wellbutrin for a couple years with no side effects that are noticable. Knowing nothing about Paxil I was searching and found your forum, and have been reading about alot of youre experiences and am scared to let him start the Paxil, the Dr also changed his BP medicine and Thursday he tried new Bp and 1/2 of 20 mg Paxil, well yesterday and today he felt really bad, today he thinks maybe he coming down with something. He has a appt Monday with a cardiogilst so I told him to go back on old bp med and stop the paxil till we talk to dr. I am sorry for such a long post and will appreciate any input anyone has .Thanks Terri

[pax80]

Hello Terri and welcome to PP

have you ever thought that your hubbi's problems can be due to chantix?
anyways, I agree with you, stop the paxil and go back on old bp med. But going to the doctor is probably the best solution...

Many others will chime in so hang in there!

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Brokenspoke13

high strung, can anger easily, impatient, impulsive, etc.He as been taking wellbutrin for a couple years with no side effects that are noticable.

The symptoms that you are describing ARE potential wellbutrin side effects.

[Homerbcool]

Terri...if your husband is having affects of any kind from the PAxhell in such a short time frame, get him and keep him off...the dr will want to try a different anti-depressant, like Zoloft or Prozac, again unless all alternatives have been tried, stay off the Anti-depressants....

Chantix has been known to cause issues such as wht you are describing, in fact there are lawsuits against Chantix right now.

I would look at talk therapy to try and mend his ways prior to going on meds of any kind, but that is me....

[scotia21]

Is it possible that the Wellbutrin is causing the high blood pressure too? I had high blood pressure when I was on Paxil but I don't know if that is a side effect of every AD.

[commish]

Originally Posted by scotty

The symptoms that you are describing ARE potential wellbutrin side effects.

Wellbutrin is a little more subtle but the side effect are still there. It is supposed to be an add on if SSRI don't seem to work as effectivly. When all it does is compound the problem. Scotty is very correct those are side effects from wellbutrin.

[Katesmom]

Everything that he is experiencing can be chalked up to Wellbutrin and/or chantix. If he discontinues the wellbutrin (slowly and carefully), these issues will disappear.

[Katesmom]

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/wellbutrin-side-effects.html

Wellbutrin
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Wellbutrin:

Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; restlessness; taste changes; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight changes.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Wellbutrin:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; delusions; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; hearing problems; menstrual changes; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, concentration problems, panic attacks, aggressiveness, agitation, anxiety, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being or inability to sit still); red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent joint or muscle pain; severe or persistent nervousness, restlessness, or trouble sleeping; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; unusual swelling; vision changes; worsening depression.