Another horrible night

CMG69 · 12-05-2009, 03:05 AM

So I was awake every hour last night with anxiety, sweats, etc. My doc told me to up the paxil back to 5 mg, when do you think I will get some relief. she also told me to up the prozac to 20 but i am starting to think that the prozac is giving me such bad anxiety. I even took klonopin yesterday and it did basically nothing to alleviate this horrible anxiety. What to do....

LCrawford67 · 12-05-2009, 06:48 AM

Prozac is known for this and the switch doesn't work that often for most folks.

What is your goal? Are you trying to be drug free? I notice this is your second switch.

If you want to stay on medication, then pick one drug and stay on it. If Paxil works for you, then stay on that and that alone.

Because you've only been on Prozac a relatively short time, I'd up the Paxil and start dropping the Prozac. Prozac is stimulating and not what a person with a panic disorder should be taking. Plus, you're probably feeling the w/d from dropping Paxil dose so quickly.

scotty · 12-05-2009, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCrawford67

I'd up the Paxil and start dropping the Prozac. Prozac is stimulating and not what a person with a panic disorder should be taking. Plus, you're probably feeling the w/d from dropping Paxil dose so quickly.

Exactly.

CMG69 · 12-05-2009, 10:14 AM

I think you are right, what should I up my dose of paxil to. My goal is to be med free, but when you are in the deep dark hole, you don't care what you have to take and for how long as long as you can be functional. I increased the prozac to 20mg and the paxil up to 5. I thought that if the prozac is the problem then I will know that soon b/c my anxiety will get even worse, then I know. I have been trying this switch since September and I don't want to give it up too soon, but don't want to be miserable so I thought I would try another few days that would get me to about 3 weeks upping the prozac and then I'll call it quits and go back on the paxil, but at what dose? Thanks for your support, I know most people are not for the switch to another drug, but I have found that I have been able to lose weight on the prozac (or maybe it is this new diet I don't know). I try CBT and I wonder why I can't seem to get it to change my thoughts, so frustrating. It all sounds good and makes great sense, it's just the implementing that is the problem. This is a great support site, thank you for your thoughts!!

scotty · 12-05-2009, 10:18 AM

I think I would go to 10 of Prozac and 10 of Paxil and see what happens. Then slowly bring the Prozac down and the paxil up until you're on 20 of paxil.

Why did they do the switch in the first place?

CMG69 · 12-05-2009, 11:01 AM

I was trying the switch to get off of paxil due to side effects of weight gain,etc. and my pdoc has had success w/switching to prozac to help people get off of paxil. and then try to wean off the prozac. I don't know but I was willing to give it a try..I guess I just want to get off so badly and I know maybe I should have just stayed w/the slow wean, but I thought this might work better. We'll see- this seems to be a low point.

scotty · 12-05-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMG69

I was trying the switch to get off of paxil due to side effects of weight gain,etc. and my pdoc has had success w/switching to prozac to help people get off of paxil. and then try to wean off the prozac. I don't know but I was willing to give it a try..I guess I just want to get off so badly and I know maybe I should have just stayed w/the slow wean, but I thought this might work better. We'll see- this seems to be a low point.

Sadly, the prozac makes you lose weight is fallacy. It is actually used in those with anorexia for weight gain. What's probably making you lose weight right now is the unrelenting anxiety.

CMG69 · 12-05-2009, 11:05 AM

But don't they also use prozac for panic attacks and depression, so why would it be so stimulating, or just the every one is different philosophy?

scotty · 12-05-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMG69

But don't they also use prozac for panic attacks and depression, so why would it be so stimulating, or just the every one is different philosophy?

Prozac was initially approved for depression only...as with all the other ssri's they went in for, and got approvals for every diagnosis known to man.

LCrawford67 · 12-05-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

Prozac was initially approved for depression only

Yep. Prozac was one of the first widely used and marketed SSRIs and arguably, the one that started it all. It was for made for depression only and never meant for anxiety disorders.

CMG69 · 12-05-2009, 03:44 PM

Oh, that is good to know. Which ones are used for anxiety other than paxil? not that I am going to try those.

12-05-2009, 03:05 AM	#1
CMG69 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 175	Another horrible night So I was awake every hour last night with anxiety, sweats, etc. My doc told me to up the paxil back to 5 mg, when do you think I will get some relief. she also told me to up the prozac to 20 but i am starting to think that the prozac is giving me such bad anxiety. I even took klonopin yesterday and it did basically nothing to alleviate this horrible anxiety. What to do.... __________________ Started Paxil 20mg in Oct. 2001 for PPD, Panic Disorder 2 failed attempts Attempted switch to lexapro, didn't work Back to paxil 20mg 9/09- 13.5mg Paxil 9/09-10/09- on 5mg prozac and weaning Paxil down 10/17/09- upped prozac to 10mg, paxil 5mg- current 11/09- up prozac to 20, d/c paxil from 5mg to 0 in about 3 wks. end of 11/09- severe anxiety, dep 12/8/09- d/c'd prozac, back on paxil 5 mg 1/10- back to 20mg paxil 3/12- upped to 30mg, klonopin .05 bid

12-05-2009, 06:48 AM	#2
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 30,253	Re: Another horrible night Prozac is known for this and the switch doesn't work that often for most folks. What is your goal? Are you trying to be drug free? I notice this is your second switch. If you want to stay on medication, then pick one drug and stay on it. If Paxil works for you, then stay on that and that alone. Because you've only been on Prozac a relatively short time, I'd up the Paxil and start dropping the Prozac. Prozac is stimulating and not what a person with a panic disorder should be taking. Plus, you're probably feeling the w/d from dropping Paxil dose so quickly. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 *"Whether You Believe You Can, Or You Can't, You Are Right."* ~ Henry Ford

12-05-2009, 10:14 AM	#4
CMG69 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 175	Re: Another horrible night I think you are right, what should I up my dose of paxil to. My goal is to be med free, but when you are in the deep dark hole, you don't care what you have to take and for how long as long as you can be functional. I increased the prozac to 20mg and the paxil up to 5. I thought that if the prozac is the problem then I will know that soon b/c my anxiety will get even worse, then I know. I have been trying this switch since September and I don't want to give it up too soon, but don't want to be miserable so I thought I would try another few days that would get me to about 3 weeks upping the prozac and then I'll call it quits and go back on the paxil, but at what dose? Thanks for your support, I know most people are not for the switch to another drug, but I have found that I have been able to lose weight on the prozac (or maybe it is this new diet I don't know). I try CBT and I wonder why I can't seem to get it to change my thoughts, so frustrating. It all sounds good and makes great sense, it's just the implementing that is the problem. This is a great support site, thank you for your thoughts!! __________________ Started Paxil 20mg in Oct. 2001 for PPD, Panic Disorder 2 failed attempts Attempted switch to lexapro, didn't work Back to paxil 20mg 9/09- 13.5mg Paxil 9/09-10/09- on 5mg prozac and weaning Paxil down 10/17/09- upped prozac to 10mg, paxil 5mg- current 11/09- up prozac to 20, d/c paxil from 5mg to 0 in about 3 wks. end of 11/09- severe anxiety, dep 12/8/09- d/c'd prozac, back on paxil 5 mg 1/10- back to 20mg paxil 3/12- upped to 30mg, klonopin .05 bid

12-05-2009, 10:18 AM	#5
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 40,824	Re: Another horrible night I think I would go to 10 of Prozac and 10 of Paxil and see what happens. Then slowly bring the Prozac down and the paxil up until you're on 20 of paxil. Why did they do the switch in the first place? __________________ AKA Laurie "By ignoring the environmental factors the psychiatric profession gives itself complete job security by diagnosing life as a mental illness. The only people who will not qualify for a disorder are those who are dead." Joseph Arpaia, MD

12-05-2009, 11:01 AM	#6
CMG69 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 175	Re: Another horrible night I was trying the switch to get off of paxil due to side effects of weight gain,etc. and my pdoc has had success w/switching to prozac to help people get off of paxil. and then try to wean off the prozac. I don't know but I was willing to give it a try..I guess I just want to get off so badly and I know maybe I should have just stayed w/the slow wean, but I thought this might work better. We'll see- this seems to be a low point. __________________ Started Paxil 20mg in Oct. 2001 for PPD, Panic Disorder 2 failed attempts Attempted switch to lexapro, didn't work Back to paxil 20mg 9/09- 13.5mg Paxil 9/09-10/09- on 5mg prozac and weaning Paxil down 10/17/09- upped prozac to 10mg, paxil 5mg- current 11/09- up prozac to 20, d/c paxil from 5mg to 0 in about 3 wks. end of 11/09- severe anxiety, dep 12/8/09- d/c'd prozac, back on paxil 5 mg 1/10- back to 20mg paxil 3/12- upped to 30mg, klonopin .05 bid

12-05-2009, 11:05 AM	#8
CMG69 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 175	Re: Another horrible night But don't they also use prozac for panic attacks and depression, so why would it be so stimulating, or just the every one is different philosophy? __________________ Started Paxil 20mg in Oct. 2001 for PPD, Panic Disorder 2 failed attempts Attempted switch to lexapro, didn't work Back to paxil 20mg 9/09- 13.5mg Paxil 9/09-10/09- on 5mg prozac and weaning Paxil down 10/17/09- upped prozac to 10mg, paxil 5mg- current 11/09- up prozac to 20, d/c paxil from 5mg to 0 in about 3 wks. end of 11/09- severe anxiety, dep 12/8/09- d/c'd prozac, back on paxil 5 mg 1/10- back to 20mg paxil 3/12- upped to 30mg, klonopin .05 bid

12-05-2009, 03:44 PM	#11
CMG69 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 175	Re: Another horrible night Oh, that is good to know. Which ones are used for anxiety other than paxil? not that I am going to try those. __________________ Started Paxil 20mg in Oct. 2001 for PPD, Panic Disorder 2 failed attempts Attempted switch to lexapro, didn't work Back to paxil 20mg 9/09- 13.5mg Paxil 9/09-10/09- on 5mg prozac and weaning Paxil down 10/17/09- upped prozac to 10mg, paxil 5mg- current 11/09- up prozac to 20, d/c paxil from 5mg to 0 in about 3 wks. end of 11/09- severe anxiety, dep 12/8/09- d/c'd prozac, back on paxil 5 mg 1/10- back to 20mg paxil 3/12- upped to 30mg, klonopin .05 bid

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