From Paxil to Lexapro or just weaning off?

shiva · 04-29-2012, 08:37 AM

Hello, I am new and need some advice. I have an anxiety disorder and depression disorder. Eleven years ago I was prescribed paxil, 20 mg and it worked amazing. I felt a whole different person and had the best time of my life. After about 5 years my menopause started and from that moment I had paxil poop-out. I struggled along, was given 30 mg and later even 40 mg but it stopped working, the augmentation did not do anything.

In 2009 I went to my doc and he suggested we try effexor. I went straight off paxil on effexor and hell broke loose. On effexor I was highly nervous and agitated and along came the withdrawal of paxil. After 9 weeks in hell I gave up on effexor and went back to paxil. At the moment I am on 30 mg and I want to quit again. Since then I learned a lot and I will taper real slowly with liquid paxil. I had to tell my doc there is liquid and she would make arrangements with the pharmacist.

But I am anxious if I can make it without an AD because of my disorders. On the one hand I want to be myself again and get rid of all the crap. Now I am depressed with medication, will I be depressed without? I know only experience can tell. First I was thinking of cross-tapering with Lexapro because my mind told me I need something. But now I am beginning to doubt, afraid of what the paxil withdrawal along with the lexapro starting will do.

Has anybody gone from paxil to lexapro is my question, and did it work? So I might take in consideration that I am better off without it. Paxil withdrawal will be hard enough on itself, I guess. I know cause I have been there.

Thanks for reading and hoping for experiences,
shiva

scotty · 04-29-2012, 09:13 AM

First, don't set in your mind that paxil withdrawal will be horrendous. Slow, very slow weaning will make it very manageable. The key is to not rush that process.

Switching is a crap shoot. Some are able to do it, for others it makes things worse. Personally, I would never recommend switching as it opens the pandoras box of withdrawal and start up symptoms.

Get the liquid, slow wean and take it slow. Don't anticipate who you are off drugs..you may be pleasantly surprised to find that paxil wasn't the wonder drug that you believed it to be.

shiva · 04-29-2012, 10:17 AM

Hi Scotty,

What you say makes sense and I think I won't go switching. It's my anxiety which makes me feel so insecure. Can you imagine how bloody nervous i am by the mere thought of doing it on my own? After so long a time with meds.

thanks for your positive & pleasant reply

04-29-2012, 08:37 AM	#1
shiva Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Holland Posts: 3	From Paxil to Lexapro or just weaning off? Hello, I am new and need some advice. I have an anxiety disorder and depression disorder. Eleven years ago I was prescribed paxil, 20 mg and it worked amazing. I felt a whole different person and had the best time of my life. After about 5 years my menopause started and from that moment I had paxil poop-out. I struggled along, was given 30 mg and later even 40 mg but it stopped working, the augmentation did not do anything. In 2009 I went to my doc and he suggested we try effexor. I went straight off paxil on effexor and hell broke loose. On effexor I was highly nervous and agitated and along came the withdrawal of paxil. After 9 weeks in hell I gave up on effexor and went back to paxil. At the moment I am on 30 mg and I want to quit again. Since then I learned a lot and I will taper real slowly with liquid paxil. I had to tell my doc there is liquid and she would make arrangements with the pharmacist. But I am anxious if I can make it without an AD because of my disorders. On the one hand I want to be myself again and get rid of all the crap. Now I am depressed with medication, will I be depressed without? I know only experience can tell. First I was thinking of cross-tapering with Lexapro because my mind told me I need something. But now I am beginning to doubt, afraid of what the paxil withdrawal along with the lexapro starting will do. Has anybody gone from paxil to lexapro is my question, and did it work? So I might take in consideration that I am better off without it. Paxil withdrawal will be hard enough on itself, I guess. I know cause I have been there. Thanks for reading and hoping for experiences, shiva

04-29-2012, 09:13 AM	#2
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,170	Re: From Paxil to Lexapro or just weaning off? First, don't set in your mind that paxil withdrawal will be horrendous. Slow, very slow weaning will make it very manageable. The key is to not rush that process. Switching is a crap shoot. Some are able to do it, for others it makes things worse. Personally, I would never recommend switching as it opens the pandoras box of withdrawal and start up symptoms. Get the liquid, slow wean and take it slow. Don't anticipate who you are off drugs..you may be pleasantly surprised to find that paxil wasn't the wonder drug that you believed it to be. __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

04-29-2012, 10:17 AM	#3
shiva Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Holland Posts: 3	Re: From Paxil to Lexapro or just weaning off? Hi Scotty, What you say makes sense and I think I won't go switching. It's my anxiety which makes me feel so insecure. Can you imagine how bloody nervous i am by the mere thought of doing it on my own? After so long a time with meds. thanks for your positive & pleasant reply

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