[lilsismj]

I have been on Paxil once before...went off for about six months...went back to my regular dosage and it didn't help. The doctor upped it to 50CR 4 weeks ago. I have done pretty well since then, except the last couple of days. I had a really bad panic attack yesterday morning. And, almost had one again this morning. Does this mean the medicine isn't working or has it not reached the full effect yet?

[Shifty]

It's hard to say. You really need to look deep inside and define what is really happening.

1) How much Paxil are you on? Are you saying it doesn't do anything, or does it just not help the anxiety?

2) Define Panic Attack: Are you afraid, angry, terrified, furious? Which one is it really?

3) Have you been getting enough sleep lately? Are you on a schedule the deprives you of sleep or makes you get up unusually early?

Has your doctor prescribed any Xanax or Ativan for severe panic attacks so you have a quick out if things get unbearable?

I think you need to have a more detailed and frank discussion with your doctor if you really want to squish this bug.

If they say no to the xanax/ativan, go to a specialist.

---

I have taken :
Paxil, Lexapro, Xanax, and Lithium

Currently:
450mg Eskalith CR (Lithium)

I was mis-diagnosed for 3 years. They thought I had Generalized Anxiety Disorder with a Major Depressive Episode. The real problem was Bipolar Disorder.

Quit Lexapro cold-turkey Dec 22, 2005

Ask me anything, nothing is off-limits.

Shifty

[lilsismj]

When I was first told I had GAD, I was put on Paxil CR 25. Over the summer, when it was FDA recalled, I switch to Lex 10mg. I started having really bad anxiety and went up to Lex 15mg. After that didn't seem to help...and I started having really bad depression (which was never really a problem before) I was put back on my original dosage of Paxil CR. Again, it didn't help...not as much as it had before...so my GP upped it to 50 and gave me Xanax .5 to take during the dosage change. The first couple of weeks were tough, but I never had to take over .25 xanax all day...and not even everyday. Then Tuesday morning, I had a full blown panic attack (broke out in cold sweats, shortness of breath, dizziness, diareaha). It isn't very often that this happens to me. i've only had like 4 full blown ones in the last 4 years. I took a whole .5 xanax and talked myself through it, which I've never been able to do before. And, I have felt edgy ever since. This morning when I woke up, I felt like I was on the verge of another one, which makes me so sad because I've never had them this close together. So, I took a .25 of xanax and was fine. I feel a little edgy right now. Off and on. But, the xanax is only supposed to get me through the paxil increase. I thought I would be off of it by now, not needing more. I hadn't taken any in like a week. Then BAM! I have a therapist appointment tonight and I will talk to her, but I am just scared and don't really understand what's going on.

[Shifty]

I'm very concerned about you if the Xanax isn't even working. You need to really stick it to that doctor and talk his/her ear off. I know when you are feeling anxiety you feel the need to make things quick. Don't shortchange your treatment, or let the doctor bully you into accepting a quick and thoughtless diagnosis. That's what got you into this in the first place.

If you are feeling anxiety in the doctors office, by god don't hide it. Make the doctor feel your pain so he can understand the problem.

If you aren't happy with the outcome of your doctors appointment, make another one, maybe with a specialist. Find out if your doctor really believes you are suffering or if he thinks you are trying to get drugs or sympathy. Doctors with that type of attitude will never truly help you (unless they get lucky).

As a side note, I went on 20mg generic non-cr paxil when they had those production problems. I wonder why your doctor didn't go that route?


---

I have taken :
Paxil, Lexapro, Xanax, and Lithium

Currently:
450mg Eskalith CR (Lithium)

I was mis-diagnosed for 3 years. They thought I had Generalized Anxiety Disorder with a Major Depressive Episode. The real problem was Bipolar Disorder.

Quit Lexapro cold-turkey Dec 22, 2005

Ask me anything, nothing is off-limits.

Shifty

[lilsismj]

The Xanax is helping, I just haven't had to take it this regularly before. I've called around today and am trying to get into see a Psychiatrist...someone who know's these meds. I just hate this. It's so hard when you tell yourself something is going to work over and over again and those somethings don't. There comes a point when it's hard to believe the next something will do the trick. You know?