Should I see a physician or a psychiatrist about represcribing my Paxil??

Question

I have been on Paxil for 5 1/2 years and I moved around a year ago 8 hours from my doctor. It was my physician who prescribed the Paxil to me, but I am almost out of my pills and have no more refills and now I am wondering whether I should go to a physician or a psychiatrist to talk to about getting a new prescription. Also, I am interested in getting on a different anti-depressant....Paxil is starting to not be worth the side effects it is giving me....but regardless of whether I change pills or go off of them completely, I am unsure who to talk to about this....any suggestions on which would be more helpful? Thanks!

Answer 1

A psychiatrist is better qualified. He treats depression and other mental disorders on a regular basis and he follows up with your progress.

Answer 2

Don't stop the Paxil all at once, but taper of gradually. You could have some significant side effects if you stop all at once.

Paxil tends to diminish in its effectiveness over time. Usually the doctor will prescribe more of it and keep increasing the dosage until it makes you feel like it did in the beginning.

You will want to see a doctor and find out if it would be better to try another anti-depressant.

Answer 3

If you do come off Paxil, I'd recommend very slowly tapering off the dosage over a number of weeks given how long you've been on this drug. This drug has been associated with very significant withdrawal effects in some people. The manufacturer was even sued in the past in a class action lawsuit due to withdrawal syndromes that persisted for months after discontinuing the drug. So as a precaution, I'd really suggest coming off of this drug gradually, especially given that you've been on it an incredibly long time.

A psychiatrist of course prescribes these drugs to many patients on a daily basis and is more experienced with this than a general practitioner. If you can, see one.

Answer 4

I would check with a new psychiatrist near you, this will make it easier for you. A regular physician doesn't know near as much as a psychiatrist when it comes to mental health drugs. Although it could take a while to get an appointment with a psychiatrist so if you can't get in right away...then I'd see a physician....just until you could get into a psychiatrist....you don't want to run out of medication!!!!!