my dr weaned me off paxil cr 12.5mg slowly and the correct way bc it was working for my panic attacks. i have been diagnosed with panic disorder. i decided after many yrs of being a lap rat and meds side effects i would go see a coulncler and an herbologist and go all natural. i had my last paxil a wk ago fri. mentally i feel great. im not thinking about bad thoughts or scary what if things, mentally im doing great. i feel calm and have no anxiety. the othly thing is i have panic attack symptoms. i dont know if they are panic attacks or withdrawal. i looked it up and the s/s are the same. i dont feel anxious but my throat sometimes feels so tight like its closing up or i cant breath or my heart beats all punky. sometimes i have all three or just one at a time or two. so are they panic attacks or withdrawals. i just ignore these annoying symptoms and wait for them to pass. i just want my life back and i want to be free from panic disorder.
2007-07-15 13:12:37 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Hi, sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. Either way, the following steps should help:
1.Breathe properly - if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.
2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks, OCD and anxiety etc. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. (After 15 years of panic attacks, mine stopped completely). You can speak to your doctor about taking a course or you can take a course for free online at: www.livinglifetothefull.com
3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really help if you practise often enough. You can get free downloads in you put "progressive muscle relaxation" into Google (e.g. lots of universities have them as free downloads)
With each step practise makes perfect. (i.e. practise the steps every day, not just when you are feeling bad). I hope you feel better soon. Best of luck!
2007-07-16 07:45:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're having panic attack symptoms, then you're not really free from anxiety. The throat tightening is a classic anxiety symptom. I don't know what you mean by "punky" heart beats but anxiety can make your heart beat harder and faster. It doesn't sound like withdrawal symptoms, it sounds like your anxiety is coming back.
Paxil from a medical doctor is probably going to be more reliable than counselling and herbs.
I quit taking Paxil and starting taking St. John's Wort. My depression and anxiety wasn't bad, but I had terrible stomach aches. As soon as I stopped taking St. John's Wort, the stomach aches went away. I'm back on Paxil again. The side effects of St. John's Wort were far worse than Paxil ever was.
Maybe you'll luck out, but I just don't think the chances are very good. Sorry, but I'm giving an honest opinion.
2007-07-15 14:00:00 · answer #2 · answered by majnun99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good post. I'll soon have to deal w/the same thing actually. been on Paxil for 7 yrs. and tired of being tired. read alot about people having trouble for a few days weaning off paxil actually. sometimes, it can feel pretty bad from what I've heard, but hopefully if it's done g r a d u a l l y, the effects won't be as nightmare-ish. Just hang in there, make sure you speak w/your doc about it is the most important thing. those withdrawal symptoms will subside soon, like a few days? or maybe less? ask your doc. *I also HIGHLY recommend treating urself to a nice massage. Often we forget about something so comforting as a nice relaxing massage. I believe it would help you a lot during this transition from one med 2 the next w/something like this to help you relax much more.
2016-04-01 05:54:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear of your suffering, Jen, I can relate as my 11 yr old suffers from severe anxiety and panic attacks. We have been through 3-4 rounds of medication, having to stop some because of bad side effects, and others because they did not help. Unfortunately, in anxiety and panic, there is no one magic med that is right for everyone. Sometimes it takes many trials, and many months to find the right med due to weaning on (waiting for it to work) and weaning off if it is not the right one. I can understand you feeling like a "lab rat" but remember that meds can help, and they do have their place, as evidenced by improvement in your condition. No one likes to have to take meds everyday, but if taking that pill everyday takes away the panic attacks, isn't it worth it?
When I think of everything my 11 yr has suffered through, and what she has put me (her father and her family) through, I would not change what is working. Are you getting any counselling to complement the med therapy? Cognitive behavior therapy is slow to work, but can help, and sometimes the meds are the key to allowing the therapy to work also. There is no easy answer for you.
Be sure to keep your doctor informed of the symptoms you are having as they could be simply withdrawl, or they could be evidence that you really need to stay on the meds. Good luck with the natural remedies, I don't have much info on them. I would do anything to make my daughter well today, but unfotunately this problem is a "slow, uphill climb" as her therapist and psychiatrist call it.
Good luck to you....
2007-07-15 13:22:30 · answer #4 · answered by xfilekel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The truth is that you might never be truly "free" of this disorder. Most likely you can manage your symptoms. The symptoms you describe are not common with SSRI withdrawal. I would suggest you monitor your situation closely with your doctor. Beware of "natural" remedies. They can be every bit as dangerous as prescription drugs. By the way, it can take several weeks after being completely off of Paxil to know how you will ultimately feel.
2007-07-15 13:17:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be best to ask your doctor. I used to have panic attack and what you described sounds a little like what I used to feel. However, Medication with drawl can cause a lot of symptoms also, And can be dangerous if not treated by your doctor. Give him a call and check it out.
2007-07-15 13:17:52 · answer #6 · answered by Robin L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what withdrawals of paxil are ===but you sound like you are handling things very well =keep up the good work
2007-07-15 13:16:40 · answer #7 · answered by caffsans 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it sounds like your panic attacks are coming back although perhaps you are better able to handle some of the feelings that comes with them.
2007-07-15 13:16:36 · answer #8 · answered by Wicked Good 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know the answer to your question but congratulations on being off it!! it's good to know it's possible because i'm hoping my boyfriend can get off it someday... but he has been on it for sooooo long it's going to be hard. if he skips or forgets to take his meds, he gets the symptoms you are talking about, so if i had to guess, i'd say withdrawl.
2007-07-15 13:17:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋