Been On The Meds For A Bit

[Grizzly]

So I have been on the Paroxetine for a few weeks now. I feel sort of foggy. I'm noticing this primarily when I am driving. Since I am doing this 80% of the time I'm noticing it white a bit now. Another thing which I'm finding is bothersome is now the sexual dysfunction even though I am embarrassed to say. Lastly, I am having very vivid dreams / nightmares. What bothers me is I am remembering very specific details when I am awake. Which leaves me thinking about them all day. Often the nightmares are similar reoccurrence of my deployment. These are just a few differences I'm noticing.

I can say I have not noticed the bad panic attacks for a few days now. But I have also been off work. A few heart palpitations when I lie down but that's about it.

The past few days have been hazy. I had little motivation yesterday. But I haven't had any anxiety. I still get set off by external stimuli; for example the kids impulsively yelling in the house. Remnants of the 4th firecrackers. But nothing major. It doesn't seem like I am losing my temper over little things now. But again, my stress level is low at the moment.

So I am trying to outweigh the pros and cons of the medication. Are the side effects here to stay or will they subside after a while? I am not reading a lot of positives about the meds. I am also refining my meditation technique which I feel is helping me a great deal. Plus with the exception this past therapy session I feel that I am learning to manage the stress better.

Any input?

 

[dutchiedelta]

Usually takes around 6 weeks for the med to work.
Same time for the side effects to wear off.

About this particular med I know nothing. Googling is no help either cos usually only the bad experiences are written about.
Those where it works kinda tend to avoid the drama of :"IT DOESN"T>>>" fill in the blanks.

Sorry not to have any solid advice. Just know it's very hard to get through that first couple of weeks.

 

[Grizzly]

About this particular med I know nothing. Googling is no help either cos usually only the bad experiences are written about.

It's Paxil. And yes I have read a lot of bad.

Those where it works kinda tend to avoid the drama of :"IT DOESN"T>>>" fill in the blanks.

I feel it is working. But I can't decide if the pros are outweighing the cons yet.

Sorry not to have any solid advice. Just know it's very hard to get through that first couple of weeks.

Thanks. That's what the V.A. therapist keeps telling me. Give it time.

 

[Sarg]

OK, I'll probably get into trouble here, but I'd like to play devil's advocate...

2008 study..http://www.spring.org.uk/2008/02/new-study-ssri-antidepressants-dont.php

2012 study...http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/18/new-research-on-the-antidepressant-versus-placebo-debate/

2015 Study...http://www.news-medical.net/health/Efficacy-of-SSRIs-for-Depression.aspx

Yeah, I know, I'm not helping things. My jury is still out on Cymbalta, just not enough data.

I currently take Benzodiazapines. Yes, equally damaging and highly addictive. My shrink told me he wanted to discuss my meds at our next appointment in August. So, he will probably reduce or eliminate that drug. Don't know what I'll do, but I better figure it out fast. I have another Dr. that said she would prescribe them for me, so I might have to go that way.

I view both drug types as being damaging. However I'd rather feel halfway human on Benzos, as I have for the last four years I've been taking them, than how I felt on SSRIs. It may kill me sooner, but I'll die with a half-assed smile on my face.

Sarg

 

[Grizzly]

Sarg, thanks. I read all of those stories. I'm more confused at what to do now than before. I hate taking any type of pills period. But I do want to feel better and try to make my life better for those around me.

A good friends wife invited my wife and kids over this afternoon for my friends birthday party. I'm intentionally avoiding because of the uncertainty of who and how many may be there. So the drugs are not helping my social anxiety yet. I feel guilty not going too.

 

[OldDoorGunner]

Like Sarg, what I found best for me is ALPRAZOLAM 0.5MG (Xanxa) 4X a day. Yes it's a Benzos.
At one time I was also taking BUSPIRONE HCL with the Xanax....After being on the BUSPIRONE for like 2+ years. When I first started taking the BUSPIRONE it would make my nose area feel like it was numb for maybe 20 mins. After some time that went a way, but I could feel it in my left forhead after taking it. That's when I quit taking it. (11/2012) After looking into the BUSPIRONE HCL I found that it can f*ck up your nerves in you face on some people. Also I have learned I maybe dealing with side effects of taking BUSPIRONE the rest of my life.....

So my advice when it comes to taking drugs is to do some in depth reserch on it before taking it!!!! I am sorry to say is, what works for me may not work for you and make you sick....

I am not saying you should not take a drug that can help you and give you some time to get the Beast under controle. Just know what you are taking and what it can do for you and to you.....

Lastly, I asked a few doctors this question; I thought you took an oath that you were not to give your patients anything that made them sicker, than when they came to you? I had them say, will thats true, but this will only make you sick for 2 to 3 weeks. Then you will start to feel better!!!! (Yes, in the case of SSRI's, you will feel like a f*cking Zombie) So the not making you sicker has went out the window......

They don't call Doctors pill pushers for nothing!!!!

J R

 

[Deleted member 43454]

They usually start you with a small booster dosage at first in case of serious reactions. I felt a little social anxiety boost at first. Told them it wasn't nearly enough and they upped the dosage. I had been through some other ones before that caused shit like E.D and Stomach issues so I switched. This one was good no problems like that, so they naturally upped my dosage and I call it my, "Not give a shit pill."

However I just found on google :

• It is a medication people utterly loathe to have taken.
• It is not uncommon for someone to fire their doctor during or immediately after they quit taking Effexor because the discontinuation syndrome can be that bad.

 

[atilla]

In 2005 I was on Paxil, tegritol, and trazadone for probably year. The paxil seemed to work with the anxiety, but I sort of felt like I was in a fog. I think I would've had better results if it was just the paxil i was on. The other two meds were a really bad mixture for me. I think they counter-acted the paxil after awhile, because my rage came out even worse than before. I've been off everything since 2006. I seem to be dealing better without the meds. But I also have the support of my wife. I hope you guys find the right combo. I'm going to keep going with natural medications, see what happens.