Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Paxil

Manic Depression?

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:01:26 -0800

Do I have "Manic Depression"? I know you are not my Dr., but since I'm not dying and my Doc usually changes the subject on me, I'd love to hear your general knowledge and experience before I go force the issue. I have brief periods of extreme confidence and empowerment followed by periods of debilitating depression. I've NEVER been OK, but somehow, I have a life now, with a wife and kids and I feel like I'm holding everyone back.

FTR, I am an artist and a writer, so I've always taken being "different" as a given. But now, the more I pay attention, the more I realize that something isn't right.

Also, I take paxil for anxiety and it works for that but is a nasty drug that makes me sick sometimes.

I'd like to hear what you have to say before I try to mess with my Docs, who seem to be more concerned with my weight and BP than anything else. (I'm not even really overweight.) Thanks in advance! Also, this isn't a goof. I'm really tired of being tired.

Will going off of Paxil help me lose the weight I gained while on Paxil?

dumbledore69 — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:50:44 -0800

I gained a lot of weight after going on birth control pills & antidepressants. Will going off these make it easier to lose this weight? In college, the year I went on birth control pills was the year I gained 50 lbs. That was several years ago. Two years ago, I went on antidepressants. First I was on Effexor, then Paxil. Right now I am on both Paxil & Wellbutrin. The first year I was on antidepressants, I gained 70 lbs. In a single year. The second year, I worked my ass off and lost about 15 lbs, which I keep yo-yoing with, despite my best efforts to keep it off and keep losing. Note that I have never had trouble losing weight before OR keeping it off with minimal effort. My efforts have been far more than minimal with crappy results.

Three months ago, I went off of birth control pills & am now using non-hormonal birth control methods. So far, I am still struggling.

My question is - assuming that the weight gain was a side effect of the antidepressants, will going off the antidepressants make it easier to lose the weight I've put on?

I'm really interested in personal anecdotes.

I know you are not my doctor/pharmacist/etc & that my mileage will vary.

How long does Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro or similar depression drugs take to kick in?

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:23:34 -0800

How long does Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro or similar anti-depressants drug take to kick in? After several months of denying it, I'm pretty damn well clinically depressed. I plan on seeking abundant medical help, thanks very much. I'd like to try a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. How long does it typically take for one to feel the effects of a typical course of medication?

Duration of paxil side effects?

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 10:04:47 -0800

So I've been on Paxil for anxiety for a few months and I'm starting to notice... Well, the Paxil has helped the anxiety quite a bit but I'm running into a few nasty side affects that are still persisting

#1- The weight gain. I've put on about 25 pounds in 2 months. The freaky thing is that I eat right and exercise like a mother. If anything, I would expect to be losing wait or maintaining it. I've never had a problem with my weight spiraling out of control like this before. Again, I eat right and exercise like crazy. I'm addicted to activity-run/bike/hike/sports you name it.

#2-I dont seem interested in things anymore. At work I just sit unless I'm specifically asked to do something. At home, things just seem to pile up. I dont feel as passionate or concerned about things. The exception is the urgent fire that needs to be put out; its like I need some emergency to jumpstart myself.

What I'd like to know is if things will 'level' out in terms of the weight gain and the not caring, or if i can expect things to get worse. The weight gain, considering my activity level, is starting to depress me. While the anxiety was bad, these side effects are not a fair trade off.

First time Paxil user experiencing nausea

smoothie — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 06:48:13 -0800

Hello all, My doctor prescribed Paxil for me last night due to my heavy case of anxiety and seasonal depression. I took it about 2 hours ago (one pill, 20mg) after my breakfast and I am experiencing some nausea and shakiness in my hands. From what I understand, Paxil can take up to two weeks to 'kick in' but considering my past with other chemicals, things always affected me differently than most people. For example, whenever I took any cough syrup that had Dextromethorphan chemical inside of it (cough supressant), it would make me feel like I was completely out of it for at least a week, even if I only took two recommended doses per day. I suppose it's just my body and the way it reacts to certain things. I am just wondering if there are any Paxil users on this site who could tell me a thing or two about what it was like for them the first time they took it, or maybe anything else that I need to know. Thank you kindly.

Paxil Withdrawal

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 20:02:28 -0800

Psychotropicdrugfilter:
I'm probably getting off Paxil after seven (!) years and I wonder:
(1) Anyone gone through the withdrawal syndromes and have any advice or heads up on what to expect? I'm terrified.
(2) I have had no "sexual" problems on Paxil. What anti-depressants should I stay away from if I really really want my libido intact?
I'm male and 29.

Health Insurance in IL

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Oct 2004 20:33:58 -0800

I'm having trouble getting health insurance in Illinois. I'm 25 years old, 6', 175 pounds, don't smoke, and in pretty good health, but I'm being categorically denied coverage because I've been taking Paxil CR for several months now. It's really changed my life, but now I seem to have been blacklisted. Has anyone else had any experience with this?