Molly,
One of our clients who is a nurse practioner did some research on my very low progesterone level and my anxiety attacks. She recomended Paxil CR. I tried Lexapro in August and had a violent reaction. I have tried Zoloft 3 times and get such nausea I can't stay on it. You said you had no side effect with the Paxil does that mean no nausea, no extra anxiety or jitters? It has become apparent after 5 months I am going to have take something for this anxiety that will increase my serotonin levels. I have tried to maintain just on the Klonopin and it has helped a lot but it does nothing for the serotonin level. I am sure in time my endo will get my hormones balanced again but they are so out of whack that may take a while. I would really appreciate a reply on those side effects and how long you have been on it and have you seen improvement? Thanks for you time! :)
Penny
Hi Penny,
I got my GP to prescribe me Paxil CR after it was recommended to me by a women dr. who works with my sister who also experienced these internal shakes and said it was peri-meno. Now that I think back, these jitters might have been mistaken as anxiety.
After taking the first Paxil, I felt better immediately. Felt this edge being lifted. Always been sensitive to meds and I was really scared to take it (was on Wellbutrin XL for a short time and it made me feel horrible), but I had to do something. I did experience feeling tired but nothing that I couldn't manage. I have been feeling this extreme fatigue (almost 24/7), along with all these other symptoms, for several months that was alot worse.
Started taking Paxil on Dec. 13. I would say there was immediate improvement on how I felt. Some might find hard to believe because it usually would take 4-6 wks. I didn't get dizzy, nausea...didn't feel worse. I still didn't feel 100% normal tho (still tired, some jitters) but did feel MUCH better. I was told I could take my Ativan if I felt anxious. I might have taken .25 mg of Ativan 2X in the first two weeks while on Paxil. I haven't taken an anxiety pill since Dec. 20. (that women dr. said anti-anxiety pills are not intended for long-term use - would lose its effect after a while and they are addicting - that's why she recommended the Paxil).
Well, I have felt normal/good since Jan. 20. to present. I don't feel anything when I take it. I have also been taking lots of vitamins, Estroven, working out a lot, meditation. Feel really terrific after the workouts. I haven't experienced any of these night-time, full-body intense shaking, no hot flashes or night sweats. I do wake up with this band-like pressure on my head, lower back pain, my legs sometimes little jitters but it all goes away after I get up and move around. I am praying that my hormones have stablized and I will not regress to the way I have been feeling. I am very determined to do whatever it takes to feel better.
If you do a search on Paxil, you might read alot of horrible stories. But, I was told that these people usually have other big-time issues going on their lives (suicidal thoughts, emotional problems, etc.) and are taking other meds too. Oh, I didn't gain any weight from the Paxil either. I have lost about 9 lbs. while I wasn't feeling well and put back on only 3 lbs. (now I have my appetite back). The Paxil CR is suppose to help with pre-meno symptoms too.
If you decide to try Paxil CR, let me know how it goes for you.
Take care,
Molly
Hi Penny,
I got my GP to prescribe me Paxil CR after it was recommended to me by a women dr. who works with my sister who also experienced these internal shakes and said it was peri-meno. Now that I think back, these jitters might have been mistaken as anxiety.
After taking the first Paxil, I felt better immediately. Felt this edge being lifted. Always been sensitive to meds and I was really scared to take it (was on Wellbutrin XL for a short time and it made me feel horrible), but I had to do something. I did experience feeling tired but nothing that I couldn't manage. I have been feeling this extreme fatigue (almost 24/7), along with all these other symptoms, for several months that was alot worse.
Started taking Paxil on Dec. 13. I would say there was immediate improvement on how I felt. Some might find hard to believe because it usually would take 4-6 wks. I didn't get dizzy, nausea...didn't feel worse. I still didn't feel 100% normal tho (still tired, some jitters) but did feel MUCH better. I was told I could take my Ativan if I felt anxious. I might have taken .25 mg of Ativan 2X in the first two weeks while on Paxil. I haven't taken an anxiety pill since Dec. 20. (that women dr. said anti-anxiety pills are not intended for long-term use - would lose its effect after a while and they are addicting - that's why she recommended the Paxil).
Well, I have felt normal/good since Jan. 20. to present. I don't feel anything when I take it. I have also been taking lots of vitamins, Estroven, working out a lot, meditation. Feel really terrific after the workouts. I haven't experienced any of these night-time, full-body intense shaking, no hot flashes or night sweats. I do wake up with this band-like pressure on my head, lower back pain, my legs sometimes little jitters but it all goes away after I get up and move around. I am praying that my hormones have stablized and I will not regress to the way I have been feeling. I am very determined to do whatever it takes to feel better.
If you do a search on Paxil, you might read alot of horrible stories. But, I was told that these people usually have other big-time issues going on their lives (suicidal thoughts, emotional problems, etc.) and are taking other meds too. Oh, I didn't gain any weight from the Paxil either. I have lost about 9 lbs. while I wasn't feeling well and put back on only 3 lbs. (now I have my appetite back). The Paxil CR is suppose to help with pre-meno symptoms too.
If you decide to try Paxil CR, let me know how it goes for you.
Take care,
Molly
Molly,
Thank you so much for replying. You have made me feel so much better about trying the Paxcil CR. The reaction I had to Lexapro was SO bad that I have been horrified by the thought of anti-depressants. But as yousaid about the doctor the anti-anxiety meds are only for short term use. That is the same thing the nurse practioner told me. That is why she recomended the Paxil. I have never taken much medication and don't do well with meds. I know I have to do this and having someone who is on the med to tell me they are ok with it means so much. I have such weird symptoms and anxiety with this hormone imbalance. I know the Klonopin is not as effective as it was when I started in in mid September. Thanks again for the reply I will keep you posted on how it goes. You are in my prayers. God bless you! :angel:
Penny
Molly,
I love your attitude toward this thing! I am trying so hard to get to that point. The place where I say to myself it is just peri-meno or a homone imbalance. In the beginning when the panick attacks first started, and before I was taking any meds, I had a few attacks where I would shake all over. The worst one was when the left side of my head and face went numb for about 20 seconds. I literally shook the bed! That was the worse one I have had. I don't do that now but I am sure the Klonopin is keeping some of those symptoms at bay. I remember you saying in a previous post you felt like you had a band around your head and it felt full ( I believe that was your post, if it was not just chalk it up to the brain fog that goes with this stuff! :) ) Anyway In October and November 2003 I had pain in my head in different spots. One day on the left side in the middle next day on top of my head, next day on the right side in the back. It was so strange. I went to the dr. to see if I had a sinus infection. She didn't seem to think you can have sinus pain in the back of the head, but other people told me they had had sinus pressure and pain the back of their head. It was weird stuff like that, causing me to freak out all the time last fall. I have also had waves of nausea, not bad just enough to fell yucky. It comes and goes, I was thinking maybe it is the hormones flucuating. Like morning sickness in the late afternoon maybe? :confused: I don't have any children so I don't know how that should feel. I agree with you that this is not a sickness and I am so grateful that I don't have something where major organs are involved. I just stay so tired. I get up in the mornings feeling more tired than when I went to bed the night before. I guess I just want my life back! But I am with you girl, I am gonna be a fighter too!! Having someone going through the same thing to share back and forth with really helps!! Thanks!! Here's to a better day!!! :bouncing:
Penny
Hi Penny,
Taking the Klonopin might be causing some of your fatigue. Are you taking this on a regular basis and for how long? Reading about Klonopin, it is often prescribed for seizures and panic attacks. I was taking Lorazepham (an anti-anxiety med and is a generic of Ativan) and it made me tired and dry mouth and I was taking very small dosage (cut .5 mg in half even!). I would feel more calm but I would be draggy all day too. The whole point of me getting on the Paxil CR was to get away from the Lorazepham so that should I have a real panic attack or anxiety attack, it would still work.
In Aug 2003, I suddenly had dry eyes and felt extreme fatigue to the point where I could not get out of bed and walk even. I was also lightheaded with pounding headaches, weak, no appetite. I would go to bed feeling this way and wake up feeling this way. At first, one would think it is the flu or something but it went on for months. I think the fear of thinking something was seriously wrong made me get anxiety, and having to wait for all these dr. appts. and going to one dr. after another only made things worse. At that time, I didn't even think I was "anxious" and didn't take my anxiety pill. It didn't feel like the typical anxiety or panic attacks I experienced before. I know I felt weird, different. I think my hormones was jumping hoops those months that's for sure! LOL!
Yes, I had these headaches that weren't really like typical headaches - more like a light pressure. I used to get sinus headaches before my periods but now it seems more like this band-like pressure everyday (since Aug 2003). It is much better now than before and more tolerable. I would feel this also on the back of my head, sometimes real high on my forehead (near hairline more). I wake up with these every morning along with lower back pain. Exercising seems to help subside things.
Waves of nausea is another symptom that I seen posted on other menopause boards. I don't have any children either (I'm a dog person!) but newly pregnant women will tell you that you would feel real tired and have that nausea feeling.
I read that PMS symptoms or ailments you experienced in your younger years will intensify when you are going through the transition from peri to meno. I believe it! By the way, when you contact your GP, make sure it is Paxil CR (not just plain Paxil). You might want to try the lowest dosage first (12.5 mg) if you are sensitive like I am. What else are you doing to try to feel better?
Have a good day...don't worry, don't stress yourself out anymore - you're not dying - it's temporary!!!
Hi Penny,
Taking the Klonopin might be causing some of your fatigue. Are you taking this on a regular basis and for how long? Reading about Klonopin, it is often prescribed for seizures and panic attacks. I was taking Lorazepham (an anti-anxiety med and is a generic of Ativan) and it made me tired and dry mouth and I was taking very small dosage (cut .5 mg in half even!). I would feel more calm but I would be draggy all day too. The whole point of me getting on the Paxil CR was to get away from the Lorazepham so that should I have a real panic attack or anxiety attack, it would still work.
In Aug 2003, I suddenly had dry eyes and felt extreme fatigue to the point where I could not get out of bed and walk even. I was also lightheaded with pounding headaches, weak, no appetite. I would go to bed feeling this way and wake up feeling this way. At first, one would think it is the flu or something but it went on for months. I think the fear of thinking something was seriously wrong made me get anxiety, and having to wait for all these dr. appts. and going to one dr. after another only made things worse. At that time, I didn't even think I was "anxious" and didn't take my anxiety pill. It didn't feel like the typical anxiety or panic attacks I experienced before. I know I felt weird, different. I think my hormones was jumping hoops those months that's for sure! LOL!
Yes, I had these headaches that weren't really like typical headaches - more like a light pressure. I used to get sinus headaches before my periods but now it seems more like this band-like pressure everyday (since Aug 2003). It is much better now than before and more tolerable. I would feel this also on the back of my head, sometimes real high on my forehead (near hairline more). I wake up with these every morning along with lower back pain. Exercising seems to help subside things.
Waves of nausea is another symptom that I seen posted on other menopause boards. I don't have any children either (I'm a dog person!) but newly pregnant women will tell you that you would feel real tired and have that nausea feeling.
I read that PMS symptoms or ailments you experienced in your younger years will intensify when you are going through the transition from peri to meno. I believe it! By the way, when you contact your GP, make sure it is Paxil CR (not just plain Paxil). You might want to try the lowest dosage first (12.5 mg) if you are sensitive like I am. What else are you doing to try to feel better?
Have a good day...don't worry, don't stress yourself out anymore - you're not dying - it's temporary!!!
Molly
Hey Molly,
Sorry for the delay in posting back to you. I am trying to get some work done today. I am at about one half the production of what I used to be. I am taking the Klonopin daily. I have been on it for 5 months. Yes, I do believe it is making me feel very draggy. I take .5 ml at mid day and 1 ml. at 7 pm. I really want to get off of the Klonopin because I agree with you about the fatique and it working if I have another panic attack when I really need something. That is why I am going to try the Paxil CR. The nurse practioner I spoke about told me to use the 12.5ml like you are. I have a call in to my doctor. When she calls I will dicuss it with her. My cleint who is a pharmicist says he doesn't have any negitive opinions on the Paxil CR. I am just trying to push through today. I had the Klonopin already. I pray I can take the Paxil CR and get some relief and get off the Klonopin. I am a dog person too. We have two miniture schnauzers. Trace the oldest is 10. He has had problems with his eyes since he was 5. He hardly has any sight at all now, but he is remarkable how he gets around and does not bump into things. Roxy is 5. She is a diabetic. She has a shot at 9am and a shot at 8 pm. We are in our 3rd year with this now and she is doing great. The vet says he has never seen one do as well as she has. I will let you know what the doc says. Thanks again for your support! :)
Penny
Please be careful going on the Paxil. Make sure your dr. monitors you closely, I was on it for about 18 months because of hormonal mood swings. It is awful for withdrawals. Good luck! A lot of your symptoms might be controlled with hormone replacement. Check out everything before going on an anti-depressant for hormone problems.
Hi Direne,
Trust me, I have been very concerned about the possibility of withdrawals. I have already talked to my dr. about it and he will be working with me on it. I am going to see him in March again and from there, we will decide if I should stay on it for a while or start weaning off of it.
I know a lot of the peri-meno symptoms might have been better controlled with HRT but I didn't want to go on that either. I also know taking the Paxil did not mean that all my peri-meno symptoms would go away - I took it to help me overcome the obsessive thoughts and anxiety (to get off of using Ativan). I am taking lots of vitamins, herbs, exercising, meditating now and I have been feeling pretty normal for the past 29 days straight. Don't know if I'm in a safe cycle now or what but I haven't had my period since Nov. so I can't monitor anything - all I know is that I'm better now for a much longer time than in the past several months. There are two friends of mine who were on Paxil CR who stopped cold turkey and they didn't experience any withdrawals - they also didn't have any side effects when first started taking it...I hope to be as fortunate.
Hi Direne,
Trust me, I have been very concerned about the possibility of withdrawals. I have already talked to my dr. about it and he will be working with me on it. I am going to see him in March again and from there, we will decide if I should stay on it for a while or start weaning off of it.
I know a lot of the peri-meno symptoms might have been better controlled with HRT but I didn't want to go on that either. I also know taking the Paxil did not mean that all my peri-meno symptoms would go away - I took it to help me overcome the obsessive thoughts and anxiety (to get off of using Ativan). I am taking lots of vitamins, herbs, exercising, meditating now and I have been feeling pretty normal for the past 29 days straight. Don't know if I'm in a safe cycle now or what but I haven't had my period since Nov. so I can't monitor anything - all I know is that I'm better now for a much longer time than in the past several months. There are two friends of mine who were on Paxil CR who stopped cold turkey and they didn't experience any withdrawals - they also didn't have any side effects when first started taking it...I hope to be as fortunate.
Molly :)
Hi Molly,
I am glad you are doing ok with the Paxil. I too felt better when I first started taking it, it eased the anxiety I was having. It also created other problems I didn't have before going on it. I didn't have a dr. that was monitoring me very well. When I went off of it, she didn't warn me what I could expect and it was months before I felt like it was out of my system. When I first went to the dr., I was sure it was peri-menopause but she wouldn't treat me with HRT ( I am at risk) and said the AD's would be better. In hind site for me, I wish I would never have went on the AD, it has caused my anxiety to be worse than it was. I now have a new dr. that is listening to my complaints and is trying to work with me. I am on a low dose of HRT and he is willing to let me try the natural remedys, which I am now doing. A good book to read is "A Woman's Guide To Natural Hormones". I am taking one day at a time. I never thought this phase of my life would be so hard. Good luck, I hope you continue to improve.
Hi Penny,
Glad that you were able to get some samples to try. I hope you will do well on it too and start feeling better. After feeling so bad for so many months, I think you deserve to start feeling good - good enough to take the dogs out too!
Whether you take a SSRI, a benzo drug, HRT, or herbals, each of us have to decide for herself what is the best approach to manage her peri-meno symptoms and gain back some normalcy in her life. After some stability has been maintained and you finally realize you are not dying, and you have a clear mind and some energy again, then it would be time to look into other alteratives, if needed.
Keep us posted... :bouncing:
Molly
Hi Molly,
Well so far so good! I took my first Paxil CR at 10am this morning. Around noon I felt very sleepy for about 15 minutes. Thank God no nausea!!! That side effect is my worst nightmare!! I feel maybe just a bit "wired" but not bad. Over all I feel ok! Isn't that great! My first hour on Zoloft was awful! I had bad nausea and stomach pains. I am just praying I can tolerate this Paxil CR and get my recovery underway and get off the Klonopin. I did take my .5 of Klonopin at lunch today like always. When you started taking the Paxil CR were you taking the ativan everyday? If so did you stop taking the Ativan or wean off of it? I am so anxious to get off the Klonopin. Again thank you for your encouragement. It was just what I needed to try the SSRIs again! :angel:
:wave: Penny
Hi Molly,
Well so far so good! I took my first Paxil CR at 10am this morning. Around noon I felt very sleepy for about 15 minutes. Thank God no nausea!!! That side effect is my worst nightmare!! I feel maybe just a bit "wired" but not bad. Over all I feel ok! Isn't that great! My first hour on Zoloft was awful! I had bad nausea and stomach pains. I am just praying I can tolerate this Paxil CR and get my recovery underway and get off the Klonopin. I did take my .5 of Klonopin at lunch today like always. When you started taking the Paxil CR were you taking the ativan everyday? If so did you stop taking the Ativan or wean off of it? I am so anxious to get off the Klonopin. Again thank you for your encouragement. It was just what I needed to try the SSRIs again! :angel:
:wave: Penny
Hi Penny,
Well, glad that it's so far so good!! :bouncing: If you didn't feel sickly from any side effects by lunch time, I don't think you will have any! Let's hope! My dr. said it was OK to take an anxiety pill while taking the Paxil if I needed to. I think I took only about .25 mg of Ativan (.5 mg was a whole pill) two or three times the first week I was on the Paxil. I really tried to refrain from taking it. I started the Paxil on 12/13 and the last time I took an Ativan was on 12/20. I never took a complete dosage of Ativan nor was I taking it everyday. I would always start by cutting one in 1/2. I took it only when I really, really felt I needed it - when I was freaking out, climbing the walls!
Even though I started feeling bad in Aug., I really didn't start taking the Ativan until around Oct/Nov. (first of all, I forgot I had Ativan and didn't think it was anxiety - the internal shakiness just did not seem like the typical anxiety attacks I've experienced before.) So , I was on Ativan really for about a month's time on/off with minimal dosages.
You should ask your dr. to help you wean off of the Klonopin. I guess it depends on how long you have been on it. I know I felt much better pretty much right away when I was on the Paxil (before the month's prescription was used up even!). I don't know if it is really the Paxil that is helping or it is just a coincidence with the timing of when my hormones finally decided to calm down a bit...anyway, I have been feeling fine now on Day 30!!
Good luck, keep your fingers and toes crossed, and please give me an update!
Well, glad that it's so far so good!! :bouncing: If you didn't feel sickly from any side effects by lunch time, I don't think you will have any! Let's hope! My dr. said it was OK to take an anxiety pill while taking the Paxil if I needed to. I think I took only about .25 mg of Ativan (.5 mg was a whole pill) two or three times the first week I was on the Paxil. I really tried to refrain from taking it. I started the Paxil on 12/13 and the last time I took an Ativan was on 12/20. I never took a complete dosage of Ativan nor was I taking it everyday. I would always start by cutting one in 1/2. I took it only when I really, really felt I needed it - when I was freaking out, climbing the walls!
Even though I started feeling bad in Aug., I really didn't start taking the Ativan until around Oct/Nov. (first of all, I forgot I had Ativan and didn't think it was anxiety - the internal shakiness just did not seem like the typical anxiety attacks I've experienced before.) So , I was on Ativan really for about a month's time on/off with minimal dosages.
You should ask your dr. to help you wean off of the Klonopin. I guess it depends on how long you have been on it. I know I felt much better pretty much right away when I was on the Paxil (before the month's prescription was used up even!). I don't know if it is really the Paxil that is helping or it is just a coincidence with the timing of when my hormones finally decided to calm down a bit...anyway, I have been feeling fine now on Day 30!!
Good luck, keep your fingers and toes crossed, and please give me an update!
Molly[/QUOTEMolly,
It is 7:51 pm and still doing great!! :bouncing: The only effects I have felt from the Paxil CR were the short period of being sleepy and a little bit of a "wired" feeling! I am so thankful. I have felt much better today. I have been able to think more clearly, in turn the production of my work today was more in line with what I was used to. I know I will have to wean off the Klonopin. I have talked with my doctor about it before as well as my client who is a pharmicist. I have tried to cut it back twice and it didn't work. So I know how to wean it off I just have to make sure the Paxil CR works. So that is my plan. Well, I am off to bed and I am a thankful person that the Paxil CR had no bad side effects. I will keep you posted on tomorrow! Thanks for the support! :)
Penny
