Question:
I seem to be having a problem I definitely need help with. Let me give you the background first. I have panic disorder and have had it since age 14. I have had panic attacks that long but recently have been able to get it under control through the use of a combination of Xanax (.25mg 6 tablets a day) and Nardil (2 tablets a day) and through psychotherapy. My mom passed away last October and I was the last one to see her alive and the first to see her dead…I actually watched the last few minutes of her life slip away. It was pretty quick and probably not too painful but then again I have no idea for sure. Anyway, my "safety zone" since then has shrunk and I have a hard time driving out of the city sometimes. Yesterday I drove to the northern boundary of the city and picked up a friend and took him to a northern suburb to get a new keyboard. After that, we made a few more stops and then returned to his place then I returned home a few hours later. So far so good..tonight, I went to the corner Walgreen’s to get a newspaper when out of nowhere, my insides started to race. By the time I got home, I felt faint and had to lie down for a while. I was dogsitting for my brother and I have one of my own..the two dogs came by me and after lying there with the two dogs petting them and what have you.. I eventually slowed down long enough to type this. As I type this, I’m still a little woozy. Could my blood pressure somehow have dropped or did I have an anxiety attack and how can I find out for sure? Your suggestions? Max <<<
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I seem to be having a problem I definitely need help with. Let me give you the background first. I have panic disorder and have had it since age 14. I have had panic attacks that long but recently have been able to get it under control through the use of a combination of Xanax (.25mg 6 tablets a day) and Nardil (2 tablets a day) and through psychotherapy. My mom passed away last October and I was the last one to see her alive and the first to see her dead…I actually watched the last few minutes of her life slip away. It was pretty quick and probably not too painful but then again I have no idea for sure. Anyway, my "safety zone" since then has shrunk and I have a hard time driving out of the city sometimes. Yesterday I drove to the northern boundary of the city and picked up a friend and took him to a northern suburb to get a new keyboard. After that, we made a few more stops and then returned to his place then I returned home a few hours later. So far so good..tonight, I went to the corner Walgreen’s to get a newspaper when out of nowhere, my insides started to race. By the time I got home, I felt faint and had to lie down for a while. I was dogsitting for my brother and I have one of my own..the two dogs came by me and after lying there with the two dogs petting them and what have you.. I eventually slowed down long enough to type this. As I type this, I’m still a little woozy. Could my blood pressure somehow have dropped or did I have an anxiety attack and how can I find out for sure? Your suggestions?
Hi Max – I’m sorry to hear about your sack of woes – it’s a lot to carry. One immediate question I’d like to ask is how long have you been taking the Nardil? If it’s only fairly recently that you started it does take time to work. If, on the other hand, you’ve been taking it for a while it might be as well to talk to the doctor who prescribed it to see if s/he thinks it’s time to change the dose. Regardless of the meds. situation though, one suggestion I would make is that you *try* to shrug it off as "just one of those things". I *know* how hard that is, but my experience is that the more I have let one bad incident worry me, the more likely I’ve been to get into a tail-spin. I’ve found that telling myself I’ve picked-up a 24 hour virus, or I’m over-tired or whatever and trying to pin it onto a definite *external* cause helps me greatly. As it happens, I think these often *are* the causes of some of our attacks when we are chronic sufferers. I hope that’s a little help and really hope you feel better shortly. — Gary Cooper
Response:
Hi Stef, Try checking your area for a local MHMR (Mental Health Mental Retardation) center. They are usually county based and cost is according to income. If you tell them what is going on and that it is serious, they will usually work you in on an emergency basis. The first time I called the local one here, I spoke with a counselor on the phone and they saw me within the hour. Paperwork waited until they felt like they had me calmed down and I really appreciated that. Hope this helps. Sincerely, jema – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for all those trying to help. Unfortunately the main response seems to be call your DR now. The problem is I don’t have one. I got the Paxil from an Air Force DR, I’m no longer in the Air Force and he’s no longer my DR (he was miserable anyway, they all were). My choices are wait and suffer (I can’t take this 5 min more) or go to the emergency room (I have NO insurance) and be charged more money than I can imagine, or (my personal fav) go to the county hospital and be called a loony and locked up and then really have a problem (If I can’t handle this in my apartment, I’m an NOT going to handle it locked up with strangers and treated like crap). I may be wrong in my opinion of county hospitals, but last time I went for a panic disorder problem, I was locked in a room with a very large man high on cocaine who went around systematically threatening us…let me tell you that was a BIG HELP!!! Stef
Response:
I stick by what I said. serious side effects like that suggest that continuing the medication is more dangerous than stopping it. I took a round of prozac years ago for about 3.5 months. I began having the worst panic attacks I have ever experienced in my life, and severe anorexia. when I finally saw the pshrink, he took me off the prozac immediately, no tapering.
Big BIG diff coming off Prozac as compared to Paxil. The half lives of each are VERY different. One can start having withdrawl from Paxil in a couple days – whereas it takes weeks or months for Prozac to leave the body – I haven’t seen it even mentioned in the SRI Withdrawl Syndrome. Stopping Paxil abruptly IS dangerous. Lori is right on that. It should be done under a docs supervision -whether they will substitute another SRI or add benzos or monitor the taper. Gwen
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -did you see Stef’s original post asking for help? she indicated that she had been taking the paxil for 4 weeks without any doctor’s supervision, and that she was experiencing severe side effects that suggested neurological involvement already. this is what she wrote in her original post listing the side effects she was experiencing: They include spastic muscle movements, general inability to control muscles, visual hallucinations (light), dizziness, headaches, SEVERE depression, and the worst of it, sleep disorders. The sleep disorders include becoming paralyzed upon going to sleep and still being awake and being paralyzed upon waking. I’m basically awake and know that I’m not sleeping but I can’t move or control any muscles. My dreams are repetitive to the point that during the day when I am awake I don’t know if I’m dreaming and what’s real anymore (the paralysis doesn’t help this). Everything around me, my house, my boyfriend, my cat seem like strangers. I feel like I’m sitting in a movie. I stick by what I said. serious side effects like that suggest that continuing the medication is more dangerous than stopping it. I took a round of prozac years ago for about 3.5 months. I began having the worst panic attacks I have ever experienced in my life, and severe anorexia. when I finally saw the pshrink, he took me off the prozac immediately, no tapering.
My advice was similar to yours astri – in the original thread this person was on the med for four weeks – these symptoms started while *on* the med. With no prior history of such symptoms before taking it. He/she had only been on a short time. In a clinical situation, given these as facts, any nurse who was about to give a scheduled dose would *hold* the next dose and call the MD. Which is what I advised. These symptoms above are dramatic, but in recent posts it isn’t made clear – if *these* symptoms persist. or they have abated. This person didn’t intially describe any paxil thing resembling paxil withdrarwl..he/she described what even he felt was a paxil aversion. astri #AKA pink bunnies# – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – `o’_* cease to be amused (:
Response:
Stef, I’m a nurse who has also gone through these meds. Stopping them suddenly does much more harm than good. Gradually reduce and PLEASE see someone qualified to help you get off of them. There are alternatives to these prescriptions but you have to first get off of them! After several years on Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft trying to find the right one, I’m now depression free and free of these drugs! If you go to a non-profit hospital they have to take you as a patient! That’s why they get federal funds!!! Please don’t wait and don’t let them talk you in to more drugs! My prayers are with you! God Bless, Jackie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for all those trying to help. Unfortunately the main response seems to be call your DR now. The problem is I don’t have one. I got the Paxil from an Air Force DR, I’m no longer in the Air Force and he’s no longer my DR (he was miserable anyway, they all were). My choices are wait and suffer (I can’t take this 5 min more) or go to the emergency room (I have NO insurance) and be charged more money than I can imagine, or (my personal fav) go to the county hospital and be called a loony and locked up and then really have a problem (If I can’t handle this in my apartment, I’m an NOT going to handle it locked up with strangers and treated like crap). I may be wrong in my opinion of county hospitals, but last time I went for a panic disorder problem, I was locked in a room with a very large man high on cocaine who went around systematically threatening us…let me tell you that was a BIG HELP!!! Stef
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – you shouldn’t be taking this medication without a doctor to consult with. ssri’s are *not* harmless, symptom-free candy. you are seeing this right now. the other option is to STOP TAKING IT immediately. I’d do that if it were me. the reason not to stop a med cold turkey is to prevent untoward side effects (ssri’s are not drugs that might kill you to stop cold turkey like some drugs), and you are *already* experiencing side effects. if you stop and these symptoms do not start to lessen and then fade within days, go to a doctor then. if they continue to get worse within the day you stop taking them, go to a doctor *immediately*. if they don’t fade away completely within about 6 weeks, go to a neurologist. that’s what I’d do. I normally don’t cross-post like this, but this post has some dangerous information in it. DO NOT stop taking SRIs (like Paxil) cold turkey. You can end up with seizures and permanent medical damage. There are several reports out there in reviewed medical journals reporting this, although it has not yet gotten through to the manufacturers. Lori from SF
did you see Stef’s original post asking for help? she indicated that she had been taking the paxil for 4 weeks without any doctor’s supervision, and that she was experiencing severe side effects that suggested neurological involvement already. this is what she wrote in her original post listing the side effects she was experiencing: They include spastic muscle movements, general inability to control muscles, visual hallucinations (light), dizziness, headaches, SEVERE depression, and the worst of it, sleep disorders. The sleep disorders include becoming paralyzed upon going to sleep and still being awake and being paralyzed upon waking. I’m basically awake and know that I’m not sleeping but I can’t move or control any muscles. My dreams are repetitive to the point that during the day when I am awake I don’t know if I’m dreaming and what’s real anymore (the paralysis doesn’t help this). Everything around me, my house, my boyfriend, my cat seem like strangers. I feel like I’m sitting in a movie.
I stick by what I said. serious side effects like that suggest that continuing the medication is more dangerous than stopping it. I took a round of prozac years ago for about 3.5 months. I began having the worst panic attacks I have ever experienced in my life, and severe anorexia. when I finally saw the pshrink, he took me off the prozac immediately, no tapering. astri #AKA pink bunnies# `o’_* cease to be amused (:
Response:
there are hospitals that are nto state run that will take you even though you do not have insurrance and will write you off as charity call and find out if some places around you do. I am bi polar and got diagonsed this past december and spent 12 days in a psych hospital. My insuranace did not cover the whole thing and i not charged a penny. The hospital wrote t off as a charity and just end up getting tax benifits from it. I am sure that the hospital i was in is not the only one that does that jess
Response:
Hey Stef!
call pharmacy. I’m with R. Lewis, Pharmacists can help a little. Maybe you are taking some thing else that the Paxil is interacting with too. I don’t know, but I know Pharmacists should be glad to help you know what the reaction sounds like.
Response:
This is exactly why I have NEVER saught treatment like that…I have only seen pschycs, and all they ever want to do is say take this…take this….well…this doesnt really work…. I’m sooooooo frustrated with my mind…. stephen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for all those trying to help. Unfortunately the main response seems to be call your DR now. The problem is I don’t have one. I got the Paxil from an Air Force DR, I’m no longer in the Air Force and he’s no longer my DR (he was miserable anyway, they all were). My choices are wait and suffer (I can’t take this 5 min more) or go to the emergency room (I have NO insurance) and be charged more money than I can imagine, or (my personal fav) go to the county hospital and be called a loony and locked up and then really have a problem (If I can’t handle this in my apartment, I’m an NOT going to handle it locked up with strangers and treated like crap). I may be wrong in my opinion of county hospitals, but last time I went for a panic disorder problem, I was locked in a room with a very large man high on cocaine who went around systematically threatening us…let me tell you that was a BIG HELP!!! Stef
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for all those trying to help. Unfortunately the main response seems to be call your DR now. The problem is I don’t have one. I got the Paxil you shouldn’t be taking this medication without a doctor to consult with. ssri’s are *not* harmless, symptom-free candy. you are seeing this right now. from an Air Force DR, I’m no longer in the Air Force and he’s no longer my DR (he was miserable anyway, they all were). My choices are wait and suffer (I can’t take this 5 min more) or go to the emergency room (I have NO insurance) and be charged more money than I can imagine, or (my personal fav) go to the county hospital and be called a loony and locked up and then really have a problem (If I can’t handle this in my apartment, I’m an NOT the other option is to STOP TAKING IT immediately. I’d do that if it were me. the reason not to stop a med cold turkey is to prevent untoward side effects (ssri’s are not drugs that might kill you to stop cold turkey like some drugs), and you are *already* experiencing side effects. if you stop and these symptoms do not start to lessen and then fade within days, go to a doctor then. if they continue to get worse within the day you stop taking them, go to a doctor *immediately*. if they don’t fade away completely within about 6 weeks, go to a neurologist. that’s what I’d do.
I normally don’t cross-post like this, but this post has some dangerous information in it. DO NOT stop taking SRIs (like Paxil) cold turkey. You can end up with seizures and permanent medical damage. There are several reports out there in reviewed medical journals reporting this, although it has not yet gotten through to the manufacturers. Lori from SF Not one shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious.
Response:
Hey Stef! Look, I’m in the military. In fact, they locked me up at 1 East up at Travis AFB. The Military doctors were a bunch of knuckleheads who just treated everyone the same–like we had disciplinary problems. They’re solution to everything was just to stick the person on meds and if they’re attitude doesn’t change, up the dossage. But, more importantly, goto the county hospital anyway! Just explain to them your situation. Let them know that you’re not a threat to yourself–you aren’t are you???? And tell them that you need help with a med readjustment. If they start acting like they wanna lock you up, then just don’t sign anything and asked them to FULLY explain to you their reasoning and also your rights before you let them act. I know I fear being locked up so a lot of times I just don’t say anything–just like when I was on the Paxil. But I know you can’t possibly take too much more of those feelings before it starts affecting your thought in a bad way. Noone can! It’s not worth it, kiddo! Just, if they say that they have to lock you up, demand to not be in another situation like with that creepy guy! Find out what your rights are and don’t be afraid to act on them. Or if you are afraid, just pretend like your not. And when you’ve gotten what you need, and you know it safe, find some place to cry it all out. Don’t let them fully boss you around—BUT do let them help you. Even if that means doing some things (SAFE THINGS) that you might not like. I’d really like to tell you to go cold turkey on the Paxil in the meantime, but I’M NO DOCTOR!!! At least call a pharmacy and just ask them what would be the safest way for you to come off of it or to just cut down the dosage, OKAY!!!!! This is your life your dealing with, Kiddo! Where do you live, Stef? Is there anyway you can email me personally? Take care of YOU!!! You only got one you! Keep me posted!
Response:
Thanks for all those trying to help. Unfortunately the main response seems to be call your DR now. The problem is I don’t have one. I got the Paxil from an Air Force DR, I’m no longer in the Air Force and he’s no longer my DR (he was miserable anyway, they all were). My choices are wait and suffer (I can’t take this 5 min more) or go to the emergency room (I have NO insurance) and be charged more money than I can imagine, or (my personal fav) go to the county hospital and be called a loony and locked up and then really have a problem (If I can’t handle this in my apartment, I’m an NOT going to handle it locked up with strangers and treated like crap). I may be wrong in my opinion of county hospitals, but last time I went for a panic disorder problem, I was locked in a room with a very large man high on cocaine who went around systematically threatening us…let me tell you that was a BIG HELP!!! Stef
Response:
fav) go to the county hospital and be called a loony and locked up and then
Do that one. They only lock you up if you intend on being a danger to yourself or others. be wrong in my opinion of county hospitals, but last time I went for a panic disorder problem, I was locked in a room with a very large man high
Well, that was that time. This time it’ll be something else. You need to get off the Paxil, do it slowly, cutting the dose a bit every few days. Then try a different anti-depressant if you feel you still could use one. The tricyclics cost less, patents run out on lots of them. — bev ~~~ veb ~~~~~~ vaj ~~~ http://members.tripod.com/~Veb
Response:
Thanks for all those trying to help. Unfortunately the main response seems to be call your DR now. The problem is I don’t have one. I got the Paxil from an Air Force DR, I’m no longer in the Air Force and he’s no longer my DR (he was miserable anyway, they all were).
Well, that does complicate things greatly. These meds (ADs) are really best taken in junction with seeing at least a doc and preferably a therapist as well. Yea, I’ve taken my share of drugs without medical supervision (antibiotics come to mind) but you just can’t do that with ADs. My choices are <snip
Call poison control. They oughta be in the phone book. It’s a free call; tell them your symptoms, tell them your dosage level and ask their opinion of how you can get off this med. I’ve done it before when I had a crummy reaction to Pamelor and some other thing I was taking. Just call and tell them what you told us. I don’t know what dose you’re at and so I can’t tell you to halve your dose for a few days and stop or just stop. Either way, you need to get off the paxil somehow and you need to get a doc’s help- so call poison control. Then, maybe you could see if your county has a mental health clinic that you can visit for low/no cost and see if they can’t assign you to a county pdoc. I don’t mean getting locked up, lots of countys have out-patient support. Good luck. Cris Stoddard munged headers in post to avoid UCE, to reply via email, remove FALALALALALALA from address… or send to: zyrc AT msn DOT com
Response:
Thanks for all those trying to help. Unfortunately the main response seems
to be call your DR now. The problem is I don’t have one. I got the Paxil
from an Air Force DR, I’m no longer in the Air Force and he’s no longer my
DR (he was miserable anyway, they all were). My choices are wait and
suffer (I can’t take this 5 min more) or go to the emergency room (I have
NO insurance) and be charged more money than I can imagine, or (my personal
fav) go to the county hospital and be called a loony and locked up and then
really have a problem ( well, Stef, if you can’t go to an ER, or call a private doctor tomorrow…at the very least…start to taper off your dosage. SLOWLY, as you can have withdrawls from stopping immediately. I am not a doctor. But this is starting to sound VERY serious. It won’t cost you a dime to call the ER and talk to a nurse there. Tell them it is an emergency and you need to speak to a nurse NOW. Lee LEANNEBUGISMS are hereby copyrighted and to be used only by the originator. Anyone found to be using such "isms" shall be punished fully to the extent of the law.
Response:
Thanks for all those trying to help. Unfortunately the main response seems to be call your DR now. The problem is I don’t have one. I got the Paxil
you shouldn’t be taking this medication without a doctor to consult with. ssri’s are *not* harmless, symptom-free candy. you are seeing this right now. from an Air Force DR, I’m no longer in the Air Force and he’s no longer my DR (he was miserable anyway, they all were). My choices are wait and suffer (I can’t take this 5 min more) or go to the emergency room (I have NO insurance) and be charged more money than I can imagine, or (my personal fav) go to the county hospital and be called a loony and locked up and then really have a problem (If I can’t handle this in my apartment, I’m an NOT
the other option is to STOP TAKING IT immediately. I’d do that if it were me. the reason not to stop a med cold turkey is to prevent untoward side effects (ssri’s are not drugs that might kill you to stop cold turkey like some drugs), and you are *already* experiencing side effects. if you stop and these symptoms do not start to lessen and then fade within days, go to a doctor then. if they continue to get worse within the day you stop taking them, go to a doctor *immediately*. if they don’t fade away completely within about 6 weeks, go to a neurologist. that’s what I’d do. astri #AKA pink bunnies# `o’_* cease to be amused (: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -going to handle it locked up with strangers and treated like crap). I may be wrong in my opinion of county hospitals, but last time I went for a panic disorder problem, I was locked in a room with a very large man high on cocaine who went around systematically threatening us…let me tell you that was a BIG HELP!!! Stef
Response:
Stef, CALL a hospital ER anyway and ask to talk to the psych officer or the charge nurse. There will be people there in those capacities 24 hrs./day. TELL them right off the bat that you believe you’re having a reaction to some medication. (You won’t be "locked up" unless you say you believe you’re a danger to yourself or others, or behave as if you are. It doesn’t sound like that’s the case.) You can also ask them whether there is a Mobile Crisis Team in your area. Some hospitals have them, some don’t. These are people who can come to your house and do an evaluation. (This does cost though.) You might also see whether there are any Psychiatric Clinics in your area. These are much cheaper than an ER visit if you don’t have insurance and they can usually see you fairly quickly. Explain your situation, tell them about the meds, and that you feel the situation is urgent. There might be a nurse or doc there who can talk to you on the phone too. I agree with Lee that it sound like you ought to start tapering off the meds. If possible, I would try to talk to a doc or nurse *first* so that they can tell you how to adjust your dosage. Your sympoms sound similar to what I went through awhile back with an adverse reaction to an antibiotic. PLEASE get some form of medical attention. And PLEASE let us know how you’re doing. We care. Good luck. — Kathleen — "Hope is the thing with feathers" — Emily Dickinson Delete * in address to reply by e-mail
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