I was weening off of Paxil because of weight gain. However, I felt like hell going under 5mg so have been on 5mg for a month. Still, I have no panic attacks, which is why I am taking it. Anybody have success just taking 5mg paxil? Or is this a placebo effect?
Anybody just take 5mg paxil with success?
Question posted by Jacqueh27 on 5 July 2011
Last updated on 26 December 2018
6 Answers
Lizzybear1
29 March 2017
Did 5mg did you good, I just started paxil 5mg three days ago and really don't want to go up to 10 tried Zoloft in the past and was wayyyyyy worse on it doctor told me tonget off it asap, and gave me paxil with xanax 0.25,
Cherigraham23
5 Oct 2016
I was initially prescribed 20 mg of Paxil. I gradually reduced this to 10 mg, by breaking them in half. I now take one every other day so I feel like it is the equivalent of 5 mg. I no longer have anxiety attacks and no depression. This has been for 2 months.
house_djs
26 Dec 2018
Similar experience. Took 40mg for 2 months, no benefit. Dropped to 5mg daily abruptly, went through withdrawal a few days, then ALL my anxiety and depression symptoms were gone! Last 3 weeks, full remission.. then the anxiety and depression came back so I upped the dose to 10mg and higher. Never got that relief again ☹ Wonder if I should try 5mg daily again long term, or maybe 2.5mg
christarj
6 Oct 2011
Yes Jacqueh, I take 5 mg. I am fine on that if I work out as well (good for the brain as well as body). I want to get off of Paxil all together put all the stuff I read scares me. When I do it, i will go from 5, 4 to 3 to 2 etc. and stay at those doses for as long as I need to. If 5 works that's great. My Dr. said everyone is different some people are fine on 5 some may need 80
ktvs11
2 Oct 2011
I was on Paxil 10 mg for years. I decided to go off for a year & was fine. About a month ago started getting panic/anxiety attacks again. Had to go back on the Paxil. Been on 5mg for the last 2 weeks. I take it around 7 and take a Xanax about 9 to take the edge off & help me sleep. Not sure how long before all starts to kick in & make me feel better again. Depends on your body, 5mg may be enough for you to help! Give it time : )
DzooBaby
6 July 2011
Some people do better on lower than normal doses. We all react differently to drugs. If the 5mg is holding you and the side effects are minimal then great! What ever works. As far as the Xanax, it can be taken with Paxil. I would use it sparingly as it can be highly addictive, as many on this site can tell you, so just be very careful with it. Be sure your Dr is okay with you taking the Xanax. If you find after time the 5mg is not working then you will need to go on something else. There are many different drugs for controlling panic attacks.
Inactive
5 July 2011
Jacqueh27, are you doing this under a doc's care, weening I mean? You really need to talk to your doc and tell him your concerns. If you have panic attacks you are going to need something. If you don't want the paxil, ask your doc if he can change it and tell him why.
Woodmizer
6 July 2011
Von-1
I just want to switch to cymbalta because i have a herniated disk in my back and have been off opiates for 5 months. I've heard cymbalta can help with muskoskelator pain and my depression and axiety. I asked him if i just stop the paxil and switch to cymbalta and he told me he would have to look into it. Thats why i have so many questions about this and he is an addiction specialist but doesn't know what i should do. I elected to stick with the paxil for another month until i find out if i have to take some paxil and cymbalta at the same time.
Jacqueh27
6 July 2011
Yes, I am, and they don't help much when you complain of side effects coming off. I take Xanax at night. That could be helping too? But I have had no panic so am just wondering if the low dose of Paxil with the Xanax at night is ok. I guess we will see. I am just tired of the weight gain with the paxil. And you can wean from your paxil and go on cymbalta, if cymbalta is an SSRI. I switched to Lexapro once and had no problems except my ears ringing, so I had to switch back to Paxil.
Inactive
6 July 2011
Jacqueh, I understand about the wt gain, really not sure what to tell you. I have a friend on here and will have her give us her opinion. Von
Inactive
6 July 2011
J, I have really tried to think about this. If the 5mg is helping then its doing its job. Is it that your are just worried about the wt gain? And as far as taking the xanax at nite I would ask my doc about this. And I would als ask him about the wt gain. Im not saying this is you, but some people think when on a med and its working they think they are well and can come off, when its the med that is working to make them well and if they come off they go right back to the problem. Von
Inactive
6 July 2011
J, I keep going back and reading your questions and comments, and it looks like the doc did put you on the paxil and xanax. I don't see were there is a problem except ofr the wt. I have emailed a friend and maybe after while she will help us. Von, sorry Im not much help.
Jacqueh27
6 July 2011
Thanks guys. Von, yes, I am prescribed 1mg xanax, but only take a half for major insomnia. Nothing else works. I am aware it is addictive, but I do not seem to ever need more than just half. I never need it during the day. And to answer everybody, yes, the 5mg Paxil seems to be keeping panic attacks away, and I started to lose weight once I went from 20mg down..started losing at this 5mg dose, which makes me happy since the panic is not there. If I try to wean off completely, I get major electric shocks, nausea, etc. I am not trying to stop paxil as it seems to be working, but I guess I will wait and see since it has not been that long on the 5mg?
Inactive
6 July 2011
J, I think you are doing the right thing. And maybe the 5mg will keep working, and thats great that you are losig the wt now. As for the xanax, you only take it at nite and you are not craving it so you will be fine I believe. I take lexapro 10mg and 1/2 1mg xanax 4xday, so I'm alot worse off on the xanax than you. I can tell when i need to take my xanax and it scares me. I know what its like too ween off it, I did it 15 yrs ago when I went thru this. Sounds like you have it undercontrol, you will be fine. Von
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Further information
- Paxil uses and safety info
- Paxil prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Paxil (detailed)
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