I learned the hard way that paxil isn't going to work

IDreamInColor · Post by **IDreamInColor** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:33 pm

If you have read my prior posts you know that I'm having trouble with agoraphobia, panic/anxiety, and depression. I have always controlled these afflictions with anti depressants, paxil always worked the best for me.

When I learned of the connection with ssri's and mc I weaned off the ssri and havent' been on anything for it since last August. Since that time, the depression has been the worst it's ever been, with never feeling well, and all these diseases to manage it has gotten the best of me.

My life consists of sitting in my room upstairs looking out the window, crying, depressed, anxiety, and all that. I feel so small.

Everything came to a head yesterday and I broke down very hard, I was sobbing, you know the embarrassing kind of sob,lol It was then that I decided I need to try the paxil again because I can't live like this. So I took the paxil at midnight last night and hoped for the best.

Well, the nausea woke me up at 7 a.m., I was cramping, and having D (10 times). It is now 5:50 in the evening and I am still having D. It has become obvious to me that ssri's will have a very negative effect on MC, and now it's not an option for me. This episode was not an MC episode, it was different, and I know for a fact it was definately the paxil that caused it.

At this point I don't know what else to do, I'm hoping someone here might have a suggestion, I can't live like this anymore.

Everytime I think I see light at the end of the tunnel, it was only the train coming.

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:48 pm

Hi Idream, I wish could speak knowledgeably about these meds and I'm sure others will weigh in soon. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in this trying time.

Have you talked with your doctor about other choices that are not SSRI's ?

Sending you a hug

:bigbighug:

--Joe

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:51 pm

Paxil did the same thing to me years ago. The doctor wouldn't believe me when I told him. Miraculously, the D stopped when I stopped the drug.

I hope you feel better soon.

IDreamInColor · Post by **IDreamInColor** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:59 pm

Joe, I have an appt Tuesday with my regular doctor, she's the once that prescribed the paxil, if I can make it to the appt I will ask her if their are other options.

Arlene, do you still suffer from the depression? Were you able to find something that helped?

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:59 pm

We have found that people that have MC can not take the SSRI anti depressants, as they will trigger the D. Before I came down with MC, Paxil was like a miracle pill for me..
In my experience of suffering most of my life with GAD and chronic depression that I do very well with Effexor XR which is an SNRI type anti depressant.
My suggestion, if it is an option for you, is to ask your doctor to prescribe the Effexor XR. It now comes in a generic form if cost is a problem.
I have always said that if a person has never been afflicted with anxiety or depression issues, they have no clue of the impact they have on your life.
I really understand and feel the emotional pain that you are dealing with.
Just keep posting because that's what we are here for..

Dee~~~

natythingycolbery · Post by **natythingycolbery** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:11 pm

Hey Idream, I suffer from GAD, Depression and PTSD and am currently on Mirtazaipine which is a type of tetracyclic antidepressant, which is apparently supposed to not affect MC. Maybe you could ask for this or something similar?

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:16 pm

IDreamInColor wrote:Joe, I have an appt Tuesday with my regular doctor, she's the once that prescribed the paxil, if I can make it to the appt I will ask her if their are other options.

Arlene, do you still suffer from the depression? Were you able to find something that helped?

I absolutely do. I have many stressors in my life, including a child who has autism. I have found that exercise helps me, although I haven't been exercising due to the MC right now. Even a walk can help me though. I find that sun light exposure works very well. I also find writing a gratitude list helps me. I have started with the absolute very basics...food, roof over my head, heat and/or air conditioning, friends, and family. If I can put 5 things on my gratitude list, I am blessed. Changing your thoughts can really change your life. It works for me, what can I say?

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:32 pm

I dream
if you do a search for depression in the PP site you will see previous discussions about the meds that people have found do not exacerbate the MC

you can do further research - via the celiac society here in australia i was able to get a list of meds that are gluten and lactose free.

the key is getting a) the med that will work best and not exacerbate the MC and b) that it does not contain gluten

not sure what the situation is in the states, via the info I found on the celiac society that generic cheaper brands of meds mostly do contain gluten. if the doctor prescribes a med that you have checked is gluten free do not opt for generic brands, stay with the brand.
This important notation is in my file at the pharmacy so that they never issue generic or alternative brands.

I read an article somewhere that that medication they use for anxiety/depression for Crohns and colitis patients, the main side effect is constipation, which is a welcome side effect.

there is a solution that will work for you, you dont have to stay as you are. if you have the energy and focus do some research before your doctors appointment so that you walk out with a good solution to your current situation

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:35 pm

PS - should also mention

discuss with the doctor that maybe you start on small doses and work your way up to the full dose.
ie try 20mg dose for 3 days make sure there is not MC reactions, then go to 40mg for 3-4 days, if all ok go up again to 60mg, and so on and so on, give your digestion and body the chance to adjust to the new med and progress that way till you are at the recommended dose.
using ants saying, softly softly catchy monkey.....

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 6:48 pm

Dear I Dream,

I hope you can find a way to make it until your Dr. appoint in a few days. I have been on a couple of different anti-depressants. The one that I am on now is Pristique. It supposedly is the next generation of Effexor but there is no generic. It might be too pricey for you. I haven't had any side effects with this.

Good luck to you.

Post by **tex** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:33 pm

IDream,

Have you tried Wellbutrin, (bupropion)? It's a non-tricyclic antidepressant that works differently from the SSRIs. It works as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, (rather than as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). It tends to have fewer side effects, and it shouldn't adversely affect your MC - in fact, it might help. You might ask your doctor about it, if you're not familiar with it.

Tex

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:58 pm

Wellbutrin is a very good choice too. I haven't taken it personally, but I've heard very few side effects from it.

IDreamInColor · Post by **IDreamInColor** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:46 pm

Unfortunately wellbutrin increased the anxiety, I had the worst panic attack of my life a few years ago when I tried wellbutrin.

natythingycolbery · Post by **natythingycolbery** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 10:03 pm

I just had a thought, there is some reaserch somewhere that shows MC can be caused/irritated by SSRI's, Maybe you could find that information and take it to the drs with you?

ant · Post by **ant** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 12:54 am

Hi, I dream

Thinking of you.

I came across this thread the other day.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Depression ... how/521419

It takes a bit of time to read, but discusses many of the issues here. (In fact, IMHO, the people there would benefit from seeing our PP discussions.)

Bestest wishes, Ant