I know the topic of AD's has come up before, just couldn't find the threads.

I am going back on Paxil. My PCP and I agreed that the Celexa is cutting it anymore, or better yet, right now at this point in time I need something different. My anxiety has been all over the place due to pain as well as all that I have gone through over the past several months. My pain coping skills are just gone right now and I am so stuck in the pain cycle it's creating more muscle tension and spasms then I already had. My counselor has been great and suggested that I talk to my dr about switching (since the increase to 20 mg of Celexa did not work and only added to things).

So, I thought I would ask what your experiences have been in switching ADs. Was it easy to switch and how long did it take for you to feel the effects of the new med? Also, more specifically, how many of you have tried and/or are on Paxil?

I loved my Paxil, it saved my life!!! It cured me of my anxiety attacks and minimized my general anxiety and thus my depression also went away. Neuro/Psych started me out on 20mg and through the 7 years I was on it, moved up to 60mg, then it stopped working..

PC Doc changed me to 40 mg of Prozac and I've been on that for 4 yrs and doing great.

Years ago Prozac made me jittery, but after Paxil stopped. my Doc said it may work again, so I tried it and now, I love my Prozac.

I imagine Celexa is a little like Prozac and probably is not working for your Anxiety, right now?

Good luck!

I do know that when I was 1st on Paxil, it definitely helped keep me calmer during the painful times. Now that I am actually experiencing anxiety, I am in hopes it will help and work better this time.

I am glad the Prozac is working for you. I totally understand the jittery feeling as the increase in Celexa did that to me and caused more trouble with tension and anxiety. What you posted is encouraging to me and a I really appreciate you sharing your experience.

I've never taken Paxil. Just Prozac. But I hope you find something that works well for you and lessens your pain.

I was only on paxil for one week. It was at the same time I was on IV steroids and I didn't like it. I found myself just sitting and staring at the ceiling for hours. On the plus side I lost ten pounds that week, but you do not need to lose weight Trish. In retrospect, I do not really know if it was the paxil or steroids that made me feel so horrible. Maybe it was a combination of the two. I tried four different anti depressants the summer after I was dx and had problems with all of them. That being said my mother has taken paxil for years and has felt that it has helped to a degree with anxiety.

I hope it helps you!

Barb - Steroids always make me feel so horrible. I totally understand your issues with ADs. I've tried 3. Cymbalta was my 1st one and while it worked great on the nerve pain, it made me have aggressive thoughts. I was on it for 3 days and refuse to take it anymore. Then I was on Paxil for about 1 1/2 year until my affect became flat. Then it was Celexa which has worked well until recently. So, we decided on Paxil as it does have a calming effect and right now, that is what I need. This chronic pain is getting to me and I don't want to be in this pain cycle anymore.

Kelly & Sally - Is Prozac fairly mild? I only know of a few people who are on it and don't know much about it.

Tricia, I honestly have no side effects from Prozac. I guess if I quit taking it I might notice a difference in my mood. I was taking two 20mg. capsules a day. It was prescribed to take one in the AM and one at noon. I just took them both in the AM. About a month ago I decided to try just taking one 20 mg. capsule a day. This would make my supply last for 2 months instead of one. I've only taken one 20 mg. capsule each day now for a month and have had no adverse reaction nor can I tell a difference in my mood. So......I just take 20 mg. a day now. Prozac is a cheap med (generic) so even if I had to bump it back up to 40 mg. a day it wouldn't be a big issue.

I would say that, for me, it's a mild med. I was put on it when I was taking Betaseron and just never came off of it. Things are stable for me now and I don't want to rock the boat!

I don't blame you. I'm the same way . . .if things are stable, I don't want to rock the boat. They were stable for years but things have changed. I'm working toward getting that stability back and then, I too, won't rock the boat.

BTW - Now I have this song stuck in my head . . .

"to rock the boat, don't rock the boat baby
rock the boat, don't tip the boat over
rock the boat, don't rock the boat baby
rock the boat-t-t-t-t"

Prozac is the one SSRI that has the least side effects and has the shortest halflife...meaning it doesn't accumulate in your system and therefore, it's easier to go off of it. It does have an energy booster to it, so not so good, if you have heavy anxiety.

Paxil is actually more for anxiety and also depression. It didn't make me a zombie, just normal and at ease. Some people say it has a zombie effect on them. If it does, then it's probably not for you.

Good luck..