i have been taking mg of paxil for four years and have

As the old saying goes: 'There is more than one way to skin a cat'.

I am 55 years old and have dealt with bouts of anxiety and depression (several times with prescription medications) -- with varying degrees of both side effect hassles and success.

About six months ago, after (through my own choice) being off Paxil for about a year, I started having severe anxiety/sleep disturbance and other depression-related symptoms. I decided to try to manage my symptoms without returning to prescription medication.

Not surprisingly, my anxiety symptoms got in the way of this plan -- as a result, I avoided going to my doctor about this for about three months. In the meantime, my symptoms continued to worsen -- until finally, I had no choice but to seek medical help.

As it happens, I live in the State of Oregon -- one of only a few states which recognize homeopathy. I am very fortunate to have a Doctor (M.D.) who is also a Homeopathic Physician -- a rare bird indeed.

Long story short, my anxiety and depression symptoms disappeared over the course of a month or so -- as a result of taking four tiny 'sugar pills' (a common delivery method for homeopathic remedies) daily.

You may not have homeopathy available as a resource. Even if you do, and decide to try it, your experience may not prove as positive as mine did. Still, I thought my success with it was worth sharing with you.

With regard to some common related issues -- again, from personal experience I can tell you that almost anything can bring on anxiety and/or a panic attack in someone who is susceptible. In my own case, if my stomach is overly full -- especially when laying down at night -- this can affect my breathing enough to make me a bit anxious. Intestinal gas can also bring this on. In both cases, I think the 'fullness' in my stomach causes pressure on my diaphragm -- making it difficult to take a deep breath -- which, as I'm sure you may know, can start the hyperventilation/anxiety/panic attack merry-go-round.

I recommend that you avoid eating heavy within three hours of going to bed -- and, if your abdomen becomes bloated after eating, that you consider using an over-the-counter anti-gas medication (such as GasEx) when needed.

Interestingly, a full bowel can also bring on anxiety symptoms. I was told some years ago, by a Naturopathic Doctor, that this is because a full bowel puts pressure on the Vagus Nerve -- which runs the length of the body and is involved with many of our autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Breathing exercises can also be extremely helpful in dealing with panic and anxiety.

Regarding obsessive thoughts -- which are often part of the panic/anxiety/depression picture -- exercise, keeping busy -- and especially getting involved with and focusing on helping other people can do wonders. We don't worry about ourselves as much when we focus on people ans\d matters outside of ourselves.

Click on the above links for additional information.

Let me know if you need more input. If not, thanks for the opportunity to assist you... Please honor my efforts by pushing the green 'Accept' button (located within this post -- above-right). Adding a bonus -- should you wish to do so -- would be warmly welcomed.

Good Luck!

Steve

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This didn't answer my questions

Paxil, Zoloft and other SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) antidepressant medications were once thought to be safe to take during pregnancy. According to this article, recent studies have shown a possible correlation SSRI use during pregnancy and birth defects. In addition, withdrawal symptoms were seen in some newborns whose mothers had been taking SSRIs during the latter part of pregnancy.

Another type of antidepressant medication, called MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) -- such as Nardil, are definitely not considered safe for use during pregnancy.

Regarding the effectiveness/and side effects of Zoloft. It takes about six weeks for your body to acclimate to starting or changing an antidepressant medication. After six weeks, you should be seeing the full effect of the medication -- and whatever side effects are still around at that point, may be around for as long as you are on the medication.

I recommend that you give the Zoloft at least six weeks before you consider changing medications. If you still find it problematic at that point, there are other SSRIs -- Lexapro for example -- which you may want to ask your doctor about trying.

I can understand your possible reluctance to consider homeopathy as a primary treatment for your depression. However, homeopathic remedies are extremely safe -- even when taken with conventional prescription and over-the-counter medication.

In case you want to explore this avenue further -- here is a list of homeopathic practitioners in Ohio -- some of whom are medical doctors..

Click the above Link(s) for additional information. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Let me know if you need more input. If not, thanks for the opportunity to assist you... Please honor my efforts by Clicking the green 'Accept' button (located within this post -- above-right). Adding a bonus -- should you wish to do so -- would be warmly welcomed.

Good Luck!

Steve


Edited by Oreport on January 10 2006 at 4:53am

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