Any experience on diff. between xanax and paxil for panic

[Tiggeroo]

My college aged dd has been having some problems. It seems likely that the problem is panic attacks. These are not frequent, but are frightening when they happen. She also has Costo-chondritis, which mimics the feelings of a heart attack. This comes and goes as the inflamation comes back. This triggers the panic attacks. She is being treated for this, and it's possible that when that is gone, the attacks will subside.
Today the dr. gave her a script for paxil and xanax. The paxil on a regular basis worries me. From what I'm reading once she starts taking it, it will be difficult to stop. Originally it had been suggested that she could get by with just the xanax, but today the dr. said no she needed paxil. He has ordered blood work and some other tests, but it will take a couple weeks til these are done, and he would like her on the paxil in the meantime. Any thoughts.

 

[mickeyboat]

I can't help you with the anti-depressant end of things.

I had costochronditis when I was in college too. And I really thought I was having a heart attack at 19. It was an inflatmation of the cartilidge between my ribs. I got a prescription for Ibuprofen and it went away after a few days. The doctor said it could have been caused by a forceful injury or an infection of some sort (He asked me if I had been having rough s*x). Is it possible she has an infection?

If the costo-chronditis flares up, I can see why she would be upset. I hope her doctor can help her out.

Denae

 

[pammypooh]

I suffered a panic attack a couple of years ago that sent me to the ER. They gave a prescription for a week's worth of Xanax to get me by till I could see my regular doctor. (I was out of town)

For me, the Xanax definitely took the edge off the panic and anxiety, however it made me VERY sleepy and I kind of felt out of it. I knew that for me I did not want to be on it long term if at all possible.

I took the meds for the first three days after my anxiety/panic attack. After I got home (my mom drove me) my doctor recommend therapy and was supportive if I thought I needed the meds - I said no - let's try therapy first.

After about nine months of seeing therapist, I pretty much returned to normal self. There are still times that I can feel like - uh no its trying to start...but I do some deep breathing and try to relax.

I wish you luck as you help your daughter. I know it was hard on my Mom watching me go through this.

My advice would be to just really find out as much as possible about the side effects of both treatments. They never intended my to be on Xanax long term.

Pam :

 

[Tiggeroo]

the costochondritis is pretty bad. The dr. said that sometimes it can last and last, and recur. No fever or other signs of infection but he is doing a full blood work-up. What happens is she gets the pain from the costo. this even causes pain radiating down the left arm. It gets her worried, causing things to get worst, hyperventilating, then panic attacks. It has caused a chain where if she feels a tiny bit of the pain she goes right into the panic attacks.
It's a tough age. She is 19 and a college student. I've always handled her dr. appointments and stuff, but she is an adult. But this isn't just a check-up and she doesn't have the maturity/experience to work her way thru the health care system yet. It must be pretty bad, since she is going to try the paxil. I'm not crazy about the idea. I would rather her have tried the xanax for a week or so, and been more aggressive in dealing with the costochondritis. I also would rather see her go into some therapy/behavior management at the same time or in lieu of meds. Dr. doesn't recommend it for such a mild problem, and so I disagree with him.

 

[Christine]

I have taken both Paxil and Xanax for panic disorder. I do not like Paxil or any of the SSRIs for that matter for panic. They do not agree with me. Since this class of drugs are antidepressents they can have some "stimulating" side effects. While I was trying to get used to Paxil, I had some SERIOUS anxiety. It takes up to 6 weeks for these side effects to wear off. I know I am an extreme case but I got to the point that I preferred the panic attacks over the daily, constant side effects of Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa. Paxil is not dangerous, it should just not be stopped abruptly. These medications cause changes in the brain's chemistry and, when stopped, the changes going back are too abrupt. If she weans off slowly there will not be a problem (or there shouldn't be).

On the other hand, I do beautifully with Xanax. I am very sensitive to even Benadryl, but I can handle small doses of Xanax just fine. The first day or two I took it, I did feel a bit drowsy but that only lasted for about 2 hours after each dose, then it just went away. I recommend getting a .25 mg pill and splitting it in half and taking that 3 times per day. Even that amount does wonders to "smooth" me out. When I get times when I feel pretty good, I just use it strictly for when I feel panicky. If that happens I might take .25 mg at one time and within 20-30 minutes I can feel it subsiding and then it's gone for the day. If I have a MAJOR attack .50 mg is usually enough to stop it.

Taken on a regular basis (3 times a day for several weeks) it too can be addictive but, again, under the care of a doctor and careful cutting back, you can stop using it without a problem.

 

[MeanLaureen]

From what I have heard from my doctor - Xanax is like a "bandaid" - it covers up the problem but doesn't fix it. Paxil supposedly gets to the root of the problem to fix it.

Xanax can be addicting. Paxil is not addicting but you have to be weaned off of it, you can't just quit cold turkey. I'd be more worried about her taking Xanax too much and becoming reliant on it. Think of Xanax like valium.

I'd ask about Effexor - it's an antidepressant but it seems to do well for anxiety. Less side effects from what I have heard.

 

[Princess_Aurora]

Paxil made me gain weight. I don't think I've done Xanax yet??? I have horrible panic attacks that make me unable to breath. I thought I had asthma for a while until the dr told me it's anxiety. I was taking Lexapro for a while and that really worked very well for me...the only problem was it made me really sleepy. The dr said to give it the whole six weeks and maybe it would wear off. I was on it for a little over three months and it never did wear off, so I weaned myself off of it. I was on Wellbutrin for a little while and that worked wonders with no nasty side effects...but it didn't last. It's like my body became immune to it or something so it just stopped working.

One treatment I used on top of my meds that worked a lot for me was herbal teas. There are several herbal teas that you can use that will calm your nerves...and they taste good too. It's not meant to replace the meds though, just to help them out a bit.

 

[minnie56]

I suffered what has been diagnosed as panic attacks for some time last summer. After about 7 weeks I succumbed and finally agreed to take Paxil. It took about 3 weeks to make the difference but I am still on it and it has made all the difference in the world! I feel my old self now and wouldn't think of not taking it, at least right now.

Paxil adjusts the chemicals in your body that are out of whack and once stabilized...all goes back to normal. It can help out during times it is needed most and is a very helpful medication.You do have to gradually wean off of it under a Dr's supervision just as you gradually increase the using of the drug in the first place.

Good Luck..