i was prescribed paxil, for anxiety and panic attacks, after prlonged misery, i am starting to feel quite depressed, always running around inside my head with scary thoughts. I started to self medicate I was up to 10 drinks a day, now i am starting to wean off slowly, but, i can't take paxil with alcohol, so i'm stuck in a trap escpecially since it takes 4 weeks or so to kick in
just wondered if anyone has gone through this, or any advice greatly appreciated

I took Paxil for about 3 yrs and it was wonderful for me! If I can be blunt here..........alcohol is not the answer (and you probably know that I'm sure) but more than that, alcohol "IS" a depressant! If you can rid your body and mind of alcohol then I'm sure the Paxil will do what it needs to do. "You" need to work on your thoughts while the meds will help your chemical imbalance. I hope that helps. good luck.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Brigitte:
[QB]I took Paxil for about 3 yrs and it was wonderful for me! If I can be blunt here..........alcohol is not the answer (and you probably know that I'm sure) but more than that, alcohol "IS" a depressant!
which is why i feel worse the day after a night of drinking. I have decided to go ahead and start the paxil, while weaning off instead of waiting... i want it to kick in as soon as possible
thanks for the advice

I dont' want to come off sounding sarcastic but you really are wondering why you feel worse the next day? Alcohol is very hard on your body. It is a depressant. With all the education on it out there I highly suggest you educate yourself on alcohol. It's no mystery. It's bad for you, makes your problems worse, hard on your body, dehydrates you, I could go on and on. The BEST thing you could ever do for yourself is stop the drinking. It is depression and anxiety in a bottle.

Now for paxil, it takes a few weeks to kick in and yes, I felt really good after that. Be patient, take care of yourself. Don't mix the paxil with the alcohol though!!! good luck, (drink lots of water too)

Hey you guys I just wanted to say my doctor gave me paxil, Im afraid to take it. Brigette did you have a hard time getting off the paxil? How severe was your anxiety and how much did it help? Sorry so many questions well thankyou for your time.

Kurstin;
I took paxil for a while when the obsessive was really bothering me and I thought myself to be non-functional. It definately stopped the obsessive stuff but I went off it after a few months. I tapered down rather quickly and never felt anything coming off of it. But the fact was, I never dealt with my thought life while on it. So, there I was again. I am truly seeing how the personality, created by the thoughts, is the REAL problem with anxiety. But I would recommend Paxil if life seems non-functional at the moment. It definately works. The only side-effect I had was constipation and an increased tendency to get angry over little things.
Hope this helps!
Psalm91

thank you all
recently my diet has been very poor, mostly b/c the anxiety diminishes my appetite, i was reading a post from peaches, and realized (lightbulb... ) if my diet is so poor, how can i ever expect to feel better. I have increased the SJW, and started eating better... i ate tuna today, i know, sounds silly, but i have been a strict vegan for 17 years, i felt my body needed it, and i feel great. I am not ruling out paxil, and i do know that the alcohol is bad, it's just not so easy to eliminate it overnight.
thanks again, i love you all for you care and support

Kursten, well when I first went on Paxil I was close to housebound except for work. I was VERY depressed to the point that I could relate with suicide thoughts. Would never do that ever but could just relate if you know what I mean. The first few weeks were challenging while my body was getting used to eat, a little nausea, drowsy and then all that went away. Next thing I knew (without even realizing it) I was one happy camper. I was going out with my friends, traveling, just be a normal person. I did not have these coping skills at the time though so how wonderful would it have been if I did.......now.....I went off accidentally cold turkey. Didn't put two and two together at the time but I went into a depression and more anxiety. Of course I know why now. The past 2 years (since I've been off). I've tried the homeopathic route, changed my diet and did this program. All helped a great deal!! But..........not as good as the meds. You may see other posts from me discussing this and how I had a hard time giving myself permission to go back on meds. I've just recently done that and am looking forward to going back on them, not sure what though as Paxil did make me gain weight. I know now though that with these skills I have, I will have a wonderful combo.

thanks, good luck to all!..Brigitte