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Posted 5/23/2017 10:49 AM (GMT -5)
I weaned off of Paxil recently but I'm considering going back on an SSRI. I have gone on and off of Paxil in the past but I don't remember ever feeling this bad off of it.

I don't know if it's my blood sugar/blood pressure/adrenals or if it's generalized anxiety but I get this weird feeling in my chest, sometimes heart flutters/palpitations. Sometimes I catch myself holding my breath without realizing it at first. I definitely have sleep anxiety; I keep waking up in panic as soon as I catch myself falling asleep.

I don't know if it's physical stuff causing the anxiety or if it's anxious thoughts but it doesn't seemed to be relieved with meditation, etc. And it always seems to be worse between 11am-3pm.

I don't really want to go back on an SSRI (especially not Paxil) but I really feel like hell. Has anyone else had success with a prescription SSRI?
Posted 5/23/2017 11:05 AM (GMT -5)
As an update, I took a .25mg xanax but after a half hour, it didn't seem to be helping. I then took two glucose tablets and now feel a lot better. But it's hard to tell whether the xanax kicked in or i needed the sugar.
Posted 5/23/2017 11:15 AM (GMT -5)
Try just doing the glucose tabs next time, if you choose to wait on going back on the Paxil.

I'm of the attitude that we need to do what we need to do in order to get through the healing process. For me, I figured if that meant I would have to wean off of something like an antidepressant or antianxiety med, then so be it. I wasn't going to heal if I was constantly fighting all of that on top of the other symptoms.

Have you tried any of the herbs? Just a thought.
Posted 5/23/2017 11:32 AM (GMT -5)
I haven't tried any herbs in a long time. I'm not against going back on an SSRI if that's what I need; I just think Paxil is an awfully harsh drug.

I see my LLMD tomorrow which is why I wanted to get some feedback today. I suspect though that it's my adrenals messing up my metabolism/blood sugar etc etc He ordered the saliva test, but I haven't had the money to send it in. I'm not even sure he'll be able to help without the test results.
Posted 5/23/2017 11:39 AM (GMT -5)
I sometimes get that same feeling when trying to fall asleep. Just when it seems like my body is relaxed and I am going to be able to sleep, all of sudden my brain/body has a panic and I feel like I can't catch my breath and I am going to die in my sleep.
Of course after that I give myself a pep talk and rationalize that this won't happen, and I am usually able to fall asleep after that. Or I reach a point of exhaustion and my brain finally shuts off.

One of my doctors recommended I try an herb called Relora since her other Lyme patients do well on it for sleep. I just haven't been able to try it yet. I've learned trying new meds on a work night, doesn't always pan out so well sad

I hope you get some restful sleep soon!
Posted 5/23/2017 11:45 AM (GMT -5)
I get those same feelings, Shotgun. But, my mind simply will not quiet itself on it's own, so I use herbs to help me get to the point that I don't deal with that much, or at least at low enough levels that I CAN get my mind to quiet.

Do let us know if the Relora works or not. I see it's a combination of two things - Phellodendron amurense and Magnolia officinalis.

Personally, I use a mix of several herbs - Avena sativa, Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time tea, Tryptophan, melatonin, Valerian, and magnesium for my night time herbs.
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