New Nurse on Paxil

Farawyn · Jul 21, 2015

I am not against " seeking help" I am against throwing a pill at a psychological problem.
I was experiencing severe depression from a series of exogenous events, and prescribed the wonder drugs. They led to suicidal ideation. Stopped THAT junk cold turkey and live to tell the tale.
Do your research on the efficacy and adverse effects of the antidepressants that make big Pharma even richer.
Then, we will talk again.

I'm sorry this happened to you and glad you lived to tell the tale, but don't discount the countless number of lives these pills have SAVED either. CBT alone does not work for everyone.

ambr46 · Jul 22, 2015

About 5 years ago I started having little anxiety attacks so I got a prescription for Paxil. I didn't react well with it at all and began having full blown panic attacks at work, couldn't sleep, felt generally paranoid, and had pupils the size of saucers. It was also the lowest starting dose. After I quit taking it things went back to normal. Seriously thought I was going crazy on this medication but others seem to tolerate it just fine. Sometimes it takes trying other SSRI's before you find the right one.

babynurse73 · Jul 22, 2015

When i worked in the hospital, I'd venture to say that about 75%of the nurses i worked with were on an ssri or another anti depressant. I was for years. Paxil in nursing school. Made me a bit too "up" but i know others who like it fine. Sometimes with antidepressants it takes kissing a couple of frogs before you find your prince, if you know what I mean. Be careful if going off never quit cold turkey. Now im trying alternative methods to help my mood. One of these methods was leaving the hospital all together! Best of luck to you.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 22, 2015

I am one of those that just cannot tolerate and AD. I get agitated, shay, wired. First time I tried Lexapro, 5 mg. I was up for 2 days. Welbutrin had a cumulative effect and after a 2 months, I could only take a half dose (I took it as Zyban to try and quit smoking) and I still had issues. Most recently, I have tried Cymbalta. I felt like I had taken 5 hits of speed. There is NO sedating effect on me from any of them. I do take a benzo and have been on the same dose for years. I don't get sedated. I am just able to focus. Almost like my son when he is on Ritalin. I am very fascinated by this subject. Had an interesting discussion with a colleague about intolerance of SSRI/SNRI. Need to look up the research....

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 22, 2015

Did you discuss your concerns with your provider? I would say it is "worth taking it" if your provider has prescribed it. Are you going to the word of a random person on a message board as to what medications you take? Yikes. Also what is "new nurse blues"? I have never heard of that one. I think the "I have no money and need a job blues" would be worse.

The "provider" of anti-depressant meds needs to be a neuro-psychiatrist. Any Joe Blow GP does NOT have the skills necessary to prescribe these brain altering chemicals.

GP's listen to the main complaint.. prescribe this crap... to get the patient out of their office.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 22, 2015

Every AD I've been on (Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin, and even Celexa) has been activating for me. I'll never forget the day about 2 1/2 weeks into treatment with Paxil when I woke up and HELLLLLOOO!!! EVERYTHING was so much BETTER!!! Suddenly I was dancing on the moon and having the best time doing it...I didn't realize then that I was manic. I was on the drug for several years with varying degrees of success...in winter I'd increase the dose because I felt terrible, and in summer I'd cut it back because I was no longer depressed. I was, however, doing things like chopping my hair off and changing jobs. Too bad I didn't see the connection.

Nowadays I'm on a tiny, 10 mg dose of Celexa, and that's allowed only because I'm on two antipsychotics and a mood stabilizer to counteract any activating effects. It does have its place in my treatment, and I decompensated quickly when my p-doc tried to D/C it on a couple of memorable occasions. Discontinuation syndrome, AKA withdrawal, is highly unpleasant and this is why ADs should always be tapered verrrrrrry slowly, if one is going to come off them at all.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 22, 2015

The "provider" of anti-depressant meds needs to be a neuro-psychiatrist. Any Joe Blow GP does NOT have the skills necessary to prescribe these brain altering chemicals.
GP's listen to the main complaint.. prescribe this crap... to get the patient out of their office.

Actually, I quit seeing my psychiatrist because that's what he was doing. That's what the last couple of them were doing. I go to a PCP & he pays more attention to me than any psychiatrist has.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 22, 2015

I'm sorry this happened to you and glad you lived to tell the tale, but don't discount the countless number of lives these pills have SAVED either. CBT alone does not work for everyone.

These "pills" at best , mask the symptoms of anxiety and depression. At worst.. they cause much more damage to the psyche. Please... do your research.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 22, 2015

Actually, I quit seeing my psychiatrist because that's what he was doing. That's what the last couple of them were doing. I go to a PCP & he pays more attention to me than any psychiatrist has.

Please note, I said a NEURO- psychiatrist. A different specialty. And the only one that should be able to prescribe this class of medication.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 22, 2015

These "pills" at best , mask the symptoms of anxiety and depression. At worst.. they cause much more damage to the psyche. Please... do your research.

They don't do that to everyone. If I'm not on medication I am a crazy, hot mess that CBT can't control. I know medication helps control my depression & anxiety. I'm sorry for what happened to you but medication can help.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 22, 2015

Hi allnurses!
So I've been prescribed Paxil today due to anxiety issues which I will be taking the first dose (12.5mg) tonight before I go to sleep. I've been wanting to ask allnurses, especially nurses who are or was on Paxil, what their experiences are taking it including side effects and effectiveness. I am a little nervous about taking it although my anxiety isn't severe. According to the GAD tool that my family doctor used to assess me, I have moderate anxiety. I guess I'm always a worrier and always anxious about work and what I may do wrong. I always think that it could be just a "new nurse blues" kind of anxiety. I had graduated last year and only had 5 months of LTC experience and now starting a new job in Complex Continuing Care in a hospital. I have not practiced in a hospital for 2 years now so I'm definitely very anxious to start on my first night shift (never had a night shift throughout my nursing school or the 5 months as a licensed RN). I would really to hear or read everyone's input regarding taking anti-anxiety drugs and if it's even worth taking it.

Anxiety is NORMAL when starting a new job. Being prescribed medication based on a lame GAD tool , before you even start is JUST.. PLAIN.... WRONG.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 22, 2015

They don't do that to everyone. If I'm not on medication I am a crazy, hot mess that CBT can't control. I know medication helps control my depression & anxiety. I'm sorry for what happened to you but medication can help.

Please see my previous thread, Do we need to take drugs.. in order to do our job?