Paxil/Xanax & IBS

Weatherman,PLEASE be very very careful with the xanax!!It is very addicting and is also a step up drug. Step up meaning that when you first start taking it it works very well, but soon it doesn't and you will need more to get the same benefits. I know this from experience. Years ago a shrink had me on 18 mg a day, along with sinnequan and lithum. He told me I had to stop all my meds as I was on lethal overdose. He neglected to tell me to do it slowly. Anyway, he left town for the weekend...and never came back!!!The withdrawl was a nightmare to say the least. You didn't say how much you were prescribed or how often. I hope the paxil will kick in soon for you but it does take a while for the full effect. When do you see a shrink??? Ihave seen toooo many M.D.s prescribe psych drugs without following up properly. Please be careful. I know my case is extreme but even a lower dose causes bad withdrawl. I don't mean to scare you...just be careful. I cringe when I see the word Xanax.Hope you feel better soonDeb------------------Keep moving forward...even if you must crawl.

Hi Weathermanaxil is an excellent drug to help with anxiety. I took it for a while, and another woman in my office is taking it now. I stopped when I felt I no longer needed it for anxiety.Good luck! JeanG

Hi Weatherman!I just wanted to add something regarding the Paxil.I use Zoloft, and have for over a year. It is classified as an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitor), along with Paxil. One of the potential side-effect for SSRI's is constipation. So, in D-types, they can sometimes serve the dual purpose of calming our anxiety, along with relieving many of the D symptoms.In extreme stress situations, many mental health professionals will prescribe/recommend Xanax for immediate relief (it generally acts within 15 minutes and lasts for 5 to 6 hours at .25mgs), and a long-term Anti-depressant. Paxil and Zoloft take roughly a month or more to start taking effect. My physician started me out the same way (with both), saying only to use the Xanax for an uncontrollable anxiety attack, or if I needed to sleep. She advised me that I would gradually stop taking it without realizing it - and she was right! I stopped using the Xanax after about 3 weeks, and it wasn't for another week before I even noticed.I wish you much luck! I hope this helped. Michelle[This message has been edited by micki45 (edited 11-14-2000).]

Hello,Well, here is my pharmacist input again.. I agree with those who advise caution with the xanax...the same goes for ativan, valium, serax, etc. This class of drugs causes physical dependence, not to mention, in some cases addiction with regular usage...they are also the MOST DIFFICULT type of drug to kick the habit from...we are talking more withdrawal than from street drugs.

I have yet to take any Xanax. I have .5mg here, but have never used them. After hearing about the side effects, I think drinking beer would be a better option.. Since I started on Paxil, I have not had an easy time sleeping, and think at times that it has gotten worse. I know it hasn't been that long, but I need to go back to work and can't wait weeks for it to start working. I was better last week on nothing as far as I'm concerned. At least I could go to work. I got 1/3 of the way to work today, and had to turn around.. The shaking gets really bad.. I feel like I am going through withdraw from something. Could that be possible from Lonox or Hyoscyamine Sulfate? I was taking them for IBS once in awhile, and stopped the day before this happened.Oh well, will see what the doctor says. I just want to go back to work and resume life.. I am going to get out today and try and work these shakes off..I should get the results to my blood and urine tests today, too.- Mark[This message has been edited by Weatherman (edited 11-15-2000).]