QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
Hi, I have been on Paxil for 6 months. While it has helped a whole lot with my panic attacks disorder, I have gained 20 pounds on it. I was taking 20mg and now I've cut back to 10mg. Can you please tell me if there are any symptoms I should feel when lowering the dose? I have been having headaches, and I'm starting to get worried.
Thanks!
ANSWER:
The most common reasons would be hypothyroidism (primary or otherwise) and the
generalized anxiety disorder.
Low thyroid causes panic attacks and could easily be causing the weight gain that you have
ascribed to the Paxil.
The cognitive generalized anxiety disorder is worsened by Paxil and other SSRI's.
There's no reason you can't have additional diagnoses. If you have the GAD,
BuSpar would markedly lower the appetite increase caused by Paxil over a few weeks.
