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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Severe Panic Attacks Be Treated?

i have been taking 40 mg of paxil for several years, i recently switched to 10 mg of lexapro i have been having severe panic attacks for the past two days, could this be because the lexpro is not strong enough should i go back to the paxil, the reason for the switch was because i was feeling depressed again while on the paxil and thought i need to try something different, the panic attacks are very freightening and i wake from my sleep with them and now am afraid to go to sleep. please help
Fri, 3 Mar 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Thank you for asking Query,
I have read your problem ,as i understood from Q. you are taking anti-dep Medication
for years ,suddenly you stopped it , suddenly stopping these SSRI medication
is not advisable ,switching to new anti-dep Medication can do same side effects like feeling sleepy /tiredness, &panic attacks.These medications can be stopped
gradually over 2-4 weeks,tapering the doses by 25% reduction every 5-days
then gradually stop.sudden switching to lexpro without consulting psychiatrist
also do same problem ,as both are different anti-dep drug,so i advise you to consult psychiatrist/or gradually stop paxil over2-4 weeks, then start 10 mg Lexpro .Hope u got the answer.
Regards,
Dr M Ibrar
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How Can Severe Panic Attacks Be Treated?

Thank you for asking Query, I have read your problem ,as i understood from Q. you are taking anti-dep Medication for years ,suddenly you stopped it , suddenly stopping these SSRI medication is not advisable ,switching to new anti-dep Medication can do same side effects like feeling sleepy /tiredness, &panic attacks.These medications can be stopped gradually over 2-4 weeks,tapering the doses by 25% reduction every 5-days then gradually stop.sudden switching to lexpro without consulting psychiatrist also do same problem ,as both are different anti-dep drug,so i advise you to consult psychiatrist/or gradually stop paxil over2-4 weeks, then start 10 mg Lexpro .Hope u got the answer. Regards, Dr M Ibrar