Well I finally contacted my ENT (who specializes in dizziness and has been treating me) and told her I’m not feeling well and she started me on a low dose of Paxil on top of my 240 mg of Verapamil. It’s been just one day, but I feel worse today- even more lightheaded and out of it, which were my main symptoms to begin with. Did anyone have this reaction to Paxil and did it get better with time? I’m not sure how much time I’m supposed to give it…
I am flying cross-country tomorrow and was wondering if I should stop and wait until after my trip to start this med since it’s making me feel worse right now. Flying and traveling already make me feel horrible.
What you are experiencing is very normal. With every migraine med that I tried, my body had to adjust to starting the med or making increases. I always feel much more lightheaded and dizzy until that happens (about 7-10 days). I started zoloft yesterday and am feeling even worse today, but expected that. Interesting how docs use different SSRIs for this disorder.
Hi Melissa,
I am sorry the verapamil didn’t do the trick alone this time around. What symptoms do you still have that prompted your doc to add Paxil? What dose did your doc start you on and what is the titration schedule?
Good luck with the Paxil. Hopefully your feeling worse will be self-limited as your body is adjusting to a new med.
Hi Melissa,
I am sorry the verapamil didn’t do the trick alone this time around. What symptoms do you still have that prompted your doc to add Paxil? What dose did your doc start you on and what is the titration schedule?
Good luck with the Paxil. Hopefully your feeling worse will be self-limited as your body is adjusting to a new med.
Lisa
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I’ve been started on 10 mg with instructions to increase by one tablet weekly until i’m taking 4 tablets every day (so 40 mg). The reason I started the Paxil is b/c for some reason the Verapamil is no longer doing the trick. I was pretty good on just Verapamil for a couple years (with occasional flare-ups) but now I feel dizzy and lightheaded on a daily basis. She asked about work, sleeping patterns and foods, but since I can’t specifically identify any new triggers she started me on the Paxil.
Thanks for your support and help! I hope it starts to work soon. Has anyone found relief with Paxil? My brother is a neurologist and he told me he’d never heard of Paxil to treat MAV, but according to a lot of you and my doctor, it’s pretty common!
Hi Melissa,
Yes, some docs are using the SSRI’s with good results (including Paxil) to treat MAV. Good luck with it and keep us posted with how you are doing or if you are experiencing any side effects (hope not).
Sounds like you have a very good doctor who knows a lot about MAV.
Best,
Lisa
Update: I’m on week 2 of Paxil and have stopped feeling worse, but am still not sure I feel much better either. I’m up to 20 mg and I still feel the heavy head and pressure symptoms but it seems the fatigue and brain fog that went with it isn’t so horrible this week. One thing I’ve noticed is that I’m even more sensitive to alcohol and caffeine than usual. These were always triggers, but now even if I drink half a cup of decaf tea I get that swimming feeling in my head. Did anyone else have this reaction to Paxil?