Has anyone taken paxil?

I came on this forum to see if I can safely up my dose of Paxil from 40 to 50 mg. I just want to say that I have been on Paxil for 22 years, since I began having intrusive thoughts with the birth of my second child. It has been a lifesaver for me. I started at 20 mg, after about 15 years needed to go up to 30, and about 4 years ago went up to 40mg. Every time it has helped me to get through the episode and uptick in intrusive thoughts. My mother recently died and I have been having a bad episode as a result, so I want to go up to 50. My GP seems to think it is not effective above 40 mg, but I am going to get a second opinion. In short, I swear by this medication and have been on it for many, many years, so if you are afraid to try it (as I was) give it a chance.

I’ve been on Paxil for 5 years now (40mgs). The side effects passed within the first two weeks. There were a couple of times that I attempted to discontinue taking Paxil without telling my doctor and like everyone has said, the withdrawal symptoms are HORRIBLE!! I had to miss classes and work due to the severity of the withdrawal symptoms.

But, I always return to the medicine because it treats my panic disorder and PTSD Symptoms extremely well. I went from having 5-8 panic attacks per week to only 1 or 2 per week. My intrusive thoughts no longer cripple me and I am able to be around my triggers without disassociating .

A note - while taking Paxil, I did go to CBT and EMDR and my therapist believes the only way I was ready for EMDR is because of the help I get from Paxil. I the drug truly saved my ability to be a functioning member of society.

I feel you should do your research and I don't know your doctor but I know mine didn't warn me of the discontinuation syndrome. I stopped taking it in November because I hated the side effects. CT was the wrong way for me and threw me down the rabbit hole. I have my WD journal on YouTube under fauxpanacea. I suffered hallucinations, I suffered those painful zaps, the "Paxil eyes" and so much more. It hurt and it hurt a lot. It's a drug I will never turn to but the depression that followed was so bad--contributed by personal problems in my life. Afterwards, I turned to Zoloft and now am still battling SSRI's. I want off of them and be the person I was before I had this massive panic attack.

Take the time to research this drug thoroughly before beginning and if you decide to try it; wean off. Please.

Hello migdaliarsd. I have been taking it for several years. It does a fairly good job and the side effects (in my case) are nil, except for one, fatique. Regards, pledge

I have been on Paxil since 1995. I tried to get off once but got very anxious. In the beginning Paxil made me very manic and a little crazy. I had no inhibition and said whatever came into my mind without thinking first. It made me lose many friends, a few jobs and ended my marriage. Since then I have learned to control myself and calm down. I do not regret taking Paxil but I think I will be on it the rest of my life. By the way, now I have a great job, a new husband and many good friends..so it is a happy ending!

Yes, I have taken paxil for 5 years. Twice I stopped it and I was convinced NEVER TO DO THAT AGAIN. I take it once a day before bedtime and it has done wonders for me.

That was the very first drug I took after being diagnosed with depression. It was a nightmare for me. My heart raced and I had terrible thoughts of dieing with the one dose I took. When I returned to the Dr. I was told they usually prescribe a sedative during the first weeks of treatment. I refused to take it even one more day. So Elavil was prescribed and worked nicely for 10 plus years then I fell in to a deep dark hole. Since then I have been on a lot of different ones. Let your body be the key in finding what is best for you. Meds can change who you are, if you find you don't like who you have become on them demand a change.

I take paxil 20mg and it does help with anxiety/panic attacks. With that said, things will change for you, good and not so good, depending how long you take the medication. Paxil will "level you out in the mood department" while at the same time put "a lid" on your emotions. Having been on Paxil for 5 years I would like to get off of it, not because it does not work, but because of its side effects for me (sexual and some weight gain). Hope this helps.

paxil ... oh gosh this is a medicine i dont wont to take again ... i had no feelings ... no sadness no happiness ... nothing i stopped taking it when i had a few family members over one evening ... i didnt talk the whole time... people were asking whats the matter?i just said i didnt feel good (i lied)the paxil had me like a zombie ... it may work for you but it didnt for me

I took paxil for years, because it worked so well. I was given it because of an anxiety attack. This was before it was known that it helped social anxiety. So I did not expect an impact on my horrendous shyness, which had seriously hindered my professional career. Gradually I became less and less shy and was able to do all sorts of things that increased my happiness. I stopped having my on and off depression, which I had never told anyone about. Paxil only stopped working after a terribly traumatic family event.
However, the side effect was awful. I assume you would find it hard to believe that anyone would continue to take a drug with such horrible side-effects. Yet it worked so well, it was worth it. Here it is: frequent bowel movements, 10 or so a day. Wherever I went, I always scoped out the location of the bathroom first.
I get nervous easily. Paxil also had a calming effect. I never took a sleeping pill, and I had no problem taking naps when necessary.
Sorry this is so long. Hope it is helpful.

Hello
I was prescribed paxil last year. I took it for a week. Im very sensitive to meds so right away I felt the effects. As the others said, your emotions arent there anymore. Around that time my uncle passed away. Seeing my mom cry is the one thing hat will instantly make me do the same. The paxil transformed me into what i told my therapist, a flacid zombie ! At the funeral, I had no feelings, emotions and no desire to cry even though my mom was basically balling her eyes out. Oh, and since im a male, the sexual attempt . . . . . . . gone !
Hope this helps, Rawboots

I was taking Paxil for over 10 years now and have recently discontinued using it due to overwhelming problems -- I have been having severe withdrawal symptoms for over one month now -- and If I knew this when I was first given Paxil; I would never have taken this drug for depression, panic attacks, anxiety, etc. I was told by my MD that it was ok to take this drug -- no side effects, etc. Was he wrong --- welcome to my nightmare!!! BEWARE OF PAXIL!!! I AM MAKING A COMPLAINT TO THE FDA REGARDING THIS DRUG. Good luck and try to find a better drug to take if you need it -- I realize now it is better to talk about problems and face them head on then take a drug -- which just numbs everything in your brain and body.

Hi mig, I have a brother that takes it for generalized anxiety disorder and he has benefitted from this med greatly.
Wishing you the best,
sweetlemon