Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 2)

• Paul...
• April 8, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "Been using Paxil for about 20 years, 15 mg daily. I suffered from lifelong depression and anxiety and can attest that Paxil probably saved my life as I contemplated suicide seriously on multiple occasions before taking the drug. It's good about 100% for depression, maybe 75% effective against Anxiety. If I miss it for 2-3 days I start feeling down in the dumps again. The side effects that some posters noted above are usually only temporary. Over time they all disappear-I had several of them in the beginning as well-not a big deal. Love this drug."

• NicVall
• October 15, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "I started taking Paxil back in 2002 and I’ve been on/off it until I started to wean off it a few months ago - big mistake. I almost got off of it on my own pace (fast) but at the wrong time (too much stress, plus I was bringing up bad past experiences that triggered anxiety/stress in my life). Last Monday I had a hard time talking w/o feeling winded and shortness of breath, plus I was tense all over and I lost interest in everything. Now I’m back on it at a low dose (7.5mg (cut) but need to go back up to 20 or 30mg. 30mg was my long term dose). I tried Viibryd for a day but diarrhea sucked so no thanks. Figured I should just stick with what worked. I can honestly say I really miss not having to go through this as we all are. I’m definitely looking forward to the day when I can be normal again like this never happened. Now it’s repair time - brain work. Gotta get some positive mindfulness books. Stay positive as much as you can. Whatever helps for the moment. One day at a time."

• jj137
• March 5, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have taken Paxil on and off for about five years. I started to take it after suffering from overwhelming anxiety and panic around the time that my marriage fell apart. My GP put me on this medicine instead of Xanax (which was working) because it was not addictive, etc. And indeed, taking Paxil most decidedly reduces my anxiety and gives me a better quality of life. I stopped taking it about a year ago, and have noticed an exponential growth in stress the last few months. I've decided to start taking it again, and was doing some online reading when I came across this site. And so I decided to put my two cents in the bucket."

• Mattyts
• July 19, 2015

Paxil (paroxetine) "I suffer from anxiety daily and mild depression. I was on Paxil for 2 years and thought I was okay to get off it, 2 months later I fell hard into depression and anxiety and recently went back on it and waiting for it to kick in again. This medicine is a life saver for sure. Don't give up on it in a few days. You have to let it kick in. Hopefully it'll kick in soon for me! On it I had no anxiety and I suffered daily before it, had no depression. Good luck :)"

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2010

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have taken Paxil for about 4 years. It is a drug that I had to get used to for about 3 weeks each time the doctor increased the strength. At first, I felt "groggy" and "spacey". Over time, it helps sooooo much with anxiety, irritability, anger-intense reactions, organizing my mind and allowing me to RELAX. I have, at times, missed a day's dose and YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. The following day, I was very anxious and irritable until taking it again. I think it is a fantastic drug that has given me my life back. I think my kids and my husband have benefitted from me being calmer, happier and able to "roll with life" better. I take 40 mg. and it was initially prescribed by my gynocolgist for hormone based mood swings. Love it.!"

• NickO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "So let's just say after my wife had the cops show up at my door it brought me to Paxil 20mg, I'm a changed man. Before Paxil I started having anger outburst over stupid stuff, hot to cold really quick and verbally assault people. My sleeping patterns were terrible which didn't help. If I drank alcohol I'd turn into the Incredible Hulk! On the Paxil I'm a chill dude now, the only thing that I don't like is that it makes me a little too chill and I find myself shaking if off but maybe after another week or so I'll better adjust. I'll take this mood over what I previously had and day!"

• 37...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2022

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been on Paxil 40mg for about 2 weeks and I already feel a big difference in how I feel. Before all I felt was insanely bad anxiety and panic attacks. First my doctor tried Prozac but it had absolutely no effect on me. Then my doctor prescribed me Paxil. Wow what a big difference I already feel with just two weeks of taking the medication. Before I had really bad anxiety on a scale of 1 to 10, my anxiety was a 7. Now it is down to a more manageable level of 2. I feel more relaxed. I am sleeping better as well. I hope this helps someone. Paxil is a good medicine. I am truly happy to be on it."

• Lizzi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 1, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been on this med for 9 yrs after the dearh of my daughter, it changed my life dramatically!! Recently I have lost a brother and my anxiety came back, my doctor has from today increased my dose to 50mg so praying this helps soon? Hope due to my body being used to the 40mg the extra 10mg kicks in fast. It is a mirical tablet!!"

• Renee
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 15, 2021

Paxil (paroxetine) "I’m not exactly sure of the day I started talking it, but it’s been at least 20 years. I started with 10 mg and at one point my anxiety got a little worse and my Dr suggested upping the dose, but I didn’t. When I get anxious symptom my chest feels tight and can’t get a full breath of air. At one point I also tried to stop but the situation that makes me anxious still there and my Dr said to continue taking it. I wanted to stop now because I was afraid of the long term effects, but I just read it’s pretty safe. I’ve never had any problems with it. I’ve always taken it at night but in the last week, I’ve started taking it in the morning. I feel fine. I eat more or less healthy and do exercise about 3x a week. I’m 70 and Paxil is the only drug I take besides my asthma inhaler. I’m actually a little fearful of stopping."

• Nana
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 20, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "I've been on 60 mg of paxil daily for years now, but I am so sad and disconnected from everything and everyone. It helps with my anxiety but I've gain a lot of weight! To say the least I am depressed over it but I am afraid to stop taking it since I've been on it for so long. It's turmoil not knowing what to do to help myself."

• medas...
• November 11, 2009

Paxil (paroxetine) "Paxil has changed my life for the better. My PCP switched me to Paxil after trying Zoloft first. Zoloft didn't help my anxiety and I still needed to take Xanax. I had immediate relief the first day on Paxil and haven't needed Xanax at all. And my hot flashes are gone. Life is beautiful!"

• Krane
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2013

"I am almost done w 4th week of 10mg and I feel so much calmer. Before I couldn't look at my husband without scowling at him. Anxiety and anger hit me hard in this economy. And I look back and see how irrational I was... And what a great man for putting up me. I even look at my children in a better light. I have been one of those people who has never wanted to be "one of them pill poppers", but at 36 I can see myself as me again and am thankful for Paxil. It took a bit over 2 weeks to kick into me! I realized it was working when for days the normal little things that bugged me no longer angered me or created anxiety. I breathe easier."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2012

Paxil (paroxetine) "Have had problems with social anxiety since I was a teenager and I must say after trying Paxil, Seroquel, Zoloft and Wellbutrin, Paxil is by far the best. Only big catch is don't miss a dose you will have a panic attack."

• Marks...
• April 23, 2017

"After living most of my life with undiagnosed anxiety and thinking I was normal it wasn't till life got serious that panic attacks and severe anxiety took its toll. After seeing many doctors etc one finally prescribed paroxetine and now life has never been as good. It took 2 weeks to build up in my system and it was like taking a fire extinguisher to the constant adrenaline hits to my stomach. Definitely worth at try."

• diphe...
• January 9, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "1st week: Paxil worked for my depression and anxiety instantly which is out of the norm. I was nauseous all the time and experienced yawning quite frequently, this went away as time went on. Paxil had an almost euphoric feel for me, I was laughing at everything and enjoying life. 1st month: Yawning still exists, euphoria has worn off as well as any anti-depressant effect. However still for works for anxiety. 3rd month and beyond: Outside of excessive sleeping and somewhat fatigue feeling Paxil is awesome for anxiety, but the antidepressant effect wore off rather quickly for me. Recommend for anxiety, not recommended for depression. "

• Frank
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2019

"Was on lexapro (escitalopram) for 5 years then pooped out. Nasty side affects and withdrawals. Know your doctor if you don’t like him or her change. He had me taper off lexapro without any help in meds for withdrawals from 20mgs till nothing was in my system I got off in month lexapro is nasty when it stops working by god absolutely horrible. Got new doctor got me on paroxetine (Paxil) started out saved my life. Don’t be scared it’s made to not make you scared anymore. 12.5 is what I started. Little dizzy, little hunger, nausea stay close to a bathroom if you catch what I mean (from your bowels). I take mine before I go to bed anyway helps with all the side affects and 0.5 Xanax for anxiety spikes before full affect of P hits in the next weeks. They work beautifully together."

• Sylvia
• April 4, 2023

Paxil (paroxetine) "Excellent. I have been anxious for years because of severe trauma in my childhood and had severe panic attacks whenever I would go to unknown places. On the smallest dosage of Paxil, I was able to go anywhere. Paxil changed my life."

• RR96
• December 13, 2010

Paxil (paroxetine) "I've been taking Paxil for roughly 4 months. I started on a low dose of 10mg per day then my doctor increased that to 20mg per day. I started taking Paxil because I began having panic attacks. At first I really didn't notice a big difference, but as the weeks went along, I stopped having panic attacks. Additionally, Paxil has been very helpful with controlling my mood swings. In the past I've been known to get a little agitated quickly and often. That has ceased as well. Side effects: At first I was tired, but this is no longer an issue. I feel fine in that regard. The sexual side effects are minor. I don't think about sex as much, but getting in the mood has not been an issue. It does take longer to have an orgasm. "

• small...
• May 13, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "I was on Paxil since I was 16. I didn't know how good it was until I went off of it 16 years later. Major panic attacks and life felt like it was not worth living! Tried other SSRI's which didn't work and made me feel worse! (Zoloft and Pristiq were the worst!) Going back to Paxil. Never should have quit it in the first place! I hope to get the joy I once had back!"

• MZaidi
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2020

Paxil (paroxetine) "I just started a new job, all the stress turned into anxiety to the point I would get dizzy, heat strokes, and be close to passing out. My doctor started me with Praxil 20mg after a month increased my dose to 30mg once a day everyday. I also take Buspirone twice a day. I still have a personality and feel extremely better then a few months ago. Please be patient it takes a month to kick in -- side effects are minor and last for a week. Taking Praxil after lunch instead of the morning really helped manage the side effects. Hang in there everyone! Side Effects for first week 1. Sleepy after taking 2. Blur vision 3. Head aches 4. Increased appetite"

• Love...
• September 17, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been on Paxil a little over a month now. Before I started taking it I had terrible anxiety, stress and depression. Since I've been taking it I've felt happy and stress free. The only problem I've had is that it can work a little too well. My grandpa went into hospice care and we knew he would die but I was still happy and stress free. I ran out of my Paxil and that's when it hit me that he's dying, then he died and I reacted as I should have, sad/depressed. I refilled my prescription its been less than 2 days since he died. While it is great I feel so much better, I wish I could feel the sadness I should be feeling."

• Mel
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "This medication is terrible! The most horrible medication that someone could be on! I slept non stop for 7 weeks while on it and in three months I gained massive weight (15 pounds) and, although I have been off it for 2 years, I cannot get rid of this excessive weight I gained while on Paxil! And, terrible withdrawal effects. It should be pulled off the market for its serious side effects and it cannot help with anything!"

• Ashle...
• January 6, 2015

Paxil (paroxetine) "I love Paxil but I have to say I have pur on weight being on it and I have the most horrible vivid nightmares where I can't wakeup. I think it works great for anxiety but I think maybe this medicine has stopped working because I've been on it so long it has improved my life for the better but I'm thinking of changing now cause it just doesn't do the same for me anymore."

• Rojam
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 12, 2019

"I've been on paroxetine for 28 years! This drug saved my life. Numerous suicide attempts and general unhappiness ended when I started on this drug. Now, am I addicted, most probably. Am I aware of the nasty side effects if you stop this drug, yes I am. But it’s a balance. My life is much better and I can do normal things and activities that I was never able to do. If your life is unbearable give it a try, it will take a few weeks to start to work. A word of warning if when initially started the side effects are not bearable- see your doctor don’t search the internet. Good luck !"

• C San...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "Took Paxil for 1 year (at the end was taking 50mg a day) for severe anxiety, OCD and PTSD. It was a life saver. Stopped crying so easily, stopped yelling at my kids, stopped being so moody. After about 6 months I noticed I was not laughing anymore, no sex drive, weight gain. I stayed on it. When I hit the year mark I decided I wanted to get off of it. I told my doctor and she suggested staying on it. Nope. I quit taking it. I took 2 days of 40mg, 2 days of 20 mg, 2 days of 10th and then nothing. 3 days after that I thought I would die. Chills, extreme nausea, sweating, hysterical crying or laughing, Twitching in my arms in legs, weird noises in the back of my head. I thought I was going crazy. Decided to go back on Paxil. 20 mg."