Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 5)
Brand names: Paxil, Paxil CR, Brisdelle
Paroxetine has an average rating of 6.9 out of 10 from a total of 159 reviews for the treatment of Anxiety and Stress. 64% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Paroxetine
- Cra...
- December 31, 2016
Paxil (paroxetine) "At first, I loved Paxil because I wasn't crying all the time, but even as I'm writing this, I feel like there are sprinklers going off in my head. I'm always forgetting things, 0 sex drive, either I'm in a euphoric state of mind or completely absent-minded. I constantly feel stoned (and not the good kind). I just started a new job, and I can hardly focus."
- Jel...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 15, 2021
"Started paroxetine 2 months ago for Anxiety and PTSD and the experience I have had within the 2 months of taking it has been absolutely horrific it took me till now to realise how much it has worsen my existing mental health issues. It made me feel as tho I had a very bad hangover from alcohol. My eyes would be very sensitive to light things would sound so much louder then they were and it got to the point I couldn’t even leave the house to get my grocery shopping. I flushed the tablets down the toilet good riddance to it horrible drug."
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- Anonymous
- January 20, 2021
"I can't even begin to describe how much this drug has improved my life. I've always been a generally anxious and stressed person. I developed tinnitus and noise sensitivity 5 years ago (caused by loud noise) after which my anxiety progressively got worse. My hearing problems triggered my anxiety constantly and I cried almost every day. I was just so angry at life. I tried countless methods in order to find peace (CBT, EMDR, hypnotherapy and psychotherapy), none of which worked. But then I started taking 10 mg of Paroxetine. My anxiety and anger suddenly became so much milder. I still struggle with my hearing, but it doesn't bother me so much anymore. Paroxetine has also helped tremendously with my social anxiety. I don't get so nervous around people anymore and I can just enjoy a conversation without monitoring myself. The only downside for me are the night sweats. But overall I'm a calm and happy person now, which I couldn't have dreamt of before!"
- Lef...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- May 22, 2016
Paxil (paroxetine) "Paxil ruined my life. The first month was great and then is turned horrible, like horrible. If I missed one pill I would get the most horrendous serotonin withdraw, so horrible my fore head would burn, nose would run, I would snap on anyone around me. Then it just turned into that was just how I was, if one tiny thing went wrong I was the most dramatic individual ever, hysterically crying (like rolling around on the floor crying, sweating hyperventilating) over things that weren't even a big deal. It has put so much strain on my relationships I don't think some are repairable. Coming off of them seemed next to impossible,then I switched brands, the pink ones are like poison the white are bearable. Do not take this drug, seriousl"
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Dea...
- November 18, 2017
"I've been taking it for about two months, and it has really helped me a lot. I was dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety, I couldn't sleep and was even having difficulty eating, but now I feel so much better."
- Deb...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- July 10, 2022
Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been on Paxil for about 5 years and other than weight gain; I have nothing bad to say about it. I recently had to increase dosage to 30mg daily due to higher depression and anxiety and it helped a lot."
- Bar...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- August 25, 2019
"Took Paroxatine for a total of 15yrs. 1st time in 1996, the first week was real bad anxiety increased 100% and could barely cope, but suddenly it stopped and I was fine afterwards. Took for around 10 years. I then stopped due to pregnancy. 2nd time, after baby was born I suffered post natal depression and so went back on 20mg per day. Didn't have one single side effect at all. Made me feel incredibly better. Gave me back my life. Started college and applied for uni. Felt it was time to stop taking it and withdrawal turned my life into hell. 3rd time starting it, on day 5 I had the worst reaction ever. My anxiety increased by 200% and I had an 10 hour long panic attack. It nearly killed me. So I stopped and have never tried it again."
- FR3...
- March 28, 2017
Paxil (paroxetine) "I used to be on 20mg Aropax for 7 years for my Borderline personality Disorder, Social Anxiety, Anxiety and Depression. I use to self harm and not be happy. I was always hospitalised and going down a destructive road. Other medicines made me worse like cipramil, Zoloft and Valium. Aropax did not make me 100% cured but help me deal with everyday issues better I still find that you need to practise mindfulness techniques and practice Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. This drug is only if you have severe depression and anxiety and find it difficult to use standard coping skills. I was off Aropax for 3 years and coping well now I have had a relapse and anxiety worse than ever. I am now back on it for 3 days hopefully it will work soon."
- Bil...
- July 12, 2013
"After a divorce and years of denial in dealing with my anxiety, I finally tried Paxil. That was over 10 years ago, overall, I think it has helped a lot. I only recently was raised to 20 mg from 10 because of a return of my anxiety. I hope it helps so I don't need to change medicines."
- Gid...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 1, 2018
"I started taking medication for anxiety (also mild depression and OCD) almost two months ago. In the beginning I had some side effects like fatigue and nausea but it went away within the week. I began to notice the effects quite early and even cried (with relief)in the shower because I'd started to sing along to music again. Although I still have off days every now and again I would say that the drug has definitely improved my mental health and outlook on life. (18 years old, mental health issues for 4 years, ongoing therapy)"
- Pin...
- July 30, 2017
Paxil (paroxetine) "Taken off Escitalopram 10 mg, which I was on for years, and put onto Paroxetine 20 mg for generalized anxiety and sleep disorder. Experienced terrible side effects-dizziness and almost fainting, headache, tingling extremities, nausea, weight loss. I was feeling like a whole different person in general. But nothing was worse than the withdrawal effects. I basically felt like a walking dead person-all of the above plus severe flu-like symptoms-I literally couldn't leave bed for days. Took a couple of weeks to feel good again, but had to start taking Escitalopram again to get there."
- Sha...
- July 11, 2021
"I'm 34 years old, I took paroxetine 20mg for 12 years now I switched to effexor xr (venlafaxine ) but recently I have read many bad reviews on paroxetine that it affects the memory and thinking and could cause dementia, any one experienced such symptoms? ? Thank you"
- van...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- April 30, 2018
Paxil (paroxetine) "I've been on Paxil for many years - and I mean many. 1 - CON: weight gain. A pound for every mg. and it wont come off no matter what I do to exercise and eat right. 2- PRO: I like life again. 3 - CON: dosage increases every few years due to either getting used to it, or the weight gain due to the meds.. a vicious circle."
- Sep...
- May 27, 2009
Paxil (paroxetine) "Worked great in reducing my panic attacks, almost down to none after a few short days of being started on it. However, it has drastically reduced my energy, and its side effects can really be a pain if you've been on it for a long time (like me). Most commonly, the small electrical shocks are rather annoying."
- Pam...
- May 20, 2015
Paxil (paroxetine) "This was prescribed for anxiety. I had recently been diagnosed with several sleep related issues as well as my asthma increasing. I have a long standing problem with recurrent bouts of depression which I treat when they are present. I have a history of antidepressants causing an increase of depression. Since beginning Paxil as directed by my doctor two months ago at10 mg daily, I have noticed a gradual increase of both my depressive episodes as well as my headaches... I do have a history of migraines for 20 years due to a head injury."
- Sam...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- February 13, 2020
"This medication is effective however it causes weight gain and the withdrawal is horrendous. I went off the medication because of the weight gain. I suffered horrible withdrawal including panic attacks, chest pain, and depression. I lost 30 pounds fast but developed health anxiety and fear. I went back on the medication just a few a months later. I felt better after a few weeks but I gained the weight back and it’s the one thing I hate about this medication but it’s what works for me. I don’t recommend paroxetine as a first choice. Try other medications because once again the weight gain is unavoidable because the hunger pangs are constant. It also causes fatigue but the fatigue isn’t overwhelming and I never experienced nausea. Overall, it’s an effective medication."
- Cha...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 3, 2022
"I had the worst anxiety and panic all the time, it was making me throw up and I was having panic attacks, it was horrible. I was suffering bad and this medication saved me. I haven't felt anxiety in weeks, and its helped with my mood and happiness level, I was miserable and anxious, now I can live calmy and happy and confidently."
- Ash...
- August 1, 2011
Paxil (paroxetine) "Generalized anxiety disorder - 22-year-old male. Paxil did help with my anxiety, however, it made things seem more dull. The things I used to enjoy became boring. I stopped taking it after 2 months. I'm now starting Effexor XR. No other side effects."
- Anonymous
- September 21, 2009
Paxil (paroxetine) "I've been taking this for 6-7 years now (started at 20 mg, then to 40 mg, now back at 20 mg), and I think it's time for a change for me. It's stopped working for me in the past year (my anxiety has come back). I also never liked the side effects, mainly: leg muscle spasms at night, easily electrically shocked, and drowsiness."
- Har...
- April 26, 2018
"A life changer - I’m on 2 tabs each morning. Before taking this I was always on edge and now this has taken it away - I’m not on edge anymore. I used to have the odd panic attack and haven’t had one since I started on these. I’m more confident in life and don’t want to go back to my old life without these. Solid overall- life easier & more enjoyable.."
- pet...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- July 10, 2024
"The medication had helped me a lot and I really feel great on it. Had a strange side effect where I started retaining water and it trapped nerves in my hands. It was very painful. You need to exercise and drink liquids to avoid that."
- Anonymous
- January 11, 2009
"I am 41 years old and never took a drug in my life. I am a normal father of two teenagers with a very good job...basically what I thought was a very normal life. I started getting what I now know are panic attacks on a more frequent basis. I had a serious issue one day driving over a bridge to the point where I couldn't drive over tall bridges...ridiculous, right? Well, I finally went to the doctor and have been taking Paxil for 1 year without any side effects. I have not had a panic attack since beginning the medication, and my moods are much more consistent. I still have a bit of fear with the bridges, but rather than increase the dose, I can deal with it. I would recommend this to anyone because I could not address this situation prior."
- Lef...
- March 21, 2011
Paxil (paroxetine) "Within a week or two of taking a low dose of Paxil I experienced constant migraines (never have had a problem with headaches before), extreme fatigue, and constipation. My doctor switched me to Zoloft after a month on Paxil and I feel much better."
- Gaz...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- May 9, 2022
"I have took paroxetine in my early 30s for anxiety and social phobias, it was life changing and instant relief. I was shy as a kid, didn't like school because I used to blush and have panic attacks if I had to read in front of the class or anything with an audience. I wish I had access to this drug during school as life would have been so so much easier and a different person. My early life anxiety limited my abilities in life. In my 30s I was suffering badly with crowded places, even at the check out in supermarkets I wanted to abandon my groceries and flee as I thought everyone were looking at me and would blush easily in those situations. I used to walk the long route to avoid groups etc. I had to get drunk before I went out to make the social thing bearable. I was on them this first time for about 4 years. I got back on them 5 yrs ago, went through bankruptcy and the anxiety and panic attacks took over. Without the paroxetine I've sure a nervous breakdown or suicide, they helped so much. It is a wonder drug"
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Paxil, Paxil CR, Brisdelle, Pexeva
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Other brands
Paxil, Paxil CR, Brisdelle, Pexeva
Paxil (paroxetine) "Increased mine & my childrens anxiety to the point we were violent with one another. I ended up on the pshyc ward and lost my home. I was a single mom of three with a 40 hour week job. Was the 3rd anti-depressant we tried."