Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 5)

• Nic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2021

Paxil (paroxetine) "Been on Paxil with Wellbutrin since early 2000. When I've tapered down below 10mg/day, it usually ends up with me needing to up the dosage to 20mg for a while, following which I tapered back to 10mg. At 10mg, the sexual side effects are less troubling. My doctor added a low dose of gabapentin to my daily Paxil/Wellbutrin regime, and it's been helpful. All in all, I'm very happy not to be the person I was before my anxiety/depression diagnosis when I started Paxil. Has it been life-changing? Yes, and in a very good way. It just works for me."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "The month I was on Paxil was the worst month of my life. It made me even more depressed, and I just felt an intense numbingness along with severe nausea, and when I sleep, I absolutely knock out for far too long. It also led to crazy stomach pain that persisted for months until I took an antibiotic. Not for me or probably anyone. Just terrible."

• 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."

• con...
• March 7, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "Increased mine and my children's anxiety to the point we were violent with one another. I ended up on the psych ward and lost my home. I was a single mom of three with a 40-hour-a-week job. Was the third antidepressant we tried."

• 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."

• Lef...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "Paxil ruined my life. The first month was great, and then it turned horrible, like horrible. If I missed one pill, I would get the most horrendous serotonin withdrawal, so horrible my forehead would burn, my nose would run, and I would snap at anyone around me. Then it just turned into that, 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, seriously."

• 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 realize how much it has worsened my existing mental health issues. It made me feel as though I had a very bad hangover from alcohol. My eyes would be very sensitive to light, things would sound so much louder than 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 that horrible drug."

• Bar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 25, 2019

"Took Paroxetine for a total of 15 years. 1st time in 1996, the first week was really bad, anxiety increased 100% and could barely cope, but suddenly it stopped and I was fine afterwards. Took it for around 10 years. I then stopped due to pregnancy. 2nd time, after the baby was born, I suffered postnatal depression and so went back on 20 mg 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 a 10-hour long panic attack. It nearly killed me. So I stopped and have never tried it again."

• 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 is the night sweats. But overall, I'm a calm and happy person now, which I couldn't have dreamt of before!"

• FR3...
• March 28, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "I used to be on 20 mg Aropax for 7 years for my borderline personality disorder, social anxiety, anxiety, and depression. I used to self-harm and not be happy. I was always hospitalized and going down a destructive road. Other medicines made me worse, like Cipramil, Zoloft, and Valium. Aropax did not make me 100% cured but helped me deal with everyday issues better. I still find that you need to practice mindfulness techniques and practice cognitive behavioral 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."

• Sha...
• July 11, 2021

"I'm 34 years old. I took paroxetine 20 mg for 12 years. Now I switched to Effexor XR (venlafaxine), but recently I have read many bad reviews on paroxetine that it affects memory and thinking and could cause dementia. Anyone 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 won't 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."

• 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."

• 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)"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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 in depression. Since beginning Paxil as directed by my doctor two months ago at 10 mg daily, I have noticed a gradual increase in 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 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 badly, and this medication saved me. I haven't felt anxiety in weeks, and it's helped with my mood and happiness level. I was miserable and anxious, now I can live calmly, happily, 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."

• Gaz...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 9, 2022

"I took paroxetine in my early 30s for anxiety and social phobias, it was life-changing and provided 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 I would have been 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 checkout in supermarkets, I wanted to abandon my groceries and flee, as I thought everyone was looking at me and I 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 the first time for about four years. I got back on them five years ago, went through bankruptcy, and the anxiety and panic attacks took over. Without the paroxetine, I’m sure I would have had a nervous breakdown or committed suicide, they helped so much. It is a wonder drug."

• 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."

• 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."