Paroxetine for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 5)

• GaryP...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "Have been taking Paxil for 6 months for everything anxiety depression. Within these six months, I noted that I was feeling nothing. No highs or lows. Yes, I could smile at good news but even the death of my mother, 2 weeks ago, in July, I had no reaction to, except, "thank God her suffering is over" as she was 92. I called the hospice literally 30 seconds after she was pronounced. I felt little. My sister called me a minute later. She was hysterical and driving to get to the hospice. I just wanted to be with her on the phone to make sure she got there. I am a NYer living in Italy and now, I must wait for her ashes to arrive here. A lengthy process so I cannot consider beginning closure. I am not depressed, though relieved. I am not panicking. I am just feeling pain in my chest, so tight, that I cannot let out what I believe I would be feeling. I feel like a machine. My doctor told me a week after mom's death that a side effect of Paxil is the inability to cry. This is not normal. For me."

• A1990
• February 12, 2014

Paxil (paroxetine) "After trying a few medications my psychiatrist put me on Paxil. I felt like it DID help with my anxiety and depression but that came with a price -- drowsiness, huge loss of libido, and horrible withdrawal symptoms. I was always lethargic and never wanted to go out and do anything, but I felt less anxiety and depression. I would literally go 7 days without sex (with my partner of 3 years) because I just didn't feel like it and I could definitely feel the negative toll it was taking on our relationship but luckily he stuck with me. After getting fed up with the intense side effects, I quit cold turkey -- huuuuge mistake. I felt like I had the flu and the brain zaps were never ending."

• DO...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "I got on to this medicine during a rough time in my life. I thought it was working great until I realized they had me in the highest dose and were using it as a bandaid. I got curious about the drug itself and into further research I found that this drug is one of the WORST on the market. This drug will slowly kill you. This drug causes issues not only in your mind, but your body, if you're trying to conceive it affect that body, it is extremely addictive and causes more issue than the reason you were put on it. After my research I decided to come off of it. If I had more space to write how the detox of this pill was I would need a novel."

• deedee
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 17, 2021

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been taking paxil for 27 years. It really helped me with depression and anxiety. However, after menopause I felt I had too much in my system -- i.e. no emotions so I started to wean off very slowly. 5 mg every 3-4 months to avoid withdrawal symptoms. I successfully got down to 10 mg. I tried lowering to 5mg but got very bad anxiety. So I went back up to 10 mg. This seems to work fine and I will stay on this dosage for now. I did gain about 50lbs after taking paxil - although part of that was bad eating! Since then I have lost a good chunk of the weight through healthy eating and exercise. So overall the drug has worked well for me - but it took over a year to go from 20mg to 10mg very slowly so i didn't have bad withdrawal symptoms."

• Peter
• August 6, 2015

Paxil (paroxetine) "Have been on Paroxetine twice. It worked very well both times. Only side effects were increased anxiety at first (went away after a week) and heart palpitations (also went away). Only reason I would recommend trying something else first is because the withdrawals make coming off this drug very difficult."

• happy...
• October 15, 2011

Paxil CR (paroxetine) "I have health-related anxiety issues. Ten years ago, I took 25 mg Paxil CR for about a year, and it was a life-saver. No side effects, no withdrawal issues. A month ago, my anxiety returned for a new reason. My doctor started me on 20 mg citalopram. I think I had every side effect possible and it made my anxiety worse. I switched to 12.5 mg Paxil CR, and within three days, I was a new person. For me, there is no better medicine."

• Tubby
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2020

Paxil (paroxetine) "This medication get so many bad reviews but it can be great. Turns out I’m extremely sensitive to SSRIs. I had to start at 2mg Paxil name brand and move up. I’m at a month on 3.5-5mg alternating every day as of now along with TMS treatment. Even just this much has helped. My mood is getting better, I talk more. Less anxiety, my hair pulling has subsided. Stuttering has really decreased which is great. I feel it working and my sleep has been better. I would wake up at 2-3am in a panic about uni and other matters and would stay up all night. Or, never fall asleep and only sleep at around 7am. Now I fall asleep at 11pm-12am and get up 6-7am again. This medicine treats almost everything I have and helps with PTSD. If you try it and you notice it works for you but can’t take the side effects, start low on a liquid suspension. 1-2mg then build. No starting side effects."

• Whalla
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2014

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been on Paxil for two weeks and so far nothing. I take 10 mg in morning and another 12 hours later. I hope it kicks in soon. My anxiety has topped out causing my depression to increase. I have lost my appetite, lost 14 lbs. Seeing a psychologist in a week. I'm a mess."

• ddano
• December 28, 2018

Paxil (paroxetine) "I was on paxil 18 years ago it changed my life, I was shy never dated, I was put on paxil and then married the first guy I went out with. I have been married 18 years, have 5 kids. I had to go off paxil while I was having my first 2 children and they switched me to Zoloft when I was having number 3. Zoloft worked good for me for 10 years but I have switched back to paxil. I have been back on it 17 days and hope it works again. I also have OCD, panic attacks, well all that paxil treats. It runs in my family."

• Emili...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 24, 2014

Paxil (paroxetine) "My entire life since a young child I've been fighting post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. I didn't even know it until I was about 22. I was in a very bad car accident and it changed my life and worsened my anxiety. My panic attacks were so bad I'd be just sobbing and screaming and crying and freaking out in waves throughout the whole day. I finally sucked up my pride and admitted something was wrong and I needed to see a Doctor. I went and he immediately put me on 20 mg dose. It was great I did calm down quite a bit and when I'd have flashbacks it came without panic attacks. It's been a year and I've hit the poop-out. I was at 40mg 4 months ago and now I'm at 5mg and take Wellbutrin XL for this last month to regain my energy. ITS WORKING."

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2008

Paxil (paroxetine) "Paxil changed my life so far. It's been 3 months on 10mg and my anxiety is all but gone. Sometimes, when I have PMS, I still get some anxiety, but I am not willing to take more than 10 mg, so I will live with that. If taken properly, it is great."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "This is my first day of taken paxil and I'm on 20 milligrams and I'm still really dizzy and lightheaded and feel very weird since this morning. I called my doctor she told me to take a half of one in the morning I pray it works for me"

• sweet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2013

Paxil (paroxetine) "This is by far the best medication I've ever taken for my anxiety. It doesn't cause any weird side effects and it makes me a happier less stressed person all around. I had to stop taking it when I got pregnant but when I have my baby I plan to get back on my medication."

• Punkey
• January 31, 2014

Paxil (paroxetine) "I felt so much less anxious initially, so foolishly, and with doctors encouragement, I stayed on Paxil for 3-4 years. Two months ago, I started to ween myself off this medicine very slowly. I have never felt so bad in my 72 years of life. At first, I felt it must be the flu though I'd had a flu shot in November of last year (13). The withdrawal symptoms of nausea, vomiting, hot flashes. Not thinking clearly, fatigue, extremely vivid and frightening dreams, dizziness, and depression lasted 5-6 days. My doctor recommended that I go back on Paxil at half a tablet initially, and then a whole tablet after a week. So it has been two weeks now of my taking a 40mg. Dose each evening. I tried documenting my terrible experience."

• Michael
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 4, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been taking Paxil for about 5 years now for anxiety and depression. It took about 2 weeks before I noticed any changes in my symptoms. I no longer suffer from panic and anxiety attacks. The side effects for me have been weight gain (20lbs) and decreased ability to achieve orgasim. I have recently cut down from 20mg to 10mg and while my anxieties have ramped up somewhat, it has brought my sex life back. I feel 10mg is the right balance for me now."

• KLM
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2022

Paxil (paroxetine) "I rely so heavily on these reviews so I wanted to come back and contribute my own! I started on 10mg of Paxil daily three weeks ago for severe general anxiety and frequent panic attacks. I have suffered from mild anxiety off and on my entire life, but for whatever reason it struck tenfold this July and hasn’t let up since. I suddenly began experiencing frequent panic attacks when feeling “trapped” in places like the car, work meetings, church, etc. I cancelled a Disney trip for my son last month because I couldn’t bare the thought of being on a plane. Paxil is working wonders for me! Three weeks in and I no longer feel scared and shaky all of the time, I have energy and am motivated, I can focus, and my appetite has actually decreased (I’ve lost 5 lbs!) Push through the headaches and dizziness that the first couple of weeks will bring, it’s worth it."

• Vandad
• November 30, 2018

Paxil (paroxetine) "I used Paxil for 13 months for general anxiety. My general doctor introduced paxil to me. I've started with 10mg and later increased it to 20mg. It worked amazingly for that time. The only downside was I gained 13 pounds and lost my sex drive that made me want to quit. I knew that I shouldn't stop cold turkey , so I consulted with my doctor. This medicine withdrawal is the worst. Tapering off from 20mg to 10mg was nightmare: constant electric shocks, flu like pain in the whole body, nausea and vomiting . It took two weeks for me to adapt to the lower dose. Changing it to 10mg every other day was ok but again quitting it all for good was the worst torture . I tolerated the nausea and vomiting for 5 days in the row and I couldn't do it any more so I took the 10 dosage again. Doctors don't warn you about the withdrawal but please please if you are reading this , don't take start paxil. Quitting it is the hardest thing that you can not even imagine."

• storey
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 3, 2015

Paxil (paroxetine) "I've taken 10 mg for 5 years for panic disorder, and it has drastically improved my quality of life. I also take 10 mg of Buspar because I did experience a very bad panic attack one year ago. I used to take 20 mgs over 5 years ago for 6 months, but it affected my sexual response. I think so long as you take JUST enough, it can really work."

• cindy...
• June 15, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been taking Paxil 20mg for about 4 months now. I suffered with anxiety which caused lightheadedness and shortness of breath for two years before I decided to try medication. When I first started, I had more anxiety than ever and some depression which I never had before taking this medication. It took about six weeks to feel the effects and it works. To those out there struggling with this medication just give it the 6-8 weeks to work before giving up. Also, try relaxing things like baths and reading and even exercise. I finally feel like myself again. I have some rare moments of anxiety but nothing at all like I had before seeking help. This is a good medication."

• DanaO
• January 8, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "Been on Paxil for 17 years, started with 10 mg, stayed with that dosage for about 10 years. Loved it in the beginning, slept great and mood improved a bunch. Eventually I went to 20 mg. It's worked okay over the years. I noticed some improvement with the increase, but never really significant.The transition from 10 to 20 was seamless. Over the years I have tried to switch to other SSRIs as it seems the Paxil just wasn't doing it anymore. But none have made me sleep better than Paxil, so I always go back. After a miserable attempt with Celexa, I'm now trying 30 mg of Paxil. I never thought my dose would get so high. I'm on Day 4, and other than a constant headache, I feel no changes. Hoping my mood and outlook improves one of these days."

• SSmok...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 27, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "I've been on it for about 4 years . And have found it to be very helpful with my general anxiety. The first week was rough and it seemed like my heart was racing all the time. My Dr said hang in there and a couple days later it seemed to begin to work. I was on the 12.5 cr twice daily. And now take 40 mg a day regular regular release. Seems if I have a few drinks I wake the next morning with a racing heart. If I miss a couple doses I hear a whooshing sound in my head. Thus freaked me out, but people who try to get off of it on their own claim it to a common side effect. So in my opinion stick with it avoid alcohol. It also helped my stress related prostate problem"

• Bluey
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 28, 2023

"Paroxetine has changed my life. I had so many fears about starting medication to address my anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, but it's one of the best decisions that I've made in my life. I personally noticed changes almost immediately with a reduction in anxiety. I feel like I can finally just go about life in ways I haven't fathomed since I was a child. I've been on paroxetine for a year and I have gained a bit of weight, but I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin that it really doesn't bother me. I feel like a truer version of myself. I still have the same motivation to do well in college, in fact, I do better because I don't spend nearly as much time worrying. I also did have the side effect of frequent yawning for the first few months, but this went away. If you're contemplating trying paroxetine (and fearfully looking at the negative reviews on here like I did) - go for it. I'm so grateful that I did."

• KLCin
• July 24, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "I was suffering from awful situational anxiety and depression, hard time fully functioning, couldn't eat, sleep, focus, cried every day, was an emotional mess. Dr put me on 20mg Paxil and told me it would take 4-6 weeks to take effect. Within a week I felt so much better. I could eat, sleep, stopped crying altogether, and stopped being constantly overly emotional. I did sometimes have a difficult time fully accessing emotions, gained too much weight, and am having trouble with motivation so I'm currently on day 4 of weaning myself off, nothing but mild side effects so far. For me Paxil was extremely helpful to get me through a very difficult time and get me back to functioning so I could keep my job and parent my children."

• CC_Mo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 27, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "Really helps my PMDD and my stress/anxiety. I was very thin from stress before I started on Paxil. I have rapidly gained weight since taking this medication. I have also become emotionless. As much as I dislike it, at least I don't feel anger, stress and anxiety anymore. Clearly I'm taking the good with the bad."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 15, 2013

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have taken Paxil for years, my insurance company stopped paying for it, and the pharmacy put me on the generic, the worst thing that could have happened in three days I was an hysterical wreck (I was taking the generic). I started thinking of suicide. Someone else pointed out above something very important, if you miss a couple of days the side effects (withdrawal) is awful, I was never so sick in my life. If you can take the generic, great otherwise it is very very expensive, and NEVER forget to take it."