Paroxetine for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• June 24, 2010

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been really surprised by Paxil. I've been disabled by panic disorder (and follow-on depression) for years. Benzodiazepines provided relief from panic attacks but increased depression. I tried other SSRIs with horrible experiences. My MD really wanted me on an antidepressant, I wanted away from benzodiazepines, so I took a chance with Paxil. The first month was a bit of nausea/cramps - the worst were feelings and thoughts that were really jumbled. Somewhere in the second month, it all sort of stabilized, I felt a lot better, panic attacks dropped a lot. Now in the fifth month - before Paxil, I was housebound and hopeless, slowly starting to live again."

• Perpl...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 22, 2013

Paxil (paroxetine) "I went on Paxil a year after father died 15 years ago. I was told it was non-addictive and started on a low-mid dosage, 20mg. It helped and was on it for about 10-12 years. I just accepted that I needed it. Everyone is correct about not missing doses - if I missed 2-3 days, I'd get very emotional, cry at drop of a hat, etc. - which I unfortunately took as proof that I needed to stay on it - I didn't understand it was the withdrawal effects! Over time, with ups/downs in career, I gradually increased dosages, going to 40 mg/day. In late 2010, after out of work for 2-3 years, I went back to general dr and he prescribed 60mg/day. Within a couple months, I was in downward spiral. "

• Anonymous
• May 30, 2008

Paxil (paroxetine) "It worked great for 12 years. Then I decided to stop taking it and deal with some emotional issues. Bad idea. Incredibly difficult to get off of. Nausea for a month, and after that I was dizzy for another month. Fell into a horrible depression, saw and felt the gates of hell. Ironically, I'm now taking 3 drugs to deal with my depression: Lexapro, Lamictal, and Seroquel. Dealing with my emotional issues, but I definitely would do things differently if I had to do it over."

• Anonymous
• May 26, 2008

Paxil (paroxetine) "I am on Paxil for depression for the second time in my life. This last week, I have had a lot of things going on and have missed taking all of my medicines, even Paxil, for several days. I have experienced a lot of side effects from these missed doses and did not put it together until today. Works great for the depression when I take it right."

• Jenna
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "I personally WILL NEVER recommend Paxil to ANYONE. It literally ruined my life. At first, I felt that it was ok. But, quickly and suddenly, I started gaining weight. ALOT of weight. Literally, my pants fit one week and did not fix the next week. And that wasn't all. I was feeling much worse. I was very manic. So depressed that I could not get out of bed. My life was work, eat, and sleep. I had no motivation and I started fixating on thoughts of suicide. It wasn't until the unexplained rapid weight gain that I started to ask myself what had changed in my routine. That's when I realized that Paxil was the newest addition to my life and I began doing research. I've been off of it for about 2 months and I still can't lose the weight."

• xaman
• July 19, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "Well, this is a very strong drug and an effective one, but it has a lot of side effects, and the withdrawal is an absolute nightmare. I started taking paroxetine because of depression, social anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The drug has helped me to overcome the crippling anxiety, but it also made me emotionally numb. This numbness is a common side effect for SSRIs, but in my case, it caused an aggravation of depression. While taking Paxil, I felt like nothing made sense anymore. It was a horrible experience, but then again, it allowed me to see things more objectively without the overpowering emotional ballast I had before. I stopped taking paroxetine, and now I feel like I was on a long vacation from myself and my mind."

• AmyLy...
• August 8, 2013

Paxil CR (paroxetine) "I have been on Paxil for a long time, years. I was hospitalized for my bipolar disorder, and they increased the dose from 20 to 40 mg. I got very agitated and very out of sorts. When I saw my psychiatrist, she put the dose back to 20 mg, and I'm doing good again. More isn't always better!"

• JuniE...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 10, 2022

Paxil CR (paroxetine) "I have been taking this medication with a few others for 6 years. It’s by far the best one I’ve tried. This with vyvanse helps control my PTSD, anxiety and depression. I read so many bad reviews about this. I was terrified. But it’s been a godsend. I take 25mgs of the CR and I have my life back. It’s the best antidepressant I’ve tried. I remember being really tired for the first week. But that goes away. Side effects are like non existent compared to some others"

• haple...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 4, 2022

"I I have suffered from depression/anxiety/fatigue from as far back as I can remember.. I was very good at managing it but started to notice that as I was getting older it was getting harder for me to manage. I have tried many different antidepressants over the years and either they didn’t work for me or the side effects were just too much to bear! Now over 40 years old, I figured I had exhausted all avenues, why keep trying. I reluctantly tried one last time and fortunately for me it was Paroxetine. It has changed my life. I’ve been taking it for about 6 months now and think I might need therapy to get over the guilt I have for feeling so darn happy!! I’m not advocating for Paroxetine itself. I believe medications effect everyone differently and you need to find what works for you.. What I am an advocate of is not giving up! There is nothing more important than your own personal health and happiness. “Darkness is the absence of light.” Paroxetine has given me my light back!"

• Freia
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 12, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "If you have depression do yourself a favor and avoid this medication at all costs. I am 1 week into withdrawals (this isn't the first time I've tried to discontinue paroxetine) and its basically the worst. I was on Paxil for years, it made me gain so much weight and it didn't even help that much with my depression, in some ways it made my depression worst. For me lexapro is a much better choice, so much more effective. Not only are the emotional withdrawals worst than you could imagine but its physical as well. its hard for me to move my hands, arms and fingers, its as if they are numb. I'm also getting headaches and brain zaps but nothing beats this depression. I think it is not worth it."

• The...
• May 24, 2008

Paxil (paroxetine) "Paxil CR has been the most effective treatment of both my anxiety disorder and depression. Lexapro just made me much, much worse - suicidal, in fact, with chest pain and edema. I have found I am alert and well-balanced on Paxil CR without the side effects some encounter. 100% happy to be back on it."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "I've been on Paxil for two months now and have seen significant improvement in my mood (no longer crying for no reason) and decreased feelings of anxiety. No side effects. The medication has also helped me deal with my PTSD. I'm able to breathe and make good decisions in situations that would otherwise be triggering. After years of attempting to fix myself and deal with my problems on my own, I finally asked my doctor (with analysis by a counselor) for help. Paxil is just the right thing for me. I still don't like the idea of being on medication, but the benefits are too great."

• 46yrold
• August 18, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "I was prescribed Paxil for situational depression that was pretty severe, merging on PTSD. (I went through a really bad relationship breakup that was traumatic) I also had GAD (general anxiety). I took Paxil for about 8 weeks. It started working right away and I felt so much better I'd say within a day or two. I slept better and woke in the morning without massive anxiety and intrusive thoughts and my depression began to lift. BUT I gained a whopping 20 pounds in the 8 weeks I was on Paxil. It was so awful that I had the doctor wean me off of it . I thought once it was out of my system that the weight would slowly come off but it didn't - I gained another 10 lbs. I think Paxil messes with your metabolism. Will NEVER take it again."

• Gus
• December 6, 2008

Paxil (paroxetine) "On its own, Wellbutrin SR 300 mg/day didn't really do much for me. We then added Paxil 20 mg and Klonopin 2 mg along with the Wellbutrin, and I have to say, this is a great combination. The Wellbutrin counteracts the sexual side effects that go along with Paxil. Wellbutrin by itself is okay, but in combination with Paxil and Klonopin, helped immensely. Highly recommend. My mood is consistently good, lots of energy. I feel social and light-hearted again. No side effects and I feel great."

• Saraa...
• April 23, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "The good: - Improved motivation - More stable moods, fewer deep lows - Improved self-confidence - Decreased anxiety The bad: - (during the first few weeks) Insomnia - (during the first few weeks) Drowsiness - (transient) Vivid bad dreams - Difficulty reaching orgasm - Forgetfulness - Emotional blunting"

• 30...
• April 7, 2010

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been taking Paxil for over 1 year. I tried Prozac, did not like it, made me feel out of control. I tried Celexa, still felt depression. I take 20 mg of Paxil every night before bedtime since I feel this medicine makes me sleepy and relaxed. I usually sleep very well. I don't have that weird feeling of anxiety anymore. I feel relaxed and can see life in a realistic perspective. My mood is good, not bad or great, but okay. I cry only a few times a month, especially during my PMS time, so I really think this is good medicine for me. I can go on every day with little negative thoughts and usually can block them out and change my thoughts. So yes, I like it. I do feel a bit numb at times, so I will seek doctor's advice, but overall it has been a great experience."

• AFL
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 21, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "I thought I had symptoms of Parkinson’s. Discussed meds I was on with a neurologist. He found that Paxil was causing my symptoms. I changed meds and symptoms have disappeared. It worked for the depression, but it is not worth the side effects for me."

• Anna
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 31, 2023

"The best antidepressant ever exist. The second antidepressant good after paroxetine is escitalopram. I hadn't side effects, only the start of treatment, I was happy, in a good mood, I never experienced fear, agoraphobia, depression with paroxetine."

• Teenage...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 21, 2014

Paxil (paroxetine) "I began taking Paxil in addition to Celexa two years ago when I was 16. It is not bad-no stomach aches, weight gain, or horrible headaches-but I have noticed the total disappearance of my sex drive. Totally gone. This might be because of the Celexa as well. Not sure. I was taking 40 mg Celexa, 20 mg Paxil, 1 mg Ativan, and occasionally trazodone or doxepin to sleep for a while, and when I cut my dosage in half over the summer, I was a mess. Constant migraines and irritability. So I suggest that if you use Paxil, be careful to come off it slowly."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2008

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been taking Paxil for 15 years now, and it does the job most of the time. I still have bouts of depression when things in my life go sideways. The worst part is the weight gain and the lack of sex drive. It is a tough choice, but without Paxil, I was suicidal. It is a part of my life now."

• What...
• November 27, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "Just started this medication about 5 days ago. The thing with me, I've lived a pretty happy life til about 3 years ago. It has gotten worse over time. I've got a medical condition known as Nerofibromatosis. I have a inoperable brain tumor. I recently lost my job cause I couldn't work because of the pain and short temper I have. I lost my gf about 3 years ago. I would always think someone was out to get me. I would strike out for no reason. Just recently I started having suicidal thoughts and just wanted to give up on life. I would cry for no reason. I just wanted to end. Since taking this. It has kinda helped. I get sleepy real quick. I take at night and sleep all night. Hopfully it will continue to help"

• Lindsey
• June 18, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "I struggle with depression and OCD. This medication has helped me tremendously with my depression and OCD. I have so much less suicidal thoughts now that I am back on this medicine; I don’t even want to commit suicide. I still have problems, but they are much less severe. The only thing I really do not like about this medication is what it has done to my body. I am naturally thin but this medication has made me gain weight, about 10 pounds. And the worse part is that I have bloating in my stomach area. The rest of my body is fine, still thin, but my stomach sticks out to the point where people have asked me if I’m pregnant. I’m sure a good bit of my belly fat is a result of me drinking so much soda and not eating the best foods, but when I was off this medicine my stomach was a lot less fat. Literally it’s just my stomach that is fat not the rest of my body. This medication does also increase your appetite. Still, it’s a great medicine for depression and OCD."

• Anon
• August 28, 2019

"This drug is not as terrifying as all the reviews say. Just try it for yourself. If you don't like it, change drugs. Paroxetine works wonders for me. I only take 10mg - half the recommended dose. Paroxetine peaks in your body at around 6hrs, so I find if I take this just before bed I sleep through any negative side effects. When starting I just feel a little out of it and headachey for a few days, but not much different to how I feel while depressed anyway. Paroxetine makes me able to function normally, takes away my suicidal thoughts and social anxieties, and allows me to handle difficult situations without wanting to die. The only side effect I experience is less sensation during sex (I'm female) - a small price to pay for not committing suicide. I have cyclical depression so I come on and off this and it IS NOT as bad as everyone says. I feel pretty out of it for about a week, and then back to normal after 2 weeks."

• count...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 29, 2015

Paxil (paroxetine) "I 've taken paxil in the early 90s .After a bad relationship and drinking lots. It has helped with social anxiety to a point. But I have gone through crying periods that didn't seem right. It's soon to be Jan 1 2016 and I have noticed these electric shocks if I miss a day or 2. And also my memory has gone to crap as well . Is this drug habit forming Yes I'm a recovering cocaine addict and free base addict. I got off that but this plays with your brain worse ! We should be compensated for the use as guinea pigs and the torture we face to get off this medicine it does work but too much is unknown. "

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 26, 2024

Paxil (paroxetine) "I was prescribed Paxil over 20 years ago (10mg) for GAD. I've tried over the years during the good times to try to quit. I'm sure everyone knows about the horrors of withdrawal. It lost its efficacy so now on 20mgs. Other than the withdrawals, it works for me. Along with nighttime RX for RLS and sleep."