Paroxetine for Depression User Reviews (Page 5)

• 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
• July 14, 2013

Paxil CR (paroxetine) "HUGE weight gain! From 135 lbs up to 205 lbs and there didn't seem to be any way to lose the weight. I am not an eater, or a snacker, if anything I can't manage breakfast and I eat a healthy sandwich for lunch and can only manage 1/2 the meal that my husband eats at night. For me, depression = loss of appetite."

• Huro
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "My doctor weaned me off of Paxil a few weeks ago as it wasn't working. Three days after the last dose was the start of the two worst weeks of my life. It included migraines, nausea, decreased vision, when I turned my head or moved my eyes there was a whooshing sound in my head accompanied by extreme dizziness. Then there were the bouts of crying for no apparent reason. In summary I would call this poison not medicine."

• Dallyd
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 8, 2018

Paxil (paroxetine) "Paxil has been a double-edged sword for me. I have been on one dose or another for the last 15 years or so. I can't stop the meds, I've tried a few times in the past, but, just end up going crazy (crying, suicidal thoughts, extreme sadness and anxiety). I feel trapped and helpless to escape the medication's machevellian side effects."

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2009

Paxil (paroxetine) "My doctor started me on Paxil when I was 6 months pregnant. It made me emotionally numb. I kept taking it for about 3 years because the side effects of missing a dose were unbearable. I had to have the dose increased and eventually was on the highest dose and Xanax was added. I gained weight, was always tired, had a decreased sex drive and I couldn't cry when I needed to. I attempted to stop taking it 5 times before I was successful. I had horrible withdrawals for two months... sensitivity to light, nausea, a jolting sensation through my head and arms and uncontrollable crying. It was worth it. I am now taking Zoloft and finally feel normal. I lost the weight I gained while I was on Paxil and I cry when I need to."

• Lishka
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2020

"I have depression and anxiety with PMS. I've been on and off SSRI's for many years. Paroxetine has been excellent for taming mood swings, depression pms and anxiety. It's an easy transition. I have never been better"

• Craig...
• November 25, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "I've been on and off SSRIs for years. Effexor XR and Zoloft caused gastrointestinal and sleep problems. Paxil which I started 6 months ago however has caused no GI issues, and it is for me slightly sedating. My mood has improved without the hypomania caused by other SSRIs. Prior to starting Paxil, I was in fairly deep depressive state. It was nearly impossible for me to experience a positive thought about the future. I also had moderate anxiety. In summary, Paxil might help anyone who experienced GI irritation from other meds, has trouble sleeping, and has some anxiety component to their depression"

• Becks
• March 26, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "I suffer from depression. I always feel everyone hates me. That I am useless. Etc. Paxil started off wonderful. Was on 20mg. I was on this high for weeks. I was goofy, fun, talkative. A massive opposite to what I was before when I started paxil. It felt like I was in another body. Now and then I would go out with friends or have a date night with my husband and have a drink or two. As soon as I had that ONE drink since starting paxil....that led me down a very very dark path. Being only 22 years old I basically became an alcoholic out of no where. My tolerance for alcohol was incredible. I never felt a hangover. I was constantly buying beer. Drinking 6 a night. Every night. Weekends would be double the amount. I missed many days of work. Suicide became a friend. Paxil ruined me. I started cutting out of no where. So deep that I had to go to the hospital one morning. My libido. Gone. No where to be found. Which really sucked as a newly wed of only 1 1/2 years."

• roxxy
• December 13, 2009

Paxil (paroxetine) "I started to take Paxil 12years ago. I was getting depressed because of my panic disorder. I have been on Xanax for many many years and my doctor added Paxil. 30mg a day in the morning. I have never had a side effect not even weight gain and I know this can cause weight gain. It works great for me for my depression and my panic attacks. Would highly recommend this drug. I am a skinny person anyway, because of my panic but I never had any side effects. Good luck all."

• Anonymous
• February 8, 2010

Paxil (paroxetine) "I tried Zoloft for depression and it made me hyper. Paxil works. I have used it two times during my life when I was depressed and self-help was not working. It worked great for depression and I didn't have many side effects EXCEPT that I cannot achieve orgasm while taking this medication. Nada. I have a wonderful husband and I am used to a good sex life. Paxil kills it. As soon as I'm off the drug for a week, everything comes back. I hate losing sex but I hate being depressed more. In the end, that is the choice for me."

• paxil...
• December 15, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "Thanx to Paxil I'm still here to type this comment, it saved my life. I was started on 20mg but had to go up to 40mg (max dose) for about 3 years after which I was slowly dropped down to 20mg, then right down to 10mg, which I was on for awhile then down to 5mg and eventually went off the medication. The times I did miss my dosage it was usually the second day when the zaps started along with the feeling of vertigo. The half life of this medicine is very short about 3 days that's why people feel withdrawal symptoms so quickly but I've found quite tolerable for the good it has done for me. A wonderful medication!"

• Amber...
• January 25, 2018

Paxil (paroxetine) "I've been on Paxil for about three months now, and it's been a welcome change from Effexor. I'm finding myself calmer, less aggressive, still have my bad days but they're not as bad. Family and co-workers have seen a noticeable difference for the better. Effexor numbed me out, I wasn't depressed but I wasn't happy either and after awhile it just became less effective. So far with Paxil, I'm noticing better moods, actually smiling and laughing more so I hope it continues. Only downside I've noticed so far is some drowsiness, but it's manageable."

• Rappman
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2012

Paxil (paroxetine) "I went to my primary doctor for a check up. I told him that I just was not feeling right. He referred me to the mental health clinic. The doctor there asked me a lot of questions about how I felt, was I suicidal. Discussed my military life. And any combat experience. That was to check on PTSD. She started me on Paxil. I had the usual side effects of dry mouth, couldn't sleep, excessive urination, constipation, and diarrhea. But I got over the side effects when my body got used to the medication. One of the main problems with this medication is that I cannot get an erection and cannot orgasm. "

• disco...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 31, 2012

Paxil (paroxetine) "I was prescribed this medication initially for depression and then along with another medication for atypical depression and panic disorder. I had to give it some stars because it did help with the anxiety. Problem was I had no life. No sex drive. Emotionally flat. Slept 12-16 hrs a day (I craved sleep all the time) and ate non stop eventually gaining 80 lbs. Finally my husband encouraged me to go off it. I tapered the dose and experienced brain zaps and generally weird feelings for several weeks. "

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2009

Paxil (paroxetine) "I was taking Paxil for 6 months for my depression. At first I felt a major difference with the chemicals in my brain. But then I felt sleepy ALL the time, it also made my appetite off the wall. I gained 40 pounds and was back at my ending pregnancy weight, which didn't help with my depression. I would suggest anyone who takes this drug to truly watch what you eat. Paxil made me feel like my "full signal" from my stomach to my brain was shut off."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2024

"For years, I suffered from crippling depression. I always attributed it to being young and poor, struggling to barely get by on my own. But eventually, I had enough insight to realize that the constant hate I had towards myself and complete lack of self-worth was possibly due to a chemical imbalance. I got on paroxetine because I had become terrified of how much I fantasized about ending my life. It took a few weeks, but the drug eventually did its job. The inner thoughts of worthlessness were gone, and I didn't plan my death anymore. That said, it does change you and not necessarily all in a positive way. I gained weight, I lost my sex drive, and overall just felt like a different person mentally. Not only did the voice in my head telling me how insignificant I was go away, but so did all my inner critical and reflective thoughts. After 2 years, I got off the drug, slowly, but everything went back to square one. I'm struggling to find the balance within myself, but the drug works."

• autum...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 11, 2022

Paxil (paroxetine) "On Paxil for Borderline personality disorder. I've been on a variation of dosages from 20mg to 40 mg and to 30mg. It worked really well. First two weeks I had a sodium crave! Pickles and mustard, anything to get more salt. I had no weight gain aside from the birth control I also started. And it self-reminds you to take it daily! With that being said, It’s a great drug but difficult to get off of. I’m currently taking my last 2.5mg chip trying to get off this drug without severe withdrawals. Brain-zaps, always hot and sweaty… I’d wake up with my hair sopping wet like I just stood in the shower. I’d recommend being super cautious and slight lower it (2.5-5mg) bi-weekly for the least amount of side effects. I dropped from 30mg to 20mg and experienced those nasty symptoms. Trying out a different med to see if my Borderline personality disorder symptoms lessen."

• MeowxD
• January 31, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "I absolutely HATED this medication. I have been struggling with panic attacks and major depression since I was younger. I was put on this medication for about a year and my panic attacks were not so often. The downsides of medication Is that I felt little to no emotion, And had ZERO sex drive."

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2009

Paxil (paroxetine) "Significant weight gain experienced within a few months. VERY tough on the libido. Extremely difficult to get off this medication without significant side effects - dizziness, nausea. I was taking Celexa before and would definitely go back. For the purposes of banishing depression/anxiety, it worked, but not without side effects that make me want to stop taking it each day."

• Girly
• November 11, 2008

Paxil (paroxetine) "This was a good drug for the first couple of years of taking it. Unfortunately, I did not consult my doctor before I stopped taking it. Huge mistake! I highly recommend seeing your doctor before you stop taking this. DO NOT quit cold turkey like I did. I felt like I was going insane, had mood swings were horrible and couldn't sleep. "

• SF...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "I've been on Paxil for about 30 days. The change in my mood has been positive and very gradual. Currently I take Latuda with Paxil at night. I'm not buzzing with joy but my outlook is positive and so I think the Paxil is doing it's job.... I'm just not sure."

• Gizz
• July 14, 2009

Paxil (paroxetine) "This medication is better than any of the other SSRI I've tried so far. It has given me very few side effects that slowly diminished. Paxil is better, it does give you a calming effect that helps me relax, and I don't feel empty. "

• 7mike
• March 3, 2015

Paxil (paroxetine) "I was wondering why I had irregular bowel movements for quite some time. I went to Dr. after Dr. explaining my symptoms (constipation, bloating, back pain, dark stool.) Most of them thought I had IBS or an allergy to gluten. I had these symptoms from 2009 till recently. After some thought I decided to switch my medication. My Psychologist wrote me a new prescription and I started to ween of the paxil. 2 weeks into my new medication schedule I started to feel 1000 times better! I go to the bathroom daily now just as a healthy person should. In fact, it seems like my body is trying to make up for lost time. Needless to say, Paxil I feel is the cause of my extreme constipation."

• depre...
• April 7, 2010

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have taken Paxil for about 6 months. I have not had any weight gain as I had previously with other medications. I feel emotionally much more stable and the side effects have been minimal. I still feel tired occasionally and have some trouble with my short term-memory but my overall quality of life seems to be better and although I still feel mildly blue at times the feeling is not as intense and doesn't linger for weeks. Happy with the medicine."

• VeryG...
• April 18, 2017

"I am a 47 year old male, and have been using Paroxetine for 3 months, having been prescribed it for severe clinical depression. It is the first time in my life that I have suffered from Mental Illness. In the 6 months prior to properly seeking help I had spiralled to the point where I could not sleep, had anxiety levels through the roof, did not want to speak to anybody, hated everything about life, and fantasized daily of suicide. I started 20mg Paroxetine daily while spending 5 weeks in a Recovery clinic in Jan/Feb. This medication has literally given me a second chance at life. It did take a couple of weeks to kick in, but now my mood is buoyant, and my anxiety is non-existent. Still not sure how it has done it. For me, a miracle pill!"