Paroxetine for Social Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• DDano
• August 8, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "Mine review is kinda short and sweet. I've been on Paxil for about 10 years. No sex drive at all, still anxiety but a few weeks ago I had forgotten to take for about 4 days, cried uncontrollably until I realized. Is this drug just supressing my feelings deep down, maybe that's why I still have extreme anxiety? Just a thought."

• Anonymous
• May 25, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "I developed an acute social anxiety disorder in my early 20's. After trying 10mg of Paxil, my doctor upped the dose to 20mg. I have been taking that dosage for the past 10 years. My social anxiety is much more manageable than it was, although I still have my moments. I hate to increase the dosage, however, because the sexual side effects have been bad for me. Climax is next to impossible unless conditions are perfect, and even then it is a struggle. My sex drive is also down, possibly because of the disappointment the lack of climax creates for me and my wife. Personally, I am happy with the results of Paxil in terms of my social anxiety, but the sexual side effects are rough. Good luck."

• ron
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 21, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "Paxil is a terrible medication. It did not help made me, I was worse. It took 6 months to get side effects off and its been 1 and 1/2 years and I still have panic attacks and claustrophobia they don't last long now. Don't take paxel or zoloft they are both bad meds....."

• J-Gar
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 24, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "Paxil definitely works for social anxiety. However, the side effects just became intolerable over time. What are those side effects? Well, for one, you will be tired all the time. Secondly, I found it really hard to focus, and I would forget things that just happened. Thirdly, and most disturbingly, I became a zombie who didn't care about anything and couldn't empathize with people!! I couldn't feel any emotions; I couldn't cry. Not only that, but it was also hard to experience positive emotions/pleasure. This phenomenon is called "emotional bluntness". I didn't notice that I was experiencing this emotional numbness (and most others don't notice too) until people around me started pointing it out. That's just my experience."

• Deepa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have suffered from all kinds of anxieties, like Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Obsessive thoughts and Social anxiety. There are times when you have NO social anxiety, for instance, in my case, even after stopping 25mg CR version Paxil, there had been no fear of social confrontation, just shyness or may be low self-esteem or introversion. But when SA attacks again, its a very gradual process. Even if you notice a slight sign of SA coming back, you try to disprove your own opinion by thinking - ''Now I have learned, this feeling is just stupid, doesn't make sense and I am definitely not gonna develop a full fledged SA." But when SA comes back you have no idea but to start taking Paxil again."

• Jubaea
• March 4, 2017

Paxil (paroxetine) "Was on Paxil for 4 years because I could never handle the withdrawal symptoms. I had severe aches and electric shocks along with all flu symptoms. I finally slowly tapered off over 3 months with the liquid Paxil. I have been off of it now for at least 10 years. I have tried at least 100 different supplements and anti anxiety treatments.....I have tried them all...believe me.....it is hell on earth when you can't provide for your family. I even spent $4000 having all my mercury fillings removed. I had genetic testing of SNP polymorphism's that revealed MTHFR and MAO mutations. I found a genetic reason for my anxiety. In short I can't make neurotransmitters and when I do I can't break them down so they build up causing social anxiety."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2014

Paxil (paroxetine) "To the person who recommended NeoCitran, do not take NeoCitran if you're taking Paxil or any other SSRI, unless the form of NeoCitran doesn't contain Dextromethorphan. These two medicines have a major interaction that could cause serotonin syndrome, which is relevant to my review of Paxil. My experience with Paxil so far hasn't been the best. Side effects have been pretty bad, and as I also have ADHD, taking both Paxil and Vyvanse has lead to some serotonin syndrome-like symptoms. I got mild serotonin syndrome a few days after I started taking Paxil, because I had been taking both Paxil and Vyvanse in the morning. I find that if I take Paxil at least 12 hours after Vyvanse, the side effects are minimal and haven't had any further problems."

• JC65
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2020

Paxil (paroxetine) "My life is a little bit more complicated than just anxiety and depression. Paxil is good for depression and anxiety - I suppose, but it doesn't work by itself for me. Twenty years ago, my psychiatrist prescribed Paxil, but I continued to have intense anxiety in social situations as well as paranoia - no hallucinations; just delusional thinking which I THOUGHT was part of panic disorder. I'm trying Paxil again, but starting at lower dose due to ED. Currently, I take Lamictal, Klonopin, Paxil, Wellbutrin XL & Trazodone for sleep. Remember, if you don't get your anxiety under control, it will lead to social anxiety then agoraphobia and finally psychosis. Don't play around."

• Kasham
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 29, 2018

Paxil CR (paroxetine) "I am 29 years old I am taking paxil CR. For the six years before taking paxil I tried on citalopram and Ecitalopram but they didn’t work for me. So then my Docter advised me to start on PAXIL CR. it changed my life. My depression and anxiety gone after 1 week and become a new person . But I have a bit problem whenever there are I have something stressful like an exam , interviews or any other related situation. Then I become so pressurized and stressed but this is the only problem now and my all other anxiety problems are eliminated now."

• Kayx
• November 17, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "Helps me with being able to go out without thinking everyone is looking or talking about me, more confident and less hot flushes and palpitations, however all I do is sleep. I'm going to bed about 8 at night and waking up at half 7, almost falling asleep during work. Great for people who can't sleep well but for me I don't want to spend the rest of my life in bed! Also I would advise not to drink alcohol with this, seriously blank outs no matter how much you drink. You don't realize till the next morning that you can't remember a thing which is a horrible experience. Going to try to come off this gradually."

• Anonymous
• August 15, 2008

"It's completely allowed me to be myself around people and even post things like this on the internet. I started at 10mg and was able to call people I knew and walk from my car to places without overwhelming stress. I still felt a little bit of anxiety, but now at 20mg my life is a world apart from where I used to be. When I began using paroxetine I did have the nausea and increased sweating, which wasn't very pleasant but believe me it gets better and is worth it."

• bc1980
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2023

"42 year old make with SAD, started with 20mg for 4 weeks with no improvement. Doctor advised me to up the dose to 30mg and after waiting 2 weeks I started getting muscle twitching, jelly legs where my legs were shaking, intense shaking of the body and excessive worrying. I was told to up the dose to 60mg (40mg morning and 20mg evening), but symptoms got worse, and I can no longer go out in public without feeling all of these symptoms intensity. So now I am decreasing by 20mgs each week or 2, now taking only 20mg and no reprieve. Seeing my Dr tomorrow to stop taking this tablet."

• Mickey...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2019

"I'm fairly sure this drug has changed my life? I could barely speak in front of people at times "if not all the time" and yet that (fact) made me really sad. Classic example of anxiety=Major depression in my personal experience. I've been treated with roughly 6 separate medications from various classes, with minimal benefits. Then Doc throws this at me and bingo brain chem magic? It just works for me, almost feels like a veil lifted and life starts again? I don't know I'm only 23."

• Tawny...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 17, 2016

Paxil (paroxetine) "About 33 years ago, I was diagnosed with anxiety/depression. Was put on Paxil, and it was brought to my attention, that they actually made me worse...more agitated. As I read these posts, I wonder "sure wish it worked for me, like that!! Need less to say, all these years later, my anxiety is thru the roof...HATE groups or crowds of people...I pretty much either go to work or stay in the house, on days off. Makes me nervous to be around people I don't know. Call me crazy, its like a phobia, and I think it's their stupidity! I'm not prefect, by ANY means....but my word, people these days!"

• Anonymous
• May 24, 2011

Paxil (paroxetine) "I have been on Paxil for 10 years now. I maxed out on the dosage at 60mg/day. It served me well and improved my anxiety symptoms. Having gotten married 2 months ago, and anticipating getting pregnant, I began to wean myself off. I went from 60mg/day to 40, then to 20, then 10, and now 5mg/day. Each time I started to feel better and adjusted to the lower dose, I lowered it again. The withdrawals have been awful. I have been so sick for the last several weeks. Nauseous, dizzy, insomnia, "zaps", no appetite, no energy. Now at 5mg/day, I feel better. The withdrawals are now quite tolerable. My next step is 2.5mg/day, then done."

• Serey
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2019

Paxil (paroxetine) "I'm on one month now on Paxil prescribed by m psychiatrist, as I almost always had social anxiety and phobia. I feel more anxious on it but when I stop taking it I feel good but maybe is that because of medication idk. I just hope that this one will work. I will give it a chance and I tried Zoloft which made me just tired."

• Drexil
• August 14, 2016

Paxil CR (paroxetine) "I have started taking Paxil CR 12.5 mg six months ago, for my stuttering and fear of talking. In the beginning I felt slightly down and kind of panicky, but after 1 week those bad feelings went away completely. It has helped me a lot. I can say that my stuttering has improved. I am 80% fluent most of the time and even if I stutter I don't care that much anymore. I also feel closer to people and more confident in general. I feel happier also, and lost 4 kg due to the appetite loss and feeling full earlier. Sex drive has decreased a bit, but it does not interfere in my relationship. Somedays I get bursts of anger over small things. It has also cured my insomnia. Sometimes I feel dizzy but it is not bad and goes away fast."

• brain...
• July 11, 2009

Paxil (paroxetine) "My son, then 12, started Paxil for social anxiety after going to a new school. The pediatrician gave us none of the warnings about the drug. He started him on 10 mg/day for 4 weeks and said, "We know this dose does nothing, but we need to load him. After 4 weeks, fill this prescription for 20 mg/day." At 2-3 weeks, my son was raising his hand and greeting teachers in the hall. At 4 weeks, he initiated a belligerent locker room incident with a boy who mocked him. After doubling the dose, he was verbally aggressive to us and ran away. When we found him, he was soaked in sweat. He later told a friend he'd "felt like jumping off something but didn't know what". His doctor had no idea how to wean him. We found a psychiatrist who did."

• Usnea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2015

"My anxiety has been with me since I was 11. I ended up dropping out of both high school and university because I couldn't go to my classes. I used to dread any and all excursions out of the house, no matter how small. I would feel horribly anxious if anything outside of my normal routine came up (doctor's appointments, people coming over, etc). Forget working. I felt so hopeless and didn't want to take prescription medication, but I'm so glad I did. I've been on paroxetine for 4 months and I feel like a different person. I don't drive myself nuts with worry. I started on 10mg and went up to 20mg a month ago. Side effects I've experienced are both drowsiness during the day and insomnia at night. It's worth it. I'm even looking for jobs now!"

• Micky
• February 13, 2018

"It started working immediately. I wish I would have discovered this medication years ago! I have been suffering from social anxiety and it would have saved me so much grief in so many situations , one is- dropping out of my doctoral program and other programs and unnecessary conflicts I have had with people. I have been now been happy, friendly, and outgoing with people. I have not been like this in 2 decades. It has saved my social life! Now, I know how it feels to be relaxed, confident, and in control of my emotions at all times. More so, to enjoy life and have conversations with strangers (something I dreaded before). As a highly skeptical individual who has always minimized or discarded medical intervention, I suggest to all prospective users out there to try it!! I tried Citalopram, but this one is the best for me. I am no longer tired of embarrassing myself in public when speaking to people."

• Daisy
• July 22, 2021

Paxil (paroxetine) "This drug changed my life in a positive way. I was put on (10 mg) for depression and social anxiety disorder. The only side effects were drowsiness, and it was a bit rough in the beginning as described (Restlessness, loss of appetite symptoms got worse before they got better, brain fog, etc.) But it was worth it. I can finally live my life. My brain fog diminished by a tenfold and I was able to talk to people, I was surviving in situations that would make me have a nervous breakdown only months prior. My depression lessened and I felt more happy again; I feel like I'm allowed to live again. I was scared to take this after reading all the negative experiences, but I've had not one regret after going on Paxil. I finally feel positive for the future. Paxil is different for everyone, and you need to see which medication works for you. It may be either a great or a terrible fit; you'll never know until you try it."

• Mm99
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2020

Paxil (paroxetine) "I started taking paxil after being SSRI free for 8 months. Side effects of citalopram were worrying in the long run. My very good memory was suddenly poor and when I drank alcohol I could barely remember the night. So I stopped the Paxil. But I could only live with my mind for 8 months. I had panic attacks at work daily and it was too much to take. I'm 25 so having social anxiety which is a nightmare. Paxil. Initial side effects of paxil were bad considering I only started on 5mg dosage ! Ringing in ears. Tingling in my arm. Constant and for weeks ! Side effects stopped and I really did feel better Until now. 3 months in. And my hair is falling out in chunks. I'M FEMALE. My hair is thick and curly and one of the only things I liked about myself. Liked, because now it is thinner by half. I googled a link between paxil and hair loss and although poorly reported I wasn't the only one that has experienced this. Pills are not a cure. This is not a cure. It's a disease."

• Tyres...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2020

"I have been taking Paxil 10mg/ a day on mornings. Side effects were minimal and subsided within couple of days. It’s been 3 weeks now still no side effects. Hoping it works during week 4 or 6. My doc is going to upper my dose to 20mg on week 4, so I’m going to patient and wait until it kicks in and let you guys know how I feel."

• Geaux...
• January 3, 2020

Paxil (paroxetine) "Recently, Paxil has two side effects that I can't stand: nightmares and erectile dysfunction. Two things that a 40 year old male doesn't need in life. I tried the newer AD but they cause nightmares and panic attacks."

• Lea
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2015

"My experience has been a positive one, the start up of this drug was a little difficult to get through but after about 8 weeks, wow. I noticed that certain scenarios that would cause obsessive thoughts and anxiety were not happening as frequently and if they did I let them go easily. I began little by little to be brave again and it feels great. I am very sleepy but once I get started it's fine and have increased sweating which is a pain but a lot better than how I was before I started."