Paxil for Panic Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Painter
• June 8, 2018

"I started Paxil along with my twin sister at the age of 19 for severe, debilitating panic attacks/chronic anxiety. I remember we actually felt worse the first couple of weeks but our doctor told us to hold on and push through—that those sick feelings would go away. A low dose of Xanax also helped the first few weeks. I went without anxiety or an attack for 15 years. I weaned off of it for 8 months and anxiety came back. I’m back on 20mg. It took a couple months for anxiety to subside but it’s working like it’s supposed to again. Because I’m now 40 and having hormonal issues, I might have mild anxiety around my cycle. It’s odd when it happens. I have emergency low dose of Xanax for those times—nothing as severe as before Paxil. It has saved mine and my twin sister’s life. It’s a great medication for anxiety. Nervousness and anxiety run in my family as we are all high strung. I didn’t gain crazy weight because I’m an athlete and very active."

• Daedr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2016

"I'm super medication sensitive so I started out at 5mg for panic disorder. My doctor said there's no way 5mg is going to help, but after 4 weeks it was like a switch was flicked. I went back to my old self for 3 whole days. I had to come off of it due to uncontrollable neck jerking and head twitching. It's the strangest thing I've ever experienced. It's been over a month since I quit and I'm still doing it alot. Not as much, but seriously way too much. I hope this isn't permanent. Now I have panic disorder and neck jerking. Lovely."

• purpl...
• April 25, 2016

"Paxil DOES work to stop panic attacks and general anxiety symptoms. I've had no panic attacks while on it. But my problem with Paxil are its' side effects. I was on Paxil for a few years and had gained weight steadily at the same time. I was trying to lose weight while on Paxil and was unsuccessful, but I didn't blame the Paxil. I went off of Paxil and changed nothing else in my routine & lost 25 pounds in 3 months! I ended up having to go back on it and gained ALL of it back within 1 MONTH. I tried to up my exercise and diet routine to make up for the Paxil, but I can't get the scale to budge more than 5 pounds down. Also, when trying to get off Paxil, the side effects are AWFUL. Wean off VERY SLOWLY! Worst, most addictive SSRI out there."

• Missy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 22, 2021

"I took it for 1 year and a half, at first it seemed to work but then it caused 20kg weight gain, nightmares, general weakness, fibromyalgia not being able to even get out of bed, always angry and agitated, chest pain, shievering, restless legs, paranoia, depersonalisation, feeling faint, always feeling hungry, gastritis, IBS, shivering, headaches, tinnitus, seeing blurry, feeling like throwing up, suicidal thoughts, hypersensitivity to sound and light, being violent, it was like torture. I felt like my body was chained. I still kept taking it because my doctor said it is me just worrying. But one day I had a gut feeling and stopped taking it slowly over time, now I can walk again and I feel so much better than when I was taking it. I lost the weight that I had gained and feel happier. Stopping it was hard but it was worth it, if you read this I understand your suffering,I know it’s hard just don't give up.❤️"

• kevin...
• July 1, 2018

"Started on 10mg for panic disorder and worked up to 20mg. It enabled me to accomplish things I couldn't do before, but didn't completely rid me of all anxiety, just took the edge off enough to allow me to function. Recently my anxiety/panic has gotten steadily worse, so I'm going to request going up to 40mg, the target dose for panic disorder. I had next to no side effects other than some insomnia and a brief bout of sexual dysfunction where it was hard to climax. I gained about 17 lbs. since starting it, but I also feel better enough to go out to restaurants and I eat out about 4 times a week. My exercise routine has also slackened due to lack of motivation. I suppose it could slow down metabolism, assuming the weight gain isn't entirely my fault (which I think it is), but even so, it's really not a deal-breaker considering how severe my anxiety was. Even though my dosage now needs adjusting, it has helped me lead a semi-normal life for the past year."

• 70david
• May 28, 2021

"Taken daily for nearly 20 years. PRO'S: Worked great for my panic attacks, anxiety, and anger symptoms. CON'S: One side effect noticed that especially with advancing age came "diminished libido" due to difficulty in reaching climax. In attempting to research the "libido" symptomsI discovered that THIS is one of the "known" side effects of the drug. In fact it was often prescribed for "premature ejaculation". The dilemma comes when one attempts to recapture their "love-life" by "reducing" or "quitting" Paxil. Depending on dosage and time on the drug, you MAY INDEED hit a wall of "withdrawal symptoms" that "Ain't No walk-in-the-park"! For more details just do a search for say "Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms". It won't be hard to find a myriad of data. DO Talk with your doctor about it before attempting to quit. For me, it's a work-in-progress. Good Luck All"

• Teeth...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2020

"Second time in a few weeks I have tried the generic Paxil has anyone else experienced teeth grinding and severe muscle lockdown? I guess that is why I can’t stick with it. I take Klonopin and Valium. Would Zoloft be a better alternative I would like to reduce the anxiety medications. Been on lamictal jacked up thyroid currently reducing Depakote ER because of side effects"

• Happy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2019

"Amazing pill! Only took 10mg in the morning and already feel a big difference! One thing to note, it can give you headaches and make you fidgety. But apart from that, so far, works great! Better than benzos."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2010

"I have had panic disorder since I was 15 years old. Paxil has truly improved my life. 20mg doesn't seem to be enough but 40mg does the trick. The only side effects I have is that I sweat more and I have less energy. Paxil is a life saver!"

• Momof...
• August 23, 2011

"Panic Disorder/Bipolar/Manic Depressive: Today will be my 7th Dose, I am having a love hate relationship with my Paxil, it made me EXTREMELY tired for the first 4 days, headaches on day 4 & 5, Dizziness day 2-7. I feel spaced out & every morning I wake up & want to stop taking the meds because of how I feel. I am not like "myself" BUT, I didnt like myself to begin with, I suffered from panic attacks that last for days on end with only relief from Xanax. I would have anger outbursts towards the ones I love the most. Now, although my world feels off balance, I have noticed less anger and more smiling. I am going to stick with it for another week, even though I know tomorrow I will want to stop again. Just hope side effects lessen."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2009

"I have had panic disorder since I was about 6. It came and went and has caused me severe avoidance issues throughout my life. I have been taking Paxil for about 8 years and it has worked wonders. It has been awesome...until recently. Within the last 4 months, it just seems to have quit working well. I am having severe attacks from time to time, but I am starting to avoid things/situations. It did make me gain about 30 pounds. I tend to clench my jaws and I startle easily, but those are the only side effect I notice. My family and close friends say I am much more of a pleasure to be around while I am on it. I am not a mean person nor have anger issues, but I am just not so anxious and uptight."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

"My general doctor gave me Paxil when I told her I had been having panic attacks and anxiety. I started on 10mg and when I hadn't noticed a difference after 6 weeks she upped the dose to 20mg. I still have anxiety day to day, and feel the beginning of a panic attack a lot, but am not able to go through with it. Sex drive completely gone. All I want to do is sleep. Depression worsened. This is not for me."

• Dee...
• August 19, 2015

"I started on Paxil late 1990s for panic disorders and depression...I am 5'6" and was about 118lbs. Stayed on Paxil about 4 years and came off because I wanted to get pregnant. It saved my life truly I felt great and I was able to enjoy driving again, going to the mall, able to take an elevator, able to stay at home alone, wait on lines at supermarkets, work without fear of losing it, etc. after coming off very slowly the good effects lasted about a year. However, while on Paxil I gained 60lbs. After my son was born in 2004 I had postpartum depression so again went back in Paxil it didn't work as good as the first time but it helped get me back to feeling just alright. Came off again due to more weight gain."

• kwakk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2022

"I've always been more anxious, even though I was very active, had a lot of friends. 15 yo: I started thinking at night about the universe/the world/who we are. This anxiety moved on. Then as an 18 year old I started to have panic attacks. I went to therapy, it went away. I lived my University years (going out, just being young, traveling). But, the last couple of weeks (25 year old) have been hard. It started with being stressed out. Then I had a major panic attack: ended up in the hospital. Since then, I couldn't go outside, even inside the house I was scared and I lost connection with myself. Everything and even I looked so weird. Went to psychiatrist. I am on my 3rd day of Paxil (combined with Alprazolam), and I can already feel positive effects!! Only thing: is tired and bit struggling with 'rollercoaster emotions'. But I am reconnecting with myself!!!! I also do breath work, yoga etc, learning about science/panic and the brain/... I will keep you up to date!!! THERE IS HOPE, I WANT AN ANXIOUS FREE LIFE!!"

• Anonymous
• January 1, 2010

"I started taking Paxil 2 months ago. Since I started taking Paxil, my panic attacks stopped! I did have side effects of increased sweating, increased energy, inability to orgasm for the first month. The excess sweating and increased energy went away, however I have no interest in sex anymore."

• Anonymous
• June 24, 2010

"Paxil has been providing pretty good relief at 30 mg- not as effective as benzodiazepines, but I was pretty surprised. I've had horrible trials with SSRI's/side effects for Panic Disorder, but Paxil hasn't been as bad - stomach upset for a month adjusting to it - some weight gain, sexual side effects.. mostly gone now 5 months in. Rough guess, I'd say about 75% fewer Panic Attacks. I've a number of medical conditions, and some medicines will rock the boat, but I'm able to get through with Xanax "as needed" - (used to be 'always' needed). "

• DPOPO
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2022

"I have had panic attacks and panic disorder for 2 years, I visited the doctor and he gave me Paxil 25mg, my first week was a nightmare I had headaches, nausea, cramping and heart palpitations, I was literally in another world. After one month my symptoms started to subside, and my life was back up so I could go out of the house normally. Paxil + therapy session saved my life. I am waiting to get more benefits as time goes on . Don't be afraid, life is beautiful !"

• Anony...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2019

"After 3 weeks of taking the half dose I am prescribed I am quitting due to the incredibly lucid nightmares I'm having every night. It did help with my depression but I can't function without REM sleep and the anxiety I'm having while dreaming."

• Josie
• January 25, 2016

"I started Paxil 15 years ago after a stroke. Lately felt maybe it's not as effective my Dr switched me to 40 mg of celexa same as my Paxil. After six days on the new one I felt like I was having problems with weakness on one side and felt like I didn't have long to live etc. so got myself into a big panic attack. Back on Paxil for now feeling better."

• Medic...
• January 12, 2012

"I took Paxil for 10 years. Started on 20mg and had intense anxiety, confusion, panic. Doctor insisted it was all in my head. Therapist told me to cut the dose in 1/2. Felt somewhat better. Went up to 20mg after a few months and began to get brain zaps. A close friend told me I had lost my personality. Slept 10-14 hrs a night and frustrated my partner because of sleeping, no sex drive and no ability to feel sexual pleasure. Effects of alcohol intensified- passed out from 2 drinks or became over-emotional. Tapered from 20mg to 0 slowly over the 10 yrs. Each tiny decrease resulted in ~2wk period of increased anxiety. I think overall it numbed the panic but CBT therapy and getting older may have been more or similarly effective. "

• Paul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2016

"I started Paxil to control anxiety. The first brand was Auribindo. It worked about one month. I was using less Klonopin. Then out of the blue I had a Panic attack that put me in the hospital overnight. Then I switched generic brands to Zydus. On my first dose I thought I would die. It felt like I had overdosed. It happened within 10 minutes of taking that brand. It was only 15mg. I have now received the Dylan brand and will take it in the morning. I say this for people who think the Paxil may not work. You need to do a trial run on these no good generics. I felt like I was dying plus so nauseated on the Zydus brand. Hopefully the Nylon will work. I am running out of brands to try."

• Zeb
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 11, 2022

"So I weaned off Paxil and was completely off it for about two weeks. At about the two week mark my anxiety can back with a vengeance one day. I then realized that I need help and finally admitted to myself I need drugs. I was on 40 December and was off by the beginning of February. From my experience I can tell you after re starting the Paxil again only 10 mg for just two days I can tell the difference already. It just works for me. And I intend to stay on it."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2011

"For the most part I would have to say that Paxil saved my life. I suffered from severe panic attacks, several a day, for years. I've been on every anti-depressant and anti-anxiolytic out there but none helped like Paxil. I have been on it for 12 years now. The side effects that I have dealt with are an 80 pound weight gain over the period I have been on it, I crave food and carbs constantly, I yawn often throughout the day and experience fatigue that can get drop dead tired around the time of my menses. I too have tried to get off of Paxil many times only to suffer severe withdrawal symptoms."

• Zaba...
• September 10, 2009

"Didn't do much for my panic episodes even at 80mgs a day. What it did do, is make me not care about sex, even years after taking them. And it made my emotions numb, I couldn't cry at a funeral for a beloved family member when I knew I should have been hysterical."

• Doctor...
• April 29, 2008

"Paxil (Paroxetine) did absolutely nothing for my Chronic Major Panic Disorder. I took 1 - 10mg tablet every morning in high school in homeroom. I had to leave school almost every day the middle of my senior year. That is when the Panic hit me. I took it for 8 months and still nothing. My doctor then put me on 0.25mg of Xanax? (Alprazolam). It stopped the Panic! The only problem was Alprazolam is too short-acting, so I was switched to Klonopin? (Clonazepam), THANK GOD! IT SAVED MY LIFE!"