Paroxetine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2018

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I've been on this drug for 3 years. It's really effective, but if you are prone to weight gain, BOY will you put on weight! The biggest con is coming off them. I'm currently going from Paxil to Prozac. Paxil withdrawal includes insomnia, dizziness, headaches, feeling faint, itchy skin (like you are being covered in ants), and sweating. I've come off many antidepressants in the past, and this is the worst withdrawal I've had."

• bec...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2016

Paroxetine for Anxiety "Panic attacks and anxiety were completely gone, but with that came tons of side effects. I gained over 40 pounds, and it was impossible to lose until getting off of Paxil. No sex drive and couldn't orgasm at all while on it. It made me a little zombie-like, I didn't have any low emotions, but not any high ones either. Coming off of it gave me extreme symptoms like headaches, loss of appetite, sore muscles, insomnia, mood swings, and weird violent thoughts. Will all be worth it though once I'm over the withdrawal period. Positive withdrawal symptom: weight loss!!"

• nop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2012

Paroxetine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Paxil was a nightmare for me. I took it for 1 week, and I could not sleep for more than 2 hours at a stretch and experienced even more intense anxiety. For the first time in my life, I felt suicidal with increased racing thoughts. It wasn't for me. Maybe I should've hung in there longer, but I was concerned about my own safety."

• Sar...
• April 23, 2017

Paroxetine for Depression "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"

• mrs...
• August 30, 2011

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I took Paxil for nearly 9 months, and it seemed to cure all my ailments. I didn't realize how many things were attributed to my anxiety, including chest pains, nausea, headaches, etc. I really felt great (after a week or so of insomnia, which is a common side effect). I recently stopped taking Paxil since I was feeling so great. That is really tough. I had awful dizziness (but again, this is to be expected) for about 10 days. Several weeks later, I am realizing I felt much better on Paxil and am thinking of returning to it."

• Cic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2019

Paroxetine for Postpartum Depression "This is the worst medicine ever. I took it for postpartum anxiety, and it turned my anxiety into severe depression, which I have never experienced in my life. When I took it, I became insomniac, dark thoughts, feeling deep unworthiness, wanting to leave my family, could barely walk, heart palpitation, nausea, weak memory. At some point, I became so numb, and I felt so aggressive, which I have never felt before in my life. I took it for 2 months and a half. I was taking 10 mg at a time. Withdrawal symptoms: non-stop crying for no reason and ideation. Now I am on week 4 since I stopped it, and the withdrawal symptoms are still horrible. The ideation disappeared, but the uncontrollable crying spells, coughing, insomnia are still there. Sometimes I really feel like I lost my mind. This is again the worst thing that ever happened to me in my life. It is poison."

• kev...
• July 1, 2018

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "Started on 10 mg for panic disorder and worked up to 20 mg. 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 40 mg, 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."

• Lor...
• November 20, 2015

Paroxetine for Hot Flashes "Three weeks into taking Brisdelle, I stopped. After a week, I was experiencing horrific muscle pain in my legs, which kept me awake for three nights until I was prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The anti-inflammatory calmed the muscle pain down, but then I started experiencing horrific head pain and headaches; I've never had a headache in my life! I am off this drug for two days now and can't wait to feel like myself again. I'm still experiencing insomnia, headache, head pain, vertigo."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 23, 2019

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I took Paxil for 1 year for anxiety and depersonalization, it did not help with my depression, but it helped a lot with anxiety. I did not gain weight, but I had trouble sleeping during the first few days taking it. It made me feel sleepy during the day. No sex drive. It’s not a miracle pill, but it helped me a lot with carrying on with my life and getting my stuff together. Withdrawal symptoms were the worst!"

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2021

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I struggled with anxiety after high school. I worked in the process industry for 2 years, working shift work, and knew I was struggling with anxiety. I went to the ER multiple times, thinking I was sick or having a heart attack. I joined the service and served 4 years, and once I finished my service, my wife said I needed to talk with a doctor. After 6 years of putting it off, I finally did. The doctor first put me on buspirone. It was awful, I had night sweats, rapid heartbeat, restless nights, couldn't sleep, it was brutal. I switched doctors, and my new doctor said I should try Paxil (paroxetine). It has changed my life! I have minimal side effects (small dizzy spells and small anxiety spikes), but I am not going to the doctor every three months, I actually enjoy things again. I am more relaxed and not wound so tight. I hope this helps people that struggle with anxiety want to give it a try."

• Cra...
• November 25, 2017

Paroxetine for Depression "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 a 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."

• Pan...
• August 18, 2017

For Panic Disorder "This is for everyone out there who was me almost 7 weeks ago, reading through all the terrifying experiences, going through something that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I started having panic attacks over a year ago and thought it was just a phase, not realizing that I was heading towards a deep, dark hole. 7 weeks ago I sank into 24/7 panic mode, with all the terrible symptoms, stopped eating and sleeping, cried all the time, and was desperate. Paroxetine put me on the right track, and 7 weeks later, I am exercising daily, have loads of energy, am seeing a psychologist, and have my life in order. Know this: the meds help, but it's all up to you. You have to add the rest. Don't stop after the first week. It does get better."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2022

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I took Paxil for 3 weeks and stopped because it gave me low libido, no sex drive, weak erections, bad sleep, low memory, low concentration. That is called PSSD. Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction continued after I stopped Paxil, and I have had PSSD to this day. I have had PSSD for 12 years after I stopped Paxil. It's like one part of me is missing. There are thousands of people like me, search PSSD on the internet."

• Anonymous
• September 2, 2010

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I am so happy to have found this board. These success stories are amazing. I've been taking Paxil for about 2 weeks and 2 days and have experienced some tough side effects, lots of trouble sleeping, headaches, mood swings, but it seems a lot of people seem to really do well after getting through those first few weeks. I think I want to try and stick with this. It's also helped ease a lot of pain and stress I experienced from a brutal gallbladder surgery."

• Gir...
• November 11, 2008

Paroxetine for Depression "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 that were horrible, and couldn't sleep."

• Tin...
• February 21, 2021

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "I started taking Paxil 5 years ago for panic attacks. It really works for me, I was going back to my normal life, no panic at all, very strong, and everything was great. After 5 years, when I decided to come off Paxil, I was taking it gradually from 20 mg to 0 within 2 months. Every withdrawal symptom came to me. I felt horrible, like it is the end of me, seriously (brain zaps, insomnia, nausea, super headache daily, drooping eyelid, blurry eyes). This drug ruined my life. Now it's been one year since I have stopped the drug, and I quit my work because of the long-term side effect that I have, especially daily headache, and it's very painful, not enough sleep. I would not recommend it to anyone, no matter what you have, stay away from this living nightmare. I prefer to have panic attacks than having these horrible side effects. Be careful, please."

• Dea...
• November 18, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking it for about two months, and it has really helped me a lot. I was dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety, I couldn't sleep and was even having difficulty eating, but now I feel so much better."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2010

Paroxetine for Depression "I have been on Paxil CR for a little over a month. I have previously taken Zoloft, Lexapro, and Prozac, and none of them worked as well as this drug. I was constantly agitated on the Lexapro and Prozac, and they didn't seem to help with the depression. Zoloft just made me feel weird. Each drug is different for each person, but this one works the best for me so far. I feel calm and happy during the day. The only problem with it for me, and it is a big one, is that I can't sleep! I will spend hours in bed with my eyes open, tired, but unable to actually fall asleep. I then have a hard time waking up, but once I do, then I am awake and not groggy. I am going to talk to my doctor about it, and hopefully, he will have a solution."

• Rap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2012

Paroxetine for Depression "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."

• Naw...
• December 3, 2010

Paroxetine for Depression "Suicidal, depressed, and anxious for 9 years, finally decided I could not handle it on my own anymore and decided to seek help. My doctor prescribed me Paxil, and 20 minutes after I took it, I no longer wanted to kill myself (this feeling was often, all day, every day almost). It's now been 3 days, and still going good. There are, however, side effects: loss of appetite (not good, I'm too thin already), blurred vision (very difficult for an artist), insomnia, impossible to reach ejaculation, also have experienced some increased anxiety. Despite these side effects, I'm faced with a choice: accept the side effects or continue to live my life feeling sad and lonely."

• Col...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 17, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Of all the SSRIs/SNRIs I've tried (Zoloft, Effexor, Remeron, Celexa, lithium), and they all either didn't work or they made me feel different (not in a good way), or I had side effects. I finally tried Paxil after avoiding it because of the stigma and 'addiction' talk. From dose number one, I was 70% better at 10 mg. I went to 20 mg after 2 weeks and didn't have any nausea, insomnia, or any side effects in the beginning. I felt better and better by the day, but it was the only antidepressant that didn't make me feel like I was 'on' something. It made me feel normal. Started February 2012 on 10 mg and went to 20 mg. I went through a stressful year during the pandemic, so I was upped to 30 mg. 9 years, and it still is working great for me. It's Paxil or nothing for me."

• Anonymous
• May 24, 2011

Paroxetine for Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Paxil for 10 years now. I maxed out on the dosage at 60 mg/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 60 mg/day to 40, then to 20, then 10, and now 5 mg/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 5 mg/day, I feel better. The withdrawals are now quite tolerable. My next step is 2.5 mg/day, then done."

• jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2020

For Hot Flashes "Have been on paroxetine for a week for hot flashes. Has already reduced the hot flashes but... Hate the way I feel; jittery, cold sweats, can't sleep, lightheaded, and foggy. Maybe they will go away. Not sure I'll stay on it that long. Why pay those outrageous prices for Brisdelle when the generic is the same drug."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2012

Paroxetine for Anxiety "Paroxetine worked absolute wonders for me when I first started paroxetine 6 years ago. My mood elevated so high to the point of work colleagues questioning my 'nightclub activities.' The 'serotonin high' also made me aggressively confident and involved a few flashpoints, including a physical fight-my first in 15 years. While it worked, it was GREAT. However, it lost its efficacy suddenly a few months ago, and I was prescribed sertraline/Zoloft, which was a disaster. Headaches, nausea, and insomnia were my body's reaction to this medicine. Have now been put on citalopram and hoping this will be effective. My doctor suggested I may try paroxetine again if I don't respond to citalopram."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I've been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and have been taking Paxil for about 3 months. When I first began the medication, I completely lost my appetite. I dropped 10 pounds within the first 2 weeks without even trying. After about a month, it leveled back out. However, even after 3 months, I still don't sleep well on it. It has also taken a toll on my sex drive. I'm in the process of quitting Paxil to try something new. You do not want to quit this medication suddenly. You will experience terrible withdrawal symptoms. Even though I am quitting gradually, they are still quite intense."