The dr. just change my medication for anxiety to paxil. Does anyone use it, i like to have some input about...
Has anyone taken paxil?
- Posted:
- 26 Aug 2010 by migdaliarsd
- Topics:
- paxil, depression, anxiety, panic disorder
Answers (12)
28 Aug 2010
I was precribed paxil a few years ago after being diagnosed with PTSD and depression. It worked, but just wasn't the right thing for me. Specifically there were two [side] effects that I was not particularly keen of:
1) After a few weeks when the med had fully 'saturated' my system, everyday occurances that I associated with certain emotions no longer seemed to matter. This was both frightening and even more depressing for me. Basically I felt like a robot.
2) About and hour or so after taking the pill, which was part of my morning routine, I would get a slight heartburn/nausea feeling followed almost immediately by extreme 'lower gastro-intestinal disturbances'. Without going into too many details, this happened 3-5 times throughout the morning into early afternoon, and was completely liquid.
30 Aug 2010
I was taking Paxil for over 10 years now and have recently discontinued using it due to overwhelming problems -- I have been having severe withdrawal symptoms for over one month now -- and If I knew this when I was first given Paxil; I would never have taken this drug for depression, panic attacks, anxiety, etc. I was told by my MD that it was ok to take this drug -- no side effects, etc. Was he wrong --- welcome to my nightmare!!! BEWARE OF PAXIL!!! I AM MAKING A COMPLAINT TO THE FDA REGARDING THIS DRUG. Good luck and try to find a better drug to take if you need it -- I realize now it is better to talk about problems and face them head on then take a drug -- which just numbs everything in your brain and body.
6 Sep 2010
Hello
I was prescribed paxil last year. I took it for a week. Im very sensitive to meds so right away I felt the effects. As the others said, your emotions arent there anymore. Around that time my uncle passed away. Seeing my mom cry is the one thing hat will instantly make me do the same. The paxil transformed me into what i told my therapist, a flacid zombie ! At the funeral, I had no feelings, emotions and no desire to cry even though my mom was basically balling her eyes out. Oh, and since im a male, the sexual attempt . . . . . . . gone !
Hope this helps, Rawboots
Lol, sorry about that. Well, so far it seems to be helping. I'm very sorry for what you've gone through. Hope your doing better. Take care...
12 Sep 2010
I took paxil for years, because it worked so well. I was given it because of an anxiety attack. This was before it was known that it helped social anxiety. So I did not expect an impact on my horrendous shyness, which had seriously hindered my professional career. Gradually I became less and less shy and was able to do all sorts of things that increased my happiness. I stopped having my on and off depression, which I had never told anyone about. Paxil only stopped working after a terribly traumatic family event.
However, the side effect was awful. I assume you would find it hard to believe that anyone would continue to take a drug with such horrible side-effects. Yet it worked so well, it was worth it. Here it is: frequent bowel movements, 10 or so a day. Wherever I went, I always scoped out the location of the bathroom first.
I get nervous easily. Paxil also had a calming effect. I never took a sleeping pill, and I had no problem taking naps when necessary.
Sorry this is so long. Hope it is helpful.
Thanks a lot, I trully appreciate all of your aswers. I hope you have the help you need...
12 Sep 2010
paxil ... oh gosh this is a medicine i dont wont to take again ... i had no feelings ... no sadness no happiness ... nothing i stopped taking it when i had a few family members over one evening ... i didnt talk the whole time... people were asking whats the matter?i just said i didnt feel good (i lied)the paxil had me like a zombie ... it may work for you but it didnt for me
Well I hope that you're the meds that you need. I don't know how long you were taking it, but it's I been taking it only one month.It calms me down, especially with all the worrying, the hopelessness, anxiety and sleepness night. However, I thank you for you input. Stay healthy...
27 Sep 2010
I take paxil 20mg and it does help with anxiety/panic attacks. With that said, things will change for you, good and not so good, depending how long you take the medication. Paxil will "level you out in the mood department" while at the same time put "a lid" on your emotions. Having been on Paxil for 5 years I would like to get off of it, not because it does not work, but because of its side effects for me (sexual and some weight gain). Hope this helps.
27 Sep 2010
That was the very first drug I took after being diagnosed with depression. It was a nightmare for me. My heart raced and I had terrible thoughts of dieing with the one dose I took. When I returned to the Dr. I was told they usually prescribe a sedative during the first weeks of treatment. I refused to take it even one more day. So Elavil was prescribed and worked nicely for 10 plus years then I fell in to a deep dark hole. Since then I have been on a lot of different ones. Let your body be the key in finding what is best for you. Meds can change who you are, if you find you don't like who you have become on them demand a change.
12 Oct 2011
I have been on Paxil since 1995. I tried to get off once but got very anxious. In the beginning Paxil made me very manic and a little crazy. I had no inhibition and said whatever came into my mind without thinking first. It made me lose many friends, a few jobs and ended my marriage. Since then I have learned to control myself and calm down. I do not regret taking Paxil but I think I will be on it the rest of my life. By the way, now I have a great job, a new husband and many good friends..so it is a happy ending!
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Thanks for the input. Hope you got the help you need. Thanks..