Paroxetine for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 5)

• dee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 17, 2021

Paroxetine "I have been taking Paxil for 27 years. It really helped me with depression and anxiety. However, after menopause, I felt I had too much in my system-i.e., no emotions-so I started to wean off very slowly. 5 mg every 3-4 months to avoid withdrawal symptoms. I successfully got down to 10 mg. I tried lowering to 5 mg but got very bad anxiety. So I went back up to 10 mg. This seems to work fine, and I will stay on this dosage for now. I did gain about 50 lbs after taking Paxil-although part of that was bad eating! Since then, I have lost a good chunk of the weight through healthy eating and exercise. So overall, the drug has worked well for me-but it took over a year to go from 20 mg to 10 mg very slowly, so I didn't have bad withdrawal symptoms."

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2008

Paroxetine "Paxil changed my life so far. It's been 3 months on 10mg and my anxiety is all but gone. Sometimes, when I have PMS, I still get some anxiety, but I am not willing to take more than 10 mg, so I will live with that. If taken properly, it is great."

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 24, 2014

Paroxetine "My entire life since a young child, I've been fighting post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. I didn't even know it until I was about 22. I was in a very bad car accident, and it changed my life and worsened my anxiety. My panic attacks were so bad I'd be just sobbing and screaming and crying and freaking out in waves throughout the whole day. I finally sucked up my pride and admitted something was wrong and I needed to see a doctor. I went, and he immediately put me on a 20 mg dose. It was great, I did calm down quite a bit, and when I'd have flashbacks, it came without panic attacks. It's been a year, and I've hit the poop-out. I was at 40 mg 4 months ago, and now I'm at 5 mg and take Wellbutrin XL for this last month to regain my energy. It's working."

• Tub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2020

Paroxetine "This medication gets so many bad reviews, but it can be great. Turns out I'm extremely sensitive to SSRIs. I had to start at 2 mg Paxil name brand and move up. I'm at a month on 3.5-5 mg alternating every day as of now, along with TMS treatment. Even just this much has helped. My mood is getting better, I talk more. Less anxiety, my hair pulling has subsided. Stuttering has really decreased, which is great. I feel it working, and my sleep has been better. I would wake up at 2-3 am in a panic about uni and other matters and would stay up all night. Or, never fall asleep and only sleep at around 7 am. Now I fall asleep at 11 pm-12 am and get up 6-7 am again. This medicine treats almost everything I have and helps with PTSD. If you try it and you notice it works for you but can't take the side effects, start low on a liquid suspension: 1-2 mg, then build. No starting side effects."

• dda...
• December 28, 2018

Paroxetine "I was on Paxil 18 years ago, it changed my life. I was shy, never dated. I was put on Paxil and then married the first guy I went out with. I have been married 18 years, have 5 kids. I had to go off Paxil while I was having my first 2 children, and they switched me to Zoloft when I was having number 3. Zoloft worked good for me for 10 years, but I have switched back to Paxil. I have been back on it for 17 days and hope it works again. I also have OCD, panic attacks, well, all that Paxil treats. It runs in my family."

• swe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2013

Paroxetine "This is by far the best medication I've ever taken for my anxiety. It doesn't cause any weird side effects, and it makes me a happier, less stressed person all around. I had to stop taking it when I got pregnant, but when I have my baby, I plan to get back on my medication."

• Anonymous
• February 11, 2020

Paroxetine "I was very skeptical about taking Paxil, as I’ve never taken a daily medication before. I started taking it and was on it for 4 days. On the fourth day, I woke up with this dizzy/groggy feeling. I didn’t think much of it, and then I took my medication for the day. I decided to take a nap due to the dizzy feeling, and when I woke up, I had the worst suicidal thoughts, my head felt even worse, my eyes couldn’t focus on anything, my pupils were dilated, my body felt extremely limp, but I was shaking, and I also had cold sweats. I called my doctor, and she recommended I go to the hospital. I ended up not going because one of my friends had gone through the same thing and told me to stop taking the medication and just drink some water and eat some food. I felt better for the rest of the day, but that night I only got 3 hours of sleep due to nightmares and suicidal thoughts."

• cin...
• June 15, 2011

Paroxetine "I have been taking Paxil 20 mg for about four months now. I suffered from anxiety, which caused lightheadedness and shortness of breath for two years before I decided to try medication. When I first started, I had more anxiety than ever and some depression, which I had never had before taking this medication. It took about six weeks to feel the effects, and it works. To those out there struggling with this medication, just give it the 6-8 weeks to work before giving up. Also, try relaxing things like baths, reading, and even exercise. I finally feel like myself again. I have some rare moments of anxiety, but nothing at all like I had before seeking help. This is a good medication."

• Gar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2019

Paroxetine "Have been taking Paxil for 6 months for everything-anxiety, depression. Within these six months, I noted that I was feeling nothing. No highs or lows. Yes, I could smile at good news, but even the death of my mother, 2 weeks ago in July, I had no reaction to, except, 'thank God her suffering is over,' as she was 92. I called the hospice literally 30 seconds after she was pronounced. I felt little. My sister called me a minute later. She was hysterical and driving to get to the hospice. I just wanted to be with her on the phone to make sure she got there. I am a New Yorker living in Italy, and now I must wait for her ashes to arrive here. A lengthy process, so I cannot consider beginning closure. I am not depressed, though relieved. I am not panicking. I am just feeling pain in my chest, so tight that I cannot let out what I believe I would be feeling. I feel like a machine. My doctor told me a week after mom's death that a side effect of Paxil is the inability to cry. This is not normal. For me."

• A19...
• February 12, 2014

Paroxetine "After trying a few medications, my psychiatrist put me on Paxil. I felt like it did help with my anxiety and depression, but that came with a price: drowsiness, huge loss of libido, and horrible withdrawal symptoms. I was always lethargic and never wanted to go out and do anything, but I felt less anxiety and depression. I would literally go 7 days without sex (with my partner of 3 years) because I just didn't feel like it, and I could definitely feel the negative toll it was taking on our relationship, but luckily he stuck with me. After getting fed up with the intense side effects, I quit cold turkey-a huge mistake. I felt like I had the flu, and the brain zaps were never-ending."

• CC_...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 27, 2017

Paroxetine "Really helps my PMDD and my stress/anxiety. I was very thin from stress before I started on Paxil. I have rapidly gained weight since taking this medication. I have also become emotionless. As much as I dislike it, at least I don't feel anger, stress, and anxiety anymore. Clearly, I'm taking the good with the bad."

• sto...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 3, 2015

Paroxetine "I've taken 10 mg for 5 years for panic disorder, and it has drastically improved my quality of life. I also take 10 mg of Buspar because I did experience a very bad panic attack one year ago. I used to take 20 mg over 5 years ago for 6 months, but it affected my sexual response. I think so long as you take just enough, it can really work."

• Anonymous
• February 28, 2010

Paroxetine "I've suffered from generalized anxiety since I was a child, but only recently decided to do something about it. After having annoying side effects with Zoloft, I switched to Paxil. The first week really brought out my anxiety symptoms, and I wasn't able to get a good night's rest for well over a month, but it's really developed into a miracle drug for me. My only side effect is occasional chattering teeth, but it's a small price to pay for feeling great. My only regret is not trying this years ago."

• bea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2020

Paroxetine "Worst medication I have EVER been on in my entire life. Constantly tired, sleeping 16+ hours a day on short school mornings; cried when I had to work a job at night due to exhaustion. Could physically not bring myself out of bed, worsened depressive episodes and dark thoughts. Depression went from a 5 to a 10 within a few weeks. I would genuinely not recommend this medication to anyone suffering from depression or any other ailments for that matter; I wouldn’t risk it even if the doctor was sure it was going to work. You might have a good reaction unlike me, but I would not wish the risk of feeling this way on anyone I know."

• SSm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 27, 2016

Paroxetine "I've been on it for about 4 years. And have found it to be very helpful with my general anxiety. The first week was rough, and it seemed like my heart was racing all the time. My Dr. said hang in there, and a couple of days later it seemed to begin to work. I was on the 12.5 cr twice daily. And now take 40 mg a day, regular release. Seems if I have a few drinks, I wake the next morning with a racing heart. If I miss a couple of doses, I hear a whooshing sound in my head. This freaked me out, but people who try to get off of it on their own claim it to be a common side effect. So, in my opinion, stick with it, avoid alcohol. It also helped my stress-related prostate problem."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 15, 2013

Paroxetine "I have taken Paxil for years, my insurance company stopped paying for it, and the pharmacy put me on the generic, the worst thing that could have happened. In three days, I was a hysterical wreck (I was taking the generic). I started thinking of suicide. Someone else pointed out above something very important: if you miss a couple of days, the side effects (withdrawal) are awful. I was never so sick in my life. If you can take the generic, great, otherwise, it is very, very expensive, and NEVER forget to take it."

• Day...
• August 18, 2011

Paroxetine "On day one, I noticed a calmness come about me. Now I'm on day 6 of 20 mg and still calm, but not emotionless. I love that I'm not quick to anger anymore. I am having minor panic attacks, however. The doctor said it may take a full 6 weeks to feel the full effects. I was having serious panic attacks at night in my sleep, and those have gone away. I keep clenching my jaw, that started on day 2. I am really tired, like I've taken a Benadryl, and I have to nap or I won't make it to bedtime. I am enjoying life much more, though, and I'm seeing all of the things I missed because I couldn't relax or enjoy the moment. I have two months of pills, and then the doctor wants to see me, so hopefully she's not going to pull me off. I feel like a new woman."

• Blu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 28, 2023

"Paroxetine has changed my life. I had so many fears about starting medication to address my anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, but it's one of the best decisions that I've made in my life. I personally noticed changes almost immediately with a reduction in anxiety. I feel like I can finally just go about life in ways I haven't fathomed since I was a child. I've been on paroxetine for a year and I have gained a bit of weight, but I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin that it really doesn't bother me. I feel like a truer version of myself. I still have the same motivation to do well in college, in fact, I do better because I don't spend nearly as much time worrying. I also did have the side effect of frequent yawning for the first few months, but this went away. If you're contemplating trying paroxetine (and fearfully looking at the negative reviews on here like I did) - go for it. I'm so grateful that I did."

• KLC...
• July 24, 2017

Paroxetine "I was suffering from awful situational anxiety and depression, hard time fully functioning, couldn't eat, sleep, focus, cried every day, was an emotional mess. Dr. put me on 20 mg Paxil and told me it would take 4-6 weeks to take effect. Within a week, I felt so much better. I could eat, sleep, stopped crying altogether, and stopped being constantly overly emotional. I did sometimes have a difficult time fully accessing emotions, gained too much weight, and am having trouble with motivation, so I'm currently on day 4 of weaning myself off, nothing but mild side effects so far. For me, Paxil was extremely helpful to get me through a very difficult time and get me back to functioning so I could keep my job and parent my children."

• Mic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 4, 2019

Paroxetine "I have been taking Paxil for about 5 years now for anxiety and depression. It took about 2 weeks before I noticed any changes in my symptoms. I no longer suffer from panic and anxiety attacks. The side effects for me have been weight gain (20 lbs) and decreased ability to achieve orgasm. I have recently cut down from 20 mg to 10 mg, and while my anxieties have ramped up somewhat, it has brought my sex life back. I feel 10 mg is the right balance for me now."

• Mor...
• July 7, 2015

Paroxetine "I have been on Paxil for almost a year now for anxiety. It works most of the time. I do not have hardcore panic attacks anymore. My only gripe is if I miss a day, I have crazy brain fuzz, I seem to eat more, and I do not really care about anything."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 19, 2021

Paroxetine "I have been taking Paxil (generic) for over 20 years for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It has been a terrific long-term solution for severe anxiety. I am not aware of any side effects. I am now 71 years old, and my doctor routinely gives a GAD questionnaire to all his older clients. I scored 0, the lowest score."

• Fre...
• October 30, 2011

Paroxetine "I have been on it for almost nine years now. I started having anxiety about 10 years before then, and I struggled through almost anything I set out to do. Since my doctor put me on paroxetine, I've been myself again. Totally calm. Can't believe I didn't get to know about it earlier. It's a Godsend."

• Oti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2017

"I really wanted to share my experience, as I read so many reviews that made me scared to take this drug. I switched after citalopram stopped working for me. I am now 4 months in and on 50 mg (started on 20 and increased slowly). I have had no side effects with this drug, apart from a dry mouth for about 2 days. My anxiety improved within days, not an instant cure, but I was coping better. I feel that I am nearly back to normal now after a period of crippling anxiety. I still feel worried sometimes, but can now rationalize things, and the intrusive thoughts are about gone (fingers crossed!). I wanted to leave a positive review, the reviews I read terrified me."

• ann...
• January 28, 2010

Paroxetine "I've had insomnia and anxiety problems since 2005. I was on Paxil for around two years because I had really bad muscle tension and excessive worry. I finally got to the point where I could not sleep two hours at night. I've tried Effexor, temazepam, trazodone, Lunesta, and Paxil is the only medication that calms me enough to go to sleep and stay asleep. I can easily get eight hours after being on Paxil for 4 days to a week. I tried to get off of Paxil once to see how I would do with no medication at all, and after 9 months, my insomnia came back again long term and lasted for over 3 weeks, so I went back on Paxil again and I've been getting quality sleep ever since. Paxil was a lifesaver for me."