Paroxetine for Depression User Reviews (Page 5)

• Hur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2017

Paroxetine "My doctor weaned me off of Paxil a few weeks ago, as it wasn't working. Three days after the last dose was the start of the two worst weeks of my life. It included migraines, nausea, decreased vision. When I turned my head or moved my eyes, there was a whooshing sound in my head accompanied by extreme dizziness. Then there were the bouts of crying for no apparent reason. In summary, I would call this poison, not medicine."

• Wha...
• November 27, 2016

Paroxetine "Just started this medication about 5 days ago. The thing with me, I've lived a pretty happy life 'til about 3 years ago. It has gotten worse over time. I've got a medical condition known as Neurofibromatosis. I have an inoperable brain tumor. I recently lost my job 'cause I couldn't work because of the pain and short temper I have. I lost my girlfriend about 3 years ago. I would always think someone was out to get me. I would strike out for no reason. Just recently, I started having suicidal thoughts and just wanted to give up on life. I would cry for no reason. I just wanted to end. Since taking this, it has kinda helped. I get sleepy real quick. I take it at night and sleep all night. Hopefully, it will continue to help."

• Cra...
• November 25, 2017

Paroxetine "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."

• Meo...
• January 31, 2017

Paroxetine "I absolutely hated this medication. I have been struggling with panic attacks and major depression since I was younger. I was put on this medication for about a year, and my panic attacks were not so often. The downsides of medication are that I felt little to no emotion and had zero sex drive."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2009

Paroxetine "I was taking Paxil for 6 months for my depression. At first, I felt a major difference with the chemicals in my brain. But then I felt sleepy ALL the time, it also made my appetite off the wall. I gained 40 pounds and was back at my ending pregnancy weight, which didn't help with my depression. I would suggest anyone who takes this drug to truly watch what you eat. Paxil made me feel like my 'full signal' from my stomach to my brain was shut off."

• Pem...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 12, 2024

"I was prescribed Paroxetine many years ago for severe depression and suicidal thoughts. It turned my life around. Within 2 weeks, I felt my mood lift and all the negative thoughts diminish. I take 60 mg daily with no side effects. I had tried many antidepressants before, and this was the only one that was effective."

• Anonymous
• February 8, 2010

Paroxetine "I tried Zoloft for depression, and it made me hyper. Paxil works. I have used it two times during my life when I was depressed, and self-help was not working. It worked great for depression, and I didn't have many side effects EXCEPT that I cannot achieve orgasm while taking this medication. Nada. I have a wonderful husband, and I am used to a good sex life. Paxil kills it. As soon as I'm off the drug for a week, everything comes back. I hate losing sex, but I hate being depressed more. In the end, that is the choice for me."

• Amb...
• January 25, 2018

Paroxetine "I've been on Paxil for about three months now, and it's been a welcome change from Effexor. I'm finding myself calmer, less aggressive, still have my bad days, but they're not as bad. Family and coworkers have seen a noticeable difference for the better. Effexor numbed me out, I wasn't depressed, but I wasn't happy either, and after a while, it just became less effective. So far with Paxil, I'm noticing better moods, actually smiling and laughing more, so I hope it continues. The only downside I've noticed so far is some drowsiness, but it's manageable."

• Gri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2021

Paroxetine "Perhaps this med might work for anyone who can take SSRI antidepressants, but I cannot. Even though I clearly informed my doctor of this fact, he prescribed it in its generic form. I did not recognize the name, but he told me it is not an SSRI antidepressant. After only the second day, my reactions were so severe (dizziness, shaking, feeling weird) that I looked up the generic name and quickly learned it is the same as the SSRI antidepressant Paxil. Immediately, I discontinued its use, but after 2 days I still had the strong reaction. How can I counteract these horrible effects?"

• Ver...
• April 18, 2017

"I am a 47-year-old male and have been using Paroxetine for 3 months, having been prescribed it for severe clinical depression. It is the first time in my life that I have suffered from mental illness. In the 6 months prior to properly seeking help, I had spiraled to the point where I could not sleep, had anxiety levels through the roof, did not want to speak to anybody, hated everything about life, and fantasized daily of suicide. I started 20 mg Paroxetine daily while spending 5 weeks in a recovery clinic in Jan/Feb. This medication has literally given me a second chance at life. It did take a couple of weeks to kick in, but now my mood is buoyant, and my anxiety is non-existent. Still not sure how it has done it. For me, a miracle pill!"

• Gir...
• November 11, 2008

Paroxetine "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."

• pax...
• December 15, 2011

Paroxetine "Thanks to Paxil, I'm still here to type this comment, it saved my life. I was started on 20 mg but had to go up to 40 mg (max dose) for about 3 years, after which I was slowly dropped down to 20 mg, then right down to 10 mg, which I was on for a while, then down to 5 mg and eventually went off the medication. The times I did miss my dosage, it was usually the second day when the zaps started along with the feeling of vertigo. The half-life of this medicine is very short, about 3 days, that's why people feel withdrawal symptoms so quickly, but I've found it quite tolerable for the good it has done for me. A wonderful medication!"

• aut...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 11, 2022

Paroxetine "On Paxil for borderline personality disorder. I've been on a variation of dosages from 20 mg to 40 mg and to 30 mg. It worked really well. The first two weeks, I had a sodium crave! Pickles and mustard, anything to get more salt. I had no weight gain aside from the birth control I also started. And it self-reminds you to take it daily! With that being said, it’s a great drug but difficult to get off of. I’m currently taking my last 2.5 mg chip, trying to get off this drug without severe withdrawals. Brain zaps, always hot and sweaty… I’d wake up with my hair sopping wet like I just stood in the shower. I’d recommend being super cautious and slightly lower it (2.5-5 mg) bi-weekly for the least amount of side effects. I dropped from 30 mg to 20 mg and experienced those nasty symptoms. Trying out a different med to see if my borderline personality disorder symptoms lessen."

• rox...
• December 13, 2009

Paroxetine "I started to take Paxil 12 years ago. I was getting depressed because of my panic disorder. I have been on Xanax for many, many years, and my doctor added Paxil. 30 mg a day in the morning. I have never had a side effect, not even weight gain, and I know this can cause weight gain. It works great for me for my depression and my panic attacks. Would highly recommend this drug. I am a skinny person anyway, because of my panic, but I never had any side effects. Good luck all."

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2009

Paroxetine "Significant weight gain experienced within a few months. Very tough on the libido. Extremely difficult to get off this medication without significant side effects - dizziness, nausea. I was taking Celexa before and would definitely go back. For the purposes of banishing depression/anxiety, it worked, but not without side effects that make me want to stop taking it each day."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2013

Paroxetine "HUGE weight gain! From 135 lbs up to 205 lbs, and there didn't seem to be any way to lose the weight. I am not an eater or a snacker, if anything, I can't manage breakfast, and I eat a healthy sandwich for lunch and can only manage 1/2 the meal that my husband eats at night. For me, depression = loss of appetite."

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2009

Paroxetine "My doctor started me on Paxil when I was 6 months pregnant. It made me emotionally numb. I kept taking it for about 3 years because the side effects of missing a dose were unbearable. I had to have the dose increased and eventually was on the highest dose, and Xanax was added. I gained weight, was always tired, had a decreased sex drive, and I couldn't cry when I needed to. I attempted to stop taking it 5 times before I was successful. I had horrible withdrawals for two months: sensitivity to light, nausea, a jolting sensation through my head and arms, and uncontrollable crying. It was worth it. I am now taking Zoloft and finally feel normal. I lost the weight I gained while I was on Paxil, and I cry when I need to."

• cou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 29, 2015

Paroxetine "I've taken Paxil in the early 90s. After a bad relationship and drinking lots. It has helped with social anxiety to a point. But I have gone through crying periods that didn't seem right. It's soon to be Jan 1, 2016, and I have noticed these electric shocks if I miss a day or two. And also my memory has gone to crap as well. Is this drug habit forming? Yes, I'm a recovering cocaine addict and freebase addict. I got off that, but this plays with your brain worse! We should be compensated for the use as guinea pigs and the torture we face to get off this medicine. It does work, but too much is unknown."

• Pix...
• November 7, 2017

Paroxetine "I've been on it for about 15 years. It was exactly what I needed to combat depression and the behavior that went with it. These days, however, I find it makes me very tired. I can spend my entire day off just sleeping and retreating into dreams, almost like hiding. Maybe it's time to find a different drug."

• Anonymous
• May 29, 2009

Paroxetine "Every person's experience may be different. I took Paxil for 14 years. Significant weight gain (over 100 pounds, before I realized it was the medication). In some people, it suppresses the brain's ability to tell when one is full, so one feels hungry all the time. Left me void of emotions of any kind, more like just feeling completely numb. Weaning myself off of Paxil was very difficult - flu-like symptoms, clouded thinking, blurred vision, among other things. It was the first antidepressant that I had ever taken, so I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to feel numb. I'm sure it's a wonderful medicine for some people, but it didn't work well for me."

• Giz...
• July 14, 2009

Paroxetine "This medication is better than any of the other SSRIs I've tried so far. It has given me very few side effects that slowly diminished. Paxil is better, it does give you a calming effect that helps me relax, and I don't feel empty."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2010

Paroxetine "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."

• Way...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2018

"34-year-old male here, just wanted to share with you my experience of paroxetine 20 mg. After six weeks, this medication saved me from killing myself. I had tried citalopram, sertraline, mirtazapine. I almost gave up, but then the doctor suggested paroxetine, and depression has lifted for the first time in 5 years. Please give it a try if you're in a dark place."

• dep...
• April 7, 2010

Paroxetine "I have taken Paxil for about 6 months. I have not had any weight gain as I had previously with other medications. I feel emotionally much more stable, and the side effects have been minimal. I still feel tired occasionally and have some trouble with my short-term memory, but my overall quality of life seems to be better, and although I still feel mildly blue at times, the feeling is not as intense and doesn't linger for weeks. Happy with the medicine."

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

Paroxetine "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."