Paroxetine for Panic Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2009

Paroxetine "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 effects 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 do I have anger issues, but I am just not so anxious and uptight."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2024

Paroxetine "I started Paxil about 11 weeks ago. It was rough in the beginning because I was coming off Celexa at the time, which helped my depression but not my anxiety and intrusive thoughts. My doctor started me on Paxil 20 mg, and I didn't feel a big difference until 8 weeks on it. I feel I can do things and not be stuck in my head worrying like I was. I feel more relaxed. With other antidepressants, I had trouble sleeping, but I never had a problem with this one. The only side effects I had on this one are some sexual side effects, but it's helping me so I'm not too concerned right now about it. I used to worry about my health a lot, but it has been a lot better since this medication has kicked in. It's given me more energy and motivation to go out, walk, and explore. Give it a try!"

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

Paroxetine "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."

• Jos...
• January 25, 2016

Paroxetine "I started Paxil 15 years ago after a stroke. Lately, I felt maybe it's not as effective. My doctor 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 I got myself into a big panic attack. Back on Paxil for now, feeling better."

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2009

Paroxetine "Paxil CR helped control the anxiety and panic attacks. It did allow me to live my life normally. However, I have had one big side effect. Since January, I have gained 35 lbs. It does not matter that I work out four or five days a week for 1 1/2 or two hours and try to eat a healthy diet. No matter what I did, I continually gained weight. My doctor has now taken me off of it due to the rapid weight gain I have experienced. She felt that the rapid weight gain was not healthy and could lead to obesity if I did not quit taking the drug. So, I am going to come off of Paxil CR, hopefully drop this excessive weight because I have never had a weight problem until now, and I am 31 years old, and just go from there."

• DPO...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2022

Paroxetine "I have had panic attacks and panic disorder for 2 years. I visited the doctor, and he gave me Paxil 25 mg. 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!"

• Bec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

Paroxetine "I used paroxetine (Paxil) as an adjunct medication while weaning off diazepam. This drug may work for some, but it sure as hell didn't work for me! I suspect I had serotonin syndrome from just two doses of 10 mg. Yes, TWO DOSES. Therapeutic! I had insane body shivers, felt like a zombie 24/7 while on them, I couldn't do the most basic of tasks, I dry heaved non-stop and had persistent air hunger. The withdrawals are terrible and last 3 months or more. If you just have to have an antidepressant, try Celexa or Lexapro instead - they are much milder. I recommend exercise and natural methods/good dieting over ANY antidepressant. For the sake of your health, Paxil is just not worth it. If you are unfortunate enough to have started on this medication, get off while you still can!"

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

Paroxetine "My general doctor gave me Paxil when I told her I had been having panic attacks and anxiety. I started on 10 mg, and when I hadn't noticed a difference after 6 weeks, she upped the dose to 20 mg. 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."

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

Paroxetine "So I weaned off Paxil and was completely off it for about two weeks. At about the two-week mark, my anxiety came 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 in December and was off by the beginning of February. From my experience, I can tell you after restarting 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."

• Sje...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2017

"I thought nothing could stop my panic attacks. I had several a day for no apparent reason. This medicine has literally saved my life. I'm on day 8, and although days 1 to 5 were difficult, I now feel 'normal.' I feel nothing could set me off panicking - I'm happy. It's hard at first, but please stick with it."

• zyx...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 26, 2015

"Paroxetine has really helped me. It has served me really well for some years now, and I have not experienced any serious side effects even though I have quit the drug a couple of times for some months. I had panic attacks and was depressed and anxious. After I had taken paroxetine for some weeks, everything changed. From being stuck with worry, anxiety, and depression on and off for several years, one morning, all of a sudden, I felt joy, and life became so much easier to live. I find it so odd that this drug seems to work in so many different ways for different people. For some, it seems to create hell, and yet for me, I’m inclined to say the opposite. It may not have created heaven, but at least it has given me my good life back!"

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

Paroxetine "I started Paxil to control anxiety. The first brand was Auribindo. It worked for 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 15 mg. I have now received the Dylan brand and will take it in the morning. I say this for people who think 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."

• hap...
• June 18, 2009

Paroxetine "If it had not been for Paxil, I have no idea what the outcome of my life would be today. Panic after panic for years, fears of the unknown, you name it, I had it. Paxil saved my life. Yes, I have had some side effects (only when I tried to go off them), foolish to do so without my doctor's guidance. I have gained 40 lbs."

• SCa...
• July 29, 2018

"I am currently taking 20 mg Seroxat (paroxetine) because I was suffering from severe anxiety accompanied by panic attacks. It is my seventh week now, and I am feeling better, anxiety is almost gone. However, it took roughly 6 weeks to kick in. Indeed, during the first two weeks, I suffered from minor side effects such as fatigue, laziness, minor anxiety, diarrhea, and dry mouth. But it is normal, given that this kind of medicine takes time to adjust to your system. The doctor also prescribed me Bromazepam, which is being tapered down with time, and I am doing CBT. Although the doctor is telling me that Seroxat is working fine for me, I have doubts because every time I stand up after sitting or lying down, I feel dizzy, and I have difficulties concentrating for a long period. Every time I face a sad or stressful moment, panic attacks and anxiety come back for a few days. So do you think it is too soon for me to judge if Seroxat is working fine for me?"

• Ish...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2020

"From my experience alone, this drug was awful. I had to stop taking it after day 3. From the first day I took it, within an hour my pupils dilated, and I looked like I had taken an illegal drug. My sense of awareness was very warped, and everything felt very surreal. I vomited for 4 hours straight and could only stomach fruit for 4 days. All of my muscles were extremely tense, and I could barely hold a pen properly, and the restless leg syndrome that came with it was insane. It actually worsened my panic disorder. I am now on Propranolol for 6 weeks and feeling much better. Take extreme caution using this drug."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2017

"I've been on Paxil for about 6 months now. It helps a lot with anxiety, although it isn't gone completely. I honestly feel like the longer I take it, the more it helps. Even after 6 months, I still think my anxiety is improving. I tried Buspirone before Paxil, and it made me feel too uncomfortable to continue taking. Pros: Haven't had a panic attack in a long time, anxiety is about 90% better. Cons: constipation, harder to orgasm (these started out bad and slowly seem to be getting better). I've gained about 5 lbs so far, but my appetite has really picked up. I will probably end up gaining more. Lots of reviews say it is very hard to quit. I have not tried to quit yet."

• Aug...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 4, 2017

"During my second year at college, I started panicking. I had moved to another city, and I was living alone, and I was working and studying chemical engineering. So many things to do, one day I thought I was gonna die, I breathed, but no amount of air gave me the sensation of relief. From this day on, I couldn’t do anything else but stay at home. Then a doctor prescribed paroxetine. The first three weeks it got worse, I thought I was gonna freak out. But eventually, the symptoms diminished, and I started to feel better. I used this drug for one year and a half, meanwhile, I started to feel good small things in life. Then I felt safe to drop the drug slowly. Now I don’t use it anymore, and I learned to control anxiety. It was really tough."

• Fay...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 30, 2021

"I suffered from agoraphobia for almost 15 years, to the extent that I couldn’t even go to my letterbox. My doctor prescribed Aropax, and my life was given back to me. It took a while to take effect, but my panic attacks gradually stopped, and I’ve been on Aropax for 15 years. I will always be grateful to my BP."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2018

Paroxetine "After the birth of my daughter, probably within hours, I experienced a panic attack. Months later, I was still having them every week, feeling worried and anxious about everything, having irrational thoughts that just wouldn’t budge. That’s when I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety. I was prescribed Paxil (paroxetine 10 mg). I would cry every day before that, but it did kind of help with my crying spells. However, for my anxiety, I feel like it got worse. I know they say to give it 4-6 weeks, I gave it 5 1/2 on 10 mg. Side effects in the first 2 weeks were constant yawning and feeling heavy-eyed, similar to what allergies feel like in the eyes, and increased appetite, which was better than not eating at all. I did still have panic attacks and down days. So, I didn’t think it was the right fit for me and switched to something else."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2011

Paroxetine "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 antidepressant and 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."

• Zab...
• September 10, 2009

Paroxetine "Didn't do much for my panic episodes, even at 80 mgs 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."

• Wil...
• February 14, 2015

"I've been on Paxil for a few days now. I can already begin to feel it calming me down and controlling my attacks. Seems each day I'm getting a bit better. I hope within the next two weeks it completely eliminates them like it has for so many others. Only time can tell, I guess. Just wanted to say that it is actually working and making me feel better, so if you are suffering like I have my whole life (I'm now a 23-year-old male), please look into this. This is the only thing I have found to actually do anything for me whatsoever. Don't live your life terrified you're going to have a panic attack in front of people and fear losing your friends and life because of it. Make this move and talk to your doctor about Paxil."

• Ada...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2023

"Paroxetine CR was prescribed for me due to recurrent panic attacks with anxiety and depression with recurrent obsessions. I started with 25 mg for a week, then 50 mg for about 5 weeks. At the beginning of therapy, I suffered from recurrent anxiety attacks with depression in the morning. After two weeks, my anxiety and panic attacks decreased gradually to a satisfactory level, but morning depression is still present. After five weeks, the depression decreased but was still annoying, with sleep problems. I asked my doctor about it, and he told me that it will disappear with time. I hope to return to my usual life with time, however, I am afraid of the withdrawal symptoms of the drug, but I will delay my fears to the future when I get improved."

• Med...
• January 12, 2012

Paroxetine "I took Paxil for 10 years. Started on 20 mg and had intense anxiety, confusion, panic. Doctor insisted it was all in my head. Therapist told me to cut the dose in half. Felt somewhat better. Went up to 20 mg after a few months and began to get brain zaps. A close friend told me I had lost my personality. Slept 10-14 hours 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 20 mg to 0 slowly over the 10 years. Each tiny decrease resulted in a ~2-week period of increased anxiety. I think overall it numbed the panic, but CBT therapy and getting older may have been more or similarly effective."

• Gus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 26, 2022

"This drug brutally works against panic disorder. I was a person who'd said many times 'man, my problem isn't with serotonin and blabla,' all this stuff you've already heard before. I've tried escitalopram, venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, all benzos (clonazepam, alprazolam, diazepam, clobazam, and many others in high doses), TCAs (amitriptyline, clomipramine), beta-blockers (propranolol), pregabalin, and this whole names you already know, THE WHOLE STUFF, I could be named as 'Human Psychiatric Experiment' if you want. I tried paroxetine, and it was the only efficacious drug I've tried ever. Try this for, at least, one month. Begin with 20mg and scale it to 40mg if you can deal with the side effects (like drowsiness). Panic disorder has gone, for real. And I've tried paroxetine before, but at very low dosage (Paxil CR, 12.5mg). One day I woke up at 30mg of paroxetine, and my panic disorder was gone. I scaled it to 40mg now, and it's awesome."