Paxil for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 2)

• Nic...
• October 15, 2019

"I started taking Paxil back in 2002, and I’ve been on and off it until I started to wean off it a few months ago - big mistake. I almost got off of it at my own pace (fast) but at the wrong time (too much stress, plus I was bringing up bad past experiences that triggered anxiety/stress in my life). Last Monday, I had a hard time talking without feeling winded and shortness of breath, plus I was tense all over, and I lost interest in everything. Now I’m back on it at a low dose (7.5 mg (cut), but need to go back up to 20 or 30 mg. 30 mg was my long-term dose). I tried Viibryd for a day, but diarrhea sucked, so no thanks. Figured I should just stick with what worked. I can honestly say I really miss not having to go through this as we all are. I’m definitely looking forward to the day when I can be normal again, like this never happened. Now it’s repair time - brain work. Gotta get some positive mindfulness books. Stay positive as much as you can. Whatever helps for the moment. One day at a time."

• jj1...
• March 5, 2011

"I have taken Paxil on and off for about five years. I started to take it after suffering from overwhelming anxiety and panic around the time that my marriage fell apart. My GP put me on this medicine instead of Xanax (which was working) because it was not addictive, etc. And indeed, taking Paxil most decidedly reduces my anxiety and gives me a better quality of life. I stopped taking it about a year ago, and have noticed an exponential growth in stress in the last few months. I've decided to start taking it again, and was doing some online reading when I came across this site. And so I decided to put my two cents in the bucket."

• Mat...
• July 19, 2015

"I suffer from anxiety daily and mild depression. I was on Paxil for 2 years and thought I was okay to get off it, 2 months later, I fell hard into depression and anxiety and recently went back on it and am waiting for it to kick in again. This medicine is a lifesaver for sure. Don't give up on it in a few days, you have to let it kick in. Hopefully, it'll kick in soon for me! On it, I had no anxiety and I suffered daily before it, and I had no depression. Good luck :)"

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2010

"I have taken Paxil for about 4 years. It is a drug that I had to get used to for about 3 weeks each time the doctor increased the strength. At first, I felt 'groggy' and 'spacey'. Over time, it helps so much with anxiety, irritability, anger-intense reactions, organizing my mind and allowing me to RELAX. I have, at times, missed a day's dose and YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. The following day, I was very anxious and irritable until taking it again. I think it is a fantastic drug that has given me my life back. I think my kids and my husband have benefited from me being calmer, happier and able to 'roll with life' better. I take 40 mg. and it was initially prescribed by my gynecologist for hormone-based mood swings. Love it!"

• 37...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2022

"I have been on Paxil 40 mg for about 2 weeks, and I already feel a big difference in how I feel. Before, all I felt was insanely bad anxiety and panic attacks. First, my doctor tried Prozac, but it had absolutely no effect on me. Then my doctor prescribed me Paxil. Wow, what a big difference I already feel with just two weeks of taking the medication. Before, I had really bad anxiety, on a scale of 1 to 10, my anxiety was a 7. Now it is down to a more manageable level of 2. I feel more relaxed. I am sleeping better as well. I hope this helps someone. Paxil is a good medicine. I am truly happy to be on it."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2019

"So let's just say after my wife had the cops show up at my door, it brought me to Paxil 20 mg. I'm a changed man. Before Paxil, I started having anger outbursts over stupid stuff, hot to cold really quick, and verbally assaulting people. My sleeping patterns were terrible, which didn't help. If I drank alcohol, I'd turn into the Incredible Hulk! On the Paxil, I'm a chill dude now. The only thing that I don't like is that it makes me a little too chill, and I find myself shaking it off, but maybe after another week or so I'll better adjust. I'll take this mood over what I previously had any day!"

• med...
• November 11, 2009

"Paxil has changed my life for the better. My PCP switched me to Paxil after trying Zoloft first. Zoloft didn't help my anxiety and I still needed to take Xanax. I had immediate relief the first day on Paxil and haven't needed Xanax at all. And my hot flashes are gone. Life is beautiful!"

• Liz...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 1, 2016

"I have been on this med for 9 yrs after the death of my daughter, it changed my life dramatically! Recently, I have lost a brother, and my anxiety came back. My doctor has, from today, increased my dose to 50 mg, so praying this helps soon. Hope due to my body being used to the 40 mg, the extra 10 mg kicks in fast. It is a miracle tablet!"

• Nan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 20, 2019

"I've been on 60 mg of Paxil daily for years now, but I am so sad and disconnected from everything and everyone. It helps with my anxiety, but I've gained a lot of weight! To say the least, I am depressed over it, but I am afraid to stop taking it since I've been on it for so long. It's turmoil not knowing what to do to help myself."

• Ren...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 15, 2021

"I’m not exactly sure of the day I started taking it, but it’s been at least 20 years. I started with 10 mg, and at one point my anxiety got a little worse, and my doctor suggested upping the dose, but I didn’t. When I get anxious symptoms, my chest feels tight and I can’t get a full breath of air. At one point, I also tried to stop, but the situation that makes me anxious is still there, and my doctor said to continue taking it. I wanted to stop now because I was afraid of the long-term effects, but I just read it’s pretty safe. I’ve never had any problems with it. I’ve always taken it at night, but in the last week, I’ve started taking it in the morning. I feel fine. I eat more or less healthy and do exercise about three times a week. I’m 70, and Paxil is the only drug I take besides my asthma inhaler. I’m actually a little fearful of stopping."

• dip...
• January 9, 2011

"1st week: Paxil worked for my depression and anxiety instantly, which is out of the norm. I was nauseous all the time and experienced yawning quite frequently, this went away as time went on. Paxil had an almost euphoric feel for me. I was laughing at everything and enjoying life. 1st month: Yawning still exists, euphoria has worn off as well as any anti-depressant effect. However, it still works for anxiety. 3rd month and beyond: Outside of excessive sleeping and somewhat of a fatigued feeling, Paxil is awesome for anxiety, but the antidepressant effect wore off rather quickly for me. I recommend it for anxiety, but not for depression."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2012

"Have had problems with social anxiety since I was a teenager, and I must say, after trying Paxil, Seroquel, Zoloft, and Wellbutrin, Paxil is by far the best. Only big catch is don't miss a dose, you will have a panic attack."

• sma...
• May 13, 2011

"I was on Paxil since I was 16. I didn't know how good it was until I went off of it 16 years later. Major panic attacks and life felt like it was not worth living! I tried other SSRIs which didn't work and made me feel worse! (Zoloft and Pristiq were the worst!) I'm going back to Paxil. I never should have quit it in the first place! I hope to get the joy I once had back!"

• RR9...
• December 13, 2010

"I've been taking Paxil for roughly 4 months. I started on a low dose of 10 mg per day, then my doctor increased that to 20 mg per day. I started taking Paxil because I began having panic attacks. At first, I really didn't notice a big difference, but as the weeks went along, I stopped having panic attacks. Additionally, Paxil has been very helpful with controlling my mood swings. In the past, I've been known to get a little agitated quickly and often. That has ceased as well. Side effects: At first, I was tired, but this is no longer an issue. I feel fine in that regard. The sexual side effects are minor. I don't think about sex as much, but getting in the mood has not been an issue. It does take longer to have an orgasm."

• Syl...
• April 4, 2023

"Excellent. I have been anxious for years because of severe trauma in my childhood and had severe panic attacks whenever I would go to unknown places. On the smallest dosage of Paxil, I was able to go anywhere. Paxil changed my life."

• Ash...
• January 6, 2015

"I love Paxil, but I have to say I have put on weight being on it, and I have the most horrible vivid nightmares where I can't wake up. I think it works great for anxiety, but I think maybe this medicine has stopped working because I've been on it so long. It has improved my life for the better, but I'm thinking of changing now, 'cause it just doesn't do the same for me anymore."

• MZa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2020

"I just started a new job, all the stress turned into anxiety to the point I would get dizzy, heat strokes, and be close to passing out. My doctor started me with Paxil 20 mg, after a month, he increased my dose to 30 mg once a day, every day. I also take Buspirone twice a day. I still have a personality and feel extremely better than a few months ago. Please be patient, it takes a month to kick in-side effects are minor and last for a week. Taking Paxil after lunch instead of in the morning really helped manage the side effects. Hang in there, everyone! Side effects for the first week: 1. Sleepy after taking 2. Blurred vision 3. Headaches 4. Increased appetite."

• Lov...
• September 17, 2011

"I have been on Paxil a little over a month now. Before I started taking it, I had terrible anxiety, stress, and depression. Since I've been taking it, I've felt happy and stress-free. The only problem I've had is that it can work a little too well. My grandpa went into hospice care, and we knew he would die, but I was still happy and stress-free. I ran out of my Paxil, and that's when it hit me that he's dying. Then he died, and I reacted as I should have, sad/depressed. I refilled my prescription, it's been less than 2 days since he died. While it is great I feel so much better, I wish I could feel the sadness I should be feeling."

• WJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2019

"Worst AD I have ever tried. The medication actually magnified my anxiety to the point of madness. My brain was out of control. Body pain, cramping, muscle tension, blurred vision, headache, severe back, spine, and stomach pain. If you're a male, do not take Paxil. It will destroy your libido, and as far as male working parts, it will strip you of your manhood. Nothing will work if you're sexually active. This medication is awful. As soon as I stopped taking it, the side effects disappeared. Doctors are over-prescribing ADs. If you suffer from pain, they take you off pain meds and create a new set of problems with ADs."

• Jen...
• July 8, 2015

"I had a rough childhood. Growing up, I tried to stay positive and press on. As an adult, anxiety became overwhelming to the point where everything started to stress me out. This happened to me around 29, and I dealt with it until 31. I had been grinding my teeth and clenching my jaws as a reaction to stress, causing damage to my teeth... about $7,000 worth. My dentist said I had to do something about stress if I wanted to have any teeth left in my mouth. I saw a doctor and was diagnosed with anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. I've taken Paxil for almost 2 weeks and am relieved of anxiety but feel pretty spaced out and numb right now. Motivation is lacking as well and I'm nauseous on and off. I'm hoping these side effects subside."

• Day...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2015

"I have been on Paxil for a year now. I can honestly say overall it works wonders for my anxiety and stress. However, the weight gain is too much for me to deal with. It is difficult to lose weight on Paxil. I am going to be changing meds soon. If you have no weight issues to begin with or are not self-conscious of weight gain, give it a try. This medication is great for its intended purposes."

• C S...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2016

"Took Paxil for 1 year (at the end, was taking 50 mg a day) for severe anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. It was a lifesaver. Stopped crying so easily, stopped yelling at my kids, stopped being so moody. After about 6 months, I noticed I was not laughing anymore, no sex drive, weight gain. I stayed on it. When I hit the year mark, I decided I wanted to get off of it. I told my doctor, and she suggested staying on it. Nope. I quit taking it. I took 2 days of 40 mg, 2 days of 20 mg, 2 days of 10 mg, and then nothing. 3 days after that, I thought I would die. Chills, extreme nausea, sweating, hysterical crying or laughing, twitching in my arms and legs, weird noises in the back of my head. I thought I was going crazy. Decided to go back on Paxil. 20 mg."

• ikn...
• February 9, 2012

"Been on Paxil almost 2 years. Been taking it in the morning the whole time. Have to take a 2-hour nap every day round lunchtime. I'm switching to nighttime to see if it helps. I gained 50 lbs and I'm emotionless, however, I like that because I'm no longer screaming at my kids about every little thing and never cry like I used to. Had a hard time reaching orgasm the first few months, but the side effect does pass. I take 20 mg, and when I feel myself fixing to have a fit, I take an extra 10 mg. I love my Paxil, just hate the tiredness and weight gain. Highly recommended."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2017

"I've been taking Paxil 10 mg for 3 years, and I'm not looking to increase the dose. I did gain weight, but that's also because I was not so stressed about being thin. When I do exercise, I am super fit. Paxil works, orgasms were harder but by no means impossible, just takes longer. I feel normal on it, went off for six weeks, and there were mild side effects, but nothing crazy. Had to go back on as there was a major trauma that happened while I was off them, and I crumbled. I say do it, but keep the dose low, you don't need to take a lot."

• JDa...
• July 5, 2018

"I started taking Paxil 3 years ago. I was changing jobs after 20 years, had a second child, and my wife and I were no longer close. I was angry and stressed out all the time and started having euphoric dizzy sensations, so I was put on 20 mg. What a life changer! I started to notice that the small things didn't bother me anymore, and a lot of the big things were manageable. I still got the dizzy sensations, but slowly over the next year, they went away. I'm 6'4" and weighed 250 lbs. when I started taking it and now weigh 300 lbs. now. I definitely suffered from weight gain. Also, if you miss taking one, you know it. That sucks. Take it at the same time every night. It evened everything out. I take it before bed, as I wasn't sure if it would make me tired or not. Also, as an occasional beer drinker, after one, I get REALLY sleepy. Despite these effects, Paxil has worked great for me. Would recommend."