Paxil for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 4)

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2018

"I have been on Paxil for over three months. I stopped taking it 2 weeks ago (cold turkey) and since then, I am dealing with the withdrawal effects. I experienced brain zaps, vertigo, severe anxiety like I never had before. Although the medication worked instantly at first, it stopped working (anxiety was worse than pre-medication intake), and this is the reason I stopped taking it. In these 3 months, I gained 30 (thirty) pounds and I am still gaining despite the fact that I have been off it for two weeks now. Before taking them, I was 100 pounds. I have flu-like symptoms including severe sinus infection, dizziness, headache, lack of appetite, etc. Not worth taking it. If it doesn't fix the problem, what is the purpose of taking it?! If you absolutely have to take SSRIs, consider other medication that has fewer side effects. Coming off of it is awful. Worst possible side effects."

• Sep...
• May 27, 2009

"Worked great in reducing my panic attacks, almost down to none after a few short days of being started on it. However, it has drastically reduced my energy, and its side effects can really be a pain if you've been on it for a long time (like me). Most commonly, the small electrical shocks are rather annoying."

• Ash...
• August 1, 2011

"Generalized anxiety disorder - 22-year-old male. Paxil did help with my anxiety, however, it made things seem more dull. The things I used to enjoy became boring. I stopped taking it after 2 months. I'm now starting Effexor XR. No other side effects."

• van...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 30, 2018

"I've been on Paxil for many years - and I mean many. 1 - CON: weight gain. A pound for every mg, and it won't come off no matter what I do to exercise and eat right. 2 - PRO: I like life again. 3 - CON: dosage increases every few years due to either getting used to it or the weight gain due to the meds... a vicious circle."

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2009

"I've been taking this for 6-7 years now (started at 20 mg, then to 40 mg, now back at 20 mg), and I think it's time for a change for me. It's stopped working for me in the past year (my anxiety has come back). I also never liked the side effects, mainly: leg muscle spasms at night, easily electrically shocked, and drowsiness."

• Pax...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2016

"Thanks to Paxil (paroxetine), my life got basically destroyed. I was depressed before taking it, yes, but I had mood swings, 0 emotions, sexual dysfunctions, cognitive issues, tremors, memory not working. I feel like an empty shell. Avoid please."

• Pam...
• May 20, 2015

"This was prescribed for anxiety. I had recently been diagnosed with several sleep-related issues, as well as my asthma increasing. I have a long-standing problem with recurrent bouts of depression, which I treat when they are present. I have a history of antidepressants causing an increase in depression. Since beginning Paxil as directed by my doctor two months ago at 10 mg daily, I have noticed a gradual increase in both my depressive episodes as well as my headaches... I do have a history of migraines for 20 years due to a head injury."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2019

"This medication is terrible! The most horrible medication that someone could be on! I slept nonstop for 7 weeks while on it, and in three months, I gained massive weight (15 pounds), and, although I have been off it for 2 years, I cannot get rid of this excessive weight I gained while on Paxil! And, terrible withdrawal effects. It should be pulled off the market for its serious side effects, and it cannot help with anything!"

• Lef...
• March 21, 2011

"Within a week or two of taking a low dose of Paxil, I experienced constant migraines (never have had a problem with headaches before), extreme fatigue, and constipation. My doctor switched me to Zoloft after a month on Paxil, and I feel much better."

• row...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2023

"I take Klonopin, but it just isn’t enough. I asked my psychiatrist if I could try 10 mg Paxil, and she agreed. One week in, I spent an entire day having constant diarrhea when I wasn’t sleeping the day/night away. I was incredibly weak. I’m not going to take it anymore. I do have Sjögren’s, and this may have contributed to my extreme side effect, as I know I have to be careful about what meds I take. I really wish this would’ve worked for me."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2016

"The month I was on Paxil was the worst month of my life. It made me even more depressed, and I just felt an intense numbingness along with severe nausea, and when I sleep, I absolutely knock out for far too long. It also led to crazy stomach pain that persisted for months until I took an antibiotic. Not for me or probably anyone. Just terrible."

• con...
• March 7, 2011

"Increased mine and my children's anxiety to the point we were violent with one another. I ended up on the psych ward and lost my home. I was a single mom of three with a 40-hour-a-week job. Was the third antidepressant we tried."

• Anonymous
• May 16, 2010

"It's working. I haven't had any panic attacks since I started about 3-4 months ago, but my memory was bad before and still is bad. I've been getting constipated, decreased sexual desire, and ability. I'm only 19. I have to fix that. I am always tired randomly and need a coffee. I can't stop yawning all the time."

• Psy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2017

"Horrible drug. Paxil is garbage. I've been on the majority of these psych drugs. Pure poison. Now that the horrible withdrawal effects are lessening-I'm getting much better. While on and coming off them, it was pure hell. That's my experience."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

"Family physician prescribed Paxil thinking it would alleviate my anxiety. I don't have anxiety, but he believes I do. I tried the prescription, and I thought I was dying. I had the most horrible allergic reaction. I couldn't breathe, and my heart was racing. He told me that I was having an anxiety attack. He's determined to keep pushing this on me and is threatening to remove me off diazepam. Never had problems with diazepam. I told him I'm not depressed, but he's insisting I am and insisting I have anxiety."

• Lef...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2016

"Paxil ruined my life. The first month was great, and then it turned horrible, like horrible. If I missed one pill, I would get the most horrendous serotonin withdrawal, so horrible my forehead would burn, my nose would run, and I would snap at anyone around me. Then it just turned into that, that was just how I was. If one tiny thing went wrong, I was the most dramatic individual ever, hysterically crying (like rolling around on the floor crying, sweating, hyperventilating) over things that weren't even a big deal. It has put so much strain on my relationships, I don't think some are repairable. Coming off of them seemed next to impossible. Then I switched brands, the pink ones are like poison, the white are bearable. Do not take this drug, seriously."

• Ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 18, 2025

"I have taken Paxil for at least 15 years, and I guess I'd fight a doctor taking me off again. I was having the roller coaster ride with menopause, so that's the initial reason for Paxil. A few years ago, my doctor took me off to try another drug for a different reason. NEVER AGAIN. Within a week, maybe two, I was a mess mentally. I saw the doctor immediately, and she discontinued the new drug, and I went back to Paxil. I have nothing but excellent reviews for this medication. Anxiety and stress are gone. But to each, medications work differently. I pray you find help with any drug other than Paxil."

• Doc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2020

"Paxil made me gain about 50 pounds, so I got off it. It didn't even work that well for my anxiety. The withdrawal coming off it was a nightmare-seriously-this drug is awful. My doctor said the weight gain is likely permanent :("

• msd...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 13, 2013

"I have been on Paxil for several years. It helps in so many ways. To those that get sleepy... try taking it at bedtime."

• 80s...
• July 31, 2016

"I feel like my old self. I have more energy and confidence. I have new hobbies. I am less stressed and more focused. It has changed my life."

• pol...
• January 29, 2016

"This med works great. I had a lot of anxiety and a hard time dealing with work, kids, and my wife. I am totally in control now and can deal with a lot more issues at once...great results."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2009

"Paxil really calms. No longer feel stressed and has completely controlled my anxiety. Only downfall is that my memory is not as sharp as it was prior to taking the medication."

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2011

"Seems that the side effects from the Paxil were worse than the stress or anxiety."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2012

"Had terrible dreams like they were actually real. Felt like I was in a cloud all the time."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

"Started on a low dose and became a zombie. All I wanted to do was sleep. I couldn't focus on anything: school, work, family. I know others it has worked for. My wiring doesn't seem to accept it."