Paxil and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Amy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 13, 2021

For Anxiety "I took Paxil for many years when working, it really enabled me to work as I have social anxiety. I could never have been working with the public without this drug. I initially did feel euphoric and later felt much less anxious. I went off Paxil when I retired because I did not feel it was good for me to be on it for this length of time."

• Dal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 8, 2018

For Depression "Paxil has been a double-edged sword for me. I have been on one dose or another for the last 15 years or so. I can't stop the meds, I've tried a few times in the past, but I just end up going crazy (crying, suicidal thoughts, extreme sadness, and anxiety). I feel trapped and helpless to escape the medication's Machiavellian side effects."

• kir...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 6, 2021

For Anxiety "Paxil took me out of a really dark place. I started having anxiety when I was 20. It came on suddenly, and I felt like I was losing my mind. A doctor started me on Paxil. I took it for several years until another doctor switched me to Lexapro, only because they didn't like Paxil. I was on Lexapro for a while, but my anxiety came back pretty suddenly, along with depression. I was hospitalized and started back on Paxil since it worked in the past. I soon felt like myself again. I was on it for 10 years until I got pregnant. It's not pregnancy safe apparently, so I was switched back to Lexapro. I sadly had a miscarriage. I stayed on Lexapro for about 9 months, then suddenly my anxiety came back full force. I was switched to Prozac, which I still take only because I'm trying to conceive. I miss Paxil though. I felt it helped me the best. I was able to move on for several years and live a 'normal' life. I also have OCD, and it helped with the intrusive thoughts."

• Cra...
• November 25, 2017

For Depression "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."

• Lin...
• October 14, 2015

For Anxiety "I was given Paxil by my doctor, and it works wonders. It is rare that I even feel most anxiety, and I haven't had an attack in months. I've been on it a couple of years and have yet to feel it stop working. But, do not take this if you aren't willing to have a long-time commitment with it. One thing the doctor won't tell you about straight up is the withdrawal. I've tried to come off of Paxil, out of frustration mostly at the withdrawal effects, and all I can describe it as is a living hell. Confusion, blurred vision, brain zaps, vertigo, nausea, depression, increased anxiety, etc. Not for the faint of heart. If you can, go with something else."

• Nam...
• March 29, 2016

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Great for sleeplessness. That being said, I am more anxious than I have ever been due to side effects. It is difficult to perform a high-stress sales job when you are dizzy and nauseous, much less try to cope with a headache on top of the other symptoms. All of the symptoms exacerbate the anxiety you are trying to combat. Seems a little counterintuitive to me."

• sly...
• March 10, 2012

For Anxiety "I've been on it for a few days now in an attempt to get off Zoloft. I've been diagnosed with depression and anxiety as a result of PMDD. Today I took a very low dose while tapering off Zoloft, and it's not pleasurable at all. I'm nauseous, extreme dry mouth, and severe anxiety. I work with the public and felt so jittery that I couldn't work. I am willing to tough it out with some support and compassion from my family, friends, and co-workers, but I don't like feeling like something is controlling my ability to function. I really hope it improves."

• sly...
• March 10, 2012

For Anxiety "I've been on it for a few days now in an attempt to get off Zoloft. I've been diagnosed with depression and anxiety as a result of PMDD. Today I took a very low dose while tapering off Zoloft, and it's not pleasurable at all. I'm nauseous, extreme dry mouth, and severe anxiety. I work with the public and felt so jittery that I couldn't work. I am willing to tough it out with some support and compassion from my family, friends, and co-workers, but I don't like feeling like something is controlling my ability to function. I really hope it improves."

• Wan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2021

For Anxiety "I was doing good on 10 mg of Paxil. Ten years ago, I suffered for 4 years as doctors couldn’t find the right med. Lately, I’ve had some sad events and started having extreme anxiety. My doctor increased Paxil to 20 mg. I’m suffering from all the side effects. Will the effects go away in two weeks? My children are coming for the holidays. Does anyone else use anti-anxiety medicine along with Paxil? I do, and everything was working well until the sad situations happened in my life. Also, right now, I start feeling better at night. When will I start feeling better during the day? Thanks, if anyone can share some positive views."

• Naw...
• December 3, 2010

For Depression "Suicidal, depressed, and anxious for 9 years, finally decided I could not handle it on my own anymore and decided to seek help. My doctor prescribed me Paxil, and 20 minutes after I took it, I no longer wanted to kill myself (this feeling was often, all day, every day almost). It's now been 3 days, and still going good. There are, however, side effects: loss of appetite (not good, I'm too thin already), blurred vision (very difficult for an artist), insomnia, impossible to reach ejaculation, also have experienced some increased anxiety. Despite these side effects, I'm faced with a choice: accept the side effects or continue to live my life feeling sad and lonely."

• bab...
• November 23, 2014

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I was on 10 mg of Paxil for the first time in my life, and it increased my anxiety so bad I missed work, went off, and I felt good for a week. Now I'm back to feeling bad and missing more work. I might try Prozac, but I'm very nervous."

• sun...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2025

For Anxiety "At age 30, I developed severe anxiety, panic, and almost agoraphobia. I was put on Prozac, and it worked for almost 20 years. I regained about 70% of the life I once had. Could never fly again or drive long distances myself. But could enjoy most things, be productive at work, and have friends. I lived in my own small world. Prozac worked pretty well until one day it just stopped working. I then spent 2 years trying Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Celexa, and many other drugs, which made me worse. I found a new doctor, and he recommended Paxil. I started to feel better almost immediately. I was able to get my life back with no anxiety or panic. I would say I was 80% back to who I once was, but I gained 30 lbs (while exercising and eating healthy), more importantly, I was tired a lot, and my personality felt flat. My doctor suggested I wean myself off Paxil and try Viibryd 10 mg to start. My anxiety and panic have come back, and I feel racy and annoyed all the time. I am only on day 13 of Viibryd with no Paxil."

• KTa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 9, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "If you are handed a prescription for this, please do your research first. Unfortunately, I started taking this as I was desperate to get my anxiety under control, and my GP didn’t want to prescribe me Valium anymore, so I thought, why not? After one year of being on this, I have gained almost 20 kg. I eat well and move around a fair bit, but the weight just keeps on coming. It did well for my social anxiety, that’s because I didn’t want to leave the house embarrassed with how much weight I had gained. Now, I am weaning off from 40 mg and am on 10 mg with the hope to be off completely. Withdrawal symptoms are comparable to having the flu tenfold. Detached sense of reality and agitation that normally wouldn’t be there. Even the sound of someone coughing is making me angry. Heightened sensory disturbances and insomnia have also come along. Avoid if you can. There are better SSRIs out there if you need some help. This stuff is awful."

• Kin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Was on it and later Remeron for 3 months. Remeron was a near-instant help; Paxil did some good things. Apparently, a great anxiety med. Effects didn't really last, and I got anxious/depressed to a large extent. Went off and had a hard withdrawal."

• Jub...
• March 4, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Was on Paxil for 4 years because I could never handle the withdrawal symptoms. I had severe aches and electric shocks along with all flu symptoms. I finally slowly tapered off over 3 months with the liquid Paxil. I have been off of it now for at least 10 years. I have tried at least 100 different supplements and anti-anxiety treatments. I have tried them all, believe me. It is hell on earth when you can't provide for your family. I even spent $4,000 having all my mercury fillings removed. I had genetic testing of SNP polymorphisms that revealed MTHFR and MAO mutations. I found a genetic reason for my anxiety. In short, I can't make neurotransmitters, and when I do, I can't break them down, so they build up, causing social anxiety."

• Lit...
• March 31, 2016

For Anxiety "I have taken Paxil on and off for roughly 17 years. I thought it was helping and that the anxiety, moodiness, and feeling a bit zoned out was normal and hormones. But 10 months ago, I changed to Zoloft due to a pregnancy, and I feel like a new person. My husband was the first to notice it! My stress levels have decreased hugely, and I'm much calmer, and life is much easier."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2019

For Panic Disorder "After 3 weeks of taking the half dose I am prescribed, I am quitting due to the incredibly lucid nightmares I'm having every night. It did help with my depression, but I can't function without REM sleep and the anxiety I'm having while dreaming."

• Jul...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 28, 2021

For Anxiety "Paxil is a good drug, but it will become less effective. I was on Paxil for 20 years. Every time I built a tolerance up, they pumped up my dose until I was taking 60 mg, which is maxed out. Eventually, it happened again, my body adjusted, and it wasn't working well. The problem is that getting off of Paxil can be a total nightmare. I tried to taper the way my doctor told me, but I'd get so miserable. My anxiety was horrible, I couldn't sleep, I had all sorts of strange tingling, I got horrible brain zaps (definitely the worst part of Paxil withdrawal). Every 6 months or so, I'd go down a tiny bit, sometimes cutting slivers off pills with razor blades. In 3 years, I went from 60 to 20 mg. I knew this low dose wasn't working, and I needed to switch meds. I went from 20 to 0 in a month with Prozac to help with the withdrawal. I stopped Paxil 4 days ago. I am miserable but hopeful I can finally move past Paxil and find the right new meds. When it works, it's great, but stopping can be horrific."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

For Panic Disorder "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."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2016

For Depression "Overall, I'd say it worked for a bit. Not sure if I should have had my dosage increased when the side effects started back up, or if it was because I messed up my scheduling for taking it. It put my anxiety through the roof. More anxiety than I'd ever had naturally. I got it mostly for depression/possible bipolar, and it worked for the most part until the side effects kicked in, save for the random swells of depression that wouldn't last for more than two hours but felt so much worse than the stable depression I've had for years. I'd recommend it for someone who's better at keeping appointments than I am."

• Eli...
• August 16, 2016

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "51 yo healthy female. Minor premenopausal signs, periodic mood swings, tiredness. Prescribed Paxil 10 mgs. Severe bouts of exhaustion, heart palpitations, breathing anomalies, sexual dysfunction, felt like a zombie. Slept 2 days. Quit meds day 6. 16 days from quitting, feel horrible. Severely depressed, anxious, tired (never have felt anxious or depressed prior). Still sleep too much, experience outrageous, wildly abnormal mood swings, have neglected my work, my house, my pets, my friends, and exercise (was running 5 miles daily prior, now do nothing). Still experience breathing abnormalities. Better each day, yet unable to function normally. Life and business in ruins, cry constantly. Nightmarish experience. Feel like I may never be the same again."

• Los...
• June 2, 2016

For Anxiety "Okay, so I started taking Paxil a few months ago for anxiety, only 10 mg. For the first little bit, it was weird, my body felt different and I couldn't eat much. My bowel movements became very irregular. I felt like it was maybe working. I became very tired (I've always been a late sleeper), but it was hard to get out of bed, my thoughts were constantly negative, especially when I would be alone or driving alone. I had a constant headache. I didn't want to do anything. I worked out a little bit during the duration, but not much. I couldn't decide whether I should stop or take more, and I stopped. It's been about 2 weeks now, and I'm starting to feel better and more positive, but still anxious."

• FR3...
• March 28, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I used to be on 20 mg Aropax for 7 years for my borderline personality disorder, social anxiety, anxiety, and depression. I used to self-harm and not be happy. I was always hospitalized and going down a destructive road. Other medicines made me worse, like Cipramil, Zoloft, and Valium. Aropax did not make me 100% cured but helped me deal with everyday issues better. I still find that you need to practice mindfulness techniques and practice cognitive behavioral therapy. This drug is only if you have severe depression and anxiety and find it difficult to use standard coping skills. I was off Aropax for 3 years and coping well, now I have had a relapse and anxiety worse than ever. I am now back on it for 3 days, hopefully, it will work soon."

• Ari...
• November 18, 2015

For Anxiety "I took this about 3 years ago for a massive mental breakdown. I was having panic attacks multiple times a day. I couldn't get out of bed. I couldn't leave the house. I couldn't eat. I couldn't do anything. I was prescribed this and Ativan, and eventually, after probably a month of a horrid, horrible experience, I started to come out of my anxiety and depression, all of it. I came off of the drug probably a couple of months later and was completely fine for about 2 years, with just normal anxiety that I could manage. I tried it again a couple of weeks ago for the same reason, and it was hell. I was suicidal within the first 3 days and had every side effect I can think of. I discontinued immediately, now looking for something else."

• El ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2015

For Depression "It helped with my anxiety, which didn't go away but became manageable. I didn't see any improvements with my depression (my main symptoms are anhedonia and fatigue, the last one actually worsened). Getting off 40 mg was okay, just felt a bit anxious in the first days. I took Paxil for about 2 months."