Paxil and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Zen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 6, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I was having panic attacks all the time, which morphed into a stressful state of depression. Yes, I was falling apart. I'd also lost a lot of weight, no appetite. I started on 20 mg, but wow, this stuff is strong! My pupils became super dilated, I looked like I was on MDMA. I moved down to 10 mg for a while, then worked my way up to 20 mg, then back down to 10 mg. I got almost every side effect in the book: constipation, bizarre dreams, sedation, sexual side effects, sleeping ten hours a night, then taking two-hour naps late in the day. BUT, the panic stopped! Wow, for the first time in my life, I could go to movie theaters and restaurants with no panic attacks. Gained weight back, it was great. Finally quit when my life was back in order."

• Van...
• November 30, 2018

For Anxiety "I used Paxil for 13 months for general anxiety. My general doctor introduced Paxil to me. I've started with 10 mg and later increased it to 20 mg. It worked amazingly for that time. The only downside was I gained 13 pounds and lost my sex drive, which made me want to quit. I knew that I shouldn't stop cold turkey, so I consulted with my doctor. This medicine withdrawal is the worst. Tapering off from 20 mg to 10 mg was a nightmare: constant electric shocks, flu-like pain in the whole body, nausea, and vomiting. It took two weeks for me to adapt to the lower dose. Changing it to 10 mg every other day was okay, but again quitting it all for good was the worst torture. I tolerated the nausea and vomiting for 5 days in a row, and I couldn't do it anymore, so I took the 10 mg dosage again. Doctors don't warn you about the withdrawal, but please, please, if you are reading this, don't start Paxil. Quitting it is the hardest thing that you cannot even imagine."

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2009

For Anxiety "I have been taking Paxil for 5 months. My anxiety had gotten so bad that my wife took me to the ER at 3 AM thinking I was having heart issues. I visited my doctor shortly after that, and he prescribed Paxil. After a few days of taking it, I felt so much better - finally, relief! I didn't even realize I had so many symptoms of anxiety until I was on Paxil. I feel better than I have in two years. HOWEVER, there are sexual side effects (decreased sex drive and difficulty achieving erection and ejaculation). Since I'm a newly married man in my mid-twenties, these side effects are very frustrating. Other than that, this drug has been very effective in treating my anxiety."

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

For Anxiety and Stress "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."

• Som...
• April 28, 2016

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Changed my life. I can function at work-even facilitate meetings-and have social interactions without the physical 'fight or flight' response kicking in. It does make me tired, and there are some sexual side effects, otherwise, I would have rated 10."

• pax...
• August 25, 2011

For Depression "I took Paxil 20 mg for 8 years. It is excellent for depression, anxiety, and social anxiety. I completely lost all anxiety, shyness, and experienced relaxed euphoria. I excelled at work and dealing with people. However, it is very sedating, I would drink coffee all day while on it. I look back on those 8 years, and it all seems like a blur. Sleep very deeply and a lot, but at least I was happy. I'm now in my mid-thirties and was recently switched to Celexa because I started finding it difficult to achieve orgasm on Paxil. Bad decision... I now experience anxiety from the moment I wake up, shortness of breath, agoraphobia, terrible and obsessive thoughts, racing thoughts, and a feeling that I am going crazy. I'm going back on Paxil."

• KTM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2019

For Depression "I have an eye disease, and I am losing my central vision. I was laid off 2 years ago and ended up on disability. I was feeling depressed, and my doctor prescribed Paxil. When I started taking it, I became very lethargic and could sleep 10-12 hours and still be unable to get motivated. I yawned all the time. I started gaining weight (6 lbs in 4 weeks), and I could tell my sex drive was fading. I thought that my body would eventually adapt. A few weeks into it, I was trying to make love to my wife, and I could not have an orgasm. That was the last straw. If you want to be a fat zombie that can’t have an orgasm, well, the big pharma chemists at GlaxoSmithKline have got a pill for you! BTW, after some research, I learned that GSK was fined $3,000,000,000.00 (yes, that’s $3 billion) in 2012 by the US Department of Justice for withholding data regarding Paxil. Please don’t ingest this chemical."

• Det...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2020

For Depression "Paxil 37.5 mg CR suddenly disabled my sexual functions... completely. No one warned me, I wasn’t aware it could be permanent. There are a growing number of men and women who are destroyed by Paxil. There are better options with side effects that aren’t in the hundreds. I had nearly all of them in a 4-month span. This is day 3 of abruptly stopping. Being alive and in control isn’t easy. It sucks a lot for everyone, make your choice sooner than later. SSRIs can permanently damage your ability to love. Is there a worse side effect than that? I would rather be dead."

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

For Anxiety and Stress "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

For Anxiety and Stress "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."

• Msa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2016

For Anxiety "Paxil works great for me, but it took 3 months for it to work. That's not surprising, however, my body has always taken a long time to get used to/accept drugs. My startup side effects were extreme fatigue, excessive yawning, derealization, depersonalization, depression, and apathy (apathy and depression could've been a result of the anxiety and not the Paxil). One day, while at work, it just hit me, and I started feeling better, happier, but not 100%. I'm currently at 30 mg, which seems to work fine. The only bad thing about being on Paxil for me is the sexual side effects (it is really hard to climax! Ugh). Otherwise, I feel fine. In fact, I even have vivid dreams, which for me is nice, and more energy."

• Anonymous
• April 3, 2012

For Anxiety "Paxil worked absolute wonders for me for six years until 'pooping out' last year. After a disastrous few months on Zoloft, I returned to paroxetine, which again has made me 'return' to my old self. My alcohol increase (due to work issues) was almost certainly the cause for the medicine becoming ineffective and my return to anxiety and depression. Many reviews claim SSRIs don't work as well the second time, which is slightly true. I feel normal again without the 'serotonin high' I had the first time around. Paxil/paroxetine is a miracle for me, and though it has killed my sex drive and gained my weight slightly, I cannot imagine life without."

• bla...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 28, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "Yeah, Paxil definitely saved my arse, really. I tried Prozac first and went totally off the rails with anxiety, and 2 days on Paxil, and I slept and knew that it was the one for me. I am a fool, though, because I keep trying to come off it, because it works so well for anxiety. I have been reduced to 10 mg from 20 and have been enjoying that, but noticed that my mind fluctuates between optimism and pessimism really quite quickly. The mind is a strange thing. Anyway, it keeps me grounded, no panic attacks, no anxiety. Amazing how we all react so differently to these various SSRIs. Pity about the sex drive with Paxil. I fall in love still, but I don't have that physical thing going off like people off antidepressants do."

• Joe...
• July 22, 2011

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I took Paxil for 5 years following the death of my father. I suppose I've always felt moderately uncomfortable in sizable groups, and after my dad passed, I was also very down in the dumps. Paxil helped immediately and made me way more sociable than ever before. I had confidence to say what I wanted to say and clearer thoughts than I've ever had. I've now been off for 4 months and am struggling again with the same issues. I've tried turning to herbal remedies like rhodiola, St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, and fish oil. Together, they make me feel alright, I guess, but it's just not the same. If it weren't for the sexual side effects, I wouldn't hesitate to get back on Paxil, but I'd like to get my wife pregnant soon, so this is not an immediate option."

• Pht...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 2, 2016

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I've recently gotten off a 2.5-year Paxil treatment for my social anxiety. My main issue was a sweaty face/body and a red face breakout. I was first prescribed 20 mg, but as nothing changed after 2 months, I was put on 40 mg. It certainly helped. I was quite tired in the beginning, but it got better. I felt the side effects as I gained over 10 kg in the past 1.5 years, and also I didn't have much of a sex drive and it was almost impossible to orgasm (I'm male). Regardless, though, it helped my life for the better. Unfortunately, stopping recently was a bad idea, my anxiety has returned along with a certain feeling of depression. I'll be returning to Paxil starting tomorrow with 20 mg and see how it goes. Regardless of the side effects, etc., it did help me in my life."

• Pht...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 2, 2016

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I've recently gotten off a 2.5-year Paxil treatment for my social anxiety. My main issue was a sweaty face/body and a red face breakout. I was first prescribed 20 mg, but as nothing changed after 2 months, I was put on 40 mg. It certainly helped. I was quite tired in the beginning, but it got better. I felt the side effects as I gained over 10 kg in the past 1.5 years, and also I didn't have much of a sex drive and it was almost impossible to orgasm (I'm male). Regardless, though, it helped my life for the better. Unfortunately, stopping recently was a bad idea, my anxiety has returned along with a certain feeling of depression. I'll be returning to Paxil starting tomorrow with 20 mg and see how it goes. Regardless of the side effects, etc., it did help me in my life."

• fth...
• March 31, 2012

For Anxiety "This medicine made me emotionless. For the first couple of months, I was fine, and now I can't be happy when I want to or sad when I want to. I also have no sex drive. I'm on Paxil for anxiety, but because it works as a mood stabilizer as well, it took away my personality."

• Len...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 13, 2018

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I was prescribed Paxil (in conjunction with Valium as needed) to treat PTSD, depression, and anxiety. There are side effects (the most notable one being a seriously lowered libido), but as a whole, this was a very positive experience for me. Paxil gave me the baseline of emotional stability I needed to work through my trauma in therapy without putting myself in danger. Overall, this has been a success."

• Gus...
• December 6, 2008

For Depression "On its own, Wellbutrin SR 300 mg/day didn't really do much for me. We then added Paxil 20 mg and Klonopin 2 mg along with the Wellbutrin, and I have to say, this is a great combination. The Wellbutrin counteracts the sexual side effects that go along with Paxil. Wellbutrin by itself is okay, but in combination with Paxil and Klonopin, helped immensely. Highly recommend. My mood is consistently good, lots of energy. I feel social and light-hearted again. No side effects and I feel great."

• bec...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2016

For Anxiety "Panic attacks and anxiety were completely gone, but with that came tons of side effects. I gained over 40 pounds, and it was impossible to lose until getting off of Paxil. No sex drive and couldn't orgasm at all while on it. It made me a little zombie-like, I didn't have any low emotions, but not any high ones either. Coming off of it gave me extreme symptoms like headaches, loss of appetite, sore muscles, insomnia, mood swings, and weird violent thoughts. Will all be worth it though once I'm over the withdrawal period. Positive withdrawal symptom: weight loss!!"

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2008

For Depression "I have been taking Paxil for 15 years now, and it does the job most of the time. I still have bouts of depression when things in my life go sideways. The worst part is the weight gain and the lack of sex drive. It is a tough choice, but without Paxil, I was suicidal. It is a part of my life now."

• Anonymous
• May 25, 2011

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I developed an acute social anxiety disorder in my early 20s. After trying 10 mg of Paxil, my doctor upped the dose to 20 mg. I have been taking that dosage for the past 10 years. My social anxiety is much more manageable than it was, although I still have my moments. I hate to increase the dosage, however, because the sexual side effects have been bad for me. Climax is next to impossible unless conditions are perfect, and even then it is a struggle. My sex drive is also down, possibly because of the disappointment the lack of climax creates for me and my wife. Personally, I am happy with the results of Paxil in terms of my social anxiety, but the sexual side effects are rough. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• May 25, 2011

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I developed an acute social anxiety disorder in my early 20s. After trying 10 mg of Paxil, my doctor upped the dose to 20 mg. I have been taking that dosage for the past 10 years. My social anxiety is much more manageable than it was, although I still have my moments. I hate to increase the dosage, however, because the sexual side effects have been bad for me. Climax is next to impossible unless conditions are perfect, and even then it is a struggle. My sex drive is also down, possibly because of the disappointment the lack of climax creates for me and my wife. Personally, I am happy with the results of Paxil in terms of my social anxiety, but the sexual side effects are rough. Good luck."

• Nat...
• October 26, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Paxil literally saved my life. This fast-acting pill can get you feeling better in as little as a week. It helped me get completely stable, and after years, I finally felt what happiness was once again. I cannot rate this life-saving pill a 10 due to its side effects. Paxil 30mg helped me to reconnect with myself once again and feel at peace, but every single day I would wake up with serious nausea. Also, weight gain is a strong factor to look out for, as I gained 40 lbs in just one year on it. It also took a toll on my sex drive, but that wasn't a major problem since I was single at the moment. Although Paxil has its side effects, it's such a life-changing pill, I decided to deal with them. I then got switched to Effexor 150mg ER, yet it gave me a terrible relapse that I ended up in a psychiatric institution. I'm now on Wellbutrin XL 150mg and seem to be feeling fine, but thank you, Paxil, for saving my life in a time of desperate need."

• Cat...
• March 20, 2013

For Panic Disorder "Works good for disassociation and also anxiety and panic attacks, however, it has a lot of sexual side effects, as in your erections are gone, but also you won't be interested in sex. This was reversed for the most part (around 70%) after being off it for a year and being on Celexa instead. Celexa allows for erections, however, it lowers sex drive as well. Would always rather not be interested in sex than panic and fear-stricken, so I have to say Paxil worked."