Paxil and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 2)

• pax...
• December 15, 2011

For Depression "Thanks to Paxil, I'm still here to type this comment, it saved my life. I was started on 20 mg but had to go up to 40 mg (max dose) for about 3 years, after which I was slowly dropped down to 20 mg, then right down to 10 mg, which I was on for a while, then down to 5 mg and eventually went off the medication. The times I did miss my dosage, it was usually the second day when the zaps started along with the feeling of vertigo. The half-life of this medicine is very short, about 3 days, that's why people feel withdrawal symptoms so quickly, but I've found it quite tolerable for the good it has done for me. A wonderful medication!"

• Joe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 7, 2018

For Anxiety "I took Paxil for years for anxiety. The side effects got to the point I discussed with my doctor about getting off of it. He recommended tapering and starting Wellbutrin. I can say this: the Paxil withdrawal symptoms are purely awful. I would lie in bed for weeks. Couldn't stop vomiting. Dizziness still persists. While it did alleviate anxiety, I'd rather have anxiety than the awfulness it put me through. I would never recommend this to anybody."

• Per...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 22, 2013

For Depression "I went on Paxil a year after my father died 15 years ago. I was told it was non-addictive and started on a low-mid dosage, 20 mg. It helped, and I was on it for about 10-12 years. I just accepted that I needed it. Everyone is correct about not missing doses - if I missed 2-3 days, I'd get very emotional, cry at the drop of a hat, etc. - which I unfortunately took as proof that I needed to stay on it - I didn't understand it was the withdrawal effects! Over time, with ups and downs in my career, I gradually increased dosages, going to 40 mg/day. In late 2010, after being out of work for 2-3 years, I went back to my general doctor, and he prescribed 60 mg/day. Within a couple of months, I was in a downward spiral."

• Ang...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2016

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I was on this drug for a long time, and the only thing I can report is that I felt like a zombie most of the time, was so tired that I could barely function (lost my job as a result of it), and had absolutely no desire for sex whatsoever. I rarely felt that I was thoroughly enjoying anything that was going on in my life, it completely numbed me out to a traumatic experience that I should have been dealing with, and as a result of being on it, I did not fully process that experience until getting off of the medication. That and the withdrawal symptoms were debilitating and terrible. Brain zaps are not a fun experience, and they were bad with this one."

• flo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 15, 2022

For Depression "Paxil took my feelings away. It didn't feel normal for me to not be sad about my sons' deaths. They died 15 months apart from each other, in their mid-20s in motorcycle accidents. I couldn't even cry while I took Paxil. I stopped taking it, gradually, of course. Withdrawal made me feel strange - I know that doesn't exactly describe how I felt, but it is the only description I can think of. Now I can cry, which is normal."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

For Anxiety "I've been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and have been taking Paxil for about 3 months. When I first began the medication, I completely lost my appetite. I dropped 10 pounds within the first 2 weeks without even trying. After about a month, it leveled back out. However, even after 3 months, I still don't sleep well on it. It has also taken a toll on my sex drive. I'm in the process of quitting Paxil to try something new. You do not want to quit this medication suddenly. You will experience terrible withdrawal symptoms. Even though I am quitting gradually, they are still quite intense."

• Amb...
• December 9, 2017

For Depression "I was on Paxil for a little over a year and am currently weaning off. I suffer from depression, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety. I started Paxil at 10 mg and went all the way up to 40 mg within the first couple of months. This drug did wonders for my panic disorder, PTSD, and anxiety, but made my depression worse! The reason I decided to stop taking it is that I didn't want to get out of bed anymore, and I gained about 60 lbs since I started taking it. Funny they call it an antidepressant when, in the end, it made my depression worse. I am trying Wellbutrin now, but I won't know how well that works until I'm completely off the Paxil in a couple of weeks. The withdrawal is awful, even while weaning."

• 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."

• For...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 29, 2016

For Depression "I was prescribed Paxil for anxiety and depression when I was 13. Initially, it did all it was promised with few side effects. Over the years, it seemed to lose its effectiveness, but I was afraid to come off it for fear I would be worse off. Finally, I started the process of weaning myself off it when multiple reports came out saying it was DANGEROUS and had multiple long-term effects on teenagers. I had been taking it for nearly a decade. The withdrawals were the worst thing I have experienced in my life. Thought I was dying. My face and limbs didn't feel real. The 'zaps.' I was nonfunctional, and this lasted months. Please use extreme caution and have someone closely monitor you when you decide to wean off this medication."

• 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."

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

For Panic Disorder "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!"

• str...
• November 26, 2017

For Depression "Ruined my nervous system and life. Have never recovered from the withdrawal after being on it 11 years. Diagnosed with M.E. / CFS 9 years ago. My stamina / physical abilities are severely limited as I withdrew far too quickly. Doctors do not stress the dangers of withdrawal. I have tried numerous recovery techniques, but management of my symptoms is the best I get. My life has changed forever. If you withdraw, do it very slowly. Learn from my mistake."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 26, 2018

For Depression "I took this medication for depression and anxiety, it worked like a charm. However, the side effects were pretty crazy - firstly, I had trouble urinating on this medication, I had to concentrate really hard to pee, had sexual problems, couldn't get 'off.' I also gained 15-20 pounds in 3 months, had a dry mouth, and once I got off the medication, the withdrawals were really bad. Brain zaps, ringing in ears for 2-3 weeks after stopping the medication. Oh, and this medication caused me to get sleep paralysis. Never had this condition before getting on Paxil."

• Exc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 14, 2017

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "In July 2011, I had a complete hysterectomy, throwing me into spontaneous menopause. The hot flashes and night sweats were excruciating, but hormones of any kind made me completely crazy. I was so happy when I discovered Paxil. I started out on the lowest dose, which has been increased over the years to 60 mg a day. Three and a half weeks ago, I called in for a refill, but I didn't have any left. It took me three weeks to get in to see my doctor. I refused to go back on it because of the withdrawals I am still experiencing. First, all I did was sleep. Then, I started experiencing severe joint pain. After three weeks, I am starting to feel slightly better. I now just feel like I have the worst case of the flu and arthritis."

• Bud...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Paxil is one of the few antidepressants that worked well for me. However, don't stop taking the drug when you start feeling better. Stopping Paxil abruptly made me physically ill. The Paxil withdrawal symptoms are similar to opiate withdrawal."

• Mik...
• April 20, 2016

For Depression "DO NOT EVER TAKE THIS DRUG. Long story short, it can cause mania, depersonalization, mood swings, uncontrollable anger, suicidal thoughts and actions, and it can make your depression and anxiety 10 times worse. It also causes permanent damage to the brain by literally stopping your brain's ability to produce serotonin by itself. This is one of the oldest SSRIs on the market, and its short half-life makes withdrawals the worst thing ever. The withdrawals are similar to heroin withdrawals and last 3-6 months. If you want to seriously f*** up your life and your brain, take this drug."

• Cen...
• September 2, 2017

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I was put on this medication by my neurologist. He said it would help pain and boost energy. Anyways, I took it several years until my GP took me off cold turkey. I suffered the most agonizing withdrawal symptoms and shortly afterward suffered a stroke. I blame this medication. Jump to Sept. 1, 2017. Another doctor wants me to start on this poison again. I don't think so. This is extremely dangerous!"

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

For Anxiety and Stress "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!"

• RMR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2016

For Depression "This was for my MDD, BPD, and OCD, I hated this. Sick all the time. If I didn't eat, the meds made me sick. If I did, they'd screw with my stomach. Everything was worse. Black and white is an understatement. I was significantly worse on these meds than without. Withdrawals were terrible. The only good thing was that insurance covered a lot of it."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2011

For Panic Disorder "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."

• Wor...
• November 4, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "PROS: relieved GAD symptoms, rested better at night, generally in a better mood most of the time. CONS: gas, bloating, erectile dysfunction. Stopped taking the med 10 days ago, and the withdrawal symptoms are awful! Vertigo, electric shock sensations throughout my body, dizziness, mood swings, etc. Coming off this is like trying to break a coke addiction. Antihistamines help with the vertigo. 0.5 mg of Klonopin helps with mood swings. L-Tyrosine and P-5-P are helping also to control symptoms. Find an alternative medication. Dr. will not tell you how hard it is to get off this crap."

• rya...
• September 12, 2019

"I am 38 now, started on Paxil at 19 for anorexia. Was on it for maybe a total of 5 years, I forget my dose. I think my doctor put me on it because she wanted me to gain weight, and that it did. Was over being on it in my 20s. Brain zaps were the worst of my withdrawal symptoms. Lasted for a month or two."

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

For Anxiety and Stress "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."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2010

"Started using Paxil as an alternative for estrogen therapy going through menopausal stage. I had no idea that the withdrawal symptoms would be so horrific. I have tried 3 times to wean off, but the symptoms of brain zaps, that cause painful electrical jolts from head to toe, and the uncontrollable crying make it almost impossible to work full time and wean off this medication."

• gin...
• October 4, 2009

"Paxil changed my life. It's a miracle. The only bad things about Paxil I've experienced (in 13 years of taking it) are sexual side effects (libido loss) and severe withdrawal symptoms when I stopped taking it 'cold turkey.'"