Paroxetine and Depression: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Lel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2017

Paroxetine for Anxiety "WORST DRUG EVER! Side effects were body shocks, headaches, worse anxiety, etc. I only took it for three weeks, and it caused me to feel numb mentally and emotionally. Drove me nuts! So I went off it, and let me tell you... WORST withdrawals ever! Lethargy, bad thoughts, apathy, brain zaps, mood swings, depression, etc. Before you take it, which I DON'T recommend as there are other options, read stories about the withdrawals. There's so many lawsuits against it. Oh, and it induced a mania in me, and now I'm stuck on antipsychotics..."

• Sun...
• April 25, 2018

Paroxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I tried this medication, and it had the most horrible side effects and all around worsened my condition. It caused a more severe depression and rageful episodes, which destroyed a wonderful relationship with my boyfriend. After taking it for less than a month, I could not breathe and fell unconscious and had a seizure. It was also prescribed for hot flashes, which didn't work either. In addition, it caused nausea and flu-like symptoms and 10 lb weight gain. I felt worse than ever, and it had a deleterious effect on my life. Horrible drug!"

• emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2021

For Depression "Out of all antidepressants I’ve taken, this one is the absolute worst. It made me so depressed and exhausted. I slept several hours every day and still had no energy. I had constant suicidal thoughts and was overall extremely irritated."

• Zab...
• September 10, 2009

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "Didn't do much for my panic episodes, even at 80 mgs a day. What it did do is make me not care about sex, even years after taking them. And it made my emotions numb, I couldn't cry at a funeral for a beloved family member when I knew I should have been hysterical."

• ven...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 18, 2019

For Depression "I had been taking it for 2.5 years for depression/PTSD. It was really calming, could handle any situations, but made me very sleepy and I forgot everything. Due to memory problems, brain fog, emotional numbness, I quit it. But all in all, it was a big help."

• Ili...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Since 2005, I am on SSRIs. I have tried various meds with no results, but a few years ago I went on paroxetine 20 mg daily. Within a month, I felt much better. After 18 months on paroxetine, I reduced to 10 mg. It worked for about 7 months, but then, within a month, my whole world came apart. It wasn’t the withdrawal because I cut it down pretty slowly. It was as if all symptoms came back in their worst. I took 20 mg again and kept it like this for 3 and a half years. I felt really well, but it took triple the time to make me feel human again. I went again on 10 mg for 6 months this time but it seemed that the drug couldn’t support me so I got back on 20 mg. After almost 3 months now on it and still haven’t felt at least well. I have tremor, crying, not sleeping, loss of interest, back pains as heart attack, gastrointestinal issues, chest pains. My doc increased to 30 mg since yesterday so now I pray for being well again. I also gained some weight in the first place - 10 kilos."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2016

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "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."

• Ada...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2023

For Panic Disorder "Paroxetine CR was prescribed for me due to recurrent panic attacks with anxiety and depression with recurrent obsessions. I started with 25 mg for a week, then 50 mg for about 5 weeks. At the beginning of therapy, I suffered from recurrent anxiety attacks with depression in the morning. After two weeks, my anxiety and panic attacks decreased gradually to a satisfactory level, but morning depression is still present. After five weeks, the depression decreased but was still annoying, with sleep problems. I asked my doctor about it, and he told me that it will disappear with time. I hope to return to my usual life with time, however, I am afraid of the withdrawal symptoms of the drug, but I will delay my fears to the future when I get improved."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2016

For Hot Flashes "I became extremely emotional, depressed, and anxious. Woke up throughout the night sweating and had nightmares when I did manage to sleep. This did not help my hot flashes. I couldn't tolerate it and immediately stopped taking it."

• Duc...
• January 19, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been on and off paroxetine for a couple of years. Out of all the medications I've been on, it’s been the best! Apart from the weight gain that caused me to have high blood pressure and headaches, I suffer from anxiety, depression, OCD, and panic disorder. It helped a lot with the symptoms, but I weaned myself off as I didn’t want to keep having blood pressure problems. One thing with Paxil (paroxetine) is it’s one of the hardest to come off. Make sure you taper off it slowly with your doctor's permission, unless it’s another medication that you are allowed to suddenly swap to, but the doctor will still have to tell you how to start it. I’m currently on sertraline, but I’m finding it’s making me feel depressed, and panic attacks are starting to become more frequent. Not sure if it’s because of my OCD."

• Sto...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2018

Paroxetine for Postpartum Depression "I was prescribed Paxil when I was 10 months postpartum and experiencing debilitating anxiety. My PCP diagnosed me with postpartum depression/anxiety and put me on Paxil. I became extremely calm, but completely apathetic and eventually quit my lucrative 10+ year career. Switched to Wellbutrin, which I've been on for 6 weeks, and notice a huge difference. The reduction in stress is the same for me with Paxil and Wellbutrin. I have so much more energy. I am more determined and do not mind going to the grocery store at all. I am more focused on a course I'm taking and am completely committed to succeeding in my new career endeavor."

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2020

For Depression "I started taking paroxetine 12.5 mg three months ago. The first 10 days I had lots of side effects: I felt weak, I sweated a lot, I had a feeling that my body was radiating hot from inside (like when you have a temperature), and my anguish actually worsened. After two months and a half, I can say it did not help me. I was experiencing a lack of motivation and energy, always postponing things. All I wanted to do was to stay in bed. I had to force myself to do things, even simple things like replying to a message. So, as it produced a negative effect on my everyday life, I decided to stop taking it. My doctor prescribed me agomelatine (which I guess has not been approved in the US), and I am feeling great! I feel more like myself :) I have energy again, and the best part is that it has improved significantly the quality of sleep."

• Ri9...
• November 29, 2017

For Anxiety "I was on paroxetine for 7 years. I have generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. This drug did absolutely nothing. Side effects: no sex drive, vertigo, dizziness, brain zaps, general feeling of being out of touch with emotions (unable to feel sad when watching sad movies/tv, unable to cry when feeling sadness or joy), night sweats, and nightmares nearly every night, depression, suicidal thoughts. My anxiety did not change, my panic attacks did not lessen, actually, anxiety and panic got worse, ended up in the hospital from a panic attack while on it. Only stayed on it for so long because the doctor said it was helping (where?!?). Off it, I’m the same just without side effects, yay!"

• Dan...
• December 21, 2017

For Anxiety "I originally took paroxetine for anxiety. I was stressing out terribly. Couldn't go to school, church, etc. My doctor gave me paroxetine for it. This made it worse my first day taking it. It was a pretty good day. The second day, better, I was enjoying stuff and things were 'normal.' Eventually, on the third day, it was like everything overflowed. Worst anxiety, depression, everything. I know some might say it takes a week or two, but no, things got worse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2012

Paroxetine for Depression "While paroxetine tended to keep my depression at bay, I wasn't functioning at a good level emotionally. Was on 20 mg for approximately 4 years, then 40 mg for 3 months. When dosage was upped, I had a major depressive episode (pretty much stayed in bed for 3 weeks) and realized that I had been experiencing basically a 'flat aspect' for quite some time. Also gained 20 lbs (105 to 125) in the 3 months on the 40 mg. Horrible brain zaps if I missed a dose (20 or 40). Went back to 20 mg for a week and have switched to Effexor (37.5/7 days, then will be on 75 mg daily). Mild zings and zaps for the past few days as I've switched to the Effexor; was expecting a MUCH more horrendous transition as my zaps were extremely strong in the past."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2021

For Depression "I was prescribed paroxetine over a year ago after having issues with my heart rhythm on Zoloft. I loved Zoloft, and it worked so well for me for many years. After starting the medication, I felt decent but not my normal self. My doctor told me this was the only medication that I should use. I gained over 70 pounds while working out and eating right daily. My depression and anxiety became overwhelming, and I found a new doctor to try something else. I would not recommend this medication to anyone else. Being depressed already, then adding extreme weight only made things worse."

• The...
• December 19, 2016

For Depression "I switched from Paxil to Paroxetine to save co-pay money. Big mistake. I learned very quickly that the generic is inferior to the brand, and I would not recommend switching. The generic can be manufactured anywhere in the world, and the chemical formula differs from one manufacturer to the next. The generic version left me irritable and slightly depressed, even though my doctor said there was no difference between them. I spent six months on the generic (job stress was the culprit) and then switched permanently to the brand."

• Kat...
• November 24, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Came back again, saw my old comment on paroxetine (katharinne24). Everything was going great until I decided to stop it for some reasons. After a week, I was feeling tremors inside of me without shaking from the inside. I have been on the pill since January 2017. So I guess it was the withdrawals. It feels terrible. I talked to my doctor about it, and he said if I stopped them, I would go into depression. Which I know I can do this without them. People who are thinking about starting paroxetine, please be open-minded about it. If you're planning to have kids later on in the future, the withdrawal symptoms are really bad. I hope this helps you guys. I know it's hard. But try without the pill. Good luck to everybody that has anxiety."

• Jac...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 16, 2022

Paroxetine for Anxiety "After using it for 7 years and suffering a lot from low libido, inability to reach orgasm, weak erection, and feeling of not being myself, I abruptly weaned myself and experienced several terrible symptoms for 2 years straight, with no day off. I had extreme dizziness, head shocks, insane panic attacks, sensitivity to movements, severe motion sickness attacks, even sleeping, I felt sick. I got depressed, I couldn't feel any good feelings, the world turned gray. I didn't sleep, I was walking around the house desperate, I felt intoxicated, and with an absurdly strong pressure on the back of my neck for months. I never imagined that a person could suffer so much in this life. Now it's been 5 years since I stopped using it, but I still have dizziness and bumps in my head, which often feel like a seizure. I'm still struggling to recover, and I've discovered dozens of other cases like mine. This medicine disgraced at least 15 years of my life... continue..."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2021

Paroxetine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Before I took Paxil, I never knew what a calm mind felt like! I always felt as though instead of me controlling my thoughts, my thoughts would control me. I couldn’t stand another day feeling this constant apprehension, so I started on 10 mg and I started to feel a difference in my anxiety around week 3-4. Although my symptoms had decreased, I experienced a whole lot of side effects. To name a few: anhedonia, indifference (apathy), emotional numbness, derealization, depersonalization, dry mouth, diarrhea, low sex drive, increased appetite, changes in taste, yawning, drowsiness, mild sore throat, etc. I increased from 10 mg to 20 mg in order to treat the anhedonia, it did relieve it to an extent, but I then felt too apathetic. I went back down to 10 mg and eventually discontinued due to other lingering side effects. Although this medication did calm me down and reduce my anxiety, I’d recommend trying this medication as a last resort! Try Lexapro before trying this one."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2021

Paroxetine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Before I took Paxil, I never knew what a calm mind felt like! I always felt as though instead of me controlling my thoughts, my thoughts would control me. I couldn’t stand another day feeling this constant apprehension, so I started on 10 mg and I started to feel a difference in my anxiety around week 3-4. Although my symptoms had decreased, I experienced a whole lot of side effects. To name a few: anhedonia, indifference (apathy), emotional numbness, derealization, depersonalization, dry mouth, diarrhea, low sex drive, increased appetite, changes in taste, yawning, drowsiness, mild sore throat, etc. I increased from 10 mg to 20 mg in order to treat the anhedonia, it did relieve it to an extent, but I then felt too apathetic. I went back down to 10 mg and eventually discontinued due to other lingering side effects. Although this medication did calm me down and reduce my anxiety, I’d recommend trying this medication as a last resort! Try Lexapro before trying this one."

• Joe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 22, 2022

Paroxetine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’m a 26-year-old male who is into fitness and bodybuilding. I’ve been on Paxil for 11 years now for anxiety and depression at the time. I recently tried weaning off it and had all the side effects everyone on here is talking about: brain zaps, severe anxiety, bad depression. I didn’t really know that was part of the withdrawal process, I just thought it was my depression. I was put back on it, and ever since I was put back on it, I feel small-boned, my joints feel small, I feel like my structure shrunk and feel sucked up. I went to see an endocrinologist. Please, if anyone else has anything that can relate to this or help, let me know."

• Lit...
• June 11, 2018

For Anxiety "What I can say, WOW. I became relaxed and calm in a few days. The first few months on paroxetine are like the best dream that you can have. Also, the first few months I had some side effects - erectile dysfunction, anorgasmia, sleepiness. Day by day I was feeling more tired, sleepy, numb, cold-hearted, angry and aggressive, had trouble with memory. This drug made me so depressed and numb. After one year of treatment, I've decided to stop taking it. Am I bad? I did 'cold turkey'. But after three weeks of this, I took the dose again. After some research, I started tapering by 25%. It took me two months to get off of paroxetine. This time it wasn't that horrible. To sum up: in my experience, if anxiety and panic attacks take over you, paroxetine is the way out. But you gotta keep in mind that it gives you EXTREMELY STRONG withdrawal. Amazing drug for anxiety, but in the long term, it can make you depressed, even suicidal."

• Axx...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 25, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have taken this drug for over 20 years. Five years before starting it, I had successfully reduced my symptoms using my knowledge of behavioral therapy by about 70% (I have a degree in Psychology). Before I took this drug, my condition was well under control, I was happy, highly functioning, and professionally successful. I took it to 'prove' my OCD was a 'real' illness. It gave me no benefit, but I kept taking it. In the 15th year, I became obsessively suicidal. Worse followed. I have been trying to get off the drug for 5 years. I have become a dysfunctional, barely human wreck: hallucinating, delusional, depressive, continually suicidal. My deficits are innumerable and far worse than ever before I took it. It has literally destroyed my life."

• Pop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2015

Paroxetine for Anxiety "My first antidepressant/anxiety. Removed any anxiety 95 times out of 100 but at the cost of no emotions within your daily life, basically a rock."