Paroxetine and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• DWh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 27, 2015

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I had a headache 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for a little over 4 months. I saw a neurologist who told me that it was tension causing my headaches and that it was all in my head. He put me on Paxil, and it was, without exception, the single worst experience of my life. I had never been depressed before, never been diagnosed with anxiety, and nothing to suggest any mental health issues whatsoever, and I was prescribed Paxil. This drug nearly killed me. As I said, no history of mental illness or suicidal thoughts in my entire life, and when I was put on this drug, it made me feel suicidal. I felt like I was better off dead than alive. I was only 15 years old at the time, I'm now 16. I don't think you should take this if you are under 18 years old!"

• LMW...
• November 13, 2015

Paroxetine for Hot Flashes "It definitely works. Hot flashes stopped within days, and it calmed me so much. I slept so well at night, but then headaches, sinus congestion, chest congestion, almost feeling like having the flu, made me stop, and it took me weeks to get over the brain fog feeling."

• Ano...
• August 28, 2019

For Depression "This drug is not as terrifying as all the reviews say. Just try it for yourself. If you don't like it, change drugs. Paroxetine works wonders for me. I only take 10 mg - half the recommended dose. Paroxetine peaks in your body at around 6 hrs, so I find if I take this just before bed I sleep through any negative side effects. When starting, I just feel a little out of it and headachey for a few days, but not much different from how I feel while depressed anyway. Paroxetine makes me able to function normally, takes away my suicidal thoughts and social anxieties, and allows me to handle difficult situations without wanting to die. The only side effect I experience is less sensation during sex (I'm female) - a small price to pay for not committing suicide. I have cyclical depression, so I come on and off this, and it is not as bad as everyone says. I feel pretty out of it for about a week, and then back to normal after 2 weeks."

• Sta...
• September 29, 2019

Paroxetine for Depression "A few months ago, I was given this medication by my doctor because I was going through severe depression. I took it for 4 days, and I couldn’t deal anymore. After 30 mins of taking it, I went numb. I then started to cry uncontrollably for about half an hour for no reason. When I went to sleep, I started to have brain zaps every time I was falling asleep. My eyes started to roll back, and I stopped taking it. 2-3 months later, and my anxiety is now way worse. I started having out-of-body experiences. I am now numb even when working out. I have severe headaches. I regret ever taking this. My brain will never be the same! It caused problems I didn’t even have."

• Lor...
• November 20, 2015

Paroxetine for Hot Flashes "Three weeks into taking Brisdelle, I stopped. After a week, I was experiencing horrific muscle pain in my legs, which kept me awake for three nights until I was prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The anti-inflammatory calmed the muscle pain down, but then I started experiencing horrific head pain and headaches; I've never had a headache in my life! I am off this drug for two days now and can't wait to feel like myself again. I'm still experiencing insomnia, headache, head pain, vertigo."

• Lor...
• November 20, 2015

Paroxetine for Hot Flashes "Three weeks into taking Brisdelle, I stopped. After a week, I was experiencing horrific muscle pain in my legs, which kept me awake for three nights until I was prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The anti-inflammatory calmed the muscle pain down, but then I started experiencing horrific head pain and headaches; I've never had a headache in my life! I am off this drug for two days now and can't wait to feel like myself again. I'm still experiencing insomnia, headache, head pain, vertigo."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 22, 2021

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "I took it for 1 year and a half. At first, it seemed to work, but then it caused 20 kg weight gain, nightmares, general weakness, fibromyalgia, not being able to even get out of bed, always angry and agitated, chest pain, shivering, restless legs, paranoia, depersonalization, feeling faint, always feeling hungry, gastritis, IBS, shivering, headaches, tinnitus, seeing blurry, feeling like throwing up, suicidal thoughts, hypersensitivity to sound and light, being violent. It was like torture. I felt like my body was chained. I still kept taking it because my doctor said it was me just worrying. But one day, I had a gut feeling and stopped taking it slowly over time. Now I can walk again and I feel so much better than when I was taking it. I lost the weight that I had gained and feel happier. Stopping it was hard, but it was worth it. If you read this, I understand your suffering, I know it’s hard, just don't give up.❤️"

• Fre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 12, 2019

Paroxetine for Depression "If you have depression, do yourself a favor and avoid this medication at all costs. I am 1 week into withdrawals (this isn't the first time I've tried to discontinue paroxetine), and it's basically the worst. I was on Paxil for years, it made me gain so much weight, and it didn't even help that much with my depression. In some ways, it made my depression worse. For me, Lexapro is a much better choice, so much more effective. Not only are the emotional withdrawals worse than you could imagine, but it's physical as well. It's hard for me to move my hands, arms, and fingers, it's as if they are numb. I'm also getting headaches and brain zaps, but nothing beats this depression. I think it is not worth it."

• Jam...
• November 17, 2013

Paroxetine for Anxiety "This is my second time taking Paxil. For me, it is the only medication that has been effective in treating my anxiety. I've taken just about every medication for anxiety over the past 10 years. In my early 20s, I took Paxil for about 6 months and experienced sexual side effects but only gained about 5 lbs. It was horrible to come off of Paxil, and I experienced dizziness, headaches, and nausea. I am currently 29, and I started taking Paxil again about 5 months ago due to increased anxiety. While it has been effective in helping me to lead a normal life with minimal anxiety, it has caused horrible weight gain. I gained 15 lbs in the past 3 months, which is a lot for my petite frame at 5'1". Due to the weight gain, I am currently attempting to stop."

• SAR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2016

Paroxetine for Hot Flashes "Brisdelle - SUCKS - Why prescribe a medication to help you with the hot flashes, YET make you feel miserable (side effect) HEADACHES, nausea, trembling eye, Ewwwww. Really... I'd rather go through the hot flashes. BAD BAD medicine. Also, I was puking up."

• wan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2016

Paroxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Paxil is making me calmer, but not lessening depression. However, I have only been on it one week. I will give it more time. Side effects are fatigue, weight gain, and headache. I feel that this drug would be best for someone with aggression. I also take 1 mg Klonopin, which is also sedating. Paxil and alcohol don't mix well."

• Anonymous
• September 2, 2010

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I am so happy to have found this board. These success stories are amazing. I've been taking Paxil for about 2 weeks and 2 days and have experienced some tough side effects, lots of trouble sleeping, headaches, mood swings, but it seems a lot of people seem to really do well after getting through those first few weeks. I think I want to try and stick with this. It's also helped ease a lot of pain and stress I experienced from a brutal gallbladder surgery."

• Nam...
• March 29, 2016

Paroxetine 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."

• so ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 24, 2016

Paroxetine for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been on Brisdelle for 3 years now. At first, it was the wonder drug, hot flashes gone, and I didn't want to kill anybody. But now I think it's not working as well. But I decided to look up the side effects recently and found out I have a lot of it: the blurred vision (fog), frequent bowel movements, headaches, and joint pain. Well, my doctor is taking me off of it."

• Ble...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 25, 2024

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’ve been on this medication for 5 years now, and it’s helped me so much. Started with 10 mg and got up to 40 within 3 months. Was also prescribed Klonopin at the same time to help with panic disorder, and increasing my dose of Paxil helped taper me off the Klonopin. This was the first anxiety medication I’ve ever tried, and I’m glad it helped immediately because I’ve heard of people trying multiple medications before finding one that worked. Some side effects I noticed when first starting the medication were nausea, headaches, and feeling tired all the time, but that wore off within 2 weeks to a month."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2020

For Anxiety "So I've just started taking Paxil for anxiety, and I'm on day 2, and my head is so sore. I feel sick as well, but I'm going to keep taking them as my anxiety has gotten worse. I have taken 2 other antidepressants in the past, and straightaway they didn't go well for me, so I hope Paxil helps me get better. I've seen bad stories on here, but everybody is different when it comes to taking any kind of meds. I'll update if it works for me."

• Mom...
• August 23, 2011

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "Panic Disorder/Bipolar/Manic Depressive: Today will be my 7th dose. I am having a love-hate relationship with my Paxil, it made me EXTREMELY tired for the first 4 days, headaches on day 4 & 5, dizziness day 2-7. I feel spaced out, and every morning I wake up and want to stop taking the meds because of how I feel. I am not like 'myself,' BUT I didn't like myself to begin with. I suffered from panic attacks that last for days on end, with only relief from Xanax. I would have anger outbursts towards the ones I love the most. Now, although my world feels off balance, I have noticed less anger and more smiling. I am going to stick with it for another week, even though I know tomorrow I will want to stop again. Just hope side effects lessen."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2012

Paroxetine for Anxiety "Paroxetine worked absolute wonders for me when I first started paroxetine 6 years ago. My mood elevated so high to the point of work colleagues questioning my 'nightclub activities.' The 'serotonin high' also made me aggressively confident and involved a few flashpoints, including a physical fight-my first in 15 years. While it worked, it was GREAT. However, it lost its efficacy suddenly a few months ago, and I was prescribed sertraline/Zoloft, which was a disaster. Headaches, nausea, and insomnia were my body's reaction to this medicine. Have now been put on citalopram and hoping this will be effective. My doctor suggested I may try paroxetine again if I don't respond to citalopram."

• Hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2019

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "Amazing pill! Only took 10 mg in the morning and already feel a big difference! One thing to note, it can give you headaches and make you fidgety. But apart from that, so far, works great! Better than benzos."

• Sha...
• October 5, 2008

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I have epilepsy, anxiety problems, headaches, social problems, PMDD, and OCD, this is my all-in-one pill. Helps my anxieties and my headaches, even my raging hormone levels. I don't know how crazy I would be without it."

• Pin...
• July 30, 2017

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "Taken off Escitalopram 10 mg, which I was on for years, and put onto Paroxetine 20 mg for generalized anxiety and sleep disorder. Experienced terrible side effects-dizziness and almost fainting, headache, tingling extremities, nausea, weight loss. I was feeling like a whole different person in general. But nothing was worse than the withdrawal effects. I basically felt like a walking dead person-all of the above plus severe flu-like symptoms-I literally couldn't leave bed for days. Took a couple of weeks to feel good again, but had to start taking Escitalopram again to get there."

• DPO...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2022

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "I have had panic attacks and panic disorder for 2 years. I visited the doctor, and he gave me Paxil 25 mg. My first week was a nightmare, I had headaches, nausea, cramping, and heart palpitations. I was literally in another world. After one month, my symptoms started to subside, and my life was back up so I could go out of the house normally. Paxil + therapy session saved my life. I am waiting to get more benefits as time goes on. Don't be afraid, life is beautiful!"

• Ada...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2021

Paroxetine for Anxiety "It really helped me. I've been functioning with anxiety for a while, but it has always held me back from major life goals. I used to take Effexor, but it turned me into a zombie. Years later, I went on 20 mg of Paxil, and it's like I'm becoming a better person. I'm more outgoing, I have the energy to do things and pursue my passions. I actually enjoy going out and living life in general. I did have some side effects like nausea, upset stomach, and headaches, but it went away the first week."

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

Paroxetine for Depression "I used this antidepressant for 12 months. It definitely improved my mood and helped my anxiety. It also took away menopausal hot flushes. The downside, however, was that after taking it for about a month, I became constantly hungry and have put on about 8 kg of weight. The weight was mainly in the stomach area. I recently came off paroxetine by cutting the 20 mg tablet in half for a week, then stopping it and going on to 20 mg of Lexapro. Within a few days, my appetite was under control, and I am able to eat a lot less. The side effects when I stopped taking it were headaches every morning, however, this may be because I have a few issues with my neck. I also got hot and cold sensations. Overall, it was a good medicine for me."

• Los...
• June 2, 2016

Paroxetine 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."