Paroxetine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2018

Paroxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I originally started at 20 mg. This dose was too much and had trouble sleeping. I went down to 10 mg, which is working much better for me. Unfortunately, I am experiencing a blood taste in my post-nasal drip. I have excellent oral hygiene, and this is not coming from my mouth. It is definitely from the throat. Not sure if anyone else has experienced this? The medication is working, but this side effect is gross."

• dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2022

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I took this drug for 3 months at a dose of 20 mg. At first, increased anxiety and insomnia for the first week. It actually lowered my social anxiety and negative thoughts, but also lowered my motivation level. I slept 12 hours a day, couldn't climax or cry. I decided that life without emotions is not life, and I went off the drug, which was also not a pleasant experience - I had to cut the pill into 1/8 parts."

• Anonymous
• July 26, 2010

Paroxetine for Depression "I thought I needed an antidepressant, so I tried a couple. Paxil, for me, had terrible side effects. I felt like I was on speed. Had to eat every two hours. I could not go anywhere; always had to have snacks with me, and I lost weight even with the calorie increase. Insomnia was the worst. I could not even take 10 mg. I tried the medication for about 7 weeks and decided it was not for me and began a weaning-off process. Reduced to 5 mg for 1 week; this was the hardest and caused the most side effects, which included vertigo, nausea, and insomnia, which lasted about 2 days. Then I reduced to 2.5 mg for another week and a half. Stopped taking it completely after this and did fine with no side effects."

• Med...
• January 12, 2012

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "I took Paxil for 10 years. Started on 20 mg and had intense anxiety, confusion, panic. Doctor insisted it was all in my head. Therapist told me to cut the dose in half. Felt somewhat better. Went up to 20 mg after a few months and began to get brain zaps. A close friend told me I had lost my personality. Slept 10-14 hours a night and frustrated my partner because of sleeping, no sex drive, and no ability to feel sexual pleasure. Effects of alcohol intensified-passed out from 2 drinks or became over-emotional. Tapered from 20 mg to 0 slowly over the 10 years. Each tiny decrease resulted in a ~2-week period of increased anxiety. I think overall it numbed the panic, but CBT therapy and getting older may have been more or similarly effective."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2022

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I don’t even know where to start, really. I was afraid to get on Paxil at first, but someone said it was great. It helped so, so much with my depression. My anxiety was pretty much gone. I was so happy for that! However… it came at the price of me being a zombie. It’s not like I was tired, but mentally couldn’t get off the couch and do housework. I was bleh. I didn’t really want to sleep, I just couldn’t do anything. I hated it. My doctor is tapering me off of it, and I’m able to do stuff again. I felt like I lost my life for a week. And the insomnia! I slept 5 hours in 3 days!!! On the 4th day, I had to take a Tylenol PM to actually sleep. It’s a toss-up. Be happy and anxiety-free and be a zombie and not sleep, or be able to live your life. I chose to get off this and live my life. Now on to the next drug..."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Paroxetine worked wonderfully for my mental issues. Previously, I was always a 'glass half empty' person and had serious insomnia for months, even years. But almost instantly, Paroxetine changed all that, and I got lots of restful sleep and became more positive. However, after about 2 months of taking it, I started having a really upset tummy, which escalated to the level that it was impacting my professional life and had become very uncomfortable. I tried changing my diet, nothing worked. Then, after a month of trying everything, my GP suggested to taper off the meds, and the discomfort stopped. Now I am back to my low self. I wish I could take this pill again, as I haven't had a good night's sleep since. Bad luck for reacting like that..."

• Lei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2022

Paroxetine for Anxiety "I was on Paxil 10 mg for a total of five weeks after trying Cipralex and having horrific panic attacks and extreme exhaustion. The exhaustion was not bad with Paxil, but I continued to have panic attacks that would wake me up throughout the night and be so bad I would need to take Ativan almost every night. I reduced to 5 mg, and it was a bit better, but I still had insomnia and anxiety and frequent panic attacks. There are a lot of reviews on here saying you need to wait through some bad times until it gets better, but after five weeks, I decided I couldn’t take it anymore, and I was advised by my psychiatrist that I was probably not tolerant of SSRIs in general. To be honest, detoxing from Paxil after only going on for five weeks was worse than the actual time on the drug itself. I experienced increased panic attacks and overall anxiety, brain zaps, and terrible, terrible insomnia. Because my old insomnia and anxiety was why I went on a small dose in the beginning, it was terrifying."

• Cha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 11, 2022

For Depression "I've been on other SSRIs since the age of 16. I've been on paroxetine 50 mg for 5 years. My anxiety and depression have always given me severe dips over the years, this has never changed. I was diagnosed with cPTSD last year and am currently undergoing EMDR therapy along with my usual talk therapy. I'm in discussions with the clinical psychologist that I see to determine whether I need to come off this medication or try another one. Ideally, I would like to be medication-free and feel there is no benefit to having a medication in my system when it is not giving me any relief. If the psychologist suggests another medication, then I would try one. The main side effects that I have observed since starting paroxetine are weight gain, insomnia, and dulling of my personality."

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2021

For Anxiety "I was prescribed 10 mg for anxiety and agoraphobia. If I could give this negative stars, I would. I took it at night and had trouble sleeping. In the morning, my appetite was completely gone, I was nauseous and more anxious than ever. I decided I wouldn't take it again. Around the 20-hour mark, I was sweating profusely with shakiness and awful nausea. Felt like I had the stomach flu."

• tif...
• December 13, 2009

For Anxiety "I have been taking paroxetine for 3 weeks, and it has helped a lot. I could tell the first week! I had anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia, and it has helped in all areas. I even got my appetite back! Just trying to get back to 'normal' sleep pattern. My pharmacist told me about melatonin 1.5 mg at night, and it is helping as well. Good luck, and don't let all the negative stuff freak you out like it did me!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 17, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "In short: Pros: Truly helped with my anxiety. Cons: Caused jaw clenching and nasty side effects when trying to quit. Here's the full story: I took Paxil and then the generic form, Paroxetine, for about 15 years. It worked wonderfully for my anxiety. I had some mild side effects in the beginning - sleepiness mostly (which was a good side effect for me). Once I was on it for a few years, I started waking with headaches and noticed I was clenching my jaw quite a bit. I got a dental device to help with the jaw clenching, which helped temporarily. Then I tried a lower dose, which helped for a while, but then my anxiety would get worse, I'd up the med and the clenching increased. Ultimately, I decided to switch to Lexapro, which I've been on for about 7 years now. Side effects of tapering off the Paxil were awful - major increase in anxiety, inability to sleep, and when I did sleep, I had very vivid dreams which exhausted me."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've only been on it for 3 days. It made all my muscles hurt. I have a really bad headache, it made my pupils huge. It kept me awake all night! It made me randomly shaky or hot or cold, just a lot of side effects. So it makes it not even worth taking. I hate this stuff, I'm never taking it again."

• KMH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I am taking 20 mg of paroxetine a day. I have only been taking it for one week, but I am starting to feel a lot more positive. I don't feel as tired, I'm not comfort eating, and I find myself in a better mood. I understand it has only been a week, but I haven't felt this 'up' on other SSRIs, my previous one being sertraline, which did not agree with me. My side effects have been a headache (for the first three days), constant dry mouth, trouble sleeping through the night, my jaw feels tight, and lack of appetite. I also suffer from trichotillomania, I have still found myself pulling eyelashes. It has only been a week, so I hope I continue to improve."

• tay...
• October 2, 2018

For Depression "My experience: it worked for my depression, however, I started to experience insomnia and really bad hives on my chest, neck, and face. Unfortunately, I had to stop the medication even though it was great for depression."

• Min...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2021

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "Started on Oct. 14, 2021, to take Paxil 10 mg. I’ve been dealing with panic attacks since 2014, but never got medication for it till now. For the first week on it has been a rollercoaster. First 2 days I was doing fine, till Sunday I started to have a feeling of coldness in the back of my head that went down my whole body, palpitations, dizziness, and a headache. I got scared that I even called my mom. Those symptoms followed up the next day. Tuesday I felt like I was choking to a point that I had a panic attack. My body felt numb and cold. I was sweating a lot too. Thank God we got home. On Wednesday I felt emotionless and went to the doctor to let her know the side effects. She said they can put me on another medication, but I said no. I didn’t want to go through another symptom, so I stuck with Paxil. Now I woke up to shortness of breath and again had a panic attack. I felt chest pain, headache, and trouble sleeping. And I have the common side effects. Just hope for the best!"

• anx...
• September 9, 2017

For Anxiety "I started this medicine 9 days ago. I had my first panic attack ever like a month ago. My anxiety started about 2 months ago after receiving a phone call with bad news. I was so anxious that I stopped eating and sleeping. During those past two months, I was feeling very anxious in the mornings and afternoons and sometimes back to my normal self at night. I developed a social phobia as well. Paxil has terrible side effects: nausea, insomnia, total loss of appetite (didn't have much to start with), drowsiness, involuntary muscle movements, etc. I thought about stopping it on the third day because of insomnia. I made it to day 9, and my anxiety isn't really better. Doc said give it more time."

• jak...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 14, 2024

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on paroxetine 40 mg for OCD for over 5 years, and it has worked great. Unfortunately, 5 months ago, my sleep started to be brutally disturbed - I was unable to fall into a deep sleep, and I didn't even have a REM phase. When I didn't take the pills for two days, I fell asleep, but otherwise, I had no other solution but to switch to another medication. Paroxetine blocked out intrusive thoughts brilliantly, but it finally went wrong with the sleep. I rate 5/10."

• Bel...
• November 3, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "Took successfully in 2003-4 for PTSD and associated anxiety. No side effects (other than lost libido) and came off them easily under doctor's supervision. 13 years later, I was put back on them due to depression and anxiety. This time they have been horrendous! Headaches, bones in my face aching, nausea, a 'creeping' feeling through my hands, arms, and shoulders, disorientation, racing heart, not passing urine frequently enough, and terrifying sleep problems (insomnia but feeling like you're being suffocated and having awful thoughts). After 12 days, I realized I couldn't take these symptoms anymore. On the advice of a doctor, I ceased instantly. By Day 2, the withdrawal was awful - a more intense version of the side effects. Easing now (Day 4)"

• Her...
• July 4, 2017

For Anxiety "I hate this drug so much!! At first, it was helping me sleep, and now it's causing so much anxiety, insomnia, vertigo, panic attacks to the point of feeling paralyzed. My chest feels weird constantly, and my vitals are normal. I did end up having a seizure with this medicine!!! I am on 40 mg, get me off this damn drug! Such bad anxiety and racing thoughts. My brain isn't calm! I can't hardly eat because of the insomnia and anxiety!!!! This is the WORST drug ever. Do not stay on this drug. I'm always sweating with this stupid drug and having anxiety and unable to fully stay asleep. I have so many side effects now. I hate it!!!!"

• Mak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm on 10 mg of paroxetine, 2 mg of alprazolam, and lithium 100 mg for bipolar type 1. I don't know, but I haven't been able to sleep since I've been on paroxetine, and I get more anxious on a day-to-day basis. Due to the insomnia, it's hard for me to understand what people are trying to tell me, and this doesn't happen to me normally. I've been on paroxetine before but at higher doses, so I'm not sure if it's that."

• Tgu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "This drug does work with depression. In fact, I was taking 10 mg Lexapro beforehand until my psychiatrist switched me to Paxil. At first, I was weary to try since Lexapro was doing fine with the depression and anxiety mixed with therapy and Xanax 0.5 mg. I didn’t take the Xanax every day, but the anxiety went away. Well, now it has come back stronger than ever, creating insomnia and high anxiety. From my past experience with Paxil and anxiety, it didn’t help out much at all, in fact, I now have to go up a dosage, which I don't like having to go up a dosage with medicine taken every day. I hope it ends up well, but I will say the only medication that helped with my anxiety is a benzodiazepine such as Xanax. But my doctor took me off and told me to go up to a pill that doesn’t really do much. The issue is I get the same results from Lexapro as I do Paxil, and I spend way less on Lexapro than I do on Paxil. It seems to me that Paxil is just an expensive Lexapro or fluoxetine option."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2014

Paroxetine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "My anxiety skyrocketed while on this medication so much that my doctor prescribed Xanax. I was terrified and unable to sleep for more than a couple hours."

• B i...
• May 20, 2015

Paroxetine for Depression "This drug made me feel super high. I felt like I was on meth, couldn't sleep, and felt too intoxicated to drive. Quit after a few days."

• Kal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 1, 2017

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "I have buzzing in my ears, very annoying, also find it hard to sleep. Yet when I do sleep, I can sleep for 10 or 11 hours."

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I took one pill, and it caused awful side effects: caused tinnitus, depression, insomnia. Would NOT recommend. Till this day, I still have tinnitus."