Paroxetine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Lyn...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 1, 2018

Paroxetine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on Paxil for 15 years (except when I was pregnant). It's been great for my OCD, but still makes me feel tired, and I've gained weight that's hard to lose on it. I'm switching to something else that might be more energizing and doesn't pile on the pounds. Overall, I think it can be an awesome drug for anxiety and OCD in my experience, but there are a lot of side effects compared to other SSRIs."

• blo...
• July 25, 2019

Paroxetine for Depression "I have depression with anxiety on top. Paxil did help calm my anxiety but also made me very lazy and lethargic and didn't really help the depression totally. + weight gain + zero libido and no ability to orgasm, no sensation at all. So my overall quality of life didn't improve as much as I would have liked on this med. I feel like this might be a better med for just anxiety than depression for some people? But try something else first if you can. This is the worst medication for sexual side effects I've tried."

• 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."

• 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."

• No...
• April 11, 2010

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I started using paroxetine 12.5 CR generic (Pexep 12.5 CR) - it was to treat my mild depression, mostly caused by moderate GAD (general anxiety disorder) and moderately severe social phobia. The first 2 days were mild headaches (not bad enough to get an aspirin), also felt noticeably more tired than usual. On the 3rd day, I felt great. Not like an 'on' switch from the day before, but I did feel noticeably more comfortable around people and just felt better. Did not have any problems with libido or weight gain."

• Ser...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2019

Paroxetine for Social Anxiety Disorder "I'm one month now on Paxil, prescribed by my psychiatrist, as I almost always had social anxiety and phobia. I feel more anxious on it, but when I stop taking it, I feel good, but maybe is that because of medication, idk. I just hope that this one will work. I will give it a chance, and I tried Zoloft, which made me just tired."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2018

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "After the birth of my daughter, probably within hours, I experienced a panic attack. Months later, I was still having them every week, feeling worried and anxious about everything, having irrational thoughts that just wouldn’t budge. That’s when I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety. I was prescribed Paxil (paroxetine 10 mg). I would cry every day before that, but it did kind of help with my crying spells. However, for my anxiety, I feel like it got worse. I know they say to give it 4-6 weeks, I gave it 5 1/2 on 10 mg. Side effects in the first 2 weeks were constant yawning and feeling heavy-eyed, similar to what allergies feel like in the eyes, and increased appetite, which was better than not eating at all. I did still have panic attacks and down days. So, I didn’t think it was the right fit for me and switched to something else."

• 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...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2025

Paroxetine for Anxiety "At age 30, I developed severe anxiety, panic, and almost agoraphobia. I was put on Prozac, and it worked for almost 20 years. I regained about 70% of the life I once had. Could never fly again or drive long distances myself. But could enjoy most things, be productive at work, and have friends. I lived in my own small world. Prozac worked pretty well until one day it just stopped working. I then spent 2 years trying Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Celexa, and many other drugs, which made me worse. I found a new doctor, and he recommended Paxil. I started to feel better almost immediately. I was able to get my life back with no anxiety or panic. I would say I was 80% back to who I once was, but I gained 30 lbs (while exercising and eating healthy), more importantly, I was tired a lot, and my personality felt flat. My doctor suggested I wean myself off Paxil and try Viibryd 10 mg to start. My anxiety and panic have come back, and I feel racy and annoyed all the time. I am only on day 13 of Viibryd with no Paxil."

• Gia...
• June 14, 2017

For Depression "I took this for approximately a month for depression and anxiety. It definitely improved things; no more anxiety attacks or constant sad mood anymore. However, it did not help with my social anxiety whatsoever. Going out of the house has become a difficult task along with trying to converse with others as I become extremely uncomfortable and anxious. But this medication greatly helped turn my mood and thinking around 180 degrees. The side effects have brought me to the point where I just cannot take it anymore. I will sleep 10+ hours and still feel exhausted, struggling to open my eyes. As mentioned, my mood is great now, but I feel like I have less motivation to do anything and less emotion altogether. Did not work best for me."

• n0t...
• January 12, 2011

Paroxetine for Depression "I've now been on Paroxetine for about 10 years for severe, chronic depression. I was on Prozac for roughly 15 years before it appeared to lose its effectiveness, so I was prescribed this instead. My initial dose was 40 mg daily. It was initially extremely effective as an anti-depressant, and I went from being hospitalized for a week every year for my own safety to 6 years without a hospitalization. Just a 'blip' in mood every year instead of a crash. However, I'm now on 80 mg, and the side effects at this dose are appalling: chronic insomnia, 100 lb weight gain, constant tiredness, muscle aches, migraines, memory loss, zero libido, and all-around apathy. Attempting to drop my dosage results in uncontrollable weeping, numbness, and terror."

• arm...
• October 12, 2015

For Depression "I used this medication for a solid 10 years, and it effectively dealt with my anxiety and depression; however, it made me very tired, and I required a great deal more sleep than other people I knew. Weight gain and sexual side effects abounded, but I felt so good mentally that I was able to ignore this for a long time. This cut my obsessive thoughts out completely. I decided to wean off when I was trying to lose weight for my health, and it just wasn't coming off. The weaning is a b*tch, and I weaned over several months' time, using liquid fluoxetine to come down incrementally. However, once I was entirely off the medication, my anxiety and depression came back with a vengeance."

• Anonymous
• May 16, 2010

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "It's working. I haven't had any panic attacks since I started about 3-4 months ago, but my memory was bad before and still is bad. I've been getting constipated, decreased sexual desire, and ability. I'm only 19. I have to fix that. I am always tired randomly and need a coffee. I can't stop yawning all the time."

• Anonymous
• May 16, 2010

Paroxetine for Anxiety and Stress "It's working. I haven't had any panic attacks since I started about 3-4 months ago, but my memory was bad before and still is bad. I've been getting constipated, decreased sexual desire, and ability. I'm only 19. I have to fix that. I am always tired randomly and need a coffee. I can't stop yawning all the time."

• Ela...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2020

For Anxiety "DO NOT RECOMMEND!! I only took this medication for two days and oh, I can tell you now that was enough for me! The first day wasn’t too bad, just tiredness, and then the second day was a big no. I went for a nap, woke up 5 hours later extremely dizzy, shaky, my whole body was trembling. I couldn’t eat anything, I kept having panic attacks. I had headaches and extreme nausea and couldn’t sleep for over 24 hours!! I called 111 and was told to come off then straight away! Now, after 2 days of not taking them, I have numbness in my fingers and forearms, sickness, and headaches, and bad panic attacks, feeling like I can’t breathe and stabbing pains in my chest! This has put me off from having any other medication to help my anxiety ever again."

• sha...
• May 24, 2010

For Panic Disorder "I was prescribed paroxetine 10 mg for my panic disorder and OCD. I've been on it for about 1 month. At first, I was really tired, could hardly stay awake, and I couldn't eat because I felt nauseated, and at times I felt like my body was burning from the inside out. I almost felt like a zombie, just sat there, didn't smile, frown, or laugh. Thought I was going crazy. How would I take care of my kids like this? I decided to keep taking it because I hadn't had a panic attack, and having one frightened me to no end. After about 2 weeks, I was able to get up and clean without being picky, ride in a car without being scared, we had some storms, and I didn't panic, and I was playing with my kids again. The pros outweigh the cons! Thank you, paroxetine."

• Anonymous
• January 23, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I found this medicine to be extremely helpful. Initially, it made me very tired. I have been on it for over two years. One side effect for me has been a gain of about 30 pounds since taking it. I have tried to quit and/or skip taking it before. Don't do it! I always have nightmares or at least bad dreams if I miss a dose. Stopping cold turkey caused horrible light-headedness and dizziness. Talk to your doctor BEFORE you stop taking it. It is definitely worth these side effects."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2022

Paroxetine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "20 mg daily. I took it for 4 months before changing to new meds. The first week (which I know is the most intense for all SSRIs) was just so hard. My jaw was shaking uncontrollably, I was extremely tired, and I would fall asleep almost anywhere. I had extreme anxiety and sweating. However, I spoke to my psychiatrist, who told me to continue as the side effects would subside. So I kept on, and yes, the side effects did subside, but 4 months in, I still felt extremely fatigued. I was a long-distance runner, and even going for a walk became a challenge for me. I would sleep 8-9 hours a night and still found it incredibly difficult to wake up, and I'd need a 2-hour nap in the day (thankfully I work from home). It was difficult for me to socialize, put on clothes, and perform other basic day-to-day tasks. My jaw was also still shaking, and in 4 months, I had gained weight (lack of movement, I assume). I do believe the anxiety subsided, but the side effects themselves gave me anxiety, especially the fatigue."

• Kac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2021

For Anxiety "I have been on this medicine now for 3 months, and honestly, I wish I was on it sooner. I was so hesitant to try it, but so glad I did. I have IBS, anxiety, and panic attacks, and it has helped so, so much. I was unable to leave the house with anxiety and would have panic attacks if I had to. I did find some side effects when first starting, but after two weeks, was fine. I still be tired, but that is nothing compared to what I was going through. I had seen so many negative reviews, but honestly changed my life. Amazing."

• kid...
• April 10, 2009

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This generic works, but it sure doesn't work as well as Paxil CR. The generic isn't as potent. But it's less expensive. Paroxetine seems to work for O.C.D. very well, but the weight gain sure can be a bummer. You can be tired after taking it too; so I take it at night to help me get a good sleep."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2018

For Social Anxiety Disorder "In 11th grade, Doc prescribed this to me when I told him I suffered from social anxiety and GAD. He gave me some Paxil samples to try. The first few days I felt tired and numb. I also felt like something was trying to control all of my negative thoughts. At night, when I was watching TV, I felt a wave of panic hit me. That was my first panic attack. I never had one before. I had to lay on the bed and talk myself out of the rapid heartbeat and sudden terror. A couple days later, I was practicing tennis with my team. Out of nowhere, my vision went black, but I was still conscious. I told the coach that I couldn't play anymore that day because I wasn't feeling well. He thought I was making excuses and told me to run 5 laps after practice. Anyway, I had to sit on the bench and calm myself down. I basically experienced a panic attack and nearly blacked out. The next day, I took myself off of it cold turkey. I ended up having heart palpitations the entire day. Not the drug for me."

• rlc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2018

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "This was prescribed to me to be taken 10 days before my period and until it ended. Not a good fit because of the jaw clenching/yawning side effect. Jaw clenching caused me to wake up with some pretty bad head and neck aches when I was taking it. For me, it was not worth the side effects."

• dea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 25, 2021

Paroxetine for Panic Disorder "I have panic disorder and have also been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and major depression in the past. I tried at least 5 other SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro), tricyclics (Imipramine), SNRIs (Wellbutrin, Effexor), and Paxil is the only one that has worked for me. It takes me from being completely dysfunctional, paralyzed by panic attacks, into feeling like myself. The downside is the side effects - at 20 mg, I gained 10 lbs., felt more tired, and had sexual side effects. At 40 mg, I gained an additional 10 lbs., and the tiredness and inability to concentrate became more intense. If a different med works for you, I'd recommend it since Pexeva/Paxil is notorious for its side effects, but when you're feeling hopeless and others just aren't working, give it a go. It's saved my life more than once."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am a 31-year-old female. Paroxetine definitely helped my mood, but it made me lethargic, and I gained about a kilo a month for the five months I was on it. I was unhappy about the weight gain, so I tapered off very slowly and didn't have any serious side effects besides being a bit emotional for a week. Losing the weight seems to be harder than it was before I took the medication. It didn't help my mood any more than sertraline or Effexor did, and the side effects of those were far more tolerable than so much weight gain."

• Leg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2018

For Social Anxiety Disorder "This medication really didn't do much. I took it for 6 weeks on 20 mg. I didn't have really any side effects besides extreme tiredness and extreme lack of motivation. Now, 6 weeks in, I was still super anxious and depressed. It really did nothing for me at all. It is supposed to be the best for social anxiety, but I didn't experience anything beneficial. It was really just a waste of time."