Depression Blog.com

Every drug we take will cause a different response to each individual. I was lucky and have had great results with paxil. I had horrible anxiety attacks for about a year before I decided to do something about it. I was to the point of moving home to Indiana to be with my parents. I am a successful businessman in cal. And almost gave it all up because of the panic attacks. I have been on paxil for 3 years. I only take 10 mg. but that is all I need and have no side effects except for a lighter sex drive than before but that is it. I sleep great and am much more social than before and really seem to enjoy life more now than before.

Is this how most of you guys feel while taking paxil? Ha, ha. Kind of in a dizzi-like daze sometimes? I do. Anyway, I will go as far as saying about a year ago, I got so stressed out without even knowing it until I started having anxiety problems and going through depression. I had no idea what was going on with me. I lost my appetite, didn't want to clean the house as usual; I basically stopped doing anything that I normally did. I started feeling like I was losing my mind. I was afraid to go out in public places and just scared to be left alone. That was so not me. I quit my job because of these symptoms that I was having and went home to GA to stay with my mother for a while until we could figure out what was going on with me. I was prescribed paxil, but was very afraid to start taking it after I read about it and the negative affects people were having behind it, but anyhow, I started taking the paxil, and I suddenly got my appetite back, started gaining weight, and feeling so much better. So, paxil has helped me tremendously. I am grateful, but I've also experienced a lot of the symptoms mentioned by others (numbness, tingling, headaches, etc). I'm still taking paxil, and I'm thankful, because it helped me regain my sanity. I will deal with coming off of this drug when that time comes, but for now, the pros have outweighed the cons.

I feel great but I am anticipating the weaning. Right now when I am tired I get the wooshing sound that I have read about. I think it is time to come off now. Maybe my serotonin is too high???

I HAVE A VERY SIMILAR STORY TO THAT OF THE ONE ABOVE REGARDING HOW I CAM TO USE PAXIL AND HOW IT DEFINTLEY DID HELP ME. I BEGAN HAVING HORRIBLE ANXIETY AFTER A VERY BAD ORDEAL IN MY LIFE THAT CAUSED ME TO QUESTION ALOT ABOUT HTE WORLD I ONCE KNEW AND PUT ME THROUGH A WORLD OF HELL IN REGARDS TO WORRYING AND PANICKING. AFTER FIGHTING MY OWN FEARS FOR A YEAR, I REALIZED I NEEDED HELP TO OVERCOME ALL THE POST TRAUMATIC STRESS AND WORRIES I HAD BEGAN ENDURING AND WENT TO A DOCTOR WHO QUICKLY RECOGNIZED MY SYMPTOMS OF BEING DUE TO SEVERE ANXIETY, BECAUSE I CONSTNATLY WORRIED THAT I WAS LOSING MY MIND AND THAT I WAS GOING TO GO CRAZY, EVEN THOUGH I KNEW INSIDE I WAS NORMAL, THE ANXIETY TOK ITS TOLL...I REFUSED TO TAKE THE PAXIL AT FIRST BECAUSE OF ALL THE BAD THINGS I HAD HEARD ABOUT IT LIKE THE WEIGHT GAIN, THE HORRIBLE PROBLEMS PEOPLE HAVE COMING OFF IT, AND SO FORTH, BUT AFTER A HORRIBLE ANXIETY ATTACK MY UNCLE CONVINCED ME TO GIVE IT A TRY, AND OVER MONTHS I REALIZED HOW MUCH IT HELPED ME...IT TOOK AWAY MY ANXIETY, HELPED ME TO START THINKING NORMALLY AGAIN, AND MADE ME ENJOY LIFE AFTER NOT BEING ABLE TO FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF...OF COURSE IT HAD ITS SIDE EFFECT LIKE A 15 POUND WEIGHT INCREASE, WHICH IS NOW COMING OFF WITH EXCERCISE, AND ALOT OF TIREDNESS AT FIRST, BUT IN THE END I AM DEFINTLEY HAPPY WITH ALL THE HELP PAXIL GAVE ME IN OVERCOMING MY MAIN OBSTACLE IN LIFE, OR MY OWN "9-11" AS I WOULD CALL IT, BECAUSE IT WAS THE WAKE UP CALL FOR ME TO HELP FIND MYSELF AND GAIN A SOLID STRENGTH IN KNOWING WHO I AM. I AM NOW 9 MONTHS ON 25 MG A DAY, AND ALTHOUGH MY ANXIETY SOMETIMES KICKS IN, IT IS NOT NEARLY WHAT IT USED TO BE AND I DEFINTLEY FEEL NORMAL AGAIN AND AM SO DAMN GLAD THE BAD DARK D AYS OF ANXIETY ARE FINALLY OVER...ITS ALL ABOUT TRIAL AND ERROR WHEN IT COMES TO ANXIETY/DEPRESSION PILLS, AND YOU CAN EITHER BE AFRAID AND TRY TO DEAL WITH YOUR SYMPTOMS BY YOURSLEF, OR GO AHEAD AND TRY DRUGS THAT WERE MADE TO HELP YOU TO BEGIN WITH!!!! AND SEE HOW IT GOES

JUST MY OPINION

CHRIS

I started taking Paxil in 2002 because I had a slight depression and anxiety attacks. About a year ago, I decided to get off the drug, because I am very stubborn and don't want to have to rely on medication to live a normal life. I was not ready at that time to get off Paxil, so I decided to get back to my regular dosage of 20 mg. In the last 2 weeks, my family doctor advised me that I should think about weaning off the Paxil slowly (i.e. 10 mg for a week, then 5 mg.. etc...) until I am completely off them. It's been 2 weeks now, and I'm down to 5 mg. The only side effects I've had is tiredness and a little light headed - that's it. I sometimes have mood swings, but they only last for a few secondes... I feel pretty good about doing it and I'm hoping that once I am completely off Paxil, that I won't be needing the medication again. And also, when I did start taking the drug, I only gained about 5 lbs. which was not as bad as some have experienced. I truly hope that this will help some of you and I am encouraging some of you who do plan to come off the drug, to just try and think positive and not give up. I do exercise frequently and I think this also helps my moral. Good luck to all of you!

I was researching Paxil because though I don't often drink, I had a marquerita last night at a party and my husband cautioned me about taking a drink while on Paxil so this morning I was doing research on the net and came across your comments. There are many drugs on the market that caution you against stopping abruptly. I didi that once with hormones and wound up in the emergency room one night and thought I was having a heart attack, it was getting off the hormones cold turkey. I take Paxil for a severe sleep disorder and must tell you that Paxil has given me my life back. I have never felt so good! I am 54 years old and have't slept well since college. I have had no side effects from Paxil and feel it is the most wonderful drug ever invented. I am rested, calm, and plan to take this drug for the rest of my life. I am sorry so many have experienced problems, but, I think it is just as with many other medications, not everyone can take the same drugs. I am allergic to codeine and penecillin, wonderful drugs, but they are a problem for me. Just thought you might like another opinion.

I have been taking paxil for a while now and i have had some sexual side effects but with a little help from my husband it has come back. people are too quick to blame paxil for their problems. For one it takes a while for paxil to work. i find myself happier and less frightened than if i am not on it. my kids even see the difference in me. I think that taking paxil was the best thing I ever did. I sleep with fewer nightmares than before i was on it. I do not cry for no reason anymore. Sure i still feel sad sometimes but not everyone can be happy all the time. I just want to say that paxil might not be for everyone. You need to find what is right for you. For me it is paxil.

[moderator respones: Glad to see you are doing good. For some people Paxil is great. For some people it is not. As you alluded, people should be aware of alternatives before taking any prescription drug.]

it seems there is alot of people that have negative feelings about paxil, which i can understand, i tried to wean myself off once and i had extremely bad vertigo which led to nonstop crying. i have been taking paxil for about 2 years and intend to take it for as long as necessary, not because i am scare to try again to go off, but because my quality of life now has improved 100%.

i have few side effects mostly just some crazy dreams, i can fall asleep anytime or anywhere i lay down, but i also have gotten a job promotion, am a very social person and feel genuinely happy and i know my child is benefitting from this, so for right now life is good on paxil. i should mention that before i started taking the drug, i was almost to the point of going on leave from work and was leaving my house less and less, i was a nonstop worrier and sometimes my face would turn red if someone even spoke to me.

I have been taking paxil CR for a month now. I must say that the nervous, anxious, and panic feelings have passed since taking this medicine, the only side effect I have (that i know of) is sexual side effects. Which I heard could be dealt with if you mix wellbutrin with paxil. Anyway, im scheduled to stay on paxil for 5 months, and then gradually quit. I will deal with the withdrawl syptoms as long as they dont last, as long as my anxiety stays gone, it will be well worth it

After reading so many things about paxil I am stopping slowly. I took zoloft for 2 years, never noticed any problems. I had lots of energy and it stopped my depression. But Paxil for the last 2 months has changed my life-for the worse. I have had those electric shocks, and wondered what they were. Normally I am a very highly motivated ambitious person, sociable. All I have wanted to do is sleep-which is opposite of any other time in my life. I never slept past 6, now its hard to get going. But two days with half the dosage-10 mgs. i feel clearer already. Also the vivid dreaming is not something I have enjoyed-especially when every other dream is a nightmare-I never had nightmares before. Weight gain has been about 7 lbs., thats enough for me-because I needed to loose 20 before taking Paxil. Also, normally I have worked out for two years straight-the past two months-i do not have the energy or desire. All in all paxil is not a good alternative to me, hope people stop taking it. i plan to wean off in the next three months-even if there are side effects. Taking it is worse!!!!!!!!! I hope i will be off soon, back to my old energetic self.

I stopped in to read about paxil out of curiosity. I have been on 20mg since Summer 1998, prior to that my life was restricted to familiar places, no going out to eat, no trips, headaches, nasea, terrible dreams, sleep walking , halucinations, lack of appitite, new phobias, trouble concentrating. I was locked in a depressed 'box' from ages 3 to 28, I missed out as the world passed me by. I take paxil daily and wouldnt dream of going off of it. I am finally normal, the only side effects I can think of is a decreased labido, minor........\
After reading all these horor stories, perhaps paxil and the other drugs like it are being over-perscribed, or maybe I am just one of the lucky ones. Nonetheless, I am moving to quickly forward, am not looking back,,,,,

i was on paxil for quite some time and it helped a lot, but once i began feeling so good, i thought i was well and stopped taking it. after awhile the depression came back and now the paxil does not work any longer. my doctor said once you come off the meds, it is hard to control the depression because it comes back stronger. i am now on wellbutrin and lithium, but still am not better.like being in hell.

I have been using Paxil for years now and no longer fly off the handle. It helps me remain calm throughout my difficult life. Better yet, my calm attitude keeps me from going into a full-blown migraine. Before Paxil, I averaged 2 knockout migraines a week. By comparison, the little side effects don't count.

it works. if you take it .just give it a chance.and don;t beleave everything you read

it works. if you take it .just give it a chance.and don;t beleave everything you read

I started taking Paxil for depression. I gained 30 pounds while on the meds. Once I went off of it for 3 days and I called and threatened my doctor. Although it made me feel better and helped me through a really tragic loss, I would not recommend anyone ever take it.

Once I stopped my dosage for three days and ended up causing a car accident on my way to class. It is an addictive, narcotic like drug and should be taken off the market.

I've been hearing a lot recently about Paxil and all of its perilous side effects, and I'm truly worried. I've had what I consider to be relative success with Paxil. I've been on it for a long time and I'm at a relatively low dosage which I'm happy with. However, I do have some mild side effects (twitching, sweating), but the other ones people describe (sleeplessness, nervousness, etc.) I had before I started taking it. I had the zapping also before, and it's actually gone. I think that was a result of my regular use of extasy at that time, which I've now not used in more than 3 years.

Before using Paxil, I tried Celexa, which had side effects that I couldn't deal with (including symptoms of seratonin syndrome, which can be fatal). I also tried Zoloft which left me in a dead fog--not depressed, but not really alive.

As with many people, I did have some side effects when I first started taking Paxil. Most of them are gone, although my libido has never really been the same (good thing I'm single!). I do still get depressed sometimes, but I can get out of it more easily. I have to wonder if these people who have killed themselves were somewhat prone to suicide anyway. There is no doubt that these drugs worsen the symptoms before relieving them. If one is prone to suicidal thoughts in the first place, it should be openly discussed with a practitioner so that it can be monitored. I wasn't really suicidal, and I haven't really had thoughts of suicide since I've been on the drug.

Anyway, people should in any case really monitor how this is FOR THEM. I know people who have had great success with Celexa and Zoloft, but they were terrible for me. I'm doing okay with Paxil, but it's bad for others. Brain and body chemistry is a delicate and unique system in humans, and we cannot expect everyone to react the same way.

Good luck to everyone out there who is fighting depression and panic/anxiety--it's a rough road we tread!

I was on paxil for 9 months in 1997 and it helped me with panick attacks, depression and post traumatic stress. It took it all away. I had eye pains and was a bit tired, but nothing that would make me trade it for the other. I weaned myself off by cracking the 10mg in half at two weeks at a time until I was off. I had a few days of nervousness and twitching and electric shock- some irritablility but nothing that would stop me frm using it again if I needed too. I have been off the drug for 7 years and recently went back on it for depression and anxiety. I lost a baby recently and paxil once again ismaking me feel better at 10 mg. I do recommend that you tryit and if its not for you then try another one. I didnt do well with celexa or zoloft. Paxil is a life saver for me.
I hope you find something that helps.

I've been on Paxil for two years. It has saved me and my childrens lives.

I was a basketcase. I would scream and yell at the top of my lungs for any little thing that happened. I would explode without warning. I did not even like being a mom most of the time. And that was not me. I've only ever wanted to be a mommy. So I knew I was not myself.

I went to talk to a counsellor and then to the doctors office. I started paxil that day. It took about a month fot it to really kick in but it has been a godsend for us.

My children now have the mommy that they deserve. I very rarely have to yell or get mad at them. I am now capable of thinking and talking things out. We are all happier and healthier because of Paxil.

I must be the wierd one in this bunch: paxil has been part of my daily routine for two years now and in all that time I have been at my sexual peak! Reading some of your stories makes me wonder what life would be like without paxil? Well, I'm very grateful for that side effct.

I've only been taking Paxil for 8 days, and I am going to stick it out to see if things get any better. I am taking it for PMDD and mild depression associated with that. So far, I feel SO not myself on this. I am VERY tired, want to sleep all the time, and foggy headed. It's hard to concentrate at work, but I manage. I also have clenched jaw, and headache. I've been reading that these side effects lessen after 2-4 weeks, so I'll at least give it a chance. It HAS made me calmer, so that's good.

I just began Paxil after ending up in the ER with a major panic attack. I was very worried about "relying" on a drug because I had coped with my panic attacks before by myself. I do feel a little sleepy, but the best I have felt in a long time and Paxil is a great relief to knowing that you do not have to handle it by yourself when you can prevent the feelings of being anxious or sad before they begin.

This is my third day on Paxil CR and I feel so wierd. Is this how I will always feel on Paxil? Or do these side effects lessen after a couple of weeks?

Paxil is EXCELLENT for anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Pretty good for mild to moderate depression as well.

paxil made me loose 10 pounds the first 5 weeeks taking 25 milligrams. i feel sick and dizzy every day but not depressed

I hve been on different antidepressiants for 8 years ,currently on paxil for anxiety and mod depression and feeling much calmer happier positive and warm and fuzzy,my comment would be people are always trying to get of meds because they dont like been on chemical when really everything is chemicals ,.alchol, coffee, tea,peseratives,just because its natural doesnt mean it not a chemical ,st johns wort for example is highly toxic at a high dose (can kill)!And the other point is your causing a lot more stress Chemicals wise eg (high cortisol levels)adreanal stress on your body dealing with untreated anxiety ,panic ect ,then when your been treated and feeling happy and positive warm and fuzzy! As with any drug natural or synthethic the devils in the dosage

It would be fun to know how theses people have been doing OFF the paxil...

I have taken paxil for about 3 months for minor depression. The problem I have with the drug is a considerable loss of labido and am now not able to have sex.I may stop taking it for that reason. Any sugestions?

I started taking Paxal,5 months ago, when my father passed away. I have had anxiety attacks for about 3 years but never tried Paxal. My father's death made them worse and all I did was cry. I have had few side effects, like, low sex drive, some insomnia, and I've gained about 12 pounds. I has a spell of sleep walking last night,something I have never done before and it freaked me out. Has anyone else experienced sleep walking with Paxal? I can definitely tell a difference for the better and I feel very blessed that this was the only drug I had to try. i have heard of many people jumping from drug to drug in order the find one that works. I have noticed if I miss a dose, the next day I feel very nervouse. Hopefully I will not have to take them forever but they have helped me and it has been well worth it!!

I am a 39 yr old female, who has been on Paxil for 3 yrs and would like to come off them. The first year was great but the last 2 i feel i have been in a fog, tired and loss of sex drive. I take 20 mg and am very nervous to come off ,after reading all the adverse side affects, any advice would be greatly appreciated as my doctor of 20 yrs has retired, and i am now in pursuit of a new Doc.....

scared in Nova Scotia!

I have been on paxil for one week and a day the headaches have gone away but i still feel lik im in a dream like state lik and outer body experience will this stop?

After over 25 years of putting on 25,000+ miles a year in business and personal travel, I developed argphobia and tried to hide it from everyone for five years. I could no longer drive over bridges or on interstates with out going into a full-fledged panic attack. Unfortantely I couldn't hide it anymore due to distance training oppportunities for my work. After trying Lexapro and Effexor, I am trying Paxil and have been on it for two days. I feel better already, which in it self is frightening, as I didn't expect such quick results. I hadn't researched the drug, but found blog after blog that its not worth taking because of the withdrawal, but then I steadily withdrawed from Effexor without too much trouble. I hope and pray that someday, I'll be back on the road, getting on with my life. I am currently in psycotherapy for the driving problem and social anxiety. On the day I was going to just give up on therapy and decided I just wouldn't drive anymore, my therapist said let's go for a drive and she helped me cross the line of anxiety and fear on Freeways, bridges and tunnels Best one hour I've experienced in the last 3 years. I am hopeful this will work and if I pack on a couple pounds, so be it. Panic attacks, worry and anxiety is hell, and if this lessens that, labido can wait. If it doesn't, like I said before, I'd try electric shock if it took away half of the anxiety attacks I was having.

I just want to add my two cents for anyone that is like I was in recent months, out reading these type of sites because they are having issues with taking or thinking about taking drugs like Celexa and Paxil (these are the only two I have experience with). I have always been a very normal and social person. I have a good job, am married and have a wonderful son. I have lots of family and friends nearby and have a very good relationship with everyone in my immediate and extended families. Long story short, I'm the stereotypical guy next door. However, I have suffered from mild to moderate anxiety for years. I didn't know that was what it was, and just chalked it up to being part of life. One day about a year ago, I had a severe panic/anxiety attack at work, went to the fire station where I was told my vitals were bad, but just under numbers that would warrant taking me to the ER. I promptly went to my primary care doc who performed an EKG and talked to me about my experience. They sent the info to a heart specialist and sent me home. By the time I got home I had received a call from the primary care doc telling me to go to the ER ASAP to be checked out for heart issues. I did, and after six hours they sent me home without a clear diagnosis. I was then put through the full heart work-up, which all showed no problems. So this all blew over and I figured I was fine. In the interim I got a new small practice primary care doc (a D.O. instead of the M.D.'s I had been seeing, which was a positive but unintended result) for no particular reason other than I didn't like the cattle-call practice I had been going to. I gave the new doc all the info and records from my prior experience, and after talking to me about my life and anxiety issues, he said he thought I had an anxiety problem. He prescribed me Celexa (20 mg/day) and I took it for two days. I had an experience worse than most of what you read on the many websites that come up when you search SSRI's or drug names like Celexa or Paxil. Horrible side effects don't begin to describe how I felt. I quit taking it right away and felt back to normal in just a couple of days. Two months later I had another panic attack at work, although not as bad as the first, but still enough to cause me to tell my boss what was going on and to leave for the day. I went back to my new primary care doc, and he asked me to try Paxil this time (10 mg/day for a week, then increased to 20 mg/day). Holy smokes! I am now about five weeks into the Paxil, and it has really helped me. I have had some mild side effects, like being more tired and some decrease in libido. However, they are relatively minor and managable compared to the level of anxiety I had. So my point is that different people react differently to these types of drugs. If you have a real problem, and want help through medication, give it a shot. It may not be quick or easy to find the fix, and I guess it is possible you won't even find a fix in taking any pill, but you also might find something that really helps. Be aware of the fact that there are serious downside risks and possible side effects, but also understand that there is real potential in a lot of these drugs. Finding the right drug and dose for you may be the key to getting your happiness and functionality back. Good luck to all.

Paxil eliminates my social anxiety. I feel as though nothing bothers me anymore. I have less of a sex drive, but can last a very long time. Alcohol needs to be ingested with caution, and not taken with meds. I have had mildly manic moments, and some homocidal thoughts, but no actions. I'm still in complete control of myself. Side effects are mild, if there are even any other ones that I can think of. I lost my emotions, for teh most part. I enjoy not feeling though, it seems to be less cloudy, and more to the point. I take 20mg a day, and have been for almost a year now. My body had a sudden drastic masculinity change as well, as if it effected my hormones. I went from extremely effeminate, to moderately masculine. This has been an overall success so far, with many more pros than cons.

I had suffered from panic attacks and anxiety for 20 years, but had been told by countless doctors that I was just high strung or it was all in my head. Over the years I had developed may phobia's, fear of bridges, fear of flying, etc. These fears and the constant anxiety made working in the corporate world and hiding it very difficult. One particular panic attack seemed to open the flood gates of panic and I again went to a doctor which finally gave a name to it all and told me I was not causing it. She put me on Paxil which totally relieved all of the panic attacks and free floating anxiety. That was 11 years ago and I am still taking it.

I have never attempted to get off of Paxil as the doctor told me that I would probably need to take it the rest of my life. However, after recently reading so much negative information about the drug, I am considering trying to wean myself off. I have searched for information about the impacts of long term use, but always end up with vague data. Does anyone out there have any idea if it is deteremental to our health to take Paxil for many years?

This medication has practically saved my life but getting off is extremely difficult. I have tried several times but cannot do it. I am back on it now for four years now.

I was on 25 mg paxil cr for 3 years and doing very well. Thought it was time to get off it. Went off cold turkey and had 3 or so weeks of hell. (listen to your doc). I was doing well for 5 months and then my major anxiety attacks with depression returned. I tried Prozac for 8 days, but that just put me in a downward spiral.

I have been back on Paxil for 6 days now. I am far from normal, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I hope I can get back to normal quickly. I know some people can't take Paxil, but for those of us who can it is a godsend. I do sweat more and I did gain a lot of weight, But after the hell I have been going through, I would 100% rather be heavy and happy than thin and scared.